Dog Shots

Hunter is not too happy about our plans today~he has an annual vet check with shots included.  Of course, I do not like the excessive immunizations vets are pushing these days either.  I am referring to the dog flu shot that is required at the kennel to board our pups.  As you may remember, the only time Hunter went to the kennel, he came home very sick with a dog flu, so I'm thinking it doesn't work very well.  You all know how much we love our little guy and would do anything to make sure he stays healthy; however I am not so sure that all these shots really help.  In fact, there is quite a bit of controversy over the side effects of the shots.
So, we will go and get all that is necessary but as of now, I'm hoping we don't need to board him again and so will not get the second half of the vaccine. I'm sure our vet won't be too happy with us today.
If we had a great relationship with them, I'd take my camera to get some pics but we are not their favorite people. Why you ask?  Well, with our old Reggie dog, we had a very pragmatic approach for him and the extra measures they wanted us to take concerning his health.  We declined and did our best to be the kind of clients everyone would want.  Hunter is our boy and we do everything we can to provide a wonderful home; I'm thankful that other than the flu and an occasional upset tummy, he is healthy.
We didn't get the rain predicted last night; I can't say I'm upset about it.  More will come, it is spring after all.
I hope you have a fabulous day.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

Gardening

Good Morning to you! Firstly, I have to say I'm not sure what is happening with our weather lately; today is cloudy with rain expected, which in and of itself is not so unusual for Colorado, but it feels more like autumn in California. We do need the moisture, but I am always reminded that we can't really begin planting until the end of the month. With that in mind, I searched  Pinterest this morning to see if there were any pictures of yards that resembled ours.

This yard could actually be ours-with the white fencing and the planting bed. I love the way the rocks look too. It might look nice longer than shredded bark as well.

Each year, hubby and I talk about making our deck and patio bigger; I just love this look! If we decided to stay in this house, which I don't expect will happen, this would be my design plan too. As for sprucing up the yard each year, well that just has to get done. In fact, we will be adding rocks to make our grass area smaller and adding at least two new trees. I had wanted to add an Aspen but may change that to a Flowering Pear(fruitless)and possibly add a Blue Spruce as well.

This isn't even in the realm of possibilities but I love the look!!! I love climbing roses and it looks so relaxing and inviting. I've definitely enjoyed searching for yard ideas on Pinterest. I don't go to this site often but when I do, I'm always inspired. Do you belong to Pinterest?
I hope you have a day filled with creativity and joy.
Pass some sunshine to those around you!
Noreen & Hunter

Happy Monday to you dear ones.  It is a beautiful day here today; I just got back from a walk with Hunter. The Pelicans are back in numbers; so many and we've never seen the flocks as big as this year. We aren't quite sure why, but it was like the first year we were here(before the tornado).  Yesterday there were hundreds on our little lake and I didn't have my camera or cell phone.  It amazes us; I also wonder if other areas are seeing some different behaviors of birds/wildlife.  This morning I saw a Bald Eagle circling an adjoining neighborhood. 
We had a wonderful family bbq yesterday, with everyone-all 16 of us.  Hubby bbq'd chicken and ribs and I made green salad as well as fruit salad and roasted potatoes.  There was french bread and our girls brought dessert.  We had photo albums out for the girls and grands to look at; it was fun seeing photos of their childhood and of hubby's parents.  We talked about plans for the summer  and what we all hope to do, other than camping in the Rockies. 
Today is a normal Monday with laundry, helping our youngest out while she runs errands and I'm hoping to drag hubby out on a quick bike ride.  Later this afternoon, there is a chance of showers and thunder storms-tell me no!
I hope you had a great weekend and have a wonderful day.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

Happy Happy Friday to you!  It is a sunny and beautiful day here in northern Colorado.  I wish I could say I've been out exercising but truth be known, I haven't yet.  Hubby had to run to work for a few minutes and called and told me that there was an estate sale around the corner.  It happened to be at a house on the lake with a golf course view and a view of the Rockies.  We have toyed with the idea of finding our dream home(o.k. so mostly hubby is looking)and the estate sale was at a house that met all our criteria-except the lack of parking space in front of the home and the garage was small.  We also went looking for Pelicans for photos, but couldn't get many facing us.  After lunch, I will be taking my boy for a walk and then visiting with you all.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you enjoy some sunshine.
Blessings,
Noreen & Hunter

It's Thankful Thursday and I am so thankful that our snow has stopped falling and the day is bright and clear. It is still very cold, 26 degrees, but at least there is hope that each day will get warmer. May, oh May, please come and stay. There is a bit of advice the nurseries give out, here in Colorado, and that is that you shouldn't plant until after Mother's Day and the longer you wait the better. I'll admit to being impatient waiting but I'm so glad I hadn't done anything yet. I fear my flowering cherry tree may not bloom this year; the lilac looks good but we will just have to wait and see. Hubby and I do have some plans to plant a few more trees but again, that will wait. I found these photos and wanted to share. The winter white snow is beautiful, even in May. I did not take these.

This one could have been taken at our lake around the corner.

This summer, in July, we will be taking a cruise to Alaska-the inland passage to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. This is quite a splurge for us and I was hoping we might see the Northern Lights, but have been told it is too late in the season to see them. Aren't these just incredible! We are looking forward to seeing Alaska; one excursion I want to do is visiting and possibly going dog sledding. We will be with our bff's, Jim and Barb, our next door neighbors in Ca. I know it seems like a long way off right now, but July will be here before you know it. I hope you are having a fantastic week and if you are getting our storm, you are able to stay inside! I'm hoping the mosquitoes and mayflies will be killed by the freezing temps.

Warmer days will be here before you know it!
Noreen & Hunter

From My Bookshelf

Well, old man Winter has returned for a visit. Last evening it started to rain; the timing was perfect because right before it started to come down, hubby has fertilized the lawn. In lieu of Hunter getting sick in the morning, he was not allowed outside by himself at all. In fact, he was not happy that I wasn't letting him run free, through the dirt etc. He was back to normal completely, after he got sick. He has also been digging, something that is new to him-guess he is fully mature now.  I just wish I could figure out what the little turkey, boy, got into too. All I know is that we are going to be ordering yards, many yards, of shredded bark to cover all the beds. I am also going to be filling up the holes that allow the bunny to get under the fence.

 Many of you readers will remember the Frank Peretti trilogy from the early 90's. This book deals with the same topic-spiritual warfare, battles between demons and angles and their attack on humans. It was recommended to me; I had never read any of Shannon Dittemore's books and it was captivating. If you read Peretti's books and enjoyed them,you'll enjoy this book too.

From the author's website:
"Once you’ve seen, you can’t unsee. Everything changes when you’ve looked at the world through . . . ANGEL EYES Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She’s come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can’t seem to shake. Jake’s the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption. Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what’s going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start. A realm that only angels and demons—and Brielle—can perceive."
It was a book I couldn't put down.  I'm so thankful that Kat recommended it.  I've just started book 2 in the series and book 3 doesn't come out until this summer.  
I'm not sure what hubby and I will be doing today-due to the really wet snow piling up.  I think it is supposed to come down all day. 
xxxoooo Noreen & Hunter

Good Morning to you.  I had a wonderful day yesterday; it was bright and sunny, the morning was spent at the park with two of the grands while their mama did standardized tests with the older two.  I came home and had lunch with hubby before we took off to run errands.  Yesterday afternoon, Hunter was not acting like himself at all and last night he seemed really uncomfortable.  He did sleep all night but this morning he got sick.  Oh no, I hope it isn't like last time.  The only thing I can think of is that he has been sampling little gifts left from the birds.  I've checked the yard for bunny poop and didn't see any,  but that could be a possibility too.  Silly dog! I would think that animals would not eat those things that make them sick.  I'm going to keep an eye on him today and make sure he is back to normal.  The two grands I watched yesterday are coming over this morning, because it is so cold out today.  Bright and pretty but freezing; the weather man said it would be 30 degrees colder today and twenty degrees colder tomorrow.  Got to love how quickly the weather can change.  I hope you have a wonderful, warm day!
Hugs,
Noreen & Hunter