Halloween fun, Happy pooches and Empty candy bowls

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a beautiful morning, bright and sunny. What a gorgeous Fall we've had so far. The forecast this week calls for a few days of warm temps...perhaps our deck days are not over yet after all.

Halloween night was a success in our neighbourhood. The little ghosts, goblins and superheroes kept coming. Before we knew it, we rand out of candies and had to turn the lights off. We counted roughly 40 kids. 

Merlot & Sherlock were on their best behaviour and enjoyed taking turns in looking out the dining room window. Some kids seemed more excited about them than choosing which bag of candies to take. As we have been doing since the COVID days, we set a bench across our front walkway with the candy bowls and invite everyone to help themselves.  No doorbell ringing, no opening and closing the door all evening. The trick-or-treaters get their treats, our pups stay safe and cozy and we get to watch it all from the window. Most importantly, Russell quite enjoys being the Halloween greeter! Kids of all ages get a little conversation, he gets to socialize and everyone leaves with a smile.

Last week, I got the boys a very crinkly bat toy and gave it to them yesterday. They both took turns in playing with it. The wings are so crinkly and noisy, it sounds like someone is opening a bag of chips LOL! So far, the giraffe is taking a backseat...the bat is the new favorite!

Our Winter prep is almost complete. Once we're done spending time on the deck, we will put away the cushions. The shovels are close by, the hoses are unplugged, we have a good supply of Safe Paw Ice Melter. Yesterday, we bagged more leaves. 

That's my blog for this first day of November. I leave you with photos and videos that I took yesterday. I've got a Halloween theme going. Have a great week everyone!

Sherlock and Merlot on the front doorstep,
they enjoy watching us do Fall clean-up 
while they also keep an eye on the street.

Me...enjoying some reading time, everyone has
their spot...we are ready for Halloween.

The crinkly bat is a hit and it is 
never far from the boys.

Merlot gets his turn at the window
on Russell's lap as we watch for
the trick or treaters.

Sherlock is fascinated by the kids
coming and going and not a single
bark from either of the boys.

Just two of the 40 or so kids that
visited the candy bowls.

The Halloween decor is ready for the trick or

treaters - very scary LOL!

Halloween shenanigans with the bat...Merlot 

gives it a good old shaking.

All this waiting for the Halloween kids is tiring...at

least that was Sherlock's thinking.

A Halloween evening moment past captured on
October 31, 2018 - Cooper and Spicy will 
always be cherished little goblins looking
for a treat.

Simply gorgeous!

Happy Sunday everyone! It's hard to believe we're heading into the last week of October already! The Fall colours are slowly fading and Halloween is just around the corner.  The weather last week was simply gorgeous, with more on the way this week. 

Russell took advantage of the great weather to launch his drone and take photos of the neighbourhood colours. Many of the leaves have since fallen. Our front yard was covered with maple leaves yesterday.  It makes for a beautiful carpet 🍁

We spent quite a bit of time on the deck, all bundled up. The sun is no longer beaming on the awning in the afternoon so our blankets are coming in handy. Our boys are quite happy to be out there. The squirrels are busy gathering food for the Winter and are driving Merlot & Sherlock crazy. They almost caught one the other morning. I was watching them from the kitchen window. What a sight LOL! We have to watch for food that those critters might drop in the backyard...we found a chicken bone and a bagel the other day. Clearly someone is leaving garbage out in the open somewhere.

Our boys had their Leptospirosis vaccine yesterday and a wellness exam. They are both healthy although Sherlock appears to be on the skinny side while Merlot is just right, having lost a pound in the past year. It's interesting as Sherlock weighs more than Merlot but he is also much longer in size. 

Tonight is the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets. The game will be played outdoors in Winnipeg. There is something nostalgic about playing outside. No doubt this event will bring a whole lot of Canadian hockey spirit. As part of the weekend celebrations, the Canadiens and Jets alumni teams took to the ice last night. I watched some of it and it brought back wonderful memories of hockey days gone by. It also reminded me of some of the legends who helped make the game what it is today. Of course, the Canadiens oldies won!

That's my blog for this last Sunday of October. Next week is a new month and a time change. Have a great week everyone!

Our Boys looking as scary as they can be, 
wish everyone a Happy Halloween! Booo and
give me a treat!

Sherlock in his comfort spot on the 
sofa...Merlot on his chair.

Sherlock all tucked in - very 
cat like on his chair - with the
scent of cherry wood smoke
in the air.

Merlot chin on the arm of the sofa,
relaxed, regal and on the lookout for
squirrels.

Me on deck capturing Russell piloting the drone.

The take off.

An aerial over our home, the back
yard from about 120 feet above and our
front yard maple tree.

A carpet of orange and yellow surrounds us.

Special Fall moments.

The front yard in all its Fall glory.

As Forrest Gump said, Cooper and
Spicy was like peas and carrots - 
this moment Oct 3, 2021.

Two steps closer to Winter

This is a quiet, more reflective start to my blog as we hold in our thoughts all those affected by the terrible tragedy at CFB Wainwright in Alberta. An incredibly difficult time.

Winter is creeping closer. This past week, we got two things done:  the snow tires are on and the driveway markers are in place. But with a week of warm, sunny weather in the forecast, it looks like Fall isn't quite ready to give up its place just yet! 

This past week brought quite a bit of rain so this stretch of sunshine is more than welcome. We didn't spend a lot of time on the deck although I sat on the outdoor couch with the boys on Thursday afternoon. It was nice and comfy. It looks like we will have more of those lovely afternoons on the deck to look forward to this week. There's nothing quite like soaking up a little sunshine and enjoying the fresh air. 

Russell found the first ticks of the year on Merlot & Sherlock a few days ago. Even though they're on tick prevention year-round, these little critters can show up when we least expect them. This is true especially with our Winters becoming so unpredictable with the occasional warm spells. A good reminder to stay vigilant and check our furry friends daily.

We plan on getting a lot of yard work done this week.  The leaves are falling rapidly. This month is going by way too fast for my liking. I feel like October just started. Soon time for Halloween 🎃

I leave you with a few photos and videos taken last week. Have a great week everyone!

The best time is snuggle time with 
me and the boys all tucked in.

Merlot all comfy on the blankie.

Help! I can't move! Sherlock
has me locked down on the 
sofa - he makes a great
comforter.

The spire of St. Joachim pokes
through the vibrant Fall colour
at Edgewater park.

A majestic maple in full fiery
glory at Edgewater Park.

Pre-dinner shenanigans.

Chasing squirrels...a fun past time with little

reward other than exercise.

Sherlock has his eyes on a rabbit...he dearly 

wants to catch this fellow.

A wonderful Fall moment capturing the 
majestic Cooper and the magnificent 
Spicy - October 1, 2020.

Settling into Fall

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a chilly but sunny morning. It seems that the cooler temperatures have arrived earlier than usual this year. Maybe it's just me but there is definitely a little extra chill in the air. 

It was a quiet and cozy week. Despite a couple of rainy days, we did enjoy some lovely Fall weather. We're still sneaking in as much time as we can on the deck, soaking up the crisp air and changing colours before the season moves on. 

Yesterday, I got more outdoor cleanup done. I was pleased with myself. Russell cut the grass in the front only. The willow leaves from our neighbour's yard are falling into our yard this year. I guess the wind is blowing the wrong way LOL! 

Our boys are doing well. With the leaves beginning to fall,  they are doing their best to bring a little bit of autumn indoors with them.  After each walk, they get a thorough paw wash. We have a system which takes no time at all. They are used to it and actually expect it. 'Tis the season 🍂

Russell is making good progress on his maternal ancestry work. He's been working with a genealogist from Toronto with expertise in the Caribbean. She is originally from St-Vincent. More on that when he gets the complete picture but it is fascinating stuff!

Today is food prep day for the week. I will be roasting a batch of carrots, golden beets and Delicata squash. I will also make a shepherd's pie for dinner tomorrow.  I find Sunday prep is a good way to stay on track with healthy eating. 

Tomorrow is election day in Quebec. We all know who will win, the question is will it be a minority or majority government? We will find out tomorrow night. 

Russell and I are heading to the city on Saturday for the HABS games. We will have lunch in the Old Port first. It will be a nice little getaway. That's my blog for this week. I leave you with a few cozy pics and a few videos of Merlot & Sherlock doing what they do best 💕 

Have a great week everyone!

Crisp Fall air and blankets to 
snuggle into on the sofa...it is
a dogs' life.

Sherlock tucked into his chair while
Merlot sort of keeps an eye on the 
backyard.

TV time means pre bed nap time for these
guys.

A typical Fall afternoon on the deck.

Merlot has his own pre-dinner ritual and he 

seldom misses the opportunity to demonstrate.

Sherlock is a spinner and he does his whirl 

before meals and when he is excited.

Apple picking, me with Cooper and Spicy at 
Vignoble du Marathonien,  this moment -
September 24th, 2020.

Farewell September

Happy Sunday everyone! Last week, we closed the door on Summer and now September is quietly slipping away. We've been soaking up these beautiful Fall days that we have been blessed with in the past week. I'm actually writing my blog on the deck once again. There is a cool breeze but we're wearing our woolies so we're comfy. 

This past week was good. Last Sunday, we had our family over to celebrate my brother's well deserved retirement. It was a nice get together. Sean & Julie are expecting their first child. It's exciting to think that we will be great-aunt/uncle sometime in March. 

On Thursday, in the middle of the night, one of our smoke detectors decided to chirp for a new battery. Of course, these things always happen at night, never conveniently during the day. It also set off the alarm system with a "low battery warning" sound. Both of us got up, took care of things and the house was quiet again. We changed the batteries in all detectors. Merlot & Sherlock, although awake by all this action,  didn't make a sound. We were very impressed. 

One morning,  Russell smoked a batch of cheese...Cheddar, Provolone and Havarti. It's the perfect time of year to cold smoke. Today, I will vacuum seal each piece, ready to eat in about two to three weeks. 

Yesterday, I started cutting back perennials. I still have lots to do but I'm being sensible and only do a bit at a time. My body is feeling good today as a result 👍 My goal is to get it all done before our weekend getaway in Montreal to see the HABS in action. On that note, we're just two nights away from opening night of a brand new season! GO HABS GO!

Our boys are doing well. They have full days and when night time comes, they are truly tired. They don't nap much during the day, especially at this time of year since we still spend a lot of time on the deck. Too much to see and explore outside. 

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

The look out boys...at their post
on the deck.

Two on an armchair to oversee me
with my stretch routine.

A little bit of paw snuggle from Sherlock 

Merlot was having a bad hair day!

Cold smoking the cheeses....over
applewood smoke for 2.5 hours.

Happy retirement Francois...Merlot managed
to photo bomb this special milestone.

Julie and Sean - the bundle of joy
is expected in March.

Yard patrol...Havanese style.

A bright sunny moment on our walk at 
Edgewater Park...this moment with these
beauties captured - September 19th, 2021.

Farewell Summer, Hello Fall

Happy Sunday everyone! 

Just like that, Summer is coming to an end. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to turn, the air has a little more crispness. Soon, we will leave behind the longer evenings spent outside and the sun-warmed days. It's that bittersweet time of year when we're about to close one chapter and make room for what comes next. 

Despite the cooler days, the wasps are buzzing around like they own the place. They also seem to have developed an obsession with our pooches' beautiful coats. They hover around like they're trying to decide which fluffy landing pad to book for the afternoon. It drives me crazy. A small inconvenience when we're trying to squeeze more time out on the deck.

And there's SEALOOK, the new Netflix series apparently made with our four-legged viewers in mind. So far, Merlot & Sherlock are not that impressed although they watched it outside with all the other distractions around. I suppose it's hard to concentrate on seal entertainment when there is a whole backyard to supervise.  I also think it would be better on the big screen, we'll try that in the Fall. It is a cute series though, with engaging colours and sounds. 

On Thursday, I had lunch with Lise and Diane, our annual reunion. We went to the RH Rooftop Restaurant in the new Royalmount complex. It was nice to get together and we had a LOT of catching up to do. 

Last night was the first pre-season Habs games against Toronto....the teams were split in two, one game in Montreal and one in Toronto. Beating the Maple Leafs once is great, beating them twice in the same night is ever better! 

That's my blog for today. Have a great week. Our weather is looking promising!   

The boys catching some warming
rays on the patio.
 

Merlot is, as they say, snug as a 
bug in a rug...he loves to snuggle.

Sherlock thinks the blanket looks
like a great spot to lounge.

Sherlock and Merlot think Sealook
might be over-rated or better on a
big screen.

A new addition to Edgewater Park...someone
made an Inuksuk.

Merlot's pre-dinner routine, a daily ritual now

Sherlock enjoyed the new maze - it was 

a breeze.

As usual, Merlot made fast work of the 

new maze.

Cooper and Spicy had a special way to share
backyard surveillance - this moment
captured September 14, 2022.

Never Forget

Twenty-Five Years Later 

It still feels like yesterday. I will never forget where I was on that day. I had just landed in Divonne-les-Bains, France, for a global HR conference. As I always did when I travelled, I turned on CNN as soon as I walked into my hotel room. Suddenly, the world I knew seemed to stop. I watched the television in disbelief, seeing the same horrific images that people everywhere were watching. At first, it was difficult to even comprehend what was happening. Immediately one thought took over: I need to call Russell.

Russell was at work, in Mississauga, where we lived at the time. I tried calling but the phone lines were overwhelmed. I eventually got through. Just hearing his voice was an enormous relief. Neither of us knew what was going to happen next.

The conference continued despite the unimaginable turmoil around us. There were people from all over the world attending. We tried to continue with our work but it felt surreal. Everyone was affected, everyone was worried about someone and everyone was anxious about getting home.

The airspace eventually reopened and I flew back to Toronto on the Friday. I was travelling with a colleague and we held hands as the plane took off. We were going home.

While I had been away, Russell had been living with a fear that I could only truly understand once I got home. He didn't know when I would be able to return. He sat in his office at work and watched the skies. They had become eerily quiet. That silence was terrifying.

When I finally walked through that door and saw Russell, the fear and uncertainty of those days seemed to release all at once. We were together again and the tears flowed. That moment stayed with me.

One cannot remember the horror and heartbreak of 9/11 without remembering the extraordinary people of Gander, who, in a moment of unimaginable tragedy, opened their homes and their hearts to thousands of strangers in need. Their compassion became a beacon of hope in one of humanity's darkest moments.

In 2016, Russell and I went to New York City and visited the 9/11 memorial site. Standing there was incredibly emotional. Time had passed but the memories hadn't disappeared. If anything, being there brought them back with a clarity we weren't prepared for. Below are a few photos that we took.

Twenty-Five years have passed. Some memories never fade...the television in my hotel room, trying to reach Russell, the uncertainty, the quiet skies, the flight home, the people of Gander.  Today, we pause to remember it all...the lives lost, the lives forever changed and the day we will never forget. 

"Reflecting Absence", the memorial for those
who perished on September 11th, 2001.

"The Last Column" holds the
messages, photographs and 
tributes from recovery workers
and families.

The 9/11 Birthday Rose program places a single
rose next to the name of each person lost in the
tragedy and it is done on their birthday and 
continues today.

Labour Day Ramblings

Happy Sunday everyone! It's a little cool at the moment, only 13 Celsius! It's not stopping me from writing my blog from the deck. There is something about that fresh, cool morning air. I'm bundled up and it feels good!

Labour Day always brings that nostalgic in-between feeling...the last long weekend of Summer. For many, it's about soaking in those simple moments before the everyday routine begins again. 

This past week, as always, went by quickly. We were busy and the days seemed to blend together. We kicked off the weekend on a high note by having some good friends over for lunch.  Yummy food, lots of laughs, great company....the ingredients for a fun-filled afternoon. Our boys were also the perfect hosts 😊

On Thursday, Myriam stopped by to show us the three puppies from Merlot's first litter as a sire. We sat on the front lawn and watched with awe the three pups roam around. Our boys couldn't go near them as the puppies are not fully vaccinated yet. What a delight it was to see them. On that note, Merlot's second litter was born two weeks ago....seven puppies in total. It seems that we have a very prolific boy on our hands!

Our Labour Day tradition is to fire up the BGE and cook ribs. We kept the tradition going last night. The ribs went on, the smoker did its thing and we did our best to be patient while enjoying the delicious smell drifting through the yard. I made a simple bruschetta which was the only accompaniment to the ribs. I have to give credit where credit is due....Russell did an amazing job with the ribs. They were, without a doubt, the best ever!

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. They are such sweethearts and we simply can't get enough of them. They each have their own personalities and little quirks but both have one thing in common...they know exactly how to melt our hearts 💕

I leave you with random photos and videos that I took last week. One of the pics is of me cutting the frozen berry pie that I made for our lunch on Friday. I wasn't sure what knife to use so I went for the big one! 

Have a great week everyone! Cheers to rest, gratitude and making the most of this long weekend!

Sherlock and Merlot are usually
together and always happy and full
of playful joy.

Sherlock on his chair, a little sleepy
catching a few zzz's.

Fall sights and sounds...the boys 
heard that little chipmunk but
where is he?

Count them....7 little beauties, the puppy joy
that Merlot helped bring into the world.

I think we are going to need a bigger
knife to cut the berry pie...it was
delicious!

Merlot is truly a goofball as he routinely 

glides along the couch end to end face first.

Nothing better than a stroll and little sniff...

Sherlock didn't seem to mind.

Sherlock is a-mazing as he negotiated the 

cones.

Merlot has his own special style when on the 

course.

Our front lawn was a puppy playground as 

the pups Merlot fathered roamed around 

freely taking in the world and learning new

experiences.

Cooper and Spicy side by side on the deck...
one of their favourite spots...ours too...this
moment captured August 26, 2019.

Wrapping up another month

Happy Sunday everyone! Another quiet morning on the deck with only the sound of the birds and crickets in the background. This is my favourite time of day.

Summer is just flying by and somehow we're wrapping up another month. Even though time seems to be slipping by faster and faster, there is still lots of warm days to enjoy. Let's soak it all up while we can.

This past week was good. Once again, it was filled with political news, both at the federal and provincial level. We are now in election mode in Quebec. The signs are going up, the campaign promises are starting to fly and you can feel the political buzz in the air. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. 

Despite the political news, it's hard not to think about the heartbreaking tragedy in Nepal and all the people whose lives have been turned upside down. My heart goes out to everyone affected, especially those who have lost loved ones or are still waiting for news.  A reminder to be grateful for what we have right in front of us. 

The improvement in my hip flexors and overall mobility continues thanks to staying consistent with my daily exercises. I now see my physiotherapist every three weeks. Sign of progress. Our boys love nothing more than taking over my exercise mat so I simply work around them LOL! 

I picked up a few colourful Fall planters at Provigo. They were on sale and are truly gorgeous. They add a pop of colour to the front of the house. As we start changing into another season, so is my cooking. I am very much a seasonal cook and I find myself craving those cozy, comfortable meals. Tonight's dinner is a classic favourite...shepherd's pie, the Quebecois way. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from being done with Summer meals, I'm just slowly easing us into the next season 🍂

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. Yesterday, we did some jumps in the backyard. It's an easy exercise, the hard part is to ignore the distractions. They both did quite well although it took them a little while to settle down. It was fun though! Russell is also doing well. He is now working on a short story about his maternal roots going back to Barbados. Fascinating stuff!

That's my blog for this last Sunday of August. Labour Day Weekend is just around the corner. Hockey starts soon...in 30 days! Football starts in 10 days. Have a great week everyone!

The boys on deck continue to watch
for intruders and they make certain 
that the giraffe and the bunny are 
always close by.

Sherlock standing proudly in front
of the refreshed Hosta garden.

Inseparable...here, joined at the hip.

Everyone needs a stretch buddy...
I have two and they enjoy the mat.

TV time...guess Russell lost his 
spot on the couch.

Merlot jumped the hurdles in record time.

Sherlock always puts on a display of his

fine jumping skills.

The squirrel got away but the boys 

always enjoy the chase.

Cooper and Spicy snuggle on the bed...a memory
that will always warm our hearts - August 3, 2017.