The SPCA Fall Fair was last Saturday and so many people were there to give their support and help the cause. So terrific! The gala a few weeks ago went really well and they raised a lot of money for the spay and neuter program. The pieces we donated did really well, too. Hurray for the SPCA! 
Yesterday we picked up the mail from the post office and excitedly opened up the newest Craft Council Provincial Magazine (we are always excited to see what our fellow artists and craftsfriends are up to!). There, on page 9, was a whole story about our Grumpy Goat Gallery blog! What a surprise...so funny and exciting! It's amazing that just since September our blog has been read over 800 times. Clustrmaps is so nifty! Thanks a lot...we'll try our best to keep the chuckles coming!
Our artwork is constantly under attack. "The Gravy Seals" (our cat brigade)get into paint pots, chew brushes, steal my chimney wires and hide drill bits. They plan surprise ambushes on the squid nets and try to chew up our fairies. According to lean manufacturing, we SHOULD keep them in a separate part of the house to make our work environment more productive. We should, but we don't because poor Lily might lose his will to go on. He spends his days plotting revenge on the squid battalion that hangs from the studio ceiling. We have seen his little attack plans etched in the dried paint on my desk. One day, I know, I will find 100, mutilated clay squidlings strewn about the floor with Lily standing over them all, triumphant in his glory. 
Newfoundland is famous for its laundry lines. I must say, I do love them. I am a sucker for colourful shirts, bras and jeans blowing in the breeze. Long underwear, don't get me started! It's a strange thing really, looking at someone else's drawers, but hey, if they're gonna hang them out there, I'm going to look! Best thing ever....a little old lady in a house dress hanging up a red and white checked bra...with frills. I never! (Well, I did once, but we aren't talking about me...)
Image: "Aunt Bun's Red Dress" by Cara
These past few months have been especially hectic and it seems that we've been flying through the days, just trying to get things done. I am thankful for our friend Ian who comes over every day for his lunch. Sometimes I feel a bit rushed or bothered that I have to stop what I am doing, make tea and cookies and set the table when I have so much to do. But as soon as he arrives, with his big smiles, loud booming voice and twinkling, old eyes, I forget all of that and we sit down for 20 minutes and take a break. I am thankful to Ian for the time he gives us, his stories and his friendship. He is going to be 85 next week and is one smart cookie. He knows that there's always time for a cup of tea.
We were in St. John's on Friday and did not bring treats or toys home for the animals. We don't usually bring treats for all 17, but it IS Thanksgiving. We knew we would be in the dog house. On the way home, we stopped and checked our mailbox and there it was....a lovely white express package addressed to all of our friends.....even Fat Aunt Sylvia! Thank you Lori, for the lovely turkey treats and catnip. You saved the day, and we didn't have to put up with any wisecracks or dirty looks from anyone. 
There was a goat tied to a tombstone in the cemetery up the road. I still want a goat of my own, but I am not allowed. She says that if I had ONE goat, I'd need two because the first one would be lonely. She thinks I would worry about the goats and think they were bored. She says I would end up getting them their own ipod and making them playlists of music that I think goats might like. She says I would make them outfits and knit them sweaters that they would eventually eat. She says, I would dress them up in Halloween costumes. She says she would come home one day and I would be playing Twister in the living room with two goats dressed in fairy costumes, 4 cats and a dog in a Robin Hood outfit, listening to "goat music" on the ipod. 
The Christmas Craft Fair at the Arts and Culture Center is getting closer and closer. I keep asking Pam for carved pieces, even though she is working full time next door on the orange house. My Nerves! What if we don't have anything to sell? A sarcastic Pam says, “I know, why don’t you use your time wisely and make some more zucchini people, put them through standards and sell them at the fair?" 
Photos: Craft Fair 2005
Last weekend we took a trip to Baynoddy in Chapel's Cove. We saw the farm, the alpacas and had a wonderful visit with Linda Lewis.
...and a very dangerous felting needle that I am, in future, not allowed to use unless supervised.
Linda gave us what might be the biggest zucchini in the world.
Yesterday. We're next door, up the scaffolding, working on the siding.
The studio is closed. Really. See photo below.
I climb down the scaffolding, drop my fat max hammer and head to the house to answer the door. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Custom Gift for the Gala 
Meester Lily
Kitchen Bird Friends
When I have trouble sleeping I paint the house. It has gotten a bit out of hand. I am being threatened with Nytol as we are running out of walls. 
