10 Dream Vacations

Time for a little Ten on Tuesday... this week's topic is 10 Dream Vacations. 

1. Australia ~ Koala bears, up close and in their natural habitat.  An outback adventure...  Plus, I hear their Autumn season is beautiful!

2. Alaska ~ An Alaskan cruise... I want to get close to the glaciers and wildlife.

3. Africa ~ An African Safari... enough said.

Tiger World in NC

4. Egypt ~ Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Nile River, the Desert... I want to see it all!

5. Hawaii ~ I'm sure this one is on most people's dream vacation list.  I'm no different... I want to experience Island life, visit the sea cliffs, see a volcano errupt and maybe even catch an NFL Pro Bowl game!

6. Scotland ~ Take me on a search for Nessie!


NOT Nessie...

7. Sweden ~ The ice hotel.... marvelous!  Check out the web cam.

NOT an ice hotel...

8. Las Vegas - Mostly to visit/volunteer at Best Friends, with a little casino action and some Cirque du Soleil shows thrown in for good measure.  Maybe even to catch a NASCAR race out there... 

9. Ireland ~ I am part Irish and would love to visit the island someday... the landscapes, ancient legends, culture, food...

Zeus showing his "Irish" side

10. Greece ~ "The Greek Islands" just sounds so enchanting, plus there's all of that mythology and the amazing ancient architecture...

So Tell Me Christmas, Are We Kind?

Sure, it's only November 8, but last night was my personal kick off to the holiday season... the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert.  Once again (thank you fan club tickets), we were up front and center in the fourth row.  Some of the usual suspects were missing from this tour, but the newbies did not disappoint and the show rocked...

I think I took more photos last night that at any other TSO show -over 100!- so you'll have to excuse the picture heavy post on this rainy Monday afternoon.

Guitar Gods...

Singing sensations...

 
 

A rockin' violinist and the best narrator on the planet... 

Truly amazing musicians...

 

A band that cares... TSO donates $1 from each ticket sold to a local charity and presents the check pre-show.  Last night $4,325 was donated to a local radio station's "Lend a Helping Can" charity.  Mid-show Chris always shows some local sports loyalty and last night, came out in a Manchester Monarchs jersey. 

 

REVIEW: Casey Jones Bones Pumpkin Treats

Casey Jones Bones Pumpkin Treats
Where to Find: The Dog Bonery

 

Pumpkins are a big part of fall in New England, especially in the Lapdog household.  We love everything pumpkin ... pie, ice cream, coffee, pancakes, muffins, cheesecake and Casey Jones Bones! 


Zeus does tricks for CJB


Casey Jones Bones are made with only the best, all natural ingredients in the scenic Lakes Region of New Hampshire.  Everything you find in Casey Jones Bones is something that you will find in your very own kitchen - nothing artificial and no preservatives.  The pumpkin treats are available in both a regular recipe, as well as a wheat free recipe for dogs that may have a wheat allergy.    

• The regular Pumpkin Treats are made with white flour, whole wheat flour, pumpkin, water, rolled oats, eggs, New Hampshire maple syrup, vegetable oil, cinnamon and nutmeg. 



Lola says Gimme!



The Wheat Free Pumpkin Treats are made with rye flour, pumpkin, rolled oats, water, New Hampshire maple syrup, vegetable oil, cinnamon and nutmeg



Sophie says Ahhh....



Not only will your dog be drooling over them, but you just might as well - they smell like pumpkin pie!  Even better, you'll feel good about giving Casey Jones Bones to your pack - I know I do!

Casey Jones Bones have already received the Lapdogs official 16 Paws Up Seal of Approval earlier this year and the pumpkin treats are no exception.  The Lapdogs love them and have been begging for more!

 

  

Sophie has a crush on Casey Jones!

Casey Jones is a real dog who lends both his namesake and likeness to these fabulous treats.  He loves to run in the fields of New Hampshire, hike the trails of the White Mountains, ride in the car and relax on his favorite bed. If you're in the Granite State and happen to see a big yellow, jolly dog running in a field or hiking a trail, stop and ask if it's Casey Jones... you just might have a celebrity sighting on your hands!



Tut is concentrating...

Casey Jones was once again nice enough to share a treat to make the humans smile as well... 20% off your entire order! Simply hop on over to their website, select your items and during the check-out process, enter Lapdog in the coupon code field and you will receive 20% off your entire order!  So what are you waiting for... order some Casey Jones Bones for your favorite pooch now... they make great holiday gifts!





Zeus says these CJB are his - please ask Santa for your own!

Jack Update

Jack, cozy in his new home

Happy Dogs on Thursday... little Friday... November 4 (can you believe it's November already?)... or whatever it is you're happy about today!  I'm happy to report that Jack is doing wonderful in his forever home.  His Mom has been sending regular updates (which any foster knows - whether you fostered for 1 day or 1 year - is the best thing you can get from the adopters).  He is settling in, coming out of his shell and learning to explore in his new surroundings.  Jack has even begun obedience classes!  He really is a smart little bugger and will learn fast.  Jack does seem to have a dislike for hunters however, as he is not fond of his new Dad in his camo wear, nor the deer he brought home last week.  A hunting dog, Jack is not.  I'm beginning to wonder if perhaps a hunter had bred his dogs and realized the pups weren't going to be the prize hunters he hoped for, which may have resulted in the disgusting dumping of Jack and his brother.  sigh.



First place Jack found?  The human's bed, of course.

Jack's Mom shared this via a comment on my post last week and I just wanted to make sure you all saw it.  "Hi, I'm Jack's new mom! He is doing so well. Great progress every single day overcoming his timidness. Life is much quieter here than with the 4 dogs he lived with down south for 3 weeks and Nichole's bunch. But he seems happy! Within an hour of being in our home he was curled up on my bed! Yes he is a beauty!"


Jack & Teutul



Always wanting to be the center of attention, no matter how cute the puppy is that visits, Teutul wants to make sure his favorite Thursday-only visitors know that he was a Daily Smiler on TheBark.com on Tuesday.  If you missed the post, it's here.

Jack and a new toy



Autumn Leaves

Happy Wordless Wednesday!  I think the leaves are pretty... as for my other half (who cleans them up), not so much....

King Tut Smiling at TheBark

The Lapdog household was so excited when Lola was picked not once, but twice in October for the weekly Smilers over on TheBark's website. The first here and then the very next week, both she and Teutul made it for his birthday week.  Well, today we just can't contain our excitment with the great news... Mr. Big Headed King Tut has been chosen as one of two daily Smilers over on their homepage!  WOO HOO!  That means his big Gene Simmons tongue smiling face is right there for all the world to see in their header!  Hop on over and check him out because he'll be gone tomorrow.... but  just in case you miss it, we saved the file to share...



Teutul is a Daily Smiler at TheBark.com ~ November 2, 2010



REVIEW: Tom Bihn Little Swift

Tom Bihn: Little Swift
Where To Find: Tom Bihn


Little Swift in Vulcana Hemp/Recycled Rubber

I knew I had found the perfect knitting bag for an on-the-go, multitasking doggy mom when I reviewed the Swift bag earlier this year.  It's the perfect size for toting around all of your purse stuff, plus a couple of knitting projects, magazines, water bottle, book and treats (both human and dog).  However, there are those days when all you really need to carry is something purse-size.  Problem being is that most purses aren't project friendly... cue the Little Swift!  
 

(l-r) Swift in Cork, Little Swift in Hemp

 The Little Swift is a smaller version of The Swift from Tom Bihn, which was originally designed for knitters and crafty types by Tom in collaboration with the readers of Knitty Magazine. Apparently many of the women who work at Tom Bihn carry Swifts and Tom noticed they - like me - didn't always need such a large bag.. On some days, a smaller version would be best... and the Little Swift was born.

Like the Swift, the Little Swift is a highly organized, stylish machine!  Inside you'll find 2 clear zippered Urethane pockets backed with a soft Dyneema/nylon ripstop fabric. Above one of these pockets is a handy "o-ring" with a key snap attached - you won't waste time searching for the car keys the next time you have to run out the door for another skein of yarn!  Two more "o-rings" are included, one on each end of the interior, designed to allow you to easily clip the included Small Stuff Sack to either side. You can also use them to clip in any of the additional accessories that you may purchase, including an extra Yarn Stuff Sack or Clear, Padded, or Cork Organizer Pouches.

The Little Swift is just as comfortable to carry as it's larger sister, with handles made from the highest-quality Poron foam padding. They are an ideal length for tossing over your shoulder or carrying in hand. A button closure secures the top of the bag with three different fastening points.

The Vulcana Hemp/Recycled Rubber material is new and exclusive to the Swift.  It is made in the USA from post-consumer recycled tires with a bonded overlay of sustainable hemp - yes, the bag is officially Green. The result is a fabric that is the perfect marriage between durable and delicate, not to mention quite unique. You may notice the slightest bit of rubber smell when you first open the package, but that fades faster than you can cast on your next project. If you are concerned, Tom Bihn will gladly send you a swatch sample to smell for yourself before ordering.

The official verdict? I'm still in love with my Swift and now love it's mini-me just as much! The Little Swift is the perfect size bag when you don't need quite as much stuff, but still want to have all of your essentials, as well as a knitting project.  In addition, it is Made in The USA and environmentally friendly.  Plus, I'll point out once again that both Tom and his Vice President, Darcy Gray have rescued shelter dogs... icing on the cake!  You won't be disappointed whether you choose the Swift or the Little Swift... and it's just about that time of year when Mama has an excuse to ask Santa for a new bag!