~THANK YOU LAUREN AND DOLLY~

Autumn, the most wonderful time of year...

Lauren, of the blog Rugs and Pugs, recently offered her readers a giveaway...a most wonderful giveaway...and I was the lucky recipient...earlier this week a small parcel arrived in my mailbox...As I opened the package a lovely vintage bracelet emerged...I had the choice of a Dog or Cat theme bracelet or one with plain vintage buttons... I loved all three designs...how to decide?  I asked Lauren if she would surprise me...Below is the sweet bracelet that I received...vintage buttons along with two little heart charms holding tiny paw prints...

Dolly, good friend of Lauren, creates these artsy bracelets with 100% of the sales going to the Ohio Pug Rescue..I ask you, how very kind and generous is she?...

If you are familiar with Lauren's blog Rugs and Pugs you know Lauren's commitment to the Ohio Pug Rescue...she quite frequently fosters dogs... providing them with the love and security that they have not been shown...giving them a home till their forever parents come into their lives...

Thank you Lauren...and Thank you Dolly...I love this bracelet...I can even get it on my wrist without the help of Mr. Dog Trot which is a big plus!! Thank you for helping our furry friends...some with a face that only a mother could love...

~AUTUMN GREETINGS~

Each season arrives with it's own special beauty...but there is none that can compare to Autumn...

 It's when Mother Nature dresses in her finest...

 and shares her earthly delights...

soon scents of fruit and spices will fill the air...

 and hints of color begin popping everywhere...

 each day in Autumn is a new adventure...

 one I look forward to...

 Autumn...

 grab a sweater and head outdoors the magic awaits you...

"Autumn...the year's last loveliest smile."

~William Cullen Bryant~

 

~AN ACT OF KINDNESS~

I have a friend...a dear friend...a friend I have never met in person...but through blogging...many of you...

 my blog readers...are familiar with Jacque...proprietor of the blog "Doodles Of My Mind"

As you may know Jacque is a very talented quilter... I had the good fortune of winning one of her table mats... now holding a place of honor on my kitchen table...Two weeks ago a surprise arrived in the mailbox...a package which had traveled to Maine  from Wisconsin...Jacque...who knows how I adore my grandson Travis and also knows how Travis adores tractors... Jacque who unearthed this  tractor fabric from her material "stash"  immediately knew what she was going to do with it...Jacque thought of Travis...and in doing so crafted a "tractor" sac for Travis Lloyd...a sac which now holds his prized tractor collection...

this little sac travels to story time with us...

it has  gone to the ocean where treasures plucked from the sand were placed for safe keeping...it can hold a snack...a juice box...and it appears Granny's car keys... 

It warms my heart to know I have such a kind and thoughtful friend...Thank you Jacque...Travis and I send "big big" hugs from Maine...

9/11

Just three little words...

GOD BLESS AMERICA....

~A BRIDE AND GROOM~

A bride and groom...

September 2, 1978... was a beautiful late summer's day...the sky was a brilliant blue...the fragrance of flowers filled the church...my heart beat wildly as my father walked me down the aisle...Mr. Dog Trot's hand was sweating as I slipped on his wedding ring...35 years ago today...I became a Mrs... Happy Anniversary  Mr. Dog Trot...I love you...

~SEPTEMBER~

September arrives ...this day is hot  

the air  thick with humidity...

but, we know it won't be long now...the signs are subtle... soon Fall will  arrive with all it's brilliance...those dreamy golden days... just warm enough with nights crisp and cool...

color will abound as far as the eye can see...

yellow...

orange...reds...

 these are the days I have patiently been waiting  for...dreaming about...

how about you?