Betsy's World of Pets

 Betsy loves her Darling Dozen and would like all of you to meet them!

 

 

Bessie is very special to Betsy because the delightful calf was a gift from her grandfather.

 

 

Betsy's pooches include Shep, Honey, and Bowser.

 

 

The Feline Friends are Mittens, Ginger, and Licorice.

 

Beany is Betsy's beloved bunny.

 

Hammy is the tamest of hamsters!

 

Betsy is thrilled to have a very rare Capypig.  Piggles is a cross between a capybara and a guinea pig.

 

Lily is a sweet miniature llama and follows Betsy everywhere.

 

Dotty is Betsy's gentle horse and the "girls" are the best of friends.

 

~Betsy is one very lucky Hittyville Friend~

Joe's Happy Ending

Lyn-Way has a new dessert!  Joe loved the Cookie Sundae and ate the whole thing...



Nostalgia

 I loved my childhood homestead and always felt blessed...even as a young child...to live in a Swiss Chalet nestled deep...at that time...in a beautiful forest. 

 

 

Over the years, my parents added on and tinkered with the design, but the essence of the house remained the same.

 

After my parents passed away and our homestead went up for sale, Joe built me my own Elliott Homestead...for which I am forever grateful!

 

And then...during my early morning iPad time today, I came upon...

This amazing Swiss home in Portland, Oregon!

 

Although this is a Steiner Cabin, the feel was the same...at least to me.

 

This room reminded me SO much of our own Great Room...The decorating is much the same as my parents, although my mother would have considered it "too much".  My dad would have loved it!

We even had the same type of braided carpeting years ago in our living room.

 

The memories overwhelmed me, but in the happiest of ways.  Time has eased the intensity of missing my parents, but I do miss them...every single day.



My Happiness Project ...Lessons Learned...So Far

I am SO enjoying this Happiness Adventure and the lessons I have needed to be reminded of.

 

This is definitely a philosophy I have embraced most of my life.  Rubin's research shows our level of happiness is 50% genetic and the other 50% is a combination of life circumstances and how we think and act.

 

According to Rubin's research, if you smile and act happy...your mood will improve in a positive way.

I do know this to be true from personal experience.

 

 

I think this is an important point to ponder.  We should be our authentic selves and when we accomplish something we consider important...the reward of knowing what we have accomplished should be enough!

 

This sounds so simple.  The author warns how easy it is to criticize and correct others...however subtle...and we should stop ourselves from this kind of behavior and remember to be kind.

 

I do believe the 68 pages I have read so far have been meaningful and enriched my quest to be an even happier happy person!



My Wednesday List

I am not a list maker.  My mom definitely was and now I understand why.  I believe a list not only reminds one of what needs to be done, but holds the list maker accountable.

There is a certain amount of satisfaction in checking accomplished tasks off a list.

 

Can I do it?

 

Map of Hittyville Village...Check

 

 

Paint a coat on Vixie Board...and my Imagination Canvas...Check

 

Organize Imagination supplies...Check

 

Work on Hittyville Journal...Check

 

 

Work on Vicki's Rainbow Maker Room...Check

 

Whew...and NOW I am doing my blog!

~I rather like having a list...It has definitely kept me focused today~



Hittyville Village

I FINALLY took pictures of all the homesteads, buildings, parks, etc. for the official map of the Borough of Hittyville Village.

 

The Elliott Homestead

 

The Elliott Homestead backyard including the waterfall which is part of Porter Creek which flows around the entire homestead.

 

The Fairy Castle nestled in Gnome Forest adjoins the Elliott Homestead.

 

The Yellow Brick Path is at the entrance of Gnome Forest and the area next to the path has been nicknamed The Meadow...a favorite play area for the younger Hittyville Friends.

 

 

On the west side of the Elliott Homestead is Huntington Park.

 

Huntington Park borders the beach and Lake Erie.

 

 

Porter Creek runs into Lake Erie and Popeye's Houseboat is docked on the edge of Porter Creek.

 

Totem Park is on the banks of Porter Creek.

 

Hummel Park is adjacent to Totem Park.

 

The Schweitzer Homestead is just a short walk from Hummel Park.

 

Next door to the Schweitzer Homestead is Snow White's Woods.

 

Collier Construction...owned and operated by John Elliott...is next to Snow White's Woods which was designed and landscaped by John who LOVES all things Snow White.

 

The Hittyville Village School is known for its innovative curriculum and teaching methodology devised by Headmaster Noah Carlson.

 

The Lennon Homestead is next to the school.

 

Gladys Elliott lives in Grandma's Cottage and visits with her next door Singing Sisters quite often.

 

Little Florida is the vacation homestead belonging to Peter and Frieda Jensen.  This generous couple offers their little piece of Paradise to Hittyville Friends for honeymoons, vacations, etc.

 

Hittyville Village is quite a place!

Now to finish up the map...



A Wonderful Surprise

I LOVE Madeleine L'Engle's books and have been so inspired by her spiritual journey.  I am going to include her on my Patron Saints list for my Happiness Project and decided to visit her website.  This talented woman passed away in 2007 and I am so grateful her body of work remains published and popular.

 

And then...

I discovered Madeleine's granddaughters were given this manuscript years ago and...thankfully...decided to have it published.

I immediately downloaded the story about a young woman circa 1940 and her summer in theater which changed her life, onto my Kindle app!

The story is semi-autobiographical and I can't wait to read it!

 

~I LOVE this kind of a surprise~



Socrates' New Lighting System

The one light system was not working for our dear tortoise.  The heat/light bulb was very expensive and non-efficient.  We finally found a tortoise "expert" who insisted we have a bulb for light and one for heat.

Thank you, Joe, for making life much better for our beloved Socrates!



My Happiness Project

I have always considered myself a bit of a Pollyanna...looking on the bright side of life, playing the "Glad Game", and trying to see the best in people.

 

But as of late, I find myself wanting to be more like Lewis.  Lewis doesn't need to play any games or seek goodness...My little Hittyville Friend just IS and from the simple act of being, happiness seems to find him.  I mean...look at him.  Lewis experiences joy in EVERYDAY life adventures...such as taking time to admire a YELLOW flower.  He didn't go in search of the flower to find happiness...The joy came from living in the moment.

  

And then...

Today, during my morning iPad time, I stumbled upon The Happiness Project book.  I have seen, even picked up this book numerous times at Barnes and Noble, but would think...I don't need this book, I am already happy.

A vision of Lewis flashed before me and I took a closer look at the book.  My sister, Missy, has quoted the author, Gretchen Rubin, several times over the past few years and that also resonated with me.

After some time studying the table of contents and reading the introduction, I decided I just HAD to have this book...I want to write my own manifesto, create personal commandments, select my Patron Saints, and fine tune the way I approach life. 

Off I went...and bought The Happiness Project and some other "companion" type books to enrich this journey I am embarking on.

 

Missy also recommended this book. Living FULLY right where we are is really the only way I can imagine experiencing life as intended.

 

Oh my, Eleanor Roosevelt?  I quickly pulled this book off the shelf. I can't imagine a more inspiring read.

 

Winston Churchill has fascinated me for years and The Happiness Project author, Gretchen Rubin, approached this great Statesman's life in such a creative way.  My stack of books was growing.

 

Ah...one of Danny Gregory's earlier books.  I LOVE this artist and knew this particular book was also a must-have for my Happiness Project.

 

WOW!!!  This has to be the most AMAZING art journal I have ever seen!  Excerpts from Leonardo Da Vinci's notebooks...words and sketches...I actually got tears in my eyes looking through this sacred art book.

It was time to head for the farm and start my Happiness Project!

 

 

I can't wait to get started on my Personal Manifesto...

 

~To definitely be continued~



Happy October

 

As I looked out on our view this afternoon, I was in complete agreement with dear Anne.