The Last Day of 2007: 10 Easy New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep!

Happy New Year's Eve 2007! Can you believe it? Tomorrow will be 2008.

Have you made your resolution yet? Essentially a resolution is a pledge or promise to do or not do something.
Perhaps you've given up on making a New Year's Resolution because they always get broken. Well, I've got a few simple and easy resolutions which don't take much effort but do benefit your fellow human or animal.

Choose to do one or choose a few (maybe even more than a few!). These resolutions are guaranteed to be easy and then this coming year you can say, with a smile, that you kept your New Year's Resolution!

Call an elderly relative after the holidays are over. Let them know you care "just because."

Take 15 minutes to visit a local animal shelter and pet at least one dog or cat. They need TLC too.

Give your dog or cat a 5 minute belly rub. Not only do they love the attention, but you'll come away relaxed too.

Write a note to a friend who lives far away. It doesn't have to be long, just a short message they won't expect.

Smile at three people in one day. Someone having a bad day will really appreciate the random act of kindness.

Drop one penny on the ground somewhere. You've just given someone else a little "luck" for the year.

Plant a single flower in a pot or in your yard. A butterfly, bird, or snail will be thankful.

Buy a bag of birdseed and feed your backyard birds. You'll be amazed at the happy chirping sounds.

Donate a few blankets to the local animal shelter. The blankets will give some dogs and cats a warm bed at night.

You know those plastic holders for six packs of soda? Cut one up before throwing the plastic away. Make sure there are no loops. This insures that wild animals won't get trapped inside one.

I hope you try at least one of these ideas. If you do, please drop a line letting me know or add a comment.

Oh, and please have a safe and sane New Year's. Don't drink and drive. And please make sure your pets are safely inside during the night (since fireworks and party poppers scare dogs, cats, birds, and all animals).

Happy New Year!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

"Santa's Dog", Merry Christmas Eve and Mars!

A Christmas Song

THE LYRICs:

On Christmas Eve the sleigh bells ring
Jingling through the fog
And the second reindeer on the right
Looks like Santa's dog

Now his dog was most adventurous
And dearly loved to roam,
But on one night each wintertime
They made him stay at home.

A wise owl in a Christmas tree
Thought it rather odd
That the second reindeer on the right
Looked like Santa's dog

Now, everyone who has a dog
Believes that they can't fly.
But Santa's dog is dogged
So perhaps he had a try.

An astronaut way up in space
Noted in his log
That the second reindeer on the right
Looked like Santa's dog

The poor thing has no antlers
He may be getting old
But Santa's dog has husky blood
To protect him from the cold

A lone policeman on patrol
On his weary homeward plod
Thought the second reindeer on the right
Was possibly Santa's dog.

Soon everyone was tucked up tight
Sleeping like a log
But the very first one to close his eyes
Was definitely Santa's dog.

© 2006 M Metcalfe

-----

I thought this was cute! Also, tonight you'll be able to see Mars next to the moon. Check it out, because it won't occur again until 2016!

Merry Christmas Eve all!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Dogs Woof, Are You Listening?

Aren't those dogs just the cutest? I bet you didn't know we were talking to you when we woof and bark, did ya? :-)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good woof!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Cats Meow, Are You Listening?

I think it's actually, "Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?"

However, isn't this just the cutest kitty convo ever? As a dog, I can't decipher their lingo. But I can tell you those two are awful cute. I've often wondered what the cats in the neighborhood are meowing about when I take my daily walks. Perhaps Goober (that's Mrs. O's cat from a couple doors down--she's a real sweet cat who loves to chase butterflies and drops by for a slice of lemon meringue in the summer) can give me the translation when I stop by for some blackberry tea.

Merry Christmas!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Last Minute Dog Gift Ideas for Christmas

If you've got a dog who likes to lounge:
This darling Coleman Bone Lounger Pet Bed at Costco is available for $27.99 (shipping & handling included). Express shipping is available. I know I'd be a happy dog in that cute bed!




If you've got a dog with a lot of toys:
This Dog Breed Organizer Tote is available at L.L. Bean for $49.00 (Free shipping and will arrive in time for Christmas if ordered before December 21st!). What a darling tote for the dog park!



If you like to spoil your dog:
Finally, this Iconic Bath Pet Brush 2.0 from Sharper Image will surely keep you out of the doghouse for $39.95 (if you order before the 21st, it'll be there by Christmas). What a nifty gift to treat your dog to a day at the spa.

Now, have yourself a Merry Christmas!

If all else fails, head to the local animal shelter and pet a few dogs who need a home. The love you give them will be the best gift ever.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Snowflakes in Southern California?

Yep, it's true. We can have snowflakes here in good ole sunny Southern California. Of course, they are virtual snowflakes.

Here's a great site to make your own snowflakes. You can even save them (Can't really do that with the real ones now can ya?).

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Bulldog Nightmare Before Christmas?

I'm not sure if this little guy is having a nightmare or just a good doggie dream of chasing rabbits. Either way, that's one talkative doggie. Woof woof! I dream like this sometimes. My paws twitch, my tongue hangs out, but luckily no one tosses a toy at me to wake me up. Talk about an alarm!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Cute Etsy Ad!

I really think this ad is cute. The little rope dog made my day. :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Todd Oldham Wants Your DIY Christmas Craft Videos

Isn't this cool? Todd Oldham is asking for crafters to upload a do-it-yourself video. He'll choose 12 videos to be featured on YouTube and the lucky 12 will garner fame and... Ok, so the fame will be internet acclaim. The fortune, not so much. After all, the people watching YouTube "How to" videos are looking to make the craft themselves. But still, it's Todd Oldham. He's got some way nifty ideas and I've always loved watching him (like when he had his own style show on MTV).

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. If you do upload a crafty DIY video, let me know. I'll be glad and post the video here too. :-)

PeachPoP Oz Collector Appreciation!

A big Thank-you goes out to a special PeachPoP collector, her husband, and fur family!

Look at this wall of PeachPoP art at her home. Ozsome! We're so honored to have such a wonderful family like our art.

We tip our hats to this special family. Merry Christmas!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

A Little Rusty in The Outer Zone

I watched the Tinman. Hmm, it's a very hard mini series to describe. I liked the characters of DG, Mr. Cane, Azkadellia, Glitch, The Mystic Man, and Raw.

This series is a dark take on The Wizard of Oz. A world where the Yellow Brick Road is broken and known as "the old road" to oldtimers in The Outer Zone or OZ. I enjoyed the darkness and the story of DG as a young girl. The realm was a little too out there. Mr. Cane is just great. I love his character and the actor who played him.

Overall, I was pleased that I watched the series. The retelling made for a kind of bizarro Oz world. The monkeys alone are a trip.

If you like Tim Burton (I do!), enjoy The Twilight Zone and have a passion for Bladerunner, then this movie will be up your alley. It's just weird enough to make me want to watch the whole series again to catch the homages I missed the first time around.

My only disappointment was the ending, which I won't spoil. Let's just say the editing felt like a snip instead of a fade.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

"We're Off to See the Wizard"

To say we love the original Wizard of Oz movie is an understatement. I mean, after all, Toto is a good hero to have if you're a dog like me.

Thus when we heard that the Sci-Fi Channel would have a mini series retelling of this classic story, well, we were all excited.
Unfortunately, things came up due to the series airing right around the beginning of December (the elves were busy around here).

Well friends, the chance to watch the whole series in one evening is here. Tonight at 5pm (PST) on the Sci-Fi Channel, the mini series Tinman is airing. Yippee! I can watch all three episodes in one evening. Plus, M can embroider or sketch while watching with me.

Now I know there is no way the mini series will do the original any justice. But, as long as it's not a remake (Ugh! The only good remake I've seen was Dawn of the Dead lately.) and just a modernization, I'm a-ok with that kind of mini series.

So, "I'll see you on the road."

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Current Projects and Artwork

The Christmas Pickle


Our House


True Love Will Last

I woke up around 7am (PST) this morning. The sun's rays casting a steady stream right across the pillow. A nice refreshing way for a doggie to wake, eh?

By 7:30am I was at the sewing machine. Can you believe it? I'm a doggie who sews. There's something alluring about stitching. I find myself daydreaming about patterns and such. Perhaps it's a dying art, but I sure hope not. If you've
never felt the urge to sew, crochet, knit or embroider, you really should give the needle arts a try. You'll find something fun and the ideas are endless.

Needless to say, we're working on a lot of projects around the studio today. A few of our latest are above. Don't you just love the look on The Christmas Pickle? Once I heard about this tradition a few years back, I have grown quite fond of the pickle. You see, you hang the pickle somewhere on your Christmas Tree and then on Christmas Day everyone looks for the infamous pickle. Some pickles are made of glass, others papier mache, and still some unique ones are hand sewn. The person who finds the pickle is awarded with good fortune and luck for the year ahead. Now that's the way to start off the day! :-)

Have a wonderful day ahead. I'm sipping my coffee and thinking of how I'm going to get all the things done that need to be done. Yikes, that was a hard sentence to type, lol.

Merry Christmas to all!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941

It's been 66 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Today is a day to remember those brave men and women who gave their lives for our country.

Thank-you and God Bless America.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

What Happened to Christmas!

Is Christmas disappearing before our very eyes?


This year the trees are all "holiday" trees, rather than Christmas Trees. And I suppose "holiday" ornaments are what we use as decorations? I think not.

The lights we decorate our homes with are now "holiday" lights. Well, no, at my home they are Christmas lights and it says so on the plastic box we store them in. Heck, the lights are even in the original box reading Christmas Lights for Exterior Display. Go figure.

This year the boxed cards mostly read: "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays." I'm assuming "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Hanukkah" have just been left out by...mistake? Maybe the printing presses were offended.

This year it's definitely not called Christmas break at school. No, it's "Winter Recess" or a lovely spin-off referred to as "Winter Holiday."

This year the kids can't sing "Merry Christmas", "Jingle Bells", or any mention of good old Saint Nick. Yikes!

This year Santa Claus has been banned from uttering "Ho, Ho, Ho" for fear of offending American women. Gee, way to stifle the Freedom of Speech for Santa, err, I mean the jolly old elf? Wait, no Santa, right? Ok, no gifts then, right?

Is everyone forgetting why we celebrate Christmas in the first place? The last time I checked the twenty fifth of December is about the birth of Jesus. Oh my gosh, I said the ultimate holiday profanity word. Jesus. Oh my gosh! I said Jesus again.

And you know what? I'm not going to stop. I'm going to sign my CHRISTMAS cards with a big fat black letters spelling out MERRY CHRISTMAS. I'm going to decorate my CHRISTMAS TREE with CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS and then I'm going to sing "OH HOLY NIGHT" while waiting for SANTA CLAUS to come down my chimney. I'll know he's arrived because he'll be saying "HO, HO, HO" and M and M won't be a bit offended by his exclamation.

If you think I'm a little upset by the ridiculous movement to take all religion out of Christmas, well, you're right. I'm all for everyone to have their own beliefs. More power to you! But when you try to take away all that makes Christmas special , I'm likely to get all North Pole on ya. Yeah, that's right, ya "better watch out whose naughty and nice."

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. If for any reason this has offended anyone, I have to ask, why were you reading a post about Christmas in the first place silly? :-P

Wednesday Winter Woo

Today I woke up and barked "woo!" Do you know why? I barked a woof without the f because I realized just how darn cold I was this morning. Yikes! You know what silly M did? She thought she had turned up the thermostat to make the home all toasty and warm. But, instead of turning up the heat, she had turned it all the way off! Holy dog biscuits! I managed a 4am alarm with my pathetic half woof and caught the thermo mistake in the nick of time. Phew!

I will now accept my required cup of coffee as a reward for my heroic discovery.

Ok, a sip of coffee will do too. Heck, a little cinnamon bun would do nicely too (I can smell them baking, woof).

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Christmas on a Budget: 5 Steps to a $$$ Stress Free Holiday

I know that this time of year can be stressful. Some are watching their wallets, some are watching their weight and some are just stressed over everything they have to do in such a short amount of time. There's the baking, the shopping, the gift wrapping and then finding that perfect outfit for New Year's Eve. The office holiday parties, the family get togethers and the frequent trips to stand in line at the mall are enough to drive anyone bonkers during December.

So, how can you keep the Christmas cheer and not break the bank? Well, here are some handy tips to keep in mind:

Step 1: Make the Gifts Yourself

If you are crafty, you can make a ton of gifts yourself. Not only will the gift be handmade by you, but the gift will be unique and not one of those mass produced gifts. Plus, most of the time, you'll either have the supplies to make the gift on hand or be able to purchase the supplies on even the tightest of budgets.

Can you sew, knit, crochet, embroider, glue paper, draw, scrapbook, or use a lathe? Ok, maybe you don't have a lathe. But there are some really wonderful gifts a woodworker can make (dovetail boxes, pens, ornaments, a nativity creche, jewelry box, etc.).

Ok, so what can the crafter in you make? Here are some nifty ideas to spark the crafty gene into gear:

• knit or crochet a scarf for that cold bodied friend of yours


• make a set of coasters for those party animal friends


• create a handmade bookmark for the bookworm


• crochet a set of hangers for the shop-a-holic


• sew finger puppets for the little ones


• make some marble magnets out of old maps for the folks who love to travel


• melt a vinyl record to make a popcorn bowl for the movie buff


• sew a reusable grocery bag for the your vegan friend


• copy heirloom recipes onto handmade recipe cards for the nostalgic cook


• make handmade sheets of paper from recycled paper for your pen pal


• melt old broken crayons into dixie cups to make chubbie crayons for budding little artists

Here are some crafty places to get you started:

Craftster.org
Not Martha
DIY Network
HGTV


Step 2: Bake Your Gifts

If you can bake, the ideas are endless and delicious:

• Write your most prized recipes on handmade cards with a small antecdote


• The old stand by: bake cookies and include your recipe on a card


• Make a mix in a jar (pancakes, biscuits, special spice mixes, etc.)


• Homemade candy in a jar or gift box

Here are some yummy places to get you started:

Baking Gifts at About.com
Marth Stewart Edible Gifts
Christmas Baked Goods

Step 3: Write Your Gifts

Maybe you are talented with words, or have trouble saying what you mean. Well, you can make your gift be the gift of words.

Here are some ideas to get the pen rolling:

• Write a love letter and say all those sweet nothings you've kept bottled inside


• Compose a poem (and let it rhyme if you want!)


• Make handmade cards for someone who is housebound and loves to send cards (add stamps to the envelopes, if it's in the budget)

Step 4: Go Techno

Have you got the knack for music, playlists, or photography? If you've got a computer and a printer (a scanner, audio converter, and analog to dvd converter are also helpful), you can make some great homemade techno gifts.

Here are some computer savy ideas to get those gifts digitized:

• Burn a CD of family photos with funny captions


• Burn a CD of travel photos accompanied by your own audio narration


• Make a DVD of baby photos and/or movies for the grandparents


• Create a holiday music CD for the son or daughter in Iraq


• Scan old photos or slides and make vintage prints for your family to re-enjoy

Step 5: Recycle an Old Gift

Now, you'll have to be careful. Don't give Aunt Sally the same green vase she gave you last year. Instead, think of new uses for old objects. And remember, regifting or rethinking an object is really a way to be environmentally friendly!

Here are some recycled ideas for the eco-friendly gift giver:

• Re-cover a journal using a: 5.25" floppy disk, cereal box, calendar picture, vintage poster, etc..


• Inside out a stuffed animal for a funky art doll


• Use scrabble tiles to create earrings, magnets, pendants or cufflinks


• Make a votive candle holder from an empty can (be sure and clean the can and make sure there are no sharp edges)


• Make a Christmas ornament from one of those "junk mail" CD's

You can enjoy Christmas! Just take a deep breath and don't let the little things get in the way. If you haven't got two cents to rub together, you can have a bountiful holiday by giving the gift of yourself.

Secret Bonus Tip: Give Time

If you are stone cold broke, you can always give your time. Make handmade coupons that are redeemable for a night of babysitting for your sister and brother-in-law who need a date night, an afternoon of gardening for your elderly friend who is recovering from hip surgery, or maybe a coupon to spend time with your Grandpa who loves to play checkers and smoke cigars.

It's not about the money. You are taking the time to think of someone during Christmas. You are making the time to create something that they can't find on the shelf at their local mall.

And lastly, you had a stress free holiday because you took the $ out of Christmas.

~Merry Christmas~

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Christmas Bandwagon

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. I gave in. I couldn't stand not having anything up for Christmas. I mean, gosh, Thanksgiving was last week. Normally, I'm hanging snowflakes on the 28th. But this year, what with Turkey Day on the 22nd, I got thrown off.

So, I went a little wonky and redid the banner for our Etsy shop. Then, I just had to add a bow. And what do you know, a little "Merry Christmas" gave it the cheery greeting.

Let me know if you like the new look.

And, just because it's still November...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that I also made peppermint tea. Yum! Puts me in the Christmas spirit.

Sudoku Madness

I have a new bad habit. Perhaps some share in the madness. Sudoku. Sudoku is a crazy little numbers puzzle. In normal Sudoku games you have the numbers 1 through 9. Each grid requires every number, but only once. Each line horizontally and vertically requires this same sequence of numbers 1 through 9. Again, the numbers can only occur once horizontally and once vertically in each row. Ahh, tricky tricky.

I find myself having doggie dreams about numbers. Weird, huh? I even figured out a cool way to do multiplication of large numbers, just for fun. Like 1114 by 1114. There's a nifty little trick one can use and it works on HUGE numbers. Very impressive among the dog crowd.

Oh my gosh. I just realized I'm a math nut. Uh oh, it's official. I'm PJ, and I'm a dog geek.

Who cares! It's all about the numbers baby.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Fisher Price: Retro Fun!

I love Fisher Price Little People! Oops, I meant to say, I love vintage Fisher Price Little People. There's just something so darn cute about those little wooden bodies that sit in the cute plastic chairs in little schoolhouses. And the expressions on the little people faces! The expressions are so funny. I especially like the Lucky Dog. He's got a satisfied grin. It's as if he is in on a secret that we don't know about.

Maybe he got into the Fisher Price barn and chased some Fisher price plastic chickens while riding the little green and yellow tractor? Or maybe he just got back from the Wagon Circus and is stuffed full of bubblegum flavored cotton candy (or faerie floss as we like to call it).

Either way, that little grin is quite perplexing and made for a retro inspired hand sewn ornament that you see above. I hope you enjoy.

Here's to a little retro fun on a super busy Sunday. :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Black Coffee on Black Friday

I don't get the whole concept of Black Friday. I'm not what you'd call a shop-a-holic, nor am I a shopping phobic. I fall somewhere in between. I shop at brick & mortar stores when I have to and only as a last resort. I mean, that's the convenience
of being online. Even a dog like me can buy gifts online from the comfort of home. A digital camcorder? No problem. I could order and pay for one online at like 2am in my pajamas if I wanted to.

Back to Black Friday. I've seen the ads. There are some nifty bargains to be had, if you've got the will and determination. Sites like Black Friday Ads and The Black Friday had all the deals for today. From $300.00 laptops to $4.00 crock pots. The sales are sure tempting. I mean, did you see the people lined up last night for goodness sake? In the cold? It made me wonder. Is it worth the hassle?

I have to admit, one year I did give the whole Black Friday a try. The key word here is I only did it once. The early morning hours, the long lines, and worst of all, the cranky (ok, rude) people made me Thankful for not having tried doing so before. And what did I learn?

Well, this year I didn't wake up at 3am. I didn't drink down a few cups of coffee to wake myself up and drive the 405 freeway to the mall. I wasn't cupping my freezing hands together while standing in a line that wrapped around the store. There was no made rush through those double glass doors and into the florescent lit store. The clatter of baskets didn't hit me in the ankles and I didn't get pushed from behind because someone wanted the exact Toy Story DVD I happened to be looking at.

Heck, I didn't even make it out of my pajamas until after 9am. Instead, I watched the crowds of people shoving and pushing their way into Best Buy, Toys R' Us and WalMart to have a chance at some pretty cool bargains.

No, this year I am thankful for having learned that Black Friday is code for "stay home." Don't get we wrong, I'm sure people had a lot of fun and came home with bags full of wonderful gifts at 50-70% off.

As for me, I prefer a cup of black coffee on Black Friday. Each sip a warm reassurance that I've once again made
the right choice.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Let Us Give Thanks on Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I hope your day is filled with hugs from friends, bear grinning laughter from family, and lots of warm fuzzy memories to share for a lifetime.

Oh, and homemade cranberry. I mustn't forget the cranberry. It goes with almost everything!


Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Munchkin Land Hits Hollywood

We here at PeachPoPs love The Wizard of Oz. And after 68 years, the Munchkins are finally getting a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are only nine "munchkins" left out of the original 124. I think that's pretty amazing. There's something magical about the movie and it will always carry a special place in this doggie heart.

I'm so glad they are celebrating these beloved characters. Now, click those heels together and watch out for falling houses.

I'm off to see the Wizard...well, ok, I just heard the oven open and warm peanut butter (doggie safe) cookies are ready. Yum.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

"Please, don't squeeze the Charmin!"

Oh, Mr. Whipple, you will be sorely missed. I can't tell you the number of times I have shredded, err, squeezed, the toilet paper. I mean, I can't resist. It's so soft to touch with my paws. It tastes good when I like to chew the pieces and I can tease kittens with a couple of squares.

So, Thank-you Mr. Whipple for a memorable tv ad and for bringing a smile to my doggie face on Nick at Nite.

Bark at you later,
Pj the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy Customer: Sarah!

Here's cutie Sarah wearing Hodgepodge, the Hedgehog! Thank-you Sarah!









Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Vroom Vroom Baby!

Ahh, if only us dogs could drive. Imagine the drive-thru's we'd have access to.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. Shameless plug: This painting is for sale on our website.

Freaky Fabulous Friday

Today M had a blast. M went to a local fabric store (I waited in the car with the other M) and picked out any and every color of embroidery thread that caught her eye. From pear green to powder blue, the choices are endless. Normally M has a project in mind, but today, she just went, well, bonkers!

M never knew seeing so many color combinations of six strands of thread would have her walking away smiling. The other M and I were laughing at the grin across her face when she came out.

Did I mention M made me my very own plushie? It's allllll mine. I can lick the eyes. I can chew on the head. I can do anything to the poor little plushie (don't worry, I luv my wil plushie boo). The bestest part...it's mine, mine, mine!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

It's Bionic Wednesday!

I have been hearing that saying during the summer and the fall. Somehow, the phrase has stuck in my head and now I refer to every Wednesday as "Bionic Wednesday!" Sure, I may not catch the remake of the beloved series every single episode (a dog's gotta party too), but I love the idea of being bionic.

So, I don't have a super strong arm or bionic hearing. But I have been known to bark before someone knocks. And though I don't have bionic legs, I can zip around at the beach and chase small waves away.

As far as having a microchip, well, we can't give away all the company secrets, now can we?

I hope you have a super Bionic Wednesday. I know I'm going to try my best.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Insomnia Sketching

The other day M happened to have read a little story about "The Library Policeman." "The Library Policeman" is one of four novellas in King's collection of stories from Four Past Midnight. Now, I believe two ("The Langoliers" and "Secret Garden") have been made into movies. The latter starring Johhny Depp and a most delicious (butter? would you like some butter with your corn?) ending.

I digress. Anyhoo, the other day M reread "The Library Policeman" and proceeded to fall asleep. Well, so M thought. Instead M had a nightmare about a psycho killer librarian. M awoke to find myself in a pitch black room and wide awake. I mean the kind of alertness that usually escapes M until she's had four cups of hot steaming coffee. M could see clearly that the clock read 2am or so in the morning. What to do? Well, grab a sketch pad and doodle.

M awoke in the morning to find the above sketch (well, there are two more of a ghastly bride and groom). So, somewhere after sketching and before waking, M must have fallen back asleep. Luckily, no library books were involved.

I, on the other paw, found one of the four sketches and disposed of it in a very shred happy moment. M didn't know this until now. Tsk tsk on me. I'm a bad doggie. But sometimes a sketch is too scary, even for me.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

You Know It's NanoWrimo & November When...

M almost overcooked some spinach and potato quiche. Guess what she was doing? Yep, typing and typing and typing.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Now the Clocks Go Back

Recently we had a bit of a fiasco of sorts. Our clocks went a bit, well, wonky. All went back to normal, and now they have "Fallen Back" for Daylight Savings Time.

But it got me thinking. Not too long ago, we had to physically set our clocks in every room of the house. Now, the clocks set themselves via a signal directed to Fort something in somewhere Colorado (I think, lol). Kinda weird. The tv's set themselves, the alarm clocks set themselves, the DVD player, the microwave...even the coffee maker.

I know, I know, it's called the future. But, don't you get a little freaked when the human becomes the negligible variable in this sequence?

At least I still have to wind my railroad watch that I wear around my collar. I mean, golly, it even still ticks for goodness sake.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

I Like Art That Tells a Story

I am quite fond of art that tells a story. There's just something fun about either what the artist says or doesn't say. Come to think of it, what the artist doesn't say about the piece is often just as interesting.

Recently M created "Lizzie, the Bookworm." It's a little gothic, a little Victorian, and a whole lot of whimsical.

I could go into the whole history of Lizzie, but now where would the fun be in that, hmm? So, instead, I'll leave you with this.

Which one might Lizzie be? :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Day After Halloween

Well, this year two of our pumpkins became...cannibalistic! Yes, it's true, pumpkins are now eating other pumpkins (these carvings were inspired by the awesome ExtremePumpkins website). I mean, with all the cinnamon in the air and warm candles--it was bound to happen.

Late last night we found these two. They are obvious pumpkin flesh eaters. Grinning cheek-to-cheek with no regard for their fellow Jacks. I guess they caught sight of "Night of the Living Dead" last night. The black and white horror flick must have done the trick, so to speak. Perhaps it's catching. Hurry, check your Jacks!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Happy Halloween!

Around here, we're carving pumpkins into ghoulish jack-o-lanterns and finding out multiple uses for fake blood, glow in the dark latex and wax fangs! Muhahahahaha.

Here's to a wonderful Halloween! May all your sweetest dreams come true (hot cinnamon candy apples, woo hoo!) and may you have a safe and fun evening trick-or-treating!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Crazy About Hedgehogs!

Around here, we love hedgehogs. Those cute little spine covered mammals which curl into balls? Those are hedgehogs. Or hedgies.

Recently M worked on a completely hand sewn and hand embroidered hedgehog brooch. Every quill or "needle" was sewn strand by strand over many hours. But the end result was awesome (in my humble doggie opinion). There's just something cuddly cute (or twee) about the little critters who can have as many as 500 spines on them when full grown!

Here's a few facts about hedgies:

They're omnivores (they eat plants and animals).
They're nocturnal.
They're born with soft membrane covered spines.

I just know, that around here, we're crazy about 'em. They make us smile. Unfortunately, they aren't native dwellers to Southern California. So, for now, the only place you might find one is in our Etsy store (*hint hint* subtle plug, eh? ).

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

When Cable is Out, We Love to Sew!

This little guy hatched a couple weeks ago.


As his flight lessons have just begun, he's a little tough on his landings. I hear him flapping to and fro. He chirps quite a bit too.


Wilbur was so much fun to create. M kept working on Wilbur for many days and evenings. She says he's a rare Barn Twee Bird and he was made with a lot of love.

I, myself, have to wonder a little about Wilbur. I mean, will he be hoarding in on my coffee? I wonder if he talks?

Have a wonderful weekend, I'm off to take a needed doggie walk. The skies are blue again and I'm feeling the need to sniff some fall leaves. Plus, I have to keep an eye out for Wilbur.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging do g:-)

California Fires: Still Smokey Due to Santiago Fire

It's still smokey here, which means no doggie walks around the neighborhood. Right now homes in Trabuco Canyon are in danger. We watch the news when we can (the cable is continually out) and then listen on the radio and check the internet for local information.

Last night the moon was orange again. This means the ash is thick in the air. The fire nearest, which was 50% contained is now 30% contained and not getting better.

We have large pieces of ash (size of silver dollars) outside. Quite scary.

We continue to pray for all those people and animals displaced by the fires throughout California.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-(

Smoke and Fires

Well, sadly multiple fires are now ravaging California.

I believe there are fires in: San Diego (the wild animal parks had to be evacuated as well as the Scripps area), Orange County (Irvine area near Portola), Malibu, Arrowhead, Castaic, San Bernadino and numerous others.

Currently, we have to keep all doors and windows shut. No doggie walks today. No gardening and no sketching outside. The smoke causes choking when you do have to venture outdoors. The ash is swirling in the air and the winds are blowing more each hour that passes. The moon last night was glowing orange and is not something I want to see again. Very ominous.

Our prayers are with anyone having to deal with this fire storm.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-(

Santa Ana Winds

If anyone has been around California, then you've probably heard of the Santa Ana winds. Right now they are gusting to over 70 mph (Or Cat 1 Hurricane) in Orange County.

The howling sound the winds make as they pass around and over the studio are scary. They have a life of their own.

Here's to a safe Sunday and our prayers to those in Malibu and Castaic where fires are blazing.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Sewing on Sunday

M is embroidering something by hand.
The other M is sketching.
Me? I'm taking a doggie nap after I blog.

So, today the clocks are all set and showing the correct time. Weird how that happened yesterday, eh? Still haven't figured out what caused the digital boxes to go all wonky. The alarm ended up going off in the afternoon and then again in the evening. This freaked me out man! I went bonkers. Ok, so I ran around barking at everything...and I mean everything. Eventually, I gained control over my instinct to rip and shred a cardboard box and I was able to curl up for a nap.

Speaking of which...

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

It's NOT Friday, Right?

You know it's Friday the 13th, err, Saturday the 13th when your alarm clock is frozen at 3:12am. Not flashing, not blinking, just sitting there with big red digital numbers and not moving. M unplugged it and replugged it, no go.

Then, the digital tv receiver was stuck later on this morning at 9:50am. Ok, don't panic. Might be a digital clock rebellion. Perhaps the digital numbers had a union meeting and decided to strike.

Then you go to get some yummy spinach and cheese pizza in the back of the freezer and whammo, your finger takes a nice slice right across the index. A couple paper towels later, a concerned dog wondering why your towels are turning crimson red, and it's back the freezer because lunch is still required.

I am now curled up on the lap of M and we're going to watch a horror flick. Because today is not a day to mess with going anywhere in a car, train or plane. I'm not even going to tell M I told her so when she burned the roof of her mouth on a slice of pizza.

I tell ya, it must be Friday the 13th.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Embroidery: Thread and Stitch

We've been sewing again! Well, when I say "we," I mean M and M. I can't exactly hold a needle and thread with these paws now could I? Then again, if I could sew, I'd be on "Ripley's Believe It or Not." Now, that would be wild!

I think M and M are loving doing embroidery. There's something relaxing and beautiful about a needle and thread creating an image. It's like painting, only a little painful at times (ouchie, bad needle!) and knots are no fun (no fun!).

A little preview of projects in the works and on the way to the Etsy shop:





The top image is a little kitty (woof!). Can you believe those disloyal artists...I mean, really now. A kitty? Why not a dog? Ok, so they have embroidered dogs. I know. But, alas, I'm a dog and have to complain or I'd be kicked out of the union (Yes, there is a union, we meet every New Moon).

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

It's Windy!

Today the wind is singing as a gust passes through the breezeway. I took a jaunt out to the fig tree and caught a Red Tailed Hawk soaring high above. So majestic. So beautiful. Oh how I wish I could fly. I'd be up among the cyan blue sky looking down on the patches of land stitched together into mosaics of green and yellow.

Then I saw pine needles dropping from the tall pine out back. First one tail length of brown dropped and then another. After a few moments the ground below, no longer lush and green, turned completely to an earthy golden brown. Yes, fall is here.

I turned my head toward the sky and woofed.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Finding an Alternate Dinner

So, today it's all about food. :-)

M thought she had some Tofurkey sausages and some noodles. Turns out she had the noodles (homemade spinach and garlic noodles) but no Tofurkey (sigh). In the pantry, a lone cane of kidney beans and some fresh garlic. Ok, what to do...what to do. She looked at my quizzically (I had just eaten dinner and couldn't wait to try her table scraps, mmm mmm good).

Out of nowhere, she starts using the little hand can opener (it zips around the can in a little circle and then waits patiently with the lid hanging in the air by a magnet) on the can of kidney beans. Of course, first, she washed the can lid off. Eww, if she didn't. Then she drains the kidney beans and throws them in a saute pan with a little pat of unsalted butter.

On a white acrylic chopping board, M began to smash the raw garlic with the flat edge of a large butcher knife. Then she peeled and minced the garlic. Did I mention I love when she adds garlic to my dinner?

In another pan, water is boiling. The fresh homemade spinach noodles are dropped in.

She added the garlic to the beans, a smidge of some kind of cheese I can't pronounce (but it tastes smokey) and then mushed everything up with a potato masher while it cooked.

Noodles are cooked. Piled on a crisp white plate with wide rim.

The kidney beans, garlic, butter, cheese and various spices are added and formed into a "mock burger" patty. A lovely leftover of homemade alfredo sauce accompanies and the dish is complete.

Ta da! I, in turn, enjoyed the table scraps of long noodles and beans. Yum.

I never knew not having anything in the fridge could taste sooo good.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

And they're here! (Stitched from the heart)

Here's a little preview of the next badge/brooch that we'll have in the shop this week. M and M have been enjoying making "wearable art." It's been a fun crazy week of picking out cloth and thread and trying designs out. Being that I'm all paws, I couldn't help out. They said my little doggie paws might get stuck by a needle (apparently that's a big ouchie and that answers some of the strange sounds escaping from under the studio doors these past few weeks).

And so we have the start of:

PeachPoP art you can wear close to your heart!

What inspired M and M? Well, old fashioned little animals stitched on clothing. They are very hard to find now-a-days. But, apparently, back in the day, the little hand stitched animals were added to home made clothing. So cute and dainty. Just brings a touch of nostalgia to this fast paced world.

Plus, M couldn't resist the vintage sewing machine. This in turn led to hand stitching. And there's always something magical about stitching and losing yourself in the thread and cloth as you "paint" with your thread and needle.

We have to keep the lost arts alive and kicking.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

There's a Hum in the Air

There's a new roof being installed down the block. The sound of the automatic nailers echoes down the street and through the window. As I nap under the window, on my doggie chenille bed, the rhythm sounds like the wings of mourning doves as they light upon the bird feeder in the morning. I flick an ear up and angle the furry radar dish until I can catch the sound bouncing off the walls. Then, just as suddenly as it started, the flapping ends.

It's strange what I imagine the sounds are and what they turn out to be.

Speaking of strange, I've been hearing peculiar sounds for the past week or so. Perhaps I have doggie super hearing. Or maybe, just maybe, M and M are up to something around the studio.

I'm tapping my paws and awaiting what's going to be revealed soon...

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Fluffy White Clouds on a Sunday

Sometimes it's fun to jump into a pile of maple leaves, flip on my back, and watch the sky.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

10 Things I Love About Today

1. The smell of toffee butterscotch coffee brewing just as I stretch my paws and wake up.
2. M gave me a belly rub.
3. I saw a beautiful smokey colored flycatcher sitting on the tip top of the pine tree.
4. During my morning stroll around the neighborhood, I got to butterfly kiss a new kitten named Noodle.
5. The taste of toffee butterscotch coffee.
6. Junk mail. Fun to read, but far more exciting to shred!
7. Found a green and blue marble in the garden (did not eat, but placed on welcome mat--got a "Good Doggie" pat).
8. Having my ears rubbed.
9. Sitting in M's lap while she drank her coffee.
10. Sitting in the other M's lap while she drank her coffee. :-)

Have a wonderful day ahead!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Hello Monday

I just love finding a pretty flower to sniff. Sometimes a flower smells like sweet honey, or a wave crashing at the beach. But today, this flower smelled like a Monday. Sweet, fresh and full of promise. A little like lavender potpourri.

Have a wonderful day!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Groundhog Weekend

Have you ever felt like you're waking up to the same day over and over?

Well, this past weekend it sure seems like it's been Thursday over and over and over again. I went for the same walk, saw the same three dogs, two cats, fourteen birds (Ok, technically, some flew by) and spoke with the same four humans about the same thing (What's the coffee that was served at such-and-such a party? Had I seen the new dog that lives down the block? and the inevitable, Did you just get a haircut liddle doggie? [Yes, I know little is spelled with two t's, but this person turns them into d's and scruffs up my head when she says this, lol.])

And that my friends is what I call the "Please Be Kind, Rewind" kinda weekend. Plus the fact that I can't get a song out of my head (Note to self: Watching the musical episode of Buffy can be dangerous to the brain cells due to songs (I've Got a Theory) being so catchy).

I shall now go and prepare to go wild off leash in the yard. Wooooooof!

Bark at ya'll later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

We Remember 9/11 (silent post)

I Think I'm Melting

It's over 101ºF here. I'm panting, eating ice chips and tolerating the A/C (I don't like the little red and green lights, grrr argh grrr).

I do not like hot weather. I am a dog. I wear a permanent fur coat all year long. The sidewalk is hot, the grass is hot, even the shady area under my favorite lemon tree is hot.

Grrr. Argh.

Ok, so it could be worse. I'm grateful that I have ice chips, that M and M feed me ice cold water every 15 minutes, and that I have A/C. But, for just a few seconds today, I wished I'd been a hairless chihuahua living at the North Pole.

Bark at you later,
PJ the HOT dog blogging dog ;-P

Painting Tip #3: Hot Paints

Ok, so if you paint with acrylics and the weather is hot outside (like, say, oh 98ºF today), there can be a bit of a problem.  First, the paints will dry much faster.  Second, the ability to blend colors will be hindered.  Even if the A/C is at full blast, the humidity levels may be all wonky.  This can cause paint-on-canvas adhering problems.

The solution is simply.  Either add moisture to the air via a humidifier.  Or use a light misting bottle around the area where you are painting.   You can even mist your paint to keep the moisture level balanced.

Anyhoo, I hope this helps.  Hot weather and doggie fur are absolutely no fun! 

Bark at you later,

PJ the HOT dog blogging dog :-P

Hot Weather Reminder

Please remember that us dogs have little sensitive dog pads on our paws.  The cement and asphalt can burn us on hot days.

And please keep fresh water on hand for any animal in this weather. 

Bark at you later,

PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

A Haiku on Thursday

:::

sidewalk feels like sun

I breathe the summer embers

fall will soon arrive

:::

Smoodge is Born

Smoodge says "Beep Beep."

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

P.S. Ok, sometimes it's just fun to be enigmatic. Plus, my mouf ith full ov charios and mulk. Wuff.

Painting Tip #2: The Bat Signal

Yes, I said it. The secret is out. Acrylic paint bottles like to be treated like inanimate bats. Sounds a little crazy, eh? Well, as I was pawing around M's art journal, I found a neat list of secret tips and tricks that she's discovered through trial and error over the years. Shh, she'd make me eat canned dog food if she knew I was sharing them! :-P

Ok, so back to the paint. If you've ever stored paints for a few weeks, then you know what can happen. A gummy residue builds up around the inner lip of the container. If this happens because you haven't used the color for some time, the opening actually becomes smaller.

So, what to do? We look to the bat theory. This really began with the idea of how one is supposed to store cottage cheese or yogurt in the fridge. That's right, upside down. Something about creating an air pocket at the opposite end....yada yada yada.
It works. That's what is important.

And so the bat theory took form. Store the paints upside down and ta da, less build-up and longer lasting paints. But, first make sure those lids are on securely, or you'll be looking at a whole new theory called KABLAMMO. Colorful, but not fun to clean up.

Hope this helps!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

A Haiku on Wednesday

:::::::

little dog am I
running through waves of summer
catching tomorrow

:::::::

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Surprise Smiles

So, here's how one can be surprised online.

I had multiple windows open as I was reading the online newspaper, checking out a new flash game (horrible addiction to those "Escape this room" games), and I also had a window on that was loading Etsy.

As I was flipping through the windows, I almost fell off my chair (luckily I have strong doggie claws) when I saw this:



I am so honored thtat M and M had an art piece chosen for a treasury by munieca (She has fabulous paper bird charms, etc. that are just adorable). This treasury then got chosen for the front page of Etsy for today!

Thank-you Munieca and thank-you Etsy! :-) This totally made my day!

And that is how a surprise smile brightens the hottest of days.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Wildwood's Cactus Thorn ~ An Amazing Dog!

Little Wildwood's Cactus Thorn is such a cute dog. Not only has he been saved from being euthanized, he has a wonderful "seeing eye" human (Bob Gabbard) to help him around. The two are just magical together.

If you'd like to start your day with a smile, check out the link.

We salute you Bob Gabbard and Wildwood's Cactus Thorn!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Painting Tip #1: Easy Squeezy

As an artistic dog, I observe a lot that goes on around the studio. One thing that used to occur, were tubes of paint which would go unused due to their lids adhering to the tubes with super inhuman strength!

So, one of my favorite painting tips I'd like to share:

Use chapstick (or you can use an old candle) on the screw top tubes of paint to keep the lids from becoming stuck. Simply apply a small amount of chapstick (and/or wax by rubbing the candle gently onto the threaded opening) onto the threaded part of the tube and then screw the lid back on. In most cases, your lids will not stick quite as tight when paint adheres to the tube or when the tube hasn't been opened for some time.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of..." paint!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

The Planet

Some observations (and unanswered questions) that freak this dog out:

Where have all the butterflies gone? I chased Monarchs around the yard every spring and late summer. Now, I'm lucky to see one all year in Southern California. I miss seeing them on a regular basis.

Birds keep turning up with bad feet. A lot of crows have something wrong that's causing them to have one foot that is badly deformed. I would see these crows all the time. Sadly, even the mutated foot crows are becoming scarce.

Polar bears are becoming extinct? I may have never seen one, but this is surely a bad sign.

Gorillas are becoming extinct? Well, this is mainly due to poaching and the destruction of the rain forest. But it's still a scary thought that someday there won't be any gorillas.

The oceans are becoming so contaminated that people are having strange rashes when surfing. It's not just on sewage run-off days either.

We have to watch out for mosquitos and then, in turn, stay away from dead birds because they may have died due to West Nile from a mosquito.

If the west nile virus doesn't get the bird, the bird flu might. So, now chicken is a 50/50 gamble.

And beef is a 50/50 gamble and I mean, who doesn't love a good cheeseburger? But these days, Mad cow disease is possible and so is E-coli.

So, you avoid birds, mosquitos, eating chicken and beef. What's left? Well, watch that tuna because the mercury levels are dangerously high. And don't BBQ any meat (what's left?) because overcooking it can cause cancer-causing carbon.

Dog food isn't even safe! And, again, what's left? Vegetables. Watch out, bagged spinach and onions might contain harmful E-coli or salmonella.

Looks like dehydrated organic strawberries in some filtered water (Have you read about bottled water sources?) is the only choice left.

And now you know why I drink coffee and have insomnia. These are the things this dog thinks about. And you wonder why my paws twitch when I'm sleeping?

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging worrying dog :-P

:: Beep Beep ::

You know how sometimes you might get a song stuck in your head? Like, say, umm, Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World"? Jeremiah was a bull frog/Was a good friend of mine/I never understood a single word he said...

Ok, well that's how M gets when she has a series of images stuck in her mind. She's been obsessed (err, is that the right word?) about zombies and robots. There's something a little freaky and a little funny about the both of them.

So, everything lately has been a robot this or a zombie that or even better, an animated zombie robot.

Let's just hope she doesn't call me "Brainnnnz" and I'll be ok, I think.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Ode to Smelly Dog

-----Ode to a Smelly Dog-----

There once was a dog so smelly
got lathered from tail to belly
bubbles popped and tickled his nose
they even got between his toes

The cascading suds tasted a lot like bacon
but the dog could have been mistaken
however, as the bubbles began to multiply
the dog tipped his head, he realized why

A good grip and he readied to dash
from the tub erupted an enormous SPLASH
the once smelly dog had gotten free
and went straight to the couch with much glee

And so I stood dripping wet
not sure what to do as of yet
I wondered where it was that I'd gone wrong
...turns out the bath was for me all along!

(a little original poem by MKS, 2007)


In case you can't tell, I saw a certain episode
of "Friends" and well, I couldn't let the cats
have all the glory! Woof!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

The Tiny Tenacious Tyrant

I've always loved flycatchers. There's something about the way they hover over the fresh cut bluegrass. They are patient birds. Being such a patient (*cough*) dog, I admire them. Around here we have quite a few species, the prominent one being little Black Phoebes. Very cute indeed. Although, as far as coloring, the flycatcher above wins for vibrancy.

Today, we went to Matts. M had her sketch book, you can guess the rest. I got to dig in the sand and get my paws wet in the shallow water, while M sketched. Fun for all.

Well, I'm off to enjoy some wasabi peas. Woof!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

Do You Speak Bird?

I've often wondered what the little backyard birds are saying as they tweet and chirp away. There is something so beautiful and yet so haunting to hear their singing as the sun slips out of view at the end of the day.

So, this is what I'm thinking as my paws twitch and click on the floor when I'm sleeping.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

A Little Dog Nap

Today, I was a lazy dog.

I found a wonderful new napping place. In the backyard there is a nice spot next to the trellis of white iceland roses. Perfect spot. The breeze across Saddleback Mountain brings a lovely aroma of rose blossoms. The mulch warms up by midmorning and the violets below are like soft fuzzy pillows. I managed to nap there for over an hour before I awoke to Mocha licking my paw. He wanted to go for an afternoon walk together.

Here's to a wonderful weekend!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

I Like Broccoli, Woof

Yes, it's true, I like broccoli. And, I'm a dog. So, go figure.

Apparently, I'm not supposed to like a little green vegetable that looks strikingly like a little tree. But, I do. And my theory has to do with the fact that the little green stalks do look like little trees. Since I like taking a nap under a fig tree and waiting patiently for peaches to fall from the peach tree, it only seems fair that I'd be fond of a little edible tree. They're bite size. They taste yummy. I love the little crunch they have after they're steamed to perfection. I admit it, I'm smitten with the little green trees.

So, that's my theory and I'm sticking with it.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Genealogy Tree

What's been the delay in blogging? Well, a new series of course. M has been mulling over an original digital illustration on a genealogy tree series. She finally (woof woof!) came up with the finalized idea and ta da, here is the result (above). If you have any suggestions for letters you'd like to see, just drop an email or Etsy convo. M loves genealogy. She's always over at rootsweb and ancestry.com and looking at something called census records or the sort.

Meanwhile on the dog front, I've been a bad bad dog. I found a most comfortable quilt in a back room at home and well, I just had to drag it to my doggie bed in the middle of the night. Needless to say, the cotton quilt was an absolute comfy blankie to sleep on. Unfortunately, I had the quilt snatched out from under me...sheesh, I didn't know that was in a "hope chest." What's a hope chest anyhow? Looks more like a dog bed chest filled with soft blankies to nuzzle with and on and under.

Heirloom quilts. Ok, ok ok. Woof.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P

P.S. No quilts were harmed in my attempt at doggie coziness. I didn't even chew on the edges, honest. Ok, so I slobbered a little. But I get a free "slobber pass" (like a Big Brother slop pass, only for dogs). :-)

Friday the 13th

Just to err on the side of caution, I suggest
all dogs stay away from the following:

black cats
sidewalk cracks
pennies
ladders
cars
the number 13
salt
mirrors
shadows
crossed knives
sparrows
umbrellas
...and gravediggers

Have a happy Friday the 13th all!

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog :-P