Rug and pug updates ~ ~ ~

Welcome and thanks for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying your summer!

For those of you who did not see a previous post, I am fostering a three year old female pug through Ohio Pug Rescue. She came into rescue with the name Fat Girl. I just couldn't call her that and she finally has a new name. Her is name is Fran and I call her Frannie. She has been such a sweetheart. Tuesday she went to the vet and was spayed and brought up to date on all her shots. Her only problem was whip worms and tomorrow she has her last dose of medication. (If you live in Ohio and are interested in adopting a pug, please visit the website www.ohiopugrescue.com.) She is going to make someone a wonderful pet ;-)

As you can see, I've made some progress on my rug, but not as much as I would have liked. I thought the rug looked a little top heavy, so I removed the top two rows. My goal is to find a half hour a day to hook, and this week I have failed miserably! There are also three birthdays this month I wanted to hook or needle punch a gift for. Well, the first birthday is today ~ needless to say that one did not get done. Heck, it didn't even get started...lol! Also, if you stop by Linda's blog, www.thewoolcupboard.blogspot.com, she has a great little freebie pattern I hope to make.

My favorite antique show is this Sunday in Milan, Ohio. Milan is the birth place of Thomas Edison and has a wonderful town square. Many quality dealers set up and I have found some great antiques there over the years. If you are anywhere near, you should try to stop. Oh, I did not mention the best part ~ ~ ~ the show has NO admission.

Here's hoping you've had a great week and your weekend will be even better.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Confederate Cemetery ~ ~ ~

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday, spent with family and/or friends or doing whatever made you happy.

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day on Ohio's north coast. The perfect day for my first motorcycle ride of the year. We hopped on the Honda Valkyrie and headed to Johnson's Island, located in Sandusky Bay. Johnson's Island is a private residential area accessible by causeway. The only area open to the public is the Confederate Cemetery. The cemetery is owned by the Federal Government and maintained by the Veteran's Administration. It is Ohio's most significant Civil War site. The following is taken directly from the website http://www.johnsonsisland.org/.

Military Prison on Johnson's Island

The creation and administration of the Depot of Prisoners of War, Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bay, Ohio, is perhaps the most historically interesting part of the island's colorful history. During the 40 months of its existence, approximately 10,000 men were processed into the stockade on Johnson's Island. Most were Confederate officers. Twenty-six were either generals or officers who became generals during or after their imprisonment. Others confined there were a small number of privates, bushwhackers, guerrillas, and citizens suspected of disloyalty to the Union. The maximum number of prisoners at any one time was about 3224 in January, 1864.

This is a view of the cemetery looking north. The 1912 date on the sign refers to the year the iron fence and gates were installed.

View looking south to the monument.

This is a view looking southeast from the monument. If you look out over the water, you can see rides from Cedar Point Amusement Park.

I hope you have enjoyed today's little history lesson.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Happy 4th of July ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ to everyone! ~ ~ ~

I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday. Last year, my dear significant other (DSO) Fritz and I spent the 4th in Petaluma, California. His older son, Frank, an Army doctor stationed in Alaska, had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. His younger son Matt lives in Petaluma and his daughter Heather flew in from Michigan. Pictured below are Matt, DSO, Frank & Heather.A couple pictures of the fireworks we enjoyed.

We stayed at the coolest little hotel in Petaluma, the Metro. It was decorated in a kind of funky, Paris chic decor. Just a fun little place to stay.

I highly recommend it!

There was a little patio outside of most of the rooms.

A view inside the "lobby" area.

Inside our room was the smallest claw foot tub I had ever seen!

Here is a funky goose lamp that was in most of the rooms.

It was tacky, but it made you smile :)

(Yes. our room really was lavender.)

The lavender was in bloom and it smelled heavenly!

From Petaluma we headed to San Francisco. What a fun place to visit. More about that some other time.

Thank you for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

A peek in the hookin' room ~ ~ ~

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have stopped by in the last month! Today I had my 1000th hit. I am so happy. For months I thought about starting a blog, but was afraid no one would drop on by. Thank you all for erasing my doubts.

Today I thought I would give you the ten cent tour of my hooking/computer room. This is the smallest bedroom in the house and when I moved in almost ten years ago (where did the time go?), I got brave and painted it hunter green. I had never painted a room a dark color, let alone a small room, and to this day I still love the color! This built in corner desk is a little cramped, but it works as long as I don't let it get too cluttered.

Here's the file cabinet that keeps me semi-organized and an antique cupboard full of books. The grape ivy in the crock was started many years ago from a few snips from a friend's plant.
A view to the north wall. I use an old tool chest as a coffee table. The hanging corner cupboard is a reproduction made from tiger maple. On top of it sits a "snow bird".

Here are a few samplers I stitched years ago. (Sorry about the spots ~ I don't know why they are there).

The little table was made by my older son in high school shop class. It's hard to see but I have a little hit and miss rug on top ~ the third thing I hooked back in May 2005.

This little hooked mat was hooked by Bonnie Stahl and purchased on eBay.

And finally ~ a couple of months ago I picked this up from a neighbor's trash pile. This is NOT quality furniture...lol! It's not even wood. I suppose at one time it had a picture of wood on it! Some day I may repaint it, but for now it's okay. It's just just the perfect spot for holding all that I need for my current project. I have my wool cutter there also. It's great to use when I only need to cut a few strips of wool. For serious cutting, I move it to a better location.

I hope you have enjoyed my little tour. Before you can peek in the wool closet, I need to straighten it a bit. I have a very hard time keeping it neat.

Thank you for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Meet my new foster pug ~ ~ ~

I'd like to introduce my new foster girl. I picked her up yesterday. Isn't she gorgeous? She came with the unfortunate name of Fat Girl. Yes, Fat Girl, and for a pug she is very thin! (I do hope we can give her a new name!) She is three years old and was given up along with two other pugs. Thankfully Ohio Pug Rescue came to the rescue. The pugs were flea infested when picked up and not spayed or neutered. Fat Girl has obviously had puppies. NO MORE! OPR does not adopt pugs out with the chance that they will be bred.

She has been such a good girl! She slept with me last night and unlike most pugs, slept close but did not crowd me. I didn't have the heart to crate her when I went to work today, so she was gated in the kitchen area. When I came home at lunchtime, she was very excited. She is a screamer! What a hoot to hear. I think the entire neighborhood heard her, too. Same thing after work. I just had to laugh.

Other than some sore areas from scratching at the fleas (which are all gone!), she appears to be in good health. She will be brought up to date on all her shots, heartworm tested, microchipped, and spayed. She will then be ready to go to her forever home.

I'm sure you wonder how I will be able to give her up. It is very difficult! I was told, "the first one is the hardest and you will cry and the second one is hard and you will cry....". Get the picture? When I gave up my first foster, I took a half day off work and spent the afternoon crying. I just knew that I was doing the right thing and that she was going to a wonderful new mommy who would absolutely spoil her. It is very bittersweet and so very rewarding to foster.

If you are considering a pet, please consider an animal from a shelter or from a rescue group. Just about every breed of dog has a rescue group. There are so many animals looking for homes. PLEASE!!! Do not buy a pet from a pet store. The dogs are from puppy mills and most live in deplorable conditions!

Pug hugs to everyone ;-)

Lauren

The daughter I never had.....

…is my niece Elise. (I was blessed with two boys, but I missed buying smocked bonnets and other such girlie things.)
For many years, every summer she would come and spend time with family in Ohio. During her college years at Auburn University, she would spend her summers working at Cedar Point.
She, along with hubby Michael and daughters Sophia (almost 6) and Alexis (almost 3) came in from Chicago to spent a couple of nights here before heading a little further east to attend her cousin’s wedding. Both the girls will be in the wedding party. I can’t wait to see the pictures.
Now I must tell my favorite Elise story. When I turned 40, she was a whopping 17! She told me I was officially middle aged, and to a 17 year old, I’m sure I was. GUESS WHO IS TURNING 40 VERY SOON? You guessed it, Elise. Guess who no longer believes that 40 is middle aged?

Here is Sophia and my grandson Jake after eating a popsicle last evening. They thought the blue tongues were way too cool!
Have a wonderful weekend.
I hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods.
Lauren

How does my garden grow?

The gardens are looking pretty good, but I still have lots more to do. The bugs have finally subsided (at least for a little while), so that annoyance is gone. As you all know, it is a never-ending task to keep up with the yard. The little pond is in my front garden. The water plants don't do too well because they don't get enough sun. My water lilies leaf out but never flower. If you enlarge the photo, you can see one of my two goldfish.

This is one of the hydrangeas I planted last week.

Hostas and helleboros (lenten rose).

I believe this is called dead nettle.

A little geranium in a crock.

Asiatic lily.

Not sure what this is called.

Coreopsis.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Pugs hugs!
Lauren