Thursday, February 28, 2013

BEE-utiful day

So, after yesterday's snow... I was worried that today plans might not happen... it is our check in day at neads!!! But, we all agreed that if the roads looked OK, we were going - especially since it was mostly rain down towards neads. As I left home early in the am, I had to admit, we've had enough snow, but it sure is pretty......
Took some nice shots of the farm as I pulled away....
I like seeing the apple trees dressed in white, but it would be a "nice white" if they were apple blossoms and not snow!!!!!
And my favorite row of trees (at a neighboring farm) always look pretty......
I met up with the other puppy raisers at Rick and Kelli's house. While we were waiting I saw this beautiful view from their front window......
The trip down to neads was fine. The roads were clear and the further south we got, the less snow... they got mostly rain. So, I was happy that we didn't decide to cancel. We met and greeted all our pals there, and went into our round table time. The puppies are pretty used to the routine at the academy... Rylie went right into sleep mode.
We popped in to say hi to Gerry real quick. He always enjoy seeing the dogs when we go.....
And Bernice got a special surprise visit from T and his new owner, Donna. We puppy raisers always love to see our babies once again. T was dropped from being a service dog, but he sure loves being Donna's dog!!!!
Getting read to head into the city.......
Rylie says she's ready to go.......
We worked on the street for awhile.. it was almost warm in the city. Just being that little bit south can make a big difference.....
We went into the hospital to grab some lunch and "play on the elevators" and such... Rylie made a friend right away... and this gentleman liked her so much that I finally had to tell him that we needed to move onto our work. I know Rylie would have stayed with him all day if I had let her.....
Pretty high up wouldn't you say...... she seemed quite interested in watching how things went from large to small and back again. Elevators are no big deal her!!!!
From the hospital it was over to the train station. No troubles here either... since our trip to Washington, trains were no big deal.....
But, by the end of the day, everyone is ready to head for home. and actually this day at neads was a bit shorter than usual... because I had to get back home and get ready for school.................










That's BEE school I'm talking about, and that's another story!!!!!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

birthday celebration...

There is something to be said about bad weather... it cancels dog classes, which means I can be home for birthday celebrations and since it's "kind of" Sadie's birthday tomorrow... we decided to celebrate tonite. Abbie was quite pleased with the choice of her Mom's cake.....
And even happier when I turned the decorating project over to her.....
Including the number of.. and placement of... the candles... ( I did limit them somewhat.. don't think Sadie would appreciate ALL the candles from the package on the cake!!!)
After the cake decorating, Abbie and Rylie decided to have a little dress up party. This puppy is so amazing with her, and Abbie isn't going to be the only one to miss Rylie when it's time for her to head to college... I am very fond of her myself....
Rylie loves Abbie and will do anything for her.....
Including wearing Minnie mouse ears!!!!! What a pair....
Abbie was thrilled when Mommy came in from work... racing to the door yelling "happy birthday -- I made your cake!!!" (nice looking family - wouldn't you say!!!)
Sing the song of Happy Birthday, blow out the candles and celebrate the "un birthday" year!!!! Three more years before another birthday!!!!! but --- happy, happy just the same Sadie!!!!

I'd like to tell you.....

hummmm.... ya... I'd like to tell you that these photos are just "left overs" from the last snow storm that we got a couple day ago.... "sadly".... they're the photos from TODAY's storm.... I'm thinking that groundhog really didn't even have a clue!!!!
The funny thing about this storm is, depending on where you lived, was what you got... we went down town this morning to run some errands, and not even ten miles from the farm, it was raining.... seems when we got to the foot of the big lake, a line had been drawn and on the other side... rain....
We, however, live on the "other side of the line" and got another eight or so inches of very heavy wet snow... it stuck to everything!!!!
Course, that does make the best snowman snow... and Abbie and Jesse went outside to make the finest one in town. Well.... at least mr. Snowman has a big happy smile on his face...
And thinking that March is just two days ahead, I have a big smile on my face too. I have some exciting plans for spring, so it can arrive anytime......
Even Duke as he munched on his supper tonite seemed to be looking again with "again???" in mind... I have to say, one thing that is so wonderful, pulling down the bales of hay, cutting them open and seeing all that wonderful summer green inside. Ed said they have the most wonderful smell......
Maybe come August, I'll take a look at these pictures and think... how pretty....
but I think the color green is pretty too!!!!!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

just pictures of snow...









ol man winter, aint' done yet...

We are certainly in the winter season, never mind what the ol' ground hog said... it's February, and it's winter. We also seem to be in this "weekend snow storm" pattern... which I guess isn't so bad, at least - for me - it doesn't cancel "things".... We were expecting the church young group to come to the farm today for sleigh rides. I wanted to use our little red sleigh because I thought it could hold more .. thing is, we haven't hitch Duke to it.
So, with the snow already falling, we went out to give the red sleigh a practice run. It went beautifully, and I think I like it better than the box sleigh... I sit a little higher (and can see better)  and the runner go well in the snow... I don't think Duke cares one way or the other.. for him it's still "work"... but he was his usual good boy.
He went along no big deal... and I haven't had him out since the New Year. I love having a horse that just "hitches and goes"....
Ed drove as well... he goes good for anyone, just gotta love this horse!!!!!
That evening, we decided to go and see a movie. We had been wanting to see "Lincoln" and Ed found it at a local theatre. We called our buds, Kelli and Rick, and since neither Moxie or Rylie had been to a movie, we brought both the service puppies. They did great... they had to squish between the seats....
And, of course, the theatre got dark, and the movie is very loud.. to which neither cared. Towards the end of the movie, Rylie got restless.. I was worried that she had to go out and potty... but turns out that she was cold. The theatre was very cool and the floor was cold... poor girl. I wished I had brought her little "bed" for her to sleep on.. next time, I will need to remember to bring it along... often floors in public places can be really cold.
It was raining down on the coast, but the closer we got to home the snow began again. Ed got the wood furnace filled for the night....
And the trees were getting pretty bent down with the heavy snow.... Spring isn't far off... so I have decided to just enjoy....oh, and since the snow was so wet and heavy - church was cancelled this morning and no youth group this afternoon....  :(

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Sunday, February 17, 2013

an afternoon of owls....

oh goodie... more snow this morning as I headed into the post office. Well.. it really didn't matter much, because this  afternoon, I had made plans for weeks ago. As a baby shower gift, Kelli gave Kassy a cute little needle felted owl. Needle felting is all the rave now.....








I loved the little owl, and said something about learning to make one. Kelli told me that the lady (who I know) would teach a class in felting if we wanted to pull a class together....well, that didn't take me long, and six of us got together this afternoon to make owls.....

Here are the parts and pieces... it's roving that is used to spin with...that, along with some VERY sharp needles and a bit of imagination  is all you need.
 You can make almost anything, but since I liked the owl so much and Beva (teacher) said it was easy, we opted to go with the owl.... this is one that she had made.....
and with her guidance,... we began. it is pretty easy once you get the idea of it... and learn NOT to poke your fingers!!!!!
Starting to take shape....
 Making the base is kind of boring, so we were pretty excited to get to the part where the design really begins to take place.... here are the eyes....










Kassy really got into it... in fact, I believe she had the first finished owl....and because we were so busy crafting, I didn't get anymore pictures until we were done.....
Our class photo.... the cool thing is, the owls are all different......


These are some of the pieces that Beva has made.. she is really into sculpting...and her work is amazing. But she assured us that with some practice we can make these sorts of detailed things...
I loved this tree fairy with the woodpecker on the back of the tree.....
And here is my final creation... I must say, he came out pretty well for a first try.. and let's just say.. right up front... there will be many more!!! (wait til I learn how to do the dogs!!!!)