Nash Finds His Lida Rose

Nashie has not been himself since Mama passed. Coming over daily to play with Tammo and Pepper has cheered him up a bit, but soon he is quiet and clearly sad again. 

Lisa even took Mama's bed from our home over to hers and would find him curled up on it. No doubt it was full of her scent and comforting to him.

He needed a companion, and so as soon as school let out for the summer, Lisa began looking for one.

Thursday, Lisa found Lila at the Humane Society. She had already looked at several dogs, but as she walked past Lila's kennel she felt she needed to stop and look at the little red dog inside it. There was an instant connection between them then and there.

Several meet and greets took place that day, including one with Nash and me, and both Lisa and Nash agreed that Lila was family. 

Soon Nash and Lila were racing around the yard together. 

They'd flop in the shade for a few moments, and then off they'd go, again and again. (Look at his smile - a welcome sight!)

Inside the house it was the same story.

I love Nash's quick bark to entice her to keep playing!

Lisa loves old musicals. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a favorite, and her first dog, Millie, was named after the main character in that film.

"Lila" is close to "Lida" and Lisa soon found herself humming the song "Lida Rose" from Music Man as she petted and interacted with Lila. And suddenly, a name for Nashie's new friend was found. Lila Rose or more simply, Rosie.

The video starts with dialogue and the actual song begins at 0:50.

She's settling in well, and seems just as happy as Nash is to have a friend and family.

Her story? One that made us all cry. She was found as a stray and brought to the shelter on the very day that Mama passed. Oh. My.

Coincidence? Maybe. But then again, maybe not. Maybe this simply was meant to be.

 

There's a New Kid in Town

This happened yesterday.

It's a trial but it seems to be a match that was meant to be. 

And Lonely Boi is absolutely OVER the moon. Look at those smiles. On both of them!

More will be coming on this trial but we are all pretty smitten.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Summer hasn't blasted us yet. Those days are most certainly coming, but right now, the days have been sunny with very little humidity and temps in the 70s and low 80s. (And a few bad storms, flooding, hail, and furniture-throwing winds. But I digress.)

We were playing frisbee the other morning in the park and I saw this beautiful sight:

Breathtaking!

Tammo wasn't off leash yet, but he happened to step into the picture frame and so I snapped him with the rainbow in the background. A beautiful day and a beautiful dog. Just perfect.

There are those lovely moments in the park and then there are these.

Sorry, Tammo!

Sorry, Pepper.

Sorry, Pepper!

Tammo!! When you leave your frisbee down by the creek, I have to go off roading with my walker to get it!

One last thing. For the first time in several years, I am not going to do a monthly give away this month. Just too much to do right now. Maybe I'll do a double one another time to make up for it. We shall see.

Stay 'tooned for more doggy news! (There's some fantastic barn news to share, too.)

Dogs of Our Lives: A Sleepover at Nashie's!

Bored, bored, bored, bored, BORED.

Wait, what's that, Mom? Do I want to invite Tammo over for a sleepover?? I sure do! Tammo, did you hear that??

::Wild and crazy barking and howling::

::Climbing into Lisa's car and heading to her home::

Wow, Nash! This is so much fun! Your mom put some tasty treats in my dinner bowl! And now we are going for a long walk!

Wow, Nash! Your mom lets me stay up much later than I get to at Grammy and Boompa's home. Let's play some more!

Boys? Bo-oys! ::pause:: BOYS! It's time to stop playing and go to bed. It is almost midnight and I can't keep my eyes open any longer. Go outside, do your business, and hop into bed. If you need a drink, now's the time. I'm not getting up to bring you one. Capice? 

::Flap, flap, flap, flap goes the doggie door. Sounds of romping and playing. A few moments of quiet. Flap, flap, flap, flap. Lap, lap, lap, lap. Some pushing, some shoving, and finally two leaps onto the bed.::

Okay, Tammo, This is my mom's bed. You have to share because you are kind of... er... um... Well, you're long.

::shuffle, shuffle, shuffle::

Goodnight, boys. Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite.

Bedbugs? Nashie, what are those and why will they bite me??

It's just a saying, buddy. You don't need to worry about them. Go to sleep.

::sighs, yawns, light snoring::

::peace and quiet::

::whimpering::

What's that? You are cold? Here, take my blanket, Tammo.

::snuggling down, light snoring::

::peace and quiet::

::whimpering and a few yips::

What's that? You're scared? It's ok. I am big and strong and right here. I'll protect you. I'll put my head by your side so you can feel me close.

::peace and quiet::

:: some loud wailing and crying::

What's that? You're homesick? Aw, buddy. I'm here and will cuddle up closer to you. Don't be lonely. You know I'm your best buddy, and Lisa is coming to bed in just a minute. We'll all be together, safe and sound.

::heavy snoring::

Next day.

Morning.

Afternoon.

Evening.

Ahhhhh. My own bed. And Grammy and Boompa! Pepper! I sure love Nashie and Lisa, but it is good to be back in my own bed again.

Pepper? Peeppeer!! I'm cold. Can I have a blanket? And will you come cuddle up with me? I'm scared, too.

Ahhh. Thanks, Pep. I love you.

::happy sigh and then snoring::

Updates on Breyer, Nashie, (a New) Me, & More!

Second Post of the Day

Enjoy these updates on Breyer happenings, Nash, me, and more!

The BreyerFest Warehouse Sale

Last week Breyer announced that a warehouse sale of items from past BreyerFests would be held sometime this week. It dropped at 2:00 Thursday afternoon and by 2:02, the one thing I was mildly interested in was already sold out. 

Other things did not sell as quickly and for the most part, social media posts expressed disappointment at what had been offered. Out of the 35 offerings, I already had the 9 I'd most wanted. I looked at it all a couple of times and then moved back into the sewing room to work on the quiet book.

As of this morning when I took those screen shots, 10 of the 35 have sold out. Apparently I am not the only one who didn't find anything that they needed.

Buenos Aires, Third Release of the Exotic Destinations Series

Buenos Aires, the third release in the Exotic Destinations series was offered on Monday.

With a paint job designed by Lesli Kathman and on the popular Smarty Jones mold, my guess is that this will be a popular and coveted piece.

Screenshot from Breyer's web site.

There are 600 pieces available at a purchase price of $199. Entries closed last night and winners will be contacted in the next 24-36 hours.

I entered for him - I like polo ponies and while that is not an Appaloosa pattern that he sports (it is a manchado pinto) it is close enough and I really like it. Still, that price point makes me a bit leery. Much as I love my collection, $200 is a lot of money. We shall see.

Here There Be Dragons Dogs

Nash is still grieving Molly's passing but we see signs of normalcy surfacing . He spends every day with us right now, instead of the Wednesdays/Fridays routine we were on when Mama was with us. (Gosh, I'm welling up with tears as I write her name. I miss her so!)

But there is still some sadness, some loneliness, that you can see in his body language. He's a joy de vivre kind of dog, and for the most part, that's missing. However, there are signs that he is doing better.

Lying on my feet? That's Pepper, not Nash.

But wanting to also lie on a pillow while he lies on my feet? Oh, that's very much our Nashie-boi.

Hogging the best sun puddle in the house? Nashie-boi! 

Don't worry; Tammo got it back and has Nash's favorite toy, too.

Ready to join me for an afternoon nap? Oh, yes! Not that there is any room for me like that. Someone is going to have to move so I can lie down, too.

Normally when I find a model tipped over, I'm not too happy.

But this is a sign that Nash and Tammo got rowdy together on the upstairs overlook, and I am fine with that. (Besides, that's my carpet herd Man O'War and he's already been through a lot of play time with me.)

Here there be dragons dogs and those dragons dogs were clearly happy.

So am I.

A Gift from Belle

I don't talk about it much, but in November, 2024, I started working on my health and losing weight. It's been a year and a half, and I am at goal. 

I am really happy about that.

I have been going through my summer clothes and nothing fits. And honestly, I am not a shopping girl. I have never been someone who wandered the mall or did a lot of clothes shopping. (Antique malls and shopping for HSOs? That's different!!) Add in clothes shopping and using dressing rooms while using a walker, and it's pretty intimidating to me.

Luckily there is online shopping and I am looking for things now. There are also friends who surprise you with gifts.

Like this shirt from Belle. 

She and her family were at my Kentucky Derby Watch party and she was wearing this shirt. I complimented her on it, and she asked my size and said she'd just order it for me. Except that when it arrived, she would not accept any money. "It's a gift!" she declared.

Thank you, Belle. I love it. And now we can twinsie together!

A Quiet Book Sneak Peek

Jessica just sent me a few things to use for the quiet book. 

 She's a dental hygienist and sent me a pack of baby toothbrushes, two carrot appliqués,

and an apple appliqué.

I'll be working on the page for those today. Any guesses as to how they will be used?

Stay 'tooned!

A May Mish Mosh

 Geez Louise, does life ever slow down?? Although, truth be told, I am glad that I have things to do, things that I find worthwhile and even fun. But, every once in a while I cry "uncle," you know? LOL

Here is a mish mosh of things that are keeping me busy or that I'd like to share.

The Quiet Book's Progress

The JCs^2's quiet book is underway, and it is a huge project. 

It is the 22nd quiet book I have made and incredibly time intensive. Everything I've ordered to make this book has arrived except for one appliqué whose tracking has been stuck at "Label created" since April 23. 

See those bright pink glasses? My optometrist gave me those - it is starting to get difficult to see all the tiny pieces close up. The joys of getting older, right?

I have a binder of all the planning pages from past quiet books. It is super helpful when I plan another one, helping me to remember what extras I might need to get for each page, the order I put the pages into the book,

and the measurements for the pages and how to cut them. Sounds easy, but it is more complicated than it sounds. I finished the first page of twelve yesterday, so I am making slow but steady progress.

Tempting New Block Prints

I told myself I would not order any more block print fabrics for a while as I have a closet full already.

Of course, then my favorite company announces a slew of new block prints.

Leslie ordered a lot of them for this year's Feast and she has been sending me tempting photos of what is available.

Ack! The temptation is real! So far I haven't bought any, but...

Lukie Scores!

Together, Curt and Vanessa are coaching Mila and Lukie's soccer teams.

Lisa filmed Lukie taking a penalty shot and scoring last Saturday. Yay, Lukie!

The Musical Mitchells

Jessica sent me a video clip of her family's performing activities in April. I pulled these screenshots from it to share.

Titan spent time in the recording studio

and then he and Cambria filmed another music video for composer Angie Killian called Be a Little Better.

Jessie couldn't share info or pics about this next activity for a while but now she can.

They auditioned as extras for the film Salt and Honey and all made the cut.

A Christmas film, it is being directed by Amy Redford, Robert Redford's daughter

and filmed in Helper, Utah. I am not sure, but I think maybe it is a Hallmark movie? Hallmark and other companies film a lot of shows and movies in Utah - there is a thriving music and film industry in the state.

Finally, they auditioned together for a summer production of Prince of Egypt and all made it into the cast.

I'd like to go out and see it, but it will depend on the timing of the performance. Fingers crossed!

Nash Update

The big boi continues to spend each weekday with us while Lisa is teaching. 

Doesn't that look like trouble just waiting to happen??

"Hey, stop hogging all the toys, Nash!!"

She reports that he is VERY happy to jump in the car with her every morning and come over to visit us. For us, it is clear that he is happy to have Pepper and Tammo's companionship.

Lisa is planning on getting another dog when school is out and that will help Nash feel less lonely and allow Lisa to run to the grocery or go on other errands without worrying that he is home all alone.

Ella - Noise!

In high school, Curt was captain of the boys' soccer team, and Ella Masar was the captain of the girls'. They have been friends since 6th grade, were Homecoming King and Queen together their senior year, and were especially connected through their mutual love of soccer.

Ella went on to play soccer for the University of Illinois and, as a hometown girl, the crowd would go nuts and chant, "Ella-noise! Ella-noise" repeatedly while she was on the pitch. 

Ella has gone on to a professional career, playing for several US teams including the Chicago Red Stars. She once invited Curt, Craig, and me to come watch her play and it was fabulous.

Curt and Ella after that game.

As a professional soccer player, Ella has played on several teams in the USA and in Europe, played for the US Women's National Team, and then turned coach. A few months ago Ella was called to help out as an assistant coach to Emma Hayes, the current US Women's National Team's coach.

She has had a very storied career and just moved to Germany to take a coaching position there.

This spring, the University of Illinois' 2026 Hall of Fame athletes were announced, and look who is now a Hall of Famer. 

Ella-noise!!

Goslings!

I am not a big fan of Canada Geese, but I do think their goslings are cute. We currently have several nesting pairs at our neighborhood lake.

This pair has five goslings they are caring for. They are good parents and scold Craig and me for playing frisbee with Pepper and Tammo. According to them, that is NOT allowed anywhere near the lake while they are raising their brood! 

Finally, Happy Cinco de Mayo!