THOSE 2 FLYS!

I have often asked myself a simple question..."If Noah was really wise,why didn't he swat those 2 flys?"...I guess that's a question I will save for God but in the mean time we need to deal with them...as well as all the other flying,biting,annoying critters that abound this time of year. It especially bothers me when we are out enjoying the summer weather to see all those gnats around Stu's face! Well I did some homework and came up with a simple solution...even though it only lasts about 20 minutes, I just keep re-applying it.

If you are like me and have a coffer full of lavender,rosemary and mint you are set...if not a couple peppermint teabags work too....I use fresh but dried will work also. Simply make a "tea" in about 1 cup of hot water,add a half cup of white vinegar...mix and put in a spray bottle! It's really that simple. Make sure you cover your pets eyes when spraying this around their face. I even use it myself....as I mentioned it needs to be re-applied in about 20 mins but just keep in mind NO HARMFUL CHEMICALS! Plus they smell good!!

STU ENJOYING IT WITHOUT THE GNATS!

STARTING OUT SIMPLE

As you know I cook for my dog(s)...I feel,and it's becoming very clear,it is the best for them. I don't like eating chemical laden food and I don't feel giving it to our fur family is the best option. I have been asked what can be done to improve diets in pets even if the owner chooses not to cook at this point.
It's always best to start out simple...once you do you will see it really isn't that time consuming,expensive or troublesome.

Probably the easiest thing is to add Olive oil,preferably Organic,cold-pressed, extra virgin...but any Olive oil is better than nothing. DO NOT add any oil containing corn! We will get into that in the near future. Olive oil contains EFA (essential fatty acids).Over a period of time you should see a difference in the skin and hair condition in your pet. Keep in mind Olive oil is high in calories,but they are good calories...if your pet is over weight keep this in mind. You should consult your vet if you have any questions about this.
I have always fed 1/2 tsp for every 10 lbs. You can start out doubling this if you want to give your dog's system a boost. Then after about 4 weeks cut back to normal measures. I will get into more benefits in adding oils to the diet down the road...this is just a place to start.

Sprinkle some dried Rosemary on the food as well...so many great things packed into this aroma filled herb! It's not just for putting on your chicken anymore. It is full of antioxidants,beneficial for the organs and eyes.

When cooking FRESH veggies for your family...cook some for your dog too (I don't recommend giving them canned-unless it is home canned- because there is added sodium and preservatives). DO NOT add salt or butter to their portion...they don't need it!Never feed your dog or cat warm food...always let it cool to at least room temp. Even though a nice juicy carrot is great for them to chew on the best way is to feed it to them cooked. Dogs can not digest raw vegetables.Cooking them simulates what they would eat (if still in the wild) the digested vegetation in the stomach of the kill. This is how they get their carbs.Some of Stu's favorites are of course carrots but he LOVES broccoli,sweet potato,squash,celery,green bean,peas and yes brussel sprouts.He never knows what I'm going to fix for him...but he doesn't care just so it tastes good.
Foods to avoid! Mushrooms,onions,avocado,grapes,or raisins. They can be toxic especially eaten in a large amount.

I hope this helps a little to get you started in feeding your best friends better. Be proactive in their(and yours)health...a lot of the time vet bills can be avoided...which is a good thing!
I will be giving you more tips and stories on a holistic,natural approach to pet care. Goodness doesn't come from a box or a bag...it comes from nature like God intended!

INTRODUCING "SCOLLARS"

Well this is a start! I have listed the "Scollars" on a local ad site...I am in the process of listing them on Etsy and Zibbet. But if you are interested just contact me through the ad.

I have a huge variety of fabrics and colors and I love special orders! I am also making up some really neat macrame collars and leads that I will be listing in the near future.

Click here to view the ad for the Scollars!

Thank you!

THINGS CHANGE FAST AS OFTEN THINGS DO

As you can see it has been a long time since my last post. Sooooooo many things have happened and changed since then it's hard to know where to start.

So I will just mention a couple...


"Kelsie was the Heartbeat at my feet for 6 wonderful years"

To start with life goes on and time heals. On April 27 my sweet little Kelsie passed away and is now running in the flowered fields of Puppy Heaven. We tried everything we knew to keep her with us but in the end God said it was her time to be with Him. (You can read more about her illness here).
If anyone ever tells you that it is silly to have a broken heart over the loss of a pet do not listen to them...for they are the ones that have the problem not you!

So because of Kelsie's illness and special diet needs I have started a Holistic approach to dog care. I am about to launch a line of treats that are actually good for dogs...free of wheat,corn,sugars,salts,dyes etc...
Kelsie was on a high protein diet and was not to have most things that are put into off the shelf food and treats....so I started cooking and making her treats and found that most food that can be bought in the big box stores is basically JUNK! So I have made it my mission to educate myself and soon provide the options I have learned.

Along with the treats I am making collars and toys for both dogs and cats...Things are moving along but slowly....but sometimes slow isnt a bad thing. :)

I'm not totally sure what I am going to call this new venture...I am actually thinking PAWsitives or PAWtanico....feed back is welcome!

S 510

Yes it is a strange title but it is the focus of this post. The S 510 bill was introduce by Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL] I know some of you know about this freedom invading bill that is going through the senate as I type. I won't bore you with all the gloomy details as of yet but in a nut shell what this bill,if it becomes law, will make it ILLEGAL, yes I said ILLEGAL to grow,sell and save fresh produce and seeds!!!

The bill passed the first hurdle yesterday...you can see how your senator voted here. We need to be calling these people until we are blue in the face!

I believe we have the right to a safe food supply but the congress should not be telling us what we do with it! Natural News has a great summary they just put up...read it and weep.

Even if you are not a political junkie like me you really need to pay attention to this bill. It will change our way of life and it will happen without the citizens even realizing it.

If you ever wonder how Washington is "bought" take a look at this!

Do your homework (here is a good place to start!) and become educated to what is going on...our way of life is hanging on the edge of the cliff!

TUESDAY TIPS

I think the best tip for today is to GO VOTE! As you are doing so please take time to remember those who stood strong and gave their lives so you have that honor! Please don't let these actions by others be in vain...
Thank God that you live in a country where we can do so. So many people around the world would give their lives to be able to vote even once!
Our founding fathers had the insight to set up a nation based on freedom and liberty....and voting is the most important one we have! Let your voice be heard.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

MONDAY MUSE

Yesterday as I was bringing in the patio furniture it hit me! It was on this day,2 years ago that made a move...into our new home that is. We moved here after almost 30 years in our "starter home" where we raised our 3 wonderful kids.
When we moved in we knew there were things we were going to change and the landscaping around the 90 ft ranch was priority.
BEFORE...

As you can see in the "before" picture we had quite a job...and oh my did we. Being do-it-yourselfers we decided to tackle it on our own. We had several landscapers come,but the price tag was a bit much due to the fact the 30 year old yews were HUGE! Keep in mind they went all the way around the house...a daunting task to say the least.
So we dig in and start our undertaking on Memorial day...and finished it finally on Labor day. We didn't know who was going to finish who first...there were a lot of hiccups along the way with our roller coaster summer but we finally did finish. But now it's 98% finished and we won't have to do it again! I should mention we actually saved thousands by doing it ourselves.
AFTER...

We replaced the ugly yews with dainty boxwoods,roses,hydranges,lavender,mosses and grasses.

HIDDEN WALL...
We think the results speak for themselves. People stop when we are out working in the yard and ask "When did you build that wall?" It has been hidden for 30 years and the neighbors had no idea it was there! Now it stands proudly for all to see :)

I hope you have a wonderful Monday!