WANTED: Home for a Grizzly

This is Bramble.

He is a would-be-adventurer, a budding explorer, a rambler in the making. This year, instead of curling up for his annual hibernation, Bramble has decided he wants to see the world. He's seen all the fun that Potato is having in London with his new family -- Paris nights at the Eiffel Tower, horse-back riding, IKEA meatballs -- and he wants a bit of that.

So, what I'm looking for is a kind volunteer to give Bramble a new home. He's pretty low-maintenance; he finds his own food, he'll sleep anywhere dark and cave-like, he is good with children and dogs.

Oh, and he's very excited about Christmas. He loves singing "Jingle Bears" and can't wait to bake his special minced pies for his new friends. Bramble would be very excited to climb into a stocking, or jump out of a present to surprise someone, if you wanted him to.

Bramble wants to make sure we stay in touch, though, and has insisted he go to one of the lovely people who are subscribed to the blog by email. So, if you'd like to give him a home and aren't already subscribed, please sign up (by entering your email below) by December 1st, when we'll pick a winner!

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The Weekly Potato

Hop on over to Jodie's to see what Potato has been up to in London so far... 

He looks wonderfully happy! And I think he's inspired the rest of the Stuffed Stuffed Completely Stuffed menagerie to leave the comfort of the shelf and prepare to set off around the world for their own adventures.

Off Goes Potato

And so, here at the Slagle house, we're getting ready for the departure of our dear Potato. For his trip, I made him a little messenger bag, which he promptly filled with all of his treasures.

Yes, he's a rabbit of simple pleasures. He enjoys picking wildflowers, and collecting bright buttons, and I'm sure he'll be able to continue with both of those passions in London. He's taking with him lots of hearts to give out to all the new friends he's going to make, and a lucky penny to bring good fortune to his new family. He also insisted on writing a little note to introduce himself.

After an exchange of farewells, and a group hug, off he went across the garden and down the road, where he hitched a ride with a friendly passing postman.

Stay in touch, little fella! We hope you enjoy the Cadbury's chocolate, the fondant fancies, and the wonderful wit and charm of England.

First Words

Seven weeks old yesterday, and Tilly is already talking.

What, you don't think "ee" is a word?

Well, I know what she means: f-"ee"-d m-"ee"! (feed me)
Unless she's learnt her own name... well, half of it: Till-"ee"! (Tilly)
Or perhaps she already knows the fifth letter of the alphabet.

Or, is there just a chance, she's trying to announce who's number was picked to adopt Potato:

Jodi-"ee" Bell!

(Please have a carrot ready for his arrival...

he's a hungry little beast!)

Creature Feature

The menagerie is growing.

Yes, it's time to stand up and admit it. I'm Astrid, and I'm addicted to making small furry creatures out of my clothes.

They always start off as intended gifts for someone. I cut, I pin, and everything's fine. But then I add the face, and it all goes out of the window, because once they have faces, I can't bear to part with them. It's the eyes. The big round stitched eyes. Begging to stay.

Anyway, today I'm about to break my hoarding tendency. I'm going to give one of you-- yes, YOU-- the latest fluffy little beastie, who was just finished up yesterday. Meet Potato:

"Potato?" you say. "That's a bloomin' rabbit."

Correct. But Potato is named after the style of skirt he was cut from.

"A Potato skirt?" you say. "I've never heard of it!"

Let me explain. While I was sewing last night, Justin was interested to see what I was making, and I told him it was a rabbit, out of an old skirt of mine.

"Which skirt was that?" he asked.

"The one that looked like a potato sack," I said.

"Oh, I liked that one!" he said.

Now, perhaps it's just me, but if you can describe a piece of your clothing as "the thing that looks like a potato sack" and people know what you're talking about, then you should not be wearing it. And perhaps, if your piece of clothing has an elasticated top and bottom, and you can wear it at five months pregnant, and it's made of wool, and you live in sweltering Texas, then maybe it's time that garment became a stuffed rabbit.

Yes, he has a big round felted red tail. You know you want him.

So, all I'm asking is that you just take a second to leave me a quick comment, a "hello" or a link to your own page, or whatever you'd like. I've been inspired by this post on connections, and would love to know who out there is connecting with me through these posts, and to connect with you back. Because I love that you're here reading. I love that my dailyness and silliness and stuffed rabbits matter to you.

I'll give it until next Thursday afternoon, a week from now... let's say 2pm... and pick a random number for who'll be getting Potato. Sound fair?