While getting ready for my mermaid trip to California, I was thinking about tidbits to pack up for class supplies, and gathered up lots of little pearls and shells.
The pearls inspired my July Giveaway, of a pair of genuine pearl earrings. I made these with sterling silver hooks, then wrapped them up in a lovely vintage hankie. All comments- all month count toward the drawing.
I need to announce the winner of the other giveaway I was having, a pair of vintage rhinestone earrings go to Kay Ellen. I'll be meeting her at Kim's event, so will pack her gift in my bag and bring it along. Too bad its not one of my heavier giveaways, I'm only saving about a buck 40 in postage for lightweight earrings….
On Thursday last week, I didn't get a chance to take many pictures during Carol's farm house photo shoot with Fifi. I was trying to not be obnoxious, which is hard for me. But I managed to keep my camera out of everyone's face.
I did ask Carol to pose for me, as we were putting away props from a shoot they had done outside. She was carrying in this vase of sunflowers and looked so pretty in her fresh, white cotton top, that I just had to get her picture.
Here is a quickie pic of Fifi and Mark Lohman (the photographer) going over a shot that they had just done. Carol's house is just swoony, every shot I saw them get was a keeper!
And since I am doing such a random, here-there-and everywhere-post, this is my purchase from Bottom's Up the week before. Its a gesso-ed and foofed box by Linda that I filled with sparkled birds when I got home. Willow's Nest was a great addition to the show, I hope they become regulars.
When I am working in my studio on nice days, I just leave the back door wide open and let the dogs wander in and out. Agnes Rosebud wears a jingle bell, so I can keep track of what is going on by listening to her follow her mom around.
But today, it was Twinkle I heard, she was barking and causing a ruckus.
When I ran out to see what was going on, I was greeted with this. So, I scooped up the tasty, rat-sized puppy and ran with her back to the studio so the snake didn't decide to snack on her, and grabbed my camera to run back out to get Twinkle.
She didn't seem to need to be saved.
That is what I love about terriers. They have NO fear and don't know they are little dogs.
I love living in the country, but some times, there are some drawbacks. Not, the snake,I'm happy to see him, he'll eat the hated rats (those are a BIG drawback). Chiggers are another one.
By running out into the grass to see what was going on, I'm sure I'll be itching all night. There was no time to stop and spray myself with bug repellent before I snatched up that delicious puppy.
One of the best things about going on vacation, is the break from bugs. Kansas in July is a chigger fest, and my yard seems to be party central for these guys. I'll be happy to be in California, at a completely different sort of party, away from this itchy critters.
That would’ve scared the beejeebies out of me! No chiggers here, just murky weather..I hope the sun comes out for you! hugs! karen….
YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’d have taken off like a rocket! We had a snake here a couple of weeks ago but not big like that one. I’m glad that you got the pups out of there.
That’s a great picture of Carol. The sunflowers are such happy flowers!
I guess it was “just” a black snake, so we leave it alone? I think that Dorkies and Doxies must have that utter and complete fearlessness in common. Mickie was acting odd the other day and I told a girl at work…she said “was there a storm? Maybe she was scared?” I knew she’d never had a doxie…the thunder would be scared of THEM! Have a wonderful, insect free trip, Sweet Karla! Your Friend, Bobbi
Mid-MO is another haven for those pesky chiggers. But would rather have them than the traffic and over-populated west coast.
I grew up in Southern California – beach and desert – but love living here in Missouri.
Hugs & ♥♥♥s,
Gerry
I am glad that you found your pup before the snake bit her. Hope your day is chigger free 🙂
-Danielle
Karla ~
What a delightful group of photos and interesting to read post! I enjoyed every single minute of my visit here today!
I agree about your terrier comment. My niece has an adorable little 5 lb. one who thinks he is quite the big guy and is so much fun to watch! Have fun on your trip dear! XO Katie
Just found you over at Kay Ellen’s. So glad I did. Love all of your photos….you are a brave woman to take photos of that snake. I think your yorki could have been breakfast, lunch & dinner!!
Loved the visit and will be back soon.
Karla, I was enjoying your post and fab photos…until I reached the photo of that snake! Really!?! Yikes. Can’t believe you were able to snap that photo without having fits…that is one scarey snake! Love the birds you added to the box. Such a pretty addition. I’ll go back and look at that one again…gotta forget that snake. 😉 ~ Angela
I know you like to keep things natural. Is there any natural stuff you can spray on the yard or something to try and keep the chiggers down?
We use the cutter yard spray around here and it is GREAT! No skeeters or anything! And it is safe for the dogs and kids!
That looks like a powerful-mean snake! I’m sure you must know the difference, but the photo of the Twink and Snake made my heart stop! Just another day, huh?!
Karla, Karla, Karla….only you would race for the camera with a snake in sight…God bless the fearless puppies…you are correct, Yorkies don’t KNOW they’re teeny! The box with the birdies is so ADORABLE… I love your blog and am getting hooked on it. Patty in Kansas
I’ll wait here in the jeep with Marlin while you and Jim get pictures of the snake.
My parents have a hobby farm and my Dad was constantly getting eaten alive by chiggers–until they bought chickens. Chickens eat chiggers, ticks, and any other dreaded bug that lives in your grass. I don’t think my Dad has had a chigger bite in about 3 years or so now!
Just thought you might be interested to know that…
I love the basket of pretty birds you purchased!
Cerri
What kind of snake is that? I’m from Australia originally so any snake ought rightfully be fleed from before it bites and poisons you….
And what are chiggers?
You know, I haven’t been stingy in my admiration for you, for your sparkle and loving ideas with Sugarwings, for your dedication and drive with those beautiful puppies, for your swoony shop and all your yummy projects… but this? This? This? I hereby nominate Karla for something huge.. (dunno what award is appropriate)… Purple heart, I think. You actually got your camera, and I think maybe laid down in the yard? and I think swooped in and grabbed a puppy or two with that snake? I. am. impressed. as. heck. and dutifully ashamed. I called my son once to come home and dispose of a wee mousie I had trapped under a fruit jar in my sink… He was at work 9 miles away. He was not. impressed. as. heck! hahaha.. Love Missouri, but Never the blacksnakes. We had one in our kitchen the first summer I moved in with Mom and I almost cried myself to sleep for a week.
p.s. are you sure that wasn’t a blue racer?
No thank you! You can keep your snakes, LOL!
Safe travels!!!
Hello Karla…omg is that really a blue snake? I`ve never seen one that colour…have a great time in Calif….your pix are lovely ..as usual…I`m going on a week long road trip here in B.C…so many places I`ve never seen here…it is so beautifull..take care ..Lorraine
Karla, The pearl earrings you made are cute!. I read the referred article on chiggers-yikes. It made me itchy just reading about them. Have a fun trip.
Hi Karla,
Snakes, rats, chiggers…….oh my!!!!!!!!! You must have
been running really fast to rescue Agnes Rosebud, grab
camera, take picture and then get Twinkle!!! You deserve
a Bravery medal. I’d have been screeching my head
off through the rescues…but, I would have completed
the necessary mission. (gulp) I hope that you didn’t get
any chigger bites.
I love the rose re-do that you did and the birdies in
the foofy box.
Hugs,
Janis
Ah the dreaded chigger and that ewww…. Ick…snake. eeps.
Glad he didn’t snack on your puppy and yes I know they eat rodents but oh shiver… I could’ve gone all day without seeing him I’ll bet you could’ve too!
Have fun in California!
Kathy
what a beautiful snake……no… I am not afraid of snakes. Little twinkle is such a brave girl. It’s amazing but these little dogs are just fur and bone with very little meat on them….Yet they think they are 10 feet tall and bulletproof. Bless their little hearts.
Laraine
Karla…your abilities never cease to amaze me !
Love the Rose Re-Do, and all the pics, the earrings are divine ! But, those darling brave little dogs are too much ! Now…about that snake….creepers ! I guess since it eats rats and mice, I’ll let it live. My Mom always told me to never kill Black Snakes or Blue Racers, but if it were me, and any other kind of snake in MY yard, …it would have been a goner !
OH Karla~ I would have freaked! I would have grabbed my dogs…but probably would have been shaking for quite awhile…
I loved all the pics until I got to the one of the snake. I have major snake phobia and could live with never seeing another snake in my life. I have killed a few rattle snakes during the 27 years we’ve lived in this house. I’m a sissy and don’t think I could handle living someplace with all those biting bugs. That is the one thing I do like about living in the CA desert. Oh, but we do get HUGE wood rats that live in the junipers. YUCK!
~elaine~
wow! yorkies are brave little soles!!! what was the puppy doing? i’m surprised she wasn’t out there in the midst of it all. love the splash of color in your room- nice change for a while. amazing what just a little re arranging can do for a room. glad baby is developing well – when is she due? keep posting- Jeanine
Wow! That snake looks big! Twinkle is a lot braver than I am to get so close. 🙂
Have a great time this weekend! I hope you love the Long Beach Flea Market as much as I do!…go early, it’s supposed to be hot!
Oh, those chiggers. Is there anything that itches more? They just love those tight spots and I go nuts itching!
Twinkle is frightingly brave! What kind of snake was that? A Rat Snake? We had bull Snakes in South Dakota that looked frightening but actually were pretty harmless. The Rattlesnakes in the Black Hills are another story.
Carol’s house looks sooo swooooney. That is the perfect word! Will it be in Romantic Homes?
Love that Agnes Rosebud!
You should come to my yard – we are chigger infested. I can’t even run outside to the mail box without coming back in with a bunch of little bites on my ankles. I don’t hate many things, but I HATE chiggers.
Have fun in California – that’s where I am from. Its hot days like today that really makes me miss the coast and breezy summer days.
California sounds great about now! I’ve never heard of chiggers…I read the link…..how in the world do you get rid of them!?
Have a great trip!
Hi Karla,
I am rather fond of snakes. I know, I’m of the odd crowd, but I will admit, these photos kinda scared me! This reptile looked big enough t,o ehem, take on your sweet little pooch. Though I’m sure all the barking startled him more than thoughts of anything else! Our cat found one the other day, out in one our gardens. We made sure Mr. Happy Feet stayed faaaaaaar away from this big guy!
What kind of snake was this? Great photos by the way!
OK Girlfriend~ That’s a first for me, sharing a blog post with a snake! The snake wins:)))) Have a great time in Cali:)
xoxoxo,
Carol
Oh my! The pictures of Twinks w/ the snake are awesome…what a brave lttle girl she is!
Your living room redo looks lovely. I’m like you, I go from creams to more florals the warmer it gets. Hell, what am I saying…I probably stole the idea from you. ;o)
Have you ever tried beneficial nematodes? It’s the best way to rid your yard of ants, fleas & chiggers & it’s organic.
Have fun in California…I sooo wish I were going. :o(
Wow — you and Twinkle are so brave to get that close to a snake! I’m not afraid of them, but am respectful! I love your pretty box and your sparkly birds!
Hi Karla.
I am playing catch up on my blog reading.
I am glad you saved your little dog.
Gosh…that is one really big snake!
Karla, what kind of snake was it and what is a chigger?
Lois
Congrats on winning the WWC contest. Your studio is just beautiful. How exciting!
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