If you are American you are probably are familiar the expression, friends with benefits that I’ve used as a title for today. John thought it meant having friends who receive state benefits when I asked him what he thought so after explaining the American meaning of the phrase to him, I decided to add a link for those reading who might need more information. I’ll be using those three little words a bit differently today to illustrate a few of the benefits I have discovered after making new friends here in Cornwall.
My husband John and I have a great life together which I would say is only missing two things, one of which I barely notice now, but most of my American readers would think impossible to live without. I know I did at first and still struggle a bit with it on some of the cold and wet days that seem to stay with us for long stretches in the winter.
Georgia winters are cold and wet too so that was nothing new, but making it through the damp days without a tumble dryer as Brits call the other half of the washer/dryer combo was a whole other beast. John thinks they are a waste of energy and has never owned one. Two years into a dryer-less life, I find that I have adjusted to hanging them on a clothesline in all sorts of weather and I am no longer ” bovvered “ as Lauren Cooper might say.
The other thing I miss is having my own dog. We travel so frequently that it really is impossible to consider getting one. It would be too hard on the dog to board at a kennel and too costly as well. So for now we remain dog-less at least in our home anyway.
You see everywhere I go in this village there seem to be dogs and some people don’t stop with one, they have two or three. So there are always plenty around to play with like Cherry and Nigel’s new puppies that I had an opportunity to photograph in the churchyard on Saturday.
Remember what I said earlier about friends with benefits … well, having a chance to play with sweet puppies like Alfie and Dougie are two of the benefits that go with having Cherry and Nigel as friends. Not that those too aren’t great on their own, but letting me cuddle up to their new boys makes it just about perfect.
Remember what I said about having not one, but two …
I almost can’t stand the cuteness whenever I am around these two.
Dougie chasing Alfie through the primroses.
Looking for something to nibble.
Striking a pose.
Alfie discovering someone else on the scene.
Mark and Nigel trying to get Dougie to pose while Alfie pretends he is a patch of white primroses on the ground in between them.
Dougie doing his best to look aloof.
One of me in the pub with Alfie … pubs with dogs … heavenly!
Gifts Of The Journey 
You can’t get much cuter than those little fellas! I knew what you meant by friends with benefits, must be all the American blogs I read!
Yvonne x
Your smile is just shining with love in that last photo! I want to play with them myself. I am American, have heard the term “friends with benefits” but (don’t tell anyone) must now go check out the meaning.
On another note, thank you for taking the time to comment yesterday on my blog. I truly appreciate your sincerity, honesty, and caring. Thank you, again.
Just checked it out…oh! I don’t have friends with benefits. I guess that’s why I didn’t know.
I am not a dog person (sorry!) but oh my goodness, those little guys are ADORABLE!!! So great you can visit/cuddle them at your friends’.
I first heard FWB in my single days when a hopeful guy tried to convince me we could be FWBs … I thought he made up the term until I later learned it was known by many (except innocent moi).
Enjoy!
These two are incredibly cute. I also love the setting, with all those gorgeous spring flowers. And this is also a nice new interpretation of friends with benefits, though at first I was wondering if the benefit would be a tumble dryer!
I have a tumble dryer, have had one most of my married life.. .. it is not used a lot, BUT… it is always there if I need it.. and it is kept in the garage..
Why don’t you find out about Dog walking.. if someone cannot take theirs out .. 🙂
Oh, I would miss a dryer for the bath towels. I do hang much of the laundry, but the towels need to be soft and fluffy for my skin.
Speaking of soft and fluffy, your 2 little pals are adorable.
I married my best friend, so the rest came naturally 🙂
Good change up on a phrase that could use one. Your pictures of the dogs look straight out of some sweet doggie catalog. And NO DRYER! seems like a toughie but ah, the sacrifices we make for love…it is such a little thing. I have just caught up on your blog entries and found what you shared about your mom very sad (for her more than you). What she is missing out on in not having a bond with you or your daughter is immeasurable. I am trying to finish up on my thoughts of losing my stepdad and the meaning of family (it is proving tough) on a blog post I want to post. Your insights certainly helped me more clearly sift through my own reflections of “family”. I too have found blessed love and encouragement in the “family” I have collected over time in addtion to the ones I am thankfully related to. Does that make sense? Blessings to you and your “family”.
LOL, you can see how long I have been in the UK – I thought you were talking about the Social Security kinds of benefits. I too do not use my tumble drier; which is by choice a small version about the size of a large US microwave.
I love dogs and my fave is a big bigger, laboradors. My parents until a year or so ago had the Norfolk version of the Scottie your parents own, and they are every bit the “terriers” they are cracked up to be. Very funny at times too. No bird goes unbarked at.
And oh my, your flowers. I am missing the British primroses this year, and I always go out looking for them; sadness. Never mind, I have seen plenty of other botanitcal sights this side of the pond to go oooh and ahhh at. Do I see a buttercup feild post coming down the road?
how fun to have 2 of them to play with. oh my goodness these are the cutest little bundles of joy i’ve ever seen – and that setting – wow. i can’t imagine it. It’s like a patch of paradise.
Elizabeth, I didn’t get to the Dogwood Festival this year – so sad. I also wanted to tell you Taylor found an apartment very close to were I think you were living and it seems the same type of building. She’s very excited about it. thanks for your input and link.
i could do w/out the dryer, but NEVER w/o the DOGS!!!!
Delightful photos!! And a delightful post! I love the way you played with us with this term in the beginning. I was wondering where this was going, what new things am I about to learn about this fascinating person (you), and I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to go there. But of course, so glad I did!
I love your writing and your photos! Thanks for blogging!
Sorry, I meant the Scotties your friends own, not your parents. Dozy me…
A tumble dryer would definitely be the one thing I miss the most. In the cold of winter or the dampness of spring, I love the idea of slipping something on that has been warmed in the dryer.
Those doggies are so adorable!
Oh those puppies are so sweet! but also very beautiful is the church yard that is brimming with primroses and celandine.
Very cute puppies..I wonder if you know what kind they are? I find it interesting that many people find it odd to hang clothes out on a line…my parents have been doing it for years, and I do too. (sometimes it gets a bit tricky because I live in an apartment complex, but I make it work!) I am with your husband in believing that they are a waste of money…besides, it gets so hot in Texas, why not make the sun work for you! I love the pictures in your posts, keep up the inspiring work! 🙂