Gus Post Surgery

It's been awhile since I posted any news about Gus & Dutchess, so here's an update. These pics were taken the evening of December 16th, just a couple hours after Gus came home from his surgery. As you can see, he is not usual, full of vim and vinegar self.

When I called the vets office in the afternoon to check how he was doing, the vet's assistent told me he was just "wonderful"...she went on to tell me that "we would need to keep him very quiet for the next few days and limit his play and activity"....HA, are you kidding me???

I explained to her how hard this would be as he was "a holy terror" and she was truly shocked, her comments were, "but he's such a sweetie" "I just love him" "I can't imagine that" "he's just been a pleasure here"...so then I asked her what kind of drugs they had him on and could I get a prescription for home use? (I thought this was a very reasonable request), she didn't seem to think so.

His lethargy lasted for that evening only, by the next morning he was going full tilt, doing his best to engage Dutchess in a wrestling match and in general making it very difficult to "keep him quiet". I have to say that Gus is a "moaner" in his sleep, he doesn't do the whole running and wolfing in his sleep as most dogs seem to do, he will do a lot of whole body stretching and moaning as if he is just completely wore out and it just feels so good to lay down, and he has done this since we brought him home at 7 weeks of age. So the night of his surgery, he did much more moaning in his sleep (it sounded like he was in misery) and we did feel really sorry for the poor little guy, right up until the next morning when he tried to hurdle the couch and then started running circles around the family room. If we yelled "GUS, stop it!" once, we yelled it a thousand times.

You can also see by the pics that even Dutchess felt sorry for him and shared her bed, she has since regretted this as he has chewed a hole in it, tries to bury his toys in it by balling it up and has confiscated it as his own (she now has her own new bed). Can't you just see the orneriness written all over his face in the last pic?!

Homemade Christmas 2010

I love the idea of rooms having a name instead of the traditional "formal living room" or "family room" so I've decided to call my "formal living room" (which we never use as a formal) the Blue Room. The walls are white and the ceiling is sand, so to dress it up I used robin's egg blue, aqua, and cream colored pillows, art and accessories.

To go along with my "blue" theme, I was lucky several years ago, to have purchased a HUGE box of all silver, glass, and glittered ornaments at an estate auction for $5.00. Most of the ornaments were in their own box all marked "Elder Beerman" and some still had their price tags on. It's one of my favorite bargains. So, to those ornaments I then added ones I already had in whites and silver, and have purchased some blues at after Christmas sales, usually from Hobby Lobby.

I also started collecting snowmen years ago, most of them were gifts to me from salon clients, at least half of them were handmade by the gifter (I love them all).


I always pick up wrapping paper, tissue paper, tags and bows at after Christmas sales almost always at 50% off. This year I added the color chartreuse and lime green to my blue and silver decorations.

For my Homemade (or should I say Handmade?) gifts, I made Kahlua and dressed up the bottles with a label I made up on the computer and Martha Stewart die-cut borders, along with jute string that I added some jingle bells and large sequins to. Wrapped up in blue and green tissue paper with a white satin bow, they looked pretty snazzy I thought.

I also found an idea from Melissa at theinspiredroom website (she's my hero right along with Martha)...you take a mason jar, add some jute around the top with a couple of jingle bells and some snow glitter (also Martha Stewart)...add epsom salts in the botton, a white votive and wallllaaa, cute and cheap but fun to make. Sorry I forgot to take a pic of them but the photo shows how I wrapped them up in green bags with the blue and green tissue paper and attached to the handles, I found the prettiest glittery ornaments in all different colors at Wal-mart for only a $1 each!

Homemade doesn't have to look cheap or tacky, but it DOES have to be thoughtful, and if you love what you are doing when making items for gifts, I think the recipients feel it!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!!!

Where's the Line to see Jesus

This is an amazing song and video, watch it with your kids...

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

Be An Encourager

Are you an encourager or a discourager to those you love? Read this...

"Someone has well said that discouragement is a dark room where the negatives of fear and failure are developed. There are some who are encouragers and others who are discouragers. Have you ever met a discourager? They are like a drink of water to a drowning man. They can brighten up a room by leaving it. They leave you drained and depressed. But an encourager leaves you full and refreshed. God has cornered the market on encouragement. All encouragement comes from God. You're never more like God than when you are encouraging people and never more like the devil than when you are discouraging people."

This was taken from the Love Worth Finding Ministry Daily Devotional...

http://www.lwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage&s_src=lightsource

A Prayer For All

May today be all you need it to be. May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams, and conquer all your fears. May God manifest himself today in ways you've never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered. I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, a true and undying love for God.

Amen

Baby Zoo Animals Website

Baby Reindeer Boris, Weaned in time for Christmas

I found this website http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/ and it's full of photos and info on baby animals of all kinds. I happen to think kids of ALL ages will love it. And don't you agree that the photo of Boris is very appropriate for this time of year, isn't he adorable?!

I have to admit that this little foal pictured below is my favorite....she is an Somali Wild Ass, which are a critically endangered subspecies of the African Wild Ass. This species is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic donkey.

She was born November 16th and her name is Hakaba, if you'd like to see more photo of her, just go their website.

No Room at the Inn

Image from etsy shop all4fiberarts

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62948654/keepsake-needle-felted-wool-nativity?ref=sr_gallery_9&ga_search_query=Baby+Jesus&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=15&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

I found an article by Melissa of theinspiredroom writing for the incourage website here http://www.incourage.me
To read the entire article go here
http://www.incourage.me/2010/12/more-room-for-jesu.html
The article is about how busy we get this time of year, and it spoke volumes to me...here's an excerpt
"...it struck me how the more cluttered I allow my life to be, not just the physical stuff but with things I do with my time and invite into my life that create a more frenzied schedule and pace, the more I sense Jesus being far away or even lost in the shuffle."

If the article speaks to you too, leave a comment about how...

Old Favorite

When I was a kid and visiting my Grandparents in Huntington, WV, my grandmother always had these cookies for me as they were a favorite. Over the years I've searched and searched for them and thought maybe they were no longer made, but alas, here they are. Walking through Wal-mart, the cookie aisle and they magically appeared! (They seemed bigger when I was a kid) They are still just as delicious.

FEATURED on Etsy FRONT PAGE

I was going to post this tomorrow but couldn't wait! My Aqua Dreams Afghan was featured on the FRONT PAGE of etsy!!!! HUGE HONOR...MEGA...STUPENDOUS

Click on the above pic to see it as it was on etsy or you see the front page archive on craft cult at this link...
http://www.craftcult.com/vault_list.php?list=16671&userid=&fm=0&esn=&m=12&d=15&st=1&pagenum=1&ls=0

I would never have known if it wasn't for a great etsy seller, Mila (micerv84). To see her store go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/micerv84

She is a jewelry designer and sells some really unique jewelry, AND she sounds like an amazing woman! Here is a pendant I love.

Tips for a Welcoming Entry

If you haven't finished getting your house ready for guests during the holidays, check out this link from Melissa at The Inspired Room website http://theinspiredroom.net/2010/10/01/31-days-of-autumn-bliss-day-2-12-tips-for-a-welcoming-fall-entry/

It's full of "inspiring" ideas to help you finish up.

Quote

'...take too much time, and time will take you'

Gus Update

Gus is now a little over 5 months old so I figured it was time for an update as he is growing fast (already 30#). His bladder also seems to be growing FINALLY and the house training is going really well now.

The following photos were taken about 6 weeks ago, also included are a few more lessons learned from Gus...

Lesson #11

Any food is fair game until it is actually swallowed by someone else.

Lesson #12

Take a nap whenever you can. (when not napping Gus is almost always at full throttle)
Lesson #13

Don't bark unless it's important

Lesson #14

Chasing one's tail is sometimes unavoidable

Gus is absolutely in LOVE with the gator and believes it is his job to be on it whenever the motor is running, if you try to take off without him, he comes at a dead out run and dives for the passenger seat (Lesson #15: be prepared to slam on brakes when operating heavy equipment with Gus around (he also believes he should be on the farm tractor AND the lawn mower)).

The following pics show Dutchess' new hiding (from Gus) place. It's her only defense as he won't leave her alone. I'd say she's a pretty smart cookie, of course this won't work long as fast as he's growing.


Gus has an appointment thursday for neutering, Larry assures me this will be quite traumatic for him.

theinspiredroom Blog

Here is the link for one of my new favorite things

http://theinspiredroom.net/

The owner is Melissa, and her blog is the absolute BEST for home decorating on a budget, making the most of what you have and great organizing tips. The above photo is of a small christmas tree she decorated with only her mother's old silver cutlery attached using jute string...how cool is that! So go check out her blog, but do so at your own risk, I became addicted to it after just one viewing.

Items from Simply Sarah-Anne's Giveaway

Maggie at GussySews makes the most adorable Christmas stockings...you have to go see her store, but wouldn't you also love to win a small zippered pouch like this one to put your phone or ipod in? She's giving one away at http://simplysarahanne.blogspot.com/, just go sign up!

http://www.shopgussy.com/

And Meg makes some really beautiful items as well, I'd love to have these earrings she is giving away....

PrettyThingsbyMeg

http://www.etsy.com/shop/prettythingsbymeg

My New Favorite Sandwich

Okay, I think this might be my new favorite sandwich!!! Follow the link below for the recipe. It is really easy to make, and the bread I used was Pumpernickel Rye which I lightly toasted in the toaster, maybe 30 seconds. The prep time doesn't take as long as the recipe says.

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/roast-beef-sandwich-with-watercress-and-horseradish-mayonnaise-recipe/index.html

Another Treasury Honor

The IllusiveSwan

http://www.etsy.com/shop/IllusiveSwan

Luminita

http://www.etsy.com/shop/luminita

retrotreasurehunters

http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrotreasurehunters

OMGoodness, my Sparkling Aqua Blanket/Afghan made it into another treasury! I have to admit, it really is a show stopper.

My Fantasy Christmas in Paris by danceswithflowers (you really need to see this collection)

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cef5dd5dcf56d91c8fba47d/my-fantasy-christmas-in-paris

The pictures above are just a couple of the items that are in the treasury.

danceswithflowers shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/danceswithflowers

Friends, if you haven't started shopping on etsy, you are really missing out on some truly amazing and unique items and artists!

Quick and Easy Chicken Wrap Sandwich

Here's a great, fast, easy recipe by Giada De Laurentiis that I made tonight...it was really, really good. The title of makes it sound complicated but it's not. The recipe is enough to make 3 large wraps, and believe me, one is very filling! Give it a try and tell me what you think. For the recipe and picture of it go to this link...

http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/rolled-chicken-sandwich-with-arugula-and-parsley-aioli-recipe/index.html

Etsy Treasuries

My Sparkling Aqua Dreams Wool & Mohair Blanket

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62815491/sparkling-aqua-dreams-afghan-blanket

made it into 4 different Treasury Lists!!! This is a HUGE HONOR!!! Please check out their collections at these links...

...Blue Tones_Gift Ideas...

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cfb810856d46d915ce9e3b9/blue-tonesgift-ideas

A Blue Christmas

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cfb0d59b1df8eeff370fcc3/a-blue-christmas

Cozy

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cfaf741f7c68eef7dbae1dd/cozy

Cozy & Cuddly

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cf841d120c36d910c18879b/cozy-cuddly

Let me know what you think of these great treasuries!!!

SimplySarah-Anne Blog Giveaway

Here is the long white lacey scarf that I am giving away at http://www.simplysarahanne.blogspot.com/

Sarah-Anne included 3 of my scarves in her favorite things list back in November and is celebrating her 1 year blogaversary. So check out her blog and sign up to win one of her giveaways.

And I've also listed new items in my esty store, so be sure to check them out here...http://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBluePeacock