Dog Days of Summer

The month of August ends on a high note for us. We found the perfect addition to our family with our new adopted dog, Bella. She needed to be re-homed and Russ happened to find her at just the right time earlier this month. She was oh, so skinny, and in need of a lot of tender loving care. We haven't had her for quite a month, so she is not 100% yet. But she is getting as much love as we can give, and returns it ten-fold with puppy licks and gratitude. Bella was just what the Doctor ordered for our family, as we have had a bit of a rough year ever since our dear Wilson passed away in January. Maggie and the cats have accepted Bella into the pack, for the most part. We still have some work to do in that area. All in good time. What I love most is she's helped me to smile again. Such a sweet dog, and good for our souls. 💕

Our new dog Bella enjoying her new found freedom with our old dog Maggie.

We got away with the dogs for a quick trip to Bear Lake. So much fun. 

Bella is already looking much better since the first day we got her, when she was skin and bones.

The summer days are coming to an end, and harvesting in the garden is taking place. Not quite as good as year's past, as we had a terrible issue with grasshoppers and aphids this year. But enough of a harvest to enjoy the fruits of our labor. And we were able to enjoy the roses again this month, even though everything seemed to struggle in the extra hot heat of the summer sun. 

Beautiful sunrise morning.

My favorite color of rose.

This one reminds me of ice cream sherbet. 

The month of August also saw another shipment of Blown Glass Wildlife headed out the door to the Yellowstone Park Stores again. 

Blown Glass Yellowstone Wildlife

After that order was wrapped up, Russ got creative and "upcycled" some window glass onto some kaowool in the large kiln. The end result was a curvy decorative dish, seen below. It turned out so well, he slumped another one to be auctioned off at his family's reunion. I upcycled some bottles as well to finish off the trays.  The end result can be seen below. 

Firing Float Glass onto Kaowool in the Kiln.

The end result

Another upcycled piece of art was auctioned off at a family reunion.

Colorful blown glass dragonflies were also created for a customer this month.

And the last blown glass to head out the door is a Unicorn wedding cake top made for our niece's wedding in Virginia. So now that the dog days of summer are just about over, I'd better get packing now. I have lots of orders that need to be shipped today in order for us to begin the next big venture. Until next time, stay safe, and be well. 

Blown glass Unicorns with gold accents.

Unexpected Turn of Events

Some new fused flowers were added to our garden sculpture recently. 

It's the last day of July, and I'm reflecting on the events of the last two months. We slowed down considerably in the Studio towards the middle of the month of June, not because we wanted to, but because we had to. Health problems have caught up with the two of us this year, and ended up putting one of us in the Hospital. We were just wrapping up some big projects around the property in June, along with some glass orders heading to our Local Museum of Idaho, when Russ experienced uncomfortable symptoms related to his heart. Sure enough, when he checked in to the hospital, they told him he was having a heart attack right then and there. So, obviously all things came to a complete stop for a while. All our energies were poured into Russ recovering. The staff at the local hospital were excellent caretakers of my guy for a few days. I am so thankful for their professional care. We were very lucky to catch this issue before it caused more damage. 

It didn't take that Superman of mine long to recover from his health scare. As luck would have it, he got to the hospital in time and only one artery was in need of a stint. He is very fortunate to have come away from that harrowing experience a little more for the wiser, and is learning to take it a little easier these days. We are taking more time to enjoy the summer days, as the big projects are behind us, thankfully.  Relaxing in the mountains became a top priority in July.  Pictured below are some of the pieces that were created back in June before all things came to a stop. 

Glass enamels were the medium for this piece, before the fish is fired in the kiln.

This fused glass piece can be seen at the Museum of Idaho.

Another blown glass sculpture at the Museum.

Taking the time to enjoy a beautiful Idaho Sunset...it's medicine! 

We got away to the Tetons the month of July. Very therapeutic. 

Beautiful babbling Brook.

Enjoying the balloon races at the Tetons in July. 

The Aspen Grove we camped in, might just be inspiration for new Art in the future. 

We also were lucky enough to enjoy the company of all 4 of our sons and their families this month. We took advantage of that opportunity to update long overdue family pictures, and celebrate the birthdays of our 2 youngest granddaughters. What a treat!  

Celebrating 2 of our darling granddaughters

Now we are slowly getting back to "normal" and finishing up a few orders, along with another batch of wildlife heading to Yellowstone Park Stores again. They had such a busy year, they ordered from us twice! (Good thing Russ is on the mend now.)

And finally, yesterday we remembered a very special woman in both our lives. Russ' Mom passed away 4 years ago. She loved butterflies, and wouldn't you know, one landed for us just in time to help us remember the beauty of her soul. One thing life teaches you as you age, slow down and enjoy the simple things, they really seem to help when life gives you unexpected turns and struggles. If you look hard enough, you can see beauty through the pain. 

A beautiful Butterfly landed on our lilies, just in time to help us remember his loving Mom.