"Dogs are miracles with paws." ~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy



I am going back in time today, to August 22, 1996. The day is still as vivid as yesterday. My youngest daughter had her very first ballet class. It was the day before her third Birthday, she was finally big enough for dance! The anticipation got the best of her though, and to her dismay, she found herself locked to the bench, to shy to move and participate. After the class, we ventured off to lunch. As she nibbled on her chicken nuggets, little tears kept peeping out and she worried that 'Miss Martha' was mad at her for not dancing. Being the eve of her Birthday, and a mom who hated seeing her girls sad, I did what most parents would say was the ultimate "NO"! I scooped her up and walked across the street to the pet store. Of course she immediately found a puppy. A blond Pekingese and Poodle mix to be exact. She cuddled, loved, kissed her, and I began to panic. This little puppy though brought strength to my Fielder, because when I said we needed to go and to please put the puppy back, she kissed her again, told her things would be ok, then flatly said good-bye to "Daisy". Shock filled my body, so much so, that by the end of the evening, as she played with her sister and our much loved sitter, Amity, her early Birthday present arrived home, "Daisy". This was the beginning of a 13 year love, companion, and best friend.

Daisy, I think back to all you endured, the endless "dress-up" days, the too-many -to-count stroller rides, the amazing ability to eat anything and everything those girls tossed, dropped or left on the floor. Your docile charm to hop in the bath tub so they both would enjoy the bath more. You never complained while being packed around the house as if a child, instead of the beautiful canine you were, nor did you ever leave Fielder to sit in 'time out' alone. You were my saving grace oh so many times.

On January 21, 2010, you left our family, and flew on to Heaven. We knew it was time for you to go, but miss you terribly. This morning I awoke and so many things began coming together for me. Before Christmas I started working on a new style of jacket. The fabric is different, a blend containing rayon but I found this blend to take my dyes and paints much differently, I never know what the outcome will be, (much like puppies from mixed breeds)! The style is a Kimono like cut, hence I named this jacket, "Butterfly".

...The Butterfly...a beautiful symbol of a spiritual evolution, a sign of the soul passing on.

My jacket has a whole new respect in my eyes today.

This style of jacket is great to hide any figure flaw, the fabric is light and flowing, and looks great with anything. I am taking orders on these jackets, and to view and see more information on this new design please visit my website and hit on "shop". In honor of Daisy though, for being the beautiful spirit she always was and will continue on to be, I will donate $10 of each sale to the local Humane Society....our pets are so much a part of our own soul.

www.melissamarschwalblay.com

"Life brings simple pleasures to us every day. It is up to us to make them wonderful memories."
Cathy Allen


2010 has exploded upon us with a great arctic chill. For many of us, we find ourselves discussing winters of past. It seems like everyone I run into brings up an old memory of a winter they endured. I have a few memories my self.

Growing up on the lake made for a beautiful winter scene. Perhaps it is the ‘childhood’ memory, but it seemed like we always had cold, snowy winters growing up, compared to my adult years. Carpenter’s Lake would usually freeze over at least once during those winter months. I had two cousins that lived across Carpenter’s Lake, and over to Kingfisher Lake, the distance was a couple of miles by road, but on frozen water, it was just a brisk walk. Georgette and Theresa were just a bit older than me, we seemed to always be together, so much so, that sometimes we were more like sisters. They were wonderful ice skaters, and when the lake cooperated, over they came. I was more of a “ice-stander”, and would hope I would spend more time moving gracefully, and less time flat on my bottom! Not a care in the world, we would have so much fun, dreaming of dances and spotlights!

Of course our visits were never complete until we made our way in for hot chocolate and cookies. Mom and my aunt were amazing at always having plenty of both! As the day would end, we would walk each other back home or at least halfway. The sun would be setting over the frosty lake, dancing its own spectacular color show. Memories…

I have begun working on new items for the New Year and some of my nostalgia has helped inspire me. My hottest item this season has been scarves. I have truly been mass producing some of them, but sometimes I stop and get slammed with a memory and my scarf takes on a life, a memory, a personality of its own. This Charmeuse Silk scarf did just that. As the poppy red mingled with the sunny yellow, I found a hint of those sunsets over the frozen lake. Usually a winter sunset is predominately grays and blues, but there was always a glimpse of warmth peeking through, a smile of sorts to say hello. So I share this scarf with those who might need a blast of warmth to the soul, a flicker of sun to the New Year chill, or a reminder of our childhood days of wonder.


***I am taking orders on my scarves, just contact me! Currently I am still painting Velvets, in addition to Charmuese and Chiffon. Most are around 72”, great for wearing, and most run around $50.
To view:

Sea Grass Spa (Bowling Green, KY)
Abide Studio (Franklin, TN)
Mesh Boutique (Murfreesboro, TN)