Spring Flinging ~ Week 3

This week's topic for the Spring Fling Coffee Swap is...

Tell us how you started drinking coffee. Were you in high school or college and making it through all nighters? Did you get it from a family member? What drives your love of the bean?

Well, to be honest, I don't really recall but I'm guessing I was around 16 or so when I was bitten by the addiction and started taking part in a New England ritual... daily visits to Dunkin Donuts! Yes its true, you really can not go more than a couple blocks miles without finding a Dunkins in New England!
Some of my earliest "coffee memories" were going out for a drive in the evenings with my brother, stopping for a medium coffee at Dunkins and cruising around. Good times... chatting, hanging with my older brother. I do miss that time and closeness with him....
So anyway, my name is Nichole and I'm an addict since the tender age of 16-ish! I'm now an average of 2 cups a day, sometimes more... depends on the work stress! My love of the bean is all about the caffeine, taste and smell... and in the winter, the warmth & comfort... in the summer, the iced cold & refreshment! I've even crossed the line to lattes in the past couple years! As Rachael Ray would say, YUM-O!

Go Orange!

Happy ASPCA Day (which just so happens to nicely fall on Dogs on Thursday)! If you're not quite sure how to celebrate, here is a list of 10 easy ways. Of course, I hope you will also enter my contest! There are several (and easy!) ways to enter and some wonderful prizes to be claimed, thanks to many of my amazing crafty pals! You have until April 25 to enter.

Before I get in to the usual doggy photos for today, I wanted to show you what I found this morning... my crocuses have finally opened up! Yesterday and today feel like spring... yeah! (even if I now have the sinus pressure, sneezy, headachey spring...) They are calling for the temps to drop again and showers all weekend... one weather idiot guy even mentioned that S word...

Back to the dogs... I unearthed some of their toys from the black hole underneath the couch the other day and found Mr. Sheepie. I don't think Sophie had met Mr. Sheepie before (that tells you how long he's been in the black hole, huh?), however she's really taken a shining to him. He's her new favorite buddy and has been carrying him all around the house with her. The girl's got good fiberly taste, no?

With my contest post last Thursday, I left you all hanging without the usual 1001 doggy pics, so here's a little catch up ... enjoy the rest of your day!

I'm still working on getting that perfect 4 doggy shot (why was 3 so much easier?) {as always, links have more pics}

Sophie being uncooperative...

Sophie doing her best Elvis Snarl...

Sophie's gone again (do you sense a theme here... now I know why 3 was easier!)

We've been attacked had plenty of birdie watching (and chasing) going on in the past couple weeks.

The pesky creatures sure held Tut's undivided attention and he got that "nose to the camera" thing going on again...

Zeus waking up from a nap... "did someone say BIRDIES??!!"

Speaking of napping... Lola & Sophie, still showing that sisterly love is the best (and should not be disturbed!).

Kenyetta was who I got to spoil in the DOT Spring Swap and I'm happy to see that the basket arrived in one piece and that she, Diamond & Snoop enjoyed it all. I had so much fun putting this swap package together and can't wait for another doggy swap!

On a sad note, please hop on over and send Mary some good vibes. She's had a terrible week with loosing both Storm and Electra. {{{hugs}}}

Finally?

I think spring has finally arrived in New England... its 54 degrees and its opening day!

... and its still great to be a Boston girl! Red Sox are reigning champs... Patriots should be reigning champs... my Bruins start round 1 of the playoffs on Thursday night... and although I am not much of a basketball fan, I believe our Celtics are still first in their division!

Spring Flingin ~ Week 2

This week's Spring Fling coffee swap topic is...

Since some of us is beginning to see glimpse of Spring, while others are still getting snow have you change what projects are working on? Have you put away the hats, scarfs and mittens, and brought out the cute tank top sweater projects and lacy wraps? Have you change yarn to something more lighter and cooler, not so heavy and bulky?

Well, I'm finishing up Clapotis now and then will probably starting working on my Cabin Fever tank again (its been a WIP for quite some time now). I also have to get my ISE pal's scarf done. I tend to work on "whatever" all year long, but since I take my knitting with me to Matt's racing most Sundays, I opt for a lighter weight yarn to work on then (especially socks or other small projects).

Playoff Bound!

The Bruins made the playoffs! Unfortunately, for what seems like a gazillion years in a row now, we attended the last home game of the season on Saturday night ... and watched them loose. But, at least we had fun watching the loss from directly behind their bench.... When I wasn't staring at the back of a coach's head, this was our view...

Now keep those fingers crossed that we make it past Round 1!

Spring, where are you?!?!

After a mentally exhausting work day yesterday, I wake up to find .... okay, take a guess...

Here's a clue...

If you guessed SNOW, you're right! That's Zeus out there sniffing up something interesting. We didn't get any accumulation, but it was enough to cover the what-should-be-grass-by-now before it turned to a slushy-sleet, then to rain.... making for a wet, dark and dingy day. blah

My crocuses still haven't opened. I was trying to snap a quick pic of them in the snow when Lola decided to stick her head in...

A quick Thank You to everyone who's already entered my contest and I hope there will be many more entries to come! Please help spread the word about ASPCA Day. I've got some amazing prizes to offer... and am proud to announce a beautiful Paw Print scarf from Chan has just been added to the growing list! (see, you don't even have to be a knitter to want to enter my contest... the prizes really span the spectrum)

After yesterday, I've never been happier to say TGI-friggin-F!!!!!!! I can't wait til quitting time....

Contest in honor of ASPCA Day

It is contest time again here at Lapdog Creations!

You all should certainly know by now know my great love of dogs and dedication to dog rescues & welfare organizations... so in honor of ASPCA Day on April 10, I am holding this contest with several 2 and 4-legged ways for you to enter {although you certainly do not have to be a dog lover gasp, did I really just say that? or owner to enter although who in their right mind does not love a dog?}

OK, let's get down to the knitty gritty woofiness of it all...

Ways to Enter

1) Donate to the ASPCA by clicking thru the "Help Me Fight Animal Cruelty" fundraiser button at the top of my blog. {Please note this is the only way for your donation to count towards my fundraising goals, therefore you must click thru this link for your donation to count in the contest} I'm still trying hard to reach my goal of $1,000... if you donated last year, now's the time to get in your tax deductable donation for 2008! The button will bring you to the ASPCA's secure website to make your donation and/or become a member. Once you have donated, please either leave a comment here noting the donation amount or if you prefer, email me at LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM with your name & donation amount. and remember, every bit counts... whether you are able to give $5, $20 or $50 to help, it all is appreciated by these wonderful animals!

You will earn 5 entries for making a donation!

2) Go Orange! On Thursday, April 10, folks all over the country will be going orange to celebrate the ASPCA’s victories on behalf of animals & the joy they bring to pet parents. Dress yourself, your kids, even your pet in ASPCA orange and show the world you support the ASPCA & the pets we protect. Post a photo of you or your kids (human or otherwise) on your blog on Thurs, April 10th wearing your orange or any other ASPCA gear, then leave a comment with a direct link here.

You will receive 3 entries for Going Orange on April 10th!

3) Adopt or Foster! If you've adopted or fostered a furry friend since Jan 1, 2008, email me at LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM with your name, photo and/or link to your blog of your adopted/fostered furbaby, as well as when & where you adopted from/fostered for and a few sentences about your experience.

You will earn 5 entries if you've adopted/fostered since Jan 1st!

4) Knit, crochet or sew Snuggles. You may choose the rescue/shelter where you would like to donate them (if you need suggestions, let me know). The only requirement is to email me at LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM with your name, photo of the snuggle(s) and where you chose to donate them to.

You will earn 3 entries for each snuggle you make!

5) Post - the easiest way to enter! Post a link to this contest on your blog and spread the word about ASPCA Day, helping homeless animals, etc! To receive an entry, you must leave a comment here, along with a direct link to your blog post. If you comment without a link, it won't count.

You will earn 1 entry for posting the link on your blog & commenting here!

The contest deadline is April 25th. This gives those who choose to make snuggles some time. You may enter in any or all of the ways listed - the more things you do, the more entries you receive! All entries will be placed in to a bag and winners drawn. I will also have one or two special category prizes (to be determined, I sense a "most creative go orange photo" and possibly something such as best adoption story or cutest furbaby).

Prizes

There will be several prizes, many of which are being so graciously donated by my circle of crafty friends. At this time prizes are set to include a doggy tape measure from Anita at Yarndemon Designs; a soothing heat therapy bag, healing ice pack and stitch marker holder from Mary at Blumes Accessories; oversized wallets (which make great notions bags!) and a Go Green grocery shopping tote from Jenn at Seacoast Baby; as well as some yet to be announced yummy yarn prizes & doggy items.

Please check out these talented ladies' etsy shops (all are linked)!! What the girls don't know is that by being so wonderful & caring for the cause, they've each already earned an entry in to the contest! If you'd like to donate anything, please contact asap.

Happy Dogs on Thursday and I hope you have fun with the contest!