Westminster Dog Show Winner - FROM WISCONSIN

 Cropped slightly from
mySA.com

I know that it's old news by now, but Rumor, that beautiful German Shepherd you see pictured above, won Best In Show in the Westminster Dog Show. I am thrilled. I'm always cheering for the German Shepherd. Isn't that a beautiful dog! German Shepherds are so loyal and smart. And I bet they don't feed her ProPlan, unless it's ProPlan Natural without wheat, corn, or soy. And I still seriously doubt it.

But did you hear that this was only the second time since 1877 that a German Shepherd has won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show????? How on earth can that be. Maybe they think that the other dogs will all revolt if the German Shepherd is allowed to win.

Bridger (R.I.P.)

 What German Shepherds do in their off time.
I'm surprised that they're not out there organizing against the Westminster Dog Show.

P.S. Okay, I was just kidding. But those of you who know me already know that I love [almost all] dogs :-)

 'You what??'

Linking to Eileen's Saturday's Critters

***


Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE 

 All Natural Defense
Antibacterial, Antifungal Natural Handcrafted Soap

No harsh chemicals
No animal products
No artificial colors
All natural oils
Four different Essential Oils
Moisturizing and Gentle


...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch


and at


Our ETSY Shop

Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning

All About Lilacs

Lilacs on my cookstove make me happy ♫

I don't know why John Denver popped into my head this morning, but as soon as I had that thought about the lilacs on my cookstove, I heard his voice singing...  I was not a fan but that doesn't mean I don't hear his voice when I see a country road or sunshine, or...

Fortunately, even John Denver's voice is usually drowned out by my own thoughts or voice praising God for all this beauty.

The little blackface sheep were given to me by Bobby, my cousin, and the butter churn is from Mr. C.'s grandfather. I don't know where the old box came from, but I have a few old boxes that I'm fond of, and this is one of them. 

 White lilacs and flowering crab blossoms
After the daffodils have faded, I have these amazing colors and fragrances to enjoy!

 My lighter purple lilacs, plentiful!

 The deep purple lilacs against our rusty barn roof

 Last, but not least, a photo that popped up when I was looking through my photo archives for 'lilacs.' Bridger, standing in our backyard, spring of 2005 when he was four years old. I just had to post it. If you don't want to see photos of my German Shepherd who died in May of 2013, then talk Mr. C. into getting me another GSD puppy.


 ***

Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE
 

French Lilac & Lavender
Natural Vegan Soap

Currently sold out, but a new batch will be ready in two weeks!
I think you will understand why I really couldn't post any other soap photo today!

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch

and at

Our ETSY Shop

Linked to Amy's Five on Friday

and Eileen's Saturday's Critters

and Stephanie's Roses of Inspiration

Instagram: @cranberrymorning

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

Neighborhood Amish Schoolhouse

It's about 34 degrees F. as I write this post. The sunshine feels warm, so now if only that big white blanket of snow would go away! I'm looking forward to spring, and in a few weeks I'll start planting seeds indoors.

The day I took these photos, it was probably ten degrees colder. I don't usually see as many buggies at the Amish school as I did that day. I don't know what the occasion was, but I suspect there must have been something special going on.

I actually love the muted colors of these buildings on the farm across the street from the school. I don't know if the lack of paint has more to do with absence of funds or the fact that the tax assessment goes up when you take care of your property.

The sign warns passers-by of the bull that's often staked in the ditch.

Corn Crib

When I zoomed in on this photo, I made sure to gray out the faces of the children. Also, I thought it was hilarious that the kid on the right looks like he's pushing the buggy with his forehead. I'm not sure what he's actually doing, unless they have a little spot of ice out there where they're playing.

Essential Playground Equipment

Same Building, Photo from October 2012

Since I'm writing this on a Sunday afternoon, I'm thinking about watching an old Campion movie on Netflix. If I fall asleep on the couch, it doesn't matter, because I've seen all the Campion movies multiple times - and still enjoy them. But I've also found that they're great to fall asleep by, as long as I keep the volume up high enough.  It's not quite as effective as riding (not driving) in the car, but almost. From what I understand, my parents started this when I was a colicky infant.

I'm hoping that Bridger recovers from whatever it is he did to his front leg. He already has so many issues with his back legs (degenerative disc disease), that I won't put this 12 year old shepherd through the grief of loading into a car to go visit the vet. I'm going to try to keep him quiet, give him the pain meds prescribed, and see how it goes.

Even so, nothing keeps that dog from wanting to go out onto the deck and lie in the snow.

***

'Forest Floor'

Natural, Homemade Vegan Soap

4.5+ oz. bars

...and more! Check out all our handcrafted soaps at

HomemadeSoapNSuch

and at

Our ETSY Store 

 

Cutting the Alfalfa Field

The alfalfa, waiting and more-than ready

Looking Beautiful

Trrrrrrract-tah!

When we got home yesterday, this monster tractor was sitting at the edge of the alfalfa field. I couldn't resist getting a few photos. This thing is crazy big (and expensive). And boy, can it cut alfalfa fast! I think the attached piece of equipment is a disc mower. I looked up Fendt on Google images and this is what I came up with. If you happen to know that's wrong, please correct me.

The Work Beast

...and that is not a reference to the woman who was driving the tractor. I'm sure she would be happy to know that the sunshine blocked her from the photograph, but you can see the little girl riding in the jump seat (or training seat, I guess). Those in my generation who grew up on a farm are always amazed at how different it is now. I mean, cutting an alfalfa field may have meant an entire afternoon. This field is done licketysplit. (oh c'mon spellcheck!!) Anyway, it's very fast, and I wouldn't want to be a rabbit or mouse out in the field when that thing comes along.

Just past the end of the vegetable garden

All done. The alfalfa after it's been cut.

Bridger and Misty...looking for Tasty Treats,

a.k.a. Collateral Damage

...on the lookout...

Misty, wondering where I am

***

Check out all my natural, handcrafted soaps!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE

 'Peaches & Almonds'

...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at

HomemadeSoapNSuch

and at

Our ETSY Shop 
 

Encyclopaedia Britannica

This stack of encyclopedias is what's remaining from a set of the New Americanized Encyclopaedia Britannica, published by A.F. Sheldon & Co., Chicago, in 1896. I know that this set was in our home when I was growing up, but am not sure where they came from. It's possible that they were given to us by my great aunts. I remember an odd volume they gave my parents, entitled The Horse and Buggy Doctor. I always thought buggy was an adjective.

What I remember most about the set of encyclopedias is that I was allowed to cut one of them up to use for illustrations for a paper I had to write for my English class - probably in grade 7 or 8. I think the paper was about President Lincoln, so I wanted pictures of Lincoln. Shocking behavior, wasn't that!! I can hardly believe I ever did that. Now I have a hard time throwing out even totally useless books that only litter our shelves and add nothing of literary, monetary, or any other sort of value. Still, it's difficult to throw a book away. CUT IT UP???!!! Shudder!

Here are the encyclopedias in the slightly-greater context of our bedroom, on the headboard of our bed. That lovely jug belonged to Kevin's mother. I love the rather muted colors. On the shelf below are a few of my Civil War books and of course the ubiquitous German Shepherd Dog, given to me by...who else? BOBBY, of course. She knows I love shepherds and is my generous shepherd supplier. :-)

I realize that this was a very disjointed post, starting with the encyclopedias and ending with German Shepherds, but blame that on my operating system. It's affected by coffee.

I bet no one else out there has Civil War books, old encyclopedias, an antique piece of pottery, and a German Shepherd Dog on their headboard!! :-)