Mermaids of the Lake Blog

Praying for the People of Oklahoma

We are so sorry...

A Facebook Reunion: My Childhood Babysitter and a Heartwarming Story about a Baby Squirrel named Finnegan

When I was a small child I had a babysitter that I loved. Although she spelled it differently, her name was Debby, just like me! Debby went camping with us and played with my brother John and me. She did art projects with me. She was fun and kind. She even lived with us for a few months. Then, she was gone. I was so sad and I missed her. I really never did know where she went, but I never forgot her. I remember adding her to my nightly prayer list of loved ones, along with my parents, brother, grandparents, aunts and uncles and pets!

Debby Cantlon

I am now 50 years old and have now reconnected with Debby on Facebook. I love that about Facebook! Debby lives in the Seattle area and she has had a very interesting and often difficult life. But, she has a strong faith in God and she has a deep love for animals and people, something I have always had as well. Debby rehabilitates wildlife and oh... the stories she can tell about sweet little creatures that most people pass off as nuisances. Debby sees the good and God in all creatures and nurses them back to health. Because of this, she is rewarded with the most amazing experiences.

Please watch this Youtube video about a tiny baby squirrel, named Finnegan and Debby's dog who adopts him into her litter. Just wonderful!!!

The story of Finnegan, the orphan squirrel,
adopted by Mademoiselle Giselle, a pregnant Papillion

If anyone in the Seattle area knows of any baby animals that need help, please refer them to Finnegan Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Seattle

The Mermaids are Five!!! Happy Birthday to us!

In May 2008, Mermaids of the Lake began as an online lifestyle magazine for women. In the past five years it has grown from a magazine published six times a year to a community made up of tens of thousands of beautiful members that  encourages one another and celebrates life on a daily basis. What amazing connections and relationships we've made.

As best friends, we've shared our joy of creating, taking big and small adventures, being silly, pouring into relationships, splashing around in our beautiful lake, and much more. With the stories and images we've published, we hope you've been inspired to dive into something new, something meaningful, and something you never dared to before!

Thank you for five wonderful years of
Dreaming, Risking & Adventuring

We couldn't have done it without you! ~Mermaids Shelley Hepler & Debbie Nania

More Sad News...

We are so very deeply saddened by the news of the bombing in Boston today. More heartbreak and suffering is not what our world needs. Peace, love, grace, kindess, compassion - those are the things we need. We are praying for the victims, their families and loved ones, the city of Boston, and for our beautiful, mixed-up sad world.

~Shelley and Debbie

Make it Tea Time: Tea Tips and Ideas

The Mermaids love to entertain and we think a tea party is a delightful way to show guests a wonderful time. Our regular "Make It" feature this issue gives all kinds of excellent tea information, as well as a line-up of delicious recipes.

Mermaids the Magazine is the place to find yummy Tea Time ideas: http://www.mermaidsofthelake.com/news.asp?id=530

Happy Spring: Cherry Blossoms and Poetry

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb
on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams
of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

We found this gorgeous spring picture on Pinterest. Follow this link and you can buy it via Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62697352/pink-trees-cherry-blossom-photograph-8x8

We love Pinterest for its beauty and inspiration and so much more! Come on over and see what the Mermaids love enough to PIN!!!

Mermaids of the Lake on Pinterest
Mermaid Debbie on Pinterest
Mermaid Shelley on Pinterest

Change is Good!

Gosh, it has been awhile since either of us has posted anything here on the blog. There is a reason for this: we have been tooooo busy - tooooo busy making amazing changes to our e-zine. We are really excited about the changes.

Please follow this link to our e-zine (Mermaids of the Lake) and check them out. Notice our new categories, which provide fresh, new content.

We now have: Dive into Inspiration, Food & Entertaining, Homemaking, Creating, Health & Beauty, Vintage & Junking, and Lake Stuff. We are also adding and updating to our Recipe Directory, Products we Love, and Tips and Ideas and Gallery. Mermaids is full of INSPIRATION.

We've also included some wonderful people who have agreed to be regular contributors to Mermaids of the Lake. The contribution of these talented people feels like gifts to us and we are grateful! We are sure you will find them to be as inspirational as we do!

Thank you to:

Heather Scholten of Farmgirl Gourmet for her recipe for Cinnamon Yogurt Scones

MaryAnn Kraker of Entertaining by the Bay for her recipe for
White Veal Stew with Spring Vegetables.

Genia Seghetti, founder of Mountain Girls Adventures
for her inspiring article on getting started on following that dream!
The "Start Doing" Part


Elaine Tolson of Elaine Tolson, her life
for the beautiful, inspirational glimpse
into her life on her mini-farm in Eastern Washington
~her Heart ~her Home


Cindy Ingall of Prime Beauty for her informative article,
4 Easy Steps to Long, Flirty Lashes


Jessica Jochim of Paint in My Hair for her inspirational article on
bringing a sad, tired, old dresser back to life - The Underdog

Dixie and Linda, The Funky Junk Sisters of Junk Salvation
for sharing how Linda solved the problem of ugly,
exposed pipes in her bathroom - No More Ugly Pipes

Giveaway!!!

Our friend, Celeste Shaw of Chaps Coffee Co. is having a giveaway on her Chaps fb page! It is a fun giveway involving Flea Market Style Magazine and more!

ITS A SWEET GIVEAWAY to celebrate the Spring release of
Flea Market Style, by Ki Nassauer
 All you have to do is comment on the post that we are linking to here
by Feb 14th and you will be entered to win!!!!!

The winner will receive an autographed copy of Flea Market Style,
an official Junk Bonanza ball cap, and DRUMROLL PLEASE.....
a retired Sweet or CAKE MUG from Chaps.!!

A Little Good-hearted Dog Shaming

My new puppy, Bear is so darn adorable and so cute even when he is naughty! I am finding it challenging to get things done efficiently because Bear is... well, a puppy! He doesn't like to be left alone so when he is he cries for awhile and then finds something to do! He has the cutest, rather loud pitter patter of his feet and he is still clumsy so you can hear Bear when he is finding something to do!!!

He was moving so fast.... a blurr

I heard a ruckus and knew I had better check. He finds such pleasure in the simple things, like a plastic grocery bag! He was pouncing on it, then grabbing a piece and running with it, then back until the whole bag was shredded. Instead of hollering at him to stop, I grabbed my camera. He won't be so lucky next time...

He played so hard he needed a long nap on the back of the sofa in my clean laundry pile.

Take a hike!

By Mermaid Shelley

Oh, have I been anxious to hike the hill behind my condo! Snow and bad weather have made conditions too hazardous to venture out. That is, until today. The temperature rose and the sun came out. Time to take a hike!

No need to ask my Eddie dog twice, he was ready to go in a flash!

The snow lingers on the ground, making a patchwork of white, brown, and green. It's just beautiful. 

Eddie and I see evidence of wildlife. These turkey tracks were fun.

Green life emerges even as more snow is in the forecast.

We break out of the trees to a hillside meadow. I turned to look behind and was rewarded with a view of the City of Liberty Lake.

Turn the other direction, the view is even better. The Mermaids' beautiful Liberty Lake.

Pushing on, Eddie and I made our way up the steep hillside. This picture doesn't do it justice!

Eddie is such a fast little guy, it was difficult getting his picture. I did sneak this one while he was "hiding" behind the grasses.

Whew! We didn't make it all the way to the top. It was getting too muddy and I was worried it would be dangerous coming down. However, we did make a good hike out of the afternoon.

I sure was glad for my Yaktrax, they saved the day going up and coming back down.

What a great way to spend a winter afternoon! The air was vibrant, the sky lit with filtered January sunshine, green things popped up here and there, and Eddie and I got a great workout. 

Please come visit us at our other Mermaid locations:

Mermaids of the Lake on-line magazine
We have tons of fun, interesting, and helpful articles, recipes, and ideas. 

Mermaids on Facebook
Looking for inspiration or a pick-me-up? We post all kinds of beautiful words and images that will make you smile!

Mermaids pinning on Pinterst
Colorful, informative, glamorous, creative, and fun. That's what we love! 

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