The Newest Addition to the Family

We've added a beautiful little boy Papillon to our household.  After much discussion we decided we would name him after a scientist/inventor.  Once we ran through our list and kicking some name out due to pronounciation issues (such as Ferdinand Verbiest), we chose a new name for him, Nikola Tesla.

Isabella at first was not overjoyed to say the least.  She's a spoiled rotten diva who did not want to share her toys, treats, laps, snuggles or anything.  Not to mention she is a creature of routine.  Like the giant she is not a morning person, while Tesla is raring to go at the first sign of wakefulness.  However, they've worked it all out and play together and bark together.  It's a joy to watch two Papillons slapping at each other.  I'm going to start video recording it. 

Nikola Tesla on the desk

Nikola Tesla hard at work on his bone

Yesterday was Tesla's big day at the vet's.  Due to scheduling conflicts and the time of his appointment, he had to go to work with me.  My plan was for him to spend a few hours in his kennel under my desk until it was time to leave.  That didn't work out as planned.  So I tried sitting him in my lap while I worked.  He didn't want to do that either.  He decided he wanted to be on my desk and under my arm.  It was hours of entertainment trying to keep him from typing on the keyboard or eating my computer mouse.  Not to mention that he throughly licked my computer monitor and desk.  Joy. 

He had a good vet apointment and handled his shots like a trooper.  He weighs in at 6.2 lbs and that's exactly one pound more than Isabella...and he's still growing.  The vet said he can't wait to see him once all his ear fringe comes in. 

Nikola Tesla all worn out after a hard day at work

Even though the potty training and good manners training is exhausting, I can't help but think we made an excellent decision to bring him into our home.  He's a definite love bug and even Isabella (when she isn't trying to sleep) agrees.

Third Annual Dog-Gone Tiki Bar

Two Crafty Women will be joining forces with Frannie's Grannies to run a booth at the Third Annual Dog-Gone Tiki Bar Family Pet Day in Solomons Island, MD on Sunday, Ocotober 16 from 12pm to 5pm.

As well as other vendors selling their wares, there will be ton of activities available to aprticipate in.  Just a few include:
The band No Green Jelly Beenz will be playing throughout the day. 

"Ask the Vet" session will be held between 1pm-2pm. 

A $25 microchipping will be offered between 2pm-4pm.

An auction to benefit The Well Pet Clinic of Calvert County will be held at 2:30pm.

A Pet and Owner look alike contest will be held at 3pm. 

Best tricks contest will be held at 3:20pm

Happies Dog (most wags per minute) contest will be held at 3:40pm

Best pet costume contest will be held at 4pm. 

We hope to see you there.  I plan to bring Isabella and the newest addition to our household, Tesla. 

Magazine Overload

I love magazines...their glossy pages, beautiful photographs, articles on how to entertain and how to build a gadget, yummy recipes, and oh so much more...but recently I've discovered / realized, I really don't read my magazines.  As a matter of fact, I am exactly one year behind...I confirmed this last night when I recieved an August issue and noticed I still have the September 2010 issue waiting to be read.  So I have a new goal in life.  I will get  caught up on all my magazines and will not renew some of my subscriptions.  Okay, maybe that is two goals. 

Let's start off with National Geographic.  I've been in love with this magazine since I was a small child.  Actually I've had my very own subscription since I was a teen.  The travels to foreign lands...the introduction of fascinating cultures...the history...the space exploration...the world...but now everytime I read a National Geographic, it's full of articles pointing out how I am directly responsible for the demise of plants and animals.  That I am a bad human being polluting the world.  That I don't recycle enough and that children in China are doing dangerous work recycling my waste.  That I'm fat and worthless and probably should die and be recycled.  It's frankly depressing.  I no longer love National Geographic.  And since it has convinced me that I should not be wasteful and need to recycle, I've canceled my subscription (so as not to create any unneccessary waste, nor kill any more trees) and I've caught up on all my National Geographic magazines and recycled the lot at the local transfer station.  However, Dearest NatGeo, if you ever do return to that bygone era of exploring the world and it's history and cultures, and stop preaching at me, then I'll be back on your subscription list.  I feel the loss of what you once were.  Your glory days are gone.

And because of my disappointment in National Geographic, I no longer subscribe to Traveler nor read Adventure.  After all, my idea of a good time is not backpacking through the wilderness while saving the rain forest and worring about eco-tourism.  If I want clean sheets in my hotel room, I darn well better get them. 

Next up is my various cooking magazines.  I have been weaning myself off them over the last few years anyway.  Though I admit, I find myself missing Martha Stewart's Everyday Food.  (If you do want a cooking magazine, I highly recommend this one).  As a matter of fact, I have all my old issues squirreled away and pull them out at random for an idea, much to my husband's gastro-delight.  The last cooking magazine to go will be Cook's Country.  I'm going to miss Mr. Kimball's folksy tales, and all the recipes tested over and over by those folks in America's Test Kitchen.  But honestly, I have enough recipes right now to last me the rest of my life.  And besides, there is the internet available, with food galore and food blogs, and whole websites devoted to recipes. 

Next up on my  "Do Not Renew" list is Better Homes and Gardens.  It was a mistake when I paid for my subscription.  Some clever marketer somewhere sent me a bill and in my over-complusion, I paid it.  Next thing I know it's glossy pages were coming to my home and assuring me I had good taste, that my flower arrangements would look that classy, my dinner table would be perfectly set for the dinner party I never have, that I could have white furniture...and that is why this magazine must go.  It's a horrible influence on me, and I find that after flipping through those glossy perfect pictures, and then look around my living room, with piles of junk and dog hair and a tv on a stack of 2x4's my husband calls a table, I am horribly morose and sad and dejected.  I will never have white furniture.  

I'll also be letting go of my gardening magazines.  All I have actually learned from them is that I am doing everything wrong.  Since my gardens are overflowing with flowers and  I don't baby my roses and they still manage to bloom, I think I can stop worrying about what my gardens should look like, and maybe start actually weeding. 

In the "maybe/maybe not" column is Smithsonian magazine.  It's my mental substitute for the old National Geographic.  Sometimes I enjoy it.  Sometimes I don't.  Of course I have about 6 months worth of this magazine sitting in my pile to be read.  I think I'll finish catching up and then make my decision as to whether or not I will renew.  Though I love the Smithsonian and their gift shops and I'm a sucker for history. 

I will be keeping Popular Science and Southern Living.  I've tried dropping Popular Science before and wound up going through withdrawal symptoms.  It was bad.  So when they finally sent that "won't you reconsider subscribing" I had a check in the mail to them that day.  I guess I'll always enjoy geeking out and being nerdy and find new gadgets and ideas fascinating.  So Popular Science has to stay.  I will also keep Southern Living.  In its' glossy pages I see glimpses of places I know and miss, and smiling faces, and recipes for things like grits and fried green tomatoes and mint juleps.  I'm reminded how good sweet tea on a porch actually is and that it doesn't matter that I'll never have white furniture. 





I guess I will still pick up a random crochet magazine (it's an addiction and admitting you need help is the first step).  I will also still receive a random dog related magazine because Isabella's some kind of fancy dog with a pedigree and I get random dog magazines because of it.  But otherwise, I have culled my magazine list.  Both mentally and fiscally.  I know I'll stick with this goal, because my husband gets my blog on his android phone.  :o)

If you have an addiction like mine, consider culling your subscriptions as well.  Also, as National Geographic would tell you, don't forget to recycle your old magazines.  They are also great to donate to senior centers and libraries.  Kids love to cut out pictures for arts and crafts, so check with your local schools and daycares as well. 

 

Happy reading everybody, and remember, you don't need white furniture to be happy!   



Happy New Year

Ahhh, the New Year is fast approaching.  This is both the time to reflect and the time to look forward. 

I’ve had a busy year.  I’ve traveled to visit the wineries (and a fabulous restaurant One Block West) in Winchester, VA and an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic. 

I’ve connected again with Alina Kay.  Gosh I love you and have missed you. 

I’ve had the opportunity to grow closer with my fabulous friends, and I’ve had the opportunity to make some new ones.  I’ve also reconnected with some people that I missed out on knowing all that well the first time around. 

As an introvert with some minor social skills friends are massively amazing to me every day.

Isabella has grown and flourished.  She’s a social animal who loves to travel, visit and even be boarded at her favorite Kennel, Indian Bridge.  The ladies there spoil her rotten. 

My husband remains my true love and I’m thankful and appreciative of him and who he is, even when he‘s wrong.  LOL  For our first year of marriage, I think we’ve done quite well adjusting and growing. 

I’ve made strides with my crafting and discovered that Craft Shows can be quite successful for me.  I’ve created a website and then recreated it, so I’ve even improved my web skills.  You can check out Two Crafty Women and let me know what you think.

I’m thankful for all of you who are in my life and I consider myself blessed each and every day.

For the New Year ahead, I have made my goals and resolutions. 

My first one is to be more diligent about organizing my time and activities.  I have so many things going on in my life, that sometimes; things get missed (such as this blog).  I also want to make sure I make time for my friends, my crafts, craft shows, volunteer work and of course my husband. 

I also want to strive to continue my connections with all my friends and get to know each and every one of you even better.

I want to travel even more.  On my short list is a trip to Memphis to see the King.  Hopefully we can swing by and see Alina Kay and her family on the way.    Here’s my mom before she passed away, at the gates of Graceland.

Another one came as a reminder from someone who suffered a tragic unexpected loss this past year.  I’m putting this on my list of things to do early in the New Year and it is actually a good idea for everyone.  I’m going to prepare a checklist and contact information on what to do if one of us passes away.  Insurance doesn’t help if my husband doesn’t know how to claim it.  Bank accounts and savings are not any help if he can’t access it because the state has it frozen.  As much as many of us don’t want to think about passing, I know we all don’t want to leave our loved ones unprepared. 

Love and Best Wishes for a Safe and Happy New Year. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I think Pink, especially every October.  In case you don't know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This year is the 25th year!  Why haven't we found a cure yet?  Though I do know medical advances have certainly given women (and men - yes men can get breast cancer) a fighting chance, and I'm thankful for that, I just wish people were less ignorant about self-exams, and even mammograms (though if the government has their way this will no longer exist).

You can find out more about National Breast Cancer Awareness month here.

This month, I'm supporting the cause by shopping for my garden, (GARDEN FOR THE CAUSE) and thought I would share some of the fun and fabulous garden items I've discovered.  These websites give a percentage to various breast cancer charitable organizations.  (I'm NOT reimbursed in any way for mentioning these products/websites). 

First is this adorable garden Gnome, which can be found here.  I've always wanted a gnome of my own (groan) and she raises money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Everybody needs a garden stake, and this one helps raise money for various organizations in an effort to find a cure for cancer, assist cancer patients, and reduce cancer deaths through education.

And every gardener needs tools.  I did hear that Target even carries some of the BOND tools.  Click here to find out a little more about NBCF and Garden for the Cause

The Fourth Wrap Up

I hope everybody had a fabulous Fourth of July weekend, with great food, surrounded by friends and family and of course explosive fireworks.  Most of all, I hope you all remembered that our freedom was not "free" and to never take it for granted. 

I was lucky enough to have enough holiday activities to keep me busy that I hardly had time to put my hook in my hand!  Of course I didn't do much but have fun.

The giant, friends and I went to St. Mary's College River Concert on Friday, to hear the USMC President's Own Band play for us and watch the fireworks.  You can find out more about this event here.  If you are in the area, it's well worth the visit.  Pack yourself a cooler with some snacks and drinks, bring a chair or blanket, and just sit back and relax. 

The giant also set-up a tent and assisted with a booth for the future State Senator for our Maryland district, Steve Waugh.  He and his wife are such great people. I scored a pretty cool shirt (even if it was a tad bit big, it gives me some wiggle room).  LOL  The giant scored his awesome Waugh 2010 hat. 

On Saturday the giant and I went up the road for dinner and movie.  If I type to much about it, I'll give away  the plot.  But suffice to say, it was nice to squeeze in some time for us.  It had been a while.  The last movie we went to see in a real movie theater was Transformers in 2007!  Actually the 4th of July is the our unofficial anniversary.  :o)

Then Sunday was another event driven day.  We were able to eat our fill, listen to some great music and watch fireworks over the river coming from Solomon's Island.  An absolutely wonderful time.

But Monday was the best day of all.  We visited my sister-in-law, her family and her in-laws.   There was tons of food and some pretty fabulous people who made the giant and I feel right at home.  I want to be adopted into that family.  I guess in a way I was.  :o)  I have some handsome nephews and a beautiful niece.  Unfortunately, I can't claim credit for any of that.  I wish they all lived closer so I could make them go to the kids movies with me, even the college bound one!  I know he'd have fun too with his crazy aunt.  Each one of these kids has the most gorgeous smile.  And geniuses, each and every one.  I'm in no way prejudiced about this. Look at these smiles on the Future MIT Grad and the Dancing Queen!

Then I had an absolute thrill, an absolute awe inspiring moment.  My nephew, the Mini-Giant, came up to me and asked me to show him how to crochet.  It that not the most awesome thing ever?!  I say it is. 

 My father knew how to crochet, as did a few other gentlemen of his generation and older, but not many men seem to know how to anymore.  Of course, not many women seem to know how to either.  I fear it's a dying art.

So we sat down and started a granny square, and wow, did it explode from there.  He crocheted himself a granny square/hat/monster blanket/slingshot (depending on what he wanted to call it at that moment).  Then he crocheted a "monster" complete with arms and legs!  Next he began crocheting friendship bracelets, one of which he gave to his Grandpa.  His Grandpa let him know that he learned to crochet at the same age.  Everybody, this was a big "awwww" moment and made me all teary eyed.  :o)

I hope he keeps it up.  I gave him some yarn and a hook as a parting gift.  But even if he doesn't, I hope he always remembers this moment.  Now excuse me, I have to go wipe my eyes. 

Almost Country Birds

Do you see the little baby bird?  It fell out of it's nest, and I had the giant place it back in, and it promptly hopped right back out.  It can't fly yet, so it's hiding out in the mulch under my rose bushes.  After the last check, with momma bird supervising, the baby bird is still doing well.

Look at this face.  He seems a little upset that I'm asking him to say cheese!

Here's Cluck Cluck in his little house.  He likes it fine, but would rather be roaming the yard with his little harem.

Here's another shot of the lower part of the coop.  I'm too short to get a good picture of the upper coop.  Next time they are all out in the yard, I'll go in and snap a picture.

Here's a picture of the second hen complex.  We are working on a hen neighborhood.  LOL