Memorial for Henry

We planted a knock out rose bush over looking Henry’s favorite place to hang out. He loved the pool, many days I would look out and there he would be sitting in the pool cooling off and waiting for someone to join him.

It was especially fun when his Uncle Randy came over & sat pool side with him.

Friends would stop by to swim.

Yes, he has left us with a lot of fun and wonderful memories.

 

Big Guy, I sure do miss you!

Henry you were a big guy both in size and personality.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I’ll share one story about Henry. It took Henry a few obedience classes to finally come home with a basic training certificate.  At one point Gail the trainer gave us an assignment sheet to go home and work on over the summer and give Henry some time to mature.  At the top of the sheet it said.  “Henry English Mastiff with Jack Russell attitude” , well he never matured and never lost that Jack Russell attitude, he was to the last day a puppy at heart with lots of energy.

Miss you, big guy.

Southern Living Magazine

I was very fortunate to have one of my dog tags featured in August issue of Southern Living Magazine. Each month they have a section  “Pride of Place” “Made By Southern Hands” and August theme was “Dog Days of Summer” WOW little did I know the over whelming response my tag would have.  Not only in orders but meeting great people with wonderful stories about their loved pets.  In the future I will be sharing some of these “Happy Tails” with you.

I also want to thank everyone that has taken the time to look at my blog and send me wonderful comments on my pups, tags and recipes.

Mixed Metal Tags, ID, Charms, Pendants

These tags started out to be dog tags, but I have had requested for cat tags, and information tags for runners and walkers. All personal information can be stamped to the back of the tags.  Looking for personalized  gift or treat yourself, they can be made into beautiful necklaces.

Available at my Etsy shop IslandTop Gems.

Henry Growing Into His Mastiff Body

Henry at 12 weeks, 2 years & now 5 years old, gotta love him!

It’s not a New Year’s Resolution!

I started Weight Watchers online December 28, I wanted to start before the New Year, I did not want to jinx my weight loss since I’ve NEVER kept a New Year’s resolution.  I love the online version of Weight Watchers and their new PointPlus plan and I’m happy to say that I’ve lost 10 pounds. Many of you who follow my blog know that one of my joys is cooking and with the WW plan I can still cook and create tasty dishes. I still plan on blogging about food recipes but now will be doing a low calorie, healthier version of my favorite foods.

I think one of my favorite meals is breakfast and can really eat it any time of day.  Today’s breakfast was one of my favorite, it has BACON yes  I said bacon!

½ cup egg beaters 60 calories, 3 strips 40% lean bacon (Gwaltney) 60 calories, slice of low fat cheese 50 calories,  Tortilla 71 calories, ½ Orange 40 calories, catsup 20 calories, totaling 301 calories or 5 points on WW PointsPlus (if you are doing WW calculate your points they could be different then mine depending on product)

You can always substitute bacon with turkey breakfast sausage or Canadian bacon add some onions, peppers, top with salsa….like I said it’s my favorite breakfast.

TIP: I love tortillas but don’t like them soggy so I take the tortilla and LIGHTY brown both sides in a non-stick skillet  before making my wrap.

What could be more fun then a pile of leaves?

A pile of leaves with a Masitff playing hide and seek.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

You look’n at me?

You look’n at me?, originally uploaded by Islandtop.

 

Evening Mountain Sky

A few months ago I signed up for a silversmith workshop at Tryon Arts and Crafts. This is a mixed medal brooch I made inspired by the view of Hickory Nut Gorge here in Lake Lure, North Carolina.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Could it be Henry’s Bed?