Grey Cup Sunday has come and gone

Christmas is coming.  Some of the stockings are wrapped and now the baking has begun.  Breads were the order of the day and tradition reigns.  Out came the Woodstock recipes and Lemon, Orange-Cranberry and Cherry-Walnut tea breads were born.  They are made in pairs since Lee the baking for the younger generation as well.  Deliveries will have to occur tomorrow since the Regalridge freezers are filled to the top with the garden plunder.  There were also gifts to be opened (November is birthday month at Regalridge) so an E-Reader has been installed and there are smiles all around.  There were also jewelled pie servers and napkin rings and various and sundry other items that made everyone smile.  Ken worked away at the garage, delivered snow tires to Kendra and Richard and had a visit.  There is small improvement and a specialist appointment scheduled soon but we have reason to hope that there is recovery in the offing.  Then it was on to the Grey Cup.  It was a cold day but sunny, making the cold wind a surprise each time anyone went out the door.  And the bird population at the feeders is increasing.  The large woodpecker has returned and approves the suet from Virginia.

The kennel is ticking along with Barrett keeping Trebia exercised and Trebia keeping Barrett smiling.  He adores that skinny little hound.  There's no accounting for taste.  Lucy Airedale is managing happily.  She is taking her meds, managing her yard, eats well and expresses her views freely. 

The house dogs are doing reasonably well.  Patti is slowing but eating selectively and is bright.  Jack, who gave us a scare earlier in the fall, is thriving at his advanced age.  Piper is managing Lee.  Billy is on top of Ken and Nick is not amuse that the tires took his pride of place in the car.  Abigail noticed that May is missing - it took her a week to pick that up.  Little May is in season in the kennel and is looking to be repatriated asap.  Charlotte is leading the outdoor games but is having some difficulty since Patti has taken all of the toys to her lair under the trees.  Nobody goes near that lair, inhabited or not. 

Dinner was planned to be eaten in the den a la Grey cup viewing.  So homemade bread, a Caesar with lots of anchovies and garlic and chicken wings with homemade blue cheese dipping sauce worked just fine.  Dessert was fresh fruit and all were happy - perhaps except with the outcome of the game. 

The end of November is in sight

It was a Saturday after American Thanksgiving and you know what that means - Christmas season is officially here.  so the Christmas music went on, the wrapping paper came out and wrapping has begun.  Shopping is almost complete.  Decorating has not even begun but that will be remedied and baking always seems to manage to happen during available moments.  Weather is turning toward winter as well.  Our Dove population has grown to several dozen, looking like ornaments on the bare branches.  The blue jays add colour and the woodpeckers are the bright spots in the crowd.  the squirrels are finally outnumbered enough to take the occasional back seat as Our Ken feeds. 

The kennel is well settled.  Trebia and Barrett are partying in anticipation of something or celebration of something else - we aren't quite sure which.  Either way it requires heels kicking, speedy runs and both seeming certain that they are the winner - a key to that solid friendship.  Lucy the Airedale is happy to be in the country, has her own big yard and is stretching her legs happily.  With Paula repatriated old Nemo is managing her side of the kennel on his own but perseveres.  His stuffed toys seem to keep him motivated.  Marguerite had a break and found her way up to the house for the day.  That tickled her.  She is a great house dog and that is a bit of a surprise. 

The house dogs had a good day.  The weather was cool and crisp so chase games were the order of the day.  With new toys in the yard, that was motivation enough for a gaggle of Airedales to streak through the yard, at speed, Charlotte leading and Atlas and Clint jostling for second.  They are such an impressive breed and to have the privilege of watching them during these periods is truly fortunate. 

Dinner was a party.  With friends, we were at Margot's for a fabulous meal, some singing and the odd candle.  As always, it was great fun with some old stories and some new, generous hospitality and much laughter - and isn't that what holds us all together. 

Normal is a relativ e term but we seem to be there at the moment

It has been a week of holding the fort.  Lee was asked to go to Woodstock quickly on Sunday.  Things weren't going well and Saint Greg needed some back up.  Our Ken managed Regalridge with Chantelle's support at the end of the week.  Missions were accomplished in spite of being short handed.  Gardens were put to bed, leaves were leafed, dogs were managed and the garage was organized yet again.  Einstein went on strike - he hates the kidney diet food and rebelled so is back to 'Real CAT Food' with dry kidney diet.  At fifteen, he has his preferences after all. Kendra is slowly progressing - a long road still lies ahead.   Lee managed to add enough interest to the week that her Dad began eating again.  Things are not good and a return trip will occur on Tuesday.  Dad's birthday is Wednesday so we will see how that goes.  He did enjoy a salmon steak - the highlight of the week for him.  Chantelle had her very successful Windsor Christmas market (that she ably began years ago and has managed every year since) so Our Ken dog sat.  The more the merrier.  Clem was terribly worried that Chantelle was lost, lost, lost.    Scout appeared to think the change was fine and Jessie was just plain annoyed.  Today Our Ken did the city run, found Costco and the Vet on his own, saw his friend the Doctor who pronounced him hale and hearty and took Reg to lunch.

The kennel is doing just fine.  Trebia is thrilled that Barrett is here.   He arrived and found his girlfriend, emitting his 'Wooooo Wooooo Wooooo Woooo' in enthusiastic greeting.  They are such great pals.  Lucy the Airedale arrived with her pharmacy.  She is happy as can be and loves her visits to the  country.  Her owner noted that she gets so excited on kennel days that it is a joy to watch.

The house dogs are fine.  Patti is slowing in her interest in food but still managing reasonably well.  All got new collars because Christmas is coming (as good a reason as any) with the exception of Nick whose Picasso collar is the best in the world and Billy who is very fond of his rolled leather braid.  Piper maintained her Southwest look even though a lovely light in the dark red was on offer.  Toys from the Virginia trip appeared and were approved. 

Dinner was in support of Ken's missing Lee's cooking.  Roast chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy, snap peas and squash filled the bill.  Chantelle was in residence for dinner after closing her market and approved the fare.  And we are on to the week end.