Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Times They Are A Changin'


Not quite as dire as the message in the Bob Dylan song of 1964, the message of change is already in the air. Even here in North Carolina, the morning air...much to Astrid's and my delight during our 6am walk...is much cooler. The shadows from the trees are in different locations then at the height of summer. That noise we hear at the slightest breeze is the sound of leaves already beginning to dry out in preparation for their Autumn show of color. Much to the delight of Moms everywhere, the kids are slowly trickling back to school across the country and much to the ire of morning commuters, the school buses have hit the road again.


There is also a change happening at Astrid Nicole Etcetera, Astrid's Etsy shop that benefits her shelter. In addition to the bandanas and the occasional 'people' items that we've offered, we are adding pretty handcrafted collars and collar charms. Beginning with the upcoming Halloween offerings, you will find seasonal fabric collars and matching collar charms, plus pretty and stylish colors with matching charms for your dog to wear throughout the entire year.


Pictured here are the very first of these collars and charms and to introduce them in our shop, we are offering them as prizes in our end of Summer giveaway. We've been enjoying the Groovy Summer Fun Club all summer on My Dog Space, so in honor of the fun, we've got a dotted collar with peace charm that your dog will go ape over as the first prize. The second place winner will receive the pictured 'peace out' collar charm and third place will receive the really cool dog paw charm. To enter to win, leave a comment on this blog telling us the change that you and your dog are most looking forward to in the changing seasons.


Thanks for playing our end of Summer giveaway, which in this case is really a new beginning for an added line of fun neckware for your dog to get all 'decked out' in. Everyone who leaves a comment will have their name entered in a drawing which Astrid will preside over and be presented in video right here. We will announce the winner of our end of Summer giveaway in this same blog the day after the unofficial end of Summer, Labor Day, Tuesday, September 7.


****and the winners are...***


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Barb and Astrid!!!I think that the change Portia, Hef and us are looking forward to the most is the colder weather. Flies are so uncontrollable at the moment, and we can't do anything about them. They attack them every time they go outside. We tried fly traps, fly sticks, homemade "traps", you name it - and nothing works. However, one thing we know for sure is that flies don't like cold weather!!!Looking forward to fall and winter...Portia and Hef will sure love taking a nap outside in the fall - fly free.

Unknown said...

Hi ,Oh we are so looking forward to the cooler weather. This has been one crazy hot summer. I am looking forward to the pretty colors of fall. I think fall is my favorite season, even though over here in the northeast that means ice and snow is not far away. My three dogs love cooler weather, and we can once more enjoy the great outdoors playing outside, instead of being stuck in the house with the air conditioner on.
We just looked at your pretty new collar and charms and bandanas, ah FALL ..and you once again have made such pretty items. Hugs Fran

Anonymous said...

Well Astrid - Maxie, Shadow and I are looking forward to the holidays that come with the new season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc.). The time spent with family and friends, the decorations, oh and of course the FOOD! We just love the smell of food in the oven, pumpkin pies, cookies, hot chocolate...woof woof woof – I can see those tails wagging and waiting around the kitchen. It has been fun being out this summer, but we are ready to spend more time at home during the fall. – XOXO, Maxie and Shadow’s Mom

nettinu said...

I would say Tyler and I are looking forward to spending more time outdoors together. I can play in my pool when I get hot but Tyler prefers to stay inside. So with temperatures more to his liking, we can play together outside. Also he and I won't be attacked by gnats, mosquitoes and fire ants. We are going to play yard games and take long walks to visit our neighborhood doggie friends.
Luv Tyler's mommy, Suzanne

Anonymous said...

hi there,
clyde here, well i'm looking for the fall change.. i will be able to go for my walks. i can't in our summer, i would burn my little paws..bol and then halloween when all the kids dress up funny and scary and come ringing my door bell. their moms or dads always take pics of me with the kids..bol, i love all the atention, i get after that door bell rings.. they all seem to love me and want to pet me also.. i greet everyone, so i can't wait for that fall change to come..very soon me mom saids..

DogPack (Tucker) said...

Hi Miss Astrid! Well, the one thing of MY mind is the changing seasons for sure. You see, I'm a Siberian Husky, and the summer weather and I, just don't meet up too well! Heehee! I love my pool, but ever since last year when I got my first real snowfall, I've been anxiously waiting for fall and winter to arrive here in Texas. We don't get many snowfalls, but that snowfall was one of my most favorite memories, and I just can't wait for another one to arrive again. :) Thank you miss Astrid! Love, Tucker

Lucybell said...

Sissy, Anna, Rudy and Chopper are anxiously await the end of this long, hot summer. We had 49 straight days of temps in the 90's. Yesterday it finally cooled down, and that becaused it rained all day. Fall brings the holidays, especially Holloween. Every year the Williston Animal Group (WAG) has a Play Day. Everyone brings their dogchild and there are lots of contests and games. Rudy went last year and dressed as a Pumpkin. He ran his first lure course and did so well. All the proceeds go to help the WAG animals, a local no kill shelter. And then of course, there is Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mom hangs stockings for us on the fireplace and never forgets to hang an extra special stocking for our sister, Lucybell, who went to the Rainbow Bridge. Summer has been fun, but we enjoy the cooler weather and the holidays better. The fall and winter holidays bring families closer together where they can share and enjoy each other and appreciate what love means.

Shell said...

Hi Astrid! Me and mom are looking forward to some cooler weather. I can't stand to be out in the heat but for so long and I get upset when mommy goes outside and leaves me in the house. So when it gets cooler out I will be able to go out with her and won't have to run from room to room to look out the window to see her. Plus there will be all the pretty colors outside to look at and the leaves for me to play in. Mommy likes the fall because she can put out all kinds of decortaions out for the different holidays and if mommies happy I'm happy.

Anonymous said...

Hi Miss Astrid! Mommy & I are looking forward to playing more fetch in the crisp fall air, Mommy loves her fetch! And wearing more orange, my favorite color. And apple crisp! And Mommy's niece will be born in September, that's pretty exciting! Smoochies, Harbor

Whiteboxer said...

Hello Miss Astrid & Barb! Boy we waited to the very last minute to leave our comment! BOL! We are so looking forward to Autumn. The cooler weather we will enjoy the most but mom loves the turning of the trees. The leaves turn bright orange and yellow. It is a sight to be seen here in the Ozarks. Not much of a fan of winter season though. We don't like all the snow and ice. We do enjoy the holiday seasons like Thanksgiving and Christmas. We get to spend time with family and friends and not to mention all the holiday foods. Mmmmmm!!! Have a great day! Luv, Sasha, Maizy, Lacey and Missy

Sasha, Angel and Jessie said...

We are so ready for another change of the seasons. Fall being our favorite, cuz this is the time of year that mom takes us out in the woods. It is so beautiful in there, the sun peeping through the tall trees', making it look as though the leaves are on fire, it kinda scares us. But mom reassures us every Fall, it is only the bright sun beaming down on the orange, brown and yellow leaves of Autumn. We can't wait for our run in the autumn leaves! Ruff!