Sheep and Bunnies and Donkeys and Baby Alpaca... OH MY!

So, continuing with the catch up posting... Joanne and I spent a beautiful Saturday trekking around NH on the Wool Arts Tour this past weekend. Oh what fun we had! Caution: picture heavy post ahead!

We made it to all 5 stops, catching up with blogless Kathy at the first one and traveling with her along the way, bumping in to lots of other familiar faces. Friends, fiber, foliage, fun... and lots of beautiful animals to gawk at!

There were fluffy bunnies...

Some cute & curious alpaca

(are they trying to avoid Joanne??)

A sheep shearing demonstration...

Finished!

A majestical beauty...

Lots of beautiful fall scenery...

How cool is this pic? It was just someone driving around with a cool old car who had parked outside one of the farms, but it looked so cool with the pumpkins... postcard worthy, no?

I am pretty proud of my photography skills... look at these cool shots of the bees pollinating the sunflowers...

Then... there was the alpaca farm! Oh what fun that was (did you know you could bring one home in the back of your SUV? Why yes, you can!). There was even a brand new baby alpaca girl born while we were there (and appropriately named WAT, after Wool Arts Tour!). We missed the birth by misunderstanding what was going on and by the time we made it outside, she had been moved inside to bond with Mom. But look at all these beauties...

We think this was the guard alpaca, as he

kept standing at attention, staring at us just like this...

Ever see an alpaca roll around in the

dirt, playing like a dog? I did!

Some pretty fall shots...

Look at this background foliage... I told you my photography skills were on!

Here's a baby who was born in July, alongside her protective Mom...

Not to be outdone by the alpaca, there were some beautiful donkeys as well...

And of course, some most beautiful yarn... we found this gorgeous Lamb's Pride handpainted by Seacoast Handpainted! (note to self: MUST. GET. VERMONT. COLORWAY.)

I didn't purchase any, as we found it on our very first stop and weren't sure what else we'd be happening upon. Speaking of which, I will save the purchases for the next catch up post! Hopefully I haven't overwhelmed you with too many photos here! I'll leave you with one last one... Joanne & I left our mark outside one of the stops...

See those 2 "darker" spots at the top & bottom of the photographic evidence? Nichole's tires might have been the culprit. Lack of parking lots = parking on the side of the road = trying really hard to get a big SUV off the road enough = going a bit too far and not realizing the big drop off/ditch on the side of the road = going a bit over the edge = shit OH SUGAR = 4 wheel drive to get back on the road = a couple little pot holes left behind... oopsie.

I have been SPOILED

I'm back to some normalness (ok, ok... so what's that?) after a long weekend and will be playing catch up on blog posts for a couple of days. I spent a beautiful Saturday with Joanne & blogless Kathy on the Wool Arts Tour and will have lots of pictures later, but today I wanted to give props and big thank yous to a couple of my swap spoilees.

First up is the terrific 2nd package I received from my Secret Pal 11 spoilee. Her packages come wrapped & packaged up so beautifully! Look at the beautiful fall leaves she "wrapped" my package in (they are now adorning shelves in my kitchen)... and the pretty fall bags everything was packaged in....such beautiful & thoughtful presentation! Oh and do you see the 2 noses taking a peek?? Inside I found a really cute birthday card and lots of goodies. There's a skein of Opal Rain Forest sock yarn in the very fallish Butterfly colorway. I've been wanting to scoop up one of these hard to find rainforest skeins, so this was a great treat! Speaking of treats, she sent me some yummy rock candy pops, limited edition pop rocks flavors and chocolate covered cranberries! I also got a "Just Apples" cookbook - so perfect for this time of year! And... drum roll... I saved the best for last, a set of Grafton Fibers "Darn Pretty Needles" DPNs! OMG, check these out... can you say gor-geous??!! They are hand crafted in Vermont and just so beautifully made (click on the picture which should enlarge for a better view)! I can't wait to use them! Thank you secret pal - these are absolutely stunning!

The spoiling kept coming as the next day I received a wonderful box from my Knit 1, Tea 2 Swap spoiler, Jeanne! Just look at all the goodies she crammed in to the box! Teas... lots of deliciousness that I can't wait to try, including Acai Green Tea from Republic of Tea, Chai Spice Red Bush Tea (I had wanted to try some reds and I do love chai, so this sounds really interesting), Pure Assam breakfast tea from jolly 'ole England and Yogai Chai Green Tea (ok, so I didn't even know that Chai came in varieties such as green & red... yummy!). Tea accessories... some cool tea filters that are sized for a 4 cup tea pot (and possibly making me change my mind about wanting a cute little tea pot) and a Tea Bea, the cutest little tea infuser I've ever seen! Chocolate... yummy Lindt truffles and a Scharffen Berger milk chocolate bar (the truffles are just about gone, but I haven't chowed down the bar just yet). There is also a cute doggy notepad and some wonderful all natural treats for my kids, which they absolutely loved (and Mommy now needs to find a local retailer who carries). Once again, I saved the best for last... part of the swap requirements were to knit your pal a tea related item. However, Jeanne decided instead of knitting something, she would commission her friend to make me a custom doggy shaped shawl pin. LOOK! How cool is this??!! Even more so because I've got about 4 shawls in the midst of casting on and I was eyeing some shawl pins over the weekend on the Wool Arts Tour, but didn't find anything I really loved (or wanted to drop $30 - 50 on at the time). So this was an extra special treat - thank you Jeanne, I absolutely love it all! Now to find those Treat-Umms for the dogs... lol! Oh yea, and Tofutsies yarn in a most beautious colorway which I can't wait to finally try this stuff!!!!!!

Thank you so much to both of my pals... its so nice to get swap packages that actually reflect my personality and likes ... and its extra special to get swap pals who go the distance to find out what you like!

I will bring you more updates later this week... Wool Arts Tour, birthday goodies and more!

FO Friday

Finally.... something for FO Friday! I actually finished it over the weekend and mailed it off on Monday to my Knit 1, Tea 2 swap pal, Jen (and since she emailed me today to thank me, I know I'm not spoiling any surprises by posting it today). The Red & White ribbed tea cozy... for which I did not have a tea pot to "model" it, but hopefully you get the idea.

I've been busily knitting away on a gazillion some other small things for the Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at Jenn's in Rockport, MA. I keep seeing that ticker at the top of my blog counting down and I swear someone's messing with me there's a gremlin out there ... could we really be less than 2 months away from a holiday shopping event??!! HELP. ME.

I've also had more start-itis flare ups the past couple weeks. I'll spare you the photos of who-knows-how-many WIP's that aren't photo worthy at this point. I've also been playing on Ravelry ... and trying to get my dreadful, wickedly annoying, damned allergies under control without overdoing the allergy meds too much and then suffering from the suck a$$ side effects. Why is it that in order to control my sneezing & sinus pressure I'm doomed to fall asleep while watching The Biggest Loser be much too tired to knit and have an icky sore throat? WHY? Can't we make medications that don't come with just-as-bad side effects? Is this not 2007?!?!?!

I'll stop complaining, as I know some people are worse off this week. Please pop on over to Chan's blog and send her some good vibes & thoughts for dear Fred. While you're at it, wish Mugsy a Happy Birthday too! It is with great sadness and tears in my eyes, that I amend this post at 6:40 pm, as I've just found out Fred crossed over the Rainbow Bridge earlier today. Please keep him & Chan in your thoughts.

I do have my other "finished object," so to speak, for the week. As you know Miss Lilah (click for a cute pic!) who is now known as Shelby, has gone to her loving forever home on Cape Cod! I finally got a chance to download the photos from her last few days with us, including a fun filled Sunday at the race track.... and, on that note, I'll leave you with a montage of photos and wish everyone a Happy Nichole's Birthday weekend... um, I mean Columbus Day weekend! If anyone is going to The Wool Tour tomorrow, watch out for for Joanne and I! We're hoping to make it to all 5 stops, but you never know how much we could getting gabbing at any one... ha ha!

Maxin' & Relaxin...

Lola taught her how to sit for cookies...

Zeus taught her how to lounge...

Foster Mom/Aunty thinks she's simply irresistible...

She loves car rides, but gets a little

impatient waiting at the coffee stops!

Then quickly gets back to the good spot

when we start moving again (see the nose?)

She was a great race doggy & thought Stratton (track mascot) was one cool dude!

She obeyed all pit rules, and made sure

to attend the driver's meeting!

We'll miss you Lilah/Shelby, but are so happy to know that your new family plans to keep in touch... woof woof... Lola, Teutul & Zeus

PS... Mom said she'd post our fall photos later this weekend...

Lilah has a forever home!

As always, I'm both sad and happy to announce that Lilah the sweetie pie went to her forever home on Sunday! She is now living on the Cape with a wonderful family, which includes both doggy & human siblings to play with... and she even has a beautiful new name... meet Shelby!

Her new home is on a lake with loads of land to roam ... and its actually just across the water from her sister Bella, which is awesome! I'm still anxious to find out if she's a swimmer... or just a water lounger!

We brought her to Matt's racing again on Sunday, where she was once again the star of the day commanding all of the kids' (young & old!) attention. We took a tun of photos (love those digital cameras... same cost to snap 5 pics as it is to snap 25!), but I forgot to download them.... so I'll have to post a few later. In the meantime, I still absolutely adore this shot...

I've already heard from her new Mom a couple of times and it sounds like Shelby's having a grand 'ole time wrestling with her 2 new doggy siblings! I'm so happy she went to a home with other doggies... she really needed to have those wrestlemania buddies. The family will be off camping this weekend, which I think means Shelby gets to go on her own little "vacation" with her doggy siblings.

I wonder if she's been sharing her Snuggle?

My kids say WOOF to their foster sister and hope everyone enjoys their Doggy Thursday... and remember, its almost Friday!

Shhh... don't tell them they'll be expecting another foster sister, Sophie, next week!

Also, please remember to see my contest below... its perfect for all you Dogs on Thursday readers!!!! :)

Autumn dishcloth topic of the week

This week's Question/Topic of the Week for the Fall into Autumn Dishcloth Swap is:

Are there any recipes you especially enjoy having in the Fall? Any foods that are seasonal that you especially enjoy? Feel free to share recipes with us too!

I love getting some hot apple cider out at a fair! Cider donuts & warm apple crisp are good too. At home there's nothing better than setting the slow cooker with a yummy stew (even if it does come from a bag in the freezer - those crock pot meals in a bag aren't so bad in a pinch!), heading off to work and coming home later to a delicious smelling house! Add some warm fresh bread and you're good to go! I also love pumpkin... pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin beer (Shipyard!)... anything really, but especially pumpkin ice cream! mmm....

Speaking of swaps, head on over and check out the details for the Winter Wonderland Coffee Swap! Okay people... seriously... Winter. Yarn. COFFEE. What better swap could you ask for? I can't wait to sign up ... Oct 24th!

Wonderful news for Vick's dogs!

A little smile for today... I just saw this headline: Most of Vick's dogs will go to families and a sanctuary (click for full story)

Story Highlights

• Only one of the 49 dogs seized will be euthanized
• That dog had a habit of biting people, the court document states
• Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges related to dog fighting, in August
• Vick will be arraigned on state charges on October 3 in a Virginia court

I am so happy to hear that all but just one of the dogs seized is going to be able to live out their lives and learn how to love and be loved. There couldn't have been any better justice for these dogs - wonderful! Now... on to the trial of the year!

My first ever contest!

As briefly mentioned last week, it is time for Lapdog Creations' first ever contest! You all know my love of dogs and dedication to dog rescues and welfare organizations.... and on that note, there are several related ways for you to enter the contest:

1) Donate to the ASPCA by clicking thru the button at the top of my blog (it 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). The button will bring you to the ASPCA's secure website to make your donation. Once you have donated, please email me at LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM with your name, mailing address and donation amount. You will earn 10 entries for making a donation! (note, if you've already contributed - that means you Diane - please email me with your address)

2) Knit or crochet Snuggles. You choose the rescue/shelter where you would like to donate them to (if you need suggestions, let me know) or if you wish to make medium to large size snuggles (think medium size dogs), you can even send them to me to have on hand for fosters up here. The only requirement is to email, and/or post on your blog, a photo of your completed snuggles before you donate them. Email me at LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM with your name, mailing address, photo and/or link to your blog, as well as where you chose to donate them to. You will earn 5 entries for each snuggle you knit or crochet (with a maxium of 15 entries, even if you knit/crochet more snuggles)! (Gigi, you have already received 15 entries!)

3) If you've adopted a dog or cat during 2007, email me at LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM with your name, mailing address, photo and/or link to your blog of your adopted furbaby, as well as where you adopted from, when & a little story about your adoption. You will earn 10 entries if you've adopted this year just because I am a huge advocate of adoption versus purchasing!

4) Post a link to this contest on your blog and spread the word about helping homeless animals! Leave a comment here letting me know you've done so, also email me at LapdogCreations at AOL dot COM with your name & mailing address. You will earn 1 entry for posting the link on your blog!

The contest deadline is November 30th. This gives everyone who wants to knit or crochet snuggles plenty of stitching time. All entries will be placed in to a hat or bag and drawn at that time.

Prizes. I will offer a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize (if anyone out there wishes to donate to the prizes, please contact me and if I get enough donated prizes that go above & beyond offering 3 prize groups, we will have more winners). At the very least, all 3 prizes will include yarn (think sock yarn, hand painted yarns, luxury yarns) and notions. I will hold off on announcing the exact prizes until closer to the deadline date and also in hopes of adding to my already growing prize stash with donations.