Many thanks to our blog hop hosts Two Brown Dawgs and Ruckus the Eskie. This is the hop that’s “a little of this, a little of that, and everything in between“.
There is nothing like a holiday to throw off my routine. I enjoy the time with family and friends, but now I need to get back in the swing of things! It’s not always as easy as it sounds, and I think it’s going to take me at least another week to get back into all my routines. Getting ready for Christmas throws another wrench into the plans too! Enough of my whining (I know I’m not alone here) and I’ll get down to some things I wanted to share:
Winners
I was remiss in not announcing the winner of my giveaway of the book Chaser The Dog Who Knows 1000 Words! Without further ado: Mary from Roxy the Traveling Dog! Mary has been notified and I hope the book is on its way to her now, I know she’s going to enjoy it. If you don’t know Mary and her two dogs Roxy and Torrey, visit their blog here.
We were also winners lately and I want to share the things we have received from great blogging friends.
We won these Kong treats from Gizmo’s Terrier Torrent. The dogs were very excited because they hadn’t tried this kind yet! They have loved all the other Kong treats that we’ve tried before, and they weren’t disappointed in these either. I love them because they are made in the USA with safe ingredients and no preservatives. Thank you to Gizmo and his mom Beth. You can visit their blog here.
Maggie of Oh My Dog! had a great Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway that went for the whole week before Thanksgiving. She shared many great gift ideas for our pets, as well as giving away many prizes for both cats and dogs. We won this wonderful Nina Ottosson “Dog & Cat Twister” game! You can see Cricket checking it out below. Once we have more time to play with it – both the cats and dogs – I will be sharing more about it and let you see how they all do. You can still go over to Maggie’s blog if you are looking for gift ideas. I also think she is planning another giveway for next week….so you might want to check that out!
Pet Blogger Gift Exchange
I first met Maggie last Christmas season when she and I were paired up for the Pet Blogger Gift Exchange. The idea behind this is that everyone gets paired up with another blogger and shares compliments and praise for the other blogger during the month of December. What better way to celebrate Christmas than sharing a little love and encouragement? This hop is hosted by Pamela of Something Wagging this Way Comes and Pup Fan from the blog I Still Want More Puppies. This year I am paired up with Jackie from Pooch Smooches and I am excited. I already know Jackie and I love her blog and books so I can’t wait to share more about her and her adorable dog Rita.
If you are a blogger and haven’t signed up yet, you can still sign up through December 20th. Join in the fun!
Holiday Shopping
Even though I spent two days shopping with my sisters and best friend, I still do online shopping too. I like to buy gifts from other bloggers when possible, and there are some great ones out there who are very talented. I got some wonderful handmade gifts this year!
Have you been to Mollie & Alfie’s shop? They will cartoonize your own animals into great gifts and holiday decorations. Look at the things I got!
The Blogville Angel (center) is a special ornament they made this year, and I also got ornaments made of our cats Conrad and Samantha! I would have displayed them on a tree, but I don’t have one up yet! I got some other things too which I can’t share just yet because they are gifts for loved ones. Look at the bandana….that was a gift from Mollie and Alfie and their Mom, along with a lovely little Christmas card. It is going to look adorable on our new puppy Luke when he comes home! Mollie and Alfie are in the UK and since everything is handmade they need time to get your order made. I’m not sure if there’s still time to order for Christmas this year or not, but take a look anyway, a lot of the gifts are every day and would make a great gift anytime! My order came very quickly too, even for coming from overseas. You can also get some great laughs by following Mollie & Alfie’s blog!
I also ordered some jewelry from Sue over at For Love of a Dog. Sue makes the most beautiful jewelry and I ordered some gorgeous earrings for myself a while ago which I love. This time I ordered gifts so again, I can’t share them just yet! But here is a photo of the earrings I got for myself. There is a great sale going on now, and shipping is free so go take a look! Sue also has a blog where she not only shares her jewelry, but stories about her 3 beautiful dogs.
I hope you all are recovering from your holiday and getting caught up too, as well as getting ready for Christmas!
That game looks like lots of fun! I think my doggies would like it! I know what you mean about the holidays. It seems like I can’t get everything done that I need to get done. Seems like the time just flies by way too fast! I’ve fallen behind on blogging, reading blogs, housework, and any and everything else I need to do! Have a great weekend!
It’s the same every year, isn’t it? Every year I say I’m going to find ways to make it less stressful, but I never succeed! Enjoy your weekend too!
That twister game looks like so much fun! Congrats to Mary for winning your giveaway and congrats to you for winning the others!
Giving away stuff and winning stuff is one of the fun things about blogging!
Those puzzels look super fun’z and I love thoze earrings 🙂 Congrats to Mary. So pleased you liked you bits, I didn’t have Wags and Woofs only Woofs LOL, a new puppy. 🙂 xxxooooxxxxx
Mollie and Alfie
Just woofs are okay too! 🙂 Love you Mollie & Alfie! xxoo
What a fun twister like game! Good score. I think that’s something that would keep my mind stimulated!
Also thanks for hopping onto This N That Thursday Blog Hop. See you next week (if not earlier!)
Thanks for co-hosting the hop, Ruckus!
We are going to have fun with that game!
Thanks so much for joining TNT! I love Sue’s work. Nice earrings. 🙂 Congrats to the winner and congrats on your winnings. I actually made headway this week. Tree is done and so is Christmas shopping. Still behind on blog reading though…lol.
We’ll just keep plugging along and hope we get caught up one of these days! I thought I was getting closer yesterday, but then having to work all day today set me back again….stupid work. 🙂
Those are such great earrings!!!!! I want my Mom to wear them so everyone will ask her if she had a dog and then she can talk about me. So I’ll tell Dad where to go shopping for Christmas! Thanks… ~Cooper the cattledog
Hi Cooper!! I love to wear dog or cat jewelry, it is a great way to get a conversation started about our pets! We Moms do love to talk about you all!
Our holiday stress seems to be building and not subsiding but that is just the way it is. Hopefully next week will be better. This first week back from vacation is always super busy.
Yes, I don’t think the stress subsides until the holiday is over. You were gone for two whole weeks, so I can only imagine how far that set you back!
Wow, you’ve had a lot of exciting stuff going on lately.
Glad to hear you’re happy you pulled Jackie for your pet blogger’s gift exchange. Thanks so much for sharing the word. I’m looking for a new partner for my latest entrant so anything you can do to spread the word is very appreciated.
Love your poinsettia background, BTW. Very pretty.
Last year I got to meet someone new, and this year I get to share about someone I already know. Both ways are fun I think!
Thank you on the background. I got it from Dazzle Junction dot com, which 2 Brown Dawgs used, so I got the idea from her. Just a little holiday spirit!
Wow, you’ve been BUSY! Seems like you got a lot done and recorded here in This ‘N That Thursday. We love those Nina Ottoson toys – we have several of them – have fun!
I only wish I felt like I’ve at least put a big dent in all the things I need to do, but I’m not sure I have! 🙂
Can’t wait to have some more time to play with the new toy!
Congrats to Mary on the book win! And congrats to you guys on your wins! Looks like your shopping is well under control. I really need to get cranking on mine! And, yes, that bandana is going to look totally adorable on the new pup!
So glad we got paired up for the blogger gift exchange! 🙂
I actually was able to finish my Christmas shopping yesterday, except for one small thing I’m still looking for, so at least that’s one Christmas project off the list! 🙂
What a fantastic full post, you did and do have a lot going on. Yea to the winner Roxy and congrats to you for your winnings. That puzzle game looks cool as I need to get another item like that for my gang to keep them busy. Have a wonderful Thursday.
The day before my post, I didn’t think I had anything much to write about! 🙂 I actually had to cut a couple others things out because it was getting too long, once I got going. Enjoy your weekend!
Good for Roxy. Xmas time throws me off too. I was able to get all the huskies walked today on a beautiful warm day. I was dragged part of that walk lol.
Our weather has been just awful lately. It’s just been cloudy and dreary and raw, and it’s so difficult to motivate myself to get outside with the dogs. I don’t mind the cold, but some sunshine would be nice! Last time I did take Sheba though, she was dragging me also!
Congrats to you for winning that stuff! And congrats to Mary for winning that book to! Great post and happy this n that Thursday!
We are #11 this week so come on by if u getna chance 🙂
Thank you! I enjoyed your post also. I hope to do more giveaways in the future…they are fun for everyone!
I’m SO glad we met during last year’s gift exchange! I’ve loved getting to know you and your crew over the last year! 🙂
And I’m super excited you won the puzzle. It’s kept this little herd busy for sure. If you take out the little bone stopper things, your cats may get into it, too. Newt has really taken to it!
The feeling is definitely mutual, Maggie, and I’ve learned so much from you too!
I definitely hope to get the cats interested in the game also….they need some mental stimulation for sure!