Home Sweet Home

Happy Sunday everyone!  A sunny day and on the warmish side.  This morning was the first time since Winter started that we didn't have to turn lights on in the kitchen.  The sun is now higher up in the morning so the kitchen was filled with sunshine. That made my day!  It can only get better from now on.

So, it's good to be home.  We were super excited to pick up our Cooper on Tuesday and he was super excited to see us.  He gave my glasses a good wash with his tongue :-)  He looked and felt wonderful. While he was at Camp Talemaker, Darlah thinned out his coat, a very tedious job. He looks the same but feels much lighter.  A huge thank you to Darlah for doing such wonders!

We have been reflecting back on our trip and how nice it was. I mentioned in my blog last week that we met up with Russell's old school mate Susan. I forgot to mention that we also met up with former neighbours of Russell's parents, Mrs Bird and her daughters Sue and Debbie.  They go to Barbados every year and we were able to see them.  It was nice for Russell to reminisce about the good old days.

We're back to our routine, with the gym and all.  We still have a tan but I suspect that it will be gone soon.  It also didn't take long for the Coop to get back into his routine.  He really doesn't miss a beat.

I had a visit with  my parents this morning.  It was nice to see them and to catch up on stuff.  This afternoon, I attended a dog evaluation for Caring Paws Animal Therapy. I was there as a volunteer. One of the roles I played was to pretend I didn't like dogs...now that was tough! The evaluation simulates the environment of a nursing home and how dogs react to various stimulus.   We would love nothing more than for Cooper to become a therapy dog. He is still a little exuberant at times so perhaps when he's a tad older.  We'll see. On Wednesday night, Coop and I start Level 2 Obedience training.  We look forward to it. Maybe that will help with the exuberance :-)

I leave you with photos that Russell took during our visit at the Orchid World and Huntes Garden. Makes me want to be there again, sigh.... Have a great week everyone!

Bathsheba panorama....six shots stitched together.
The Atlantic Ocean on the East coast is rough,
a surfers paradise.

One of the famous boulders carved by the
Atlantic waves pounding on it.

Water lilies at Huntes Gardens. 

One of many wonderful orchids on display
at Orchid World.

Simply too many colors to pick a favorite.

Orchids of every size.

The orchid enclosure at
Orchid World.

Huntes Gardens with amazing natural flora displays.

A false bird of paradise at Orchid World.

Anne taking a moment to relax
in Huntes Gardens.

Homeward bound soon

Happy Sunday to all! It is 9:35 am here in Barbados. I thought I would write today's blog by the pool, sipping a lovely...cold glass of water with a slice of lime. This is our last full day, we fly back to Toronto tomorrow evening.  It's been a wonderful vacation, probably the best so far here in Barbados.  I think as we get older, we tend to appreciate our time away even more.

We haven't done much since we've been here. I read two great books (both from David Baldacci, my favorite author).  We walked the beach every day, ate some great meals, watched amazing sunsets and just enjoyed life.  On Monday, we met up with Susan, Russell's old high school class mate. It was nice to see her again.  Yesterday, we went to the Atlantic Coast. We hadn't been in years.  We visited Hunte's Garden (thanks Patricia for the reco) and the Orchid World.  Hunte's Garden was created in Barbado's rain forest, around a sink hole. An amazing place. Russell was in his element, taking pictures of some truly spectacular flowers. I will post some in next week's blog. This tour was followed by a lovely lunch at the Round House in Bathsheba.  It was a great day.

Cooper is also having a great vacation.  Between playing in the snow, romancing Ella, getting groomed every day and trying to convince Nathan to share his lunch with him, he's been pretty happy. It's been wonderful to follow his antics every day and we cannot wait to see him Tuesday morning. Thank you to our dear friends Darlah & Nathan for taking such good care of the Coop.

So, this is the last blog from Barbados, for this year anyway.  Life will return to normal in a few days and that's quite alright.  It's always good to get away but it's also good to get back home. Spring should be just around the corner. I wish you all a great week.  Off to enjoying our last day to the fullest!

Like snowflakes...no two Barbados sunsets
are the same....they are always spectacular!

Pink and fuchsia bougainvillea in a sea of white. 

Early morning, beach view from our balcony at Southern Palms,
Dover Beach.

Come on, Cooper says to Nathan...just a nibble
please.

I'm hungry...is that steak?!

Bathsheba and the Atlantic Ocean with the huge
boulders in the sea.

Anne on the beach....does not get any better.

Birthday wishes to my hubby!

Happy Sunday to all!  February 12 is a special day for us...it is Russell's birthday.  His mom would say that there is always snow on his birthday and sure enough, there is lots of snow falling where we live.  The only difference is that we are now in Barbados and escaping all that snow.  The weather here is sunny, hot, breezy with the occasional rain, or as the Bajans would call it, sun showers. They last no more than a few minutes, then the sun comes back out with a vengeance.

It's been a good birthday so far. We had lunch at the resort and enjoyed their famous "Pie Buffet Lunch" with the sounds of the All Stars Steel Orchestra.  This is on every Sunday and it is a full house.  Locals come from all over the island for this lunch.   Although very nice, the music makes us feel very nostalgic at times. Perhaps it's from seeing all those "old timers" having a good time and enjoying the moment.  Tonight, we will be dining at Cin Cin By The Sea, on the West Coast.  Should be quite nice.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Russell's birthday celebration is missing a little someone by the name of Cooper.  We miss him a whole lot but we know he is having the time of his life.  I include a birthday wish that Coop put together for his daddy.

On that note, it seems that our Coop has been flirting with Ella since he arrived at Camp Talemaker. In addition, Oliver, who is younger than Cooper but also at Camp Talemaker, seems to also be enamoured with Ella. So there seems to be a love triangle going on....Valentines Day is just around the corner....how timely!

All is good otherwise.  We are starting our second week and are enjoying every minute.  I leave you with a couple of sunset photos that Russell took and a few of the Coop, courtesy of Darlah.  I wish you all a great week and a Happy Valentines Day!

A spectacular Barbados sunset captured
moments after full sunset.

Fire in the sky....Barbados style with the setting
sun painting the sky with a burning brush.

Cooper and Ms Ella...nose to nose...sweet kisses!

 Cooper says, hey Oliver...I saw Ella first, move over.

Cooper wishing his human daddy Happy Birthday
with a woof and majestic pose!

Game Day!

Happy Sunday everyone!  This is the day that many football enthusiasts wait for.  Some look forward to the actual game, others look forward to the half-time show.  Either way, it promises to be a great game. And yes, this is coming from someone who is not a football fan except on Super Bowl Day, and especially when the Pats are playing.  What can I say, I quite like the Brady guy!

All is good with us.  We are packed and ready to go.  We will be driving to Toronto tomorrow to drop off the Coop at Camp Talemaker.  His pals are waiting for him. He will have a great time and be so well taken care of. We will miss him a whole lot.  Tomorrow night, we will be staying at the airport hotel and catch our flight for Barbados Tuesday morning. The Toronto weather is not looking too good for Tuesday so let's hope that our plane takes off before the messy weather hits the GTA.

We had a good week leading up to today.  I went to the gym five times, one time too many according to Orange Theory but I had great workouts.  Russell also went to the gym and had his last personal training session on Friday before the holidays.  It will be good to take a break from working out and give our bodies a much needed rest.  Walking the beach will be the extent of our exercise.

Another week has come and gone with so much going in the news but the tragedy that took place at a mosque in Quebec really hit home.  Such sadness and so close to home.

That's my blog for today.  For those watching the game tonight, have fun and enjoy.  I will attempt to write a short blog from Barbados, assuming the internet works well.  Until then, have a great week. Go Pats Go!

Cooper is ready for the Super Bowl and to cheer on the
Pats....and eat treats...lots of treats.

This is what Cooper will most likely look like
while 'watching' the big game.