Lady Hannah Goldenhare - Nothing Gold Can Stay

Hello dear friends,

It's been a minute hasn't it? My last post was over a year ago. I decided I wanted to stay in my bubble where it was safe and use the time to simply watch and listen to what was going on around me. It was a good time to be quiet and still, not to mention grow out my gray hair! LOL!

After taking the time to be present, listen to my inner voice and simply observe, I emerged from my bubble with 20/20 vision. Pun intended. ;) I knew I was ready to embark on a new adventure and start a new chapter of my life, but I wasn't quite sure about a few things. 

One of those things was closing this blog. I've been in this little space in the universe since the Fall of 2007. Oh how wonderful blogging was back then. The like minded friends, the creativity, the bunny bloggers, the hopping from one lovely person to the next. The warmth and love that was shared through the ether was the best. It was a place for me to share my stories and my little world with you. So many friends, family and beloved pets have all passed on over these last 14 years, but their memories remain on these pages. 

Alas, things change, people change, circumstances change and the world changes too. I wasn't sure how I wanted to end this blog. All I knew is that I would end it with my favorite poem from Robert Frost. Then, just as the many, many times before, the perfect story came to me. With tears in my eyes, I knew this was meant to be the final post and it would be delivered one last time to your email as the RSS feed from Google will end.

Last Wednesday, June 23rd, my precious Hannah (Lady Hannah Goldenhare), hopped across the rainbow bridge. She made it to 12 years old and I was blessed to have her for 10 of those years. She was the oldest bunny I have ever had and I had her the longest. 

I know she and Harrington are snuggling together again and sharing bananas chips. My heart smiles when I think of all their stories and shenanigans I shared with you here. 

Hannah will forever be my "dust bunny" and I will forever be grateful for everything she inspired me to create. 

This chapter in my story is closing, but another one begins. You can still find me hopping around on Facebook, Instagram all under The Raspberry Rabbits and you can also sign up for a new newsletter coming soon on my website. I will also leave this blog here for now for those who wish to hop back and visit an old story or two from this crazy bunny lady.

So, I bid you farewell from this blog dear friends and leave you with this poem that is perfect for my Lady Hannah Goldenhare, the unwanted Easter bunny who hopped into my heart and blessed my life 10 years ago.

Sending light and love to you always,

Michelle and the Bunnies

 

The Bubble

Hello dear friend. I know it's been a month, but I do hope this note finds you well in this strange new world we are living in.

I have been very busy with work. My classes have all been canceled, but luckily, I have a website business that I have been growing for the last ten years. Since I work at home alone and do everything by myself anyway, I have been able to remain open. Some friends have been asking me to do videos, but my fingernails and hands are a dried up mess right now from all the hand washing and hand sanitizer. So, I'm holding off on that for a while, but will be making some eventually and I'm looking forward to sharing some inspiration.

If you are looking for something fun and creative to do, hop on over to my shop. I'm selling off all my class supplies which includes Valdani thread, Beekeeper Pincushion kits, embellishment kits, wool felt charm packs and I my last box of my book. I find staying busy with creative things helps during this time. Hop on over HERE. Thank you to everybunny who has and continues to support my small business. You are appreciated more than you will ever know.

Back in January, I went to the local Arbor Society tree sale. I gave them a donation and received 5 little trees. I'm super excited that each of them has wee little leaves! Yaaaaaaaay! This one is some sort of cherry tree. It gets pretty big, but will take years to grow.

Then I had a lovely surprise! Mama turtle laid eggs in my flower bed near the garage. She picked the perfect spot as it is safe here. I'm keeping an eye it and hopefully sometime between late June and early August the babies will hatch.

It's fascinating to watch them dig the hole and "plant" the eggs. When she was finished, she headed back to the ditch near my neighbor's yard that leads back to the marsh land behind our homes.

When she got to their yard, I decided to give her a first class flight to the ditch. Mainly because I didn't want the neighbor's kids catching her and wanting to keep her as a pet. I was the same way as a child, but as an adult I know to let nature be. We do more harm and can kill them trying to keep them as pets.

Next, these are some gorgeous sights of Spring from my neighborhood walks.

I must say I have really enjoyed my new sunroom during this time. First, it's so nice not to have my furniture covered in pollen for weeks. Second, it's the perfect spot for reading and an afternoon nap on Sundays. Looking out at the trees is so peaceful. Sabrina has a bed under the couch and loves to lay there while looking out the windows at the birds and squirrels.

David and I enjoy having our Sunday dinner on the back deck. Hearing the owls and birds and watching the squirrels run around is the most wonderful thing. I made my veggie sausage with spinach and green pepper the other night. I can't drink wine anymore (makes me sick as all get out) so I now enjoy Kombucha, which is better for me anyway. ;)

I have worked from home for ten years so it's not hard for me and I love it. I count my blessings every single day that I get to be here with my babies. Of course, they spend most of their time all snug in their beds and refuse to help me with any kind of packaging or computer work. hee,hee,hee.

Happy Hannah Day was May 2. My unwanted Easter bunny is somewhere around 11 years old and has been with me for 9 years. Even though my sweet girl has arthritis, she still dances for her salad in the morning. She is just precious and is proof that bunnies are a long term commitment and are not disposable/starter pets for children. In truth, I was really happy that pet stores weren't selling bunnies this year so my local rescue wouldn't be overrun again in the summer. It's the saddest thing.

We have been on "Stay at Home" orders for almost 6 weeks now. I only go to the post office and the grocery store and wear a mask and practice social distancing. Social distancing is so easy that even bunnies can do it, but there are others who are clueless.

After a recent trip to the post office and observing the various people in there and in the parking lot, I drove home having an anxiety attack about it all. I came to the realization that people are going to do what they want to do. I have no control over any of them, only myself. I will continue to trust science, scientists and facts and simply do the best I can to protect myself and others.

My favorite place in the world has always been my home. It's my safe haven and now more than ever it's my bubble where, if only for a few moments, the world fades away and there is love, kindness and simple things to be grateful for all around me.

I hope you too have a bubble and stay safe.

Light, love and hugs,
Michelle

Life and Houston part 2

Hi ya! Sorry I missed last week and the week before. The virus had me taking care of things such as having my classes canceled through June. I had to do a little regrouping as I purchased TONS of Valdani thread to get me through a year of teaching. I had a big sale that I was going to share with you last week and then poof, we lost the internet for 15 hours because someone on the road construction crew decided that cutting a major fiber optic line was a good thing to do when everyone is staying home. Insert eye roll.

The thread sale came and went and life is going on. David is considered "essential" at his work on aircraft at the Department of Defense. Any given day he is around 300+ people and shares a work truck with 3 other fellas. For the first time in 30 years of him working at this job he loves, I saw him having anxiety and dread about going to work. Let's just say some people are nuts and there is no talking sense to them as they live in their own little world and put their head in the sand. We will just leave it at that. I got laid off ten years ago with the housing market crash, so working from home and being home is no big deal to me. Home is my safe and happy place and I'm grateful for the internet connecting me to friends all around the country and the world.

So speaking of connecting us together, let's move on to something fun shall we? Here are the rest of my photos from the Houston Quilt Festival. Enjoy and let me know if you have a favorite or two!

The Sapphire quilt collection was breathtaking.

I was very honored to once again be a teacher at this festival. I love meeting everyone and sharing a day of play.

Here is the view from the third floor of the convention center. Beautiful isn't it?

While I love teaching here, I decided not to apply for this year, which I had to do last November. I needed a break and now with everything going on, I'm really glad I took the break this year.

Be safe, be well, be smart and know you are loved.

Hugs!
Michelle