The Sky Winked at Me

 

 

As if we were in on a secret together.

 

As if to say, "Why do you complain when your alarm goes off?"   "Look at all you would miss if you hit that snooze button like you so want to do."

 

So true.  I'd miss out on seeing the night sky on my morning walk with Lexi.  The stars, the moon.

I'd miss out on hearing the birds waking up and the mysterious critters skittering unseen into the brush.  I'd miss out on the quiet of the early morning, the sound of the train, the welcome chill in the air.

The chance to give thanks for my family, friends, sweet pup, health, job. . .and this place I get to live in.  The sort of place I've always dreamed of.  This place of peace and quiet and trees and logs that make up the walls that keep me snug.

 

It has been a few weeks since the sky winked at me and now when my alarm goes off, I feel a little less annoyed and a lot more blessed.

And the winner is. . .

Tamara!
Congratulations!  Please send me your address and I'll get them right out to you! My email is eengel2 (at) yahoo.  Or you can message me thru my shop www.songbirdcabin.etsy.com

Thanks everybody for commenting and for passing the word along--I really appreciate it. 
Be sure to check back next month for another giveaway!
(And Dave, even if you can't wear them--you could get a jump on your Christmas presents!)  : )

September Giveaway

This month's giveaway is this pair of earrings~for the pixie in you.
Please help me get the word out.  I'm so behind getting this posted~and the drawing is only a few days away on Sept 17.
In return for your help, just let me know in your comment (either here or here on my Facebook page)
that you've shared the link on your facebook page, a blog, twitter etc. and I'll put  your name in the hat twice!
Thanks everyone~and good luck!

Mushrooms

 

 To be honest, mushrooms creep me out a little.  I think they are interesting in how varied they are; these are all from one single walk in the woods, but they have such an otherworldly look to them.

Except for these rare Pancake Mushrooms--these just made me hungry.

 

 And here's the Great Mushroom Hunter, on the prowl

Camera Shy

This is Lexi.

I adopted her in April but have had a hard time getting a non-blurry photo of her. I was finally able to snap a few this weekend.
 
I went to an adoption fair just to test myself.  I really didn't think I was ready for another dog.  Since Hope passed away, I felt like I didn't want any other dog, I just wanted Hope back.  A part of me felt like even considering another dog was being disloyal to her memory.  She was so special to me and her passing left such a huge hole in my heart.
But another part of me can't help but think about and feel for all the dogs out there that deserve good homes--that are just waiting for some kindness.
And I also know that I am someone who needs a dog in my life.

I walked around the whole circuit that the people putting on the fair had set up.  There were a lot of cute dogs--puppies and grown dogs.  I stopped to pet a few, but I began to think that maybe I was right, I just wasn't ready.

Lexi was the last dog in the room.  She came right over and I just knew she was the right dog for me.

I filled out an application and a few days later, I went to pick her up from the shelter.

When I got there, the man let her out of her crate and she came right over to me.  She walked right out the door with me and hopped into the car, never looking back.  The guy was a little surprised too.  He said, "It's like she knows you."

She is a sweet, sweet girl.  Quirky and lovable in her own way.

She had a rough start to her life, but that is all in the past now.

Now, she is finally home.

A Gift

This sweet little pendant was a birthday gift.  My sister-in-law, Diana, found it in Asheville and thought of me and my home.   I love it~it was such a thoughtful gift.

Over the past few months, I've been thinking about what other components to add to it to make a necklace for myself.  I knew I wanted to use the beautiful moss opal beads that I have been hoarding for quite some time.  I think they are gorgeous.  They remind me of the woods behind my house.
I added in some golden freshwater pearls, a small piece of brass chain and a leather connector that I made with some deerskin suede and a little antiqued brass wire.

For a final touch, I added this lampworked glass leaf headpin made by talented glass artist Nikki Thornburg-Lanigan and a 'Hope' charm.
I knew I couldn't make a necklace that represented my home without adding a reminder of Hope
I can hardly believe my sweet pup has been gone for almost a year. I miss her.

And the winner is. . .

Claire!

Congratulations~I'll get your earrings right out to you.

Thanks to everyone for playing.