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.

During WWII, some G.I.'s managed to bring home some pretty precious little critters. The miniature Sicilian donkey was a work-horse in the Mediterranean and North Africa for soldiers and civilians alike. Donkeys have "that" reputation for being tough and rugged... and for good reason... they ARE tough and rugged. But the miniature has that adorable sweetness of appearance that is SO endearing! Here's what we have that pays homage to my love of the miniature donkey...

"Frankie" The Pony Mule

Maybe someday he will have a Sicilian brother as his companion. (And maybe they will gang up on Rosie the horse, and defeat her, as top equine, once and for all?)

Merry Christmas

The Kids and I want to wish all of you a Merry, snowy, jumpy, licky, playful Christmas and a barkful New Year. God bless all of you from the least to the greatest.