Always on Guard

A rainy and busy start to our Saturday.  We caught up on things inside while the dogs napped their day away.

Todd chose to nap on the porch by the back door.  

I really didn't want him out in the rain.  And despite bribing Todd with treats to get him to come back inside, he had other ideas, and wanted to stay outside. So I let him.

The Goldens (and even Charlie) always want to be wherever we are.  But Todd, in any weather, enjoys and wants to be outside, on guard and never missing a thing. I've learned it's just part of what and who he is.    

It Takes Two!

Another typical week is coming to an end very slowly.  Last evening I met a friend for dinner after work.  She works at a local pie shop and I got there as she was locking the door at the end of the day.  Just as she was finishing her inventory of the baked goods there was a knock on the door. Standing there was a middle-aged man smiling hopefully and showing us a $100 dollar bill, asking to be let inside. My friend and I looked at one another and she reluctantly opened the door and let him in.  He apologized and said that he knew the shop was closed for the day, but he was desperate and he really, really needed to buy two pies and would give my friend $100 for both and she could keep the change and consider it a tip.  I was glad my friend asked why he needed them so badly, because if she hadn't, I would have.  But he explained that he'd had an argument with his wife, and he knew that he was wrong, and to help with his apology, he needed two pies.  Of course she sold them to him, kept the change and my friend bought our dinner.

I don't know about you, but I can't help but wonder what this argument could have possibly been about that caused a man to pay $100 for two pies?  ....One that knew he was wrong I guess!  

Cissy, Shadow and Another Rescue

A sunny and warm Saturday gave way to clouds and colder temperatures today.  But it didn't stop us from marking two little milestones at Golden Pines.

~Sheba~

It is exactly one year ago today that we met Cissy.  As I've said so many times and as those of you who have followed her journey know, its been quite a year for her.  We are grateful for each and every day that we have with Cissy and marvel at how far she has come.  Tests from a recent vet visit show that she's in pretty good health.  Seemingly unaware of this milestone, she quietly napped in the warm sun yesterday.  

The other milestone is that six months ago today Shadow became an official member of Golden Pines. There is no question, Shadow has found his place in the pack and in our home and hearts.

One of Shadow's best qualities is his patience -- He patiently waits for the door to magically open so he can see the cat.

And when he knows it's dinner time, he patiently waits in his crate for me to bring him his meal.

I have to remind myself that this most gentle of Golden's has practically just gotten here.  I cannot thank his first family, who are readers of this blog, enough for trusting us to give Shadow a home.

Finally this milestone again reminded me of how I've missed welcoming new additions into our home.  So we decided to step out of our little circle, and we applied to and became a foster home for Lab rescue, for their senior dogs.  I've no idea where this will take us, maybe nowhere. But one thing I do know, that if asked, we will always, always have room for a senior Golden in our home, and now, maybe, there's room for a senior Lab too. Stay tuned!

The First Day of Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring!  I think it's time to come out of hibernation....  

And shake off that grumpy attitude and layers of clothing and get outside!  Despite being windy and a little cool, that's what we did today.

After the winter that has seemed to last forever, I think we all can agree that we deserve to enjoy the sunny days, warmer temperatures and everything else that spring brings.  I just know that very soon Todd's favorite spot by the honeysuckle will be green with fragrant blossoms.

But first we'll have to get past the latest forecast that there "might" be more snow at the start of next week.

I just hope the weathermen are wrong, and I hope your first day of spring was an enjoyable one!

The Last Snow Day!

We woke this morning to about six to seven inches of new snow.  My office closed along with the federal government so it was another day at home for both Carl and I.  Unfortunately I didn't plan to be home today so we didn't have the high caloric snow-day food that we've come to enjoy on these days off.  But we made due with a coffee cake to start off the day.

The enthusiasm the dogs have about the snow seems to be waning along with mine. 

~CarrieAnne~

Okay, Sheba's isn't exactly.  She really does love the snow.  

But me, I'm done with snow for this season, and this will be the last of the snow photos.

Okay, just one more of the lovely Annie and to say that I hope your week is off to a good start!   

The Smell of Spring

On Saturday morning I stepped outside into the bright sun with the dogs and the air smelled different. Like spring.  I know, there's just barely grass and nothing is blooming, but it made me think about the smells of the seasons. I think that fall has a very distinct sharp almost bitter smell that comes as the leaves start to fall.  There is a smell in summer when it's hot outside. Then in winter there's that smell when snow falls and the air is cold and crisp.  And I really became aware of how different the city smells compared to the country when there was the distinct and almost overpowering and eye-watering smell of "natural-fertilizer" being spread on a field not far from us.

This morning the wind blew from that direction and Sheba kept rolling in the grass.  I couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with the field?

Todd spent most of today outside.  Often he would stop what he was doing...

and take in and savor each breeze coming his way.    

Our weekend is ending with the weathermen getting the forecast right, snow is just starting to fall.  How much we will get still remains a mystery, much like how long that fresh smell from the field will last--Hopefully that and the snow will be short lived!

A Ride Called March

~Thank-you Capital Weather for this illustration!~

I've been reminded this week about why I dislike March. March is the month that teases you about spring. With 31 days, it can be long, cold and bleak with 'roller-coaster' temperatures.  We had a very pleasant start to our week with nice weather -- Added to that I met a visiting friend from out of town one evening for a lovely dinner.

But the week changed on Wednesday when pouring rain chased me most of the drive home.  By the time I got home, the rain had stopped and high winds warnings were in effect.  Todd showed his tough-rugged Scottish side and stood unflinching facing into the wind for a long time.

I finally made him come inside, but I think he would have stayed out if I'd let him.

We got everyone fed and settled and just as I thought would happen, our lights went out as it was getting dark.  All the dogs stayed on guard and barked each time the wind hummed through a drafty window.  It was a long night.  Thankfully our power was restored in the early morning hours.

~Charlie watching the glow of a lantern~

At the end of the week, snow is being talked about for Monday.  I am worn out and am looking forward to what I hope will be a quiet and uneventful weekend.  However, I've no doubt that Todd will find something to bark at.

A Weekend of Self-Control

Our week may have begun with a winter storm, but it ended feeling like springtime.  Saturday could not have been a nicer day for us with bright warm sun.

~Todd, sporting a new spring hair-cut~ 

Unfortunately we didn't get to enjoy much of the day outside, because it was an adoption day for the lovely Ms. Yellow.  We dropped her off with the "cat people" and hoped that after 5 hours, just as it was with Dale, she would also find her forever home. When we picked her up, we were told that there wasn't one single nibble from anyone interested in her.  Probably because she hissed at people, slept the rest of the time, and aside from there being about 20 cats to choose from, she's just not as sociable and cute as the kittens that were there. The volunteers also running the adoption event hardly even knew she was there, and I think that may have played a part in it as well. At any rate, she's here to stay with us for a while longer, and that's okay.

While Ms. Yellow was showing her not-so-good side, Carl and I spent the beautiful day doing the only thing you can do when in town, we went to the mall and had lunch.

~My personal Corner-Bakery favorite, a chicken pesto sandwich~ 

After a little bit of shopping we followed the advice on this sign....

And we shared this....

I know that wasn't exactly the intention of the sign, but we did enjoy it.  Our weekend is ending quietly and uneventfully -- No self control needed for that!  I hope you've had a good weekend too!

~Shadow~

A few of you asked about my recipe for banana bread from my last post.  

I found it online here.  I've used this recipe for more than 20 years and it's simple and easy and best of all, it's perfect every time and delicious!  Enjoy!!

It Has to End!

As expected, my office was closed on Monday because of the snow.  However it wasn't as bad as the weathermen swore it would be.  

 And it was just enough for the dogs to enjoy it.     

Our first snow-days of the year, I was outside with the dogs, and I wasn't getting anything done.

~Charlie and Cissy in the background~

I think I've gotten it all out of my system because this snow-day was a productive one that consisted of cleaning and baking 4 loaves of banana bread.  There's no question that bread is worth the work. But all the cleaning that was done, I think is a clear sign that the snow-days have to end!  

Even if the winter isn't quite at an end, what is finally coming to an end is my not feeling well. Thank-you all for sending your healing-vibes, I think they made a difference!  I hope you're doing well and having a good week!!

Better and Not Better

After a full day of a strict diet of oatmeal, scrambled eggs and a little yogurt to eat, this morning Todd with ears up and bright eyes again, charged right into the day. Todd can have a sensitive stomach and I am pretty sure that a suet cake for the birds was to blame for how he was feeling.  I thought Sunny and Sheba were the only ones that had eaten it on Friday morning, but I now think that Todd enjoyed his share of the suet cake too.  I'm just really glad he's feeling like himself again!  

Me, I felt better yesterday, but today I'm not.  The doctor I work for thought on Friday that I had the flu.  I disagreed with his diagnosis, but secretly I now think he may be right. We'll see.

~Charlie~

I know warmer weather would make me and everyone else feel better. Like so many, despite being a snow-lover, I am ready for spring, as are the Robins that were in this tree the other day.

But my feeling better and spring is going to have to wait a little longer.  This evening another big winter storm has begun bearing down on us.  Carl's office is already closed for Monday, and I am just waiting for my call to tell me that mine will be too.  I hope I don't have to wait too long for both.

~Shadow~

The very shaggy Todd and I thank-you all for the healthy vibes you've sent and we hope you've had a good weekend!