A transplanted Southern Californian living in North Dakota Idaho, with some insights on life with deaf dogs, a gluten free spouse, and the occasional mischievous garden gnome. Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy.





Saturday, April 30, 2016

Seeds Started Indoors

I started some seeds a few weekends back, the anticipation of Spring is palpable and I can't wait to actually start planting things in the ground.  The weather over the last week has been Spring-like, highly variable, windy, and alternately cool and warm.  I've been able to get out and work in the garden quite a bit, but it's just isn't the same as being able to plant something.

Here's our set up for starting seeds indoors.  I have a multi-level wire bakers rack with two shop lights on each level.  We don't use warming mats or anything that fancy. Between the heat from the lights and turning up the thermostat a little bit in the room, it's warm enough for good germination. 

Tomato plants, growing by leaps and bounds every day. Pumpkins, squash, gourds, and cucumbers also grow quickly and vigorously.  There are also some other veggies and flowers growing in there. Perhaps we'll make our first trip to a local greenhouse and be able to plant a few flowers next weekend. 

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Tired Shadowfax

Shadowfax had a tremendous playtime session in the back yard, fetching basketballs and sprinting to a fro.  She needed a moment to lay down, cool off on the hardwood floor, and gather herself before an afternoon walk. 
She was fairly mellow for the rest of the day, mission accomplished. 

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Deaf Dog Aftenoon Playtime

Alycia and Shadowfax enjoy some low level chomping time.  Shadowfax loves to snuggle while she destroys toys and play tug-of-war, so the Extra Large 6-Foot Long Rope Toy (Amazon link here) is perfect for her.  It's also long enough that it prevents hands and fingers from being accidentally subjected to a wayward chomp.  We're big fans of these rope toys and get a new one once or twice a year, since eventually they get shredded and beat up.

Through it all, Shaak Ti is pretty content just to sit and chew on her "Crazy Eight" rope toy (Amazon link here).  Shakk Ti is a simple gal, she's happy with a toy that can be meticulously disemboweled or slowly pulled apart, thread by thread. 
This is a pretty standard afternoon scene here at the household. We've had our outside play time, a nice walk, and some dinner.  This is the wind down stretch, where we expend a little bit more energy and see if some snuggling develops (it usually does).