A busy Sunday

All is well at Regalridge and the weather continues to be the lead story.  It was a clear and pleasant day, cooling off as the afternoon wore down.  Fog season has arrived.  The people of Regalridge were in high gear, working to settle the property prior to the departure of the Regalridgemobile.  Our Ken worked on opening the gardens, sorting the various beds and welcoming his bushes for another season.  Burlap has departed and the rose bushes are showing signs of growth.  The rhododendrons are well as are the cedars.   As for the magnolia, time will tell.  Our Ken has also set his live trap.  It appears the raccoon from the fall has found his way back to the feeders.  That is an issue on many fronts.  With luck, he will be collected and deposited elsewhere.  Last fall, his departure occurred as a result of a good shower with the hose.  He appears not to approve of bathing.  A Luddite raccoon if there ever was one.  With day break, the birds continue to be busy at the feeders.  June dropped by with treats for Patti and Chantelle settled in to trim a dog or two.  She managed to leave with only minor injuries. 

The kennel ticks along with Savannah and Dewey keeping Scarlett company.  All are happily enjoying the big yards and the Regalridge hospitality. 

The house dogs are well and bright.  All seem pleased with the weather, pleased with the routine and delighted that spring is so clement.  Charlotte is settling into her holes, dug strategically for her snoozing pleasure.  She has one in each yard and pity help the canine that even glances at one while in Charlotte's presence.  It was the day to apply tick treatment so up on the table each dog hopped and off each went, thinking good thoughts.  Billy's hair cut progresses and his plan to accompany the travellers moves forward. 

Meals were plentiful as usual.  Dinner was mac and cheese with grilled sausages - a bit decadent and approved by all, including Patti who benefited nicely.

Another lovely spring day arrives

The Spring weather continues to be applauded from all quarters.  The crocus are valiantly blooming- not early but with gay abandon.  The tulips are also on schedule.  The fact that the weather is warmer than usual has been mitigated by the reasonable amounts of rain and nights at the freezing point.  This has maintained the flowers on their normal timing - a good thing.  The trees generally leaf out on the long week end in May.  The birds remain at the feeders.  While the purple finch have carried on to their breeding grounds in Newfoundland, the gold finch have stayed to join the grackles, song sparrows, chickadees, , doves, crows, jays and the large flock of evening grosbeaks.  It was a busy day at Regalridge with work being done on fencing, dogs losing hair on grooming tables at great speed, the house being readied for the next trip away and the odd trip to the village for supplies.  The meat market offered up some plunder and the fruitstand will open this week so is being stocked.  It is a busy little corner of the world these days.  The hi light of the day is the weather station project.  Aging nicely in its box, this Christmas present finally has been put into play, with the moving of the outdoor feature from place, to place, to place, to place . . . 

The kennel is quiet.  Savannah and Dewey are in residence and settled nicely into their usual routine.  Sarah is suspicious that her run is being examined for reinforcement that may just keep her contained.  The plot thickens.  Trebia just laughs - why would a dog want to be anywhere but at Regalridge in Trebia's opinion. 

The house dogs loved the full complement of people on the property.  Sarah and Alex are perennial favourites, the dogs trail around behind them in a steady stream.  Little Abigail has expanded her horizons, trotting along behind the kids as they check the various yards.  Those little Norwich legs are getting a good workout, with Abigail certain that she will be carried if she pastes her pitiful look on sufficiently well.  June and Chantelle pulled hair in the kennel and appeared content with their progress on show dogs and pets alike.  Little Mason was in residence for a visit as was Viola-The-Good.  Our Ken trimmed Marguerite to keep her in coat until the return of the Regalridgemobile early in May.  She is expanding daily, is still a bit queasy in the food department and appears to be carrying a nice litter.  There was an event that did not appeal to the dogs at all as the evening progressed.  A loud and constant series of firecrackers were used in close proximity to the property, a cause of great consternation for the house dogs.  Occasionally the thought of living further from civilization is appealing. 

Meals were frequent and plentiful.  There were Chantelle's favourite maple scones mid-morning; a medley of the meat market's homemade sausages were grilled at noon and ribs on offer for dinner.  Our Ken approved all. 

Warm weather is in the offing

Spring continues its winning ways.  It was a good day - cool and eventually bright, heralding a week of warm weather to come.  The dogs approve.  Our Ken is less positive (go figure) fussing that the people of Regalridge will be on a road trip during tulip time.  The  crocus are bravely blooming at present and the trees are in bud, the grass is beginning to green and the tulip leaves are well up.  Shrubs have had their winter coats removed and we live in hope that the new magnolia wintered well.  The news in Halifax is Titanic.  Network anchors are here from around the world - little do they know that this is not our usual weather, sun equivalent or temperature.  Confound the world is the East Coast motto and it is notable this month.  Lee is somewhat confounded by the worship of mankind of all things disastrous and the corresponding less than exuberant celebration of electricity or the PT Cruiser.  Where have we gone wrong? 

The kennel is settling after a very busy few weeks.  Even Miss Scarlett has gone home for the week end.  Trebia has a new coat - a lovely black padded affair that will be fashionable for the winter of 2013.  Billy awaits his multi-stage haircut process since there has been a dictum that there will be no road travel without his looking spiffy. 

The house dogs are well and happy.  The ground is ripe for the digging and Miss Charlotte is just the girl to accommodate the need for strategic potholes in the lawns.  Piper is simply happy to have Lee in residence and trails after her as closely as is possible.  Gabe is growing and thriving, keeping the party alive in the yards and in charge of all things active.  Scooter is enjoying the rites of spring and her access to the big exercise yards.  Her ball skills are much more impressive in a half acre. 

Dinner continues to be baked ham - this time accompanied by party potatoes, a fresh tomato salad and creamed corn (a Ken staple).  Dessert appears to have been Easter eggs . . .