Ella

We have a new puppy in the house! Say hello to...

::Ella Grace::

She is right there in that puppy phase...chewing, biting, crying at night, but boy is she she cute. She is a total lover, and likes to cuddle. She provides us with hours of entertainment playing with all her toys, racing around in the backyard, hiccuping, and boy does she ever have that "puppy dog eyes" thing down!

She even shares my love of Shutter Sisters' Expressive Photography!

Ella reading the pet section of Expressive Photography

♥ ♥ ♥

Puppy Love

My brother and his girlfriend just got a puppy, an American Bulldog who is actually a cousin to my parent's American Bulldog, Tucker. They named him Chinook, pronounced sha-nook named after a type of hop (they are beer connoisseurs, clearly). It is also a type of salmon and a warm Canadian wind. They love to fish and they love beer, so two of the three are very fitting!

Ahh that face! Won't be small for long...

EWWWW girl kisses!!

Sorry for making you look like a girl, buddy.

The Gentle Giant

Today I was sitting on the beach with Brent soaking in the beautiful day when I got a text message from my mom saying "Clyde died last night." 6 years ago we got Bonnie and Clyde together as puppies, both Bull Mastiffs.

Clocking in at close to 200 pounds and head the size of a basketball, Clyde was nothing more than a big baby. He would sit on your lap if you let him, place his paw on your hand, and rest his head on your lap. The only time he would lick you is if you put your nose directly up to his, he would give one or two licks right on your nose.

He died peacefully in his sleep. He will be missed so much, he was such a sweet baby and anyone who met him fell in love instantly.

I bought these daffodils for Clyde today. I walked around the store staring at all the flowers and these called out to me. They have always been such happy flowers to me, and with the loss of a pet I try to focus on all the good memories.

I am incredibly grateful for the joy brought by the relationship with a pet. Losing them is so hard, but all of them hold such a special place in my heart. Goodbye, sweet Clyde.

Pearl and Buns

The weather is changing. We may not have the snow and ice and rain the rest of the country is facing, but the drop in temperature is calling for scarves, boots and coats. Meet Grandma Pearl and Buns the French Bulldog, both greeting the weather in style.
My grandma Pearl is 90 years old going on 30. She is never seen without her rings, bracelets and necklace upon necklace. She has an entire closet bigger than my bedroom, filled with beautiful clothes and jewelry. A New York native, she was steeped in fashion and still exudes elegance and style.
This is Buns. While out Christmas shopping I made a stop at the Pannikin, a local coffee and tea house for a latte. Sitting outside with owner Lance, Buns looked so cute and elegant with the fur collar.

Thankful #1 - Jazz

Thanksgiving is only one week away! The theme for November Greeblepix photo contest is Thankfulness. Over the next week I want to share some of the things I am thankful for, starting with my photo entry.

This is Jazz. He is 17 years old, and last week stayed in the animal hospital for 5 nights to address a kidney problem. Visiting him at night, both arms were shaved, with two IVs and bandages wrapped around them. But he was so happy to see us, so loving and so much to tell us. Jazz came home but was getting progressive worse and we had to put him down today to stop his suffering. He will be greatly missed but never ever forgotten.

I am thankful for our pets. For their unending love. For the attention they give you and the attention they seek. For looking into their eyes and seeing that they are dependent on us. For knowing that no matter what mistakes you make in your life, no matter what ups and downs you are experiencing, they are there to cuddle up next to you and offer unconditional love. All of our pets-past and current-bring me such joy and I am so very thankful for them. Even though we outlive our pets, they make just as much of an impact as any person, and are just as much a part of the family. I am thankful for the ability to hold onto all the memories of my previous pets, and Jazz will be no exception.

Finalists are announced on Thursday, you can see other entries and vote HERE.

Coffee Date

If we had plans to meet for coffee this morning I would have to call and cancel...or keep it over the computer or the phone. Because I am sick. Yuck. Since saturday I have had some kind of stomach flu, and haven't really been able to get out of bed. I am snuggled up in my bed with the computer on my lap and a cup of mint tea next to me. This is going to be a short one...

Last night I woke up at 3 AM to crazy loud thunder and lightening that filled my room with light. I just laid there listening to the loud rain. It was really cool because we rarely get storms like that.

I would tell you how much I wish I was in a living situation that would allow me to get a cat of my own. I feel so comforted and loved when I snuggle with Jazz, and every time I walk past Tubby sunning herself on the stairs, I just want to steal her!

We watched MacGruber over the weekend, I found it pretty disappointing. Some funny moments but overall not my type of humor and just dumb. But we watched Dexter, still this season seems slightly weak compared to past seasons, but we are only 3 episodes in. I have faith. We also watched the movie "The Book of Kels" which we enjoyed, the art was very beautiful and the story was different. We also started Pushing Daisies which we are liking a lot, and the Big C. Have you seen any good movies or tv lately?

One last thing....my mom started an Etsy shop, selling homemade star tree toppers. They are very pretty, and all made out of repurposed materials. Check it out HERE. We just don't have a banner done yet. She is in the process of making some different ones and if there is something specific you want they are customizable!

Anyway I hope you have a great Tuesday, and PLEASE do not get sick! Sorry this was such a lame coffee date with not much to say and not many cool photos...next week.

Embodiment of Joy

{Looking so innocent and sweet}

Last week I was at my mom's house and saved a hummingbird from the household hunter, Boone the cat. You can see the post here. Brent's mom is an animal lover, and I have heard countless stories of how she has saved and nursed back to health creatures of all kinds. One time she almost brought home a group of ducklings when she saw them without their mom; they fostered an entire litter of puppies; and one time rescued a dove from their cat, and Brent and I had the pleasure of watching it during a weekend they were out of town (it unfortunately did not make it).

That being said, I immediately thought of Colleen when I was rescuing this tiny bird. I texted her and her response was wonderful:

Me:

I'm in Fallbrook still and one of the cats caught a hummingbird. I made sure it was okay, took it down the street and he flew away. Saved it! I thought of you when I was doing it, thought...Colleen would be proud!

Colleen:

That feels good, doesn't it. Native Americans saw the hummingbirds as the embodiment of joy. In their worldview, your experience would represent a special meaningful encounter. I hope for you that in some way it represents the release of more joy in your life, Chelsea, as youcontinue to feel more strong and healthy in upcoming days and weeks.

I met Brent's parents after we had only been dating a few weeks, because he had just graduated from PT school and was temporarily living with them until he found his own place. But I am so lucky that I get along with them so well, and they have always made me feel so welcome into the family.

I ♥ Cats

A neighbor of Brent's has a cat. The guy lives in one of the 2nd story condos, and the cat is always hanging out on the middle part of the stairs. She is so friendly, and lets me pet her, rolling around and purring. She is soo soo cute, she is enormous, fluffy, very soft, and she just sits there all day while he leaves his door open. I don't know the neighbor, but I was petting her today and he came outside and said "she likes you!" I asked more about her...she is a Maine Coon, and her name is, get ready...Tubby Longstockings!!! She had a previous owner who decided she no longer wanted her because she eats too much!! I want her!!

Mini Vacation

Last week I was at my mom's house in Fallbrook for a few days. It was my mom's turn to host Bunco - the group she has been in for 16 years - and I was a sub. We made dinner and I made homemade lemon cupcakes.

My mom and Doug went to work the following day and I awoke to the sound of Boone meowing, followed by a crash in the kitchen. I didn't see anything that had fallen, but saw Boone looking up at the window. There was a hummingbird on the inside of the windowsill clutching to the metal of the window and breathing hard. I started to freak out, worried I would have to put this thing out of its misery because I was sure it was dying. Frantically texting with Brent and trying to call my mom, the decision was made to take it outside. I pulled him off the window and into a glass and walked down the street to let it go. Once I let it go, he flew away fine, so I am crossing my fingers it was not injured too bad.

Phew, that was a relief, poor little buddy. Now I could relax. NOPE! Walk outside and Boone is carrying a lizard in his mouth! So I had to save that as well. And just to continue the morning's events, I pulled a struggling bee out of the pool.

I love staying at their house because it is like being on vacation. They transformed their backyard into paradise, with a gorgeous pool, a waterfall down the hill, and tropical plants and flowers everywhere. Not to mention the entertainment value of the pets! It is also so much fun to hunt for photo opportunities. A little taste of what I saw...

Meet Me for Coffee

For me? I will take a nonfat latte with one pump of vanilla. And you?

Welcome to virtual coffee. What is virtual coffee you ask? Inspired by Amy at Lucky Number 13, it is an online coffee date. Just like a real coffee date I will tell you what is going on in my life and you can comment and do the same. We can vent, laugh, brag, complain, give advice, get advice, gossip, and hang out. These dates are supposed to be on Tuesdays, but I am a little late.

What's up with me you ask? well I will tell you:

If we were meeting for coffee...

...I would ask about your holiday weekend. Then I would tell you about mine.

It was a fun Labor Day weekend, and packed full, but not in a bad way.

{Friday} Brent and I pigged out at Buffalo Wild Wings, a new favorite.

{Saturday} We were invited to the Dodgers-Giants game with friends Ben and Cassie. Not your ordinary game-going experience, this was something special. Cassie's family had tickets for one of those VIP rooms, and the night was filled with one surprise after another. They rented a party bus to drive us to Los Angeles, dropping us right off at the front - no parking lot hiking. Great view of the game, free Dodger hats, but the highlight for me was...yep you guessed it-the food! Unlimited beer, soda, and margaritas, hot dogs, pulled pork, veggies and dip, popcorn, chips & salsa, potato salad, and more, and to top it all off, a dessert cart at the end with caramel apples, cakes, cookies, bags of candy, cheesecake, lemon bars....I was in food heaven. Heaven! Were all so full by the time we left. I felt so lucky to be included in this experience, something I may not get the chance to do again!

{Sunday} we drove out to my parent's house in Fallbrook. Time spent by the pool, entertained for hours by the pets. In case you don't know, they have 4 dogs-Gus the Boxer, Bonnie and Clyde the Bull Mastiffs, and Tucker the American Bulldog. Plus 2 cats, Boone and Emma.

{This is Boone}

{This is Emma, she eats anything and everything, and loves roses}

Let's not forget the food! To me, my mom's cooking is like a big hug - comforting, familiar, inviting. I had been craving ribs for a long time, she made ribs with a cherry coke bbq sauce - amazzzzing! Paired with corn on the cob and a wedge salad. Oh yeah, and chocolate cake.

Brent, my mom and I went for a walk at one point and wanted to pick some tangerines from a neighbor's tree. They were all just too high for us to reach, so I volunteered to climb the tree and pick some. Climbing up like a little monkey, with ants crawling on me and losing my flip-flops, but those suckers are delicious!

If we were meeting for coffee I would also tell you that....

Tuesday I started aquatic therapy and loved it. I really like my therapist, and I am just so comfortable in a pool. Even after the first session I really think it will be good for me and hope I get a lot out of it.

My Food Network magazine came yesterday, such a treat!