Winter Sun

Today was cold but we had sun.  It was an agreeable day, as Chris would say, so we went for a walk.   Chris and his dog on the bluff overlooking Bowen Bay.

Chris often forgets that Ajax is a puppy, and not Jake.  He's forever wanting him to "heel" and "stay" when all he wants to do is play, play play......

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Hope for Spring!

It still seems way too early, but this week we discovered almost all of our daffodils popping up everywhere now that the snow has finally melted.  Some are already up 6 inches. 

 The ever consistent and resilient Hellibores are also up - This one is the Christmas Rose I think but it might be the Lenten Rose.  Either way - its nice to see that life is returning to the garden.

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Happy 6 Month Birthday Ajax

January 28th -  Ajax is 6 month old now!!

I couldn't resist taking the above photo today when walking in the cove because we took this 11 week old photo herein the same spot.      He's growing!  And he's a lovely boy so far.

Winter Walks and Photo Ops

Ajax and I walk the meadows on the weekends and he has a number of "pawtners" he plays with now.   Like Duffy the Irish Wolfhound.

And his "boyfriend" Ocean.  He just "loves" this 3 year old Pyranees.  Forget the labs and the puppies he is playing with; - when he sees "Ocean"  arrive he goes ga ga.  I swear he is in love with him.  

 

  Every time we pass this creek on the way to the meadows, Ajax has a sit down and a long look.  I swear he is developing his strategy to one day cross the creek and see whats on the other side.

 

We both like to watch the crows as well.  I took this shot last weekend on a freezing cold but  sunny morning.  

Ajax and his "meadows" gang.

Winter 2017

Like many of us on the west coast, we've forgotten about "Old Man Winter" and all he has to offer.  New Year's day saw more snow and winds and power outages, followed by temperatures dropping to -7c on average for the coming weeks.  What a way to start the year! A neighbour put up this sign.

 

 On Bowen Island, we have been hit harder than in Vancouver.  The snow keeps coming and it won't go away!!  The kids are skating on all the lakes , like these hockey players on Josephine Lake yesterday.   Frankly this is "Canadiana at its best!!   I love it!!

 Kilarney Lake is frozen too.

 And Grafton Lake is a winter wonderland.

In all its beauty, it does take its toll.  The cold temperatures have turned all the snow to ice, and unless you have cleats, its almost impossible to walk anywhere.  Chris is staying put, and I have to say I am getting tired of the snow boots!!!

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.

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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.

16 Weeks and Growing!!

Ajax turned 16 weeks yesterday so it was vet day today for his last puppy boosters and check up.  Alistair our vet is great with Ajax and the whole check up was done on the floor at Ajax's level.  No stress, lots of fun, treats and massaging.  Ajax had no idea that he had 3 sets of shots, his privates examined, ears and teeth looked at, or his heart rate and lungs listened too.  He just had a nice time on the floor with the Vet!   

Today we learned that both his testicles have come down in the last month, he has 4 adult teeth so far, which means he will still be teething for a while more, and he now weighs 48.5lbs.  That means he gained 16lbs in exactly one month!  Wow!

Here is is having a nice relaxing afternoon after his shots.

Don't Forget the Flowers!!

Thanks everyone for the well wishes in print!! And for the e-cards as well.

50 Is a Very High Number! - What a Bummer!

Oh, 59, how do I love thee?
Let me count the ways
The sagging skin?
The extra fat on my middle?

The aching joints?
I give up, 59. I do not love thee,
But I reserve the right to embrace

60 at this time next year.

Beach day in November

A wonderfully beautiful day today.  Warm, sunny, 16c and no rain!!!  The beach was calling to me, so I thought it would be a great day to introduce Ajax to the ocean!   What a surprise to get to the beach and be greeted by this amazing piece of drift wood right at the base of the trail onto the beach!  Must have washed up during the last wind storm!

Ajax is such a great sport, the beach was in no way daunting to him.  He explored the rocks, put his feet into the ocean, and eventually fell off a rock and was forced to make his way back to shore, soaking wet.  What a beach-pal!

While wandering the beach I came across this stunning green rock, jammed into a few other beach rocks.   I never noticed it before, and I wonder if it might have some BC jade in it!

It was a great afternoon, and I know that Ajax is going to love future walks to the beach, and he will definitely be a swimmer one day! 

After his fall into the water he was shivering so bad I had to take him home and given him a nice warm bath!!!

12 Weeks and Growing!!

Last week Ajax reached 11 weeks and we got to go to the vet for his 2nd booster shots. Dr. Alistair loved him, and at 11 weeks he weighed in at 32.5 lbs!!

After the vet, we went for our first little walk on a leash.  Not a great experience for him, but he did prove to be a "Fabulous Find" on Bowen - as some of the  locals said.

 Now, a week later, at 12 weeks, he just keeps getting bigger.  So big that we came home yesterday to find that he was able to get onto Chris's chair!  Crikey!!  But I have to say he does blend in well!!

Practicing "Down"

Practicing Burt Reynolds!