June 23, 2023

Sharing Puppy Love ❤️

June 23, 2023/ Terry Cross

When a puppy begins his journey 🏡

June 09, 2020

Agatha Is So Over "Getting The Farmhouse Look"

June 09, 2020/

My poor dog Agatha.

She was minding her own business this afternoon, innocently lying in a sunbeam in the kitchen and just about to doze off for a nice nap when my urgent call rings down the stairs.“

Agatha, here girl, here Aggie, come on AGATHA!”

She comes to the bottom of the steps and peers up at me, trying to decide if I really have need of her assistance or is this just another one of my random Instagram moments. (She is SO over Instagram).

This dog is too smart, I try to hide my iPhone and the fact that in my Instagram frenzy, I’m already taking her picture. Her eyes glaze a bit, she carefully weighs the benefits of obedience and the pain of extreme canine boredom and with a heavy sigh begins to trudge half-heartedly up the stairs.

She is SO over Pinterest…

Agatha the Cavalier from Agatha's Apothecary

I have to blame Fixer Upper, or maybe my favorite decorating blog, Thistlewood Farms (LOVE Kari Anne!), but suddenly I'm seized with the desire to freshen up our farmhouse. My dog's very easy part in this endeavor is simply to pose attractively in whatever space I'm currently trying to share with the world. Theoretically, this is a great idea, she's beautiful, and what is more amazing than a gorgeous dog posing in a beautiful room?

The problem is that it helps if said dog cooperates and poses attractively instead of looking like the boredom is so overwhelming she could weep, which rather spoils the effect I'm aiming for.

So, I've been working on my landing, trying to create a relaxing place to read when the cold weather drives us inside for our long Ohio winter. Excursions through Homegoods and perusing Wayfair have helped me find these beautiful wingback chairs, a cute little cupboard stands between them looking completely adorable. All that I ask of my pretty little Cavalier is that she pose attractively in front of them.

Aforementioned Cavalier/Staging/Prop dog plods wearily over and sits with a truly hang-dog expression staring dejectedly at my wonderful chairs. Her front feet splay out, obviously she is almost too weak to stand erect. "Really, life is so unfair," she says, "why in the name of all that's reasonable do I have to waste perfectly good nap time staring at a CHAIR???"

She gazes wearily out the window, hoping for rescue from any avenue.

I chirp at her encouragingly, pleading with her to look glamorous and interested in the processShe responds by yawning hugely. Obviously, she has more important things on her to-do list.

"Can we please just get this over with so I can get back to my nap?!" she asks.

My sometimes good dog settles in for a few minutes perusing all things shiplap.

"Who knows," she says "perhaps mom will break out the popcorn!"

(I hate to say it but does anyone else notice a startling resemblance?)

Agatha thinks she really should have her own HGTV reality show, after all, she's definitely got the looks for it…

March 27, 2019

Spring O' Spring (or maybe not so much...)

March 27, 2019/

Ohio has a way of teasing us winter-weary mortals with glimpses of spring followed by days of snow and frigid temperatures. Someone we know is not at all happy for her daily delivery of snowy ice cream to not make its appearance, while the rest of us are literally so over snow that it boggles the mind, to say the least. I long for flowers (and make do with a few from my overflowing tubs of Almost Spring Decor, gathered to help usher in the season because I know Ohio won't be in any hurry to help with that and even fake flowers are better than none at all. Up comes the sun, down come the snowflakes and OH JOY says Little Miss, SNOW ICE CREAM!!! She pleads to hurry out and help lick it all up O'YUM! (I know this actually means she'll use her ears to sweep the steps, she's so helpful with things like that) Oops, got a bit carried away mom...No worries, I'll come inside and it'll melt! It was worth it though, I love this stuff! Soon we're all clean and fluffy again. Sigh, the weatherman is calling for a few more inches tonight, at least Agatha will be happy...

May 15, 2016

There's No Place Like Home Toto Part III (I love happy endings)

May 15, 2016/

We finally reach our destination, the beautiful old city of Charleston, as we pulled onto the street where we were to stay in a small guesthouse, I apprehensively scanned the addresses, our experiences thus far hadn’t made me any too confident in my online trip planning skills. We pull up cautiously in front of what is supposed to be our lodging place for the week and stare disbelievingly. If you’ve ever been to Charleston, you’ve seen the wonderful old houses set back behind black wrought iron lacework fences, not exactly where one would expect to trundle up and knock asking admittance. Happily, we were indeed at the right spot and the gracious caretaker gave us the keys to what turned out to be the most amazing little cottage that was to be our home during our stay in South Carolina.

Even Agatha was impressed with her new accommodations and wandered about happily (just getting OUT of the vehicle was something to be overjoyed about). Although tiny, our new place was as wonderful as I could have hoped. Located on an estate dating back to the mid-1800s loaded with delightful character and vintage charm. Massive old live oaks framed the antique chimney that promised long evenings by the fire. (I was ready to move in permanently by this time).

We unloaded and carried our 101 bags inside to view further surprises and delights. Vaulted ceilings, original heartwood pine floors, a hand-knotted lace canopy, even a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with acres of granite countertops.

I did a happy dance as Agatha wandered back and forth wondering if the management knew one of the members of our party had four feet.

I did a happy dance as Agatha wandered back and forth wondering if the management knew one of the members of our party had four feet.

I told her not to worry, the owners were avid dog lovers too, she was probably even more welcome than we were.

How could anyone resist that sweet furry face?

I hadn’t expected such a treasure was waiting for us, what a delightful relief after our rather harrowing trip thus far. Even Agatha seemed relieved and cheered visibly as she watched us unpack with plumed tail wagging happily. (She knew the snacks were in one of those bags).

First things first, a little sunbath & my good dog settles in to help me chronicle our journey.

Ever the helpful writing companion, soon she’s snoring loudly just to inspire me as I write.

Someone has to get recharged she says, this traveling is hard work. And so, I end this doggie tale with photos of marvelous old Charleston SC, dear readers, if you’ve not been, add it to your list of places not to miss. We lived there for many years and it’s still one of my most favorite places to visit with it’s lovely homes, spanish moss, the old town herself with her sleepy carriage horses and salt laden sea breezes.

A word to the wise though, you might want to do Delta the drive certainly isn’t for the faint of heart! (Agatha says she totally agrees).

Have you ever been to Charleston SC? What was your favorite part? I never get tired of visiting there, but the drive,,, not so much!

I told her not to worry, the owners were avid dog lovers too, she was probably even more welcome than we were. How could anyone resist that sweet furry face?

First things first, a little sunbath & my good dog settles in to help me chronicle our journey.

Ever the helpful writing companion, soon she’s snoring loudly just to inspire me as I write.

Someone has to get recharged she says, this traveling is hard work. And so, I end this doggie tale with photos of marvelous old Charleston SC, dear readers, if you’ve not been, add it to your list of places not to miss. We lived there for many years and it’s still one of my favorite places to visit, with its lovely homes, Spanish moss, the old town herself with her sleepy carriage horses, and salt-laden sea breezes.

Have you ever been to Charleston SC? What was your favorite part? I never get tired of visiting there, but the drive, not so much!

May 03, 2016

There's No Place Like Home Toto Part II

May 03, 2016/

Winding down through the mountains, with runaway truck ramps whizzing by I find myself longing for the low country and the promise of 10 days in a small cottage in South Carolina, bliss indeed.

Thinking how nice it would be to get unloaded, I knew poor Agatha was ready to trade her cramped spot in the backseat for a chance to stretch her legs and have supper.

Siri announces that our pet-friendly hotel is coming up at the next exit and it can’t be soon enough, we’re all starving and in need of dinner and a place to relax for the night after our grueling (read my grueling) trip through the mountains. It had poured torrential rain for part of our journey, we had crossed enormous mountain ranges, all John & I, and Agatha too wanted to see was a bed that wasn’t moving and a place to lay our weary heads.

(Note to self: Never use Hotel.com to find “pet-friendly” accommodations.)

Parking close to the entrance and unloading a ridiculous amount of bags and doggie accruements onto the trolly, we staggered road-weary and looking a bit the worse for wear into the beautiful lobby and approach check-in with a wagging tailed Agatha in tow. The look of displeasure we received from the official-looking person behind the front desk boded that things were rapidly taking a downward turn.

She stared unhappily at our small wagging tailed dog and as John asked if we could check-in, stopping him in mid-sentence & crisply informed us that (unnamed dog-hating hotel chain giant) absolutely did not allow pets.

Ever hopeful and ready to make friends, even Agatha wilted in the atmosphere and sat pondering her empty stomach and the perplexities of travel when one has four feet.

My pleas of confirmation numbers and pre-paid bookings had no effect and realizing that further attempts were falling on deaf ears, we loaded a bewildered but hopeful Agatha back into our vehicle. Thus began a fruitless search alternating between looking for a pet-friendly room and trying to wrestle the exorbitant charges off our credit card for the room we’d been promised welcomed dogs but were refused entrance to.

Just to keep things interesting, Siri helpfully led us on a two-hour wild goose chase through the fog-filled mountains looking for a hotel that would accept pets. The last straw was when she steered us giddily on a 20-mile loop, finally depositing us in a remote area that she claimed was the address for a pet-friendly Hampton Inn. Bewildered we sat looking at a mountainside with not even a street lamp to illuminate the hotel-less isolation.

Finally, after turning Siri off and upon reaching civilization once more we headed desperately to the first hotel that appeared within view. My hero goes in to plead our cause and comes out in a few minutes trailed by a cheerful young woman with beautiful auburn hair. He opens the door to the backseat and she peers in at Agatha and announces “Oh she’s adorable! Bring her in and if anyone asks just tell them she’s a service dog!” “Just be sure she’s really quiet so we don’t get into trouble.”

Only narrowly resisting the urge to fall weeping and grateful on her shoulder, I followed the little procession into the lobby with proudly wagging newly promoted service dog Agatha in tow. Disaster was averted moments later when I felt the lead tighten and looked down just in time to realize that ever vigilant for possible situations, Agatha had spied her reflection in the glass doors and was on the verge of a barking fit. Feeling a bit hysterical myself, I pull her abruptly to my side with a frantic whispered SHUSH! Within a few merciful minutes, we wound our way to a rather musty-smelling room and collapsed on the rock-hard bed for a fitful night’s sleep.

This morning slightly refreshed we had breakfast at a Cracker Barrel, Agatha happily perused the bacon-scented air and was overjoyed that I remembered to bring her a bite of pancake. Things were definitely looking up she said.

April 27, 2016

There's No Place Like Home Toto Part I

April 27, 2016/

Agatha, like most dogs, enjoys a road trip, but as we are driving southbound on Interstate 77 headed to Charleston SC in search of a bit of genuine sunshine, I begin to wonder if perhaps she wouldn’t rather have skipped this particular trip and stayed in the comfort of her own home.

We start out innocently enough as we wind our way through picturesque farmland and contented cows grazing peacefully along the road. The miles pass and the slow climb through the heights begins. As we begin to thread our way through the Appalachian mountains, my better half decides that we needed to “make better time” and I watch with increasing alarm as we begin racing down through the steeply curved roads of the first high elevations. Ever the backseat driver, I keep a fevered eye on the speedometer as we make the steep climb up the aptly named Big Walker Mountain.

(I was overjoyed at the summit to read a small sign proclaiming we were at 3405 feet elevation).

This picture was not taken from an airplane.

(Anyone else see The Long Long Trailer?)

John in typical fearless husband fashion rockets blissfully over the top of the first mountain and we begin our descent.

As we hurtle down the steeply curved interstate I try to enjoy the view that’s unfortunately liberally sprinkled with alarming warnings of dangers on the road ahead.

My glazed eyes see the speedometer hovering near 80 mph, my darling husband is singing happily along with an old favorite “Ghost Riders In The Sky”. He reaches the line “their horns were all on fire and their hot breath I could feel” while I peruse YouTube videos of recent spectacular automobile mountain crashes in the vicinity.

(To say I’m not having a relaxing journey would be a vast understatement).

We race down Big Walker Mountain, an aptly named behemoth that is peppered with these charming scenes, the need of which I try not to entertain at any great length.

Agatha overhears several rather heated exchanges about speedometer readings.

John tells me to put the iPad away.

As they say, all’s well that ends well, and we eventually make it through the heights none the worse for wear to reach our halfway point and to what we were hoping was a good night’s rest. Pulling off the exit and peering through the fog and dimly lit signs pointing to our hotel destination, I had an uneasy feeling our adventure was just about to begin…

That my dear readers is for the next blog post and indeed is just the beginning of this three-part doggie tale!

Blog Posts

Sharing Puppy Love ❤️

Spring O' Spring (or maybe not so much...)

There's No Place Like Home Toto Part III (I love happy endings)

Letters From Foxglove Farm