Thursday, October 23, 2008

Puppy Love

I LOVE dogs! That fact can't be denied. I have a collection of porcelain dogs. Here are my latest acquisitions from a recent antiquing venture.





But the dog that I love most is my beautiful Cavachon. Her name is Lady and she is just that. We say she has Elizabeth Taylor's eyes...not because they are violet, for in fact they are brown, but because there is a lovely shading above and below her eyes that looks as if she's wearing eye shadow. When she looks up at you with those big brown eyes...well! your heart would have to be made of stone not to melt.




Lady joined our family by chance. We weren't even considering buying a dog. I had seen the Cavachon breed on line and thought they were cute but wasn't interested in becoming an owner. We just happened to be introduced to a breeder who just happened to have two Cavachon puppies left. She offered to show them to us. I wondered what this breed of dog would look like in person so I coaxed my husband into taking a look. The breeder brought the puppies out and handed one to me and one to my husband. The puppy in my husband's arms squirmed and wanted down to play, but the one I was handed placed her head on my shoulder and nuzzled my neck and was totally content to stay cuddled in my arms and when I looked down at her sweet face she looked back at me with the most incredibly beautiful brown eyes. We had instantly bonded. I looked at my husband and asked, "don't we want to take her home with us?" My husband, taken aback, said "maybe we should sleep on it." I wouldn't be denied. I knew that this dog was supposed to be a member of our family. We never looked back. We said yes on the spot. Sometimes we shudder when we realize that if we had gone home without her to "sleep on it" she might never have been ours.
Our sweet girl will be three years old on December 15th.
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring...it was peace."
--Milan Kundera



Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Birthday Princess

My nephew's beautiful daughter celebrated her first birthday on Saturday. Her Mommy and Daddy planned a wonderful party for the Birthday Princess. Grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends all gathered to join in the merry-making. The day began with a delicious lunch followed by gift opening. She received many lovely things. I gave the Birthday Princess a baby doll and a tutu.
This party was a first for the Birthday Princess. She was a little unsure. She knew that a party was supposed to be fun but ...... Then she had an idea. "I know!" she exclaimed.

I'll wear my new tutu and take my baby for a stroll!...so she did.






Then the Birthday Princess said "Let Us Have Cake".....and we did!










Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Beautiful Venice

While digging through my "Might Be Inspirational At Some Point" folder, I came across this picture of a Carnivale celebration in Venice. I was looking for fall/Halloween themed items but when I saw this picture my train of thought was completely interrupted. My mind wandered back to my trip to Venice. I love this city. It is, in my opinion, one of the most romantic places on earth. It's not only visually beautiful but it has an energy like no other. It's citizens are vibrant and have such zest for life. The daily pace is slower than most Americans are accustomed to and yet they never miss an opportunity to enjoy every finite aspect of living. Meals are an experience to savor with family and friends...A time for conversation and laughter. In the evenings an orchestra plays in St. Mark's Square and the entire city takes to the byways beside the canals to stroll and greet each other. I found it intriguing!



I'd like to share some pictures that I took of this enchanting place.
That's me taking pictures from a gondola while being serenaded.
"O Sole' Mio" never sounded so good.
Morning Mists

Gondola On The Grand Canal


Canal Reflection


Rooftops Of Venice
Saint Mark's Square
Fresco Detail
The Grand Canal
Flower Delivery

Laundry day in Venice

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

A 100th Post Giveaway!



Martha at VINTAGE TRIFLES is celebrating her 100th post. Three names will be drawn to receive a piece of her wonderful artwork. Click Here to visit her blog and leave a comment to enter.