Foiled Again!

Baby Poppa's transport was cancelled last weekend due to snow.  This weekend I had the day planned to drive to Knoxville and spend the day with Chantal, but Bob's car died in the driveway and my car was already in the shop, so Kelly and Scott drove Poppa to us!  Got Raw Goat's Milk?

Full belly, now nap time.

Tracy, Katie and Ally also came to my house to pick Poppa up.  It all worked out and we didn't have to drive!

Debra's Chow Garland

Tracy's Chow Garland (Yes, she now has 6!) And six kids, each with their own chow!

Getting gifts in the mail from people I helped get a senior dog to makes it rewarding. This one from the latest senior I got out of a Maryland shelter and to North Carolina.

Johanna made this, and yes, those are paw prints!

Tracy gave me a pretty felt tote and soft and cozy throw.

The last pine tree in the pasture to use for an xmas tree.  What is left are slow-growing cedars that will be used in years to come.

I was delighted when Scott walked in the door, looked at my tree and said it was the best tree he had seen so far.  I think he liked the light, airy look, not the typical frasier fir. 

My Sisters-on-the-fly ornament

This tree came with lots of pinecones.

White lights, white and frosted bulbs, plain and simple.

Started working on the cleanup from the storm.  All the wood to be split is under this big pile of mess.  My poor magnolia.  Taking it all to the goats for a treat.

Lots of cleanup in the pasture, too.  The bamboo was broken all along the fence line.  Next week the goats will get that.

String of blue icicles for the farmhouse.

Laying low for Christmas.  I am worn out!

It's Not Winter Yet!

Cold, wet snow, 10.5 inches with a nice coating of ice on top makes me want to move to Costa Rica!  Not a fan of this storm.  It was okay as long as it was snow, but the ice took down trees and injured others, power was out for days and it was too cold.  

I'm worried about my ancient magnolia, it had several limbs split like this and some that must be amputated.  

\

The bamboo is all laying down and broken.

Even the dogs weren't thrilled, they didn't want to go out in it.

As for the birds, my big suet block was a hit!

My mom suggested having this stumped carved into something.  A totem pole might be nice.

At least with all the trees we had taken down we can have a fire from morning till night.

Sunday was our anniversary, so eggnog and kaluha cocktails to toast.  Too many years to count.

Spent the majority of time wrapping gifts, glittering my cards, finishing all of my chow garland, so I was very productive.  

This is Chantal's gift, a vintage paint-by-number that I found at an estate sale.  She is a retriever lover even though she helps me with chows.  I will take it this weekend to Knoxville when I go to pick up Baby Poppa.

My friend Cathy in Arkansas was the first to get her chow garland and I love where she hung it!

This is Cathy with Poppa.

Poppa got to visit Santa.

My latest afghan find.  This is really vintage, delicate and lacy, needs some repair, but very fine handiwork.

This weekend, a trip to TN to get Poppa and visit some friends even though torrential rains are on their way.  NC can't get a break with weather this year!

Baby Poppa Bear

This little six week old guy got dumped at my friend Cathy's shelter in Arkansas because he cried too much.  We don't know where the mom is or the other pups.  

Look at the size of those paws!!  Everyone comments he looks like a bear cub.

Tracy's daughter Ally saw him and begged for him.  Guess who's getting a puppy for Christmas?  So it's my job to get him from Arkansas to North Carolina, all set to go after working for days on a transport, even have an overnight in Knoxville, TN with my friend Chantal, Bob and I were going to celebrate our anniversary on Sunday by going to TN to get him and bring him back to NC, wouldn't you know a major snow storm is starting Friday in Arkansas and by Saturday night we will have 10 inches of snow with a nice coating of ice to start it off.  Poppa will have to wait until next weekend.  

Two new afghans.

Found flannel pj pants with chows at Old Navy, posted it, and I'm sure all my chow friends have cleaned out the stores!

Made a big block of suet for this ugly stump and for my pretty pileated woodpecker to enjoy.

While putting up the suet and filling the feeders, there was this wonderful fragrance, and I realized the elaeagnus was in bloom.  I'm sure the ice and snow will take care of that, but going to enjoy it until the storm comes.

Inside I'm working on the annual chow garland for friends.  More this year than ever, and I'm in a panic trying to get them finished and in the mail so they can by used for decoration by Christmas.

Sneak peek!