Sunny Saturday

It is a gorgeously sunny Saturday here in Portland. Wish I was feeling up to more than I am. Suddenly feeling as though one of the many things that are going around just might have caught up with me. I want to feel up to going for a hike, or going out to take some pictures or thoroughly cleaning and reorganizing at least one room in my house. I'll be lucky if I get to and through my self-defense course I'm scheduled for today and then bed. 

I have managed to muster enough energy to snap a few pictures of what things are like around our house today. Give you all a small glimpse into my world. Trust me, you probably don't want a big glimpse. Too wide an angle on this camera and you'd get to see all the piles of clothes and things that need de-cluttering! 

See if you do it just right (careful of the angle and all), you'll see a lovely and pretty clean looking living room: 

I do however want to hang that leaves photo on that space of yellow wall soon rather than "leaving" it (get it) on the mantel. 

Otherwise, however from this photo, things are looking good. 

Yes it is very typical to find random Nerf guns without a proper home -- taking up space in a laundry basket, which is in turn living on a chair (who needs to sit down). You have no idea how many surfaces we can cover in a day thereby forcing us to sit anywhere else other than actually on the chairs in our living room. 

Of course there are several ways to think 
this. Who needs to worry about how comfortable a chair may be when it will house various backpacks, Nerf toys and clothing? 

All these chairs normally have to do it look good and be prepared to hold up various accoutrements of daily life! 

I guess I'd like them to be actual chairs that we sit in more often but probably not so much today except the one in the top photo -- it is ready to go unless of course we figure out something to clutter it with. 

And despite the fact that it is 11:00 a.m., I am still in my robe! I may not be on my game today, but check out Olivia, the ever vigilant guard dog looking for anyone or anything she can use as an excuse to bark. 

And yes that's me outside in my front yard in the glorious autumn sun ... in my bathrobe ... snapping the pic! 

Frankly the we both look a bit ghostly in this particular shot. 

Watch out Kim Kardashian! I'm making a fashion statement on this laid back Saturday -- or NOT! 

And last but not least in this glimpse of our world today, is this photo that seems to show not only some semblance of tidiness (but if you look super close also clutter), but more importantly an empty wall! This wall normally holds our Advent calendars when we get to that point but of course it is too early for that. For now, I believe it needs a little something to spice it up and I have an idea. 

For now it will remain an idea because I'm feeling frumpy but I'm hoping by posting this to motivate myself to create something for that spot to share with you soon (maybe tomorrow on Studio Sunday)!? 

What would you put in this spot if you were decorating? Do tell ... share a comment. 

Ode to Autumn

It is a gorgeous autumn day in the NW. Sunshine and 71 degrees. I am busy but still wanted to snap a couple shots that remind me of this time of year. I want to go out in search of a lot of differing colored leaves but for now I found these on our in-need-of-repair back deck:

 

And then there's Penny, our rescue dog. Something about her Golden Retriever color just always says autumn to me... but especially when she is falling asleep on the deck in the October sunshine. 

Hope you are enjoying a nice fall nap or some time in the outdoors. 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi 

My life is going to the dogs

I love dogs. 

I'd say just about anyone who knows me at all would tell you that statement is true. I am the kooky lady in the neighborhood that not only knows all of the dogs' names but likely waves at them, talks to them when they are out in the yard and wishes she could dog sit them if her own dogs would allow (which if you are wondering, they won't). All you have to do is look at my Too Cute board on Pinterest and you get the idea! 

I'm not sure who said it, but it's true... Some of my favorite people are dogs!

So it seemed only natural today when thinking about an image to offer on a t-shirt, to consider a picture of our Penny dog. She is photogenic and very willing to model in any number of hats, masks and other Accoutrements. Here she is at Christmas-time---------------------->

You get the idea. Given that Penny dressed up as Batman had already won an award (at my office), I figured we'd give it a go. And so, without further ado, I introduce to you the first ever Mama Picture This t-shirt --"Bat Penny." 

Ironically, shortly after I listed this in the shop, I heard the dogs making a bit of a ruckus. I checked it out and found a couple of odd things on the floor such as a hand sanitizer bottle (unharmed) and didn't think much more about it. A while later, however when I was going to head to the craft store for some supplies, and I put the dogs in their crates, I stumbled upon yet another clue to what had been going on behind my back. 

Penny was fine, nothing awry, but her dorky sidekick Olivia was comfortably laying in her crate snuggling up to a chewed open and empty bottle of Children's Pain Reliever. 

At this point it dawned on me that the little dog (who has seemed forever to live dangerously) had likely gotten into and devoured whole portions of our girl scout's newly created first aid kit, including the Acetaminophen. A quick check on the internet told me what I needed to know... could be deadly and it could be quick! I rushed to the vet and they induced vomiting and gave her charcoal and we'll see if she makes it through the weekend - so far things are looking o.k. But now we are facing a weekend of watching her closely, giving her subcutaneous fluids and hoping for the best. 

Please think good thoughts for our little goof ball Olivia as she attempts to get well this weekend.

I hope your life isn't going to the dogs. If it is, may I suggest a Bat Penny shirt? Hard to stay down for long when Bat Penny is on your side (or your front as it were ;-) And if you like dogs like I like dogs, you might want to follow Sun and Moon Crafts Kits on Facebook! Their "Happy Pet Fridays" is chock full of cute!

Mama Zuzi