Merry Christmas

Dressed in Jake's old Christmas collar, Ajax celebrated his first Christmas.  The collar is a bit big for him but he'll grow into it.

Christmas Eve Day!

The sun was shining so Ajax and yours truly started out early for a morning trail walk.

 Then to the cove beach to watch the boats.

Of course all the cold fresh air tired out our boy and he had to crash in his favourite spot.  He looks so big for only 4 months and 3 weeks old.

Chris and I enjoyed a very quiet Christmas eve with our very tiny tree.

And of course Gypsy and Smoke were warm and content to be indoors on such a chilly night as well.

fsa

Baking!

Everyone knows that my culinary skills are next to none and that a cook nor baker am I!  Well, that said, I found something that was easy and turned out ok.    I don't know what its called.    

I have never really liked mincemeat, but Chris does, and each year he makes himself some mincemeat tarts.  Well I had lunch with a friend the other day and she described a mincemeat pastry she had just mad and it sounded interesting and simple so I thought I'd give it a go.

- lay out puff pastry on your baking sheet

- spread a layer cream cheese on top of the pastry (don't be skimpy)

- dice up one pear and one granny smith apple and grate an orange peel - then saute this mixture in butter till soft

- squeeze in a bit of orange juice

- mix the above into your "Robertsons" (brand) mincemeat

- spread the meat mixture on top of the cream cheese/pastry

- slice up more pastry to make cris-crosses on the top

- bake until pastry is done

 Ok, my presentation may not be neat and pretty, and as you can see below, I did over-cook the puff pastry a bit, but the taste results were excellent.  I ate the whole thing - Chris only had one piece.!!!

The Journey For Vision!

Chris has cataracts.  He's known this now since around the end of September but the surgery route seems like such a long process to go through.   To get rid of the cataract, you get rid of the lens that was in your eye at birth.  Cataracts obscure and cloud the vision; they scatter light, creating halos; they interfere with good vision.  One eye is worse that the other for Chris, but he will have both done because he is opting for prescription lens implants that will address his far and intermediate vision so that he will only have to use reading glasses in the future.  

Before surgery, he has to get his eyes measured by the latest computerized laser-using ophthalmologic device that measure all kinds of parameters for each of his eyes. The curvatures, and distances and thicknesses and every measurement possible have to be done, and unfortunately not on the same days.  Chris also has astigmatism so that also has to be calibrated.  As you can see below, we have a number of appointments behind us, but one more in January, and then hopefully he will have a surgery (15 minutes) date for February.  We will both be so glad when this is done!

 

It's All About the Birds

One of the best ways to enjoy wildlife in the comfort of your home is to watch birds at a feeder. That's what we do, and its so much better than TV.    With the recent cold snap and the snow it has become even more important to help our little feathered friends.  The Annas hummingbirds get the most attention from us - especially when the sugar water freezes.   We bring the feeders in over night, or leave them on the window ledge for shelter.  This little guy likes to come right to the window.

Despite being birds that are typically ground feeders, we have a lot of Towie's at our feeders. 

And of course the most frequent visitors to our feeders are the little Junco's, like this sweetie who likes to enjoy the seed that is flipped to the ground.

The truth is, of course, that when you feed birds you also have to deal with the pesky rodents that are also attracted to the feeding stations.  Usually it's a squirrel or two, but today I got my first shock seeing this wretched RAT!   Seemed to ruin the magic of the moment!!

Winter Comes to 1520 Adams

It's been 8 years since we have had snow like we've had this week.  I am taking care to make sure my birdies are getting seeds and suet, but I could not let this photo opportunity of the chickadee house go buy without a shot!

A wander through the garden reveals the always hardy Rosemary.  This herb never fails; always evergreen and always edible.  Even in the snow.

The Barberry bush as usual is outstanding.  The fall berries in brilliant red are such a great contrast in the snow.

The Cox Pippin apple tree is standing strong and facing the weather like a soldier!

I LOVE SNOW!!!!!!

Ajax's Inaugural Taste of Snow

Seeing your puppy experience snow for the first time will warm your heart, even when its freezing outside.  Ajax had Day Camp on Monday which happened to be our first day of snow this season.  It was with mixed feelings that I dropped him off at 7:30am at the Dog Ranch, fully knowing he was going to have fun playing in the snow for the first time without us to witness.  Fortunately they took a photo.

He loves the snow, and since we had a dump of it yesterday and today we've now had the chance to play and he really does love it to bits.  At 4 months, he still doesn't have an undercoat yet, so not sure how long he can stay warm.

Warming up!  Best seat in the house!

Throwback to Jake

This past weekend I took Ajax for his first hike.  Not a long one, because he's still a puppy, but long enough to really tire him out.   I chose the hike that Jake and I always did on the weekends - one I hadn't done in maybe 8 months.  It was with mixed feelings that I started the hike.  So many Jake memories along the way.  I took this photo of Ajax as we made the 1/2 way mark

 It wasn't intentional, but when I got home, I was looking at photos and found this

 one of Jake in the same spot.  Wow!! The only difference is that they have now completed the retaining wall on that road development.

It was nostalgic.  I snapped Ajax on the bluff at the begining of the walk.  One that Jake used to go on all the time - I just didn't have a comparison photo.