My search for an Imperial Shih Tzu puppy!!!

Meet baby Sushi! So Sweet!

For the last 6 years I have been wanting a dog since my husband and I moved to ohio from Pennsylvania. I have finally convinced the hubby that it is a good idea. He finally cracked! I think it had to do with the continuous bugging. The breed I decided to go with is an Imperial Shih Tzu. They can be as tiny as 3 lbs. But as big as 8 to 10. I am looking for one that is more on the 6 lb range. I have been searching the internet for local breeders in my area. I am finding several that breed regular size shih tzu but it has been a little more difficult finding tea cup puppies. I have to admit the search has been a little over whelming. I just wish someone could say here you go. Here is the perfect dog for you and it is going to be really cute, healthy and happy for many years to come. But unfortunately it doesn't work that way.
Sushi with his new girl friend Cassey

One thing I have noticed is how helpful everyone has been in helping me with my search. I truly appreciate all the tips. It will definitely help me to find that perfect match for me. One person in particular has truly gone out of her way. I am so impressed with how she has been so open and is has knowledge of information when it comes to the breed. A few tips she gave me on picking a puppy:

1) Eyes/Nose/paw pads should be black
2) When the puppy looks at you, the whites of the eyes should not show.
3) The nose should be tiny and almost between the eyes, the face squished.
4) No bulging eyes out, head should not be to big, compared to the body and should be proportioned.
5) Check out if it breaths well.
6) check for fleas and ticks.
7) They should give you a few days to bring the puppy to your vet to be checked to see if it is healthy.
8) Try not to get a white puppy because its eyes stain all the time.
9) Teach it to drink from a water bottle so that its beard doesn't stain.

One other breeder said:
1) Buy locally if you can. It works out better if something is wrong with your puppy.
2) Look at the parents first. Ugly parents sometimes can produce ugly babies.
3) Asked to see proof of vet visits.

Last Breeder said:
There is a formula for picking the right size.
*At 8 weeks of age take the puppies exact weight and multiply it by 3
*At 10 weeks X 2 and add a pound
*At 12 weeks X 2

I have seen a wide range of colors. The multi color one that I like the best is called a Brindle. Those are really pretty.


I went to a breeders house the other day and I was truly disappointed. But I will continue my search and I will keep you updated on how things are going.

Kelly's Christmas Decorations

2009

This picture sets the tone for what you about to see past through these doors! It's a Christmas Whimsical Wonderland!

I love this Garland!!!

This is the first thing you see when you pass through the doors. This is her main entry. The touch of whimsy just makes me smile. My twin sister and are have very similar taste. But when it comes to decorating our homes for the holidays, it is very interesting to see how different we represent the holiday in our own flair. She has always had a touch for the dramatic. Which is what I love. The colors! Hot pink, lime green, red and any other bright color she can throw in there. She just has that magical touch in my opinion.

Her master bedroom!

The glistening silver, the vintage ornaments and the soft palettes just works in here so well.

She has been collecting vintage Christmas orni's for a few years now. I think they look beautiful on this tree!



This is a spot in her kitchen. I see a few things that I made. The papier mache house and the plate.



Here is a picture of the dining room. All decked out for the Holidays! She has very tall ceilings in this room. So decorating the chandelier is a must in my opinion.

Greenery and balls, what more do you need!

This is a piece of furniture she has in her dining room. Once again a touch of whimsical.

No place, no corner forgotten. Her kitchen is a great place for a few Santa collectibles and a cookies jar full of Christmas cookies!

The breakfast nook!


You don't have to have the normal center piece on your kitchen table. Do what Kelly did and add a hurricane vase of limes and cranberries. How simple but oh so perfect in this spot.

More vintage balls, a great place for those Christmas cards and a few favorite Holiday photo's of the kiddo's!

She even added that special touch of hers to the bar area!


The crowning glory!


I see sugar plums dancing in my head when I see this. Color, Color, Color! I love the two toned garland. The lime green just adds that extra touch! The glass trees add that even balance to the already decorated mantle.

The Family Tree!

Whether it's store bought ornament you have been collecting for years or the ornaments that your kids had made the past few years, there is nothing like the family tree. Everyone's is oh so different but yet so wonderfully adorned!

Great job Sis! I just wish I could see it in person!!

Merry Christmas and big hugs!

Changed the mantle this year!

I decided to change my mantle for Christmas this year! I like it much better than last year. All those bulbs were from Hobby Lobby(no more the $2.50 each) and Walmart(no more than a $1.00 each). Walmart had such a great selection of glittered dollar orni's. Stop by and take a peek if you hadn't. Just buy a few and keep in your stash. They would be great to even add to the outside of a Christmas package.

HGTV Giveaway

I thought I would share this!

An aging builder was ready to retire. He told his boss of his plans to leave the home-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire, and they could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his favorite employee and friend go & asked if he could build just one more home as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, 'This is your house... my gift to you.' The carpenter was stunned!

What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.

So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently. But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, 'Life is a do-it-yourself project.' Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the 'house' you will live in tomorrow.

Therefore, Build wisely!.

This is so True!!!!!!

Handmade Little Girls Picture frame for sale on Etsy!

Hello Everyone! Well the holidays have ended and time to start working on the next holiday for my Etsy store. I have been working on all kinds of decorations for your home for Valentine's Day. One of the things I really enjoy making are these one of kind picture frames. This particular one is for that special little girl in your life. This frame can be hung from just about anywhere. Childs door knob, closet door or even a special place on the wall. I have even dated it with the year 2009! So if you would like to stop by and see this frame in detail, then just stop by my Etsy store and take a peek.

Link to Etsy Store

Better late than Never! Christmas Decorations for 2008