Ahh...remember those play days...

Muffin isn't amused this morning...she's even reluctant to go outside for a quick sortee because the temperature dropped last night to only 3 degrees!

It came as a sharp shock to us too, but Muffin has just curled up to stay cosy and isn't happy. I can relate to that because once the temperature dips below 16C degrees, I too want to shut down.

I think I may be in trouble this winter...what do you think? :(

Anyway two chimneys are now sending smoke signals out to the locals and we're slowly warming up, so all is not lost. We do have central heating for reinforcements plus the Aga but I don't want to rely on those just yet. At this time of year it can swing from warm to chilly and back again, extremely quickly. 

Hold the thermals but have them handy!

I was just watching Muffy snoozing and snoring like an old trouper with her legs and muzzle twitching away and thought "I wonder what she's dreaming about"? 

Then I thought maybe she was having fun playing with her bestie Zac once again! 

Ahh...remember the warm sun filled days...chicken filled tums...and a good tough and tumble on the carpet ^..^

Here's a little video clip that I took when we lived in Melbourne. 

Zac was staying with us at the time so there were lots of play-time. 

The video was taken on a Sunday just before lunch hence the dulcet tones of Louis Armstrong's 'What A Wonderful World' playing on the radio in the background. 
Very appropriate for these two. 

Gravy stirring music as I always like to think of these kinds of tunes. 

It's a must when I'm cooking a Sunday roast dinner to have this kind of music playing. 

I have so many lovely memories of helping make Sunday lunch as a child and one of my jobs would be to stir the gravy. 

There would always be a Swooner Crooner singing away in the background.  

They had such a special relationship. 

Thanks for stopping by...I really love to see and hear from you.

Have a great day and don't forget to have fun too!

The holiday's over....

There's a quiet air about the house this afternoon...Muffin has curled up on a cushion snoozing...in fact snoring like a old trouper if truth be told...not very ladylike at all, but does she care? Nah!

There aren't two pairs of eye's watching my every move...just in case there's a treat on offer.

The toys are all in their basket...looking incredibly tidy after all their drooly exciting daily antics.

So what's behind all of this calmness?

Well...Zac has gone home! ^..^

I think he'll probably appreciate the rest because Mufftypup is a young pest  pup and sometimes she can be a little full on for the 13 year old...although he is extremely sprightly.

Oh we've had a ball and I'm sure he likes me bestest!!! :D

But the holidays over and his Mum came to collect him this morning.

Here are the happy couple having their Easter egg Schmackos hunt.

  

So where breakfast?....What kind of establishment are you running here?

You just can't get the staff!

Nothing like a quick snooze to recharge the batteries...especially when you have a younger pup to keep up with....

Does this pooch look like he's missing his owners?

Hehe...okay so he may well be dreaming of them, but don't disillusion me.

Muffy and Zac have a very special relationship...in fact they are like an old married couple....they know each other so well. They have their fun times. Muffy usually gives him a swipe with her paw to instigate playtime, which he usually indulges in but then sometimes (not often I have to admit) Zac will decide she's been nagging him long enough and he'll just put her in her place!

  

Here they are sharing Muffy's bed....now that's friendship!

I've just taken this photo....

Oh I know and she knows that she shouldn't be on my desk...

...I'm supposed to be working but I just thought she might be feeling a little lost!

But then she's going to Zac's soon because don't forget we're off on a little jolly!

Which reminds me...I must pack!!! EEK!

Have a thrilling Thursday, a fabulous Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Hope to see you again soon ...thanks for stopping by even if you haven't left a comment...

I know you are out there  

Have fun and keep smiling!

When two become three....

Well who would believe it....we were one and then invited Zac to stay and look what happened...

....two became three. 

Enter 'Spot'! (yeah...I know not very original)

It can be tough being the hostess with the mostess...

Nearly the weekend everyone....have a good day and remember keep smiling ;D

Pets in the Park.....Zac and Muffin's Grand Day Out

Zac: Hey Muffy I'm bored...what do you say we go out for the day? 

Muffin: That sounds like a good idea but where shall we go?

Zac: I've heard that there's a great event that happens every year called 'Pets in the Park' and it's on now!

Muffin: Okay that sounds brilliant...lets go! ^..^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So what was in store for our pooches at the Stonnington 'Pets in the Park' event at Central Park in Malvern East.

Here's some of the highlights of the day....

• Pet Q&A with Dr Jack Ayerbe from Radio 3AW
• Jack Russell Terrier races
• Pet competitions with a range of fantastic prizes donated by Stonnington Leader, Pookinuk and Pipsqueaks Photography
• Announcement of the winner of Stonnington Leader’s on-line ‘Best Rescue Pet’ competition
• Discounted microchipping
• Children’s entertainment, activities and rides
• Entertainment on the main stage
• Demonstrations by pet obedience clubs and trainers
• Snake handling
• Responsible pet ownership tips
• Information from animal welfare groups and service providers

Even Channel 10's weatherman, tv personality Mike Larkan was there, so we knew that the weather would be good.

 

Zac was certainly on form and even took on the Jack Russell races to impress his girl. 

 Come on Zac...!

Muffin thought she'd have a go too....

But alas Shih Tzu's aren't made for racing...they're not in the least aerodynamically built.
Looking cute is her best sport!

(in a hushed voice....just between you and me, she came last) But then it's all about taking part, isn't it?

She came out of the trap like a whippet, but then became confused...

Meanwhile Zac was a greyhound in disguise....who would have guessed....here he comes on the outside...

Watch him go!

There he was gone...!

By the way...the dog that's in the lead didn't get to go into the traps due to his size, so I think Zac was indeed the true winner.

The prize ~ a well deserved favourite chicken treat ...

Hero of the day...not bad for a 12 year old eh?

There were agility tests too but Muffin was suitably impressed with the racing, so Zac thankfully could relax.

There was so much to see, eat, drink, ride, and read.
Here's some of the things that we saw...a face only a mother could love, but it did make me feel slightly better about my wrinkles.

 I've been interested in the work of Guide Dogs Victoria for sometime, even contemplating being a puppy raiser. They do such amazing work, so please take to look into their website at Guide Dogs.

There were other charities at the event, such as Oscars Law  which I've previously posted about on my blog. 

Then the kids needed fun too...face painting, art workshops and of course 'Thomas the Tank Engine' rides.

  Home produce stalls, plants, pet equipement, even microchip services and health advice all available plus the Chadstone/East Malvern Rotary barbeque and tea/coffee shops.

There were also so many information banners with fantastic photographs. I could have taken all day just looking at these alone.

If you missed this great event then make sure you mark your diary for next year.

A great day was had by all....and Muffin had eye's for no other ^..^

Enjoy your day : D

Are you free to join me in a walk?

I thought if you had a few minutes free you might like to join me on our morning walk?
It was Zac's last morning with us...yep his holiday's over and he's back home, probably enjoying being spoilt...you know how they do that to us? Sulking because they were left behind...how could they go without ME? I'll show them! etc etc...
Madame Mufftypup has had a very quiet afternoon sulking in her bed....but I've told her we'll see him again soon (^,,^) but she's not convinced.
Anyway...let's enjoy the day and our walk. It certainly was a beautiful morning. There was a crispness to it but then autumn is approaching here. We've had 31C degrees today which is crazy. So off we go.....

Here are the kids enjoying a roam off leash...so many things to investigate! 

Doggy heaven...

As you may know if you've visited me before I adore trees so here's a beautiful specimen. I always expect the trunk to feel warm like its alive which I know it is, but you know what I mean...like its a limb of a huge animal with pale skin. I know I frighten the kids sometimes...I know I'm strange : )

I love the white revealed once the bark falls away.

The sun was delicious and I really appreciated it...

These cuties caught my eye to ~ like a fairy village. It's amazing what you notice once you start to blog. Everything shouts out at you for a photograph...(oh no...tell me it's not just me again?)

This bird I believe is a Butcherbird. I think it may be a Grey Butcherbird but it could be a Pied Butcherbird.

Here's a Butcherbird song.

The sky was cloudless and then I noticed the moon. How brilliant is that...it forgot to go to bed. Maybe it wanted to enjoy the day too?

Look there's someone else flying by... 

This plane was circling around and around...not sure why?

It wasn't the usual thing to see so I hope it was okay?

Sorry its a little blurred but my zoom isn't that good!

 How amazing is this paper bark...I'm told you can paint and draw on it...hmm...food for thought there.

 I know I mention the rainbow lorikeets regularly on my blog but today I finally managed to get up close and personal...They were sitting and chatting in a garden...so I snapped them whilst I could.

 This seed block is the one they visit ~ not mine unfortunately. I won't give up though.

How rude of them to ignore mine : (

 Now then, here's a little quiz for you...what is this? I haven't a clue but I loved his wings.

After the treelined walk we come to a couple of ovals for a quick game of footy. Muffin has always been a very keen player. It's amazing how fast her little legs will go.

The tallest building in the background is the Eureka building in the CBD... I plan to visit one day but I'm not sure about the glass cube which projects 3 metres out from the building, with you in it - suspended almost 300 metres above the ground! It's the only observation deck in the world that can thrill you with 'The Edge' suspended almost 300 metres above the ground! Eek!
The Skydeck is situated on the 88th floor and is the highest public vantage point (285m) in the Southern Hemisphere. If I do visit then I'll definitely either take you with me or let you see evidence that I was there.

Back to earth....as well as the blackbirds I never expected to see oak trees here. But I'm so glad they are.

And so back home for a well needed cuppa...and the final splash of colour.

Have a wonderful day...keep smiling and enjoy your day : D

Muffin and Zac....walking out together

Yet again a beautiful day here...I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but its true.

So off we went on our morning walk using the new duel lead. Its been so funny since Zac came to stay seeing all their antics and none more so than getting the hang of this. It started out like a push me pull you kind of thing. One would want to stop and sniff whilst the other was keen to keep walking. Or worse still both pulling in different directions. But we seem to be over that now and working as one in harmony.

They're getting on great and here's the proof....

So if your viewing this from some tropical island - you'll know he's fine and not missing you at all when you see this... lol ; D

We were going so fast its nearly a blur....

I hope this little video works....I've got my fingers crossed. But I think it needs some suitable music to accompany it...but its getting very late here, so that may have to be a project for another day.

In a garden en route we came across this improvised bird feeder, with a little visitor....a rainbow lorikeet. I told him where I knew of a five star restaurant with a huge block of bird seed, so I hope he comes to call soon. 

 

But then he was gone......just a flash of colour.

It was definitely a day for the birds, because we then came across a small flock of Galah's. I can never remember the name of these birds but thankfully someone else did.

{Galah - Scientific name: Cacatua roseicapilla}

Facts about the Galah

The Galah can be easily identified by its rose-pink head, neck and underparts, with paler pink crown, and grey back, wings and undertail. Birds from the west of Australia have comparatively paler plumage. Galahs have a bouncing acrobatic flight, but spend much of the day sheltering from heat in the foliage of trees and shrubs. Huge noisy flocks of birds congregate and roost together at night.

Galahs form huge, noisy flocks which feed on seeds, mostly from the ground. Seeds of grasses and cultivated crops are eaten, making these birds agricultural pests in some areas. Birds may travel large distances in search of favourable feeding grounds.

Galahs form permanent pair bonds, although a bird will take a new partner if the other one dies. The nest is a tree hollow or similar location, lined with leaves. Both sexes incubate the eggs and care for the young. There is high chick mortality in Galahs, with up to 50 % of chicks dying in the first six months. Galahs have been recorded breeding with other members of the cockatoo family, both in the wild and captivity.

And finally here's a little quiz....which country was this photo taken in? Would you believe it IS Melbourne....see I told you its so like the UK here. The cricket season has just begun with the resonating sound of ....'Ow's that?'

Have a brilliant fun packed weekend - whatever you get up to.....

A Few Updates....

What a sporty weekend we're having....there's the fourth Rugby match blasting out here at the moment, as I try to hear myself type....we've had the football in between too, but the boys are happy, so I thought I'd nip in here with a quick update post.
I've not done one of these for a while so here goes.....
The main event is that we have a house guest. Yes, Zac arrived last night for his holiday, so Muffy's a happy bunny!

I couldn't resist snapping this shot of them looking through to the dining room. We were about to have a Sunday Roast and they weren't happy about not being included. They were sniffing all around the door frame trying to get the maximum smell if nothing else.

But then they did have their chicken dinner, so it all worked out in the end. Then the games commenced.... 

 I must try and get a video of all their antics. Its such fun to just sit and watch them at play. Today on our walk we tried using a joint lead (leash) It was so funny to see them trying to work it out, who got to take priority on which direction or sniff trail to follow.

At least you can see my handy work from the grooming course. I've had quite a few compliments on my handy work. Not sure how I'll get on when there's no experienced eye watching over me next time I have to clip her.

At the moment Muffin has just managed to fit into her bed. Zac has taken a liking to it, much to her disgust but well it is Zac, so she's curled up around him. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Anyone else would be given their marching orders.

Moving on with the update...remember the Flowering Hanging Mangers Well look how they've grown. They are still spreading out and only just coming to bud, but there's lots of potential there. I'll take another photo later in the season to show how they bloom {hopefully}

 And then the surprise news of the week....
I've been pottering about near the water tank off and on and noticed that every time I went near this particular spot, a startled dove would fly away. It happened so many times that I thought I'd take a peek and look what I found....

Unfortunately, I really had to take a few quick snaps not wanting to disturb the mother or the nest for too long. Apparently, they are notorious for abandoning the nest so I didn't want that responsibility. But the last news was my OH checked and the mother was sitting back on the nest so, so far all's well. They should be happy because we have a water bath which has fresh water daily and the huge seed block hanging near by. No need to scavenge here at this address. Unfortunately I was hoping that they may have spread the word to the lorikeets, but nothing happening there yet. But you never know?

I would love to give a final update on the painting but what can I say....no excuses I just haven't got back to it. I've managed to put the gutta on {the resist that stops the flow of paint over the silk - its like gum or glue consistency}and the design is done so we're beginning to get there, but it will be into next week before I can show you. Hopefully it will be worth the wait ; )