Rudy is a Hot Dog.

As is well documented, I have a soft spot for dogs. Especially my own pair of Fluffies. As such, they are spoiled rottenest, and just recently we purchased some flashy new collars for them, expertly crafted by my wonderful friend Brianna at Tied and True Paracord Creations. Here is my handsome RudeDog, giving us his best 'male model' impression. Beautiful, Darling! Anyway, that is all, just wanted to share with you the talent of the collar-maker. Pretty clever if you ask me. Thanks Brianna!

All Things Spring

Spring has gotten to me. I have become wide-eyed and tail-waggish over seeds and peat moss. Sunshine mixed with cut grass and BBQ-ing and dog dates.

This is the first time Forrest and I have tried to grow a garden. I have planted asparagus upside down, accidentally paired plants uncompanionably and battled nights with unexpected frosts (at the expense of a closet full of bedsheets. boo!). The learning curve has been steep and fraught with missteps, but my enthusiasm lives on. Luckily there is a green-fingered husband who can be relied on to mend my disasters.

I have lately been working feverishly on illustrating a children's book which will be going out into the world later on in the year. Soon, I will share :)

Hope you are all enjoying the sunny Spring mornings as much as we are!

Tidy and things.

Working on a portrait of Tidy the cat, 19 years old!

Perplexed by 80 degree sunshine during Winter.

Having a t-shirt tan and a sleeveless bridesmaid dress to wear in a couple of weeks (oh no!)

Putting Felix's crate in the attic because he has grown up enough not to eat my running shoes. :)

Relaxing during a trip to Florida with wonderful friends. bike rides. cocktails. beaching. (aloe gel)

Loving the 'Hunger Games' Trilogy, that I cannot put down.

Recovering from a BodyPump session. Triceps, I'm sorry.

Celebrating my rediscovery of sake. Chin chin!

Happy March!

What a difference a Year (or two) Makes

The boys have had birthdays

Rudy Sharkface BooBoo Strudel Pooder BigBum Neumann has turned two.

Felix the rat the bat the cat, Fluffy Fifficus Toodles Neumann has reached the ripe old age of one.

Happiest Birthdays, boys! High five, shake hands, roll over!

First post of 2012! (I'm fired)

We entered a whole new year, you say. Uh huh. Well, I'm just catching up. Hello!

Nashville. Fireworks. Boom.

25th January boasted the high point of my year so far. Ft Campbell, rain and cloud, 2am. In marched my husband (and his team) to much fanfare and a sleepy wife. This- in a nutshell- makes me happy. And busy. My recent absence has been duly noted.

Illustration projects have also been in full effect and the current issue of 'Taste of Home' magazine, features some printed work that I can proudly put my name to. Page 65. Don't mind if I do.

(and there is nothing like drawing Italian wedding soup for a week to give a girl an appetite!).

Valentines Day came and went, in an explosion of chocolates and surprises. The dogs baked cookies for their girlfriends (hopeless, hopeless romantics).

Rudy turned two. Felix turned one. The mischief continues. My patience walks the tightrope. My walking shoes are oft employed. My heart is full to the brim.

So far so good in 2012. Happy belated!

Merry Christmas!

Just a month until Forrest returns home from Afghanistan! In the meantime, the boys and I are enjoying the festive season as best we know how. That is to say, eating a lot of cookies (something the three of us can agree on!).

also, I took the printing press for a spin and made my cards again this year. The poor dogs were covered in glitter for a week afterwards (doesn't really help with the tough-guy impression!)

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

with love from Lou, Rudy, Felix and Bob the turtle

***

What's up, Gnomie?

I have already introduced you to Mister Longbow, but he has come a long way since his last showcase on my blog.

Hunter is a patient gnome. He spent much of his visit untouched on my breakfast bar, where he witnessed a month's worth of activity and once almost eaten by a sneaky little Shepherd. Felix! NO!

Here he is at Thanksgiving. Quite naked, other than his hat.

Eventually though, we fashioned a fine set of clothes for him. He insisted on the tattoo.

Though he's a little late for Oktoberfest in his fancy schmancy lederhosen, I packed him off to Germany...home just in time for Christmas. Also, he's probably deploying to Afghanistan with his battalion next Spring, so wish him luck :)

Miss you already little buddy. Prost!