A bunch of new arrivals

So, the fruits of James and Treacle's brief 'affaire' arrived yesterday from 11am through until 12.30 am.  A total of 8 tiny puppies made their way into the world with very little fuss and bother. One breech delivery was very fragile, and needed 10minutes to drain its lungs and circulate its blood supply, and another was very slightly stuck at the shoulders. All in all though, she did magnificently and is proving to be a really competent mother. James is a very proud father, and is guarding the gates to his family castle against all comers. Fudge, the Aunt, and previous breeder in this house, doesn't even seem to mind, though she is keeping a weather eye on proceedings.

The farmer and I are exhausted already, the prospect of caring for 8 of the blighters for the next couple of months is very daunting. However, it must be done. And then there is home finding for them! With so many I am considering some sort of bogof offer Buy One Get One Free, or Buy two and take the lot..... Though I have had some enquiries about a prospective litter, it remains to be seen if any of those enquiries turn into actual homes.

More than this I cannot tell you, owing to brain freeze caused by the constant tiny cry of infant puppies. Its very hard to resist....

Mucho love X

dog ball....

 The farrier came yesterday, and after he had finished shoeing the yellow horse he lit up his oven again and popped one of the old shoes inside. He was hammering away whilst I rugged up the horse and turned him back out. When I returned to the farrier's van to pay and say cheerio he was just finishing remodelling the old shoe into this pan stand! He made one for all his customers this Christmas. One of his customers lost her horse to colic shortly after he gave her the remodelled old shoe. She is delighted to have such a lovely keepsake. And so am I. Absolutely delighted.

And tonight all our canines are loving the fire. Very much.

Parents in waiting

Parents to be!

Happy Noo Yare!

My niece, now Mrs Alice Rowntree, was married on the 21st December 2013 at Ingoldmells Church. It was a wonderful day. Here's my rather regal outfit, I managed to borrow the head-gear and buy the boots on EBay for £5.00!!! How canny is that!

 Here are the Smithson Whiteheads looking all spiffy for once.

And here are the old 'uns, looking pretty worn out by Christmas!

The young 'uns dressed up as..... Hobbits! for Skegness' annual New Year Fancy Dress jamboree.

We took the Australian guests to see the local Hunt. It was a glorious day, the sun shone, hounds scented well, and a jolly good time was had by all, canine, equine and human!

 The boys, who are now men, of course! Christmas 2013. Baby boy half way through his Masters at the Royal, and Big Boy half way through his year in Industry with FisherGerman.

The joy of soft-focus. Not a wrinkle to be seen. As I also indulged in a little temporary hair dying for the wedding too, there's not a grey hair either!

Our young peacock, growing his first long tail, and very proud of it he is too. Obviously the long feathers are not yet formed, but he keeps practicing his seduction techniques in a window, enabling excellent photography opportunities.

Here's one from long long ago, when we were young, foolish and THIN. On holiday with some dear friends, in a Landmark Trust property. I believe the farmer tapped out chopsticks on this wonderful grand piano, which was in our entrance hall. Note to self: never buy any more giant ear-rings.....

And a final photo of the big, red tent, ready for marking. Nothing else in the space, and the floor covered by a piece of white cloth. I am becoming anxious to know how its going to be marked, which will happen any day now.....

 

We had a lovely Christmas, visiting friends and seeing family, even though the Baby Boy departed on Christmas Eve, to return to us at New Year. Unfortunately I was struck down with a virus just prior to New Year, so we welcomed the 1st January at home in front of the fire.

 

Now recovered, looking forward to my final term at College, and thinking about returning to working for a living....... oh my goodness, now there's a prospect!

 

On that delightful note I shall sign off, and drink my tea!

 

PS: James the stud poodle has finally caught Treacle our blue roan cocker spaniel. A litter of cockerpoo pups are eagerly awaited at the beginning of February. How exciting is that!

 

chow baby XXX