The latest Buzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well, it's official. Spring is here. Mosquitos have been sighted outside.

This announcement is greeted each year with a mixture of joy and dread. Yay, Spring is here! Oh crud, the mosquitoes are here too.

You have to respect these first large, slow-moving mozzies. They've actually made it through an Alaskan winter - and without spiked hot apple cider or wooly slippers. That's something. I could tell you that out of this immense respect, we let them live to buzz along into summer. But we don't. We smash 'em, squash 'em, burn 'em and zap 'em.

Why? Because of their progeny. The big, lathargic parent mosquitoes will sire millions of faster-moving, industrious little blood-sucking, ear-circling babies. We hate them for it. Yeah, so they've survived the winter too, but they got to do it all cozied up in their nice warm eggs, and don't emerge until after the snow is gone and road construction season has begun. Are we jealous? You betcha.

Note: for a fascinating explanation of how adult mosquitoes survive the long Alaskan winter under the snow, click here: the guys at the Alaska Science Institute equate it to pretty much the same process as when you make fudge. Neat, but in our opinion, anyone who can equate mosquito hibernation with chocolate has serious issues.

So, we'll cope by lighting our citronella candles, spraying ourselves with copious amounts of our own homemade DEET-free bug spray, and wearing long sleeves. And by squishing every buzzer we can catch.

For your shopping pleasure: Limited Series 98 Mosquito Mug (microwave safe)at top by JimAndGina, Mosquito Card by SouthernPestPrints, Belgian Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut-Chocolate Cream Truffles by Nikid , Camper's Soap-To-Go by SudsNSuch, PithVogue Couture Hat wA Little Beekeeper Thrown In by whimandaprayer, and Citronella Spring Tin Soy Candle by LilacAve.

It's National Puppy Day!

Everybody say, "Awwwwwwwwwwwww!"

Yes, we love puppies. Who doesn't? And today being National Puppy Day, we couldn't resist a few gratuitious cute bebe puppeh pics.

National Puppy Day has a serious mission though. It was founded by animal behaviorist and author Colleen Paige (who is also the founder of National Dog Day and National Cat Day) "to help save orphaned puppies across the globe and educate the public about the horrors of puppy mills." With thousands of sweet puppies in animals shelters across the country, remember to "adopt, don't shop!"

We talked with fellow Homefront team member Susan Brann of theqstore last week about her experiences rescuing puppies.

"When we were stationed in Italy," she said, "we saved a trash can puppy, mixed breed, and named him FABIO.....so he could be proud and handsome....he lived for nearly 16 years and just passed last Sept. We adopted another puppy while we were in Italy...Fabio's sister....as we called her. Her name was NINA for another Italian model. She was the runt of her liter, another mixed breed, and a really hyper girl...she lived for 14 years."

Susan and her husband just recently adopted another pup. "She is a pitbull mix, which we think may be St. Bernard or Boxer. She is such a doll and so loving. Her breed is so misunderstood and we saw her photo on their web site and just had to go see her. It only took one second for me to fall in love with her and adopt her. She is 15 weeks old and is huge."

Susan adds, "This time, we waited until we were ready and the grieving process had worked its way through our hearts. I knew the time was right and I knew it when I saw Bella....another Italian name...can't help it...she is a BEAUTY of a puppy....We are the luckiest people in the world!"

For more information on National Puppy day, go here: http://www.nationalpuppyday.com/index.htm

Here are more awesome pet-related items from the Homefront Team:

Hand Stamped Copper Disc Pet Tag - Custom Design by TheTaffyBox, Springer Spaniel Original Graphite Drawing 8x10, by bethjt, Personalized Doggie Scarf by household6handmade.

Artist Spotlight - March

Cassandra's Clay

When Cassandra was a little girl, her church organist gave her a box of old jewelry. "I have been mesmorized with jewelry over 50 years," she says.

Cassandra discovered polymer clay several years ago, and has spent many hours working and developing her talent. Obviously, her hard work has paid off! We love the detail in the sweet little bee, above.

You can read more about Cassandra and her work at her blog here: http://www.poly-clay.blogspot.com/

And be sure to visit her etsy shop, ClayCass, where you'll find several more amazing, one-of-a-kind pieces like these ...