S is for....shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I love surprises!
The planning, the whispers, the giggling!
I love every bit of it all!

Right now I am planning a little something......but can't say anything yet!

Come back later!

Freida Nesbitt!

Today we legally adopted Freida! She is now ours.
Yesterday I took her round to my friend's house and as you can see Freida felt quite at home and snuggled up to Maria!

Freids is indeed a lovely natured dog! I am looking forward to sharing our walks and family life in the weeks and months to come!

R is for.....River Cottage!

Over the years I have watched many cookery/lifestyle programmes on the TV. There have been many which I have enjoyed and in some cases re-created the recipes. The influence these programmes have on our everyday life can have surprising results.

I remember when Delia Smith used a certain dish people were flooding to the shops in their droves to buy that particular dish. When she used a certain type of white eggs in one of her dishes again all white eggs were being sold out at an alarming rate.

The one programme which has revolutionised my attitude to food and cooking has got to be River Cottage, specifically the inspirational Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Over the years Hugh has promoted and inspired us to

Growing your own vegetables

Cooking hearty meals with local produce

Keep Chickens, Geese and Ducks

Buy ethically produced foods

Preserving & Pickling what we grow

Make our own Cider, Beer and Wine

Make our own crafts

Manage our land

Discover and Harvest Wild Foods

Exchange seeds

All this had led us on the journey towards a simpler, greener life!
I have connected with some great people along our journey who are also inspired by this wonderful man.

One of the best places to exchange ideas and discover more about various issues is through a forum. A place where we can ask questions and connect with other people who are like minded.

I am so excited about a new forum I have been involved with I would urge you to check it out , it is called "The Handmade Life" and you can find it here!

Do check it out! You will be very welcome!

Meet Freida!

Freida Sunday 15th November



Here she is!

On Sunday we took both dogs up the lane, something we were never able to do with Elsie and Wilma, it has been so so many years since Jon & I walked the dogs together. We were out for about 40 minutes and the dogs were walking alongside each other, both to the left of Jon & I.

After lunch as it was such a lovely day we decided to try putting both dogs in the back of the van and take them over the moors. We put both in the van and had a cup of tea whilst they got use to the situation.

About 10 minutes later we drove up to Danby Beacon and walked along the paths. Freida was definately happier when we were in front as she was pulling when Jon and Elsie were in the lead. There were quite a few of sheep on the moors and Elsie seemed to be showing a bit too much interest, despite being on the lead so we decided to quit qhilst the going was good.

We put both dogs in the back of the van and headed over to Jon's mum. Mavis has 2 dogs so it was a good test. Again we kept hold of the dog's leads and all seemed to get along fine.

Returning home I fed the dogs and Jon let both out into the garden. The coming and going through the kitchen patio doors was always a place of tension as it was here the altercations would take place, but Elsie and Freida seem to manage, but under strict supervision! Just as Jon was bringing in the coal Elsie snapped at Freida. Now when this happened with Wilma there was an almighty scrap often resulting in a vet's bill, but Freida wasn't phased. Jon reprimanded Elsie and Freida carried on as normal.

So this is the current situation which we are working through.

Watch this space!

Resumed......Normal Service

Fingers crossed please!

Last week we recived a phone call from Jill of Cliff Top Kennels, near Scarborough. A German Shepherd had been brought in by Scarborough Council who found it wandering the street. We know Jill well as this is the place we take our dogs. She always had a soft spot for Wilma as she is an animal trainer and behaviourist so she understood Wilma' problems.
Jill told us about the dog and left it with us.
We had a good discussion and told Jill we wanted to take it further. She suggested we take Elsie to the kennels and see how they got along. Yesterday we did this and all seemed to go well. Needless to say I was quite nervous due to the 3years of constant stress arising from Wilma and Elsie together.
As all seemed okay we brought the dog home. Her name seemed to be unclear, either Kia or Kiora. The story was that she had been a family pet but somehow found her way to neighbours who kept her. These neighbours then went on holiday and left her with some other neighbours who kept her but not securely, hence the warden finding her in the street! The warden took the dog to Cliff Top Kennels as they are a registered kennel for such cases in Scarborough. The owners, on holiday were contacted and the situation was explained. They would have to pay the kennel fee of £10 per day whilst she was staying there.
Basically they refused saying the dog wasn't there's really etc etc no, they wouldn't pay and didn't really want the dog back!
Various procedures had to be followed involving he kennels (Jill) The Council and the "Owners" at 5pm on Friday evening the dog became the property of the kennels (Jill)

Last night was her first evening with us and all seems okay.
Yes there have been a couple of scuffles but minor ones, just Elsie bullying her a bit and ascerting who is boss, as we expected.

This morning we took them out for a walk together, around the lanes featured in the photographs above and it was a joy to have a dog each wlaking next to us on their leads, something we haven't been able to do for the past 3 years.

Currently she is lying next to me asleep on the settee sleeping contentedly!

Her name...Frida! After one of my aunties.

So, for the next few days we are hoping she fits in and Elsie accepts her!

Watch this space!

Q...Queer goings on!!

Well I was going to share lots here today, have some great pictures to share but there seems to be a problem!
Come back later...promise!

P is for Peace and Projects!

Elsie, taken a few months ago when we had sunshine!

The house has a sense of peace and quiet about it and we are enjoying it!
I was looking forward in taking Elsie out this afternoon but the weather of late has been dreadful. Elsie is quite content to lay by the door or lay by my feet if I am reading. This is new for her and she is getting use to being on her own.

Although we have always had 2 dogs we have decided right now to just keep Elsie and concentrate on getting the house sorted.

With the bad weather and cold months approaching Sundays will have fewer opportunities for bike adventures so DIY will be an ideal passtime for us.

We have quite a few projects on the cards and I will look forward in sharing before and after photographs on here!

Watch this space!