Back to training the dogs? And pictures of spring!

 I got started blogging in 2008 when I brought Jackal home because I wanted to track his growth and training progress.  I had so much fun with blogging about Jackal that I also made Chrome a blog when I brought him home and I made this blog to write about farming, share my photography and track my projects... I also eventually condensed Jackal's (and Storm's) blogs into this one.... but then life got busy and stressful and I stopped training.  Also having recently moved I haven't had much farm stuff to write about.  So basically all I've used this blog for is to share my photos.  I'm sure I've lost a lot of readers just from pure boredom, but I have been reading my favorite dog training blogs again and it has me feeling motivated to start training, so I hope you'll come back to read and comment on our progress.  I have a couple of things I want to try, but I'll share that in another post.  :)

Now for some signs of spring on it's way (I hope!).

 My neighbor's plum tree.

 My mom's Camilla.

The gorgeous Camilla again.

And mom's garden turtle hehe.  :D

Chihuahua

 Just some pictures I took of my best friend's rescue Chihuahua.

 

 

Bird Pictures

 Just a quick post to share some pictures I took recently.  I have to get up early tomorrow to work some more on our house we're building.  I'll try to post pictures soon.  Today we finished trimming the windows and doors outside, framed in the laundry closet and put in our breaker box.  It doesn't sound like much, but it was hard work.  :)  Let me know what you think of these bird pictures.

 

 

 

Jackal Pictures

Jackal is so fun to photograph.  I love the above picture because he is so difficult to take pictures of when he's moving and that one turned out so well.  He's lost over five pounds (although you can't tell in the photos because of the loose skin).  He LOVES having four acres fenced in to run, play, explore and guard.  :)  Here are some more pictures.

 

 

 

 I love the one above and the one below.  :D  I finally got the background to blur out.  It almost looks like camo lol.

 

More Artwork

We worked on our new house today and got all of the siding up.  Yay!  We get to start working inside on electrical and plumbing soon.... yay.... not lol.  Sorry I still haven't taken pictures of the house.... I'll get around to that eventually lol.  For now I'm going to share some more sketches I've done over the past few days.  If looking at drawings is boring let me know, I'm just having fun rediscovering the fun in sketching.  :D

First we have Storm and Mac running together!  I love their expressions.  I had to make some creative guesses because the photo I was looking at was tiny and blurry, but I think it turned out great.  This was the first one I did with my new paper and pencils, so I need some more practice with shading, blending, etc.

My cat is next.  I'm still working on blending the shadows.  The photo I was looking at has most of her in deep shadow with a highlight on her head, ears and back.  Her muzzle is lighter because she's getting white hairs in her old age.  I might work on this one some more later.  :)  Oh and I even dug out my old colored pencils to do her eyes.  

And my latest sketch, I did for my best friend of her handsome Paint.  I love his black and white mane.  :)  I totally nailed his expression!  It is so typical of him lol.  The proportions are off a little in his neck and belly, but I still love how it turned out.  There is not a yellow/green cast to the actual drawing, that's just my sad photography lol.

My Art

 I haven't done much drawing in over ten years, but a friend of mine has me interested in it again.  I know some of you don't read my horse blog so I figured I would post it here too.  Sorry I've been so quiet on this blog.  I'll start posting again soon I promise.

 Led Zeppelin

 Chrome.  I drew this one upside down.  It's an exercise my friend suggested for me to learn to use the right side of my brain more.  I didn't expect it to turn out well at all.  When I flipped it right side up I was pleasantly surprised.  :)

 Chrome

And my ever popular donkey Led Zeppelin again.  Don't you just love his expression?  He had his nose twitched to one side.  :)  I did the ears too small, but otherwise I really like it.