Happy birthday to Lily! She is TWO today!

When Lily came home in March 2010, she looked like this. What a cute puppy, but she wasn’t the queen of the house just yet! She started off sleeping in a crate in our kitchen and was crated when we weren’t home. Now she rules the roost.

Look how little she was. Puppies are so cute. Look how long my hair was.

Now at two, she is wiser, very smart and observant, the empress of the home, and has the longest eyelashes you’ve ever seen.

Happy birthday to Lily! I hope you enjoy your special day! We love you!

Hello my people. It is Lily again. It’s been quite a long time since I have written here, but I have a lot to share. I mean, I’m going to be a big sister in a few weeks, and I am soaking in every last minute of being the queen bee around the house.

Since I wrote you last, I have been traveling a lot. I went to San Antonio for Thanksgiving and Austin for New Years. I had a few trips to my groomer’s house in between, but my parents said I am done going there for a long time! There’s even a rumor that I may get to go to another state by airplane this summer. We’ll see if I get to go. I’m sure it would be fun, but I really hate airplanes. (this picture below is how my mom and I sit on car rides)

Anyway, my trip to Austin was so much fun. I just love staying at The Four Seasons! They are so nice to doggies, especially me. I am a repeat customer. They even know my name and have treats waiting in my room for me. The beds are so comfy, the grass is the greenest and smells so good, and the restaurants in town allow doggies too! It’s always a great vacation. One morning my dad and I went to the lobby for a while and I just sat there looking at the people and greeting them. Strangers and children tell me I’m pretty and ask to pet me. I think I’m going to ask my dad to take me in April or May just so we can get away to relax from the baby noise.

(this picture below is me finding a hiding spot at The Four Seasons. Just like at home! Can you spot me?)

Back around the house, I am just hanging out like usual. I have friends come over sometimes, like one friend who takes me on walks, and one friend who cleans up my messes. It’s nice to be the princess. My mom said when the baby comes, we’ll have lots of visitors!

About this baby, I think it will be alright. I like kids and stuff, but I don’t know about babies. They do seem to get a lot of toys that I will probably enjoy stealing, but I hear they don’t sleep all night like me, and they take a lot of time away from my mom that she should be giving to me. Although, I think within a few weeks, I can train it to sleep in a crate like I used to and go outside to do its biz. As long as I still get my uninterrupted sleep, good dinner, treats, walks, a lot of time to play and have my tummy rubbed, I’m pretty sure we’ll all get along.

Did you know my birthday is coming up? I’m going to be 2 on January 17! I love this time of year. The holidays were fun because I got to see so many family members, then it was Hanukkah and I got toys and took a trip, and now it’s my birthday. I love it when it’s all about Lily.

Want more guest posts by Lily? She has her own page!

Hello my friends! Arf arf!

It has been a while since my mom let me talk to you through the computer. I’ve had a nice summer, but it’s really hot for me. I got a really pretty summer ‘do to cut some of my hair off, but I still pant when I’m outside and don’t really want to walk that far right now. I’d rather get my exercise from playing fetch or making my mom chase me up and down stairs. The plus side of my haircut is that I looked instantly skinny! You should try it–cut 2 inches from your whole body and look five pounds lighter. I was a little surprised myself!

I have also spent some quality time in the car and at camp. My parents left me at camp a few times, which was ok. I prefer being at home, but it’s nice to run around and bark at dogs sometimes. I got to go to Dallas one time, which was so fun. I love being at my grandma Soupy’s house. That’s what I call her. She gives me new toys and doesn’t make me eat dog food. I’m on vacation! I eat eggs, cheese, and turkey, but definitely not dog food. Then I go home with a big tummy ache and my parents get mad. Soupy laughs. I go in the car so Soupy can show me to her friends and take me to stores. It’s so fun. I even get to sleep on their bed like a real slumber party! I love visiting Dallas.

Also this summer, I have gotten some great new toys! My grandma Julie got me an Angry Bird toy that makes really annoying sounds. It’s pretty neat too. Soupy brought me an ice cream cone and popsicle toy when they visited me in Houston, and I always enjoy my old ones too. I am not a toy discriminator. I just love to play.

That is about it for me. I have become very independent in my childhood years. You know, I’m 1.5 in people years which means about 10 years old in dog years. I act like a little kid, but I’m very smart. I can also read the clock! I get tired everyday around 9:30 p.m. and wake up on the dot at 6:30 a.m. If my parents don’t go to bed with me, they don’t get much sleep. Oh well for them!

Oh, I have a serious question–who invented the vacuum cleaner and why is it the scariest thing ever? I HATE the vacuum cleaner! I won’t even walk past that thing when it’s on or off. It is SO SCARY.

Well that’s all, it’s nap time for me!

If you have any questions for me, leave me a comment and I’ll answer next time!

For more guest posts by Lily, see the dedicated Lily page.

Hello my readers,

It is Lily here again. My mom told me how popular I am and how so many of you said you love it when I write to you. I have been thinking about what to write about, and I thought you might want to see what I do all day. They don’t call it a dog’s life for nothing.

You see, I’ve got it pretty good. It didn’t take me long to train my parents about the ways of the world. I don’t ask for much, but when I want something, I want it now. Usually I ask for attention. I just want to know that my parents are thinking about me. I like to be entertained. I like to nap. I like to go on walks. I like to play fetch. I lovvve to go in the car.

Here are a few pictures that my mom snaps of me. She says she sends it mostly to my aunt Shelley and my mom’s parents, which is ok. But I asked her to share with my fans too, that’s you. I don’t mean to brag, but I also like it when strangers tell me I’m beautiful. It happens most times when we are in public places. I can’t help it, I’m just being myself. I have a great stylist here in Houston who cuts my hair real nice.

So anyway, here’s what it’s like during a typical day for me.

6:45 a.m.: I wake up. I roll around on the bed, stretch my legs, scratch my ears. It happens to wake up my dad. I try to be subtle, but oops! That’s a lie, I always hope he wakes up or else I start barking. We go for a little walk, I do some biz. We go back and play until they leave.

8:15 a.m.: I decide I don’t want breakfast, so I go hide somewhere. My parents leave for the day and I get to rest. I usually lay on the bed and look out the window. It’s real nice and quiet. I love fluffy beds.

noon-ish: Someone comes home to take me for a walk. I play, roll around, and then get ready for my afternoon nap.

3:30 ish: I wake up again and go outside with my mom. Now I’m hungry so I usually eat some food. We play fetch, talk to dogs outside and rest some more.

When my mom takes pictures on the balcony in the afternoons, I like to sit and look outside too. Sometimes I get in the way, oops! It just smells really good!

6:30 p.m.: My dad comes home! Now I really get to play. I bring him a toy, we play fetch. I eat a little more food and bark so my dad will give me some attention. He’s been gone all day, he must have missed me!

8 p.m.: I get real tired again and take a little nap. My dad wakes me up to go outside one more time before real bedtime, and then I snuggle up on the bed and sleep all night.

So that’s a typical day. Sometimes I get to go for a ride in the car, sometimes I bark a lot to play some more. Sometimes I change up the toys I play with.

See you next time!

 Miss any of Lily’s posts? She has her own page!

Hello my fans! It is Lily the dog again, back with some thoughts on basketball.

I understand it is called March Madness, and things sure are mad around here! On Sunday, when Texas was playing, my dad was yelling so I barked back, and then he kicked a tuffet and threw things at a pillow. Geez, what was going on? My mom said it was basketball as I crawled on her lap for protection. I didn’t want to get in the way of the madness!

Anyway, I wanted to share my picks for the Sweet 16 based on the team mascots of who I think would beat whom.

1. Ohio State vs. 4. Kentucky – 3/25 9:45 p.m. EST

This is Brutus Buckeye. I have no idea what a buckeye is. He looks big. And strange.

In this game, I am rooting for Ohio State.

1. North Carolina vs. 11. Marquette – 3/25 7:15 p.m. EST

This is an easy one for me. My aunt Shelley is in school at UNC! They are the Tar Heels. I also don’t know what that means, but it seems harmless. Marquette is the Golden Eagles. That’s boring. Go UNC! I also understand they won in 2009. Seems like a safe bet.

1. Duke vs. 5. Arizona – 3/24 9:45 p.m. EST

Duke is the Blue Devils. Arizona is the Wildcats. I’d like to see Duke win because they are #1 and also in North Carolina. I think I’d like it there. Not as hot as Arizona, closer to my aunt Shelley. And they are really good at basketball I hear.

3. Connecticut vs. 2. San Diego State – 3/24 7:15 p.m. EST

Here we have a husky and an Aztec Warrior. Bears are scary, and I don’t know what an Aztec is. This one is tough for me to pick. I am going with Connecticut. He looks like a goofy bear anyway.

1. Kansas vs. 12. Richmond – 3/25 7:27 p.m. EST

A jayhawk vs. a spider. I was doing some research about the spider mascot and it seems they aren’t so sure what’s going on. Their current spider wasn’t intimidating enough, so they are finding a new spider. Perhaps they should find a new mascot. I’m not scared of spiders. It’s one thing I am bigger than. Let’s go with Kansas on this one.

11. Virginia Commonwealth vs. 10. Florida State

Rodney the Ram vs. the Seminoles. It seems that Florida State has some controversy behind the Seminoles mascot, so let’s go with Virginia Commonwealth. Rodney doesn’t sound too bad.

8. Butler vs. 4. Wisconsin – 3/24 9:57 p.m. EST

Butler Bulldogs vs. Wisconsin Badger. Well, I am a dog and a bulldog is a dog, so I am rooting for my kind.

3. BYU vs. 2. Florida – 3/24 7:27 p.m. EST

Cosmo the Cougar vs. the Gator

I think Gators on this one. I wouldn’t want to cross one, and I think they could eat everyone.

Also, I wanted to share some pictures of what I’ve been up to since I last wrote to you. I got to go to Austin earlier this month where I played with my friends Dilly and Archie. I also went on my longest walk ever! We walked around Town Lake and I did so good. I was tired for two days, but it was so fun!

I am also enjoying the spring weather by going on lots of walks around our ‘hood.

My mom says April is special because it marks one year since I was elected queen of this house. They say it’s when I came home, but I say it’s when I became queen.

Well, that takes you to where we are now. It’s time for another nap, then another meal, then a walk, and then a game of fetch and tug of war. That’s how we spend our days here!

My mom will report back next week on how my picks were!

Did you pick any of my teams to win? Do you care?

If you have missed any of Lily’s guest posts, here they are:

Guest Post by Lily Part 1, August 20, 2010
Guest Post by Lily Part 2, October 8, 2010
Guest Post by Lily Part 3, December 8, 2010
Guest Post by Lily Part 4, February 23, 2011

She also has her own page on the blog here.

First, please remember to enter the giveaway for Picky Bars! Info in this post. Giveaway closes on Thursday and winner is announced on Friday.

If you missed any of the previous posts by Lily, catch up here:

• Guest Post by Lily Part 1, May 19, 2010
• Guest Post by Lily Part 2, August 20, 2010
• Guest Post by Lily Part 3, October 8, 2010
• Guest Post by Lily Part 4, December 8, 2010

Hello Marci’s blog readers, It is Lily here again. It has been quite a while since I last wrote something for my mom, and I have grown up so much! Let me tell you a little what’s been going on in our house, you know, not related to food.

Since I last wrote, I turned one! That was a big deal, and I even had a party. I got a new birthday cake toy that sings, I ate ice cream (!) and it was amazing. It’s a doggie ice cream called Frosty Paws if you want to ask your mom to buy it for you. It tastes like peanut butter!

My walks have gotten a little longer, and I really enjoy spending time walking with my dad. Look how studly he looks walking me. We are a cute couple when people see us on the streets.We love to walk together. I like looking at birds, leaves, other dogs, and eating poop. Oh no, I didn’t mean that, that’s what baby dogs do. I don’t do that anymore.

My mom’s parents have come to visit and I went to Dallas to visit them too. They are really great and give me lots of kisses, take me outside so many times, and give me really good food and treats too. They have salami! roast beef! fresh turkey! I love meat. They really know how to make me a happy girl. I told them I’m allergic to dog food. hehe.

Did you know I went to Dallas over Christmas by myself? It was so much fun. I got to sleep on their bed between the pillows like a big girl. Soupy (that’s what we call my mom’s mom) carries me around like a baby. It’s nice to not have to walk.

I also had a slumber party at my dad’s parents house. That was so much fun too! They have never had a doggie on their bed before, but we all got along. Grandma Julie is real nice to me too. They have a rug that is fun to nibble on.

This is where I sleep sometimes at my house. I wish my mom didn’t take so many pictures of me. I’m trying to sleep!

Also now that I’m one, I get to learn to drive! No, not really. I can’t work the pedals and see out the window so I am just the helper. I help my dad decide when it’s time to stop for a potty break. We are in the car a lot to Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. I really like to go on trips as long as we can drive. I hate planes.

This is me eating eggs with my dad. We have the same breakfast sometimes. Eggs, bacon. He has a bagel, that’s no good for me. I love my dad.

This is me eating my Valentine’s Day cookie. Another holiday! It’s a good one. We eat cookies and get presents. Besides my birthday, this one is a good holiday. Hanukkah too. I like that one.

And this is just another picture of me having a good time.

That is it for this post. I must get back to napping. Have to rest up to play more later!

Arf arf!

Another divulgence from food and fitness…

Over the weekend, I got a second lens for my DSLR camera. Stop here and browse the recipe page if you aren’t interested in camera gibberish.

In December, I got the camera which came with an 18-55 mm lens. When I got the camera, I didn’t know anything about lens sizes and I didn’t know how to use the camera. Over the last few months, I have been reading a lot about digital single lens reflex cameras (that’s what DSLR means!) and can now use my camera fairly well and I know more about what lens I would like next.

I highly believe that if you purchase a camera like this that you should take the time to learn to use it and not keep it on Auto. I started with my camera on Manual and spend time tweaking settings to get a quality picture I’m happy with. It also helps to learn the limits of your camera, like how my current lens does not go low enough in aperture to bring in light to a darker setting.

For my second lens, I got a 55-250 mm lens which is much better for distance shooting. It is considered a telephoto lens, which means it’s good for distance and not shooting close ups. We really wanted a lens for traveling, like taking pictures of the beach, zooming in on people or things in the distance, and to have more flexibility with getting closer shots. The 55-250 lens basically takes off where my current lens stops as far as distance.

I read on someone’s blog that lenses are like golf clubs and there’s not one lens that will do everything. I am also eyeing a 50 mm fixed lens that is much less expensive that will take more crisp and bright close-up shots and will also be easier to bring along to a dinner or party.

Now here are a few pictures using different mm setting on the camera. I was the same distance from all objects.

Chair in the distance at 18 mm, 55 mm, 200 mm

Lily in the distance at 55 mm, 200 mm

Now some fun with shutter speed:

1/25 (considered a very slow speed, the waterfall is all one flowing image)

1/80 (water is starting to look a little more spread out)

1/1600 (water is little droplets, but the water fall speed hasn’t changed)

And to reward you if you made it all the way here. What a cute and tired baby.