A great visit with Chantelle after a busy day

The day was clear and warm.  A drive to Five Mile River mid-afternoon showed a county that looked much more like spring than mid-winter.   Barns were open, green grass was the norm and folks were about with sweaters rather than down filled coats.  This will no doubt change but it certainly has been mild to this point.  There is no frost in the ground and the water table is high.  Lee spent the day on conference calls and CKC business so was delighted to have plans to visit Chantelle that took her away for a bit of time.  Ken was relieved to simply see the telephone removed from her ear.  June came out for some work with the puppies.  Lead training continues as does their progress in learning to be great little citizens.  Both concur that June is 'The Best'!  Our Ken continued his organizing ways.  What is being accomplished is a mystery but he certainly is busy.  It was a good football evening with a great, if surprising, game between Pittsburgh and Denver. 

The kennel is quiet and easily managed. 

The house dogs are happy to report that all is well.  Their food has arrived as it should, albeit a bit late because of the late arrival home of the people of the house.  Piper has requested the key to the feed room so that she can feed if this occurs in future.  Her kind offer has been declined.  Patti is more mobile and happy to be getting around on her own schedule once again.  And she has resumed her role as top dog, much to everyone's amazement. 

Dinner was the local pizza house special - and was well enjoyed, particularly by the person who did not have to prepare a meal . . .  And Mr turkey is history - soup is the final offering.

|January is underway

The quiet weeks of January have arrived.  the weather remains warm for the most part although the occasional colder day has managed to creep in, only to be sent packing by a series of Alberta Clippers.  There was a light snowfall (4 cm) and occasional rain interspersed with fog.  The Jet Stream is doing what it will do - generally to our benefit on our little end of North America.  Our Ken has decided to organize and the best avenue for all in his proximity is to duck and run.  He has a closet that makes Houdini's truck look like a shoebox and out of it comes the most wildly assorted array of items that any one individual can collect.  Of course, this array is of interest and always a surprise to Our Ken as well.  On this day there appeared 4 sake cups "Made in Japan", a can of stain remover for carpets (we have none), an antique set of fine china teacups and saucers with one matching vegetable serving dish, an array of odd tools, a vacuum cleaner, and on it goes.  Keep in mind, this is an old house.  The closet is actually a cupboard that was listed as the 'library' because it stored the family books when it was listed by the real estate agent.  This organizing has resulted in the hall floor being lined with assorted plunder, the room which houses the closet looking like a cyclone has been through and Our Ken wandering through with a self-satisfied look.  Men are truly a mystery. 

The kennel is quiet.  Little Maggie came and went.  Ceilidh departed with a kick of Cocker heels and a wave.  Sarah is finding things far too quiet and has managed to find her way into the grooming room to help Ken work on Atlas.  Trebia is sporting a green wool sweater but remains unamused by winter.    Her outside periods are certainly curtailed, even with this mild winter.  Scooter doesn't care provided her toys are properly aligned and at the ready. 

The house crew enjoyed the organizing period, watching intently as Our Ken tortured Lee with his 'what do I do with this?' game.  Piper, ever the harbinger of Lee's state of mind, took cover after the tenth version of this question.  Piper is a smart one.  With the warm day and fog, the Airedales decided that a revolving door would be handy but, failing that, Lee's ministrations would do.  Charlotte let everyone out at regular intervals, Lee obliged their desires ton come back in, muddy paws and all.  Jack was the recipient of the Christmas toy that had found its way into a stocking.  He is thrilled.  So far, it is intact and has varied its' abilities from a pillow to a bite plate to a best friend.  As the Airedales faded down the walk for their early spin, Jack is next out and Lee found him standing with his entire body wagging and Mr Skateboarder in his mouth ready to go out too.  The toy is slightly smaller than Sir Jack so has to be managed carefully to be picked up and transported but Jack has it down to a science after considerable practice. 

Dinner was scallops with potatoes, squash and asparagus.  Chantelle's birthday cake is still with us and seems to come alive late evening given the crumbs on the counter in the mornings.  Subtlety is not Our Ken's long suit.  And tomorrow beckons . . .

a Birthday for Chantelle

Luella has promised to have no more children in January.  That is a relief.  Chantelle's birthday is an event and celebration must happen.  So it was a day of kitchen activity.  The dogs were delighted.  And there was decorating.  Happy 30th Birthday was in evidence.  Chantelle noticed.  Dawn was polite.  Our Ken helped by wrapping the gift - that was worth the price of admission. The requisite singing occurred, accompanied by cake and hilarity; there were toasts and stories.  Our Ken's pictures on the computerized picture frame were admired - Paris juxtaposed with Disney was a bit perplexing but worked in context, bracketed by images of puppies and summer at Regalridge. 

The Schenks arrived home.  While the plane was late, Air Canada's system of alerts worked.  Our Ken was the designated chauffeur and was repeatedly advised that 2:45 was the wheels down timing.  At 3:00 Lee looked out the window and what to her wondering eyes did appear but Our Ken - minus sleigh and reindeer but replete with a bag of dirt and a spade.  And you wonder why it is difficult to be on time when married to this wonder of nature.  'Have you looked at your watch', Lee enquired, perhaps a bit sharply.  And the fun began.  Eventually the ladies were collected, the little dogs were returned home with them and the kennel settled.  Only Ceilidh remains, Maxifer having left earlier in the day. 

And the house dogs managed the kitchen with Lee.  There was a high activity level as the turkey came apart to offer up the makings for a casserole particularly loved by Chantelle.  Odd bits were shared.  Marilla approved.  May and Patti had a good day.  Patti is stronger and brighter, enjoying her beds but also her wanders around the yard.  There was little in the way of available laps until late evening.  The Norwich were less than impressed and have requested improvement in days to come. 

Dinner was a success.  There was cheese dip with crackers (Christmas lives on).  There was the romaine salad with pears, glazed walnuts and blur cheese or ranch dressing - it was a mixed table, after all.  There was the turkey casserole and baked stuffed potatoes.  And there was the three layer Devil's Food cake with peanut butter icing - a once a year concoction that takes the day and is worth every second.  Girardelli chocolate, Penzey's Dutch processed cocoa powder and very good vanilla combine to take this cake a level beyond the norm.  And there is lots left - Chantelle scurried out with her gifts, forgetting her food.  If the little car slows that can be remedied  . . .

And the rains came down - yet again

Thank goodness the year can start - the Parade happened.  2012 will have 364 days but what the heck.  The EU is intending to shorten the year more impressively than by one day - was this the North American response?  And, of course, on Parade Day there is little that can be done.  KTLA carries the annual ritual from early morning to reruns and then reruns of reruns.  What could be better.  There were elephants and princesses, Roy Rogers tributes and a Calgary band.  There were astronauts made of seeds and straw flowers and dinosaurs - oh my.  And there were recalcitrant dock diving dogs who took a pass on the opportunity to Wow millions.  There you have it - the parade in prose.  There was puppy trimming through the afternoon while the adult Airedales snoozed in front of the fire.  The feeders were busy as a result of the monsoon and two pheasants have now been spotted under the tree.  Hope is held out that Phil will yet appear. 

The kennel is quiet - or as quiet as it can get with Crockett in residence.  |The little characters have their bags packed, having marked their schedule on the walls to ensure the big reunion doesn't take place without them.  Ceilidh and Maxifer have decided that living at Regalridge is just fine with them..  They are an interesting Sporting dog combination and enjoy each others' company. 

The house crew are doing well.  Enjoying the presence of their people, they are settled, have developed a 'den routine' and have no complaints.  Patti is doing well and is much brighter.  May is keeping up with the activity level and is happy to find a lap whenever possible. 

Dinner was pork with roasted vegetables.  It was well received. 

2011 & 1/2

We are quite certain that it was New Year's Day.  New Year's Eve had come and gone and, aging though we are, New Year's Day has always followed.  Still, there are questions.  You see, there was no Rose Parade.  And the Rose Parade is the cornerstone of the first day of the year.  So, the question becomes, how do we move forward.  The day had to become an'extra' - a 24 hour period between New Year's Eve and the Rose Parade.  A day that does not require much in the way of anything since it really hadn't been counted on and is only filling time until the new year can actually begin.  Reading is permitted as is television, housework can happen and fill in jobs like adding earth to the roses.  But no major or important acts, no resolutions can come into play and certainly no New Year's dinner.  Even the weather lacked note or colour.  New Year's day in abeyance is an odd start to 2012 giving pause as we consider what the year will bring beyond this hiccup. 

The kennel managed to fill its day that didn't happen quite nicely.  Crockett has learned how to scale walls - apparently watching Spiderman in his spare time, since that is the only way a dog of his inconsiderable height would be able to perform bathroom duties to the level now achieved.  Our Ken is perplexed and giving this some thought.  The Welsh have finally earned their star.  Their run was clean on this day that did not exist.  Maxifer is enjoying his friendship with Ceilidh the Spaniel.  The two have developed a bond and are exploring the big yard at their own pace.  Sarah is playing with Trebia and content. 

The house crew managed a quiet enough day with lots of sleeping by the fire,  Patti is improving with an ability to now get up on her own, to march around the yard and is looking for a game, much to everyone's amazement.  May is eating well and perking.  Patti is particularly fond of turkey - good thing there is lots.  With Lee in the leather chair, the Norwich settled in for an afternoon nap, happy with this unexpected hiatus in their management routine.  Piper was less amused and laid on the hearth to keep a close eye on this terrible situation.  As Dolly added her head to the chair complement, Piper reached her tipping point, landing with a full body leap, scattering the offenders and almost sending Lee to Emergency. 

Food is plentiful.  It is only a question of which area of which refrigerator will be sorted as meals are determined.  On this day there was a late breakfast, a coffee break and dinner of note.  Dinner was the pear and glazed walnut salad with blue cheese, fresh bread and the lobster gift received from the Marshalls.  The lobster was perfect - cooked by Our Ken and enjoyed fully.  And we are on to New Year's Day . . .

New Year's Eve at Regalridge

There are plans and there are alternative plans.  Having missed a trip to see Shelagh at Christmas, there was a commitment to New Year's Eve.  And there were New Year's Eve Plans.  The visit to Shelagh was of highest importance given her dearth of visitors so, lobster in hand, Lee was off to the nursing home.  Shelagh was listening to a book on tape, looks good and was in good spirits.  Nobody in the world enjoys a lobster more than Shelagh - this time it was a freshly-boiled-by-Ken crustacean with melted butter in a large flat bottomed bowl for her dipping pleasure.  Having prepared the meat with Shelagh's physical limitations in mind, the meal was a resounding success - forks are unnecessary when fingers are at the ready!  There was a lovely large croissant to assist in mopping up the remainders and Christmas cookies as well as Our Ken's fudge so a feast was had.  Between (and during) bites, there were questions to be responded to by Lee and discussions regarding all manner of items of interest to Shelagh.  She noted that Linda and Heather had visited in recent memory and that Chantelle had not been there in months - hmmm . . .  There was a discussion of scheduled eye surgery and Shelagh'\s eager anticipation of the resultant improvement that will enable her to better enjoy her computer.  She is keen to have a new pair of slippers (and had the page marked in the Sears Wishbook.  Lee will comply.  And she thoroughly enjoyed her gifts from Regalridge.  On her wall is a new picture from Janet Rogers - Piper Airedale and Abigail Australian at a Charlottetown party of their own making.  It is an image that will bring a smile from all who visit.  Now, understanding the importance of the visit, it is perhaps also understandable that the several hours spent took a toll on New Year's Eve plans.  There was a regrouping.  Lee stopped at the grocery store, looking in amazement at the number of vehicles in the lot and the line snaking out of the adjoining liquor store.  Home came a few items to shore up Regalridge reserves.  The never complaining alpha male of Regalridge was happy to stay home and Chantelle (did she make it to midnight this year, you wonder) arrived with a fabulous appetizer in hand.  Adding chips and dip (there is a rule from South West Nova that a party cannot be had without chip and dip) an evening was in the making.  There was wine for the ladies and rum and eggnog for others.  There were appetizers and individual desserts chosen for each participants preferences and taste.  And there was the mid-point of the meal - Lee's New York style pizza (America's Test Kitchen).  All survived the evening, although Our Ken was not amused by the television offerings - whether PBS (Lincoln Center rather than Boston) or Halifax's Grand Parade (Blues, Jazz and Soul).  The evening culminated with the 'return of the raccoon'.  Yes, there in the bird feeder tree was Our Ken's nemesis, communing with Patti as she made her way along the deck for her late night constitutional.  The very expensive trap may yet come into play. 

The kennel is quieter and settling nicely.  Old Bailey departed leaving only the Schenk crew and Ceilidh.  Easily manageable with the Regalridge dogs supplementing the numbers, all moved along nicely.  Crockett is missing the opportunity to tell scads of dogs what needs to be done but is secure in the knowledge that many dogs are now much better educated and able to cope with all that the world offers as a result of his tutelage.

The house dogs are well and happy.  Unfortunately there were fire crackers next door so a melee ensued with the Airedales totally undone for the period that the racket went on.  Excluding that little blip, the day was a success by Airedale, Welsh and Norwich terms.  There was kitchen activity, the people were in residence, there was company (although Rocky did find Chantelle (yes, Chantelle was still awake and vertical mid-evening) a bit foreign and exotic by later in the evening)  and there were treats.  Beds were abundant and the new bed sent by Dawn has found a willing audience - Marilla loves it, Piper considers it hers and the Norwich land on it at every opportunity. 

There was lobster stew for lunch and a New Year's Eve grazing menu.  It worked.  And No, Chantelle did not make it to midnight.  In usual Chantelle-fashion, there was a yawn, a stretch and a sheep-ish mumble as she foiund her way back to her rural digs well before the witching hour.