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 . . .
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 . . .
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