Another hot day

All is well in the world of Regalridge.  It is moving week for Chantelle, the week of the Atlantic Terrier Association Specialty Show, the week of the Halifax Kennel Club largest show in the region and Our Ken has meetings, meetings, meetings.  Bob is in residence, working on fencing for Chantelle's new home and organizing the activity.  There was  a morning trip to Chantelle's so that Lee and Bob could get the lay of the land.  It is a great house and perfect for one person.  With its apple trees and outbuildings, bright and airy rooms and great charm, it seems to have been made especially for Chantelle.  Her neighbours have checked in and given her the once over so all is well in Dutch Settlement.   Alex and Sarah are keeping everything and everyone somewhat centered and Sarah has been given special duties relating to Bob and rest.  She takes them seriously.  Bob likens her to the Sergeant Major.  Sarah would like that.  The garage is the center of activity.  When the heat gets the better of everyone, there is rest.  A process has been developed to paint with efficiency and it appears that Alex does much of the work with a LOT of supervisors, including the dogs.  Good thing he can take life in his stride and finds these 'seasoned' men amusing.  Lee is moving among a million tasks including the delegation this week of Billy's trimming.  That is less than amusing to Lee.  Billy is amazed.  There are 5 - 7 for all meals and the regular organization questions surrounding the shows.  Sleep comes easily to all.

The kennel is busy and Chantelle's little crew are adding to the excitement.  They will enjoy getting to know the new house and all decisions are being made with the little crew in mind.  Barrett departed with a jaunty wave as did the Tollers.  Poe is holding the fort in his area. 

The house crew are delighted to have Bob in residence.  A new victim to sit on, rub against, share a mouthful of water with and generally keep in line is always appreciated.  Gabe, the mechanic, found something wrong with Bob's windshield wiper and, being the helpful young fellow he is, took removed it for inspection.  Apparently it did not pass muster.  Bob went to the garage.  Wipers are Gabe's specialty - ask Alex, or Ken.  Patti had a Sarah bath and clean up and feels a million times better.  Sarah has her eye on Scooter next.  Trebia had a spin, a period in the house, watched Wheel of Fortune with Bob and repaired to the kennel.  The baby puppies are growing and enjoying life.  They are soon to be tattooed and have vaccinations.  That is hard to believe. 

Dinner was grilled salmon with scalloped potatoes, fresh corn and a lovely salad with fresh berries, glazed nuts and feta.  Blueberry pie was finished up and all is well  

 

A busy Friday with an even higher than usual activity level

All is well in NS - well, relatively, at least.  There is no rain and none on the horizon.   Long, sunny summer days with highs in the high 20's and cool nights.  Everyone but Our Ken is happy.  The summer painting project is in full swing with Alex and Sarah wielding brushes and rollers with abandon.  With Alex's eye for aesthetics and Sarah's 'can do' attitude, there is even relief of the white with the odd blue accent.  What a difference.  Even the dogs are impressed.  Patti is supervising closely, white hat firmly in place.  Sarah is not to be left alone for more than a moment.  Chantelle landed for a painting party and shellacked pickets, mollifying Our Ken but making the entire Rona employee pool shake its collective head.  Next come primer.  This will be a long lasting, well planned fence.  Bob and Our Ken will see to that.  Engineering math is coming into play.  And Chantelle's move is now scheduled for Tuesday of this week.  That will keep everyone entertained.  On this day, there were six for lunch and then it was off to Cape Breton for Dawn, Chantelle and the boys.  There is a 50/50 chance they will make it in anything close to a pattern anyone else would follow.   Keep in mind, this is the duo that found Pictou en route from Elmsdale to NB. 

The kennel is busy with folks fitting in a last trip before school goes back in session.  Boarders abound and Sarah is happy.  While Ms Charlie departed, Mr Charlie is keeping her company and well occupied.  Barrett is in residence, keeping Trebia company and crooning his tunes.  Maxifer is happy and well - looking after number two yard.  Poe arrived and is contemplating life in his own way.  Fern arrived and settled in.  Ken's report - she is a lovely dog and a testament to Fraser and Marilla. And speaking of lovely dogs, Chantelle's crew are in residence muttering loudly that somebody is going to pay for this indignity.   Scout is almost at a loss of words, having checked and re-checked to assure himself that she did, indeed, take that rotten puppy and not him. 

The house crew are a bit put off by the painting project.  It is disturbing their revolving door approach to enjoyment of summer.  The plan (put together by Dolly, Marilla, Lori and Charlotte) is to go out to check the perimeter of the property, bark at the coming and going of the fruit stand (if you can't find anything of more interest to speak about) and then return to the air conditioning to cool off your belly (how your belly got hot is anyone's guess).  The lack of access to the walk coming to the back door is putting a wrench in the works.  And painting of the railings and pickets on the deck itself simply put paid to the normal comings and goings.  There was a sorting of the guard, with some agreeing that to be outside is worth confinement in number one yard (still accessible to fruit stand views, shade and playable).  Others demurred and preferred full time air conditioning.  In the midst of it all, Lee and Ken corralled Charlotte and marched her to the grooming room.  Half a Charlotte walked out several hours later. 

It was a day of sorting.  And the first victim was the box of wild blueberries.  There is blueberry jam to be taken to the cold room and a blueberry pie is resting comfortably.  Dinner brought the great lemon-garlic-sun dried tomato chicken, grilled to perfection; augmented by Ken's potatoes and fresh corn on the cob.  The pie lived up to expectation.  And we are on to the week end. 

A summer day with lots of activity

The weather is holding - hot and dry.  The ferns are growing like weeds, the hosta are happy.  That's about it.  The apples are small and numerous.  The blackberries continue to arrive in the kitchen.  One batch of jam has resulted.  Another is likely to appear.  There is lots of coming and going at the gate, in the yards and particularly in the kitchen.  With upcoming shows, Lee's schedule is tight.  All is falling into place and last minute items are working through the system.  Painting projects are the order of the day, with Our Ken determining on an hour by hour basis which area is of most interest.   Alex is flexible and able to bend with his grandfather's whims.  That is indeed a good thing.  The older puppies are most interested in this painting project and are voicing their encouragement when rollers are in their vicinity.  Patti is concerned only when Sarah is involved, donning her white hat and keeping a close eye on Sarah's progress - progress that appears to include painting herself as well as the closest fence.  She's pretty darned cute with her dark tan and white speckles, stripes, spots and splotches.  June was in residence for work with Gabe and Alex.  Both are doing well on the leads and are benefiting from their tutelage. 

The kennel is in summer mode - with the boarding dogs enjoying the big exercise yards and hot days.  During the middle parts of the day, they are happy to be in their cool runs.  Early morning and evening, the yards are the preferred playgrounds, with Maxifer keeping track of his area, Bella in charge of hers until her departure and the others moving through available spaces.  Barrett is due and Trebia is thrilled.  Charlie Airedale is enjoying Sarah Airedale's company.  She approves of him. 

Lola's puppies are doing very well.  They are growing, eating well and enjoying the kitchen deck.  Learning the ins and outs of the outdoors is a major leap for baby puppies and this litter is taking the change in circumstances in their stride.  They trot along for a period, play with their new toys and then pile together for naps in the shade.  All is well in their world.  The older two puppies are enjoying life in their big yard and developing a routine.  Patti is eating well and keeping an eye on Sarah when she is in residence.  Piper is relaxed now that Lee is home and life has returned to normal.  Marilla, relieved of the thunder storm worry, is enjoying her evenings and has toys at the ready to share with Ken in the early morning.  He particularly enjoys the large yellow duck as it, and Marilla, join him once Lee goes downstairs. 

Lunch supported many.  There was a fresh bacon, asiago and tomato fritatta, salad with plum dressing, feta and glazed nuts, sourdough rye from the German bakery and ice cream bars.  Dinner included pork shop sausages, sauerkraut, sweet onions and Ken's freshly dug potatoes with apple pie for dessert.  All is well in everyone's world.