Tuesdays With Tag - Hudson...

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

You haven't seen our granddog in a while, so I thought I'd share an updated picture of our guy, Hudson. You might remember him from THIS POST a couple years ago. He was one cute puppersnapper!

Hudson is two years old now, and he's grown into a really handsome guy. He likes to play and it's fun to share a water dish with him. We had a good time whenever we go to visit him at his house. He's lucky like us, too, 'cuz  he has deer, turkeys and other critters that walk through his yard. They live near a wonderful marsh.(Remember me goin' on walkabout in the marsh on one of our visits to see them? Mom was frantic, so I probably won't ever get a chance to do that again.) 

We don't always get to go along on Mom and Dad's visits, but when we do, it's always fun to see this guy. Sometimes he even comes to visit us here at the farmhouse! Then we all get to run around together outside. It's the best!

We didn't go with Mom and Dad last weekend, but maybe we'll see him around Thanksgivin'. It's comin' right up, and will be here before we know it. I'm pretty sure Mom's makin' those treats we like so much just in case.

Mom has somethin' special planned to do with a picture or two of Hudson, so I've asked her to share her project with you as soon as she finishes it. I think you're gonna like it. 

Mom said she's hopin' that we have another sunny day today because I need a serious brushin'. Seems I'm moltin' again, and leavin' huge clumps of fur all over the house. You know I love this look, but Mom's not a fan, so I think she's gonna tackle that whether it's nice outside or not. All I know is I can run a lot faster than she can, so we'll have to see whether or not she gets to take a brush to me. hee hee Yep. We'll just see.

I'm not hangin' around, just in case.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Be A Good Dog." 

 

Tuesdays With Tag - We Finally Met Him...

Brynwood Needleworks - Hudson At Home

 Hi, Everybody!

 

I told you before about our new grandpuppy, Hudson. This weekend, we met him! I first wrote about him HERE, but we didn't get to snuffle him until #1 Son and his lovely wife came to see us. 

 

Years ago, Mom and Dad raised Goldens, so this breed holds a special place in their hearts. This little guy didn't disappoint. He's fifteen weeks old, and the most laid-back little guy you'd ever want to meet. For his safety and everybody's peace of mind, Boo, The Kid and I were kenneled while they visited, but we still got to touch noses when he came over to our crates and said "Hey" to the three of us. (He smelled pretty good!)

 

Brynwood Needleworks - He Looks So Serious

 

There was a lot of noise when he first came in the house...we were voicin'our curiosity about the new furball. He came over to each kennel, which made way for curiosity, rather than mindless alarm barkin'. Even so, Dad and the rest of the adults want Hudson to grow in confidence, so they weren't about to let him get overwhelmed by us. We'll eventually play together, but that wasn't this visit.

We're lookin' forward to the snow meltin', the grass gettin' green again, and Hudson comin' back to visit when he's a little bit older. I can already see that we're gonna have a great time with him!

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

Tuesdays With Tag - Meet Hudson...

Brynwood Needleworks - Hudson

Hi, Everybody!!

Boy, have we got some excitin' news for you!

 

Meet our new Granddog, Hudson!

He's an eight week old Golden Retriever who's moved in with our Grandson and his folks. We haven't been formally introduced yet, but we're hopin' that happens this weekend. 

 

He only got to his new home last night, and already we're gettin' videos of him smoochin' on our Grandson. I'm sure they had a blast spendin' their first night together, too. (We're bettin' he slept upstairs in bed with a certain handsome guy we adore.)

This is the only picture Mom has of the little scamp so far, but if things go as planned, we'll get lots more to share next week.

By the way - Dad hasn't left for Florida yet. His plan is to be there to pick Carly up by February 1st. We'll know more when plans are finalized, so there won't be any Carly posts until she gets back. We'll amuse you with Hudson pictures instead. Gotta run. I have to check Mom's cell phone for messages from Grandson.

 I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

Completed Crossbodies...

Custom "Labrador" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag

I completed two custom Grab & Go Crossbody Bags yesterday.

Custom "Labrador" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Embroidery

 This one has a chocolate Labrador retriever embroidery.

Custom "Labrador" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Interior

 The interior is my client (and friend's) favorite teal color. I hope she loves it!

Custom "Golden" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag

The second bag features a Golden retriever embroidery.

Custom "Golden" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Embroidery

 It's also stitched out onto the lovely natural cork fabric.

Custom "Golden" Grab & Go Crossbody Bag Interior

  The lining is also a paw print fabric, but they resemble hearts, too. I love that.   These bags will mail out today, and then I'm starting on another commission. I can't wait to show you some of the progress on this one. It's really different.  

It's Autumn In My Mind...

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 Living in south Florida, we don't get to see the riot of color that paints

the landscape in more northern climes. We seldom feel the crunch of

dried leaves beneath our feet, and frost on our grass is a rare anomaly.

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 So, short of taking a road trip to Wisconsin for apple picking, 

pumpkin carving and leaf raking, I have to get creative to see the

visual images my mind easily recreates in these wistful moments.

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You see, Autumn is my favorite time of year. Period.

Image by D.Liljegren

Walking in the field with my retrievers, feeling the rustle of leaves beneath

 my feet, and smelling the fragrance of spice in the tall, marsh grasses are

 just a few of the myriad sensory memories that nearly overwhelm me.

Image by fauxfarmgirl.com

One of my favorite things this time of year was to see the tractors in the

fields, pulling balers that would bind up hay on one day, followed by 

another apparatus that would catapult them up onto a trailer the next.

Young men, mentored by more experienced farmers, stacking the bales as 

they land. One can imagine the bone-tiredness at the end of a long day.

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Beautiful, warm, sunny days yield to cooler weather. Leaves litter

the surface of the ponds and lakes that will soon be covered with 

a coat of ice and snow. There are still a few days to sit outside in a

favorite chair, read a good book and bask in the sun with a blanket

on your lap. Evening landscapes are peppered with fires, and a few

last s'mores to be made and consumed before it's time to move life

indoors away from winter's bite. For now, we won't think of that.

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 We'll think of all the animals collecting Mother Nature's bounty

 to carry them through the season of earth's rest...sometimes in

 the most unexpected places - and in the most amusing ways. 

Until I'm again walking through those golden fields on a crisp

Autumn day, I'll stroll through my memories with deep gratitude.

Autumn lives inside me, no matter where I am.

Happy Fall, y'all. Enjoy your weekend.

Goodnight, Sweethearts...

When we first moved to Florida ten years ago, we arrived with four dogs...Kes' dad, Morgan; my male Labrador, Bannor; Kes and my Golden retriever, Kirby. While Kes and Kirby always got along, they always vied for my attention. I didn't get one girl without the other. One should always be so fortunate to have the affection of a dog, let alone more than one. I've been blessed, that's for sure.

When our younger son lost his Labrador, Friday (Bannor's litter mate), I asked if they'd like to have Kirby come and live with them. I knew she'd love being an "only dog" and all the attention she would have to herself. They said "yes", and Kirby went to live with them about nine years ago.

After our granddaughters were born, Kirby took on the roll of nanny/ protector/big sister to both of them and they all enjoyed a loving relationship as one big happy family.

Whenever I went back to Wisconsin, I could still see my pretty Golden girl and snuggle her as she snuffled me - knowing that she now fully belonged where she was with our son and his family. It was win/win for all of us.

DC's Kirby of Hawk Hill

 06/28/99 - 08/08/11

On Monday, sweet Kirby went to The Rainbow Bridge. I was so glad that I was able to see her and tell her that I loved her one last time. She had been sick for some time, but passed as gracefully as she lived her life. Her family - and ours - mourn her passing together, but we know that she's a young, healthy dog again and that brings us comfort.

DC's Lady Kes of Morgan

11/03/97 - 08/09/11

Yesterday, Kes went to meet her at The Bridge. Kes was three months short of fourteen years old. In addition to all the old dog afflictions, she had been declining in recent months, losing fourteen pounds since June. She no longer had a zest for life, but wanted nothing more than to be with us.

When you love your dogs as we do, you know that that's not a good enough - or fair - reason to keep them with you. She was beginning to suffer and so we had to be as loving, but objective as we could be. We finally made the ultimate sacrifice that a pet owner has to make. We let her go.

This song kept running through my head today (in fact, it's one of the last things I said to her), so I'll close by sharing it with you.

For my Facebook friends, I know the video won't show. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egX9N8yOgaU

I'm going to take a few days off. I know you'll understand. I just want to step back and take the time to mourn the loss of our sweethearts. I'll be back with my Sunday Scripture.

Duke

 

 

11/03/97 - 08/10/11

UPDATE: Kes' last remaining litter mate, Duke, died Wednesday.  I can't believe how much he looked like his sister! One more good dog joining the party at The Rainbow Bridge. Our sympathies go out to his owner and family. I know he'll be sorely missed.

Puppy Size...

I'd like to share a story that was recently shared with me
by my friend, Marrianne in New Zealand.
She tells me it came to her via an email. It's called "Puppy Size".

"It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer. "What is it she keeps asking for?", the volunteer asked. "Puppy size!" replied the mother. "Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that’s what she’s looking for." "I know. We've seen most of them," the mom said in frustration.

Just then Danielle, her daughter, came walking into the office. "Well, did you find one?", asked her mom. "No, not this time," Danielle said, with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?" The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. "You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there’s always a supply", the volunteer said. Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don’t worry, I’ll find one this weekend", she said.

Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It’s this weekend or we’re not looking any more.", Dad finally told her in frustration. "We don’t want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now, Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren’t permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, but you’re not the one.’"

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, this is it! I found the right puppy! He’s the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. "It’s the puppy size!" "But it’s the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said. "No, not 'size'. It's the 'sighs'. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don’t you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!"

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both. "Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. ‘Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.’

Thank you, Marrianne, for allowing me to share this message...and Happy Birthday, my friend. I hope your days is perfect and your life filled with Sighs!

The puppies are from Bryn's first litter (our own breeding). See the darker yellow pup lying down in front? That was my sweet Bannor as a puppy. He was Kes' uncle. He stole my heart from the instant he was born and I held him. The other photos are also Bannor. He was my faithful friend for sixteen years. I still miss him.

PS. Today is a travel day for me. Handsome is dropping me off at the airport and I'll be flying to Wisconsin for ten days. No worries...I'll be updating you while I'm away from home.