The Fairy Tree

When my first granddaughter was little, the fairies would occasionally leave her tiny treasures on our front lawn. I loved watching her race outside, eyes wide with excitement, eager to see what had been left for her. My husband told her that fairies especially loved children who were grateful for their friendship. If you talked to them—especially if you thanked them and showed appreciation for their gifts—they might continue their generosity.

When we were searching for a new home, we scheduled a viewing one evening. As soon as we pulled up, I gasped, "It has a fairy tree!" In that moment, I was sold. I don’t know what I would have done if the interior of the house had not met our requirements —we had to live there. I had fallen madly in love with that tree.

It’s a magnificent Russian olive tree, the only one of its kind on the block. At least thirty years old, it has a massive trunk with smaller trunks that reach in every direction. At its base, the four trunks intertwine, forming a small, sheltered space—the perfect hiding spot where the fairies leave their treasures for the children to find. In addition, at its base is  a natural alcove where the local rabbits like to sleep.

Every Halloween, we transform the tree with pumpkins, skeletons, and ghosts dangling from its branches. At Easter, it becomes the perfect hiding place for Easter eggs.

I also make fairy doors, and several now grace the trunk, adding a touch of magic to our beloved fairy tree.

Whenever the grandchildren visit, they always check the fairy tree to see if the fairies have left them something. However, as one granddaughter discovered to her dismay, visiting every day doesn’t always guarantee a surprise.

Sometimes, the fairies leave a colouring book, a dollar-store toy, or a lollipop. Other times, it’s a shiny rock or a little treasure from Grandma’s junk drawer—perhaps a tiny mirror or an old bracelet Grandma won’t miss.

One day, my younger granddaughter, who was four at the time, stopped by with her dad for a quick visit. About half an hour before they arrived, it had started to rain. When she found her treasure, she picked it up, looked at it, and exclaime, "Wet socks? Really, fairies?"

As would be expected, the fairies share their tree with many other creatures. As I previously mentioned, there are often rabbits that visit the fairy tree, they love to eat the olives and tender leaves that they find under its branches, and like to nap at the base of it's trunk. Many birds visit the fairy tree as well, and my husband loves watching them perched on the branches outside of his den on the second floor. 

And of course, there is the squirrel.

One time, the fairies left a Kinder Surprise—a chocolate egg with a toy inside—for one of the kids to find. As I glanced out the window, I spotted a squirrel high up in the tree, busily unwrapping the treat! I can’t help but wonder if, somewhere, a tiny Kinder toy now sits in that squirrel’s nest—a prized possession and the talk of all his cocktail parties!

I should mention that the kids often leave treasures for the fairies, too. The fairies love sunflower seeds, pine cones, and even leaves. Pretty rocks are always a favorite. Now that the kids are a little older, we’re encouraging them to leave notes and drawings for the fairies. I think I’ll make them a mailbox so we can be sure the fairies receive their messages.

Most importantly, it’s about gratitude—learning to appreciate the magic of small kindnesses and giving back in return.

Hygge

As I write this, it's a chilly -21°C outside my window here in Alberta (that’s -5.8°F). It’s cold! But I’m grateful for two sleepy dogs curled up under my desk, keeping my feet warm.

January has been eventful, yet the year still feels fresh and full of potential. There’s a sense of newness in the air—a quiet nudge to start working on all the goals we set for 2025. The New Year's resolutions, the productive habits, the pursuit of a newer, better version of ourselves.

But maybe there’s a lesson to be learned from the seasons: Winter is a time for rest and reflection. Like the plants, we can allow ourselves to slow down, take a breath, and wait patiently for the renewal that spring will bring.

Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") is a Danish concept that embodies coziness, contentment, and well-being. It’s about embracing life’s simple pleasures and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that fosters comfort and connection. One of my favorite books on this concept is The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking—a lovely heartwarming read. 

At its core, hygge is about finding joy in small moments, especially during the long, cold months of winter. When the snow is swirling outside, these are some of my favorite hygge-inspired practices:

• Burning candles
• Reading a good book
• Wrapping up in a favorite blanket
• Cozy, fuzzy socks
• A mug of homemade soup
• Sipping a warm drink
• Crocheting or knitting
• Binge-watching a favorite show

Ultimately, hygge is about slowing down and embracing coziness. And how do you know if you’re doing it right? It’s all about the feeling it evokes—a deep sense of peace and contentment. Hygge is about warmth, both physically and emotionally.

So be kind to yourself when the snow is falling, and the wind chill makes -21°C feel like -32°C. The time for running around will come when the ice melts and water runs in the gutters. For now, take a cue from the Danish—and rest. After all, much of nature is doing the same.

Scout understands hygge

Tiny Things

As a little girl, I was always enchanted by tiny things.

My friend Sindy and I loved visiting the drugstore to pick up miniature sample sizes of shampoos and lotions. We’d take them home, excitedly admire the tiny bottles, and then stash them in our "collections"—seldom actually using them.

I also loved making accessories and furniture for my Barbie dolls. Some of my first crafts were miniature furnishings and decor for my Barbie houses, and I would spend hours perfecting the details.

One of my favorite childhood book series was The Littles by John Peterson. Similar to Mary Norton’s The Borrowers, The Littles tells the story of a tiny family living in the walls of a regular-sized house. These little characters would repurpose everyday objects like bottle caps, buttons, and spools into tools and furniture for their miniature world. I was fascinated by their creativity and resourcefulness—sometimes I found myself enjoying the inventive ways they used common items even more than their actual adventures.

Over the last few years, I've rediscovered my love for miniatures as a creative hobby. I’ve always admired the talent of those who elevate miniatures into a true art form. Shows like The Great Big Tiny Design Challenge and my personal favorite, CBC’s Best in Miniature, have only fueled this interest further.

I draw, I paint, I make vintage assemblage greeting cards. I knit, I crochet, and I even try to write a little on this blog. I certainly didn’t need another hobby! But the idea of making miniatures myself has always intrigued me.

In 2023, for my birthday in March, my sweet husband bought me a miniature kit—a ROLIFE kit from a local hobby store. It sat on my shelf for months, waiting for me to find the time, and honestly, to build up the courage to try something completely new. Of course, there was always something else to be done, and with grandkids and puppies around, I found plenty of excuses to put the project off.

But after the holiday rush of Christmas, I found myself with some quiet days at home during vacation. I decided it was finally time to dedicate myself to the kit.

To be honest, at first, I saw it more as something to check off my to-do list. After all, I’d had the kit since March, and now it was almost the new year!

I sat down at my dining room table and began working on the kit. I can’t explain how much I loved the process! It was completely different from anything I’d worked on before, and with everything included in the kit, it was a perfect place for a beginner to start. I was fully immersed in the task, and before I knew it, hours had melted away as I assembled tiny cabinets and packages. It was a candy shop, filled with bright colors and whimsy—two things I absolutely love!

The project took me about three days to finish, and I was thrilled with the results! It now has a proud spot on my bookshelf, where I get to enjoy it every day. My first miniature assemblage—what a joy!

Another busy year passed, and I had received another ROLIFE kit from my husband. This time, it was a coffee shop (so perfect for me!). I had set it aside and looked forward to the quiet days after Christmas to work on it. A few glorious days in my art room later, I completed this little gem. It was so much fun, from assembling the flowers in the tiny vase to creating the coffee machine.

As I immersed myself in the assembly of these tiny things, I didn’t think once about the troubles of the outside world. It was the perfect mindful task. And that, my readers, is what a hobby should do!

Like the first kit, putting this one together made me so happy! And when I look at my little coffee shop, its tiny light glowing in the evening on my bookshelf, it fills me with joy all over again. I’m already excited to choose another kit to try, maybe even before next Christmas vacation.

Do you have a hobby that takes you away from your worries? Have you done any miniatures? I would love to hear from you! 

Slices of Joy

Instead of new years resolutions, which have never been a good thing for me, I always choose a word of intention for the year. 

I knew what direction I wanted to go. I knew what idea I wanted to cultivate this year, but I wasn't sure what the specific word was going to be. 

And then, in the way that these things often happen, this wonderful piece by feminist writer @leilamadeline___ crossed my social media path. 

This little post really resonated with me! I do not think that I am alone in the feeling that life's challenges and the worries about the state of our world often overshadow happiness in my life. I would like 2025 to be a year where I notice all the good things about life! I want to be open to see more of the magic that this world has to offer.

Chade-Meng Tan, in his book Joy on Demand, talks about Slices of Joy. Slices of joy are those little every day things that we tend to move through without much thought. That first sip of hot coffee in the morning. The scent of a favourite candle. The softness of your dogs ear when you pet her. How you feel when your friend gives you a hug. Chade-Meng says that the more that you notice these small moments of joy, the more you will experience joy in your life. You teach your brain to notice it. In 2025 I want to recognize more slices of joy every day.

these are some of my slices of joy!

So my word for 2025 is...

So my hope for 2025 is to notice more and more of the simple little things that give me joy, and I would like share them with you. I would also LOVE to hear about some of your slices of joy, so please share in the comments below. 

Breakfast Brew

I have written before about my dear friends Char and Thomas Feuchter, and their wonderful restaurant, Barb & Ernie's Old Country Inn . Once a month, Char and Thomas let me come in and set up a table with my arts and crafts, what I call Nicolette's Heartfelt Creations. They give me an opportunity to be out in the public with my cards, my art, and my crocheted treasures. I look forward to it, as the customers at the restaurant always have the nicest things to say - I always feel very inspired to go home and create even more. Plus, I get to have a delicious breakfast! 

I was practicing some urban sketching one day, and I realized that Barb & Ernie's building would be a fantastic subject. So I decided to make a watercolour painting for Char and Thomas as a gift. I was very pleased with how it turned out, and on my next visit to the restaurant, I proudly presented it to my hosts. 

They were very happy with the gift, and to my delight, Char hung it on the wall in the restaurant.  It felt really nice to share my art with my friends. 

2025 Brings the 50th Anniversary of Barb and Ernie's. To celebrate the occasion, Barb and Ernie's has partnered with Leduc Brewing Company to create their own brew, called

Barb & Ernie's 50th Anniversary Festbier Lager

and imagine how excited I was, when I discovered that they wanted to use my modest artwork on the label! 

I painted the picture with no expectation, because it made me happy to do so. But what I got back was beyond anything I could have expected! And when I saw my name on the side of that little beer can, I felt like I could really call myself an artist. 

When you create with joy, it is amazing what blessings can come your way! 

Motivation and Accountability

As a person who lives with general anxiety disorder and depression, I have days when my energy levels and motivation can be low.  Negative thinking can take over, and the feelings of overwhelm can start me on a downwards spiral. I have talked before about how I need to do what I call  "the Nickie things", and get myself moving in the right direction. But depression and anxiety can make it difficult to have the willpower to do things that I enjoy.

When dealing with these types of challenges the best thing you can do is to be kind to yourself. It is helpful to understand the type of person that you are. Through the wisdom that comes with age (and with help from a good therapist) I have realized that I am a classic "people pleaser" - and along with this knowledge comes the realization that the best way for me to meet any goals, or to have any motivation, is to have external accountability. 

I am one of those people that can struggle with prioritizing my own self-care or personal projects, but I find it much easier to meet the expectations of others, whether it's my boss, family members, friends, or colleagues. 

Because I know this about myself, I find that committing to certain things can be very helpful for me! It gives me that gentle push that I need to get started, and to silence the dark wolf in my head.  For example, I do a monthly pop-up sale at a local restaurant, Barb and Ernie's.  I know that I need to have my arts and crafts made for the monthly sale, so I spend time working on projects for my table. I feel so good when I am working on these things! My batteries re-charge, and I feel positive.  Then I go to the restaurant, see the table filled with all my arts and crafts, and I feel great! 

my table at Barb and Ernie's 

If you have a peek on my sidebar, you may see some thumbnails for some challenges that I did years ago.  Looking back at some of those challenges, I remember how fun they were to do! I think that these art challenges are another great way to have some accountability and motivation to be more artful.

Let me know if you use external accountability to help motivate you to reach your goals! I will be posting some of my completed challenges on the blog, so stay tuned! And if you have any challenges that you participate in, I would love to see them.

Now if you will excuse me, I have some art to do! 

"It's MEEEEEEE!"

When my granddaughter, Evelyn was a wee one, she created this wonderful drawing. With great pride, she announced it was a portrait of her uncle. She was so pleased with it, she even signed it with her signature, as you can see, an E with scribbles to the left.

Such an amazing piece of art, that has graced our refrigerator for the last few years! It always gets a giggle when we tell anyone who notices it that it is a picture of Malcolm. My daughter says that it needs to be put into a frame, so that it can be preserved and honoured for all time.  

Well, I decided to do one better, and pulled out my plush yarn, and my favourite crochet hook, and I created this gift for Malcolm this Christmas:

I decided to make it like a flat ragdoll toy, which made it very easy to do! Using single crochet and simple increases and decreases, I was able to create the same shape.  I created two of the shape, and then stitched them together like a pillow with the red yarn, to duplicate the colour she had used.  I used a slip stitch for extra impact. 

"It's MEEEEEEE!" was the delighted shriek from my adult son when he unwrapped his present.  I think that it may have been his favourite gift under the tree this year! 

And the original artist? She was quite impressed as well. "Grandma, you made Uncle Mal!" 

And yes, I am going to get a nice frame for the original piece. 

Little Bateese

I lost my beloved dad six and a half years ago. I miss him every single day, and I know that my entire

family still feels the loss of him being here. But every once in a while, something special happens that reminds me that we are still connected. Today was one of those days that poked my heart.

In searching through my vast compilation of work emails (seems I never DELETE anything, only archive) my search keywords for some reason brought up an email from my father from three years before his death. I love it when this happens, and make it a practice to always open them up, it is like conversing with Dad again! 

This one really struck a chord with me, as we have our first grandson (Dad's first great-grandson after two great-granddaughters) and the family has been talking about how much Dad would have loved the new little guy. Dad was a sentimental man, a rare fellow who did not hide his feelings. He would tell us on a regular basis that he loved us, and that he was proud of us. And those words have stayed, even though he has gone. 

I hope you enjoy Dad's favourite poem, "Little Bateese" by William Henry Drummond. 

Barb & Ernie's

Barb & Ernie's Old Country Inn Restaurant is an Edmonton landmark. First opening in 1975, this local treasure continues to be the go-to place for a delicious hearty breakfast. The menu features their famous eggs benedict and wonderful German fare, in addition to traditional homestyle breakfasts. 

 

I met Char and Thomas Feuchter when we became neighbours in the early 2000's. They took over the restaurant from Thomas's parents in 2009, and as time went by, both of our families moved to different neighbourhoods, but we kept in touch.   

I am constantly amazed at how hard working the Feuchters are. To run a restaurant is by no means an easy task, but in addition, Char and Thomas have generosity that has no limit. 

For example, when my husband was in recovery from having the second of his leg amputations, Char delivered a box to our home filled with enough frozen meals to fill our freezer. At a time that we were feeling very overwhelmed, this kindness from a friend moved me to tears. In a time when the world was dealing with a pandemic, and restaurant owners were trying to keep their businesses alive, Char was thinking about us and giving us support. How special is that?

About two years ago, I was invited to come to Barb & Ernie's with my handmade cards and gift items. To be honest, I was quite nervous, as although I have done many craft sales over the years, they were almost always at large venues with other vendors. What would this be like? I was taking over valuable table space, and would the restaurant patrons enjoy my presence, or would they be annoyed by it? Of course, I was assured by my friend Char that she loved my work, and that it would be something special for her customers. So with that positive reinforcement, I came and set up my table. 

Well, to say it was wonderful was an understatement! After years of doing large sale venues, the intimate setting of the restaurant was a fresh take on what I was doing. I got wonderful feedback from customers about my artwork, and had conversations with people young and old about what I do. I got inspiration for what to create in the future, and also got to enjoy the best breakfast while I was there!

Barb & Ernie's now gives me the opportunity to visit with Nicolette's Heartfelt Creations almost every month. (They leave it up to me - no pressure) and it has become one of the favourite things I add to my calendar. It is a genuine feel-good exercise for me, a great contribution to my self-care for well being. Knowing that I have a table to fill is great motivation for me to continue creating my arts and crafts, and doing my art is a very large part of what I do for my mental health. Plus getting to interact with the public and have them say positive things about my art is always an ego booster! 

From my prime seating at my table in the restaurant, I get to see the reason that Barb & Ernie's has managed to stay in business all these years, including during a world pandemic.

Chris Morris, who has worked at Barb & Ernie's for 43 years greets everyone at the door. So many of the people coming in are regulars, and they are greeted with the warmth of dear friends. People have told me that they have been coming to the restaurant for their entire lives, the restaurant will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. Some customers (including international friends of mine personally) have told me that a visit to our humble town is not complete without a visit for breakfast at the restaurant. When Char is not working in the kitchen with Thomas, she will be out in the dining room, greeting customers with many smiles and hugs shared between them. The restaurant is such a happy place

Barb & Ernie's Restaurant is a big supporter of local artists and small businesses. Whether it is having a local author of a children's book do a book signing in the restaurant on a Saturday morning, or having the gourmet chocolates of a local chocolatier available for purchase at the front counter, Barb & Ernie's does a wonderful job of being connected to their community. 

Char and I bonded quickly years ago over our dogs. Char and Thomas' love of animals is evident even in their family business. In addition to their dog friendly patio, you can purchase homemade dog cookies in the restaurant. But perhaps the most touching to my heart is the partnership that the restaurant has with ZOE's Animal Rescue Society. Weekend Specials donate proceeds to the rescue society, and high-light a featured dog in need of a home. Meet and greets happen with ZOE's adoptable dogs in the Barb & Ernie's parking lot regularly. ZOE's participates in the Block Party that Barb & Ernie's hosts each summer. 

Thanks to Char and Thomas's support, I have had the chance to be challenged creatively with some projects that I would not have had the chance to do otherwise. I have created signs for their door, and for their patio. Trying new projects can be quite intimidating, but with Char and Thomas's encouragement, I have been able to stretch my creative muscles, and have been proud of what I have been able to create for them.

Another feel-good moment for me was getting the opportunity to create a colouring sheet of my own design for kids to work on while they visit the restaurant. I can't tell you the thrill I felt seeing kids in the restaurant colouring my picture, my work! It may sound silly, but it truly made me feel like a TRUE ARTIST! 

Char took it one step further when I discovered that she had t-shirts made with the same design on them. In both child and adult sizes, these shirts are sold in the restaurant along with fabric markers, so that you can colour your own t-shirt. How fun is that? Apparently, a group of fireman came in recently and bought a whole bunch, to take back to the firehouse. Oh, I hope to see a photo one day - just the thought of it makes me smile! 

Restaurant Staff in their T-Shirts

I took a course recently through Skillshare, on urban sketching - drawing buildings and landscapes. I decided to do a watercolour piece for Char and Thomas, as a thank you for all the wonderful support that they have given me. Barb & Ernie's is such a distinct building, that looks like it has been lifted from a village in Germany. It was so fun to transfer to paper, and it now hangs in a place of honour in one of my favourite restaurants. It delights me every time I see it. 

Community is so important, having connection can heal many things in our wounded world. Char and Thomas and the way that they keep Barb & Ernie's going is a great example of that. You can see it in the faces of the families and the friends that come to share a meal and enjoy one another's company. You can see it in the way that the staff treats the customers, and one another. You can see it in how they have loved an supported me in my art. I hope that you someday have the chance to experience their little restaurant, and experience the magic of that place yourself. I am sure that you will love it the way that I do. 

For the Love of Beagles

I have always been a dog person. I grew up in a house with family dogs, and as soon as I got married and left home, that did not change. My husband Todd and I have always had a dog, sometimes two or three at a time.

We have had big dogs, little dogs, purebreds and mixed mutts. We have had lab mixes and shepherd mixes, golden retrievers and now have a great pyrenees cross. But my love affair with four-legged furry companions started with a beagle. 

Honey and I (I'm the one in the polka dots)

My first furry love was Honey, my mom and dad’s beagle. Their first baby, she was very patient with me when I came on the scene. Beagles are known for being very good with children, wonderful family dogs. I can vouch for that, and from what my mother has told me, Honey was no exception to that rule. I think that this is where my love affair with beagles began, with this tri-colour cutie. 

Beagles are affectionate, active and playful dogs. They love being part of the family, and love to cuddle. If you take out the “active” part, this actually describes me pretty well. Maybe that is why I love them so much! 

Lucy at Christmas

My second beagle came into my life when I was dating Todd, who is now my husband of almost 38 years. Lucy was a rescue, who we discovered at our local Humane Society shelter. She was already six months old when we found her, and it was instant love for us. She was the first of our dogs, and was loved as fiercely by our extended family as she was by Todd and I. When we got married, Todd left home a month early and he and Lucy were exclusive roommates until our wedding. 

The original couple, Todd and Lucy 1986

When I moved in, although she was mine as well, we had not lived in the same house until this point. So when she chewed the heels off of every pair of 80’s pumps that I had, I kind of understood the motivation. She was just laying down some ground rules!

Lucy really became MY girl when I had our first child, Duncan. I was now at home during the day with the new baby, and she was my helper, the official baby watcher. Not only did she watch him carefully, she kept a really close eye on any visitors we had to the home. Even though many people had commented on how the dog was going to be a problem when we brought a child into the mix, that was never the case. Our seven year old dog adapted very well to the baby, and the other baby that followed. She moved from sleeping in our room, to sleeping in her bed in the corner of Duncan’s room, ever the faithful nanny. 

Duncan and Lucy

We lost our Lucy when she was 13 years old, and the day that she left us, our hearts were broken. How would our family manage without her? The house was so quiet, and it just did not seem right. 

We went on to have many other dogs in our family, first Ben, then Toby, who was joined by Tucker, then Tanner and finally Noah. With the exception of little Toby (who was in a category all his own),all were big dogs, the last three majestic golden retrievers straight from the front of a hallmark card. 

But then one day, my husband came home from his new job on site at a Botanical Garden. He and the caretaker of the property had been chatting about their families, and their pets. He had mentioned our dogs, and our love of our first puppy, a beagle. Well, it just so happened that this lady had a beagle as well. Her beagle was at her house (on the property) that was due to have puppies in about a week! 

Miss Molly in her red ribbon

It did not take us very long to decide what we were going to do. And when those puppies were born, Todd went and chose sweet Molly, the little girl with the red ribbon around her neck. 

Molly came home to a busy house, a house that already had a big dog (Noah), and a little dog (Toby). Both were getting on in years, and our little Molly became the little lady of the pack.

Molly and George

Over the years, she continued to wear a red collar and captured the hearts of one and all. She was with us as our kids grew up and left home, and as our kids came back home. She was with us through house moves, and as we said goodbye to Noah, and to Toby. And when George came onto the scene, she showed him the ropes. At first he was tiny compared to her, although he quickly grew to be over a hundred pounds! Molly was there when my first two grandchildren were born. And like my other beagle, she was just as gentle and motherly. It was so magical to see her with these little ones, the same way that Lucy had been with their parents. 

Miss Molly Moments

In December of 2020, during Covid Lockdown, we said goodbye to Sweet Molly Beagle. After thirteen years, it was hard to not have her beside me. She was sweetness until the very last moment. I grieved, and I grieved hard. I said to my family, no more dogs for a while! Life was very difficult and challenging at that time. I didn’t want any more complications. But every time I would go for a walk, I would see people walking their dogs, and I would come home and cry. And after about six weeks (how it took that long, I still don’t know) we came home with our lab/great pyrenees, Scout.

All about Scout

Scout is a joy, and truly a magical dog. She was dog NUMBER 9 for us, and I can honestly say that she is absolutely different from any other dog we have ever had. I actually consulted a friend in the veterinary field once because I was worried about her, because she is so different the others. But my friend reassured me that Scout is just weird. Absolutely amazing, but weird. 

Scout LOVES other dogs. She loves when other dogs come to the house to visit. And so I have always wanted to find her a buddy. In my experience, dogs do better when there is more than one in the house.  They are never lonely!  And for Scout, she just wants someone to run around and play with.

Well, we left it up to the universe. But of course, whenever I would see someone walking a beagle in the neighborhood, my heart would ache. I just love them so much! I put the word out to everyone that if they ever heard of someone needing to rehome their beagle, to let me know. But I really did not think it would realistically ever happen. 

At the end of last November, a friend sent me a notice for an 8 month old beagle in search of a new home. “In case you know anyone looking to adopt-” my friend’s message said.   And within a couple hours, we had our 10th dog, and our third beagle, our Wilbur.

Packmates

Wilbur has been a gift, more than we ever thought we needed in our household. He and Scout play all day long, and his adventurous (and somewhat mischievous) puppy spirit makes us laugh every day. In the few short months that we have had him, we have loved watching him live his best puppyhood, and he has become best friends with my grandchildren. My youngest granddaughter calls him “Wilbert”. I love that!

Helping with laundry

I even participated in doggy obedience training with him, six Saturday afternoons at our local humane society. So fun to see a hound who sees the world through his nose in a room full of other breeds, some who I must say, follow directions a little differently than beagles do! 

The proud graduate

Beagles can be a challenge, that is for certain. But their spirit, and their contribution to the family are worth any chewed carpets or dog hair on my winter coat. I look forward to watching Wilbur grow to his full beagle potential, as part of our family. My beagle-loving heart is full!