Christmas (and a new arrival) is coming ….

Yesterday I got up quite early and loaded Ben into the back of the car …. then a short drive past the woods and over the hill to France Farm where “Auntie” Gillian runs his favourite kennels and where he was going to spend the day.

The farm nestles in a sheltered valley overlooking Start Bay, and the lucky canine guests are housed in the old stone barn at the front of the picture (fully heated accomodation with individual pens, raised beds, and classical music played at bedtimes!).  As usual, Ben dashed inside with just the briefest wave of a paw in farewell and I set off on a long journey to a little village just north of Blandford Forum where I met …..

The beautiful, sweet-natured Astra and her five puppies.  I went fully intending to acquire a Landseer (black and white) puppy, but while I was there I totally fell in love with her single black puppy. (fourth from the left in the photograph)

She was a fat little butterball, the greediest in the litter, with a wonky tail and a white flash on her chest (I could be describing Amy!)… and with no home to go to, whilst people were queuing up to take home the Landseers.  It was meant to be … and so little black Daisy will be joining our family after Christmas.

Spot the extra puppy kitten!  Monique’s kittens were adorable too!

The long drive home went much faster as I began to think about all the fun we’d be having in the spring, new items that needed to be bought and how pleased I think Ben will be to have a baby sister at last.   This morning I hung my Baby Owls Advent Calendar in the hallway, and we started to count down the days to Christmas – and our new arrival!

Meanwhile, during December, as Christmas is a time for giving and to help pass the time until Daisy is ready to leave her mum, do be sure to check back here regularly as I’m planning a positive frenzy of Christmas giveaways this month….

And, to start the month in style,  please do head over to my friend Kim’s website and blog – Chatterbox Quilts – where you’ll discover her lovely free pattern “Flourishing Hearts” oh, and an interview with me too as well as lots more interesting stuff, well worth a visit!