Moon&Stars Studio

The Cat Whisperer

2012-02-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

To have this kitten stay so relaxed and still for this long,
(long enough for me to take two pictures)

She IS The Cat Whisperer....

I Love Guinea Pigs!

2012-01-29T12:52:00.001-05:00

I love guinea pigs! I just found this sweet little video online and thought i would share it with you . It is a wonderful little video to show children who may want to have a piggy for a pet. Check it out...

I'm Reading....

2012-01-25T05:28:00.000-05:00

I admit, i am more of a dog person than a cat person. I love them both, but...Dogs for me are an open book. I understand them so well. My own personality is more dog than cat like...Cats have always been more mysterious to me. So now that i am starting out with a new cat family, i am reading this book. I LOVED her book on dogs and so far am really enjoying this one too! Any cat people out there have any book suggestions for me?

An Amazing Woman

2012-01-22T17:50:00.002-05:00

This woman is one of my Heroes. If she can get thru this, then i can accomplish ANYTHING i set out to do... Thank you Gabby...

Memories...

2012-01-21T14:18:00.002-05:00

I was having a rough start to the day today, and my husband put this song on to cheer me up. It worked! This was my favorite band when i was a girl and i was desperately in love with Davy Jones back then(WAY back then!)

So while i was looking for this clip, i found this one. That was then, and this is now. And i still love those guys....

Happy Weekend!

A Prayer: The Trees

2012-01-20T05:12:00.000-05:00

A Prayer: The Trees

Ye who would pass by and raise a hand to us,
heed our prayer
before you harm us.
We are the fuel for your fires on cold nights,
the friendly shade protecting you from the fierce sun;
and our fruits are refreshment to quench your thirst and cheer you
as you journey onwards.

We are the rafters of your roofs and bodies of your boats,
the seats of your stools and
the boards of your beds.
We are the handles of your hoes,
the gates of your homes,
the wood of your cradles
and the shells of your coffins.
We are the saviours of your soil
from the loss by rain and wind,
and to your soil we give richness and life
for the benefit of mankind.

We are the bread of kindness and the flower of beauty.
You who pass us by listen to our prayer
and harm us not.

...Anonymous...

Wordless Wednesday: What a Difference a Week Makes...

2012-01-18T11:19:00.003-05:00

A Different kind of Christmas ornament

2012-01-16T05:37:00.003-05:00

I love Christmas...almost everything about it. I love Jesus, i love Santa, i love family, and gift giving, and baking cookies and Christmas music and getting together with family and friends and Christmas trees... I have a small artificial Christmas tree, and i like to keep it set up long after Christmas is over. For me, Christmas starts at the Feast of Sinterklass(Santa Claus' Birthday, Dec. 5th) and St Nicholas Day on the 6th, on thru my birthday on the 19th, and right thru much of the New Year January. But i just noticed something different about my Christmas tree...(written on 1/10)...

It's long and spotted and laying sideways on the branches......

Hmmmmm....

It's a little Christmas kitten!

Rosie came to live with us on the 7th, and it didn't take her long to start exploring...

AND it looks like she loves Christmas trees too! The tree came down on the 10th!

Gipetto's Christmas

2012-01-15T05:35:00.000-05:00

If you look at this picture you see our little Christmas tree and a few gifts under it. But the biggest and best gift under that tree is just to the right of it. My old buddy Gipetto. Geeps has been slowly but surely slowing down and has had a few more aches and pains than usual. But at the age of almost 20 years young, i guess that is to be expected. He still loves to eat and bark and still tries to make love to his girlfriend, Pollyanna.

I am so grateful to still have my old friend here with me in this new year....

Earth Prayers

2012-01-14T05:31:00.001-05:00

One of my resolutions for the New Year is blogging more often. I always have good intentions but sometimes it takes me a week or so to put up a new post. This year i hope to do much better. Another resolution for the year is cleaning and clearing out some of the "stuff" i have around here, including my huge book collection. While sorting out my old books, i found this one: Earth Prayers From Around the World. 365 Prayers, Poems and Invocations for Honoring the Earth. It is edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Elias Amidon

Thumbing thru this book i remembered how much i loved reading from this collection and i want to share some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them too....
Here's the first of many...

The small plot of ground
on which you were born
cannot be expected
to stay forever
the same.
Earth changes,
and home becomes different
places.
You took flesh
from clay
but the clay
did not come
from just one
place.
To feel alive
important, and safe
know your own waters
and hills, but know
more.
You have stars in your bones
and oceans
in blood
You have opposing
terrain in each eye.
You belong to the land
and sky of your first cry,
you belong to infinity.

by: Alla Renee Bozarth

Meet Rosie

2012-01-12T05:07:00.000-05:00

Meet Kitty number 2, Rosalita, aka Rosie !

You might have noticed i don't believe in having one of anything around here. It just seems to me that cats should be able to commune with other cats, and dogs with other dogs... Imagine being the only human in your Universe....

I first saw Rosie's picture online at my local animal shelter. I wanted to find a friend for Lucy and i was so attracted to her little face. So on Saturday i went out to the local pet store where the adoption clinic was being held, met Rosie(formerly named Roma, but i think Rosie fits her better. She is definitely a Rosie) And she came home with me.

At first Lucy did NOT like another cat in the house. Ungodly sounds came from her slender little body, and she would not let little Rosie come near her. But Rosie was undoubtedly lonely as she was just separated from her first family and her Mother. So out of sheer loneliness and courage, Rosie sidled up to Lucy and within 24 hours they were sleeping next to each other, playing and happy. Life is good! I am happy with my little furry family, and i have yet another computer cat.

Wordless Wednesday- Rockstar

2012-01-11T06:57:00.003-05:00

My Portrait

2012-01-10T07:06:00.000-05:00

Lola did this drawing of me and the critters while she was visiting yesterday. It's me (with my behind on backwards) Safou, the two kitties, Zinnia and Pollyanna. We've never looked so good! I think this is an awesome drawing , and she is only 4 years old!

Computer cat

2012-01-09T18:09:00.003-05:00

Lucy likes to lay next to the laptop while i type,so i brought a little bed up on the table for her

but as you can see she will soon be outgrowing this little cuddle bed

She is definitely comfortable!

An old favorite...

2012-01-01T17:02:00.004-05:00

For the first time in a long time, i didn't bake cookies this Christmas. My daughter Katie makes all the old favorite cookies we've made over the years. Our favorites are Snowballs and "Aggression" cookies (two old day care center recipes we made with the kids. The "aggression cookies" are called that because you have the kids roll up their sleeves and pound, squeeze, squish and slap the dough till the kids are tired. The more you mash it up, the better the cookies taste!) Instead i made loads of fudge - peppermint stick, peanut butter chocolate, double chocolate and coffee fudge. But in the days after Christmas i found i was missing making cookies...and i wanted to start a new tradition. I was looking in my Grandmother's old box of cookie cutters and found her old rosette wand! And on the back of the package there was an old fashioned recipe. So, here is my first batch!

After i worked out a few glitches, these little cookies came out light and airy and not a bit greasy. The only complaint i have is, they are so good i ate too many of them!

Here's a closeup of the wand and all it's parts.
I remember my Gram making these a LONG time ago....

I was so excited about making new cookie memories that i just ordered a pizzelle maker, and 2 lovely shortbread pans! I can't wait to try them out as soon as they get here.
Happy New Year Everybody!!!

Peace on Earth...

2011-12-25T11:48:00.004-05:00

Merry Merry Christmas to all my Friends and Loved Ones ...
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

May All the Beings in All the Worlds Find Happiness and Peace
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2011-12-24T11:45:00.000-05:00

Dear Santa...

2011-12-20T20:30:00.001-05:00

Lola's first note to Santa~
"Dear Santa, Please bring toys."
So simple and uncomplicated....

Introducing Lucinda

2011-12-16T10:34:00.000-05:00

This house was really missing having good cat energy in it. I had thought i would wait till Spring and take in 2 kittens together, just so that they would have each other and not be overwhelmed by all these dogs.

Last Saturday i went to a pet shop to buy some dog toys for the pack for Christmas and saw my friend Mary there. Mary started an animal rescue called Heaven Sent Animal Rescue, that mainly does rescue and adoption work with small dogs. I told her i was not looking for a dog but wanted to find a special cat- one who would feel comfortable around all my dogs. She got this funny smile on her face, bent down and pulled a little black kitten out of a crate under her table and said "Merry Christmas!" This little kitten had been found with her litter mates and some neglected dogs. Mary said this little female was found nursing on a dog! Her 2 siblings were already adopted and so were so many dogs, but little Lucy was still left. She snuggled up in my arms and purred and tried to nurse on my neck. She was mine. A sweet surprise. Still i wondered how she would like living with so many dogs and a free range parrot....

She came to us late Saturday afternoon. I took these pictures on Monday morning.

The dogs LOVE playing with this little kitten, and she doesn't have a minute to be lonely for her own kind.

So, if we do decide to add another cat to our home, it will be because we want to.

But it seems for now, Lucy is happy with her furry family just as it is.

Nap in the sun

2011-12-13T13:00:00.001-05:00

Little Honey, Zinnia, and Pollyanna

An afternoon at the ballet

2011-12-11T19:47:00.006-05:00

For the last 2 years, Bill and i have been taking our Lola to the ballet. She loves music and loves to dance. Last year we went to see The Nutcracker Suite at The Egg in Albany, and today we went to Proctors in Schenectady for the longer version of the ballet.

Here's Lo, resting on the steps going up to the balcony. She wanted her picture taken on the steps decorated with Shrek's face(an upcoming musical) She was a bit annoyed that people were walking in front of Shrek's picture.

And here she is posing in front of a window with old posters from The Wizard of Oz

Once the program begins, photos are prohibited in the theater, but just after the performance Lola took these pictures of me and her Poppy. She even told us how to pose!

Interesting angle!....

And here we are in front of one of the lovely old Christmas trees decorated in the lobby. We had a great time making memories... While i was sitting there listening to the beautiful music from my childhood and watching the ballet, i had Lola sitting on my lap, and i thought of my Grandmother, and how much i wished she could be there with us. She would have loved to be there in the beautiful theater with us watching the performance. And then i realized that just by thinking of her, she was there already...

Stella's got a booboo...

2011-12-10T10:18:00.004-05:00

Right around the time our Bella kitty started to decline in her health, Stella came in from the dog yard on three legs. She seemed to be in no pain, so we waited till our vet's office opened to get her in for a checkup. Imagine how surprised and horrified i was when Doc White found she had broken her tiny ankle! She NEVER once cried or carried on. I can only imagine how i would be with a broken ankle! She is one tough little chihuahua! Because Stella has other health challenges, we decided to forgo surgery and to try to splint and cast her foot. She kept the first cast on for 3 weeks. It was a white cast and it had gotten very....funky. So funky and bothersome that she decided to REMOVE the cast herself! So, back to the Vet's office we went. After staying overnight once more, Stella came out of the back room with a beautiful Christmas red cast, with orders that we are to keep this cast on for at LEAST 2 more weeks, and then we will have another exray done and see where we are with the healing process. As Stell is a very determined little dog, i plan to keep her close by and watch her closely in case she decides she wants to remove the new cast.

So, off we went to our local pet store to get her a nice soft sided carrier. This way i can carry her if need be, and still have 2 hands to get things done! It took Stell is few minutes to approve of the new carrier but she got used to being carried this way soon enough.

And as soon as we came into the house and Stella got out of her carrier, she was greeted by her brothers and sisters with glee!

Little Pollyanna, the Motherer of the group, will take good care of her.

Never a dull moment around here....

Thistle Bella

2011-12-01T21:56:00.004-05:00

You were my beautiful friend for 20 years.

I keep looking for you to come sit with me in the morning after the dogs go out...

i forgot and started to put food in your dish this morning...

It's always hard to say goodbye to a beloved friend...But a friend of 20 years... It will take me a while to adjust to that...

Late Bloomers

2011-11-22T20:38:00.005-05:00

Look what i found blooming in my garden today...Spring pansies. In late November...Go figure...

I'll enjoy the gift from Mother Nature. They are lovely...

Love Note

2011-11-22T20:28:00.001-05:00

Look what was waiting for me when i got home today...

(Gumma, Please come back soon. I love U, Lola Stebbins)

I'll keep it forever....

Piggy Love

2011-11-20T18:35:00.000-05:00

Lola and the piggy girls are getting to be good friends.

Here she is with Dolly (her favorite)

Dolly is a bit nervous but when she is with Lola she is calm and steady.

Maggie here is super calm and sweet always (my favorite ;)

We love our piggies!

From Scratch - Homemade Pizza!

2011-11-15T19:58:00.003-05:00

After baking my artisan bread for the last 2 years, i just discovered that i can use the same dough to make my own pizza

and it was DELICIOUS!

Wordless Wednesday- Summer Donkey Love

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

An Interview with my Acupuncturist, Jordan Su

2011-11-06T20:55:00.002-05:00

She's not only the best Acupuncturist, she's also my friend....

A Special Love story- Tarra and Bella

2011-10-28T19:52:00.003-04:00

I received this news in my mail today from the Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary. It's a very sad day for all of us....

We Say Goodbye to Bella, Tarra's Little Dog
2011-10-28

My dear friends,

I write to you with very sad news. Tarra's little dog Bella has died. We found her body on Wednesday and have been dealing with the aftermath ever since, trying to work out what happened while we look after Tarra and each other.

We noticed Bella was not with Tarra at breakfast on Tuesday and later that morning she still had not appeared. Tarra and Bella have always spent short periods apart as one goes off exploring briefly on their own, but this longer absence worried us deeply and a search of the property was started which continued into the next day. The search ended tragically when Bella's body was found close to the Asia barn that had long been home to Tarra, her five sisters and Bella. During the time of the search our usually social Tarra chose to remain alone, watched over by concerned Caregivers.

Dr. Scott, our vet of sixteen years, examined Bella for the last time and, with advice from the experts from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, determined the probable cause of death was an attack by animals, most likely coyotes. We have sent off samples to see whether there were any other contributory causes.

Having carefully examined Bella's wounds and the place where she was found, we concluded that Bella had not been attacked near where she was found and neither could she have walked there.

As these investigations were taking place observant Caregivers, even more watchful of Tarra than usual, noticed blood on the underside of her trunk, evidence that pointed us in the direction of what likely happened that fateful night.

The most probable scenario is that during the night Bella strayed from Tarra briefly and was set upon. Tarra arrived too late to save her but was able to stop further damage being done to Bella's body. With deep sadness and deeper wonder we come to comprehend what likely happened next—that Tarra picked Bella up and carried her home.

Further evidence in support of our belief for what happened comes from Tarra herself. After Bella had been found, Caregivers ensured Tarra had every chance to inspect Bella's body before it was buried and to come to terms with her death, as this is an important part of the grieving process for elephants. But Tarra was not interested in either Bella or the group of Caregivers who would normally have drawn our inquisitive Girl to see what was happening.

It was only later when we had pieced together the whole picture that Tarra's behavior at Bella's grave made sense. Our poor, brave, loving Girl knew what had happened to her beloved Bella and, in the dark hours of the night as she carried her body home, had come to terms with her death.

Tarra's sisters will help her through her sadness. Although we cannot take away Tarra's pain immediately or the pain of all those that knew Bella, I do know Bella knew true love and true freedom. It will always be so for animals that find Sanctuary.

CEO
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are very concerned for Tarra and the grief she must feel at the loss of Bella. Caregivers are carefully monitoring her during her time of mourning. She still has a healthy appetite, and we are sure she will lean on the support of her elephant sisters, especially Shirley, during this difficult time.

She appears to be doing remarkably well under the circumstances, and we will, of course, keep you informed through updates in the Asian Ele-Diary and in Ele-Notes.

We invite you to visit Bella’s Tribute page, where we’ve shared some memories of the time she spent with us at The Sanctuary, and also read the press release that was just issued.

“Bella, you will live on forever in our hearts. Don't worry, we will continue to look after Tarra, just as you looked after each other.” The Elephant Sanctuary Staff

Memories like these make us smile through our sadness….

Tarra and Bella in the Snow
Tarra and Bella Summertime

Wordless Wednesday - Zinnia

2011-10-26T14:46:00.000-04:00

School Girl...

2011-10-26T05:33:00.000-04:00

Here she is, on her way to school. When did this happen? When did she get this grown up???

2011-10-25T20:06:00.001-04:00

I Love Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie...

Most popular seat in the house....

2011-10-13T04:48:00.000-04:00

The dog bed

in front of the deck door

in a patch of sun...

Jon Katz new book "Going Home"

2011-10-10T04:27:00.002-04:00

Jon Katz has been one of my favorite authors for years now. His subject matter, dogs, is also one of my favorite subjects! But his new book,"Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die" will definitely be on my reading list. Gipetto, my 19 year old maltese poodle mix and Thistle Bella my beautiful 20 year old cat, are both showing me that they are getting ready to "go home" soon. I'm sure this book will remind me of what a Blessing my life has been with them in it as my dear friends.
***Warning fellow animal lovers - this little video is beautiful but it will make you cry***

What the world needs now....

2011-10-08T04:35:00.000-04:00

I just made my 400th loan in the 4 years i have been a member, thru Kiva.org. It's easy, it's painless and it's amazing! Check it out....

More to Love...

2011-09-29T22:45:00.000-04:00

Meet the Girls..My new little guinea pig friends

This little sweetheart is Maggie, calm and sweet.

and this is Dolly, who is a little shy. They are brand new here at the house, and are getting used to being held and hugged. Seth and Lola will help me raise them. I just couldn't spend one more day without guinea pigs...They really are little bundles of joy.

Happy Birthday Amma!

2011-09-27T05:02:00.000-04:00

Video streaming by UstreamI wish i could get rid of the ads, but....

Knitted bears and Baby hats: Doing what i love...

2011-09-25T13:59:00.004-04:00

The kitchen table is cluttered with projects. I've been busy knitting up some big bears, and making knitted and crocheted apple and pumpkin hats for my Etsy shop and Artcentric in downtown Troy NY. Now that the gardening season is slowing down i can get to work on my indoor projects and am getting ready for the cold winds to blow again !I love making baby hats and bears...

Still Harvesting

2011-09-24T05:52:00.001-04:00

There aren't as many, and they are not as pretty, but they still taste good! However, we are getting a lot more rain this week and it looks like my plants are starting to give out. I send my gratitude to the tomato fairies!

Um Ummmmmm

2011-09-21T21:33:00.000-04:00

Safou LOVES McDonald's french fries

Dirty beak!!!

A Sweet Letter, ChildFund Sri Lanka

2011-09-20T05:29:00.000-04:00

I received a sweet letter in the mail today from my sponsored daughter Nisansala, who lives in Sri Lanka. In the letter she says she never knew i considered her "my daughter" and this made her very happy. Honestly, i always start all my letters to my sponsored daughters as"Dearest Daughter and Family," so this must be the first time that the person who translates our letters included my salutation. If you ever wondered if programs and relationships like these really make a difference, here's your answer. I can feel the love coming from the paper into my hands...Click on her letter to read her post.

and here is her handwritten letter in her own hand and language....

I have all the letters Nisan has sent to me and keep them all safe too...

Been a while....

2011-09-18T15:13:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since i've posted here. We had some excitement with the Earthquake, then the Floods, and a few very hard losses in our Family...

Still, life goes on...Just wanted to let you all know that we are doing ok and i will be back to posting more regularly next week! Have a great weekend my friends! Love, mare

(Love from Lola and Pollyanna too!)

After the Hurricane

2011-08-30T19:23:00.003-04:00

It was pretty scary, and the basement flooded, but all in all, compared to some, we fared very well. Here is a short video of the Cohoes Falls, right down the end of my street.

Hold on to your hats folks...

2011-08-26T13:35:00.004-04:00

I'm battening down the hatches here. It looks like we are going to be hit by Hurricane Irene. Hmmmm... an Earthquake and a Hurricane in the same week and we almost NEVER experience either of these events in this neck of the woods. It is amazing to me that there are still folks that don't believe that the Earth is changing...

Then and Now

2011-08-16T20:54:00.000-04:00

So many years have come and gone, but these two have always been there....

I remember when they were this young...i was a lot younger too...

They still sound so good, don't they?

Wildlife in the Kitchen!

2011-08-13T10:14:00.000-04:00

Tucked into a little napkin holder near the kitchen table, are a few of my favorite little bears and bunnies. The knitted bear in the back row center is Cornelius, the first button and thread jointed bear i ever made. He was named after my Grandfather, so he lives here in the kitchen. All other bears and buns were lovingly and expertly made by my friend Jess, from Teddybearswednesday. Jess is a teddy bear expert. The two bears in the back row are handmade by Jess using her own pattern, made of aged mohair and they are fully jointed. The two little bunnies in the front are little sister buns and are crocheted Amigurumi style dolls.... Every time i look at these little critters they make me smile....I hope they bring a smile to you too! Visit Jess' Etsy shop here

The Little Bag Lady

2011-08-11T12:46:00.005-04:00

Stella has been finding little spots to make her own around the house. I suspect she picks these spots because they are just her size and are too small for any other critter here to fit in!

Here she is nesting in a bag full of old tee shirts i am planning to cut into strips to be used as fabric yarn for crocheting and weaving

She's my little bag lady....

Computer Crash!

2011-08-09T19:03:00.006-04:00

Well, i have no photos and i cannot access any posts i have created to post this week. Our old computer is finally beyond repair and i am typing from our brand new laptop. However, this laptop will not let me access any saved posts to publish them...So, until i work the kinks out, i will be visiting you, but will not be able to post anything new...for now.

I think i'll go and visit some of your blogs now! Maybe i can leave comments???

Rockin'

2011-08-03T19:59:00.000-04:00

Rockin' in the same chair we used to rock in when she was a tiny baby

Time goes by so fast....

and we still have fun together!

Graduation

2011-07-27T20:06:00.002-04:00

Lola's nursery school had a little graduation ceremony in the church where her class meets. The kids learned several songs and performed them very well!

And one of the highlights for me was, Lola got up all by herself in front of the church and stood on the altar and recited the Pledge of Allegiance

They were an active bunch! But they all managed to stay up on the little platform stage well enough...

my girl....

growing up...

Amma in Boston

2011-07-23T21:26:00.000-04:00

It is with great disappointment that i tell you i missed Amma's visit to Boston once again this year. She came during my severe bought with poison ivy and an allergic reaction to medication... Seeing this little clip just makes me miss her more. Hopefully i will be able to see her next year. Until then i hold her in my Heart...

Moon*&*Stars Studio