Thursday, January 27

a slight case of envy...

little doggies and little children are one and the same...
give them
an oversized cardboard box,
some well loved toys,
several cozy blankets,
many oven mitts
and

having spent a few moments (okay, many minutes) watching little olive in her 'play pen' complete with EXIT carved out by Our #4 last night (as per health and safety standards for little doggies with short legs),


i must confess to several thoughts.
1. do dogs feel the weight of Mr Gloom?
2. i am slightly envious of little olive and her box.
3. have i completely lost my teeny tiny mind, standing here at 11am taking photos of a little doggie in a cardboard box, with her many blankets and mangled oven mitts, whilst feeling slightly envious.







fortunately she knows she is not alone with her barking mad ways ~ Tif

75 comments:

Lonestarcasie said...

She is so precious. I love it when Olive makes an appearance. And just so you might feel better...my guilty photographic pleasure is taking pictures of my sleeping children. They are just so darn angelic in that state. My sister says I am a little nuts (but then again, she learned that about me long before I had any children to help).

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Olive is most adorable in her lovely cardboard box. I'm sure my Miss Molly would love to meet her, and perhaps romp around with her.

Unknown said...

I am also envious. It seems like a good day for a cardboard box.

Thea said...

Stop it! I can't take any more cuteness.

phoebe said...

Shes such a cutie! x

Lyn said...

gosh she is so gorgeous! there are days when I would love to crawl into a carboard box with a blanket over my head!
love
Lyn
xxx

Unknown said...

OLIVE IS ADORABLE AND HER PLAY PEN IS WONDERFUL - I SEE SHE HAS A GORGEOUS BLANKIE!

Renee said...

She's a cutie pie dog...you could do worse than wanting to be like her.

Renee :)

Pam said...

Love your Olive ....made your paper hearts yesterday....they are so simple and sweet...I will definitely be making many more...thanks for the inspiration!!

Anonymous said...

Cute, cute, cute!
Vivienne x

Shelley in SC said...

No, I don't think you've lost your teeny, tiny mind at all. Dogs have a lovely, simple life. It doesn't take much to keep them happy. And "Mr. Gloom" seems to affect them not at all. We should be so lucky!! : )

oh,henry! said...

cuteness overdose!!! omg, this dog is too adorable, i totally understand the loosing your 'teeny tiny mind'! :)
what breed is it?

Justine said...

Little Olive is just so cute! Her little box is just the job and her lovely collection of blankets and oven gloves is just sweet!

What is it with dogs and oven gloves? Mine jumps up to pull them down from the oven handle and takes them to bed with her!!!!

Rachel at Stitched in Color said...

it seems Mr. Gloom has moved right in. I hope you are feeling better soon. Do something completely different to shake him off, perhaps?

I've been feeling out of sorts lately too. I think I need a fresh, new project! And, to give myself the luxury of lots of time to enjoy it.

p.s. my captcha code is "direary' how ironic.

Bellgirl said...

Awwwww! We've still got those snuggly puppy photos of our Miss Brown on our fridge ;)

Unknown said...

wow, little olive has some very pretty toys! and no, you have not lost your mind, i share your envy!

Unknown said...

Cuuute!
what pretty colours fill her box as well!
i would be envious, imagine being content and happy with a little bx and wworn oven mitts! not having to worry about everyone else or work or school.
lucky little Olive!

Saskia said...

She just got the best way of hiding out for Mr. Gloo! So get yourself a very big box, cozy blankets & cushions, a good book & a nice cuppa tea! :)
xoxox

Sandy said...

What a little cutie! I love all of her little crocheted blankies too.

white cat vintage said...

Haha, yes Id be questioning myself also,I too feel a little envious. She looks so cosy safe and loved.
She has the most adorable eyes I nearly melted, what a cutie. Megan xx

Peggy said...

hahaha- so funny! I love Olive - she is so cute!

Les pommettes du chat said...

Adorable... :)

Unknown said...

Oh Dottie, I fear I understand to well. Just today I was thinking of how overwhelmed I feel, of nothing in particular. I have been sewing and crafting for days, while my Mr. B. is abroad. The kitchen is full of all kinds of good things in various stages of done or wanting to be done. My house needs a good de-cluttering and cleaning, but somehow I do not know where to begin.
This is so unlike me. My Mom says it is the "change".
A scary thought because I do not want to "change". I want to be my normal "handle six things at once" self.
So, see you are not alone, and I think it will pass. You are an inspiration to many. Besides, little Olive is adorable in her little box and is deserving of all the attention. My dog Mr. Darcy has been a good companion and I think I will go and take his picture, I love him so!

...C o w R o a d... said...

Hey there Miss Dottie,
Mister Gloom sure is keeping our minds occupied isn't he? I live out there in Carnation and boy is it rough.
I was wondering (hoping) you could give me some ideas about where to find fun vintage clothing/ fabric/ cards in Seattle? I'm still fairly new to the area and you seem to know where to go! (I've alrady visited the HUGE Value Village near Ballard)
Dank je wel! (=Dutch)
Marjan
PS Our choc. lab is called Olive too! :-)

Anonymous said...

Hey Tif,

A long time lurker, an early orderer of your yet to be born book, and a lover of all things

Dottie,

I can say dogs do feel the weight of Mr Gllom, and when they do the

remedy is a cardboard box filled with soft hings that smell like comfort and a loving mother who takes endless snaps of them.

I made mine a patchwork quilt...
he looks happier on it.

Lisa A said...

Aw, sweet girl. That box looks like a fun place to be.

Caterina Giglio said...

she is just so adorable!!

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

Oh my, Olive is just so cute, and she looks as pleased as pie in her box : ) I would like to have a play box, few blankets and a glass wine and I would be pleased as pie too.

Need to ask, but would it be okay for me to draw Olive (Im an artist)?

Debby said...

She is sooooo cute.

Elements of Time said...

I LOVE her bedding.. so cute!

Sharon Stanley said...

the moral of your cardboard box story....man or beast is always happiest when given the simplest supplies with which to work....that little olive is my kinda gal. so happy to have a computer again...i've missed your dottie ways.

Garden of Rambles said...

So sweet. Love your post and Olive is to love.

AshleyAnn said...

I've never been jealous of a dog, but I sure wish I had such great blankets to snuggle up in!

Anonymous said...

I went to Costco the other day and my purchase was put in a similar box but i had to cut a little easier doorway for my weenie dog to get in it. She has her special pillow her auntie made her and her little heating blanket in it and just loves it.

Sweet Birdy Love said...

Little Olive, certainly has good taste in choosing blankets for her cardboard box Tif.

If you are feeling the weight of Mr Gloom, pop over for a visit. We have lots of blue sky and sunshine in this corner of the globe. Guaranteed to send Mr. Gloom and his gloomy ways packing.

Claire :}

jessica daisy said...

little olive looks so sweet! Did she steal the oven gloves or was she given them?

lunefantasy said...

the photos of Little Olive are the lighting of joy of my son Shaun this morning...

"bonjour petit chien" translates by "hello little dog" is his message for you today

....

Anonymous said...

your pictures or adorable olive brighten up my day, could look at them again and again. i´m totally gaga over my ancient cat george and spend a lot of time just gazing at him sleep. silly, i know, but very meditative at times. xo, jo

Sarah said...

OMG, Olive is gorgeous!! What breed is she?

We have two little Jack Russells, both with really, really short legs so they too would need the health and safety measures so carefully undertaken by your #4 for little Olive!!

Lisa Jayne said...

I don't think you have lost your mind....little Olives nest looks a fun and lovely place for a nap......but really you have a book to write so less dilly dawdling please, and get back to the computor!

ShabbyChicShaz said...

Adorable photos and I don't think there is anything wrong in wishing you could just enjoy the simple things in life, we need to be content in our cardboard box, lol

Unknown said...

Home sweet home, even if it's made of cardboard !

Tonia said...

I'm quite envying my own dog's ability to sleep through the day on the sofa that he's managed to sneak his way through to whilst I toil in an office to buy him the finest of snacks. If he could just type, I'd be trading places right now.

Anonymous said...

Oh, so sweet, is she a dachshund? Love her "home". I just posted about my dachshund, you can see her here:
http://boglarkastyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/torpi-torpenete-about-my-dog.html

Autumn Mist said...

Birds of a feather, then? She is still the sweetest dog I've seen in some time, I love it when you put on pics of her. Give her a cuddle from me.

brandi said...

~if you have lost your mind it is only in the sweetest of insane ways...adorably precious are these photos...i can see why your minutes were found spent in this here way!!! i do hope mr. gloom departs on his journey real soon...much love light and blessings~

kit and nancy. said...

just gorgeous. taking photos of pups this cute is a given!

Margith said...

Your dog is so cute.

Jill said...

Ah, the confined space that feels simpler, easier. I understand. Sometimes when I drive into the garage, I don't want to get out of the vehicle. It's confined and with less that needs to be done. Sometimes it seems quieter. My pantry feels the same way to me too. Sometimes I just sit in there. Maybe you should try the car instead of a box? Or at least a bigger box than Olive's. (The camper works good too. Our's is small.)

Carol said...

Sweet little Olive she has a wonderful cosy little hidey home.
Wishing you a peachy weekend at home in the shed without Mr. Gloom.
Carol xx

SodaPopGirl said...

No no you have not lost your mind. If so I certainly have as well. Those photographs are so precious and her name Olive... I almost got teary. That kind of oh my gosh she is too precious in her little box. What a sweet little girl and a lucky one at that. All the colors and patterns for her to enjoy. Big kiss for Olive from me.

Trixie@ the vintage bothy said...

we are all barking mad, however little Olive is sooooooo beautiful.
T X

Ellen said...

Love the oven mitts. Like you, she's made herself a lovely and inviting nest.

Emma said...

Little Olive is just the best. She makes my poor dogs so jealous. They would like some of those gorgeous blankets to keep them cosy & warm & keep encouraging me to make them some too. I have to learn to crochet first, so I can reproduce those stripes! So, fully laden with guilt, I must now learn to crochet for my lovely big doggies. Thank you Little Olive for the inspiration. x

Vicki K. said...

Yes, having two distantly-related-to-Olive creatures in my own household, they do have their moods!

Happy days seem to start with a distinctly "jaunty trot" outside. Life can only get better when there are birds and wind-driven leaves to bark at. Actually, anything to bark at. But I have witnessed the bird gangs in our neighborhood deliberately taunting Cooper and Sebastian. The leaves seem rather indifferent.

The puppies have decided that my 'ordinarily extraordinary blanket' is theirs. Humpf.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

You are a hoot! I laughed out loud at "barking mad ways." Hilarious! What happened to little Olive's suitcase? She is one lucky pooch to have so many lovelies to lounge around with. Happy weekend wishes to everyone at mossy shed. Tammy

Anonymous said...

Hi Dottie! I have high hopes that I will continue to give my comments right HERE instead of sending a personal e mail...
I wanted to share a little blessing that I recite at snack time with the parents and toddlers in my classes:
kind hearts are the garden
kind thoughts are the roots
kind words are the blossoms
kind deeds are the fruits
Blessings on our snack!
Some day perhaps I will make a wall hanging ( a la Dottie Angel )
with it. Author: Traditional
Sending you love and warmth from sunny L.A. California
Elizabeth

guerrillartmomma said...

YES! the oven mitts are so funny. Everyone needs a tiny little safe spot! Right again, DOttie Angel.

Juli Schuster said...

Very cute! I have a little Shi-poo puppy with the same name. We love our little Olive, too! By the way, I'm enjoying reading your blog- very creative writing and inspiring projects. Thank you!

glam.spoon said...

I could sit and watch sweet olive for days! she looks very content. it's probably reassuring to think your world is so small as to fit into a cardboard box. quite manageable in fact. (dare I say that she appears quite spoiled with an abundance of toys and snugglies).

Jody Pearl said...

Oh for the simple life where the only choices were whether to chew on the oven mitt or curl up on the blanky - I'm envious too!

Ahipara Girl said...

I would love to crawl into a special space, preferably big enough for one, surrounded by my favourite things and not have a worry in the world. Especially on days when I feel like I've lost the plot and I must admit, I have those quite often. If only life were as simple. I do love visiting u Tif, have watched from afar and u have been an influence to me. I have collected doileys and embroidered linens for years and suddenly you have given me a wealth of ideas. So just keep on being yourself. That's exactly why we love you I suspect. ;)

Anonymous said...

I too have been moved lately from my normal colours - normal being 'all rainbow colours together' to the calmness and sereneness that is white and cream and grey. I am struggling as other colours want to pop in! I am loving your clean white brightness.
I am envious of little olive's cosy space, maybe we all need a space like that?!

Frl. Wildenstein said...

Olive is sooooo sweet. How old is she?
Greetings from Germany
Kathness

Cathe said...

Your puppy is adorable and I'm sure you are in awe of her cuteness hense the lingering. I think dogs are generally really happy and sometimes bored (that's when they get into you know what) but always so happy to greet you even if you just went out to get the mail. Love pups!

Tamara said...

no you haven't....it's good for us to love our doggies!

Janell said...

Sometimes it would feel good to have a little nest like this with my favorite, simple things-handmade with love (I remember you making Olive the blankie!) and having all the good smells of cooking, love, and warmth. Olive is one lucky doggie-I think I'll go curl up on my couch with one of my favorite quilts and snuggle in with a pillow and a good book. Might end up feeling as good as Olive! Hope Mr. Gloom doesn't stick around for you-go cuddle!!!

wood & wool stool said...

would love to watch little olive playing in her DeSiGn cardboard playground

Tea with Prudence said...

the dog gets the CROCHETED blankets.......
That is one spoiled dog!

Mind you, as I type, my pooch is snuggled up on the sofa, having her afternoon snooze.

Cheers
Fi

Sarah B said...

Coming from someone who is permanently looking for photo ops of my furry kid, I think you can never take too many pics of such a cute pooch. Adorable!

dottie angel said...

dearest readers, you are so kind with your lovely words for me, little olive and her cardboard box!
i knew i was not alone with my barking mad ways... actually i had to make myself a cup of tea as you had so many lovely things to write, what a grand start to my sunday indeed!

as for painting a picture of little olive, she would be most delighted :)

and cowroad! i will be in touch by email my dear, so lovely to have you just up the road from me :)

- said...

The cute radar is gone off the map with this little pupstermatic!

urban craft said...

look at her with her designer toys. I want that blanket!

Anjaliebtrosa said...

Uhhhh... Ohhhhhh.....
lovely, lovely, lovely!!!

I need to thank myself for discovering your blog!
*deepvoice* I´ll be back!!!

Liebe Grüße
von Anja

Anonymous said...

I don't think you're crazy for being envious of Olive and her box, I am envious too (unless, of course, that means we are both crazy?!). Just look at those gorgeous blankets....so soft and colourful and snuggly. Who, in their right mind, wouldn't be envious?!!