Lights, Holly & Stockings

I love decorating for Christmas.

To the point that it actually irks other people.

I love that Christmas comes early. And I agree with those who talk about it being so commercialized these days. But thats not the point for me. I like being surrounded by such calm, happy beauty.

But this year, I held off. I actually waited until the evening of Thanksgiving, just to please my man Red.

I have been making a whole weekend of it. I hate cleaning. But if it means I am also decorating for my favorite time of year, than I am all for it.

Fish on a Christmas tree? In my house, oh yes. Have none of you met Red?

I have a new little addiction.

Nutcrackers.

They come in so many shapes and sizes and colors. And how charming?
I like this guy, because he has crooked teeth.

One of my fondest childhood Christmas memories involves a large group of nutcrackers.

I also love Christmas lights. I wish they could stay up all year long.



I also love these littel candle holders.

They were my Grandmas.



And THIS is what happens when punk ass little sisters steal my camera.



My what a big mouth you have little sister!

Do you see that hair color? That is our natural hair color. I have dyed mine so many times that I could never remember.
Now I want it back. Give it back, Tess!

Happy Thanksgiving... for real.

Happy Turkey Day my friends.

What are you thankful for today?

I hope you all will take a moment to remember the past year and to smile as you think about the events and opportunities that have shaped the year. And the people who made the good days good.

I hope you all ate too much, laughed too much and loved too much.

Give thanks for all you have

Em

Happy Thanksgiving

Okay, I realize it's not actually Thanksgiving day yet. But this week is like Thanksgiving week.
So with the onset of my holiday time worry and stress and anxiety, I would like to leave you with this:

I AM THANKFUL:

FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

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FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

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FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

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FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

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FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

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FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

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FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

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FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THA T NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME

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FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. ...

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FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

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FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

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FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

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FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

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FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

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FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

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I AM THANKFUL FOR THE crazy people I work with BECAUSE they make work interesting and fun!

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

~Author Unknown

The Ball is Not a Ball...

We've had this ball.

Okay, not a ball ball.. But like a round dog toy.

But not as much a round dog toy as it is a... Well its a ball okay!

It's a dog ball. Its this home made dog toy that's actually held up nicely over the years.

It was given to us by a family who sponsored some of our rescue dogs for Christmas.

And the family who adopted the dog it was given to, well, they declined to take it with them.



Most dogs actually dont even take much interest in the thing. And I figured if one did, it couldnt be that hard to recreate it with some more material, right?

Sure. So I wont cross that bridge until the time comes.

At least thats what I thought.

Yup, its held up nicely to the busy jaws of many foster dogs.

Then the Aussie found it.

Its since lost its spheratic shapeliness.

And the green strings that held it together.

Man, she looks a little crazy. A little nutso.


But apparently she was really just seeing it for what it was...


A scarf.



Or a shawl! Perfect for these brisk winter months.

Oh, and a tug toy!




My Aussie is all about the recycling...

Monday Madness

Not really madness. But it is Monday.

I didnt really mean to take an entire week off from the blog. But it happened that way.

Since I got my camera back, I've been trying out some new angles on things.

Like Frankie's fur. I love Frankie's fur.

She's so soft and warm. Its not like my house has any fur-free blankets in it anyways. So what better way to keep warm then letting the Frankster sprawl out in my lap?

I love the cat's fur also.

Except his seems to land everywhere. The guy sheds like a... well like a cat. But its okay. I'm used to it.

We had some fun this weekend. Saturday we had a shindig at the shops and it was fun!

During this time, we also hosted the UFC fight at our house, which was just across the lawn.

It was quite a bummer of a fight in my books. I'm a Randy Couture fan. Big time. And he lost to Brock Lesner. Don't even get me started on Brock Lesner. He isnt a fighter. He's a giant oaf who throws his weight around just enough to knock some guy off his feet. In my own opinion, his win had little to do with skill, and much to do with sheer mass.

Randy is on the TV there talking to Joe Rogan after the fight. I was upset. To say the least.

We had a surprise guest for the evening though.

Mr. Bo Jackson!

Bo Jackson is the newly adopted pup of some friends of ours. Hes a very sweet puppy and the love of their lives. And we discovered that he really loves these chew bones.

Friday and Saturday we were blessed with mail. And in these packages were real, live frisbees. Doggy frisbees. No more of this fabric, fake disc stuff. Nope. We have real discs now!

What? Did somebody say discs?

Now you've gone and done it.

Disc is an Obsession...

I am going to warn you now that in the future, I will be talking a lot about disc dogs.

Frankie and I have discovered that we might actually have some fun playing disc, and rather than the 'just fun and exercise' stance I'd originally taken regarding this fun sport, I think its going to become more than that.

This weekend I was lucky enough to get to meet some of the crew from the Minnesota Disc Dog Club, and man what fabulous group of people they are. Talented dogs, talented people... And more than that, both humans and dogs were just the friendliest, outgoing group I've ever met. They took Frankie and I under their wings and showed us what we can be working on this winter to help build the foundation and drive for a possible future in disc doggin competition!

I know, I talk all smart and positive right now. I am sure there will be many frustrations ahead of us. But I've found something that has really reached down deep and grabbed on. I dont want just a 'fling' with this sport. I want a full blown relationship. Not even the potential for agility has peaked my interests quite like disc has. And Frankie LOVES it.

Just so you can get an idea of what we're up against, check out this disc dog video!

Okay. Enough about disc. For now.

Saturday we had gotten word of a few sightings of a huge buck near the land where we have been hunting. So we spent some time and money at Cabelas buying some good, sturdy winter stuff that would get many years of use. Sunday morning, we woke up at 5am with the intention of heading out with our bows in search of this mighty buck. But we found that the weather had other plans, and due to the high winds and freezing temps we decided even if we did see him, nobody could shoot accurately enough in those winds to even get close to him. Back to bed we went.
Unfortunately, we got word last night that a friend of ours HAD in fact seen him yesterday... And bagged him. MAN! If that doesnt just punch you in the gut. Oh well. Our fault.

No photos for you today. I had taken my camera along yesterday to the park, fully intending to snap a few pictures of all these fabulous disc dogs. But in my excitement, I totally forgot all about it. Whoops.

I'll have something for you soon. I promise. Hang in there, folks!

Oh, and Happy Monday. Of course.

I Love Winter

Okay, I'm half lying there. I don't love winter. But I do. But I don't. When I have to drive an hour to and from work every day in the winter, I don't so much appreciate it. However, with winter comes my most favored time of the year. I love Thanksgiving. And I love Christmas. And I love New Years... And you know, these holidays wouldn't be nearly as magical if we weren't covered in snow over the course of them. The snow is the icing on the already moist, delicious, perfect holiday cake.
But when January comes, I would be happy if the snow were to leave us. Because without the holidays to keep me in good spirits, its just cold, wet snow with no particular purpose but to drive us Minnesotans crazy. If you've never met a person with real, live cabin fever, then you come visit me right around March.



But in all actuality, I really do love winter. I love living in Minnesota. And honestly, while I do love to bitch and crab about the snow, I am truly happy that it blesses me with its presence every year. I mean what better way to exercise dogs than making them flop full force through 2 foot snow drifts after a tennis ball that wont be found until spring?

This morning I stepped out side with the dogs to find myself being snowed on. So you know what the first thing I did was? I ran back inside and I grabbed my camera. There was no pretty sunrise to capture as it was quite cloudy. But I got a few quick yard shots in while the dogs pottied.

Man I love having my camera back.

Ruger was a little miffed to find the outdoor water bowl covered in.... Snow?


Ruger, my foster dog, is a baby yet and likely has never seen snow before. I had to give him a nudge with my foot this morning to get him out the door. But once he figured out that he could eat the new white stuff, he had a grand ole time making a mess of it.

The shops always look so pretty in the snow.

Man, look at that big ass snow flake that's totally trying to ruin the shot! The nerve...

Look down there, there he is again!

That's just fine. I'm going to have the dogs dig tunnels right through your cousins tonight, little snowflake.

No, I'm not crazy, folks. Its just that its Friday and I'm tired and I'd really like to go back to sleep.

If its snowing where you come from, get outside and enjoy it! There is nothing like playing outside when its warm and snowing!

Happy Friday my friends!

She wants to be a Disc Dog

I have an Australian Shepherd.



Those of you who are dog people, I know you just nodded and sympathized with me. Because you probably already know where this post is going.

Those of you who aren't dog people... Well, Aussie's are a breed of their own. Herding dogs are in a genre of their own. They are highly driven dogs who need something to do. ALL THE TIME.

My Frankie and I are making our way through obedience classes. And making awesome headway in our training! But it's not enough. Our goal was to be competeing in novice agility trials by summer 2009. And that's still in the cards.
But in the mean time, we needed something else.

Then, a rescue friend of mine told me about an organization that she belongs to. The Minnesota Disc Dog Club. So I stopped at the store and I bought a frisbee. And I showed it to Frankie. And then I threw the frisbee for Frankie. And then a monster was created.



Yesterday, I woke up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I see Frankie is standing in front of the counter where I left the frisbee, shaking in anticipation and ready to pounce should the disc try to fly away without her consent. If she had been human and I'd said good morning to her, she would have absently waved a hand at me without taking her eyes off the prize. If she carries the disc around and nobody notices and plays with her, she rubs it on our ankles and drops it in our laps.

I joined MNDDC yesterday. I think it's the only thing left to do.



I'm going to have to start hiding the frisbees I think.

Pray for me.

Delievered

Today, its a beautiful word. Delievered.

My camera... was Delivered. Today.

I am going to take a boat load of photos tonight just so I have something to share with ya'll tomorrow!

Its been a looong journey without my camera. And I appreciate you all bearing with me through this painful process.

Painful for you, I mean. Because you have had to wade through week's worth of crap just to get this far.

Me, since I wasnt able to take pictures, I mostly just ate cookies. And baked Dlyn's apple cheese crisp. And ate it too. And then I didn't clean my house with all the spare time I had. And I didn't do the dishes and I didn't do any laundrey.

Man, its going to be good to have my camera back.

Rants & Apple Cheese Crisp

Mind if I vent? Too bad, because I'm gonna. Gonna? Yeah, I'm gonna.

I do not understand these people who pull out in front of me each morning, pulling out so quickly and so close to me that I am forced to slam on brakes to avoid hitting them. Then once they are 'up to speed', that 'speed' is often 5+ miles under the speed limit.

Can somebody infer, here? Please make me understand why they do this to me? Are they trying to get me fired? Are they trying to make me late? Are they trying to get into a car accident?

And how come here at work, everybody coughs, loudly, when they pass my office? Especially when I'm on the phone? Why do you people come to work sick? I know you dont want to miss hours, but then take better precautions against becoming ill. And dont bring it to work with you. I dont want whatever it is that you're coughing on me!

Why do my dogs insist on being hard to catch, only on the days that I'm running behind? Do they sense that I'm anxious and rather than be nice, they get an early morning laugh out of making me growl at them in frustration? I know they are laughing. Especially the Aussie... She smirks.

Alright, onto the pie. Well, it's not pie. But its apple crisp. And not really apple crisp, but like apple cheese crisp. I came across this evil concoction of cinnamon and cream cheese and apples via Country Girl's site. And she got it from her friend, Dlyn's site. So you folks click on Dlyns link there and you make this crisp right now!

I made this apple cheese crisp on Saturday. And it. Was. Sheer. Bliss. I made one change to her recipe by chopping my apples up much smaller, since I dont really like big apple chunks. But its all about your personal tastes. And when I took my extra large, hot hunk from the pan, I added a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a little drizzle of caramel topping. And I just about died. Not to mention that not only did it taste amazing, but for the rest of the weekend, my home smelled like a hot apple pie candle. And there is nothing like a clean house that smells of fresh apple cheese crisp. Nothing I tell you.

So go... Take this new heavenly knowledge with you and make this pan of delight as soon as you are able. Then go to Country Girls site and you thank her. And then you go to Dlyn's site and you thank her. My life has changed because of this dish. You will not regret it.

See, this apple crisp is so good that I am totally over all of the infurities that I was slapping at you about earlier. That's how delishious this apple crisp is.
Oh, and Dlyn herself was even kind enough to tell me how on earth I could find a pie dish as adorable as the one she's using. Its Fiestaware and I found a beautiful dark red one on ebay for $7. Every woman needs a good, sturdy pie dish. At least if you ask me...