Gooseberry season has passed - the end!  No more of those little fellows to process.  Raspberries have now come and gone as well.  Peaches have become jam and are pickled.  Peaches may yet reappear in jars.  There is a rumour that a peach-rum jam works well.  Hmmm  The week has unfolded well, all in all.  The weather has changed and August is fully in evidence.  Winds have picked up, the sky is no longer cerulean but is lightened two or three shades.  Fog is more in evidence in the morning and evenings are shorter.  With the lovely sunny days has come dry ground and slowly maturing crops.  The farm next door has harvested the last of the hay - our back field is filled with windrows and the Welsh are thoroughly enjoying the emergence of field mice.  Viola, the huntress, excels at mouse hunts and has warned the squirrels to be quick or they will be next on her list.  Our Ken has spent another week contemplating the Hants County raccoon population.  He has driven more of his friends into the wilds of the County, feeding them peanuts on the drive and playing show tunes to cheer them up on their move.  Week ends lead us to the market.  It may well be a mistake to share, but the Truro Farmers' Market takes a back seat to few in the country.  The vegetables from the Mennonite stall are incredible.  The maple products are extraordinary.  The Gouda is very, very good.  The bread from the German baker is excellent.  The pastries from the Dutch baker are extraordinary - don't miss the coconut cream rolls.  But the piece de resistance is the British baker.  The family has emigrated from Lancashire.  The sausage rolls are simply perfect.  The Eccles cakes are outstanding.  The steak and ale pie is something that legends could be built around.  It simply doesn't get better than that.  There are great plants and herbs.   Our Ken brings home more and more to populate his already overcrowded gardens.  Today it was a new variety of phlox and gerbera daisies.  Last week, basil and a lovely fluffy thing. 


The dogs are well and thoroughly enjoying the great weather.   As noted, Viola is spending her days happily hunting.  Marguerite is protecting the property - between snoozes under the maple tree.  Billy continues to share his thoughts with anyone who will listen, between naps.  Trebia is attached to Lee as an appendage and is enjoying life in the fast lane.  Clint has determined that the air conditioned kennel is preferable to the outdoors and has staked a claim to the center room.  The rest have equally reliable patterns and routines. 


There are lots of visitors coming and going.  Ursey's folks have had a health challenge so she is with us for an extended visit.  Shepherds are not easy keepers.  Thankfully these folks understand the concerns this breed has when separated from the family and have been diligent in having her with us for a day here and there all of her life.  She is coping with the separation and, although puzzled, is able to enjoy her exercise yard and the routine of her vacation home.  Charli is here for a week or so and enjoying the time with her extended family.  Old Poe is in residence and is keeping a critical eye on the shenanigans of the youngsters.  As always, he has a lot of rules.  Gus is back for a stay and Marley had an overnight to acclimate her for a longer period later in the fall.  That is lots of company.


Meals have been fabulous during this season of plenty.  There has been lots and lots of hodge podge.  Fresh peas are plentiful this year and the green and yellow beans are simply perfect.  The outdoor wood oven has been pressed into service, most recently with beef short ribs - oh my.  There may be a more perfect meal but it is hard to think what it may be.  Salmon and scallops were served this week - grilled and pan fried.  Steak and a beer can chicken rounded out the menus.  There has been homemade ice cream, scones, peach shortcake, strawberry shortcake and mousse. 


The Olympics have begun - isn't life just the best.

The height of summer in Nova Scotia is a wonderful thing.  Our Ken is happily gardening, the dogs enjoy long days of play in their large exercise yards and life unfolds easily.  Farmers markets are full to the brim - it is hodge podge season, after all.  Surprisingly, the peas are in good supply with full pods, not always the case during these dry summers.  Strawberries continue to be plentiful and tasty.  Jam production is in full flight.  Strawberry is behind us, gooseberry is underway with the Regalridge bushes offering up more than is required of them.  Peaches are appearing, yellow plums will be on the tree within the week and an eye is being kept out for sour cherries - the least plentiful of our crops, it seems, and the most difficult to access.  Ken's birds remain at the feeders, enjoying their seed rather than foraging for themselves.  Millenials, we reckon, and watch closely as our feathered friends eye the basement doors.  This is yet another 'year of the raccoon'.  Within the past few days, three have been relocated.  It seems the little Toyota will make a few more trips up the road.  There is another in the live trap this morning.  But she is not the real news.  As Viola sounded the alarm at a particularly early hour, Lee glanced out an upstairs window just at daybreak.  The view necessitated rousing Our Ken.  There on the deck, rattling the feeders as if it were Christmas morning, were three young raccoons.  The interaction among them was a circus - one is easy going, one a follower and one tough as nails, telling the others what to do and when to do it.  Don't mess with her!  But this was not the full count.  Lee had done dogs and settled with coffee when Our Ken appeared with the final roster.  There are five little ones, it seems.  Trapper Ken  has a full week ahead. 


The dogs are well.  Billy continues to be the apple of Our Ken's eye with pride of place in the house.  He is joined by Marguerite, the rowdiest of the Airedales and up to no good at any given moment.  Young Zoe completes the house component, a pal for Heloise the Welsh.  Viola has been added to the complement, taking on the role of alarm, sentinel and all round tattle tongue.  There has to be one.  Finally, the little Cirneco keeps Lee company, a dog to warm all hearts and return Lee to her love for the hounds in general.  Clint, Gabe and James man the kennel, all living in harmony, managing their big yard and welcoming the odd visitor.  All love the summer activity on the property.  Marguerite has chosen the foreman role, keeping a critical eye on everyone and everything, offering advice and assistance as needed.  Gabe fancies himself a gardener - resulting in banishment from the big front area, perhaps for all time.  Our Ken and Gabe appear to have differing views of the positioning of dahlias. 


Boarding dogs are equally enamoured of the great weather and exercise options.  The Schenk crew is in residence.  Zeus, the mature Norwich, delights in a spin up and down the fenceline, exercising the adjoining Airedales and his lungs, equally.  Shillelagh urges him on to greater feats, taking over when he has had enough as she plots revenge on her human - for what misdeed, none of us is certain.  Malachi - well, what can you say for a juvenile Bull Terrier.  He is learning the ropes and acquiescing to the rules - albeit grudgingly and muttering about not having to do this stuff at home.  There will, perhaps, be a lecture or five by Our Ken for poor Margaret. Shillelagh, btw, has never seen him before in her life.  Ursey has just departed.  Our German Shepherd of choice, she has graced us with her presence for short term stays for many years and manages to have her people out of her sight with better understanding than many of this particular breed.  Charli is here for a week end stay, having a spa treatment and playing Chantelle as only an Airedale can.  Virginia and Arwyn came for a few days and love to party, even at mid-age. They are in number four yard, keeping an eye on the east side of the property and doing a great job.  Both look fabulous.  Jersey the Labrador is here and will not be communicating with Malachi - they are of like mind and don't bear colluding. 


Meals in July consist of a lot of grilling or use of the outdoor oven.  Occasionally there is fish prepared in the kitchen.  Pizza in the wood oven is overdue.  Last evening it was fish at the local Lighthouse take out, carried to Chantelle's and enjoyed in company of her Welsh.  Homemade strawberry ice cream at Regalridge followed.  And life goes on