Lady Love

I haven't posted very much of Katie banana lately.  By now you must be in withdrawl, right?

I know I am.  No.  Seriously.  I am!

I am pulling some Katie snaps from the archives today, while I tell you about a few of her recent antics.

Here she is!  Just look at those whiskers and eyelashes. 

And her nose!

It's just so cute I could bite it!

I've been taking Katie next door (after work) for a playdate with the kids there. 

It's such a blast to see her mush on them and them mush on her.  She does the obligatory dog things like chase a stick, shake paw for a biscuit, play with a ball, and chase the girls around. 

And then she goes above and beyond with her Katie silliness! 

She'll lick them in the face (which makes them squeal... which eggs Katie on more).  She leans on them in a long adorable hug. 

Yesterday, she stole the water pan that was put out for her, spilling the water everywhere, and then began to prance around the yard with the now empty pan.  We all errupted in to laughter. 

Classic Katie silliness!

I don't think I have told you yet how our girl is becoming quite the country dog.  Or maybe she has really been a country dog all along and now we are just letting her explore it more. 

What do I mean?

She's chasing squirrels now. 

I know.  Yikes!  I feel terrible for the squirrels. 

She's pretty fast, but thank goodness she doesn't seem to see them run up the trees.  I am fairly certain that she thinks that they just disappear in to thin air. 

This is similar to the look I get after one of her squirrels gets away.  And this is what I have determined she is thinking afterwards...

"Mom, I almost had that one. 

Do you know where it went?  I know I will get the next one. 

What do you mean I am not supposed to chase them? 

They run from me.  They want me to chase them.  It's a game we're playing. 

Mom, you don't understand."

You can tell these are from a while back, just look at that snow!  The snow has since melted, but here is that look again! 

Deep loving eyes.  Very attentive.  I could just kiss that muzzlepuff!

I almost titled this post Lady Slobber.  But I didn't want to deter you from reading on.  It's true, she does harbor a lot of slobber. And she also shares a lot of her slobber with anyone who is a willing and naive recipient.  

Poor kids with slobbery hands.

I can't tell you exactly what it is about this little girl that makes me love her so much, but I do know that I have one of the best titles in all the land. 

I'm Katie's mom!

That is the way that so many people know me.  No clue what my name is.  They know nothing about my job or hobbies.  They just know that I travel with the cutest companion who is nothing but a lover.  My Lady Love!

Today's happiness comes from a strange unofficial title that you may have.  Something that defines who you are or what you are about... and of course brings you lots and lots of happiness!

A Green Jug?

As a part of the weather getting warmer, Mr. Happy and I have resumed our projects outside.  Our recent adventures led us to finding this totally cool, totally green glass jug!

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Me here.  Interrupting myself.  

So, I had this whole post worked out, but the day got away from me.  I was, however, reminded how important real connections with real amazing people are.  

I had lunch with a friend today and had a blast!  We laughed and talked, schemed and planned.  It was exactly what I needed.  

It reminds me that I need to make a better effort to stay more connected (in a real way) with all the cool people I am so lucky to be blessed with in my life. 
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Mr. Happy found this as we were putting our new shed up.  It was neatly tucked into a little pocket between the rock and the tree and covered with leaves.

Here's a closer look!

I lifted it out and it still has liquid in it.  Crazy right?  We are thinking remnants from the previous owner. 


Fun to think about what it could have been.  Did they make their own wine?  Was this a way of hiding something?  Wonder if it was forgotten about?

Even the cap had neat details. 

Happiness is finding the unexpected in everyday places!

Kiss me, hug me

I got this little figurine while I was in Amsterdam with Mr. Happy.  It always reminds me of the wonderful memories of the trip! 

It was one of those trips where you travel a long time to get where you going.  When you get there you sleep really well.  You eat really well.  And you like it so much that you try and brainstorm ways that you never have to leave. 

Can you picture the two of us at a brown cafe over Heinekens or Amstels trying to figure out how we can maybe purchase a flat or boat house?  We talked about the kind of work we could do and even how we would get Katie sent over.

The trip also reminds me how crazy in love we are!  Before Mr. Happy came into my life, I was hard pressed to find someone else who dreams the same dreams or who would entertain my crazy ideas and find some wisp of viability in them to build on. 

Mr. Happy proposed to me in Amsterdam!  It's where we became a real family.  It's where we shared our fears and excitement about our future together.  It's where I learned how much I needed this man in my life.

I know what you're thinking.  This little statue really makes you think of all these things?

Yup!

It sure does!

Happiness is cherishing the ones around you and telling them how incredible they make you feel!  Kiss and hug someone you love (or even kinda like) today!

This is also my entry into this week's Midweek Blues hosted by Rebecca at The Dusty Cellar

Faces of spring

It's funny to think that the snow drops have already come and gone!  Makes you begin to wonder where the time goes.  I have been very distracted this week again. 

When the weather is nice it's a great feeling to run outside after work and do some sort of project.  


Mr. Happy hung a clothesline for me!  I'm really excited to use it!  


We put up a new shed that I need to post pictures of!


I painted another closet!

I've also been very busy keeping a close eye on what is growing or blooming.  Seems to change daily!!  

The snow drops were a much needed promise of nicer weather on the way.  They have given way to the crocus.

This is one of my favorite snow drop snaps this year!

And then I noticed I have my first daffodil!!  It gorgeous to see how intense the color looks against all the brown and gray and rain.

Even the crocus have an innocence to them!  A delicate nature that you can see in the petals. 

This is my first year growing my own crocus and I never noticed that they are only open during the day.  After work, they are typically all closed up and ready for sleep.


But during the day, they are amazing!  I caught this one early in the morning as it was beginning to open up to greet the day!

This spring I am trying to remind myself to take it all in.  The smells (so fresh), the sounds of the birds, the colors of the flowers and buds on the trees! 

Hope you are enjoying spring where you are!  Don't forget to pause and soak it all in!

A little something sweet

Mr. Happy has been trying to get me to go to a local orchard/farm stand for a few weeks now.  And, we finally made it to the place this past Friday! 

When I walked in the store, off a little windy road, I was instantly dazzled by the smells in there! 

There were homemade pies cooling (apple and berry and key lime), cider donuts, cupcakes, jams, honey, and so many other good smelling baked goods I know I am forgetting!  

And look what we found!!!  Real maple syrup!  (I sound like a little kid, don't I?)

With real maple syrup in the cabinet it was the perfect excuse on Saturday to make waffles and sit down for a decadent breakfast with my husby!

You can see the crispiness of the waffle and the golden color of the syrup.  Seriously, this made my week! 

Look how cute the design on the bottle is!  The cute house tucked up on the hill, the trees, the horses pulling the wagon... I wouldn't mind visiting that place! 

I coudn't resist one more picture of my waffle.  I think one of the things that makes them so much fun is the way the syrup stays in the little squares. 


Do you have a favorite breakfast or treat that takes you instantly to a happier place?

Do something nice.

Last week was the second annual art show at work. 

This is one of the pieces I displayed called "Drip"

Not only did I volunteered to enter some of my own art I was also on the committee to set up the show. It took a lot of time, planning, and effort as we had to get artists to volunteer, screen their work, prep bio's for them, and put together the physical show by arranging panels and hanging art, but when it was finally all set up and co-workers were wandering around taking in all the art it made me feel incredible.

I mean... that incredible sustainable happy feeling that you get to keep for a few weeks (even though you feel exhausted)!  Cloud nine!

This piece is called "Meadow"

Last year was the first year in a long time that I offered to display my work.  I was nervous to say the least.  I know when I am creating art I am doing it for myself (for fun).  I am expressing some sort of emotion within.  That said, displaying those inner emotions for others to see and interpret is nerve wrecking!  Are they going to like it?  Will they see it the way I meant it?  Will they think it was silly?  What will they tell others about it?

This one is "Dandelion"

This year was a little different.  Still nerve wrecking, but this year they would be able to compare my art to what I did last year!  What would they like better?  Oh, a whole new realm of things to worry on.  Once I get over that.  I was fine.

This is my "Herd" that I was sharing with you as I created it. 

I think this has to be my favorite piece this year!

There were all sorts of entries this year in all sorts of mediums to include, fabric arts, watercolor, oils, pottery, pastels, photos, pencil drawings, sewn costumes, and jewelry.  It was so fun to get a glimpse of the other side of the folks I work with.  They are all so talented and I learned so many things about how art can be created!

This is a color pencil sketch of a quilt I am working on which I also displayed at the show.  I titled it "Blue and Tan."  Hard to name a quilt!

This is the progress I made on the quilt so far!  I can't wait to finish it up (not only so I can use it), so I can bring it to next year's show and share the final product!

This is the last of the six pieces that I entered.  It's a "Spring Bouquet" made from colorful origami flowers!

And as if all that wasn't enough... the committee thought it would be fun this year to have demonstrations of different art techniques as a way to share how each artist created their pieces.  (Which I have to say I totalled enjoyed myself!!  I have such a big appreciation for the talent I am surrounded by!)

I volunteered to run an origami demo.

I brought lots of origami paper, green pipe cleaners, and sat down at one of the tables.  Very quickly I had lots of interested folks sitting down with me and trying their hand at creating an origami tulip!

It was a lot of fun!!  It was also humbling to receive so many thank you's.  It was humbling to see how something that I maybe take for granted had really bring such incredible smiles and cheer to people's faces.  It reminded me that I have a lot to give to others!

Today, as we start another week, I would like to offer that doing something nice for someone else = extended happiness!

Don't forget that something as simple as sharing your talents could really make a big impact!!

Hapdates - what my week looked like

I shared that I had a busy week.  

Here are some of the why's:

Deadlines at work to meet. Stress from work. Finding time for the art show. Nervous about entering. Gratified that I entered. Humbled by the comments that were shared about my art. Nervous about sharing an origami demo. Laughing that I taught part of a demo wrong and had to show everyone had to re-do it. Stunned how much everyone enjoyed the origami demo. Humbled from the thank you's and your a good teacher remarks I got after my demo. Sad that my mom didn't call me back. Frantic from the pace I was keeping. Annoyed that I wasn't sleeping as much as I wanted.  Annoyed that my house needed to be cleaned. Uplifted from my doggy taking me on a walk to the lake. Sad that I didn't have the time or energy to get a good start on practicing my crocheting. Tired of seeing origami paper by Thursday. Sad to see the art show taken down on Friday. Happy to feel like I can slow down a bit now. Excited about company coming over this weekend. Nervous about what to cook for company. Thankful to have this goofy dog by my side no matter how crazy I get. Landed on baking a chicken and making mashed potatoes. Excited to try the homemade apple pie from the farm stand we found near the house. Madly in love with Mr. Happy. Feeling so lucky to have a husband who supports me during all this chaos! 

And finally feeling happy and more relaxed to take in all these feelings now while sitting in the sun and sharing them with you!

This is really a typical week for me.  Lots of ups and downs.  Not everything is always happy, but this place reminds me that I can't always control things, but what I can control is what I choose to focus on.  And by choosing to focus on the happy things that happen during my week (even the small ones) I am choosing happiness!

Last weekend was very warm for NY this time of year.  It gave me a great chance to play in the yard with Katie and watch her run around like a nut.

Can you tell she had a good time?  I really think if I could find a way to bottle Katie's exuberance for life it would cure all the worlds sadness!

Give that weekend of yours a good start by thinking of a few of the happy things that happened this week.

And how about art show pictures tomorrow?

Sweet Potato Fries

My week has been consumed with art show details, nice weather, and trying to catch up on sleep. 

I am sure to get back to regular blogging either by tomorrow or Saturday. 

And I have a lot of happy things to tell you about!!

Things like:

• The art show I entered work into (yes, with pictures!)
• An origami demonstration I did at the art show.
• All the flowers that are opening around the yard.
• An awesome pink giftie that I got from my sister (in law)
• Another wood working project that Mr. Happy finished.
• And I'm sure there is more, but my tired brain can't think of it right now

Today I was just going to share quick snaps of one of my favorite comfort foods.... sweet potato fries!!!!! 

These are homemade.  Crispy.  And just waiting to be drown in ketchup (which is a vegatable!)

I hope your week has been amazing so far!  I look forward to catching up with all my favorite blogs over a cup of tea very soon!

Talk to you soon!