Best Buddies

Tyler sticks to Andy like glue. Andy cries for Tyler when he's looking for him, as Tyler does for Andy. They both sleep in Andy's little bed, and this is their favorite spot to sit, on top of the tuner. It's warm there for Andy, so naturally Tyler has to be with him. I love this picture of the two of them together. I can't get over how much bigger Tyler is, Andy looks so petite next to him.

The Shower Cake Catastrophe!

Today I did a shower cake for the daughter of some friends of ours. I have never had such a problem as I did with this one, but was relieved when it was finished, and the recipients loved it. I always do home made carrot cake for any occasion cake requested by their family, and I happily oblige. It's a winner, and tastes sooo good!
I love to tease Terry, the grandpa to be. When I got to the shower, he was talking to his son. Dressed in a nice shirt, jeans, and a belt with a huge buckle, the conversation went like this:
Jason (his son) Nice belt buckle Dad.
Me: Yes, I always admire a man who has the courage to wear a belt buckle bigger than his brain! (keep in mind hear, we banter back and forth like this)
Later while sitting on the couch with momma to be Stephanie, I see Terry coming across the room with a huge grin on his face. Walking right for me, I knew it wasn't good!
Terry: Beautiful cake Laurie, who did the wording?
Me: I did! Why?
Terry: Because it's always nice to welome a new baby.
Me: What are you talking about?
Terry: You left out the c. My brain may be smaller than my belt buckle, but at least it knows how to spell!
Terry, 1, me, 0!

Toby and Table Toppers

When I was up north, Cheryl and I wanted to find a project that we both liked and could do together. When we saw this pattern for a table topper, we knew we found it. So we picked out fabrics that we liked, and went to work! I finished mine today, as did Cheryl, and here is mine. I'm anxious to see how hers turned out!
Toby is my big momma's boy. His favorite place to sleep is on the back of my recliner, and this is his standard position. Toby and Andy are two cuddle bugs, my big babies!

Home from my Home Away from Home!

I'm home!

After a visit from their son, his wife, and their adorable baby, Rainey, my brother and sister in law headed to Maryland to see their new grandson, Braylin James!

So while they were gone, I had the honor of house, dog and chicken sitting! For 6 days, I enjoyed the retreat style life once again. When they returned, I stayed for 4 more days, loving every minute. While Cheryl and I worked together on sewing projects, Jay was busy filling orders for his business, Willow Winds.

Completing an order for 11 teepee poles, was first on his agenda. Cutting the tall saplings, then stripping the bark from each made beautiful poles. All the wood stacked behind him is from trees he cut down, stripped, and formed and will go for an addition he is building on his cabin.

He showed me the logs he has cut, split, and grooved for the outdoor sauna he is building on the property.

He is also working on a dug out canoe, for a museum.

Jay also finished an order for the Cranbrook Institute of Arts, a canoe built to scale. It's 3 ft. long, and complete with accessories, also to scale and created the same way our Native American ancestors did. If you double click the picture, you'll see the fish spear, paddle, pack basket, and a basket for the catches that would be made. It turned out amazingly beautiful!

There is a miniature birch bark basket, bow and arrow set, so tiny but right on detail! The lacing is done with dear sinew, he creates himself. The tar on the sides of the canoe, as with his lifesize canoe, is made with bear fat and pine sap. The bark is harvested from his property. I love the passion he puts into his works. He totally amazes me with his patience, attention to detail and accurate depictions in his finished works of art.
So back to the simple life, my husband,my dogs, cats, and my 13 beautiful chickens!

Happy Birthday Mom

Yesterday, we celebrated my mother's 85th birthday, with two big events. First my sisters and I hosted the coffee hour at church, as a surprise for her. She was so shocked, and honored! My sister had ordered the cake, which was awesome. And with all the happy wishes, Mom said she was never kissed by so many men in her life! Later, another surprise party with her family. We held it at one of the best restaurants in Port Huron, the Atrium. Owned by Gayle and Rocky Stevens, this eatery is one of a kind. I'll do a separate post on them, and this historical building.
One of the big high lights, was when Rocky came to her table, held her hand, and in the most beautiful voice, sang "Happy Birthday Baby" to her. Everyone then went out to my nieces house for the perfect end to her perfect day. Happy Birthday Mom!

What a Remarkable Woman

Irena Sendler 1910-2008 A 98 year-old German woman named Irena Sendler recently died. During WWII, Irena worked in the Warsaw Ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist. Irena smuggled Jewish children out; infants in the bottom of the tool box she carried and older children in a burlap sack she carried in the back of her truck. She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers wanted nothing to do with the dog, and the barking covered the kids’ and infants’ noises. Irena managed to smuggle out and save 2500 children. She eventually was caught, and the Nazis broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar buried under a tree in her backyard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived and reunited some of the families. Most had been killed. She helped those children get placement into foster family homes or adopted.Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected. Maybe someday, she will be honored for her works, her bravery, and love for humankind.

Eggstatic!!!

Lately, I was beginning to wonder if my barred rock Matilda, was actually a hen. So I showed her picture on my chicken forum, and was assured she certainly was, in fact matured and ready to start laying anytime. Were they ever right! When I let the ladies out this morning, Matilda had no interest in following her sisters out the gate. She just walked around clucking and jumping in and out of the coop. I grabbed my camera, anticipating the big event.

Finally, she went to the nesting box, and snuggled in.

Half an hour later, she came outside, and left me this little egg!

Isn't it the most adorable little egg you've ever seen!? One hen down, twelve to go!!

Rest in Peace Mr. Jobs

Yesterday, I had heard that Steve Jobs had died. My first response was,"who's he?" I had never heard the name before, and couldn't understand the media attention. Then, I listened and watched the commentaries, the stories of his life, and the amazing things he had done. I had no idea. I heard him compared to Edison and Einstein. One of the greatest inventors of our time. I had no idea that not only was he a co-founder of Apple, but he also was the mastermind behind Pixar.
Pancreatic cancer took a great man. He brought technology to the world with his genius and determination. Steve, you will be missed. Rest in peace.

Morning Rituals

Letting the chickens out in the morning is a ritual I look forward to everyday. And each morning, I have all these little faces looking through the coop window, waiting patiently for me to open the door and let them go.

And whether they choose to file out the gate,

Or talk over the fence, I love to watch. They are my peeps!

MIA

I know I've been missing in action for a couple weeks. Things have been busy here. Then, for some odd reason, everytime I get on the computer to blog, my hand automatically hits Pinterest, and for what seems like an eternity, I'm browsing, pinning and re-pinning! What a strange addiction, but if you haven't joined in yet, give it a try!

It seems my chair is the favorite hangout for my cats, dogs, let alone me. Andy and Toby are here for a snooze, and an ear washing!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week-end, I am here except for the cold damp winds. But my heart was warmed by a phone call from my sister in law announcing the birth of my new great nephew!! Brylan James arrived this morning, and I can't wait for the pictures to start rolling in. Congratulations Eric, Glorybelle, Jay and Cheryl!!