Wink from Bailey........

Today is photo shoot day for Gigi's and Dove's kids. If there's time, we'll do Sunny's, too. Be sure to check the web site Nursery page for links to those new photos.

Gigi & Sunny kids....blended together in the puppy yard.

No rain this morning, sooooooo......we took Sunny's kids out and put them in the puppy yard. They huddled on the step in a knot of security. One by one they stepped out and Gigi's kids ran to see what this was all about. Philip was on playground duty and Gigi's kids ran to him. Gabriel (pink collar) came back and walked the newbies out into the sunlight. Everyone seemed to have a good time, but Sunny's kids, being younger tired out faster and returned to the escape gate. I was able to get two photos of all 13 together. Who is who? LOL.....good luck with that one!

Copper Beech....my favorite tree.

I love to read. One book I read years ago was called The Copper Beech, by Mauve Benchley (did I get that right?). Every year for our wedding anniversary, Philip and I plant a tree. This one was planted about 8 years ago and was only about two feet tall. The leaves are a most striking red copper color and do not drop off in the fall. Come spring, the new leaf pushes the dry leaf off. During the winter, the dry copper colored leaves make a lovely sound when the wind blows through the branches. That is why we also do not cut our Victorian grasses back until spring. We call it our winter garden, sparkling with frost, ice & snow and making music to replace the song birds of summer. We also collect chimes and have them hanging over all our decks. That sound is relaxing and addictive in all seasons. The Copper Beach can live for hundreds of years and it's branches will grow to be thick and huge ready to support children of all ages, tree houses, swings and in our case, Mommy black bear and her cubs. The next generation will enjoy seeing all of that. My imagination will have to do for now.

Gotta love all Spaniels.....

Chris had just returned from a business trip, exhausted......Molly and Rocky were so happy to see her, they wouldn't be separated from her even for a nap. This was before Sidney came to live with them or he would have been somewhere in the middle of it all! Thanks for sharing a sweet memory, Chris.

An editorial picture.....

If I could draw, I would draw this :

Stage left: Ed McMahon in the spotlight in front of the Pearly Gates of Heaven announcing the latest arrivals........ "Heerrrrrrrrrre's......"

Stage right: A beautiful blonde woman with a brilliant smile waiting to be called and a glittery one hand gloved gentleman, bowed at the waist, hand extended saying in a soft and melodic voice....."Ladies first."

Sunny & Gigi's kids played out today....

Sunny's kids finally convinced me to let them play outside in the grass today. What a riot! More pictures are posted on Sunny's 4 week page. Gigi's kids are old hands now playing in the puppy yard. Here they are taking another rest after running hard and eating a hardy lunch. Dove's kids are much too young to be out yet, but next week they will be up and about playing with each other and toys. For now, they are loving their naps and Mommy.

What is this? Does anyone know?

Philip was cleaning out a spring near our mini pond and he dug up this tool. A man with a thousand tools didn't recognize what this is. Can you give us any information? Click on comment under this message and leave your ideas. Thanks.

Smith (black & tan), Sports (cream) & Winchester (buff)

Aren't these boys adorable! Smith is four weeks, Sports is two weeks and Winchester is four weeks old. These three are awaiting their families to find them.

Campanulas - rotundifolia

Bluebells of Scotland - intense Indigo Blue colors. This year's flowers are brilliant and they have migrated all through out our gardens and ground cover.....thanks to the birds and the wind. These pictures do not do them justice. A few Foxgoves and daisys are also in the photo, thanks to the birds. Naturalizing is nature's way of correcting our planting mistakes! There was a soft rain falling at the time and I couldn't get a good picture. Gigi's kids were out in the puppy yard and got caught in a sudden cloud burst. What a funny sight to see them looking up and wondering....."what the heck?" They are back inside, dried and playing with new squeak toys. The good life is simple for a cocker puppy as they wait for their loved ones to come take them home.

Finn is checking in....(CC & Charlie's '08 litter

Mary, Finn is checking in. Sporting a new hair cut. He is on patrol (COP) for his back yard. We thought we send a couple of garden shots as well. We are later than you our peonies and iris's are gone now. Now it is time for day lilies.

Say Hi to Mamma and the Mob.

Larry & Trish

Sidney says "HI"

What a beautiful boy.....and not a bit spoiled! Good going Chris. That is your good couch he's resting on....lol......fine print in his contract requires it and I see he's holding you to it! Love to see that.

Sadie Belle (chocolate) and Sophie Ann (cream)

Hi Everyone! This is our first official photo together. We are going to the same home with Theresa and Dick Mengle of Pittsford, NY. Aren't we the lucky girls!

Flower of the Day....Bearded Iris

The perfum from an Iris is something one never forgets. My mother's gardens were filled with this beautiful flower. As she contemplates the sale of her home that she can no longer care for, where she had all five of her children, she is reminded of this most precious flower and the joy it's beauty and fregrance brought over the years. I'll always have the regal Iris in my gardens, too.

Dove's boy Sports.....2 wks and available

Gigi's kids were outside today....

................they played and ran and fell in a heap to nap. They are all wearing red ribbons on their collars so when Sunny's kids come to play with them, Philip can tell who belong which litter. I know, it's a mother thing. Dad's need help. Sunny's kids will have blue ribbons. Dove.......well, I think we all can tell which ones are hers!!

Sun's shining.....wind's drying....

It's photo shoot day for Gigi and Dove's kids. Check the web site late afternoon for those new pages. Fingers crossed that the phone lines will allow them to post. Verison was out yesterday and admitted all my problems are caused by their lines and the route they assigned to me last Feb. I go ten miles in the opposite direction to come back and go 30 miles in the other direction to a station. Finally a repair man that knows what he's doing. Engineering will get involved now and finally.....dare I hope for DSL? After all, the connection station is only 2 miles from me! Big big sigh.

Dove's babies have doubled!

See how we spent Father's Day!!! This morning, Sophie Ann was looking back at us as she stood on all four legs trying to take a step! Yippie. Sophie has the green ribbon. This is the week they really change into mini cockers.

Happy Pop Pop's Day from Emme

HI POP POP!!! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT POP POP DAY!! DON'T OVERDUE
IT, YOU HAVE TOO MANY PUP PUPS TO LUV.
LOVE EMME
(EILEEN, DENISE)

Where's the sun?

Even the sunflowers are looking for the sun..........

Summer fun...Avon, NC

Memories for a rainy day. The three S's....surf, sun, sand....I'm ready to go again!

Sunny/Shooter's Miss Starr has a new name....

"Lola".......yep, that's my new name. Alyssa, Stacy and Scott are coming soon to take me home. I love my new name and am shouting it out to the world! Remember, "whatever Lola wants, Lola gets......" as the song goes. I'm such a lucky girl. Lola

Rain, Jack's half sister.....

This is Rain, Jack's half sister. Her dad is Weylin, Jack's grandpa. They both have Pansy as Mommy. Rain is a black & tan Merle with one eye that is half China blue. These kids are so unique and beautiful, sweet and loyal. We are very proud of our Merle's. Rain is owned by Ralph and Lois Lelii of Sunset Oaks Cockers. We met with them last Saturday at Grumble Rock Kennels near Lock Haven, PA with our friend Connie Probst. We needed to catch up on everything and tour Bob Probst new barn. We also visited with Charlie, the sire of CC's litter and all of Connie's lovely champion cockers. It was a good old fashioned country visit away from the crowds of the city life. Wheat was knee high in the fields, horses grazing in the tall grass and the sweet wind blowing down from the mountains that surround their farm. Lois and Ralph live in the country and we do, too. So that was normal for us. Just thought I'd paint a picture for you all to enjoy the day with us. Now back to the puppies.....Job #1 around here.

Jack sends his new pictures....Pansy/Shooter's boy

Hi Everyone! I'm in training now and doing great. I love my new home and boy do they ever love me. The owner of my training school come over to give me a private lesson and he was impressed. Guess people aren't used to seeing such a handsome cocker boy! One of my eyes turned a beautiful green and the other is green on the top half and China blue on the bottom. I'm a merle patterned boy. People are always stopping my Mom and Dad when I'm with them. Don't you love the way Daddy is grooming me!! He's the best. xxoo to all......Jack