Well, I did it and I'm still not sure why ~

I played follow the leader and joined Bloglovin'.  I am not tech savvy ~ actually I am computer stupid.  I hope I did it correctly and didn't lose anything.  I am not even sure what Google Reader was that is being done away with tonight. And what is Bloglovin'?  Does this mean I will have two different sets of followers?  Geez, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!

Meet Groovy Santa and her, er I mean his helpers.  I'll explain more tomorrow :)  

It doesn't appear the blog process is any different with Bloglovin'.  Time will tell, I suppose.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Pounds for Pugs ~

Kelly's furbabies

To all my blog friends who are animal lovers, rescue lovers, pug lovers ~ perhaps you can help.  Kelly from Cincinnati, Ohio, has come up with a unique way to help herself ~ and Ohio Pug Rescue.  Even if you just stop by and offer her a word of encouragement, I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated.

Here is what she writes:

"I wanted to let you know about a project I am working on to raise funds for OPR.  I have set up a website called www.poundsforpugs.com.

This website will serve as my personal weight loss blog. 

I have decided that the only thing that really motivates me is animals, especially those puggies!  So, as a result of this epiphany I have decided to incorporate weight loss and pugs. 

I have asked people to sponsor my weight loss with all of the proceeds going to OPR.  People might donate 50 cents per pound or what ever increment they decide on.

I have told people on my blog that I will collect the money every six months.  They will send me a check made out to OPR and I will send it to you (Terri at OPR). I also linked the OPR website to my blog. 

It's personal but if I'm going to do it I'm going to do it big! 

The more money I can raise for the pugs the more motivated I will be. 

Thanks,

Kelly"

Ohio Pug Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit all volunteer organization operating a surrender, foster care and placement program for all needy pugs in Ohio - no matter their age, condition, or health as funds and space allow.  Donations are tax deductible.

If you've gotten this far, thank you so very much and thank you for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

What Nerve!

Tonight was hooking at That'll Do Farm so I finally pulled some wool to start a new project.  Now I know that cats like to curl up in wool, but I had no idea Ellie felt the same way.  

It looks like she's asking, "And the problem with this is???".

I was the only one doing any hooking, but there was lots of jawing and laughing going on.  The start of a small mat I'm hooking as a favor for a friend.

Saturday is the hook-in at the beautiful Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio.  A free hook-in from the oh-so-generous, talented and funny Katie of Kid'l de Divey Woolens.  If you are anywhere nearby, stop by, enjoy the gardens and take in the rug show.  The only charge is the parking fee (I think it's $5 per carload).  You won't be disappointed!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

New Old Sampler ~

This weekend was a local community's annual Aunt Tique and Uncle Junque sale.  I thought is was just city wide garage sales.  I did not realize dealers set up outside the local antique shops.  I found a couple small Christmas gifts, some silver plate spoons for a good price, and this antique sampler ~ for a GREAT price.  I can't believe it was still there this afternoon.  The frame is modern but I have no doubt the sampler is antique.  There are five alphabets.  Four have no letter "J", but the one at the bottom does.  No date, but signed Sally Parkhurst.  The verse reads:

"A person modest meek and wise

 Is lovely in a Christians eyes

 Be sure thou quickly sin forsake

 And Christ alone thy portion make".

This vintage papier mache bunny was only a buck so I couldn't leave it behind.  It reminds me of the email that circulates every Easter where the chocolate bunny missing his ears says "What?".

I purchased this crock for only $15 a few weeks ago.  Good deal, right?  Only if you don't mind a crock badly cracked and missing most of the bottom.  I don't :)

Still nothing on the frame . . . sigh.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren 

Hump Day ~

Hump day again.  Time is a flyin'.  How can we be nearing the end of June already?  ACK!  It's scary how quickly the time passes.

Another rug hung.  I'm on a roll :)  This was a class taken with Alice of Folk Art Primitives.  The rug has been done and bound and sitting in a basket for at least a couple years.  I'm a little slow sometimes.  Well, more than sometimes :)  

I love the way Ellie raises one ear like she is really listening to me.  What???

I never did hear from two of the give-away winners, so I've drawn two more names.  Glenda and Farm Girl, please email me with your necklace choice and snail mail address.

Still nothing on the frame.  I'm beginning to feel like Saundra over at Woodland Junction.  At least I'm in good company!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Hooky Stuff and a few Flowers ~

For you longtime blog friends, you may remember this rug.  For whatever reason, this rug took me 11 1/2 months to hook and at least another 6 to 8 months before I put the binding on.  Since then, it has been rolled up in a basket.  I finally got my DSO to hang it for me over the head of my bed.  I love it there!  And of course, the rug colors are much more muted in person :)  

How many of you remember the dark pine that was SO popular back in the 70's?  The bed is the only piece I have left of the set. 

Another rug I finally hung in the guest room.  It is a Woolley Fox pattern, Berks County Floral, I think it is called.  I started in at the 2011 ATHA biennial. And once again, much more muted in person, especially the dark background.

Can you believe I've already sewn the binding on my Magdalena style rug?  I hooked it for the dining room table, but I'm not sure if that's where it will end up.

Bound in wool to match the last row of hooking.  I really do love this rug!  Only one rug left to bind.  I'm on a roll here, but don't have anything on the frame at the moment.  That needs to change soon!

A few pictures from around the yard.  I'd say that's one well fed robin.

$5 begonia from Home Depot . . .

. . . and my $5 geranium.  Notice all the missing flower heads?  It has to be deer eating them.  

I think I paid $3 for this tricycle at a resale shop a few years ago and got a .50 basket from Goodwill.  

The foxglove are not doing too good this year.

Coreopsis . . .

The hydrangea are starting to bloom and are just loaded with buds.

I still have not heard from two of the winners in my 4 year anniversary give-away.  I will be picking new winners if I don't hear from you before my next post.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Odds and Ends and an Annie Update ~

Here is a recent update I got from Annie's furever mom.  As most of you will remember, she is the pug-wannabee that I fostered for 16 months through Ohio Pug Rescue.  Lucky for her to be in the most perfect, loving home.  It was worth the wait!

"All is going very well with our little family! Annie is such a sweetie pie! :) I just got back from taking her to the farmers market and Starbucks-she loves the attention. Yesterday she went to school with me and the kids just loved her to pieces!! Also, she hiked 10 miles with us one day-she is a trooper! We always watch her really close to be sure she isn't overheating, but she keeps trucking right along. She also enjoys drinking from all the fresh running creeks-who would have thought a pug could hike like that. :) Sadly the weather is starting to get really hot so we'll probably be doing fewer hikes with our girl-need to keep her safe out there. 

We're still working in teaching her some manners. You wouldn't believe how accustomed she's become to riding in the back seat! She always wants to jump in back! We've even taught her to sit and wait before she can get out I'd the car-so we'll behaved! We took her to Kentucky a few weeks ago to visit family-she slept most of the trip!"

Annie has a better social life than I do :)

* * *

Thanks for all the lovely comments regarding my visit with hooker Sheila.  Here is part of what she had to say, "Thanks everyone for your very kind words.  Lauren has such sweet blogging friends."  

* * *

Speaking of blogs, there's a relatively new blog you need to visit if you haven't already done so, Dogwood Farm.  Louise is a hooker, pug mom and a real sweetie!

* * *

It's been over two weeks and I've not heard from the winner of the rug pattern, so I've drawn a new name.  Congrats to NMK.  You must contact me within the week with your snail mail address to claim the pattern.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Cat & Mouse ~

Cat and mouse is finished.  It's about 12 1/2" x 29".  This was a fun one to hook and just my style ~ no detail :)  And . . . AND . . . I've even sewn the binding on.  Yeah!  All that is left is the label and I'm SO FAR behind labeling my rugs . . . sigh.  I though maybe I could get better color taking the rug outside and photographing it in the shade.  Nope.  Still not good color but I think the ones taken in the house were even worse.  For the cat I probably used 8-10 dark wools.  In person they are much more subtle.   

The wool on the left is what was used for the mouse.  I don't know the maker or the name, but the wool on the right is a Rebecca Erb called Phantom Trail, I believe.  I need to get more of both for my stash.  They are great wools when you want an old look but don't want to mix several wools.

Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Rug Envy ~

I have a serious case of RUG ENVY.  Yesterday, I took a road trip to Bucyrus, Ohio, about 1.5 hours from home to visit hooker friend Sheila.  We've been to hook-ins together and met at craft shows, but I'd never been to her house.  What a treat it was.  Her rugs are the rugs I want to hook and she picks the perfect colors ~ dark and dirty :)  The colors I want to choose but always miss.    Can you believe this was her very first rug???  I'm guessing it was 2'x3'.  Of course, my photos do not do the rugs justice and this pic is exceptionally bad.

Granny Donaldson, a pattern by the Woolley Fox, is a whopping 34"x 57".

One of my favorites.

 And another favorite :)

That was only a very small sampling of her rugs.  I wish I had taken more pictures. 

I also had Santa envy.  She has the most wonderful collection of salt glazed pottery Santas.

This wonderful guy was a gift from her mom.

 

Now isn't this fun?  An old masher and square nails.  I have the masher so now I'm on the hunt for some old, long square nails.

An old card of buttons Sheila had framed.  She said when she took it to the framer, the framer wanted to trim the paper it was on so it wasn't so ragged.  

Beautifully made pinkeep . . .

. . . and an antique pin cushion/thread holder.

Before she started hooking, Sheila was a quilter. She showed me a few of her quilts - appliqued, not pieced - and they were simply amazing.  Too bad I failed to get pictures of them :(  Many thanks to Sheila for allowing me to share her treasures with you.

Here's Ellie taking a roll in the grass while we were out doing yard work today.  She does enjoy being outside.  Progress has been made with the yard work but there is so much more to do.  DSO got my little pond fountain hooked up today.  I haven't had  any goldfish in a few years so maybe when I have Jake tomorrow we'll go buy a few.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Paraprosdokians ~

Paraprosdokians are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous. 

Winston Churchill loved them.

1. Where there's a will, I want to be in it.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.

3. Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

7. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit.  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

8. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

9. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

10. In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, Notify:  I put 'DOCTOR'.'

11. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.

12. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

13. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

14. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

15. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

16. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

17. I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

* * *

Since this blog is Rugs and PUGS, and it's been a while since I've posted any pugs, I thought I'd share a few pictures taken of Loocie this evening at daddy's place.  Isn't she just the cutest little thing?  That grey face just melts my heart.

Typical "pugsit"

* * *

I needed to change my shower curtain liner, so I decided I'd go ahead and wash the shower curtain.  As I take it out of the dryer I'm thinking it looks a bit small.  I look at the label and it says "Dry Clean Only".  Whodda thunk you would ever need to take your shower curtain to the dry cleaner?  It's probably cheaper to buy a new one and that's exactly what I will be doing in the next couple of days.  It probably shrunk at least 25%.  Darn!  I liked that curtain.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Congrats to ~

A post needs at least a picture or two, so here's a couple of Ellie this evening curled up on the couch in my hooking room.  She found a spot in the sun and was as happy as could be.  This is her favorite spot ~ nine times out of ten this is where you will find her.  I think she has made herself quite at home and has settled in nicely.  We still both miss momma Judy!

 

As promised, I've drawn the winners for my four year anniversary give away.  Congrats to Barb (entered via email), Willow, Marie and Rita.  Please email me with your necklace choice and snail mail address (and be sure to put give-away in the subject line so I don't miss it).

* * *

Now, I don't mean to be a curmudgeon (I do love that word), but I don't have a give-away to get new followers.  I don't have others "advertise" it.  I do it to try to reward my loyal readers.  Last week I drew the winner of the rug pattern.  It was someone I am not familiar with, which is fine, but I've not yet heard from her.  Do you think I'm unreasonable if I draw another name in a few days?  I don't want to be one of those crabby bloggers so please tell me if you think I'm wrong!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Sunday Stuff ~

Have you seen stand-up paddle boarding?  This is outside DSO's condo.  You stand up on these enormous surf-type boards and paddle like a canoe.  It's supposed to be great exercise.  The boards are (supposedly) very stable.  The owner/instructor (in the striped shorts) will even do a headstand on it.  Has anyone tried this?  I think it might be fun to give it a whirl.

Yesterday DSO powered up the sailboat and under motor we took a ride upriver with his friend Dick and new bride.  How cool is that to get married in your 80's?  I guess it's never to late for love :)  

Lots and lots of heron make their home on the Black River.  About ten years ago I saw my first bald eagle circling over the river.  

Progress has been made on my rug and I'm nearing completion.  I've run out of background wool, but luckily hooker friend Melissa has some I can use.  Since I used only one wool, I don't want to reverse hook and add other wools.  I love using one wool to get so much variation.  The cat is probably 8-10 different dark wools.  This was taken without a flash and the colors are pretty close.  I wanted a simple face, but I'm not sure about it.  I will live with it for a few days and hopefully it will grow on me.

There's still time to enter my anniversary give-away.  I will pick the winners on Tuesday.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren