dogs – Page 9 – Karla's Cottage

Sewing wins and losses

By Karla Nathan / May 15, 2020

Remember the “squishies” I was making in animal shapes from memory foam? Sugarwings got into cutting them up too. But she would take a 10” piece of foam to make a 1” critter. She was really into the snipping part of the craft.

So, I saved all of her trimmings, and thought I would make a dog pillow with it. There weren’t quite enough, but I had another pillow that seen better days that I took apart too. This is about half memory foam, and all of the dogs love it, and want to claim it for their own.

And the dog’s floor pillow matches the other pillows in the room now, it is much prettier than the other dog beds. I might just make some slipcover type pillow cases to dress up the rest of the dog beds.

With five dogs in the house, we have beds strewn from one end of the house to the other. And most are hideous.

Although, sewing isn’t my strong suit- here is my first attempt at making a face mask.

Of course, I am too stubborn to use a pattern, I thought I could just wing it.

uhm, no

After trying it on, and seeing how bad the fit was, I cut it down a bit.

A lot.

It seemed okay.

But it was not.

I couldn’t breathe through it, and felt light headed after a quick trip to the store. So, I ordered some professionally made ones and decided that I would go back to using my sewing machine only for straight lines like making crepe paper ruffles for projects, or easy peasy pillow cases for dogs.

The masks I ordered have arrived and they aren’t even in the same species as the ones I tried to make.

These are silk, and light as a feather on my face. But not tickle-y like a feather would be.

I got five silk masks from Johnny Was for $25, free shipping. For each set they sell, they donate another five to healthcare workers. You don’t get to choose the fabric, and some of the five are prettier than others, but all fit and feel wonderful. The ones I don’t care for are not ugly, just not my style, more Asian than rosy. But still pretty.

And I got a lot of compliments on it at the doctor’s office and even at Costco. Those places are big highlights in my social life now, and I actually put on make up to go to them, it feels like such a special occasion to be out and about!

Makeup isn’t something that gets much use around here, and I don’t mind at all. Will lipstick become a thing of the past now that masks are where it is at? Will we have every day masks and special occasion ones? If so, maybe I should save my silky ones for dress up and wear paper for daily activities?

Funny to admit, but I did feel a little dressed up in my fancy mask. After giving myself a home haircut, It does seem silly to care, huh? But a stylin type mask was kinda nice.

Happy Birthday, Sugar!

celebrations, Corona virus, dogs, Goldendoodle Puppies

By Karla Nathan / May 2, 2020

My friend, Mary, who has Sugar’s BIG, and by that, I mean GIANT, brother, Pip, said she’d like to celebrate the doggies’ birthdays.

She and her daughter brought over bones and birthday treats, plus another brother, Wolfie.

The brothers are best friends, who get to have play dates together. They seemed pretty happy to be visiting, and loved exploring the creek.

There was so much excitement that it was hard to get a photo of the whole group.

They all seemed happy to see each other and Honey got a sorta hug from her boy.

He is a lovable guy.
And doesn’t he have the best lashes?

I always enjoy a dog party of any kind. But during this time of isolation, it was even more fun to see a friend (from a few feet away) and visit with my curly babies out in the sunshine.

It was just what I needed. A day does not go by without me counting my blessings. One thing that I am extra grateful for is that Springtime in Kansas gives me the opportunity to get outside and enjoy these guys, go for walks, work in the yard, and just plain old, breathe in some fresh air.

I hope you are finding joy where you can too.

A Stop Along The Way

dogs, family, paintings, Travel

By Karla Nathan / March 9, 2020

On our long, long drive to Florida, we made a side trip to Helen, GA. We had family to visit, and were excited to see them, not even knowing what a gorgeous, little tourist town they lived in.

We had unpleasant weather, not the best to be pulling a camper along twisty, mountain curves. But the scenery was still spectacular, if spooky.

Being in a truck with three freshly bathed dogs on a long trip, started out as an adventure.

The rain soon turned it into a wet, muddy mess.

Luckily, our family was made up of understanding, dog people. It all worked out.My SIL, Sharon keeps a mop handy for their big dogs too.

She and I got out to explore the town a shop a little.

The town is on a river in the mountains, and I hope to return in nicer weather for some hiking and floating.

On this visit, we stuck to indoor activities, and I found these fantastic, vintage beaded pieces at the local antique mall.

Most of the trip was spent catching up and chatting in their new, hillside cottage. I was touched to see a plethora of things I’d made over the years.
Like this kitchen island.

Way back when I had a furniture business, I was always building pieces out of scraps of this and that.

I used to paint a lot of trays too.

So many trays, boards, signs, cabinets, whatever had a blank space, got all flowered up.

Well, not always flowers. This cabinet was damaged so I added a mouse hole.

She had an old watercolor of mine too.

It was sweet of her to keep these around.

At the moment, I am recovering from knee surgery. If you tried to get ahold of me to sign up for Bluebirds Song, I will be getting back to you soon.

Twinkle Twinkle

bird song art event, dogs, yorkies

By Karla Nathan / March 6, 2020

Twinkle came along on the Great Camping Adventure, instead of staying home with Albie and Dorothy for Ryan to watch, as she usually would have. Our 13 year old girl is blind now, and we worried she’d have trouble with the doggie door in the snow while Ry was at work. Or get lost in a corner of the fence. Or not find her water dish.

Funny, she seems to be the happiest that she has ever been, not even bothered by knowing she can’t see. Could it be that she finally let go of her hopeless cause of remaining Alpha after we brought Honey into our home?

At first, she struggled with losing her sight and was timid in her steps. Maybe the blurry shapes she saw confused or scared her?

But once her vision was completely gone, all fear was gone.

So much so, that she gleefully walks into danger. We call it, Magooing. Like Mr. Magoo.

Tinks can still find cozy spots to curl up.

This is a scene we never expected to see. These dogs were mortal enemies. We worked with Honey’s resource guarding and life became calmer and safer, but there was no love lost between them for years. They shared a home, not a pack.

Once Twinkle could no longer see, she began feeling around for a warm soft spot to nap, and didn’t even notice if it was on top of her greatest foe.

At first, Honey would bristle at the intrusion of her space. But then, she seemed to realize that the little Yorkie was harmless, and actually kind of cuddly.

Which is lucky for us, could you imagine sharing such teensy living quarters for two weeks with dogs that couldn’t stand being near each other?

Uhm, you are probably looking at this with horror in your eyes wondering how anyone could spend any time at all in such a small space.

It certainly was NOT “glamping.” And many days the weather wasn’t Florida’s finest, so we were all piled up on each other.

But it was somewhat okay.. should I say fun? Maybe not fun, maybe “enjoyable.” Or probably, “not bad.”

Did I curse at the dogs every time they tripped me? Oh yes.

Then, I got home to our 5,000 sq ft home and was still cursing as I tripped over them in the kitchen. No matter how much space we have, there they are under my feet.

Hopefully I won’t be tripping over them too much, I am having some minor knee surgery this week.

If you would like to sign up to come to Bluebird’s Song I might not be checking emails for a couple of days. But I will answer them in the order they came in when I am once again up and about.

And I hope you do sign up! It will be an intimate group, not as large as my typical gatherings. But there are some spots left.

Please check the previous post for details.

Seashell pups at Crescent Beach

dogs, Dorkies (Yorkshire Terrriers), sea shell fairies, Travel

By Karla Nathan / February 20, 2020

Our Great Camping Adventure is going wonderfully. We have had so-so weather some days, and others perfectly lovely. On the extra nice days, we have headed to the beach for walks with the dogs.

While there, I was inspired to make seashell pups instead of my typical fairies or angels. The first one I made washed away with the tide, which felt rather pleasing to see. I liked watching my little creation float off.

It felt like making an offering to the sea.

So I looked around to find a few more bits of shells to whip up another, this time arranging them up higher on the sand.

This one is Twinkle the Yorkie.

And here is Sugar the doodle.

Uhm, you will just have to take my word for it that this is Honey the golden.

Not an anteater.

Maybe I should stick to fairies?

The dogs are loving the beach as much as I do, so I attempted the little shell critters as a beach thank you from them.

Black dogs sure are hard to photograph!

dogs, Goldendoodle Puppies

By Karla Nathan / January 30, 2020

My grand puppy, Alfie, came to visit.

Besides being black, he is also busy. Which meant he was quite the fuzzy blur in most photos!

Honestly, in all of the photos.

But you know how grandmas are. To me, all of the photos of him are beautiful because I love my baby.

he looks a lot like his mom, doesn’t he? She is more mature, so holds still for posing better. Therefore, isn’t always a blur. But still, black dogs are simply hard to get good pictures of.

If you know any tricks, I’d love to hear them.

January Decorating

cottage, dogs, flowers

By Karla Nathan / January 24, 2020

After all of the glorious, gaudiness of the Christmas decor at my house, I kind of like my Januaries to be low key. It is a good time to dust, and shuffle things around, and to leave some things simply put away, not even used.

And to add some natural elements to remind me that spring and growing things will have to return someday, and that winter won't last forever.

Even if the icy cold feels like it is a life sentence…

Last fall, I bought some succulents at a garden center clearance for 99 cents a pot. After stashing them in my husband's office for the holidays, I was happy to see the cheerful greenery and bring it back into the house to brighten up a cold winter day.

This is where we spend way too much time since my husband retired and it has gotten so cold out. He builds a fire, we pile dogs on our laps and drink coffee every morning in front of the fire before we get on with our days.

Part of my move for simplicity, is leaving this table bare and functional for books and newspapers.

The mantle is kinda halfway simple, well for me at least. It seems full, but usually is has a lot more going on. I leave the angel wings up through Valentine's Day and keep the colors mostly muted. But I did add one little, oval painting that reminds me that springtime is real, and that I will get through this freezing season.

Winter is just not my deal. I make up all sorts of excuses to not leave the house and keep errands to a minimum. Now that I have a house husband, it is even more tempting to sit by a fire and ignore the rest of the world. I might even be growing to like winter.

Well, maybe just this cozy aspect of winter. Not the howling Kansas winds and ice. I will never, ever be able to enjoy that.

Hope you are staying warm and coping too!

Progress?

dogs

By Karla Nathan / January 15, 2020

This was a rare moment of harmony between our dogs. They no longer argue with each other, and are more accepting of sharing a home.

But mostly, the littles and Honey have a pact to ignore each other.

And Sugar is desperate to make the littles be her friend. She never gives up, and can't understand why they refuse to be buddies.

Though, one morning, I woke up to find poor, blind and confused Twinkle curled up with Honey. I think Honey feels sorry for her and let the transgression pass.

We are about to take a 3 week camping trip with Twinkle, Honey, and Sugar. Maybe they will learn to be sisters while they are forced to be so close?

Our Cottage Christmas

celebrations, Dew Drop, dogs, family, holiday decor, Sugarwings

By Karla Nathan / December 27, 2019

Could I describe Christmas as both laid back and lively at the same time?

Maybe what I mean is that we had a lot of fun with simple pleasures.

Like princess cocoa parties with melting snowmen cocoa bombs while using Nanny’s china.

Decorating sugar cookies and gingerbread men together.

Taking advantage of the unusually, lovely weather by going for long walks.

In jammies.

We had a build your own calzone/pizza bar, so everyone got their favorites and it was a group effort for Christmas Eve dinner.

I chopped and sautéed most of the toppings the day in advance, then Ryan helped with the rest.

We had a house full for both days, with almost the entire family sleeping over, staying up late to watch holiday movies, using the hot tub to relax, and playing the games that were given as gifts.

I think what made it all so wonderfully sweet was that there was nothing at all formal about it. There was a nice, casual flow about the holiday.

We went light on gifts, with easy meals, took a few walks, had a wonderful time with everyone under one roof.

Dewdrop will be with us for the rest of winter break, so there will be more family fun time to come.

Sugarwings has plans for surprising her lil sis with elf pranks every day. We will see some movies, hang out in the studio to make things with all the new art supplies they got, and of course, snack away on those beautifully decorated cookies.

I hope your holiday was a blessed one too.

Bye bye babies!

dogs, puppies!

By Karla Nathan / October 24, 2019

We had one puppy longer than the others, until his family could get him after a trip. The others left at 8 weeks. Here they are on the last night that we had most of them. It was a sad night for me.

Keeping this little cuddler for an extra two weeks, sure made him dig even deeper into my heart.

Ryan watched him while we went to Florida, and his new people picked him up while we were away.

His family is happy to be getting him, and have been very thoughtful and appreciative about him staying longer. They brought us biscotti!

A few times.

And it was delicious.

Another new owner, my pal, Shan, brought scones and coffee.

And the spotted girl’s mama sent flowers!

Keeping Wally longer was a mixed blessing. It eased Sugar and me into the separation.

But, having just one puppy is a lot more work than having a bunch of them. He got lonely. So, I spent extra time with him, and I fell even more in love.

They were a wonderful batch of babies.

I have raised a lot of dogs over the last thirty years and have never had a litter like this. Some of it was the pure doodle-ness of the breed and the calm, sweet nature of both parents.

The rest was the fact that I started training them really early. If we ever have pups again, I will be working on training from the very beginning. It sure pays off.

Recently, we have had some major life changes, some good, some bad. We also went through some pretty rough times.

Trying to restore the other house and not lose too much money on it was grueling. Knowing that these snugglers were waiting at home for me made the whole job easier.

No, that isn’t right. That job was not easy in any way. I think what I mean is these fellas gave me something to smile about when everything seemed hopeless.

I feel really good about the families they went to live with and I know those people realize they got very special dogs to love.