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....