Friederike!, Pino's true blue friend in Germany is sending us this FABULOUS apron for Pino Pie day. If you haven't gone to her blog, you must. Her master artist, Sandra Monat, makes wonderful softie dolls and magical creations. We are lucky to have one of her charming Viking dolls on our guest bed to protect visitors that sleep there [and me when I sneak in their to have a 'girl alone night'].
I am so excited, Pino can't wait to show it to Rosemary the head ewe. We told Sandra the ewes will be so envious. Don't you love the greens in the photo? We adore blue sheep! and the goodies she surprises us with - like the donkey cookie cutters she sent. I use the cookie cutter all the time to cut out donkeys in the pie crust.
Thank you, Sandra and Friederike. The Pino Pie Day is going to be so fun. We only wish our German friends could be there - but they will be in our hearts!
Another apron from afar!
It's National Wear Your Apron Day!
I've spent a good part of the morning trying to get Pino's apron on him, but alas, it's spring, there's grass, there's dust to roll in, and he is out doing his thing like a donkey should be.
I don't know where I heard about National Wear Your Apron Day, to be honest, or who started it, so forgive me for lack of details. I just know it's a day to celebrate the apron, by wearing it with glee. All the handy things about an apron - I can attest to here in my own life. I gather eggs in the pockets, I wipe my dirty garden hands all over the front to spare my already dirty pants, why just this week I wiped goop out of cat eye with my apron. Very handy in deed. And, as I've stated many a time, aprons help cover my somewhat expanded waistline. It's a wonderful way to feel like I'm wearing a dress when a dress just isn't always practical. Don't want to bending over in the barnyard in a dress, ladies!
So that I am. I'm attempting to document all the aprons I ham collecting for Pino's Pie Day Apron Clothesline...It's quite an amusing way to spend time. How lucky I am, yes?
We're thrilled with the generosity of people. And we hope all these efforts will help bring awareness to caregivers who want to share donkey therapy, and farm therapy, with their patients and friends in need.
Keep those aprons coming!
I'm going to try and model all the aprons that come in. Some real fun ones!
The 'apron clothesline" is going to be so pretty and fun for Pino Pie Day. So keep 'em coming.
Meanwhile, don't forget to send me any contacts you have - either business or personal- who might benefit from donkey therapy visits here at the farm. A child or adult going through Chemo or illness, a lonely elderly friend, children that have never visited a farm - we are actively seeking to build relationships with hospice workers, counselors and schools, and elder care facilities.
Special Visitor from Afar!
We were so thrilled to have an Official Pie Ambassador come meet us - all the way from Mississippi [Pino likes this state because it has a lot of s's and p's]...I confess, she really came to meet Pino, but I wowed her with some of my apple pie. I must say, the crust was especially delicious, mainly because I put in less water and it was like eating butter...I was thrilled when our honorary pie ambassador had a second piece - I feel I can say this, as she often writes about her pie addictions, and well, what's wrong with 2 pieces of pie? Nothin', I say! Life is short, eat pie.
The weather was miserable [and I must say, this picture does not to either of us justice, we are so much prettier in life, right Amy? Right Lucia?].My tea and pie party with Pino had to become an indoor party for our guests. If Martyn hadn't been home, I would have brought Pino in, but, well, I didn't. Our pie guests took a real shining to Lucia, which happens to everyone that meets her. Paco was well behaved, and just a tad grumpy, but he kept an eye on all to make sure no one stole Lucia. He worries about this. In fact, Paco worries about everything, the poor little fellow. We love him so for his worries.
So thank you Amy and Amy's Mom [who came from Texas] for taking time out of your trip to visit us. And they brought us gifts! We love surprises.
Call for Aprons!
I want to hang a bevy of aprons on a clothesline for my June 28th Pino Pie event.
I am asking people to donate an apron for the event. All money from sales goes into Pino's secret bucket for his donkey therapy goals. Special Pino thankyou's will be sent to all who donate.
Do you love to shop/antique?
If you find an apron and would like to donate it, please do. I will acknowledge your donation with a surprise from Pino. Don't break your piggy bank, just buy and donate an apron you find charming - we especially love vintage finds, but let your eyes and heart do the choosing. All are appreciated. Make sure to include a mailing address, and email address when you mail me the apron.
Are you a sewer, of ANY level?
Then we'd be honored to have you donate an apron for our cause. You might want to tell me the suggested retail - and again, you will receive a special thank you from Pino.
Make sure you sew a label of some kind in your apron. We know it takes time and energy to create things, and we will appreciate any efforts, no matter how humble [remember, I sew 'messes'...Include your name, address, email. NOTE: Include a business card or your promo card so I can include it on the "Apron Resource" board that I will have by the apron clothesline.
Aprons due by: June 20th
Mail to: Pino Balngiforti c/o Katherine Dunn, 14710 NW Tupper RD, Yamhill, OR 97148
Questions: email me >
Include in mailing: your address, email. Label your apron if you sew it yourself.
Pie Bakers!
I just had someone volunteer to make 6 pies for the June 28th Pino Pie Day! Now that is a Pie Ambassador if there ever was one. So start thinking about baking a pie and bringing it too, or volunteering to be a pie server. Visit the Pie Day page to see what's planned so far.
I also stopped at my farm vet today for meds, and got a couple names and ideas about connecting with hospice workers, cancer patients and more.
One step at a time. Pino and I will make a difference to somebody.
New Pie Ambassador...
I received a nice email from a new Pino supporter.
"... I’m going to bake an apple pie today while your beautiful painting of Pino is fresh in my mind. I think I’ll share it with Mr. and Mrs. Tudor across the street. They are nearing their 90’s and still living independently. You’ve got to love that."
One more baked pie, one more elderly couple getting pie love...Thank you, Kathy B.! You are now an official Pino Pie Ambassador...
