6.02.2009

Lovely Gifts


The amazingly talented Miss Aimee from Mostly Mod was so very kind to send me a photo from her etsy shop for Mother's Day. This meant the world to me. First off it is of a bike no less and, as I have posted before, I have a little dream to live somewhere a bike could be my first mode of transportation. Second my dear and incredibly sweet husband is not the very best at celebrating holidays such as this and my kiddos are much too young to know the difference so this definitely helped me feel quite special. This lovely photo now has found a home in my favorite room, the sunroom, where I do all my reading.


This beautiful gift came a from a friend who I helped with her blog header. I was doing it for free, but since she did get me something I am so happy it was this bag. It is by Lacefield Designs and a portion goes to Ithemba Orphanage in Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa through the LUO organization. Their mission is to set children free from poverty. Please read more about it here. Seems like a cause to stand behind. It makes this gift even extra special.


Well, not sure if I would call this a gift, but my daughter does keep on walking around calling it "my dog". We are somewhat foster parents to this sweet little thing. Our goal was to find it a good home, but it seems my children have become smitten with it. I am still trying to figure out if we are dog owner people and the dog is trying to figure out if he wants to be owned by someone with small children. It's really just the shedding (which so far seems like none) and the dog smell I am worried about. Any thoughts lovely readers?

31 comments:

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Paula- I am not the right one to ask. I adore dogs.We have an 80 lb golden retriever that lives inside when we are inside. He's great! And I just have to vacuum a little extra to get up all of the dog hair! One key- we do not allow him on any furniture. I say keep the pup!

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

what lovely presents and that little dog is so cute!!

PS~Erin said...

So very nice. You completely deserve the sweet surprises!

We are very much dog people and I miss having them. I will, however, say that we have felt somewhat liberated since our two passed away. They are big responsibilities. That being said we were *very* tempted to adopt a little pup from the SPCA van at a festival this weekend. Something about seeing my kids so gaga over it and thinking abt my little guy with a dog... A boy and his dog...

Okay, that was so completely back and forth! This little pup looks mighty happy at your home...

Aartee said...

Love that bag and the puppy is WAY too cute!! Also liking your new look :)

Mrs. Filly said...

oh my gosh! i can NOT believe you kept the dog! :) it's cute..whats it's name? you must keep her/him.. kids need a dog it's just a staple in any american family :)! miss you guys! i love the pic of the bike. i must post a pic of mine now that I've made some additions..it's old :) and i love it!

nelya said...

That is a sweet photo! I love the little vignette you've created.

As for the pup, my advice, really (REALLY) think through if this is the right thing for your family!

We got a dog just about 18 months ago, against my better judgement. My three kiddos begged and pleaded, as did my fourth, oldest kiddo, the hubby. We made sure the one we settled on, a schnoodle (half poodle, half schnauzer) is a no shed dog, not too big, but not too small (he has to stand a chance against my three boys). To be honest, I'm just not a dog person and not sold on the idea that this was the best decision. It really is like having another person in the house.

But your little visitor is a cutie!

Julia said...

What special little gifts :)

Well, I have to say, that sweet little face is quite adorable. I know what you mean though, I'm a dog person--grew up with them and my parents have two huskies--but, after living in an apartment sans dog hair and dog smell and dog fleas, I can't help but think that it's best that way. Well, until we move into a place with a yard and I can get an "outside dog"!

. said...

Cute gifts! And that dog is addorable.

liliesandgrapes.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

Great gifts!! I wanted to give a quick thank you for my header! I love it and so did JonRoss!! The puppy is too cute!!

yvonne said...

That dog is adorable - I imagine he's worth any minor inconvenience he creates.
I love that bicycle photo - somthing about bicycles just makes me happy!

Sarah Klassen said...

Awww, Paula, I say...KEEP! That little dog is so adorable - and small dogs are far easier to care for, I find. They need less space, stink less, and are easier to control and teach/train. I believe if things go well between your two cute kids and the pup, go for it! You won't believe what I great companion she will be, and no doubt, would love to call your place home~

Miss | A said...

first off, love the photo on your table. HA! Looks great there. and glad it made you happy. I have a hubby similar to you i think! ha ha. :)
on another note. we have a 80lb rettriever we LOVE 2 years old. great dog. And then there was Ashley-Ewok. Ug!! Little dog complex is all i can think? she turned so MEAN. She bit my husband teh other day is very aggressive and only 6 months. I am torn. I do not want her hear bc i am worried about ther kids and their friends but matt insists we train her to learn to stay on our terms. she is part of teh family now. Ug Ug Ug. I am so bummed. Any advice for me?

inkWELL Press said...

What a sweet gift... isn't she an amazing photographer? And how great do they look in your sunroom? So fun. You deserve such a lovely gift!

I'm a total dog person - I love having a dog with kids b/c there's no better lesson about being kind to others in the tasks of caring for a dog. As for the shedding... try the Furminator (get it at Petsmart) it's about $20 but so worth it because it will save you a lot of work cleaning up dog hair! I try to brush my dog every couple of days in the spring/early summer when shedding is the worst. Otherwise just a good brushing every week or so. He sure is cute - I would be so hard to give him up I bet!

Loved this post...

Jennie Bee said...

haha cute dog:) and I love the line "the Dog is trying to figure out if he wants to be owned by someone with small children" too funny but i know what you're saying.

Linda said...

Aw, he's too cute. I would keep him!

Blair Friedeman said...

Oh, the dogs is so cute and I just love the photo from Miss Aimee. Yes, dogs do shed and can be smelly but they definitley will make up for it:)

Rachel said...

My family always had at least two dogs, with free run of the house and the yard, and there was never an issue with dog smell. Although we had hardwood floors rather than carpets and maybe that makes a difference?

Jennifer said...

I say the dog is a keeper, too. I won't get on my soapbox, but I think all kids need a dog at some point. And a small, adult is good for first-timers -- no icky housetraining to deal with!

megan and melissa said...

It sounds like you had a good Mothers Day this year...As far as the dog goes I am not a fan of pets in the home so I would probably find the dog another alternate home. If you are pet people and your kids love having the dog around then why not? Hope you are having a happy Tuesday!
xoxo-Meg
fiddlesticksandfunnygirls.blogspot.com

Aline said...

how lovely!

we are really dog people, so my thoughts on the subject are obviously slanted...J, our pug, sheds like the dickens, but my daily o-mop habit is a small price to pay for the companionship and love:)

Jackie said...

I have Aimee's birds on a wire print and just love it! I have yet to find the right size frame though. Is that an 8x8 frame? If so, was it custom made or did you find one somewhere?

Hey, I see a bit of the zigzag pillow from Target I have been wanting! Super cute.

Haven and Home said...

What sweet gifts, people are so wonderful!

I find that once I have a dog in the house I can't let it go. I did not want a dog that shed then we got, who sheds more than any dog in America, and we are so in love we wouldn't trade him for the world! Hundreds of hair balls and all!

PS- Love the pillow in the first picture!

tanya said...

I adore that bike photo...I adore that dog. I'll have them both, please! :-)

bluehydrangea said...

what wonderful gifts. I have one more for you..I have nominated you for a splash Award. Check out my blog Wed AM for more details!

FEDERICA said...

That little dog is adorable!

Rachel Follett said...

I don't think I could resist that adorable little dog. He is just too cute. Love your gifts!

Amy said...

That dog is the most adorable little pup! Do you know what breed he is?

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Love the pic, bag, puppy and that beautiful vase!

kadler said...

That dog is the cutest thing in the world. If you don't want him/her, I'll take him/her when I move back to the States!

FYI - this dog won't shed much. It looks like a Pekingese/Shih-tzu (or something similar) and they grow hair, not fur, so they're hypoallergenic and don't shed. And as long as you give them a bath every two weeks or so, they don't get that stinky!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Kingston said...

So sweet and lovely gifts!! Dog is looking so cute!!