winter fencing....

We were so happy that Abbie got to spend the weekend with us!!!! I love having her here on the farm and she seems so happy when she has the chance to come. She is really "into ponies" now and I was so surprised when she told me that she wanted to get Mocha out!!!

So down to the barn, and the first thing Abbie did was find her helmet.. she knows that "working around the horses we need to be safe".. and I am pleased to think that is a lesson she has learned. She led Mocha about for a bit and then said she wanted to go driving....

So we hitched up and had a grand little ride all around. Abbie even drove!!!! She did very well and listened to all the things I had to tell her.... looks like we have a little "horse man" in the making......

After being outside most of the day, it was time to come in and warm up.. with a tea party of hot cocoa, of course.... and then we were packing up and heading out.....

L.L. Beans' was having their pumpkin festival again. We went last year and had such a nice time.... we met up with Rachel and Rob.. and then with my parents... had a nice supper out and then onto the pumpkins. They were wonderful and certainly as many this year as there was last.....

Abbie had the greatest time looking them all over. So many different designs......

And even a pumpkin maze!!!! There was food and live music... lots of people and kids... it was a great family outing. The night was cold, but nothing that a warm coat didn't take care of!!!!

Since we did "boot pictures" last year, I just had to take on this year as well.....

Last year it was with Rylie... and this year with Debbie.......

We went into Beans to warm up a bit and Abbie loved playing in their fish tank. It is so neat that they have this big bubble that the kids can climb into ...

And feel just like they are in the tank with the fish. And the fish, are so used to it,they just swim right by your face. We had a little trouble pulling Abbie away so that we could go back out to the pumpkins!!!!!!

It so happens that this was (is) my Dad's birthday weekend. I am so blessed that I got to celebrate his birthday with him!!!!!!

Abbie, Meme and Amy... touring the many lines of pumpkins.........

another warming up time in Beans... Abbie wanted Debbie to see the big moose display... but I think Debbie was more concerned about what Abbie was up to and two big stuffed moose weren't that interesting.....

In and out of all the tents........

And a promise that she could run the pumpkin maze (again) got us back outside....

This was another great event to work Debbie at. However, I was quite surprised (and annoyed) at the number of people who said "oh a working dog," and yet they still reached out to pet Debbie. I usually just push them away by saying "ah ah, Debbie, you're working".. and then the people smile and step back... remember... don't interfere with a working dog!!!  :)

All the pumpkins are lit, which makes this so magical.. but at the end of the evening.. they all have to be taken care of... how does one blow out over 1,000 pumpkins?????

With a leaf blower... of course....

Though, they did get a bit of help from one little girl who had a blast blowing out the pumpkins before the leaf blower man came by......

Sunday morning we decided it was time to put up the winter fencing. With the hard frosts that we had have, nothing is growing any more and it's time to let the pasture "rest". The horses are never happy with the winter fence lines, because they get less than a quarter of their pasture area.. but if we want good grass next summer, it's time to pull back.

It isn't a "hard" job, but it is time consuming... by the time we will pull out all the supplies and run back and forth... it's surprising how much time it takes. This year however, we had a great little helper and Abbie was more than happy to run and back and forth with supplies....

She was great at pulling out the line... and we were happy to have the extra pair of hands..... she kept saying to me... "these are the things you need to do when you have horses to care for!!!" boy is she right about that....

And she was beyond thrilled when Papa told her she could drive the gator back and forth. Her driving skills leave a little to be desired, but one can only learn by doing!!!!!

I wouldn't be surprised if next summer, she will be able to drive without assistance....













Another weekend, come and gone... filled with fun, busy and family... it really doesn't get any better than that!!!!!