I won't lie, I was NOT happy when Courtney came home carrying a cage containing little dwarf hamsters. Even though I have had rabbits, I have not been a fan of smaller rodent pets. When I caught a glimpse of the two cute little faces peeking out of their sleep house though, oh my! These little babies belong to one of Courtney's college roomates who was going home to Texas for the holiday, thus the extended vacation here in Conway.
After researching a little on what type of hamster they are, I believe that they are Roborovski dwarf hamsters. They are so teeny tiny with such sweet little faces and no nasty rodent tail. I actually like them. 🙂
The plan was for Courtney to keep them in her room, but given that they appear to be nocturnal and are very busy little girls at night running on their wheel, I offered to let them live in my office. Most of their day is spent in their little sleep house, but they do get busy at night or when I fill up their little food dish. I like to give them little pats during the day, but I don't dare to pick them up for fear that they would jump out of my hands and a dog would mistake them for a snack…..a little hamster cookie. 😉
I had a post that I wrote last night all set to go for tonight's post. It was a feel good post with a clip of Louis Armstrong's song, "It's a wonderful world", but in light of today's sadness, I deleted it, because it doesn't feel like a wonderful world at all today, so I am going in a different direction tonight. ~
Over the years you have met some of my little dog friends here on my blog…Cleo, Skky and Goose, (who we affectionately call Puppy). Their breeder has become a good friend of mine and over the years, she has always blessed me with "The Twelve Days of Christmas" gift, which is huge fun. This year the gifts were bundled in a hanging shoe rack (see the picture). I really enjoy this present and always look forward to Barb's creativity and thoughtfulness. Each morning with my coffee, I grab the day's present and it always makes me smile. Barb puts so much thought and time into the packages and I always enjoy it. Today's gift made Hannah smile a great big smile. A fun movie and some tasty pop-corn drizzle. Guess what we will be doing tomorrow night?
Thanks Barb!! ~
On another note, I want to send my heartfelt prayers to the families who are grieving tonight. We have family members who have and still work at this school Thankfully neither were there today. It is a sad day when the youngest amongst us can not be safe in our world. My heartfelt prayer today is that someday we can live in that world that Louis Armstrong sang to us all those years ago.
A little whiile back a dear dog friend of mine were talking about different things and she asked me if I had ever thought of knitting doll sweaters. Huh? Doll sweaters? She told me that there was this world of dolls that were collectible and handmade sweaters sold for a fair amount. She sent me a link to the sweaters and I told her that I didn't think I would have the patience to knit such small items.
What caught my eye however were the amazing customized Blythe dolls. When I was a child I loved dolls. I mean I really loved them, so when I had 4 daughters I was thrilled to have a reason to buy beautiful dolls, but do you think any one of them liked dolls? Nope, not a one…well, that's not quite true, Stacey did enjoy them for a spell, but the others….yuck is what their opinion of dolls were. I finally came to the conclusion that it was me who loved the dolls and if I liked one, I should just get it for me…LOL
I vaguely remember the Blythe dolls when I was in Junior high school…more the commercial than the doll itself. Kenner produced them for a year and they never did that well and you can see why in this commercial.
They were pretty creepy looking weren't they? When I first saw some of these customized ones, I thought the same thing….creepy and scary, but as I looked a little closer at more images such as this amazing custom girl, I was a bit smitten. There really are some creepy custom ones and then there are some that are so beautiful, such as this soulful girl.
I know that my days as a wool dyer are limited due to the condition of my back. Ken and I have talked about different directions for me such as teaching classes and maybe scaling back a bit to just a yarn club and store updates if things don't improve over the next few years, so I am keeping an open mind to other things as well.
When I was a child, in addition to dolls, I loved art. I used to draw those art school adverts that would be in the back of some magazines, you know what I mean…the turtle head or pirate head, etc (I am giving away my age). I always dreamed that someday my mother would let me send one in and actually some of the ones I did were pretty good, but those were childhood dreams.
Seeing these dolls brought me full circle right back to those days, which were just about when these dolls first came out in 1972 (I was too old for dolls then). Sooo….I have purchased some tools and maybe one or two pretty customized dolls and maybe one un-customized one to play with. Custom hand dyed hair made from alpaca and mohair? (lots of that floating around here) Hand painted and sculpted faces? Custom sewn clothes? Certainly not something you could make a living from, but still……..intriquing. A reason to still play with dolls even when you are grown up. Sometimes you really can go back to your youth just in a different way.
This lovely Autumn girl lives with me now. She comes to me from Spain and her creator is lachicadellunar . (these are her pictures used with her permission). She has done an amazing job creating such a sweet, fall fairy. Autumn has lovely painted leaves on her sleepy eyes and along the back of her neck. It was hard for me to resist her with Autumn being my favorite time of year and coming from a family of freckled faces, I just loved her.
I see all kinds of new things floating around in my mind like fairy dust….
We had enjoyable weekend here at The Woolen Rabbit. For starters, the usual Friday nachos and lemon drops. I know, it doesn't sound like a good combination, but trust me, it really is a nice way to start off the weekend.
The weather on Saturday was not the best for picking out a Christmas tree, but Hannah had to work on Sunday, and we wanted to include her.
A rare picture of Ken, with Hannah's boyfriend Shawn who almost took himself out on the very thick wire holding the trees up…ouch! Careful there boy!
Hannah was sick today, with what we think is strep throat, so after a visit to the doctor, I opted to stay in with her while she rested and completed the Christmas decorating. It's always a lot of work, but feels so nice when it is finished.
I don't usually post on Saturday, but I am this weekend as I am heading out on a road trip to Western Massachusetts for the Hot Chocolate Run and heaven only knows if I will be upright to post on Monday..LOL. I signed up as a 2 mile walker, but if my back is feeling well I might change to the 5K run. Of course I would have to walk a big chunk of it, but I could put in my earbuds and do week 3 of C25K and I would enjoy that :-). It will all depend on how this back feels on Sunday. Fingers are crossed that I can not only drive the 4 hour drive, but do the 5K. 🙂
On another note….so many of you have come to know my daughter, Ashley, both here on my blog and as a very welcomed helper at the NETA Spa. I was so happy when she shared a new song with me, especially since I know how busy her life with teaching has become. I think you will enjoy her tune as well. 🙂
Seven geese pierce straight line over rigid bay, Intervals between them constantly equal, Pointed wings slash as if joined to an axle: Today is the ideal movement between yesterday and tomorrow. Deng Ming~Dao
This past Saturday, Hannah and I headed down to Portsmouth to purchase a pair of track spikes for her birthday. If I have learned nothing else on my back journey, I have learned just how important it is to have the right shoes for your feet. The Runner's Alley is really good about watching the way you walk barefoot and your foot placement before they recommend a pair of shoes. I know for sure they have saved me from my lifetime of shin splints.
It was a pretty cold day, so Hannah and I walked quickly from the parking deck to the store, but just as we crossed the street to the Runner's Alley we heard some lovely violin music. Whaaat??? Violin music on Congress St in Portsmouth?? As we glanced back across the street, there was this little boy playing his violin on the sidewalk…..without a coat….and it was COLD. OMGoodness, it just about broke my heart, but it also warmed my heart to hear such tender music coming from just a little boy who obviously did not come from the same type of home that my children have enjoyed.
Hannah and I quickly crossed the street to listen to the beautiful music and when I tossed in a bill that was perhaps a little larger than he was accustomed to he lit up like a Christmas tree and my heart lit up as well, even though I really wanted to just take him to a store and get him a coat. (I am praying that he just chose not to bring one with him that day.)
Everyday, I find new things to be thankful for…..this day was a special one for both Hannah and I. 🙂
This week's Ten On Tuesday is, 10 Mittens/Mitts I Want To Knit.
It's been pretty chilly up here, especially on my earlier morning walk/runs, so new mittens are definitely on my mind. See those mittens above? Those were my MOST favorite mittens ever. Polwarth that I had carded, spun, dyed and then over dyed with a cheery red color. Then I added some angora trim from one of my favorite bunnies, so when I lost them last year I was crushed. Luckily I have 2 skeins of that same nasty blue (dye fail) polwarth that I can overdye again and recreate these mittens, so I will start off with that pattern.
2. Eliza Mitts ~ My granddaughter loves the pair that lives in my studio, so she will be getting a pair for Christmas in her favorite vibrant shade of green.
3. Post War Mittens ~ Color work scares the bejesus out of me. I bought this pattern when it came out and still have not attempted it, but I am going to this year!
4. Pole Pattern ~ and staying with the color theme, I have the yarn all spun up to knit a pair just like Pat's.
5. Shallow Mitts ~ to go with the Shallow cowl I am going to make. I love Bonnie's patterns! I may even have to buy the recommended yarn which is crazy for a Woolen Rabbit who has more yarn than she knows what to do with.
10. Fiddlehead Mittens ~ I think that these should move up to 2nd because I love then so.
I love all of these mittens, but I will be lucky if I get more than McKayla's finished as I am busy making the yarn….kind of like the cobbler's kid's shoes. 🙂
I guess that weekending this week actually included Thursday since that was the start of the weekend here. A weekend that included my entire family visiting for Thanksgiving….and what fun we had. So much to be thankful for!
My oldest daughter, Stacey was here with her husband and my two grandchildren….and a new little grandbaby is on the way!! So exciting to be able to knit and quilt for the wee one once we know if it should be pink or blue. 🙂
It's also been a year of milestone birthdays. Ashley's husband turned 30 earlier this month (how is that possible!). I had the most fun of my life during my thirties, so 30 is good Brian!
Miss Courtney turned 21 in August……we must teach her how to drink like a lady.
…..and this was how she felt about that suggestion….Hmmm. Charm school?
…and it was a nice treat to have my son, Miles and his fiance, Jen here for the day with her son Jaxon. I don't get to see them as much as the girls, so I always enjoy their visits. (notice the hat…..Windschief)
Miss Hannah turned 18 on Thanksgiving day, but I was on the wrong side of the table to get her picture..bummer, so I included a picture that we took a few weeks ago…couldn't not have her pretty face here. The thing Hannah was most looking forward to was purchasing her very first lottery ticked..LOL
Even the dogs enjoyed the day. With a new floor and new soft beds, they were happy girls. A bit noisy with all of the commotion, but still happy. ~
I will share a very touching part of my weekend with you on Wednesday. It made me thankful all over again. I hope you had a nice Holiday weekend as well!
My oldest daughter, Stacey was here with her husband and my two grandchildren….and a new little grandbaby is on the way!! So exciting to be able to knit and quilt for the wee one once we know if it should be pink or blue. 🙂
It's also been a year of milestone birthdays. Ashley's husband turned 30 earlier this month 
The Woolen Rabbit 