Introducing Ace

Because none of us really got over the loss of our beloved Buddy, we decided after we got settled here in Texas that we would contact some golden rescues and adopt one who needs a home.  We've been watching for candidates and were contacted last week about a three-year-old who had been picked up three times by the same agency and needed a home.  He's got the sweetest personality and is getting used to affection as his foster doesn't believe he had much human interaction.  We've had him for 24 hours and he's done great.

Our beloved Buddy

Our sweet Buddy went to heaven today to be with his brother Shadow.  He brought so much joy and happiness to our family and it won't be the same without him.  His furry siblings have looked for him all day and it's so lonely without his sweet face.

He has suffered with hip and leg problems for a while but has been doing very well.  Saturday he began having problems standing, fell down the steps, etc.  Once his pain meds kicked in, he was able to move again.  Sadly, things progressed through the night to where he couldn't stand, had a massive seizure, and we had to carry him to and from the car to the vet's office.  We knew before leaving that he wasn't going to get better and all the kids said their tearful goodbyes.  The vet feels, in addition to his existing issues, he had a stroke or some other neurological issue causing him to lose control of his limbs, etc.

It was heartbreaking saying goodbye to our sweet, gentle, loving Buddy.  He will live forever in our hearts until we meet again.

In memory of Chuck

We still have a few orchids that Mark's dad had at their long-time home in El Cerrito, CA.  The blooms are beautiful and last a long time when cut.  Here are the latest blooms from the yellow one ...

Happy Easter!

We have enjoyed a beautiful day and hope the same for you.  In keeping with tradition, each of the kids enjoyed candy from their childhood baskets while Mark just dove into his See's candy ...

Carlsbad Flower Fields

In our 30+ years of living in San Diego, we had yet to make a trip to the Flower Fields ... today was the day!  It was truly beautiful and all the fields were Tecolote Ranunculus.  We bought several packages of bulbs to plant as they were so gorgeous.  Enjoy the pictures!

Lake Poway

The guys and I went to Lake Poway yesterday for a picnic and a walk around the lake.  The weather was perfect and it was so peaceful and beautiful.

The Birthday Boy

Because of busy schedules, we weren't able to celebrate Mark's birthday until yesterday.  It was great having the boys here to share it with us.

Easter table

"Just be still"

I receive daily encouragement emails from Godvine and one last week was so appropriate.  As I'd listed the items I had spent hours making onto the sites I advertise on, I thought "why am I doing this when there are so many others doing the same thing ... will my items even be seen?"

The devotion for that day began ... "Have you ever wondered if there’s any need for you and the dreams tucked in your heart, when there are already so many successful people out there in the world?"  The story goes on to say how her dream was to be an author and while she awaited responses from publishers, other writer friends were receiving great opportunities, etc.  She wrestles with her friends' successes all the while questioning her dreams.  "And I decided to get still. Refusing to believe I’d been left out and left behind. And starving my scarcity thinking.  We can look out and see the unlimited, abundant opportunities God has placed before us. To create. To write. To serve. To sing. To be and become.  Or we can stare at another person’s opportunity and get entangled in the enemy’s lie that everything is scarce. Scarce opportunities. Scarce supply. Scarce possibilities. And we start seeing another person’s creations as a threat to our own opportunities."

So I will "just be still" ... enjoy the journey ... continue creating what I enjoy ... and let it lead where it may.

New family

I'm so excited to have a new bird family outside my window.  They are busy fluffing up the nest and each day I check for eggs.  I was able to capture a picture although the red chest isn't as vibrant as in real life.

Spring has arrived!

I LoVe spring ... flowers blooming, birds chirping, and seeds growing.  Today as we did some yardwork, I couldn't help but take some pictures of the pansies as the color is so beautiful.  Best news of all ... I have a bird family remodeling the nest in my plant so I'll have babies to watch grow and share pictures of.

And my orchid is blooming again ...

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Twenty-three years ago my lifelong dream came true when I held this little baby in my arms.  Happy Birthday Ryan!

Spring is near

While many of my friends and family are busy shoveling snow, we are enjoying a very warm, Spring-like week.  Nothing beats waking up to the sound of birds chirping and sun shining.  I have seeds planted in preparation for a move to the garden and trees are in bloom.  Love it!

More airplanes!

I had another friend ask for an airplane blanket so I delivered it today.  I also made a matching bib.

Zoe Zebra quilt

The latest addition to my Etsy store ...

The sweetest picture

I was so excited to have my first baby blanket purchased by a friend and to receive a picture of his precious grandson on it ...

It's March already ...

Time for the seasonal table to change again ... where does the time go ...

"Lawn Fawn" card class

My dear friend, Jen, signed us up for a class at one of our favorite craft stores to make cards with some of the new Lawn Fawn products ... truly one of the greatest stamp/die lines available.  We made sure to arrive early enough to allow ourselves time to shop and then she surprised me with a gift card too!  She's quite the brat!  Below are four of the five cards we made - the fifth card wouldn't stay open for me to photograph as the inside was a pop-up.  Needless to say, we left very inspired as neither of us has done much paper crafting in the last few months.  With new toys comes new inspiration ...

Yes ... I had to have this set!

 

The little guy "orbits"  the earth!

New craft toy

I showed Mark a picture of a great glue gun and stick holder and asked if he would make Jen and I each one.  Here is the finished result ... I love it!

Foggy morning

Valentine Day treats

It's not everyone who gets a Valentine's treat with their puppy's face on it!  Mark ordered me M&M's with Sammy's face and they are the cutest.  Kelleigh got us each a candy rose and my girlfriend, Jen, gave me a hedgehog plate with cookies and a champagne/chocolate gift.