Saying goodbye to June

Happy Sunday everyone! As we're about to say goodbye to June, we are finally enjoying some consistent warm weather. More on the way this week, bring it on!

This past week felt strangely out of sync with St-Jean Baptiste landing right in the middle. It's as if we paused for a day, then not quite settling into a normal rhythm afterwards. It will be the same this week. These midweek holidays are a good excuse to slow down and cook something special. On that note, we treated ourselves to a baked brie surrounded by warm peaches and prosciutto. It was so yummy. I have a special treat planned for Canada Day 🍓

Our boys are doing well. Merlot is back home from being bred for the second time. We've been asked if his behaviour has changed since the start of this puppy matchmaking process. Not in the least. He is the same crazy, sometimes goofy boy. They both get back in the groove very quickly. It's nice to see 😊

I tackled another gardening/weeding project last week...removing the Canadian Clearweed that was invading the Hostas around the spruce tree in the front lawn. We don't know where it's coming from but it's everywhere. It is easy to remove but not a back loving exercise. We have some in the flower bed closer to the front of the house, however, it is acting more like a natural ground cover and it's quite pretty. I'm not touching it. 

That's my blog for this last Sunday of June. Have a great week everyone and Happy Canada Day on Wednesday!

Brothers....reunited as Merlot returns from
his baby making escapades.

 

Nothing better than just hanging out on
the deck with the ever present giraffe.

 

Merlot relaxing in his chair after
returning home from Myriam's.

Sherlock at the breakfast table...
when are you serving me?

A baked brie surrounded by warm peaches
and prosciutto...yum!

Get the party started - Merlot is back in the house!

A fun yard run - catch me if you can -

 energy well spent.

A robin decided to serenade us as we sat on the 

deck with a loud song...volume up for this one!

Spicy and Cooper shared a pup-cone at
Wild Willy's...this moment captured
July 1st, 2019.

Happy Father's Day!

Today we celebrate all the amazing dads out there, in every form. This extends to all pet dads who are so special. Merlot & Sherlock are lucky to have Russell as their human daddy. We also remember the fathers who are no longer with us. Their love and memories continue to live on in our hearts 💕

This past week was good although rather rainy and cool. I was tempted to write that we haven't had the best Summer so far but to be fair, Summer starts today 😏 We had torrential rain yesterday, combined with thunderstorms, which caused floods in many areas. Thinking of all those who are dealing with the aftermath of those floods. 

The rain has created the perfect conditions for the grass to grow quickly... Russell had to cut it twice in four days. Our perennials are also thriving, they seem bigger than ever.

Merlot is away at Myriam's making babies. He should be home in a few days. Meanwhile, Sherlock is enjoying the one on one attention although he misses his buddy.  I've been keeping him busy with some enrichment games.  He quite enjoys the "find it" game now, which he didn't care for when I first introduced it to the boys. It's such an easy game to play, anywhere in the house at any time of day, and provides good mental stimulation. 

The sun is shining now, which is a nice change. It's been so gloomy the past few days but as Russell so well said yesterday morning, Sherlock is our ray of sunshine 🌞 Our boy is also bullet proof when it comes to thunder. Both are actually, which is a good thing. 

That's my blog for today. To all dads, enjoy your special day! Have a great week everyone!

Happy Father's Day! The boys
love their human dad!

Sherlock loves his 'lap time' with
me on the deck.

Sherlock is not shy and here he
is taking his place at the dining
table.

Sherlock and the giraffe on the 
sofa...his lookout buddy.

Nap time for Sherlock and the giraffe on the 
back deck sofa.

Merlot taking a little nap before his
visit to Myriam's to make some babies.

Sherlock loves this towel game and here he is in

all his glory.

That ball never stood a chance with Sherlock.

Cooper and Spicy on a family picnic to help
celebrate Father's Day...this moment 
captured June 21st, 2020.

A soggy Sunday

Happy Sunday everyone! We woke up to thunderstorms and rain. It will be a soggy day. Our grass is growing like weeds and is very green. 

It's already mid-June. The garden centres at the grocery stores are almost done. It's crazy how quickly the gardening season seems to come to an end, at least when it comes to planters and annual flowers. The Hostas that I planted are thriving and are looking very healthy. I am pleased.

Our boys are doing well. It looks like Merlot will be a dad soon. This is so exciting and we can't wait to see the puppies. I guess that will make us "doggie grandparents" LOL! He will be away for a few days this week as another female is in her prime for breeding. Busy boy! Sherlock will once again get some one on one attention, which he doesn't mind at all. It's all good. 

It looks like the cardinal chicks were born sometime last week. There is lots of activities happening now, with feeding and all. We see both male and female in and out all day. When the chicks are fed, we can hear them from the deck. Noisy little things. We suspect they will start leaving the nest later this week.

The hockey season will end either tonight or Wednesday. The FIFA World Cup is under way and Canada has earned its first-ever World Cup point. Well done! We don't follow soccer but it's nice to hear that our country has done well so far.  

I leave you with a few photos taken last week and one of Cosette at the Colosseum. After her nice wins, she got to visit Venice and Rome. Lucky girl! 

Have a great week everyone!

Me chilling on the deck with the 
Boys.

Dual guardians on duty...the 
patio area is secure under their watchful
eyes.

Morning rituals, while we have a 
coffee ,the boys enjoy a seat at the 
table.

Merlot loves to spend time face planting on
 the deck sofa.

A must while in Rome, Cosette 
posed with the Colosseum as her
backdrop.

Merlot enjoys the crazy maze, his way....knocking 

a cone over and a short cut to get out LOL!

Sherlock can't be beat when it comes to 

running the maze.

The finch are taking advantage of the full

feeders.

Few things are as tasty as new grown grass.

Cooper with his chew and Spicy trailing
behind...these two were always a tight unit,
this moment captured July 5th, 2023.

Some Italian News!

Happy Sunday everyone! It's been a soggy morning and our boys look like little rats. We might get some clearing later this morning.

I start this blog with some exciting news from Italy. Myriam and her beautiful Cosette have won big this past weekend at the World Dog Show in Bologna.  More alphabet letters have been added to Cosette's registered name: 

It. Ch. / Can. GCHG / Am. GCH MBIS MBISS MRBIS MBPIS That's Amyla's Castle on a Cloud "Cosette"

Her four wins: 1st Place - Open Class, Reserve CACIB, Reserve World Winner 2026 and New Italian Champion 🎉

What an accomplishment for Cosette, Myriam and her talented handler Karyna. We are so proud of them and also proud to be part of Elevage Amyla's family.

This past week was good and brought some warm weather. I started, and finished, my backyard flower bed project. I had given myself three weeks to do it LOL! We chose to plant Hostas as it is a mostly shaded garden. I went to Jasmin Nursery and bought 16 plants, 5 varieties. All were planted very meticulously, keeping in mind the height and width growth of each. I also found a gorgeous decorative windmill. We are very pleased with the end result. Fingers crossed for lots of growth and beauty.

Our boys are doing well. Their newest obsession is the flock of grackles that has taken over our backyard. They try to chase them but the birds are one step ahead. It's their new form of entertainment from the deck. A nice change from squirrels.

It seems that the cardinals have now taken up residency by our backdoor yew. We have seen the female sit in the nest for hours at a time, then leaving. This has been going on for a week now. We're not sure what will come next. We wait and see.

That's my blog for today. I wish you all a great week!

The Boys, when you can't have the chair
to yourself, why not share?!

Part of the garden planting inspection crew,
Merlot up top and Sherlock below.

Proud Italian Champions, Karyna,
Cosette and her human mom,
Myriam.

Another ribbon to add to the collection,
an Italian BOS for Cosette and Karyna.

Before the BIG dig, clean-up and planting.

The finished effort complete with windmill

mobile and 16 assorted Hostas.

Dinner is ready....

Cooper and Spicy checking out what is 
happening at the table, this moment
captured August 1, 2017