Thursday, July 30, 2009

Oliver Report

Poor Oliver! As many of you know... Oliver was neutered yesterday and continues his convalescence at home. He lost his "mojo" baby, yah. A mojoectomy!

Remember Oliver today as he recovers and thank the doggies in your life who have already taken one for the team... oh behave baby!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wordy Wednesdays

" Every puppy should have a boy."
-Erma Bombeck

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

A Time Out!

I recently gave myself a timeout! Not a vacation really because too much work was involved to call it that. No, it was really just time away. I had a lovely time in Georgia and Tennessee, visiting with family. The pups stayed behind with Dad, and I hear they missed me.While away though, I took the opportunity to do a little pleasure reading ... and what a pleasure it was! The book "The Art of Racing in the Rain," by Garth Stein, was fabulous! The story is about a racecar driver and his struggles with a terminally ill wife and some pretty evil in-laws. The twist however is that the entire story is told from the prospective of the family dog, Enzo. Enzo is something else with his obsessive desire for thumbs and a longing for a tongue that will form words.Enzo learns from watching TV and much observation of human activity. Writer Garth Stein has really crafted something special in his observations of dogs and Enzo can make you believe (if you ever had a doubt,)that there is much more going on inside a dog's mind than we will ever know. The story is funny and touching but not the least bit contrived or predictable. I loved it and would love to recommend it to all my fellow doggie lovers too. I have read that Patrick Dempsey (a race car driver/enthusiast himself,) has picked up the story and is working to bring it to film. That is funny, because the whole time I was reading I was picturing Dempsey as the lead character Denny, even before I knew about the project. So I would love to discuss the book with ya'll. If you have read it already or plan to read it in the future... let me know what you thought. I found it thoroughly entertaining and easy to read, and I bet ya'll will too.

Home Again... Home Again.

Ahhhh... the comforts and joys of home! I have been away for what seems like an eternity, visiting with family and friends, adventuring with my little guy, preparing for another year of homeschooling, but I missed my fortress. I missed the mountains, I missed my lovelies, I missed the hounds, I missed my palatial gardens (hee hee), but most of all I missed my man. Sometimes I lose sight of how important he is to me. We have spent so many stressful times apart, with him deployed to war zones and me on the homefront, that now that he is home... I forget to miss him. I forget how sad I am in his absence. I forget what a special gift God has given me in my husband. So this week I will clean the house the way he likes it and make him something special to eat... a wildberry crisp perhaps. Just a little something to show the "Duke," that I love him.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

The "Heart" of the Kitchen




I believe the stove is grand. The sink is dandy. But the refrigerator... priceless! Where the stove is no doubt the muscle, with all its output, and the sink is the pulmonary system, carrying the life blood to other parts of the kitchen... the fridge is the heart. Our refrigerators provide and supply the whole system with the parts to run. Without it, food spoils but with it the stove is provided for... the sink is provided for... you see where I'm going? And the dishwasher... ummm... the endocrine system? Okay so I wax philosophical about my fridge for one reason, it now has its new, permanent, home in the kitchen! It is a lovely Frigidaire, side by side, with water and ice (crushed or cubed) in the door. The lines are so retro and lovely and I love the heritage that the name "Frigidaire" conjures in my mind. I think of how the ice box thrilled in the 20's and then in the modern 50's we marveled at the bliss of refrigeration. Think of how we were astounded by the ability to keep stuff cold, in our own kitchens, without having to haul ice from the ice house. Then think about how marvelous to know that electricity would keep your Sunday ham cool and your new TV dinners ice cold until... you were ready to heat and eat. Today I salute the humble and hard working fridge, my favorite (for the moment) appliance!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Yard Sales, Junking and Auctions... Oh My!


I knew, this Spring, when I started pulling nice tables and chairs out of other people's trash that this would be a season for treasures. Even that fabulous phenomenon however, could not foreshadow all the lovely auctions and yard sales that awaited. Of course one unfortunate reason for such awesome sales may have a lot to do with the depressed economy. Yet, I remain hopeful on that front because the auctions and yard sales have all been widely attended. Rallying to the aid of those in need and finally paying reasonable prices for antiques and collectibles, too long inflated, will certainly help the market correct itself... right? And buying second hand, is once again, in vogue. To re purpose should have never gone out of style, if you ask me. So here are a few of the purchases, I have made, to shore up the economy!

A little red stool for the kitchen, great shape, $20.00.


A lovely set of 8 of these '50's aprons... because my dish soap likes to look pretty while it works too...only $1.00!

My art deco, humpback mantle clock...$75.00... works perfectly!

Wordy Wednesdays


"If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them."
-Phil Pastoret

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Dogs about town.


As Oliver sleeps the Dog Dayz of Summer away, it rolls by WAY too quickly! We are spending WAY too much of it at Lowe's too, (lots of home renovations before it gets cold again!) One good thing about Lowe's though... I almost always see dogs. These two were there a couple of days ago with their owner, who was looking at paint. What sweet dogs and great companions for shopping!

Around the Shire!


It is always such a pleasure to show my beautiful home to visitors. This past week I got the chance to do just that. Take a look at all the majesty...The Cow Pasture River

The Milkweed and other wildflowers were in bloom.

Beautiful Araucana and Quail eggs from the Staunton Farmer's Market.

Fun at Hull's Drive -In!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Wordy Wednesdays


There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy.

-Ben Williams

Monday, July 6, 2009

Thanks to God for Liberty!


"The arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties being with one mind resolved to die free rather than live slaves."

--Thomas Jefferson, 1775

"So you are no longer a slave but a son; and since you are a son, God has also made you an heir."

Galatians 4:7
I thank God for the blessings of Liberty and I know that it is only in him, I am free.


The Party's Over!


The 4th of July has come and gone and it was a blast, (get it... a blast... funny.) Our family spent the day with friends and enjoyed hamburgers and baked beans and cupcakes and cobbler... oh my! We felt like the pups should stay back this time just for the sake of peace of mind. Although none of them show aversions to loud noises, (hunting breeds shouldn't, but you never know,) we felt the occasion would best be put in the "better safe than sorry" category. Our beloved Dalmatian, Maggie, used to have such a horrible response to the 4th because of the LOUD fireworks. She would absolutely come unglued! So, we wanted to make the 4th a bearable, if not pleasant experience for the pack. Of course conditioning is the key, so we gave special treats to mark the day... Cheetos! (I know they are not that healthy... we don't judge here :) ) We made a little game of getting the Cheetos before we left for our celebration and it looked like this...
Ruby is about to "speak" for a treat. We also made sure everyone had plenty of exercise to tire them out and the little one went in his crate for added security. We don't know if any of our neighbors shot off fireworks, but everyone looked relatively calm and relaxed when we got home. At our friend's house however... this little guy came ready for the party and completely undaunted by the unfolding events...
This is Scooter and he is one of the most laid back fellas I have ever met! He lives in a retirement community with his Dad Harry and visits his Mom in a nearby nursing facility, often. Harry says the ladies at the nursing home love him so and practically jump out of bed to touch him. That's the miraculous power of a dog... no? Scooter wasn't scared of those nasty fireworks and he made sure to protect Harry from them! Good boy Scooter. It was a great day for all, human and canine alike, and we look forward to another celebration next year. Hope ya'll had a great one too!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Using the Kitchen


Today I am taking full advantage of some of my kitchen's new goodies, namely my oven, and making pizza. Today's lunch was a gluten free, veggie, pesto pizza for me and the Mister. And for the youngster... a gluten free pepperoni pizza, personal size.


While I baked, Ms. Ruby laid by my feet and enjoyed the cool of the new wood floor.

Wordy Wednesdays


"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."

-Roger Caras
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