Life lately has included lots of walks! I try to vary Ari’s walks by taking him down different streets and to different parks. He loves car rides (although he always tries to sit in my passenger seat up front, which is too small for his big butt) and especially loves different sights, sounds, and smells. I am enjoying experiencing the change from summer to fall. It’s been gorgeous lately; no complaints from me!
I’ve tested Arion off-leash in our yard, and he’s been a good boy so far.
Getting a dog was kind of a hot-button topic in our house for awhile, and Dave requested a “trial period” with any dog we brought home, which I obviously agreed to. I asked Dave the other day if Ari’s trial period was over, and he looked at me like I was crazy. Then he asked me to take a picture of the homemade French bread dog biscuit he baked for Arion as proof that he approves of this “marriage” between family and dog.
I am so relieved that my kitties are not ignoring me, either. Athena is still my little cuddle bug, and Arty……is just as much of a bugger as ever (I had to wash about six pairs of shoes that he peed on last week. That darn cat! But he’s so cute!).
Since Arion normally gets three walks a day (one long, two short), sometimes I run out of time to make a big dinner. So I think soup and bread are going to become winter staples in our household! I bought one of Newman’s quick skillet dinners on sale last week and made it for dinner Monday.
I added extra broccoli, because I love my broccoli. Five minute brown rice on the side made an easy and delicious 15 minute meal.
I’ve been serving Ari his dinners in this toy I bought on Amazon:
I’ve been doing research on the best way to keep his brain active (since he doesn’t seem interested in fetch), and I love this toy for him. He has to swat it around to get his food to fall from two different openings and instead of taking him 15 seconds to eat, it takes him about half an hour.
This and his Kong are his two favorite ways to eat.
As far as other hobbies, I’ve been reading a little bit slower than normal (only two books a month! Ha ha). I read Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, then polished off Liane Moriarty’s newest book Big Little Lies last weekend. I’m currently reading Cutting for Stone. Have I mentioned how much I love reading lately?
I would sooner cut off a finger than give up reading. That’s true love, people.
I’m also getting more and more excited for our anniversary trip to Door County next weekend. Boy, do we need it. I’m looking forward to dinner out (not cooking or takeout—-no dishes!!!), a break from work, and some one-on-one time with my baby.
I’m hoping we have nice weather and that Door County is as beautiful as Stevens Point this time of year.