Summer Wrap Up

It has been cool here in Toronto today.  The start of fall not only in the air but on the calendar.  I know I am not alone in feeling like September is really the start to the year. And with the end of Labour Day weekend came the commonly shared thought … where did the summer go? I enjoyed the morning in the backyard with a cup of tea and my computer, reflecting on what a great summer it has been, a healthy dog beside me … well usually beside me.  You see we have had rabbits a plenty here this summer.  Fewer now, as I think they have realized that within this block live six dogs.  But until they figured that out, I think they took delight in personally tormenting my dog.  More than once they would sit in the tall grass of the lawn, lazily enjoying the sun, ever so still, in plain view from the full length glass kitchen door.  You get the picture … aka … the barking window. It was not uncommon to enter our kitchen and see I had placed the dog bed upended and leaning against the door so he could not look out!  When our dog went outside he figured this was good camouflage from which to stealthfully view the yard. Seriously, dude, they know you are there!

 

dog ambush

 

I savour and delight in watching him scout the yard as I write this, on the watch for bunnies or birds or squirrels.  He was very sick in the spring.  Our fabulous vets saw him through and he bounces around now, apparently not worse for the wear. Some fabulous international vet specialists generously answered emails with what support and advice they could offer.  Fingers crossed that the plan we have come up with now will keep him healthy.

 

All my children were home this summer.  There were lots of celebrations:  my daughter graduating high school, my eldest son graduating college, multiple birthdays, lots of family gatherings besides. Add to it all that some BBQ’s, two fantabulously successful qualifying exams for my eldest son, two 100km bike rides for my youngest son (sorry … mom’s bragging rights!), and a trip for me.  A great summer!

 

successful ride

 

My daughter’s request for her birthday “cake”  this year was a summer pavlova.   The day old pieces always seem a little tastier, the layers having melded together  a bit while in the fridge, but there are never pieces left over!

 

Annual pavlova

 

There was lots of this:

 

tons of this

 

Oodles of this:

 

A ton of this!

 

And some of this:

 

And of course this

 

 

 How was your summer?

 

 

 

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