Honored to be the owners of Pumpkin and Joe

We live on acreage, in rural Idaho. We moved out here over a year ago. In that time our two dogs have become country Bumpus Hounds. We also have 11 chickens. The property next to us has 2 horses that graze the property. Their owner lives in Boise and grazes them up here. Their names are Pumpkin and Joe. We have come to know them and their owner very well. Actually we have come to think of them as our own. We give them treats, pets, water, and a lot of love. Needless to say we love them.

Meet Pumpkin





Meet Joe

Last week their owner was up visiting them and was chatting with Dreamy Eyes. He asked Dreamy Eyes how much I liked the horses. Dreamy said enough to give them apples, carrots, and lots of pets. Their owner asked Dreamy if we would like to have them. Their owner loves them so much, but has a hard time getting up here to see them as much as he would like to or knows he should. He feels like they need more than they are getting. He wanted to give them to us. He told Dreamy we were good animal people and he felt like his horses would be so happy staying out here. He also did not want to sell them because he was afraid they would get separated. 

Of course we said yes, we would be honored and will love them. He came up today to give us the history, papers and etc… He spent a long time with them giving pets, love and whispers. I think he is an amazing horse owner. He cares so much about them and their well being that he gave them to a family who would ensure their well being and would keep them together. 

My boys are excited, they will grow up riding horses. My husband grew up with horses so he is happy to have a couple again. I adore seeing my guys excited and happy. I have a grateful heart to this man and his generous spirit. 





Grays, Blues and Whites of January

I took our Bumpus Hounds on walk this morning. Cone head Roxie has cabin fever is becoming quite neurotic due to her limited freedom. She is used to being outside most of the day and running free. Right now that is not an option. Milo is sad too, because without Roxie he does not want to go dog pound. He needs her to back him up. They are so funny and so intertwined.

We walked up our neighbors country road. The dogs loved it and I was able to take in the beautiful winter views. The mountains around us are snow covered, the sky is a mix of silver, gray and purplish-blue. The beautiful colors of winter.

I know have two tired happy dogs and I feel a little tired and happy too. Thanks for stopping in and reading my post. Remember to be grateful and spread goodwill!

Grateful for West Vet Emergency Clinic

I have to tip my hat to West Vet in Garden City, Idaho. The vet and techs at the clinic took great care of our Roxie girl. Here is a look into our crazy Saturday afternoon/evening. Dreamy Eyes went to Boise on Saturday to go see the gun show and have an all in man day by himself doing the things he likes to do. I was home with the Bumpus Hounds and kids. We had our friend’s kids over for the weekend which was very fun. The 3 big kids went hiking and Roxie went with them. Brax, Milo and I stayed home getting chores done around the house.

The kids went on 2 hikes and Roxie went with them both times. She had fun running with them, chasing quail, rabbits, deer and what have you. When the kids came in from hike number 2, Roxie came in with them and went to her bed, laid down, and rested, which in hindsight is odd for her. I think it was about an hour after that they came in, that she came up to me, so I was petting her and noticed her side was wet. I thought, why are you wet? When I looked at my hand it was bloody. I went to look at her side and noticed a gash. I tried to look at it, but she was protecting it. I thought she must have cut herself on a fence or tree branch, no biggie, I will bandage her up. I took her into our bedroom, got some bandages and when I tried to help her, she growled at me and kept moving, it was then that I was able to see it was deep and still bleeding. I knew then we were vet bound.

I called our vet and they recommended West Vet for an emergency Saturday afternoon visit. I called West Vet, they said to bring her in. I am home with 4 kids, 3 are old enough to stay home for a few hours alone, but Brax certainly is not. I realized I was taking 2 year old bleeding Roxie and 18 month old Brax with me to the vet. I called Dreamy, but to no avail. I sent him a message to call me ASAP. I was driving up the hill when Dreamy called me. I told him to keep having his day out and having fun. I would keep him posted on how Roxie was doing.

We got to West Vet and I have to say, they were so friendly and nice to us. They gave Brax some blocks to play with and we waited to get into a room. When we got in, Roxie laid out and I could finally see the cut was fairly large. Roxie was in shock, she was shaking uncontrollably, wide eyed and racing heart beat. The vet came in looked at her, did vitals and gave me the news, Roxie would need surgery to fix her gash. The vet knew it was deep and somewhat long, but needed to get her under to see the full extent of the damage. She told me that it would be an hour or more for the procedure, and that Roxie was 3rd on the list so she would not be going in for about 2-3 hours. I asked about time frames, because it was an hour away from our house. She said that Roxie could stay overnight if that was easier. Dreamy showed up about that time. We got the estimate, said do it, gave Roxie hugs, said some prayers for our sweet girl and headed home.

Needless to say we were on pins and needles all evening. I called the vet around 9, only to find out Roxie had not got in yet, they had a couple more emergencies come in ahead of her. There was some comfort in knowing she was not viewed as a life threatening emergency. The vet called us around 1:30am, when her procedure was complete. She said Roxie did great, has lots of stitches, can’t play outside for 10 days, and needs a lot TLC when home.

I went to pick her up at the vet this morning and almost started crying when I saw how big the cut was. I did not realize how large the gash was. I was thankful I took her to the vet and that West Vet is open 24/7 with such a great, caring staff. I was so grateful that she was okay, fixed and has a great prognosis.

I know the question is how did this happen. We really don’t know. This dog is all in when she is running through the thickets. She gets nicks and cuts going through brush and fences. So we really don’t know how she did it, but hoping she does not do it again.

Thank you to West Vet, your staff and your clinic. You fixed my Bumpus hound on a Saturday night, calling to update me, and keeping her overnight. I was so relieved and felt good about leaving my baby girl there.

Roxie and her cone of shame

Roxie Girl’s big cut. Poor girl, we are giving her lots of lovins

Our sad dog….

Holiday Treats for all members of the family

It is the weekend before Christmas and I have been busy baking for us and the Bumpus Hounds. Dreamy Eyes did me a solid yesterday by taking the boys out of the house for part of the day. I took that opportunity to make my work team their gifts of chocolate covered pretzels in festive Mason Jars, peanut butter kisses for the family and wrapped a few gifts. Today I made some dog treats in Christmas shapes for our hounds as well as for our friends dogs too.

This weekend was perfect for baking. The weather has been wet and gloomy making it almost mandatory to fire up the oven and warm the house with scents of memories past. The first thing I worked on was the gifts for my team. Here are the ingredients:

The ingredients are simple: white and chocolate almond bark, pretzels, mason jars (any size) and holiday fabric

I figured out how many pretzels I wanted per jar, then measured out that many pretzels. I always want to end up with more than I need. The next step was to melt the almond bark. I prefer this brand, I find it melts well, is not too thick and is a bit more forgiving with the temperature. Once it is melted I dropped several pretzels in, coating them, draining excess and placing on wax paper. Repeat over and over until you are done with one flavor, then move onto the next flavor or Almond Bark and repeat. I put sprinkles on a few of them to make them extra festive.

While the pretzels were cooling and setting up I went to work on the jars. I washed and dried the jars and lids, then I cut fabric squares to cover the lids and add a festive touch. I am not sure what size I cut, it really is up to you, I don’t think you can do it wrong.

Next I put the pretzels in the jars, layering milk chocolate, then white chocolate, the milk again. When that was complete I added inner lid, centered the fabric over it, the added the outer ring. They turned out very fun and festive.

This is a fun way to give a gift from the heart

Next I made Peanut Butter Kisses. My mom makes these every year during the holidays. This was my first time making these cookies, though they really are so easy, I should have tried this years ago. I went to Google for the recipe and came across a traditional one from Betty Crocker called Peanut Butter Blossoms. Essentially it is a peanut butter cookie rolled in granulated sugar with a Hershey Kiss in the center. They are wonderful little morsels of happiness.

Peanut Butter Kisses!

Today I made some treats for our Bumpus hounds. I have been wanting to make some home baked dog treats for awhile. Pinterest became my friend in this search. I read several recipes and settled on this one by The Cookie Rookie: http://www.thecookierookie.com/pb-dog-treats/. This was so very simple, it is peanut butter, flour, honey, egg, baking powder, and water. I cut them out with my Christmas cookie cutters. Once they were baked and cooled I started bundling them and tying them with rafia ribbon. I love how these turned out and am excited to start handing these goodies out!

These treats are Bumpus Hound approved. Both dogs went ga-ga over them!

Overall it was a really productive weekend, besides the baking I made a couple of great meals, wrapped gifts, watched some Christmas movies with the family and spent some good time with my little munchkin Brax. Thank you for stopping by to check out my post. Remember to be grateful and have goodwill towards others.

Grateful for my “Bumpus Hounds”

I love my dogs! I lovingly call Roxie and Milo the “Bumpus Hounds”. Roxie is about 2 1/2, she is  chocolate lab/vizsla mix. Milo is about 7, he is boxer/corgie mix. They have adapted beautifully to country life. They chase deer, run, chase quail, run, nap, run, eat, run and then nap again. I have been told my dogs are lucky, but honestly I feel like we are the lucky ones. To have 2 wonderful pets that love us unconditionally and make us laugh often, is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.

Meet my hounds:

Milo, enjoying the sunny, fall afternoon

Roxie basking in the fall sun.