The requests for the blog have become rather overwhelming.  A schedule may be necessary to comply.  All is well at Regalridge.  The Airedales are thriving - from Old Dolly through the youngsters, Heloise and Richmond, all are well and enjoying summer, each in his own way.  Dolly is the ancient among us and sleeps much of the time.  She still enjoys her meals, is mobile in short bursts and plays ball Dolly-style.  Occasionally she manages to get to the Kong before another Airedale and if that doesn't happen, she explains to the interloper the error of her ways.  Most still acquiesce to her top dog status and offer up the Kong, which Dolly now would not deign to touch with her foot much less pick up and return.  That perplexes many.  She has preferred beds (2) and there appears to be a timeline for each.  Should another dog be there at the wrong time, she goes to great lengths to make her move.  The antics run from going to the window and barking with such verve that her feet lift off of the floor (all dogs come running) then turning and taking her bed of choice while the rest are barking with enthusiasm - at what, they have no idea - to simply walking on the unsuspecting relative.  The second bed is not often occupied and seems to be her destination for late afternoon snoozes.  Much less effort goes into that one. 


Avian activity is at full throttle in July.  While other folks are taking a break from tending their feathered friends, the Regalridge birds are not only spending their days at the feeders, but also have their young along to teach them how to train humans.  There could be a book written on the 7 habits of highly effective birds and all would be in evidence here.  The swallows arrived on schedule and have a large nest of babies over the kitchen door in the eaves.  The little ones are growing quickly and are in evidence, little beaks open and at the ready from dawn to dusk.  The parents work tirelessly and the bug supply diminishes - we love those swallows even though it means no lights outside the door so they won't be disturbed from May to September.  Stumbling and falling up and down the steps is the price we pay for the pleasure of having these little ones in residence.  On the opposite side of the house, the Jays, yellow and purple Finches, Doves, Red-wing blackbirds, 2 pairs of Woodpeckers (Downy and Hairy), Starlings, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Catbirds, Sparrows and various and sundry occasional visitors are in evidence all day long.  Phil the pheasant and his bevy of Philomenas have repaired to the fields for the summer.  We hear them but won't see them again until November. 


The kennel is at its usual summer level.  Zeus and Shillelagh have settled in quickly and are re-explaining the kennel rules to all who will listen.  Sochi is here for an extended stay and has taken the kennel vacation in his stride.  He is a great little Welsh and very much enjoys the activity level of the kennel as well as the room to stretch those little legs in the large exercise areas.  Viola and Ivy have also joined the party so it is a Terrier moment. 


The excitement this week is the addition of a Chicago Wood Oven to the property, courtesy of our great friends in the US.  When discussions began surrounding the oven's addition to  the Regalridge cookery, Jo rightly noted that it could be a challenge for Ken from a placement perspective.  Even Jo could not have envisaged Ken's project leading up to the installation.  The entire property (every acre) was assessed for its features that might best support the wood oven placement.  From the front yard to the back run, to the orchard, every area's strengths and drawbacks became apparent.  Our Ken analyzed, organized, changed his mind and, at one stage, it was quite apparent that we would have to move to accommodate the gift.  Finally Lee decided enough and pointed out that it would go outside the kitchen door, in the existing garden but in the area of the puppy run outcrop.  The area that had been decked was undecked (a term that may be unfamiliar to some), the fencing was revised and gravel was ordered.  The error in the gravel piece of the program was that Ken made that call and tonnes of gravel landed, without ceremony, in the middle of the drive.  The project expanded.  A newly surfaced driveway and parking area is now in evidence.  The small amount of gravel needed for the oven project was simply an excuse.  Patio stones became the surface of choice for the oven's final resting place.  God love Tony - on the hottest days of July there he was, putting together the base for the blessed arrival, accompanied by the wonderful Jonathon on one occasion to supply heavy lifting ability.  And then there is the garden.  What had been a casual garden area has become a destination.  There are baskets and planters of annuals, new roses and upgraded perennials; there is a fountain and bird bath, pathway lighting and mulch, mulch, mulch.  There is brick edging and apparently decorative stone is in the offing - all done as a backdrop for the oven.  At present, the curing process is underway.  With luck, there will be wood oven offerings on the table by the week end.  Oh, and Lee has been pressed into painting - interesting achievement on the part of Our Ken.


Dinner tonight will be Sunday revisited.  There is medium rare prime rib, new potatoes with chives, spinach from the garden and a tomato salad.  Strawberry shortcake for dessert.  Last night we suffered through baked ham (Meadowbrook farm), scalloped potatoes with Portobello mushroom and Vidalia onion, spinach and roasted peaches.  And on we go.

All is well and a busy day is upon us.   There is a family coming to visit the puppies, folks coming to help us evaluate the litter and a dinner party.   Gingerbread is baking and dinner is underway so that the afternoon is freed up for visiting.   The adventures of yesterday are behind us - well, perhaps not behind the caffeinated Norwich.   She is still a bit ruffled by the surprise of it all.   It is a mild day with high winds and a little sun.   Much of the remaining snow has melted and the ice rink is forming once again.   The forecast is for a quick drop this afternoon so ice is in our immediate future.   Our Ken just loves that.   The birds, though, are happier.  Fewer are at the feeders on these pleasant days and all have reverted to normal size, from their puffed up caricatures of the icy days earlier in the month.   The woodpeckers have a firm hold on the suet cages but the swinging feeders are empty - the carnival ride offered must be a bit daunting, even for the Jays.   Chantelle is in residence, trimming Charlie and keeping an eye on Viola.   That is great for an extra pair of hands to tote puppies and an extra voice to answer Our Ken's constant queries.  


The kennel is ticking along.   The big yards had the benefit of the snow blower yesterday so all gates are moving freely and the open double pens behind the kennel are clear.   Jersey, the Lab, is a great visitor.   She loves the kennel; finds the routine agrees with her and food arrives on time.   Having sorted out the exercise yard process, she happily follows whoever goes out to take her from the yards to her run, without need of a leash.  Just a great girl.  


The house crew is well and happy.   With a warmer day, Lori prefers to be outside, living in hope that a ball game will materialize if she is just patient enough.   Dolly will go to her 'perch' among the trees next to the fern garden and sit on a stump watching the front yard and communing with Phil the pheasant until her name is called.   Then it is a jump and run full tilt to the house moment.   Piper, of course, is inside on a dog bed, keeping an eye on Lee.   Marilla is adjacent to Piper, living in hope that there will be a kitchen disaster that lands on the floor for her ministrations.   Billy is simply underfoot and happy about it.   His nocturnal adventures have left him a bit tired - because Viola was upstairs, Billy was relegated to a crate in the bedroom so thumped around in it all night to let everyone know that he was not amused.  Marguerite remains in the house adjacent to the puppy pen in the den, keeping a close watch on the little ones.   She is bemused, however, wondering where her delightful little puppies have gone.   While these big puppies are interesting, she does look for her babies when the mood strikes.   The babies are adorable and learning skills minute by minute.   They carry their food dish once empty and position it precisely.   There are puppy games that only puppies understand.   Personalities are developing and all respond to people with tilted heads and quizzical expressions that are so unique to the Airedale.   It is a fabulous litter.


Dinner was great - a pub-style meal of turkey tenders with dipping sauces, herbed roasted potatoes and a fresh tomato dish with blue cheese, lemon oil and garlic.   Finishing with rum cake, life was complete. 

2014 and the blog is renewed

Perhaps it is time to renew the blog.   There appears to be an appetite among readers.   Life at Regalridge has been active in 2014.   There have been the usual comings and goings; the normal ups and downs of an active life and busy property.   It was a less than stellar growing season with inopportune rains, less than welcome dry spells and a general lack of conditions that would support vegetables.   There were, however, lots of apples.   And, as Alex the grandson noted,  a handful of the most labour intensive, expensive potatoes in the world.    There was a focus on rebuilding kennel exercise spaces, opening lovely view planes for both people and dogs alike.  What a difference.   The dogs are well and content with their lives, as only a houseful of Airedales, one Norwich and one Cirneco can be.   Yes, Trebia has moved in - much to Our Ken's worried look and her delight.   She has taken Lee over and, as Our Ken notes, wrapped her around her skinny paw.   A hound among the terriers, Trebia is quick as a wink and interested in all activity.   Did you know the vantage point from the center of the kitchen table is far superior to any point on the floor?   But I digress.   The birds are still in residence and have developed gourmet tastes.   Costco has an avian aversion from early spring through late fall.   There is little in the way of seed but there are still birds to be fed.   That led Our Ken to search out other sources.   There are now more bags of specialty seed at Regalridge than at any store in the city.   Apparently, his woodpeckers have many and varied tastes.  It has been a cold start to 2014 and today is no exception.   A few snowflakes are in the air, just as a reminder to those indoors that spring is a way off. 


The kennel is reasonably quiet.   There are few Regalridge dogs living in that lovely space and boarding dogs come and go easily.   Today we are home to Jersey who is managing the large space and outdoor runs with the assistance of Gabe, Clint and Virginia.  


The house crowd are happy to be inside.   All are trimmed so not wanting to be outside for long periods.   Billy had a moment during his wake up routine - a great roll on the couch resulting in Ken's coffee mug flying through the air and landing on the bed containing the Norwich, caffeinating the old girl and resulting in a bemused Ken.   The litter of 13 Airedale puppies is approaching the seven week landmark.    Vaccinations are behind them and life is just one big game.   This morning, they read the newspapers and all are up to date on local events, ready for any tests that may be given.   The one little male, Creighton, has finally decided that food is actually allowed to go into your tummy so seven weeks of bottle feeding and no sleep seems to be behind us.   The other twelve are doing equally well, have been pronounced fit, hale and hearty by the lovely Veterinarian who brought the litter to fruition with one straw of Nick's frozen semen.  Marguerite, ever the over achiever, now watches them from a distance and seems as amazed as the people of the house at the number and growth.  


Meals have not fallen to the bottom of any chart.   Marmalade has been made from the season's Seville oranges (thanks Cheryl Tissington) with two batches finished and two to go.   Recent dinners have included  a great chicken puttanesca (what could be bad with garlic, anchovies and olives), lovely tomato soup from garden tomatoes, an English rice pudding (baked with a regular custard process and water bath) and a pork tenderloin in an orange sauce.  And we are on to another day.