Sunday, November 30, 2014

tso...


"tso"... Trans Siberian Orchestra.. this band has been around for a long long time, and they have a knack for putting a special sound to Christmas music. Though it's not my usual traditional sound, I do have to say, I like their music.  
For Kassy's birthday, Nate got them tickets to a concert. Now, I'll be honest, I am not a concert kind of gal.. but after giving it some  thought and really wanting to see this band. I told Ed that I would like to go. He called right away for tickets, but the space was pretty limited.. still, he took what they had and we went. As one can see by the photos, we were literally in the very last row.. and about as high up as one can get. (believe me, just climbing that high took an act of courage)
But truthfully, by the time the arena filled, and I thought we had pretty grand seats. Sadly my camera did not get very good pictures, and would make one think that we couldn't see much of it, but that certainly was  not the case...
It was a grand show, I completely enjoyed the music and the stage show. And it was nice not to have anyone blocking our view. (in fact we thought if we went again.. we might even ask for those seats)....












I would certainly (will certainly) go and see another concert of theirs... we had a grand evening out, and then went to dinner afterwards....



just seemed like a new and fun way to begin the holiday season....

Friday, November 28, 2014

and the day after...


My dear Kassy.... she knew that I was "sad" that they weren't able to spend Thanksgiving with us... and that no one was able to come to the farm... so, she called today and said that they were headed up. Coming to visit, play in the snow.. and enjoy some turkey sandwiches.. I, of course, was thrilled. We visited for a bit when they arrived, then bundled up and headed out to play....
Not unusual for our area, but it seems a bit early to be pulling out the sleds and playing with them.....
But Reagan is so happy with the snow.. and after just short ride on his sled, he really perfered walking threw it on his own steam.....
it's hard work... especially when it's deep snow, and you have a hundred pounds of clothes on. 
Still, though, he wanted to walk up to the barn and see the "cows"  (every large animal is a cow, according to Reagan).....
and following tracks makes your walk much easier.....

Ed and Nate thought it might be fun to pull the little John Deere sled out. It had to be tinkered with, but they got it running. It's a nice little machine and fun to play with around the farm.
It doesn't handle this deep wet snow very well, but it scooted along ok in the driveway. At first Reagan wasn't too thrilled with it (it's kind of loud).. but after watching Daddy drive it around...
He thought he might give it a little try... he went for a short ride, but it still really wasn't his thing....
Mona, and crawling around in the snow seems to be more his style.....

Then we all starting getting a little cold. So it was back to the house for some hot cocoa and some left over Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches...












Playing with tractors in the sunshine.... makes the day a perfect one....

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving....


One thing I have come to learn... it's wise to make plans, and even wiser to be flexible. And so it has turned out with this year's Thanksgiving. This is what we woke up to this morning. A house full of guest doggies (which I was planning on) and six or so inches of new snow... which I wasn't planning. 
Poor Ed had a horrid ride home from work .. "they" had been predicting this snow for a few days.. and all of a sudden "everyone" needed their snow blowers. They were busy crazy at work.. and then he had to deliver a few of them on the ride home. Between the snow, hauling the big trailer and getting snowblowers on and off the trailer.. it was not a fun ride...
But he made it home, and we spent a quiet evening together. Plans for the family coming to the house for dinner were changed as well. Dad is home from the hospital but he's not feeling well at all. And with the snow... and everything else... we have decided to take Thanksgiving to Mom and Dads.... 


Livy however, and despite the snowballs.. is loving the snow....
So, before we could head out.... the drive had to be cleared.... 

and it looks more like Christmas, than Thanksgiving....I'm glad I got my "fall decorations" picked up before this snow arrived.....
And this is why we had been putting the littles out in the round pen. Miss Escapee.... Mocha.  Found her wondering around, in search of grass when I went to the barn this morning. We're going to need to come up with better fencing, but that will now have to be a spring project. 
I told the guinea hens that the coop will be a better place to be.... they didn't believe me.. but I think now, they're reconsidering their decision.....
Now, fortunately, I had planned on frying a turkey this year for Thanksgiving all along. But, since we had to move our feast... this worked out even better. And then.... we discovered that there were parts of town, including the neighborhood behind Mom's and Dad's that didn't have power!!!!! We never lost power at the farm... but there were many towns without it.... it was a heavy snow. 
So, we packed up the cooker... Ed got it running, and we were able to cook a wonderful turkey, just the same. 
Fortunately, (and un-fortunately) there was just a small group this year. Kass and Nate was with Nate's family.. Sadie and Jessie were with Jessie's family... Abi with her Dad, and Naomi with her Dad... so, that left Mom and Dad... Ed and I... Rachel and Rob.. and my friend Kathleen. I have to say I hate it when we aren't all together... but families change over the years, and I can either sulk or celebrate.And since Dad is home ... and we have the ones we have... I choose to celebrate. 
Ed was the master chef.. and Rachel and I made sure that Mom didn't get stuck with a lot of work. It's been a long time with Dad being so sick..... and we wanted to make today, just a peaceful time to be together. 
Everyone commented on how good that turkey smelled, and we wondered if the neighbors were a bit jealous being able to smell it....
I think Rob was scared to death of dropping that bird in the snow.  



We had a nice meal. Not very fancy, and certainly on the quiet side... but just so thankful for the millions of blessings in our lives....
and the well earned (and traditional) naps after the meal.....






































I made this wall hanging as Mom's Christmas gift. But since it is a Christmas thing.. decided that it might be more enjoyed as an early gift instead of opening it on Christmas itself.....



so, as I have said, a quiet, change of plans, enjoy it as it is Thanksgiving... but a happy one as well.....


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

catching up before it's too busy...


The days ahead and from here on will be more than busy. A great time of year, but one in which I hope that I don't let things get away from me. It's so easy to get caught up in the hussle and bussle and not take the time to just enjoy. So "enjoy" is going to be my theme for this year. 
Danny Boy is doing well... he's such an easy going guy, that I often don't say too much about him. He goes to church with us, and just settles in under the pews. Everyone just expects me to show up with a dog....
We were at church a little longer than usual... 
A handful of us are practicing with the bells to do a song for Thanksgiving. I love playing the bells, and wished that we did it more. But, our director has so much going on in his life and I know it's hard for him to make the extra time for practices and the like..
So, I'm just happy when the do pull them out and ask for volunteers.  Danny seemed to enjoy the bells too.....
This week, Kelli had a big conference for all the town clerks in New England. She has been planning this for over a year... there is simply a ton of work that goes into an event like this and I know I don't even know half of what she has done. Her guest speaker is John Moon from NEADS.. so of course, we puppy raisers were invited to be a part of the program too.  Here's Moxie and Otis....
and Danny Boy. It was such a nice event to attend... a wonderful luncheon.. and being the center of attention is always fun. The clerks loved seeing the dogs and asked so many questions about service dog and puppy raisers...
John had a great presentation.... and a wonderful slide show....
He was introduced by the mayor!!!!
Afterwards, people came to talk some more.... the day was cut a little short for me.... but over all it was great fun.
It seems as though winter has come to stay. Time to get these birdies in the coop. Course penning up guinea hens is about as easy as penning up air.. but I have some tricks that might coax them in.
Mona.. the ever faithful... she always walks down to the barn with me in the mornings...
The big boys coming running as well when they see us. Nothing left in the pasture, so it's all hay from here on....
Looks like those thick winter coats are going to come in handy.....
and the "little" probably won't be left out in the round pen much longer. The weather changes too quickly, and they'll be happier in the barn and their small paddock...











"my day" at the conference was cut short, because Dad is in the hospital.He's battling with some major health concerns... one being his kidneys are beginning to fail, and it looks like dialysis is going to be in his future. 

Certainly not something that anyone wants to do.. but he stays in the hospital are beginning to become quite serious.... there will be much to think about in the days ahead.