Christmas 2015

All is well in the Regalridge world. Christmas is in the offing and seems to be slightly more moderate in its approach than in other years.  The trimming has happened, although Our Ken has determined that with the critical outside lighting program achieved, other trees, shrubs and bushes have potential.  As long as stores have outdoor lights left unsold, the electric bill is likely to rise proportionately.  The indoor activity is on track and less pressured than usual, so quite obviously necessary things have been totally forgotten and will raise their shiny heads at the last minute, requiring frantic manoeuvers to deal with the oversights.  The weather has been particularly clement, allowing comfortable coming and going and safe trips for the travellers among us.  The Regalridgemobile has taken numerous treks to and from the city, consistently returning heavier than it leaves.  Consistency is good!  Shopping is winding down, wrapping almost complete and baking barely begun.  The tree has migrated to the den and a small version stationed in the living room.  Tree trimming is emotional.  Each ornament, here, has meaning.  some were made by Lee's Mom.  Some were purchased on trips throughout the world.  Many are gifts from wonderful friends while others are annual additions, a tradition that started long before there was a Regalridge.  Each holds a memory and each memory is a good one in its own way.  Rushing the process would be silly.  It is a big part of Christmas here and requires stories be retold and placements carefully considered.  Beyond the big tree, there is a new festival of trees on the hearth and sparkly trees throughout the great room.   Somehow, the trimming has changed completely.  So far, Our Ken has not fussed.  The birds are plentiful;  There are Jays, the two pair of woodpeckers, chickadees, starlings, the total Nova Scotia population of mourning doves, the resident crows, grosbeaks, cowbirds and Phil the pheasant and his harem.  Adding the squirrels and the little chipmunks, the seed supplier is not going to have to worry about Christmas cash.  The addition to the feeding station this year is a peanut feeder.  In the shape of a wreath, it was acquired in Ontario and is a real hit with the NS Jays.  They party as soon as they see it move from its branch to the table to be filled and may soon remove Our Ken's hat in the competition to be first at the bar.  Phil is spectacular this year, in fine feather and good weight, his greens, reds and bronze feathers gleaming as he trots about the front yard to his station under the chestnut. 


The Airedales are enjoying the season, particularly  delighting in the increased level of activity that brings friends and relatives to the doors.  Even Marguerite and Trebia have put on their company manners and are welcoming.  The little hound is Lee's shadow and has finally convinced the humans that a significant car trip should be in her repertoire.  That worked well provided Lee's lap was present and holding a Cirneco.  It was less successful when the same Cirneco was placed in her crate with her blanket and toys.  Hounds can and do howl when annoyed, it seems.  Her future as a world traveller is uncertain. 


Meals are changed up in December.  Fish is easy to come by - everything from lobster ('tis the season), to scallops and oysters.  There is lots of haddock locally and salmon is abundant (but farmed).  Our favourite fish truck is rocking and recognizes the Regalridgemobile from a distance.  The week has included salmon steaks, roast sirloin of pork with an herb and apple glaze, beef tenderloin, chicken and spaghetti.  Tonight scallops will round out the range.  Baking has begun but not before Our Ken went hunting and gathering.  It was when he brought home a box of 'Little Debbie's seasonal treats' that a stop had to be put to his fun.  The wounded mutter was that "they can go on the tree as decorations".  Think about that for a second - chocolate cakes hung by something? on the tree described above in a room filled with Airedales and the hound.  Sure.  Let's break them right out.  The decision is whether or not to remove the cellophane . . .

Saturday in August at Regalridge

It is a day of mixed blessings.  Old Dolly left us as quietly as she lived her life.  She was a wonderful Airedale; calm, capable of managing her yards and the dogs she lived with and loved.  She adored Our Ken and maintained a vigilant eye as he moved about the property, never letting him out of her sight for long.  While never a great fan of shows, she did finish her championship nicely and produced lovely puppies including the beautiful Laurel.  She will be missed and her spot in the den will never quite be the same. 


The activity level is high in the summer months.  It was a hot day - not warm but actually hot.   Generally the dogs enjoy the property through the summer but today the air conditioning in the house and kennel beckoned.  Nothing could convince them that being outside was a better option.  Marguerite is the bellwether and attempted several forays into the big yard only to turn back in disgust as the resident crows explained that the heat index was high.  Trebia aligned herself with the coolest air flow and refused to budge. 


Tony and Karen came for a visit and for the wood oven's first pizza run.  Shopping at this time of year offers up wonderful prizes.  Today it was lovely mangoes, fresh figs, Walla Walla onions (aptly) and lots of cheeses.   That resulted in great options for the pizza party.  There were four balls of dough prepared yesterday - two regular and two herb.  The inaugural pizza was herb crusted with pesto sauce, mango, grilled chicken, olives and goat cheese.  It was a great hit.  The second was a traditional with regular crust, red sauce, pepperoni, old cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella and olives.  The third was sirloin and caramelized onion with bar b que sauce, old cheddar and Oka.  The last was a mixed traditional with red sauce, sausage, bocconcini and goat cheese.  There was dessert.  There was a salad with fresh figs, pistachios and pear dressing.  There were beers of the world and wine.  It was a lovely evening with great friends.  Karen is a great sous-chef.  Honestly!


And we turn the page.

How the heck did it get to be August?  There was snow until April - or May; there was cold and rain until late June followed by wet and chilly July and all of a sudden it is August.  Of the house crew, only Marguerite has any interest at all in spending the days outside.  Even on the odd warm day Rocky says the house beds are calling his name and Trebia is looking for Lee's lap.  The little Welsh are enjoying their playground with the ins and outs interspersed with games and siestas.  Richmond is pretty sure he is in charge of life in general.  Tori rides herd with a benevolent autocracy and little Heloise just bops along without a care in the world.  She missed the Welsh intensity gene.  Clint continues to improve and gains strength daily.  He is a particularly sensitive Airedale so is taking this assault on his system very seriously.  Glued to Lee at every opportunity, he patrols the property, is eating well and has begun to engage in serious ball games each evening before lights out.  Last night, both baseball and soccer were on the menu and were played with some verve.  Lori assisted as goal keeper - she found (a feat in itself) and stood on the ball, urging Lee and Clint on with barks that lifted her whole front end. 


The gardens are at their peak.  Baskets are filled to overflowing, roses are opening in great number, lilies are massively displayed, the annuals have spread and dahlias are beginning.  With all of the precipitation, the grass is deep green and encourages Our Ken to cut it almost daily.  And there has been a discovery.  When the move to this location occurred, Regalridge was situated in Elmsdale.  With the advent of 911, the area name reverted to its antecedents and returned to Belnan.  However, Elmsdale is the village and there was a line of stately elms on the property.  Sadly, they were in the process of succumbing to Dutch Elm disease.  And now, more than twenty five years later, an elm tree is growing in Belnan.  In the wood oven garden, the lovely elm has surfaced and will be cherished by all.  


The birds are thankful for Our Ken's ministrations.  Perhaps it is the rain.  Perhaps it is the aftermath of the dreadful winter or perhaps it is simply opportunity but the birds are plentiful, hungry and numerous.  There are lots and lots of young.  The six baby swallows remain in residence but are in the eaves only sporadically.  All are practising flight manoeuvers, eating lots of bugs (yahoo for the swallows) and returning only for little rests.  It seems that one nest will be enough for mom and pop this year.  Six is actually enough. 


Today's adventure was a foray into the city.  The forecast had included thunder showers so a trip further afield will have to wait.  Costco is a madhouse.  PetSmart offered up a lovely soft sided exercise pen for hotel stays - yes Chantelle, you can borrow it.  Sadly, the fish truck was nowhere to be found.  Still, Costco's fabulous salmon steaks leapt into the cart and will be enjoyed in due course. Our Ken required new summer shorts so a detour to Mark's was in order.  Not fun.  Not inexpensive.  Successful.  The end. 


The wood oven is in operation and the learning curve is flattening a bit.  Ribs and chicken breasts have graced the floor of the oven as have sour cherries.  The flavour is mighty impressive and the technology amazing.  Pizza is in our future.  Dinners recently have included planked salmon, rib steak night and tonight will include lamb chops and hodge podge (with baby beets from the garden - just because).  May we recommend our new summer dessert - warm sour cherries with your liqueur of choice; cut pound cake or grab a meringue or a slice of available sweet bread; add a scoop of Hagen Daz (flavour of choice), pour cherries with syrup over the ice cream and drizzle with your own chocolate sauce OR cream of balsamic OR mint infused simple syrup.