All Things Dog, Even Licorice?

I admit, I love to indulge in a bit of licorice now and then. Last year, at my local Trader Joe's, a clear box of licorice caught my eye. I couldn't believe that someone somewhere had made what could only be the cutest licorice shape ever-little black Scottish Terrier Dog shaped licorice pieces.

Now I may be a dog, but I don't consider it cannibalism to eat these little guys. After all, I eat animal crackers too. Plus, mmm, dog shaped licorice must taste awful good. And guess what? This licorice is delicious. Soft enough and chewy with a strong taste that evokes memories of rootbeer and anise stars.

Yum.

I'd say the only better way to eat licorice would be if I could ever get my hands on a gun-shaped licorice piece that I once saw in an old rerun of Little House on the Prairie. Laura and her pal decide they're going to rob the Walnut Grove Bank and they use, you guessed it, licorice guns. The only problem? Well, temptation wins out because who could resist that much licorice? :-)

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

Dogs in Advertising

The other day as I loafed around on a hot Sunday, I discovered just how many dogs I kept seeing on television. I barked up a storm I tell ya! The overall theme for this season seems to be dogs who like to sleep in their human's beds. First one bloodhound made his human breakfast in bed. Of course this was so the bloodhound could then get the human up and out of the house and then he could rest comfortably in the warm cozy bed himself.

The next one had a small dog already asleep in the human's bed and when "Mommy" comes home, the dog rushes back to his doggie bed at the foot of the bed on the floor.

This got me to thinking about how much dogs are utilized in advertising. Dogs project a sense of family, home, loyalty, and comical relief in the advertising world. Some dogs are goofy and provide a whimsical nature to the ad, while others are just so darn cute that you can't help but watch. Dogs connect people to other people too. If you love dogs, you're probably more likely to watch a commercial with a dog in it then one without. Come to think of it, I catch myself watching the ads with any animal.

So, the next time you're catching an episode of Lost or flipping through Vogue, check out the ads. I bet you'll find a dog or two.

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

Good Morning Southern California!

Have you been drinking a lot of water lately?

I know I've increased my water intake with the onset of this wonky heat wave. The temperature has been hovering around 90ºF to 95ºF and dropping to a whopping low of 70ºF at night! Now, I'm a furry dog with wavy long hair and I like the temperature to be around 65ºF. Yes, that's my ideal and happy temperature. I'm not too hot and I'm not too cold (and no I'm not Goldilocks, lol).

But this heat is causing the lemons to drop from the tree and the flowers to wilt. Poor little violets. I went to take a trot over to Mocha's house and the sidewalk made my paws feel like they were dancing on a waffle iron. Yikes!

So, stay cool folks and fur-folks.

Drink lots of water and use your sunscreen. It's gonna be a scorcher this summer.

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

Update: Tinkering Around PeachPoPs.com

So I was tinkering around with the code on our website www.peachpops.com and decided to do some spring cleaning of tags etc..
This is an on-going project, as I always seem to find something I need to remove (such as <'s or td's, or the ever popular "span"). Somehow there always seems to be a lingering tag, like a pink dust bunny hovering in the corner as the vacuum cleaner makes a third pass across the pine floor.

As I was cleaning up the code, I decided to go ahead and redo the portfolio. After all, there's been a lot more art since the website launched. If you'd like, feel free to check out the new and improved portfolio .

I hope you like the new portfolio. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion.

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

Saturday Means Sleeping In, Right?

My paws twitched as I frolicked in a meadow of skunk cabbage. Suddenly a buzzing sound could be heard far off beyond the line of pine trees. My paws left the dew grass, which tickled like little fairy fingers at my furry legs, and I felt the warmth of my cotton comforter under my belly.

One brown eye opened to a darkened bedroom. I lifted an ear to catch the direction of the annoying buzz which felt like needles piercing into my skull. The buzzing had a high pitched screech that pulsated until I almost let out a bark in frustration. What creature could possibly be making such an earth rattling sound before the sun has risen?

Oh yes, but of course, it is my arch enemy. I trotted over to my enemy, who sat perched on the night stand with a glowing grin of devil-red digital numbers. Sitting down, I kept watch over the vile creature until a hand reached out and made the thing finally fall back to sleep. At this point, my teeth bared at the rectangular thing and I growled under my breath.

::Buzzz::

The thing dared to make a sound once again! Before the hand could reach the demonic creature again, I opened my mouth and took hold of the boxy devil. I took off running, but I didn't anticipate the long tail which flapped behind like a limp hose. Somehow the tail had enough time to take hold of the wall once my teeth had grabbed hold.

Rounding the bed with a quick snap, the tail broke free and the creature fell to the wood floor in the hall where I skidded to a halt. The devil-red numbers no longer flickered and the creature gave no lasting gasp.

I dropped to the ground, head on paws, and blinked back tears. What had I done? Surely, this creature was just playing dead.
I reached out a paw and nudged the boxy thing. No movement. The tail didn't wiggle. The buzzing sound did not resume.

I waited until the sun cast rays across the floor planks and a hand reached down to pat my head.

"What's this? she said.

I looked up at her, unable to answer with anything but my downcast eyes. With that, she picked up the creature and walked it back to it's resting place on the night stand. I trotted behind and sat while she placed the creature upright and stuck the tail in the wall. My eyes widened at the sight of flickering boxy red numbers. Alive! I hadn't killed the poor thing.

Fast forward to this morning. I awoke to a horrible sound. I stretched my back legs, snarled at the dark skies outside and walked over to the creature. Blinking innocently, the creature buzzed once more before I reach out and patted the thing on it's plastic head like I had seen done before. Now comforted, the creature quieted and went back to sleep.

However, If the creature doesn't learn about Saturday soon, I'm betting a couple more trips to the hall will do the trick. And if all else fails, there's always the backyard vegetable garden. A little blue tail-free buzzer took a one-way trip there awhile back. And the corn* has never tasted so delicious.

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


(*For those Stephen King fans out there, the "corn" is a familiar reference. And yes, butter and a little salt, yum.)

Beauty is... a Bald Eagle in Idaho

When I first saw this image, I didn't see the obvious focus of the photo. First, I must confess, I love looking at the eyes of a bird. So, naturally, I only saw the eyes and my doggie mind must have "filled" in the missing parts of the image. Then I looked again and saw the missing upper beak.

While listening to this news story, the reporter made some comment about the name "Beauty" being quite ironic since the Eagle is disfigured. Well, I disagree. Beauty is absolutely beautiful, much like Georgiana in "The Birthmark" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Aylmer-like comment left me curious enough to find out more about this majestic eagle.

Beauty, a seven year old Bald Eagle, lost her uppear beak to a bullet. They've been hand-feeding Beauty since her rescue from a landfill in Alaska. In June, a bionic upper beak will be attached with either glue or screws. This artificial bionic beak will aid in drinking water, preening, and eating (though not tearing of meat, according to some experts).

I bet Beauty will adapt quite nicely to this new beak. In fact, I'll even say Beauty might just surprise everyone at how well she adapts to the new beak.

After all, this bird has a not only a fighting spirit, but the American fighting spirit. Rock on Beauty!

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

Farewell Ling-Ling

(Photo by Eduardo Verdugo / AP)

Ling-Ling was Japan's oldest living Giant Panda at 22 years of age. Not only was Ling-Ling a star at the Tokyo Zoo, but this little "darling" (Ling-Ling means "little darling") was a symbol of friendship with China. Ling-Ling died due to old age.

There is something so majestic and beautiful about Pandas. Perhaps it's the visual contrast of black and white fur that is, at the least, strikingly gorgeous. Or maybe the cuddle-like appearance of a big black-and-white bear with sad looking eyes is the real grabber. I'm not sure. Either way, the panda is a special animal.

As for Ling-Ling, we salute you Ling-Ling. You will be sorely missed around the world. Your presence here will never be forgotten.

In honor of Ling-Ling, please feel free to download an iPhone wallpaper of a Panda here.


Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

Language is Beautiful: Lollygagging

Yes, even a dog like me can appreciate the beauty of language. My ears perk up when I hear new words. I take a fancy to alliterative phrases and I'm a sucker for a floofy description.

The other day I fell in love with the word lollygagging. According to Webster's Dictionary:

lollygag |ˈlälēˌgag| (also lallygag)
verb ( -gagged, -gagging) [ intrans. ] informal

spend time aimlessly; idle : >he sends her to Arizona every January to lollygag in the sun.
• dawdle : we're lollygagging along.
ORIGIN mid 19th cent.: of unknown origin.

I think I took a fancy to this particular word since I tend to do a lot of lollygagging around the yard, the neighborhood, the house, and the studio.

Is it just me or do you read the dictionary for fun too?

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

Earth Day: Ten Easy Ideas To Help Save the Earth

So, how did you celebrate Earth Day? I think of Earth Day as an all year long event. Here are some easy ideas to help the environment all year long and without much effort:

Instead of bottled water, try using a filtered water pitcher. By doing that you're reducing the land fill.

Provide a simple bird feeder and a bird bath in the backyard for a habitat sanctuary where birds can thrive.

Bring your own grocery bags to the grocery store to save on plastic bags.

Pull weeds instead of using herbicide.

Try replacing one household cleaner with either baking soda or vinegar. They work great!

When you purchase a six pack of soda, be sure to cut the plastic holder before discarding. You just helped a fish or mammal not get caught.

Use old magazines to fold your own envelopes.

Find a new use for something you're about to throw away (A two liter soda bottle into a purse? Yep.)

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Just think if everyone did that!

Finally, plant something in your yard. Growing something like lavender, rosemary, or mint is a breath of fresh air for us all.

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

BFF's: A Dog and a Sheep

Yes, a dog and a sheep can be best friends. In our local news, I heard about a dog and a sheep who were found walking down a street in Mission Hills (Chatsworth, California). A pizza man by the name of John Caruso stopped to rescue the pair before they made it onto the freeway. John is our hero for the week! You can read the full story here and here and the follow-up here, and the photos of the pair can be found here.

Seeing the video of the pair on the news made me smile. Apparently the sheep had been placed in a separate area and had difficulty being away from the dog when they first arrived at the shelter. Needless to say, the two didn't want to be apart.

Now that's friendship.

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

Watch Out Here They Come

Sure, you've seen them sitting on the grass in the yard. Maybe they're munching on some sweet stalks of yellow grass. But watch out. They could be zombie bunnies.

The other day M saw one bunny sitting innocently outside. Then, when she looked again, there were two bunnies. It just so happened I'd been watching the daily dog news and caught some breaking news about cannibalistic bunnies roaming about. To my shock, there were two unsubs in the yard. What to do? Well, I did what any dog would do in my situation. I barked up a storm until M came and rubbed my belly and then I stared at the critters outside.

Maybe they're just an urban legend around these parts. But I'm not taking any chances. I checked the dog bulletin blog and what do you know? The bunny from the yard is wanted in three counties for munching on...Easter eggs. The horror!

I'm on the look-out. The unsubs could return. I'll keep you informed.

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

For the Birds

Sometimes there's nothing better than watching birds. This short animation is by Pixar and is just too cute.

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

My New Puggy Pal

I have a new Puggy pal. I met him down at Newport. He and his human were taking a walk along the shore near Matt's place. Needless to say, when I saw him we barked a friendly "Hello." We were instant friends. His name is Domino. We both love coffee, walking on the beach, and barking at the baby waves that dare to roll in close to our paws. Best of all, he'll jump into the water with me! We had a grand ole time until we were both covered up to our elbows in sand and our muzzles had sand on them too.

M liked Domino and made a quick sketch while we were playing. The art piece above is the result of a chance encounter and a new doggie friend. Now that's what I call a great day at the beach!

Next week, we're having a play date with Domino again (Plus, we have a companion piece to the one above that we're giving to Domino's Dad who just moved here from Washington State--a sort of Welcome to California gift!). I can't wait. Mocha may tag along since he loves playing at the beach too.

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

I've Decided to Become a Cat

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April Fools!

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

Meow.

The Resting Place of Animal Companions

I recently watched a show featuring a really wonderful place. The Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park in Calabasas, California. Maybe you've seen their sign on the hill as you drive on the Ventura Freeway?

Sure, pet loss is not something people like to talk about. However, as a doggie, I've got to say that I feel I'm part of my family. I'm not a pet, I'm a family member. I'm loved so much (ok, I admit, I'm spoiled) and I'm included in all the family photos. It's nice knowing that over 40,000 other families feel the same about their animal family members too.

Just like any cemetery, there are some celebrity animals buried there too. "Petey" the dog from The Little Rascals has a burial spot under a lovely tree. "Topper" the horse from Hopalong Cassidy is also buried in this cemetery.

Actually, every animal buried there is a star. Each family animal won the starring role as a member in someone's family.

The really neat part about this cemetery is that most grave markers had fresh flowers on top. How wonderful to be loved so much.

So, Thank-you to those who look over the graves of beloved animal companions.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

Got Blogged About!

Isn't that cool? Someone emailed me and let me know that we had been blogged about on two cool blogging sites.

Over at Snicketyone, our "Woebegone, the Hedgehog" print was included in a treasury on Etsy. Thank-you so much! You can read the post here.

On the Mixed Plate blog, our "Thinkin' Tree" print was featured among other Etsy artists who enjoy using trees as a theme in their art too. You can read the post here. Thank-you so much!

Now that's pretty neat, don't you think?

Well, I'm off to take a walk around the block and maybe check on our lemon tree. Seems there are some lemons that need to be eaten...err, picked. :-)

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

Welcome Home Danny Boy!

This story is so touching. I can just picture Danny Boy waving his little foot. It's nice to read about a soon-to-be happy ending.

According to the Associated Press:

Danny Boy the Bird Reunites With Owners

CARPINTERIA, Calif. (AP) — A pet macaw named Danny Boy flew the coop in Carpinteria and was found 15 months later some 80 miles away in Pasadena. Greg and Susan Vasilakos, who have moved from Carpinteria to Colorado, learned days ago that Danny Boy has been found. The bird flew away on Dec. 6, 2006, leaving the couple heartbroken.

They listed Danny Boy on an online bird lost-and-found Web site, but didn't hear anything until this month. The macaw was found flying free March 12 in Pasadena and taken to the Pasadena Humane Society.

The bird was then featured on the society Web site and the Vasilakoses were tracked to their new home in Colorado.
Mrs. Vasilakos called the Pasadena shelter and said to put the bird on the phone. The skeptical humane society manager then put the woman on the speaker phone.

It seems Danny Boy waves his foot when asked while offering him a treat.

Danny Boy, who had been "sullen and morose," heard the familiar voice of his owner and perked up, fluffed up his feathers and became animated. He waved his little foot throughout the ensuing conversation.

The Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary in Summerland is expected to retrieve Danny Boy and arrange for the Vasilakoses to pick him up.

You can view more lost and found parrots at 911 Parrot Alert. Please note that in order to search their database of birds, you will need to join their Yahoo group to do so.

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

Scooby-Dooby Doo, Where Are You?

Some songs I can't seem to get out of my head. They pop into my mind at the strangest moments and stick there like Bubbalicious Watermelon gum under a college lecture seat.

This song will pop into my doggie head (and I've only seen a few minutes on Nick @ Nite):

Scooby-Dooby Doo, Where are you?
We got some work to do now.
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You?
We need some help from you now.

(The rest of the lyrics can be found here .)

I always seem to think of this one when I find a ripe tomato:

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

From Gangreen's lab come forth each week
The ripe red monsters of which we speak
Except when he has a security leak!


The rest of the lyrics can be found here .)

There are other songs, but alas, the 'net is having a hiccup right now.

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

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I hope you wore green today! Or did you get pinched?

I had my lime green collar on today to keep away any pinching leprechauns. After being a little too preoccupied with digging for gold in the backyard, I took a break and guess what I saw?

I also saw a really pretty crow today. He was sitting way high up on one of my favorite pine trees. His head bobbed up and down as he proceeded to give an oration on the importance of... something or another. I can't quite speak crow yet. I'm sure it had something to do with trash or recycling or maybe he was hoping someone had found his lost button. Not quite sure.

Anyhoot, I hope you had a great St. Patrick's Day!

May you find a pot of gold, because there didn't seem to be any in the yard this year.

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

Warning: This Makes Me Cry Every Time!

This ad comes on tv at least once every time I'm watching television. Now, as a dog who was rescued from the pound, I'm very sentimental about shelter dogs. This commercial makes me have to wipe my eyes with my doggie paws. Every time I hear the song on the radio, I can feel the tears slipping down my fur face.

The song in this ad is "In the Arms of an Angel" by Sarah Maclachlan. It's a very haunting song. Hearing the song and looking into the eyes of each dog as the camera fades in and out on their faces is not only memorable, but breathtakingly sad.

I hope you, my one or two loyal readers, take a moment to hug your cat or dog. If you don't have a pet, please visit a local animal shelter and give a little tlc even if you can't adopt. Those few precious moments when you reach through the bars at the shelter may be the only moments of love in the life of that dog. And that can make all the difference in the world.

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

Annabelle, a Dog with Heart

Annabelle is a special dog. At 7 years old, Annabelle the English Bulldog is a therapy dog. Her doggie kisses help brighten the days of people in Ohio.

We salute you Annabelle. You're a doggie hero.

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

Happy Leap Year

Officially, today is a leap day. This occurs every four years. People born on this day celebrate their birthdays in common years (the non-leap years) on either February 28th or March 1st.

Around here, we eat a piece of dry toast and the person (or dog, as the case may be) who doesn't drop a crumb has good luck for the next four years.

So, have yourself a leap year "toast" of good luck!

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

Robot Treasury on Etsy

Check it out, M snagged a treasury on Etsy! Treasuries are a neat way to create a themed list of other artists who make handmade items. M chose a "robot" theme because we all love robots at PeachPoPs. Beep. Beep.

::End of transmission::


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

R.I.P. Gill-Man

So, if you're not a horror fan, you might be wondering, who was the "Gill-Man"?

Ben Chapman played the "Gill-Man" creature from  1954's Creature From the Black Lagoon.

  Sadly, he's passed away and so has another chunk of horror history. Ben's "Gill-Man," featured in three of the "Creature" flicks was memorable, to say the least.  At six foot five, Mr. Chapman had the height necessary to appear intimidating in his foam rubber suit.

Incidentally, some of the lake scenes were filmed right here in California at the exclusive private Malibou Lake.   After seeing this film on one Saturday afternoon, I went to the lake and didn't dare dip even a single paw into the cold rippling water.  Gee wiz, between sharks and the creature, I'm not sure any body of water is safe.  And don't get me started on showers (Norman anyone?).

So, I bid the talented Ben Chapman farewell.  Thank-you for scaring me as a young pup and for giving me the heebie jeebies. :-)

Bark at you later,

PJ the dog blogging dog :-)

Fonts and Birds

Oh, they've updated blogger.  Now I can change my font to anything! Ok, so maybe not anything.  But there are font choices now.  Very cool.  I'm a happy dog.  I didn't realize I liked fonts that much.  Lol.   I actually love looking at all the different styles of fonts.  From arial to comic sans, the choices are fun to play around with on your website or blog.

Just like fonts, birds have a lot of distinct personalities too.  For instance, I often find that I see interesting bird "secrets" when I'm out on one of my daily walks around the neighborhood.  I once saw a bird nest that had been woven with strands of green floss.  That nest, high in a Mulberry tree, made me smile (no pun intended).  I was not aware that birds used floss. :-)

The other day, I saw a nest with a button and thread interwoven among the twigs.  The nest had long been abandoned and dropped from a very tall eucalyptus.  But boy oh boy, that nest was a work of art.  

And so today I'll look high up in the trees as I'm walking.  Perhaps I'll see a mud nest under the eaves of a ranch house, or maybe I'll glimpse a nest in-the-making.  That would be cool.

Bark at you later,

PJ the dog blogging dog :-)  

Happy President's Day

President's Day is the official day we celebrate two birthdays. George Washington's birthday is February 22nd. Abraham Lincoln's birthday was on the 12th of February. In the Senate, George Washington's Farewell Address is read to commemorate this day.

God Bless America!

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

Chief Brody Lives On

I'm a dog who loves a good scary flick. And Jaws is right up there with the best. I mean, goodness, I bark at the waves if they slap the sand too closely to my paws. Which brings us to some sad news.

Actor Roy Scheider has died. He is best known for playing the character Chief Martin Brody in Jaws. He gave a memorable quote (ad libbed) that lives on in movie infamy. Just as he sees the shark (nicknamed "Bruce" on the set), Chief Brody says "You're gonna need a bigger boat" to Captain Quint (played by the late Robert Shaw). Such a great line and such a great actor.

So, our hats are tipped to you Mr. Scheider. Thank-you for all the wonderful films and television.

And hey, if you get a chance, please say "Hi" to Quint. :-)

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

The Day After Valentine's Day

Yes, it's true, doggies like me love those little candy hearts. Ok, sure, we're not supposed to eat them. But come on, they're so crunchy and sugary and yummy.

Plus, the little hearts are really educational. For instance, I didn't know "Fax Me" was a term of endearment. Did you? The little sayings on the hearts range from the traditional (and a favorite of mine) grape-flavored "My Pet" to the "Cool" or ever-so-popular "Kiss Me."

The consequences of eating the little hearts is that we need a dog nap on the sofa with our favorite pillow and blankie.

Here's hoping you had a great Valentine's Day and hope you enjoy those leftover candies (woof).

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

Surprises Make for an Interesting Sunday

Today I got two surprises.

First, I saw a tall glass of liquid sitting on the coffee table and decided to stick my nose in there and sneak a sip. Whoa baby! I got a surprise alright. The clear pulpy drink made my lips pucker. Turns out M had made a glass of lemonade and forgot to sweeten the pitcher before pouring herself a glass! Just my luck. I gave the glass a good bark and proceeded to drink about half of my water bowl until my dog tags were clinking quite loudly.

The second surprise today happened outside. I found the first stalks of a calla lily breaking through the soil. The stalky green fingers are reaching from under the ground, much like the hands of a zombie in Night of the Living Dead. Oh wait, if I have to walk out there at night, that image might not be such a good thing to plant in my mind. Oops.

Anyways, I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.

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

Happy New Year!

Today begins the "Year of the Rat" and I thought these guys could ring the New Year in right! Plus, the look on one of their faces after bungee jumping is hilarious. :-)

Hey, if you're really into the "Year of the Rat" you could always head over to our website (or Apple downloads) and download our freeware Mac and Win "Kookie Bytes" icons. This icon set has a rat named iChoo (he loves to nibble on cheese pizza and has allergies!).

Happy New Year!

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

Phil Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter

Above is a photo of the "official" groundhog. His name is Phil or Punxsutawney Phil as he is formally known. "According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring."

Today, Phil saw his shadow. Now that can be good or that can be bad. If you love fresh powdery snow, chilly nights and snuggling up with a warm cup of coffee, this is a good thing. If not, six more weeks isn't that bad, right?

Interestingly enough, the groundhog makes the prediction in a place called "Gobbler's Knob" in Pennsylvania. The first Groundhog Day was on this day in 1887. Wowzers!

Thanks Phil for being such a great weather forecaster! You do us other critters proud. :-)

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

Hippity Hop

I saw a bunny! Yep, I saw a bunny and I didn't even give chase. Why? Well, I just think they are such cute critters. Ok, why didn't I give chase to a darling fluffy white cotton ball tailed bunny rabbit? I confess, I'm a funny dog if I haven't had my coffee first thing in the morning. I can't help it. It's my doggie curse. I contemplated taking off at lightning speed and watching the bunny make leaps and bounces over the irises and into the vegetable garden. But alas, I was enjoying my cup of coffee and decided to let the bunny continue nibbling on the lemon grass. Besides, I'm sure the bunny doesn't think I'm just having fun chasing. I think the bunny thinks I'm a predator (which I'm not--I'm more afraid of their long front teeth!).

So, this happened a couple of days ago. Then guess what happened yesterday? You guessed, didn't you? Yep, now there are two bunnies frolicking in the yard. My goodness, I'm going to be the talk around the doggie houses today. I'm harboring bunnies, lol.

It's just a hip, jump, and a hop before I'm putting out a dish of carrots and cabbage. Next thing you know I'll be naming the little guys.

Dear me, I better get some more coffee and see if they want some too.

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

Let There Be Snow in Orange County

Snow in Orange County is rare. I believe the last time was sometime in the 40's. Yikes. But this past weekend we had snow on Saddleback and check out this shot of our view over the weekend.

The snowcapped San Gabriel Mountains were pristine white with cyan blue skies overhead. I wish I'd had my camera with a polar lens that day. I was also at The District and drove past people who had pulled over to take photos of the mountains. It was so pretty that people pulled over on the freeway!

I'm a snow loving doggie and boy there's nothing better than sledding and sipping hot peppermint tea afterwards.

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

Why a Cold Nose Works Better

And that's why I use the "cold nose" technique. If all else fails, I'll admit it, I'll bark. Heck I've even been known to try the whimper-nudge-pounce-zip-away-really-fast technique too. :-P

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

Overhead, The Sowl

I saw an owl last fall. The majestic winged creature glided over my head as I took a nightly stroll.

The first time occurred just as I'd found a persimmon that had dropped to the ground. The orange globe of juicy deliciousness beckoned me. I resisted the urge to eat this delightful morsel since I had tried a not-so-ripe one a few weeks previously. My lips puckered at the thought. Just then, a strange sound from overhead and behind. The sight of those expansive wings astounded me. I stared upward and tilted my head toward the stars. Gliding over my head in silence, I could only catch a glimpse before the creature disappeared behind a large oleander bush.

An owl. Oh yes, the mysterious owl. There is a pair that live quite close. Among us dogs, the owls are talked about in hushed tones. We honor and respect them.

And it happened this evening that M also caught a glimpse of the owl. The folklore of owls is amazing. They can be the messengers of good or evil. They can signify an event to come. But M likes to think of them as guardians of the soul.

The moment stuck with M and inspired another brooch.

I also like to think the owl is a guardian of the soul.
Perhaps that night, someone somewhere nearby needed protection.

Then again, hoo knows.

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

Sometimes I Like to Tag Along

Sunday is often a day on which I can take the time to ponder. I can let my doggie mind drift.

Today, for instance, I realized something.

Sometimes I don't mind taking a back seat. I watch the oak leaves tumble across the grass. I see the Calico cat, from down the street, perched up under the eaves of a second story. My eyes catch the moist trail of a snail who has since found his or her way under the white powdery leaves of a dusty miller.

I get to see everything I might have missed otherwise. I become a witness to life and the beauty of the small things I often overlook.

Plus, after a long walk, I also get a handful of homemade peanut butter and cheese doggie biscuits. Crunch crunch.

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

In Memory of Someone We Loved

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1904-2004)

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

Monday Madness

I'm rambling a bit today. The tabloids and politics are dominating the television and radio airwaves. It's all a dog can do before going paw crazy! So, I turned to some vintage ephemera to ease my doggie mind of modern day woes.

I've always been fascinated by visual tricks of the mind. For instance, have you seen the old lady silhouette in the profile of a young woman before? It's quite cool. There's also a black and white image of a face. First you stare at the face (religious figure) and then you stare at a white wall. The image appears on the white wall before your very eyes. A nifty trick that can really entertain a dog like me for hours.

Above is a nice example of a subtle, yet somewhat disturbing visual illusion. Can you imagine this as a Valentine's Day card? Well, ok, maybe Al Capone might have sent this little gem.

Me, I prefer the ever whimsical hand"paw"made doily and construction paper card. You can't go wrong with one of those babies. Plus, a little doggie lick is a great mobile "glue stick."

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

Keepon is So Kool

This robot rocks! Keepon is the name of this darling robot who even responds to visual movement (stops and tips his/her head in such an odd and cute way).

Keepon was developed by by Hideki Kozima and programmed by Marek Michalowski. The irresistible Keepon is dancing to the infectious song "I Turn My Camera On" by the band Spoon.

Now I not only have the song stuck in my head, but when I took my walk around the 'hood, I bopped my doggie head to this tune. It's catchy!

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

Cheeky

Guess what M did today?

No, she did not run through the yard until all four paws became encrusted with sticky mocha mud (But I did!).
She did not sit patiently on the kitchen floor as warm coffee brewed on the counter (But guess who did?).
And finally, M did not hang her head out of a car window and close her eyes as she sniffed the urban city after a fresh sprinkle of rain (But I did! I caught the smells of In & Out Cheeseburgers and pine logs burning in a fireplace).

Today M got cheeky. Not in a good way either. She bit her cheek while eating oatmeal this morning. Let's just say (gross alert) red oatmeal is yucky to see. Ick! She not only bled, but she sounded funny all day as she tried talking (swollen cheek). Luckily the inside of her cheek stopped bleeding and she didn't have to go to the hospital (how sad would that be...oatmeal hazard alert).

How's that for a weird Wednesday?

So, always remember, oatmeal can be dangerous if you haven't had your morning coffee first. Tsk tsk M.

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

I Can't Speak Crow (Yet), But Maybe I Can Speak Riley!

Riley cracks me up! I'm not sure what's funnier, watching him or him laughing at himself. Lol.

Now I may have mentioned how much I love watching birds. Birds enthrall me. They can fly for goodness sakes! I'm a dog and sometimes I wish I could fly up in those fluffy mounds of cotton clouds. I wish I could soar, wings as wide as an oak branch, across the cyan skies on a windy day. Often I wonder how it feels to have the wind gust under my fur, err, feathers as I jet out across the Pacific and turn around over Catalina Island. To see an orange sherbert sunset from above as I cross the deep blue sea and maybe find myself watching the stars twinkle from above. Maybe I could touch the meteors as they flit past in August.

Oh, how I'd love to sing sweet melodies under a harvest moon. Well, I can howl, ok, and I guess that's almost the same. But still, there's something so beautiful about birds.

That's why hearing Riley talk is so special. Perhaps I can talk to an Eclectus Bird locally and ask him or her all the questions I've been eager to learn the answers to about birds. Like, do they really like unheated bird baths? Are they fond of fancy birdhouses? Oh, and what's with the dive bombing of dogs, eh? :-)

In the words of Riley, "Tickle Tickle Tickle."

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

Nothing Says Sunday Like a Mourning Dove

Today I took my daily romp around the yard. As I took a little time to explore some roses under the fig tree, I happened to catch a glimpse above me of whipcream colored feathers beneath fanned out pinkish gray brown feathers. There, sitting all fluffed out about seven feet above my head, a dove peered down at me. She had been sitting above me the whole time. Her silent eyes darted back and forth at me suspiciously. I paused and tipped my head to her and she tipped her beak back. I left her and her makeshift nesting spot undisturbed on the curled bark of a decaying gray branch.

There's something quite special to hearing the coo coo of a dove as she carries on a conversation with the storm clouds rolling in from the North.

As I trotted back inside I heard a faint coo and a flutter of wings. Thinking I had spooked her, I glanced back at the fig tree. Still resting in the same spot, she now cuddled with her companion to stay warm.

Yes, nothing says Sunday like a Mourning Dove.

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

Blogger Changes

I decided to give drafts.blogger a try. They have some nifty add-on's for blogger. So, we'll see how they work out. To my loyal three readers, I hope you enjoy the changes. :-)

I'm trying out: Google Search, YouTube Search, and the Daily Puppy. These were a snap to add. There are a ton of Google Gadgets to browse. You can choose to add a daily comic or the game Frogger. Way cool!

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

The 27 Cries of a Crow

There are supposedly 27 different cries that a crow makes. The folklore surrounding a crow has always interested M. A few weeks ago she happened to see a lone crow sitting on a road sign. The crow kept making a loud caw caw. Over and over the coal black feathers ruffled around the neck and the beak opened again and again sending forth some mysterious message. The tail feathers appeared ragged and torn on the ends, as if this crow had suffered through many a scuffle.

This inspired M to create a series of brooches featuring the crow. I myself, am quite curious about the shiny black birds.

And just yesterday I saw a crow on the sidewalk. The little guy had found a leaf and kept poking at the dried papery thing with his long black beak. I gave a hello bark. Unfortunately, me barking at a crow only a few feet away made the guy quite skittish and he flew off before I could offer a warmer welcome.

Oh, if only I spoke crow.

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

A Tribute to the Hero Dog STRYKER

Stryker is a hero. He was also a police dog for Oceanside. His life was taken in the line of duty. Our condolences to Officer Kedrick Sadler over the loss of his beloved K-9 partner.

We salute you Stryker. Thank-you for your dedication and service to the Oceanside community.

Bark at you later,
PJ the dog blogging dog

On the Second Day of 2008

So, have you been keeping busy? This year seems to be starting out as one busy year. We're looking forward to creating more artwork, expanding our imaginations, and enjoying life.

I hope you are having a wonderful beginning to 2008.

Today I'm going for a walk at Newport Beach. Mocha is coming along too. We love running on the cold wet sand. We're going to bop around Balboa a bit too. M is going to sketch The Pavillion again. She also wants to wish Matt a Happy New Year and see how his sculpture is coming along. He had a big mishap around Christmas and had to redo a whole section of the "oh-so-secret" sculpture. Apparently, glass and temperature changes do not mix well. And that my friends is why M doesn't work with glass. She's prone to be a bit klutzy. :-)

Be safe and have a great day ahead!

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

Happy New Year 2008!

May your year be healthy, happy, and prosperous.

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

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 :-)