My BOY BEN

I have missed all my fur babies and the last one lost was my boy Ben.  Am trying to create a Memorial for him as I did the others and it is going slowly even tho the linen is small.  

Have pulled out loops and replaced with different value or color ~ have hooked him upside down while looking at his profile upside down.  Although I'm trying desperately to get a good representation of him in #8 and #8.5 it will never replace my Benny Ben. 

Thought it about time to show you my progress so far.  By the way, I don't have those tangles any more.  And that which appears as orange on his cheek does NOT look like that in person, it looks more brown with a lighter brown as you see.

So far I'm pleased because I can see Ben ~ maybe because I WANT to see him.  Here  is the original handsome boy from which I cropped part to make his profile.  What shows up as brown in the ears on my hooking really shows up as a greyish black in person.  Eventually maybe I'll grab another camera or do other setting to get the better shot.

My Boy Ben was adopted at the age of 4 years 7 months and I had him for about 5 years but not nearly long enough.  

Saundra

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Off to the Vet We Go

Today was another follow-up vet visit for an ultra-sound of his spleen. Thank goodness no nodules or growth on the spleen of the 'low grade mast cell' which was removed from his belly some months ago.  And that is why the vigil on regular ultra sounds, as a mast cell could develop again anywhere ~ and better to find out early if something is growing internally.  

As soon as Ben heard the 'certain' fur saver chain move he ran to the garage and immediately jumped in the back.  He beat me to the van and was already with his butt on the back seat and all fours on the floor.  By the time I took the picture he had jumped up and was telling me 'lets go'.

Okay, some of you will think I'm crazy, for those of you who followed me for some time know my awareness of orbs showing up in my photos. I've put a black ring around all the orbs noticed and some thought were orbs but didn't put a circle. Frankly I think it is awesome but with all the orbs showing up in the van around Ben am wondering if they are departed pets/family of Ben or mine.  Okay.... on to the vet.

The ride to the vet wasn't as horrible as in the past, perhaps age is mellowing my boy.  They even said he didn't grumble (growl) even when they applied the muzzle.  

My other two rotties were never muzzled nor was Shadow.  But Ben was adopted by me so perhaps there was a history before my adoption and they want to be cautious.  Ben is a gentle lover dumplin'.  Uh, except he wants to kill moving vehicles.

If the visit today had been just for the ultra sound it would have been an inexpensive visit.  The exam re-check was only $37 and the Ultrasound only $50.  They even trimmed Ben's nails for free.  

BUT, it was Heartguard and K-9 Advantix purchase time so..... total of bill was $282.  Actually, that was a great deal because I got 2 free Advantix for buying 12 months worth and will get a rebate of $12 for buying 12 months of Heartguard.

Ben was starved when we finally got home as he is used to eating his breakfast around 7 a.m.  So he gobbled it down, drank a full bowl of water and plopped on the kitchen floor.

Notice the circled orb on the wall above.  

Today I reminded Ben that I am his social security check, his Medicare payment, house keeper, handler and one who loves him.  But don't think he needs reminding that he is loved.  And I love my boy.

Saundra

My Rottweiler Elf

I had a few gifts to wrap so asked my resident 'unwilling' elf to help me. Told Ben to sit so I could put the elf hat on him but he felt embarrassed. Ben said he was a killer Rottweiler and this was beneath him but because he loved me so much would sit for a photo shoot.  Uh, he got a cookie as payment.

As his mom didn't like how the one eye was covered asked Ben to go to the kitchen for another photo shoot.  He decided to lay down for this one.  And, BTW, his lip sometimes sticks on his teeth so he is NOT growling or showing aggressive behaviour toward me.  He is a sweet boy but no doubt would protect me to the end.

As moms would have it I wanted one more shot to get the bell to hang just right.  Although I tried all the key words to get his head up in position he just looked out of the corner of his eyes as to say..."please, enough is enough and give me my other cookie".

So my Ben elf got his other cookie and retreated to the computer room where I'm posting this.  I just looked at him now as a sleepy boy in the only furniture he is allowed on which is covered with a fleece throw.

 Another photo by the paparazzi fur mom.

Will show an update on my rug soon but did want to give everyone of my blogger friends a 'hello' from me and Ben to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and to my Jewish followers a happy Hanukkah.
  
Saundra

Honey's I'm Homme.......

Must admit that having fun is exhausting.  So exhausting that I chose to stay home tonight and chill instead of visiting my pals at wine tasting. Uh, think I've had a lot of wine tasting over the last 5 days.  Besides, I wanted to spend time with my boy Ben.  He's given me lots of kisses and love eyes.

And, since I've been gone we had the official day of fall.  Here is a pumpkin doll I made a while ago and the picture taken before it was given the aging technique.

Now, as a teaser for Cape May adventures, and to give me a day of rest before checking pictures, here is a photo of our wonderful and beautiful teacher Kris Miller who has Spruce Ridge Studios.

I've had Kris as a teacher before and will have her again this November in Ocean City, MD.  

Was wonderful to get away but feels good to be home with my boy Ben and my own bed.  OH!  And not to mention feeling good about getting back to my normal eating habits.  

Saundra

My Boy Ben

This morning as I'm getting ready to leave for an appointment I catch my boy peeking thru the bedroom window at the squirrels beneath the bird feeders.  The left side of the curtain is wrapped upward.

At that moment I noticed the curl at the tip of his ears which I tell him are 'black dumplings'.  After all, they are soft, flexible, tender and sweet.  And most definitely delicious as he is.  

By the time I got the camera from the other side of the house his position had changed and didn't get a good picture.  So, I'll bore you with another photo of my boy which does capture the curl of those black dumplings.

Do you notice he is in front of my kitchen sink and demanding attention for whatever it is I'm cooking for dinner.  OMG he is a force to be reckoned with... but in a gentle yet assertive way.  Ben loves vegetables:  celery, carrots, sweet potato, broccoli and lettuce hard white parts.  

I could go on and on about his love of veggies, but DO NOT give dogs onion..  Probably Ben would eat it if I put it down for him but it is not recommended and don't give it to my boy.

Tomorrow I should have the hit and miss mat all hooked.  By then Miz Lauren may have joined in the group with me and Gayle.  Any other want to join along?  

Have a great evening and tomorrow I'll have to knuckle down and get some inside work done before leaving on Sunday for Cape May.

Saundra

Ben's Results

One of Ben's doctors called me today with results.  Seems the results of the biopsy report and other tests turned out okay. 

Just in case you are wondering...... just behind Ben is a wooden TV tray which I've pushed under the side table.  Otherwise that goofy boy gets his butt under it and when getting up tilts everything off the damn table.  I love my boy but he is surely a bull in a china shop.  

SO, what causes the spleen to enlarge??  It is a sort of alert system.

Blood runs thru the spleen which makes it react to certain environmental changes; his eating something, drinking water outside, eating squirrel and rabbit excrement, etc.  But could also have been related to a recurrence of a "mast cell tumor" which was removed.  

But my handsome boy has good test results and this is him coming running when I mentioned the word...."cookie".

Hope your evening is as good as mine will be tonight knowing my Ben is okay.  Sure was lucky to adopt such a loving dog at the age of 3 years 7 months almost 5 years ago.  Love ya Ben.

Saundra

My Boy Ben

My handsome boy Ben had his annual physical today.  Yet it was just in April when he had the spot removed from his belly.  

The picture above was taken November 2011 soon after adoption and before he had his backyard.  That is why he is tethered while I trim lirope near him.  Isn't he a handsome boy?

This photo above is the following November when Ben and Phantom (a neighbor's Rottie and Ben's best pal) played in their backyard.  Ben is on the left and Phantom on the right.  Phantom is gone and even now when we walk by the house Ben will cry.

When Ben was at the vet in April he was 103.4 pounds and since he is a big dog and Rotties are prone to hip problems they wanted me to get him back to his best weight which was under 100 lbs.  Yippee, mama's diet for Ben showed that since April (just 4 months folks) he is now at 98.4 pounds.  

All I did was do less cookies.  If good behaviour deserved a cookie then I broke it in half.  He didn't know he was getting half...he knew he had a cookie.

Ben LOVES his veggies.  When I make a salad or hears me washing veggies he runs in the kitchen.  Ben loves the hard white parts of Romaine and Iceberg lettuce; loves the tips of zuchinni, the ends of celery and carrots.  Oh, also loves the ends of asparagus and fresh spinash....go figure.  DO NOT give onions to dogs.

Anyway, most of you have already stopped reading my blog by now I'm sure, but hey, don't have a new picture of my rug.

This is what my boy endured today:

~Check on surgery spot of mass removal
~senior blood profile
~Lyme Vaccination
~Lepto vaccination
~Anal sac expression
~nails clipped
~plus various and sundry probes and punches

So on the way home when Ben was stressed out, panting and under duress, he said to me...".a little this, a little that." 

But if ya want to know what he did have to say which I won't post here.... write me to inquire.  If you are a NO-Reply blogger you won't get the message.

Have a great evening everyone.  And FYI I adore my wonderful adopted Rottweiler.  Do not hesitate to adopt a dog.  I prefer big dogs as they are great protectors and faithful companions who want to be with family too.

Saundra

Back to the Drawing Board

I've fiddled a little with my grandson's design again.  

Instead of two crossed checkered flags have decided to do the line up of all the different types of flags which are used at Nascar races.  I've never been to a race but did learn about the flags on the internet. The green flag starts the race, yellow is to caution there may be debris on the track, a red flag tells drivers to stop on the track in a designated area, black flag tells that driver to get off the track since he did something wrong.  

A blue with yellow stripe tells the driver there is a fast approaching car about to pass and the driver must yield to that vehicle.  A white flag tells the lead car he or she has one lap to go in the race.  

The black and white checkered flag at the lead car means he has won the race.  

Additionally I enlarged the motifs as well as Zach's name.    For comparison, below is what I'd originally drawn on the linen.  But the flags over powered the small motifs and the flags were longer than they should be.  

With the linen flipped over I'm still considering the possibility of drawing the new design.  Don't want to be too hasty this time so meanwhile I've the small cat mat to work on.

Have a great Thursday, and for those wondering, Ben is doing great. He is back to his normal self and challenges me in a play position but since he isn't supposed to rough house for a week am not promoting the play thing.

Saundra

Guess What Time It Is....

Nope it isn't Howdy Doody Time.  Are any of you readers old enough to remember Howdy Doody or Buffalo Bob?  Anway, .... it is rug show time.

Below is an antique rug I've wanted to hook for a very long time.  There is a chicken under the horse, dogs, and colorful border of various flora.

A very primitive and naive black dog with spots and pinwheels hooked on the inside border.  Sorry but don't know the provenance of this old rug.

A Fish swimming up river below just might not be an antique but is wonderful.  The edges of the rug are well preserved and the shells in the corners are too precise to be an old hooked rug but is still wonderful.  

What is old is the Scotty Dogs playing rug below.  

Speaking of dogs...a dog...my dog Ben.  

He is a big beautiful and powerful Rottweiler.  He is friendly with people, with other animals (okay exclude squirrels and cats who enter his yard and moving wheels).

Ben will often lay in a submissive position which he knows melts my heart. Therefore I see the underbelly quite often and noticed a recent change with a spot.  At first it appeared as a bald flat spot forever..until it changed.

Today I took Ben to the vet.  The vet said it did NOT look like a lipoma, a sebaceous cyst, a wart or mole.  He said it didn't look like anything he has seen.

Even before I told the vet my thoughts he suggested that Ben have the spot removed and sent to the lab.  Of course I totally agreed because if that was on my body I would ask my dermatologist remove it regardless.  This is my companion and need to keep him healthy to be with me as long as possible.   Ben goes to the vet next Tuesday.

Hope you have a good evening.  I'm still unsettled since nothing much was accomplished today.  Plus am worried about my boy and he's still trying to calm down after a vet visit.  Hey...who likes to go to the doctor???? Surely not a dog when they also get their nails clipped, belly checked, anals expresssed, etc.  Oh, and muzzled..... that will be a topic for tomorrow.

Too tired here so think (hope) I'll sleep well tonight.

Saundra

Cape May 10 Days and Counting

Little by little I'm getting my act together for Cape May camp, a/k/a Rugs by the Sea.  As with most rug camps and hook-ins there is a camp store or individual shops.  In the case of Cape May there is one camp store run by the organizers and hookers may bring their wares to put in the shop for a fee.

Since I no longer do shows think I'll take some of my Fall/Halloween items to sell and what doesn't sell there will go on etsy or eBay when home.  These four wool applique Jacks will go but NOT that cute mat which was hooked by Tonya Robey of MadHen.

Jack-O-Lynne, the cotton painted pumpkin doll with spider wings will go too.

Three variations of this Candy Corn Cat will be in the booth.

A hooked face Witch Doll goes too.  No, she isn't very pretty but then witches aren't supposed to be are they?  BTW, that Faux pumpkin container was made by me.  A group of my gal pals would get together to work on a project and one of us would teach a class.  A friend taught us gals how to make our own antique style mache Jack.  Matter of fact, we even made a snowman container so perhaps I'll show you that in December.

There are three acorn pincushions left from my shows.  This one is on a ceramic pedestal.  

There are two others which have a needle keep attached which folds and snaps shut.

It will be nice to rid myself of these items and perhaps someone at rug camp will find one interesting for the season and go home with them.

The last two years I've taken some Dorr natural primitive linens in various sizes which have serged edges.  They seemed to be a hit for people who either forgot their pattern, changed their mind on the project, or take home and draw a design when feeling creative.

I'd thought of hooking more flower pins but just wasn't in the mood. What's fun is tricking my mind when something sells that the cost of items purchased at rug camp was at a reduced cost since you sold something. lol.  That's the mentality we women have with a sale...."But honey, I saved money!"  Well the only "honey" I have is my boy Ben and he doesn't care as long as he gets his hugs, rubs, food and shelter.  

Speaking of my boy Ben.  I want to share a picture I've never posted of him.  This was our first meeting out of 3 before I adopted him.  Having had a bad experience with Bella, an adoption, wanted to be sure Ben would work.  Got out of the car and said, "Hi Ben, I know you but you don't know me".   I asked him to sit and this is the photo I took.  

This is a later photo of my boy Ben with a toy and a Bully Stick. Folks, adoption is great and I've a good boy here.

Hope you all have a great evening and happy hooking.

Saundra

DETOUR NO MORE

Detour hooking project is over, Christmas day was yesterday and now my journey can continue on my antique adaptation of "Cherries and Candy Stripe".  For those of you just checking out my blog this is the antique rug my project was inspired by.  The original antique was 30" x 75" but I wanted something smaller for my harvest table.  My design measures 14 x 35 for my table.

This is what I've accomplished so far.  I chose to use a tan against the light stripes rather than goldish as the original hooker.  But remember the other hooker used what she had. 

Yes, I did all the pre-finish work and even sewed on a stripe cotton binding since it will be on the table and not on the floor.  Besides, I know exactly this is the size I want and finishing will be a lot easier having done this in advance.  That said, IF I was working on a pattern and thought maybe I'd make the border wider I'd have waited to finish at the very last.

I adore antique rugs and it is SO MUCH FUN trying to replicate the antique look using what is in my stash.  Sometimes I don't get close but do keep trying as I love antique rugs and think about the women who came before me who hooked them.

Check back on my progress.  Even tho this is a small piece I'm not sure it will be completed in 2014 since weather tomorrow is good and yard work needs to be done. 

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas with family, friends and furry friends.  Ben is laying by my side snoring with a full belly from goodies and play with his new toys.  This is my exhausted adopted Rottweiler.  He was 3 years 7 months old when adopted.  Please consider adoption.  I've a good, loving, friendly and loyal dog.

Have a great evening everyone.  I'm hoping to get yard work done tomorrow before colder weather comes in BUT plan to hook on my new project so it can be logged into the finished projects of 2014.  Stay tuned.

Saundra