A hot start to Summer!

Happy Sunday everyone! We woke up to rain but it will clear up by mid morning. The next few days will be sunny but hot hot hot! I'm writing this blog on the deck, listening to the birds. Our pooches are with me, having a post breakfast nap. 

This past week was good. Phase one of our landscaping was completed. We replaced the old deck frame and trellis skirting with pressure treated wood framing. It looks so much better. The crew did an excellent job. This coming week should be the start of phase two, replace the existing patio and some landscaping work. This could take about two weeks, depending on the weather. Yesterday, Russell took aerial "before" photos with his drone.  

On Thursday, I went shopping for new bed sheets and towels, a once every five year event LOL! The sales person at Linen Chest was extremely helpful and had me in and out of the store in very little time.... shopping is not my favorite thing to do 😏 I got us some bamboo rayon sheets. We love them! 

Sherlock and Merlot are doing good. They managed well during the yard work and enjoyed the many interactions they had with the two workers. I got them a tire jump ring for the basement. Something new and fun for the boys!

My friend Valerie, who lost her Havanese Stella in January, got a new puppy yesterday named Tinker. It is the beginning of a new journey which will bring new adventures, lots of puppy kisses and fun. Stella will always have a special place in her heart,  just like our Cooper & Spicy do.

It is St-Jean Baptiste weekend here in Quebec. The holiday is on Tuesday and the weather is expected to be super hot. The revellers will enjoy it!

That's my blog for today. Have a great week everyone!

The boys enjoy chilling on the 
deck while keeping an eye out for
possible intruders.

Looking skyward, Sherlock and Merlot were
intrigued by the crows that have been
flying by, can't chase those.

Merlot shows off his jumping
skills easily clearing the tire jump
while Sherlock waited patiently for
his turn.

Sherlock is a very quick learner
and he made jumping through the
tire look easy...Merlot waiting for
his turn.

Valerie and Tinker buckled up and
ready for the ride home.

Tinker settling at home, what a 
stunning little girl.

Merlot and Sherlock inspecting the
toy basket they got for Tinker.

Spicy and Cooper pause for a rest in front of the
catmint at Edgewater Park on our walk...
June 11, 2022.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Sunday everyone! I start this blog by wishing all the dads a Happy Father's Day. This wish extends to all the pet dads who are so special. Merlot and Sherlock are the luckiest pups to have Russell as their human daddy 💕 The fathers who are no longer with us also have a special place in our hearts, today and always. We miss ours every day.

This past week was good. Both of us are over our roman colds. On Tuesday, I saw my massage therapist who took care of my stiff neck. We resumed our walks with the boys and ran into Errol twice. Life is back to normal.

Russell cut the grass for the third time since we've been back. It is lush and very green. Our Daylilies are also getting very big. Our peonies are at their best this year, thanks to more sun since we cut down the apple trees.

We met with Bronson, our landscaper, on Thursday. We went over the plans and chose our stones. All things being equal, the work could start week of June 22. The crew will take care of moving our barbecues and anything else that needs to be moved. So far, we are very impressed with how buttoned down Bronson is. The next few weeks will be busy and exciting.

Our boys are doing well. Sherlock has resumed his morning walkabouts around the kitchen island, with the bull in his mouth. We get dizzy just watching him LOL! Merlot watches him and wonders when he will stop. Although both are still crazy puppies, we are noticing some signs of maturity. It has been fascinating to watch them grow since we've had them. We're coming up to one year in a few weeks 💕 We love them to pieces!

We've been having a stretch of nice weather, although our mornings have been a little cool. We are enjoying that new couch on the deck. It is the most comfortable outdoor piece of furniture we've ever had. Perfect for napping 😊

Today will be a quiet and relaxing day. I will make spaghetti al limone for dinner. I also bought two small lemon tarts for a Father's Day treat. There is a lemon theme going on here 🍋

I leave you with some pics taken last week. Have a great week everyone! 

Russell and the boys - Happy Father's
Day to all the fathers!

Sherlock and Merlot make multiple
trips up and down the deck stairs
to explore their yard.

The Big Green Egg smoker
sure had the boys attention last night-
those ribs smell good!

Merlot snuggling on Russell as they 
both grab a nap on the super comfy
couch.

Sherlock and his alligator taking a romp
in the yard.

Merlot loves to chill in the shade on the 
cool grass.

A lovely peony in bloom.

Cooper and Spicy with Russell on a 
Father's Day picnic lakeside - June 16, 2020.

Back in the groove

Happy Sunday everyone! It is a lovely morning although a little smoky still from the wild fires in the Prairies. The forecast for the week is looking quite good. Looks like we brought the nice weather back with us.

We got back from Italy late Monday afternoon. It felt good to be home. We unpacked our toiletries, had some cheese and crackers on the deck while admiring our super long grass then went to bed at 8:30. We got up at 3:45 am on Tuesday ready to tackle a brand new day!

We had a wonderful trip and did all the things we said we would do....some sightseeing, some relaxing time, ate very good food and drank very good wine. We were reflecting yesterday that we actually only had pizza three times and pasta twice. Unlike previous trips, we ate a lot more fish....specifically grilled sea bass with tomatoes and olive oil drizzle. Our favorite side dish quickly became steamed spinach with oil and parmesan. Russell couldn't get over it. I couldn't get over the fresh tomatoes, which I ate for breakfast every morning. Oh, and that balsamic vinegar was to die for! Everything is so fresh and tasty in Italy! 

We picked up Merlot and Sherlock at noon on Tuesday after cutting the grass and getting the laundry done. Needless to say, we were over the moon happy to see our boys again and they were ecstatic to see us. They didn't miss a beat once they got home. Life got back to normal very quickly. 

On Wednesday, our friend Gerda came for a visit with her two sisters. She owned Tre, who sadly passed away in the Fall of 2023. Cooper was Tre's uncle. Gerda met our sweet boys for the first time and it was love at first sight. They got two new toys, a turtle and an alligator. Sherlock has been doing his morning walkabouts with the alligator in his mouth...crazy puppy! 

We are over our jet lag although we both caught a cold in Italy, weird I know. I got it first, then Russell. It's still lingering a bit. I also have a pretty bad stiff neck which started in Rome. It's not getting any better so I will be doing something about it this week. 

We spent the past few days doing some yard work. We filled up to large bags with weeds LOL! Russell had to cut the grass again. I think we're on top of things now. Later this week, we are meeting with our landscaper to finalize details and choose the stones. We are getting excited about our project.

That's my blog for today. I leave you with some photos taken on our last day in Rome and pics of our boys taken since their return. Have a great week everyone!

The "sumo dancing" has resumed with Merlot
and Sherlock in fine form.

Besties...side by side waiting for me.

Merlot contemplating which of his
newest toys to play with.

Sherlock is very vocal, engaged with 
me in a deep, meaningful
conversation.

The Vatican as seen from our hotel rooftop
restaurant...Leo had all the lights on!

The Pantheon dome can also be seen from the 
rooftop at Hotel de la Ville.

The famous 'wedding cake' monument otherwise
known as the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.

Joy in a bottle...25 year old
balsamic vinegar floats on top
of some delicious EVOO
- to die for!

Even the seagulls make a stunning
appearance at Hotel de la Ville
rooftop bar.

Cooper and Spicy on a walk at Edgewater 
Park....taking a little rest, June 4th 2022.

Arrivederci Roma and Italy!

Happy Sunday everyone! I'm writing this blog in the beautiful courtyard of our hotel, while sipping a green juice, so yummy. We're having our last leisurely breakfast in Rome then we will head out for another walkabout. We go home tomorrow. 

Our Italian vacation is coming to an end. It's been wonderful and it went by very fast. On Friday, we walked to the usual spots that we've seen many times but never get old....Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Trevi Fountain was packed with people. Since the renovation for the Jubilee year, they now limit access to 400 visitors at a time. We didn't bother since we've seen it up close before but it was amazing to see the people lined up to see it. The Pantheon was also busy and is always a beauty to look at. 

That night, we discovered the colourful and bohemian area of Trastevere and had dinner at a wonderful restaurant recommended by our hotel.  We got lost while trying to find the restaurant. We eventually spotted a postman and thought to ourselves "he must know where it is". Sure enough LOL!

Yesterday, we did a three hour golf cart tour, as we did in 2023. This time though we visited the east side of Rome including the ancient aqueducts which supplied the city with water for drinking, bathing and sanitation. They were built over a period of 500 years. Such history! We ended our tour in the Coppede District, known for its eclectic architecture which combines Art Nouveau, Medieval and Gothic. It is named after Gino Coppede who built the district between 1915 and 1927. 

Today is a busy day in Rome. The Gira d'Italia, similar to the Tour de France, will finish in Rome. The cyclists are expected to make the final eight laps through the city centre. There is also a Jubilee celebration going on, the Celebration of Families, Grandparents and the Elderly, honoring family bonds and the role of elders in the community. Most of the events will be at St-Peter's Square where Pope Leo will hold a mass and blessings. Our area should not be affected by either events.

We will spend our last day walking around the various piazzas... del Popolo, Navona and di Spagna, just to name a few. We will have our last dinner at our hotel rooftop restaurant. The view will be spectacular.

We are ready to go home and most of all reunite with our boys. We will pick them up on Tuesday. The anticipation is palpable 💕 We suspect our grass will be very tall so Russell's first order of business will be to cut it. Life will return to normal very quickly LOL!

I leave you with some pics of the past few days. Arrivederci Roma and Italy! It's been wonderful as always. Have a great week everyone!

The view from our room looking
North along Via Sistina toward
Obelisco Sallustiano.

The outdoor breakfast area...so nice
to dine al fresco.

Trevi fountain was very crowded.

New rules for visiting the Trevi Fountain make
 tossing coins into the water a new olympic
sport.

The Pantheon was as busy as ever.

Some of the stunning architecture
in the Coppede District.

Every corner reveals a different 
marvel of architectural style.

Fragrant jasmine adores many walls.

A hen party in the streets of
Trastevere.

An open air wine bar under
the moon glow.

Last day in Sorrento

Buongiorno from Sorrento! Today is our last full day in this beautiful city. Tomorrow, we're off to Rome for four days then back home.

Our stay is Sorrento has been wonderful in every way. We played tourists just enough while finding time to relax and enjoy the moments. One morning, we sat on one of the outdoor couches of the hotel property and fell asleep, so deeply that we didn't notice the staff moving some of the outdoor furniture around right in front of us!

On Monday, we went to Ischia. It didn't disappoint. Unlike Capri, it is an island that has the feel of a resort, in some ways similar to Barbados. It is not commercial and crowded. We had a four hour tour, "tuk tuk" style and it was great. We got back to our hotel just in time to watch the sunset. We then had a late dinner at our hotel. 

The rest of the time, we spent walking the streets of Sorrento. One day, we went to Marina Grande for lunch. We had grilled sea bass and a cherry tomato salad. The cherry tomatoes here are to die for. I've been having some for breakfast every day.

The staff of the hotel has been wonderful and very attentive. The weather has been spectacular with an average day temperature of 21 Celsius. 

Russell's knees are absolutely perfect and he feels so grateful to have had the knee replacement surgery in December. There are lots of steps and cobblestones which can make it more challenging to walk. We've been doing our 10,000 steps a day no problem.

Our boys are doing well. They have been spending a lot of time outside, running in the fields. Today, our little Merlot gets his teeth cleaned as well as OFA testing since he is now two years old. Our little Sherlock, who is 18 months, will go along with his brother and get a thorough physical exam (pattelas, heart) including dentition.  His OFA testing and teeth cleaning will be done when he is two also. We miss them a whole lot and have been showing their pictures to all dog owners that we have met....and there are lots in Sorrento!

We're having breakfast now. Later we will walk to a local lemon grove and take in the aroma of that wonderful citrus. Our last dinner will be at Dona Sofia at 9 pm but not before we admire our last Sorrento sunset.

I leave you with some photos taken throughout the past few days. Have a good rest of the week and I will write again from Rome.

Fine dining in a grotto at Il Buco...
a Michelin Star awarded restaurant.

A perfect sunset cocktail hour at our hotel...
complete with water pistol for warding off
winged intruders.

A blue hour photo with the final golden rays
of the sun kissing the sea at Bellevue
Syrene hotel.

One of the many pretty sandy beaches 
on the island of Ischia.

The sea is a spectacular blend of blue and green 
hues and crystal clear.

The famous mushroom rock on Ischia.

Ischia cathedral....magnificent.

The famous Boccia bakery with the famed
best bread in Italy...it tasted wonderful with a 
thin slice of mortadella on top.

Fresh loaves of Boccia bread.

A perfect 'guard' dog at a jewellery
store in Sorrento.

A picture perfect start to the day...the view
from our balcony this morning as another
cruise ship anchors in port, with Mount
Vesuvius in the distance under an azure sky.

Greetings from Sorrento!

Buongiorno and Buona Domenica! It's a beautiful morning in Sorrento, blue skies although very breezy. I'm writing this blog at the breakfast terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and Mount Vesuvious while being serenaded by a pianist. Beautiful setting!

Our travels to Italy were uneventful. The flight was on time and our luggage made it out of the plane in record time. Our driver Giovani drove us to Sorrento. It was a three hour drive, very pleasant and comfortable. Upon arrival at our hotel, we were greeted by the same staff as two years ago. It was truly nice to see them again. We got the exact same room as last time...the more things change the more they stay the same LOL! We can't say enough about this hotel. It is so beautiful with the most gorgeous view. 

We spent the past few days walking through the streets of Sorrento. Russell's new knee is putting on a lot of mileage. We've been eating well. Everything is so fresh here. 

We plan on going to Marina Grande today. It will be a nice walk there, with steps and cobblestones involved. It is a lovely area to visit with lots of fishing boats, little shops and restaurants.

Tomorrow, we will go to Ischia by ferry. Once there, our hotel has arranged for a guided Ape Tour, a three-wheeled vehicle called an Ape Calessino. It will be a cool and unique way to explore the local sights of Ischia. It will be a full day. We will be back in time to watch the sunset from our hotel.

On Thursday, we will make our way to Rome for four nights before returning home. Time is going by quickly. Our pooches are doing well, playing their hearts out. We miss them a whole lot 💕

That's my blog for today. The next one will be from Rome. I leave you with some photos taken during our walkabouts. Photos of doggies will resume when we get home. Have a great week!

View from our balcony.

Via Capo as seen from Piazza Tasso.

A majestic azalea in full bloom.

Early morning fishmen going for the catch 
of the day right in front of our hotel.

A breakfast scene repeated daily...
these fellows are ever optimistic - 
a lesson to be learned!

Mount Vesuvius as seen across the Bay of 
Naples from our balcony.

The Cathedral bell tower of
 Sorrento as seen along one of the
many narrow streets.