4 Crochet Projects

I've started a couple different crochet projects. Actually, I have 4 going at once. Yes, it may seem to be a bit "much," but once I lay things out to you it will become apparent it kind of makes sense! Let's also consider the fact that I have some time to get these particular projects done!

The first 2 are baby blankets. These are made "in the round" and a design I had not previously tried. I love it! It is so easy and the possibilities for future projects are endless! I have a lot of color schemes in mind but for now am sticking with the traditional baby blanket colors. Here is the first one about a third of the way done (the other is done through the second white ring):



 

The darker blue will be followed by lemon, peach and pink. Watch for updates!

Project number three is a striped pattern using the yarn left over from the baby blankets and any other solid color I happen to have stuffed in the closet. So far only two stripes done but I think you get the idea.



 

This is a really quick pattern and is fun to do!

The finally (and most exhausting to even consider) project is the COLOR BOMB. Let the photo begin the explaination:



 

This pile of granny squares will eventually become a 65"x 65" blanket. The smaller squares measure approximately 2" x 2" and the larger being 4" squares. I will need a little over 1,000 squares in all. I'm using the left over yarn from the striped afghan. Once done the squares will be sewn together to make a glorious color bomb!!!

You now see how they all tie in together! I'm excited about all 4 of these projects so watch for updates!

Boscorelli Bernard

On a cold January day in 2004 we were asked by Basset Buddies Rescue, Inc., to take a trip to Durand, WI, to pick up a stray Basset at the Humane Society. We got their and found a very skinny (as in 36 pounds skinny) black and white basset hound mix. As time went on it seemed he was a German Short Hair Pointer mix. They had named him Bernie. They had treated him for the worst case of worms they had ever seen. Our job was to transport him to his new foster home. He never left our house because as soon as he got into the van we knew he was home.

He was renamed Boscorelli (after the character on Third Watch) Bernard....but his friends called him Bosco. He became Anna's protector. He adored her! He was the nanny to all of the fosters that came and went from the house. It didn't matter how old or how young - Bosco was there to take care of them. He was quiet and peaceful. Really, it was almost easy to forget him because he just melted into the surroundings....but then again, it was HE who gave us all a sense of peace and serenity.

November 2012 came along and I noticed he didn't seem to be feeling well. Figuring it might be his age (he was almost 12) I kept an eye on him and finally  took him to see the vet when he skipped a couple meals. Turns out he had Autoimmune hemolytic anemia. But why? Within the week that question was answered. And it devastated us all.

On Saturday, November 17, 2012, I rushed Bosco to the vet when I noticed his abdomen had become alarmingly distended. After x-rays we found our answer: Hemangiosarcoma. Same thing our Bucksnort died from.

I looked at my Bosco laying on the x-ray table. Only attempting to wag his tail when when I softly whispered his name. It was time. We spent some time talking, Bosco and I. He nuzzled into my shoulder as I told him how much we loved him. How he wasn't going to feel so crappy much longer. That he could stop being brave. He sighed and closed his eyes. That was his cue that he wanted to be set free. So Dr. Audrey and Kelly helped him take his journey to the bridge as he lay in my arms...my face pressed against his. He looked me in the eye suddenly and the old Bosco we knew before he got sick was there. Just for a brief moment. And then he was gone. Playing with his brothers and sister an d friends at the bridge.

I love you Bosco.

Fall Photo Slideshow

BHCA 2012 Photo Show

Pumpkin Hunting

Sunday, October 14, dawned bright, beautiful and just a bit chilly. Perfect for pumpkin picking! We took the grandkids to Berry Hill Farm for our second annual Halloween kick-off. Before heading to the farm we had to swing by the truck so Perry could drop off some of his stuff.

 



 

Of course how can we being our day without some McDonald's for energy?



 



 

After our favorite lunch it was off to Berry Hill Farm! First stop the wagon ride through the forest and around  the duckless duck pond!

 



 



 



 



 

2012 Backyard Basset Brawl

The hounds seem to get major energy bursts long about 9:00 PM. Luckily we were outside this time so no tables were overturned.



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And an hour later....

Playing in the Sun

One thing I love about having Fridays off from work this summer is being able to play with the grandkids more. This morning I found a silly SpongeBob Square Pants sprinkler on clearance. Cailin loves SpongeBob.

Frankly, SpongeBob freaks me out. Especially as it spews water from it's head. But I digress...

Cailin is not a fan of running through the sprinkler. She has sprinkler day at school and is satisfied to sit on the playground observing the dare devils of the class risk life and limb running through the water. I thought maybe this would get her to be a bit more accepting of it.

This is as good as it got. I did grab her and run through but the kicking and screaming made me think she wasn't enjoying it as much as I was. Maybe tomorrow...But the bubbles? HUGE hit. She loves bubbles and loves chasing them around.

And please do not accuse me of trying to blow the bubbles in the direction of the sprinkler...she caught on to that. Besides, bubbles don't stay bubbled once it hits the water. Go figure.

And once the fun was over it was time for Cailin to take a nap.

OK - just kidding. And, for the record...she did that to herself and Gracie. Should have seen it a minute before when Bones was with her in the crate as well!

Pictures of the pups

2012 Basset Hound Specialty

Friday, June 8, dawned bright and warm. A great day for a dog show!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="The hounds eagerly awaiting their turn in the ring."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_122" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="The trophies"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_131" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="Time to stack"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_132" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="In the ring"][/caption]

Both Melissa and I gave our best shot to working with the hounds in Rally Obedience. We both qualified giving us each our first of three legs needed to earn the Rally Novice title. Melissa and Henry also took first place!

[caption id="attachment_128" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="Melissa and Henry Little Harrumpfer Longfellow"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_129" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="Lisa and Rabbit Run Graceville"][/caption]

The Specialty tent was packed with fans, a buffet lunch and an awesome raffle!



[caption id="attachment_135" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="At the GMSPBHC Specialty Tent"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_142" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="Grooming time for Gracie"][/caption]

A group of us camped at the fairgrounds for the weekend. Other than the fact it was in the 90s with near hurricane winds (ok, maybe not quite to that degree) we had a great time.



[caption id="attachment_141" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="Chase and Aspen"][/caption]



The dogs had huge, shaded pens to hang out and play in.



They all got a lot of attention. Especially George!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Kim and George"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_144" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="After a long weekend they are all tuckered out"][/caption]

At the end of the weekend we all looked forward to heading home to the air conditioning....and to the next show! Duluth - here we come!!

 

 

Wild Weather

Nothing like some wild weather to make your Saturday evening complete! Spent the day cleaning up the backyard and having a friend over with her dogs. Snuggled up with the hounds on the couch to watch the race in the evening when the storm blew in. Here are the results.

Of course the dogs found it to be a new playground!

This morning its all cleaned up. The swing set can be repaired. All is well!