Have you heard??? are you going to be there?

get on board for what all of Blogdom is buzzing about:

Vanessa Valencia's Second Annual Mad Hatter's Tea Party
this Saturday, June 27.

Click on the Mad Hatter Tea Party banner at the very top
right and you will be linked right to the her blog for more
information.

Don't miss out on this frolic'n fun exstravaganza!

Summer Fun and a Show Me Your Crown Blogparty

Yippee -- a crown blog party!

Finally it's summer - Doggie Daycare is out and I get to spend the summer with mommy every day. We are trying out some home schooling.

Me and mommy were reading blogs together and found the "Show Me Your Crown" blogparty hosted by Andrea of Vintage Bella Studio . I got so excited about this! I asked if I could try it out myself.

This week our lesson plan was of a nautical theme...

I watched Flipper in a movie this week. I liked it! I asked mommy if I could have a crown with Flipper on it.

During craft time yesterday I made this crown (with only a little help). I also strung some shells - I think this shell necklace really completes the look.

Then it was time to get ready for the big "Show Me Your Crown" blogparty.

Mommy put make up on me, as she says that helps my features show up better on camera.

She only uses the purest make up on me (and not animal tested!) 100% Pure has a great berry blusher that I like. Anyway, I got made up and was ready.

I sit patiently as daddy fits me with my shell necklace...



Posing is a breeze and my smiles flow freely...



Then time for my favorite summer treat: corn on the cob - yum!!!



Now off to visit the other partygoers with their beautiful crowns!

Marie Antoinette Collage Swap

hosted by Maria of The Junk Drawer netted me a great swap partner.

Sue (who does not have a blog but lets hope she gets one) sent me this gorgeous collage. All of these jewels just sparkle - the effect is pure loveliness.



I sent a collage and since she was so nice about me sending it a day late I made a Marie paper doll for her.




Thank you Sue for the fantastic collage and thank you Maria for hosting this fun swap!

The Easter Bonnet Blog Parade

What excitement! Everyone is lining up with their splendid Easter Bonnets in scrumptious spring colors! Bobbie is hosting this fabulous blog parade.

When I told my little ones about this Easter Parade, Stuart in particular became quite interested. I asked him if he would not mind wearing something that I designed and since he is an amicable little guy he readily agreed. (This hat was custom made by us consisting of a flower, card stock and ribbon).

So...I finally have my little Stuart (actually named Stuart Little) in a Baby Blue Gerber Daisy Easter Bonnet. What a dashing little fellow he is.




"Pretty Please with a smile - Vote for ME Ladies!!! - and Bobbie, thanks for hosting this fun Easter Parade!"

Compost Warning regarding Dogs

composting can be downright dangerous for your dogs. In fact, in some cases it can be very serious.

Mycotoxicosis. This can develop in compost and if ingested can make your dog very ill. Although this used to be rare it is getting found more often as more people are composting.

The dog that had been into the emergency room the previous week with this died from this. It sometimes even goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed unless a vet can pick up on it and quickly treat it.

I have been composting for years and have even attended "master composter" classes. My husband in his profession works closely with composting experts but we had never heard of this potentially toxic result.

Quick action by me in getting Toto to the emergency vet and the vet recognizing what it was saved her. She will be fine - but still...

We are dismantling our compost bin. For now, I am not taking any chances; the dog that died from this had an owner that had the precaution of a lidded compost bin, but the dog still got into it.

Please be careful with your precious pets and the seemingly innocuous compost bin.

Happy Mardi Gras!

We celebrated with an old Cajun dish that has been in my hubby's family for decades -Shrimp Au Gratin - delicious.

And some yummy King Cake with all the Mardi Gras colors...

Daddy, can I have some King Cake?

Some successful bead catchers.... Stuart
Boodreaux

Whew, tired revelers finally asleep after all the feastivities...

An Ice Day, A Nice Day

We love it when the weather is cold and icy. We make good use of that big stack of firewood and get out lots of blankets for the fur babies. They love to gather and cuddle in front of the fireplace...



Here are Sprout and Boodreaux


And Ariel, a snug little bug


Really was a (n)ice day!