Mountain Bike Monday - Sunday Social Hour

I met up with my friend, Missy, on Sunday for another ride! I told her that I would take her to a different section of the Park.



We started out by heading over across the boatramp to Forest Exploration! It was pretty hilly to start out, so I apologized, but once we got past the initial hills, we rolled nicely along.



Hills are good training, but sometimes they really can get ya when there are lots in the beginning of the ride! Talk about a good warmup!

Right away Dynamo caught us, stopped to say hi, and then vanished into the distance!



He's the hare and I'm the tortoise! That's ok...

Missy and I really enjoyed our time together! We got to ride and talk, ride and laugh, ride and cry...yes, that would be me! You know I tear up over the slightest thing! Over the past two rides we've had to catch up since we hadn't seen one another much.



We had a great ride with lots of hills! We completed about 10 miles and had a great time doing it!

When we got back to the car, I met up with Dynamo and we headed out to do the blue trail before heading home!



I finished the day having completed about 16 miles or so. I was pleased! Since I only got one ride in last week, I wanted to take advantage of Sunday! This week I hope to do better with more rides!

While riding Dynamo and I got to talking. There are lots of ladies that have expressed an interest in starting to ride. I'd like to get a group of ladies together to do some beginner rides.

And...I'd like to offer to start a weekly ride this fall with the ultimate goal of participating in the Monster Cross race in February of 2013. There is a 25 mile and 50 mile option for that race. It takes place at Poco on the fireroads.

I was thinking that each week we could tackle a little bit of the course, start slow, and work up. It would be a great opportunity for girls and guys to start riding and building strength in preparation for what distance they want to try. What do you think? Anyone interested? Anyone want to help coordinate? Email me or comment! I'd love to know some thoughts!

Muddy Boy

Look at my face!



On Saturday I got a little wild and found a puddle while my Dad was watering!



I just couldn't resist going in! No one was watching me, so I thought I could just sneak in for a bit! But, the evidence was there! Out comes Mom when Dad called her! He was laughing at me, but also fussing about me getting all dirty!



I must admit...It was fun and I was proud of myself!



Just like everything...there are consequences to my behavior. I know that, but it was worth it! Dad hosed me off outside!



Obviously I don't mind water, but I like to control how much I get on me!



Dad got me all cleaned up!



I was proud of myself. That will teach them to take their eyes off me for a second!



I went inside and relaxed with my raccoon!



What a day!



I mean...look at this face!



I'm just a lovebug!!

I got a new raccoon...what do you think?

What do you think? My new friend, Elise, got me this great new toy, which I love so much!! I've already ripped the nose off and I've only had it for about a week! I like it best when it's all slimy and well loved! Mom says it's icky!!

Oh, by the way...I'm now officially 6 months old and weigh 18 pounds! Mom says Grandpa has to lay off the doggie bagels (Grandpa and I call them donuts!).

Have a great weekend! I'm headed to the Market tomorrow to get lots of love! Yippee!!

Market Fun

Say cheese!!!!



We have so much fun each week visiting with our customers! The kids are just so cute and their little expressions are priceless when they see the flowers!! I mean...look at this adorable face!



Everyone is just so happy when they come to the market!



We are all in a happy place! No matter how tired I am when I get up on Saturday morning, our day brightens up immediately when we see our first customers!



Their enthusiasm is contagious! We love that they enjoy our flowers and fellowship!

And...here are our little helpers!



No, they don't belong to us, but we get to borrow them on Saturdays!! They belong to the other vendors, but they like to hang out with "the flower ladies." And...they love Charlie! And, he loves them! He goes home exhausted each week from all of the playtime!

Silly kiddos!!



It was a glorious week! The flowers were blooming so bright!





Oh...did you get a chance to try Clean Laundry this week?



New, this week, will be Lime and Ginger! Oh, it's so pretty!! And, don't forget that we now have sample/travel bars for sale!



And, the flowers are all ready for you this week! See??







And, there will be more doggie treats for your furry companion/fur-child...





Speaking of treats....Guess what???

Last week thanks to your support, we raised $18.60 for the Colonial Heights & Petersburg SPCA! So, the grand total for two weeks of collecting is $32.60. The check is in the mail!! Many thanks for your generosity!

So, for the next two weeks the animal charity will be Fetch A Cure. Come by and grab a bagel for your furry friend and consider leaving a donation for this great cause!

We are passionate about animals and feel that it is our responsibility to look after God's creatures. Groups like Fetch are out doing great things, and I think we should try to support them. So, what do you say? Charlie thinks it's a grand idea!



From Fetch a Cure's website:

Furthering Education and Treatment for Companion Health

FETCH a Cure is a 501 ©(3) non-profit organization determined to improve quality of life by connecting people and pets through accessible, compassionate treatment and education.

Our vision is simple: A community where no one is denied a choice for their pet due to lack of options, education or funding.

Helping People. Helping Pets.

Through community outreach by way of events, campaigns and fundraisers, FETCH is working to promote the need to help pets live long, healthy lives. FETCH continually works to raise awareness and further education about pet cancer prevention, detection and treatment and senior care and aging issues.

We provide financial aid to families unable to bear the cost of the life-saving treatments for their pets that have been diagnosed with cancer through the Companions in Crisis program. FETCH continues to work towards providing more accessible treatment options for all within our community.

Through the Pixie’s Pen Pals program, FETCH is helping rescue dogs and inmates in Virginia correctional centers have a second chance. By working cooperatively and bonding with the animals, the inmates learn responsibility, patience, tolerance and life-long skills and the trained dogs find life-long homes.

And, many thanks for your continued support of our flower and soap business! Without you we wouldn't be here!

Tropical Waters Goodness

One of my customers wanted more of my Tropical Waters soap that I made a while ago! So, I made a tiny batch of it!



I call it my mini batch!



The colors were different and fun!



I just love that blue-green color!



If you have a special scent that you want, I'll be happy to take a special order! I even sell by the whole loaf too! That's right...you can order 28 bars of the same scent! Just remember...it takes about 4 weeks to cure! So, place your order plenty in advance of when you need the soap!

Passionate Papaya

Another awesome scent that I just finished last week!



It's just divine! Oh, and what do you think of the colors?



I'm really loving the orange and black combos huh?



The tropical scents are so lovely! I can't wait for this one to be ready!



That's the thing about the soaps...you have to wait patiently for them to cure!



But...they are worth the wait!



I just love when experiments turn out to be as good as I hope!

Mountain Bike Monday - Girls Morning Out

Last week Dynamo and I hit the Battlefield for a couple of loops after work! We got there and had just missed a big storm, so the road was really wet! Dynamo stopped about a mile into the ride for the little guy above! I saved him by placing him across the road in the grass. My good deed for the day :)



We were virtually the only ones out there last Thursday. I guess it was because of the weather!



We got in a good 15 miles or so! It was lonely without Charlie, but because it was a little too warm, we decided he needed to rest at home in the A/C!

Then, on Sunday morning, I met up with my friend, Missy, for another damp ride at Poco! While we rode, Dynamo headed over to do a loop on Forest Exploration.



We met at the Nature Center and headed back towards the front of the Park on the Fendley Station Loop! Missy wanted to see some of the fireroads since she had only done singletrack out there.



So, I took her on a little tour. It was raining little specs here and there, but for the most part it was a nice morning for a ride!



We rode down to the damn and parked our bikes. We wanted to take a look at the water!



It was still pretty low, even after the rain!



We ventured back towards the park entrance and then down the Muddy Buddy Trail. I wanted to show Missy the new bridge!



We had such a lovely time just riding and chatting. Missy got to see new parts of the park and I got to practice my navigation skills!



I do love that park. There's so much out there to see! It's especially pretty while everything is so green!

It was a nice girls' ride! I hope we can do it again soon!