Daddy makes it all better...

Gracie loves when my sweet hubs has an extra day off.

I've started her on the stronger pancreatic enzymes so time will tell.

For now, she's enjoying quality time in her daddy's arms and on his belly. ♥

Happy Friday, all.

Love your family.
Love your furbabies.

:> )

In the pink...

and (hopefully) on the mend.
I'm still waiting to hear from the vet to get a proper dosage for the pancreatic enzyme supplement I have for her. The waiting is frustrating.

I am feeding her a little food every two hours. Otherwise she becomes hypoglycemic. I'm hoping (make that praying) the enzymes will help so I can lengthen that time between feedings.

I've been trying not to neglect my Stella. She just doesn't get it. Could it be because she's a dog? ((giggle))

She gets so jealous when Gracie needs my attention. How she carries on! The drama around here is worse than a reality TV show.

Man, I never thought two canines could quite possibly put me in an early grave.

Happy Thursday, all!!

:> )

We're dealing with a very sick little furbaby...

So I've been MIA from the blog world. Our precious, little Gracie has been very ill.



She's always been a sickly little Chihuahua. Stomach issues, finicky eater, seizures, her poop has been all over the board so to speak. But as of late they were like little gnarly tree roots. Sorry, but poop is very important. It must be discussed.((hee hee))

I buy only the best, quality grain free dog food I can find yet she's had bouts of pancreatitis. I even home cook. Heck, I joke our dogs eat better than we do but it's the truth. With the last pancreatitis attack, we decided it was best to put her on a vet prescribed low fat dog food. Also give her home cooked low fat food.

About a week and a half ago she started having weird episodes. She'd experience ataxia and was somewhat out of it. But she reacted when I spoke to her so she wasn't completely out of it. It usually happened about an hour/hour and a half after she ate. I immediately took her to the vet. She checked her from head to toe. No fever, ears looked good, heart and lungs sounded fine. But she is VERY thin. So we did a (in house) full blood work panel on her even testing her for Lyme disease.
For the most part, the blood work results were great. She did have low white blood count, lymphocytes and amylase (pancreas enzyme).
The amylase had me puzzled because when she had pancreatitis, the number was very high. Now it's below normal?

Concerned about the WBC and lymphocytes, we agreed to have an outside lab look at her blood work and give a more detailed report. Their findings were that although her lymphocytes were low, they were mature and no cancer cells were found. Same with the WBC. Low numbers but the cells looked good. I also mentioned her appetite has been ravenous. This left us scratching our heads. Our vet even said she is an enigma.

Since I'm a worrier, I spent days online researching her symptoms and blood work findings. Dare I say I was obsessing about it? Yep, I dare say.

Then on Saturday, I had my eureka moment!! From what I read, she was having symptoms as described with EPI. Except for the poop part. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is when the pancreas is unable to produce the proper digestive enzymes to break down food. Amylase (the enzyme she is low in) is the enzyme that breaks down starches/carbs which in turn could cause sugar problems. Her prescription dog food is mostly starches and carbs. Sooooo, an hour after she eats she becomes hypoglycemic. It's also the cause for her thinness since she isn't able to get the nutrients from the food she's eating.

After I removed all the prescription dog food, I ran to the pet supply store looking for a digestive supplement to at least get in her system. They do have prescription grade enzymes, but I knew I had to get something in her little body pronto.

I found a product called Digest-All+ by Wholistic Pet Organics. It's a soft chew enzyme blend supplement with pre and probiotics. Now I don't know if it's a coincidence, but after switching the food and giving her the supplements she went 36 hours without having a hypoglycemic reaction. When she did, it was much milder than previous ones.

I called the vet yesterday with my findings. She suggested the blood work again to test for EPI. But I want to try a stronger enzyme supplement. She may have something else going on, but for now we'll see how she does.

As far as the low WBC and lymphocytes? Heads up, my vegetarian friends... Please, no cursing or tomato throwing after you read these next few sentences. ((giggle))
From what I read, many (human) vegetarians have these same issues. Most likely caused by their diet. Gracie basically was eating like a doggie vegetarian. Ummmm... Dogs are carnivores. She's now eating and loving a quality kangaroo (novel protein) food.

So that's what's been going on at the ol' Countryfolk Homestead. Not to mention it's APRIL 5th and it's SIX DEGREES with 6 inches of snow on the ground!!

Happy Tuesday, all... Or is it?!!!

;> )

TONIGHT on Early Work Mercantile...

Here's a peek at my Early Work Mercantile offerings for April!

Folk Art Holstein



Folk Art Tennessee Fainting Goat



Folk Art American Morgan Horse




Folk Art Dachshund



Click on the Early Work Mercantile banner below to go directly to my page.




Folk Art Cardinal



My Folk Art Cardinal is available on my Countryfolk Keepsakes site.
Just click on in the "Critters" button below!

Hope to see you there!!

:> )

Spring is in the air and the barn is full...

at the Countryfolk Keepsakes homestead!



Well, actually it's 32 degrees with a chance of snow showers. But in my mind spring is in the air!!

I just put the finishing touches on some of my barnyard critters and thought I'd snap a quick pic.

They will all be offered on Early Work Mercantile the evening of March 31st. Hope to see you Thursday night!!

Happy Tuesday, all!!

This is right up there with "Guess what day it is??!! ..."

Enjoy.



Happy Monday.

:> )

He is Risen...

Wishing everyone a happy and blessed Easter Sunday.

♥

I've been waiting for these babies...

and they arrived today! Yippee!!



The Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Printed on parchment paper.
I already have the Declaration of Independence hanging on our wall.
But like I always say, you can never have enough Declaration of Independences'! Actually this is the first time I've said it. But you get the gist.



I really only needed the Constitution. But it was such a good deal to get all three, I couldn't pass it up!

So now it's time to dig through all those picture frames I refused to get rid of. See. It pays to be a bit of a hoarder.



Happy Wednesday, all and remember... it's "We The People." We may not all agree. But we all can agree to disagree and love this great land of ours.

Also remember what President Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand. But we can still paint it!"
Okay. You caught me. I added that second part.
((giggle))

:> )

What's the next best thing since sliced bread?!

Being able to online order Behr paint samples from Home Depot and have them delivered to your home, of course!
Okay. That's a bit of a stretch.

I wanted to paint a small shelf for our bedroom. Behr's Antique White was my choice. But I didn't have enough leftover to paint it. Since it's quite a hike to the nearest HD, I hopped online and ordered a sample. Free shipping too? It's a no-brainer.

Got it painted.





I decided not to hang the lovely, antique portrait of the Victorian gal I've mentioned in a previous post. She's just a bit too formal looking for the room.
I want a farmhouse/country cottage look. So I'll keep it simple. Maybe accent with some little, song birdies.

The lovely Victorian gal will have to wait...

Have a terrific weekend, everyone!!

Snow showers and unseasonably cold weather is in our weekend forecast. boo**hiss**

But it'll make me appreciate spring all the more.
So all is good.

♥

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

To all my Irish and non Irish friends!!
(Heck, on St Patrick's Day we're all a little Irish!)



May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Get your green on and enjoy your day!

:> )

Back to work...

I must admit I've been a bit of a slacker these past few weeks when it comes to my folk art.

Knowing spring is on its way, I'm getting spring fever!!
So I uncovered Betsy, took her out of the barn and spent the weekend driving her around. Man, there is nothing like country back road drives!! I highly reccomend it.

But today, I'm a sewing maniac! I've got a pile of critters to create. I plan on spending the day stuffing animal parts and reluctantly watching the media about voting today and the presidental race.



Gracie and Stella also know spring is on its way and have become quite vocal letting me know they want to get outside also.



I can't believe between the two of them, a grand total of 24 furry lbs. completely controls my life.

But I'm not complaining.
♥

Happy Tuesday, all.

:> )

Remember...

Happy Sunday, all.

:> )

"Strive to have sunshine in our hearts each day...

It will greatly improve our outlook."
~The Pondering Man

So very true.



A beautiful, unusually warm sunny day here in Central New York. As you can see my little Stella is taking full advantage of it. I don't blame her.

I've been making curtains for the keeping room. I'm not a fan of curtains.
If I must, I prefer window toppers or valances. But my sweet hubs isn't a fan of the "openness" at night. Which I can understand.
Since he rarely makes requests about my decor choices, I'm willing to give... a little. ((giggle))
I compromised by making a curtain that covers the top half of the window. The shutters will cover the bottom half. I put them on a tension rod so I can pop them out during the day (enjoying the wonderful sunshine) then I can pop them back in at night. Everybody's happy!

I was thrilled to find out they make a 2 1/2" wide tension rod!! Who knew?!
Yes, it's true. I live quite the (intentional) sheltered life. ((hee hee)) I found them on Amazon.

I also found a pretty, lightweight, blue fabric at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon, thank you very much! It compliments the blue in the settee. Again, everybody's happy.









I've finished the wallpapering, the painting of the monstrosity hutch and the curtains.

So what's next??!!!

Hmmm... I'm not sure. But I'll figure something out.


Happy Tuesday, all.


:> )

P.S.
If your state is voting today... please do so.

Together again...

March 4th, 1980

Good morning Honey. Isn't this an awful way to start an anniversary? I'm where I don't want to be and you're where (I hope) you wish I could be. And where I will be soon - the Lord and an airline willing.

Just think we were married 28 minutes ago. Yes, I know the calendar says years but what does it know? Time goes by faster when you are happy and I'm the happiest man in the world. I still think we should clone you. Then we'd leave the clone there and I'd bring you with me.

I've just figured out that if I keep loving and needing you more at the same rate of increase for the next 28 years, every day will be valentine's day and I won't be able to let you out of my sight for more than 5 minutes at a time.

I guess when I was young I thought marriage might be this way for a while: I never knew it could go on and on, getting better and better year after year.

By now you must have figured out that I'm hinting, I love you more than anything in the whole, wide world. I'm running for re-election as your own totally dedicated husband.

I love you
Your husband.

PS. I'm the fellow who sent the roses.



From: "I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan."

Rest in peace President and Mrs. Reagan.

♥ ♥

The "monstrosity in the room..."

You remember it.



The beat up hutch that goes with the vintage Windsor dining room set we got a few years back. It's so huge it doesn't fit anywhere. It's truly too big for this small farmhouse. I ended up putting it in my studio to use it for storage.

There are two reasons why I can't bring myself to get rid of it.
One Reason: The storage. Believe when I tell you, when you live an 1800's farmhouse, there is no closet space and no storage space. So you have to get creative and find furniture to hide all your cr*p in. ((giggle))

The Second Reason: They don't make furniture like this anymore. This thing is... Solid! Solid as a rock! Sorry, my inner my Ashford and Simpson is showing.

So today when I walked by it, I thought to myself, I have the sandpaper, primer, paint and muscle. It's time to paint it. I just need to muster up some energy.

Well, I did.



I'm hoping the lighter color I'll paint it will make it blend into the wall it'll be up against and not be so noticeable.
In my best Tommy Flanagan voice, "Yyyyyeah, suuuure it will. Yeah. That's the ticket." (You 1980's SNL watchers will get that one.)

So let the sanding begin.

I'll keep you posted.

Happy Friday, all!!

:> )

Ack! I didn't order enough wallpaper...

I thought I could get away with buying a little less than I thought. Will I ever learn?!
Ummm. Probably not.

But in my defense if I didn't have to waste so much (matching up the pattern) I would have had plenty.

So I have one wall left to do. But it has the doorway and two small closets so I should be able to get it done lickety split.
I'm hoping my order will arrive before the weekend.

Oh well... But what I did get done, looks BA-U-TEE-FUL!!!!





Jeepers, now I need to decorate it a little. Hmmm... What to do. What to do.

Happy Super Tuesday, all!!

:> )

To My Fellow Americans In..

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming and American Samoa.

Don't take voting for granted. PLEASE vote today.

Our Republic needs you...



"Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world." ~Daniel Webster


That quote still holds true today.