The Loss of a Dear Corgi Friend

Handsome Fezzik

June 10, 2010 - April 29, 2011

My heart is breaking tonight as I write about my friend, Donna, from Brynwood Needleworks.  Her corgi boy was scheduled for routine surgery yesterday and died today from complications.

Fez posted on his mom's blog each Friday and it was always so cute. Of course, I'd comment as if my corgi girls were writing and they were so smitten with this handsome little guy.

Donna is a terrific lady and adored Fez.  I think he was her first corgi.  I do hope after her heart has time to heal, she'll have another.

I'll be kissing my three corgi girls an extra time tonight!

Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas

Yesterday I had planned to go to the plant sale at the botanical gardens, but the weather was so unpredictable and there were tornado warnings in nearby counties.   I decided instead that  it was a great afternoon to read  Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson that my friend had brought me earlier in the week.

This book is wonderfully written and so romantic!  The entire story conveyed the message that we have to find joy in every day!  I started the book around 1:00 and was finished before dinner.  It was very easy reading!

The Movie "Water For Elephants"

I saw Water for Elephants yesterday and I enjoyed it so much more than the book.  Usually it's the other way around for me, but not this time.  Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson were great!  I expect both will be nominated for Oscars.  A lot of the dark details about the treatment of the animals and the circus workers were left out of the movie and that was a good thing.  Of course, I loved Rosie the elephant!  The setting and costumes for the 1930's Benzini Brothers Circus were very beautiful.

Kristen's Coffee Shop

I made this miniature coffee shop for my granddauther for Christmas of 2010.  She was 12.  The jukebox is a Hallmark ornament that plays music from the 80's.  The poster I made from a picture of  Kristen, her sister, Savanna, and their friend with Taylor Swift.  They had backstage passes at one of her concerts and loved meeting her.

                                    

Have a Joyful Easter Day!

My daughter took this picture in Central Park in New York City this past week when she and her family were there for spring break.

This is a dwarf lilac that my granddaughters gave me for Mother's Day several years ago.  My front yard smells wonderful.

Take time today to enjoy your family and friends and this beautiful spring season!

Morning Glories and Arabelle!

For two days  I've been trying to clean out my day lily bed.  It's been neglected and the morning glories have taken  over.  I've considered using a weed killer,  but I'm afraid to do that because my corgi girls play in the backyard.

The weather has been cool and perfect to work in my backyard.  There's woods behind my house so it's very private and peaceful.  Sometimes I feel like Tasha Tudor when I'm out there and the girls are following me around.  Today I was dragging a tarp half full of   weeds and leaves to the woods and all of a sudden I noticed it got very heavy.  I looked over my shoulder and Arabelle was sitting on the back of it.  I thought to myself, "what would Tasha do".  I don't think she would have scolded her, so I didn't either.  That dog is such a mess!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Fairy Garden

Today I was at a local nursery and saw this fairy garden made from miniature plants.  I haven't seen these tiny plants before.  I put a quarter in some of the pictures so you could get an idea of the scale.

  

                                   

The plants in the round containers are hens and chickens!  They are about the size of  green peas.

The blue ball is a gazing ball.

This garden was so fascinating! I felt like I wanted to place my dollhouse beside it.  Everything seemed to be in a 1 inch scale.

Rest in Peace, Sugie!

Sugie enjoying her new cottage this past weekend.

A few weeks ago, I posted about my visit to "Bunnyville" and meeting Shell and her adorable rabbits.  I just found out tonight that Sugie passed away this week from her longtime illness.  You can read about Sugie's life on Shell's blog, The Raspberry Rabbits.

My heart is so sad for Shell, but I know in time she'll rescue another adorable bunny from a very sad life and give it a loving and peaceful home.

Knock Out Roses

My sister has been telling me how easy the Knock Out roses are to care for and how beautiful they are.  I've only had a few rose bushes and haven't had great luck with them.  Well, tonight I was at Home Depot (I know, I know, it sounds like I live at Home Depot) and I saw this double pink Knock Out rose.  It was so gorgeous! I read the label and it blooms from spring until fall and can withstand severe heat which we have here in central Virginia.  I didn't buy one because I really have to find a place to plant it.  It requires 4 to 6 hours of full sun and I'm not sure I have that anywhere in my yard.  Tomorrow I'm going to see if I have a spot suitable.

Savanna's Miniature Sweet Shop

I made this miniature sweet shop for my granddaughter who is 11 for Christmas. 

The little blond girl sitting in the chair reading looks so much like Savanna and of course, I had to find a  yellow lab and orange kitty like her real pets.

There's a checker game going on in the opposite corner.

The shop owner is checking his candy  inventory.  I think one of the coconut pieces has fallen out of the showcase.   It was fun painting tiny balloons on his apron!

                                       

These cute stuffed animals are watching for customers.

There's lots more games and toys on the bookshelf and a dollhouse in the corner.  A wonderful gentlemen who owns a local miniature store electrified the shop for me and it looks so cute when  the lights are turned on.

I made Savanna's older sister a coffee shop that Christmas and I'll post it soon.

Sharing the Beauty of Spring

I think it would be fun to have a post dedicated to the beauty of spring.  Please email me a picture of your favorite flower, a bird's nest, baby animals or anything that makes you feel the joy of nature during spring.  I'll include your location and the name of your blog in my post.  I'll leave this open until Thursday and post about it on Friday.

Freeview Corgi Cake

Same adorable corgis in a different British ad!

I Love Spray Paint!

This has been a beautiful week and I've spent most of my time outside working in my yard.  I always get the urge to change things around a little this time of year.  My chairs and table on my deck was getting a little worn looking so I made a trip to the hardware store.  Did you know that Rustoleum has a whole new line of spray paint and the most beautiful colors?  I love taking something old and worn, spray painting it, and having a new item (new to me).

This is a picture of before.  The color was a rusty brown and very faded.  (Do you see the "corgi britches on the right? That's Miss Arabelle.  She always helps with projects around here.)

The new color is called "Oregano" and is a very soft green.  I love it!   I'm trying to think of another painting project.  There's a beautiful lilac color but what in the world could I paint with that?

Have a great weekend!  It's going to rain here tomorrow but sunny on Sunday.

Home Depot Garden Club

 This morning I went to Home Depot to buy some annuals since we are almost past the frost date in my area (April 15).  Wow!  Was I in for a shock.  The price of plants is out of sight this year!  I attribute that to the exorbitant price  of gasoline.

I didn't buy anything today, I thought I might check some other places.  But the lady working in the garden department told me about the Home Depot Garden Club.  I joined when I got home and was so impressed with all the wonderful garden information that is available on the site.  As a member, I will receive coupons and special sale announcements by way of my email address.  I'm looking forward to that!

                                               

Arabelle's Vacation

Last week while I was away, Arabelle stayed with my daughter and her family.  She had a wonderful time! My daughter took her walking every morning with her two yellow labs and  my granddaughters played with her when they got home from school.   There's so much more activity going at their house.

Needless to say, she was not a happy camper when I brought her home Friday night.  She growled at the other two dogs and went straight to the guest room and pouted.  I felt sad for her and kept trying to cheer her up.  Nothing doing!  It was Saturday afternoon before she settled in and started to act like she belonged here.

These corgi girls are like raising children all over again!

Corgis Watching the Wedding

This is a British ad for some type of TV service.  Looks like the corgis are having a party and watching the royal wedding at the end.  I read that these three corgis were in the movie, The King's Speech.

Bunnyville, NC

Before leaving New Bern on Friday,  I visited with a new blogging friend, Shell, from The  Raspberry Rabbits.  There's not enough adjectives to describe this girl!  She's beautiful, talented, funny and can do anything!  She has decorated her home beautifully and every room looks like a magazine picture.  I loved her studio  where she works on her quilts and quilting designs. This is also the bunny suite!

Sir Walter Harrington was quite charming and performed a few of his favorite tricks for me.  Isn't he handsome?  Every hare is in place.

Sugie Bun Bun was very calm and collected, being the southern belle that she is.  Occasionally, she gave Sir Harrington a quick glance telling him to mind his manners.

Shell is active in a local rabbit rescue organization is quite knowledgeable about the health and well being of these sweet this animals.

After visiting with the bunnies, we had a wonderful lunch at a local restaurant and then it was time to say goodbye.  We discovered that her sister lives very close to me so hopefully, we'll get to visit again when she's in VA.

I am so amazed at the wonderful friends I have made through my blog!  What a blessing!

Beautiful Day in New Bern!



Tryon Palace

This elegant Georgian style mansion was built by Governor William Tryon during the period when New Bern served as the capital of North Carolina. 



There are Crabs in Washington!

The weather was beautiful in the waterfront town of Washington, North Carolina, today! 

Instead of bears (of New Bern), Washington has decorated crabs scattered around town. They are made of fiberglass and painted by local artists.

 I want to share pictures of some of the lovely homes we saw also.

I haven't seen white wisteria very often and this was so gorgeous!

The Pamlico Bed and Breakfast

This house appeared to be freshly painted a beautiful blue and was for sale.  I could have lots of corgis if I could afford this house! 

This was a beauty also!