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.
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.
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