If You Could Live Your Life Over....

Would you change anything?

Sure I would!

I would have listened to my folks more and been been a little kinder to my sisters.

I wouldn't have worried so much about the farmhouse we lived in and invited people over for dinner more.

I would have spent more time playing with my kids and took them to the park and zoo more. Wonder if they would like to go now?

I would have spent more time reading to my children and hugged them more.

I would have enjoyed more of the day than worrying about the tomorrows.

I would have went and seen my Grandma more.

There is so much more...yet I can't take back yesterday!

So WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING?

I want to try to do better and enjoy the day for what it is...simplify what seems to be the big things, and don't worry about the messes so much. What's a lil' spilled chocolate milk it can be cleaned up...come on let's get out the finger paints!

Happy Trails....Ginger

Lime Strings and Chick Update

24 lime centered blocks finished. Added lots of boy novelty strips.
Can you find spiders and webs, baseballs, icecream, pencils, pirates, jelly beans, ants and other bugs too? Hope this will go to a boy thru Quilts for Kids.

Chicks learning to like melon.They snip a bite and run away.

Spots on that brown chicks wings, more every day. Little tail feathers are growing now too.
Click on photo for better look.
The dark chicks wings are curling like mom's. Mom's head feathers have not grown back.Hope they will soon.

Old Simon wanted his picture taken too. At age 14 he is slowing way down but still gets around with one eye and being almost deaf.
The other poodles are looking for shade, it's getting close to 90's soon.

Fun in the sun

The weather is finally starting to warm up again - not that it has been bad for me as I enjoy the cooler temperatures but the Mom is not so fond of it - she says it makes her old bones ache. Personally I enjoy a good gnawing bone than an achy bone! Anyway - off in the yard we went where I coarse I had to endure yet another "sit pretty Reilly" photo but then the fun stuff started. "YES - Mom toss that stuffy in the air - woo hoo I can catch it" We played for such a long time and it was so much fun.

It has been awhile since I mentioned the "IT" and his Mom doesn't seem to want to blog about his antics so I guess I will OCCASIONALLY share some space with "IT" Here "IT" is in his new raincoat complete with fur trimmed hood. "IT" will play happily outside in the rain if "IT" has a coat on - but won't step foot outside without one. My Mom actually got him this coat - she found it at Walmart for $4.50 and thought it was a bargain. And what did she buy me - nothing! She did make up for it later when she went to the Pet store (without me I may add) and bought me a "snooter" and some fish treats. Mom has been reading up on my allergies and saw that they recommend omega 3 in the diet to help. She found some fish and veggie treats - high in omega 3 and with no wheat or corn products - she says they smell terrible -but I think they are great. She also bought me some medicated shampoo recommended by my vet - are you crazy Mom ??? - that means a BATH!!! Okay - I am off for another round of playing.

Cards and other things

As most of you know Mom is opening a new blog to sell her cards and other pet related things that she makes. Here is a sample of some of the cards she has made this week (don't forget you can click on the photos to see them bigger) Mom will be donating ALL the money from the sales to the Elephant Sanctuary and also the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Don't forget to vote for the new blog name ----------------->

Mom also loves making unusual animals such as this pig. Mom made the pattern herself, the material is calico and it is stuffed with 100% fiber fill. She then hand painted the entire pig using the Australian Dot Style - she used fabric paint so it is actually washable. Each animal she make is totally unique - she couldn't duplicate a pattern if she tried! This little pot belly pig is about 12" long and stands 10" high and is super cute.

In other news I went to my vets yesterday and I had another shot for my allergies (so far it hasn't helped) He recommended trying a different type of allergy medication. He couldn't find any redness on my nose but my chest was very red and he was rather concerned about my scratching at that and possibly causing a skin infection. Mom says she will put booties on my feet to stop me scratching so much - ppppppllllleeeaaassse -Booties - REALLY Mom !!!! We have stopped the prednisone and he says that should help with the feeling hungry all the time.

Wordless Wednesday

Lime Center String Blocks

Past few days I've been extra tired so switched project to easy sewing- string blocks. HeartStrings project for Feb and March was Lime center strings for kids quilts. This will be the second top I made, hope to finish in next couple days. That makes my goal of at least one charity quilt a month.

Used Connecting Threads catalog pages for foundation instead of fabric. They tear away so easy after block is pressed. Hot iron makes the paper "fragile" after it's cooled off. Catalog paper is slick so the center string has to be well pinned so it doesn't slip crooked when sewing first strip.

Yawny Wonky. He is ready for bed but won't settle down until lights are out.


Zoey ready to fall asleep. Computer time is so boring to her :)

Frizzie's two chicks are growing and busy. The dark chick seems to be turning a lighter shade and wing tips are curling upwards like mom's. Silky roo (Elvis) is dad cuz the chick has an extra toe like all Silky chickens do. So far the brown chick's wings are speckled like the Mille Fluer roo (gee, who's your daddy?). I'll blog chick pics in the next few days. They are still so small and hard to photograph.

Staying Warm and Cozy

Just a small sampling of the quilts and crocheted throws here on the farm. Some were made by me, some by my grandma's and mother~in~law. Some were rescued from a shop or auction. Hours of stitching or crocheting in each one.

Do you remember those days of crawling under one of grandma's quilts on a cold winters night?

















Well it's late here once again time to go slip beneath the warmth of a bed covered with an old fashion quilt.

Happy Trails....Ginger

I Am So Sorry Mom

When we moved to Arkansas my allergies went crazy and my new vet has been giving me shots, prednisone and anti-histamine tablets to try and control it. Mom was really worried about the prednisone as she has been on it for years for her arthritis and knows what terrible side affects it can have - like making one irritable, terribly hungry all the time and putting on weight. All of these have happened to me and when you add "IT" into the equation I have become what Mom calls "extremely food aggressive" - something I have NEVER been before. I snap at food as if I haven't had anything to eat in a month - which is how I feel!!!!!!

Mom has been been working with me on this and we use the "take it gently" command and usually this works - but this morning when Mom went to give me my charcoal cookie I snapped at it (even though she told me to take it gently) and I caught her fingernail and pulled it back. Poor Mom's finger bled and bled and I feel so BAD. I am so sorry Mom - I didn't mean to hurt you but I just can't control it. We are going back to the vets to see if there is something else they can give me for my allergies as I am still scratching like crazy even with this medication. Does anyone have any other suggestions - a natural remedy would be really good if you know of any? We don't have a holistic vet here - Mom already called around.

Mom also asked me to tell you about "Socks For Japan" - I am sure you all know what happened over there and for the people who lost EVERYTHING - even the simple gift of a pair of warm socks can make a huge difference. You can see the details here - Mom and I have already sent 6 pairs of socks.

Road Closures and Pawty Pals

More on my pawty hat later.... Busy days continue here at home...fewer posts and blog visits these days...

So, a big hello all and nice to see you again :) Every so often mom and I just hop in the car...no specific destination in mind, but definitely up for some sort of walk. Sunday morning we happened upon this....

A few miles up the curvy Bolinas-Fairfax Road leading towards Mt. Tamalpais Watershed, our recent storms had prompted this road to be closed due to slides and damage.

The road closure was a surprise to us, but we were ready for something different! Off we went, meandering up the road...no vehicles...no mud... Just quiet.

It was early enough in the day, very little foot, paw and bicycle traffic.

The sun peeked out every once in a while, providing a glimmer to the canopy of leaves above.

Looking towards Mt. Tamalpais State Park.

New waterfalls. Lush velvety moss.

This area is part of the Marin Municipal Water District, the first in California.

Created in April of 1912 and includes 21,000 acres of protected land.Sun, wind and rain teased us throughout our hike.

After quite a lot of uphill hiking, we turned back before the road made a steep descent towards Alpine Dam.

Treated with more views all the way down.

After this fantastic walk, we caught up with a birthday pup Guess who!?

AND a mud puddle!

A welcomed cool down dip! The birthday celebration had just begun!

These pals KNOW HOW TO PAWTY!

So glad to be included!!! Happy Birthday Miss Avalon!

Adjustable ears! And, fantastic eyeballs!

We were outside an ice cream parlor to celebrate!

We'll let Miss Avalon tell you more about her day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR AVALON!

Have a great week pals!