A Fond Farewell

I have decided after much thought to close my blog. Joe and I are so busy with so many things in our lives,and I just don't have the time to keep up with all of the blogs and continue with my blog also. I do want to thank everyone who has followed my blog, and for all of the friendships that were made as a result of the blog. I hope that some of you will keep in touch with me and write. I would truly welcome your contact through emails, and do hope I hear from you. It has been a wonderful experience, and it is hard to believe the years that have gone by since I started.

Thank you all for sharing your lives, and the inspiration that I have received each and every time I visited you. I hope that one day you will visit Ireland and we can meet. It is hard to put into words all that our contacts have meant to me; and it has been an experience that I will never forget.

Joe and I have plans for day trips, and we are happily busy with our lives. Our puppy is keeping us busy too, and we are so glad that Dougal is a part of our lives now. We have been working on our cottage and we do cherish our life here together, and each and every moment that we spend together is a blessing.

I truly hope you stay in touch and I wish you all much happiness and joy. It would be wonderful to hear from you telling me that all is well with you.

Much love,

Micki

Busy with Puppy and Embroidery

I didn't remember what it was like to have a puppy. It's been such a long time, and they are truly a handful. He is a bundle of energy, and needless to say my energy does not sometimes match his. He is a real sweetie pie, but he never gets tired, and he is always on the go. Thank God, we took a puppy who was 5 months old, as we don't have too long to go through the puppy and adolescent stages. I will be very happy when he is one year old. His house training is going brilliantly, so he is a good boy and really quite intelligent. We are taking him to obedience classes starting this week.

Dougal loves to join us at the beach, and that is his favorite part of the day for sure. We are

enjoying showing him off, and everyone thinks he is the cutest puppy ever, and he is.

I have found some time to make an embroidered quilt. It has taken me a week to do, but I finally finished it. I have wanted a black quilt for a long time, and it does make our bedroom very dramatic looking.I do love working with my Janome 350E!

For your information, the International Quilt Festival is slowly being organized. I plan on attending the opening ceremony, and also go to three workshops: Ricky Tim's, Sharon Pederson's and Ineke Berlyn's workshops. I am especially thrilled about meeting Ricky Tims and Sharon Pederson, so this will be the only chance I will have to meet them. Here is the info about the festival here. If you decide to come to the festival, tell me,and we can meet there. That would be so much fun!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

This is Dougal here. Just wanted to tell you that I won over Rufus, the border collie. We are best buddies now. We play together, take walks, and this morning we even played tug of war. As you know,terriers are relentless and never give up, so I was determined to win him over. Other than that, I am doing great. My parents are with me all the time, and they spoil me rotten. I discovered a plastic soda bottle this morning and played with it for over an hour. What fun was that! We are all heading to the beach now. That is a blast, as I get to dig all the time, get covered with sand, and just have fun. I also always meet some doggy friends whom I can play with. Mom has been so busy with me that she has done nothing hobby wise. I have to be taken out a lot of times, as I am still a baby, but I am becoming housebroken, and I am a good boy.

I am waiting for a package in the mail. Mom ordered me a fancy carrier for taking me to the vet, etc, a pack of squeaky balls,and two cans of Bozita Reindeer dog food. It is supposed to be super tasty. I won't eat my dry food, unless I have some wet food added. Off to romp at the beach, and dad and mom always hold hands there. As for me, I just play!

Enjoy your day!

July Star

I know my mom usually has two legged stars, but mom says that I can be her star this month, even though I am a four legged dog. My name is Dougal, and this is my first day at home. I don't know if mom told you, but I am a 5 month old Cairn terrier. My mom came to Monaghan and picked me up, and we had a three hour trip home. I didn't arrive home till 2 PM, but boy do I love my new home! They got me this incredibly comfy crate with a thick cushion, and I love it! I also got lots of new toys.

When I came home, mom made me a great meal, and I gobbled it up. Then they took me to the beach. Dad carried me all the way to the beach, and then I was able to play there. I had so much fun! I never saw a beach before, and really loved it. They bought me a flexi lead, and I was able to run a bit in the sand. They promised that I could go back to the beach tomorrow. Oh, I almost forgot, my new daddy and mommy had a 5 foot wooden fence built around the neatest garden you can imagine. I was running around in it, and they are taking me out there tons of times. I didn't have one accident in the house, and they keep telling me I am a very good boy. Then, I got another meal, and lots of treats!

As you can see, dad took some pics of me in the garden, and in one, I am even smiling. I am quite the looker, and dad and mom keep on hugging me and telling me how cute I am.

The resident dogs are so big compared to me, but so far, one of them has been very nice to me. He is the corgi/heeler mix and he even licked me. The other dog, a border collie mix is a bit jealous of me, and he growled at me twice, but other than that, he has been ok. I just have to win the border collie over, and I am determined to do that.

I am a bit tired, so I am heading over to my crate to rest. They moved the crate in the living room, and they left the door open, and I am facing the tv...Yes, they have "The Dog Whisperer" on. I love my dad and mom so much, and I am so glad that they decided to pick me....They really love animals!

Gee, I am the first star of the month that can pee in the street . I may not be able to sew, but I can lick places that you can't , and I have endless very special doggy talents.

Mom said that next month, there will be a two legged star again. I myself think that I am the best star yet! Modesty is not my strongest point. Off to nod land! I have had a big day!

Winner of Beam N Read Giveaway

Debra from MD won the Beam N Read, and I just emailed her to notify her of her win. Congrats Debra, and thanks to everyone who entered! I know a lot of people loved the Beam N Read. Remember, if you want to purchase it, you can do so at Kelly's blog called IHAN at this link.

My congratulations again to Debra and thanks to Kelly for giving me the opportunity of participating in the hop and trying out the

Beam N Read!