Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving...


Not that we haven't ever had "snowy" Thanksgiving, but when I got up this am to get the turkey in... the sunrise looked more like a Christmas morning than a Thanksgiving. Fortunately it wasn't that cold and this snow - like Halloween's- will probably be gone in a few days.










It was windy, and even though this snow was pretty wet and heavy, it still blew around some. The view from the barn doors looks so cold and winter like.










We had a pretty quiet Thanksgiving, just the kids. Abbie couldn't wait for Tee Tee to arrive and watched at the windows all morning long. We tired to get her to watch the "balloons" on the TV, but that only kept her interest a short time.. she wanted Tee Tee..and then we found out "why"... according to Abbie "Tee Tee play outside with Abbie"







It was good snow for snowman making... so that was the project at hand.













Abbie admiring their work.....












She had to re-arrange the eyes a little (and replace the carrot nose that Banjo took).... but all in all... her first little snowman, made on Thanksgiving day.











Time for dinner!!!It was so yummy and we are so blessed to be together.






























Perfect time for a photo opt... course, getting everyone just right at the right time....













Takes a little practice... but well worth it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, hoping your day went as happy as ours!!!!
















Wednesday, November 23, 2011

two for two??

Thanksgiving is tomorrow.. and today, as I traveled out to meet a dog client - who's dog is staying with us over the holiday - THIS is what I followed along the road... Really??? Wasn't it "bad" enough that we had a "white Halloween"... does Thanksgiving have to copy???









I guess so. Since we woke up to about six inches of heavy wet snow. Sunday was in the high 50's and today... high 20's... so much for New England. However, you can deny the beauty of it... and I found several things to take pictures of.












Thinking that once this snow goes, I will need to get those fall decorations moved away from the old mower. It will be time for Christmas decorations anyways....




















The dogs certainly enjoy the snow.. and since it's that time of year...








I might as well too.... (though now I wished I had chosen wood over horses last Sunday :) )









Sunday, November 20, 2011

a country Sunday

Goodness, it's Sunday again. Ginger and I went to church (alone) Ed was battling a pretty bad cold, Sadie was working and Abbie is with her Dad.. so,it was just Ginger and I. Such a nice service and a great way to begin the day --- and the week. As you can see, Ginger is a pro at church.. but unlike Chester, she lays quietly the whole service. Chester got so used to the "routine" at church that during the closing hymn.. he always sat up and said "it's time to go".. silly dog. Everyone so enjoys having Ginger there, and of course, always ask when she will be leaving us....



When we got home, the first thing I did was get a turkey out of the freezer. Thanksgiving is this week and if I don't get a bird unthawed... we may not have one. This is one of the smaller birds... just 24 lbs... we aren't having as many here for Thanksgiving as I had originally thought.. so I had to find a smaller bird.








It was the nicest afternoon, the temps were in the high 50's and this wood pile was starring me in the face. Even though all of it won't fit uncover... we need to be getting it inside... this weather we're having now is not going to last. But, somehow.. I just couldn't "waste" it on wood......








and went to the barn instead. Annabelle seems to think that I have disturbed her napping time.....













but there are a couple of horses that need to have some work done!!!!Ed helped me harness and we brought them out to the new hitching post. It worked great, and made getting the reigns on them so much easier. With the post I could do this alone..which is what I had in mind....









and then off we went. Even though there is no hunting in Maine on Sundays... I thought it would probably be wise to wear my vest. And since we also went out on the street, it does make it easier for the cars to spot us... though I don't know how you can miss these two....

























I spent the afternoon ground driving... I need to work on my own driving skills with the team. I do well single.. but a team is different..though a few more afternoons like this, and I'll be in the wagon...



perfect Sunday.....













festival of trees...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! Well, not at our house.. just yet.. but certainly at the Festival of Trees which is an event put on by a local garden club. Actually this event happens every other year.. and this year, was the year.






Now in a sense, it is also a contest, where local clubs and businesses are encouraged to "enter" a tree with a theme. Almost since this event has been happening, my dog club has submitted a tree - dog theme - of course. It is usually a favorite, the public gets to vote for their favorite tree and many time we have come in second place. This year our design crew was determined to come up with a first place winner.... as of this blog, the tally is not in yet.. but I can tell you.. our tree was good enough that this photo appeared on the front page of the local newspaper.... we are anxiously awaiting for the results.


Our tree was just one of many wonderful displays.. and to be sure, it put you in the Christmas spirit. The weather was just perfect... a little cool, but not cold (we have gone some years where it was bitter....) The crowds were HUGE!!! and in fact, we didn't get to see one section, because - honestly - I didn't have the patience to wait in the line. But what we saw was just grand.






I decided to bring Ginger along.. knowing that the crowds would be big., and she did very well. Most people were respectful of her knowing she was "working" but there were a few that just came over and patted her without asking. Par of the course I guess















This is the "north pole" tree..... and there were just so many things. It was hard to get good photos, but these will at least give you an idea of what we saw.




So, with Thanksgiving this week... I guess I can officially say... Christmas is just around the corner....









































































Sunday, November 13, 2011

graduation day...


It would seem that Ginger sensed the day ahead was going to be a special one. When we arrived at the Four Points Sheraton for the NEADS fall graduation, she had this look on her face as I took her out of the car. I hate to think a year ahead... but chances are, next fall graduation will be all about Ginger... however, this year....









It's all about Mike and Chester!!!! And here they are, I haven't seen Chester since last April when we had the meet and greet at the NEADS campus and I got to meet Mike for the first time, and see "our" Chester once again. I have kept in touch with Mike via facebook, so I know that he and Chester have really hit it off... but to see in in "real life"... was just so wonderful.







And for the second time, I had the great pleasure of once again, seeing "my" graduating service dog and "my" service puppy in training together again. This is truly a rare moment, seldom do puppy raisers have the chance to see two of their puppies together. They really seemed to like each other.







Abbie came along with us - as well as Kass and Nate (Ed was there of course)... sadly Sadie had to work. Abbie was thrilled to see all the dogs, especially the ones that she knows well. She doesn't remember Chester.. but she sure did like him.







The first event of graduation... getting the photo. This is done by a professional and the pictures he captures are always great. I thought it was so fun watching how they "do it"... the NEADS trainers help set up the dogs...










and here is my "sneak" photo of the professionals. (That's Chester sitting in the middle of the top row)... And when you can get 21 dogs to all sit together and "smile" for the photo.. now that's a feat!!!!








Graduation is a "big deal" and even though I don't know him very well, I could tell that Mike was pretty nervous about all of this. He isn't the type that really likes crowds and a lot of fuss, and he knew that he would be going on stage in front of hundreds of people. He also shared with me that he had not been feeling well and had even had a couple of days at the hospital..so he wasn't up to his best. But Chester sensed all of this and did what he does best... cuddle and make you feel good... I remember well those moments!!! He would often do "lap" for me as well.




Abbie was such a good girl during all the speeches, Kass kept her well entertained. Here Abbie shares a book with "uncle Rick"... while waiting for the graduation to begin.












This is Gerry - the CEO of NEADS. He has just completed his first year, and from what we heard in the annual meeting, overall NEADS had a pretty good year. The economy hasn't been very helpful to anyone this year, but non profits have been hit quite hard. NEADS due to excellent guidance had come threw the year in a "not so bad" way. It's good to know that this organization that does so much, is doing "well"





If there is any question about "does Chester like being a service dog".. well all I can say is... you can see it in his face. This dog smiled the whole afternoon......












You can tell he is well loved and that Mike thinks the world of him













The first group of graduates where the combat veterans. Among them.. our friend Russ and his dog Joe..... (first ones in line)












Russ was pretty nervous getting up in front of everyone. But he gave a nice speech and was so proud to tell everyone about Joe and what a great summer they have had together. Russ and Joe were in the same training class that Mike and Chester were in... that's how we met....









Russ might have been nervous, but Joe took it all in stride. I guess being a service dog.. you're just used to all kinds of attention....











Service dogs were the next group on stage... that was Mike and Chester. Mike spoke a few words as well.... Chester looks like "so what else is new"... the calmness these dogs have are one of the greatest gifts to the owners.










This is a nice photo... Mike and Chester, and the pretty lady in red.. that's Karen, she was Chester's sponsor (and loved meeting me when we were at events) and the gentleman beside her, is her friend.. it was his dog who's name was Chester and she named "our Chester" after his beloved Chester... a good name carries on...








After all the ceremonies and speeches, there was some time for a few more photos (I can't even count how many I took). But I wanted to get one photo of Abbie with Chester, since she will be too little to remember when we had him, or this day, I wanted something that she would have to look at one day. I love how Chester is all cuddled beside Mike, he is definitely his dog. (and Ginger is cuddled in with me).....







One last kiss and hug, and it's goodbye. Not likely I will see Chester again-- and I was pretty thrilled that just after this photo, Chester reached up and gave me a big (wet) kiss. The chapter has come to a complete close.. Mike and Chester head off onto their lives together.. Ginger and I enjoy the last few weeks together.. and the service puppy raising continues....





"my very best wishes to my golden boy and Mike... I hope your days together are long and happy".....

































Friday, November 11, 2011

11-11-11




Today we celebrate Veteran's Day... I found this photo on the Internet and felt it was most appropriate for the day... Thank you to all who have served in the past, and to those who continue to protect our home....













Since it was a "holiday" I had said to Ed earlier in the week that I would like to take a day trip somewhere. I had thought of a few different places that might be fun to visit.. but wasn't too sure where we would end up. We really should have stayed home - been adults - and got some projects done around the farm.. but ya know.. sometimes, it's good to have a change of scenery. I was also talking with our friend Becky.. telling her that I have been on the watch for a sleigh. Just a nice little sleigh that we could play with around the farm, and maybe do a sleigh rally this winter.... upon saying that Becky was pretty sure that she knew of a sleigh for sale.


So, as it turned out... our day trip was up to see Becky and Butch on their farm. It's been a couple of years since I was there last - for a riding clinic - and I had forgotten how pretty the country side is in their neck of the state. When we arrived, I had to pay a visit to Dick... one of their original horses... for an old boy - 32 years!!! - he's in pretty good shape and seems to be enjoying life as a big pet. Both Becky and Butch are very fond of him and are giving him a great retirement.





We had a nice visit together... got some lunch...and so did the others on the farm...













And then we went over to check out the little sleigh that Becky had told me about. Actually these folks have a few horse drawn vehicles for sale... they have a real cute cutter.. but it would have been too small to put behind our guys...








and then they showed us this little gem. It was made around 1800... and is Canadian. The gentleman got it at an auction... he did a few minor repairs to it.. but it's pretty much just what you see here.












The runners are nice and solid and it can sit four, it's big enough that the drafts can fit in front and the price was well within my budget.....













We decided to bring it home......













With little effort, Butch and Ed got it up into the back of the truck.













I was excited to see how nicely it fit.. this means we can put it in the truck, hitch our trailer and bring horse and vehicle to somewhere and go. There are a number of sleigh rallies that go on during the winter and I am hoping we might be able to attend one or two this winter.....







Before we left, Butch took us to see the sleigh that he and Becky restored last winter. They have it in storage now near their home, but once the winter weather comes, they'll pull it out.











This is another little gem. They put quite a number of hours into the restoration of it, but Butch said it had good bones to work with.














The seat was one of the biggest part of the project, they re did it in red velvet and nipped and tucked all those buttons. Becky said their hands ached after that project.. but it came out perfect...











The craftsmanship and details that went into these little sleighs of the century is amazing... people took real pride in their work back in the day. This scalloped design on the back of the seat proves it. We need to bring these kinds of things back....




But anyways, I am looking forward to a fun new project for the winter.... I'm sure there will be blogs on this to come.