Less than a week left - how could that be

The days continue to get shorter and Christmas closer.  That is just wrong.  While it cannot be a regular Regalridge Christmas, there is a list that simply must happen.  And it seems not to be shortening at a rate equivalent to the number of days remaining.  The tree has not been trimmed although the decorations are in the living room.  Shopping has to happen immediately (much is done but much remains to be done).  Baking continues.  Cookies are appearing on a slow schedule.  The steamed puddings are now finished and sauces left to be built later in the week.  One recipe of hard sauce is in hand but dates seem to require copious amounts in Our Ken's lexicon of Christmas necessities.  And on it goes.  The dogs are enjoying the flurry of activity and are never far from the kitchen.  Lee had an afternoon meeting just to add a bit to the excitement of the season and Chantelle had a day in the grooming room with Welsh and Airedale hair flying in all directions.  Our Ken held the fort on many levels.  There are trees outside that are trimmed on iterative basis, sitting on the green grass, of course.  No snow yet. 

The kennel is filling.  Naomi and Moses have arrived and settled quickly as is their wont.  They know the routines, love the big yards and take charge immediately.  Jake and Barbaro have made their acquaintance, not at all concerned with their new neighbours as long as they don't get in the way of their trek to the exercise yards and their ability to explore.  Old Bailey is doing well and keeping to her routine.  She and Gemini are pals and the two wander around the yard together as old retrievers do.  Roddie and Ruari are in residence and we all know they are here.  The usual tricks are being brought out - waving for food and with great expectations of us.  Ruari has determined that a leash is much nicer than simply following out to the big yards and is adamant that it be used or he will not move. 

The house dogs are ready for Christmas.  They love the activity level at a high and encourage us to go even faster.  Would that we could.  The weather has been decent - warm for December, so with the exception of the mud, all is well.  There is yet another wind storm forecast with some rain so that will continue our adventures this week.  The little characters are doing well and have taken over the large bed in the den, much to Nick's disgust.  Piper is attached to Lee and Charlotte continues to hit Lee with a front paw each time she has an opportunity - who knows why!  Billy is basking in the glow of his recent road trip and knows he is vital to Our Ken's well-being.  Rocky and Atlas are managing the yard with Airedale aplomb and Clint is  not amused by their antics.  Paula is pregnant so there are Welsh puppies in the offing for the new year.  And at his advanced age, Sir Einstein has determined that residing in the bedroom much of the day suits him best.  He moves from dog bed to dog bed as the sun moves around the room, just to assure the Airedales that he owns them all and offers them up at night only out of beneficence.

Dinner was prime rib steaks with potato and squash, chow and Christmas cookies.  And on we go.

the rumour is that Christmas is coming

Apparently Christmas is coming.  The weather is cool but the days are short and the kennel is filling so the season must be the one of peace and joy.  Well, joy at least.  Of course, all preparations are yet to happen as a result of the upheavals this month.  We are back from New Brunswick, having spent a day with Lee's brother, ensuring his gifts are under the tree and that at least some vestige of Christmas continues.  He is now alone - the first time in his life - and that will take some acclimation.  the good news is that he has wonderful friends, few people are as fortunate as Greg in those strong relationships that he has valued since his school days.  Goals do need to be set because rumour has it that Christmas will occur regardless of our state of readiness.  There was the continuation of baking with steamed puddings underway.  The marmalade pudding is done, the Christmas puddings ready to go into their basins for steaming.  The dates are steamed and stuffed with hard sauce and the cookie dough is made for cherry flips.  And then there was the Christmas visit.  Many who read the blog regularly will remember our great friends from Newfoundland, the Taylors of bacon-as-a-hostess-gift fame.  As we spend time with Karen and tony, it is becoming evident that there is a story a day.  This was no exception.  Their son Jonathon was flying with Porter airlines to Newfoundland.  They dropped him off at the airport on the way to Regalridge.  It was not without incident.  Apparently Porter has a few surprises for its' guests as they check in.  In the spirit of Christmas, they advise that they have instituted a one bag limit free and that even though the two small bags Jonathon has to check are under the weight limit for one bag, there will be a $25 charge.  Tony found that logic baffling but unhappily agreed to pay.  Once the funds were given over to the counter person, the other shoe dropped.  They were politely asked "and which bag is it that you want to accompany the passenger"?  Now, this was more than our Tony could swallow.  He had just handed over money to have an underweight, under size bag go to Newfoundland and was being asked "Does your son want to take his clothes or the Christmas presents"?  And the light bulb went on.  tony went into 'Tony-mode' and Karen was left to placate the rest of the passengers waiting in line as well as her alarmed son.   We suspect that there were people falling like bowling pins as Tony marched to - Clearwater!  Not what you expected to read given that there are two luggage stores in the airport?  For those not local, Clearwater is the lobster seller at the airport.  There Tony finagled a free roll of packing tape - no sane individual would have refused this crazed Newfoundlander much of anything at that stage - and back he went.  The two suitcases were wrapped thoroughly with packing tape, to the amazement of all by standers, and Tony went toe to toe with the counter staff.  He now had one suitcase and God bless us every one. (the $25 was refunded).

The kennel is filling.  Old Bailey has us quite well trained, finds her way to her chosen yard and marches back to her run when she determines all has been secured properly.  Barbaro and Jake are great boarders.  They have adopted Bailey's routine, love number 3 yard and return to stand outside their outdoor run doors to return to their private suites.  Both like attention but Barbaro is tickled to have people with him all day.   He wags from his tail to his impressive head and is a delightful fellow.  Old Gemini the Lab is trying to figure out the trip back from the exercise yard to her run.  She gets to the yard easily but is not yet quite certain of the outside door to her room.  Roddi and Ruari are here for their Christmas vacation.  Ruari is playing games with Our Ken - going out and refusing to return but we do have them back on the potion.  Apparently their owner is not as good a cook as is Our Ken. 

The house dogs were happy to have a normal day at Regalridge.  There was lots of kitchen activity, Ken came and went and Nick got a good car trip.  There was hunting and gathering so bags arrived that Airedale heads could explore.  There were treats on meals and lots of kennel activity to keep up with.  Patti continues in charge and Charlotte has determined that Lee requires close supervision that includes hitting her with a paw on a regular basis.  Paula is sure she is pregnant and that there will be little Welsh in January.  Sarah is less certain that little Airedales should be in her future.  Still, Christmas music is filling the house and kennel and all is well in the minds of the Regalridge crew. 

Dinner was lobster  .  Adding a Caesar salad and a baguette made it a great meal.  the new season has brought lobster to the Irving station parking lot at $6.99/pound, caught that morning and fabulous.

Aquick stay at Regalridge and Lee is off again

The season is unfolding and there are changes.  Little has been done to welcome Christmas thus far.  The quick trip to Woodstock for Lee turned into an odyssey.   Her Dad did pass away on December 6, at home wiht Lee and her brother caring for him.  She has returned to Regalrdige intermittently and will again go to NB today.  We are fortunate that the weather has co-operated for the travel.  Chantelle and Ken have held the fort with cameo appearances by Dawn.  Piper was tickled to have Dawn in residence and Einstein reports that she is a decent bed mate and can be invited back.  Chantelle also had an unexpected death in her family during the same period so Regalridge was a bit off balance.  Thank goodness for wonderful friends. 

The kennel is filling for the season.  Old Bailey the Golden is with us while Faye is in Alaska.  Bailey has her routine, developed over her 14 years of boarding and heaven help the person who gets in the middle of that.  She MUST be walked on a lead to number four run - there are no indoor/outdoor doors for Miss Bailey nor will she simply walk wihtout the lead on her way out.  BUT, she does not deign to have a lead in evidence at all on her return trip and MUST walk with you back to the run, preferably with Nemo behind her.  You have to love a dog with her own mind.  Bailey was joined by new visitors last week.  There are many cute puppies in the world and most go through an awkward stage as adolescents.  Then there is Barbaro.  A number of purebred breeds have eyes set straight on rather than slightly to the side.  These breeds tend to have a very human expression.  Coupled with a solid physique and a tremendsouly outgoing personality, you have a Jakehighly impressive puppy in Mr Barbaro.  He is accompanied by his old brother Jake.  Jake is an ancient retriever and the leader of this pack of two.  The bouncing 100 pound puppy follows with absolute delight.  And more are coming.  There is no more space ot be had provided all arrive.  Terriers will be in the majority by Christmas day and there will be treats and music for all. 

The house dogs are fine.  Patti is managing and enjoying her cooked meals.  From chicken stew through pot roast, all is served on a plate - she now abhors both dog food and dog bowls.  It must be warmed, but not too warm, and followed by the potion for dessert.  The potion must not be presented first, that is just wrong.  Are you getting a sense of who is in charge on this property?  Piper has decided that a 'Hail fellow well met' approach to life suits her best these days.  Chantelle offered up stories of Piper in her lap when Nick tricked her off of the bed that she had claimed.  And we know she loves Dawn with all her heart.  Loyalty to Lee has gone by the wayside.  Lori and Marilla have moved permanently into the bedroom at night and Marilla continues to 'pay' Lee to get up by sticking a favourite toy in her mouth.  The Norwich are thriving and keeping all of us on our toes.  They do sorely miss Chantelle's parade at night and the attendant encouragement to find the proper path.  Her returns are heralded and celebrated by the little ones.  Charlotte continues to march to her own drummer.  Atlas and Rocky have become great pals and are looking sideways at young Clint who would love to be part of the group.  Jack is well and happy and Paula is certain she is pregnant.  We are less certain of Sarah. 

Dinner was grilled tenderloin with roasted root veg (rosemary oil, fleur de sel and fresh rosemary).  Decent wine and candles reminded us of what is 'normal' here and what we can turn to in days to come.