Saturday, November 28, 2015

odd project

The big furnace is chugging once again... later this year because we have been using the "new" inside furnace. Which has been nice since the days are really that cold... but once it does cool down, this wood furnace is still the best way to heat. The weather has been so odd... by now we should have a bit of snow, but that just hasn't been... however, I feel like we have a few extra days to get to those projects that were meant to be done all summer

One such project that Ed has been meaning to do is to run an electric line out to Denises barn. We didn't think that she would be staying with us this long, but since she is here... Ed wanted to get some electricity out to her building. When the days get short, chores are done in the dark, so this will be a big help if she can have lights in her building. I'm also thinking that heated water buckets will be a huge help in the winter... and now she can also heat her horses water tank, so they will have easy access to water all winter. 


It  will also be something we can continue to use even after she moves to her own place... so it's a good project to do.. but we never thought the ground wouldn't have any frost..





Mona was quite interested in the actives... She's such a funny girl... she has basically become the second barn cat... until it gets cold, then she'll move back to the house. She and Annabelle get along real well and I think Annabelle actually likes her company

Digging the ditch and running the line turned out to be a whole day project, as we thought it would. The sky looks like winter, but it's still pretty warm. Ed wanted to get this done and filled back before the end of the day... as it could freeze anytime.





Project well done, now Denise can fill her tank, the water won't freeze and we don't have to try and lug pails of water to her horses over the snowy barn yard (when that happens)... or in the wind and cold....

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving,.....


Thanksgiving once again. I know the holidays come faster every year!!! The turkeys were "done" and turned out to be on the small size as we had "feared".. so, I decided to cook two.. one done in the oven.

and one done in the fryer outside. Actually it's kind of fun to have a choice as to "what type of cooking" you want to try. But I have a feeling that my family will probably have little of both. This year, almost everyone is coming to the farm... with the family getting so big and there being other "sides".. holidays are having to be split so that everyone has a chance... truthfully, I just wish that we could always all be together, but that not practical or real anymore and I need to learn to share. 

Turkey cooking....

Tables all set........

Family arriving... and the house is in it's happiest time... full of sounds, laughter.. being crowded... just the way I like it to be...






 Kelsey and Dan even came for a while...

Ed carves the turkey(s)......

And we gather at the table... taking the time to say thank you for all our blessings.. and I am so very very grateful that we are together another year. 




After dinner, everyone takes a hike up to the barn. My family likes to check in on the horses and the various farm animals.... I had hoped to pull the forecart out and do some rides, but there wasn't time enough...











Kevin and company were back on the farm.. just in case I needed any dirt moved around



The kids were pretty impressed with the dirt pile the loader left.... and who can't resist climbing to the top of a big dirt pile!!!! (dogs included)




After a nice walk about the farm... petting the animals... it was time to head back in for dessert awaits....

Some more visiting... yummy desserts and coffee... playtime... and this little one begins to close out a very wonderful day... Thanksgiving blessings... there are just too many to name...

Friday, November 20, 2015

visiting

Poor turkeys.. the days are numbered... and they head "in" this coming weekend. I hope they'll be "good" because I have been pretty disappointed in how little they grew. We thought (I thought) to try this breed of bird, but we have already decided that when we raise birds again, we're going back to the white meat bird. I'm already planning that we'll need to cook two turkeys for Thanksgiving...


Got a little cold snap the other day.. and actually had some freezing rain. The seasons are changing again.... I wonder what kind of a winter we're in for. But I did think the ice made an interesting photo here on the frame work of the screen room....


Logan,Rory and I were invited to do a visit at a place in Portland. It's an after school program for children with disabilities, so I was happy to pay a visit and of course, use it as a training experience for both Rory and Logan. 

Logan's always up for adventure... and Rory dog will be heading back to needs in the near future.. so anytime I can get her out and about it good too. Rory is mostly with Kathleen these days, but I can "borrow" her whenever I want an older puppy to do a visit.





The kids enjoyed seeing the dogs, but this young chap really loved Logan... she was so good with him, very calm and just such a good baby for a dog so young...


Atta girl, little Logan... you're on your way!!!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Baby... I've come to play with you........................

We have been doing some clearing around the barn.. Ed is hoping to bring some of his toys up to the farm and we need room for them. Seeing the big equipment is fun... especially if you're Reagan.. who is visiting today!!!

I'm sure that "Baby" is going to have a lesson in what type of machinery this is and how and what it is used for... really all I know, is that it's making short work of what would take hours for Ed and I do to by hand...


The round pen is ready too.. a nice base of "sand" is going to be perfect to work the horses in... we need to get the panels back into place and it is ready to go... just hope I find (aka take) the time to work those equines of ours

Success!!! I have FINALLY finished a Christmas stocking for Abi.... took me long enough to do it.. one of the reasons her's was so long in coming was I had her pick out the pattern that she liked... I like this one too... I think the little horse looks much like Mocha and since Abi's first Christmases were here with us on the farm, it seems right. I know she's going to be excited when she comes up and sees that it's done

Baby Logan is doing well and settling in just fine. She's a smart little girl and she's going to be easy to train... so nice to have a puppy in the house...

We begun to use the little inside stove.. the mornings now are chilly as are the evenings. Henry is pretty happy with this... he loves to sit and watch the fire and I'm sure he enjoys the warmth. So far, he's been smart enough not to try and catch the flames... I don't think he'd try to.. I'm sure the heat must warn him this isn't anything to play with.... 


This past weekend we did some rearranging of the living area... I wanted to get rid of the futon and just go with chairs.. our favorite furniture store was having a sale... so.. we got in big trouble up there. I think with some changing things about we have a bigger space.. and with the doggies getting older, I don't like them jumping up on the furniture. So, I will also get some nice new doggie beds and keep them comfy on the floor...

I mostly took these photos so I can remember what it looked like before we did it over.


Reagan has finally arrived... and he was very impressed with all the big things we have here on the farm.....

He had to look everything over very carefully and pretty much as I knew... he began to tell me all about it and how everything works. I just love having little boys... so very different from when we raised little girls. They really do think differently... it's fun.


He wanted to help out around the barn, so we did the chores together... he was very happy moving some hay for me.... 

The doggies needed a little "run"., so we took a hike around the pasture.... everyone had a good time...








Took the horses a couple of seconds to figure out "who" we were... Duke was on high alert until he realized it was me. I guess Tonka already knew, because he was too busy napping to get up and check it out...

We watched Mr. Winchell work around some more... Ed wanted the drive widened a bit by the barn.....just makes room for moving trailers and the like about.


Reagan brought Kevin up... he was pretty certain that Kevin could get some of the work done on the farm... (wish he could,, I think his bill would be much cheaper than Mr. Winchells is going to be...)  Funny how he loves this tractor and that it's name is Kevin.... he brings it everywhere and even takes him to be at night...


I just love days like this... spending time with my grands is one of my greatest blessings... and to think, next year at this time.. there will be another!!!