Halloween My WHAT? And Count Dustee!

Happy Spooky Day! This is what's on my desk, staring me in the face today (I have the "Bad Dogs" 365 day calendar)...

Cute, huh? How about something even cuter? I present to you... Vampire-Dog Count Dustee!

Love those cute fangs and funny faces! Yes folks, its a Dustee update! I got some new pics from his Mom last week (she is the best at keeping in touch, which I am so thankful for... it means the world to me to get updates on my foster babies). Dustee will forever hold a special place in our hearts. Lola still gets her big curious ears & eyes whenever someone says "Dustee" - its too cute! Here's a couple more pics of the little guy, including one with his sister Kaia....

Aren't they gorgeous furbabies? I'm happy to hear Dustee is doing very well also!

I'll leave you today with a little more Spooky Day fun (which is a little too eerily correct with some of the things!). Enjoy your Halloween!

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

You're a friendly person, but not the life of the party. You like making someone else's day - and you'll dress up if you think of a really fun costume. Sneaky and devious, people should really watch out for you. You are usually underestimated and forgotten. Your inner child is open minded, playful, and adventurous. You fear people taking advantage for you. You are always worried about protecting your own interests. You're prone to be quite emotional and over dramatic. Deep down, you enjoy being scared out of your mind... even if you don't admit it. You are a traditionalist with most aspects of your life. You like your Halloween costume to be basic, well made, and conventional enough to wear another year.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

Random Tuesday

First of all, Vivian (who has the cutest little doggies!) tagged me with one of those 7 random things about yourself memes, so here it goes...

1. I'm not a big fan of the telephone. Maybe its because I used to spend hours upon hours on it as a teenager, but these days I much prefer email.
2. I never answer my home or cell phone without checking the caller ID first.
3. I'm a huge multi-tasker. Maybe that's why email is so much better... I can give it my divided attention while still getting other things done.
4. I'm a fussy eater, though I've learned to like a much wider variety of things in the past 10 years. Spaghetti squash is wonderful - have you tried it? What about elk meat - was some of the best read meat I've ever had!
5. I don't like guacamole. I've never really tried it. I just know I don't like it by the looks of it.
6. My parents have a "yours, mine and ours" situation. I have a half sister (Dad) and a half brother (Mom).
7. If I won the lottery, I'd first pay off my huge yarn credit card debt and then I'd look for a bigger house with more land so that we can take in many more dogs and give them a loving family!

Now I'm supposed to tag 7 people, but I'll leave it open to anyone reading... if you haven't already been tagged and want to participate, TAG - you're it!

Thanks to my Mom for digging up Zeus' devil dog pictures from Halloween 2002! He's still a growing pup in these pics, just 1 1/2 years old (for those keeping track, Zeus will turn 7 on March 7th!). I hadn't found them in time for the Dogs on Thursday Halloween parade last week, but here they are now... Happy Spooky Day!

Someone call for a little devil?

Basking in the fall sun...

I'm too sexy for this costume...

Photo shoot over... can I eat it now?

It's EVEN GREATER to be a Boston Girl!

The Red Sox swept the World Series!

The Patrios are now 8 and 0!

Yes, folks... its even greater to be a Boston girl this morning!

And thankfully, Patrice Bergeron was released from the hospital yesterday. I didn't see the game with the vicious hit, but it was a bad one. As the article ends, Thank you. Merci…to whomever or whatever was looking over our friend yesterday... and get well soon Patrice!

Now if Tony Stewart could only gain some points on the double Hendrick-mint Twins.......

Side Note: Please see the link on the right hand side for the San Diego Wild Fire Blanket Project. If you are local and wish to help out, Joanne at A Knitter's Garden is going to be collecting squares at her shop.

Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Questionnaire

Here it is... my Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap Q&A! I must have my daily coffee or you won't like me very much am a huge coffee addict lover so I'm really excited about this swap!

Coffee

What are your favorite kinds of coffee? (Brands, Roasts, anything at all you'd like to share!)
I love mild to medium roasts, breakfast blends and flavored coffees. Winter blends are wonderful too. One of my favorite brands/roasters is local, The Village Bean. I also like Kevin's Coffee Roasters (out of CT), Dunkin Donuts, Green Mountain Coffee, Coffee AM, etc. I'm not against Starbucks, but I don't enjoy dark roasts.

Do you prefer whole bean or ground coffee?
Either is fine.

This time of year, there are often Holiday Blends available, and many flavored coffees - do you drink flavored coffee?
Yes, yes, yes! I love flavored coffee (just nothing with raspberry please) and holiday blends. I found a winter/holiday blend last year at the Yankee Candle store that was absolutely fantastic, but I can't remember the brand.

Do you enjoy special blends?
Yes, I just don't like anything that's super strong or dark roast.

How do you take your coffee? Cream and Sugar? Straight up? Decaf?
With 1 splenda and either flavored coffee creamer or milk. NO decaf (isn't that one of those "why bother?" things in life??) - I need the caffine!

Do you prefer drinking from a nice thick mug, or a matched cup and saucer?
Nice big mugs!

Winter and Holidays

What is your favorite part of Winter?
Getting to wear comfy sweaters, pretty scarves and of course, handknit socks! The holidays are nice and I love the snow days that fall on the weekends when I can stay at home, hanging out with the dogs, curled up on the couch with blankets, a nice mug of coffee and some knitting.

Do you celebrate a holiday in December, and if so, which holiday?
Yes, my honey's birthday, Christmas and New Year's Eve!

If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up a tree?
Yes.

Would you enjoy items related to the holiday, or would you prefer a Winter themed package?
I would enjoy both.

Do you collect anything?
Besides yarn??!! I have started a collection of "nicer" and unique knitting needles. I also collect dog related items, Willow Tree Angels and Snow Babies. I used to collect a lot of NASCAR items (Tony Stewart, Scott Wimmer), but not so much anymore.

Are there any holiday or winter-themed items (Snowmen, Angels, Snowflakes, Santas, etc) that you collect?
See above - my Mom started me a collection of Snow Babies awhile back. I also collect dog theme holiday ornaments and also the S'mores holiday ornaments.

Do you wear scarves? Mittens? Hats?
Yes to scarves & mittens... I'm trying to be better about wearing hats. I just need one that doesn't make me look like a total dork and also doesn't flatten or static zap my hair.

What is your favorite holiday or winter treat?
Christmas cookies, peanut butter balls (not really a holiday treat, but sometimes people make them with the cookies), hot apple cider and the holiday meals in general. Especially the Lobster Bisque at Dad C. & Mom-Sue's on Christmas Day... the Perogies and Dark & Stormies at Mom-Mancini & Tony's on Christmas Eve (though I miss having my D&S partner Roz there!). My Mom's homemade Kahlua is wonderful too and maybe she'll make a batch for Christmas this year (hint, hint... Mom are you reading this??)

Please share a favorite Winter or Holiday memory.
I miss the holiday gatherings at Nana's house with the whole family... when I was a child, we spent almost all holidays at Nana's. As we've gotten older, it seems to be much more about the hussle & bustle and trying to get everywhere and please everyone... we spend much of our holiday time traveling in the car these days and its not always as relaxing and carefree.

Yarn and Crafting

Do you Knit or Crochet? For how long?
I've been back knitting for about 4 years now. Mom tried to teach me as a child, but I never stuck with it back then.

Do you like wooden, metal, or plastic needles\hooks? Circular or straight?
It totally depends on the project. I do love bamboo for straights & DPNs and I love Addi Turbos & Knit Picks for circulars.

What sort of projects do you enjoy making?
Socks, hats, mittens. I'm currently venturing in to my first couple of shawls, including my first big lace project. I also love making small "gifty" items for friends & family... I'm currently making some coffee cozies & felted coasters.

What are your favorite types of yarn to work with?
I love super wash wools, soft wools & handspun and alpaca. I love to try "new" and fun fibers & blends. I've recently seen some camel yarn around and would love to try that.

Do you spin or dye?
I've attempted to spin on a spindle, but think I need to get a better spindle to truly get the hang of it and actually enjoy it...

Do you do other crafts such as scrapbooking or needlepoint or anything else?
I used to do nearly every craft as a child with my Mom... but now its mainly knitting. I just got back in to beading and am doing some stitch markers now. Every once in awhile (read: couple years), I take out the 'ole latch hook rug kits. I've been working on the same one for about 8 years now...

General

When is your birthday?
October 7th

Do you have any children? (Furry kind count!)
3 furbabies; Zeus, Lola & Teutul (you'll read plenty about them on my blog!) and we often have a foster furbaby staying with us also (currently its Sophie)

What are your favorite colors?
Shades of purple, blue, red, pink ... jewel tones, also fall/winter tones & shades

Do you have any allergies?
No cigarette smoke please. No penicillin either... :)

And Now, She Beads!

Yes, I've finally gotten around to taking a stab at making beaded stitch markers! I'd bought a bunch of supplies ions months (heck, maybe even a year??) ago, but had never gotten around to sitting down with it. So... with a little inspiration from the beaded bracelet class at Violet Bleu last month and a little kick in the arse need to be bringing some extra cash into the household (I am still hopefull that someday yarn shops & MasterCard will team up to offer cash back for yarn purchases...), this is how I sat down to watch the race & Pats game last Sunday...

After a good hour or more spent organizing the above mess in to nice little plastic caddies, I spent a few more hours ranting, cursing and ouching... the end result? The very first Lapdog Creations stitch markers...

What do you think? (honestly, the photo doesn't do them justice... my bad for taking it at night) I have to get my wire loops & wraps a little neater and more uniform, I know. The black & white ones were actually the first set I made and I think my favorite so far. I brought them to knitting night on Wednesday and everyone seemed to like them... I hope that was honest feedback! I picked up some more supplies on Tuesday and plan to spend some time on them this weekend. I realized stitch markers are not a great project for evenings after work... my tired eyes need daylight shinning in the windows (or else I need to go invest in one of those overpriced craft lamps & tables).

As for knitting, I have 2 finished objects, but the photos are still on the camera so you'll have to wait. Would you settle for some New England foliage eye candy instead? These are from my front yard.

Tut's birthday cake photos are still on the camera too, so how about he & Sophie's modeling of the "Tricks for Treats" t-shirt from Old Navy? They both got to participate in the Dogs on Thursday Halloween Parade yesterday (as unorganized Mommy is still trying to find the cutest photos of Zeus in his devil costume from when he was a puppy... still hopeful to find them before Wednesday!).

As usual, I got the largest size & it fits like a muscle shirt...

It was a little big on Sophie...

Just don't mention it being snugg on body concious Teutul... otherwise you'll get some dog-attiude... (yes, he is sticking his tongue out at you)

A few more modeling shots...

I love this pic of Lola & Sophie... I think Lola wanted to try on the shirt too! You can also see the ham that Sophie is becoming... she's no longer shy or scared when its come to getting her attention. She pushes right on thru our dogs, sometimes going under their legs, sometimes giving them a good 'ole hip-check (she's got the move down!)... its pretty hilarious!

TGIF... have a great weekend! GO SOX! (and Pats, and Tony Stewart, and... )

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Look who's 4 today...... my baby boy, Teutul! (warning: picture heavy post!)

Named after the Teutul family from the OCC boys of American Chopper fame, Tut came into our home & lives on Superbowl Sunday, 2004, the day the Patriots beat the Panthers!

You see, Teutul was originally a foster named Tigger (yes, you can say it out loud... a dog named Tigger?). He stole our hearts and we obviously failed at our first ever attempt at fostering (which may be why we waited 3 years to give it a shot again!). Tigger was just not fitting at all and I had wanted to name him Brady, however Matt said he wasn't going to have a Tom Brady dog... so I said what about Mikey? Matt thought for a minute... then replied "only if he's Mikey Teutul." And, Teutul stuck. Tut for short.... though he prefers King Tut.

Tut is a great little guy, even if a somewhat nervous nelly that always wants to be the center of attention. He likes to continually annoy the heck out of Mommy while she tries to knit help Mom's creativity...

Sometimes he's my relucatant model...

He loves romping & wrestling with his foster brothers & sisters, though is always a pain in the arse quick to let them know that he is the baby of the house... and although he loves having houseguests as much as the rest of us, I think he's really kind of proud when they go to their forever homes!

He's a fireball of energy ... a dorky dog of sorts with many quirks (we chalk it up to his Southern roots, lol) ... complete lovebug ... and if you're not paying attention, he'll attack you with kisses!

Happy Birthday baby boy!

Time for some resting, before cake tonight! I'll get to posting the Halloweeny pics tomorrow (we got Tut a "Tricks for Treats" t-shirt that he modeled and then let Sophie try on!)...

Knitting or Sox???

So are you going to knitting night tonight or watching the Sox game? Or maybe you're knitting socks? I'll be going to my knitting night at A Knitter's Garden and actually, I do plan to finish off my Bob Marley's Grandmas Cable Footsies!

While baseball has never been the top sport in our house (NASCAR, football & hockey usually come first, however we do love our Red Sox nontheless!), everyone's got Red Sox fever! I stopped in at Woof It Down last night to pick up Teutul's birthday cake for tomorrow (shh!) and grabbed them these treats too...



They only had 3 Sox cookies left, so we made up for that with a pink "Homer Simpson" donut...

The Lady, Lola wondering if she'll get yelled
at for taking it waiting ever so patiently...

My Gentle Giant, Zeus... look at

the focus in those eyes!

Sophie's loving being in New England!

And the baby and almost birthday boy,

Teutul ended up with the bonus donut

After cookie time, Sophie decided it was

time for a little tug of war playing...

And not too much after that,

it was sleepy-sleep time...

Remember the Yarn Collectors Annonymous blog contest I won??!! I got my Socks That Rock... she let me pick my colorway and I choose the gorgeous Count Clukula! Thank you so much!!! I still can't believe I won!

That's all for today... I'll be back tomorrow with some Halloweeny Doggy goodyness and show you my latest creative project! Go Sox!