Humans of New York

Ok, so today I just felt the need to share with you a blog I discovered recently.  You all might have known about it forever now, but I just came upon it a couple days ago and was so blown away I've since spent hours clicking photo after photo and reading the stories that come with each.

The story behind all the stories is that this guy, Brandon Stanton, moved to New York with this project in mind: he wanted to photograph thousands of New Yorkers and tell the world a little bit about each of them.  A beautiful concept and one he has since been incredibly successful at achieving.  Check the blog out if you haven't already.  It just goes to show that everyone, every single one of us, has a story that is fascinating, if only we'd take the time to ask.

Humans of New York

It's been, aside from quick occasional correspondence, the only reason I've been online lately....as I guess you can tell.....

Anyway, enjoy!  Till next time!

Weird Winter Wonderland

This has been an odd winter.  We've had more snow and snowstorms/blizzards than I can remember having since I was a kid, and we've had more freezing cold days and city wide shut-downs than I can remember period.

I woke up this morning to a stunning sight.

Everything outside is covered in a layer of white.  From a distance I assumed it must have been freezing rain, but then I went outside for a quick photo session and discovered that everything is, in fact, covered in big flakes like this:

Everything:

It's cold, but it sure is pretty!  There's my cute little bike helmet behind that frosty window, awaiting better days:

The birds have all gone to warmer climes, their summer home closed up for the winter.  There are some garlic babies in those pots too, hibernating.

The big pine across the street, all dressed up.

In fact, the whole street is:

Now, apparently we're supposed to get a crazy rain storm later today, which hearkens back to the odd winter statement I made earlier.  Right now it "feels like" -18, and by early tomorrow morning it's supposed to go up to +9.  Whacky.  So anyway, glad I braved frozen fingers for a while to capture some of this prettiness before it's all washed away.

Hope you're all warm and cozy, friends!  Till next time!

This Face.....

How do I ever get anything done???

Honest answer?  I haven't been.  Not gonna lie, this pup makes me just want to sit and stare at her sometimes, and watch how she reacts to the world around her.  It's amazing seeing her grow up and see things for the first time - snow, new dogs and people, toys, a room in the house that we trust her with now.  When we go for walks I hardly see anything other than her because I am so interested in how she sees things I've already seen.  Makes it all more fun.

Happy Saturday friends!  I hope you're all having a good one.

Till next time!

Word of the Year

Oh hi there!  It's me, Blogger on Hiatus.  I didn't mean for it to happen.  Turns out puppies are a great consumer of time.  You don't want them to be bored, you have to make sure they're well cared for and never hungry or unhappy, and that they gets plenty of exercise.  Plus, if a super sleepy, tiny little puppy falls asleep on your chest as you sit reading a kitchen renovation magazine, there is just no way you can move her to get up to go to your computer.  Just no way.

So that's a lot of what has been keeping me away.  But let me tell you, while Bea and I sit there snuggling, my thoughts often run rampant with post ideas, and the guilt I feel in not actually putting them down is fairly powerful.  I have not given this little blog up! No, I will get back to regular posts.  I owe you lots from the last few months - for crying out loud, I still haven't told you about our Honeymoon - and lots more to come.

For now I leave you with my current favourite word.  When I think about the last year and try to summarize it, this is the word that I think does it perfectly.

It's been quite the year - an engagement, a new house, trips, a wedding, parties, a new puppy! All of it  involves that special word.  Being in love, creating a real home, exploring new places, being with family and friends, adopting and raising a puppy, making a place in the world for yourself and making it the best place it can be - it's all about love! Like the Beatles said, you know, it's all you need.

I suspect the future posts in this little corner of the web will maintain that theme.  I have so many stories and projects and (puppy) things I can't wait to share.  I'll get back into it, I promise, just be patient with me.  :)

Till next time, friends!

Life With Bea

It's been the best of times.....it's been the worst of times.

Two weeks ago, as many of you know, Husband and I expanded our wee family by one, by welcoming Beatrix Tucker Buggo into our lives.  Our lives changed pretty instantly and we can no longer imagine it without her in, and it's been amazing.....but not all the time.

We both knew things were going to be very different by taking on such a responsibility, but I don't think we realized quite how much things would change.  Getting up several times during the night to get a whimpering puppy to the washroom on time - and succeeding about 50% of the time - and having to keep an eye on her every minute, having to beat it back home after work to make sure she's ok, happy, well fed and watered, not bored.  I run into people in the hallways at work and they say "yikes, you look so tired." I say, "we have a puppy." They say, "AHHHHHH, it's like having a baby."

As lost as I feel sometimes when Bea just wants to shred things and nip and bite, I love her so much.  It makes me want to figure everything out, and to be the best puppy Mama I can be with what I know.  Thank you so much to all of you who have given us advice and shared what has worked for you, it's great to have a support group.

Ultimately, I know we are on the right track.  I know she's well taken care of, interested in life, not lacking for anything, comfortable and happy.  I know we'll get through the tough bits with her, and see the other end, with a well behaved, respectful puppy who loves us as much as we love her.  I look forward to it!

Bea having a snuggle with one of her fave toys, Munk.

Till next time!

Sleeping Bea-uty

Yeah, I've become one of those people.  Those people who carry around pictures of their pets or babies and offer them up to perfect strangers in elevators, and over and over to friends who patiently smile and nod in agreement that yes, the puppy IS the cutest one to have ever lived.

But mine really IS. ;)

Good god, look at that!  The lil tongue!  Oh my heart, how am I ever going to get anything done from here on??

Till next time, friends!

Bea's First Snow Adventure!

This afternoon, Bea and I hung out in the backyard for a bit.  On Sunday, Bea's friend Willa gave her a little coat that had gotten too small for her, so Bea would be warmer in the Winter.  Look how sporty!

Since it snowed yesterday, I thought it might be fun to see how Bea reacted to it.  Mostly she just followed me around and ate the snow, but I think pretty much anything she does is super cute so I had to share.  It's possible that there are some hard-hearted individuals out there who won't think that this tiny clip is the most adorable thing ever, but whatever.  

I know there's not much action, but I love it at the very beginning when she munches on the snow, and when she tries to turn around but her little coat is too thick so she has to back up instead.  And that little face!  Oh my heart!  Gotta go kiss it!

Till next time!