For the Love of Dog

Did you know that it's National Dog Week?  Yeah, I didn't know til this morning.  Sorry Bosco, Ellsie & Oscar.  Guess we should have been showering you all with endless amounts of love and attention.  Oh, wait.  We pretty much do that on a daily basis (we need a kid, like now.)  

It's no secret that Luke and I love dogs.  We are dog people.  We've both been around dogs our entire lives and feel that no home is truly complete without a canine companion (or 3.)  A dog is there for you no matter what.  Always overly excited to greet you when you get home.  Happy to accompany you on a walk, hike or run.  An audience for your amazing singing voice.  An ear to listen and belly to rub when you are having a hard day.  A comedian to get you to crack a smile. An eager taste tester in the kitchen. Great defender of the homestead.  A snuggle buddy on a cold day.   Content to just "be." They don't judge you when you look a mess or when you put on a few pounds.  They seem to sense and understand things on a level humans never will.  A dog is unconditional love. 

So, to celebrate National Dog Week I've decided to share some of my favorite pictures of our dogs from over the years.  Enjoy.  

Earth Day at the Park

Curious

Defender

This has to be a record

Snuggles

Best Buds

Liger Doodle

Birdie & The Beast

Super Dog

I'm on a Boat!

So Sad

Cardinal Canine

I really could have gone overboard with this but I stopped myself. We probably have a few hundred photos of the dogs but I don't want to seem like a crazy crazier person.  I hope you have a fine four legged friend to spend some time with and celebrate this special week.  If not, consider going to your local animal shelter and adopting one.  There are so many waiting for good homes.  All 3 of ours are rescues and we couldn't ask for better companions.  Happy National Dog Week! 

Autumn State of Mind

The pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks.  Halloween candy is starting to appear on store shelves.  You can feel just a slight change in the air.  Yes, Autumn is approaching and after the hellish Summer we had I am more eager to welcome it than ever. 

 The crunch of leaves under foot.  The warmth of a fire pit on a crisp night.  The gorgeous gold, yellow, orange, brown and red tones of trees and grasses.  The comfort from a bowl of your favorite warm soup as it hits your belly.  Scarves, boots, jackets.  Football. Snuggling. There is just nothing like Autumn.  It is by far my favorite time of year. 

There are two things that I think I love most about Autumn though:  Pumpkins and apples.  This past weekend we made the trip to Centennial Farms in Augusta, MO to pick apples and officially kick off Fall in our little world. 

I love our trips here.  It's just the cutest little place and I adore the rustic barn and "down home" feel.  We always have a wonderful time walking the rows of the orchard looking for the best apples and checking out the offerings in the store. 

It's actually a dream of mine to have an orchard some day.  Complete with a big pumpkin patch and a hive of bees.  Maybe some day, but for now I'll just enjoy the fruits of someone else's labor.  :)

 I can't wait to make a pie or crisp with our hand picked harvest.  Maybe some apple sauce or apple butter, too?  Now my mind is churning...better go check out some recipes! 



Centennial Farms
http://centennialfarms.biz/