Handsome Went Boating...

Mike and Joann are going home tomorrow. They're not going straight back to Florida because they're making a side trip to see friends along the way. They've already confirmed that their east coast (Florida) home is completely safe following the hurricane.

Their antique boat finally got back from the place where it's stored and maintained...just in time for them to take it out on the water before they leave. We were both invited to join them, along with another couple, but my home and work commitments prevented me from going along. I wasn't going to let Handsome miss it, though, so he went and spent the day on the water with our dear friends.

Here's Michael at the wheel, as he was coming around to pick up his passengers. I guessed that his vintage craft was a wooden boat, but it's probably just as well I wasn't along, as I would have whined the entire time. I adore wooden boats, and this one is a real beauty. We can see why our friends are so in love with it.

Handsome has had a rough couple of months, so I'm content knowing that he spent the day on the water, worry-free and happy with friends. I'll definitely go along next time they offer us a boat ride. I mean, really. Isn't it just beautiful - and what better way to spend a sunny day?

Saturday With Friends...

Saturday last was a lovely day. Our dear friends (and Tag, Bella, Carly and most of the Liljegren dogs' trainer at one time or another) - Mike Sommers and his wife, Joann - were here for a visit from Florida. Handsome's family has been friends with theirs for decades, and I've been blessed to be included for nearly the past 45.

So, when they came north for a couple weeks to spend time with their family, they included us as they usually do. We had a delicious lunch with them, followed by dessert back at their condo on the lake. 

Mike is an only male among four sisters, and like in my family, he also lost a sister within the past few years. His remaining sisters and their spouses, plus a cousin and godson (and his wife) filled out the group. All the ladies made desserts, as did I. 

I bought more of those delicious McIntosh apples from the farmer who brings them into work. I peeled and chopped a half dozen, put them into a sauté pan with brown sugar, white sugar, a little lemon juice, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a wee bit of flour and cooked it down into a lovely filling. Then, I rolled out sheets of puff pastry (Pepperidge Farm), cut it into segments and filled those with the apple mixture. I topped that with a second sheet and crimped the edges (sort of like bougie pop tarts), and baked them. When they cooled off, I drizzled them with icing that was a mixture of powdered sugar, cream and vanilla. They were a big hit, and really simple to make.

"Mrs. Mike" has had her share of serious health concerns over the past few years, and we're all fortunate that she's still with us. Of course, they've been concerned about Handsome, too, so we were grateful that we could all be together for the day.

Before we all departed, many photographs were taken. Mike with his sisters; their entire family; and of course, this one of the four of us. I really love it, and it was a fine way to commemorate our visit. We're hoping to be able to see them at least one more time before they leave to go back to Florida. There really is nothing like spending time with dear, old friends.

Thinking About My Boy....

I got home from work yesterday to find an email from our friend and dog trainer extraordinaire, Mike Sommers. Handsome had spoken with him while in Florida last week and told him about Tag. The email expressed his and his wife's condolences for Tag's passing. He included this image that hangs framed in his kennel building. He said he'd never forget my boy.

I vividly remember the day this photograph was taken at the training property Mike owned. I took lots of pictures, as this was our mid-training appointment to see how Tag was doing with the program. As always, he loved running with the big dogs. When his training was over about a month later, I remember Mike's surprise when I told him Tag was only eight months old. He thought he was at least a year old.

I went back into my computer and pulled up the rest of the photos I'd stored from that day and thought I'd share a few more with you. So, without more words, I present Mike, Tag and the Labradors (all in training)...

Those are some happy memories.

Tuesdays With Tag - It's Almost Time To Fetch The Kid...

When Carly Was A Puppy

 Hi, Everybody! I thought you might like an update on The Kid today. 

Remember when she was just the cute, little scamp you see here? Dad would toss the fetchin' dummy short distances, and she'd run like crazy to get it and bring it back to Dad. I heard him say that fetchin' is in her bones.

 

Well, Carlita Puppita went to Florida to Uncle Mike's in November, and we got a video from him about a week ago. Mom is our "techy" person, and she hasn't figured out how to increase the quality of the movie from her WhatsApp application on her phone. 

 

Even though we can't show you, I saw it, and I can tell you that Carly is fetchin' almost as far as Bella! Not really that far, but she's real impressive, and she's a lot bigger than in this picture. She's more mature-lookin' than the last pictures you saw before she left.

 

 Dad's plannin' to go get her in February. I'm sure that when they get back home, she's gonna be a real confident pip, if you know what I mean.

 

Mom's gonna ask Uncle Mike (and his assistant, Rene) for a better recordin' so I can share it with you next week. I'm gonna bother her about that startin' right now!   

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

Tuesdays With Tag - Caught Me By Surprise...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

I've gotta admit, yesterday took me by surprise. Mom said, "Ride!" to Boo and me, and we ran to the garage! We were in the car for about a half hour, and then Mom pulled into a parkin' lot. The Black Dog and I knew right away where we were...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Vet's Office

 

Dang! Mom took the two of us to the vet's office. Once we were in our exam room, she explained it was time for my annual checkup, and Bella's vaccinations. Mom was a little worried about me because I yelped a couple days ago when she patted my back end, so that was on the list, too.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Danger! Danger!

 

While we were waitin', I looked up at the counter and saw this thing. It is not my friend, so I hoped it wasn't for me. It turns out, they didn't use it, but I got somethin' even more humiliatin'. 

 

Dr. John checked my back end, and found another issue to deal with. Mom said it had somethin' to do with my "annual glands". It involved the vet squeezin' somethin' on my butt...and I wasn't amused even. one. bit. I do have to admit, though, I felt better after he was done. We got our shots, I got my toenails cut, and that other stuff, and then we went home with Mom. We're good for another year. Whew!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Carly At The Ranch

Meanwhile, that little punk was runnin' and fetchin' in Florida. She's havin' the time of her life. She doesn't have to tell us. Her mom and I have both been there. It's a vacation of the best kind. Good for her! snort

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Eight Weeks Old...

Brynwood Needleworks - Puppy Antics

Hi, Everybody!

Let's get right to the pictures of Bella's eight week old puppies!

Brynwood Needleworks - Puppy Play

There was certainly a lot of puppy nonsense goin' on in the play yard today. They were runnin', jumpin', wrestlin', and waitin' for attention, which they got in abundance!

Brynwood Needleworks - Eight Weeks Old

They all look like "real" dogs now, too. 

Brynwood Needleworks - Rocket (Yellow) and Carly

Carly and Rocket (formerly, Bubba) discussin' their new situations. She'll be leavin' with us, and he will be stayin' with Uncle Mike until he's a "finished" trained dog. Then, he'll go home to Michigan.

Brynwood Needleworks - Carly, Leading The Puppy Landscapers

Carly instigated a gardenin' project. She decided that this piece of sod was surplus to the yard, so she pulled it up, and the wrestlin' commenced.

Brynwood Needleworks - Carly

Mom called Carly, and she came runnin' as fast as she could. In fact, she was so fast that Mom almost missed catchin' a picture of her!

Brynwood Needleworks - First Puppy Transport - Mr. Goodwin and Miss Joann

Mr. Goodwin (who transported Bella to Florida), is takin' this little boy (named Teddy now) to his new home in Georgia. He's the first to travel, so Mom gave him a snuggle and said what she always said to the puppies who were born to our females. "Mumma loves you. Have a good life." and then handed him back to Mr. Goodwin for their trip. Teddy was waggin' his tail like crazy. He likes Mr. Goodwin as much as we do.

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag Getting A Refresher

I even got a refresher course with Uncle Mike, 'cuz Mom told him some nonsense about me bein' a bullhead. I was a perfect gentleman! (Mom said we're gonna do some more of that work when we get home.)

We're leavin' this mornin'. We're gonna hurry home, so we can stay healthy and safe. We'll be happy to be back to the farmhouse.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

Tag's Waggin' Wednesday - Puppies!!...

Brynwood Needleworks - "Bubba" at Four Weeks Old

Hi, Everybody! 

It's Puppy Time!!!

Monday, Bella's puppies were four weeks old. That means their eyes are open and they're toddlin' around their whelpin' box. Be prepared for cuteness overload times seven!!

Uncle Mike is callin' the yellow puppy "Bubba". Isn't he just adorbs? I just wanna squinch his cute, little face. 

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella With Her Babies

Bella is bein' a really good mama to all her babies. They're all gettin' big and thrivin' under her watchful eyes. She's still nursin' her pups, until this weekend. I'm sure she'll be happy when the get their first nosh of softened puppy food. They've got little, sharp teeth now, and they can get overzealous when they eat.

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella's Four Week Old Litter

Try not to squeal lookin' at them, okay? Oh, alright. Go ahead. They're just too darn cute! Uncle Mike said that they look up at him when he talks to them, and then start waggin' those cute tails. I can't tell you how much Mom and Dad are whinin' when they look at the pictures. They really wanna be in Florida playin' with puppies. (So do I!)

Brynwood Needleworks - "Pick Me Up, Okay?"

 

Who could even resist pickin' up a puppy that's lookin' at you like this? Mom and Dad and I will be headin' to get Bella and her daughter the middle of June, but until we get there, we'll be waitin' for more pictures...just like you.

 

I'll see you again in seven six. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

0

 

PS. Thanks, "Aunt" Julie Joy for the suggestion for my post title today!

Tuesdays With Tag - Throwback Puppy Pics...

Brynwood Needleworks - Mike and Puppy

 Hi, Everybody!

I'm improvisin' this week. We didn't get our updated puppy pics this week (yet), so I'm showin' you pictures of Sookie's litter (Bella's mama) when they were three weeks old. Bella's puppies were three weeks old yesterday, and would look pretty close to these puppies, who were either Bella or her littermates.

Brynwood Needleworks - Puppy Picture

Puppy cuteness overload warnin'. 

Brynwood Needleworks - Labrador Puppy

These pictures are really makin' us miss Boo even more...and we are dyin' to see her with her babies!

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella As A Puppy

 

Mom said she's gonna really bug Uncle Mike and Rene tomorrow to get current pictures. We're also gonna lobby early for next week, so we can show you Bella's puppies, instead of her very own cuteness (this week's pics). 

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Piles of Puppies...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella's Two Week Old Puppies

 Hi, Everybody!

I know you're anxious to see new puppy pictures, so let's get right to it.

Bella's babies turned two weeks old yesterday. That means that, any day now, eyes will open and they'll start toddlin' around. I really wish we were all there to see that!

Don't ya just wanna sniffle that little girl belly stickin' out right there? We can't think of anythin' more fun than a pile o' puppies, whether they're Labradors, Goldens or Corgis! We love 'em all!

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella's Two Week Old Puppies

I didn't get a chance to ask Uncle Mike, but it sure looks like that puppy right ^ there (right front) might be lookin' around already! Once they can see, they can hear, too. Those little waxy-flap ears will start to get longer, and the puppies will start chewin' on each other (and yelpin', too). They're so much fun once they can see. They also start listenin' when people talk to them in chirpy voices. (Mom is a pro at "chirpy"!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella's Two Week Old Puppies

 

So, until they open their eyes, they're just eatin', sleepin' piles of chubby fur. Really, I wish I could just lie down in the middle of their puppy box and let 'em crawl all over me! (So does Mom!)

In case you're wonderin', Bella was outside on break when these pictures were taken. She's definitely still sharin' the puppy box with them, makin' sure they're eatin', and watchin' over them like a good mama. The pictures next week will definitely have their eyes open. I can hardly wait!

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Puppy News Flash (and Photos)...

Brynwood Needleworks - Regal Tag

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

Now it's time for the post you've been waitin' for...Bella had her puppies- and I've got pictures!!!

 

Actually, when I wrote my post last week, the puppies were already born, but we didn't find out until Wednesday, because Uncle Mike wanted to make sure everybody was healthy. Mom actually wrote about that last week...but hey, it's my turn now, so apologies for maybe repeatin' some of the news flash! Mom didn't have pictures to share with you, but guess what? I DO!!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella and Her Puppies

 

Here's our first pictures of Mama Bella with her beautiful babies. She had seven of 'em...three girls and four boys. The first puppy born was that cute, little yellow boy. After him, all the rest of the puppies were black.  

 

Bella looks tired in the picture, but that partly because she is...and partly because her kennel is probably warm between the Florida heat and a heat lamp that Uncle Mike has to make sure the puppies are warm enough. They look pretty comfy, don't they?

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella's Puppies

Don't they look like little black seals? Soft, shiny black coats can look like that. Now, some people might be wonderin' how there could be a yellow puppy when both Mom and Dad are black Labs. Mom explained it to me so I could tell you.

Yellow coats are a recessive gene in Labradors (and so is Chocolate). Two black Labradors can have a litter of all black puppies, or a litter of black and yellow puppies. A yellow and black Labrador breeding can have either black or yellow puppies, but two yellow parents can only have yellow puppies, and two chocolate Labs can only have chocolate puppies. Whew! Got that?

So, although it's possible that two black Labradors (Bella and Rigby) could technically have yellow puppies, that first, little yellow guy was a surprise. Uncle Mike went back and checked out pedigrees (which list the colors of each dog in the lineage) and found that there were no yellow Labs on Bella's side, but there were on Rigby's side...so, Rigby gets all the credit for his yellow son.

Brynwood Needleworks - Look At That Puppy Tongue!

On the other paw, Bella gets all the credit for that cute, pink tongue stickin' out! hee hee Their eyes won't open until they're two weeks old (and as of today, they're one day past one week old), so that won't happen until next week. Then, they'll start gettin' around and will really be fun. 

They're all deaf right now, too. The hearin' part comes later, so they're totally dependent on Mama Bella to take care of them, and she's doin' a bang up job. Uncle Mike says she's really protective of them, and she picks 'em up in her mouth to position them at her milk buffet. You can see that she's doin' a great job of makin' sure they're all gettin' fed.

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart In The Garden

 

I can tell you right now that Mom and Dad are just dyin' because they're not snugglin' puppies these days. They'll just have to settle for me until we get to Florida in June. Between now and then, we'll be watchin' for more pictures to share with you, too.

 

The weather is gettin' nicer here by the day, so Mom and I are passin' time in the garden, weedin' and plantin'. It helps the time pass quicker. 

 

Mom will be back tomorrow, and well, you know what to expect from me, right?

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Could It Be Spring?...

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

I really think it's spring! The bluebirds are wrestlin' with chickadees and sparrows for housin', and the weather is gettin' warmer. Mom, Dad and I spent a lot of time outside this weekend, too!

Yesterday was the best day ever! Know why? I'll tell ya. Uncle Mike sent us a video of our Black Dog, workin' in the field. She actually made a 175 yard blind retrieve! That means that she went to the retrieve on blind faith. Uncle Mike sent her, and she ran straight as an arrow until she ran into the bumper she brought back. Straight out and straight back, fast as you please, for 175 yards! I was watchin' the video behind Mom and Dad. Heck, she actually disappeared for a little bit, 'cuz she was so far away! Even I was impressed!

She did about four more exercises, but no water work. Uncle Mike wants to make sure she doesn't get any bacteria that might affect those puppies. I can't even tell you how excited we were to see her sweet face. We're all missin' her. sigh

Mom's busy in the studio makin' masks for our family. I sure hope she doesn't make any for me. She'll be back tomorrow to show you how it's goin'. I'm gonna head to the porch and take in some more rays.

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Now We Wait...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag, Doing What He Does Best

 Hello, Everybody!

You know how people have Casual Fridays at work? Well, I'm havin' Casual Tuesday this week. This is how you'll find me around the farmhouse most days. I mean, with Boo in Florida, what else do I have to amuse me? I'm tellin' ya, if I were a toy, the stuffin' would be bored right outa me!

I do have good news to share, though. Hold onto your hats for this one!

Brynwood Needleworks - Liljegren's Suncoast Bella

 

Word has it that Bella and Rigby have "done the deed" (more than twice!). Uncle Mike called last weekend to give us all the gossip. Seems the pair in question proceeded accordin' to plans, and he said they liked each other just fine. 

 

If they made puppies, the litter will be due around May 3rd (a month after my Birthday!). So, I'm gonna hang around here, watchin' the calendar, and waitin' for Uncle Mike to call again to tell us he's sure. 

Mom told me that we're gonna keep a puppy, too. I'm speechless! I don't know whether I'm excited or bummed. It's gonna be a great summer, I think. I'd better get my rest while I can!

 

 I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."