Scootchie

'Sup, Moo?

When I talk to Maizie, our darling puppy, I usually call her Maizie-MOO. It started when she was a wee little black and white thing, with markings like a calf-- or a heifer. Lately, it's just "Moo."

"Whatcha got there, Moo?"
"C'mere, Moo. Let me get that boogie off your eye." (I know, eww.)
"Hey, Moo! Dinner time!"

Scott hates it when I give the pets, um, pet names. Like when I call Newton the conure, "Bubby." But that's how it is. I could no more stop giving sweetie names to the pets than I could stop calling the little girls next door, "Ladybug" or "Bunny." And what on earth would I do if I couldn't use the ever popular "Kiddo" for my child acquaintances? It's just how I work. So.

What's Maizie-Moo been up to, you ask? Well, we had some hot days recently-- hot enough that we ran the AC for a little while in the afternoon. Maizie very quickly found the best spot to lie down and enjoy the cool air.

Maizie has also been executing a major reorganization of our household. All plush toys, socks and washcloths go outside to the back yard. Twigs, leaves, flower petals and rocks come inside, preferrably onto our bed.

Here's today's treasure trove.

Thanks, Moo.

Crafty!

Here's some of the stuff I've been making lately.

First, my card for the StampGrrlz "dragonfly" exchange this month.

StampGrrl Jan has a May birthday, so I made her this purple pillow and an Asian style birthday card.

Brenda came over to bead with me last weekend and I tried this beaded bead (actually, beaded beadS--there are two inside) from Takako Samejima's book, Bead Fantasies. I have done many projects from this book and her second, Bead Fantasies II. Although the instructions for this one were less than wonderful, I was able to figure it out and made a bracelet and matching choker necklace.

Finally, I am going to be teaching some classes--making memory glass pendants-- at Violets are Blue, my favorite, favorite shop! Come and play with me! The project I am teaching is very easy and gets beautiful results, every time. I promise!

Pepper Parties ON!

I haven't had a single minute to post lately, but I know that many of you have been waiting for an update on Little Miss Pepper (Soxie) in her new home in Minnesota. I took her to my brother's house at the end of April. We went by airplane and Pepper traveled with me in the cabin, riding in her Sherpa bag. All through the check in, the security line and the flight, Pepper was golden! She was so quiet, so calm and soooooo cute, with her little head poking out of the top of the bag. All the TSA employees were ga-ga over her (and it's a good thing, too, because I discovered on my trip home that I was travelling with an expired driver's license!)

It took Pepper about 8 hours to completely take over my brother and sister-in-law's house. She just moved right in, and by the middle of her second day was going in and out of all the doors, following my brother around, sleeping in her kennel and making friends with all of the neighbor kids.

Here's Pepper with my brother, Aaron. He is making his "gaaaar!" face and noise, which he began to do as soon as he laid hands on the puppy. I think that noise means that he's in love.

Aaron and Stacey both work during the day, so Aaron built a little wire kennel in the garage with a doggie door out to a big run on the shady side of their house. As you can see, Pepper moved right in and claimed her space, staying in there contentedly even with the door open for her to join Stacey outside. It took her about two tries to completely master the doggie door-- much faster than any of us predicted.

Indoors, Pepper quickly found all the cozy places to sleep. Her favorite was under the papasan chair in the living room.

Pepper also gather her entourage rather quickly. She has two little boys and a German Short-haired Pointer buddy across the street and gets along well with Stacey's mom's Springer, Madison. While I was there, all the kids in the neighborhood stopped by. Pepper was ready for whatever games they wanted to play!

Aaron says that she continues to do very well, and house-training has not been a problem at all. She listens and follows directions well, except for when she is tired... and she has had plenty of opportunities to get tired. Recently he took her to a friend's farm, where she ran around with other dogs all day long. He said she slept for two days straight! Stacey reports that Pepper can't wait to go into her garage kennel and run in the morning. Sometimes she doesn't even want to say good-by to them! All-in-all, things couldn't be better!