Thanksgiving and the kick-off to the holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.  We had a nice week off and a wonderful holiday weekend.

This week I had a much needed break.  While I had some ideas on how we might spend my time off, the week went nothing like I had expected, and honestly, I'm glad it did.

After our fun last weekend trying Barn Hunt at Scent Savvy Canine Center, we had the option of getting some professional photos taken before leaving the event.  There was no cost and no obligation to purchase anything, so I figured there was no harm in stopping to get some pictures taken.  Peaches wasn't thrilled about sitting still for pictures, but Mina was an excellent model, even when Peaches just stood up and walked away in the middle of the shoot.  When the proofs became available earlier this week, I was so excited about how great the pictures were...and ended up buying all four pictures.  

As I started my week off on Monday morning, I woke up with big plans to get the girls out for a hiking and geocaching adventure, but when I checked the weather I decided I had no desire to go geocaching in temperatures in the 30s with a windchill in the 20s.  I thought I'd wait until it warmed up a bit later in the day to leave, but received a late morning call from my parents and I decided to meet them for lunch instead.

After lunch, I took a slow drive home and did a little geocaching along the way.  Once I got home, I took the girls for a nice long visit to the dog park,  Some of their favorite friends were at the park and I figured we'd take full advantage of the trip.  By the time we left, it was completely dark and we were the last ones to leave.  On the drive home, we stopped for a walk around the Capitol to check out the State Christmas tree.  It was our first visit of the season downtown, and it definitely won't be our last.  I love being downtown during the holidays.

Tuesday was a cold and rainy day, and we spent a quiet lazy day at home.  Thankfully all of the fun we'd had over the weekend and on Monday kept the girls content to spend the day lounging and napping.  It was a perfect late Fall day at home.

I spent the whole day Wednesday preparing for Thanksgiving day.  While Nicol was hosting dinner this year, I was responsible for several sides and a desert.   While I cooked and cleaned, the girls spent much of the day outside.  At the end of the day I had roasted Brussel Sprouts, tried my hand at making my grandma's baked beans, and finished the dressing.  I also made the homemade crescent rolls that Nicol had requested and a small batch of my great grandma's sour cream cookies.  

After a busy day of food prep, I headed out to the shelter for our Wednesday night Dog Walking Club.  There were four adoptable dogs that didn't get adopted or go into a foster home for the weekend and we wanted to make sure they all got out for a nice walk.  It was a really nice group of dogs and I got to walk Sergei. 

After the walk, I brought Riff home with me as our next foster dog.  The girls and I had spent some time at the shelter earlier in the day meeting a few of the dogs in need of a foster home, and Riff seemed like the best fit.  Riff and I stopped at Soldan's on our way home.  I think he was pretty happy to be out of the shelter.   We're happy that we can give him a quiet place to wait for his forever home.

Thursday morning we were up early to finish up some last minute food prep before heading downtown to join the Turkey Trot.  

It was a beautiful sunny day for a walk and all three of the dogs had a great time.  It was nice to be able to get them out to spend some time in the sunshine and fresh air and get some exercise before our Thanksgiving feast.  They also made several friends along the way.

When we got home, I got everyone settled in for the day with some treats, a Kong and a chew for the day.  Then I packed the car and headed to Nicol's house.

We spent the afternoon watching the Lions game, and during halftime, my mom and I took Picasso and Fiona out for a nice walk.  It was such a nice sunny day.

While we waited for the turkey to finish roasting, Fiona entertained us all.  She loves books and spent lots of time with each of us reading to her.  She loved showing her Great Grandpa her animal book.

The dinner feast was finally ready and we all sat down to enjoy it.  We had enough food to feed an army and the turkey looked amazing.  We ate plenty and had lots of leftovers to bring home for the weekend.

It was a great meal and we all very much enjoyed the food and the time with family.

After a long day away, I made the drive home.  Everyone was very happy to see me.  After feeding the dogs dinner, we had a nice quiet evening.

Friday morning I did some cleaning while the dogs were outside.  We had a lazy few hours mid-day before I went out to get the Christmas lights put up outside finally.   

Before it got too late, we took a drive to campus to get some exercise.  We took a walk through the horticultural gardens and made a stop in the Children's garden too.  Peaches and Mina were crazy, and Riff is still learning how to walk with two other dogs, so it was a challenging 2 miles, but ultimately we had a nice time and I was glad we had gotten outside.

I finished the evening by getting the lights on the Christmas tree and then we snuggled in for a night of watching the Wizard of Oz.  

Saturday morning I decided to go out to the shelter to volunteer.  Since the shelter is closed for the long weekend, I wanted to get the dogs out for a nice walk and a break from the shelter.   It was a great morning spent with the shelter dogs.  Lt Cable is one of my favs at the shelter right now.

Afterward I ran a few errands and then made it home in time for the Michigan and Ohio State football game.  The dogs were so good the whole game and napped for most of it.

After the game, we headed outside so I could do a little yard work and clean up all of the Fall decorations.  Riff had a wonderful time in the yard watching all of the cars driving by and the critters running around.  I was happy to get the final leaf clean-up done in the front yard and along the curb before the snow moves into the area.

Since Riff has two torn ACLs, I'm trying to make sure he gets enough exercise and fun without overdoing it.  Mina and Peaches needed to get out for some exercise, so I decided to leave him home and take the girls for a visit to the dog park.  They needed to get in a good run and they always have a great time when we visit.  We  arrived about 30 minutes before sunset and the sunset from the park was pretty spectacular. 

After our dog park visit, we drove home so that Riff could join us as we ran some errands and I picked up takeout for dinner.  We had another nice, quiet evening at home.

I thought we might spend our Sunday trying to get out for a short hike on the North Country Trail, but with snow moving into the area, I decided to skip the drive to the trail and just stay home.  We spent a lazy morning at home before heading out for a little shopping.  

While the forecast had called for snow to move in over night. it was still dry when we left the house around 11am.  I made a couple of quick stops to pick up a few things and then we stopped at PetSmart so that the dogs could all go in for a visit.  First I took Riff in for visit, and then the girls got to go inside.  There were some great deals, so I did a little Christmas shopping for the girls while I was there.  As we started the drive home, the snow started to fall.  I made a quick stop for gas and then stopped at Soldan's.  I took each of the dogs in for a visit all by themselves and they each got a special treat too.  We then made our way home for an afternoon of Hallmark Christmas movies.  The dogs went outside a couple of times to play, but always settled down quickly once they came back inside.  It was a really nice day.  A quiet snowy Sunday afternoon at home was the perfect end to our week of vacation. 

We have now entered the heart of the holiday season and I'm looking forward to all of the sparkling lights and holiday fun.    Here are the pictures from their visit to Santa at the Roscommon County Animal Shelter a couple of weeks ago.  I'm looking forward to lots more holiday fun with them over the next month.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and that you have a great week.  We look forward to sharing our holiday fun with you over the next few weeks.   It is one of my favorite times of the year and we are going to make the most of it.  It even feels a bit more like Christmas now that we have some snow.

Making the most of our Sunny Fall days

We are slowly settling into a routine and adjusting to the early sunsets.  Luckily for us, this week's weather was warmer than average for this time of year, and it was sunny most days too.  Weather like this in late November can't be beat and makes me really want to get outside to take advantage of it, since I know what's coming.  

On Monday, the girls spent lots of time outside during the day, and we took a nice lunchtime walk at Fenner.  

It was a gorgeous afternoon to be in the woods. While most of the trees have lost their leaves, there are still a few leaves holding on and those trees looked extra pretty in the sunshine.  

We added a trip to the dog park at the end of my workday since it was mild and the girls needed a good run.  

  

On Tuesday, I had a busy day of work.  The weather was nice again, so the girls spent most of the day outside.  By the end of the day, I needed to get out for some fresh air so we headed back to Fenner for a walk at dusk.  We arrived just after 5pm and spent as much time as we could walking around several of the trails.  By the the time we left just before 6pm it was pretty dark, but I was sure glad we had gotten in a nice walk.

On Wednesday, I used my lunch to get the girls out for a walk in a new park.  I had to run a couple of errands in East Lansing, so I took the girls along and we stopped for a nice walk at White Park.  It is a really nice park, and I can't believe we've never visited it before this week.  I'll definitely visit again.

After our walk, we made a quick stop at the East Lansing dog park so the girls could get in a good run before we headed home.  

Once we got home, the girls headed out into the yard.  It was another beautiful day and the girls spent most of it outside again.  

After work, I headed out to the shelter for Dog walking club.  We had a really nice group of dogs to walk including Lt. Cable who I got to walk.  He was very sweet.  

After our walk, I had time to get Sergei out for a short walk too.  He had just transferred in from a different shelter, so he was nervous, but I think he was happy that I got him out for a bit.

I picked up a pizza for dinner on my way home and ate with an audience.  Mina really wanted some of that pizza!

Thursday promised to be the best weather of the entire week.  With temperatures reaching 60 degrees, it was a great day for the girls to spend the day outside.  Mina made the most of the day alternately sniffing around and then lounging in the yard.  She and Peaches had a wonderful day enjoying the warmth and sunshine.

I had another busy day at work, but got outside on my lunch to enjoy the sunshine and mow the lawn, probably the last time this year.  After work, we took advantage of the warm weather to make a trip to the dog park.  The girls were having such a great time that we were the last to leave.

Friday morning I had to make a trip to Toledo for work.  While the weather forecast was promising rain, the temperatures were supposed to remain mild, at least through the mid-day, so I decided I'd take the girls along for the ride.    

I knew that I'd be done with my meetings around lunch time, and I figured I could take advantage of my lunch and our proximity to the North Country Trail to get out for a hike.  

This section of the trail just outside of Toledo follows an old rail grade.  It is flat and straight and you can see the trail just continuing into the distance for what seems like forever.

When we arrived, the temperature was 58 degrees, and although it was cloudy it wasn't raining.  It was a beautiful start to our walk.  After we walked 1 1/4 miles down the trail, we turned to head back toward the car and I could see the wind picking up as a cold front moved into the area.  By the time we got back to the car, the temperature had dropped 11 degrees.  

We continued down the trail in the opposite direction, despite the wind and a few sprinkles.  Luckily is still wasn't too bad with a line of trees blocking the wind.  We walked another mile before turning around to head back to the car.  At the end of our walk, we had completed 4.6 miles on the trail.  It was a great way to spend my lunch and it was nice to experience a new section of the trail.  We then made the drive home and I wrapped up my workday.

After work, we joined a small group of geocachers for a park clean-up event at a local park and then headed to a Friendsgiving event with the group.   

Friday night was also the kick-off of the Holiday season in Lansing with Silver Bells in the City.  We didn't make it downtown in time for the electric light parade, but we did see the tree lighting, drone show, and fireworks.  It was a nice end to our busy day.

Saturday morning started with a morning walk with the shelter dogs.  It was a beautiful sunny morning and we had a great walk.

Afterward, the girls and I headed to Henderson to a fun dog event held by a dog training facility.   There were activities for the dogs and treats for the dogs and humans.  

The highlight of the day for the girls was getting to try Barn Hunt.  This is a fun way for them to use their noses and hunting instincts by hunting for a rat which is hidden in the straw.  Peaches found the rats in their plastic tubes on the table before we even started, and she was obsessed with them.  Both girls got to try it a few times and they both seemed to have a good time.

They also tried the Rally Obedience Course and got their pictures taken, and Mina finally tested for and passed her Novice Tricks title.  This was such a great event and I'm really glad I made the drive to check it out.

After the event, we stopped just down the road at Henderson Park to take a short walk and pick up a couple of geocaches.  

It was a beautiful Fall day to be out in the woods.  While it was a short walk, we really enjoyed it.

While had had a busy morning and early afternoon, I decided that we would make the drive to Battle Creek for their Christmas parade.  We arrived about 30 minutes before the parade kicked off so we could get in a little walk at dusk on the North Country Trail through town.  

It was a gorgeous evening on the trail.  The leaves on the trees and on the ground and the setting sun made for a really nice view.

We stopped along the trail to watch the parade away from the crowd.  You can tell from the picture, but we had a decent view.

After the parade ended, we continued down the trail and back to the car.  Ultimately we finished 3 miles on the trail.  We are now only 6.4 miles away from reaching our 100 for this year.  We'll have no problem getting that done before the year ends.

All week I've been watching the weather forecast and planning our next few days of activities.  The weather today seemed promising to do some geocaching, and that was my original plan for the day.  However, after both girls slept in far past their normal wake-up time, and we were enjoying a quiet morning lounging around at home, I decided maybe a relaxing day at home might just be what we needed.

I spent a lot of the day with Mina snuggled up on my lap.  Both girls napped the day away while I watched the Lions game.  It was clear that we all really needed the day of rest. 

 After the Lions game was over,  I could tell Mina needed to get out for a little adventure so we took a drive to Fenner for a late afternoon walk.  We had a great walk and even saw a gorgeous 6-point buck who at one point was less than 20 feet away from us.  What a beauty he was!  

I have some time off from work this week, and I've got plans to get out for some fun and also get some things done around the house.  The temperatures will remain in the 40s through Thanksgiving and we've got to make the most of it.  Soon the weather will turn cold and the Christmas season will be in full force, so we've got to get out and enjoy the 40s while we can.  

I hope that you all have a wonderful week and enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving with those that you love.