For the love of Button

At Easter our family expanded to include a little (and I mean tiny) bundle of fluff who we named Button.  She is a Sydney Silky with a bit of Bichon and a dab of poodle. The result is a cute (as a button) fluffy, tail-wagging, shoe-chewing, ball of enthusiastic energy.

When button wags her tail, the whole lower half gets right into the action. Nothing can be left lying within her reach. So far we have lost 3 pairs of shoes, a set of iPod ear phones, innumerable pairs of underwear ( the kids ones I try not to leave mine lying about!), and, well lets just say the devastation has been trying at times.

Button is thrilled to see me every time I appear, whether I've been gone all day, or 5 minutes. I read a facebook post saying all parents of teenagers should have a dog so that someone will be glad to see them...and it's true.

Yesterday Button had to go to the vet for desexing. She has not coped well and has been miserable all day. Not a bark, not a tail wag, just big sad eyes watching me. She's hardly moved and I have been so worried about her.

It is amazing how a dog can become so much a part of your life that you don't want to think what it would be like without them.

Button will be fine, and desexing your dog dramatically lowers their risk of certain types of cancer, so I know it is in her best interests. But it's hard to watch a loved one be so uncomfortable.

Here's to a quick recovery and return to her funny delightful little self.

A happier Button

Planning Eden

Monday morning, always an effort to lever myself out of bed to join the throng of commuters. Eight hours later and I'm back home. Making the most of the fine, crisp, late afternoon, the whole family went off to the beach for our daily constitutional.

This is the beach today.

The things I like about wintery days, felt cloches, woollen beanies, leather gloves, scarfs so thick they imped neck movement, slow cooked casseroles, mulled wine, steamed puddings...the list goes on. The things I don't like,  wet feet and my garden. There is something depressing about my garden in winter. Actually it's not much better in the summer. Every year I swear this will be the year I take it in hand and without experience or expense miraculously create Eden. Needless to say it's still a work in progress!
When I think about my dream garden, the words 'lush', 'colour riot', and 'magical' are what comes to mind. It doesn't help that The Bloke and I can't decide on a design. This weekend  we visited the local garden centre and found the following inspiration.

leucadendrons

now back to planning Eden.