Peacocks, Pups & Patio Parties

This patio has been such a refuge of beauty and has seen so many wonderful gatherings over the years.

I can't thank my kind Father enough for His gracious provision of this space and for the community that has been created and nourished here.

We have some families at church that have moved here in the past couple of years from Manitoba and it was such a treat to have them up for hot dogs and stories.

Just sharing a little slice of life on a beautiful evening. 

It felt good to gather in a larger group but seeing as there were two families the "distancing protocol" was not really enforced.

Two bubbles that happily collided.

Well, three if you include me!

It was a bit nippy so we turned on the gas fire pit.

Pity we can't have big bon-fires when we want anymore, but we were happy to have something warm to gather around. 

There have also been more family faspa-nights on the patio...

and the regular routine of evenings spent listening to sermons or music if it's too cool to be outside.

As you can see, the pups also like to be part of Oma's care.

Winnie especially loves to run off with Oma's slipper's whenever she gets the opportunity. My exercise quotient has increased exponentially since obtaining this small animal.

Tonight while I was getting something from the office I looked out the window to see a gorgeous peacock  wandering by.

I hurried out to get a closer look at his brilliant feathers.  

I often hear his peculiar calls during the day and it lends somewhat of an exotic, tropical air to the neighbourhood so it was fun to actually see him for a change.  

I believe he has moved into a neighbours chicken coop across the street. 

His elegant saunter ended rather abruptly when Winnie caught sight of him.  She escorted him swiftly off the property as he honked in alarm.

I was surprised at how quickly he could run!  

So that was our bit of excitement.

And this is often how the day ends. 

Some computer time accompanied by my little Winnie-pig. 

Ladybug is content to stay by my side or as far out of. Winnie's way as possible.

Plenty of Pups

Willow is a wonderful new addition to our little tribe. 

We are now outnumbered by the canines!

Much time was spent outdoors to minimize any indoor "accidents'.

Unfortunately Willow came with some parasite activity going on, so Patrice was busy getting that sorted out and getting woken up at night to take her out.

I was super impressed that Willow was waking Patrice up instead of making use of the carpet to relieve herself.

It was a rather exhausting but also exhilarating week.

Willow and Winnie had great fun tumbling around together and running big laps around the property.  Ladybug was very pleased not to be part of the rough and tumble play.  

(She is so far above all of that, darling Diva that she is.) 

She was eager, however to get in on the treats during our training sessions.

Willow lived up to her intelligent "poodle" breeding and caught on to the basic commands very quickly.

Winnie, well, not so much.  

But what she lacks in brainpower she makes up for in zeal!  

She has boundless energy and superb leaping ability.  And she is very tenacious when looking for someone to join her in play.

It has caused Ladybug a great deal of grief, but Willow is now giving Ladybug a well deserved rest. 

There was a great deal of excitement to be had at our weekly Sunday faspa time.

As you can see in the picture above, Winnie was trying to get as close as possible to Pupcake who in turn showed a rather aggressive side of his little personality.

There was a great deal of snarling and snapping going on between these two.

Winnie is impervious to Pupcake's rejection of her and she squirms humbly and endlessly on the floor around him trying to ingratiate herself into his good graces. 

It is not working.

During her week at home Patrice baked some of Oma's favourite bread.

I am so grateful to have someone in the family who is carrying on the family traditions!

We popped over to wish Gayle a Happy Birthday and Winnie was quite pleased to make Bernie's acquaintance.  

Bernie, thankfully, was somewhat smitten with Winnie which is a good thing because I am secretly looking for a future husband for her. 

Gayle was completely surprised at the manly prowess that was exhibited by little Bernie.

Surprises abound!

Bernie didn't even seem to mind that Winnie had squinty eyes and was having a bad hair day...

I am thinking it would be really great to have some grandchildren at this stage in my life, but since there are none forthcoming we are having great fun with the furry alternatives!

Something else quite momentous also took place in May.

I found someone willing to remove our long unused hot-tub and take it to their home.

It was incredibly satisfying to see it hauled away after so many years of it just sitting there looking ugly and taking up space.

Now my view is expanded and the area is so clear and spacious.

Lots of extra room for patio plants too!

I am regretting not doing this years ago but it all just felt so complicated.

But better late than never!

It's all so gorgeous...

The expanded view is especially nice for me when I lay on the bench.

Kind of fun to have a pup that is small enough to lay down on me when I'm outside.

Ladybug managed to find a spot to curl up next to me as well.

I feel all tucked in and loved.  So grateful for the fun and diversion these sweet animals are in a season where there is a constant reminder of aging. 

Such a cute profile pic of these two.

Fun and adventure awaits! 

Willow

The reason Patrice came to Kelowna while she was still trying to be "Covid-Sensitive" with her housemates was to pick up her new standard poodle puppy which was arriving from Alberta.

The excitement in the air was palpable as several couples and a family hummed about waiting for the big white van containing the pups to arrive.

One by one they came forward, maintaining social distance as far as it was possible to claim their pups.

Patrice's female pup was gentle and easy going right from the get-go.

After an introduction and the paperwork was handed over the deal was sealed.

It was a match made in heaven.

Such a gentle peaceful companion for Patrice to train and enjoy.

That long snout and those gentle hazel eyes - definitely part of our tribe! 

Truthfully it smelled a bit like a barn in the car due to the long drive Willow had with her 

non-house-trained van mates!

I was ready to get her home and bathed.

The evening sky felt like an auspicious start for this momentous homecoming. 

Perfect backdrop for the homecoming photo op! 

May there be many happy years for Patrice and her new friend.

Lots of love and excitement in the air.

And then there were three!

Spring Splendour

This particular part of Spring never lasts long enough for me.

I hardly have words to describe the delight and glory and fragrance that swirls across the land as the blossoms emerge.

Simply magnificent.

Birds have been frequenting our place more than ever as we have been filling the bird feeders and the trees and bushes provide plenty of spots for them to perch and sing.

The pups ensure that I am outside on a frequent basis to enjoy the activity and birdsongs.

Patrice arrived and got acquainted with Winnie.

She also blessed me immensely by cutting the wild and crazy lawn.

All this rain has encouraged some rapid growth and provided a lush green carpet for the dogs to enjoy.

Since I had an extra pair of hands we weighed Winnie.

9lbs at almost 5 months.

Growing a little too fast for my liking... 

Heaven touches Earth

Depending on our energy level, I sometimes get these cuties out on a scenic prayer-drive!

So great to get out and witness the rolling out of Spring in all her glory in the valley.

Despite the tumultuous rainy weather patterns, there is beauty to be had in every direction.

Tante Hilda and Winnie in the back seat are an all around delightful combination creating loads of laughter and fun as well so it is a delight for all the senses.

We stopped at the lakeside and enjoyed our hot drinks and little chicken burgers.

Simple pleasures with precious company.

Prayers are spoken, agreed upon and heaven touches earth.

Again and again.