THE STRAWBERRY MALLARD

For My Valentine..........

2012-02-14T01:16:00.015-05:00

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

It always protectsalways trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

Love never fails.1 Corinthians 13:4"

You Say It's Your Birthday...........

2012-02-12T21:27:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday to you............
..........yes we're going to a party party...........
BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
..it's ALMOST my birthday too, YEAH! We're gonna have a good time...and we're going to a party!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to you............

It's All Just TWOOOOOOOOOOOO Much!!!!!!!!

2012-02-09T12:50:00.018-05:00

TWO?

REALLY?
It seems like only yesterday you were just a wee lass....
Two years with two dogs

( well not really dogs....we know that Scotties are just old souls in furry little four footed bodies ;o).......Becky makes it seem like FOUR..two times two!!!

It's so hard to believe...

two times the chaos...."Becky stop chasing the cat.......NOW and stay away from the flowers......PULEEEEZE!!!!"

two times the peace.........."Becky you look like an angel when you gaze at me like that ;o)"

two times the fun......"Becky where's Gus....go find your brother..........no not him..........you silly goose"

two times the work......."Oh Becky.....are you scattering those leaves again?"

two times the love......."My goodness can you be any happier a dog?"

two times the tears........

"I know my sweet love, we will miss them so very much too...but you touched their lives,as they did all of ours, and for that we are blessed...and they loved you so very much."

but above all two times the joy.....pure joy...joy joy joy....that's what our girl is....unbridled sheer joy..........bursting with love, always wagging her tail, winking and batting those gorgeous eyelashes at everyone ( what a hambone!!!)

That's what Becky has brought into our lives..smiles.. a lighter heart to a home that so desperately needed a new beginning, something to look forward to....a way of meeting SO MANY new friends, even if only in cyber space.

Today we celebrate the day our Rocky Creek Scottie came into our lives, along with eight other squiggly wiggly puppies....

On Saturday we will be having the REAL party.........we invite you all to come back and join us..who knows what surprises are in store..until then...HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY BLUEBONNET!!!!

2 more days til we celebrate 2 on 2 9

2012-02-07T18:08:00.003-05:00

Can it REALLY be true?
Our Beckarooooo aka Cheesedoodle aka Sparkles will be 2????????????

Turn in 2 morrow to see what we have in store for our li' monkey dog!

For Sweet Maggie

2012-02-03T23:02:00.004-05:00

No dog was more loved.........no dog loved more....with our deepest sympathy, we are so sorry to learn of our friend Maggie's passing......for Sue, and George and her brother Mitch....fly high with your new angel wings, sweet girl.....Gus can see you even now.

Finally, The Long Awaited Return!

2012-02-02T13:21:00.003-05:00

.............of the GROUNDHOG and his shadow....well I FINALLY sent out the prizes from that giveaway now that we are all back from VA.............awful that it took us so long, but with all the moving and the losses they got "lost" in the shuffle. I meant to log onto the "other" email account to tell you all but forgot that oto..........going to be awhile before we really begin to blog again but at least now everyone is getting their loot....BOL..big hugs, and kisses from Becky, Angus and their peeps!!!!

BTW someone wants to to remind you all that the number NINE will be here soon..hint hint :o)
I see another theme here.......9...2....2 on 9.....hmm...what will she be cooking up next?

For Brian, with all our love...........

2011-12-09T21:43:00.004-05:00

Our Wild Irish Rose...........

Hey Bulldog The Beatles

Sheepdog, standing in the rain
Bullfrog, doing it again
Some kind of happiness is
Measured out in miles
What makes you think you're
Something special when you smile

Childlike no one understands
Jackknife in your sweaty hands
Some kind of innocence is
Measured out in years
You don't know what it's like
To listen to your fears

You can talk to me
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
If you're lonely, you can talk to me

Big man (yeah) walking in the park
Wigwam frightened of the dark
Some kind of solitude is
Measured out in you
You think you know me, but you haven't got a clue

You can talk to me
You can talk to me
You can talk to me
If you're lonely, you can talk to me

Hey Hey

Roar

Hey, Bulldog (Hey Bulldog)

Woof

Hey, Bulldog
Hey, Bulldog
Hey, Bulldog

Hey man

Whats up brother?

Roof

What do ya say

I say, "roof"

You know any more?

Ah ah (You got it, that's it, you had it!)
That's it man, Wo ho, That's it, you got it!

Woah

Look at me man, I only had ten children

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ha ha ha ha
Quiet! Quiet! (OK)
Quiet!
Hey, Bulldog, Hey Bulldog

How blessed are we to have walked a path with Brian Levens.........how much we love you and will miss you Bulldog.......until we are together again my dear friend, thank you for the memories, these last 2 decades ( an it really be almost that long?)

I keep thinking that if I keep typing maybe that you won;t really be gone.

We love you Brian.......and we know that not only will there be beer in Heaven, but pumpkin ale, for a man truly out of his gourd.

Sleep well dear angel...........
With all our love,
Nancy, Joe, Mom, Richard..........and all of our critters who love you so.
p.s.
Thank you for the nod on the radio, playing this song on the day you passed us by ;o)

11-11-11

2011-11-11T14:32:00.000-05:00

Dad & Mom, before he left for Europe, during WWII.

Wishing all of our veterans, and those currently serving in all branches of our military peace!

ANITAMOMBANITA..............

2011-10-31T20:47:00.008-04:00

.............come on down!

You are the grand prize winner for our drawing, you lucky dog....YIKES...I mean girl ;o)

As for the other four runners up....we have our smaller but not necessarily better prizes, so make sure you send me you snail mails ;o)

Animal Lover, Quilt Lover
Maggie and Mitch
Rottrover
and finally
Sweet Pam
Don't eat too much candy y'all!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T02:37:00.004-04:00

2,11,9,12,8

These are the numbers that were chosen by our random generator friend. We were so happy to see so many nice comments from old blogging buddies, as well as new face we hope to see often!

Now that means that there are five special bloggers who will have a chance for the our buglet giveaway at 5:55 pm tonight!

Angus has been feeling a little itchy and under the weather the past few days so he may not be able to go trick or treating with our Becky BlueBonnet. He will however be peeking out from under the covers to choose our winner later tonight!

Until then Happy Trick or Treating!!

Before ANOTHER Day Goes By....

2011-10-26T11:43:00.014-04:00

...it's time to check in with our fellow bloggers...wherever they are.....

We are more than amiss.........we are awful......complacent, lethargic, and much too embarassed to explain our abscence.....but we are back.....we have a project we are working on...
have been actually for several months............a BIG project, which only a handful of people knew about....didn't want to jinx things any more in our lives......we have however taken some time to R-E-L-A-X and take in all the beauty that surrounds us.......in all shapes and sizes...
in trees....or on the ground...

....they all are something to marvel at...

Now we know that a few wonderful things have happened recently, the most important being the arrival of five little buglets at Rocky Creek Farms!

Which gives us reason to celebrate..and so we will be having another

"G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y"

Now we want to make this a little more interseting so we are going to scramble things up a bit. We are going to draw five names...after we have our five names we will be posting them on Halloween( but not necessarily in the order they were picked.)

After we post the five names on Halloween, we will choose the winner from that five at 5:55 p.m.....right about the time that the candy runs out ;o)Feeling a little dizzy yet..it gets better.......for every comment you post either here or on the Rocky Creek Farms Blog you have an additional chance to win......up to five posts of course.........hmmm..I think I see a theme here...

Now I think that we need to give you FIVE HINTS about the prize we are giving away; it will be:

1)cute
2)soft
3)colorful
4)flat
5)SCOTTIE

OK now comment often here or there......check back often, and don't forget to tell us how you and your peeps are going to celebrate Halloween this weekend!!!!!

After The Storm...the calm

2011-08-30T16:00:00.002-04:00

and we now know for certain, there really and truly is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
Thank you all for your prayers during the storm....and thank you to Burger King for internet service...you really are KING!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T23:24:00.001-04:00

Our New Journey

2011-08-22T01:14:00.013-04:00

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

Welcome to our new journey.............

Did Somebody Say ICE CREAM?????????

2011-07-23T15:57:00.003-04:00

Busy, Busy, Busy............

2011-07-22T01:39:00.008-04:00

...that's what we have been for weeks....busy as bees..taking care of those little fledglings paid off.....Momma bird one day came calling and decided it was time for them to hit the road...and away they went! They have been back with Momma full time (who looks a wee bit tired now that she is feeding them without the help of moi.....but they know they are welcome here all the time!)

July is the Birthday month in our clan, and we have several weeks where they come one after the other...so party time it is.
The most special one was for Mom, who at 94 is looking just as bright eyed and bushy tailed as Becky!

We have also been spotting many of our regular Summer visitors, as well as a few new ones..

It has been a record summer harvest for our blackberries! We have already been making blackberry muffins, blackberry frosting, blackberry sauce for BBQing.
One of the best recipes we found combined both lemon thyme and blackberries for a simply scrumptious treat. We are hoping to post some pix of our next creation...that's if we can ever get back into the kitchen again with this heat wave!! When we do we will be tackling this recipe: Lemon Ricotta Cupcakes with Blackberry Frosting.

We are also very happy to report that Angus is responding very well to his thyroid medication...he is however going through his annual allergy bout, and is feeling just a little cranky ( like all allergy sufferers are no doubt!)It never ceases to amaze us though, how much bringing Becky into his ( and our) life has turned him into a puppy again..he really keeps Becky on her toes and vice versa!
Keep cool everyone.....drink a lots of fluids, stay indoors and take it slow!!!

"I Had A Ruff Week Here Guys!"

2011-06-17T00:00:00.016-04:00

Boy do I mean RRRRRRUFFFFFFFFFFF. It started all a week ago Monday.
First I had a little fever, then I started shaking, then I peed and Ma noticed that it was a color she is NOT used to seeing...needless to say, I was fit to be tied.
So off I went with Uncle Richard ( who loves me more than ANYTHING in the world...yes even you Beckers) to see Dr. Campbell.

Remind me to find an alternative plan if I ever feel that badly again.
I only went willingly because I felt like a dog......a tired crabby dog who wanted to feel better.Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.................to make a longstory short I had an infection in my bladder. Dr.Campbell said that older dogs get them sometimes...but the other thing that they found out was that I had hypothyroidism! Now Ma told me that the infection was a bit of a blerssing in disguise...you know like the silver lining in the cloud you see often after the fact...

NOW I am going to have to take my antibiotic for a few more days, but the thyroid pill I have to take twice a day for the rest of my life ( which Ma tells me will be a long and happy one.....maybe she's a fortune teller!)
The one who really had it the hardest here while I was recouperating was Beckers.SHE had to play guard dog in the yard to Ma's little charges, who are not looking so little anymore!
Boy did that little gal have her paws full.....no job was too big for her...
...she even tried to help locate food for the mommy bird. We're not certain that she appreciated Becky's snooter bein' in the grub, but hey, her intentions were good!
Once I was able to go out in the garden again, I gave Becky a little down time to help Ma eat.....er....I mean prune the roses...

Now Ma wanted to hare a little bit of news with all of you.......we all know that Ma was born on Father's Day...
and that this particular birthday was very special for Ma...special because now she was going to able able to start getting REALLY big discounts at fabulous places
A lot of people when they reach that double digit number are looking to relocate to one of THESE PLACES

Ma and Pa however are choosing another path.....well at least Ma is...she kinda had to present it to Pa in a roundabout way. Hopefully very soon we will be able to share some very exciting news about what's in store for them....I think it may be involving a horse of a different color, but it's too soon to say.

Well we think we have been yapping long enough here today...Ma & Pa may be going to Chincotegue over the wekend to see if they can locate that horse.or maybe a place to keep it for awhile ;o)
Have a great weekend.we'l check in with you all next week!

Drumroll Please............

2011-06-05T22:58:00.008-04:00

Bet you all thought we fell off the face of the Earth....we promise to do our best to keep up our blogging, now that we are back in stinky( errr,,,,,,,,we mean wonderful NJ.....BOL!!!!!!!!!)

Miss Jean in the Garden, come out of the garden for a spell and claim your prize!
Not to worry, we cetainly will be popping in with other events soon. Today Miss Becky went to the vets and was told that she had beautiful eyes, terrific knees, and a strong body.......woo hoo!!!!! All Becky could say was "no way jose, and get that needle away from my heiney!!!"

Now on to our next bit of news...we have baby birds.yup...two of them. It appears that all that wind we had last week knocked their nest down the chimney.and oh what a time we had coaxing them out of the crevice in the brick they were stuck in. We can now say that we are fostering, Heckle and Jeckle:..and yes we CAN tell them apart..one is just a wee bit bigger than the other...

Can you imagine the stories they will be telling their feathered friends once they take flight finally?
"Yea it was crazy, we got blown down this big tunnel, then a big thing with five smaller things grabbed us and stufed kitten food in our beaks!"

ANYWAY, that's it for now. We'll be updating our bird tails ( err...tales) hopefully during the week! Miss Becky is proving to be the most gentle soul with her little charges!

A Day Late, A Buck Short............

2011-05-23T14:44:00.018-04:00

however.....

....... we didn't forget what yesterday was...........BECKY'S FIRST GOTCHA DAY ANNIVERSARY........

We have been very disorganized of late with all of the comings and goings at our house...what better way to take a break and regroup, than a road trip! This is the first time that the Beckaroo and I have EVER spent time together away from home base.....whew.. .I'd be lying if I said that she wasn't a challenge.......but in the end it has proved to be an adventure that neither of us will forget...and oh the things that we are seeing together!

Like this....
.....and this....
.......and even this....

We will be posting as much as time permits, but wanted to take the time out to say thank you..to ALL of our followers, many who have turned into friends over the past year..and what better to say thanks, than with a

G I V E A W A Y!!!!!!!!!!!

At the end of our trip, we will once again be using our friend, RANDOM GENERATOR, and the ninth blogger to leave a comment will be getting a very special gift from the best store on the Eastern Shore of Virginia...none other than....HOWL NATURALE

Keep checking back this week and before you know it we'll be popping in with the name of our winner...until then, we did not come to the end of the world, only the ramp...

.....and for Becky, the end of a VERY long day!

About That Tree...........

2011-05-02T23:31:00.002-04:00

"Well Becky you know we have to work on planting that tree today...better go get Gus so we can get an early start!"
"Humph! I can push that tree all by myself now...what does Ma think I am, a baby?"
"Whew this is gonna be a little harder than I thought!OK..on the count of three..one.....two............."

"grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....hey Becky?"
"Whatcha doin' little one?You're not trying to move that big tree all alone are you?"
"Boy am I glad to see you G-dog.I heard Ma & Pa talking about using a doggie to move this here ol' tree......I figured she meant me, being the younger and sassy one..."
"No Becky.... they need a DOLLY"...."You mean a toy?"
"No Becky.you better let Ma & Pa do the work today..I'm sure they'll find something else for us to do....as a mater of fact, see all that grass seed Ma and Pa planted..I think they need us to help smoosh it into the soil for them, so it'll grow quicker!"
"BECKY.......ARE YOU DIGGING UP THAT GRASS SEED?"

"Uh-oh...gotta run now..See Ya........."

May Day & Murphy's Law

2011-05-01T22:33:00.013-04:00

MAY DAY........MAY DAY....ahhhh the visions of youth dancing around the Maypole.....I can still recall last year when in an attempt to engage my 93 year old mother in "blogging",she told her own tale about May Day....what lovely images her story conjures up..I can almost smell the lily of the valleys.

Our May Day was a little different this year, as was Arbor Day

and Easter,
and well just about every day the last few weeks. We have begun to embark on a journey that no homeowner wants to....renovating, beginning with a new window in the den...
...and trust me any work in an 85 year old home is filled with surprises......

Take AC...no not Atlantic City, although had we won a million or two it would be easier to begin working on our "home". We do not have duct work....we have working ducks
.... but no duct work. That means that in order to install the central air conditioning, we have to have ducts run throughout the house, the closets, the walls, and anywhere else they feel we need them.

Why are we doing it now, after living here for twenty years? Well we currently have not one but SIX window units, and for all of you who think that if you live 3 blocks from the ocean that it is a cool breeze that you feel on hot summer nights...WRONG!

Sorry Charlie, but it is warm air...stagnant warm air. Also after the electric bills from last year, we decided to bite the bullet and get it installed. It gets a little insane turning the window units on and off, with the fans, all day long for Mom who is hot, then cold, then hot..no wait that's me now ;o) (hint hint)

That's where Murphy's law comes into the picture ( and the picture I will be referring to is none other than, "The Money Pit"

Right after we signed the contract to finance our major purchase, we had a storm here....and the roof began to leak....and then the hot water heater began to leak...and then my brains began to leak...I know that my brains leaked as well, because I saw Becky and Gus running away with them in the yard, trying to find a place to bury them
......that would be in the deep holes that we dug for the two trees we were planting for Arbor Day.

So here we are....with new trees, a new hot water heater, a repaired roof and awaiting the destruction of our home..be it ever so humble,as Dorothy said, "There's No Place Like Home!"

Attention Everyone...

2011-04-09T23:41:00.005-04:00

....PUPPIES ARE ON THE GROUND IN ROCKY CREEK!!!!
Last count via phone call we were holding at 8......can't wait to see who wins the puppy pool..meanwhile we had to break the news very gently to Becky that she was going to have to take a back seat to her new siblings...I think that she can handle it, don;t you think....and if they are half as sweet as the Beckaroo.... well we just know that ANY puppy from Rocky Creek will be special!
Lots of love, hugs and congratulations to Carrleigh, Piper, Lily, Ruiari and their peeps.now go get some sleep all of you...you deserve it!

Fool For A Day!

2011-04-01T12:39:00.005-04:00

BOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gus being much to dignified refused to participate in this post. However our little Beckaroo was a very good little sport.
Happy April Fool's Day!

Spring Cleaning

2011-03-31T16:45:00.008-04:00

"Well Becky we have a lot of laundry to do today....are you ready to help your Ma?"
"Uh....yea I guess so....what do I have to do?"
"Well you know we have to sort all the clothes, whites from colors, dark from light.......we have a great new detergant that is all natural, no harsh chemicals to add to the environment...see Sweetie?"
"Wait a minute you mean we are gonna wash stuff that finally got dirty enough to be comfortable in........BOL...you gotta be kiddin' me "
"How about if I watch you Ma, while I model my Spring wardrobe for ya?"
"I can show off my new haircut from every angle...
"You can tell me how adorable I look...how my eyelashes frame my beautiful eyes pawfectly!!!""....how simply innocent I look....I mean really Ma, maybe we can get Gus to help us......"
"..better yet why don't we post a couple of pix of me and him? "...Well we could do that, but you keep hamming it up so much, poor Gus never gets to be top dog anymore!"
"Gus I'm sorry.....I don't mean to take you out of the spotlight....you know I love ya, right buddy?"
".......aww that's okay puppy....every dog has its day......I think today just might be yours!"

Becky's Excellent Spring Adventure

2011-03-30T19:37:00.014-04:00

Well we FINALLY made it to the groomer today...
..and someone did not relish the treatment....

......even though they love her at Maratime (hey, what's not to love about our little girl?)

I have to say that she didn't look too happy after her SPA day((i.e. "can we go now Ma.......puleezzzzzzzzze????)

"Hey Becky, how about a trip to PETSMART???????????"
"Whoaaaa..I remember that place..what are we gonna buy today Ma?"

How about having a once around the joint first....."
wait Ma...... I think I see something cool over there!"Oh yea..I love these duds......puppy dog rain gear for the Spring..and with lil rubber ducky buttons ....tooooo cute...

"Now I'm ready for any ol' rainy day....I kinda look like the Gorton Fisherman, don't I?"How about this cool shirt for my brother Angus, Ma?
"Well Becky, while you are browsing there at the treats, I may run over and check out that Doggie Day Camp for you ;o)

Yikes
.......DOGGIE DAY CAMP...not my cup of tea if you all know what I mean...."

".....maybe if I keep a low profile, she'll let that idea slide............not that I wouldn't like trip down that doggie slide......BOL!"

"I think those stuffies might do the trick for me Ma...
......WAIT....I KNOW WHAT I WANT!!!"

"One of those sweet treats will hit the spot just fine!""Look at them all!!!!!!"
"Becky don't you think that it would be better to get something that you and Angus will BOTH enjoy?"

"Uh..yes I guess so....man I am dog tired......whaddaya say we put our paws to the pavement and hit the road Ma?"

Needless to say our little Beckers slept ALL the way home. I thought I would have to carry her in until she saw Gussy dog at the door (you'd think they had not seen each other in a year!) Becky seems to handle being away from Gus better than Gus handles being away from her......typical woman, right ;o)

We're Trying To Move Forward Here...............

2011-03-16T23:38:00.008-04:00

............it's not easy.....too many thoughts running non stop through our heads here.....it is a slow process and we have our good and bad days....

....but we are now trying to put our selves back together...

because we know that she would want us all to carry on as usual...with the addition of a gentle reminder of what's most important in life.....

........always try to live in the moment....

We promise that the blog winners will be receiving their prizes very soon with a little help from our dear friends and family at Rocky Creek......and tomorrow will be a new day and a very GREEN one at that...so'll we'll see you all tomorrow to show the wearin' of the green ;o)

Thank you to all of you for your kind words and prayers through a very dark period in our life.......it means more than words can ever say!
PLEASE remember to keep the remarkable people of Japan in your prayers...it would be an understatement to say that they are facing this unthinkable tragedy with grace, faith and dignity.

For Debbie...........

2011-03-04T20:44:00.004-05:00

I'm not sure what to say......

Our friend and neighbor died suddenly on Monday.
Looking back now, I don't think that our moving here less than a year after she and her family did, was an accident.
We were supposed to live next door to her. Our properties were originally a single lot, when farming too place many years ago. Only fitting that two people who wanted nothing more than to be in their garden, should live here.

You know how it is when you just take things for granted.

Seeing a person smile, as they fill the bird feeders.......calling with excitement when a new blossom opens or a family of baby raccoons are seen sneaking along the fence.

Finding a new recipe that you have to share.......or a sale......or just listening with your heart.

She was the only person who would or could attempt to quiet Becky and Gus.
She was the first person to hold Becky after Joe and I........she never wanted to let her go.

A pure spirit, a gentle soul, a distinct and unique laugh that you would recognize anywhere...........I can't even imagine living here now without her.
At her funeral mass today, the soloist sang this song.

"You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up... To more than I can be.

You raise me up... To more than I can be.
I think it sums up everything......rest well now...you will be missed more than you will ever know.......

Crossing The Bridge, Once Again

2011-02-26T23:46:00.005-05:00

It never gets easier, does it..........
I had never been with one of mine at home at the end.....all these days, trying to feed, water, medicate, comfort......
I had no idea how much it would take out of everyone......but in the end, I know that we did the right thing......and if I had to do it again, I wouldn;t have it any other way......When she truly believed that it was ok to let go, she left us.

How strange, it seems like only yesterday that she came into our lives.....you all know how it is, how you feel their prescence after they are gone.
The house seems very empty...as quiet as she was, she loved to be with us. I can only hope that we gave her one tenth the amount of love and healing, that she gave to us over the last 11 years.......we will miss her so very much.

An Explanation...........

2011-02-22T22:25:00.005-05:00

This beautiful cat, is our persian kitty, Princess Angelina...many of you have seen her before in posts. Princess showed up in our backyard almost 11 years ago..matted, dirty, emaciated and very frightened. Naturally, we took her in ( when she finally let us .)
Noone ever claimed her, and we knew that she had to be someone's baby..spayed, declawed and only to anxious to hop into the tub to be washed, combed and dried...a very spoiled kitty.

Princess has cancer...we found out the first week of the blog giveaway, that indeed she did not have a urinary tract infection, but a mass....inoperable, due to the size and her age. I decided to keep the blog party going and not mention it...maybe I should have...thank God I had prepared the daily entries and they only needed a little tweeking.

I could lie to all of you and say that I am not falling apart........I am........I havebeen trying to feed her, keep her hydrated, give her the needed injections, and vet trips to try and fight it.........today the vet (God Bless Dr. Delaney and that staff), that it may be too little too late....

We are trying......trying,crying and preparing for the worst............all while Mom continues to prepare for her life changes as well.

For that reason I apologize for not having mailed the gifts...they have been sealed in the envelopes since February 5.......good thing I got that done at least, because I can't seem to focus anymore....period. I have not even checked emails in days.

Please keep her in prayer, for a safe crossing over the bridge, which may come very quickly.............even now she is laying on my lap, head on my arm purring.....assuring ME all will be well...........that's my girl......

Tooooo Cuuuuute!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-02-14T18:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day......

.....from ME 2 U!!!!!

Happy Birthday Becky BlueBonnet

2011-02-09T22:36:00.001-05:00

Can you believe that the day finally arrived??????
Was any little Scottie Dug ever more celebrated??????

Oh what a celebration on Rocky Creek and here in cold NJ today!!!
Our little family had a virtual feast for a king....errrrr...I mean QUEEN!

Can we have a drum roll please?

The following wonderful bloggers will be receiving one of NINE surprise packages in the mail:

24 PawS of Love

Allie

ASTA

Bennie and Lily

pajudie

Khyra and Sometimes Her Mom

Maggie and Mitch

Scotsmad

Sue

Congrats to all of the lucky winners.......if you could email me your mailing addy, don't know what went into each envelope.....that was THEIR job!)

Becky, G-dog, Rocky Creek Arrrrrrrrrroooooooooo Crew and the humans, want to thank to all of you for taking that trip down memory lane with everyone here!

NINE?????????????????

2011-02-09T13:07:00.005-05:00

Did somebody say NINE?...

NINE??

Hmmmmmmm..I have a feeling..........

....that there may be a birthday gal near by......

....are we ready to PAWTY??????

YEAAAAAAAAAAA BABBBBBBBBBBBBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Come on now......I wanna hear all of you HOWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!"

BRING ON THE CAKE.....BRING ON THE GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Becky The Elf In A Winter Wonderland

2011-02-08T00:22:00.003-05:00

Well if we are going to complete our year in pix and talezzzzzzz, we have to double up tonight....

Ho Ho Ho..Becky The Elf & A Merry Christmas to all

"Ma G-dog told me that I look like a little monkey......do I really?""Gee I thought that I looked more like one of Santa's Little Helpers!"
"Well no Becky, but you certainly act and sound like one at times!"
"Oh yea right.....gimme a break, will ya puppy?"
"BOL!!! LOOK AT YOU !!!!!!!!!"

Well Becky did in fact acquire an elf outfit...and shortly after that, she was treated to her first snowfall!

NO ONE could have anticipated the type of winter we have had.......and Becky certainly will be proving to everyone, just how agile and quick she really can be!

Now REMEMBER!!!!! Tomorrow will be the big day and we will reveal the NINE winners...after the pawty of course....say around 9:09 p.m.( wink wink):o)

What We Are Thankful For

2011-02-07T01:34:00.001-05:00

We are thankful for........

Friends & familyeven though we really can't tell the difference between the two at times.............

We are ALWAYS thankful for our blogging friends.......whether they be two footed, four footed, winged or wingless.........
Remembering that back door guests are best and that charity always begins at home (where ever your home may be!)
Now we had been told by our trainer that turkey would not be a good choice for our Becky, with all the sodium in it.......HOWEVER........Pa had to be certain to give her a little"just this once ";o) After all, who could resist that face?

Everything FALLing Into Place

2011-02-06T02:08:00.000-05:00

Time for Trick or Treat!!!!!!!!!

Well with all the hoopla about Becky being a good girl in her training class, we wanted to treat her to an extra special first Halloween with her brother..........beeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzidezzzzzzzz her Becky Bee in your Blue Bonnet costume
we had a lot of fun with our lobster and fisherman roll playing.
Becky looked a little concerned once we began to talk about breaking out the lobster thermidor recipe........
....but realized finally that we were just having a little trick or treat fun with her! We do have to admit that noone could beeeeeeeeeeeeeee a cuter puppy!

See You In September.....ARRROOO

2011-02-05T15:39:00.000-05:00

There comes a time when enough iz enough.......when every dog haz it's day......and in this case.....that day came very early in September.......After battling wills and wits with our little Becky, we realized that like her brother before her, WE needed training!
Before starting school though, we had to get all gussied up.......errr I mean groomed!
Now you'll make a wonderful impression on your teacher.......I mean TRAINER!

The Dog Days of Summer

2011-02-04T13:45:00.001-05:00

And what a Summer indeed......one of the hottest ones on record, we waited for opportunities to get a handle on jobs to complete outside.

Becky learned that we all have to pitch in complete all the work around the home...inside and out!
What a good girl getting a towel for her brother!
Now remember to anchor it right or else those clothes will fall to the ground ( AND LEAVE THE SOCK PILE ALONE!)
Now you watch the seed and make sure that the birdies don't eat it please!
Now be certain to water EVERYTHING ( except Macy the Cat ;o)

Hooray For The Red, White & Blue Bonnet

2011-02-03T02:06:00.001-05:00

Feeling truly liberated now, and confident in her abilities to jump on ANYTHING, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE,Becky continued to take on exciting new challenges.

Becky quickly learned that with one adorable glance, any seat in or outside the house was hers for the taking!

"NO BECKY....not the table!!!!"

"Awwwwwwwww........why not Ma......I can jump there in one leap now from the ground!"

"Uh.....yea I guess I better stay a little closer to the ground.."
Can you tell that our little Beckaroo has everyone wrapped around her pawzzzzzzzzzz?

Our Little June Bug

2011-02-02T01:35:00.000-05:00

Settling into her new environment proved to be a daunting task for the little Beckarooooo.
Becky had been on a nice quiet farm, with lots of land, lots of cattle, and NO noise pollution! Can you imagine what that little girl had to be thinking being left in crowded NJ?????

Well!!!!!!!
Now what have we here? An innocent little puppy, no doubt!
"Could you define, "CHEW TOY", for me Ma?"

"Yea I think I got it Ma.........but not the chair or the table,right?"
Now what did we forget about having a puppy?
1) They chew a lot of things that they shouldn't..............

2) They decide where the boudoir will be.......

3) They bark a lot.............HOWEVER......

4) They love to be held........
5) They love to learn..........AND
6) They love attention from their big brother............
One thing that we learned very quickly was that Becky LOVED to travel!
Now how many of you in blogland had a puppy who learned to do that?

Home Free!!!

2011-02-01T01:20:00.002-05:00

Special Delivery 'mam.......... courtesy of Rock Creek Farm, VA

What a blessing to met Lynn and Gary.......you know how you feel comfortable right away with some folks? Well that's how we felt and feel now about them........

Had it not been for them and their kindness, we may not have been able to bring Becky here....They graciously offered to drive here when it seemed that it would be nearly impossible to make the trek down to Virginia.One thing led to another and suddenly before we knew it, Lynn, Gary, LillyBug, Ruairi and Beckaroooooooo were here at our home!

Can you all imagine what Gus was thinking????

What a great time we had that day!We opened lovely presents from Miss Jean in her garden and from Becky's lovely God-dawg mother Becky....everyone had goodies and treats galore......both two and four footed attendees ;o) Lynn chose the lucky winner for the puppy giveaway....

.....and before we knew it, they had to leave to drive all the way back to their farm............I can still remember the look on Becky'z face ( and Lynn' too ;o) when they said goodbye for now....that love connection between Becky and her Rocky Creek Ma made everyone realize all the more that no puppy clan could have been more loved!

"Be very quiet now.....my new Ma and I are trying to sleep!"

Can You BELIEVE What That Little Puppy Can Do????

2011-01-31T02:24:00.001-05:00

Look at that innocent face......what trouble could a little angel like that POSSIBLY get into?Puppies at Rocky Creek were going and coming, coming and going.....New PEEPS were having their dream of having one of Lynn's "Sweet Wheaties" finally come true!
Leaving by plane, train, and automobile ( well, planes and trains anyway ;o)

There we were.....the decision had been made..we knew that we were getting a puppy...and oh what a puppy we were getting!
How many of you remember how Becky could climb out of her puppy pen (little did we know that Becky would be able to scale the puppy gate too!) No barrier could keep that puppy from getting what SHE wanted, when SHE wanted it. DO any of you remember how high that puppy pen wall was?

Those Amazing Little Puppies!

2011-01-30T02:47:00.000-05:00

Well there we were........spellbound, waiting for our daily dose of puppy love via Rocky Creek! Day after day went by, and everyone here could feel their heart strings being pulled.......Could we...should we....how will Angus react, being an older dog....and the kitty crew, a whole other ballgame!

But LOOK at them.........and wouldn't a little girl puppy be what we all really need here........it's been hard for G-dog, since Bonnie crossed over the Rainbow bridge...and no the puppy won't replace Bonnie but......gee they are REALLY adorable......and we wanted a wheaten........now what would YOU do.....?????

In The Beginning..............

2011-01-29T13:31:00.002-05:00

A woman had a dream in Virginia...to live on a farm and raise Scotties...that wonderful woman, Lynn Spencer of Rocky Creek, had her dream begin to come true......on a wintry night on February 9, 2010 her beloved Carrleigh delivered nine healthy puppies.Following her blog, we had a feeling that one of those little angels might be coming here to live in NJ......the rest of the tale will unfold in the coming days.

Did you ever see anything that small and that adorable?

Do you all remember when we waited and waited for the blessed event to take place?
What was YOUR first reaction when we learned that there were NINE PUPPIES?

Let The Countdown Commence

2011-01-28T16:18:00.001-05:00

Where DID all the time go?????
Beginning tomorrow, we will start our countdown. Every day we will chronicle a month in the life of Becky Blue Bonnet....what she did, what she learned, who she met.........you get the picture!

Now for the fun part..............THE GIVEAWAY!
Whenever you leave a comment on the daily blog for Becky, you will have a chance at winning a gift bag on her official birthday, February 9.....in keeping with the theme:

NINE

We will be picking 9 names...........every time you leave a comment, you have a chance at winning one of the 9 pawty packages...get the picture?

Hmmmmmmmmm....maybe we need to show you a picture of the possible prizes....

Until tomorrow........ARRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess who will be having a birthday soon?

2011-01-26T15:48:00.004-05:00

Well will you look at that CAKE!
NINE CANDLES FOR NINE PUPPIES..hmmmmm now I wonder what that means?

Can you guess who will be having a birthday soon?

"Becky do you know that you and your puppy clan are going to be a year old soon?"

"Uh yea Ma.....will it hurt when I turn one year old?"

"Why NO my angel not at all........you can ask your brother Angus...

what fun turning a year old will mean...we'll be having a blog party, with lots of fun and surprises!"

"Yea puppy, it will be a piece of cake!"

Now be certain to keep watching for our daily puppy update ;o)

And Now For Something Completely Different...

2011-01-14T14:49:00.006-05:00

"Humph...If only I were bigger, I'd fix that puppy's wagon for sure..yea.if only I were BIGGER.."

Do you hear something?

I mean something weird..like big paw steps...

I think it's coming from over there....

...what the...... YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!

"MEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOWW"

Uh-Oh.............MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.....we have company!!!!!!!!!!

"Good Afternoon.......might I have a word with you?"

Uh.yea....MAAAAAAAA.. there's a big cat that wants to talk to me.......I mean REALLY BIG!!!! "How big Becky?"

...um well like maybe bigger than me........

"Now Becky, there can't be a cat bigger than you ...... unless...........remember what I told you would happen if you kept chasing Bootsie...""Ask her to come in and have a seat and I will be downstairs in a minute...and you might want to get her a cup of tea, it's very cold out today....."

OK Ma....uhhhhhh...my Ma told me to get you a hot cup of tea...would you like that?

"Why thank you, indeed I would..I am certain that you know why I am here Becky.....you have been bothering the cats a little too much lately... Now I understand that you are a spirited puppy but you have to be considerate of other animals too! I think you know that, correct?""Try to follow the example set by your brother Angus"

"He knows how to approach life!"

"....remember that not every animal has your zest for life"

"...and try to be kinder to the cats.......when you are excited they don't always know how to interpret your behavior..."

Ummmmmmm.......well Okay...are we done now...'because I got a lotta birds to go chase

...I mean play with!
"......Oh Becky....... yes we're done with our little chat..hopefully I won't have to return for awhile"

Bye giant cat lady....who ever you are!

"Whew....that was close.....wait 'til FLAT NIGEL sees this...you other puppies better heed Flat Bootsie's words!!!!"

A simple tribute to Dad.........

2011-01-11T22:58:00.007-05:00

No finer man have I known..the reason why I am who I am today...

why I love my Scotties and all creatures great and small....

why I am thankful that the gifts I inherited from him, bring joy to others..

you are missed more with each passing day... I love you Dad...

and I hope that you ordered your favorite tonight..

a martini, straight up with three olives!

F.A.B. aka Uncle Frankie

July 5, 1917 - January 11, 2005

Two For The Price Of One

2011-01-07T23:08:00.009-05:00

Ahhhhhhh..the joy of having a mother who celebrates the Eastern Rite aka TWO Christmas season celebrations for the price of one ;o)Nothing makes me happier than when the Epiphany (a national holiday in Italy) and Russian Christmas coincide!

You have your Epiphany dinner ( our traditional menu here )

......and then you have your Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner...

Now granted we TRY not to go too overboard and we TRY to do the two meals one night after the other.....the deserts are a whole other story

An End Of The Year Miracle

2010-12-31T23:41:00.005-05:00

We had a miracle here yesterday at home....an end of the year miracle. I was in the grocery store gathering goodies for a quiet New Year's Eve at home. After days of being cooped up due to this:

I spotted a miniature angel face Rose plant ,similar to the one I bought for my mother-in-law, this time last year. Not being a common color, I snatched it up immediately.

I had forgotten that we had one crysalid in the terrarium, wintering over.

When I got up today, I found this:

I had to do a double take......

It was the first Christmas we were celebrating without my mother-in-law......ever....could it be that knowing how difficult it has been this holiday season that we were given a sign that all was well?

I can tell you that we all feel at peace tonight......the end of a year with more changes than we had ever experienced before...and while there were many changes, like that butterfly, we survived and even experienced a radical change in the way we view things...Life will do that to you....

From everyone at The Strawberry Mallard...Me,Becky, Angus, Macy, Princess, Bootsie,Lucky, and our in the crawl space kitty, Blackie aka Audrey Hepburn( another tale or tail for another year ;o)..we hope that the new year will bring you peaceful growth...like that butterfly.

Ho Ho Ho......Waiting For That Jolly Ol' Man Tonight!

2010-12-25T01:58:00.004-05:00

"Becky go to bed.... Santa will be coming any minute now..."

"OK Ma, me & Macy are goin' now!"

"zzzzzzzzzzzzz....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh.....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"

......OK Macy Ma left the room...now remember you watch out the window and I'll take the back door!"

"Come on Macy, ya gotta help me out here!"

"Aw Macy you can take your cat nap later, come on buddy, GET UP!"

"Hey wait a minute.....do you hear that.....at the back door?"

"kinda early, but maybe we ARE number one on the list!"

"Hey wait a minute...HALT..who goes there..friend or foe?"

"Hey Blackie are you planning on spending the night here?"

"Well OK, but be QUIET...we don't want to scare Santa away

"Better listen to her Blackie, we've been waiting a long time for those gifts!"

"OK now I'm gonna get the rest of the menagerie and then we'd better hunker down!""

"Maybe I'd better keep watch by the front door...I can do the couch potato routine..

"sleep..... sleep.........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..."

"Forget it........I gotta be with my peeps....check back later today and hopefully, we'l have a lot of puppy and kitty stash to share with you all,,,,,,in the meantime, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night ;o)

Mail Call For G-Dog & Beckaroooooooooo!!!

2010-12-18T17:48:00.002-05:00

For G-dog from Moon.......

How cool...look at it all..and you can eat your card????

.....whoaaaaaaa...can I have one of your........no maybe not

Aww gee Moon, TY lil' fella....

Godmother Becky.........

and Doggy DEPP??????Whoa now if only Ma cound have the real thing.......

and did you lok at that tote.....the profile of DUGHAL

I love you Godmother Becky.......look at my BEEEEEAUTFUL butterfly pendant...

and THEN..the Beckaroo got a package from Wyatt!!!

..goin' CRAZEEEEEEEY

WHOOOO-HOOO....and a big TY and.....

Aroooooo......look at my original bobo!!!

Becky and Angus and their Ma and Pa want to thank you very very much....gonna be a BIG puppy dog holiday here in NJ with our clan!xoxoxox!!

FINALLY! A Picture Together!!!

2010-12-17T16:44:00.001-05:00

You Tell Me...........

2010-12-16T18:38:00.002-05:00

Feline Holiday Humiliation

2010-12-13T01:21:00.002-05:00

"I can only hope that you are enjoying your evening....."

"I on the other hand am being publicly humiliated by my mother"

"very funny...what do you mean there are more?"

".......an elfette? I don't THINK so!"

"....what are my options?"

".......you're kidding, right? Why not gather the other two in here?"

"..I feel violated!"

"...never mind how YOU feel, how do I look?"

"Oh no....do you REALLY want to know?"

"I may be ill !"

"Wait until I am off the bed..."

"where did the little one go? I fear she may be in danger!"

"....No wait, I think she has figured out how to get her antlers off..."

"oh good for you little one........"

"hurry now before mother returns with yet another outfit...!"

No cats were harmed in the making of this photo shoot......the owner, however, may want to sleep with one eye open tonight ;o)

FINALLY...Our Ma Came Home!

2010-12-08T23:59:00.009-05:00

Macy couldn't believe it.........

Bootsie DIDN'T believe it!

Even I did a double take!

Actually......... Ma came home a couple of days ago but not mentally, if y'all know what we mean!

We were worried that Ma might not be happy with how the house looked, being so particular...

Me and G-dog did our best to look humble and innocent

...and my face was the very first one that she saw at the door. I ran around and ran around...and then I just flopped down!

Welcome home Ma!

A New Beginning.....

2010-11-23T23:59:00.007-05:00

Forgive all of the crew here.......we have been involved in major changes that are both painful and joyful....it required all of the physical and mental strength we had.
Many of you know that we moved my mother in with us a few years ago. At 90 we thought it was time. Mom kept here home up north and we allowed her to go back for a weekend, then a day, then an hour....finally we had to come to the realization that life would not return to the way it had been......and from that came the house sale.

We have a lot of memories in that home...birthday parties, graduation parties....preparing for weddings, preparing for funerals...event after event.
I grew up in that home. My family lived in it for nearly 50 years. Emotionally we were prepared to let go......we thought...

My parents grew up during the Depression..they knew what living without basic necessities was like...they were determined never to have that happen again. What we encountered over the last two months cured me of flea markets, maybe permanently...they saved everything....I mean EVERYTHING. Every time we thought we had gotten to the last box another appeared......and another.....and another....close to two hundred went to the Salvation Army. The furniture, another tale, involved going from not wanting to sell it, to wanting to sell it, to donating it, to pleading people to take it.

The poor menagerie here I suspect will not recover that quickly...total confusion while the boxes are opened and/or tossed...I am not sure who haz been most affected by all of it...certainly not Becky, who can only view it all like a big adventure. Angus, on the other hand whimpers a lot...and needs reassurance.

I don't want to visit another flea market again..not right now..maybe one day..but I have to tell you all that with the prospect of having my parents home spilled onto a blanket in a flea market, left me ill...and that was why it took that long to place everything.
Granted we have many boxes stored here now...we could not part with it all..in the end, I found myself hanging on to memories more than Mom...I think she was ready to let go...I clearly wasn't.

Clearly I am shell-shocked...I joked about the bottle of champagne we would open the day it was final...that did not happen...more of a quiet repose, following the end of an Era.Everything feels out of whack and uncertain. While we knew the day would come, I could not be there the last day..too many memories.

Now that the ranting and rambling of one very shell shocked blogger comes to a close, I have found that truly for every end, will be a new beginning....I just hope it will not involve cardboard boxes,tape and the dump.

We will be going on retreat beginning tomorrow, for a couple of days...we have to otherwise we will never be able to quiet the chatter and become grounded again..we are hoping to have the strength not to bring the laptop. The best way to unplug..don't bring anything that you have to plug in ;o)

Guess Who Turned 9 Months Old Today?

2010-11-09T15:10:00.004-05:00

Whew...Ma & Pa have been too buzy packing and almost forgot a very important day...I'm a little puzzled....

Ma told me that someone had a mini birthday today...

...now I have been thinkin' and thinkin'...

tryin' REALLY hard to remember who it might be....

Hmmmmm...gee can I have a hint Ma?

...animal, vegetable or mineral...

Animal??" Wow it could be anyone here in the menagerie ...

What Ma...think about the number nine?

........nine.....nine..lemme think REALLY hard now

awwwwwww Ma.....NOW I remember!!!

I'm the one who turned nine whole months today......me and my Rocky Creek Farm siblings.....A big Happy B'day to my brother Ruiari and all the other boys and girls thatI was lucky to be born with!

Remembering A Wee One Today..Biddy

2010-11-02T00:43:00.006-04:00

Please take a moment and visit with Biddy's family at Ransomed By Grace when you can. Biddy, Lisa's darling Scottie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge very unexpectedly. They are grieving and need your prayers.

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE POEM

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Happy Halloween Everyone!

2010-10-31T18:48:00.002-04:00

Ma & Pa took me to the Point Boro Annual Halloween Parade today..G-dog pawed out the candy while we were gone...

...I thought maybe I had eaten too many treats and had a bad dream!

...EVERYWHERE I looked there were more and more bits and pieces of my imagination runnin' wild!

All colors, shapes....

...and sizes

....see what I mean?

Hey I think I'm being watched...

......oh hi there fella....how are ya enjoying the parade?

..a baby WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT???

No way........where?

Hey how cool....CANDYLAND!

You got a a treat for me in that wagon lady????

...hey how did that duck get over there now?

Aw Pa.....do I have to take a picture with Ma?

........well OK but Ma you'd better keep your eye on that group on the other side of the fence!

I think they may be mafia!

Hey buddy, what kind of costume do you have on?

Way to go....like he said

...gulp!!!!!

...yea well the vet may be in, but I am OUTTA HERE!!!

Awwwwwww.look at that lil' one!

Yea I know what ya mean......I'm gettin' a little tired of it all too!

Well you may be going bananas......

....but I am going home!

Hope that you all had a great day trick or treating!

Beneath The Deep Blue Sea

2010-10-26T02:30:00.002-04:00

Our Ma has been a little preoccupied lately.... first Ma fell off of her bike and hurt her knees.........then Ma & Pa found out that they only had a couple of weeks to pack up Gramma's stuff before she moves....with all of the activity here and there I decided to take over like a good lil' chap and bring home the bacon for awhile......err, I mean the fish!

.....into and out of the cage....running away

.......but not very far..you know how a lobzter can be

......now I've got you......

........you can run but you cannot hide...

.......now how can I prepare my catch of the day.....

Ahhhhhhhh..I know.....my favorite recipe..........

uh-oh......the pot rattling in the kitchen can only mean one thing....

........GULP!.......

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

WAIT G-DOG..............I'm not what you think...........

I'm ......BECKY aka The Beckarrroooo

Ma!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look!!!!!!!!!!! To think we almost had her for dinner!

Oh well..........back to the boat to try my paw at deep sea fishing again...

Our Ma hopes to be back blogging regularly after her and Pa close on Grammy place......then maybe we can have more quality time with her, while her knees get better!

A Great Day To Be A Puppy

2010-10-10T18:45:00.000-04:00

Me, Ma & Pa went for a walkabout today, bein' the weather wuz nice and warm!

Ma told me not to do anything dopey like jump in the water...

"BOL....would I really think of doin' that ,Ma?"

"Did I wanna do what Ma?"

TREE RAT ALERT

"Come on lemme at 'em!"

"Aw man come on Ma....that tree rat will be gone before ya know it....wait a minute....hey look at the two hotdawgz"

"Their Ma & Pa probably got a 2 for 1 deal with them.......BOL!"

Ma told me that we were in Brick NJ right here

I gotta tell ya, we walked a good mile and a half....and for my little body it felt like 10....I don't think I look too tired though..."

"....next time G-dog will be coming along....Uncle Richard told Ma & Pa that he howled the whole time we were gone..G-dog, not Uncle Richard.....AAAAARRROOOO!"

The Blog Hop & Dogs Rule Saturday

2010-10-08T22:35:00.001-04:00

Well we have two major events going on today....pack up your troubles, come on get happy and join Nigel & Company for another blog hop day.......and if you really want to make a difference, copy and paste all the info about Pedigree's DOGS RULE DAY!

Puppy In A Tangle

2010-10-07T14:12:00.002-04:00

"BECKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY AFGHAN????"

"Gee Ma I dunno, I wuz reading that book and I thought you wanted me to untangle it for you..."

....and then I got my pawz tangled up in it..are ya mad at me Ma?"

"(sigh).......no puppy, you are too cute to be mad at....but....LEAVE MY YARN ALONE!!!"

You know I really did not plan on any of this........I went out of the den ( HER new room, mind you) and came back to find that mess....I bought the book for fun and I guess Becky read it.......apparently Becky CAN read!!!

Blessing Of The Animals

2010-10-03T19:06:00.007-04:00

We always wait every October 4th to take our beloved pets on the Feast of Saint Francis to church. How very often we have had interesting experiences with them...like the time our loved bird Christie,began calling out her name during the final blessing..or when we took Angus the very first year, only to have him lunge at the hooded monk....I can still remember the G-dog throwing his head back and howling when Father Richard sprinkled him with holy water ( it reminded me more of an exorcism than celebration! )

Today Becky experienced her very first official feast day....with about fifty other pets...kinda funny how they all arrived at once!"Hmmmmmm...feeling a little zhy Becky?"

".....Uh no Ma I can handle it fine..I mean I'm in good company, right?"

...."I mean Pa won't drop me or anything, right?

Whoa.....look at that dog over there....he kinda look's like my pal Nigel!"

....."hey that dog's a therapy dog!Way to go buddy!"

".....gulp...my turn now Pa...uh ok, but make certain Ma stays near by , Ok?"

"It won't hurt, I mean to get blessed, right? I better lap up a little of that holy water to hold me over 'til we get back home!"

"WOW! I feel like a new dog already! Thank you Padre!"

"Hey everyone.....it didn't hurt at all...go on and get your own special blessing now!"

"OK Ma, Pa, I'm ready to roll now!"
Thank you very much to the wonderful clergy at the Church of Saint Dominic for a beautiful ceremony....and a very Happy Feast Day tomorrow to all!

For Our Pal SNICKERS!

2010-10-02T23:24:00.004-04:00

We could not let this day pass without honoring our friend......after all that was Becky's birth name at Rocky Creek. Remember to hold close your babies, and please take time to stop by and visit with the wonderful wooley terrier crew!

Remembering Our Ryan..........

2010-10-01T17:37:00.009-04:00

One year ago today, Ryan crossed over the Rainbow Bridge...a life well led, well spent with people who loved him.....
Bonnie's mate, Angus'father, a proud, bright, loyal companion.

Ryan looked like a wise old soul even when he was a puppy....he loved and protected every other animal that lived here. When Ryan was only 2, he rescued a baby oppossum that became a little charge for him. Never did he attempt to hurt anything weaker than him.Brave, noble Ryan, will forever be in our hearts....rest well noble one...we will meet again one day.....

Shave and A Haircut......Two Bones?

2010-09-22T21:27:00.003-04:00

Look at me!!!!!!!!! Am I adroable now or what????????I gotta tell ya, Ma told me that I would be dining like a queen after a day at the groomer....

Well,let's just say that the treats kept coming at me....

.....Now I have to tell you I was a little apprehensive about the whole ordeal at first....

....but Ma kept asking me if I waz a good girl and handing me treats the whole time...

view from the left......

.........and the right!

Here I am with my brother Angus..........he was waiting' for me at the door when I got back......worried him silly, being gone that long!

"Hey Becky, I think Ma might be taking you for a walk with your new haircut and your new harness!"

"No way............I'm gonna go hide in the garden G-dog.....tell Ma I took a powder......wait I already did that at the groomer!"

"Gee Ma, I dunno.......try looking for her in the backyard!"

"Oh hi Ma.....did I tell ya how much I love ya today......no?"

"Whew.....worked like a charm....maybe now I can have a little peace and quiet before din din!I gotta tell you all that new harness does not meet with my zeal of approval! My trainer told her it would spin me around when I pull too much....you ever try dragging your Ma down the road with one of them things? Humph...takes the fun out of watching her trip over her own paws.....I mean feet..BOL!!!"

Dog Fest 2010

2010-09-19T15:17:00.010-04:00

"Ma and Pa took me to the very first annual Dog Fest in Brick, N.J. today...they said it was a fundraiser for the Rotary Club...I didn't know that they had a club for people who like to go around in circles!

........it's just a hop, skip and a jump from our home...

...man look at the crowd here...

.... hey lady,all I wanna know is where are the free treats????"

Uh-oh..my dog trainer Gina just spotted me......I AM walking nice, I swear Gina...!!!

Now hold on Pa, I wanna have a look see here.......

LOOOOOOK! My pal Nigel would be proud of that family...they adopted FOUR greyhounds

Way to go people!!!!!!!!

Hey look at that.....not a Scottie toy...

Now my lil' pal here really made the best of a bad situation....what a trooper!

Don't ya love that cap?

Kudos to your mom for helping you go the extra mile!

OK now which way to the goodie table?

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEElicouz indeed!Hey can we get a doggie bag to go for my brother G-dog?

Hey maybe that big dog can tell me how to get to the beach

Lemme in that water will ya?

I'm not afraid of that wave......

Hey did you double dog dare me to take a leap in that cold water?

Aawwwwwwwwww OK Ma, I'm commin'...me and Pa had enough anyway...hope you all enjoyed our day out!AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR....what Ma?OOPS I almost forgot..take a minute or two and visit with all the great people who are featuring Pedigree on their blogs this weekend...every dog that will advertise on their blog gets a free bag.....what Ma?
Oh sorry......

Pedigree will donate a 20 lb. bag to a doggie shelter...what a great bunch of people there!TY Nigel for giving everyone a chance to make a difference!

The Queen of Argyll

2010-09-16T20:51:00.003-04:00

The Queen of Argyll

Gentle men it is my duty
To inform you of one beauty
Though I'd ask you of a favor,
Not to seek her for a while

Though I own she is a creature
Of character and feature
No words can paint the picture
of the Queen of all Argyll.

cho: And if you could have seen her there,
Boys if you had just been there
The swan was in her movement,
And the morning in her smile.

All the roses in the garden,
They bow and ask her pardon

For not one could match the beauty
Of the queen of all Argyll.

On that evening that I mention,
I passed with light intention
Through a part of our dear country
Known for beauty and for style
Being a place of noble thinkers,
Of scholars and great drinkers
But above them all for splendour
Shone the Queen of all Argyll

So my lads my needs must leave you,
My intention's not to grieve you
Nor indeed would I decieve you,
Oh I'll see you in a while
I must find some way to gain her,
To court her and to tame her

I fear my heart's in danger
From the Queen of all Argyll

It's Simply September!

2010-09-15T21:38:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things to do here when the weather cools down ( and we once again have a little peace and quiet by the beach....) I can do from the back window...watch the migration pattern begin. The monarchs have begun that fevered flight back down south, and they are fluttering all over!

Come closer and you can almost here the wings beating...

We always have an abundance of wildlife but the colors begin to look a little more vibrant..

Even Blackie our little feral feline friend,can feel a subtle change in the air!

Doesn't it look as though a meeting has been called to order?

Turning our attention to the garden we find lemon thyme in abundance....NICEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

I have been waiting for a cool evening to make these cookies! One of my all time favorite cook books:

My lemon thyme was calling me to make a variation of these crisp thin wafers.........I improvised a little to include the melted drizzled dark chocolate!

Mmmmmmmmmm......you can actually spot the chopped lemon thyme in the cookie!

Now I have to tell you that if you are looking for the calorie content, you need to end your search now.....I have prepared a guilt free treat here and will not reveal it...however by looking at the recipe, you can pretty much guess that it will be a little on the high end ;o)

....and NOOOOO, neither G-dog nor the Beckaroo are getting any of these.....even without the chocolate!!!!!

The Ocean Grove Flea Market, Take Two...

2010-09-12T00:07:00.000-04:00

Remember when Ma & Pa took me to the big flea market back in June when I came to live with them? Well today we went to the FALL FLEA MARKET in Ocean Grove!

Am I being followed by chickens?

Hey check out that cookie cutter collection....hint hint.......time to bake yet???

Who would wanna buy mud?

Yeah, Yeah, I know..........

Hey whatcha got on your mouth there pal? Sure does smell good..

..oh I gotta tell my Ma & Pa..now where do we get one of them???

......okay take a right on Main Avenue..

Awwwwwwww come on.......what kind of puppy would admit to being a "Slush Puppy"......and you call it a human treat?

How do I look now with my cap?

Yea, I think I look better without it.......no wonder everyone thinks I'm a little boy

Hmmmm....now what do we have here....hey wait a minute.....whadaya mean guilty?

Guilty? No way man, I'm innocent!

They have WHAT... at the candy kitchen? For me????????

What? Awww come on Ma....one little treat won't ruin my appetite!

Awwwwwwwwww alright already.......time to go home....hope you enjoyed following me on the trail today!

Have a peaceful Sunday and remember to count your blessings!

The Earl Of Weather

2010-09-03T23:30:00.002-04:00

....and to think the Beckaroo was very afraid of him

Well you can see why....

Those were some mighty powerful waves!!!

"awwwwwww Ma, I wasn't really scared!" ;o)

Right Becky.....not afraid at all huh?

"No Ma, not really.......I mean gee you were here to protect me!"

Well how about all that flooding..........weren't you even a little scared?

"Gee Ma, not at all......I mean all those surfer dudes would have come to my rescue!"

"I gotta tell you though, those crazy birds were making me nervous!"

".......all I wanted to do was bury my head in the sand like an ostrich.....but I couldn't with the beach closed.......I did the next best thing.......I hid behind one of those big planter!"

Well I do have to admit they looked very scary for awhile!Maybe the best place for you to be iz in the backyard cutie pie!