puppy pictures

I was reminiscing about my summer garden earlier this morning and came across pictures of Skippy from two summers ago. Skippy was born March 26 (on Easter) (plus or minus a day) 2005. He'll be 2 in a few weeks! These pictures were taken the first week of June, when he was 2 months old. Such a cute bundle of fluff, but boy, was he trouble!

white backyard

A sticky, wet snow in our backyard. Everything is blanketed with white.

backyardphotos

watercolor orchid pictures

My new camera came with software that makes photos look like a watercolor painting, sort of. I was experimenting with this feature on some of my orchid photos. Kind of pretty. It makes me wish I could paint.

a walk in Habitat

Skippy and I had a great walk today at Habitat Audubon sanctuary in Belmont. We walked along parts of the Western Greenway trail. I wish my camera was able to photograph all of the beautiful chickadees singing their spring song. It is one of those places where Skippy had to stay on his leash. (That's why its see it dragging along the snow in the photos!) I was surprised to see a sap collector on a birch tree today at Habitat in Belmont. Cool! With as little research, I found out that birch syrup tastes delicious, but has a distinctive flavor. Its made much the same as maple syrup, but requires twice as much sap per gallon of syrup and birch generally has a shorter tapping season. It was a good day for pine cone pictures!

orchids on the windowsill

therapy work cancelled

Skippy's therapy job was cancelled today. We were the only ones who had signed up for this visit. Four dogs were needed. Oh well. Skippy will have to wait until next weekend to work again. Instead of working, we had an extra long hike.

Bay Circuit Trail

Today Skip and I hiked along the Bay Circuit Trail in Boxford, MA.

early spring buds

I was so excited that I found the image stabilization button on my new camera today. To try it out, I photographed the progress of buds in our backyard. The past two days have been warm and it seems like the buds are swelling.

From top left: azalea, rose (Othello), pussy willow, crab apple, climbing hydrangea, rhododendron, viburnam Carlesii, leatherleaf viburnam, blueberries, pear, rose bay rhododendron, and another photo of rose Othello.

yahooo!!

Monday was an awesome sledding day. Mostly because the cousins were together. The snow was fast and there were no injuries and no arguments. Only one little rip on the hat that Skippy stole and had some fun with. All in all, a great day.

talking dogs video

Here's a cute video my cousin sent me: Talking Dogs. These dogs have alot to say.

a snowy walk in Boxford

winter wildflowers

I photographed these near Baldpate Pond in Boxford, MA - dried goldenrod and aster flowers. (wildflower)

today's therapy visit

Skippy and I went to visit a nursing home in Winchester this morning. Skippy was very relaxed about it. He leaned against me and let everybody pat him. They played with his ears and stroked his head and back. Skippy even gave a couple of kisses. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.

I would say that we are finally getting used the visiting work and I am finally able to keep Skippy relaxed, on his feet (or sitting) and interacting with people for most of the 30-40 minute visit. This was our 8th visit.

The calling cards are something our group started using on visits to children's facilities, especially when the kids were not allowed to touch the dogs. Skippy and I can't go to children's facilities yet (we need more experience), but the older people like the cards, too. I usually give out several of these to the people we are visiting.

snow scenes

The fresh snow was very pretty today. But it was windy and about 15F (-9C), so we didn't stay out long.



I've been experimenting with my new camera. This is the snow setting. It gives a very high contrast photo. Skippy looks like he's walking on air and his shadow looks blue!


Waverly Oaks Park

snow dog

Skippy sure does love the snow!

snow day!

A snowy winter day. Our first one with real snow accumulation this year. It was very pretty to walk in this morning, but the icing became difficult for shoveling and driving towards evening. Skippy had trouble with snow balls on his paws this morning. I put wax (Musher's Secret) on them, but still Skippy sat every few minutes and waited for me to come remove the clumps between his toe pads. Next time, I'll have to put on extra thick wax. Especially in this thick and wet snow.

happy valentines day

Most of these roses grew in my garden last summer. Especially Othello, First Kiss and Dorothy Perkins. A couple are store-bought roses that I photographed in a vase on our table.

painted bunting

My dad sent me this picture of a painted bunting he photographed last week at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples, Florida. It's a nice contrast to my drab New England photos!

Belmont Conservation land

The Belmont Conservation Land has beautiful open fields. It is adjacent to the Belmont Victory gardens, an area with community gardening plots. Not much going on there today. Everything is icy and snow covered. You can see the skeletons of the gardens and check out all the different types of tomato supports made from available materials. Skippy ran through all the little paths and across the open fields.

Skippy's therapy tags