Animal Crackers - Goodbye 2017 - Hello 2018

Howdy -

It is amazing how fast a year goes by - 2017 is just about over and now we will be looking towards the blessing of 2018. 2017 has given us lots of memories and I like to review the photos of the past year on the last Saturday of the year. The problem is narrowing down to just a few photos…

 I have to first mention our very first homemade chickens… It was such an exciting evening to see those two sweet little chicks peck out of their eggs with their Momma Jet looking over them.

 We lost Jet a few months later, the two chicks grew up and became a major part of the family. Itsy and Bitsy super friendly and very tame. Bitsy got sick and we lost her as well. Was so sad, but Itsy is strong and seems to be doing very well on her own. We hope in 2018 to add more Bantams to our family and give Itsy some new friends. Her Dad Red was moved into the other chicken pen to live with lots of girls. He is happy there….

We added a new large pen on there front of our property to become a home for the Men. They love their new large pasture -

It brings joy to us to see them all hanging out as we come and go from the pasture and the neighbors seem to enjoy them as well.

We were very happy to add Flavio and Patricio back into our men's pen after the family we sold them to could no longer keep them and needed to find new homes for them.

I was happy to have them home rather then worry about where these two boys would have ended up.

Handsome sweet boys - Maybe one day a new home will open up for them but for now they have a place here at our place and in our hearts.

Jorge got his own private bachelors pad.

Was for the best to separate Jorge and Sergio as these two 1/2 brothers were just too manly to get along when the girls came near. Now they run along their adjoining fence and talk big on who is the best looking and who the girls like most.

We put three ladies in with Raffie to bred this year.
Lacey -

Pepita and

Victoria 

We are so excited to have bouncing babies this spring! Pray that they are three healthy happy babies and look forward to all the smiles and fun with them! 

Paintbrush gave us a bit of a scare this year. Our old lady is getting up there in age and when she got so sick it really worried that we would loose her. 

But she is strong and pulled through and is doing well now. I so love this old old girl!

I suppose the most exciting thing that happened this year was the highly unusual freak snow storm just this month!

 No measurable snow here in Texas in over 35 years!! And without it forecasted… bam snow! They are saying we may have wintery mix here on New Years Eve… wonder if we could actually get snow twice in such a short time?? That would be really freaky!

And just cuz I had to have a doggie photo I chose this one of Autie… Those eyes seem to be looking deep into 2018 don't you think?

 Love my baby boy… those eyes really do melt my heart!

I do hope each of you have a safe and happy New Year and I hope you will all continue to join my and my furry and feathered family here -

Blessings and Hugs -

Whimsy Stamps - Doggie

Howdy -

 I needed cute Birthday Card - and when looking for an image I found Whimsy Stamps "Doggie". Now can you get any cuter? This little "Doggie" is from Sylvia Zet

 This image is so sweet I decided to go simple to focus on it. If you follow me you will know this stresses me so to do these Clear and Simple cards. I colored with my Copics (colors below) and then used one scrap piece of Paper Studio paper on a white card stock base. I used the Whimsy Stamps dies "happy" and "birthday" for my sentiment. Fun image for any birthday or with Valentines coming up how cute would this little Doggie be?

Copic colors used -

There are so many wonderful images to fall in love with at Whimsy Stamps. And amazing dies and craft items. To see it all click HERE to see all the fun!

Have a wonderfully blessed day and I will see you Here Saturday for Animal Crackers -
HUGS and

High Hopes Stamps - Penguin Party

Howdy -

Another new little penguin from High Hopes Stamps. And this little guy is ready to head to any party! This is the new Penguin Party - 

Sweet little penguin isn't he? I colored with my Copics, and found a piece of Docraft Papermania Lucy Cromwell papers. Fun little flags - I matched up with a white card stock base and light blue card stock for a mat. Pink card stock for the mat on the image, then I found the EK Success punch of cupcakes... now cupcakes are just perfect for a party don't you think? I used a die cut of "happy birthday" and then added some Enamel Dots for the tops of the cupcakes. A fun little birthday card for a friend right?

Copic colors used -

Such fun images at High Hopes Stamps! To see them all click HERE and visit the web site and fill up a cart! I bet you find a whole bunch you fall for!

Have a wonderfully blessed week!
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Merry Christmas

Howdy -

HO HO HO… Christmas is here! ok Well Christmas weekend is here! This week hasn't felt much like Christmas. After our totally freaky snow a few weeks ago this week we nearly hit 80 degrees! And then just as I was going out to snap some photos for today late yesterday afternoon… BAM and cold front hits!

This is Sandy… can you hear her? "Mom… can you turn the air conditioner off please?" Her face was so puffy.. brrrrr

Gracie poked her head out of one of the huts… I agree!! Where is the warm sun?

You can see her beard blowing in the wind! again… brrrrrr.

Black Jack was puffed up too…

I love this old man so much. I think back to when we first got him year ago. He was so standoff and not friendly, oh he wanted to be friendly. But as a Stud Jack he was not really treated as a pet. As a part of the family. Then he came here. Took some time to actually "love" on him, but he was still not overly friendly. And then one day he got stuck in a part of the fence. I had to go out and free him - was a bit scary as he was so upset. But finally after a bit of time I got him loose. And just like in the story with the Lion with the thorn in his paw… He ran off and then turned back and came right to me and wanted me to "love" on him. And ever since that day he trots to us when we go out. Some days he is head first, others he backs up for that good rear end scratching. He is getting older and that grey hair is really coming in. Have I said how much I love this guy?

Then I heard a loud cock a doodle do!!!

Leon was voicing his displeasure in the cold wind too I suppose.

Such a handsome guy don't you think? Stunning man for sure! LOL

Before I go this week I wanted to make sure you know how much we appreciate you stopping by each Saturday and see my furry and feathered children.

All of us here at Animal Crackers wish you and your family a Joyful Blessed Christmas! And we wanted to share our family Christmas Card with each of you -

 Have a wonderful weekend!
HUGS and

Whimsy Stamps - Peace Love Joy

Howdy -

We are really close to Christmas. Where did time go? I procrastinated my shopping this year and Hubby and I just got out yesterday to do most all our shopping… yea not smart. But we have just been so busy, next year I really hope to plan much better cuz by the time we got home we were both so wiped out and stressed! Whew!

I needed some fast and pretty note cards… so I came up with a card with one of the Whimsy Stamps Clear sets "Peace Love Joy" by Deb Davis

I stamped out the dove with Mementos White Ink on Dark Brown card stock. Then placed it on a cream card stock base. The branches I stamped in each corner in green, and dotted those berries in red. Then the sentiment in Black ink. Three Viva Decor Paint dots in each corner of the dove card stock and done. I needed to make quite a few so this was a great card to do in an assembly line. And I like how it turned out.

Such a great set if stamps for so many different cards and Iove sets that come with so many sentiments as well!

Ok… now to figure out my grocery list and just how many cookies I am going to make this weekend…. what do we want? and what do we really need to eat?? LOL

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and

High Hopes Stamps - Chilly Penguin

Howdy -

Another High Hopes Stamps new image and fun little Christmas Card. "Chilly Penguin" is too precious don't you think?

Such a sweet little penguin. I found a fun Candy Cane scrap of paper and colored my penguin to match him. (Copic Colors Below) I cut out with a circle Spellbinders Nestie and then matted with the same red card stock. After seeing the circles I decided that it was the perfect circles to create an ornament. I cut a topper, added some silver and then hand drew a hanger on the top. The layers of paper are all sewn together with a zig zag stitch. And then a little "Penguin Greetings" that is perfect with the cute little penguin.

The Copic colors used -

There are so many fun image at High Hopes Stamps - Pop over to the store HERE

Have a  wonderfully blessed day -
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Christmas Presents

Howdy -

Now this may not be a present that can be wrapped and put under the Christmas tree, but the men were still very happy to see it arrive yesterday!

We make them eat up as much as they can from their hay bales. No waste… but it was time for a new bale in the front pasture for the men. And for them nothing else could have been better they love seeing that "fresh" new hay bale.

Waiting for "Dad" to get it off the trailer is not easy… I end up running around waving my arms and trying my best to keep them from getting behind the trailer while he gets it off with the tractor. Don't want anyone getting squished you know.

Flavio.. he stayed clear no worries. He is cautious as always waits for things to be calm before he approaches.

The same with his 1/2 brother Patricio. Actually Patricio is probably even more timid lately. He actually stayed in the barn most of the time we were unloading the hay. Just in case he needed to hide. But once it was down on the ground, truck and trailer were pulled away and Dad took that noisy tractor away… then it was safe to come closer.

Miguel.. Diego and Rico.. nope they were not afraid of anything and getting that first bite of hay was worth the risk of a large rolling hay bale!

Was all good though .. they are so cute they are never in trouble right?

Look at that sweet puffy face! With it being colder they are all so puffed up. Helps keep them warm. And adorable.

After all they work was done hay bale in place, then there was time for some loving of course!

I think there was loving going both ways here.. Miguel and Rico love hugs with "Dad".

Now last week I told you that Wyatt and Spartacus had moved into the men's goat pen. And now Doc has a few new "friends" living with him in his bachelors pen.

Abigail, Louise and Olive Oyl have all moved into Doc's pen for a little while. All will be first time Mom's this spring.. hopefully.  First time Mom's make me a nervous wreck but I think they all will have stunning babies with Doc. Hopefully lots of color and LOTS of blue eyes!

Now… Louise … she has been the most vocal about this arrangement.

 If only this photograph had sound attached to it! Wowser! She screamed wanting in with the boys.. and now that she is in there she wants back into the girls pen. Then again maybe she just likes to hear her own voice. It is loud that is for sure!

Hope you have a wonderfully blessed weekend planned. Hug a furry friend.

 Hugs and -

Whimsy Stamps - Flower Girl

Howdy -

A little Flower Girl to enjoy today - sweet new image by Kirsten Winkelbauer for Whimsy Stamps.

She is so pretty isn't she? Now I started off going purple on her and then I just felt like I needed to work with some pink today. A pretty little girl with lots of pink. Perfect.

I colored her with my Copics and then cut her out with a Spellbinders Oval Nestie. I inked her with some Rangers Tea Dye Ink around the edges. My papers are from DoCrafts paper mania Lucy Cromwell collection, love the little bits of sparkle to them. I sewed down the layers and attached to a kraft card stock base. I used an EKSuccess border punch that I punched on each side with a polka dot ribbon around the middle. Now then I pulled out some of my favorite Whimsy Stamps dies! First up those brand new leaves! Leaf Foliage 2 Die Set.. LOVE this set from Crissy Armstrong! WE all NEED great leaf dies. Then I used the flowers from the Peony Flower Dies by Bev Rochester.. I swoon over these! I inked the edges of them to add a little depth. I added some jewelry spacers and then Viva Decor Green dots in the centers. Then for my sentiment I used the words "Happy" and "Wishes" from the Smiles Happy Celebrate Set and the Birthday Wishes Magical Set . These sets are perfect sized and perfect for so many cards! Yes I used them A LOT!

Love this image and I really have lots of fun working with all the Whimsy Stamps Dies. So perfect.

 Copic colors used -

Make sure to visit the Whimsy Stamps website and fill your cart with some presents from Santa for yourself!!

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and

High Hopes Stamps - Snowman Cowboy

Howdy -

Now it has been near 70 here this week.. but with the freak snow last week I guess I just had to keep playing in the snow! So I pulled out High Hopes Stamps new Snowman Cowboy and Winter Evergreen and had some fun building or coloring a snowman!

A bit of a Yee Haw Texas Cowboy Snowman huh? I stamped out the Snowman Cowboy and masked it to stamp up the Winter Evergreen behind him. I colored with my copies and then added some White Snow paint for some depth of snow. Loved adding it to the tree branches especially!

A Piece of scrap winter paper some black and white card stock for this image. Then I found the High Hopes Stamp "Think Snow" Sentiment… maybe we will get snow again soon here in Texas?? Wouldn't that be crazy fun??

My Copic colors used -

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - SNOW???

Howdy -

Now for this weeks Animal Crackers I need to explain to those not in or from South Texas. IT DOESN'T SNOW IN SOUTH TEXAS. Ok well it has snowed here… last time measurable snow that was in my lifetime… 1985!! So when it snows you see it in the sky it hits the ground and melts. So when it started snowing just after dark Thursday night we were on the back porch watching and enjoying… then we realized it was getting harder and actually starting to pile up in a few places. Suddenly video's all over Facebook of people in Texas going nuts making snowmen and snow angels!

Hubby and I got up just before the sun came up on Friday so we could get some photographs before it melted. And boy did it melt quick.. by mid morning everything was soggy wet and the pretty white stuff was pretty much gone, other than a few shady places. But hey we got over 2 inches here and that was enough to totally confuse some animals that had no idea what was going on.

Ellie Mae was watching everyone else to make sure this was safe to be out in. My kids understand rain, understand cold… but this white stuff.. well this just doesn't not make any sense.

Juliet, Gabby and Jolene were walking slowly and cautiously… and lets stay on these paths just in case!

Tried get a photo of Black Jack as he was running and hee hawing like crazy to let everyone know his bachelors pad was covered in this white stuff too!!

Wyatt and Spartacus now live in the men's goat pen out in front.

This is the look saying.. can we move back to our old pen as the ground wasn't  and cold there last time we were there!!! sorry boys same conditions there and right now that pen is Doc's.. and he has ladies in there!

The chicken coop was pretty..

All those chickens were taking full advantage of those heat lamps! And after a few more photos I am heading in to the heat as well!!

The men's Donkey pen in the front pasture… gorgeous!

Now a few of the guys were at their bale of hay stocking up some food to build up some warmth. Then if you look close you can see a couple of other guys decided it was safest to stay in their hut… just in case!

Now this is horrible blurry photograph, but it was too cute to not share. Thursday night while it was snowing we let out the dogs… Libbie went to the edge of the porch and said I may be blind but there is no way I am going out there… Chica ran out did her business as fast as possible and ran back up to the porch! Autie… this boy was having some fun! Running around and trying to figure out what this stuff is and where all the grass went!

 Each time we let him out while the snow was still here he would check out the entire yard and we had to force him come back in. Think my boy was enjoying this odd white stuff!

Ok.. one more photo - was too pretty. This is our road from our gate going towards the house.

 Feet are frozen at this point… I walked down this road and headed back to the house and warmth! Brrrr… Funny… Monday it was in the mid 80's here… snow Thursday night and now by the weekend it is suppose to be back up in high 60's! Texas for ya!

Have a blessed day -
HUGS and -