* ** * MERRY CHRISTMAS 2006 ** * * *

Merry Christmas!! What a special day celebrated at home. Everyone was up by 8, the agreed apon time, I had just got back from walking Molly at 8:01 and was greeted by scowls for running late!! Stockings were first in the family room with oranges and candies, books and perfumes and bath bombs included. Molly was a bit of a nuisance for her first Christmas- this may be a recuring theme...
 
Then with coffee in hand, into the living room around the tree. Things went very smoothly, everyone wanted to see what each got, so slowed down to enjoy the whole show. We've tried to do this for years without success, but this year it was the kids idea so of course, it worked. Somewhere between the stocking stage and the tree, Molly returned to the family room and ate the chord to Dawsons new headphones. Yes, insert "nuisance" here.
 
With present openning completed, some tidying and preparations for the brunch. Two different roles- sugar buns or sticky buns, scrambled or fried eggs, Canadian bacon, juices, jello...mmm, compliments to the chef!! Ted received some new hair product for his "do" so Hailey helped him with that while Olivia styled my hair with her new brush set. Not much you can do with this cut.
 
The new tv was set up temporarily in the corner of the basement family room, where we were able to watch "Muppet Christmas" and other classics in lcd widescreen splendor. It will soon find its home on the wall in the same room, I'll start buying the mounting accessories in a few days. Christmas dinner was awesome, turkey (thanks Jade), potatoes roasted, corn, stuffing and cranberries, and squash and gravy. For desert there was a ginger cake/ apple triffle. I don't know about everyone else, but I certainly overate!
Molly had a little better rest of the day, frequent treats and lots of walks reduced the amount of paper, toys and shoes she potentially could have devoured.
 
At "best and worst" around the supper table, the concencus was that the worst was that Grandpa couldn't be here with us. Christmas is certainly one of the most reflective times of the year. With year-end quickly approaching thoughts go to family, those here to share our enjoyment of the season, those living in other citys beyond our range of visit, and those who have passed away who we would love to reach out and hold just one more time.
Cheers and Happy New Year, stay healthy and play safe! 

Here comes Winter..welcome Christmas Eve!

Two weeks ago we had our first real taste of winter- in the form of a storm that shut the city down! Buses were cancelled in the city for the day, as well of course as schools and many other businesses and work places. The walk from my parking lot to the station was a delight- the snowbank at the tracks here is about six feet high!

Christmas eve sees the weather just beautiful for a walk in the country. So is Komoka a conservation area or a provincial park? Is it Konoka, I thought it was Kilworth? Oh well, it has a parking lot and lots of nice trails. Molly's a bit young to run off the lead- but we tried it anyways. She did come back, not always straight away..


Shelahs charges are bundled up here in the yard. They've got their Christmas mooses in hand. Sorry guys, no sleigh rides yet!

..and heres our author compliments of Olivia. I think that I've had only 2 or 3 Christmas's off in the past eight years.. the kids were quite shocked that I'd be here all day- all week for that matter.
Merry Christmas to All!

October fun!

Happy Halloween, what a spooky house! I think that we had one of the more decorated places, the kids did a great job with the pumpkins. There didn't seem to be too many kids out, there's more and more candy left over every year.

Mom looks a little surprised..I think Molly was more interested in giving kisses than having her picture taken!


Olivia was a dice this year..she's a "lucky" kid. No, she didn't get "rolled" either. She had a nice easy pace going with her friend, back by eight. Ted had his final x-c race of highschool at the WOSSA finals at Springwater. He had a great finish..on to swimming for the winter.

The daycare kids had a fun costume day with Shel before Halloween night, what a great looking crew. Here comes November!!!

..and hello Molly!

What a cutie! It was a bit of a trip but well worth it. The breeder was only a few blocks from John and Caroline's- they were a very nice family and the animals there look good. "Molly" travelled VERY well, no accidents and very little whining. That was very nice of her as the drive sucked with lots of rain and too many cars in my way through Toronto (Those 4 in the morning trips are a lot less stressful).

So Molly is about nine weeks, maybe about 8 or 9 lbs and should grow to about 35 lbs. Her mother is quite a bit smaller than Larry was- but so were most other Keeshonds we've met. Molly was one of the larger females in the litter, so we'll see. Her parents were both Championship show dogs (of course- but Molly's back is apparently too long (what a half inch??) for show). Her disposition is awesome so far, friendly with everyone, interested in everything...still working on her relationship with Minnie...that could take some time. I guess that's it.

September at Brightside..

A weekend at the "cottage" can be restful and relaxing..a time to un-wind and listen to the wind blow. Where else can you find the time to read a novel uninterupted in just two days? The country is beautiful this time of year. The pond is down, but that makes it easier to get around it. I saw evidence of beavers at a couple of ponds, but I'm no expert in telling whether it's recent..it doesn't look like it.
Did see a fisher or martin, having never seen one before I was a little stunned and had to look it up when I got home. It was smaller than a bear, bigger than a weasle, longer tail than a bob cat, and too fast for a beaver or racoon. Any other guesses?? Also saw lots of deer tracks, and one bear poop- no awards there I guess.
These rose hips are HUGE! I didn't see the roses in the spring when we were there, they must have been impressive through the summer.
Stopped at Basswood hill and paid my respects, it's a special moment.
Tried a couple of directions to find a path towards the lake, but I honestly have no idea where I'm going...two hours into my walk it occurs to me,"no map, phone, gps, no gun, knife..is this smart?" I promptly turned around and headed back to the cabin.
It'll be nice to get back again soon, maybe a winter trip?

Summers' last breath..

School starts today..Hooray!! It's been a busy and rewarding summer for all. Dawson, Ian, and Liv returned excited and happy from camp, we had a great time in Portugal, and Hailey and Ted..well, maybe they'll get a holiday next year! Painting has started in earnest at the front of the house, still on schedule for a Fall completion. The new puppy is getting picked up by us in a couple of weeks, pics will be added then I'm sure. Hey mon, whats long and waxy and hip? Beats me, ask Ted! Annual trip to Canadas Wonderland was a hoot, Liv joined in this year and the kids din't miss too many rides..neither did Steve..what a good sport!
Hopefully will get back to regular submissions, play safe.

It's Almost July!!!!

Ok, room and time for a few more current photos. Two of Shelahs charges Julia and Olivia swinging in front of Ted's garden,(I think they're laughing at ME!)Olivia next doing a fine job in her out-door version of Prince and the Pauper at school.
Dawson has been working keenly on his "hack", I'm certain his abilities will wan when he spends more of his "free-time" next year on school work. And, Happy 17th Ted! Have fun in Halifax Liv and Grandma. Happy Summer!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Fathers Day

Fathers Day again, time for that annual trip to he beach. It was very windy this year at "the bend", saw the flesh blown clean off the bones of several people.. ok, a little exaggeration, but it sure kept the number of sun worshipers down on what was otherwise a beautiful morning. The boys are looking pretty buff, I stayed out of this photo so there'd be room.
I wish I could say the renos were complete..theres about five little things left to finally put the kitchen to rest. It is beautiful though, Olivia loves sitting at the new bench seat, well so does Hail and the child care kids for that matter. Still getting used to where to find everything and where to put it away afterward
The Childrens Festival is changing format again this year. Attendance was down so they moved it indoors so weather wouldn't be a factor. That wasn't the problem though.. they festival just wasn't very good. This year they spead it out over five venues, many of those requiring admission to watch performances. Good thinking. Not. Fortunately the kids are amused by colour and activity and there were still some activities for the young ones. If I were king I'd make it a lot better...
Just a couple of days of school left to go. Hail's finishing exams, the boys are just going into exams, Ian and Oliv done on the 28th. Liv will be a day earlier of course with Grandma coming. Everyone is quite happy with the school year ending, I suppose thats a given though.
I'm getting a little giddy looking forward to our trip this summer, it's going to be awsome!
Probably won't get new pics on until the trip, if I only had a laptop to bring so I could add as I go... 

It's the May 24 weekend!!

Blackflies!
I think living in Southern Ontario has spoiled me. Just spent the week in Tomogami where the blackflies were so thick hats and netting were given to all participants in the workshop. Except for the insects and the fact the cell phone doesn't work so good there, it was a good week and a fabulous course. The view and scenery was awesome..saw four moose and one bear!

The pics today are all from the May "2-4" weekend at the cottage in Lanark (outside of Ottawa for those not in the know).The weather forcast was horrible with insect levels rated as high..as high as the expectation of precipitation! Both came to pass, but the kids insisted on going and everyone made the best of it and will have great memories I think.
I like the way the "pond " out front of the cabin looks like an awesome lake!




Now that the kids are getting bigger, the help and support on these trips is great. They built the fires, cleared the grass and scrub from around the pit, brought the water from the spring, even made the coffee on the Coleman! (What a fantastic invention..a coffee machine that sets up on the propane Coleman stove..makes a coffee that tastes just like home!!). Most appreciated though was that the kids all helped pack up and clean on the final day making a four hour project a 1 1/2 hour one, making our gettaway right on schedule.

The big disappointment to coincide with the trip though was the deterioration of of "Larry's" health. After a slow but progressive problem with arthritis and back end/hip problems, Larry lost use of his back end on the trip and had to be carried for most of the weekend. The ultimate "parent" decision was made and he was euthanized on Tuesday. We were so happy that he was able to spend his last few days at the farm he loved to visit so much. A great dog and wonderful family pet for these 12 years, Larry will be sorely missed.

So whats on tap for next month? Soccer for Liv followed by travel with Grandma and Camp, refereeing for Ian followed by camp, lots of homework and study for Dawson followed by camp, work for Hailey and Ted. The home reno's are almost all caught up so more time can be spent puttering in the garden and relaxing..ha! I'm sure we'll find lots more to do.

Everybody play safe. Bye.