Our two acres of paradise has so many places to explore.
We have a garden, barn, sheep pasture, chicken coop, greenhouse and studio. I love to chase squirrels, round up the sheep and watch the chickens scratch and dig. But when the studio door is open, that’s where I go.
The studio is my favorite place to start the day because it’s always filled with music, singing, hammering and lots of activity. It’s bright, cheery and surrounded by sweet smelling flowers in spring and summer and plenty of snow during winter. There are lots of windows and the sun filters through the aspen and fruit trees outside, creating an ever-changing dappled light. I love the way the light moves in the space.
When Mom’s working in the studio, the door is usually open so my sister Heidi and I can come and go as we please. It isn’t a fussy place so we don’t have to worry if our paws are dirty. The floor is made of old brick and we can always find a nice cool spot to lay and watch her work.
I’m the youngest and like to play, so when I’m not resting, I help collect twigs that Mom cuts and nails onto her birdhouses. Every now and then I sneak away with one of the twigs to throw in the air and chase so she’ll come out and play with me.
Sometimes in the fall when all the flowers are gone, the four sheep—Maddie, Eunice, Lucy and Lamb Chop—wander the garden looking for us and they like to go in the studio too.
I think it’s the music that brings them in or maybe they just want to have their ears scratched.
I help make sure the sheep don’t get into too much mischief if Mom is busy. It’s my job to keep everyone organized. I’m a herding dog after all!
There is a favorite bench outside that I like to sit on to keep an eye on what’s happening inside and out.
We also have a moose mama and babies who wander around but we don’t let them in the studio. Sometimes they eat the twigs we collect or take a nap in the garden while we’re working.
Sweet Cicily the rescue pigeon lives in the studio in the winter and Mom lets her fly around sometimes. She likes to land on her head and 8 watch Mom make the houses for her wild bird friends outside. That’s the only time the door to the studio is closed, so I’ll sit outside on the bench and make sure everyone is safe.
Mom and I love to be together and when we aren’t in the studio we go for hikes and walks collecting fun things to bring back. It’s a wonderful life!
