Warm on the Inside and Cold on the Outside

This past weekend I was back in my hometown for the wedding, I took the time to enjoy the beautiful winter white of the country.

Despite the bitter cold weather, I bundled up to go walk around the property and see the freshly fallen snow…..which was up to my knees! Talk about a workout!

I had two friends who were more than eager to join in for a walk. I love how even on his hind legs, Whiskey isn’t as tall as Shadow. Poor guy just can’t compete.

Shadow loves the freedom of running around in the yard, bounding through the snow.

Considering how bad her life was when she was much younger, its nice to know that she lives such a happy one now. Full of lots of running, lots of snuggles and lots of cheese!

Whiskey is more content to follow around in my footsteps and avoid the snow at all costs. If he'd be more willing to wear his boots my grandmother gave him, I'm sure he'd be happier.

Walking through the property, I came across a tiny little tree that was just trying to make it through this winter.

With plenty of love and care, hopefully he'll be a big strong guy one day.

Walking down to the river, I saw the canoe covered in snow and longed for lazy summer days on the water.

Now our little river is covered by a thick layer of ice and a ton of snow. My brother and I have cleared off the ice a couple of times to make a rink, but by the time we get it all cleared off, we’re too wiped to actually lace up our skates. Hopefully there will be less snow and I'll have more energy when I get home next time.

As I walked, it was incredibly quiet and calm. I’d sometimes hear the occasional bird singing a song, or a distant snowmobiling making its way along the river. It’s a fresh change from the hustle and bustle of the city that I am used to these days. Its this calmness that makes me love winter in the country so much.

When the beasts rest

This week I was going through my Holiday photos, reminiscing about a great couple of weeks off, and I came across some photos that I completely forgot about. I love these pictures because they show a calm and tender moment in what is usually a tornado of activity at my parents' house.

My Great Aunt is reading the paper in her mother's old rocking chair, while the dogs sleep off all the cookies and treats that they have stolen.

I swear that they must think that we put the fireplace on just for them. The only time that they can share anything is when they both want a spot on Shadow's bed by the fire. That is unless Whiskey gets there first...then all bets are off.

So what do they do when they really want to pull at our heartstrings?

They spoon. 

Yes, Whiskey, I see you. When you look like this I can't resist giving you all the treats in the world. Lord help me when I have kids. I have no willpower when it comes to cuteness.

As I type this, he is curled up in a blanket on my lap and having some sort of a dream that must involve chasing squirrels. Go get 'em, buddy!

Last Dog Days of Summer

Its the final dog days of Summer and just as the weather was starting to get more bearable again, we have another heatwave rolling in. All this humidity has been wrecking havoc on me learning to run this Summer. I'll be all laced up and halfway through my run when I start to feel lightheaded and woozy...and then that crisp clean pool starts calling my name louder than the running shoes.

I think I'm going to take a cue from Shadow and Whiskey, and just take it easy on the couch until September comes around. For the record, they are NOT allowed on this couch, and neither are newspapers. Are they reading it?

I have to wonder what Shadow is thinking about? The depressing article she just read on the current stock market. How fast she could chase after that squirrel living in the tree out front. Or maybe she is just wishing for the cool comfort of lying under the trees on a nice Fall afternoon.

Who am I kidding. She's probably just thinking about squirrels.

Working from the Back Porch

With preparations for the G20 Summit in Toronto this week, I've been hiding out at my parents' place up north. The hustle and bustle of the city isn't the same when we're all being corralled like cattle around fences and security.

And considering that this is the view from our backyard, I am happily enjoying this escape from the hustle and the bustle of the city.

Sometimes when I'm up here I forget why I ever moved to the city. There are so many pros and cons for both, that I'm glad that I get to experience each one from time to time.

Whiskey seems to like living in both worlds too. Unlike his usual office duties, this is what Whiskey has been doing this week....lots of bug hunting...

 ...and munching on grass...

 ...patroling the property for wayward birds...

 ...and sniffing around for his favorite things...

 ... like flowers. He is obsessed with sniffing flowers. He even steals them from the vase on the table from time to time and hides them in his little bed. I wish that was some cute joke, but its not.

Whiskey the Flower Thief

 *sniff sniff*

 ...and Squirrel Hunter. He is always on the hunt.

And after a long romp around the yard, it was time for a little afternoon nap. I guess that working away from the office is a little harder than Whiskey realized.

Family Feast

Over the weekend I went with my family to go for Easter lunch at my Nana's place. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we had a blast hanging outside together. Here are a few snapshots from the festivities.

My little cousin C had been to an egg hunt earlier and had her face painted. I love the cute little pearls that she is wearing. Meet the future June Cleaver.

All the female cousins (minus me). I like to lovingly refer to my sister as the "Black Sheep", aa she is the only cousin on that side of our family who has dark hair.

My Great Aunt Irene and my Grandfather were on hand for some Easter ham with all the fixings. I bet they're glad that they didn't go to Florida this Spring when its been even nicer here.

My brother, Dad, cousin and Grandfather all relaxing on the porch. Or maybe they're just escaping doing the dishes (which I guess you could say about me too, considering that I'm the one taking the pictures).

Sisterly Love?

The centerpieces that I explained yesterday. Hard to believe that they cost less than $4 each to make.

My cousin Betty brought these amazing tea biscuits. It was a fight to see who got to take home the leftovers and there wasn't many left after we'd plowed our way through four tins.

I was just happy to finally get to taste one of the Carrot Cake Cupcakes that I had struggled with the day before (see yesterday's post for complete story. It was bad.)

Little C loved the muffins too. She ate the tops off with all the cream cheese icing. That a girl!

How much willpower does one doberman have to not eat one of those foil wrapped Easter eggs?

We were all thoroughly enthralled with the whole event. (For the record she was good and didn't eat it, so I gve her an Oatmeal cookie as a treat. Oatmeal cookies are Shadow's favorite and she'll do just about anything for them.)

Christy opening some Easter goodies. She was rocking the old school Pez despenser all day. I forgot how awesome those things are.

I love this whole outfit on my cousin. The flowery dress, subtle gold necklace and the rocking hot pink shades.

And her hair. I've always loved her hair. When we were kids she always had the most amazingly angelic halo of curls around her head. I had tangled floppy straight hair. I was jealous to say the least.

Donning his Armani sunglasses, my big cousin took to impersonating the Easter Bunny and hiding small foil eggs all around the porch for Little C to go looking for. It was so cute to see her running along with a little basket hunting for the little eggs.

Whiskey and Shadow had a good romp around the tennis courts while we were there. It was nice to be able to just open the doors and let them go without worrying about them wandering off. However, Shadow did quickly learn that it was a bad idea to run across the pool cover. Lets just say that her belly had a bit of a bath.

I think Whiskey was just happy to be outside without shivering his butt off.

My Nana was dogsitting for a friend this weekend, so the pooch got to come along for the afternoon as well. This dog just sat there watching the other dogs play as he perfected his "sad face".

"Please just drop a piece of that Easter ham. I promise I won't tell anyone."

A great Easter lunch with the whole gang. Love you guys :)

The Long Drive

On the long drive up to my Great Aunt's 90th Birthday Party, we decided to bring the dogs along for the day. Despite driving my parents' big Yukon it is always a pile up of people and dogs in the car, which would explain why I had to make a quick stop along the way to get a lint roller.

Once we were on the road, it was just a matter of everyone getting settled. Apparently the most comfortable position that Shadow could find was using Whiskey as a pillow. She is absolutely out cold in this picture. Possibly even snoring at this point.

Try holding a 12lb mutt and 70 lb doberman on your lap for a 2 hour drive sometime. To say that my legs were numb is an understandment.

Thankfully Whiskey decided to move over to my brother's lap after we had a Tim Horton's break.

Shadow decided that she had better join him for another little snooze :) Despite all their play fighting, these two really do love each other.