A Warm Halloween

One of her favorite spots for daytime naps

She can catch the sun on a chilly day from a south window

Sarge's favorite spot anytime

He always sleeps in this position

We had a busy day yesterday. Went for a long, late morning walk, then to the dog park around 2. It was crowded with dogs wanting to run. Maybe they all sense that the good weather will shortly come to an end. Both of my guys had a good workout, chasing each other and the numerous dogs that were there.

We hardly ever have people coming to the front door and ringing the doorbell. So last night was unusual with the trick or treaters, and drove the two of them nuts. Lots of barking, running back and forth. After the first few, they calmed a bit and would go to the door with me to greet the kids. Several little kids got their hands kissed along with a few pieces of candy. Gracie and Sarge received lots of compliments (oh, I love your dogs!), and were very well mannered. And the children that were out last night were extremely well mannered as well. I was impressed. Not one child failed to say "thank you" or was anything but polite.

Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.
Linda

Happy Halloween Weekend

Lovely fall colors

I'm not sure why, but the towns in our area are choosing which days the kids can trick or treat. Our town is today, Saturday the 30th. Others are tomorrow. Gee, what are the chances I'm going to have trick or treaters both days?

These are some more photographs of Pat's woods behind her house. I'm not sure how much house work I'd get done if I had this panorama of color to gaze at out my windows. It just relaxes me and makes me smile.

Just so you know, I am not, repeat, NOT dressing up the dogs for Halloween. A lot of people do, and if I remember correctly, I had a few come to the door last year. But Sarge is so insecure anyway, and Gracie is, well, she is Gracie. You would have to meet her to understand that anything you put on this dog would not last long. Or she would just refuse to move, hanging her head in shame. Gracie does consider herself to be a Diva, the head female of the dog park. It has a great deal to do with being an Australian Shepherd. I'm hoping she'll mellow with age. One can only hope.

Enjoy your trick or treats. Give the kids a smile along with the candy.
Linda

Tickle Me

What? What are you doing?

I don't want to be tickled, Mom.

Oh, yeah. That spot is good...

Bella is 7 weeks old in these photographs. Baby faces are hilarious. They can screw up those noses and lips into the worse contortion, then simply relax and let it all go.

She is growing so fast, and I will only get to see her when I make the trip north. This would bother me more if she were a granddaughter, but being a great-granddaughter, I am more of an observer than I was with her mom and aunt. Don't get me wrong, I love her and love being with her, but with the passage of time and getting older, you learn how to take a few steps back.

What I need to do is find some of her mom's baby pictures, scan them, and do a scrapbook page with pictures of Terra next to Bella. She so looks like her mom at this age. Isn't it strange how 22 years can fly by before you realize it? I vividly remember taking care of Terra at this age, poopy diapers and all!

Have a great weekend, enjoy the trick or treaters, and what will probably be the last of the fall weather.
Linda

Beautiful Night Sky

Western sky around 8pm

Mother Nature at her best

Had breakfast, early morning nap time

What???

We arrived home from the dog park last night a little late, so I didn't get my own supper until 7 or after. The dogs wanted out into the backyard, and when I opened the door, the sky was glowing with this magnificent light. What your eye sees and what the camera reveals or often not the same thing, but this time it came pretty close. I have tons of photographs of the sky and clouds. The subject fascinates me, makes me feel good in some strange way.

The dog shots are from this morning. This is the leather chair in my living room. It is Gracie's favorite place to sleep during the day. You will note the scratched patch on the seat. Well. Someone with out a tail who will remain nameless did that about a year ago. I awoke to her digging at the seat of the chair, in the middle of the night. The damage was done by the time I got down the hallway from the bedroom. Does she look even remotely guilty? No, she does not. My little diva.

Have a good day. I'm going to vote, early. Don't forget that election day is next Tuesday. Don't forget to buy Halloween candy. I think that's it....
Linda

Wild Dogs

It wasn't me, Mom.

I'm sorry, Mom! I really, really am.

Starting to make Christmas Cards

The remnants of the storm from yesterday are still in the area in the form of strong winds. What a nice phrase, "strong winds." In this particular instance, it means "Hold onto your hat and dog, Dorothy, cause we're going for a long ride." We went for our regular morning walk at townhall park, and when we came home my two darlings turned into Wild Dogs.

Wild Dogs for Gracie and Sarge mean they both have excess energy and will race through the house chasing each other, chewing on one another, and in general acting like happy dogs. Gracie had herded Sarge around the dining room table, and he lost traction on the wood floor. The tall, heavy Jim Shore angel I had standing by the dining room window crashed to the floor, leaving dents in the finish and breaking off part of the hymnal the angel was holding.

Sarge immediately took off for my bedroom closet. This is one of his safe zones. It was an accident, I didn't yell at either dog, and he came out a few minutes later when he realized I wasn't screaming. We then went outside so they could run some more, and I shot the pics above. What is a mom to do?

The Christmas card is for an upcoming class at Allyscraps. I'm trying to stay away from using just white, or just red and green. Still experimenting. Thanks for stopping by.
Linda

We're Back!

Beautiful view of Pat's "backyard".

The creek as seen from the deck

End of the season

Her hands are never still

This is Bella

I drove up to the south suburbs of Chicago with the dogs in the back seat on Saturday. My first great-grandchild, Isabella Clare, was born Sept. 2nd, and due to car problems, I had not yet seen her. So of course it rained the entire time we were up there. But of course.

The gorgeous fall foliage is what my friend, Pat, sees from the rear of her home. She doesn't really have a backyard, as the landscape slopes downward towards a creek. The woods are Pat's. The house sits on almost 2 acres of land, with a huge side yard. So I stood under the eaves of her house, snapping these shots in the pouring rain. Gracie had her nose up to the wind, smelling the coyotes and deer in the woods, I'm sure.

We then went to my stepdaughter's home to see Bella. She looks just like my granddaughter, her mother. What a beautiful baby. The shots of Bella were taken with natural northern light coming in the family room windows. I love the photo of her tiny hands. She plays with them, waving her fingers around, even in her sleep. And yes, she is part Italian, so it is natural she speaks with her hands.

Gracie was a tad jealous, because she has been the center of attention when we visit. Sarge was fascinated with the baby's smell, and wanted to gently lick her hands....a lot. We stopped that. He then sat and gazed at her. But they were both good with her, and I'm grateful for that.

Have a great day.
Linda

OOPPS!!

I haven't forgotten anyone. I am unable to upload any new photographs right now. The card reader I was using died, and I have lost the cord that connects the camera to the computer. Searched the house to no avail. That is just so frustrating, when you know you have something and can't find it. So I hope to be back tomorrow with lots of pics. Thanks.
Linda

Halloween Decorations

After the bed was made

Mom, I did not do this all by myself!

Halloween Large Tag

Love these Crafty Secret images

An original design from Donna Malone

Details

Halloween is almost here, and it's a favorite of mine. I enjoy seeing the costumes, especially those that are handmade. I made 3 Halloween large tags this year, and had a lot of fun assembling them. These chipboard tags from Maya Road just kick start my creative urges. It's addictive.

Many years ago (the 90's), my husband Ken and I had a business called Crowe's Nest Crafts. He cut the wood, and I painted and stained. The witch decoration is wood, but was designed and made by Donna Malone, a very talented artist from Chrisman, IL. I haven't been in contact with Donna for years. She and her cousin, Keena Reynolds, were wood craft designers with published painting books. I treasure the pieces that they made and I was lucky enough to purchase. At the time we lived in Kingman, IN., and if there was a craft show within 50 miles, I was there. Their designs were fresh, whimsical and so different from what everyone else was doing. Every year my little witch and ghost come out to sit on a table.

As for the dogs.....it seems we have a new game. Mom makes the bed, and they play Wild Dogs on it every morning, so that it has to be redone. I really don't mind. It is a delight to watch them, and I'm thankful they interact so well.

Have a great day.
Linda
For those of you keeping score, it is now: SHEEP 6  LINDA 0

Frantic Pace

I have two very good friends who are teaching me a valuable lesson. Life is short, don't always say yes. Don't always agree to do something just to keep someone else happy or content. It's your life, so guess what? You get to live it.

And I've been guilty of late loading too much on my plate. Some things are absolute and necessary. It's the extras, the "oh, let's go off and do this while we are doing that" that will get you in trouble. Throw a monkey wrench like lack of sleep into the mix, and suddenly you just don't feel like doing anything.

So as I look at the calming photos I posted today, I once again realize what is important to me. My health is right up there on the list, and intertwined with that fact is exercise. Movement is essential, walking is euphoria, especially at this time of year. My pace is slower today. We're going sheepherding, which I truly enjoy. Being out in the fresh air with Gracie, learning something new every single time we go, that is pure pleasure.  This afternoon I teach one pool class. Again, exercise is the answer, what is your question?

So take a moment, just one moment, today to smell the leaves and crispness in the air. In a few short weeks that will disappear. We should all enjoy each day, because it is a gift. Make it a great one.

Linda

Perfect Weather

Townhall Park

Have I mentioned how much I love fall? Yeah, I think so. We're going to meet some friends this morning to walk at Townhall Park. All 3 of us need to get out in the fresh air and stretch our legs.

The cooler weather has raised my energy level. I didn't realize how lethargic I had become this past summer until it was gone. So now closets are getting cleaned, I have a bag of stuff (everyone has "stuff", right?) to go to Goodwill, and a feeling of accomplishment is settling in. This is a good thing.

Also tried a new recipe off of the Tasty Kitchen blog. You can search for the recipe here. The name of the recipe is Raw Apple Cake, and it is pretty darn tasty. I did tweak it a bit: I left the peel on the apples, but did cut them into small, bite size pieces. Added a dash of nutmeg with the cinnamon, and increased the chopped walnuts to 1 1/2 cups. I like walnuts, but that's me. If you are in the mood for a taste of fall, give this cake a try.

Thanks for stopping by.
Linda

Fall Colors

The historic barn in Townhall park

Early morning sunlight dances on the path

The varied greens of the leaves caught my eye

Entry to the front of the house

The above photos are from our walk yesterday in Townhall park. Taking photographs early in the day can produce some stunning images. These are certainly not stunning, but it's fun to play with the light.

There has been some beautiful color this month in the area, but it doesn't seem to last long. The brightness of the reds, oranges, and rusts start to fade almost immediately, so that by the time I do get out with the camera, it is too late. You have to do it the day you notice it, I guess. And I am a procrastinator.

It will be a lovely fall weekend, bright sun, warm temperatures. Please get outside for a portion of it. Does the soul good. Thanks for stopping by.
Linda

Angel of Hope

The Angel of Hope

to the left of the statue

one of the views

The Dedication

This is part of the Avon  Townhall Park, in Avon, IN. It's about 1 1/2 miles from my house, so the dogs and I walk there almost every day. On the west end of the park is a secluded area dedicated as a memorial for children who have passed.

I had my camera with me this morning on our walk to take fall foliage photos. But this was so serene and beautiful today, with the early sun streaming into the trees, that I had to stop and take these shots.

Makes you think, doesn't it? Have a good one.
Linda

Backyard Blues

Sarge with the wind blown look

Gracie over one of her many holes

What is that???

Mom, please, stop already

Groomed

It rained this afternoon. I was, of course, absolutely thrilled. The dogs looked at the clock at 4pm and asked why we weren't on our way to the dog park. This is a subject that has come up in conversation amongst the dog owners more than once. We swear that they can all tell time, or at least when the time is near to eat or head out for the park.

The sky was overcast, and I looked at the radar image online. It appeared more rain was moving in, so we went to the backyard to stretch our legs. Gracie has a series of holes dug in the yard. She does this for two reasons: the first is to eat the grass. What can I say? She grazes, she always has. The second reason is she likes to lick the dirt, and if you look closely at a few of the above photos, you can see little particles of dirt hanging off her nose.

Sarge is sporting his new look. He went to the groomers last Friday and probably lost 3 pounds.  But he looks great, and we think he knows this. He's back to prancing.

We're going to try and get out to take some fall photos tomorrow. The autumn color is beautiful this week. Whatever you do, enjoy your day.
Linda

Our Dog Friends

Jeeves

Simone, not particularly happy

Beverly

That was pretty good, Mom!

Beau

The Bodacious Beau Dog

The above dogs belong to my friend, Sandy. I took these shots last October when I went to Wisconsin to visit, and pick up Sarge. Sandy really didn't have a lot of different photographs of her dogs, so we put them in the yard, one by one, and snapped a bunch of pictures. Like almost 300. It was fun. It's digital. I love digital photography because the only cost involved is if you decide to print.

Beverly's purpose in life is to look beautiful, and she knows it. Jeeves has been in agility trials, and I believe Beau has done some obedience trials. Simone, to me, is the slightly off step sister to the group. I think she is adorable, and I love the out-of-sorts expression on her face.

Thanks for stopping by.
Linda