A Study in Opposites: Chester and Caroline
As you may well know, we have two Bichon Frise pups. Chester is older by a couple years, and the whole reason we looked for another Bichon when we decided Chester needed a brother/sister, is because we loved his personality and qualities so much. He was classic Bichon through and through. So it was only natural that we’d look for another, right? Both our dogs are rescues, so adopting without knowing family background is a gamble anyway, but what we got when we found Caroline was quite the shock! There couldn’t be two more opposite pups in the world! – In my defense, when we adopted Carol, she was carsick and had worms, so her initial personality was toned down approximately 200%. Once she was healthy though, we realized we had a crazy wild dog on our hands!
So just how different could they possibly be you ask? Allow me to submit this “Study in Opposites” highlighting just a few of their differences:
Chester: has a wonderfully full, curly, show-quality Bichon coat and tail Caroline: has straighter, thinner, stringy hair, and looks like Einstein most of the time
Chester: enjoys having said coat groomed, and will actually fall asleep while you’re brushing/trimming him Caroline: can’t stand still long enough to get any kind of a decent haircut – and she continually tries to lick the trimmers (while I’m trimming her), one day she’s gonna get her tongue nicked!
Chester: has a long attention span, loves to learn new things, and has a vast repertoire of “tricks” he enjoys performing for people Caroline: has the attention span of a flea, knows less than ten tricks, and frequently mixes them up
Chester: understands normal tone and conversation Caroline: must be spoken to in firm one word commands (eg. You can say to Chester: “Hey buddy, can you please go into your house? We’re getting ready to leave now.”, but to Carol you must say: “HOUSE”)
Chester: must be fed at 4 o’clock sharp. everyday. without fail. or he lets you know about it. Caroline: doesn’t care less if and when she is fed
Chester: has a very sensitive stomach Caroline: could eat anything (we think she’s part goat) and keep it down
Chester: loves to travel Caroline: gets carsick
Chester: is very sensitive to his surroundings Caroline: is spacy, and is very easily trampled underfoot, sat upon, and is generally good at getting in the way.
Chester: is rather needy Caroline: is completely independent
But to be fair, they are both fabulous snugglers, they aren’t destructive or temperamental, and they love each other dearly. For the sake of Chester gaining a companion: mission accomplished. But in the “gaining another calm, intelligent, easy-to-train dog” department – we failed miserably.- I always say though, ridiculously crazy dogs need a warm and loving home too…right? 
So: if you have more than one pet, are they two peas in a pod? Or a study in opposites?
We’re Going All Nautical Around Here…
The sea…
I was born by the sea – Point Pleasant to be exact. Isn’t that a lovely sounding place to be from?
These are just my own romantic musings, but somehow I feel like, when you are born by the sea: the sea is embedded into your very soul.
I love the smell of the sea, and the salty ocean breeze. I love the sound of the surf, and the call of the seagulls.
I love how unpredictable the sea can be: one moment happy waves are tickling the shore, and seafoam dances on the sand. – But the next moment, the surf grows angry and rough – and to venture near its wrath could mean your life.
I love how vast the sea is. And how very small and insignificant you feel standing beside it. Testament to the vastness of its Creator. Such a necessary realization to hold close to your heart.
I love how, tucked beneath the surface of the sea, is a whole ‘nother world. Someplace other than ours. A place we love to visit, and long to thrive in. The sea is full of mystery.
But even though I now call the plush green mountains home, I still love to dress for the sea! To embrace all things white and navy, and yellow and striped, and anchored and brass buttoned, all summer long!
Why hello little navy sweater, khaki striped seer suckers, and large shell necklace. I've missed you all winter!
What about you? Do you love nautical style?
Photographic note: As I patiently wait to purchase my new camera, does anybody know if you can “white-balance” in a little digital point and shoot? These photos were taken without flash, but as you can see, my striped pants were completely blown out…why? Tips appreciated!
Linking up with WIWW at the Pleated Poppy and Monday Mingle
Brunching
While we’re waiting for the weather to stabilize and our schedules to clear so we can start up our Summer Brunch Club again, we’ve had a couple of low-key Saturday mornings lately.~ We wake up and think, “You know, we could really make some good progress on the house today!”…but then it takes all of about 30 seconds to decide that what we really need, is a day of rest and togetherness.
How lovely it has been to sleep in a bit, get ready for the day at leisure, and treat ourselves to a delicious brunch. — Something enchanting about the word “brunch” isn’t there? I think the wealthy probably have brunch everyday. I just love the mix of sweet and savory delights that comprise brunch food. And because it’s a bit later than traditional breakfast, your tummy is fully awake, so you can eat more (maybe that’s the real reason I love it, ha!)!
We’ve been enjoying our brunches down on the lawn…near the brook and hydrangeas. They’re not quite blooming yet, but it won’t be long!
This past Saturday we had omelets, cinnamon/sugar toast, and Summer Brunch Soup, the recipe for which I’m including below. Do you have a favorite brunch food?
Summer Brunch Soup
2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
1 cup frozen raspberries (unsweetened)
10 mint leaves (or more to taste)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup sweet red wine
Place all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth. This recipe comes out a bit frothy (which I love), so if you prefer your fruit soup more liquid-y add some water or more wine. If you like it frosty, add some ice cubes!
Printable recipe HERE.
Got a favorite brunch recipe to share? Feel free to leave links in the comments!
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Musings of a Dancer…
It may come as a surprise to some of you to hear that I’m a dancer – especially those of you who have experienced my clumsy side: I can walk into walls, fall down stairs, and stumble on a perfectly flat sidewalk with the best of them.-
But in between my moments of natural born klutziness, occasionally people will, out of the blue, ask me if I dance.
Why? What is it that makes a dancer recognizable sans leotard and leather shoes?
*note: all photos were taken in motion, with a dying camera ~ Sorry for the sketchy quality!
I think it’s something that is rarely taught outside of the dance world anymore. But something that used to be the social norm for women.
It’s grace. – Not grace: the virtue, but grace: the posture.
I’ve been dancing since I was almost 3 years old: ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, liturgical, ballroom, even a touch of contemporary – but my one true love is ballet.
There is just something about the controlled grace of classical dance… the illusion that something is weightless and effortless (when really every muscle in your body is screaming in contraction) – that makes you feel like you are something other than human… a bird, maybe? Something that is free – that can fly – that floats above the ground, and lands with but a whisper.
I think it’s so cool that dancers can hurl their body weight into the air, contort it into a beautiful vignette in the space of two seconds, and then absorb the entire shock of the landing in their legs so that you don’t hear a thing. It’s all about control – and freedom. Two opposing forces in perfect harmony. I think that’s what grace is.
I also think it’s very much a state of mind.
You must feel graceful, think graceful thoughts, embrace your femininity, carry yourself with poise, push yourself to your outer limits, and believe that you can actually reach those outer limits — in order to carry yourself gracefully into the world.
It’s so hard to be a graceful woman in this day and age. Everywhere we look, there are magazines, commercials, and billboards telling us we are not good enough. Not perfect enough.
But they are lies.
Sure, dance can teach you a long-necked posture, pointed toes, femininity, poise, and how to have delicate hands, but it’s up to you to make peace with yourself. To be grateful for who you are… it will show.
You are a beautiful creature. Perfectly designed by God. You are a lady! One with gifts, talents, personality, and heart. You can do whatever you set your mind to, so stand tall – chin up! Walk with confidence.
But temper that confidence with winsome gentleness and warmth. Yes, you are strong, but not so strong that you don’t need others. Don’t be afraid to let people see your heart and care for you when it hurts. Yes, you are confident, but not so confident that you become unapproachable. Grace.
Control — yet freedom.
Freedom to be who you are, yet control to be the best YOU you can be.
A graceful woman is magnetically attractive.
Summer plans? Why not spend some time discovering your inner grace? Many studios/rec centers offer adult ballet lessons for the upcoming semester. Feel like flying?
Wherefalls the Brevity of Life
Does truly that which ends, seem final,
Or yet another starting place?
Delay not what this life can teach us,
May we never hide our face…
From lessons great and small and painful,
That give us quality and worth.
That helps us love, and live with passion,
That cause us to reduce the girth -
Of all that occupies our daily
Comings, goings, moments, breaths.
Oh may, that we, add thought and meaning,
Purpose, love, and kindness, depth;
To what and whom we fill our days with,
Life with intentionality:
Turn love to thoughts to plans to action,
What a legacy we’d leave!
