Tuesday's Ta-Da

How fun to find Miss Pea staring out at me when I reviewed my Esty activity feed this morning. She models a snood pattern from Angela of aandboriginals. Okay, this is definitely not a huge Ta-Da moment. She takes every chance she can for more attention, so the dogs and I put our hands and paws together to offer her a round of applause. While, she may not look very happy wearing it, she really does enjoy a snood in the freezing weather. Her scornful look is due to the fact she was not happy to pose for the camera. Scroll down to she the pretty treasury from dragonhouseofyuen.

'LOVE my Way' by dragonhouseofyuen

valentines day? uh huh ... he loves you .... uh huh .... then show me the RING !! .... No pinky stuff here - this is the real deal!

317 SLEEPY - PHOTOGRAPH... edart $15.00	Lana, the picaboo rabbi... ohriginals $26.00	Raw Diamond Sterling Si... betsybensen $225.00
Sun Pendant - Corn yell... aforfebre $25.00	A Rabbit for Easter tomaramaitra4 $55.00	Coffee And... Greeting ... NatalieWargin $3.50
PDF Crochet Pattern for... aandboriginals... $2.00	Small Bowl with Mishima... aspeerstudio $24.00	Semicircle Hoops Meetalls $39.00
SALE GIFT SET - 3 X Pu... matouenpeluche $25.00	The Floating World, an ... LaTouchables $146.00	Bird Watching Fine Art ... blindwolfspiri... $6.00
Diamond Notebook ohmyclumsyhear... $5.00	Candy Dish or Knitting ... BradSearsWoodt... $70.00	Upcycled fabric, Heart ... MollysFollies $9.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com.

Ermine the Mother Hare

Today I ran out to mail a package and stop at our local independent grocery store. I was lucky enough to find some super fresh kale. When I arrived home, I found our post office lady delivering a package, just as our grey sky opened up, letting snow flakes fall.

Ermine had arrived!

I had been waiting anxiously for her to make it here, all the way from Edinburgh, Scotland. I was one of the lucky winner's in the 2010 Winter Raffle to benefit RNGP in Rugby, England (Rabbit & Guinea Pig Rescue). You can learn more about Ermine and the raffle by visiting this page of the House Dragon of Yuen's blog. I could spend hours at this blog, losing myself in the stories and charming creations of Annette and other talented artists she features. Follow the link to Annette's shop and discover her hares, bunnies, and squirrels.

I thought it was timely that a brief snow squall happened as she was arriving as Ermine was named after the winter coat of a stoat.

Copied from Wikipedia:
The stoat or ermine, Mustela erminea, is a small predatory mammal of the family Mustelidae. It is also known as a Shorttail (or Short-tailed) Weasel and less frequently as the ermelin. Sometimes "ermine" refers to the animal only when it has white fur in the winter, and in this case "stoat" only refers to it when it has brown fur.

I had never heard of a stoat. It is also timely, in that, my last blog post talks about weasels and badgers.

The snow quickly stopped, and blue sunny skies are with us now. Ermine has settled in. She tasted her favorite food, fresh kale. She had her photo taken with Miss Sweet Pea. She is looking forward to meeting Gemmie (both have the biggest dark brown eyes). She'll be spending much of her time sitting in the writing arm windsor chair my father made me, watching the wild birds and squirrels through the window. At least until spring arrives, then she may become one of the only bunnies welcome in my garden.

Weasels and Badgers

Yesterday my Ferret Pink Paw Print Necklace was included in a cool Etsy treasury. I'm always honored to have my stuff selected for a treasury, since there are some many talented artists and lovely items to choose from. Thanks Bohemia Skye!

Any mention of a weasel, reminds me of the Fisher I saw a couple years ago. I was up extra early that morning, and have no one else to witness or enjoy the sighting of this creature. Some think I was dreaming. LOL It was running with it's strange gait along our stone wall. I had never seen one before and had no idea what it was. My first thought, since we have streams and small ponds all around us, was that I was looking at a river otter. It was so much bigger than the mink like animals (probably American martens) I saw growing up on my family's property. After researching, I learned it was a large fisher, which have begun to make a comeback into our southern part of New England.
Click on this link to read about them: Linky

'Weasels and Badgers' by BohemiaSkye

Treasures for weasel and badger lovers.

JaniceCordeiro $39.00	thelittlefox $12.00	Inloveagain $15.00
FrumsGlassMena... $15.00	jimbobart $37.50	Jellybum $3.50
makeit $45.00	mpatrizio $25.00	blackoutwell $3.50
SavageArtworks $15.00	Nightowlhandma... $11.00	thisisit $10.00
feltedwildlife $59.00	jaffajam $15.00	ravensdreaming $90.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Patterened Floor Tiles and My Kitchen Backsplash

On this first Sighthound Sunday of 2011, I'm sharing a few greyhound tiles.

First of all a photo of greyhound tiles from the floor of Sainte Chapelle in Paris, France.

This IG tile by Sondra Alexander is one of my personal favorites. Click here to see her shop.

I have searched the internet over and over for tiles these past few months. This summer, my husband and I decided to do some long overdue repairs to our home. Adding a gutter, replacing the back door and a couple of windows - mostly work we did own our own. Replacing the crumbling particle board kitchen cabinets was the major part of our home improvements.

Choosing a tile for the backsplash was a long (very long) search. I really wanted some tiles from Sarah Regan Snavely and matching field tile. I imagined a parade of winged animals, her horse, greyhound, cat, and maybe a cow, under my kitchen window sink. Lots of movement in the design and lots of stars.

Ultimately, I decided the early american kitchen I have dreamed of, was not exactly in keeping with our home's contempory style. The plain, simple, off white, and much cheaper tile we ordered, will arrive in another week or two. Yeah! All decorating decisions are finished and we will begin installing the last home repair for a long while. Oops. I forgot. I still need to decide on a grout color.

Welcome New Year 2011

It is hard to believe that it was 11 years ago today, we were breathing a sigh of relief over the fact that the world did not come to an end at midnight, New Year's Eve 1999. The software put in place worked and computers continued to keep the world running as we knew it. How much the world has changed since midnight December 31st, 1999!

I spent today the same way I did January 1st 2000. Enjoying a lazy weekend day with my husband and pets, simmering food on the stove, while watching movies. The best way to spend the first day of the new year.

Pepie spent some time sleeping with his Y2K bug.

Happy New Year 2011

I hope it is happy and healthy.

Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis sing auld lang syne in Barga.



I also love this one...Dan Folgalberg's Same Auld Lang Syne

Lampworking 101

My husband bought me a beginners lampworking kit a while back. These beads are my very first attempt. My first and only attempt at lampworking.

I really enjoyed working with the flame. Watching the glass melt, continually rolling it onto the mandrel, adding decorative bits of glass, and millifori was totally cool. I'm definitely going to try working with it again, after the weather breaks and my garage "studio" is much warmer. Yet at this moment, I wonder if it is really the right medium for me. I found myself worrying about every movement, being afraid to burn myself or my house. Perhaps with practice the whole "dance with glass and flame" would become second nature and more enjoyable. We shall see.

While I already had a tremendous amount of respect for those that work glass with fire, having tried my hand at it, my admiration is even greater.

One place to admire the work of masters is the Museum of Natural History at Harvard University. My nephew is on their swim team, so in a couple weeks I plan to watch him compete. Then off to the museum to see the Glass Flower Collection exhibit. This will be my second visit to see these flowers.


The Blashka's of Dresden, Germany spent 50 years making life size glass replicas of about 846 plants. I was mesmerized by the lifelike detail of each piece and the sheer number of them. Bless my husband's heart. I know he walked around and saw a bunch of aged, fading glass flowers, in very old dusty display cases, yet he said he enjoyed the exhibit. Me, a gardener and someone who appreciates the work involved in making each piece, was blown away. I was totally eating it up. Can't wait to go back! Click here to visit the Musuem's website about the Glass Flowers Exhibit

Sighthound Holiday Wallhanging

I never found time to post my decorations before Christmas, so I'm sharing a few of my favorites on this Sighthound Sunday. The snow is falling and the strong winds are making blizzard conditions outside. It is the perfect day for snuggling inside with my husband, our sighthound pack, with many glowing christmas lights, enjoying a relaxing day.

This little wallhanging was purchased some years ago from the Biggy Iggy Auction. I believe, if my memory is correct, the artist who donated this work was named Margaret Allison. Her son designed the IG silhouette. I also purchased a spring wallhanging with the same IG, and 3D flowers. Both are a treasuried part of my sighthound collection.

For a little more than a year, I have been collecting old cylinder candles, sometimes called sugar candles. In the mid to late 70's, when I was in school, we sold these as fundraisers. Making my usually thrift/consignment shop rounds, I found 3 of these candles for under a dollar each. I came home, did a little online research and discovered what a great deal I had stumbled upon. I was surprised at the prices on Ebay, especially for the religious themed and pretty landscape designs. I never finished decorating the garland or the greyhound statues (another greyt bargain), but I still enjoyed the candles nestled between the dogs. I hope you do too. I hope they inspire you in some way.

Annual Holiday Card 2010

holiday card 2010
Originally uploaded by Frums Glass Menagerie

Tony's Sweet Pea

Tony's Sweet Pea
Originally uploaded by Frums Glass Menagerie

Just a quick post for this Sighthound Sunday:
The sighthound this week is a portrait by Tony, my 6 year old nephew, done on thanksgiving day. Sweet Pea was laying on her side in front of the fire. Tony made a noise which caused Pea to lift her head and look in his direction. They caught eyes for a moment. Tony quickly ran to his paper and pen to capture her portrait. Watching him get inspiration, then run to his paper was so much fun. He did this with the logo on his father's shirt, the mouse figurine on my side table, each of our dogs.

I hope he continues to draw.

Honeyville Farms - Cookin' Cousins: Give-Away!!!!!!

The Cookin' Cousins are giving away 3 combo packages of dried foods. They are great for soup making, baking, any cooking. We have been using Honeyville Farms' almond flour in our /Paleo Diet/low carbohydrate/ way of cooking. We enjoy it.

Honeyville Farms - Cookin' Cousins: Give-Away!!!!!!: "Hello ya'll!!!! Ready for a Give-Away?!? We are giving away 3 Combo Packs!!!! You have until Monday, December 20th at 8pm pacific time.&nbsp..."

Fun New HTML Code Tool for Etsy Treasury

My necklace was included in a treasury and thought I'd share. It is such a pretty collection, made by one of my PetsJubliee team members. It think it evokes a peaceful and serene feeling.
This is the first time I tried a new (new to me) tool for inserting treasuries into blogs and websites. Check it out here: Etsy Treasury HMTL Code Tool
This generator was made by Whale Shark Websites. I must thank PetsJubilee members for my new tool. The Etsy Wish tool by Whale Shark Websites looks like fun too.
Please scroll down to see treasury.

'Navy Nativity' by SassySashadoxie

Navy items for Christmas or just for anyone who loves navy blue. Merry Christmas from Sasha and me to all of you!

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph... angelpupscreat... $12.00	Itty Bitty Stuffed Dog ... DogBarks $10.00	Blue, Yellow and Purple... lynliao3 $38.00
Cattails Polymer Clay P... ValeriesStuff $22.00	Christmas Ornament - Ch... LaughingFridge $12.00	Oblong Scarf Satin Silk... jingjingdesign $20.00
Embroidered Snowflake B... SeptemberHouse $65.00	Versitile Snoodle Hand ... anywear $15.00	Personalized Nativity C... TurnbowDesigns $40.00
Pair of 2 Lattice Work ... WillaSkyeHome $64.00	Sale. FREE CHAIN. Bhind... caughtredhande... $	SALE Payton (Single Str... WhatAGirlWants... $30.00
Nativity Scene Cake Pan... ConnieHilePain... $15.00	Running Dog Glass Neckl... FrumsGlassMena... $20.00	One Bar Moon of Pandora... layla $4.25

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Etsy Beagle Team Challenge

Here is my latest creation. It was made for the Etsy Beagles Team holiday challenge. The theme of the challenge was, Happy Howlidays.

I made similar necklaces for my sister (and myself) last year. It is whimsical and lots of fun to wear. I receive so many compliments on it. I've decided to make more that are decorated in a way that makes them appropriate to wear year round. Maybe a gardening snowlady? Perhaps a fishing snowman? A cat loving snowlady? A tropical Snowman with flamingos and palm trees? This could be lots of fun. Any ideas or requests?

I would like to invite you all to stop by the Etsy Beagles Team blog. You'll see each of the entries and a quick comment on which is your fave, gives you a chance to win a prize.

Visit the team blog at: http://etsybeagles.blogspot.com/2010/12/etsy-beagles-happy-howlidays-blog.html

Falconry - Rock in the Sea - Shocking Blue

Tricia, of the blog Carried Away, posted this YouTube link. The video from BBC is taken from a camera on the back of a bird trained in falconry. The bird soars above an ocean and cliff, then zooms through trees in a forest. The forest scene reminds Tricia, and I, of the scene in Return of the Jedi' as they fly through the giant trees on their land speeders. The music accompaning the video is Rock in the Sea by Shocking Blue, a Dutch band of the late 60's and ealy 70s. I love the music and video together.

I'm also reminded of the lady who would bring her birds to my grandparents farm. She would stop in the house, talk for a while, then take the birds out to the fields. I remember feeling so lucky to have been visiting my grandparents on the same day she was there. It was very exciting to watch the birds fly out and soar around. It was so amazing to watch them always return to a person. It still is!

I found this page about Saluki and falconry, titled Falconer's Dream. I like the photo of the dog and the bird. It briefly speaks of how highly regarded the Saluki was by the Abrabians. Throughout the middle ages, hounds and falconry was a sport of wealthy nobelman. Given my personal experience with my 4 tiny hounds, it is hard to believe they share genes with dogs that hunt. My lap dogs only lounge and wait for dinner to be served.

I am always searching for sighthound collectibles. I purchased a Delft tile at a rescue fundraiser some years ago. It shows a hunt scene with a man resting by a tree with his dogs...some of which look like sighthounds. In the background is another man with his birds. The following YouTube video gives the description and history of falconry. It gives insight to what my delft tile is actually depicting. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufstmgDtNrM

Mosaic for Monday: Fence Climbing Dog

Mosaiced Dog
Originally uploaded by schexnayderfaith

Credit goes to Rebecca of ArtDogBlog for locating on Flickr and featuring this concrete mosaic sculpture on her blog. I enjoy reading her blog and admire her Art Paw pet portraits.

The sculptor has a batch of photos on Flickr of this amazing piece. Make sure you click on the photo to the right, then the photostream to see the various photos of this sculpture. It's face is wonderful.

It makes me smile, as it reminds me of Cinnamon. Cinnamon was a mixed breed dog of my childhood. He looked very much like a fawn great dane. His family was at witts end because he scaled the fence, climbing out of every boarding facility he stayed at. When they discovered my father's veterinary hospital, which had covered kennel runs, Cinnamon stayed put, and our two families became very close friends as a result.

If I were a wealthy person, I'd commission the artist to make a Cinnamon sculture, which I would give to our friends. I love to see my four dogs climbing our fence...only in similar concrete mosaic scultures. Thankfully they are not fence climbers.

Our Neighbor

It has been a very long time with no post. I have been so very busy this summer with the usually summer parties, birthday parties, with lots of garden and yard work. The recent heatwave has me watering overtime. I thought I would take a break from the outdoor work, to share with you all a photo of our neighbor...a beautiful, large black bear.

The photo was on the July 2010 cover of our little town newspaper. I did not recognize the street name of where it was taken, so I pulled out a map. It turns out the street next to us changes names as it makes a 90 degree turn. So a thin strip of trees separates our street from the street where this big guy was photographed. Lots of bear around here, so having this guy so close shouldn't really be a surprise.

I think it is so very cute. I would like to squeeze it's little cheeks. No worries! I am a bit smarter than that. The sensible thing is to stay far away and keep property free of yummy bear treats. Perhaps I'll pull out a paint brush to paint it.

Connecticut has lots of wooded areas, perfect for bears to be very happy. With an easy source of food, human garbage cans, bird seed in feeders, they are increasing in numbers. Very surprising to me, was yesterday's article in a local paper telling about a bear attack on a quarter horse. I had no idea they would attack something that large. The horse should be okay and the owner believes the horse was protecting it's corral, perhaps startling the bear who climbed into the fenced area. Read about the incident and the start of a bear hunting debate here: Are bears fair game? The Republican-American

Beading for Greyhounds

Grace, of Etsy's Gracebeading, has used a Frum's Glass greyhound cabochon to make a gorgeous donation to First State

Greyhound Rescue group. It is exquisite. What really shocked me, is how quickly she whipped it up. Seems like it was only mailed a few days ago. She may be making another for me, which I will donate to help the Italian Greyhounds.

I hope you'll find a moment to check out Grace's blog to see what a few beads, a focal piece, bits of microsuede, and lots of talent can make. Thank you Grace for generously helping the greyhounds, and other charities as well.