Saturday, August 29, 2020

Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party #350

  

Hey everyone! All these fall features have me thinking it's time to put out our decorations! My husband says it's too early... is that a thing?! My parents fly in this weekend to visit for a week, and we are so excited! I hope you all have a weekend just as fabulous!

Please follow your hosts on one or more Social Media Platforms.
We'd love to connect! Let us know you're following from the party. We'd love to follow you back!
We're excited to welcome Alexandra from Eye Love Knots to the party as our newest co-host! Please stop by and welcome her to the party! Be sure to follow her SM, too.
Please follow your hosts on one or more 
Social Media Platforms.
Each host chooses her own features, 

so be sure to stop by for a visit.

Beverly and Gloria


(Pin / Twitter FB / Instagram)

Staci


(Pin / Twitter / FB / Instagram)

T’onna


(Pin / Twitter / FB / Instagram)

Alexandra



Marie




We'd love for you to add our party logo to your party page!


After you link up at the party, follow all of the co-hosts on Pinterest and then send an email request to join the board to acrosstheblvd@gmail.com. Please include a link to your Pinterest Profile as well as the name of your blog.
Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party Features
Features are pinned to our
Please Pin From the Original Source.

Features:

Across the Boulevard shared this Fall Tray with Painted Pumpkins. This is beautiful!

Coral tray with blue and coral chalk painted pumpkins

Marilyn's Treats shared this recipe for a Monte Cristo Croissant Sandwich. I've honestly never had one of these, but this looks so delicious!

Monte Cristo Sandwich ~croissant, ham, swiss cheese, dijon mustard and strawberry jam make this sandwich a unique and tasty surprise.

Love My Little Cottage shared this Hand Painted Candy Corn Bucket. This is so cute, and my kids would love doing something like this!

Hand Painted Candy Corn Bucket

Wise Little Owl Furniture shared this Mustard Accent Table Makeover. So cute!


Most Featured:

Purple Hues and Me shared a Painted Ping Pong Balls Wreath. This is so creative and cute!



Let others know you were featured by displaying our Featured Post Image on your blog.


Party Guidelines



Thanks for stopping by!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter








Thursday, August 27, 2020

FUNTASTIC FRIDAY LINK PARTY 295 AND LATE SUMMER DESSERTS


WELCOME TO FUNTASTIC FRIDAY LINK PARTY!  GLAD YOU COULD STOP BY AND VISIT! 

Are your kids back in school?  My kids are grown and have graduated from college lol.  Even my youngest, Ali Rose, earned her Associates degree this summer (though no ceremony).  My grandkids are in various states of school--school where 5 of my grands live (here in Northern Nevada) begins on Sept. 8th.  My granddaughter Kate in Reno/Sparks is homeschooling and began last week.  My two little grands in Alaska are not old enough for school and who knows what it would be like there?  

My husband and I are going to visit those two little ones and our daughter Staci and husband Jon.  We are very excited to see them (it's been over a year) and we have never been to Alaska.  Currently, to fly to Alaska, you have to have a negative COVID-19 test or documentation to show that you have results pending (taken no sooner than 72 hours before your departure flight).  Good times lol.
Has anyone visiting here today been to Alaska?



Please follow your hosts on social media!

Sherry @ Olives & Okra | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest Instagram | Google+ | BL | SU |
Donna Two Chicks and A Mom | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | BL |
Heidi @ Building Our Hive | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram |
Michele @ Coastal Bohemian | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter

FEATURES FROM LAST WEEK'S PARTY:

MOST VIEWED
CAULIFLOWER BAKED LASAGNA BY THE LOULOU GIRLS

Heidi's Feature:
Texas Sheet Cake  
TEXAS CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE  BY THE ORGANZIED ISLAND
Donna's Feature:
Apple donut fritter on a stainless pan with an apple slice in the background
APPLE FRITTERS BY CINCY SHOPPER

Michele's Feature:
I let it dry completely. 
HOW TO MAKE AN OCEAN SERVING TRAY CHAS CRAZY CREATIONS
CONGRATS to all the creative bloggers who were Featured!  Please grab a button to display on your blog!
Now let's see what fabulous creations and ideas you have to share--you could be a Feature next week!


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter




Saturday, August 22, 2020

Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party #349

  

Happy Saturday! We have had so many fun, cute, creative and yummy posts on our parties! Thank you for sharing with us! Jon and I are celebrating 6 years of marriage today! We have a fun-filled day planned - hope your day is just as great!

Please follow your hosts on one or more Social Media Platforms.
We'd love to connect! Let us know you're following from the party. We'd love to follow you back!
We're excited to welcome Alexandra from Eye Love Knots to the party as our newest co-host! Please stop by and welcome her to the party! Be sure to follow her SM, too.
Please follow your hosts on one or more 
Social Media Platforms.
Each host chooses her own features, 

so be sure to stop by for a visit.

Beverly and Gloria


(Pin / Twitter FB / Instagram)

Staci


(Pin / Twitter / FB / Instagram)

T’onna


(Pin / Twitter / FB / Instagram)

Alexandra



Marie




We'd love for you to add our party logo to your party page!


After you link up at the party, follow all of the co-hosts on Pinterest and then send an email request to join the board to acrosstheblvd@gmail.com. Please include a link to your Pinterest Profile as well as the name of your blog.
Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party Features
Features are pinned to our
Please Pin From the Original Source.

Features:

Treat N Trick shared this recipe for Pan Fried Honey Soy Chicken. Yum!

Pan Fried Honey Soy Chicken Recipe  @ http://treatntrick.blogspot.com

The House on Silverado shared Mini Blueberry Pies. I will definitely take a mini pie all to myself! And we have fresh blueberries to use!


The Kitchen is My Playground shared How to Make Oreo Balls: Step-By-Step. These look amazing!

Plate of Classic Oreo Balls with One Cut in Half to Show Inside Image

My Recipe Treasures shared Easy Avocado Quinoa Salad. I love avocado, and always want new ways to try it! 

Easy Avocado Quinoa Salad

Most Featured:

Doodle Buddies shared this DIY Fall Wreath from Egg Tray. How creative and beautiful!

diy fall wreath


Let others know you were featured by displaying our Featured Post Image on your blog.


Party Guidelines



Thanks for stopping by!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter








Thursday, August 20, 2020

FUNTASTIC FRIDAY LINK PARTY 294 AND A DAISY CARD CRAFT


 

Welcome to Funtastic Friday Link Party 294!  So glad that you could make it!

We have a new post on our blog.  If you follow us on FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM then you might remember that our dog, Remy LeBeau, passed last month.  Losing a pet is a painful time for most and we shared a post this week on what to expect emotionally and how to prepare and cope.  You can read that post HERE.

 

Your party hosts:


FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Sherry @ Olives & Okra | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest Instagram | Google+ | BL | SU |
Donna Two Chicks and A Mom | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | BL |
Heidi @ Building Our Hive | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram |
Michele @ Coastal Bohemian | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
Let's check out our FEATURES from last week's party:
MOST VIEWED
Zucchini Puffs FEATURED photo from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Michele's Feature:
Close-up photo of a pint of home-canned vanilla bourbon peaches, there are five other pint-size cans surrounding it one on each side that are partially shown, the back row only lids are visible

Heidi's Feature
A must see transformation! Turning an outdated old deck into amazing raised garden beds and a beautiful backyard garden space!  #upcycledgarden #gardeninspiration #newgarden #vegetablegarden #raisedbed 
 PETALS, PIES AND OTHERWISE'S UPCYCLED GARDEN PROJECT

Donna's Feature:
 
PAPER SEEDLING'S DAISY SMILE 

Sherry's Feature:

 LITTLE TREASURE'S BRONTE CROCHET CUFF

That's our Features from last week's party!  Please copy a button and paste it to your blog so you can brag a bit!

 

Funtastic Friday link Party Rules
1. Post as many links as you like
2. Family friendly posts only
3. Old posts are welcome
4. We all appreciate comments :)
5. Please only link your posts after the party has opened on Thursdays at 9pm Eastern time zone
TIME TO PARTY!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter





Monday, August 17, 2020

Coping with the Loss of Your Pet--Till We Meet Again, Remy LeBeau


Not everyone is an animal lover but I certainly am, as is most of my family.  Bonding with an animal is a heartfelt and emotional experience.  I have had a variety of animals in my life--rabbits, chickens, cockatiels, cats, lizards, fish, and of course, dogs.  Having a furry (or feathered companion) is something that is almost always present in our home  Yes, at times things can be frustrating (my floor needs swept a LOT) and it can be expensive if you take the proper care of your pets (I have quite a bit of disdain for those who don't care for their animals or neglect or abuse them).  The rewards, however, are exponential.  

However, with any loving relationship, once one member of the relationship has passed on, it is painful and emotional.  If it is sudden, traumatic, or if the pet was young, it can be even harder to process and move thru the grieving process.  I have been through this several times during my life and each time is a bit different but still hurtful.

Our boy last Christmas

Recently, six weeks ago today as I write this, our sweet pomapoo, Remy LeBeau, passed away.  It was sudden and not something we expected at all.  I had just had him to the vet a few weeks before because his eating was off and he just didn't act "right".  Even with normal lab results and normal chest x-ray (CXR--I'm a nurse, I have to write it that way) and a normal abdominal (ABD) x-ray, 3 weeks later he was gone.  He was treated for an periapical abscess (tooth) with antibiotics and seemed to be doing well.  He had an upcoming dental cleaning and the vet felt that he would be fine until then.  Then he was attacked by a much larger dog on a walk one evening (Remy was on a leash, of course).  Suffice it to say, cascading health events took place and on July 6th, even though we felt Remy was going to overcome all, we ended up at the emergency vet and we lost him.  

Remy relaxing

It's been hard.  I've been in disbelief, I've been mad, I've been overcome with grief, I've sobbed, I've felt guilty (I felt I failed him).  I am one of those people who takes their pets to the vet for annual exams and vaccines, yearly for a dental cleaning, and more often if the need arises.  Remy was 11.5 years old and I expected him to live for several more years. 

Remy still relaxing
 
I have called our other dogs "Remy" several times, I still try to step over him when I get up from my desk (he always laid on the floor by my feet), and I miss how, when one of us would come home, he would walk in a "C" shape, looking back at us and wagging his short little tail.  
Remy as a puppy with Staci

I know that I am not the only one to feel the pain that comes with losing a pet.  I would like to share some tips to help navigate when such a sad event occurs.  Many tips are from the American Veterinary Medical Association but I have added some of my own (not necessarily in order).

1. It's okay to FEEL.  You may feel shocked.  You may feel numb.  Maybe you will be overcome with grief and tears immediately after realizing what has (or will) happen.  We all process grief differently.

2.  Don't let anyone tell you "it's just a dog" or "it's just a rabbit".  It was YOUR dog or YOUR pet.  You had a unique relationship with that animal and not everyone will understand that.  Maybe distance yourself for a time from people who won't acknowledge your pain, if doable.

3.  Ask questions.  This could be at the vet's office if the death occurred there.  Ask the vet or the vet tech if they will call someone to be with you (if no one is there at the moment).  Ask questions BEFORE euthanasia (if that is the case) occurs; ask what you and your pet can expect during the administration of the drug.  Please, please, please, be there for your pet!  If you can handle it at all, please be with your animal as they leave this Earth.  You were their entire life.  I know that isn't easy for everyone; I am one of those people who want to be there when a loved one passes.  It gave me some comfort that I was there when both of my parents passed away, as well as my infant son.

4.  Ask about after-care.  Do you want to take your pet home and have him or her in a final resting place on your property?  Cremation is an option that we have gone with for many years now--I hate to sell a house and move, knowing that a pet is buried in the backyard.  I guess in the grand scheme of things it all gets "worked out in the end" but still, it bothers me.  We choose private cremation and choose an urn so we can bring our pet home with us.  Others may not want to bury their pets or have private cremation--another option is to have your pet cremated with other animals and then those cremains are disposed of.  For us, we choose to have our pets with us.  MAKE SURE THAT YOU ASK FOR YOUR ANIMAL'S COLLAR AND TAGS!  Once you leave the vet clinic or crematorium, those will be cremated with the animal if you don't take them.  We also had a small amount of Remy's black and white fur shaved off before he passed.   Another common item is to have a paw print made of your pet.


 
5. Understand you now have a new "normal", especially at home.  If you have other pets, expect them to grieve, too.  Some are pack animals, especially dogs, but even pets of other species may notice their friend is no longer there so consider their feelings as well.  When our poodle Smores died in 2016, Remy ate little and was lethargic.  After a few weeks, I took him to the vet and he diagnosed Remy with depression--the vet said that is more common than people think.  
 You may call for your pet to come to dinner, or call your other pets by the departed pet's name.  You may think you "saw" your pet in your peripheral vision or heard them bark or meow.  Those are normal occurrences--please be patient with yourself.

6.  Find a good friend or understanding family member who will let you share your feelings.  It is healthy for one to vent, cry, remember, and share memories.  If you need, find a counselor, therapist, or clergy member to speak with.

A sweet friend asked her friend to make this digital artwork
 
The list above is by no means inclusive or individualized.  As an RN (heck, as a human being), I know that grief affects people differently and the stages aren't necessarily in order for anyone.  Some may be able to move on after a short time, only to find themselves tearing up when they see a dog that looked like their's or a bird with the same coloring as their departed African Grey.  I had to stop once and let myself cry while composing this and am teary-eyed right now.  
My son had this image created by The LMT Family on Etsy.  We are having it framed and matted.
 
One thing we did do when it was determined Remy would not survive was to Facetime our kids so everyone had a chance to tell him goodbye.  Given the COVID-19 situation, we couldn't all be with him when he passed and some of our kids live elsewhere.  The vet tech brought him back out to our vehicle, where my husband and I, our youngest son, his girlfriend and our 10 year old granddaughter were all able to hold him and make sure he knew how loved he was.  All but one of our 7 kids were able to talk to him and most of our grandkids, too.  Technology was a plus in this instance.  My husband and I did get to spend alone time with Remy in the clinic prior to his euthanasia.  We stayed with our boy during his final moments and then some.

A friend painted this lovely river rock for us
 
Share memories, photos and feelings with others.  Make a scrapbook for your pet or pets who have passed on.  Take photos and videos of your pets while they are here--you will be glad you did.  Pet remembrance journals are another way for you to deal with your grief.  Amazon has several for order, such as this one: PET REMEMBRANCE JOURNAL (we are not affiliated with Amazon at this time).
 
Remy LeBeau is home
 
In closing, for more information, please check out the AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION for further info regarding pet loss.  
 
As much as we mourn, the reason for our grief is loss and love.  Without love, we wouldn't feel the sting of death or the grief that comes with it.  Celebrate the love you had with your pet.



Goodbye for now, sweet boy--see you on the Other Side






 
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