dog walking.

I like having a dog. Yes, it's certainly more responsibility than owning a cat - I can't jet away on unplanned weekend adventures, and day trips to Toronto aren't as simple as before. But the day to day life of having un petit chien is tres bien.

One of my favourite daily activities with the Pegster is our daily walks. We live in a wonderful neighbourhood for dog walking. There are so many great laneways to explore, where I can be a voyeur and peek into people's backyards (and back windows!). And we make good use of her extendi-leash as we rarely run into cars, people, or other dogs. 

We're also really lucky to live just a 10 minute walk from the escarpment and the Bruce Trail. 

And the Chedoke rail trail is pretty great.

And so are the RBG grounds.

first weekend of NOVEMBER!!!

How is it already November?!? I can't wait until 2012 - I'm really hoping it will bring a slight decrease in how busy I am. Or at least a change in what it is I'm busy with. I'll be done school at the very least. But I also really don't want 2011 to be over - I have so many things to do still! Finish the knit wall, write essays (including a big one on alpaca farming), stay on top of school assignments, work for Jenna, do the One of A Kind Show with her, wrap up a business plan, present the business plan, cross fingers for the future of said business plan. Plus the usual life stuff. All in the next month. 

Anyways, this weekend was nice. Jenna and Jeff went away and asked Erick and I to look after Beau for them!

Jenna left us this adorable guide for babysitting Beau. 

We went for a nice hike along the Bruce Trail in Ancaster. Then did a bunch of yard work at our house - raked leaves, pulled up dead plants, planted bulbs. Fun! Also, Erick is growing a mustache for movember. Can you tell? I didn't think so. 

We (though really mostly Erick) made this DELICIOUS salmon and leek chowder. It was so good. But then again anything with bacon, salmon, leeks, potatoes, and cream can't possibly be bad. Mmm, I'm looking forward to the leftovers. FYI, we left the clam juice out of the recipe. Not exactly something we had on hand, and it wasn't missed.

Beau thinks he's a person and really prefers to sleep like a person - in bed. He's the size of a large child, so there may as well have been three of us in bed! 

It was such a beautiful weekend, so it was really great having a dog as an excuse to go out on numerous walks.

When Beau's mama and papa came home, I went home to my Sookie cat. And way too much school work. 

family photo friday. building a garage.

1983, Dad, uncle Bob, and grandpa. Building the garage at the cottage, with the help of Joe, the dog.

p.s. you've probably noticed that you can see the frame of the slide in most of the recent photos I've posted. That's mainly because I've been too lazy to crop each photo. But I do also like how it looks sometimes. So there you go.

family photo friday. pets.

Joe and Morgan, 1985.

My parent's first dog, Joe the wire haired fox terrier, and my grandma's beloved cat, Morgan, when they were still puppy and kitten, respectively. Just hanging out and looking adorable on my grandma and grandpa's bed. My grandma says that she made the headboard herself. And check out that wallpaper, and the adorable pillows, and matching lamps. I would be very pleased if this were my room. Animals included.