HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Finally................a post!!!  So sorry to all my faithful followers that I have not written in quite a while!
2013 was quite a year for me..................a great holiday followed by a garden overgrown that needed tending, then several visitors to share in 3 months of dry weather and watering everyday!!  Then, I also had several health issues to work out.

Then, as if I didn't have enough to look after already.................I bought my first dog!!!  His name is 'Oliver' and he is 6 years old and is a purebred Papillon.  He is also a rescue dog, having lived the last two years in a car with his homeless owner..  He is absolutely the best dog and even my 'Sophie' seems to get along with him.  My other cat, 'Mimi', stays in the laundry room when he is around.  We have already had him for 5 months so maybe in a few more months, she might get to accept him as well......  Having had cats all my life, I have been spoiled!!  Cats will let you sleep in and decide when they need your attention!! Dogs are like children (which I have never had) and seem to demand constant love and attention.................just trying to do emails gets him very upset with me, so, I am trying to train him re this and also excess barking. Big problem now is trying to find someone who can stay with him at our house while we take trips in the future!!  I know that saner minds would question my sanity on getting Oliver but sometimes the heart takes over and I couldn't leave him.

'Oliver'

I will post some miniature finds in the next post but will sign off for now

Many hugs,

Today, I wanted to start my post by showing a few new delights that I bought for my 'petit chateau' :

From Kiva's site

 One of my favorite things to eat is the pomegranate and when I saw a photo of a mini one, I had to have it!.......when I received the little basket, I could not believe my eyes as to how perfect it was!!!  It was made by a lovely lady named Kiva @ /http://kivasminiatures.blogspot.ca/.  Please take a look at her blog.

The other article in the picture is a little shopping bag that I made a while ago but..........................there was also supposed to be a lovely straw hat with the bag (see similar item below) that I purchased from Judith @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherryCroftCrafts and she also has a great blog as well http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherryCroftCrafts

 You ask, 'what happened to the hat'?  Well, I'll tell you....it was stolen .................by a very sneaky, opportunistic individual..........................named "SOPHIE".

CAT IN DOGHOUSE!

I am so mad at her...I guess she sneaked into my studio and grabbed it when the door was open by mistake. What an opportunist!!  I hope that I will find it someday soon before her and my other cat, Mimi, completely wreck it!!  At the moment, I am not speaking to her and by her picture, you can see that she is not amused!

I've decided that a fitting punishment  for her would be to have her wear a similar hat !  I'll let you know how that goes!!!

Well, I have tried to finish more petitpoint to show for this post but was only able to finish this for my 'real chateau'...this is a pattern from the very talented 'Graham Rust'.

I am finishing the same pattern in mini size and will show it and a few more things in my next post.

We are off for a month for some sunshine and warmer weather.......have had a very wet winter but luckily, very little snow......we are blessed for sure.

   We will be in Los Angeles and then onto a short cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.  One of the main reasons that we chose this cruise was that it sails to Vancouver at the end of the cruise which means we only have to fly one way.  YEAH!!!!

So, I want to close off wishing everyone a wonderful, safe Happy Easter!! Have a happy, hoppy day!

Hugs,

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Kitten kisses to everyone!

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!\

Once again, it is February 2 and time for our little groundhog to forecast whether we will have an early spring.  He has a mixed review for Canada  but I'm hoping that he is right about spring being around the corner!

We have another sign that spring is here................we have a bear cub and mom and poppa bears, too!!!
Our neighbour has seen them but we haven't yet, although they knocked down our compost bin, which is not a small thing to do.  They pushed down the fence to get into our yard and carried away our locked bin for collecting compost from the house.  I love animals so I hope that they don't get too aggressive because I would hate to have them moved or, even worse, put down!!!  We have lived here for 15 years and heard about sightings but not a glimpse have we seen.  I guess when you live near a forest that is one of the perks.

I am walking perfectly normal now and I am enjoying it immensely.  Soon, I plan to volunteer at a SPCA so that I can take care of my dog addiction!!  I would love to get a small dog but Doug and the cats say no, so I am outnumbered.

I have finally cleaned out my studio so that I can seriously start this dollhouse...it is my one main resolution for 2013.  I will send some photos of my latest petitpoint in the next post.................... today is my birthday so I am relaxing and enjoying it, starting with breakfast in bed!!!


Many hugs to all my loyal followers and to my new followers...I really appreciate your support!!!


Hugs XXXXX

                My warmest wishes for the Merriest and Happiest Holidays to all my dear followers!

                                           Also, a safe and caring time for all nature's creatures:

                              Hugs and kisses,

                              

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN !

BOO

Hugs again,

I'm Good to Go Again

Well, it has been two months since my operation and I have to say that I feel wonderful.  Thank you to all my lovely followers for your kind words through this ordeal. There was a few hiccups but, all in all, the surgery was easy on me.  The pain was pretty minimal for a few weeks and now I have literally no pain!!!  I am now able to walk on my own but will still use a cane, for the next month as a safety measure.  I have exercises to do every day...............which is a pleasure now !

My dear husband has been so good to me..........breakfast and sometimes lunch and dinner in bed every day!!!  He has had to do almost everything, including looking after the garden!!!  I will have to spoil him with 'home cooking' again as we are both tired of 'Costco meals!!!

'Peaches' 1997-2012

We had to put our darling little 'Peaches' down at age 15.  She was a rescue cat and was always the most loving and sweet little girl.  We miss her terribly!

Today, it is important to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by 'Hurricane Sandy'!
So very sad to see such devastation.........I hope that the power gets back soon so that they can back to some kind of normal.

While I was convalescing, I tried to do miniatures but it did not happen, so will try to do some things soon.
In the meantime,


Hugs