Last few days of July

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope your day is a good one so far. As I'm writing this blog, Russell is donating blood. He does it every 28 days. His blood type is AB Negative, very rare, so he's doing a good deed 👏

This past week was good.  Not much happened other than I turned one year younger last Thursday. Russell, Cooper & Spicy made sure I had the perfect day, from start to finish. It was truly lovely, especially when Russell brought out his guitar and played "Happy Birthday". Very special 💝

July is rapidly fading away. I can't believe that August is just around the corner. I honestly don't know where time goes these days. A little under nine months until Barbados...just saying.

We gave more thought to going away next month and have settled on Quebec City. We know the area well, a beautiful walking city with lots of green spaces. Many hotels are pet friendly but not all accept two dogs in one room....but our favorite hotel does....Le Chateau Frontenac. It will be a last minute booking based on the weather forecast. The occupancy rate is about 30% so the reservation desk told me to take my time. Something to look forward to.

Our pooches are doing well. We booked their yearly wellness exam for September 1st. Due to COVID protocols, only one person is allowed in with one dog. Russell will go with Cooper, I will take Spicy, then we'll exchange notes. No big deal. We also have to book Cooper's follow up appointment with the internal medicine vet for October. Finally, both will get another echocardiogram in December to determine if their Mitral Valve Disease has progressed or not. We debated about whether we would do it again this year but decided that it's best to know and adjust medication if needed. Having said this, both Coop & Spicy are doing well and show no signs of the disease progressing, that we can see anyway. Fingers crossed that everything is stable. 

That's all I have for today. Our weather is beautiful and warm although we have a thunderstorm watch in effect for later today. Have a great week everyone! 

Making my birthday wish with my assistants!

Spicy and Cooper give the best birthday 
cuddles!

Spicy thinks her kibbles taste better 
when served on proper china plates!

It must be time for their morning pill pocket which
cleverly conceals their medication, smart doggies.

Black-eyed Susans in full bloom.

Purple Coneflowers looking lovely.

Planter on the back deck.

All in a night's work....this spider was busy 
decorating the awning.

'Twas a "blah" week

Hello everyone! I hope you're all having a nice Sunday. 

All is good with us although this past week felt blah...it happens sometimes.  Our weather was good for the most part. It's been a nice Summer so far, weather wise. Now that things seem better pandemic wise, we're toying with the idea of getting away sometime maybe in August or September, just for a few days, not far. Since Coop & Spicy would tag along, we would want to find a location with some nice outdoor space, trails, etc. Finding a dog friendly accommodation won't be an issue. We're thinking. 

Russell continues to strum along. He practices almost every day and enjoys it. He has calluses on his fingers now...he says it's a good thing. I continue to work out three times a week. It's part of my routine and I have the motivation. I don't miss the gym although I would totally feel safe going back to my previous studio. I just like the comfort of our home and not having to rush out the door to go to a class. I do miss the social interaction though. As the saying goes, you can't have it all. My choice. 

Our pooches are doing well. They both had a bath this morning. As always, Russell did a wonderful job. I captured a photo of Coop in the tub....he looks so skinny all wet. While they were being groomed, I cooked some food to add to their kibbles, boiled chicken and carrots. I now have a few packages of ground cooked meat in the freezer. We also bought a couple of "food enhancer" sprinkles (photo below). One of our pooches is a bit picky at times....guess which one? These littles sprinkles, along with microwaving kibbles in zero sodium broth, makes for the perfect meal (thanks again to Angela for this tip). 

It looks like the Coop and I will return to school in the Fall after a 17 month hiatus. It will be fun to see our friends again and get back into some Fun Obedience training.

That's my blog for today. Time to watch a few episodes of a new Netflix series that I found, Greenleaf. I am really enjoying this one, I didn't think I would at first. I leave you with some random shots taken last week. Have a great week everyone!

A breezy day for a walk and photo op in front of
the huge willow at Edgewater Park.

Sailing lessons on Lake St Louis, always fun to 
watch.

Cooper really does enjoy his bath
time...but he enjoys the treats 
more!

Queen of the Deck in her chair!

What is for dinner, I heard it is BYOB,
bring your own bone.

Cooper always has an eye on me,
this time while on the stationary bike.

A few quick training moves after  
morning grooming.

Everything tastes better with a few 'sprinkles',
wild salmon or chicken, your choice - let us
know next time you visit for a meal. These
are Spicy and Cooper approved.

Summer blooms

Happy Sunday everyone! A hot and hazy day for us but not humid. We walked our pooches by the lake this morning and it was breezy. Their walk is done for the day. Cooper & Spicy are now having their early afternoon nap. They are as happy as can be 💞

This past week was good and a bit busy. We booked our physicals for the week of August 9 and blood work for the week prior. I also booked my mammogram for September. Heads up to my women friends...the Canadian Association of Radiologists recommends waiting a minimum of 6 weeks after getting your vaccine as it could cause temporary lymph node enlargement. My appointment is booked three months after my second dose, should be good enough 👌

We decided to get a backup generator and signed the contract with Volts Energies last Thursday. We will get a 20 kW Cummins, to be installed in a few weeks. We thought about it long and hard and decided that this will give us peace of mind, especially as we get older. Our sump pump is always our big concern when the power goes out even though we have a battery backup. Interestingly enough, the sales for generators has increased drastically since the start of the pandemic....another form of home improvement I suppose. The company that we're dealing with has just ordered 40 units and they are all spoken for. 

In order to get ready for the install, we have to make space for it. It will be on the side of our house, close to the garage where the electrical box is. Yesterday, I removed a bunch of ferns and other plants that had been there forever. I was able to transplant a few to our front beds. Next, we have to put gravel and screen dust down for the concrete pad which will support the unit. We have to do the same for the propane tank. We have the electrician booked for July 22 to install the transfer switch. It will come together very quickly once the electrician is done.

Last week also brought the end of the hockey season. The HABS gave us a wonderful ride, more than anyone expected. It was fun, entertaining and at times a tad stressful. They gave it their best and made us proud. 

Our Daylilies and Daisies are in full bloom. The Daisies are especially beautiful and so tall. The Rudbekias will open soon, always a sign that we're approaching mid-Summer.

Those are our little news for today. The rest of our Sunday will be quiet. Russell is getting ready for a little strumming. The pooches will keep me company on the deck while I watch a couple of episodes of Virgin River, season 3.  Later I will eat more strawberries, so yummy this year!

Have a great week everyone! Stay well and safe!

Spicy on the back deck admiring
the Summer blooms!

'Tis the season and farm fresh strawberries
are amazing!

Must be 3 o'clock somewhere...
these two know it is afternoon treat
time or as we call it crunchy time.

Spicy just hanging out.

Cooper and his big smile!

A sunny July 4th

Happy Sunday to all! To my American friends, I wish you a fun and safe holiday! To my friend Lillian, we hope you're having a wonderful birthday!

Although today is not a holiday for us Canadians, it is a day to remember for Russell and I...we had my brother and nephews over for lunch and for the first time since Christmas 2019, we shared a meal around the same table, on the deck, as opposed to being two meters apart on the grass. Russell also took our nephews inside the house to show them his guitars...another first since the start of the pandemic...people in our house 😂  I know for some this may sound crazy but what can I say other than things are so much brighter than they were at this time last year and for that we are grateful. Kudos to my nephews for getting their second shot in a week or so. 

This past week was good although we had a couple of extremely hot days, not as hot as out West, but it was too hot for me to sit out. So we spent those days in the house and just chilled. Then, we had a cool day on Friday to the point that I wore my long sleeve top outside. 

Our pooches are doing well. They didn't have as many walks due to the heat but we kept them busy in the house. Just following us around is an exercise in itself for them 😆

Now, on the music front, we have Sonos music playing in our house and outside all day long. We have a couple of preferred 70's music stations that we listen to but on Tuesday, Russell found an "exclusive Abba" music station. We LOVE Abba so we've been indulging in their music for a few days now. It's wonderful 😊

That's my blog for today. Have a great week everyone! GO HABS GO tomorrow night...no matter the outcome, we are super proud of you for being the Canadian team to have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals! Stay well and safe!

Canada Day walk in the Park in Pointe Claire.

Spicy always take the time to smell
the flowers.

Cooper chilling after a few retrieves with his
old pal Mr. Lamb Chop.

Yucca in full bloom, very pretty
(we didn't plant it, it came
with the house).