A hostess tip, courtesy of Trudy

sunny and snowing lightly, astonishingly beautiful, calm, temp - minus 4

It's a day to stare out the window and wonder. We have a solarium at the end of our kitchen - glass on three sides. There's nothing like sitting in it during a snowstorm. We can see the storms coming across the mountain. The mountain will disappear in white, then the forest, then the field, as the storm marches toward us. Then it hits the house and we're on the inside of a globe of glass, protected and warm.

Today is much more gentle, just huge flakes floating down from clouds directly overhead - but the sun in low on the horizon and there are no clouds there. So it's all brilliant sunshine and gleaming snow. Stunning. Must write a book about it. Naw - never work.

We bought the property next door. The owner has Alzheimers so we've been talking with his daughters, who are devestated by the disease and the need to sell the property he loved. They were glad to hear it will never be built on, and remain forest, and that they can come and walk it anytime. They also asked if we'd mind if they scattered their father's ashes there, when the time came. Of course we said we didn't mind at all. Comforting, really, to know he'll be over there.

Mike and Dom arrived from Montreal yesterday afternoon - went to the guest cottage then came here for dinner. We chatted by the fireplace for a while then moved into the big country kitchen for dinner - Brome lake duck. About half way through we heard a little (though quite distinct) wretching sound. Like good guests no one said anything. But about 30 second later Dom's face scrunched up as though he'd just swallowed Buckley's Cough Syrup - which I'm pretty sure wasn't in the recipe.

Nope. We'd discovered the source of the wretching sound. No surprisingly it was actual wretching. Trudy had 'tossed'. Right beside Dom.

You know, I think if dogs only realized that if they want to attack humans they needn't bite, just throw up. We all recoiled from the table.

It was back to the living room. Michael set up trays by the fire and we continued in there. It was actually lovely. Very 'family' and relaxed. Hard not to be once the dog had thrown up on a guest. Gives you an insight into how elegant my dinner parties are when a dog throwing up is barely noticed.

But there's my hostess tip for today. To spice up your party get your dog to throw up.

No need to thank me.

It's a day to just write. Love those. So it's back to Three Pines for me.

Be well.