Veronica loves Tea, she’s a total Tea freak! Not the simple little Tea bag, oh no. She’s very fussy, it has to be just right.

Right temperature, (with the help of a special thermometer), right infusion time, not a minute longer, and most importantly, the right Tea: preference, green.

 

When traveling, she even brings along her own tea… I know, ridiculous, supposedly hotel Teas are “undrinkable”.

She drinks Tea all day:

Tea in the morning:

That’s her “alone time” and has its own ritual:

Swimming (summertime), Yoga (this is new), classical music, Green Tea, breakfast and her book.

This whole “alone time” business works well for us, that is Dennis and I, you see we love to sleep late.

Tea in the afternoon.

Tea with her friends. Tea always Tea…

This is Veronique Gallais, she’s a Tea guru, she knows EVERYTHING there is to know about tea. She has this amazing little tea paradise, a small beautiful store, in a traditional neighbourhood.

Here, and only here, is where Veronica finds her valuable substance:

At “BETJEMEN AND BARTON”

Was Veronica always a Tea lover? Oh no, she drank coffee. Tea was for when she was sick.

What happened?

A Tea tasting happened. That experience changed her life.

The actual tasting consists of sitting around a table, for four (Yes FOUR) hours. Tasting various Teas accompanied by small bites. She not only loved it but went back dragging along friends and family.

Personally, I find the whole thing weird, I mean c’mon all that time for Tea??!! Even Dennis made a comment. This until Veronica pointed out that he went to Wine tastings lasting much longer.

I have been formally invited by Veronique to visit the store. I’m part of today’s “Tea shopping experience”.

Veronique greets us, warmly. She tells me I’m beautiful. (Always worth mentioning).

It’s a small store, with HUGE amounts of Tea and other delicacies that can be savoured together.

Without warning Veronica sends me to a corner. “Felicia there are too many fragile items here”.

This was NOT part of the plan. And why do Boxers have this absolutely unfounded reputation for being wild?

Us Boxers just know how to express our deepest feelings, and perhaps, sometimes, yes, we do so a tad too energetically. But from there to too wild…that’s quite a stretch.

Marie comes to my rescue, she definitely feels sorry for me, I can see that. She cuddles with me for a long time.

Marie works with Veronique, she often helps Veronica, guiding her through the Tea jungle.

Oh but wait now, is that Veronique calling me? Oh yeah, and she’s the Boss here, after all, not Veronica!

I’m allowed to go and admire the tea containers.

Getting a little cuddle in passing.

Time to choose the tea, this is not an easy task, they’re so many varieties. Each choice has to be smelled, accompanied by long explanations and discussions.

I’ve got the feeling this will take a very long time… (I’m reminded of someone just as fussy…hmm who can that be…oh yeah Dennis buying wine.)

We move on to the back room, The Tea mug room! Mugs and Teapots all over the place. But surely she doesn’t need a new mug?

Seriously? She’s got to be kidding!

Does Dennis even know about this?

FYI She DOESN’T need a new mug! We have a rather large collection.

This is a family thing, the crazy mug obsession….

I happen to know (I have a very reliable source) that VH has been trying to eliminate a few at their house…with limited success I might add.

Dennis has given up.

This goes beyond my understanding… She can only drink out of one at the a time, right? She needs variety, so she says.

What? My toys? That’s totally different! Apple and oranges here!

Anyway, it’s time to leave, a bag full of new Tea…and no mug! HA!

Tea? I still don’t really understand the concept.

It was a fun day. I love the store, Veronique and Marie, they’re super cool and sweet.  Best of all, it’s the time spent with Veronica.

Veronique, a word: Dog tea biscuits!

 

Many thanks goes to Veronique and Marie, for their friendly welcome, their amazing Tea choices, and helpful guidance.

Need some Tea:

I can highly recommend the wonderful Tea tasting evenings (despite what Felicia thinks)

http://www.barton.ch

 

 

 

I’m on a diet! Yes, you heard me: ON A DIET!!! Can you believe that? I’m very upset and furious with them all, more precisely, with Veronica. It’s her fault!

It all started the other day. Here I was at my favourite Vet’s, minding my own business. Patiently waiting for him to arrive.

That’s when I hear them, or rather Veronica: “Felicia has gained weight, she’s now at 31 Kg, that’s too much!! She needs to go on a diet”

A what now?? A diet? Nothing good can come out of that!! HELLOOO I have big muscles remember? Everybody knows that!

Dr L took a much more sensible look upon the matter “Don’t worry, what with the heat it’s normal, she runs less”

Ha! Hear that?? It’s normal, listen to him….if only.

Oh no… This is Veronica we’re talking about! She is very stubborn, stupidly stubborn. In her world this is SERIOUS business.

Felicia “We have to make some changes in your daily routine”. Oh, oh, I don’t do well with changes.

Anyway, I don’t feel like listening to you anymore!

First measure: longer walks and more running. Woohoo, here comes Boxer Felicia, the fastest runner ever!

(No need to mention Indya’s running skills right now)

I come home exhausted.

Long walks through the fields,

and much more running…

deep into the beautiful flowers…

…jumping like a kangaroo…look how cool I am, “Felicia the wild jumping Boxer”, oh yeah!

and more exhaustion..

New paths through the woods. We play hide and seek, I’m the best, a real champion.

This part of the diet I can handle, as a matter of fact, I’m all for it. Bring on more! But alas there’s a downside, a dark, difficult and mean downside:

A decrease in my daily food quantity! I know! The unfairness of it!

How can she??!! I’m sure Dennis is NOT with her on this one, I need no proof, I just know it.

And Dr L? Did he even suggest this? I highly doubt it. This is all Veronica’s doing.

How can a big Boxer girl survive on such rations, I ask you? Yes, you agree with me, I can see that!

This madness has to stop!

It’s time for a plan… as of tomorrow I’m switching into revenge mode. I know precisely how that’s going to play out.

Stealing PD’s slipper. Those plastic shoes are great, I have a certain experience in the matter.

Emptying the paper recycle bag.

Playing with Veronica’s special Lululemon bag.

Stealing a bag out of the shopping basket.

Hanging out by Dennis’s seat every single meal staring at him. (I happen to know this makes him uncomfortable)

Lying patiently by the food trunk, when at Indya’s house.

Now it’s time to move on to a whole new level. Yes, I’m going for the kill:

Stealing their dinner!! I have developed a never failing technique. As they rarely eat meat, I have to take up every opportunity.

The chicken breasts.

The fairly large Hanger Steak.

Dennis was so shocked. “Felicia do you realise the amount of money you just gulped down?” Don’t care, it was delicious and totally worth it!

This must surely make them think, at least Dennis is seriously upset.

Veronica had of course blabbed about the “Diet saga” at Corinne’s (really embarrassing, this is a private matter).

Last “Thursday big dog training” Corinne and FE noticed a change, I had slimmed down, so they said.

Wow, really? Does this mean what I hope it means?

(FYI You might be wondering why I’m not playing with the other dogs. I’m NOT scared, just not in a playing mood at the moment.)

That’s exactly what it meant:  you will be happy to know, that my diet is officially OVER! (The long walks continue, of course, summer has ended!)

I have no clue what actually made the whole ordeal stop. Did my tricks do it? Did Dennis intervene in my favour? Did I actually slim down?

Oh well, who cares, I’m busy cuddling with Veronica.