Spring cleanup

Happy Sunday everyone! We woke up to a clear sky and the sun is shining. I do believe that Spring is here to stay. I hope so as I put away all the Winter gear. Good riddance!

This past week was filled with Artemis II daily updates. Each update turned into an unfolding story.  This lunar mission gave people around the world a reason to feel united, even if only for a moment. We watched their return home with anxious anticipation and felt a sense of deep relief the moment they safely splashed down. Congratulations to Canada's Jeremy Hansen, our hearts are filled with pride!

Other than being glued to the TV screen, we enjoyed many walks by the lake with our boys. We also started our outdoor Spring cleanup and opened our deck. Merlot & Sherlock were very giddy and quickly resumed their spot to watch the squirrels.  We're ready for another season! 

Russell is doing well. His post Barbados cold is still lingering but he's much better. He resumed his "municipal duties"... now working on his questions for the next council meeting. 

I resumed fun training with our boys. For the past few months, I've been focusing on what I call the "bowl to bowl" thinking games (Vito games). While on the beach, I started thinking that it was time to introduce our munchkins to the "maze" games.  If you've followed me for a while, you will recall that I used to create mazes for Cooper. He so enjoyed it, so did I.  It didn't take Merlot & Sherlock long to get the concept that you must follow a path in order to get the treat. I am so incredibly proud of our boys.  I spent the past few days looking at all the videos that I have of Cooper and his maze exploits.  While it's been a nostalgic trip down memory lane, I am thrilled that I get to do this again with our boys 💕 My creative juices are flowing!

That's my blog for today. We will attempt to finish our yard work this morning. I hear April showers are on the way for the next few days. I leave you with some photos and a few videos for your enjoyment. Have a great week everyone! 

Winter covers off the furniture and the
'boys' are right back on to catch a
few warming sun rays.

And the dance continues...they enjoy each
other's company immensely.

After the backyard romps comes
nap time...full out and not a care in
the world.

Merlot and Sherlock are excited to have the 

deck back so they can watch the squirrels from 

up high and in comfort.

It is a finch fest in the backyard juniper (sound on)

Merlot is smart and he got the new maze design 

in no time. A very proud moment.

Sherlock is no slouch and he too very quickly

figured it out...proud moments for both of

these boys.

Cooper and Spicy on their boulder on our 
walk at Edgewater Park, this precious 
moment captured, April 20th, 2022.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! It's a rainy and mild morning for us. It sure feels like Spring. The trees are budding, the snow is all gone and our boys are eating grass again LOL!

This past week was good. We arrived home late Monday night. Our flight was on time and it was a breeze getting through customs. I woke up very early on Tuesday, emptied our suitcases, got some laundry done and went to Metro. Then we made our way to Myriam's to pick up Merlot & Sherlock. The anticipation was palpable. They were so excited to see us. They looked wonderful, freshly bathed. They had a great time. They played with other dogs, a few pugs in particular, and got along with everyone. The boys didn't miss a beat when they got home 💕 

We're all back in the groove. It was good to be able to watch hockey again and WOW, last night was our 8th win in a row. For the past two days, Russell has been providing me with the "playoff mathematics" based on the wins of the previous day, thank you! The HABS are now just a point away or so from clinching that playoff spot!  So exciting! 

The boys resumed their fun games and got right into it...except for Merlot who decided that it was more fun to face plant than to wait his turn on the trampoline 😂

On Wednesday, we watched the Artemis II launch. It is history in the making and even more special to have a Canadian astronaut taking part in this mission. I've been following the daily NASA updates, so incredibly fascinating. Tomorrow will be the long awaited lunar flyby and splashdown on Friday at 8:07 pm. Another week of being glued to every NASA update 🌙🚀

Russell came back with a cold but also with a craving for turkey. I got a very small Butterball which we will have tonight. I'm having mine with a strawberry and pecan salad. Russell will get all the trimmings. Since we're on the topic of eating, let me tell you that the food in Barbados is very good. Our best meal though was at Champers. We had the ahi tuna which was simply divine. We finished the meal by sharing a coconut cream pie, which was also to die for. Those are the only food photos I took so I'm sharing them. 

That's my blog for today. My brother is coming over for an Easter danish. The rest of the day will be quiet for us. Have a wonderful day and a great week!

Sherlock and Merlot want to wish everyone
a Happy Easter!

It is good to be back home and to be
able to stretch out in comfort.

Sherlock was back at his spot at the
breakfast table, keeping an eye on
us and world events!

Neighbourhood watch must go on,
even when Merlot is having a bad 
hair day.

The ahi tuna was superb at Champers...it
was melt in your mouth delicious, cooked to
perfection.

How do you top off an exceptional meal...
coconut cream pie to the rescue....it was
heaven on a plate.

Pre-dinner time antics...Sherlock doing his 

whirls and Merlot flinging his plushie!

I cut Merlot some slack on his first day back at

fun games...face planting is so much more fun than

waiting patiently on the trampoline for your turn.

Cooper and Spicy were the best at holding a 
pose for a photo...this moment wishing everyone
Happy Easter was captured, April 2021.

Last day in paradise

Happy Sunday everyone! This is our last full day in Barbados, we fly home tomorrow. The past 12 days have flown so quickly, it's unreal. 

Here's a small recap since my last blog. Our week started a little on the slow side. Russell came down with a bug of some kind which lasted 24 hours. We're not sure what caused it. Ginger/lemon tea and bland food for a couple of days did the trick then he was back to his old self. 

We haven't done much since we got here other than relax completely. Yesterday, I finished the 963 page book that I started just before leaving, Southern Man by Greg Iles. What a book, what a story, very in tune with the world that we currently live in. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was the perfect vacation book.

We've been eating well, lots of fish. We went to a number of our favorite restaurants, Tapas and Champers. Last night, we went to Tides on the west coast and it was a huge disappointment. We had been twice before in past trips and really liked it but this time around, it didn't do it for us. The vibe and the food just weren't there. 

There are two cats that roam around the hotel. One of them reminds us of Sherlock 😂 only because she likes to stay close to people, most likely hoping to get some food. She doesn't beg, she simply lies down on the ground and pretends to sleep. We named her "mooch" although her name is Maxime. I am not a cat person at all but I do find "mooch" a little endearing. 

We will be going home with a nice glow and a good dose of vitamin D. We look forward to seeing Merlot and Sherlock again. We miss them a whole lot. We've been showing their photos to anyone who's interested LOL! We will pick them up Tuesday morning. No doubt they will be over the moon happy to see us 💕

Our routine will resume and so will watching hockey, starting with a game on Tuesday night. Thanks again Linda for keeping me in the loop with the play by play updates. Our Habs are doing so well, hoping to get that playoff spot. Then, on Wednesday, if all goes according to plan,  Artemis 2 moon mission will launch at 6:24 EDT. I will be glued to the NASA live TV all day!

That's my blog for this last Sunday of March. As we're about to say "au revoir" to Barbados, we're also saying "see you next year". We have booked our return for March 2027. Have a great week everyone! 

Panorama view from our balcony at sunrise!

A long view of the Dover Beach, 
end to end it is about 1.6 kms long.

Sunsets rarely disappoint and this one was
spectacular!

Here I am having a swinging good
time, with the waves crashing
behind me.

Can there ever be too many sunsets...
like snow flakes, no two sunsets are the same!

Sunrise from our balcony!

Two fishermen, wonder what they'll be having for 

dinner...a daily appearance on Dover Beach.

The All Star Barbados steel band, they are all

aging well and never fail to entertain.

Bajan vibes

Happy Sunday from beautiful Barbados! It's 6 am, we've been up for an hour, just like back home. It will be another sunny, hot and windy day although we are now having a little bit of rain. Liquid sunshine as we call it. 

Our journey to Barbados went very smoothly. We arrived last Wednesday and received a huge "welcome back" from the staff that we have gotten to know over the years. Hugs and big handshakes were plentiful. We had requested our favorite room and we got it. Our last visit to Southern Palms was in 2022. It feels good to be back.

We've been putting our steps in, walking up and down Dover beach. The sea has been a little rough with a red flag warning not to swim in a section of the beach. It's great for those who like to surf though. 

We've been eating well. The food at our hotel is delicious, especially the grilled Mahi-Mahi. We had dinner at Mimosa on Friday, it was also good. On Tuesday, we will be going to one of our favorite restaurants, Tides, on the west coast. Then on Thursday, we're going to Champers, another favorite of ours. 

It goes without saying that we miss our boys. We hear they are doing well. It looks like there is snow again back home. Hopefully this is the last of it. 

Although I haven't been watching hockey, I've been following each game thanks to my friend Linda who's been sending me the play by play by messenger. A few quick peeks at my phone to check out the score...can't help myself. What a win last night! 

Today is the famous Sunday Pie Lunch at our hotel...chicken pot pie, macaroni pie, shepherds pie...you get the idea. It attracts so many locals. There will also be a steel band playing. It will be fun and very Bajan.

That's my blog for today. Our photos are simple....sunrise and sunset landscapes. No two sunrises or sunsets are ever the same, yet each one feels like it belongs perfectly to that moment.  Have a great week everyone!

If you have ever watched the Simpsons...
you would know these clouds as puffy
Simpsons clouds.

A warm radiant sunset as seen from our balcony 

Pastel skies painted by the setting sun
and a lonely palm tree.

Magical colours and waves to match.

Me deep in thought; how are the boys doing,
what to eat, will the Habs win, oh and
where is Russell?

A lovely evening at Mimosa restaurant, 

seaside with Russell.

Early morning views from the balcony of

 our room at Southern Palms.

Counting down to island time

Happy Sunday everyone! We're half way through the month already. How did that happen! 

This past week brought a mix of crazy weather. We started the week with mild temps and gorgeous sunshine. We had great walks by the lake and it was especially nice to walk on grass. Then the ice storm hit us on Thursday, although it did not seem as bad as predicted. Since we had so much grass showing in the backyard, it made it easier to maneuver through the ice build up. 

Yesterday morning, we woke up to about 5 cm of wet, sticky snow. We immediately decided to put the slush suits on Merlot & Sherlock. It was a wise decision. They literally spent a whole five minutes chasing each other before they even got their first pee done LOL!  Watching those two crazy puppies play in the snow is pure joy 💕 Despite the heavy snow, Russell was able to use the snow shovel on the patio and I put my snowshoes to work to pack down the rest of the doggie yard.

Russell and I are officially counting down the sleeps until our trip to Barbados. Last Friday, we both had a pedicure. Despite having had an ice storm the day before, the parking lot was dry so I was able to walk out with my flip flops. When I got home, all the boys wanted to do was lick my freshly painted toes! You gotta love them!

Today is my brother's birthday. He is coming for lunch. It will be nice to see him again. After he leaves, I will get some packing done. Russell is basically packed, I'm nowhere near done. It will all come together, it always does. 

That's my blog for today. The next one will be from beautiful Barbados! I leave you with a few photos and videos taken last week. The one of Merlot & Sherlock with their Barbados caps is now our screensaver on all our devices. They will be in our hearts every day of the trip 💓 Have a great week everyone! 

Bajan dogs on the beach...

Slush suits and snowball paws...did these two 
have fun romping in the sticky wet snow?!

Icicles graced the bird-feeders after
the 'big' ice storm.

Early morning catch me if you can in slush suits 

in the sticky snow...so much fun!

TV time normal moments on the sofa...

Post dinner nap for the boys and their toys 

Cooper and Spicy were dwarfed by
the mounds of snow in the 
backyard, this moment 
captured March 5th, 2023.

 

Spring forward into the light

Happy Sunday everyone! With the clocks moving forward, we are given the gentle promise of longer and brighter days ahead. I love this time of year even if it brings messy and sometimes treacherous outdoor conditions. 

Yesterday morning, we woke up to an inch of water covering our entire patio area. When we took our boys out first thing in the morning, they literally stopped dead in their tracks as if there was nowhere to go. It was actually funny to watch them. They have become quite the puddle jumpers. Throughout the course of the day, the water receded. As a contrast, we woke up this morning to a dry patio and a glazed and icy backyard. Grateful for crampons!

This is our last full week at home before our trip to Barbados. In preparation for this trip, I got one very important thing done.... I started a hard cover book that I bought in May 2024, Southern Man by Greg Iles, one of my favorite authors who passed away last Summer.  It picks up the story from the Natchez Burning Trilogy that I absolutely devoured in 2018. Incidentally, I read part of the trilogy during a trip to Barbados back then . Although I read most of my books on an e-reader, Southern Man is one worth reading on hard copy. I had promised myself I would start it before our trip just to ease into the story. I am 286 pages into it, 677 to go. The storyline resonates deeply with the world we're currently living in.  It will make for such good beach reading. 

We have a busy week coming up with a few appointments here and there. The weather tomorrow and Tuesday is looking beautiful, sunny and quite warm. I might just bring a chair out on the patio and get a head start on my tan LOL!

Russell is doing well and keeps busy with municipal matters that he's dealing with. He calls himself an agitator....he enjoys it immensely. 

I leave you with a few short videos that I took of the boys. They are enjoying their thinking games. I vary them daily and each game is a new challenge.  I also include a cute video of Merlot and his 4 pm routine every night. He spreads out his toys and goes from one to the other. Too funny to watch. While he does that, Sherlock is on my lap waiting for his dinner.

I end this blog by wishing everyone the best of luck in the Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games. Canada has three medals already, well done!  Have a great week everyone and Happy International Women's Day to all the incredible women everywhere!

Ice Ice Baby...the boys are studying their path
forward from the dry patio to the potty zone.

Sherlock and Merlot enjoying a patch of grass
at Edgewater Park last week.

Who needs to buy Swiffer pads when 
you have these two fluff balls.

Sherlock...sound asleep while the Habs play
the Kings! A 4-3 victory for the Habs!

Merlot on lookout duty!

Merlot navigating a new "thinking" course.

Sherlock is a quick study as he finds his way

through the course.

Rituals...Merlot has his and this one is always

at 4PM just before dinner...he gathers his

friends for a toss around.

Two chews to go please, Cooper and Spicy 
always enjoyed their chews and this moment
was captured March 22, 2018.

 

Hello March!

Happy Sunday everyone! We woke up to some cold temps but I see a warm up later this week. Yesterday was quite mild and sunny and it felt like a true Spring day. One morning last week, we were given another sign that Spring is on its way...there was the unmistakable smell of skunk. Yikes 😏

This past week was good and busy. Russell attended the monthly Beaconsfield council meeting and it got very rowdy. It made for an interesting night. I stayed home with the boys and watched CNN. Far more interesting LOL!

On Wednesday, I had an emergency eye appointment as my floaters were bugging me. I've had them for well over 20 years. I got a very extensive eye exam and all is good. I had this vision, no pun intended, that I would not be able to get on a plane due to some eye issues. 

Our boys are doing well. I signed them up for an online fitness program with Fun Fit Canin. The exercises are not complicated but they need to be done correctly and at a slow, controlled pace so the right muscles are properly engaged. My goal is to slow Merlot & Sherlock down when doing any type of training. Both get so excited, especially little Merlot. Sherlock is a bit more calm. They are still very much puppies at heart and such good boys 💕

Our nephews and Julie came over yesterday. They couldn't make it to our Christmas dinner as they were all sick. It was nice to see them again and catch up on life.

Those are my little news for this blog. It is school break this week in Quebec. The weather should cooperate for all outdoor activities. Have a great week everyone!

Merlot and Sherlock in a snow bank...fun times!

No theses are not new seat cushions...a daily
morning routine, pull out the chairs for a place
at the table for Merlot and Sherlock.

Dancing or wrestling...these guys
know how to have fun.

Merlot on the BOSU...good for
balance and coordination.

Sherlock did his thing on the BOSU 
too....excellent balance and topknot!

New snow, new day and more fun times!

Sherlock engaged in a new version of 

the 'thinking game'.

Merlot was up for the challenge of the 

'thinking game' too.

Cooper and Spicy looking like 
the perfect angels that they were,
this moment February 5th, 2022.

From Coast to Coast to Coast

Happy Sunday everyone! A bright day for Canada today. In just over two hours, the most anticipated Olympic event will take place. The puck will drop and the best of the best will be playing. No doubt that most Canadians will be watching the game with immense pride. No matter the outcome, there will be no losers. Only champions of different shades. Go Canada Go! Your effort, heart and pride will be on full display!

This past week was good. Between walking the pooches, running some errands and trying to get things done around the house, we spent a good amount of time watching the Olympics. TV will be pretty boring after today although the regular NHL games will resume on Wednesday. The chase for a playoff spot will be full on.

Our weather has been much milder and the sun is quite warm. We are really noticing the brighter and longer days. It is so nice. It's hard to believe that we are entering the last week of February. 

We are now just about three weeks away from our Barbados trip. I started putting aside some clothes, etc for both of us. Our guest bedroom looks like a war zone at the moment.  We're starting to get excited.

Our boys are doing well. Russell gave them a bath last week. One of the videos below is of Merlot doing his crazy face planting right after his grooming...his way to release pent-up energy from the bath. Sherlock doesn't do face planting LOL! 

Short and sweet blog this week.  Have a great week everyone and enjoy the game if you're watching! 

Spring is just around the corner and the boys
are on high alert for squirrels!

No, Sherlock does not have 
dandruff...this is fresh snow!

Merlot marches to the beat of a 
different drummer and makes
his own paths in the fresh snow.

Inside or outside, no squirrel is 
safe from their watchful eyes!

Trying to watch the women's Olympic 
hockey game with two lap warmers.

Merlot is famous for his patented 'face-plants',

his way to expel excess energy and mess up

his fresh topknot!

The boys at the ready - about to start the pretzel

game...a treat hidden in a knotted towel.

A wintery scene at Edgewater Park on the 
bridge with Cooper and Spicy...this moment
captured February 19th, 2021.

Gold for Kingsbury!

Happy Sunday everyone! It looks like the frigid cold weather is behind us, for now anyway. We have some mild temperatures on the way this week. It is starting to feel like Spring....how can I tell? We've been hearing the unmistakable mating song of the Cardinals for the past few days. One of the most beautiful outdoor sound at this time of year.

Before I get into our news, I feel it's important to recognize the terrible tragedy that took place in British Columbia last week. The entire country is grieving the loss of those innocent lives. We were also deeply moved by the powerful show of solidarity from our political leaders during this difficult time. Canada knows how to come together during these tragic moments.

Last week was good. Russell's birthday came and went. The boys and I made sure he had a wonderful celebration. The first Canada Men's hockey game took place that day and we won. A birthday doesn't get any better than that 🎉

This morning, we watched Mikaël Kingsbury win our first gold medal in the dual moguls. Congratulations! We've been watching the Olympics throughout the week. Of course, I'm especially interested in the Men's Hockey. The third Canada game is this morning at 10:40. We have to plan our day around this event. I can't wait to see which two teams will be in the Gold medal game .... next Sunday at 8:10 am. 

We had some plumbing work done. It seems that all of our faucets are falling apart. As soon as the plumber left last Wednesday after replacing our bathroom faucets, the kitchen faucet starting leaking. He's coming back tomorrow to install a new one. Next up will be our water heater. 

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. We are enjoying more walks with them now that the weather is not as cold. 

Those are my news for today's blog. Tomorrow is Family Day in most provinces except Quebec. If you are celebrating, enjoy those precious moments. Have a great week!

Two to go...the Boys on the 'place' trampoline,
ready to have some training fun.

 

What does the phrase "Daddy's home"
look like...patiently waiting for the 
door to open.

Merlot in one of his favourite 
spots...perched on a knee,
this time it was Russell's knee.

Sherlock has very special eyes and
he knows how to use them.

Happy Birthday Russell...the 
lemon tarts were yummy!

Merlot and his shenanigans while Sherlock

calmly watches...wondering what this guy

is up to.

Fresh snow overnight can only mean one thing...

game on, catch me if you can!

Cooper and Spicy were soulmates and this
magical moment was captured on
Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2018.

Game Day

Happy Sunday everyone! It is a bit chilly this morning, a cool -21 Celsius. We might not have a lot of snow but it's been a very cold Winter so far. On the plus side (there is always one), the sun is stronger and it feels wonderful 🌞 

This past week was good. Russell had a successful colonoscopy on Wednesday. I dropped him off at 7:30 am. He was the first one and was ready to go. It's always good to get these things out of the way first thing in the morning LOL! 

After a few nice wins for the Montreal Canadiens, NHL hockey is now on pause during the Olympics. I admit I need that pause too....watching the games and following the standings has been consuming a lot of my energy 😏 We have been watching the Olympics. We're up so early that we get to see a lot of it live. This morning, we saw Lindsey Vonn's last run come to an end. It was very disturbing to watch having followed her journey these past few days. 

Merlot and Sherlock are doing well. One day last week, we took the thinking game outside. It was very different, with the distractions from birds and squirrels. I gave them a break and let them cheat a bit.  I was keeping a close eye on them as I thought they were going to "mark" the cones at some point. That would not have been good LOL! 

Tonight is Super Bowl. We will be cheering for the Hawks. Although I never really knew who Bad Bunny was until a few months ago (please don't laugh), the half time show promises to be a fun and interesting one from what I read. If only for the "political" side of it, we will watch it.

Tomorrow will mark the two year anniversary of Cooper & Spicy's passing. It is a day forever etched in our hearts 💕 

I leave you with a few videos taken last week and some random pics. Good luck to all Olympians! Have a great week everyone!

Sherlock and Merlot decked out in the Hawks
gear ready to cheer them on to victory!

Merlot was keen to watch the Westminster 
Dog Show, he surely recognized his own
breed and was cheering on Cosette who
won Select Female.

TV time...where do the humans sit?  The boys
say get your own sofa.

Dinner time antics, Merlot flings his plushie

while Sherlock gives me the 'eye'.

 

Some al fresco training, Merlot and Sherlock

enjoyed the session and the many distractions

helped with everyone's focus.

Sherlock and his jumping routine.

Merlot is equally up to the jumping challenge.

Cooper in full flight clearing all
the hurdles - this special moment
captured March 6, 2021.

Spicy in hot pursuit of her pal Cooper as they
clear the hurdles in the backyard - this precious
moment captured, March 6th 2021.