Seeing Spots

I am having problems with Picasa, so this picture isn't cropped down as much as I would have liked. I got a new stamp set this week and am having fun with it. This is a change from my usual understated style, but I like it and it was a hoot to make. Bright colors! Polka dots, and lots of them! I may do more of this.

Dogs N Cards

I'm writing this with a Golden Retriever nose pressed up against my leg. I'm not sure what the message is in dog language, but if it's "I would like to go to the dog park, please" then he is in luck. As cold as it is, I'm going to layer up and take him over to Sycamore for some quality full-speed running. For him, that is. I am not interested in running today :)

So here is a picture of Gunther bonding with Jen. They met last Saturday and I think they hit it off really well. (Drew and Gunther hit it off too, but he's only partly in this picture. Right after I took it, my camera battery died.)

On Tuesday Judy and I took a little road trip back up to Baraboo to the Memory Bank to explore their classroom. Since we're both members we have use of it for the whole year. The main attraction for me was the use of some shape cutting tools called Nestabilities. With parts I cut that day, and card fronts that I embossed, I whipped out these two cards the other day. Nothing complicated but fun to do. Except the sympathy card - it's never "fun" to make or buy a sympathy card.

Stay warm!

Update

Turns out he answers to Gunther as well as Gunner! So officially, and by me, he will be known as Gunther. Kev will probably still continue to call him Gunner which will henceforth be an acceptable nickname. All the men seem to think that is a rockin' dog name...must be a Y chromosome thing.

Welcome Gunther! More pictures soon.

Our Newest Family Member

Here he is! He came to us named Gunner...I really wanted to change it but I don't think it's going to happen. He answers to Gunner, so there you are. Here's a picture of him trying to figure out his new home. He found our bed :) and also a stuffed monkey which is his "baby". So we think he will be just fine.

I (art) Medicine Lake

I'm still too tired to write much about our whirlwind trip to MN to visit Erin and check out her shanty, so I'll post some pictures and make some lists.

Things I did on a frozen lake for the first time
1. Decorated and mailed a postcard
2. Petted some dogs
3. Watched a play
4. Ate a hot dog, drank cocoa
5. Watched bicycle races
6. Used a porta-potty
7. Talked with several of Erin's friends
8. Watched an art car parade
9. Read people's confessions
10. Stood on top of a (faux) surfacing submarine
11. Warmed up in a building made of old wine refrigerators
12. Watched a slide show of aerial photography through goggles
13. Had my picture taken in a shanty

Places we ate
1. The Grand Cafe - best meal I've had in years
2. Butter Bakery Cafe - mmmm

Other notes
1. Best bathroom doors in a hotel
2. Easiest trip around the Twin Cities - thank you Garmin!
3. Best welcome home - thank you Jen and Drew!
4. Worst pictures of eagles I've ever taken - they look like gnats - and the video is even worse