Brotherly Love

There are good dogs and then there are great dogs. Dana falls into the "great dog" category. She was such a serious puppy. From the day we brought her home, 12 years ago, she took on the task of watching over our family, especially her brother/litter mate, Fox.

Fox was the clown and the one always getting into trouble. On walks in the woods or in the long hallways of the renovated factory building where I have my studio, Fox was always too far ahead, sticking his nose into everything, while Dana would keep pace with us slower humans, making sure we didn't get lost.

Not that she didn't have a fun-loving and mischievous side. It's hard to believe that the 60 and 70 pound dogs were once so small that they could play tag under and around the coffee table and play tag under the couch. I'm sure she played a major part in the chewing up the floor, the walls and baseboards in the mud room. I nailed plywood sheets over the chew holes in the walls, mainly to cover electrical outlets that may have been next on their list of things to destroy. After a little painting, it wasn't too bad a job. The effect was sort of shabby chic wainscoting.

We finally got around to replacing the floor, drywall and baseboards this past winter. It was just one of those things that we never seemed to get around to. After all, what's more important, spending time and money on replacing a linoleum floor or taking walks with and buying toys and treats for dogs?

She was always the first to spot trouble. Usually in the form of a squirrel or chipmunk. She was persist ant and usually managed to wear us down when it came to getting treats. She perfected the forlorn look and more often than not, I'd find her positioned right in the path past the cookie jar to my easy chair.

From her favorite resting spot in the living room, she could watch over all of us whether we were in the living room, family room or kitchen. We decided to get two dogs because my husband and I work full time and, although we spent all of our free time with the dogs, they were home alone for nine or ten hours at a time. Even as they grew and stopped playing "puppy games" they seemed to enjoy being together on car rides and long walks. The only time they were separated was the overnight Fox spent at the vet's, recovering from cancer surgery two or three years ago.

In late June Fox became ill. A trip to the vet and lots of test didn't determine the cause. We took care of him as best we could but it was soon obvious that we would have to let him go. As anyone who has been in this position knows, it isn't easy but as you also know, it is the right thing to do.

Once the decision was made, I took the first appointment I could get, even if it meant, my husband wouldn't be able to be there with us. I wasn't sure what to do with Dana. Should I take her with us, or leave her home. She made the decision for me. As I struggled to get the 70 pound Fox into the back of my SUV, Dana jumped in beside him. I guess she was going with us.

We sat together in the vehicle until the vet was ready for us. Being a really hot July day, I couldn't leave Dana in the car, so she came in with us. I held him and cried as he drifted away from us. Thankfully it was an easy transition for him. As I was ready to leave, Dana walked over to him and touched his ear.

There were many days of tears after that but I was so glad we had Dana to hug and love. She wasn't eating well, but that was to be expected. Still, a vet visit seemed like a good idea. Yes, she was depressed. Antidepressants might work. I decided to give her another week to see if we couldn't work it out and made a follow up appointment for the next week.

We were giving her Reiki treatments which seemed to calm her but did not bring her spirits up. I took her everywhere with me, including work. She ate less and less. Changing food didn't work very well. Feeding her "people food" didn't either. Finally, the day before her follow up appointment she stopped eating all together.

A frantic call got us an evening appointment. We stayed home from work and cuddled most of the day. Around 5 o'clock Dana left my side and walked across the room to lie down. I saw her start to shake and ran to hold her. A second later, she was gone.

I'm sure there is some medical reason she died. But I know the real reason was her need to continue to be with and take care of her little brother. I respect her decision and love her all the more for it.

Momisims!

Why? Because I said so.

I'm counting to ten.

If everyone jumped off of a cliff would you do it too?

You weren't born in a barn? Shut the door!

Do any of these phrases sound familiar? Do you find yourself saying them? If so, it happened. You became your mother!

Scary thought, made even scarier, if like me, you don't have any children and you find your self saying them to the dog!

I have a great mom. She is actually at the top of the list of people I admire. She 's not famous. She didn't invent anything or break any records. She simply raised three daughters and she did it very well. To me, that is a huge accomplishment.

Mother's Day has been celebrated in various ways since Greek and Roman times. In the U.S., Mother's Day became a National holiday in 1914 due o the efforts of many women, including Julie Ward Howe, pacifist, suffragist, and author to the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic and Anna Jarvis.

Anna was inspired by her own mother, an Appalachian homemaker who organized "Mother's Work Day" to raise the awareness of poor health conditions in her community.

So to woman like Julie Ward Howe, Anna Jarvis and my own mom. Happy Mother's Day! And Thanks.

Featured gift basket, A Moment In Time, a perfect gift for Mother's Day or any day.

Love

Marie

Holiday Gift For Seniors

It's often difficult to choose a gift for an older person, especially if they are living in an assisted living community or small apartment. The last thing they need, or want, is more stuff. At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we recommend choosing gifts that are practical and totally consumable.
A pretty package of tea with a small box of cookies and chocolates will bring a smile and lift anyone's spirits. A couple of bars of hand made soap tied up in a pretty bow is a nice touch. A box of all occasion cards or note cards with a book of postage stamps would be appreciated by anyone, especially if they have a difficult time getting out.
Several small denomination gift cards to the local supermarket or prepaid phone cards are thoughtful gifts that help stretch a tight budget.
Most of all, it really is the thought that counts. This holiday season remember that little things can make a big difference.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING - EASY AS 1-2-3

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company, we make your Holiday Shopping as easy as one-two-three.

One - make your list (check it twice)

Two - set your budget. We have great Holiday Gift Baskets to fit every budget.

Three - pick up the phone and call!

It really is that easy. All of our gift baskets are hand made in our Easthampton, Massachuetts studio with quality products, many from local vendors. We use maple syrup that comes from sugar houses in Easthampton and Northampton, past and herb mixes from Colrain, Salsa from Williamsburg and chocolate covered cranberry candies from Cape Cod.

Ordering is easy too. You can call us at 413-527-1243 and speak with one of our design experts. We will custom design a basket for you or you can check out and order your Christmas gift baskets on line.

Kosher, gluten free or other special diet? Our design experts can assist you in creating a beautiful gift basket that suits your needs.

Let us take the stress out of your Holiday shopping.

Best wishes for a very Happy Holiday!
Marie

Art Guild Joins Winter Festival

The Annual Arts & Crafts Winter Festival at Eastworks keeps growing. This year we are joined by The Easthampton Arts Appreciation Guild.

Artists from the Easthampton Arts Appreciation Guild invite you to experience their creations done in watercolor, acrylic, and pastel. This truly eclectic collection includes landscapes, waterscapes, landmarks, and more. The works reflect the artists' experiences extending across the country and the world. While this group is diverse, it has some important things in common; the love of art and the desire to share it with you.

Guild Members

Hazel Adolphson
Linda LaBorde
Elizabeth Chase
Dennis Dymek
Terry Faivre
Sylvia Favaloro
Joanne O'Leary
Mary Ann Phoenix
Marjorie Tauer

Winter Festival 2009

When Laurel Mountain Basket Company was a part time business/hobby, I spent every weekend between Halloween and Christmas participating in local craft fairs.

Craft fairs were not only great places to display and sell my Christmas gift baskets, they were great places to buy unique Christmas gifts for my friends and family.

The first year I applied to every show in the area. The second year I was a bit more selective and ruled out those where many of the "crafters" made crocheted toilet tissue covers and clothespin reindeer. I sold a lot of gift baskets at these fairs but it was a lot of work. By the third year, I was attending only my two favorites.

When I opened my retail space in an old converted factory building I stopped doing fairs altogether. I got together with some of the others in the building, we contacted some friends and started our own show. It was so much fun that we decided to do it every year.

I may be a little biased but I think The Annual Winter Arts & Crafts Festival at the Marketplace at Eastworks is one of the best arts & crafts shows in Western Massachusetts. We have some of the finest artisans and crafters in the Pioneer Valley, many of whom have been with us since the first one. Clients and the community at large look forward to the event because they know they will find one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts, reasonably priced. There is something for everyone.

Join us this year on Saturday December 4th and Sunday December 5th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. both days. We are located in Easthampton, MA, just minutes North of Springfield. For directions check the Eastworks website at www.eastworks.com

Artists and crafters, we still have openings in some of our categories. If you would like more information, contact me at info@laurelmtbasket.com

Holiday Rush

It was the first week in October and I was pricing floor tiles in one of the big box stores. I overheard the manager explaining to his crew that they would be getting their Christmas Holiday merchandise in by the end of the week. They were to start making room for it so that it could be out on display as soon as it arrived.

Now, in addition to being on line, Laurel Mountain Basket Company has a retail gift shop located in Easthampton, MA. I know I have to start planning for the Holiday Season early. We need to start creating our new designs in July and August so that we can order our supplies for an October delivery. But, I am NOT going to put our Holiday designs out on display in our store before Halloween!

I love all of the Holidays and I want to enjoy each of them to the max. I celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day! So I think it is a shame to rush over any of them.

Celebrate Halloween! Make a huge bowl of pop corn, turn down the lights and cuddle on the sofa with your family while you watch scary movies together.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorites. Roasted turkey and pumpkin pie are the best. And in our family there is always a birthday cake. I was born on Thanksgiving day so it is a really special holiday to me.

I absolutely love Christmas!!!! Only my friend Jeannie out does me with Christmas decorating. I do think she starts decorating around now because every nook and cranny in her beautiful home is filled with the Christmas spirit. And then, she bakes enough cookies and sweet breads to feed the town.

So, my advice to you is that you savor each day because each one is a holiday. Don't rush over Mad Hatter Day, Cookie Monster Day or Cat Herders Day. Enjoy each one to the fullest.