Animal Crackers -

Howdy - 

 Thank you all for the wonderful comments for Libbie. They have meant a lot to us - 

It has been a quiet week around the house without Libbie, we both have found ourselves looking for her and then remembering. I told Chica she was now the lead dog. First time in her 13 years that she was the boss and now the big dog bed was all hers. Libbie always made her leave it if she wanted it instead of her smaller one. So I washed everything and we stared off clean and new for Miss Chica. The next morning I got out of bed and found Chica squished in the little bed and this... 

Yes.. McLaren has now claimed the big bed. I have never seen any of the cats sleep in the dog beds. But then again... Libbie was always in control. But more than once I have come around the corner and found McLaren taking naps and sleeping in the large bed. Sorry Chica... at least McLaren will share with you at times. 

Went out and saw the guys the other day. Their pen is just stunning with fresh green grass! 

They are LOVING it and the bellies are showing proof! lol 

I would love to move Sergio into the large pen, but he doesn't get along with Patricio and Flavio too well. So for now he has to stay in his smaller private pen. He still has some nice green grass. And he is much closer for lovings and those ear scratches! And honestly sometimes a private place is nice -

Wanted to share a photo my sister sent me this month! Many of you know my nephew Tagen and years ago may have even sent him cards to cheer him up after surgery. Well he is all grown up now! Where does the time go? 

He went to the local rodeo with his class group and he just had to make sure and get a photo with the miniature donkey of course!

Looks a lot like Raffie, my smiling donkey,  doesn't he? So proud of Tagen - such a big heart and great young man! 

Now this last week we were at the Round Top Antique Show - and it has been awhile since I shared any photos of one of the booths that Hubby and I set up with our stuff for sale. So I thought this would be a great week for it since it was one of fullest booths ever! LOL

So big I had to do it in two shots!

Great stuff we have been gathering for this show! Was lots of different things for us, but fun to find! After all the hunt is most all of the fun of it right? 

Hope you all enjoyed this week  - and hope you will be back next week for more! 

HUGS and

Animal Crackers - A little old age...

Howdy -

Cold weather is a really big issue lately everywhere.... in Texas we get fronts that blow through and then leave. But recently cold has hung around. And for those that are a bit "older" that really makes our joints not want to move and work well. And yes... I am adding myself into that statement. But our concern this week has been Annie. Poor thing has really had some achy knees and issues getting up and down.

A little extra Minerals and Vitamins, a heat lamp at night and a private place to be and she is doing a bit better, and the little warmer weather isn't hurting either! It is really a pain to get old and move around in the cold isn't it?

Was doing a bit of laundry yesterday, I know better but was under the weather and not thinking... I washed a load of our black tablecloths for our upcoming antique show... and now they have cat hair on them.... sigh.

I really do know better... she loves the warm laundry. Oh well I couldn't disturb her could I? gunna have to dig out that lint brush I suppose.

Found this photo I took of Moxie.. and it just cracked me up. Are those ears or what?

 Such a wonderful girl. Love her so much!

 I wanted to share a photo I snapped with my phone this last week. We were leaving the house and found this guy on the top of our neighbors gate.

I just love seeing these beautiful hawks... aren't they just gorgeous!

I wanted to show off a present we got for Christmas from a dear friend Leah - she made this for us!1

Love my Donkey Stain Glass piece! It hangs proudly in our dining room window where you can see it as soon as you come up on our porch! I adore it!! Thanks you so much Leah!! FABULOUS!

Sorry not any really new photos this week, I have been a bit under the weather the past few days and honestly.... with the holidays and the days off and such... well I lost track of the days. Duh... It has been a rough week what can I say? New year I will try and keep up with the days better...

Hope you have had a good week, and did get a smile this week.
Have a blessed weekend and thanks so much for visiting!
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - New Family Member!

Howdy - There is a new Whimsy Stamps Post below today's Animal Crackers...

We have a new Family member... and this one is cute, but doesn't eat! Some very dear friends (love you Tony and Yadi!) got us a gift! A very special gift. It is just so US!

This is "Pesado" -

For those that do not know Spanish.. Pesado translates to "HEAVY" in english. And this is exactly what this guy is! These sweet friends. got up early in the morning to stake claim on this guy at an estate sale. Then they have to load him all on their own onto the trailer. This was no easy thing! We knew exactly where we wanted him to be placed. He has a very special place over looking our men's pen in the front of our property. We both grin when we pull up to our gate coming home.....

Doesn't he look fabulous??!!! Thank you again guys... you are the best ever!

I took a bunch of photographs Thursday afternoon. The sun had come out and it was nice weather. The ladies were all up near the house and I snapped a photograph of Darlene that I fell in love with.

Our old lady, she is as they say a 1992 year model. And this photo captures her heart. She is a slow and cautious girl, and has the most pitiful long whine for a hee haw. I think she learned that to make that little cry out to get extra treats and attention. "Dad" put her up in the small pen along with Patti this week, we are going to give her a little extra geriatric equine feed for a few days. Gives her some vitamins to make sure she is at her best. Don't you just want to hug that face?!

Gabby made a move towards me. I am so proud of the adult she has become.

When she was born she scared us so bad. Some sort of short in her connections she couldn't regulate her temperature. And of course she was born in a heat wave. Her temp would got up once to 114! Normal should range between 100-102 so she was HOT! So at a few days old we soaked her down every hour or so in ice baths, and soaked her in cool water constantly. We had her and her Mom Lacey up in the backyard with fans running on them day and night. And Gabby has the rare title of being the only donkey that has spent time in the house. Yep that one afternoon where she got so hot I brought her inside, stood her in the bathtub for cold water and turned down the air conditioner to cool her off. After a couple of weeks she started regulating things better and then suddenly she was a normal bouncing baby donkey everywhere.

Last week I showed you Belle and her long stunning horns. Well I was going to show off her daughter, Sweet Pea's long slender horns... but well...

There is a great benefit of long pointy horns... That spot on your back that you just have to scratch, it is no problem! Wouldn't that be nice? LOL 

Also last week I showed off the little flirting going on with the donkeys... Well check out that silly grin on Peso's face!! 

 This guy cracks me up! Jill was doing a little flirting by waving her tail to Peso. Drives the boy nuts! Snorts and paws at the ground like a fool. I called out to him and I am not kidding!! He turned and grinned at me! Shows off those perfect white teeth like he is so proud of himself! Now that has to give you a grin this week!!

Hope you did smile and enjoyed Animal Crackers this week.  Hug someone furry or feathered!
HUGS and

High Hopes Stamps - Birthday Belle

Howdy -

This week I am sharing a card I made for a BFF from High School for her Birthday last week. Couldn't share last week until she saw it. Hope it gave her a giggle... all though I think that coloring the grey hair was just a little tough on her... but she is "old" enough to handle it I guess. LOL

The High Hopes Image is "Birthday Belle" isn't she funny? Love all those candles! I colored with my Copics (colors below) She is too funny. I added yellow Ranger Stickles to the candles. And then Dimensional Glaze to the balloons.

Close up -

The papers are from Me and My Big Ideas Fashion District collection. I sewed down the layers and added a Martha Stewart border punch. The  sentiment is also a great one from High Hopes "Growing Old is mandatory" is perfect.

Inside the card more of the same -

Copic colors used -

Fun card that I hope she enjoyed. Made me giggle while making it for her. I did restrain myself a bit...had so many evil old cards in my thoughts... LOL Maybe next year...Bwahahahaha

Hope you have a wonderful day -
HUGS and - 

Sarah Kay Girlie Happy Birthday

Howdy -

Had some fun digging into my older Sarah Kay images again this week. I adore them... I used one to create a Girlie Birthday Card  - You see my "OLDEST" BFF is having a birthday today. She just loves when I refer to her that way.. don't ya Deana?  We were partners in crime in high school. Oh not that we EVER did anything bad... never! This girl and I have had some laughs in the past. Some of those laughs were at my expense at times, a lot of the time, she seems to remember me being accident prone. I have NO idea why she thinks that.  Deana helped teach me to drive and for some reason she still finds that humorous. Why I was ok with her teaching me when I had experienced her launching driving I will never know. But I can say I learned to drive and wasn't a timid newbie driver! We also were master Tetris gamers! At least we thought we were... sure put enough quarters in that year. Wow that dated us didn't it?

So back to the card - Deana has all "men" in her house! So I decided she needed a real Girlie card this year.

I think the Sarah Kay.. the lace punch, chipboard corner flourishes, pearls and birdie have some girlie feel don't you? I sewed all the layers down. Most of the papers are Websters I believe. I hate that once out of those clear envelopes I loose what collection they are... sorry.  The Happy Birthday is a Stampin Up stamp - love to color in the roses on this one. I colored with my Copics (colors below)

The inside is the same papers matched up - with an Alota Rubber stamps Happy Birthday stamp. 

 Copic colors used -

Hope she got it on time... and hope she liked it. I had fun making it - so many stamps I love so little time to use them all.

Happy Birthday Deana! And I hope you all enjoyed my Girlie Sarah Kay Card -
HUGS and-

Hubby's Valentine/Birthday/Anniversary Card

Howdy -

Thought I would share the card I made for Hubby's Valentine/Birthday/Anniversary... well the front of the card - inside was sappy... :0)

I pulled out an old favorite that I haven't used in years! A Sarah Kay image...

Still have that soft spot for Sarah Kay images - Colored with Copics - (colors below) - Found some papers from Bo Bunny's Serenade Collection. I matted everything in black - dramatic don't you think? I punched out a Martha Stewart Fence border punch as a border. All the layers are sewn down. I found the sentiment in some older Stampin Up stamps. Then I used red glitter stickles to create hearts on the sentiment and border.

Copic Colors used -

He seemed to like it :0)  -

Hope you all had a lovely Valentines Weekend - we had a show on "the day" but did get a quick dinner on the way home. Then we pretended that yesterday was Hubby's birthday and I made a cake for him and a real old fashioned home cooked dinner. Shocker huh? I do cook... despite what some family and friends think... LOL

Have a great day -
HUGS and

Animal Crackers - Heart Day!

Howdy -


And a Very Happy Valentines Day! We will be going off Animal topic today... you see it is Valentines Day - I adore Valentines Day... and each year I share with you about our day - Today is Hubby and I's 28th Wedding Anniversary - It is also Hubby's Birthday - and the holiday of Love! Special Day around here....


Hubby this year really did very well in the surprise and gift department. We are usually not the gift giving or secret surprise couple. We give all year to each other... so birthdays, Christmas and such we just don't do the big gift thing... but this year. He really gets the points for going out of the normal... He has planned for weeks a special present for me, and I had not a ounce of a clue... Now we are together every day.. all the time so to do this he had to really sneak around.

He found a beautiful antique sterling locket with a little ruby and stones -

 Sorry for the glare on the photos...  - old photos are hard to capture especially in this locket.  So amazing he found the photos of us.. and then got copies and fit them into the locket. With out me finding out!! He said he worked on the photos in the middle of the night... sneaky!

Just to make sure we do have a furry kid on here I thought I might share an oldie with you... Not That Hubby is the oldie... LOL... the photograph is an older Animal Crackers photo. And one of my all time favorite shots of Hubby and right after we got Libbie as a puppy... LOVE this shot! 

Seeing Libbie as a Puppy got me thinking about Autie and Chica as puppies....

The Day we brought Autie home.... meeting Libbie for the first time. 

Cute Cute Cute...

From that first day, he has always been a total love. Calm, patient with Libbie and all the puppies over the years... Hard to believe he was this tiny - OH My...

And then Chica... first puppy born from the very first litter... This one sums up her personality completely!

Chica was never intended on being one of ours. She was for sale. I actually had her sold.. and while I was gone and the people called, Hubby told them she was claimed already Sorry... I asked who claimed her... HE DID! Now I can't imagine life with out her.

Guess all the thinking ended up being a trip down Animal Crackers post huh? 

I am missing puppy breath!!! Better get over it. All the dogs are fixed now and honestly even little bit of puppies might push me over the edge with all that we have going on now. Love them, but... well no puppies any time soon for sure!

Hubby and I have been extremely blessed - he is my best friend, my partner and my heart.  I pray we have another 28 years together -

Man that was a long long long time ago... LOL

HOPE you have a wonderful Valentines day -
HUGS and - 

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Howdy -



From Hubby, Myself and all the furry kids we wish you a Very Merry Christmas! Looking forward to a Blessed Creative New Year! Hope you are spending time with Loved Ones -

HUGS and

UT Graduation Card

Howdy -

Last week a friend asked me if I could make a card for her to give to a University of Texas College Graduate. Talk about pressure! LOL I decided to go for it and go over the top UT on it.

Using the Whimsy Digital Stamp  by Marika Collins - called Graduate Girl - 

Now I feel like I need to put some sad news in before I go on with the card - Whimsy Stamps will be closing down the Digital Stamps at the end of the year - understandable with all the new "laws" but still sad. So NOW is the time to head over and purchase some Whimsy Digital Stamps as they are all 50% off - even this one!

ok back to the card -

As you can see I really went with the UT embellishments - I found some free images and then sized them down to fit the card - The polka dot and zig zag papers are from my stash. I think they are actually old halloween pattern paper, but hey they matched well with this card! I sewed down the image. Colored with Copics and as you can probably guess the UT color is orange  -

Close up of the Graduate Girl -

Inside I stamped out the word Congratulations

Copic Colors used -

Well the card was given and they seemed to like it - that made me happy... I stress on such personal cards.. LOL

Hope you have a great day -
HUGS

Whimsy Inspiration - Bicycle :0) My HS BFF Deana -

Howdy -

This weeks Whimsy Inspiration card was just too fun for me. You see as soon as I saw the Whimsy Image "Bicycle" by LiaStampz in the release for July I knew I had to make a card for my High School BFF Deana. You see Deana has taken up her Hubby's hobby of biking. And not pleasant rides around the block... no LONG "rides" Like 15 - 20 miles!!! In TEXAS!! IT IS HOT HERE NOW! Well I thought I would make her a card for a congrats for doing so well at her new hobby and this image was perfect!!

Bicycle - LiaStampz

Sweet image isn't it. I colored with my Copics (colors below) and matched it all up with papers from Simples Stories called Vintage Bliss. I sewed all my layers down, and then made up some flowers with a Martha Punch, and leaves from Marvy. I used Core-dinations for them and sanded all the flowers and the leaves. Love how that comes out. I dotted the flowers with Viva Decor Pearl Pen. My sentiment is also from Whimsy. "Ticket Notes" is a favorite.

Inside is more of the same papers as the front.

Now I guess here I should come clean huh? Sounds like I am just so sweet sending her the card for no reason at all huh? Inside I wrote basically... that this is how I think of her in my own mental image of her and her new hobby.... Spandex scares me!

LOL HEY she is my HIGH SCHOOL BFF.... WE have really done pretty much it all - I still shake my head when I think of how many quarters we "wasted" playing Astroid. And I will never ever tell anyone exactly how fast we were going when we launched her little car while hurrying to make it on time to "her then" boyfriend "now husband's" Soccer Game. :o)   Those were some great days huh? 

Here are my Copic colors - 

So hope you liked my card - she seemed to get a LOL out of it.

REALLY I AM SUPER PROUD of you Deana!!! Sure as Hell know you will NEVER find me in Spandex on a bike doing 15 - 20  miles!!!  Getting on the Spandex alone would make me pass out... Then once I saw myself I could never ever ever go out the door!!! Much less get my big rear end on a bike! I get hurt walking for pete's sake! LOL

Have a great day!! HUGS and