Gizzy in Heaven!

Gizzy in Heaven!
I love you forever and ever, Amen!

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Monday, May 31, 2010

Quiet Memorial Day for me

Hope everyone's having a happy and safe Memorial Day today! I've been staying inside, keeping cool and hiding from the bugs. I've been crocheting some kitchen stuff ... let me show you what I made so far:

This pretty fllower potholder is 100% cotton and was made in two pieces and then crocheted together (about an 8" sqare)








Another 8" square cotton potholder that has a shell motif in the center and I also made another bee scrubbie (cotton and nylon scrubbie inside.)





Gizzy has been a very patient boy, mostly sleeping by my side. Tomorrow I'll make an appointment to see the doctor about my welts and strange, itchy rash for some antibiotic. Gizzy and Middi need to go to the Vet this week for flea drops and a few shots...that'll be my first priority - our health!

Now I'm browsing through some patterns to see what "speaks" to me ;-) Again, Happy Memorial Day! Enjoy your BBQ (if you're having one!) I don't eat red meat anymore, but I have to confess that smelling a thick, juicy steak charcoaling over a grill still makes my mouth water.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Patriotic Crochet








In honor of Memorial Day, I'd like to share some patriotic crochet in red, white and blue. Above are two of my crocheted rooster potholders.

Below you'll find a patriotic bee hanger/decoration and some CD hotpads/coasters:











Patriotic dishcloths or potholders and a matching blue pot scrubber (below):








Lastly, a red and blue crocheted towel topper with matching patriotic cotton dish towels (L) and my recent patriotic additon, the tiny washbird scrubbie for dishes, face or body:








Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone and feel free to read my  "We Remember You" Memorial Day post.





By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.



We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.



Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.


GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Raffle to restore The Old Miakka Schoolhouse

My friend and fellow AWEteam mate, Sarah Nolt,  is having a raffle to help preserve and restore The Old Miakka Schoolhouse pictured below:





Sarah says: "The schoolhouse is a historic landmark, and one of the only remaining one-room schoolhouses in this area. The building is being well preserved by a handful of the Community Club members. I attended a one-room school from 5th -8th grade, so I tend to think this is important." You can read more on her blog by clicking here.

Sarah is a talented Artisian who has made this lovely quilted wall hanging to be raffled off on October 3, 2010.
Sarah will also offer 6 tickets for $5., 12 tickets for $10., 110 for $100.

Thank you for helping out! Payment, including a self addressed stamped envelope - for your raffle ticket(s) - can be sent to: Sarah Nolt, 651 Myakka Rd., Sarasota, Fla 34240-8777.

You can find more of Sarah's wonderful creations here:

http://www.sarahsquiltsncrafts.etsy.com/
http://www.eclecticarmadillo.etsy.com/
http://earthnsky8d.blogspot.com/
http://www.twitter.com/earthnsky

and on facebook:
FirstFridayArtWalkonEtsy

Foods that your dog and cat should not eat

Since many of my friends have dogs and cats, I wanted to go over once more what not to give your pets in case you're not aware of the side effects. I know some items don't make sense, i.e. string, but cats love to play with string and puppies eat just about anything.



With summer time and mosquito season upon us, I also wanted to address the old myth about giving garlic to your pets for flea and mosquito control.  My suggestion is to NOT do it, because both, onion and garlic is toxic to pets - in any form; besides, cats and dogs have no pores to sweat the garlic stench out of (what's supposedly keeps the bugs away.) Cats and dogs have pores only on their pads, so giving garlic doesn't even make any sense at all.

Items to avoid and reasons to avoid: (you can click on the preceding link to find more pet information)


Alcoholic beverages can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

Baby food can contain onion powder, which can be toxic. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. This includes low-quality raw hide products (often made in Taiwan or other foreign countries.) Check with  your Veterinarian before feeding any of these to your dog(s).

Cat food is generally too high in protein and fats for dogs, likewise, dogfood is unsuitable for cats.

Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other caffeine contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems.

Citrus oil extracts can cause vomiting.

Fat trimmings can cause pancreatitis.

Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract.

Hops' unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.

Human vitamin supplements containing iron can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

Large amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones.

Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle.

Marijuana can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.

Milk and other dairy products. Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.

Moldy or spoiled food. Garbage can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs.

Mushrooms can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

Onions and garlic (raw, cooked, or powder) contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions, but still toxic.

Persimmons seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

Pits from peaches and plums (and other large pits) can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock.

Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Raw fish can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

Salt! If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.

String can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

Sugary foods can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

Table scraps (in large amounts) are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

Tobacco contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

Yeast dough can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Xylitol (artificial sweetener) can cause liver failure



Other than the obvious household poisons (such as Drano and cleaning supplies) there's other things your pets should not eat, but common sense and a good Veterinarian can help determine what's safe for our pets. As much as we would like them to be our "furbabies" they are not human beings and have different dietary needs than we do.
 
My motto simply is: If in doubt, just don't give it!
 
If You Think Your  Pet Has Been Poisoned:
 
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. (A $60 fee may be billed to your credit card. Source: Human Foods to avoid for cats)
 
 

And the Winner is...


AlaskaWolfSong (aka HEARTSONGS.....) won my May Giveaway. She is one of my newer followers and has a very earthy and spiritual blog. If you want to go visit her, just click on the link above. Again, congratulations to HEARTSONGS.... and I hope you will enjoy your gift!

For everyone else, I want to thank you so much for entering and answering my little survey about my crocheted bees. That was very helpful in determining which ones to make.

I have more books in that series that I will be offering at a later date (probably in July) to give you another chance to win one of those lovely cross stitch books. I used to cross stitch, but I have so much going on that I simply can't find the time to do it any more.

Have a nice day everyone!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Amigurumi Bee Scrubbie

I crocheted my first bee shaped amigurumi scrubbie last night. Again, I used 100% cotton in buttercup and beige (around a nylon pot scourer.) I had no brown or black that I will have to buy the next time I'm in the city. Meanwhile, I'll just use what I have on hand.


Across the street, they're cutting down more trees this morning, because the geniuses who ran this apartment complex are obviously oblivious to the health benefits and energy saving qualities of trees.






The butchers (ahem) gardeners who zoom through here every now and then to mow the lawn and hack the trees and bushes have come through last week to trim our bushes/hedges... again. They've managed to decapitate nearly all the budding gardenias that were on the cusp of breaking open. I also noticed with great sadness that the huge gardenia bushes down by the lake where chopped to the ground. There were clusters of five or six big bushes around two trees (not bothering anyone - out in the open - not interfering with anything) and someone's got it in their head that the gardenias needed to go. I fail to understand ... it must be me.

These photos are from last year (June 9, 2009) when the gardenia bushes were blooming and I always took a few home to enjoy the scent. Weren't they beautiful?














(Now I can look at the photos and imagine!)
My flower bouquet from Betty with the magnolia blossom has held up quite well. I'm surprised because normally a magnolia blossom doesn't last very long. This one has closed up in the shape of a giant tulip, look:
... and now I'm taking my swollen, insect bitten face and my itchy dog to my friend's to collect some well water that I didn't get yesterday and maybe try to cheer up a little. Thanks for all your kind comments yesterday. I really appreciate you guys!

Remember to enter my Giveaway.
Today is the last day to enter!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Amigurumi Chick Scrubbies


Here's a batch of chick scrubbies that I crocheted. They measure between 6 1/2" to 7 1/2" around (depending on the size of the pot scrubber) and are about 3" tall. These chuncky little fellas are so colorful and durable, made from 100% cotton and stuffed with a nylon pot scourer so that they can withstand water and rubbing without falling apart or clumping up.



 

They can be used to wash your dishes or to scrub your face. Because they are so durable and sturdy, they would also make an excellent sloughing aid in place of a loofa. You can put them in the washing machine on warm (not hot) and either air dry or use the lowest setting in the dryer due to the nylon scrubbie inside.

I'm going to list these in my shop today and then make some bee shaped ones for the Honey Bee Festival.

My neighbor, Betty, who had the surgery is slowly, but surely, recovering. It just takes time! She got a good check up report from her doctor, even though she is getting impatient with herself. She's such a sweet person. She made me this flower arrangement today because she knows I've not been happy lately. I'm upset with the heat, my missing shade tree that is keeping my AC running day and night, struggling to keep it at 75 degrees in here (yes, it even kicks in at midnight) and my body is covered in mosquito welts. My left eyelid is swollen up (I look like someone punched me in the face) and my other eyebrow and forehead has welts - all from the mosquitoes. I'm not a happy camper.

Last night around 11:30 pm I heard some strange noise outside and saw the truck drive through the neighborhood that the city sends out to spray for mosquitoes. It's really bad, even people who not normally are bothered with them, are complaining. We've had so much rainfall that the mosquitoes are especially happy and plentiful.

Betty, my friend and neighbor, made a flower arrangement for me this morning. She has a big Magnolia tree growing out back and my friend, Bobby-Jack, brought it over for her. Apparently Bobby was going to bring me just one magnolia flower, but Betty made an arrangement with it. Wasn't that sweet? I wanted to cry. Heck, I been wanting to cry for a while now and this is my perfect excuse (know what I mean?)


Off to do some more crocheting and later I have to pick up some more well water from my friend, Arlene, who allows me to come over and get as much as I want. I also need more cat food for the strays. Right now it's actually kind of breezy and it looks like we may have a little rain...I love the breeze, keeps the mosquitoes at bay.

Here's Middi checking out the flower arrangement. I know I don't post about her much, but I love her. She's a good kitty cat. I just wish I lived in a place where she could be outside because I know she really wants to.


I'll just keep on crocheting and I must tell you how therapeutic that has been for me. Even if I never sold another thing, just the act of crocheting and creating something is a wonderfully rewarding and satisfying experience!
Remember to enter my Giveaway!

Monday, May 24, 2010

All's well that ...



...ends with a bath?

Ok, here's from the beginning:  Gizzy and I are on our "summer schedule" now, where we get out of the house by dawn and return home around 9:30 am and hibernate pretty much for the rest of the day.

This morning we watched Bank's Lake wake up ... The refuge contains a variety of habitat types including 1,500 acres of marsh, 1,549 acres of cypress swamp, and 1,000 acres of open water.


We observed a friendly couple heading out onto the lake in hopes of catching some fish!







YES, we did! You tell it, mama!







Weedbeds of coontail, milfoil, spatterdock, and water lilies are everywhere. Banks Lake is a combination of the natural and the manmade. The natural part is the pocosin, or Carolina bay, a natural low-lying area that collects and holds rainwater. The manmade part is the earthen levee that was built in the 1840s.

Banks Lake averages around 5 feet deep, although a few holes go down to 15 feet. Banks Lake is less acidic than most blackwater systems, which allows largemouth bass and other sport fish to thrive in its waters. A fertile system with good water quality, plenty of forage, and a long growing-season make Banks Lake a great place to fish.


After talking to a friend at the Outpost, we moseyed on the boardwalk and back to the car just as the sun was peeking through the trees.

I have never been to "the river" and when people here talk about "the river" it's understood that it's the Alapaha river. This 190 mile long river is a popular place for fishing, boating and recreational activities. It's only about two miles from here, yet, I've never stopped to really look at it. Nice to know that I don't have to drive to the beach to walk barefoot in the sand, because there is plenty. Gizzy blends right in.



We didn't stay long, because I don't fish and the mosquitoes were attacking me...but it was interesting to see. I still want to find another location though, to look at it some more. This one was off the side of the road right under a bridge and it wasn't my favorite spot. The Alapaha is a tributary of the Suwannee River, which flows to the Gulf of Mexico.

Then off to a quick stop at Roquemore Park where the Hydrangeas bloom.


My Hydrangea Boy (L). This Boulder on the right should be called "Gizzy's Rock" or "Gizzy Magnet" because he goes straight towards it as soon as we exit the car. If they ever relocate it, he'll be lost! We met a nice young man and his German Shepherd named Sarah, who ran towards us, but Gizzy (not liking big dogs) had a conniption, so we had to keep our encounter brief.

When we arrived back home around 9:30, I took a shower with the boy and spread some big towels on the floor for him to rub, roll and scoot himself dry. He was pretty "ripe" and all that sand from the river needed to go too. Now he feels much better!


Thanks for coming along!

Remember to enter my Giveaway!