We’re Moving!

Written by Matthew Grant, digital magician

So, we’ve made the decision to move from our WordPress.com to a self-hosted blog (http://blog.cloudstar.com). We would love for you to follow us to the new blog!

While email subscriptions have been moved to the new site, if you subscribe via RSS (or some other method) you’ll need to head over there and update your RSS feeds, bookmarks, etc. And, of course, we always post our blog updates to Facebook!

Our first post in the new location will be tomorrow… for Wag More Wednesday, of course!

We hope to see all of you there!

Wag More Wednesday… the Cloud Star crew!

Written by Jennifer Melton, co-founder

I have always known that I work with a unique group of individuals here at Cloud Star. But I didn’t know just how unique they all were until we decided to add a detailed “about us” section to the Cloud Star website (check it out here). There are some long standing Cloud Star jokes revealed on this new page: Jeanne’s love of cereal and wine for dinner and Tom’s culinary prowess are just two. Steve claims to be a “Master of Airports” and I can personally vow that this is true – it became apparent when he once navigated us onto a subway at the Atlanta airport to direct us to a fine dining establishment. And voila, we were dining in no time! It’s no surprise that Athena is a huge fan of Star Wars, Kelly is directionally challenged, Kim likes the smell of flowers, Robin is an animal advocate, and Lindsey is a master of online shopping. What I didn’t know until now is that Cassy skipped her senior year of high school; Deanne is a synchronized swimmer (can’t wait to see that at our upcoming Palm Springs retreat!), Matt’s last name should be Seaver, Melissa and I share a bucket list item, Scott likes to build things, and Stacy can draw. Who knew? I feel blessed to have such amazing people to work with each day.

Another interesting tidbit about a fascinating co-worker is that Brennan set forth to accomplish a life goal of his own this past Sunday. He left Santa Barbara, CA on a 37’ sailboat to sail single handed (read alone) 2,200 miles across the Pacific to Kaneohe, Hawaii. We will post a daily tracker on our webpage (check it out here) so you can follow his progress, if you are so inclined. I’m hoping to have photos to share (hopefully not any of sperm whales directly under the boat) once he reaches the Hawaiian Islands. Oh, and then he’s going to sail back to California too!

Take a look around at the people you work with. There may be some surprises there too.

Wag More Wednesday… Firefly Expedition

Written by Jennifer Melton, co-founder

What is Wag More Wednesday? Some ideas are simple, while others are more deep and meaningful. Is it something that simply makes you smile? Is it a simple solution to a difficult problem? Or is it a philosophy and way of life? I want to share ways that we are wagging more each week and hope you can find reason and inspiration in your own life to do the same. Each week on Wag More Wednesday I hope to bring new suggestions on ways that you too can Wag More Bark Less.

So it’s Wag More Wednesday…

Firefly expedition…

You may have noticed that seeing fireflies was on our Summer Fun List. Seeing fireflies has also been on my personal “bucket list” for quite some time. Those of you who live in states that have fireflies (or lightning bugs as I was recently corrected) can not appreciate that fireflies are the stuff of children’s dreams – at least for those of us who are California natives.

Another item on the summer fun list was a Girls’ Trip; that is, just a trip with me and my two daughters. So last week the three of us ventured off to The Carolinas to knock a few items off the Summer Fun List. Our first stop was Lexington, NC for a great visit with my cousin and aunt. It was there, in my aunt’s yard on the very first night of our visit that I had a truly magical moment… I saw the elusive firefly first hand! I ran inside, grabbed my girls (and my mason jar) and we watched together. I would have posted photos but, as you can imagine, getting a photo of a firefly is almost as impossible as catching them in a jar. I was unsuccessful at both. But what an amazing moment!

I may not have firefly photos to share, but I can share photos from a few of our other stops:

The Sea Turtle Rescue Center

Fountain fun in Waterfront Park in Charleston

Crocodiles and Peacocks at Magnolia Plantation (also in Charleston)

Fabulous Southern food (I may have gained a few pounds)

And best of all, some quality girl time… Summer Fun!

Wag More Wednesday… Happy 4th of July!

What is Wag More Wednesday? Some ideas are simple, while others are more deep and meaningful. Is it something that simply makes you smile? Is it a simple solution to a difficult problem? Or is it a philosophy and way of life? I want to share ways that we are wagging more each week and hope you can find reason and inspiration in your own life to do the same. Each week on Wag More Wednesday I hope to bring new suggestions on ways that you too can Wag More Bark Less.

So it’s Wag More Wednesday…

I wanted to share one of Samantha’s favorite summer treats, which is fun, simple, and perfect for the Fourth of July! Grab the kids, a few simple ingredients, and try these Red, White and Blueberry treats! They’re sure to get your pup’s tail wagging, especially as temperatures rise.

Ingredients:

Fresh strawberries

Fresh blueberries

Plain yogurt

Wag More Bark Less Oven Baked Biscuits

1. Blend strawberries and place in a bowl

2. Blend blueberries and place in a separate bowl

3. Mix the pureed strawberries and a few spoonfuls of yogurt by hand.

4. Mix the pureed blueberries and a few spoonfuls yogurt by hand.

5. Grab a small cup and neatly add some of the strawberry mixture to create the red layer

6. Top with a few dollops of yogurt to create the white layer

7. Add some of the blueberry mixture to create the blue layer

8. Pop in one wheat free Wag More Bark Less Oven Baked biscuit, just like a popsicle stick

9. Place it in the freezer for 45 minutes to one hour, or until frozen

10. Enjoy

Happy 4^th of July!

Wag More Wednesday – Sprinkler Fun

Written by Jennifer Melton, co-founder

What is Wag More Wednesday?   Some ideas are simple, while others are more deep and meaningful. Is it something that simply makes you smile? Is it a simple solution to a difficult problem? Or is it a philosophy and way of life?  I want to share ways that we are wagging more each week and hope you can find reason and inspiration in your own life to do the same.  Each week on Wag More Wednesday I hope to bring new suggestions on ways that you too can Wag More Bark Less.

This video is summer to me. While the kids were playing in the sprinklers a few years back, I happened to have my phone handy and clicked off this impromptu video (hold the applause – no Oscars are coming my way for sure!). Those of you who have been Cloud Star friends for a while may remember that we lost Nala to bone cancer in the summer of 2009. This video was taken just a few months before she died, and I’m sure glad to have it as we still miss her dearly. Nala loved the sprinklers just as much (or more!) than the kids, and this video still makes me laugh every time I watch it. Enjoy.