In Loving Memory of Noelle.

Ten years, five months and three weeks seems like such a long time.  It is actually far too brief.  How do you thank such a being for giving 10 million smiles.

While we do have two other wonderful dogs Noelle had that extra something special and her passing is such a void that our hearts seem unable to comprehend the reality of it.  Believe me when I say this post was pared down from the original version.  There was so much more to share about her.

 The first time I saw Noelle was at a flea market where a local shelter had set up a table of information and had several cages of dogs looking for homes.  Her cage said I'm Noelle, and I am about 5.50 years old and me my companions have lost our home.

Recycled sweater by Warm Weenies on Etsy

Cute as button; weighing in at mere fifteen pounds I got to pet her and just as the cage door was about to be closed  she placed her paw on my hand as if we were already familiar with each other. Frankly, it was as if she looked into me. It was a look of yes, I am for you subsequently, I called it "the look." Odd as that may sound, it would later prove to a hint at her amazing intuitive and reasoning abilities.

Noelle quickly showed us she not only knew routines touching her nose to which flower pots needed watering next but, how adaptable she was.  Boat ride? No problem.  She enjoyed sitting right at the  helm.  She practiced walking the gunnel's too.  Long car trips she was game as long as she could put her head out the window. Sun time was her favorite to lay on the hottest surface and simply doze.

Noelle had great will. She suffered two severe spine injuries and worked very hard to learn to walk all over again both times.

Since Noelle had gone to work with one of us for many years she made many friends.  Sometimes a treat or a toy would arrive for her. Well for her and for Lilly shown with her below but Lilly didn't care much for toys.

Lilly and Noelle 2004

We were always curious how she knew what bags were for her. Be it a toy, coat, or some hermetically sealed treats she would cry in delight and wriggle her body into the bag and proceed to remove them. I never caught a photo of that action, she was just too fast!

Lilly and Noelle

 Left to Right: Noelle, Molly and Zoie June, 2012

We had hoped she would pass at home but; instead had to make the painful decision of giving her relief from the cancer which had overtaken her. It seemed so wrong that would be her fate. Noelle had given us so much joy how could we deny the one request she made after letting us know she had had enough.

In Noelle's final hours we took her to the beach one last time. I was so touched she still sought to have me in her line of sight no matter how poor her vision had become and then snuggled with her Papa.

 I whispered the same words to her like I had done every night for over ten years. Telling her how much we and so many loved her and what a good girl she was.

Most of all, what we will remember is when Noelle looked at us it was like her gaze was saying. I am happy I know you, and I know you how much love me and I love you too.

Loving and restful peace to you sweet Noelle. It was a great honor to be your family.


In 2010 I wrote a post about how lucky we were to have found Noelle.
http://beachhouseliving.blogspot.com/2010/03/st-patricks-day-greetings-you-never.html

Shorely Chic's Shore Line Candle.

I recently purchased this lovely candle from Liz's Shorely Chic website. I was looking for a white candle with a beach scent that also came with a lid.  The bonus this one has a navy and white label.  Perfect.

Shorely Chic's Shore Line candle fit the bill.  

Beach and sweet scent without being overdone.

Liz included lovely personal touches including some matches.

They are pink!  How fun is that?

Thank you Liz I'm enjoying everything.

9/11 America forever changed

 September 11, 2001 changed the lives of thousands 

and America itself forever.

(Crosses cut from World Trade Center beams taken in NYC)

In honor of those who perished and

exhibited amazing courage in America's darkest hours.

Like your Freedom? You owe 60 seconds to thank a soldier!

Sixty seconds, that is all that is asked of each and every American.

Just 60 little seconds. Hard to believe isn't it?

60 little seconds of silence to say thanks

 for helping to keep us safe while we slept soundly in our beds at night 

and for rights we take for granted each and every day.

Please stop at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day 

and observe a National Moment of Remembrance 

They died for it..

It's the least you can do.

60 little seconds of silence.

(without sending or receiving a text message either)

Read more about Memorial Day at the links below.

How to observe Memorial Day

Help Restore the Tradition of Memorial Day

United States American Flag Code

photo courtesy of Arlington National Cemetery

Silverware Christmas ornaments gift tags cheese marker forks and a giveaway.

Silverware Christmas ornaments, gift or wine tags, and cheese marker forks and a giveaway to thank all of you for the support and kindness of my many ramblings about silverware.

Stamping silverware started so simply  but has managed to change the course of  the one I originally charted of beach inspired stamped jewelry, paper goods and recycled sail items etc., etc.  I hope to be doing those things again next year but, in the meantime here are a few items that were suggested by and/or inspired by fellow bloggers.

  Silverware Ornaments

I know it's kind of late on one hand for the Christmas ornaments, but most can be used year round for all sorts of occasions.

Bottle tags or ornaments

These can be personalized with names or table numbers too.

Fun for a wedding or party.

Just think of not having to buy or write out a name gift tag again.

All of the ornaments and tags are items that have already been recycled into something new and can be passed along to be used again and again without the guilt of re-gifting.

Cheese marker forks

These little suckers looked so unassuming and easy instead of the reality of labor intensive. A convexly curved object needs a way to be perched while trying to not damage the tines and doesn't exactly sit still in the process.

Saw the handle off and file the tops and then re-shape if needed.

 

Also available personalized up to six letters sometimes seven

  Now for the giveaway part.

 Open to U.S. residents

You don't have to be a follower or become one, but no anonymous comments.

   Simply leave a comment which silverware ornament/gift tag you like best
and if you got one would you pass it along or keep it?

Ends December 13, 2010

Win these.

Set of four handmade hearts from Noel of Fanciful Design
Each one is handmade and will vary slightly.
Each approx measure: 3.25"h x 2.5"w

Noel's work has been selected by Christian Dior parfums
some of you may remember this post about Noel's beautiful work

To borrow Noel's description
These adorable 'paper hearts' are lightweight and very durable. Use them for package toppers, make a garland, and they're a perfect stocking stuffer! You will receive a set of 4. Each comes with cotton twine.


Good luck everyone.
Thanks so much for stopping by.

Memorial Day observing a National Moment of Remembrance

No matter where you are.  No matter what you are doing.  Please stop at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day and observe a National Moment of Remembrance  with a minute of silence or listening to taps to pay respect to all of those which died in combat service on behalf of America to gain and preserve the very freedoms we enjoy.

   

Sixty seconds, that is all that is asked of each and every American. 

60 little seconds of silence to say thanks for
 (without sending or receiving a text message either)

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Religion
Freedom to Petition

Freedom to Assemble
Freedom of the Press

Do even more by flying your American Flag at half mast until noon.

 (please see American Flag Code link below. It's an interesting read.

You might be surprised about that flag tablecloth and napkins.)

Read more about Memorial Day at the links below.

How to observe Memorial Day

Help Restore the Tradtion of Memorial Day

United States American Flag Code

American Flag Wall of Shame

Thank you combat veterans past and present.

First and Third photos credit unknown

Seahorse and Starfish special edition silverware gift tags garden markers

Last week I was commissioned to craft a unique hand stamped vintage silver plated spoon. 

Wondering what other sea life might be manageable resulted in this "seahorse" design.

Over 160 hammer strikes.  I lost count after that.

Tedious.

This inspired some new

nautical colored sea life gift tags.

Golden seahorses on navy blue.

Much easier to do with my handy tag cutter.
Each tag is cut one at time.

Our dachshund, Noelle is not a fan of the sound the cutter makes.
Molly, the other dachshund is in complete oblivion.

New compass tags too.

I have been so pleasantly surprised by the encouragement
and support from so many of you.

From little notes or shopping with me (some more then once)
to lovely mentions on your blogs.

 Photo courtesy of Pretties and Posies

I thought this custom order looked darling. The buyer will be
giving these to her neighbors with basil plants in small white pots.
for Mother's Day

.

 A little personalized thank you.
 

This one is serving spoon size; big.

That has been inspiring to see how a second generation of
the "free form starfish" might look

and this "ship ahoy and anchor" motif

and last but not least, another "beach"

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think about

the new designs. Yeah or Nay.

Thank you everyone.

Beautiful Blogger Award

Thank you Kim of  White Whispers To You
for the Beautiful Blogger award. 
It was such a lovely surprise.

Traditionally, the awardee is supposed to write seven things about

themselves and pass the award along to others.

I'm breaking with tradition and passing the award along first

 

Seven beautiful bloggers the Beautiful Blogger Award is being passed to

Annechovie

Whimsical and Inspirational Art that has been featured in magazines

 

Chandelier Magic

   Stunning lighting and a beautiful beach home

Fanciful Designs

 Paper creations you must see

Read a post about her work here

 Itsy Bits and Pieces 

Adorable ideas from unusual things

 

Pretties and Posies 

 Not just gorgeous photos, she writes very well

Vintage French Hen

Sweet styling and she likes pink

Her son has been serving in Iraq

  

Creative Style

Lovely photos and neat finds

Stop by and say hello.

Be sure to also visit Kim's blog

White Whispers to You

Okay, now for the seven (non exciting) things about me

1) Dogs, dogs, dogs..and many other animals, did I mention dogs?

2) The beach, and shells along with respect for the ocean's and the marine life in it.

3) I believe reading for at least five minutes a day is essential. 

4) I'm at the point in life that sitting in the hair salon for hours is also essential.

5) Chanel No.5 perfume. I've likely worn more of it then any other woman besides Coco herself.

  

6) The creativity of others and, the kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me.

7) If it moves and it shouldn't use duct tape.  If it doesn't move and it should use WD-40.

Beautiful aqua and blue earring giveaway by Simple Daisy

If shades of this season's hot color trends are up your alley then head on over and enter this fab giveaway for a pair of handcrafted sterling silver chandelier earrings in shades of aqua and blue by Simple Daisy.  You can also enter via the little button on the left sidebar of this blog.

Aren't these beautiful?  Colors like tropical waters. 

This post is my way of saying thank you (not an entry) for the numerous times Simple Daisy's blog has perked me up even on days she wasn't feeling particulary perky herself.

Her blog is delightful.  You simply (no pun intended) can't help be inspired to get moving, try a super healthy recipe, adorable DIY's, and a chuckle about her two dogs LC and Ruby.

Her giveaway ends really soon on Thursday, March 11, 2010; don't miss it.  We can all use a little encouragement now and again so while your there drop a word of support not giving up on her lovely jewelry making was a good choice.  Be sure to check out her Etsy shop too.

Good luck!

Thank you for the sunshine award La Dolfina. I'm passing the sun along to.....

I was happily surprised by Therese of La Dolfina the other day with a Sunshine Award. It will always be special because the person that bestowed it just doesn't have a blog I truly look forward to reading, it is like

we are reunited friends from long ago thinking the same things, at the same time....from across the country. 

Before I get into keeping  what I understand is the tradition of passing this award along to a dozen other bloggers I'd like to take a moment to share some images from Therese's blog that hit home with this East Coaster. 

Therese's wonderful coastal bathroom

Her displays of nature are so artful.

Photo's from her treasure hunting.

I love shopping along with Therese.

She knows exactly what I would gravitate to...

and takes photos that have me chomping at the

bit wishing I could load them in my car.

I could add just about every photo of her treasure hunting

but that would spoil all of the fun of your enjoying her jaunts.

Therese loves meeting new bloggers so stop in for a visit at LaDolfina

Now without further delay of passing the rays

in no particular order

Simple Daisy

Chandelier Magic Beach House 

Garden Adornments 

Modern Country -Norway

The Shabby Garden

Savvy City Farmer

Itsy Bits and Pieces

White and Shabby-Germany

Ticking and Toile

Frugal Farmhouse Design
Shore House Chic

White-Living -Germany

Now make someone else smile by passing your Sunshine to others