A Thing Called Gratitude...

I am squeezing the last bit of Autumn Blessings from this final sweet week in November...the quiet peace of heart and warmth of spirit that Thanksgiving always brings. Yes, I too love the Christmas holidays but it is Thanksgiving that lifts my soul in a way I often find difficultto explain. It often seems that this holiday, and it's true meaning, get lost in a flurry of early Christmas decorating and Black Friday shopping sprees. All fun and

exciting true...but as one who loves this special week far more than I can adequately express, it is sad to see it come to an end. I am blessed by this time of year...I am grateful for it.

Gratitude is usually defined as a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation. “Thank you” probably ranks right up there with the first sentences you taught your children to say...right? Why? Not only because it is the polite thing to do, but because we all need to feel appreciated. Thankful people are just more pleasant to be around.  Of course they are! And heck, if that alone is not enough reason to be more thankful, and to teach our children to be more thankful, scientists have linked gratitude to mental and physical well-being. Uh huh. It's true! These studies show that truly grateful people report higher levels of life satisfaction, vitality, and optimism while also feeling less depressed and stressed during those inevitable rough patches. The best thing you can do to help your children develop a thankful heart is to be a good role model. Feel grateful and you will radiate gratitude! It will positively ooze from every pore!

Remember to say thank you to your children when they clean up their rooms, even if the job they do is not exactly up to your specifications or even those of the local board of health. Say thanks to the rookie waitress who, although trying her very best, still forgets your baked potato & brings you a regular Coke instead of a Diet. 3 separate times. Say thank you to your wife for always being there for you, yes, even when you leave your boxers on the bathroom floor and toothpaste in the sink.

As you lay your head on the pillow each night, think about the good things, the often little, overlooked things that made you smile, laugh, and feel good. Those things are there, I promise you that. Even in the midst of frustration, emotional pain and sorrow, they are there.

A beautiful sunset, a cooling breeze on a sticky Summer night. Perfectly brewed iced tea, a good, really engrossing book, a song that gets your foot tapping in spite of yourself. Life can be so sweet when we take the time to be thankful for those small things that all alone, never seem to amount to much. Yet, when we put  them all together, oh what magic they can perform in our lives.

At Thanksgiving, and every day, I am filled with gratitude for those things that lift my spirits, sustain me and lighten my heart...my husband, my children, my brother, sister in law and nephew. My Mom and the memories of my father and my mother & father in law. Our precious friends who truly are family to us. The family pets...Kipper, Lucy, Henry, Abby and Casey.

Our cozy home, Rabbit Run Cottage, and the dear neighbors who surround us. These are my most precious blessings...well those and my collection of Brian Dennehy movies but that goes without saying right?

I am also so very thankful to have each and every one of you, my dear blogging friends, in my life. You bring me joy, laughter, inspiration, support and love. Each of you owns a piece of my heart...now and forever. Happy Thanksgiving...may God bless you and all those you love.

 

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Sweet Music

This week was the annual 4th and 5th grade student's strings concert. The children from all the elementary schools in town gather to play together...and play they did! What a joy to listen to these young people who have worked so hard to learn these songs.

Our Grace is in her 2nd year of violin and really enjoys it!

It is just wonderful to see the number of people who attend this concert to show their support for  the arts in our local school. Music is truly a gift from God!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a sweet one...Bill, Dan, Grace and I had dinner at my Mother's, sharing the day with my brother, sister in law and our nephew. We all contributed delicious dishes and oh how good it all was! The turkey was so, so good. There were green beans and green bean casserole, scalloped corn, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, cranberries, yummy stuffing, rolls, crudités...

Then we finished dinner a liitle pumpkin and apple pie...oh yes. AND a decedent ice cream turtle cake from Kipper's favorite place, Ritter's! Oh was it gooooood.

And tellme. Am I the only adult woman who HAS to watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving for it to BE Thanksgiving? *grin* Well, that and our family's traditional Turkey Day movie, "Planes, Train and Automobiles". It is not the holiday without sharing it with John Candy!

There is something so special about this day...a day set aside to share a meal with loved ones and to count our blessings. I love Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday for just that fact...a quiet day to reflect on all the sweet things we have in our lives.

Tomorrow the lovely Fall decor will be put away for another year...but oh what a beautiful Autumn it was. That alone is something for which a say thanks!

And thanks to all of you who remain my friends even when I stay too long away from bloggy world...I am so, so blessed to have each one of you in my life.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

So Many Blessings...

From all of us at Rabbit Run Cottage...

...to all of you so very dear...

...we wish you blessings in abundance, a joyful heart, peace of mind...

...and a holiday that warms your spirit. No matter what you do today, no matter where you spend this Thanksgiving or who you spend it with, stop for a moment and think of all you have been blessed to have in your life.

Each one of you is a blessing to me...blessings I am thankful for every day of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving dear hearts!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

The Wild Gourd Studio

Every November we look forward to visiting Cynthia McDonald's Wild Gourd Studio near Yellow Springs, Ohio. Her one of a kind art work is so beautiful, so full of rich heritage and meaning. It is always such a joy to be there, to listen to the wonderful and unique sounds of the Native American musicians, share some mulled cider and warmth and friendly conversation.

And we always make special friends with the animals that live there...

I wanted to share some of this day with all of you...it is always a joy.

I hope all of you are well and enjoying this special time of year!

A special wish to Sally S...Happy Birthday

to you dear friend! I hope your day was sweet and that this year brings you many joys!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Happy Weekend End Everyone...Oh Yeah, And...

...get your flu shots! Protect yourself from this evil, maniacal force that is the flu.....bwhabwhahaha. Scared ya didn't I?

Okay, yes. I HAD a regular flu shot but that didn't protect me from what they *say* was a lovely strand of H1N1. And Grace had BOTH shots. But the flu caught her before the shots took hold sooooo...oh what fun she and I have had playing "Pass The Bug". We laugh and laugh and then we cough and cough and wheeze and wheeze. Oh my. But we are quickly becoming human beings again. Or at least, SHE is. It has never fully been determined WHAT I am. Ahem.

Thank you for your sweet emails and comments. It is always nice to know that a friend cares! And I love ya'll back. *smile*

Thank you also to my husband who actually gets online every now and then and posts for me! Not that *I* consider him the "lucky" one as he wrote...it is ME who is blessed. He has been so good and caring and even Dan and Grace have been fussing over me. Or were they just fussing? No...they were actually being sweet. Grace would make Chicken and Stars soup (Don't ask. It just tastes good to me when nothing else does!) and bring it to me when I didn't think I could eat a thing this week. Dan went out to get me drinks and even fluffed a pillow or two. Thanks guys...*smile*

I was dragging due to this asthma phooey while in the Windy City but still loved seeing our friends Jim and Meredith, Sheila, Tony, Tony Jr. and Lisa, Kate and Ginny and Amy and Jolee. Chicago is ALWAYS wonderful and never more so than on a sweet, warm and sunny Fall weekend.

I have some pictures of the kids to share and will as soon as I can. So much to catch up on! As I just wrote my friend Sue, I MAY catch up by next May. IF I am lucky!

But we HAVE begun our Christmas shopping (Shopping online and thanks to my sweet husband who slogged through the crowds on Veteran's Day to get Dan and Grace their *Big* gifts!) and planning Thanksgiving dinner. Wow is this month speeding past! Weren't there just trick or treaters at our front door? Whew.

Thank you for your prayers for my sister in law. Her surgery went well and she is without pain in her back for the first time in weeks. She has a bit of recovery to do but things are looking up! I have been able to help with Brady this week so my brother didn't have miss more work than he needed to. But Boo has been good and loves to play Wii with his cousins so they keep him well entertained!

I hope all is well for each one of you. This glorious season is just flying by so I do hope you have had the chance to get out and really enjoy all it's beauty. Life is so short and filled with so, so much joy. I hope you are able to reach out and grab a lot of it for yourself! You are SO worth it!

Love to you all!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Blowin' In From The Windy City...

Just a few of Susie's pictures from this past weekend in Chicago. We had a great time visiting with good friends and seeing a little more of this wonderful city. As you know, my girl has been fighting a bug and not quite up to snuff of late. Her asthma is really taking a toll on her so I have asked her to rest and take it easy. She will be back blogging and visiting all of you soon! I can not keep her down for long!

She and I would also like to ask for your prayers and good thoughts as Susie's brother's wife undergoes surgery tomorrow.

I hope each one of you is well and having a nice November!

Thank you for always being so good to my girl.

Cheers!

Susie's lucky husband Bill

Under The Harvest Moon...

"I'm just wondering how we know where we belong

Is it in the arc of the moon, leaving shadows on the lawn

In the path of fireflies and a single bird at dawn

Singing in between here and gone..."

~Mary Chapin Carpenter

 

Love to you all...have a sweet weekend. I will see you soon!

 

Love and moonlit hugs,

Susie Q

Brilliant Days...Deep Thoughts

* Update on my giveaway. I have the books ready to mail.  *grin* I will be away this weekend so all three books will be mailed on Monday. I apologize for being late. Bring sick is one thing, having a really sick kid is another! I know you all understand that! I am slow but I do get things done eventually! I promise!

I wanted to share some of our glorious Autumn color with you...I am glad I was able to get out and do a ltttle photographing before the last of this brilliant color was gone. I was so ill with whatever virus is upon us and then Grace came down sick too. We are both on the road to recovery, she more quickly than me for which I am very grateful!

Our seasonal color was just amazingly stunning this year. I would just ooh and ahh as I ran my daily errands around town. What a lovely area I am blessed to live in and what a beautiful world we ALL share!

I wanted to thank those of you who left such sweet comments on my previous post and those who have also sent uplifting emails. As some of you guessed, I have been in a bit of a bloggy funk. These 3 years have brought me so much joy but lately, I have been re-thinking my place in the blog world. I came very close to deleting Rabbit Run Cottage, the blog, on Monday. This will be news to some of you who I speak with often as I kept it to myself. *smile* I have decided to keep at it, albeit differently. I am, and will always be, so grateful that so many of you have been loyal friends and visit me even when I am a neglectful poster and visitor/commentor on your own blogs. You have been so understanding that I just don't have the time I once did and have had to face the fact that blogging must take a back seat all too often to real life!

PLEASE know I am not asking for comments telling me why you read my blog or that you still love me (Heck, IF you come here to visit, there must be somethin' you like right?) as I know who does and I love ya back. *grin* I never set out to blog for *numbers*, for glory, for money. The good and special friends I have made through blogging made every moment I have spent writing and working at improving photos, well, well worth it. But I write for me, for those who I KNOW I reach and who share many of my passions.

I write for the 22 people who have, over the last year, sent me emails that shared how a post I wrote made them laugh while they were under going chemotherapy, or made them feel good for the first time since they suffered a great loss. Some let me know that they shared my silly sense of humor and love of life,the joy that IS Brian Dennehy, the imperfect home and busy family. They *got* me. They said I *got* them. These 22 emails, these 22 people made it ALL worth while.

I have never taken blogging lightly. I spend far too long on most posts and stress when I can't or if I don't feel one is done well. I spend way too much time making sure each photo looks good and is something that you might like to see. I know I do not always get it *right* but oh how hard I try.

Still, the funk came over me. It has been there for months now but darkened last week. Let me explain. Among the 22 emails that were so positive and spirit lifting were 5 that were sour indeed. How did I expect to have blog visitors when *I* was negligent in commenting and making rounds myself? That was just one of the 5 but all had the same bent. Well, to sum it up as succinctly as I can, I DON'T!  If the only reason you come here to visit is because I visit you, well, I release you from your duty! I have no desire to make anyone adhere to such a silly rule. 'Nuff said. I have been *told* I am too long winded in my posts. Well, I am a talker. Born and bred. If you don't like to read, I give you my blessing to pass me by. I was told I needed to do more posts about home decor. I will address this in a second...

I was left feeling angry, more than a little flummoxed and ready to shuck it all.

But then I realized that I do not blog for those 5, I blog for the 22 who found *something* of value here.

I once had a much wider base. There was a time that a giveaway post would net over 100 comments. Did I like that? Hey, I am human right? Now, if I get 25 on such a post I am lucky. But, as I mentioned earlier, I never set out to write for *numbers*. I write for those 22 and for the loyal and dear friends that I have met along this blogging path. I try to visit you all as best I can and yes, I fall short often. For that I apologize but it is my reality.

I also do not post as much decorating as I once did. I know those posts get a lot more traffic. But the time I have to DO them has decreased dramatically. So the traffic will just move on down a different road I am afraid. *smile* But I WILL do posts about our home, our very much less than perfect abode.

I have projects that are still waiting to be finished and many that have yet to be started. Yes, we have lived here for almost 8 years and yet *SHOCK*, *HORRORS*, I am still living with what I see "lovingly" referred to in many blogs as "boring, stock" cabinets, "ugly, builder light fixtures", non exceptional counters, floors and furniture. 3 long years ago I thought I had a pretty sweet house but reading blogs almost had me believing I was living in cluttered squalor! Egads! All right, so I am indulging in a bit of hyperbole here but you get my point. So I posted less and less about home and hearth. I LET it get to me. But after receiving an extraordinary email from a reader, I now know that MOST of us live in less than perfect homes. I have written about this before but it kept rearing it's nasty head and I had to face it once again.

After adopting Grace, our pot of available monies for home projects dried up. But I also began re-thinking my desire to always want to change something. I had to but I needed to.

I came to realize that I was happier driving around snapping photos than I was cleaning and painting.

I was happier hitting garage and estate sales with my buddy Sue than I was going from store to store looking for the perfect home accessory. I am happier planning the next trip or get away than I am planning a home project. Do I LOVE home projects? You bet your noodle. And I have a few on the back burner that will see the light of day when we save up for it. I have tossed all the home to do lists and replaced them with

 to do lists that include weekend getaways, parks to visit, trails to walk, cities to explore. If you don't find that interesting, I give you permission to take me off your blog rolls. If you don't see the humor in a middle aged lady having a crush on an aging actor, pass me by. If you expect to see me do a weekly mind altering tablescape, I am not the blog for you. I am not wealthy or creative enough for that I am afraid! You have to be one or the other and I am neither! I will always look for those who make their homes warm and cozy via creativity rather than bucks everytime. It is just more ineteresting to me! If you don't like that about me, say bye bye for your own sanity! *laugh*

I will alienate some I know who will think I am being hard edged or that I am being unfriendly. I know that those who actually KNOW me will know I am neither of those things. But I must be truthful to myself.

I wll continue to write posts that are often long. I will continue to be silly and write about Brian Dennehy from time to time. I will try to be funny, often missing the mark. I will write more about family and movies and books and trips and my area far more than my skills as a decorator which are vastly limited. I WILL show you my house but in its all too glorious imperfectness.

I will share my inadequacies as a home maker, decorator, mother, wife and human being.

I will write for me and hope you find something that makes you smile or think. I hope most of you will remain my friends. Those who do not, I wish you well and wish you a sweet life. I may ever stop into your blogs from time to time. I may even leave you one of those coveted comments!

For those who, like me, have little time to post and visit my blog or others, I will be understanding and never chide you for it! Hey, you will do what you can when you can!

I will just love ya, admire ya and send ya lots of hugs. We are in this together. Together as imperfectly as possible. And, as I have said before, being IMperfect is PERfect in my eyes.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q 

Wow...What A Life!

A wonderful, wonderful  life as Jimmy Stewart, as George Bailey, would surely agree. *smile*

 But a life that doesn't always allow me time to post here as I would like. Yes, I know I am so behind in writing and visting. I feel just awful about not getting around to see you all I as love to do but I am sure you understand why. Life just gets busy doesn't it?

I have been neglectful in posting my birthday fun, save for my perfect British Tea afternoon with Mom and 2 of my dearest friends in the world, P and M. Oh it was a sweet 2 weeks of birthday fun...I would still like to post some of it this week but wow. Things would really get out of hand then huh? *laugh* For a quick re-cap...

 I spent an evening with Bill, my brother Jim and some wonderful friends listening to my favorite local band, The Stumps. They even sang Happy Birthday for me as we munched on cupcakes from my beautiful friend J! The lovely B. gave me a bouquet of the prettiest flowers and well, that evening was a sweet, rocking good time! The next day we had a little family celebration at Mom's with lasagna and all the fixings, complete with a yummy german chocolate cake for dessert! The next night, Mom, Bill, Dan, Grace and her BFF K. joined me at one of my favorite restaurants for dinner.

The next afternoon found me with my buddies T. and C. at a great local restaurant. T. even brought a delicious cake for us! Then, tonight, we met more dear friends, T.C. and family, for Mongolian BBQ...a scrumptious way to end my October birthday extravaganza! I need to post pictures of the surprises for sure, but some very precious and special friends sent me wonderful cards and gifts (The most beautiful tea cup and yummy cookies ever! Thank you dear Sue A.!) and flowers too. The most beautiful peach roses in an Autumn inspired arrangement from sweet Sheila O. And yes, I KNOW I am blessed beyond measure. I never take it for granted. Never. I just hope that each of my friends and family members know how much I love them.

You already know I have been ill with respiratory problems and that has kept me from being here as often as I like. I needed to make sure I was recovering as quickly as possible since I am Grace's class homeroom mom. I had a big Halloween party to arrange and present! Thankfully I felt great that day and we all had fun!

They are a super group of kids and were quick to say thank you and offer a hug. Sure made my day!

Then came Halloween! I wanted to share a couple pictures...here is Grace and her BFF dressed as London and Maddie from the Disney Channel show, "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody". If you have ever seen the show you will know how great they really look!! They even had the voices and characterizations down pat!

Here are the girls with my nephew Brady, the Boo Man! He was a brave fire fighter, just like his late Grandpa Frank! My dad was surely looking down from Heaven and smiling a proud smile!

And then came our last football game of the season. Our squad had been undefeated this year in regular play. We went into the tournament and won the first game handedly.

Here are the football squad's Team Moms with a banner the team presented the girls! They were asked to run through it as they took the field! The girls LOVED it!

But as hard as the girls cheered, and as hard as the team played, this game was not to be theirs.

Their first loss and now the tournament is over for us. It was a fun season and the kids all had a great time.

Gosh but it was busy as any of you who have been, or are, sports parents will attest! It will be be good to have a little more free time on weekends, still, we will miss seeing our squad at practices and games.

I know this was a whirlwind catch up post and I will try to do a better job as a blogger!

Tomorrow is Ritter's Dog Night and we have promised Kip we will go!

Thursday is Grace's class play and she is involved so I will try to report on that as well!

Then it is off to Chicago for the weekend! *sigh* I KNOW! I KNOW! But as crazy as it often gets, I would not trade it for the world. There were days in the past, while stationed far away from this area that holds my heart, that I was so, so lonely. I never take for granted that I am back where I belong, back with old friends and family that mean more to me than I can say. And I well remember how I felt, wanting to be a mom so badly and praying that we would know the joy of parenthood. At long last our Daniel came to us and we loved each moment raising him but I always knew our family was not complete. Grace came to us when we were almost 50 and, even with

two arthritic knees, fibro and asthma, this 53 year old mom never loses her joy at having this gift of raising another child. I am slower and more addle brained but delighted each day!

So please try to forgive me when I neglect to post and (even worse) fail to get around to visit all of you, or visit and not leave a comment. For that I am truly sorry...but I adore you all! How often I think about each of you...each one of you is so special.

Until next time, have a sweet week, happy November to you all  and remember to be kind to yourselves!

Love and Many Hugs,

Susie Q

Bwhaaaa...

I TOLD you I had been sick....

Something odd and oh so eerie came over me...now I am feeling a little green at the gills.

And I have this stabbing pain behind my eyes...bwhahabwhaha....ahem. Excuse me. That seems to be happening a lot lately.

Wishing you a happy Halloweenie!

Oh, and congratulations to my giveaway weiners...er...WINNERS.

Sue....Eloise

Sally....Waterside Cottages

and

(Frippery) aka Pam...Julie and Julia

Again, thank you for all the sweet comments!

Grace pulled these three ladies' names from my witch hat...er...my lovely flower adorned sun hat.

And POOF!

Sue? I have your address but I will need Sally's and Pam's. Just pop it in an email to me at:

combs_sue@yahoo.com

Love and many spooky cackles, er, Halloween hugs,

Susie Qella

For further chills...here is a replay of a
past Halloween Tale of Terror!!

Uh huh...Still...*cough*..Here...*sniffle*...

...but slow. Oh so slow. Yup. The old girl is still here but running on fumes this week. Thanks to the delightful Mr. D. for reminding everyone that I had a birthday. I just wasn't feeling well enough to do the post I wanted to do soo...whew. Isn't it good to know he can be depended on in a pinch? *sly grin* What a guy huh?

(These photos are part of a series I took last week near Yellow Springs, Ohio.
These are straight from the camera, raw and untouched.)

Uh huh. Yesterday I turned 53 and it was pretty sweet. Except for the fact that I have felt pretty lousy for a few days, I have been spoiled and coddled and loved..not only yesterday but for the last 2 weeks really.

I don't deserve it but I will take it with a big smile on my face and be so grateful for it!

I will have much to report, photos to share and many thanks to send out

 but for now it is back to rest & recover.

And yes! I do remember the giveaway! Aha! You didn't really think I would forget that now did you? Pshaw.

I have 3 winners to announce and will...tomorrow!

Thank you to all who left such sweet comments and congratulations on my blogging anniversary. I really have no idea where the past 3 years have gone but I have loved every minute I have spent as part of this warm and wonderful online community.

 Our October has been just glorious and I have enjoyed each day of it.

I hope you too have celebrated this month and reveled in it's special beauty!

Stay well!

Love and Hugs to you all,

Susie Q

She Would Forget Her Own Birthday If It Wasn't...

...for me reminding her about it! Sheesh. You may well remember that she took off for the Gulf Shores back in July without even a happy birthday Brian how de doo. This lady, who professes to love me SO much, forgets to wish me a happy birthday. But do I hold a grudge? Nah. Why, I even stopped in today to wish HER a happy 53rd. But did she remember to do a blog post about her OWN natal anniversary?

I gotta tell you, this woman would forget her own head if it wasn't attached.

I just throw my hands up in exasperation! So, let's see. How about we make a list of all the reasons she forgot her own birthday.

 

 Let's count 'em down...gotta adjust my glasses...okay.

#1. Grace's team is in tournament now. Well, big whuppin' do. I played football you know. We had cheerleaders too. Bad excuse.

#2. She is a homeroom mom and has to get ready for the Halloween party. Aw come on now Susie Q! Toss some Snicker bars in a bag, tie a white Kleenex on a Tootsie Pop, call it a ghost  and be done with it. Sheesh.

#3. She has been sick. Okay. This one I'll give her a *slight* pass on. Just in case she had that pig virus something or other. But still, does a case of the sniffles make YOU forget your own birthday? Sheesh.

#4. Menopause. Okay. This is one excuse I am not touching with a 10 foot pole.

#5. She was harvesting crops on Facebook's Farmville? What the &%$$ is Farmville?

Does she LOOK like a farmer to you??

#6. She is 53 and her brain has turned to mush. Hmmm...maybe...wait! I am 71 and I can memorize the entire works of Shakespeare. Still, she is no Columbia grad...

...but forgetting her own birthday? Mine was bad enough but her own? Sheesh.

Oh, by the way, happy 53rd birthday Susie Q. Now go get some rest. You need it!

Sue, Sue & Kari's Big Adventure

I am a little late to post this day of fun but here goes! Last Thusday I had such a sweet time!

Our dear  friend Kari of Just Livin' Large was here for a few days. I wanted her to meet Sue S from Sullivan and Murphy and Sue to meet Kari! I picked up Sue, picked up Kari and away we went! Yes folks, they actually trusted me to drive! Silly girls...

We began our day at Fulton Farm near Tipp City, Ohio.

Sue S. showing off the delicious angel food cakes you can find here!

This was my purchase that morning at Fulton Farm!

Tippacanoe and Tyler Too is a wonderful store in an old hotel. Room after room

 filled with all manner of delights!

I loved the staircase in the old hotel.

Kari doing a little window shopping!

The very lovely Kari and Sue pointing out a *frightfully* pretty bride in the front window

of Feather Your Nest, just the greatest shop! We all found fun bits and bobs we could NOT live without!

They have the most wonderful vignettes!

Boo!

Across the street we found Cognac...a very pretty shop filled with lots of treasures...

If you have longed to find a bust of Gandhi that you can put a plant into (and haven't we all?), well then, this

shop has what you are looking for!

We headed back into Dayton and showed Kari a little of the downtown area. Then we decided to pop into the 2nd Street Market. It is quiet on Thursday so we were able to quickly see it all and pick up some freshly baked bread and other goodies.

Then we hopped on down to Waynesville and had

lunch at The Hammel House Inn, perused a few shops and saw

 such great old houses like this...

And here you have the chubby thorn between 2 gorgeous roses! Sue S., me, Susie Q and Kari! Aren't they  beautiful ladies? Two wonderful, fun and very dear ladies too!

I had such a sweet time with both of them and know that the fabulous Sue S. and I will have many more adventures...she lives near by after all! And I bet I speak for Sue too when I say we hope Kari will get back to the midwest soon. VERY soon! I miss her akready! We love ya and loved being with you!

And do NOT let either of these girls fool you...they are both knockout pretty, smart and fun!

I hope that all of you are having a week filled with smiles!


And don't forget to sign up for my 3rd Year Blogging Anniversary giveaway!
Just leave a comment on THIS post!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

3 Years Ago Today...

A great event in the history of man occurred. Okay. Just a bit of hyperbole there. It wasn't a *great* event and very few people noticed. Actually NO one noticed at the time. It was the day that old Susie Q introduced herself to the world. Well, so to speak.

Howdy do, my name is Sue!

It was the debut of Rabbit Run Cottage. October 20th, 2006. Just click on the words Rabbit Run Cottage and you can take a peek at what passed for a post back then! I had no idea what blogging would come to mean to me or of all the delightful friends I would have come into my life because of it.

I have truly been blessed to be a part of this wonderful blogging community. It is an honor to be invited into your lives, your homes, to have you share a bit of your world with me. I hope you have found something here at Rabbit Run that has made you smile, laugh or think. I have been so inspired, uplifted and delighted by each one of you.

I hope to continue blogging for a long time to come and I hope that you will share that journey with me. I may not always post or visit in a timely fashion but I hope you will forgive me for this...and for that I want to thank you so, so much!

AND, to thank you for being such special friends over these past 3 years, I want to have a little giveaway.

I am offering 3 books. The first is Waterside Cottages  by the fabulous Barbara Jacksier for the decorator and home lover in you,
Eloise: The Ultimate Edition for the child in you, and Julie and Julia just because I loved it AND the movie!

Just leave a comment here, on this post, and I will add your name to the list of possible winners!

I will pull a rabbit...er...name out of my hat on Tuesday, October 27th so you have a week to get that comment on here! 'K?

Thanks to you, each one of you who mean so much to me!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Basically British...

...basically delicious, basically wonderful! 2 of my best friends took me out for tea at a local shop. It was an early birthday treat and oh was it sweet! Mom came along and we had such a good time. I don't post pictures of my friends much, most don't want me too, but suffice to say they are both beautiful! And dear and so special to me.

The day was gray, chilly and drizzly but that just made this occasion all the more perfect!

Basically British, on Third Street in downtown Dayton, is a tremendous place.

I now have lovely memories to last a lifetime!

And in the same vein...a blast from the recent past! Click on this: Grace's ProperTea

and also Grace Does Tea and share these sweet memories with us!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Scaring Up A Little Fall...

Every day, during the week, I pick up my nephew at his school and drop him off at his sitters.

 I always enjoy spending this time with him and looking around at all the pretty spots dotted along our way...

Autumn here is especially pretty this year and our drive is such a treat!

On Tuesday, after dropping Boo off, I took a little time to enjoy some of my favorite area streets.

Every October the town of Oakwood sets up their Scarecrow Row. It is always fun to see what the creative local shopkeepers and residents come up with for us!

I LOVE the fork and pad of butter...and see the *slime* trail just behind the snail? What fun!

I thought this one was just adorable...love the little *back flap*!

The scarecrow family does their shopping...

...and even the family scaredog tags along!

I always find a few ever so pretty porches all dressed in their Autumn finery!

And oh what beautiful trees can be found if you just take a look around!

The colors of Fall just make me feel happy...how about you?

It has been a busy week filled with fun..I will be sharing it with you in a day or two. Yesterday I spent the day with Sue S. from Sullivan and Murphy and Kari from Just Livin' Large who is visiting from Texas!

It was one heck of a sweet day! I LOVE these two ladies and am so blessed to know them.

Until tomorrow...love and hugs to you all.

Susie Q

For Your Enjoyment...

Mad Scientist Susie Q and the Dennehy Quartet sing...

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Whew! Has It Really Been 11 Days?

Yup, it really HAS been 11 days since I last posted! What a bad blogger I have been! It is awful enough not to post but even worse that I haven't been able to visit most of you!

I want to thank each one of you who visited recently and left such sweet and uplifting comments for me. Each one has meant so much to me and I wanted you to know that. Thank you!

As a thank you and as an apology for not being a good bloggy friend of late, I wanted to offer some pictures I took last week. These were all taken in and around our little community.

Autumn is here in all it's glory!

I hope that your weekend was a sweet one and that your week ahead will bring you many smiles and happy moments. I have lots to share from this past week and I will be hopping all around blog world to say hello to each one of you....till then,

Love and Hugs Always,

Susie Q

Autumn At Rabbit Run Cottage

Hello!

I bet you recognized our home by the front door basket! I had already

posted it hadn't I? I was just so excited about October's impending arrival that

I had to share just a few decorations earlier!

But now Rhoda's party is in full swing! Wow!

Uh huh. And I already shared this dining room centerpiece with you last week...

and are we ever enjoying it! Remember the precious painted

tray that I received from Robin ?

It truly IS the jewel in our 2009 Fall decor!

But another jewel at any time of year is our cottage's mascot, Miss Harvena Norbert Burns! Here she is all decked out and ready for Halloween! I haven't done a lot of Halloween fluffing quite yet and Harvena is miffed beyond words! I will get to it Harve old girl! Nobody likes a pushy rabbit!

Sheesh!

Why even her best friend, Benjamin P. Bunny, is ready!

Benji? I hope your little pumpkin is overflowing with goodies soon!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well! Where are my manners?

Welcome to our home, Rabbit Run Cottage!

It's just a little place in Ohio,

nothing too fancy, but we hope it's warm and welcoming.

We are just so happy you are here!

October has finally arrived!

I am just so excited and I hope your are as well.

Every season has it's own particular magic but the Autumn

has always been my favorite.

Chili simmering on the stove, bread baking in the oven...

Pumpkins in all shapes and sizes, fragrant mums in pots by the door.

Woolly sweaters and cozy denim jackets, there is a chill in the air!

Reading an old favorite book by a crackling fire and listening to the

wind whistle at the window.

The laughter of children as they scamper down the sidewalk calling, "Trick or Treat!"

Yes, Autumn is finally here!

Ooh but it's brisk outside. I am so glad you are inside where it's warm!

Would you like to take a peek at some of the seasonal decorating around the cottage?

Our foyer is tiny but cozy...let's hang up your jacket!

A closer peek at the decor...

In the living room I added a paisley shawl, in the rich colors of fall, to a round, skirted table.

Go ahead and take a look at the little treasures on top!

A little blown glass scarecrow...

Uh huh. That IS a turkey! I know it is only October but I LOVE

turkeys and they just say Fall to me!

Our fireplace is all dressed in it's October finery...

Take a closer look!

Go ahead! Step closer!

In the Fall I pull out the transfer ware in browns...I love each piece.

And look! There is a squirrel looking for acorns! He is a wonderful collectible, picked up at Tuesday Morning last Spring! He was quite inexpensive as he had been a *left over* from the Fall/Winter. Lucky me huh?

This sweet transfer ware dish was one of my estate sale finds! Sssh...just $2.

Isn't it wonderful?

The window over our kitchen sink is all dressed up too!

And in case you need reminded, the chalkboard let's you know what season it is! Yippee!

I adore this Susan Branch book and don't you love this dear old metal truck?

Especially when it's filled with the perfect Autumn treat! Candy Corn!

I've brought out the gourds and corn to place on the pot rack...

And a sweet little crow is nesting under glass!

Our blogger friend Kathy made him and oh! If you have yet to meet

her, or to see her creations, run over now and say howdy doo!

Uh huh. Another turkey. They are beginning to flock around Rabbit Run in earnest!

Moving into the dining room...gosh. This room is always fun to decorate!

I added some orange twinkling lights and lots of little goodies to the hutch...

And pulled out the old transfer ware turkey plate! That was a happy find when we lived near Tampa a few years ago. I was puttering around a little shop and uncovered it.

The man sold it to me for $7 because it was April and "No one wants a turkey plate in April!" Um...I sure did!

I pulled out a few more plates adorned with turkeys andput them

in place of the white ironstone

plates which usually hang here.

I hope you have enjoyed your little tour around our downstairs..and remember

I told you! Nothing too fancy but I hope it's fun and cozy.

Now! How about some fresh baked pumpkin bread and hot chocolate?

I've got plenty of marshmallows!

Love & Hugs,

Susie Q

Kipper and Kelee

Welcome to Kipper's

Katillac Shack Pet Parade Party

Celebration!

Aren't these face a.door.a.bull dudes?

Hey dude type peeps! It is me, your bud Kipper! I want to tell you about some big doin's over at The Katillak Shack! Miss Kelee and her handsome dog, my bud Oliver, are havin' a parteee.

For everyone who links (whatever that means!) they earn $3 for needy animals and for everyone who comments

over at Kellee's, they get $1! Isn't that cool?

For our part of the celebration, my Mom wanted to show

off some of our favorite pictures from 2009's Dog Nights!

You 'member dudes! My favorite place in the whole

wide world ('Cept for my house and all), Ritters Frozen Custard

has a monthly Dog Night! We dogs get our very own bowl of 'nilla 'scream with a dog bone on top! Is that grrrreat or what? But don't say what...it IS GRRRREAT! I am tellin' ya dudes!

And you all know how my Mom 'barrasses me by takin' so many pitchers and all. She is always takin' pitchers of the dogs and me and all. But everyone seems to like it so I let it slide. I am just that kinda dog and all. I sure am sayin' and all a lot today huh? But I am just SO 'cited!

And here is me, Kipper, at one of the Dog Nights! I always try to wear a stylish scarf to the big doin's at Ritter's!

My peeps expect me to look my best and all dudes.

And here I am wearin' my favorite scarf, the one Miss Kelee sent me. Mom decorated it all up for me and, okay dudes. She is NO seamstress but she sewed on some buttons and ribbon. (Big whoop right?) Then she drew her little heart out. The old lady loves to draw. She knows how fire fightin' is in my blood and all..my Grandpa Frank was a fire fighter and I was born to live in a fire station. But my Mom won't let me 'cause she says it is toooo dangerous for a little dude like me. *sigh* But a fella can dream right?

But I DO love Miss Kelee! So run on over and visit Kelee and her dog, my good buddy Oliver! There will be lots of 'citement over there. Lots of links to other dog peep's blogs and a super video world premiere! The video has all the dogs who wore these nifty scarfs! You know dudes. Like ME! For each doggie wearing a decorated scarf (And yup. There were some cats too!), a donation was made to help animals in need!

So pullleeeeze stop by and see Miss Kelee and Oliver!

Tell 'em that your pal Kipper sent ya!

A word from my Mom:

(If you would like to see where Kip first modeled

his scarf, I featured this picture on this post a little while back...)

Thanks dude type peeps. I will see ya soon.

Ritter's October Dog Night is NEXT week!!

Now, go see Miss Kelee! Pretty pulleeezzzz with 'scream on top?

Luv and Smoochies,

Kipper

Yard Sale Newbie

It's Monday and I want to welcome all of you who are hopping over from Rhoda's!

You will find that I am a bit of a novice at this game...

Yes. It's true. I am a Yard Sale newbie. *blush* A Garage Sale virgin. An Estate Sale rube.

I am learning so bear with me! Thanks to Rhoda's inspiration and Sue's inspired finds and insistent "You need to try it!" I ventured forth. Okay, so Sue did most of my wheeling and dealing and I DO have much to learn but I wanted to share with you a few of these first finds...

Is this not gorgeous? It was marked $7 and the man took $5. Later his wife shared that she had originally marked it $4 but a friend told her she saw one in an antique store for $25. I think I did okay. What do you think? *smile* I LOVE turkeys. And yes, I know I am odd. *grin* See that sweet little covered tureen? $3. I wish I had 12 of 'em but I adore this one. I will find lots of tablescape uses for this darlin' piece but for now, it just sits and looks pretty. I like that! And how about this precious mortar and pestle? Made of olive wood, it was $1. The sellers folks brought it home from a vacation overseas and it was never used. I have already used it several times for garlic and grinding sea salt. That's worth a buck right?

Lastly I want to show you this dear little creamer.

Red transferware and so pretty. It was also $1.

Couldn't pass it up!

I have several more goodies to share with you including an old bicycle that Sue found...but that will wait until next time.

Remember, I am new at this so starting off slow!

Oh but I think that the Yard Sale bug bit little 'ol me me. Uh huh. It's venom is swirling through my system and causing all manner of havoc. I know there is but one remedy and that is to get out and find another sale!

So, until next time...

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Sweet Sunflowers And Football Highlights

This weekend found the 4 of us in Greenville, Ohio with our squad

going up against the Greenville Wave.

Onto the field...we are ready to rumble! Half time dance routine by some lovely cheerleaders!

Hello girls!

The victory tunnels are always made up of the families in

attendance...it's such a wonderful tradition.

There goes Grace through the victory tunnel!

6 and 0 baby! 6 and 0!

My kids...I kinda love 'em. *grin*

There were some wonderful older homes near the ball field.

Of course you know I had to take a peek...

The beautiful City Hall

Great little shops, restaurants and the people are really friendly...

Aw Mom, not really? You really want a picture of me in here?

Come on Gracie! It is a cool bathroom! Let's show it off!

Original tile and a great tin ceiling! Loved it.

Hey Sheila! This is for you! 2 more Bathroom Divas!

Broadway Joe's is a coffee house inside this great old building. We all got delicious hot chocolate with steamed milk and some homemade chocolate chop cookies. Yummy.

Annie Oakley is from this area and the museum just up the street has a great deal of her memorabilia. We look forward to returning so we can visit the Garst Museum and check out all the little shops. By the end of the games, most place in town were shutting their doors for the day.

Oh well...that just gives us a good excuse to take a little drive some Sunday afternoon!

"Little Sure Shot"

So, when you find a sweet field of sunflowers, what do you do? Yep. Haul out the kid and snap away. And nope. Dan wanted no part of Mom's impromptu photo session today! Hmpf.

Now, what is prettier than sunlight on a a field of sunflowers? It was a perfect Fall day and I am blessed to have shared it with my family.

After returning home we had dinner with my Mom and then we hopped back to Rabbit Run to relax and watch a movie. Is anything better than curling up on the couch with your family (and that includes 2 cats and 1 dog!) to watch an old film?

Tonight it was "Some Like It Hot" with one of my all time favorite people, Jack Lemmon.

What could be sweeter than a day like this?

I hope your weekend is treating you well and that the sun shines, if not in the sky, at least in your heart. As always, I send each one of you...

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Fall Fluffing

Just a little peek...a teensy, weensy look see into what I have been up to all week. Oh gosh but I love Fall. And I love Fall decorating! *sigh*

Do you see that gorgeous painted tray? Perfect for this season isn't it? I got it from sweet Robin at Bittersweet Punkin! She has oodles of goodies and when I saw this sweet thing I practically squealed with delight! Okay, so I DID squeal but I am embarrassed by that fact. But hey, wouldn't you? It is wonderful! And so is Robin! She included the sweetest handmade rose hair pins for Gracie! Now isn't that a dear thing to do? Thank you Robin!

More photos to come...

I am so excited that Fall has finally arrived!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Double Your Sue's, Double Your Trouble!

Be afraid, be very afraid! The two Sue's were out and about and on the prowl. Noooo you sillies you. Not prowling for men. Pshaw. Prowling for deals! Bargains! Goodies!

Things we don't need but MUST have!

Yes, my dear friend and fellow blogger, Sue Sullivan, and I went to an Estate Sale in a near by town. It is a town filled to the very brim with wonderful old homes of every shape, size and from every era you can imagine. The home we visited was quite different from most there, a Spanish Colonial with amazing stucco and tile work. It was built in 1924 and can be yours for a mere

$399,900. Here is the link to the realty page if you would like to take a peek...Prudential One.

We met all sorts of fun and interesting new friends like Maggie May here...

And this sweet little guy...can you believe how tiny?

The tile work on the outside and inside was gorgeous.

Oooh. We dare. We DARE!

This was the breakfast room's wall mural. I loved it...

There were fantastic old windows everywhere, many with stained glass inserts.

They just do not build houses like this anymore!

The foyer ceiling...another example of the lovely paint treatments in this old beauty.

We parked in front of this old gem. More my style, I could have oohed and awed at it all day but we were starving! So off to lunch!

Then we made a little trip to Waynesville, another favorite town near by. No pictures but I do plan on getting back there soon to shoot a few for you! It is a delightful place filled with antique sand gift shops and great homes.

On the subject of GREAT abodes, let me share a few with of our Sue's beautiful home! Oh, and if you have yet to meet Sue, hop on over and tell her hello! (Just click on her name and poof!) She is fun, a real pistol, a great writer and one heck of a decorator!

Isn't this the most perfect Autumn welcome?

And how about this? I know! Pretty isn't it?

Sue's house is amazing and she has a real gift for decorating and creating the most wonderful vignettes. This is her kitchen table...all dressed up for Fall. That cornucopia was one of her yard sale finds! Sue is the Queen of thrifty but amazing finds!

Isn't this little black crow precious?

First off, doesn't she look purty? I thought those colors were perfect for her!

Not only did Sue and I spend a happy day together but she sent me home with some of her homemade goodies! A gifted cook, she made up a traveler of her native New Mexican delights for little ol' me! I will let you in on a secret...it was DELICIOUS! Oh yeah...and old Bill tried to share it with me. Silly man. he paid for that...okay, so I let him share but I didn't want to! It was THAT good. I also got to taste her guacamole and whoa. She DOES make the best you ever tried. Thank you Suey for the food, the great day and your friendship!

I hope your week is going well and that you are finding plenty to smile about!

Hey! Autumn is here! Autumn is here! Yippee!

Love and Many Hugs,

Susie Q

Autumn's Arrival

Our front door at Rabbit Run Cottage...

The pumpkins & gourds are making their appearance all over town. So too are the beautiful, vibrant mums in pots small and large.

The evenings are getting just a bit chilly.

There is a change in the air...can you feel it? Autumn is almost here.

Friday Free For All

Whew! I am so behind it is almost sinful! I am just now beginning to make my way around bloggy world to say howdy to all of you. Where does the time go? *sigh* But I am also behind in posting a little of this and a lot of that too. Here are some images from last weekend! Oh my was it ever jam packed. Not only was it a weekend filled with football, family and food but we also met friends at a local club to hear our favorite band, The Stumps. What a treat it is to sit and chat with friends and hear one heck of a band play the songs of the 60s and 70s. And then it was on to even more fun and frolic!

(And yes. I AM too old for all of this but I keep plugging away. Pop in a Tylenol Arthritis, have a jolt of Diet Coke and I can do anything. Okay, not ANYTHING but...well...)

Friday evening was spent at our high school's football field. Is there anything more American than an Autumn night, under the lights, watching your local high school play? Grace, and the other cheerleaders in her grade level, were asked to perform along with the High School squad.

She was SO excited. We hopped on over to the field with my brother Jim.

Here is Grace with one of her coaches...beautiful lady isn't she?

Grace with her oh so pretty and just as sweet Middle School cheer mentor.

The sky was so blue and clear. The air crisp and cool.

The perfect night for football!

A little pre-game performance by the band...

A tunnel was formed by the teachers, staff and students

for the team to enter the field...

The balloons were released as part of the tribute to those we lost

on 9-11 and to those who serve in our armed forces.

The game begins...

The girls enjoyed being on the field and being a part of all the fun.

Grace is already excited about going to high school...even if she

DOES have a few more years to wait! Grace with 2 of her cheer friends!

Saturday dawned bright as we headed out to an early game.

Our squad had an early morning start but with a day as pretty as this,

who could mind getting up to greet it?

And yes. The team is usually very supportive of their cheer squad. *smile*

What a lovely group! Hello girls!

Look who stopped by! Grace's Aunt Lisa and Brady!

And there is Grandma & Uncle Jim...um...Jim? I support Ohio State too but shouldn't Boo do one of OUR cheers? No? Okay...O...H...I...O!

Hey Boo! We won! Our team is 5 and 0 baby!

Brady wanted to be a part of the victory tunnel...here he is

with his Mommy and his Uncle Bill!

Here come the cheerleaders too!

There is Grace just about to run through...

The next day we headed to Lebanon and A Day Out With Thomas!

Boo ran the corn maze with his Dad...

And had a chat with the big guy himself...

And posed for Auntie Sue with Mommy and Daddy!

Then he just had to show off the new duds...

A cute T

(The front reads, "I spent a day out with Thomas...")

And stylin' Thomas shoes...

Equal one happy Booman!

Then it was time to celebrate Grace's Gotcha Day!

She chose The Cheesecake Factory and wow. Did we eat well!

Grace and her Grandma deciding what to order...

And after dinner, Grace and her BFF, the divine Ms.K, sampled

a little dark chocolate mousse cheesecake and a little white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. Believe me. They WERE as good

as you might guess them to be!

Thank you for breezing through a recap of last weekend's fun just as we get ready to begin another jam packed Fall Saturday and Sunday!

I do hope your week was a sweet one and that you are

enjoying this, the sweet beginning of Autumn.

I am beginning the decorating process and loving this season's arrival.

It is this time of year when my heart truly springs to life.

I hope you will enjoy each day of it.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

An "eye-dyllic" Situation!

The lovely KJ, at eye-dyllic, is having an Autumn giveaway! Hop on over, leave your favorite quote about this beautiful season and you will be entered! Do let KJ know Susie Q sent you 'K?

I am so excited that Autumn is finally here! I know I have been a bad bloggy friend of late but we are cleaning and freshening up and getting the house all ready to decorate for this most beautiful of seasons! Okay, maybe it's just ME who thinks that but I DO! No other season stirs my soul quite like Fall does. What about you?

See you soon!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Gotcha!

It was such a busy weekend and I have lots to share but today's post is a hugs GOTCHA!

Oops! I hope I didn't scare anyone!

Nah...this isn't THAT sort of gotcha. No joke on you dear friends, nor on anyone!

This is the day we celebrate our daughter's "Gotcha Day"!

5 years ago today Grace came into our lives to stay.

The 1st photo is the one that accompanied our referral from China. We were already in love with her, without ever seeing her face, but the second I saw this, I burst into tears. I KNEW her face. I KNEW this child. She was my daughter, the one I had waited for for so long. And yes. I had felt the very same way about our Daniel. It is not easily explained but they were each OURS before they were placed in our care.

This photo was the first one we took in China. Her caretakers had just arrived with her, at our hotel in China. She was already in tears. She was exhausted and frightened to death. Can you imagine what a scary moment this was for her? She spoke no English, in fact, she had never seen a Caucasian person!

We tried everything to elicit even a tiny smile. Presents, silly behavior, candy, fruit, you name it. It would be days before we saw the first glimmer of a grin.

Flash forward 5 years and look at her now. That sought after smile almost

never leaves her face. She is feisty and exuberant and in love with life.

Grace with her adored (and adoring) big brother Daniel. With Daddy on the beach at the Gulf Shores. Two *best friends forever* at The Jonas Brothers concert

Grace the cheerleader at this past week's game.

Last weekend's big cheer event...with her beautiful coach.

Her transformation from frightened little girl into a fun loving pre-teen has

been a joy to watch, to experience.

But it is she who transformed us. We are now a family of four. We are complete.

My heart never truly rested until the day she came into our lives. With her arrival

we became whole.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

On This Day...

...I remember all of those who lost their lives but, as the proud daughter of a professional fire fighter, I am remembering all those brave men who rushed into the flames...

...the brave men, who with no thought to their own safety, ran into this Hell in the attempt to save their fellow man. They faced a situation for which no one could have planned, a horror for which there was no drill. An evil no one dared imagine.

None of them would have wanted to be called a hero. They were just guys doing their jobs. Yet, heroes the are. Heroes they will always be. Rest in peace knowing we will never forget your sacrifice.

If you see a first responder today, a fire fighter, a police officer, a paramedic...smile and say thank you.

And, as the wife of a 27 year veteran of the US military, thank a soldier, a sailor, an airman or a marine as well. They are out there for all of us.

Honor those who would lay down their life for you.

Getaway

We just returned from a little getaway to our nation's capital. Uh huh, Washington DC. We met our friends, the dear folks who adopted Grace's orphanage bunk mate, and had a grand old time.

If you have been visiting Rabbit Run for awhile, you know that we meet this special family each year and it is always in a different locale. The girls had a sweet few days together and we parents had a pretty fine visit as well!

The Capital Union Station The National Museum Of The American Indian

The US Navy Memorial

The Newseum

~~~~~~~~~~~

More on the trip soon. I am still unpacking and doing mountains of laundry!

Kipper and I thank you for all your sweet messages about Lucy. She is doing well and we go back to the vet this Saturday. We hope to hear that her counts have improved! Her weight has stabilized and she seems so much better. Kip is so happy and we are too!

I hope your Labor Day weekend was lovely and that this week will be good to you.

I will begin hopping through bloggy world to visit each of you soon...until then...

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q