There are plans and there are alternative plans. Having missed a trip to see Shelagh at Christmas, there was a commitment to New Year's Eve. And there were New Year's Eve Plans. The visit to Shelagh was of highest importance given her dearth of visitors so, lobster in hand, Lee was off to the nursing home. Shelagh was listening to a book on tape, looks good and was in good spirits. Nobody in the world enjoys a lobster more than Shelagh - this time it was a freshly-boiled-by-Ken crustacean with melted butter in a large flat bottomed bowl for her dipping pleasure. Having prepared the meat with Shelagh's physical limitations in mind, the meal was a resounding success - forks are unnecessary when fingers are at the ready! There was a lovely large croissant to assist in mopping up the remainders and Christmas cookies as well as Our Ken's fudge so a feast was had. Between (and during) bites, there were questions to be responded to by Lee and discussions regarding all manner of items of interest to Shelagh. She noted that Linda and Heather had visited in recent memory and that Chantelle had not been there in months - hmmm . . . There was a discussion of scheduled eye surgery and Shelagh'\s eager anticipation of the resultant improvement that will enable her to better enjoy her computer. She is keen to have a new pair of slippers (and had the page marked in the Sears Wishbook. Lee will comply. And she thoroughly enjoyed her gifts from Regalridge. On her wall is a new picture from Janet Rogers - Piper Airedale and Abigail Australian at a Charlottetown party of their own making. It is an image that will bring a smile from all who visit. Now, understanding the importance of the visit, it is perhaps also understandable that the several hours spent took a toll on New Year's Eve plans. There was a regrouping. Lee stopped at the grocery store, looking in amazement at the number of vehicles in the lot and the line snaking out of the adjoining liquor store. Home came a few items to shore up Regalridge reserves. The never complaining alpha male of Regalridge was happy to stay home and Chantelle (did she make it to midnight this year, you wonder) arrived with a fabulous appetizer in hand. Adding chips and dip (there is a rule from South West Nova that a party cannot be had without chip and dip) an evening was in the making. There was wine for the ladies and rum and eggnog for others. There were appetizers and individual desserts chosen for each participants preferences and taste. And there was the mid-point of the meal - Lee's New York style pizza (America's Test Kitchen). All survived the evening, although Our Ken was not amused by the television offerings - whether PBS (Lincoln Center rather than Boston) or Halifax's Grand Parade (Blues, Jazz and Soul). The evening culminated with the 'return of the raccoon'. Yes, there in the bird feeder tree was Our Ken's nemesis, communing with Patti as she made her way along the deck for her late night constitutional. The very expensive trap may yet come into play.
The kennel is quieter and settling nicely. Old Bailey departed leaving only the Schenk crew and Ceilidh. Easily manageable with the Regalridge dogs supplementing the numbers, all moved along nicely. Crockett is missing the opportunity to tell scads of dogs what needs to be done but is secure in the knowledge that many dogs are now much better educated and able to cope with all that the world offers as a result of his tutelage.
The house dogs are well and happy. Unfortunately there were fire crackers next door so a melee ensued with the Airedales totally undone for the period that the racket went on. Excluding that little blip, the day was a success by Airedale, Welsh and Norwich terms. There was kitchen activity, the people were in residence, there was company (although Rocky did find Chantelle (yes, Chantelle was still awake and vertical mid-evening) a bit foreign and exotic by later in the evening) and there were treats. Beds were abundant and the new bed sent by Dawn has found a willing audience - Marilla loves it, Piper considers it hers and the Norwich land on it at every opportunity.
There was lobster stew for lunch and a New Year's Eve grazing menu. It worked. And No, Chantelle did not make it to midnight. In usual Chantelle-fashion, there was a yawn, a stretch and a sheep-ish mumble as she foiund her way back to her rural digs well before the witching hour.
The kennel is quieter and settling nicely. Old Bailey departed leaving only the Schenk crew and Ceilidh. Easily manageable with the Regalridge dogs supplementing the numbers, all moved along nicely. Crockett is missing the opportunity to tell scads of dogs what needs to be done but is secure in the knowledge that many dogs are now much better educated and able to cope with all that the world offers as a result of his tutelage.
The house dogs are well and happy. Unfortunately there were fire crackers next door so a melee ensued with the Airedales totally undone for the period that the racket went on. Excluding that little blip, the day was a success by Airedale, Welsh and Norwich terms. There was kitchen activity, the people were in residence, there was company (although Rocky did find Chantelle (yes, Chantelle was still awake and vertical mid-evening) a bit foreign and exotic by later in the evening) and there were treats. Beds were abundant and the new bed sent by Dawn has found a willing audience - Marilla loves it, Piper considers it hers and the Norwich land on it at every opportunity.
There was lobster stew for lunch and a New Year's Eve grazing menu. It worked. And No, Chantelle did not make it to midnight. In usual Chantelle-fashion, there was a yawn, a stretch and a sheep-ish mumble as she foiund her way back to her rural digs well before the witching hour.
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