And right into Summer

Spring visited briefly, we went to Paris and North Africa, Daisy turned 10 months, and here we are, June. It started with Nana's 90th and Eve's 1st birthdays and we have more celebrating to do this month!! More soon, on Northern Africa and a brief run through the city of Paris...

Hello Winter

We had a lovely winter wonderland walk in the snow on New Year's day and it seems like it has been snowing every since then. I am not complaining - I LOVE it. Daisy LOVES it. I love our walks in the morning, all bundled up, with the sun glowing down on all of the white snow and ice. Everything seems to be sparkling. I have also been shocked by all of the declared snow days - which has been so fun for our little family to be cozy at home, watching the beautiful showers of snowflakes (oh, and going out with the puppy 800 times a day) baking cookies, and watching movies.

However, I will not complain when we begin to thaw out and see signs of flowers, gardens, beach, ocean, and flip flops...I am a 'seasons' kind of gal...I think it might be around the corner...

This was Daisy's first snow!

Beehive with snow

Tall snow dog

Snow with Cone

Listening to birds in quiet early morning snowfall

Snow Tree Park Lesson from Mike

Snow Delivery

starting to melt!!

Bring on 2014

After a wildly festive week in RI, Mike and I made reservations at a B & B in New Paltz, NY, which is less then 2 hours away from our house for a little rest and exploring for New Year's. This might be a new tradition because it was wonderful!! Mike found the place and totally created a perfect little getaway for us. We stayed 2 nights, including New Year's eve and we made sure it was a puppy-friendly getaway so Daisy was very excited. Actually, excited isn't quite enough of a word. She was THRILLED by our vacation choice - she had a giant yard to run free, with a pond, and deer, and snow (and acorns - that is another story). She might have had to stay in the car a bit during a few quick meals - but she was fine. The place was perfect, farmhouse style with perfect views of the mountains. Just a short drive away, there was a lovely nature walk up above a lake, and during the whole walk, it was snowing just enough to make it a beautiful winter walk. Daisy met some serious dogs and people on vacation.

Now I will tell you about the 'breakfast' part of the B & B, because it deserves its own paragraph. Breakfast was served in the owner's house, in the dining room, overlooking the mountains. When we arrived, there was plenty to get started on, fruit, homemade bread, coffee, hot cider, granola. So we sat and relaxed, sipping hot cider before the real breakfast started. We had a FOUR-course breakfast both mornings - seriously, 4 courses, with organic and local ingredients and homemade baked items to take away with us to snack on for the day!! The host and chef, Carl, really sealed the deal at the place. He was so great, helpful, there to make everything cozy. Breakfast was like having the chef's table at a 5-star restaurant! The incredible breakfast experience was one of the main highlights.

It was the perfect way to ring in the new year, thanks babe!!

We arrived just before a beautiful snowfall, so this was before the white covering.

before it snowed

then it snowed

the backyard - click to enlarge

exploring the lake

after snowfall

delicious stuffed tomatoes

best blueberry coffecake ever

Merry Season and end to 2013

Mike and I now have the same week off between christmas and new year's since our offices our closed down that whole time! So no choice but to be on vacation!! We headed to RI to do the usual whirlwind tour of visiting the whole giant clan. We set up home base at Kevin and Holly's, which Bleeker was really excited about. Daisy experienced her first time off-leash time in their yard (I did not watch this action at all, since I did not support this decision!). She only really away once!

Daisy got to meet the entire family, and didn't knock anyone's tree down!! Good girl, little doddle. All her aunties and nanni's got her christmas presents, which she loved very much. It was a great family visit with everyone and a good end to 2013.

Puppy love

Well, Daisy is double the weight she was when we scooped her up and brought her home. She is getting huge! And she just keeps learning. Doggie sit-ups, down, wait, walk nicely on leash, off...she is shining in puppy kindergarten! Daisy had her first Thanksgiving at her grandma's!

Visit to Louisiana

I am so late with posting lately (might have something to do with a wild, furry animal keeping my attention...) Mike and I had the opportunity to spend a few days down in the bayou (Louisiana) to visit Mike's grandma, aunt, and uncle. His dad and father were visiting too, so we had a nice little family reunion. It was beautiful, fall weather there and Mike bought me some new cowgirl boots!! We did some walking and relazing. Mike and his uncle rocked out for us and we ate some yummy southern food. I wish it was closer to us so we could see them more often!