I Was a Winner Once?

Oh I feel like such a cotton headed-ninnymuggins! I was recently perusing The Farm Chicks blog... I'm a regular stalker... and I came across a post from last Augusta, declaring ME a winner of a sweet giveaway!

Silly me, I didn't even know.

It was a precious little apron stencil for cakes and the like... so cute.

Now I must ask ya'll, would it be appropriate for me to try and claim last years prize? I mean I feel like a real heel!

I promise I am a die-hard stalker... I just don't know how I missed it!

Chicken Allergy?

Yes, you read correctly... Ruby is allergic to chicken. Okay I've been writing my little heart out about wheat, and beef allergies. I have examined many a different diet and expounded upon the benefits of a natural whole food diet for your doggie. But, HELLO, chicken!? Poor miss Ruby was sick for several months... coughing, weird tummy gurgles, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss... but finally after a trip to the vet and discovery that she was allergic to something?... we narrowed it down to chicken. CHICKEN! So now she is on a very specific diet, as many of your dogs may also be, and we have to be very mindful of treats. Since going on "Blue" Lamb and Brown Rice we have seen Ms. Ruby gain weight and start looking well again. It is a challenge to find a commercial dog food without any chicken products but I live to testify... it's out there. In order to put some weight back on, we have also supplemented Ruby's diet with this...

Homemade Ground Lamb, Venison and Brown Rice

As far as treats go... we have found a "Greenie" type treat at Tractor Supply and a gourmet shop on Etsy that makes the most special vegetarian dog treats ( more details later.) But what about you? Any weird allergies out there? What do you do to make your pup the healthiest they can be? Any non-chicken treats that you're just crazy about? Let us know. We would love to hear from you.

Thinking back to many years ago...

Living in Alaska was an awesome adventure and one I wouldn't trade for the world.

At the time this picture was taken, I was struggling with having to leave Alaska.

I didn't want to go.

I asked the Lord, in prayer, for some assurance that we would be okay... that life would be okay.

I needed something tangible and, this was the first and only time I asked God for a physical sign of his promise. Sad to admit it now, but I was losing my faith.

Then God sent me a fish.

Not just any fish but a fish that physically represented not only God's willingness to provide for me, but the vastness with which he was going to do it.

His grace is more than sufficient. His love is huge.

A Collar Fit for a Queen

Work IT Girl!

It appears that Ms. Ruby has been shopping on Etsy again. After the humiliation of having to wear "hunter's orange," for a season, Ruby just felt like she needed something "pretty."

Too Sexy for her collar!

Sam Lorastein at "Very Vintage" www.veryvintage.etsy.com made this precious little collar with her own two hands!

All of her collars are handmade with high quality organic fabrics and look beautiful on Weimaraners (and other breeds too I'm sure,) don't you think?Ruby's collar features an "owl" motif, which (apparently) is very chic right now. This little collar would also be very appropriate for Halloween or Autumn themed attire. Go visit Sam because she also has other patterns that are completely unique... just like your furry baby. Ruby recommends it.

Good-Bye Snow or..... See Ya Later?

Yippee. We finally got a day of warming, (a balmy 45 degrees,) and the snow is finally starting to melt. I can't say I'm unhappy about that but I will miss that new fallen snow feeling. The beauty, serenity and joy that a new fallen snow offers can't be matched. I'm not so naive as to think it won't snow again... even sooner than later... but it was super nice for awhile. So here are some pre-melt reflections. Until next time my frosty friend.

Oh Pottery Barn!

Somebody, I'm not naming any names, is about to sin and spend money she ain't got! I rebuke you Pottery Barn... I rebuke you.

Wordy Wednesdays

"I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts."

-John Steinbeck

An Update

Hey we're still here! Briefly... Oliver is hogging the fire....we just found out that Ruby is allergic to CHICKEN and.... Max is recouping after his "de-manning" surgery. All is well though and we will have to talk more in the next few days, maybe over coffee and vegetarian dog biscuits...? Max is begging you, please come back tomorrow!

Another GREAT gluten free experience.

Many of you know that we eat gluten free around here. My son was diagnosed with Celiac disease at the age of 2. That was 10 years ago and my how things have improved for him! I too eat gluten free because I have had digestive issues for years. My doctors have always said IBS, but I always wondered... it is genetic, it probably came from my Mammaw (who past away before people even knew what Celiac is,) and IBS treatments didn't work for me. So, a year ago I went gluten free too and have felt awesome since. It would have been quite a leap had we not already been doing "mostly" gluten free for all of us already, (of course my son has been 100 percent since diagnosis... he must.) So we are so thrilled when we find restaurants and stores that are willing to cater to those on a gluten free diet. Having said that, we have some kudos, for a really positive experience, to pass along.

Oh my! A little too close-up there honey.

On a recent trip to Washington D.C. we visited a downtown pizzeria,

"Pet's NewHaven Style APizza"

It was right off a Metro stop, very easy to find, and oh my the food was good. They offer almost all the topping options on a gluten free crust. They also have pasta dishes that can be made with gluten free pasta and I even had some gluten free pumpkin cheesecake... so good! The manager came out to talk with us, and make sure that we were enjoying our meal. We, of course, told him how thrilled we were to have such YUMMY gluten free options. He told us what he had heard from other customers, "there is a growing demand for quality gluten free food and people are coming... often... to request it." If you get a chance... and your cruising D.C. you should visit Pete's. http://petesapizza.com/index.htmlsho

and tell the kindly folk that the Dutchess says, "howdy and a hearty thanks again."

Fabric Envy

Who doesn't love some of this...

or some of this for that matter?!

These are some of the adorable fabrics that I was perusing at http://www.sewmamasew.com/

Oh my these are so pretty. Of course the last thing I need right now is more fabric. I'm trying to purge people! Not to mention that my Singer is in serious need of some TLC! I discovered this page (some might say, unfortunately...) through The Pleasant View Schoolhouse. Check out her fabric envy from my link to her on the right. Down there... under my fav blogs... that's right... the one with the strawberries. Too precious.