Mermaids of the Lake Blog

Funny Kitty!

My kitty, Janie loves flowers soooooooo much! She acts like they are catnip! In the five years since I have had her I have not been able to keep a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant on any surface in my house that she can get to.

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly,
"one must have sunshine,
freedom and a little flower."

~Hans Christian Andersen

We are linking up with Beverly of How Sweet the Sound
for her weekly party in pink, Pink Saturday!

Happy Pink Saturday!!!

Did you know that this is the blog of Mermaids of the Lake, an online women's magazine with a mission to INSPIRE? Please pop over and visit! Thank you so much for finding us here.

Sign up for our free Newsletter!

Pets Are Pretty in Pink

By Mermaid Debbie

While searching for images of the color pink to share for PINK SATURDAY I noticed how many photos I have of my pets in my creative space/office. Wow! I love having my sweet creatures (including kids) visit me here.

I find that I need time alone to foster my creativity; to regroup, meditate, pray, but too much alone is, well.... lonely! I am so incredibly grateful for this tiny little room, all mine to create in. And when my family visits me here, it's a blessing!

As I write this, my kitty, Janie is snoring loudly, content and warm on her perch high atop my painting cabinet.

This week I babysat my parents adorable Italian Greyhound, Benne Roo. He felt secure and happy, claiming the little bed in my studio as his. As I typed away, putting the finishing touches on our Nov/Dec issue of Mermaids of the Lake, Benne snuggled and snoozed for hours.

My son is home after being gone for 9 months and along with him, came his sweet puppy, Henry. Henry has a lot of puppy-energy, so he didn't exactly snooze on the little bed, but he did spend lots of time, jumping on it!!! Having my wonderful boy home, lounging there, also, spending time with me, catching up..... Ahhh..... I can't think of anything better.

Willie is my dog-boy and he can sleep here on this pink bed for hours. He looks pretty; his beautiful brown fur goes so nicely with bright, bubble-gum pink! Willie is obviously very secure in his manliness!

When, my 15 year-old daughter plops down on the bed and talks to me about her day, sharing the little things and big things... I have to force myself to act calm and casual so as not to scare her away!

So, as much as I cherish my alone time in this sweet little room, I cherish even more the moments where I have the company of those I love! (Just not all at once, please!)

Have you heard of Pink Saturday? It sure is a fun linking party to be a part of. Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to find out more and to view the list of all of the Pink Saturday participants.

Visit our Mermaids of the Lake online women's magazine and see our awesome holiday issue!

Sign up for our Mermaids of the Lake free newsletter too!

Mermaids of the Lake is on Facebook. We love our Facebook connections!

Thank you for visiting! And of course, like everyone who blogs, WE LOVE COMMENTS!!!

Kitty loves bling!

With rings on her fingers 

 

And bells on her toes 

She shall have music

 Wherever she goes

For inspiration, fun, tips and ideas, fashion, amazing recipes, and so much more, please visit our online women's magazine: www.mermaidsofthelake.com

Sign up for our free newsletter.

Lake reflections: Feathered friends

By Mermaid Debbie

I used to have pet ducks. I have actually had two different pair at different times. My first two were Harpo and Groucho. The last, Bob and Bing. They were the big, white barnyard variety who couldn't really fly. Ducks poop every two minutes and are easy prey to, in our case, raccoons. Other than that they make lovely pets. In each case, the end of their lives was very sad and tragic, but the memory of them is something I cherish. In fact, the best gifts my husband ever gave me were those ducks!

He came home from work one day with a tiny, peeping box in his hands. Out popped two fluffy little bundles of joy! Really, it was our most romantic moment in over 25 years together. I know that might not sound like much to some of you, but to me it was perfect! While I was falling in love with them and keeping them safe, fat, and happy in the house for their first month of life, Joel was busy building them their own compound in the yard. They had a house that was a miniature version of ours, and he surrounded it with an electric fence.

Harpo and Groucho bonded with me as "Mommy". They peeped and peeped, and ran to catch up with me, stumbling over each other. I loved to lay down with a towel on my stomach, (for obvious reasons) and we all three took a heavenly nap. I just couldn't believe how lucky I was that I had ducks sleeping on my tummy. If I could guarantee their safety, I'd have ducks now.

I was beginning to be known around here as "The Duck Lady of Liberty Lake." These guys put on quite a show. As they got bigger one of their favorite activities was to swim with me in the lake. It was fun to play with them in the water. They quacked and dipped in and out of the water, joyously flapping their wings. It was so cute! Just like children, after much excitement during playtime, they got sleepy. I laid on my air mattress and let my left arm float in the water. Harpo floated next to me, nestled between my arm and the mattress; his head resting on my shoulder. Groucho climbed on to my stomach and get this...He laid on his back, with his head right next to my face, methodically moving his feet in a swimming motion. He even snored! We caused quite a commotion when a boat went by.

Who knew that ducks could be such wonderful, loving pets? I miss my guys!

We cherish our memories and none more than those of time spent on our favorite bodies of water! We love to tell our stories and we love to hear yours! Do you have a lake memory that you would like to share? Contact us!

The simple things...

How I love the simple things. The simple things just are... ~Jim Brickman song

I am feeling extra grateful today and making a point to enjoy the simple things in my life. I am simply expressing "love" for all of the simple things that I love!!!

I love to sip a cup of Good Earth Sweet and Spicy tea from my 'Sweet' mug from Chaps Coffee Co. I love choosing tea from my Grandma's blue tea jar & stirring in my Stevia with Grandma's tiny sterling spoon. I love my knew red tea kettle!

 
I love that the Green Bay Packers are going to play in the Super Bowl this Sunday!

I love the scent of this Bath and Body Works Mint-chocolate candle

I love this picture that I just took of the frozen lake

I love it when my bed is made and I love plaid!

 
I love this picture of Jesus and the gorgeous, ornate, gold frame

I love puppy breath - so much!

 
I love the way the afternoon light casts a warm glow in my dining area. I love my grandma's chandelier and the huge, sparkling red wreath on my wall!

 
I love nic nacs that make me smile!

 
I love pine cones in a big crystal punch bowl

I don't love this

or this! But I love that I didn't burn my house down!

I love her and the fact that she does this!

I love him!



I love the look of colorful sweets in vintage jars!

I love these little guys

I love Spicy Chocolate Muffins with red raspberry jam. And I love it served on my Great Aunt Elsie's Rose Chintz china

I love Mexican Hot Chocolate

I love all this bling that I got for Christmas!

I love working from home!

Wow! I am just lovin and lovin everything today! I love the big, important things too - I love Jesus, my husband, my beautiful kids, my parents, family, friends, good health, freedom, and much more! What do you love? Counting the simple things is a great way to get yourself in a state of GRATITUDE and be happy!

Thousands of you have already signed up for our free newsletter. If you are one of the few who haven't, take two seconds and do it now! Our beautiful newsletter will come to your inbox twice a month, highlighting special stories, features or new issues. We keep your email address private! Tell your friends! Thank you!

A New Baby in the House

By Mermaid Shelley

This is Mr. Edward Thompson Hepler, aka Eddie, my new baby. Isn't he the cutest?  Goodness! I had forgotten how much attention a toddler requires. And, that's what he is, a toddler.

He's learning how to go night-night like a big boy, where to go potty in the appropriate place, that it's not nice to bite others, when it's alright to act crazy, and when it's time to settle down.

 And, then there's all that chewing....!

 
He also has to learn to play well with others.

It's all so exhausting!

But, it's all worth it, because puppy kisses are the sweetest thing ever! Eddie is the sweetest little addition to the family.

Do you have pictures of a furry, feathery, or scaly friend you would like to share with us? Send them to us. We will post them in our Cute Pets Gallery for all to enjoy. Attach your photo(s) to an email that includes the title and description of your image and send to: mermaids@mermaidsofthelake.com

Our darling pets!

We love our pets! They are such a special part of our lives.

Meet Mermaid Shelley's kitty, Sally. Sally is darling, sweet, and a very unique little soul.

 

Meet Mermaid Debbie's kitty, Janie. Janie was rescued from a ferral cat rescue program when she was 3 weeks old. She is the most loving, sweet, funny and kind of dog-like kitty Debbie has ever owned. Debbie's family calls her "wild woman," among other things!

Meet Willie, Mermaid Debbie's 12 year-old German Shorthair Pointer. Willie is sweet and kind and loves everyone, especially his cat-sister, Janie.

 
 
 

Meet Mermaid Debbie's White-faced, Cinnamon Pearl, Cockatiel, Neve Snow. Neve is actually Debbie's daughters sweet bird, but he is loved by all the family, including Janie and Willie, (a cat and bird dog.) Neve is a great pet, who is happiest if he is included in the family fun!

Pink Saturday

Some boys just look so good in pink

Sweet Willie 

Happy Pink Saturday! Please visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. She is the Pink Saturday founder and hostess! She also has the list of all of the over 100 Pink Saturday participants. You may want to join in the fun!

It's apple season! Scroll down for some wonderful apple recipes or click here!

Happy Pink Saturday!

By Mermaid Debbie

My sweet, funny kitty, Janie! So pretty in pink!

 

Happy Pink Saturday to all! To see more pinkness visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for the list of the 182 other Pink Saturday participants.

Pet Parade Blog party at The Katillac Shack

 

Have you visited The Katillac Shack yet? If you love Inspiration, kindness, divine creativity, people, and animals... you will love this place!!!

This week, September 30, The Katillac Shack will be hosting a Pet Parade Blog party, by Kelee Katillac and her Design Gives Back team. Back in June, Kelee sent out a plea to animal lovers in the blog world and more to decorate a scarf.(sent free of charge by her and her team) You see, someone had agreed to donate $10 for every decorated scarf to a fund for animals who were orphaned due to home foreclosures, a truly huge and growing problem in America today. Kelee's Design Gives Back team met their goal and then some! Congratulations to them and thank you to all who participated. Please visit The Katillac Shack and leave a comment, for Kelee is donating an extra $1 for every comment. Tell your friends, get inspired, help the animals!

Mermaid Debbie contacted Kelee and requested 2 scarves. One for her sweet dog, Willie and one for her sweet dog-brother, Bennie. (her parent's dog)

Willie

Bennie

For our Pet Parade, we are featuring our pets and those of some of our family, friends, neighbors, and readers. Enjoy the parade and give your creatures big hugs of gratitude for the unconditional love they give to you every single day!

Mermaid Jennifer's darling puppy, Indy

Mermaid Shelley's beautiful, sweet kitty, Sally

Mermaid Debbie's much-loved pets...

Willie

Janie

Neve

Carl

Slippery

Friends, family and neighbors...

Benny Roo

Benny Roo

Mimi

Sadie

Baxter

Jack the Cat

Sassy

We Mermaids love our animals! Heck, we love everyone's animals! We even have a Cute Pets gallery on our website/e-zine. If you send us your pics, attached to an email in JPG form, we will make a star of your precious pets!