Cute Guy, Wine, and a Picnic!

Well, after almost twenty years I still think he's cute! My cute guy and I went on our yearly outing this Memorial Day weekend, wine touring. Many of the wineries around our area are open daily for the three day weekend. We usually just go one day, but some people take the entire weekend to visit many different areas. This year, as in many of the past years, we started in the Salem area at the Willamette Valley Vineyards. They own several vineyards through out the state, so they pour multiple wines at one location. We have long enjoyed their wines and continue to go back each year to sample what is new. The setting is of course picturesque with the main building where the tasting room is located, perched high up on a hill over looking rows of grape vines neatly planted and maintained. They usually have a few vendors in the building as well selling food, chocolates, and cheeses. I can not pass up good chocolate, so this year I enjoyed a delicious chipotle ganache filled piece. It was divine!

We took Freyja with us this year and she behave remarkably well in and out of the car. Being only three and a half months old, she was a instant attenttion getter where ever we went. She was always gracious to her adoring public! Our final stop for the day was at Oak Knoll Vineyards, were we enjoyed more delicious wines, and set up a picnic on their lawn. Freyja played in the grass, and greeted all who came by to see her with puppy enthusiasm. Bob and I ate our selection of cheese, salami, nuts and spreads, with some fresh bread and crackers until we were stuffed. It was a gorgeous day weather wise, which is rare given that is was a holiday weekend in Oregon before mid-July. We stayed and soaked in the sun a little longer before packing it all up and heading back home.

They also have the wine tour over the Thanksgiving weekend, and we usually try to go then as well. Different weather, for sure, also a different selection of wines with many places offering special holiday wines. We have purchased several of those before for the holidays and really enjoyed sharing them with family and friends. Hopefully we can do it again this year!

Freyja... Day Two...

After an event filled first day, Freyja actually went to sleep in her new kennel without much protest. She slept all night until around 5:00am when she woke up and whined. Bob got up and took her out for a potty break. Upon returning her to her kennel, she decided that she was going to let us know she wasn't interested in being in there any longer. This was expressed in some world class howling, barking and whining, which after 10 minutes Bob decided that they would just get up. All of this excitement had Quinn a wee bit wound up, so I let him get on the bed with me thinking he would just settle down and go to sleep with me... wrong! I kicked him off, only to have him nudge me every 20 minutes or so for most of the rest of the morning!!! Needless to say, I didn't get what you would call quality sleep in the morning.


We decided to give Freyja her first bath and wash off the kennel smell that came with her. It actually wasn't bad at all, but I thought she could us just a little freshening up. She on the other hand didn't think it was such a great idea!


She spent most of the time trying desperately to get out of the sink. The more shampoo I got on her the more slippery she got. She was one squirmy little bugger!


I have to say I think she was the most resistant to a bath of any puppy we've ever had. I don't give my dogs baths very often, but they do happen every now and then.



Once we were all clean it was time to dry off and have a good reassuring little snuggle. she has a very dense coat, but dried off pretty quickly. She now smells as sweet as can be and is oh so soft!


With all the stress of having a bath, she was one tired pup, so she curled up in between Emily's feet and went to sleep! It was just too cute!



Since Emily had to get up and do other things... chores... Freyja relocated to another warm place and continued her nap. I believe right now she is assisting Bob and Emily with Easter egg coloring in the kitchen. I don't do the coloring part, I buy the eggs and coloring kits, I cook the eggs. Then I make yummy deviled eggs out of them on Easter and take them over to my in-laws and pig out on them. I eat them only once a year and I make the most of it.

She's Here!!!! Our New Puppy Update!!!

Bob with his sweet little new baby. She is as cute as can be! What is it about puppies that is so irresistible? She is getting used to her new surroundings and fellow critters. Quinn was,as expected, a little too enthusiastic for her. Daisy our tabby cat came in took one curious look at her and left the room, hasn't been seen since.

After all of her new introductions it was time for a nap, this was just the first of several. It's really hard work being a cute little baby!




Upon waking we set out to explore the great outdoors,aka, our poorly neglected back yard! She had fun frolicking in the grass, but was a bit slow on the part where you use this as an opportunity to go potty. She managed to do that inside three times in the course of a few hours but seemed to get better once we started catching her signals better.

Bob fed her some food in the early evening and I had a hard time getting a picture of her since it was a full on feeding frenzy! She eats like a little piggy!




She loves to play with all the toys Bob bought her. Really likes her little bone and tiny tennis ball. It's so cute to watch her pounce on the ball! After keeping them apart for the first few hours, we put Quinn and Freyja back together and they did much better. She was even trying to play with him a little. He wasn't too sure about it all. He was glad to be in the room with her, but I think uncertain as to what to do with her.

All that excitement wore her out again, and it was time for yet another nap! I'm certain I will have more updates on our puppy adventures in the days and weeks to come!