Reindeer In The House

Tomorrow, December 1, 2011, is Rocket's 1st birthday celebration.  It will be one year since we picked him up from the shelter and brought him to his FUREVER home with us.  He wanted to start celebrating early.  So, here is a few pics of Rocket playing reindeer since his birthday is close to Christmas.

Mom, this is embarassing!

Sticking his tongue out at me!

So worth it...anything for a treat!

We're Running A Little Behind

My hubby and son did get the Christmas decorations out of the attic.  The tree is up, but has no decorations because they're still in storage bins sitting in our family room.  At least our tree is pre-lit so it seems as though we've done more than we actually have. lol  We normally have this finished within two days after Thanksgiving.  Are we alone in this situation or is anyone else running behind?

To get this fun job done...

I'll need a fire in the fireplace, three hot cocoas, three bones, beautiful Christmas music,

                             


and most importantly...hubby, son, Roxy, Rambo and Rocket!



Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm grateful for my new friends through blogworld.  Hope everyone has a beautiful Thanksgiving day!




These are the two pics from last year's Christmas card.  :)

 

Turkey Anyone???

While out and about this weekend we saw some wild turkeys!  I thought how appropriate being Thanksgiving is almost here.  Hubby pulled the car over (suprise! no teenage son driving lol) and I hopped out and started snapping!  I was switching between auto and manual trying to figure out the shutter speed.  Boy, do I need a lot of practice!  Anyway, I counted eight turkeys in all...how cool!

The turkey is one of the most famous birds in North America.  In fact, Benjamin Franklin wanted to make the wild turkey, not the Bald Eagle, the national bird of the United States!

Wild turkeys  (Meleagris gallopavo) live in woods in parts of North America and are the largest game birds found in this part of the world.

They spend their days foraging for food like acorns, seeds, small insects and wild berries.  They spend their nights in low branches of trees (yes, wild turkeys can fly!).

After the female turkey mates, she prepares a nest under a bush in the woods and lays her tan and speckled brown eggs.  She incubates as many as 18 eggs at a time.  It takes about a month for the chicks to hatch.

When the babies (known as poults) hatch they flock with their mother all year (even through the winter).  For the first two weeks the poults are unable to fly.  The mother roosts on the ground with them during this time.

Male turkeys, also called "Tom Turkeys" or "Gobblers" puff up their bodies and spread their tail feathers (just like a peacock).   They grunt, make a "gobble gobble sound" and strut about shaking their feathers.  This fancy turkey trot helps the male attract females (also called "hens") for mating.

Wild turkeys are covered with dark feathers that help them blend in with their woodland homes.  The bare skin on the throat and head of a turkey can change color from flat gray to striking shades of red, white, and blue when the bird becomes distressed or excited.

Starting To Feel Like Christmas

It would be nice if I needed to wear a jacket or at least long sleeves. ha ha!
I am so ready for some cold weather.

Fun With Weaving

Today I spent the morning at my son's school.  I volunteered to help with a holiday party for the younger students.  My craft was a weaved placemat.  Boy did this bring back memories.  When my son was younger I never missed a class party or a chance to volunteer.  The party was a success and there were lots of beautiful crafts.  I was so busy with the kids there was no time for pictures.  But, I brought my placemat home and I took a pic to share with you.  I'm very proud of this placemat because I'm not a crafty person. LOL!

Proud Mama Squirrel

We have a female squirrel that lives in the "V" of our Oak tree in the backyard.  We call her Mama Squirrel.  We knew she had babies because we would hear them cry for her and you could see that she had been nursing.   We finally saw one of the babies venture out of the nest with proud Mama Squirrel.  So sweet...

You can see that Mama is checking for trouble.  I can actually relate to Mama Squirrel because I've always done my best to keep my baby safe also.

I'm a big boy now :)

Enjoying Nature's Beauties

Last weekend after I picked my son up from a friend's house we stopped by a nearby lake.  We took a little walk and encountered these beauties.  These Swans were so graceful and beautiful. 

                        Our task must be to free ourselves...by widening our circle of compassion
                          to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.
                                                                                                                  ~Albert Einstein

Another Puppy Dog In Need Of A Furever Home

There are so many wonderful animals just waiting for their furever families!
Mayzie is trying to bring awareness to all the animals in need of homes.  If we can all chip in and post an adoptable animal here on our blogs maybe some lucky doggies and kitties will find homes.  And if you can't adopt a pet at this moment maybe consider a small donation...every bit really does make a difference!  Everyone has a local shelter.  Call them and find out what donations they accept other than cash donations, you may be suprised of just how easy it is to help.  :)
For more info please visit Mayzie at:
http://mayziegal.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/big-announcement-2/
Jade is a little cutie wutie!  Look at those eyes...how sweet!
She's located here in Orlando, so I have to remind myself
that I already have 3 babies! 

Jade

Chihuahua Mix: An adoptable dog in Orlando, FL

Small • Baby • Female

I am a female Chihuahua mix. I am about 6 months old. I am spayed, current on shots, micro-chipped and on flea/heartworm prevention. My adoption is $250. Since I am just a puppy, it is a requirement that I attend training classes at the Petsmart in Altamonte Springs. Classes are one hour, once a week for six weeks. The cost is only $89 for all six sessions!
Please email for an adoption application. We do not adopt out of state. Due to many bounced checks, we now require that adoption donations be cash only. However, if you make a general donation to the organization (not associated with the adoption of a pet) we do accept checks and paypal. If you are unable to adopt right now, won't you please make a donation to help care for the pets? THANK YOU!!

More about Jade

Spayed/Neutered • Up-to-date with routine shots • Primary colors: Brown or Chocolate, Black • Coat length: Medium

Jade's Contact Info

A New Beginning Pet Care and Rescue, Inc., Orlando, FL

• 407-251-5458
• Email A New Beginning Pet Care and Rescue, Inc.
• See more pets from A New Beginning Pet Care and Rescue, Inc.
• For more information, visit A New Beginning Pet Care and Rescue, Inc.'s Web site.

Animals In Need Of FUREVER Homes

There are so many wonderful animals just waiting for their furever families!
Mayzie is trying to bring awareness to all the animals in need of homes.  If we can all chip in and post an adoptable animal here on our blogs maybe some lucky doggies and kitties will find homes.  And if you can't adopt a pet at this moment maybe consider a small donation...every bit really does make a difference!
For more info please visit Mayzie at:
http://mayziegal.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/big-announcement-2/


This is Beautiful Boo Boo!
She is looking for a family to love...

 

Boo Boo

Greyhound: An adoptable dog in Longwood, FL

Medium • Adult • Female

Beautiful buckskin red fawn, born 11/09 Very sweet & gentle girl, loves to be around other greyhounds, would do well with a companion grey, slightly shy but warms up quickly If you have any questions or need more information about any of the Greyhounds at the ranch, please call at 407-804-5257.

Boo Boo's Contact Info

Greyhound Ranch Adoptions, Inc., Longwood, FL

• 407/804-5257
• Email Greyhound Ranch Adoptions, Inc.
• See more pets from Greyhound Ranch Adoptions, Inc.
• For more information, visit Greyhound Ranch Adoptions, Inc.'s Web site.

A Visit With Peacocks

In the neighborhood my parents live in there are wild Peacocks.  They have been there for many years.  I didn't catch any of the males strutting around today.  But, I will be keeping an eye out for that and a Peahen (female Peacock) with her babies.

The male is called a Peacock and a female is called a Peahen.

The Peacock is the one that struts around with his feathers spread to attract a mate or mates.

The Peacock is about twice the size of a Peahen.

They like to sleep in trees or other high places to protect themselves from predators.

They are omnivores meaning they eat both plants and meats.

I need to catch this guy strutting his stuff! LOL!