The 5 O'Clock Puppy

Sammy, our youngest golden pup has this thing about her and I feel an overwhelming need to tell you about it today.

(And for the record Katie is the dog in these pictures. Confusing? maybe, but let me explain.)

Sammy is certainly...

...cute
...sweet
...loud
...affectionate
...silly
...smart

All the things you would normally expect to describe a puppy. 

But, as I started out, she has this thing about her.  She wakes up at basically five in the morning. Every day!

It doesn't matter how late I keep her up, how much exercise or stimulation she gets, or if she has free roam or is in her crate.

5AM.

Before roosters.  Where in the world was I notified that I had brought home a 5 O'Clock puppy?

Now does it make more sense why I have to show you pictures of the 'best dog ever' and the lake on a bright sunny day?  Katie could win an Olympic gold metal for sleeping in, hence, best dog ever title!

And there is no way you'd want to see pictures of what I look or feel like at 5am.

Although, I admit, that it's been a year of this early to rise puppy behavior and I am just starting to learn how to smile that early in the morning. 

So you want to know what really terrifies me?

Daylight savings time.

You know when we fall back?  As in 5am becomes 4am. 

Terrifiying, dark, cold, early, snowy 4am.  All I know is that this pup better be following the morning light and not the actual clock time.  I mean seriously, can you direct me to a training manual for how to train a puppy to sleep in? 

This is a new one for me.

Ten Things Tuesday {& Mail Call}

The weather has been totally amazing and I have to admit that the whole Happy family has been finding every excuse to get outside and soak it all in.

There's always a lot of work to be done outside, but my goodness the amount of wood we have to split and move and stack and organize!  This effort is the result of the big heavy oak trees that came down in our October snow storm.  It's getting done little by little.  I am mostly in charge of the moving and stacking part. 

Sammy, who is still learning her off leash manners, found a very comfortable napping spot among the logs.  Those big heavy pieces also provided a great tie off spot for her lead!

Katie has been no slouch taking in the sunshine.  In fact, I know that I could even learn a thing or two about how she has mastered living in the moment. 

Fully.  Completely.  Like no one's watching.  Or she doesn't have a care!

Doesn't she just have the best smile!

One of Sammy's favorite things is ice cubes.  With the recent warm weather I got to introduce her to the floating ice cube game.  Take one dog bowl filled with water.  Dump in a handful of ice cubes.  And then prepare to laugh your stomach into knots as the dogs go bobbing for ice. 

Katie still snorkels with her nose in the water with this game.  Cracks me up every time!

I also got a package all the way from Australia!!  And I couldn't feel luckier to be able to give a home to these lovely treats!!  This was all a part of a fun pincushion and surprise swap I did with Megan from Silver Threads of Happiness.  Megan, thank you so very much!

I will be hanging this awesome crocheted mushroom in my sewing area and I just love the colors she picked... and look at how adorable the grass is!!  I also got those cute little glass mushroom beads.  Can you tell I have a thing for mushrooms?  I can't wait to dream up the perfect project for them!

The little tin is so very adorable (it had the glass beads tucked away in there)... I think I will be re-using the tin to hold my sewing bobbins.  Seems like the perfect size!  And coffee!!  I start my day with a nice big cup and I can't wait to try this one!

And then there are the pincushions.  In fact, I think these are what started the whole swapping thing.  I think I left Megan a comment saying how darn cute they were... and she offered to make me one... and I was very excited and wanted to make her something.  Next thing you know... we're swapping!!

I hope you can see how fantastic that forest and mushroom fabric is.  And yes, I got two pincushions!!  Pinch me!  They both have the same fabric on the back... and then one is decorated with the ric-rack while the other has a beautiful lace on the front.  They are so pretty.. how am I ever going to stick them full of pins?  

I feel so lucky for the friends I am meeting through this little blog of mine.  Amazing to know that real connections are still very present and even more fun when I find someone who understands my love of all things forests and mushrooms!!  *hugs, Megan*

Well, and that about does it.  Is spring springing where you are?  Spring things that are waking up here, like the tree in our back yard.  Did you spot Katie in this one? 

You know, this tree has bloomed each spring for the two years we have been in our house... and I kept saying that I wanted to get a picture of it.  It goes quick.  And now I can finally say I have one! 

Aren't these blooms amazing?

A Weekend Ramble

Oh Monday... I sat down to share a few words with you and have ended up writing tomrrow and Wednesday's stories.  Sigh.  But what to do about today's blank canvas?  Perhaps a little ramble about the weekend?

Our weekend followed a slow, quiet, easy pace that seemed to be so needed. 

There was lots of sunlight pouring through the windows and I admit that I have a hard time resisting my sewing area while there are streams of light to soak in!

The ground froze again, leaving lots of doggy evidence captured in frozen mud to be checked out.  Both Sammy and Katie took turns sniffing their own prints as I snapped a few pictures. 

That's Sammy's nose, ear, and paw sneaking in this snap.

Here's the print without a nosey dog in the shot.  Have I told you I'm a sucker for tracks?  They are a great reminder of how we are all connected through the same shared spaces. 

This particular track is from Katie.  Shown here with her serious face. 

I laughed a million and one times due to the antics of one nine month old white puppy.  She's fearless, always learning, and getting so big these days! 

And thankfully, she is still thinking of herself as a lap dog.  I'm not sure if I will find that cute as she grows beyond 60lbs, but I do relish the fact that she wants to snuggle in my arms!!

And this sums up the rest.  When we weren't outside in the sun, hiking or sewing, we were resting. 

Hope you feel refreshed and sparky as we head into a new week!!

10 Snaps from a Lazy Blogger

I could say I've been really busy the' last few days or I could say I've just been plain 'ole lazy.  Both are true. 

And as I'm sitting at my desk with the sun shining in all I want to do is turn on a movie and rev my sewing machine into action.  So, here are quick ten snaps from the last few days!!

 

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!!

10 Truths About Puppies {Part II}

So, as you may remember I have a puppy.  Her name is Sammy and at nearly nine months old she is the apple of my eye as they say.  But let's get real as I share ten more truths about puppies.

{Find Part I here}

10. Puppies follow you to the ladies room everywhere. And constantly demand to sit on your lap even if it's only for a second.

9. Puppies sneak nibbles of food straight from the counter or table.

8. Puppies can melt you in an instant with those fluttery eyes (and cute brown nose).

7. Every single thing is new/fun/or has to be learned for a puppy -- like falling off the bed or playing with ice on the lake.

6. Puppies think fabric scraps are a tasty snack.

5. Puppies never think they are tired, only their eyes don't always seem to stay open like they want.

4. Puppies get a tad grumpy when they are tired.

3. Did I mention they try to eat everything?

2. Puppies sleep in odd positions.

1. And today's number one truth is...

...don't overlook your puppies most adorable and soft little feet... and yes, they smell like Doritos.

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies."  

-- Gene Hill

Happy Moment #44: Curled Up for a Nap

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too.

 

 

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam

Life is Dog-gone Awesome!

~I'm sewing up a storm and still holding strong. 
~The dogs got a nice walk to the lake and back. 
~I'm watching episodes of Game of Thrones and loving every line.
~The dogs got to meet and got biscuits from Santa on a fire truck. 
~I got candy canes from Santa.
~Seeing Santa still makes me smile from ear to ear; even though I know he's a firefighter dressed up.
~There are tiny little snow flakes in the air.
~It's about one week till Christmas.
~Life is dog gone awesome!!

Sunshine in the Mail Swap Sent!

I signed up for the Sunshine in the Mail Swap hosted by the lovely Seaweed and Raine last month. 

And I have spent my time since then stalking my swap partner's blog.  Reading about what she likes and her hobbies.  Watching as her creative space fills with lovely and inspiring things.  It's been a lot of fun!

I brainstormed some ideas for my swap package as we were to include 3 of the following 5 ideas:

1. Stationary OR  note cards with envelopes.

2. 1 Handmade postcard.

3. Something you have made.

4. Something that makes you think of Spring.

5. A surprise for your partner

Fun, right?  The overall meme is to put something other than bills in your partner's box and to celebrate Spring in the lower half of the world (for those in US and Canada... isn't it refreshing to think of Spring again so soon?).
And, I probably spent to much time over thinking things, but alas... my package is finally on it's way to Australia.  Whohoooo!  And because I love surprises, but also loved to be teased about surprises... here is a little idea of what I sent....

I'm hoping this is a good tease and you can't really tell what this is... and for certain you have no idea about all the goodies hidden in the thing that you can't figure out.  *wink*

You will have to wait, just like my swap partner, until it arrives on her doorstep/mailbox and she opens it. 

Then I'll dish on the goodies.

And not a second sooner.  Seriously.  Even though I want to tell you about how much fun I had with some of the things.  But I won't.  Not yet.

Switching subjects... how about sleeping dogs? 

Yes, seriously.  The pups had fevers two days ago.  Nothing serious we think, but that entails a lot of sleeping.  And they are so darn cute when they are sleeping.

Especially, when they are sleeping together!

Or stretched out.

Or noodling nose to nose.

I'm so happy they call me theirs!!  Mucho Sunshine-o to you-o!!

Happy Moment #37: Summer Fun Makes Me Sleepy!

A Friday ritual with Soulemama.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary, happy moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments too!

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

~Omar Khayyam

日本のための多くの愛
Much love for Japan

Latest 10 Snaps from the Camera

Yes, these are literally the last 10 snaps on my camera.  I am sorta on a vacation week, so spending lots of time outside with the dogs, on walks/hikes, playing in the garden, raking mulch from Mr. Happy grinding out stumps, swimming, eating BBQ, and reading a new book. 

What I'm not doing is spending a ton of time with my computer... so instead of a big fancy post about something I made, grew, or did... I can offer you a a tiny window into what is going on instead. 

Hope you are having a great week so far too!!  Back tomorrow to tell you more about this blue and gray quilt I am working on!