It was a cozy week

Happy Sunday everyone! A sunny and warm day on the way ahead of some rainy weather for the next few days.  

This past week was good. We got more yard work done. We also spent some nice time on the deck, all cozy with blankets and doggies. Our boys love their comfort as much as we do.

Sherlock had his bandage removed on Thursday. His dew claw is healing the way it should. Chasing squirrels is now allowed but he must refrain from climbing trees for a bit 😏 The boys regained their full backyard with baby gates around the base of the trees for a while. Those squirrels are driving all of us crazy. Russell has even taken to using a water gun to chase them off LOL!

On Tuesday, we watched the opening night of the Habs. It was a great game that ended with a win. Our boys didn't really care and slept through my screaming and excitement. I include a short video of them asleep, completely unfazed by the game chaos! I didn't capture Russell who was also having a nap LOL! All this while my friend Linda and I were exchanging messages throughout the game and comparing notes 👍

My email account got hacked somehow. On Thursday afternoon, within minutes, hundreds of spam messages started flooding my inbox. I immediately changed my password and it stopped. Weirdly enough, that same afternoon, I received a message from my credit card company advising that my card had been compromised. Luckily, all fraud charges were reversed immediately. Little gremlins invading our privacy perhaps 🎃?

It's soup time and tomorrow I will make a batch of garlic soup, made with 52 cloves of garlic, onions and ginger. I will double the recipe for freezing, so 104 cloves in total! Funny enough, it doesn't taste like garlic as half of it is roasted. It has a lot of heat to it, coming from the ginger. I've been making it for years and it's guaranteed to keep colds and flu away. I include the recipe link if anyone wants to give it a try 😅 https://annalizemoutonrecipes.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/garlic-soup-made-with-52-cloves-of-garlic-can-defeat-colds-and-flu

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

The boys on the run checking in....
'you talking to me?'

Squirrel patrol, the boys send up
the alert and Russell uses the super
soaker to chase them away.

Always on the alert...not much
escapes their attention.

Total comfort on the couch with
blankets to snuggle in, the boys
enjoy their deck time naps.

What is said on the deck stays on 
the deck...Merlot in deep
conversation with me.

Fall colours, leaves and pumpkins abound,
Cooper and Spicy in all their glory, 
captured October 3, 2021.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends! We wish everyone a day filled with the warmth and happiness of the season. On this day, and every day, Russell and I are grateful for what we have...each other, good health, living in the most peaceful country in the world and all the little things that are so often taken for granted. We are also blessed to have Merlot & Sherlock in our lives. We can't imagine life without them 💕 

This past week was good. The weather was simply wonderful and it will continue this week, albeit a bit cooler but that's OK. We are noticing that the leaves are falling very quickly this year. We have work to do in the coming days 🍂

Our boys are enjoying the weather as well. The squirrels are busy hiding their Winter stash and have been a constant frustration for Merlot & Sherlock...and us.  On Friday,  Sherlock thought he could climb the tree to catch one and caught his dew claw in the bark. That didn't stop him from running after the critter and sure enough...he caught it by the tail. All this fun required a trip to the vet to repair the damaged nail. All is good now and Sherlock is recovering nicely. He is a tough little boy and never complains. The only whimpering coming from him since has been from not being able to run after the squirrels. This activity is off limits for one week. The backyard has been reduced to a small area, away from all trees LOL! Merlot is going along with the flow although he is missing the running games with his brother. 

Russell is doing well. He's keeping very busy these days with the Beaconsfield municipal elections. It's his way to help keep the residents informed and engaged. 

We will have a small turkey tonight. It's in the fridge now, stuffed and ready to go in the oven this afternoon. I bought it two weeks ago and I'm glad I did. Our Provigo had so many and they sold out in a week. Our home will smell good later 😋

That's my blog for today.  Have a wonderful day and week ahead! 

Sherlock and Merlot want to wish everyone a 
very Happy Thanksgiving!

The calm before the treat storm...these two 
have learned their "wait and stay" command!

The boys in the TV room, 
hurry up, the Habs game is 
coming on!

Visitors to the backyard need to know
the password - Sherlock and Merlot
on duty.

Sherlock in rest and recovery mode with his
little yellow bandage keeping his dew
claw protected while it heals.

Some Fall colour beginning to happen, this is the
maple in front of our house from 120 feet up.

The sights, sounds and smells that
make memories, here Spicy and 
Cooper sniff and inspect the 
turkey, October 9th, 2023

Summer in October!

Happy Sunday everyone! Another gorgeous morning on the deck...this Summer weather just keeps on coming. We are on track for a high of 30 Celsius today 🌞 We'll take it!

This past week was good...how bad can it be when the weather is so beautiful. It puts everyone in such a fantastic mood. We got a lot of walks in by the lake and our boys happily brought home twigs and leaves. It's that time of year 🍂

Russell and I have started our Fall yard work. We're not done yet but we made good progress. The leaf blowing season is in full force in Beaconsfield...we're allowed to use this wonderful tool from October 1 to May 31. At this time of year, it makes for a quick clean up of the yard when the leaves start falling. 

The Montreal Canadians season starts this coming Wednesday. I look forward to some exciting games. On that topic, the electronic tickets for our November 15 game have arrived! I can't wait. We will make a weekend out of it and stay in Montreal overnight. 

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. They are very happy now as the squirrels are darting around in the backyard, busy hiding their Winter stash. We have two determined boys sprinting up and down the deck stairs all day long, tails wagging and eyes locked on those little critters. They haven't caught any since last Winter though. That's a good thing.

We were reflecting last night on how quickly our munchkins settle down when we have guests over. Sure, they get excited at first but within minutes, they are as calm as can be. A huge improvement from months ago. We saw it again yesterday when our friends Paul & Marie came over for drinks. It was a lovely afternoon, sharing some stories and good laughs. Happy Anniversary guys! 

That's my blog for this first Sunday of October. Enjoy the photos and a short after dinner play video. Have a wonderful week!

These two relaxing in total comfort
on the deck on what else, our chairs?

Caption this...what is the look
that Sherlock is giving while sitting
at the breakfast table?

If there is a table on the deck then it's available 
to sit on and Merlot has claimed this spot.

Guess which end is which....
are they coming or going?

On the alert....and fully stacked

The Lake was very calm on our morning walk.

Living room comfort for Spicy and Copper as
they relax...this moment September 28th, 2019.

A gorgeous start to Fall

Happy Sunday to all! It is 7:15 am, we're on the deck with the boys. It's a lovely morning with a temperature of 17 Celsius. Nothing but sunshine for the next seven days. What a gorgeous Fall so far!

This past week was good. We had rain one day so I decided to tackle the closet in our TV room which was mostly filled with some of Russell's old clothes, the kind that doesn't fit our lifestyle anymore... dress shirts, blazers, dress pants. I was hoping to get his help in deciding what to keep/donate but no luck on that front so I moved everything to the closet in the guest bedroom in the basement LOL! From one closet to another. On the plus side, I made room to store other stuff 😏

On Friday, Lise and Diane came for lunch. It was a fun and long overdue get together. The weather was nice and we were able to eat outside, amongst the few wasps that decided to make an appearance. Russell cooked planked salmon and it was delicious. Our boys were gracious hosts. A wonderful reunion. Until next time ladies!

This past week was also packed with sports events. The Montreal Canadians started their preseason games. Last night, they got their revenge against Toronto, following a rather bad loss against them on Thursday. Then, there was the Women's Rugby World Cup. Canada won the silver medal, a well deserved win. The Ryder Cup is also capturing the world's attention. It will end today with what looks like a win for Europe. I don't normally watch golf on TV but this tournament is like no other...worth watching on all fronts. If you know you know.

Merlot and Sherlock are doing well. We got them new Bowsers cushions for their sleeping area. After some serious sniffing and face planting, they both approved. Lucky boys 💕

Those are my little news for this blog, the last one of September. Crazy! Enjoy the photos and the short video of the boys with their DIY snuffle baskets. Have a great week everyone and enjoy this beautiful Fall!

Last Sunday, the boys enjoyed a post
bath snuggle on the couch,
with a soft blanket on my legs

Backyard play time...it is fun
to run in the grass.

On their way to play downstairs....
it was supposed to be a "stay and wait"
at the top.

Morning rituals...we have coffee and 
catch up on events while the boys
hop on their chairs at the table.

A dewy spider web in the morning
sun.

I captured this Blue Jay while
lounging on the deck couch.

A perfect reunion with Lise and Diane. The
boys decided to photobomb the moment...
they were actually most welcome to join in.

A daily ritual with Cooper and Spicy, 
they always looked forward to their afternoon
chews...September 15th, 2022

Pumpkin Palooza

Happy Sunday everyone! We woke up to a cool 6 Celsius this morning but lots of sunshine on the way and warm temperatures. We've had such gorgeous weather lately 🌞

This past week was good and ended on a high note. Yesterday, we went to CitrouilleVille in St-Zotique, a family farm with 1500 acres of fun. It's been around since 2019. What a fun place and so well organized. Merlot and Sherlock absolutely loved walking through the fields of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.  It was very busy with families and kids but we didn't feel crowded. It is very spread out. Our munchkins were well behaved throughout the whole time we were there, such good boys!

I got a little bit of yard work done last week. There is still lots to do. Russell cut the grass again although it is not growing as fast due to the lack of rain. We might get some tomorrow. I'm kind of hoping so as I need to get stuff done in the house 😏

We have a resident chipmunk that is driving our boys crazy, even more so than the squirrels do. Sherlock is especially obsessed with it. Even if he can't always see it, he can smell it from a mile away. Merlot follows Sherlock's nose LOL! 

This coming Thursday, my friends Lise and Diane are coming over for lunch. The three of us worked at JTI-Macdonald. We call ourselves "Les Sexygenaires"... we turned 60 in the same year and have been having an annual lunch ever since. This year, it will held at "La Terrasse Duncan". It will good to see each other again, lots of catching up to do!

I end this blog by remembering Radar, another Havanese friend who crossed the rainbow bridge last week. He was 10. Although I've never had the pleasure of meeting Radar, I followed his life journey with much joy. He was the darling boy of Angela and Ed, and the soulmate of Patches. Our hearts go out to the three of you. Run free little one. You will be in good company with your other Havanese buddies. Say hi to our Cooper & Spicy for us 💖

That's my blog for this last Sunday of Summer. Have a great week!

Family fun in a pumpkin patch!

Russell and the boys visited one of 
the many pumpkin houses.

The view from the pumpkin widow was special 
and the boys enjoyed it totally.

Sherlock and Merlot were happy
to be able to roam and rest in the
pumpkin patch.

Pumpkins as far as the eye can see
and all of them were for sale.

The grand entrance to CitrouilleVille.

Run free sweet Radar.

A Japanese lantern, black-eyed Susan and 
Spicy and Cooper...this moment captured
August 16th, 2017.

Glorious weather

Hello everyone and happy Sunday! Another beauty of a day on the way. We've had such glorious weather so far this Fall and lots more on the way. We're on the deck with the boys. It's 15 Celsius, not bad at all for early morning although I have my sweats and fleece on just to feel cozy. Merlot & Sherlock are lounging on the couch with their blankets. Such comfort! It is a peaceful morning in the neighbourhood.

This past week was quiet. I wanted to get more Fall cleaning done but the weather was too nice. It can wait. I did spent a few hours in the kitchen though one morning and cooked a batch of meatballs, Greek and Italian. I find meatballs incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in countless ways for an easy dinner. We finally invested in a vacuum sealer so freezing those little nuggets was fun LOL! 

We smoked another batch of cheese...mild cheddar, gouda, havarti and provolone. They are tucked away in the fridge for a couple of weeks to let the flavour mellow.

Our boys are doing well. Sherlock has perfected playing with the Kong Gyro...he grabs it with his mouth then rolls it in the hopes that a treat will fall out. One has but it is not easy 😜 Merlot gets frustrated with it. I think he prefers the snuffling basket, which also frustrates him as I put a squeaky ball in it that is hard to get out. A little video of their fun is included below.

Hockey season has somewhat started. Yesterday was the first of two Prospect Showdown games at the Bell Center. It was a sold out event. This afternoon, Montreal and Toronto meet up at 3 pm. It will be a fun game to watch. So far, Ivan Demidov is impressive... the first round, fifth overall pick by the Canadians in the 2024 entry draft. 

Russell made the appointment for the snow tires, end of October. We have our snow contract for the 2025-2026 season. We are still debating whether we will buy a snow blower for the backyard. Some days I feel like I can shovel paths no problem...some other days, I'm not so sure 😏 On the topic of snow...Russell saw Christmas decorations at Canadian Tire yesterday. Yikes!

Those are my little news for today. Have a good week everyone!

The boys basking in the early morning sunshine,
seems the coffee table/storage unit makes
a great lounger.

The crabapple is a constant focus of
attention for these fellows....never
know what is up the tree.

A few quick tricks while tending to the BBQ.

Merlot and Sherlock understand that
there could be a taste test at any 
moment.

Applewood smoke rolling and 
kissing these blocks of cheese
for 2 hours...fantastic aroma.

The smoked cheeses, vacuum sealed and tucked
away for two weeks to let the smoke mellow and
migrate.

Our Fall corner in the backyard, the 
bench sits quietly beneath the Japanese
maple with a Fall Mum as its only guest.

A togetherness pose we simply adored...
Cooper and Spicy side by side on the deck, 
this moment captured, September 17th, 2023.

Hello September

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a clear morning and the long range forecast is looking gorgeous. Let's enjoy to the fullest!

This past week was good and uneventful. I'm not sure why but we've been sleeping in a bit...one morning we got up at 5:30 😉 Our boys just go along with the flow although their 6:15 am breakfast time comes that much sooner when that happens LOL!

We haven't seen the skunk again since Russell blocked off the few areas that were vulnerable for an entry. We do a full check of the yard though every morning and night before we go out. You can never be too cautious. 

I started some Fall cleaning, rearranging and tidying up closets, one at a time. I got the mud room pantry done where we keep small kitchen appliances and the dog food/treats. This week, I will tackle the closet in the TV room. This one might take me a while and it will require Russell's help on deciding what clothes he keeps or donates 😏

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. We have been reflecting on how they have matured since they came into our lives some 14 months ago. They are such good boys and they bring us so much joy, each and every day. They are still crazy puppies though and we love it! Lately, they have been enjoying their game of fetch outside. Sherlock is quite good at it, brings the ball back even with distractions around him. Merlot, on the hand...he retrieves the ball and runs away with it. He is such a character. 

Yesterday morning, we woke up to the news of the passing of Ken Dryden, the best goaltender to ever wear the Montreal Canadian jersey. It is a very sad loss in the hockey community. A little tidbit about Mr. Dryden...he lived in Senneville while playing for the Habs, a small suburb in the West Island. I grew up in Senneville and I got to babysit his children for a little while.

That's it for today's blog. I leave you with a few photos and two videos of our boys playing retrieve. From time to time, I will include a video or two in my blog, just for fun. Have a great week everyone!

Merlot and Sherlock love catching some sun 
on the warm patio stones.

Labour Day deck patrol for these two

Sherlock enjoying some lounge time
with me on the couch.

Merlot watching the sun rays
and the street action from the
comfort of the living room sofa

The backyard crabapple tree had a visit from
our resident chipmunk...must be time to
forage and build up a winter food supply.

Cooper and Spicy enjoyed the communal
piano at Edgewater Park, this moment
captured August 19th, 2022