Tessie

Happy Dogs on Thursday!  Today it's all about Tessie... Tessie is the Royal Rooters rally cry... Tessie is the tune they always sung... Tessie echoed April through October nights... Oh wait, not that Tessie!  No, I'm talking about the tiniest little lovebug with one of the most infectious personalities I've ever seen! 

A few weeks ago Tessie came North via P.E.T.S. Transport and needed a place to crash for the night until her adoptive parents could pick her up.  You may recognize the P.E.T.S. name from Last Chance Highway, but if not be sure to check it out!  The show provides a unique view inside the world of dog rescue, especially Southern dogs who are adopted out up North. 

We had the pleasure of picking Tessie up, but because of tickets to a little show in Boston, we had lined up friends of ours to take little Tessie over night.  Boy did I regret that decision after spending a few short hours with the little girl.  Not only did I want to foster her overnight, I wanted to keep her!  Her Southern foster Mom had warned me, and boy was she right!  Everyone who met Tessie seemed to instantly fall for her...

She liked to ride by my feet

THAT Smile!!!

Lola was the lucky Lapdog who got to pick up Tessie from the transport.  Here we are waiting in line to get Tessie.  Well, I was waiting in line, but Lola was much more interested in checking out all of the doggies coming off the transport... especially the little pups!

Tessie instantly bonded with Lola, even though the Queen apparently thought that she was there to pick out -and take home- her own puppy!  I swear if Lola could talk, she would have been saying "No Momz, not dis one! Shez ok butz Iz luvs des little lab mix pupz beterz... Iz take one of dem pleaz."

Isn't she just darling?!?!  Who could resist this adorable little girl?  Certainly not me... it's a good thing she already had a forever home lined up!

As I said, Lola was more concerned with meeting other pups than anything else... including cooperating for a group photo!  Tessie worked on stealing Matt's heart and iced cappuccino.



Two peas in a pod Magnum! 

I hope that Tessie's forever home is as perfect as I picture it in my dreams..... this girl has a lot of love to give and deserves only the very best in life!

P.E.T.S. Transport heading off to their next stop

Buggy Wednesday

Happy Wordless Wednesday!  I have no idea just what kind of bug this is, but thought it made for some cool shots!

Lighten Up!

Today's Ten on Tuesday topic is 10 Ways to Lighten Your Mood...

1. Spend time with your furbabies - definitely my go-to mood lightener... My dogs are an unlimited source of uncondtional love and laughs! 

My 4 favorite butts

2. Knit - or whatever hobby you love.  Knitting is (usually) a stress reliever and a great way to express my creative side.  Plus, knitting for family and friends makes me smile (again, usually).

3. Read - if your knitting/hobby is causing you to curse or throw things, you might want to switch to reading...

4. Get out and do something seasonal - my favorite time of the year is quickly approaching... I love all things fall and like to get out to the fairs and festivals as much as I can.

5. Eat comfort food - whether it's a slice of pizza or pie, comfort food is great for the mood!  I'm looking forward to the fall comforts... hot apple cider, pie, cider donuts, soup in bread bowls, etc.

6. Lunch with a friend - I had the pleasure of meeting a great friend for lunch yesterday and what a fantastic break from the daily grind that was!

7. Go for a walk/hike/drive - get out and enjoy the fresh air or the open road... take the furbabies if you can!

Smell that fresh air!

8. Watch a comedy - be it a movie, sitcom or even funny videos on You Tube... watch and LOL!

9. Smile - it's amazing what this little action can do for your mood... go ahead, try it!

10. Go online - email a friend, chat online, find new patterns on Ravelry,  Facebook, Tweet... whatever site you prefer, I'm sure you'll find something to take your mind off things!

A Little of This, A Little of That

Happy Monday... or rather, happy let's-get-this-week-over-and-done-with and onto-the-long-weekend day!  Time for a little of this and a little of that...

I had lunch this afternoon with Tango's Mom and was able to give her some gifts that I can now show off to you.  The first was "Lil Tango," as his creators Karen & Cyndi named him.... 

Lil Tango & Newman

Lil Tango & Newman side view

Karen and Cyndi make these adorable stuffed pups and earlier this year, they had gifted me with "Newman" (on the right) in honor of Ryan Newman and his US Army paint scheme.  He was so cute, I just had to ask if there was anything they could do for this special circumstance ... and I can't thank them enough!  Although Tango is mainly a black beauty, they got to thinking and creating...  The result is Lil Tango, who I truly hope will bring Tanya some comfort when she needs it, as I know the days are still tough....

 

I also got her this beautiful engraved pebble necklace from sjENGRAVING.  I thought it was something unique that she could either choose to wear or hang in a special place, depending on her mood.  The polished pebble also reminds me of a "worry stone" and I love that she can hold it in her hand and use it in that manner as well.  I highly recommend their Etsy shop to anyone looking for any engraved stone items.  The stone truly is simply beautiful...

The kids are glad Mom made a new friend at Zuke's!  Before she left the daily grind behind (although really, how hard could it be to work at such a great company?) to take off on a cross country adventure, Andrea sent us a big 'ole box of  some of their favorite treats, as well as 2 awesome Zuke's tees for Mama Lapdog!  Thank you Andrea, we luvs it all!

Thanks to some wonderful ladies across the US, we just donated another 63 preemie/infant hats, 4 pairs of booties and 1 blanket to the Special Care Nursey from Friends of Emma!  Special thanks to my Mom for delivering them in person.  She informed me that the nurses had to take each and every hat out of the box to look at and even one of the doctors came out to thank us for them.

4 pairs of booties & 1 blanket

63 hats donated to SCN!

REVIEW: The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion

The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion
by Janet Bristow & Victoria A. Cole-Galo
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Taunton Press (September 7, 2010)

The term "prayer shawl" has come to mean many different things to many different people.  To some it's tied to prayer, to others simply about good healing vibes.  It is not necessarily about any particular religious believes, but about the concept of comforting someone in need with a shawl that has been knit or crocheted with love (and those good vibes or prayers, whichever you choose).  Crafters are known to be a generous bunch and shawls are just an extension of that fact.  Chances are if you know someone who is in need of a little comfort, the first thing you do is whip out your needles or hook and some beautiful, soft yarn.

Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo, the founds of The Prayer Shawl Ministry, continue to carry on those sentiments and touch the lives of many through their latest release, The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion.  In this follow up to their 2008 best-seller, The Prayer Shawl Companion, Janet and Victoria have once again brought crafters of different faiths and cultures together to showcase 37 beautiful shawl patterns and some heartwarming stories.  The patterns have been designed by everyday crocheters, as well as some celebrity knitwear designers including Nicky Epstein, Mary Beth Temple, Kristen TenDyke, Amy Shelton and Doris Chan. 

A wide range of styles and patterns are offered, ensuring there's a shawl fit for every need.  The majority of the 37 patterns are labeled "easy" with a few advanced beginner and intermediate ones as well.  Instructions are written clearly and the photographs throughout show great detail of the projects.

My personal favorites include:

• Genevieve's Journey Shawl, a lacy open shawl that really reminds me of the ocean
• Special Occasion Shawl, a lovely shawl perfect for fall, it even includes two small pockets
• Gossamer Blossoms Shawl, another lacy shawl crocheted in a mohair blend that gives the fish-net like pattern a little "oompf"
• Cheer and Victory Shawl, a comforting shawl sure to put a smile on anyone's face, it is edged with daisies

If you enjoying crocheting shawls, you should certainly consider adding The Crocheted Prayer Shawl Companion to your collection!

About the Authors: Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo are authors of the bestselling Prayer Shawl Companion and founders of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. They travel nationwide to conduct shawl ministry workshops. Both women are graduates of the Hartford Seminary’s Women’s Leadership Institute.

Sophie's Wish

Happy Dogs on Thursday!  I had planned a Wapiti Labs elk antler review today, but time has gotten the best of me... so please stay tuned!  We'll have that, as well as quite a few other great reviews (and some giveaways!) coming soon, including Huggle Hounds toys, Mrs. Beasley's new Kelp Krunchies treats, Halo Pets dog food, Weruva canned dog food and SmartPup dog smoothie treats.  I'll have some knitting related reviews too...

Some random shots for today...

The hot, humid weather is the only time I get "smiling" Sophie photos...

 

Zeus being Zeus and on the lookout for critters with his little sister...



Lola and Teutul... showing a little sibling love!



Sophie says hang tight... the weekend is almost here and she's wishing for a great one!

Iz wishen fer da wekendz!

One Gull of a Day

Happy Wordless Wednesday!