Blog entry

Hot, Hot, Hot Dogs Days of Summer - Artisan Handmade

The dog days of summer are here and the temperatures have gotten hot, hot, hot.  It seems heat records have been shattered worldwide, especially in places that normally don’t get that hot.  Weird weather all over. Climate change is real, folks! 

So, just how did the term "Dog Days of Summer" come about?  Depending on latitude and longitude, the Dog Days usually start the beginning of July and end the beginning of September in the Northern Hemisphere and between early January to early March in the Southern Hemisphere.  Most people believe the phrase "dog days" developed by observing domestic dogs (such as our Seamus) laying around in shady areas during hot days. Another old myth, first attributed to Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, stated in his Natural History that rabid dogs are supposed to be more common during this time of the year because the heat drives them mad.  He advised feeding dogs chicken manure to curb the tendency!!!

Red, White and Blue Artisan Handmade Jewelry - Three for Thursday

The 4th of July is here!  Cookouts, picnics, swimming, parades and fireworks are all memories of Independence Day festivities in the past.  Plus wearing the patriotic red, white and blue! For this Three for Thursday, I decided to go with unique jewelry and share three pieces from three handmade artists.  Each piece had to feature a majority of red, white or blue. The three artists are: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Sharon of BlondePeachJewelry; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  The GREAT thing about each piece of jewelry shared here today is that they can be worn at any time of the year, not just for the 4th of July!  I hope you enjoy this edition of Red, White and Blue Artisan Handmade Jewelry - Three for Thursday.

Flowers for Your Ears - Handmade Floral Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs

“I must have flowers, always, and always.”

Claude Monet

I totally agree with Monet.  There are a lot of things I can give up in life, but flowers are not one of them.  To plant a seed or seedlings into the ground . . . and then a miracle happens. Sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly, the plant grows and flowers emerge.  I have been redesigning flower beds here at our house using a wide range of water wise plants: knipofia (called “mango popsicle’ - truly well named), several salvias in several colors, a fabulous penstemon; Russian sage, Texas red yucca, gauras and many colors of the workhorse of the desert garden, the glorious lantana.  Every plant I chose has to benefit bees, butterflies and/or hummingbirds. I have seen bees and butterflies on the flowers, but the hummingbirds seems to prefer the feeder and the mimosa tree, which is blooming right now. Several times a day, I go out and just look, and am always filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer beauty at what is happening.

Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 9

Watch out!  Mother’s Day will be here very soon, on Sunday May 12!  It’s not too late to order a handmade gift from the beauties shared this week on the Mother’s Day Countdown 2019, hosted again this year by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog.  Week 9, the last week, came and went and 12 handmade artisans shared a total of 36 wonderfully unique items. Browse the wide range of eye catching shares for this week - many of them one of a kind designs - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was HANDMADE from the heart!