Work happens to fill the time available

Our Ken spent yet another day wearing out shoes in his quest for inspiration, after a breakfast of Kendra's raisin bread and marmalade made in a bread machine.  Lee, conversely, finished her wrapping (which includes all of Our Ken's wrapping with the exception of her own gifts which appear not to be presenting a huge workload).  As the day unfolded, Kendra's Swedish Tea Cakes materialized as did a lovely sheet of orange cranberry biscotti (the recipe called for Grand Marnier so how could it not happen).  Then it was on to dinner - Dawn and Jim were coming for a visit and Patti could hardly wait.  The weather continues to be unseasonable - the winds are atrocious, the rain makes floors a mud pile as the dogs trail the outside in and the rosemary (a Mediterranean herb, remember) continues to thrive outside the kitchen window on the deck.  Margot and Margaret suffered through a bump up to Business Class flight and were some of the first Canadians to land at Heathrow after its major 10 cm debacle.  We are proud of their fortitude and even more impressed that they were able to find their way to the connecting flight and have made it to Catherine and Duncan in Scotland. 

The kennel is rocking.  Moses is a tough manager and offers orders not even couched as advice to all who will listen - and to many who won't.  Naomi simply shakes her head.  The two continue to enjoy their big exercise yard.  Jake the Leader and Barbaro the Enthusiast are true favourites.  Their joy in the big exercise yard, the view of the busy fruit and meat market and the birds overhead is second only to bedtime bones.  Gemini and Old Bailey are holding up their end in number four yard.  Roddi and Ruari are thriving and busy, carefully watching the outside conditions.  Ruari is taking over more than his share of the bed - Roddi has requested a new brother.  The boyz were happy to see Crockett and Zeus arrive - endless barking opportunities await.  Sarah had a good view of the two miscreants as well and wagged her tail in greeting - she appears to like the little ones a lot.  The Welsh - well, their barkers are yet to have broken but they are no worse than Crockett.  Brunswick is carefully watching Moses - he aspires to the white hat but has much to learn before that happens. 

The house dogs are tickled with constant commotion in the kitchen and are fascinated with the addition of old Dover to the mix.  Dover is not amused but has begun to eat, albeit with great care.  By dinnertime, she was interested enough in food to choke down prime rib and squash.   We can see where this is going.  Piper is tracking Lee to ensure forward momentum continues.  Nick went shopping - which is telling in determining how hopeful Our Ken was of filling the vehicle with gifts.  Marilla is the lead mudder and is carrying far more than her share of dirt and debris into the house, with a Marilla-laugh and gleam in her eye.  Lori is a bit more settled as the winds diminish.  The high point of Patti's day was Jimmy's arrival.  She ran to the hall door and smiled - the first burst of speed and first smile we have seen in many weeks.  She adores Jimmy. 

Dinner was a pre-Christmas meal of prime rib with crusty roasted potatoes, squash and fiddle heads followed by an apple pie made from local Cortlands, cheese and cookies.  There was Chex Mix of course at the beginning and lovely fig crackers to carry the cheese and olive spread that is John's favourite.  No one left the table hungry.  There also was impetus to fall into the Christmas container pile and unearth the dishes and centerpieces as well as the old world Santas.  Let's hope that will be the end.