Is Winter over yet?

Poor Gromit has such a bad case of cabin fever...going outside doesn't help, as it is still Winter out there and Gromit doesn't do Winter.  I think he is wishing we were snowbirds!

Pug-loving Knitters Swap

Gromit and I were both over the moon excited to learn that a much-anticipated parcel 
was at the local UPS!

  Showing remarkable restraint isn't he?

 Oh such lovely goodies!  Lovely fancy dog cookies, special locally grown Southern Virginian Peanuts (all the way from Virginia!), marvelously-scented candles and this heavenly-soft Alpaca/silk lace yarn with a beautiful pattern to knit it up with!

I can still hear the blissful squeaking of Gromit adoring his new chewy, pully, squeeky toy - punctuated by the occasional growl when he feels his tail is getting too close to the toy....seriously.  In fact, he usually only does this if a particularly madness-inducing food is at stake; like meat.  He apparently loves his new toy as much as meat.  That is saying a lot, for a dog who takes food as seriously as a pug! 

Nasty Internetses - (Commenting Woes)

For some incredibly frustrating reason...whenever I have tried as late to comment on any of your wonderful blogs...and I attempt to prove that I am not a robot (a phrase that used to make me smile!)  It's impossible.  No attention to the wibbly wobbly letters...no amount of accuracy is acceptable to this evil gatekeeper!  It leaves me looking and feeling...well...pretty much like the above photo of our sculking little friend.
Today for the first time I tried the audio option...have you ever heard this thing?  
Oh yes, very helpful, yes.

So I am looking and I am admiring, folks.  Albeit silently.

Happy Halloween too...  :)

Halloween Party at Muddy End

Through etsy I've recently been contacted by a lady in France interested in purchasing Muddy End.  We're still trying to see if there is a way to get it to her that isn't prohibitively expensive - as floo powder doesn't work so well with muggles or miniatures.

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought it would be fun to bring Muddy End out; fill it with all the various bits of 12th scale magical or fantasy whosits and whathaveyous - like the Swamp Witch is having a wee Halloween gathering with friends and neighbours!

 A few things have changed as my collection has been added to - for instance, a dragon has hatched under the table.

 The leprechaun is fishing in the swamp - better not let the Swamp Witch see him doing that!

 This kitty has found the apples...

 This one has found Thing!

 ...which makes the resident rat really happy.

The shelf looking full of witchy goodies...

 Uncle It is a bit shy and hanging out up in the reading loft.

Everyone in attendance...though I was using my little point and shoot camera; and the photos aren't great, but you get the idea.  :)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Autumn!

Pug-o-ween is just around the corner and in anticipation, here are some fun photos of that event!

I painted...

It has been so long since I worked on an oil painting!  It took the recent 50th birthday of a friend to inspire me to put a brush to canvas again and I really did enjoy the process.  I've some other ideas floating before my eyes...so I may be yet sharing with you some more paintings!  We shall see....  :)

Bees and Beautiful Blue

 We recently performed our first rescue of honeybees who chose a home where they weren't safe.  We were so grateful that the agent for this home; which had been boarded up and empty, found our ad for honey bee rescue and called us!  We couldn't have asked for an easier removal - didn't have to cut into the wall or anything!  The little ladies are safely and happily in their new home now!

During the Olympic games I knit up these Tilting Tardis fingerless mitts for the Ravelenic Games on Ravelry.  Some folks managed full sweaters and several other projects, I made mitts and was relieved to finish!  :)

I couldn't wait to use that beautiful blue yarn to knit some puffs with - this was the first.  The symbol on it is Sindarin for 'star'.  I've been reading Tolkien this summer and it is seeping into everything!  

Hope everyone is enjoying their Summer!