And the Beat Goes On

As much as I love being on Facebook, I have missed blogging! We've been wicked busy! Here are some pics to catch up. Of course, Max is doing very well and the mountains are still beautiful!

Peter competed in the Vermont Jr. Iron Chef competition
We had another fantastic Easter Brunch at the Langham in Boston
The girls grew and stayed cute and the boys (and my friend Ramsey) all earned their 1st Dan Black Belts in March.

Twin Birch continues to grow. I am opening a store/studio next week which will give people a chance to come in and shop, see soapmaking and even take classes to learn how to make fantastic natural skin care products. I can't wait to share pictures & stories from this new adventure!

I'm Sorry, Did You Say Ten Thousand?

WOOT!! I couldn't believe my ears when one of my clients said that he was talking to a colleague about my soap and they want to place a ten thousand piece order! I am channeling my inner Bob the Builder (Can we make it? YES WE CAN!!) None of the specifics are ironed out and I'm super~superstitious, so I'm not counting any chickens yet. But I'm so incredibly excited! I just had to share! :) Cross your fingers for me!!!In other news, Max continues to heal from his neck injury. Every time he lifts his head in a funny way I hold my breath, but so far so good. Really, he's back to his old (crazy puppy) self in so many ways. He chewed through his lead in 57 seconds while we were with the vet for a check up. *SIGH* (smile)

Thanks to All...

...of you for your love & kindness about Max!! Happily, I was able to pick him up this afternoon. It seems like he didn't have a stroke, but prolapsed a nerve in his neck between his vertebrae. He's had lots of steroids to stop the swelling and is feeling 150% better. When I picked him up, he was back to his old tricks... jumping up & down like a kangaroo, yanking me around like a kite behind him, crying like a baby.... so great! Now the trick is to keep him quiet for 12 days so he doesn't injure himself any more.
Doggie Valium, anyone? Wish me luck!

Our whole family read all of your sweet comments yesterday & today. Cora summed it up the best. She said, "These people are so nice!" She right. Thank you.

Prayers for Max

Those of you who've been sweet enough to read One Bubble at a Time for awhile, have met Max.
He's our 3 1/2 year old yellow lab. He weighs in at about 120 and he is a handful! I haven't gone to see Marley & Me, because I'm pretty sure I live it. Read here, here, or here for more Max stories.Some odd behavior from Max prompted me to call the vet this morning. By 1 pm I was frantically driving him to an emergency appt. after my sweet friend Ramsey & I carried him up the stairs using a blanket as a hammock under his chest. Max had been carrying his head very low for 36 hours. I thought it was a flare up of an ear infection he's been treated for. Then he couldn't straighten his paw to walk and began to stumble around.

The Vet, Dr. Bob *(who I love) thinks he was having a stroke. He's at the Hospital having had a large dose of antibiotics & steroids to try to reduce the swelling causing the problems. He perked up a little as I was leaving and I'm praying that he'll be ok. Even though he drives me a little crazy, I love that big dog to bits. So, if you have a moment to say a little something for Max, we would all appreciate it! I'll keep you posted on his condition!

Let's Just Get Along

I cracked up when I looked outside and saw Max hanging out with the chickens. He was having a nice moment in the sun and didn't mind a bit when they came by to do a little pecking. The only time he causes trouble with our ten hens is when we collect the eggs. Apparently he loves the raw egg more than Rocky Balboa. He tries to get them from our hands so he can make off with a snack.
That's life with Max.

The Great Cape Escape

We had a blast on the Cape. The weather was fantastic, the kids were wonderful and it was a really nice time spent with Gerry's parents. I just love the salty air of the beach. As much as I adore living in Vermont, I do miss the Great Atlantic and beachy living. Thank goodness I can go get my fix in Cotuit. Huge thanks and hugs to Gerry's 'rents for inviting us down year after year for great times with family!

I have a ton of soaping to do! My BFF Laurel's future SIL has her bridal shower in Sun Valley, Idaho on August 3rd and I am making the favors! I'm so excited to do it and I'm anticipating some mad production in the next couple of days.

I'm also so excited to have the "Blessings Crafters" coming back for a Bubble Class on Thursday. You can read about their first class here. These ladies are a riot. I expect lots of laughter and some wonderful creativity!

Now I'm running off to pick up Max. I haven't seen him since last Thursday. I'm sure he'll be jumping for joy. (did I mention that he's part kangaroo?) I can't wait to see that crazy puppy.

Just Passing Through

Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July! It's a special day around here because it's Austen's birthday. He turned twelve yesterday! How'd that happen? :) After our time honored tradition of watching the Fourth of July Parade, we came home and had our 11th Annual Tallman Fourth of July Party. It is was so great for us to share a beautiful, sunny day with so many of our sweetest, nicest, zaniest friends! We've had a hard time here in town for the past 10 days. Gathering with our friends helped to remind us of how special they are and how lucky we are. Those friendships for the parents and kids are truly gifts to us.
In a quieter moment, we noticed this sweet little deer over by the chicken coop, visiting. He was probably so happy to much a little of their feed and enjoy their frenetic company. Alas, Max noticed him after a few minutes and decided to join the party. He broke up the meeting with his loud lab bark and a big charge across the yard. Then he grabbed a stick, thinking maybe a little fetch was in order. We call that a Party Foul!

Puppy Love

As the proud (and frequently over-whelmed) mama of Max, our 130 lb Yellow Lab/Donkey mix, I am happy to have come up with some fun doggie products for our four-legged BFFs. I call it my Birch Bark line and it is dedicated to the gentle, soothing, tender care of our pups.

I was so flattered and happy to get to send a Puppy Pack to Carrie~Gigi at Under the Willow a few weeks ago. Then came an order from Trisha at Suds to Love. It's extra special to send orders to my blog-friends because I think they are so super sweet, funny & talented. You can read the extra generous blog post that C~G wrote about her order here.

So here are a couple of items from the line. I offer Birch Bark Dog Wash in 5 great scents. Perfect Pooch is a great blend of Rosemary & Peppermint. Then we have the New England Sampler with a nod to this great part of the country. Those fragrances include: Nantucket Hound, Portland Pointer (could apply to all of you sweeties in the NW, too!) Green Mountain Rover & Fenway Fever Retriever. (GO SOX!!) The wash is gentle on the skin and eyes of our pooches. Although, I wouldn't wash near their eyes just in case!

Shake! is a great Dry Dog Shampoo. It's perfect for a quick freshen up for your dog. It's an All Natural blend of botanicals & EO's. You'll enjoy some great quality time as you shake it on and rub it all over your Rover. :) Wait a couple of minutes and brush/vacuum it off and he/she's smelling sweet and needing a treat! They are all on Etsy and ready to pamper your pup!!

Sun Worship

I think I'm going to make it. The sun was out in all of its glory today. It was working hard melting the snow, warming the Earth and giving me the Vitamin D that Dr. Oz says I'm missing!
I guess I'm not the only one who is Vitamin D deficient. Max was doing some serious basking today! Happy Spring to all of you! :)

Sun in Vermont

I'm so happy to report that we have some sun here today! I love the way it looks on my Asian Plum candle! I have been playing with pouring candles for about a month. Gosh! It's just another fun side of the lotion & potion party! As in all things, pouring a good candle is not as easy as one would think! I love finding my way through it, though!

Asian Plum is a yummy fragrance. Clearly, I am finished with winter because, every fragrance I use these days has to take me to a warm sunny place in my mind! I've been focusing on florals and greenery, hoping that they will carry me through these last weeks of winter!

I'm giggling as I write that we are due for another 10 inches of snow tonight! Max will be thrilled!!

I Can't Help Myself

I've been enjoying sharing notes with Carrie-Gigi from Under the Willow. You should check out her site, it has great stuff! She is the owner of Bella-Cinderella, a beautiful Yellow Lab. We have joked that she and Max should meet. Well, here is Max's best smile for Bella! I promise not to indulge myself with another post about Max for the rest of February!

ps. Ella was also doing her best grin that day!

Gone Polar

Max the yellow Lab has become Max the Polar Bear! We are up to our ceilings (really!) in snow.
For all of you who can lay eyes on a blade of brown, tired looking grass...I'm jealous. I have no choice but to put on my snow gear and go enjoy it!