Boots

Mommy’s boots and puppies’ boots

After a day of play.

They go with us on our ADventures

and then by the door they stay.

Climbing hills, breaking trails,

They go wherever we go.

We take them off when we say goodnight

And dream of more days of snow.

Two puppies make snow angels in a snow bank.
Two puppies look at their snow angels. One is an angel, the other one a devil.

Ooh, tough break Toby.

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Handknit man's cardigan.

Many fine cardigans and sweaters are still available at L Bowman Studios! These incredibly soft cardigans are hand knit of merino wool, superfine alpaca and Donnegal tweed. The buttons are made of eco-friendly natural coconut shell. Warm cozy sweaters allow us to keep the thermostat turned back to save both money and the environment.

Many gifts are available at my shop at L Bowman Studios.

The Tall Snow

Puppy standing in deep snow, looking up in awe.
Puppy stannding at base of huge snow pile
Mom, can I poop in the house like when I was a puppy?

Toby thought he liked snow until he encountered the deep stuff.

Now, like the rest of us, he is waiting for a thaw. *

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Cover of the book Dream Our World

Escape your snowy world with a trip to The Museum of the Imagination in Dream Our World! Inside Bitey and Toby visit the museum of their dreams and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun. Dream Our World makes a great gift for all ages.

Dream Our World is available from my shop and from Amazon.

*After the Storm, oil on canvas

(What genius at WordPress decided that an asterisk is the same as a bullet point? Quit changing what I type!)

Snow Boinging

Aren't you getting tired of saying "Boing, boing, boing" every time you run? Never!
You're just jealous because I am too light to fall through the snow!

While our snow stopped during the night, the wind continued till morning. We ended up with knee-high drifts over most of the yard. Toby still loves boinging out in the snow, but now that he has put on extra weight, he no longer lands on top. I suspect Geordie is having a big laugh at his expense this week!

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If you would like to have more laughs at Toby’s expense, pick up a copy of Dream Our World. Inside, Bitey and Toby visit the museum of their dreams and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun!

Cover of the book Dream Our World

Dream Our World is available from my shop and from Amazon.

It Snowed!

Guess what? It snowed!
Whee!
Puppy makes snow angels.
Puppy dives into fresh snow.
Puppy does the backstroke in fresh snow.
Puppy digs in fresh snow.
Hello...what's this? They grew back?

Toby couldn’t wait to wake me up this morning to tell me that it snowed. He was so impatient to go out that he didn’t even ask for my breakfast. Once he got out, he Boing! Boing! Boinged! all over the place. It was so nice to see him happy and bouncy again!

The cold temperatures and 5″ of powder were all worth it to watch my puppy in the snow.

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Waiting for Santa

If you would like to share some puppy cheer, consider sending friends and family these Waiting for Santa greeting cards. (Without the watermark, of course.) The inside is blank so you can decide if your household is a “Merry Christmas” or a “Season’s Greetings” one.

These and other great gifts are available from my shop, L Bowman Studios.

You Just Wouldn’t Understand!

I hate being cooped up in the house all the time like this...not being allowed outside...not being allowed to see friends...You wouldn't know what it's like. I'm the unluckiest anyone in the world. Yeah, Tell me about it.

I think most of Stinky McPooperson’s crabbiness comes from his diet. He got really used to humans giving him food to be “the magical talking dog” (as the little ones call him), and a mere two meals a day is getting on his nerves.

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If you would like a royal pillow like Toby’s come visit my store!

Ice Blue Royal Pillows

These royal pillows are made of a soft, velvety fabric with gold trim and tassels. They will add a touch of elegance to any recovery period!

It Only Looks Good on Bunnies

Do you think anyone will be able to tell? Hmm, on top of the droopy face, the red eyes, the bald patches, the bum knee... Nah, you're good. I'M SO ANGRY!!

For a while I have felt guilty calling Toby “Bitey Dog” when it was really his brother’s moniker, but Toby finally put forth the effort to make it his.

Dogs do so well at hiding their feelings sometimes that you can miss their signs of pain.

On Friday I leaned over to ask if I could help Toby reach the treat that he had pushed behind he furniture, and he exploded in a furious attack. Twenty four pounds of muscle and anger (and teeth. Let’s not forget the teeth) launched themselves straight for my face. This was so out of character for my pup that I was completely caught off guard.

I managed to get him into his kennel so I could assess the situation. He immediately fell asleep. I ended up with puncture wounds on my cheek, lip and nose. Also, my top lip had been ripped apart like a rabbit’s. Gross. Trust me, the look is only cute on bunnies.

Tuesday was the earliest I could schedule an appointment with Toby’s vet, and she told me that he “did not mince words” when she tried to examine his left knee. Also, he somehow managed to gain 2 pounds in 6 months. Oops. Looks like the shutdown got to him too.

The combination of extra weight and already wonky knees left my boy in incredible pain. Me getting near his treat on Friday sent him over the edge. I didn’t know that, though, and spent the weekend afraid of my dog. Now I feel guilty that my little boy needed comfort and understanding, and I kept him at several arms’ length.

Toby got sent home from the vet with pain medication and guidelines for a strict diet. By this afternoon he was feeling so much better that he was driving me nuts. He is evidently hungry too because he keeps stealing my things in order to trade them for food. I can tell that the next two pounds are going to be really tough on both of us.

As for me, I am hoping to be able to drink from a glass again someday. For now I have to use the ultra-super-mega Verboten drinking straws. (I wouldn’t be surprised it Greta Thunberg comes ’round at night and beats me up.) For some reason I don’t bruise purple, I turn yellow/green. It looks I have smeared mustard all over my face where Toby hit me.

Despite the unpleasantness, I am glad that I finally understand Toby’s pain and was able to get him help. If we’re lucky, the medication and the weight loss might help him to feel good for a long time to come.

Cairn terrier sleeping in kennel.

Go away. I don’t feel good.

(Don’t you mean “well”?)

(Do you want to get bitten again?!?)

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Were you among the lucky who got chilly weather this week? If so, you know the value of a warm, cozy quilt.

Handmade Butterfly Quilt.

This patchwork Butterfly Quilt can bring a touch of whimsy to your home. Whether resting on the back of the sofa or decorating the guest bedroom, the colorful handmade quilt will be a treasure for years to come.

Butterfly Quilt is available from my shop.

(Yes, I can do international shipping. Just let me know your country, and I can calculate the shipping cost.)

We Desperately Need Donations (But Not From You)

Over the summer, I tried to keep busy by crocheting blankets to donate to the church when they collect baby gifts in the fall. Unfortunately crocheting and knitting really mess with my Bell’s Palsy, but I pushed through finishing as many blankets as I could to welcome new life.

On Saturday I took my donations to the church to place in the collection cradle. As I set them down, a lady walked over to me and suggested that I might want to put my name and number with the blankets because she didn’t know if they would be accepted, you know, because of covid. Try as I might, I couldn’t figure out how a malt in a yarn covered sweater had anything to do with baby blankets. I looked down at the very, very few donations in the cradle and wondered if the family dropping off the bag of diapers got a similar warning. Somehow I doubt it.

As I picked my blankets up to take with me, the lady tried to herd me back to the cradle, saying that I could put them back in. (Mind you, everyone at this church is scared witless by covid yet the woman stood mere inches from me.) I told her no thank you: I knew of other groups that would welcome my gift and walked out.

Within hours, a different church gladly accepted my donation. They are experiencing a lock down baby boom and need lots of gifts to help welcome new members. Thank heavens the Protestants ’round here aren’t too scared to live.

Cairn terrier stalking prey

I told you you should have spent that time doting on me and not messing with that stupid yarn!

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Handmade afghan with roses and bows.

This time of year, the nights become chilly. Make sure you or someone you care about is wrapped in both beauty and love with this hand stitched Rose Afghan.

For more details, click here. Rose Afghan is available from my shop.

What’s in a Name?

Oh geez, Toby.  What is Peppermint going to think?  Her name is Zelda...or maybe Priscilla...and we're soulmates!
According to this tag, her name is "Fernando".

These two have spent so much time together that they are starting to look like each other.

Toby and new stuffed girlfriend looking off into the distance.

I do worry about Peppermint, though. I’m sure her feelings are hurt.

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ASL Alien Hand Pillow with Galaxies

Tell them you love them without saying a word! (Right, Toby?) Give someone you care about this stellar pillow with an E.T. hand signing “I Love You”. Not only is it a loving reminder, it is also a great conversation piece.

Alien Hand Pillow is available from my shop.