Saturday Squee: Cutest. Koala. EVER!

Koala from Facebook

Because a koala that fits in your hands is cute. Period.

Saturday Squee: Who Likes Piglets??

Lil Oinker

Seriously? I might faint from cuteness. Until they get to be about 300 pounds, anyway :)

Saturday Squee: Tiny Doggies

Dachshund Sisters Set of ten 5x7 blank folded by TheHopperShop, $12.95 

Two tiny doggies, looking out a window. S-Q-U-E-E!

Saturday Squee: Baby Bunny!

Baby Bunny from Here:  http://www.imgur.com/QO80X

'Cause really, a baby bunny with ears as big as its body just can't get any cuter...or can it? Tune in next week to see the new squee!

Saturday Squee: The Cutest Snail You'll Ever See

Lovestruck Snail by ColtPixy

Seriously, have you ever seen a snail you wanted to cuddle with more??

Saturday Squee: Dogs in Trench Coats

The Westerly Trench on an Adorable Puppy From Here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RoverDog

A puppy. In a trench coat. Seriously? Too Squee!

Saturday Squee: I Love Pugs

Black Pug Puppy from here: http://www.dipity.com/tickr/Flickr_pug/

I love pugs!! They're so cute and snorty and fuzzy and tiny! I love their bulgy eyes and scrunchy noses and curly tails.

"Pugkin" pug Pumpkin Hat from JessicaLynneArt

So cute they're SQUEE! Have a happy Saturday :)

Saturday Squee - I'm a fool for Puppies

Ada the Labrador Retriever, Found on Dailypuppy.com

I love puppies. I freely admit that when I see one, I go from quiet, reserved me, into full-blown squeaking, cooing, baby-talking messiness. And I'm okay with it. Love is a beautiful thing. Puppy love? Well, let's just say I can't get enough of them...
Those watery eyes, so innocent and full of life.
Those giant paws and ears, too big for them now, but will be quickly grown into.
The little squawk that becomes the bellowing bark.
The fuzz that turns into sleek fur that gets into every little nook and cranny.
The puppy antics that are annoying, but so funny you have to walk away quickly so they don't see you laughing so hard you want to pee your pants (evidence: Arwen as a puppy deciding to "play" with the 11 foot logs that line my gardens. At all of 25 pounds she was determined to drag one around the yard, snarling the whole time, and even tried to get one up the back stairs. She saw me laughing at that one - I fell over after the log tripped me and was laughing so hard I couldn't stand up for a good 5 minutes).
The initial dependency on you that turns into deep, unequivocal love on both sides of the equation. As Audrey Hepburn once said, "Who thinks you're as fantastic as your dog?".
What is wonderful is that as they get older, the love gets even deeper. Arwen is now 8-1/2 and other than my close family members, I don't think I've ever loved anyone or anything as much as her. She is my best friend, my buddy, by crack-head. She's my grown up puppy and will always be super-cute to me :)

Saturday Squee - National Hugging Day

Courtesy of http://icanhascheezburger.com

Because, really, there isn't anything cuter than cats hugging, unless it is on National Hugging Day :)

I am sorry that I didn't get to post this week's Tuesday's Treasures, Arwednesdays with Arwen or Thursday's Treasuries. Arwen jumped off my bed on Monday and really hurt her shoulder. We *think* she pulled a muscle or something in her shoulder or leg, but she was limping really, really badly and for a few days it was all I could do to keep her still (she might be 8-1/2 years old, but the Border collie in her makes her act more like a 3 year old). She could put her weight on it, and would run up and down the back stairs if she saw a squirrel, which was the only reason I didn't rush her into the emergency vet that very second I saw her limping. 

Anyway, I slept on the living room couch with her for a couple of nights to keep her from jumping up and down on the furniture, which meant I didn't really sleep for about 3 days. Plus, when she did jump up onto the bed or a couch, I had to lift all 53 pounds of her off of it so that she wouldn't jump down on her own and hurt herself even more. This ended up being the reason I hardly got into my workshop for most of this week, let alone spending undivided time with my laptop.

Fortunately, she is better now, she only limps occasionally, and even then, it is so minor as to be almost invisible unless you are really staring at her. I am hoping to get back to our daily morning walks, and even the weather seems like it will try to cooperate, as it is only supposed to be -14 Celsius tomorrow.

Only.

Yippee.

So after all of this, we are now, as they say, back to our regularly scheduled programming, and I will continue with the regular blog posts from now on. 

Barring, of course, any other major dog injuries, personal illnesses, or acts of supreme deity.

I have my fingers crossed for smooth sailing :)

Saturday Squee - the Cutest of Etsy, AlexWijnen

My Little Joker by AlexWijnen

Today's Saturday Squee comes from the shop AlexWijnen on Etsy. Not only is the image adorable, but it is also raising money for charity! This shop is also a member of Etsy for Animals, an Etsy group devoted to loving animals of all kinds!

Hope you like it!

Saturday Squee - The Cutest of Etsy, May 14 2011

(Pirate Hat for Your Puppy by LenaPavia)

I've decided Saturdays should be devoted to Squee. Because we all need a little happy to get our happy weekends started.

What is squee? Look at the photo above. Isn't it so Cuuuuuuute?? Just makes you want to go EEEEEEE!!! That is squee - it is so cute and adorable it kinda hurts. Like a hangnail you just can't ignore. But happy. Always happy.

Happy is good, and so is Squee. So here is my pick of Squee from Etsy this week. I Hope you like it!

Do you have an idea for a Saturday Squee - The Cutest of Etsy post? Leave the link in the comments below. I screen all comments, though, so please, no profanity, nudity, or otherwise non G-Rated links, or non related links. (You know who you are. And I'll delete you. As always.)

Have a great Squee Saturday!

Squee Saturday: Treating the Doggies in Need

Ultimate Doggie Brownies - Made with Doggy Safe Ingredients

Imagine you don't have a home. You may have had a home once, with a loving family, but they decided you didn't fit in with them any more, so you are left at a shelter. Day after day, strangers come and feed you, fill you water bowl, and maybe, if you are lucky, take you for a walk, but mostly you sit in your cage, waiting for someone to take you home. Sad, right?

Now imagine there is a wonderful woman out there, who happens to bake doggy treats. She not only bakes doggy treats, but she sells them on Etsy. Imagine a woman who also sells cookies to be donated to doggy shelters. Now you have Shari from Ciao, Hound.

Pumpkin Bread for Dogs - Another Fabulous Treat

This Saturday, I wanted to show you how to get a warm fuzzy. I'll tell you my story.

Every month I donate to a charity and this month I wanted to donate to a charity somehow, and got thinking of all the wonderful shops on Etsy that make treats for dogs. I thought how wonderful it would be if I could buy some doggy treats and donate them to the shelters for the doggies that don't have homes yet. Yes, I realize shelters need food and blankets, but just once, I wanted to give the dogs treats to make their day a little bit more special. I found Ciao, Hound on Etsy and immediately wanted to buy some of her delicious-looking doggy confections. However, being in Canada, I know that any food items coming from the USA can take forever due to customs. I asked Shari if she would be able to do me a favor - could I buy some of her treats, and could she then deliver them to her local shelter?

She said Yes!!

So now I am here to tell you this story, so that maybe you will do the same. If you are able to give blankets, or other required items to your local shelters, please do. But once in a while, maybe you could give them treats too, just think of yourself in the doggies' position. Wouldn't it be nice to once in a while have an amazing yummy in your tummy to brighten up your day?

I think you'd like it too ;-)

Sweet Saturday: At Work in Style

Spring is approaching and many of us (myself included!) are looking for a way to brighten things up at home and work. Here is a great way to stay in style while keeping your work happy with its own protocol. Many employees have to wear ID badges of some kind, so why not make yours stand out from the crowd with a beaded ID Badge Holder, such as this one? long enough to easily slip over your head, yet short enough to not get in the way, this is done with some beautiful pink rhodonite beads, spaced with Czech glass firepolish beads (that means a little bit of stylish sparkle without being inappropriate for work) and Czech glass clear, silver-lined seed beads for neutrality. There is a simple nickel clip at the bottom to hold your badge or ID.

This is a great way to bring a little individuality to your workday! On sale now in my Etsy shop.

Sweet Saturday: A Barn Painting

Okay, so I'm no Da Vinci, but this is the first painting I've done in years and I might just be a little bit proud of it, even though I know it kind of stinks! I am a little shy showing everyone this painting as I know there are a few painters who visit this blog. Stop laughing, all of you, lol. I'm sorry it isn't a better image of the painting, but my scanner is currently buried.

My mom has been going around our countryside and photographing the many historic, interesting or just plain old barns that are in danger of disappearing due to age, neglect, weather, or development. This was the first photo I decided to paint, and yes, I know you aren't supposed to paint from photos, and yes, I know, the perspective on the photo may not lend itself particularly well to being painted, but I fell in love with this little place when I saw the photo. There is something so quaint, peaceful and serene about it. So tiny, in the middle of a HUGE field. What was it used for? Was it a house for people? Chickens? I don't know, but I loved it so much I had to paint it and then expose you to my rusty painting skills :)

This was done on 190 gsm acid free watercolor paper with Faber Castell Goldfaber Aquarelle watercolor pencils, lovingly painted over with water. Whew! That was a mouthful!

Have a great day, until next time,

Sweet Saturday: Happy Birthday Ray!

Today is my little brother's birthday! Okay, so "little" isn't a very good term: he's 22 and waayyyy taller than I am. Still, he is younger, and though I can't seem to find any embarrassing photos of him as a baby right now, I'm sure I will eventually. For now, here is a fairly recent photo of my handsome brother.

Happy birthday bro, love you.

Sweet Saturday: I'm Dreaming Of...

Marie Antoinette Pink Daisy Lace Necklace by LittleStudioJewels

...A PINK Christmas! Inspired by my Marie Antoinette Pink Daisy Lace Necklace, here are a few more of my favorite items...maybe they'll inspire your gifts for a special lady as well??

Almond Mocha Mate Tea by LiberTeas

For most women, happiness is curling up under a favorite blanket with a good book, some tasty nibbles, and a warm cup of comforting tea, like the Almond Mocha Mate from LiberTeas.

Small Round Hand Built Porcelain Damask Dish by Raquel Masri

Tasty nibbles are always tastier (and less fattening!) when on a pretty, no, make that beautiful, dish. This is a hand built porcelain dish by Raquel Masri, and it fits the bill perfectly.

Lidded Teacup on Leaf Saucer in Vanilla Bean by DBabcock

A good cup of tea is always made better by a fancy mug, and this is a graceful version (complete with lid and saucer to keep everything hot and tidy) by DBabcock.

Shopping Basket (English Style) by JohnToftBasketry

Finally, no shopping trip would be complete without a beautiful shopping basket to carry your favorite goodies. Alternatively, use this beautiful basket to store and show your magazines or yarns while you are sitting curled up by your fire. In cream and rose, this is feminine without being too girly - the perfect compromise for those with manly men in the house, lol!

I hope you enjoy these beautiful items as much as I do. Have a great weekend!

Sweet Saturday: Playing in the Snow

As the Official Doggy Blogger for this blog, I am taking over today as mommy writes the grocery list...hey mommy?? Don't forget the treats for my pawesome self! Now, as part Husky, and all Wonder Dog, you should know that I love the snow...come on mommy! Play in the snow with me!
Here I am, trying to chase the snow under mommy's feet. She always laughs really hard at this, because I try to dig at the snow under her shoes and boots quite furiously. I do, however, like it best when people throw snowballs up into the air for me to run after and catch with my teeth. Too bad this snow wasn't warm enough...when mommy tried to make snowballs, it just stayed as powder.
I love the snow so much I get covered in it as much as possible before coming back inside! Mommy stayed at the back door to take most of these photos, as we were having a big snow storm and it was very cold and windy (to her at least, I felt nothing in my thick, beautiful, shining furs!).
Another thing I like to do is stick my head in the snow. I like to stick it right down to try and sniff any moles, voles, mice, squirrels, or anything else that might be hidden under there. I sometimes bury my head right down until it is covered by the snow! Then I jerk my head up and stand on three legs. Here you can see I was eating some snow, as is evidenced by my snowy beard. Never fear! I'm still a girl! I just like getting covered in snow, rahrooh!
Here mommy caught me with a face full of snow. Sometimes, if the snow is warm enough, I get a little snow ball stuck on the tip of my nose, which never fails to put mommy into hysterics. I don't see what the big deal is, I'm just playing!

I hope you have a fun Saturday, but as for me, I am off to run around some more in the snow!
and Arwen

Sweet Saturday: Some Amazing Treasuries!

Hey Arwen, what are you looking at? Oh! Look at that! I'm in not one, not two, but FOUR treasuries on Etsy right now! Scroll down and be sure to click on the links under each one to go and see these amazing artists :)

Handmade Holidays

Look at This Stuff

Fall Finds

Be Aware Awareness Items

What a good dog you are Arwen, to keep an eye out for these! I think you need another handmade biscuit :)

Have a wonderfully SWEET Saturday,
and Arwen