A Beautiful Poem for Animal Lovers

I was just going through some papers and found this poem. It was posted on a blog. Someone had recently lost their dog. The author is unknown....the words are beautiful. I can't read it without tears.

If it should be...

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
and pain should keep me from my sleep,
then you must do what must be done,
for we know this last battle can't be won.

You will be sad, I understand,
but don't let grief then stay your hand,
for this day, more than the rest,
your love and friendship must stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
what is to come can hold no fears.
Would you want me to suffer? So,
when the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they'll tend,
only stay with me until the end,
and hold me firm and speak to me,
until my eyes no longer see.

It is a kindness that you do to me,
although my tail it's last has waved,
from pain and suffering I haven been saved.

Do not grieve, it should be you,
who must decide this thing to do.
We've been so close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Now I am giving my little toy poodle, Midnight, an extra big hug!

The Heritage House, Little River, CA

The Heritage House is located in Little River, a couple of miles from the beautiful town of Mendocino, California. My late husband and I spent and couple of days here on our honeymoon in 1981. Reservations were hard to come by. The movie Same Time Next Year was filmed here a year earlier in 1980. I believe our cottage was named "Meadowwood" which was next to the "Same Time Next Year" cottage. These cottage were located at the bottom end of the property at the edge of the cliff. The view was breathtaking. I remember seeing a really cool lighthouse off in the distance. Men had to wear a jacket to dinner in the formal dining room. I remember a very romantic fireplace in the bar area. I haven't been back since and become very nostalgic when I watch the movie.

The Apple Pan

My family had a Sunday morning routine when I was young. We attended church in Santa Monica then drove down Ocean Avenue to the Santa Monica Pier. Back then you could drive your car down to the end of the pier and turn around. Then it was lunch at places like Callahan's, Pickle Bill's, NuWay Chili Dogs or The Apple Pan. I loved the Apple Pan. It is located on Pico right across the street from the Westside Pavillion Shopping Center. Back in the 1950s there was a child's amusement park across the street that had a little roller coaster and Ferris wheel.
The Apple Pan hasn't changed much since it opened in the late 1940s. They have the best Hickory Burgers in town. It is best to arrive when they open so you can get a seat at the horseshoe shaped counter right away.

more artwork...

Colin is starting to design custom vinyl products for cars. These are 2 simple designs. He has done some really interesting graphics. I'll post more samples down the line. visit his website at www.colinsedodesign.com

My Son's Artwork

My oldest son, Colin, is almost 27. He has a double BFA in Fine Art (Drawing & Painting and Illustration). He has been drawing since he was 3 years old. The turtle is airbrushed on a large piece of metal. The charcoal drawing of James Dean has a mate. "Rebel Without a Clue", which has Jay Leno's picture. Jay Leno has the original drawing. The motorcycle drawing is quite large.

A client took a photo of her husband's three motorcycles and Colin drew them. The detail is amazing.

Christmas in August!

A small sampling of cookies for the YUM Food and Fun for Kids Christmas Magazine 2010.

Mark Tanner took some AMAZING photographs (I took these snapshots before the shoot began). My friend's 3 granddaughters were the models. I finally met little Luc, Jacqueline's son. He is the sweetest little baby! Jinnee Parr and her daughter, Emily Fager, contributed some beautiful hand-painted cookies (see gingerbread house). My house looks like the inside of a bakery right now. We have lots of cookies, cakes, cupcakes, candies, etc. EVERYWHERE! My boys are loving it!!!

Preparing for photoshoot

I'm preparing for a photoshoot for YUM Food & Fun for KIDS! I'll be working with Jacqueline deMontravel next week. Jinnee Parr and her daughter, Emily, are baking the most beautiful Christmas cookies. They are hand painted. I'll be busy baking some other things this weekend.

The first step is finding all the Christmas serving pieces appropriate for this story. This is when I realize I have way too much stuff! More on the progress soon...

Cake Ring on eBay

I'm finally selling some things on eBay. This is the cast iron cake ring featured in the vintage birthday party called "Get What You Wish For" featured in the July 2009 issue of Romantic Homes Magazine. I just listed the cake ring last night under the user ID sentimentalcelebrations2008. These cake rings are so hard to find.