It's truly the simplest things in life that make me laugh...

For instance, a quick stop at the grocery store on the way home from work resulted in THIS guy hopping into my basket and accompanying me home.




I don't know what on earth he is. He was all alone in a crowd of leprechauns and leprechaun hats. So of COURSE I had to rescue him. I have the biggest soft spot for misfits.

But there I stood in Stop & Shop, laughing. He resembles Cookie Monster but without the copyright infringement, I suppose.

And now he sits on my counter, begging to be snarfled down, taunting me. I don't even know what he actually is, food-wise. He's roughly the size of a cupcake, so I'm willing to bet there's a cupcake hidden somewhere under there, below 5" of blue, cavity-inducing (haha) icing.

I suppose this isn't terribly blog-worthy... but the simplest things make me laugh (and pretty much everyone will tell you I laugh A LOT.) I think it's terribly important to enjoy the simple things in life. =)

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable. ~Helen Keller

Life certainly is a daring adventure! =) It's been an interesting week here at the Salty Grape, so I really welcomed the weekend with open arms. I spent some time decompressing and snapped a few shots of local spots that I've been meaning to document forever. One in particular, as it turns out after many years of just sitting dormant, has finally been purchased. There is construction going on inside and even a liquor permit sign outside! The end of an era... (I doubt they saved any of the red vinyl booths. =( It was just such the classic 70s eatery.)



Down the road a wee bit, one of the goofiest clam shacks... don't you love the little hand painted smirking clam on the sign?

A little further down the road, at a farm stand that is positively hopping in the summers. Not so much today!

And just a little randomness that always makes me smile every time I drive past. =) These are a little set back from the road, so you never see them unless you turn your head and look. And when you do, they surprise you.

Hope everyone is enjoying the bee-you-tee-ful weather!!! This "free spirit" is off to clean the house since I put it off earlier. =D

Newfies, and kitties, and chickens... OH MY!

I'm always up for a challenge. And I know spending time at my friends Corrie & Doug's house is a perfect place to go. Not only do they have 4 kitties, 2 Newfoundlands (which I find VERY challenging to photograph - big super black furballs on bright days are HARD!), a shepherd/husky mix, and a flock of chickens (who supply me with the most delicious eggs on the planet!) but they've just welcomed a new 10 week old Newfie puppy to the brood. =) Annnnnnnd... they are babysitting a friend's 8 week old, to boot!

I can't decide which of the hordes of photos to post! Cuteness seriously abounded.







Oh dear. Mom's first reprimand.



OK, she's chewing on her own foot here...

HI!!!

Oh my gawd, I want to smooch my own screen.

OK, OK!!! I get the hint, Holly! =)



Isn't she so pretty?

OK, back to the bundles of fluff.

This quickly became one of my favorites photos ever. Before I even got home to see it full size. Can you stand the adorableness?

OK, they crashed hard after all that rough housing, so I got to give the chickens some love.





Roo the Rooster... isn't he handsome?

He's so friendly!!!

Do I have a Future in Foul Fotography?

These are all taken with a 50mm... I wanna get my 70-200 so I can get some good closeups without getting in their faces. =)

OK, puppies awoke from their nap.

And out came the Big Dogs.

Tango supervised.

Sierra worked the camera.



Awwww!



If she wasn't going to turn out to be 150lbs, I think I might have tried to stuff her in my Beetle.

And lastly, two of their absolutely BEAUTIFUL kitties... they are the sweetest, most stunning cats I have ever met, and they're all Maine Coon rescues. Turkey was in hiding, but I'd photographed her before... and someday I'll have to meet Druitt.

Lovely Luna







And Handsome Hobbit



Thanks, as always, for having me over, guys!!! XOXOX -J

All the photos can be found by clicking here:
Newfies, and Kitties, and Chickens... Oh my!

The Annual Grover Birthday Video!

=) It's nothing stellar. Trust me. The quality is crap. (Compression killed my images. I must have saved it in the wrong format, but I can't be bothered to re-do it.) The videography is crap. (I am NOT good with video. I don't claim to be. Ha.) But he's my guy and I always have to document his birthday. I've had him since he was just a wee pup.

For the record, bulldogs only live 8-10 years, and he's showing absolutely no signs of slowing down at 8. So that's why today is so special to me. I can't imagine life without him... 8 years old seemed so far away back in 2001.

So, a new honky chicken (to replace the plethora that have been de-footed), some fun outdoor chicken romping (indoor toys NEVER get to go OUTSIDE) and a delicious Bravo dehydrated bone. YUM!!! Rides and treats are in store for the weekend. =)



And if for some reason you can't see the video, a few highlights...


Bring it.


How many bulldogs do you know that can really CATCH?


Eight years old. Yep.




Take-off...


My handsome little snow-obsessed fool...


Thanks for humoring me. =)

Happy Birthday to my favorite little man, Grover!!!

My best little buddy on earth turns 8 today. Hard to believe he's been in my life since he was just a wee 11 weeks.

Happy Birthday!!!!! XOXOX