My Open Fire

During these long, cold winter nights, there's nothing I enjoy more than to snuggle-up in front of a warm open fire...

But first, you've got to build it...

Then light it...

...Ta-da. Are you impressed with my fire-lighting skills? I'd make a good 'boy scout' eh?

Ahhhh, the open fire...

...sometimes I like to relax...

...sometimes I work on my blog...

...and sometimes, when no-one is watching, I just like to 'roast my nuts'!

But usually, I just like to drowse in the warmth and...

...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

A New Year's Walk in the Countryside

Happy New Year to everybody! I hope your 2011 will be filled with happiness! 

Recently my humans have discovered a countryside walk, not far from our home, where they can finally take me for a walk off-leash. 

To kick-start the New Year, we all went out today for a nice long stroll. Here's some pictures which Missus captured on the way...

This is me and dad at the starting point, all ready to go.

I set-off, eager to explore the joys of the Italian countryside...

...which is filled with lots of interesting smells!

For most of my walk was there wasn't a single soul in sight. I loved every minute of it!

I went this way...

...and that way...

...and I even stopped occasionally to catch the wind!

To make sure that my Dad didn't abandon me, I always checked to make sure that he wasn't too far behind.

Close enough! I could wander around at ease!

Occasionally I strayed too far away for Dad's liking. (Can you spot me?)

But he always managed to tempt me back...

... with a treat!

Yummy!

'Sigh' What bliss!

Got to go now. Time for more exploring.

See you!

Farewell 2010

Tonight is New Year's Eve. To mark the end of Year 2010, we decided to have another feast...

... ROAST BEEF!...

...with tortellini soup for starters.

The roast beef is ready. My oh my... I can't wait!

Here's my share - roast beef, roast potatoes, carrots, sprouts and garlic. Ooh-la-la!

But WAIT! Before I'm allowed to have my food, I have to sit for the obligatory photo-shoot.

This is me waiting. Drool...

...and waiting...slobber...

...and still waiting...

...and...Hmph!

Woo hoo! Time to get stuck in!

All to soon it was finished!

Got to go now and see whether I can get a seond helping. I hope you all enjoy the New Year celebrations. Bye!

Homer's Happy Christmas 2010 - Part 2

Yesterday I told you all about the fantastic food I had on Christmas day. Well, that wasn't the only good thing that happened to me... Santa 'Claws' also brought me lots of wonderful presents...

Here I am waiting patiently next to the tree.

Me and my Christmas cards...

...can you see yours? (Thanks again to all of you.)

My Christmas booty.

Can I open them now?

I had to wait forever. Bah humbug!

Missus eventually let me start to open the presents. Unfortunately, I made a bit of a mess of it.

Ta-da! Finally, here they all are opened. Woo hoo! Biscuits, toys and treats galore!

Right, I'm off to eat everything (even the toys). Bye!

Homer's Happy Christmas 2010 - Part 1

Burp! (Oops - sorry). Well, Christmas is now over and what a fantastic time I had. We took so many photos that I'm going to have to split my Christmas story into two blogs.

First of all, let me tell you about the wonderful food I got to eat. We always have turkey for Christmas lunch and this year was no exception. Normally, Missus chooses a bird which weighs at least 7kg. Unfortunately, it was almost impossible to find one of that size here in Italy. So, we had to settle for a turkey weighing a mere 3.5kg!

The 'scrawny' turkey, all prepared, stuffed and ready to go into the oven.

Before putting it into the oven, there was one final ritual which I perform every year without fail - worshipping the 'Turkey God'.

"Hail almighty Turkey God, I worship thee!" Drool...

Whilst the turkey was roasting in the oven, Missus began to prepare the other trimmings...

...such as Dad's all time favourite - Yorkshire puddings.

Unfortunately, Missus did not manage to prepare a full traditional English Christmas lunch because it was not easy to get some of the ingredients here in Italy. She has vowed not to make the same mistake again and will allocate more time for next year's Christmas preparations.

Anyway, she didn't disappoint. My (I mean our) Christmas lunch. Yummy!

I was spellbound by the sumptuous food on the table. The Turkey God was trying to 'seduce' me.

As the saying goes 'The spirit was strong but the body was weak'. Here I am trying to steal some food from the table when the humans weren't watching.

I was trying my best to get hold of that darn bird. Sadly, Missus caught me in the act. As it was Christmas, she let me off the hook with a stern warning.

My Christmas lunch. Turkey, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and carrots. Booti-ful!

After lunch, my humans had a Christmas log cake. I was only allowed to have a small piece.

Oh well folks, that's all for the time being, but watch out for my next blog: Homer's Happy Christmas 2010 - Part 2.

A Tribute to Opy

I am so sad to have learnt that Miss Opy, whose humans established DWB, has passed away and joined her beloved brother Charlie at the other side of the rainbow bridge.

In Loving Memory of

OPY

17 September 1996  -  23 December 2010

My sincere condolences to Brooke and Greg. My thoughts, and those of my humans, are with you at this difficult time.

Love,

Homer