Happy Birthday, Hazel! 1-11-23

Today is Hazel’s 6th birthday.

We went to Petco to buy a birthday present – this is what she picked out:

This is what she did last night. I came into the living room to this sight.

And this.

She’s a pistol.

PS – yes, I’m having tech issues again. If this one doesn’t post I give up.

87 thoughts on “Happy Birthday, Hazel! 1-11-23

    1. Jeanne in Co.

      It is a rabbit, right? A real one? Hazel, you are an adorable 6 year old. Happy Birthday. I’m sitting here in my sewing room in Colo. , watching the white blanket of snow as it slowly creeps down the side of the mountains. I don’t think very much snow is predicted, but it is very damp outdoors and getting colder. It’s what I would call “good soup weather” and I don’t mean “pea soup”. Pun intended. It’s the kind of weather I remember that my parents did call
      pea soup. Does anyone else remember that old saying?
      Mary, your posts have been coming through very well here in Colo. Loved the pictures of Connie’s sewing room. Those beautiful white cabinets are to die for. I bet she has them all filled, doesn’t she? If I had that much room, I’d forget where I put everything. (I can’t keep track of it all even in my small sewing room.)Ha. Have a great week everyone. It’s good weather for sewing and soup. Jeanne in Co.

  1. Rita in Iowa

    Hazel was just returning a gift to you. New rabbit mittens? She is a character, and keeps you on your toes.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HAZEL.
    The pictures posted and your doing fine.
    It’s tech glitzes all over, not just you
    Hang in there Mary!

  2. Beryl in Owatonna

    Happy Birthday, Hazel!!
    You certainly keep everyone hopping! You are a special little friend! Keep it up.

  3. Diane in Maryland

    Happy Birthday, Hazel! We all love reading what you’ve been up to…haha. The post and pictures are great.

  4. Nancy Wines

    It came thru fine. Happy Birthday Hazel! Hard to believe it’s been 6 years! I think she wears everybody out but oh what fun you guys are having.

  5. Lynette in Orlando

    Happy Birthday sweet Hazel!!!!! I’m too afraid to take mine to Petco — she’d fill up the cart!!!! LOL.

  6. Lois Ann Johnson

    Happy Birthday, Hazel! We hope you enjoy many more birthdays. Did Keeper help you celebrate? Good job catching that silly ol’ bunny. So nice of you to bring it in the house to share with everyone! I bet your mama was surprised?

  7. Janice Brown

    Happy Birthday Hazel. It does look like a real bunny!. She must of had some spa time because she looks pretty white and clean.

  8. Carolyn Boutilier

    It posted. Happy birthday Hazel. Love the pictures. Rain here this evening. PT today for shoulder.
    Carolyn b Shenandoah VAlley VA

  9. Diane, Squeak, and Buddy in Central Ohio

    Happy Birthday, Hazel. What a surprise! Hazel was just telling you she needed a new, soft pillow😹😹 Yes, I do remember “ pea soup” being used to describe the fog or mist outside.
    It made it to 51* today. Nice.

  10. Lorraine

    Happy Birthday Hazel. What is that under Hazel’s chin? Hoping it is a stuffed animal. Your post came thru but I haven’t seen a post from you for a couple of days and was wondering if you were having technology problems. Good luck in getting it fixed.

  11. Jan Hebert

    Aw, Happy Birthday, Hazel! She sure is a pistol, haha. Keeper and Telly look bored with the whole thing. Is that a real bunny? Looks pretty real to me! It’s cold here in MA today, hardly got out of the twenties. The good thing is that my chickens are starting to lay again! Yay! Three yesterday and one today but they decided to eat that one. Not sure why that happened, they rarely do that. Anyway, the days must be getting longer and that makes me very happy! Jan in MA

  12. Lynn in Scottsdale, AX

    Good to hear from you Mary. Happy Birthday to your Hazel. Great picture of you both.

    Like the others, not sure if that is a real rabbit or a toy she has. If it is a toy, hats off to the manufacturer on making a very realistic toy.

    Sunny here in Scottsdale.

  13. Joy in NW Iowa

    Happy birthday Hazel! Hazel, tell your mommy, Mary, to never give up. We love he! And want to read her blog!

    Our day was crazy! We were notified if an antibiotic to pick up. Also, wondered if we could reschedule an ophthalmologist appointment….off to the races! Not much else got done today…needless to say.

  14. Kathy in western NY

    So happy we see your smiling face and the birthday girl and Keeper and Telly.
    How fun going to the pet store.
    Went grocery shopping today and no lettuce cause of the west coast storms.
    DaMar was released from the Buffalo hospital today to continue care at home.
    What a miracle all those medical teams had excellent training to save him.
    Only 2 ads to click in this post.

  15. Rosie Westerhold

    Happy, happy birthday, Hazel!! It was nice she got to pick out her new toy👍. The rabbit? Not so much, right?

    I have lots of “critters” outside in my yard that I catch glimpses of from time to time. I have 2 dogs: a 70 lb Chow and a 15-pound Pomeranian. The Chow is all nosy and sniffing all over. Not sure what she would even do if she caught anything. The Pomeranian just wants to “make friends” with any kind of critter she sees. She tried making friends with the ducks and Canada geese at my mom’s care facility. That was HILARIOUS!! They wanted NOTHING to do with her, but she kept trying every time we went there.

    Had a raccoon staring at me the other night just on the other side of the fence in my yard. Big dog was trying to get outside, and all my motion lights were on so I knew something was out there. I banged on the door first, and turned on the porch light. That raccoon just stared at me for a good 10 seconds or so. He was so darn CUTE. All I could see was his head as he was standing on his hind legs looking over the fence. After 10-15 seconds, he got down on all 4 legs, and WADDLED to the big tree next to my garage. That sucker was HUGE😱😱😳😳!! Looked about 25-30 pounds. I live in the middle of town, not in the country, but I have all kinds of creatures here. And I enjoy watching them all from a safe distance. They can live here peacefully as long as they leave my dogs alone. I have even seen the raccoons on my deck during the day😳😳😳!! That is the exception, not the rule. Think they have gotten under the deck and hang out there from time to time. I can hear them wandering around in my back yard during the night when I’m upstairs sleeping. They have woken me up a few times with their “chattering.” Plus the fact that all of my motion lights have gone off!! Ahh, city life😂😂😂!!

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Rosie – now that’s a pretty funny story about your raccoons! Healthy ones, too!

  16. Lisa B

    Happy birthday Hazel! I was missing you! I hope you don’t give up if you do run into technical difficulties.

  17. Cathy D

    Happy Birthday Hazel! She sure looks proud of that rabbit. My Ollie chases the heck out of them but has yet to catch one, that I know of!

  18. Linda from Georgia

    Happy Birthday, Hazel! You are so cute! I know how you feel about technical difficulties but please don’t give up. This is my favorite blog!!!

  19. MarieC

    Your post came through fine. At first I thought you got Hazel a stuffed rabbit. So far this year our cat has brought a bird and a mouse inside. Luckily the bird was dead and the mouse was stunned. The dog took the mouse away from the cat and ate it. I don’t know what I would have done with a live bird in the house. I now make sure the cat has an empty mouth before opening the door.

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      MarieC – the white ceiling in my sewing room has about a dozen dirty patches from a bird a cat brought in that flew around while the cat jumped after it. Ceiling now needs repainting.

  20. Diane in Colorado

    WooHoo—this one posted just fine!!
    Hazel really is a pistol—so cute and so entertaining!! Happy birthday, Hazel!!! Cute picture of the two of you!!!

  21. ChristieB

    Happy Birthday Hazel!!! So sorry you are having tech difficulties again. PLEASE don’t give up – would be lost without reading your posts! HUGS… and stitches

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Christie B – it is just unbelievable that WordPress is so unreliable and I’d have no idea how to move the blog to another site. I would miss it so much, too, but I have no idea what to do when it doesn’t work.

  22. kara

    Halleluiah it posted!!! Happy Birthday Hazel! May you and your buddies have a great year. 🙂 Kara

  23. Sue in Oregon

    Happy Birthday Hazel. Did you or did you not catch a real bunny? We all want to know Dear Dog. If it is real, you are on quick little dog. You were born to do that, so I am voting that it is (was) real.
    I have had crazy issues all day on my computer. I think it’s in the atmosphere. Or something.

    I

    1. Mary Etherington Post author

      Sue in Oregon – oh, yes, it was a real bunny but dead when she brought it into the house, thank goodness.

  24. NancyTD

    Happy Birthday to Hazel. Wish she was here to catch the rabbit that is eating my bushes.
    This dense fog is affecting everything. Just keep sending the great pictures of everything. You brighten a lot of lives !

  25. Kim from TN

    Happy Birthday Hazel, you look marvelous for a dog of 6, lol. Glad you got a new toy to enjoy.

  26. Jo in Wyoming

    Happy Birthday to Miss Hazel Jane Etherington! The big 6!!
    Mary, glad you conquered the tech issue.

  27. Brenda Ks.

    Happy Birthday Hazel!!
    13th day without a furnace. Ugh! Glad it has been fairly warm and we have plenty of wood for the fireplace!

    1. Cynthia from SW MN

      Hopefully you will get a new furnace soon! My cousin in Wisconsin had to get a new furnace before Christmas, and then had the heater go out in one of their vehicles too, They were on a roll for sure. Glad you have an alternate heat source.

  28. Jayne

    Happy Birthday to Hazel, she is so cute, I enjoy all of you posts. Today was a nice day in rural Wisconsin temps in low 40’s. We live in a valley that has a lot of shade so still a lot of snow and ice in our driveway, like yours did in one of your last posts. Stay warm and keep posting.

  29. Lynn

    I had trouble telling what Hazel had until I read the comments. Hazel is a true terrier. Happy Birthday Hazel!
    Reminded me of when my golden retriever brought home part of a rabbit. Country living.

  30. Lynne from NJ

    Happy Birthday Hazel! Hope you got a pupcake!
    Great picture of you & Hazel. Can’t believe she’s 6 – they grow up so fast.

  31. Mary Etherington Post author

    Jill – Hazel’s Gotcha Day is March 16 so we’ll be going to Petco again. Isn’t that typical – a dirty toy is the favorite!

  32. Jeanie S , Central IL

    Happy Birthday, Hazel; you are hilarious-nice bunny! Those six years sure went by quickly.
    We had a 55 degree cloudy day, and I imagine no sun tomorrow, either. It doesn’t feel like winter but is great sewing weather. However, I need to turn my last bag of fall apples into applesauce for our enjoyment this winter. Then I can sew.
    Thanks, Mary. 🥰

  33. Sandy

    Hi Mary, after l read the 74 comments l find it’s a real rabbit! I thought the white fluff was stuffing coming out of a toy, but it’s the tail l guess. Happy birthday Hazel! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy

  34. Fiona at Ice Bear Quilts

    Happy Birthday Hazel!
    My first ever cat, when I was a child, was an occasional rabbit catcher, but happily she just left them on the front step and didn’t bring them into the house!

  35. Gloria from CC

    Happy Birthday sweet Hazel, mommy’s little girl. It’s hard to believe she’s six already. Enjoy her every day.

  36. Kathy Hanson

    Thank heaven it posted!!!!
    Happy Birthday Hazel!! Wow, 6 years old already, time sure does fly!! She gives you so much joy! Maybe you sometimes call her “a stinker” like Jerry calls Penny but they both add so much love to us! Wouldn’t know what to do without them!! 😊❤️

  37. Polly Perkins

    Happy birthday Hazel. I remember when you first came to live with Mary and Rick.

    Just to let you know I have been dealing with medical issues and lots and lots of waiting. The medical profession is severely understaffed. In getting ready for another cervical fusion first they found a mass on my thyroid. It took 7 weeks to get it biopsied. It was benign. They scheduled surgery for Oct 13 but found an abnormal EKG. Referred to cardiologist and had tests done. Found a hole in my heart and referred me to UW Madison. Jan 9 finally had an appt. Now things are moving. Having a procedure Jan 18 and having an appt with heart structure doctor Feb 7. All this before I can get cervical fusion done!

    1. Diane in Maryland

      Good luck, Polly! We will all be saying prayers for you! My mom used to say “it isn’t one thing, it’s ten”…

    2. Mary Etherington Post author

      Polly – oh, I am so sorry to hear about all your issues! Sounds like a Rick who went in almost two years ago for hip replacement and they discovered this little “sore” on his ankle. Many appts later he still is not scheduled.

  38. Cheryl from Niagara Falls

    Oh my! Hazel must be one fast little dog to catch a rabbit! We took in two stray cats many years ago. The calico didn’t know, or care, the first thing about hunting but she was just a kitten when we found her. The other one, a black cat my husband named Snowflake, had been hanging around quite a while but would not come to us and was a great hunter. I made a warm box for her in the winter on the porch and always fed her. When we finally got her inside during a snowstorm and she was attached to us, she would cry a muffled cry with the catch in her mouth at the door for us to come out and praise her for her catch. She came in once with a live mouse and I went nuts! She finally caught it again and out she went! They are both gone now but I do miss them. Happy birthday Hazel!
    I do remember my mom saying that about pea soup! I made a big pot of bean and ham soup yesterday. Cold and damp here and snow on the way. Yuck. Nice quilting weather!

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