Blessings of Spring

With looming Winter Storm warnings posted for Northwest Indiana it seems someone did not get that memo.



Daffodils in early bud on March 2, 2012, preparing to spring forth with golden blessings of Spring.

Advent ~ A Season of Preperation

It is Monday, December 19, 2011, seven days before Christmas.

Are we really prepared?

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, 

and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths,

 and laid Him in a manger, 

because there was no room

 for them in the inn.  Luke 2:7 NKJ

Have we prepared room for Him in our holiday plans? 

New Year ~ New Life ~ New Hope

The mother deer brought her doe as a sure sign of new life and hope. The picture was taken a few days after Christmas from our front yard. Not so unusual for those living outside the city. We who live in the heart of the city and just feet from a busy commuter train track, find these visits an affirmation that all is right with the world and our Sister Deer will allow us to live with her and her offspring.

It is a sign of new life, new hope and a positive blessing for the New Year.

We continue to ask the Lord to bless each of you as you have blessed us.

Happy New Year!

Talented Friends Forever Memories

Portraits of AJ and Jelli Bean, The Hoosier Hug Pugs and our furkids.

What an amazing gift from The House of Pawz and the talented brush strokes of Michelle Rouse.  We were really blessed by the draw (pardon the pun) in the first ever Dogster Dolls Ornament Exchange.

As a so called artist, I know the difficulty in capturing the essence of a subject in a portrait and animals can be especially hard to convey their personalities. Michelle has a way to quickly and very precisely do just that.

From AJ’s (on the right) overly dramatic brooding of the thinker, to Jelli’s mischievous innocent guile, Michelle captured the soul of our loves.

Thank you so very much and as long as there is breath within me, I will sing of the talents of my dear friend and her House of Pawz. 

Michelle’s personal muses

Gus, Brody, Boo, Raven, Cousin McGoo, & Wheezer

The House of Pawz

Heaps of FUN!

When the wind blows the leaves will fall….

AJ HoosierHugPug has had four Fall seasons under his belt and only gets excited for the leave blanket on the first day. After that he is only concerned with remembering which are his friends and which are not… He seems to have forgotten his attempts to bring his favorite leafs in the house where they would be safe and he could play with them longer…. 

 

Ms Jelli Bean finds it almost impossible to contain herself after discovering the carpet of brown, yellow and gold. She even pleaded innocent to having anything to do with the state of her yard. “I just came out and it was here. Honest!”, she barked at each leaf.

She also discovered that when she ran through the deep cover there was a crunching sound. She would pause to see where it was coming from but then she did not hear it… We enjoyed her attempts to bring her favorite one in with her for more play.

 

AJ convinced his sister that if she left them outside they would be well taken care of and there for her to play with the next time she is out.  He is not to sure she will understand when there is all the cold white stuff on top of them just where they have gone… But he will take care of that when it happens…. now he has a sister to avoid and chicken strips to hide….

Good by dear heaps of leafs… See you all later… Like next November…

Seasons ~ Fall

Acrylic 11x14

An artist can only attempt to capture the beauty and essence of what the Creator has given.

Ms. Bean

Here is the lady as she awaits her check in at Dr. Larry’s. Today was the BIG Day…. Jelli the Bean was spayed.

Wanting to be responsible owners, we know this is what we needed to do… but oh how sad it was to have to leave our baby girl for even 24 hours.

It has taken almost three months for this tiny lady to make her mark on her brother, AJ. Now he would deny this but all day he has roamed the house as if looking for something or someone…. could it be The Bean?

Three calls to Dr. Larry’s office has given some comfort that Jelli is doing great and will be ready to come home shortly after noon tomorrow….

Wonder if we all go to bed now, at 6:30 p.m. if noon tomorrow will get here faster? This is like waiting for Christmas… I miss my whirlwind dashing around and pulling everything she can wrap her teeth around…. including our hearts….

We love you Bean… counting the minutes until we can hug you and bring you home!

Sunday in the City, Deer

As I walked into my living room Sunday morning I was blessed by this lone deer in our front yard.

So gracefully she sipped the morning rain water that had gathered in pools along our parkway.

As an added gift she turned toward our bay window as if to say, “I know your there. Take your best shot now.”

Like paparazzi after a celebrity, I attempted to follow as she headed back to the woods. 

She slowed as if looking for a hidden door.

Pausing, she turned and looked directly at me before walking through her magic door and back into the safety of the woods.

 

These photographs were taken Sunday, August 30, 2009, at 10;15 a.m., in the 300 block of North Porter Street, Michigan City, Indiana. The woods is in front of our home and is surrounded by houses on three sides and the South Shore train tracks on the fourth side. This is not the first deer to be sighted here in the middle of the city and we often have herds during the winter wander through our yard. We are so blessed to have this patch of seemingly untouched nature within our daily few. 

Dear Ms Anniebelly Bossybritches

 Hi, I am Jelli Bean, but you may call me Jelli or Bean. I have heard a lot about how you just seem to know how to handle your misbehaving brothers, Howie Pee and Java Cheesybritches and I need help.

As the sister of AJ HoosierHugPug ;o], who seems to have the reputation of being a tough Grilla-Guy and does not want any of his buddies, like Howie, Java, Louie or CurlieMoe know he may just have a soft spot for his new sissyfur… ME!

Now, look at this face! I ask you, how could he not just love me? My problem is I want to play and he just keeps running from me. Now I chase him and want him to chase me but he just won’t. I love to play and so does he but right he won’t play with me. What can I do….

Oh, AJ has a special name for me, Wigglebutt Barkiebaby, I think that means he really loves me but just don’t want to let it show. I know I love him and my forever moms & daddy.

Moms said I should ask you for advice on how to help AJ realize how much he really loves me too. I will watch for you advise and remain AJ’s, cute, cuddly baby sissyfur,

Jelli The Bean

Well, Moms Done It Now…

 

Hey Howie, know what is going on at my house?

Well, I will tell you.

Moms has been praying for another pug. I am not sure why when she says I am a pug full, but she was. Then last week she packs up a bag and some stuff… leaves the daddy and me and off she goes.

“I am going to see Auntie Sandy,” she says. She is my BBs (Best Buddy) CurlieMoe’s mommy, as well as his sisters, Ms. Oprah and Princess Leia. They live in a far away land called Virginia. I wanted to go with her but the moms said I had to stay and keep an eye on the daddy.

Well, long story short, she was gone a long time. Two whole night sleeps and many naps later the moms came home. But, she was not alone.

“Look, AJ, I brought you a baby sister,” says the moms. I know almost right away this means trouble. I remembers when your “baby sister”, Annabelle came to live with you and Java. I thought I would have a puggy stroke. (Howie, please do not let those innocent eye fool you… she is smart and plotting something, I can just tell! She may be tiny but she is mighty…. at one pound 8 ounces… all trouble!)

Well, the moms and daddy is calling her, Jelli Bean. Or Bean, or Jelli, or Princess Baby… ugh… almost choke on that one. I call her, Wigglebutt Barkiebaby, cause she wiggles all over and gives me this yappy toy bark like I am really going to listen to her.

Bean has her own bed, food and toys. Know what she does… eats all her food likes we is gonna take it away and then wants to eat mine. She just hops over to my dish and starts eating. This is very rude, right? She really needs to learn some puggy manners… like ask and wait while I decide if I wants to share.

I know you is locked up and down while your knee gets better but if you could find a way to let me know how to handle a Wigglebutt Barkiebaby I will be forever in you debt.

Your Pal in Indiana

AJ HoosierHugPug ;o]

Princess Jelli Bean

 

Oh, I've seen her in person, she's as delicate as a feather, small as a thimble, pretty as a rose bud and faster than supersonic pug speed, even speed demon AJ will have his paws full.... she is also an extremely charismatic little thing, and yes she would have fit in my pocket! Auntie Aveline   

After asking, begging and giving final ultimatums, Tom has agreed that we can venture into the land of multiple Pugs.

There is a very true saying that Pugs are like potato chips. You can’t have just one.

Princess Jelli Bean, aka Jelly Belly, The Bean, Lil Sprout, Princess, PJB, or Darling, is the daughter of Leia and CurlieMoe Ashby of Grundy, VA., and the niece of Oprah Ashby, Grundy. The union of Leia and CurlieMoe brought a total of 28  puggy paws into a world of Love! Five of Jelli’s siblings have found forever homes near Grundy.

Jelli and her brother, The Goblin, have had to travel many miles to their forever homes. Goblin is living near Baltimore with Auntie Avie, while Jelli will be arriving at her Hoosier Home this weekend.

Hold on AJ, just a few more days and your sisfur will be home.

Oh, Tom, AJ and I want you to know we are very thankful for this gift of Jelli. We know you will love her as much as we do and as much as you love AJ.

It’s Not What You Say …

My mother’s words blared in my head as I read this posted sign at a local Middle School Saturday morning.

How often she would warn me it was not so much what I said but how I said it that got me into trouble.So it would seem with the administration and staff of this school.

The words, “Students Released at 12:15” made me think that inmates of this institution were being let loose into a world not prepared for this action. With a State Penitentiary located just across town from this school, it was not such a leap to connect the final day of school to the release of an inmate after serving his/her time in paying for his/her crime against society.

How much more civilized would the statement on this sign had sounded if they had chosen to use, “Students Dismissed at 12:15.”

Once again proving Mom was right… It is not what you say, but how you say it, that matters.

Waiting for Summer 2009

Sand and surf at the ready for the arrival of Summer 2009

On a gray, cool overcast June 2nd, the Lighthouse at the Harbor into Michigan City stands tall and silent as it awaits the riotous days of boaters, water skiers and swimmers.

Pleasure craft moored in the Washington Park Marina are also waiting to the days of Summer while a lone Seagull seems to be looking for the direction to  the nearest food supply.    

The air temperature on this cool June day never reached 65 degrees. With only 12 weeks for a ‘Summer Tourist Season’, warmer temps need to arrive soon and stay a spell.

For us locals, this is still one of the most beautiful sights God has blessed us with.  This quiet time allows us to enjoy this blessing to it’s fullest.

Rambling On …

OMG! I have crossed into the Twilight Zone for real.

As I checked my morning paper The News-Dispatch I was some what surprised that they are actually attempting to get into the 21st Century by Tweeting.

You heard this right. The News-Dispatch is on Twitter.

Now I think this is a good move that they are making. Only hope they are more responsible in learning how to make it work for them and not against them.

As a former part of the print media as well as the Online world, it really pains me to hear of newspaper closing. Even the Boston Globe is having its problems.

It is very easy to most writers, editors and publishers to cast the stones at the Internet and say all their woes began with the World Wide Web. (Blame Al Gore for this as well, as the “Father” of the www.)

Several news outlets have caught on that it is better to let the world wide web work for you then to spend endless and meaningless efforts to thwart what is here.

CNN has a great relationship with the internet as well as Twitter. All hosts of CNN shows have Twitter sites as well as CNN itself.

The BBC as well at the New York Times. It is far past the time that regional and “small town” news media get with the 21st Century.

I am truly hopeful that with this step my own community will realize we are part of a much bigger picture.

We are a global people very hungry to know what is happening in every corner of the world. There is no “small news”, just something that someone somewhere is seeking to know. It is the media’s responsibility to bring it to the world’s attention, by every means that has been and will be made possible by the world of technology.

Welcome to the 21st Century! It is here and not leaving for another 91 years.

Frozen Crimson Beauty

During a recent snow storm it seemed like nothing living could or would be caught out in the depths of the wind, snow and sub-zero climate. But somehow these Crimson beauties still sang their song of praise from the Bittersweet bushes that grow wild in the woods.

On the same day the birds sang we watch from the warmth of our home as a "tailless" cat may have been stalking his dinner. All though he really did not appear to have missed too many dinners at all!

There is a family of "Feral" Cats living in the woods, but we are not sure if he/she is a part of this most secretive clan.

Traditions and Memories

Most, if not all of our fondest memories relate in someway to food.Food, that is essential to life, is what life is built on and around.As many prepare for the Annual Thanksgiving Day food orgy we remember not only family and friends from past feasts but the dishes set before us.Aunt Bea's braised beans, Dad's Deviled Eggs, or even Busha's Lime Jell-O molded salad...

Recently my cousin Patty, reminded my of this holiday tradition and wondered if I had the recipe. Not wanting to seem ungrateful to our Grandmother and our shared memories I assured her I did... Well, I didn't but I hoped I could find one close to Busha's that it would pass.A search for Lime Jell-O recipes led me to a very unlikely source and to the exact recipe...

Google led me to www.ashtry.com I know the name almost turned me off as well and I am a smoker.To my surprise I found the exact recipe I was looking for and more. The site supposedly belongs to a Léon Brocard, aka Acme. But all of these links just seem to deepen the mystery of this site and the person or persons responsible for all the wonderful and delightful food and memories to be found here.How Léon managed not find and collect the links to all this wonderful food and then give us a way to search for our memories not only by name but by ingredient is amazing and awesome. Like me, so often we only know what was in a dish and then more often then not, just one or two items. You can not even do that at the Food Network. So if you are searching for that one dish that mean the entire holiday to you or your family but can not recall how to make it... check out the recipes at Léon's, who knows you may just find Aunt Bea's Braised Beans there as well.From where I sit, Just Off Senter, it is true what old Will Shakespeare said, "A rose by any other name will smell as sweet." Remember not to judge a site by it's first page.

Oh and while you at it....

Autumn in Indiana and New Adventures

There are songs about Autumn in New England, but from where I sit, this Mid-western scene is none too shabby.

The golds and reds are as vibrent in the Hoosier Sunshine as they could be anywhere.

As awesome the view may be it is sadly a reminder that all too soon we will have vistas of white to stare at for what will seem an eternity.

Take care not to go snow blind... it can and has happened.

As from where I sit... new adventures are on the horizion... I have retired from the hectic world of punching a clock and now am reconnecting with home and years of "I'm too tired this weekend" housework.

This should all prove very interesting as we, husband, pug and I adjust to this new or shall I say returning role as Domestic Goddess... Rosanne was not the first you know....

See you all soon, now that I will have more time to spend exploring and expressing my just off Senter views.

August in Indiana

August in Indiana somehow signals the ending of our Summer! The sun sadly is just a bit lower on the horizon and perhaps not as warm as some of us would like.

County Fairs are winding down and State Champions are being chosen. Armies of Yellow School Buses can been seen winding around country roads as drivers relearn routes. Since July 5th stores have been stocked with School boxes, backpacks, reams of paper and Number 2 yellow pencils.

You can see despairing moms trying to convince a head-strong child that they will not need a wool sweater for the first day of school. For as sure a there are green apples the week school begins the heat of summer will return, full force.

August in Indiana has hit local beaches as well. Beginning the week of August 18th, the Life-guards will only be on duty on weekends through Labor Day... The time of the long shadows has even reached the shoreline... Signaling the all too soon returning time of Winter......

Summer Sounds Remembered

I love the sounds of summer. From the quite pre-dawn calls of the woodland birds to the mid-day clamor of youngsters at play. There is just something different about Summer Sounds.

Weekends that begin with the swoosh and swash of a push lawn mower, or the zroooming of a power mower that continue with the spit -spat of the sprinkler set to encourage the next weeks growth, lend to the ear a different meaning of life.

Time seems to hang, almost suspended and surreal, as you hear the clink and clank of swings and the giggles of youngsters as they spray themselves and each other with the cold relief of a garden hose.

As evening approaches there come the tingling sound of bells, mixed with calliope music that grows ever louder and then the gleeful shrill, "The Ice Cream Man," resounding a call of attack from every yard for blocks.

There is that quite time just as the stars of Summer begin to dot a darkening sky, then the soft coo of a dove calling to her mate to return home for the night. Silence that is broken by the distant song of a far off train carrying people and produce to far away dreamed of destinations.

These are the Summer Sounds memory has held for dreams.

Etiquette 101: Fine Dinning (It Pays To Have Manners)

Hi, this is AJ HoosierHugPug ;o]

As the Pug of the Realm, I know how to present myself in public. It is always best to have impeccable table manners. A lot can be learned about your character by how you conduct yourself in public and around food. And with more restaurants adding Out-Door Dinning, the chance of being invited to one of these finer establishments have increased greatly. It is our hope that all Pugs and pups can learn a valued lesson and be included in the family's night out.

"Thank you, this table is perfect."

When taking you seat at table try to make eye contact with the person
who is responsible for seating you. It is also wise to look around so you will know exactly where your table is located in case you have need to leave and then return. You do not want to seat yourself at the wrong table. After placing your order, you may continue to examine you surroundings and your table.

When being served, thank the person who brought the food you ordered and remember

Give Thanks for you Blessings!

Choose a portion of food, trying not to look as if you are playing at the table, enjoy you meal.This means no scarfing of your food. Remember you're not at home, no food fights.

It is proper to end you meal with a relaxing tummy rub and even to catch a few "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ".

Now we hope you will not only be invited to enjoy an
evening of fine food and company, but that you will be known as a Pug Extrodinaire!

---

***Disclaimer for ASPCA:
No Pug was harmed in the process of making this instructional and informational seminar.
No food or treats were wasted in the making of this instructional and informational seminar.
See Slide Show at right for full detail pictures of a AJ's dinning tips.
Thank you and we hope you will watch for future instruction and information on Pug & Pup manners!