Home made dog biscuits!.......

Home made dog biscuits!


When Ryan and I went to the 'Designer Dog House' exhibit at Somerset Mall, here in our area, we made two donations, and purchased the plans to build a dog house for Charli and Peeper. Ha, like either of these little diva's would spend even one minute in a dog house! Unless of course, the dog house was custom built to sit in the living room window where both of these little pooches spend most of they're day. I'm sure the dog house would have to include picture windows on all four sides so they wouldn't miss a thing going on in the neighborhood.
All of the proceeds from the bags went to a local pet adoption agency so we thought it was a good cause. Ryan and I really didn't want to build the dog houses but the bags also included other goodies like a dog bone cookie cutter and cookie dough mix to make home made dog biscuits. We thought Peeper and Charli might really like those.
Ryan wanted to make sure you were able to see the front and the back of the bags so I took a picture of the bags while we were at the mall LOL I did think they were nicely put together.

Several days ago I baked Charli her biscuits and she absolutely loved them! She liked them so much in fact that I think she has the idea in her head that she will have nothing but home made dog biscuits from now on. Ha!

Usually when I ask Charli if she would like a treat she slowly walks over to where I'm standing, sniffs the treat, and then might, or might not take it depending on her mood. Now when I ask her if she would like a treat she runs over to the refrigerator and twirls around in circles.

After I finished baking the biscuits and saw how much she liked them I packed them in individual zip lock bags and froze them in the freezer. Charli knows exactly where they are. I think I now have a bargining chip when I want her to do something she doesn't want to do.

If that pooch thinks I'm making her home made dog biscuits all the time she is wrong! Well, maybe for Christmas since she likes them so much :>)

Have you eve made your little pooch home made dog biscuits? I would love to hear from you.

I hope all of you are enjoying these last days of summer. It's been very hot here with high humidity which makes it difficult to get out and do much, unless it's early in the morning, or late at night. Instead, I have been catching up on other projects and going to air conditioned places. It seems like this has been one of the busiest summers that I can remember or maybe it's just that I'm getting older:>)

I hope all of you have a lovely and blessed day ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

The Loyd A. Stage Nature Center...

The Loyd A. Stage Nature Center....


Nestled in the heart of our city is the Loyd A. Stage Nature Center. It's a wonderful place for adults and children as well. Located on one hundred acres, with two miles of walking trails, adults and children have opportunities to learn about nature and enjoy the out doors. It's a perfect place for a picnic or a birthday party. There is a 'Cattail Cove Nature Shop' on site where you can browse for unusual and nature inspired items. If you like, the center offers scavenger hunt sheets which make exploration on the trails even more fun. They welcome scouts of all levels and host a 'Scout It Out' badge program. The center also offers many school out reach programs. Some of the exhibits at the center include the 'Aqua-Water', 'Honey Bee Observation Hive', and 'The American Mastodon Discovery Dig'. There is even an area where adults and children can climb boulders if they are so inclined.
Recently my hubby, our grandson Ryan, and myself headed over to the center to see what we could see. It was a very pretty day for a walk in the woods.

When we arrived at the nature center we discovered that the main building was closed so we headed out on the trails. Do you see the boulders?

As we were walking along on the trails my hubby kept teasing Ryan about seeing a deer or a bear. Then Ryan said he saw a deer and I thought he was kidding as well. When I looked to my left I was pleasantly surprised because there it was!

The park is just beautiful and very clean. Volunteers work had to take care of it. The center also hosts an event called 'River Day' when the whole community is invited to come out and get involved.

As we were walking along I noticed two trees in the distant that were sparkling and shimmering in the sun light. It looked as though the trees had beautiful glowing blue leaves. I have never seen anything like it. It was absolutely amazing how gorgeous it was! As we got closer, suddenly thousands of winged things (I'm sorry but I don't know what they are called) flew up into the air and then slowly fluttered back down landing on the trees again. I don't think I've ever seen anything as beautiful as this! I couldn't capture them in flight but I was able to snap a close up of one of them.

We didn't see any water life but deers and butterflies were every where....

We really enjoyed our time there. I wanted to take Ryan back to search for bats which is another program the center offers. Apparently everyone meets in the evening to learn about bats. Then with flashlights in hand they walk the trails in the dark in search of bats. I thought it would be so much fun but our little Ryan wanted no part of that. He said, "Grandma, don't you know bats bite?" No matter how hard I tried to convince him I knew there was no way he was going to do it. Well, there is always next year :>)
I hope you enjoyed coming along with us to the nature center.

Thank you so much for all of the kind comments, e-mails, and prayers for my husband. He is home and doing well. In fact, we are both going to our grandson Tommy's first foot ball game tonight. GO COUGARS!!!

Charli has not liked staying home alone at all but I have a surprise for her which I think she will enjoy.

I hope all of you are having a lovely day ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

The 2010 Woodward Dream Cruise.....

The 2010 Woodward Dream Cruise...

The cruise is officially over, the vendors have packed up, and the people have gone back home. The memories still linger though of a more pleasant time when life was much simpler than it is today. At least that's what some of the people tell me that I meet out on the street on Woodward Ave.

The Woodward Dream Cruise is an annual event here in our area. It attracts millions of people and every year it just seems to get bigger and better. Today you actually have to rent a space along Woodward Ave to put up a tent or plop down a chair. If you like muscle cars, custom cars, classic cars, street rods, smoke, and the smell of burning rubber then this is the place for you. I won't say much more about the cruise as I have written extensively about it here in the past. However, I did want to share a few pictures with you.

Every year the cruise seems to take on a momentum of it's own. There is music every where from the radios in the cars on the street, to the broadcast systems set up here and there in the parking lots along the cruise route. Sometimes you see people dancing in the street and in the parking lots. Many Dream Cruise events are hosted by the area communities along the cruise route and this year there was even a first time ever food drive. Parties seem to be taking place every where in neighborhood houses along the cruise route as well. There is cruise attire from poodle skirts, to cruising hats, and official Dream Cruise shirts. Many local businesses have Dream Cruise greeting signs and some people deck out their lawns with ornaments like the one seen here. It is such a friendly atmosphere with people laughing, talking, and of course reminiscing about cars and growing up in the motor city.

These two ladies told me they come to the cruise every year and wouldn't miss it for the world. They wanted me to make sure I got a picture of their car shown above. Many people dress in attire to match their cars and these ladies are no exception. Just look at all of the pink!

I love this picture! I wonder what those two people, obviously in love, are thinking about? It looks like they may be reminiscing of a time when they first met and maybe of the car he first picked her up for a date in.

Here's a little GTO....

The cruise is not limited to cars either. There are also a lot of motorcycles!

Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my pictures of the cruise.

We have been monitoring my husbands pacemaker and sending EKG's to the doctors office for the past several months. Today he is having the pacemaker replaced. It is a very simple procedure but some what time consuming and worrisome. I feel I have been behind with my posts and comments. Hopefully I can get around to see all of you soon.

In the mean time, as always I am thinking of you and I hope all of you have a lovely day ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

The wedding of Ruby and Penny and Frankie!...

The wedding of Ruby and Penny and Frankie!

This has been quite a busy week here in blog land with all of the bachelor and bachelorette parties going on. The parties have all been leading up to a very exciting event that occurs today at two o'clock. It's the wedding of Ruby and Penny and Frankie! Just click here if you would like to read more about the wedding, make a donation to 'Dachshund Rescue of North America,' or perhaps attend the wedding yourself. Everyone is invited and just about everyone we know is going to be there. All you have to do is click here.... http://adachshundwedding.blogspot.com/

Charli is sending a virtual goodies basket to her little furry friends to enjoy while they are getting all dolled up for the big event. (Google has provided the image here for us. If you are ever in need of a doggy gift basket there are tons of places that provide them here on the Internet and loads of wonderful baskets to choose from.)

We would also like to remind everyone to please consider making a donation to your favorite canine charity. Please give what you can, when you can. There are so many precious little animals in need, and especially during these difficult economical times.......

Some of you may have seen this button on the side bar of my blog. Did you know that every time you click it you are helping to feed a sheltered animal in need? I hope you will take the time to click it today in honor of Ruby, Penny, and Frankie's wedding...

Charli's new friend Alien, at Romance Puppy, has been kind enough to offer her a ride to the wedding. Just click here if you would like to meet Alien and some of the other wedding guests who are hitching a ride to the wedding http://romancepuppy.blogspot.com/

Thank you Alien. You are very sweet indeed!

" Charli are you dressed? Are you ready to go yet?"

The wedding is being held outside so outside pictures were requested, but Charli being the little diva she is, didn't want to pose out in the grass. Her pictures were taken on the patio instead.

"What's that Charli? OK, I'll let them know."

Geese... That dog! Charli wants me to tell you a little bit about her outfit. Her straw hat......

"What's that Charli?"

"Oh, OK What ever!"

Charli's BEAUTIFUL straw hat, that she has helped pick out, is embellished with butterflies to match her gorgeous spaghetti strapped dress. She picked out the ribbon on the hat herself. She says she likes the color of the ribbon because it's pink and has glitter running through it that sparkles in the sun light.

Charli's dress is very summery looking with multi colored flowers and butterflies on it. She has also chosen to wear her pink pearls and said she wouldn't even consider going to a formal affair without them.

"Awww... Charli you look beautiful! But wait! What is that on your leg?"

"That's my garter."

"Your garter?"
"Yep. Don't you know your supposed to wear a garter at a wedding?"

"Um... Charli I think your a little confused here. The bride is supposed to wear the garter."
"Well I don't care. I'm gonna wear one any way."

"Look grandma. This is my attitude look."

Charli you are just too much!"

"Do you think they are gonna have treats?"

"I'm sure there will be a lot of treats."

"Oh boy! Let's go! I can't wait!"

"Well, you just better be on your best behavior and mind your manners young lady!"

Congratulations Ruby, Penny, and Frankie!!!

Happy wedding day!!!

It's not to late to join in the fun! The wedding is only a click away....

I hope all of you enjoy your day what ever it is you choose to do ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

Designer Dog Houses.....

Designer Dog Houses...

Recently Somerset, a mall in our area, hosted a fund raiser for the Oakland Pet Adoption Center,' in conjunction with a fashion show called the 'Animal House Collection,' which show-cased the Somerset Collection of fall trends in children's clothing. Children in the fashion show modeled outfits along with their pets. Pet accessories were also show-cased at the fashion show.


During the week prior to the fashion show visitors to the mall were invited to view the dog houses on display, make a donation if they chose, or purchase a blue print of their favorite dog house which included a treat for their pet and a chance to win one of the designer dog houses. The houses themselves were designed by LEGO and six area architectural firms. 'The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters' then donated their time to actually build the houses.


Although my grandson Ryan and I didn't attend the actual fashion show we did get a chance to see all of the dog houses and go out to lunch. Poor little Charli had to stay home, but Ryan and I made a donation and brought home treats to bake for Charli and Peeper.

The treat bags included all of the fixings to make home made dog biscuits excuding the liquid of course, a cookie cutter in the shape of a dog bone, and the plans to build a dog house of your choosing. The bags were tucked into pails of different colors which were placed all around and in the area of the displays.

Some of the displays were even set up in the mall's water fountain.

The red fire hydrant was specifically designed to hold monetary donations and purchases. All proceeds going to the 'Oakland Pet Adoption Center' as soon as the exhibit was dismantled.

Even though Ryan and I didn't win the designer dog house of our dreams we had a great time! I wish all of you could have been there.

The last two pictures are of one of Ryan's favorite things to do at the mall. I have to say all of our granchildren enjoyed it as well. They all loved to ride across the walk way that goes over the street and connects the two main buildings that make up the mall. Ryan doesn't like to ride on the escalators that go up, and down, but he does love to ride these and also the elevators. I mean what little boy or little girl wouldn't :>)

I hope you have enjoyed seeing the Somerset Mall designer dog house display.

http://www.thesomersetcollection.com/

My hubby, Charli, and myself are getting ready to go down to Woodward later today. The week leading up to the Woodward Dream Cruise is sooo much fun! Can't you just hear those engines?

I hope all of you are having a beautiful and blessed day ♥

With warmest regards, Carol