special day

This is my friend, Aileen, with her "soon to be dog".... Lilli. Aileen has adopted Lilli thru cocker rescue, but since Lilli is still raising her litter of puppies, it will be a few weeks, before she can live with her new owner.

Aileen and I met thru "the dog world", I feel so blessed at the number of wonderful people and friends that I have come to know because of dogs. All "winter" long, Aileen and I have emailed back and forth, talking about dogs for sure, but lots of other things as well. She has become very dear to me!!!

Yesterday, I took the "blankies" and dog coats to Aileen, because she had volunteered to work at the table that rescue had set up at the dog show. Since the day was suppose to be nice (and it was) I invited Aileen to go and see the barn. She has had a great interest in it, via the blog, and I wanted her to have a chance to see it in real life.

I packed up Moxie and Cammie (didn't take the boys for fear of all the ticks in the field and not wanting all that to end up in the truck).. and we went to drop off the donations and pick up Aileen. She hopped right up into my truck!!! and off we went.

We chatted the whole way, we never ran out of things to talk about, and that is so special when you can do that with someone else. Cammie completely took over Aileen's lap on the ride up. She didn't mind it at all, and I have a feeling that when Lillie arrives, she will do the same thing. Aileen loved the barn and the property.... needless to say, I had to take a quick shot of her in front of the barn... notice Cammie had to get in on it.

Then we had a grand lunch together (fried clams) and the whole day went zooming by. Moxie had a doctor's appointment, so, I was on a bit of a time schedule, but, we manged to most everything that I had hoped. I have next promised Aileen a ride in Tonka's cart, she says she can't wait!!!

And I can't wait to meet her "Lilli dog"!!! Special days like this are ones that are treasured!!!! And I hope to have many more of them with my friend........

"blankies!!!"

Last fall, my friend, Kim, popped over with a gift that she had received for her birthday. It was a beautiful fleece blanket that had been made for her. She wanted me to see it, because it was easy to make and she knows that I am always looking for new and interesting projects.

NOT, that I need to know about more projects, goodness only knows that I have a "million" of them in process at any given time, but I do suppose it's nice to keep your "list" up to date. The blankets are so easy to make, that I gave them to "everyone" at Christmas time.

I also made a few extra to use as donations, four to my dog club, and these three are for Cocker rescue who have a table this weekend at the local dog show. (Deb also made 5 of her beautiful dog coats - like the one Camille worn at the dog show - as another donation for the table) We're hoping these items will bring in a little extra for rescue.

Basically all it takes to make them are two yards of two different pieces of fleece. You will want to trim off the salvage sides, and lay them out carefully without any wrinkles. The only place I manage to do that is on the kitchen table where I have room to spread them out.

Then, you cut out the corner, and I make a 3 inch "fringe" all the way around. The quickest way I have found to do this is with a rotary cutter, straight edge and a cutting board. I also find it is better not to make too much "fringe" in one sitting, as it makes it harder to do the tying later.
















Then you tie all the little fringes together, a top to a bottom and... there you have it!!!

These blankets are very warm and durable. Pop them into the washer to clean, and dry on a low heat.

so, if you are in need of a project or something different as a donation to your favorite charity... here you go!!!!

too cute!!!!!

After a "whole winter of waiting".... look who arrived safe and sound on Friday, May 9th.... this is "Rollin' Thunder Josiah Norton"... a brand new colt belonging to my friends, Karen and Missy!!!! His mom is a gypsy vanner mare.... "Lainey" (aka Rollin Thunder Lainey May)....

Currently both are at our trainer's farm (Laura), and week after week, when Tonka and I went for our lessons, the big question was... is the baby here yet. Last Thursday, the answer was the same "no, not yet"... but he did arrive shortly there after!!!!

Karen reports that all went well, that Lainey is a proud and excellent Mom (she has had babies before!!!) and that little Josiah is a doll. How could he not be???

"This" is such a nice breed of horse... it would be a dream of mine to one day have one!!! but in the meantime, I will just have to "enjoy" the vanners of Rollin Thunder!!!!!








I have a feeling that this is just the first of many hugs and kisses!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

What had been fore casted as a "rainy weekend" turned out to be nothing of the sort!!! So, on "Mother's Day"... Ed and I had the family here for a cookout!!! The weather was beautiful and we were actually able to spend most of the time sitting out on the deck. It has occurred to me that this will be the last Mother's day for me in this house, and possibly the last cookout here as well. We head to NC next week and when we get home, it will be June.... come June, a great many weekend are spent at camp.. and that's pretty much how the summer goes!!!! Come fall, we will be in Acton...

I guess Mom's have a way of passing things onto their children, whether they mean to or not. I have done just that..... poor Kas is afraid of thunderstorms (though she is getting better with them living in the south) and this fear came directly from me.... I HATE them!!!!!! but, on a better note, sometimes you pass on "good things" too... like my 4:00 tea time!!!

Like a lot of folks, come 4:00 in the afternoon, I begin to run out of steam. Course, teaching dog classes at night, you need to have your "steam" back.. so I have the habit of either having a coffee, tea or hot cocoa that time of day. Kas has found that she has herself in the same habit!!!! So, for Mother's Day, she sent me this "tea basket"!!! It has all sorts of goodies in it, and the little teapot that is sitting there is really a pot and cup!!! (cup is on the bottom).. Sadie kept along the same "theme" for her gift.. and got me a travel mug.... which, when I have an early morning student (like today) I can take that "last" cup with me!!!... Sadie's cup is the black one and it says.... "coffee and dog hair" on one side.. and "I never leave home without them" on the other side!!!!! Ya, pretty typical for this house I would say!!!!!

So, it was a great weekend... the festival on Sat., presents from the girls, and a cookout yesterday...... I am truly blessed.. and hope that all of you had as much fun on your weekend.......

wooly Saturday!!!!

On Friday afternoon, my friend Linda arrived from New York state.. she was here for a little visit and also to attend the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival that was going on at the Hopkinton Fair grounds. She has asked me to go with her for the past couple of years, but the dog show had always fell on the same weekend... this year ----- it didn't... so I was able to go.

We were on the road fairly early, course, half way there I realized that I didn't have my camera with me!!!! I WAS not a happy camper, because I could have taken "dozens" of photos for the blog!!! But aside from all of that, it was such a fun day. Having the time with Linda was a joy of it's own (we haven't had time together like that since our children were VERY little) but I so enjoyed seeing all the vendors and animals.

Linda and her family have alpaca on their farm. Linda spins.... and has been doing some "neat experiments" with all sorts of different "fibers". She was telling me about her "adventures" with them, and it just makes me want to get spinning into my life all the more!!!! We were able to see some alpacas, and they're a neat little "creature"... I know I will want "something" else on the farm with the horses, but I haven't quite decided "what" that will be. I did see some nice looking sheep and can't believe how many "breeds" there are of them!!!! There were llama there as well, but, "they" really don't do anything for me, so I think I have pretty much ruled them out. OH, and angora rabbits!!! Now, that is a neat little animal, but I'm not sure I am up for the "work" that they require.... but... they sure are cute!!!

Now, as any of my "knitting" friends can imagine... the yarn that was there was incredible!!!!! I can just see Dale and Karen there... NO... maybe they shouldn't go there, unless Val and Greg are ready to move out of their houses!!! I am still "new" to knitting, and it took great restraint to keep from going "crazy" with all the wonderful products and projects!!! I did come home with a few goodies, but ones that I will actually do!!!
There were also "tons" of spinning wheels ... wish I had known what I was looking for in that department, because I am sure it was there. I have to say, there is a beauty in a spinning wheel that is something else.

The weather was perfect, ( HUGE difference from last Saturday!!!) the people there were so nice... no "pushing and shoving" ......people were chatty and it was just a nice feeling overall. You don't get that sometimes at these sorts of events. The time flew by, and before we knew it, it was time to get back home again. I guess there are several of these types of "shows" that go on all year, but I am hoping next year I can go again, and maybe I will even have a better idea of "what" I am looking for. Either way.... it's always on Mother's Day weekend, and if you are in the "yarn, spinning, animal" department... take a drive out... you won't be sorry.

down on the farm...

So... THIS is what the barn looks like without a huge pile of snow all around it!! Actually, I think summer arrived in Acton yesterday.... temps were in the high seventies and the black flies were horrid!!!! Lucky us... the good thing is, they only hang around a few weeks, and for the most part are gone... I keep telling myself that tons of birdies are being fed by the little "buggers".. course, they're trying to "feed" on us!!!!

It's funny how projects like this one go... seems like there are huge changes, and even though the work progresses, you don't seem to notice anything new. Then all of a sudden, there are huge changes again....

And the big one for this week.... a driveway!!! It goes from the main road, to about where the house will be... and all the way to the barn (yes I have some tree trimming to do!!!) BUT, no more mud... so, if you were "waiting to visit"... drop by anytime... the path is clear!!!

And now, what always seems like the "messy part" of construction... the dirt being moved about and the plans are being laid for where exactly (and how) the house will sit..

I don't like seeing the land torn up and all these "piles" about.. but, can't be helped and I know its temporary....

"Mo" the operator of the big "tractor" is very clever... I love to watch things like this, he can move big huge mounds of dirt, or clear the tinest patch... it's a real talent....

This is also where the building part gets hard for me. I have such trouble looking at a semi-bare lot and "seeing" a house there. Ed, on the other hand, can picture it so easy, and he is always saying things like ..."so here's the front door, and the porch goes here, and the garage is here... and should we have a window here or there?" etc. etc...... he is very patient with me as I shrug my shoulders and say something like... "sure, honey... sounds good to me!!!" --- I haven't got a clue!!!!

The "good thing" is... we have built things together in the past, like our little camp... so, when Ed can "see" something, I trust his instincts.... and then when it's really there.... I can take over!!!!

looking for...

I am looking for a ... HORSE.... a "white" horse to be exact, and somewhere under all that hair (and dirt) he is there. It has been a daily search, and layer by layer, I think I am finally getting down to "him".

"poor ol' Sil"... when I bought him 11 years ago (this month in fact) my first words when I saw him was...."he's white??" I just knew that a "white" horse would be trouble!!!! Not in his temperment, mind you, in his "keeping clean!!!" and this has proven correct. Tonka on the other hand, can get away with a "ton of dirt" and you don't even know it!!!!

So, a sure sign of spring for me....

horse hair all over the floor.....

and for the old boy... well, he is there somewhere, but I still have a few more days of "looking" (ie: grooming!!!!)

Missy heads home

Here is Missy with her new "mom"... Juline.....

may they have a long and happy life together!!!

onto rescue #5!!!!!

two for two

Several times today, I asked a question that seems not to have any answer.... "Are "new englanders" a hearty bunch that, despite the weather, continue to do the outdoor things that they love?" or "are we just a foolish lot that don't know how to get in out of the rain?" either way, no one at the dog show had an answer for me. So, aside from the fact that it was pouring rain when I packed Moxie and Camille into the truck, we (like everyone else) headed to the show.

Our judge held her breath anytime we entered the ring... this is what the entrance looked like... fortunately, it was somewhat dry under the "pulling shed" where the rings were set up...

It mostly drizzled, but every now and again, it began to pour, which did manage to send folks scurring.....

as for Camille and I... well, we are two for two.... today Cam added two more points to her score.... we received a 96!!!! and came in third place.


One more "leg" to go, and she will have her first obedience title... we'll probably try to finish in the fall, I have a feeling the summer will be just too busy house building to "worry" about it now.....