Garden glories...

Summer has been a mixture of absolutely gorgeous days, and a few torrential ones, too, so things have been a little late to flower... BUT, our beautiful year old Clematis has bounced back well, and is covered in beautiful blooms and buds.

I'm in love with the crinkly, crispy, interesting edges and rogue double flowers, and can't wait to draw it (perhaps it will become a new pattern?!)... I even love the bits where the caterpillers have had a nibble, makes for really interesting forms.

The boys are loving running around outside, too - sniffing, digging and mischief making. Hamish just turned a year old and is a cheeky wee bundle... Angus is as grumpy as ever. Love them.

 Looking forward to a long, hot, summer and more of the same!
A&R

Pooch and Mutt Dog Treats...

It's long been a slightly embarrassing aspect of my personality, that I am a huge sucker for good packaging. Like a moth to a flame, I will gravitate towards lovely font, gorgeous illustration, matt finishes, embossed text, foiling, the works. Right there, and then, I am pretty much sold. There doesn't need to be any more conversation. I believe if people care enough to put their product in good packaging, the product will be good. Right or wrong, (and I haven't been, yet) that's my mantra.

So, today we were making our regular pilgrimage to Pets at Home for dog food and some treats for Angus and Hamish, the hungry wee things, and imagine my surprise when I spotted these *gorgeous* tubes...

They turned out to be the new range of dog biscuits by Pooch and Mutt, whom I hadn't come across before, and, as it turned out, the contents are every bit as appealing as the packaging! Ethical (they won an Ethical Award!), Made in the UK, Natural, Low Calorie, Gluten-Free, Hand-Baked and with the tag-line 'approx 150 ways to bond with your dog" I was sold on these little bone shaped biscuits!

I bought two flavours today: the Puppy Development ones, which have chicken, linseed and chicory to help cognitive development in growing Hamish. The Omega3 oils should help him develop concentration as we're training him! He loves them, and has already scoffed a few. For Angus (and Hamish in a few weeks) I chose the Calm & Relaxed ones... he's been a little stressed lately, with the addition of his little brother, and all the frenetic play time, so I thought the lamb and chamomile combination would soothe his nerves, and also Hamish, when Angus needs a little rest. He really enjoyed these ones, and he's a pretty fussy customer.

My mother in law bought the Active Mobility ones for their King Charles Spaniel, Sonny, who is pretty old now and a little creaky... so I'm sure he will enjoy those, too.

Angus and Hamish scampering around after their Pooch and Mutt treats...

It's nice to know you're feeding something to your pooches that is tailored to their needs (we love them, so of course we want the best for them!), which are tasty and they manage look great on the counter, I had been decanting until now. It's a winning situation for everyone. I really couldn't keep these lovely treats, and their fabulous packaging design to myself, as I know a lot of our friends and readers have pups, too...

Hope you all pick up some of these soon, we would highly recommend them!

Abigail @ abigail*ryan

p.s. Angus is currently collapsed asleep at Ryan's feet after eating a few relaxing treats. Happy coincidence? Hmm, I wonder. ;)

Introducing: Hamish...

 

Meet Hamish... the newest addition to the Bell family, and abigail*ryan HQ.

We picked him up on Sunday, the day he turned seven weeks old, and brought him home from his litter of seven to start his new life with us, and Angus. He is a Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu cross..

Angus doesn't really know what to make of him, and is quite grumpy and cross with us, and moody in general (I'm not sure if he really realises Hamish is a dog, because he's been so lonely and keen to see other dogs, that's the main reason we started thinking about getting him a chum!). But, he's coming around with a lot of love, and after doing lots of reading, we're making sure to do all the right things to cement and reinforce his top dog status. I think they will be best of friends by the end of the week!

It's so SO warm in Belfast (gorgeous weather), it's just a tangle of wriggly squiggly overly warm pups crashing out to sleep away most of the day in a shady spot... Hamish is doing brilliantly, using his training mat like a pro, and eating and drinking like the greedy one of seven he is. He's an absolute dote, and pretty much follows me around like a shadow every moment he isn't sleeping.

Anyway, enjoy these first little snaps. And Hamish, we love you already.
xo