Age-defying Family

 Mummy and Nobunaga are getting older: Nobu arrived at our home December 9th 2011, and in three years has gained 5 or 6 kilos and matured into a wonderful regal setter. He was always incredibly intelligent and warm, and that hasn't changed. Happy birthday sweetie! Mummy at 52 is seeing signs of age on her neck, which is why I am really happy with Talia skincare age defying advanced serum. I use their facewash and mineral toner, and their eye serum is fantastic for tired eyes, but this main face serum is working wonders on my neck. I mean it's really making a difference. It's great to just smooth it in and know I can just walk out the door and my skin will be great all day long. Plus if the dogs lick my face, which they sometimes do, there's nothing chemical in there to upset their tummies...It's also PETA certified cruelty free, so they do not harm or test on animals. Way to go, Talia. On sale in Japan from March 2015. Can't wait!

Setter Playdate: Alice and Cream

 Mummy and Alice and Daddy and me, Cream here, well, we have been checking out Claire and Nobu and Luna's house on our playdate, and a very nice time we had all together. In case you didn't know, I'm a Dragonball superhero who has mastered the art of zanzouken (残像拳）。。。although I'm absolutely everywhere at once, on the sofa, in the kitchen, up the stairs, in the toy basket, round the garden and back, it looks like I'm just standing still looking adorable! 

 What's that? You don't believe me? Here, look, one more time: on the sofa, under the kitchen table, on Dad's lap, in the toy basket, up the stairs, yep...a true master of the art of cute adorable melt your heart zanzouken.

Adorable....ooops, not that...how come you saw that? Speeding up some more....

See! Perfectly still and adorable! I know I impressed everyone here, five other dogs and the humans, and I will return...the Suzuki setters need another dose of cute soon! 

 Meanwhile my laid back sidekick Alice enjoyed meeting Monet and Nobu and Claire and Luna and the humans. She has that special relaxed style...I'm training her in adorable, I think she's getting the hang of it...

Exhausting work taking command, but you do agree Alice is getting the hang of cute with my help, right? Time for a wee nap, dreaming of the next time we have another fun playdate with Claire, Nobu, Luna and Monet...and the humans, of course.

Photos by Lelantos

Setter Playdate: Monet

Hi there, I'm Monet. This summer Mummy helped search for Chiaro di Luna, so we arranged a playdate to meet the little tyke. Good job, Mummy! So here I am making myself at home...forget the dogs, but they do have nice toys, I must say, and they're happy to share. A fine selection of deer and ducks... 

...but the outdoors calls after all, the real thing is better than the stuffed version...nothing like birdwatching, inside or outside!

The rain doesn't put me off, I prefer checking things out in the garden, and the early afternoon walk we had was okay although Mummy was a bit slow and definitely needed to be herded in the right direction with a steady tug...

 I definitely recommend the treats and chews, well worth a visit!

The sofa is quite the thing, great for a romp and some bounding around, I made sure I left me scents around so I come again soon...Mum, are you listening? Let's do this again soon, k?

All in all a great playdate, I reckon we can make this a regular occasion :) 

Photos by Lelantos

Jack Frost

 Someone painted pictures on my 

    Windowpane last night —

Willow trees with trailing boughs 

    And flowers, frosty white,

And lovely crystal butterflies; 

    But when the morning sun

Touched them with its golden beams, 

    They vanished one by one! 

 Poem: Jack Frost by Helen Bayley Davis
Photos by Lelantos

Tell me you love me

Bric a brac

 Stocking up on food, I was looking for a Tshirt for Luna in the wagon sale, and found 2 leftover black T-shirts in just the right size for only 200yen. Unfortunately not really Luna's color, so after decorating it seems to be just right for Claire...

 I picked up the pink crochet lace motifs in the trash (always scavenging) as someone unloaded their unwanted yarn and lace crochet hooks...I have an eagle eye where yarn is concerned, of course...handmade crochet lace, what a treasure! 

 The crochet neckband was an unused bracelet gift from a dance friend, and the fake pink pearls were in the trash hidden in among kids' discarded toys which are now the dogs' toys.

 The gold lace motifs and the plastic jewel parts are things I picked up along the way in the 100yen shop...never know when things come in useful, I'm a cross between a hamster and a magpie...

 I admit I originally intended this Tshirt for Chiaro di Luna, but it really doesn't suit her, she's much better in softer pastel colors. Meanwhile it really suits Claire, so she's getting the benefit of my being stuck indoors with this miserable cold. Sharing this image from Greenpeace...I'm not much into doing without, and I don't think I'll ever be able to not shop, but I do love all the other options inbetween!  

Acer Palmatum: Japanese Maple

Poem by Mary Oliver: How I go to the woods

Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore 
unsuitable.

I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds 
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of 
praying, as you no doubt have yours. 

Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible.

I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds, 

until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.

 If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.” 
― Mary Oliver, Swan: Poems and Prose Poems

Photos by Lelantos