Let's go Habs!

Happy Sunday everyone! A very big day for all Habs fans! Round one, game one of the playoffs. Go Habs Go! 

This past week was good although somewhat rainy. That's OK. It gave me a chance to run a whole bunch of errands that I've been putting off for a while, those that require driving all over the place. I got a bit of Spring cleaning done in the house. I also purged our closets and made a healthy clothing donation to NOVA. Good job done!

Our weather turned really nice and warm on Friday and Saturday. We got more yard work done and spent time on the deck. It looks like the sod we planted last year survived the Winter. We will have to seed some areas in the back yard though. It seems to be a yearly process. 

Russell is over his cold, finally.  He cleaned his barbecues and smoked our first chicken wings of the season. They were so delicious! Next on his "to do" list is to stain our backyard bench and deck table. 

Merlot & Sherlock are doing well. I created another maze for them and they caught on very quickly. Through ChatGPT, Russell found me some new designs 😁 Lots of fun on the horizon. I'm also spending time with both doing some basic training/fitness exercises that I learned from Fun Fit Canin. Each day brings a new challenge and they both love it! They are such good boys and have become quite bonded, more so in the past few months. It's nice to see.

As we move into a new season, we look forward to spending more time outdoors, embracing the fresh air and longer days. The other day, I picked up a pot of pansies, a small but cheerful glimpse of what's ahead. 

That's my blog for today. This coming week, we get the snow tires off. It's time. Sherlock also has a vet appointment for bloodwork in advance of his OFA testing/dental cleaning in a few weeks. 

Have a great week everyone! Let's go Habs!

Front porch sentries as we do some clean-up
in the front yard.

These guys always find new spots to grab a 
nap...here Sherlock thinks the arm of the sofa
is a great place to snooze.

With the warming glow of the morning
sun streaming into the kitchen, Sherlock
takes the time to stretch while Merlot
naps.

A lovely pot of pansies on the deck, a 
splash of Spring colour is always
welcome.

Maze courses courtesy of ChatGPT, course
layout, cone count required and degree of 
difficulty specified.

Maze design...a new challenge.

Merlot making his first run in the new 

maze design...a breeze.

Sherlock took to the maze like a duck to

water....easy peasy.

The boys enjoying a first romp on the couch

on the deck...outdoor time is back.

Cooper and Spicy loved to snuggle with their
human daddy...this moment captured on
April 15th, 2018.

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.