Hedgehogged

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I don't really know why, but I've always loved animals that were a little different. Others girls wanted cats as pets, and I wanted an elephant! Wouldn't that be the sweetest thing? To ride to school on the back of an elephant named Edna?!

Now it's hedgehogs that have grabbed my attention. I think that it would be the coolest thing to have a little hedgehog as a pet. This calls for research!

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"The name 'hedgehog' came into use around the year 1450, derived from the Middle English 'heyghoge', from 'heyg', 'hegge' = hedge, because it frequent shedgerows, and 'hoge', 'hogge' = hog, from its piglike snout."

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- 16.00 dollars on Etsy 

"Hedgehogs are easily recognized by their spines, which are hollow hairs made stiff with keratin. Their spines are not poisonous or barbed and, unlike the quills of a porcupine, cannot easily be removed from the hedgehog. However, spines normally come out when a hedgehog sheds baby spines and replaces them with adult spines. This is called "quilling." "

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"Hedgehogs are popular pets all over the world, ranging from the United States, where they are kept as indoor pets, to Britain, where pet hedgehogs have the run of the garden to help with pest control."

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"Hedgehogs prefer roomy cages to live in, and should not be allowed to roam the house without supervision. You can use bedding designed for small mammals, and add a litter box for the hedgehog... Hedgehogs also appreciate having a secure place to hide, so provide a small nesting box to curl up in."

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So according to the rest of my web surfing, hedgehogs can me cute little pets. 

With a price range of 250-400 dollars though...it might not be in my budget.

Oh well...I guess a pet goldfish could be cool.

What's your dream pet?

Crochet the day away

Just wanted to share some photo's that are inspiring me to pick up my crochet hook again...

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See my post on owls from a few weeks ago.

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The End

This Weekend: Tote Bag

I've been feeling like we're in need of a new series. After much brainstorming I've come up with...

(drum roll please)

(triumphant trumpet sounds)

Like my Logo? My goal is to find creative and inspiring tutorials that you can make over a weekend.

So let's start off with an easy tote bag by Elsie! Oh, and did I mention that it's reversible?

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Ever been bored out of your mind?

When the internet is down, your brother is hogging the tv remote, and there are not more books on your self to read...take pictures of your feet.

Couple of announcements: 

One- I am now officially on Pintrest

Two- There's a button on the right side of this blog that will lead you to a Valentine freebie

Wedding: His Ring

Goooooooood Morning readers!

I am one happy blogger because today I get to blog about Mike's wedding band!

I feel so gidish and excited to have finally purchased it.

Mom keeps finding me looking and smiling at it, and I think that's just fine. I'm very excited about getting married.

So, referencing my own personal experience, I have written a little "Tips and Tricks" for buying a wedding band.

1. Shop Shop Shop

 Take your time. I shopped around for almost a year because picking out something I thought he would like. 

Picking out a ring that he'll wear for the rest of his life is slightly stressful, so don't rush yourself.

2. Talk

Be sure to tell the clerk exactly what you're looking for. They tend to pull out the shiniest, most pricey rings to draw your attention away from the more affordable ones. Don't let them dazzle you with a glittery show. Let them know your budget and general style of ring you're interested in.

3. On the doted line

Don't put yourself in a corner so you feel the enormous pressure to buy "today". Let the clerk know that you're "looking around" or "window shopping". This takes off some of the pressure and lets you see the ring for what it is...not all the sparkles and commercials. 

4. Stand your ground

Anyone who knows me knows that I have a very hard time saying "no" to people. But when it comes to a big purchase like this then you need to stick to your guns. If you don't feel 100% comfortable or are not totally in love with the ring in every way, then don't buy it! Don't let that gorgeous girl behind the counter talk you into how you'll never find another ring like this one is the world, or how she'll give you a special deal because you're just so nice. They see you as a big o'l bag of money and will say anything to get a sale.

Okay so I guess that about sums is all up.

Oh what did you say?

You wanna see this little ring I got here?

Well....this is one of my little secrets. You'll just have to wait until July like everyone else.

Book Review: The Help

Well I was certainly a lucky lucky girl come this Christmas, because I got not just one but two copies of  The Help by Kathryn Stockett. 

I had been dying, I tell you, DYING to read this book.

This book has received several awards and honors, you may read about them here, and has won my admiration as well. 

The story is about a small town girl with big ambitions and humble maids who display strength and endurance. The year it around 1960 and we find our heroins in Jackson, Mississippi. 

They set out together on a seemingly impossible friendship and journey for change. If they are found out, who knows what harm will come to their reputation, job security, and lives.

I read this book book while traveling and it had me captivated by the very first page. If you enjoy reading books like To Kill a Mocking Bird, then this will become a favorite too.

Stockett makes me laugh, cry, and even cringe in some chapters. She holds me in suspense down to the very last page.  I couldn't put this book now. I drank in every word and often sat back to reflect on the characters and their sides of the story. 

I won't give anything away, but the ending was bittersweet. A lovely chapter that made me face reality...life isn't a fairy tale.

I would recommend this book to all of my readers. I'm not much of a writer, it's not hard to see, but I love to read well written stories.

No, I haven't seen the movie yet. I wanted to read the book for myself first, and then proceed to judging the movie on it's accuracy. I like to develop the characters in my own mind first. I love figuring out what I think they look like, what I think their house looks like. I don't need a movie screen to do it for me. My brain is creative enough.

So, Kathryn Stockett, congratulations on your best seller! I will be looking forward to more wonderful novels written by you. 

P.S. Have any of you read it? What did you think? Leave me a comment!

Engagement Photos

July 21st, 2012 can't come soon enough.

Thank you Allie, for taking these awesome pictures. We gave them away as Christmas presents this year and our families loved them!

Check out her shop for some vintage inspired jewelry and accessories.