spring things...

Thursday was a busy day about the farm. Ed was finishing up last minute projects so the cement can be done on Friday. I had an appointment in the morning, but hurried back to the farm as soon as I could.

Spring is in full force here and I am loving it. I still don't know what kind of bird this is... I am thinking it is a Blue Indigo and not a bluebird. But either way, it's very pretty and must have quite the nest of babies, because the noise they make when the parents are around is quite loud. The parents are always running to and fro, keeping this new family fed is a full time job for both of them.

Living in the "heart of apple country" and seeing all the orchards in full bloom is amazing. As far as you can see, are these beautiful white and pink blossoms. In a couple of weeks, the flowers will be gone, and all those pedals will blow in the wind.... a spring "snow fall"........

Our good friend Rick arrived, he has been wanting some manure for a new garden and asked if he could take some of our pile. I am thrilled to get rid of it. We are going to move the pile to a new spot (I hate where we have it.... it looks awful) and I had been looking for someone to take it away. But between Rick and a few others that have asked about it, I think we can find a new home for most of it.

while Ed was loading up Rick's truck... Rick brought his boxer puppy, Gus, out to meet the horses. Our horses are great with dogs, they are curious and very gentle. At first Gus didn't quite know what to make of these big guys, but it didn't take him to long to feel quite comfortable with them. I always think it's great for dogs to know horses... after all, there's a good chance you'll run into one or two of them while riding or driving, so the more horses know about dogs (and visa versa) the better.....

Another big day tomorrow with the cement scheduled to arrive, and then the open house over the weekend.... the days are going to fly........

"sea-ment" :-)

Bright and early Friday morning, the cement trucks were lined up on the road!! (I think it was the Beverly Hillbillies that called it "sea-ment!!!") After all the rush in getting the radiant heating tubes in place, Ed's hard work paid off, because he was already for these big trucks to arrive.

The crew began in the cellar. We were a bit worried about how the cement trucks would fit behind the house (avoiding the septic system), but the drivers got them in there. The guys started at the far corners and worked themselves out the door. I cant believe how quick they were.

And what a huge difference it makes!!! My kennel area is getting closer all the time!!!!

Then they moved up the garage. Again, those cement truck drivers just put their trucks and shoots in the perfect spots.... somehow I think they have done this before!!!!

And as easily as it came down, the guys just brushed it into place. They make it look so easy, but there is a real art to leveling cement!!! It took the entire day, brushing it out and making sure the pitch and such was just right. 24 hours later, we can walk on it (just in time for the open house) and within the week, we can move the cars in!!!!






Now, I consider myself as a "blessed" person verses a "lucky" person... but I found it so interesting that as I was walking across the field, I picked up a clover leaf in my sneaker...

a four leaf clover leaf...... what do you think of that????

Duke's turn...

Dusty popped by today for another photo shoot. This one was based on "barn chores" (or something to that effect). Yet again I had to be away during her shoot, but she said that it went well.

Duke was the one in this photo.... he is very happy now... because that means all the horses have had their moment of "picture fame with Dusty!!!" (Duke told me he felt a little left out that his "brothers and sister" had the photos professionaly done!!!!)

no keets....

after such a happy day on the farm yesterday... today has proven to be different. I went to check on my "sitting hen" only to find that the nest is gone and so is she. "something" of the night must have found her last night and everything is gone...just a bunch of feathers that I found near my round pen. I am quite sad... I was looking forward to having some little "puff ball babies" around the farm. Wished I had at least tried to move that nest yesterday... but life is full of "should have's" and one can't dwell on that. Poor "Mr."guinea hen looks kind of lost today, he's the only bird left........

what a day!!!!

What an amazing day it was on the farm!!!! We started out with a visit from the farrier to trim the horse's feet. Everyone was quite good and stood like "gentlemen" to have their feet done. The only complaint that I get with the drafts, is that they can be "lazy" and like to lean on the farrier!!! Holding up a few hundred pounds can be hard on the back!!! so, there is the occasional "elbow in the ribs" to get them standing on their on three legs!!!!

Just to give you some idea of how big Duke's feet are!!!!

and just how tiny Mocha's feet are!!! we certainly have variety on the farm!!!!

I've been watching my bird houses pretty closely these days. Today I found out for sure, that both houses have "tenants"... because you can hear the babies chirping when the parents arrive. I think that I have a bluebird family in one house and a blue indigo family in the other house. Both birds are bright blue, but one set seems to have a reddish underside and the other (in this picture) has a bright white underside. I keep hoping that I can get a real good close up shot and see for sure what we have. But, it's fun to watch them go in and out.....

Today, we "took the day off from house work" and just did some chores around the farm. One which included turning over the manure pile and cleaning up the paddock area. I am so thrilled that we have this tractor...it certainly makes short work of it all... I don't know where we would be without it.

As Ed was turning over the pile, he called to me and said... "you might want to save that little fellow from getting squished"... and I looked and say this very handsome toad!!! So, I scooped him up and took him to a safe location... but not before getting some very cute photos of him!!!!

I can't tell is he is happy with his new place or just posing for a picture.... I really don't speak "toad"......

Now, there has been a great mystery around the farm with regards to the guinea hens. We are down to two, and I have been wondering if they were a "couple". For over a week, we have only seen one bird around and only one coming in at night. Just when I think that something must have happened to the other... "she" shows up for a little bit and then disappears again. Today, when I spotted her, I was determined to find out "where" she was going.....





And we have discovered that she is sitting on a nest!!!! It is so clever where she has made it... along the stone wall that boarders our field. When she is on the nest, she looks just like one of the rocks in the wall. I was a little mean and poked her with a stick just enough to see how many eggs she has... a quick count, I think I saw about 14 of them.

As much as I would like to take the nest and bring it in where it would truly be safe, my bird friends say "don't touch it"... so, I will leave it for now and just check it every so often. If we do get some "keets"... then I will catch them and bring them inside. This is very exciting...so stay tuned for baby guinea hen updates!!!!!

And if the day wasn't already filled with exciting things... this evening Ed was heading down to the fire station, and not two camps away from us...

this big cow moose crossed the road in front of him. Fortunately, he was able to get this picture with his cell phone... he said when he first saw her, he thought she was someone's horse and it took him a minute to realize what he actually saw!!!!

ahhh... a "real day" of living in the country...... wonderful!!!!!! and that dear readers should catch you all update on the news.... I know, I know... it's been a few days, so you would expect some "news"!!!!!!

buggies!!!!!

Yesterday my little fly predators arrived in the mail!!! If you remember, I had ordered them one day last winter and they said that once the good weather came, they would be shipped.

Now, these little predators eat the fly lava that is in manure piles and the like and are suppose to reduce the fly population. I have talked with several people who use them, and I guess they make a big difference around your barn and animals... so I am anxious to try them out.

The funny thing is, you can't put them out right away... actually you have to keep them warm and in their package for a few days... because they need to hatch. What you see here are the fly predator "eggs" (the black specs) and they have been shipped in saw dust.

You have to watch for "movement" in the package, and then take them out and sprinkle them around your manure pile, area of your paddock etc....

so... we're waiting for hatchlings!!!!!

workin' in the cellar

Once Ed got all the foam boards/radiant heat 'stuff" done in his garage, we moved into the cellar.

This part of the project was a bit "trickier" because we have stone in the cellar verses the compacted sand in the garage. We spent an entire day, leveling out the stone and getting the foam boards down. It was a lot of work, but it looked so nice when everything was in place.

This is the part of the cellar area that will be the kennel. Our guest dogs will be toasty warm with the radiant heat floor underneath them. Sadie and I are also toying with the idea of opening a small doggie day care.. as far as I can tell, there aren't any in our area and it might do well. Course that is something we will check further into once we are settled in the house.

Once the foam board is all in place, next comes the part of running the tubing that the warm water runs thru... thus making the heat. Ed took a few minutes to study the "pattern" that needed to be laid out. It's not "rocket science", but you do need to know "where" you are going so that the tubing runs from point A and then back to point A again. You also have to be careful that you run only about 220 feet per "zone"... so, it all takes a bit of pre-planning.

It looks a bit like a "hodge podge" right now, but it's all coming together quite well. This is where all the tubing will enter into the "manifold" and then from there go onto the furnace...

We talked to the man that will be doing the cement work... and we should have the cement floor poured on Friday...

that will make a big difference!!!!

mother's day & birthdays

In a town, not too far away, there once was a beautiful dairy farm. As a "child" I can remember driving past and seeing hundreds of cows, I always loved looking at that farm. Then a "few" years ago (at least 10 I am guessing) the cows began to "disappear" and before too long, the farm was for sale. Such a sad sight, and sadly it's happening all too often in this day and age. Usually these big farms are divided up and turned into housing developments, and not that it's a "bad" thing, just I "hate" to see it happen.

However ... in this case, the farm was not turned into a housing development, but into a golf course and "restaurant/function hall" instead. I still didn't like to see the old farm go, but, at least a golf course keeps the land open. I also noticed that a GREAT amount of work was being done to the barn, at the time I had no idea "what the plans were" and I hoped that the big beautiful barn would not find it's fate in the ground!!!!!

" Fate" seemed to smile on the big barn as well, for that was the part turned into a beautiful restaurant and function hall, where weddings and the like take place. They also offer a Sunday brunch during the "off season" and I am told that it's "quite the feed."

About six weeks ago, Kassy called and said she wanted to make reservations for Mother's Day and have us all go to the "farm" for their special Mother's Day brunch.... sounded good to me, the plans were made. I was excited to go, because I have wanted to see what was really done with the big farm.

It's hard to describe how wonderful it all was!!!! First of all, having everyone get together was GREAT fun. Second of all, the brunch was amazing... I don't think there wasn't anything that was offered. It was buffet style, and you could get anything from cereal to raw oysters!!! and just about everything in between (I did not eat oysters!!!) The service was great, and the place is just beautiful!!! The barn still has a "barn look" and yet it is very elegant!!!!

Really, it isn't so much Mother's Day, as it is Family Day... so we just had to pose for this family picture!!! (besides I'm not one that dresses up too often, so you better get a picture of that!!!)

On another note.... It was also brother Bill's birthday (this is Ed's brother for those of you who may not know)....

So, we sort of had a birthday celebration as well as the Mother's day brunch, and even talked him into having a picture done with his nieces!!!

Happy Birthday Bill!!!!!!!

Later in the day, I invited my Mom and Dad, and sisters and nieces to come to the camp for a cookout. It's always wonderful to just be able to sit with family and get caught up on the daily events, we don't do it enough!!!

Because I was so busy playing "hostess" I (sadly) didn't get any pics of our cookout, except for this quick one where I found my nieces playing with Titus!!!!

Little Naomi is quite the animal lover (how could she not be in this family??) and she really gets a kick out of Titus. She wasn't even one bit afraid when I took him out of the tank for her to see. She petted his shell and talked to him and told him that he was a great turtle!!!!

so cute!!!!!!

And last but not least... to the "end of this day"... I also have to say that it was (is) Camille's birthday!!!

She turned six today....

where has the time gone????

Such a grand, grand day... and if I haven't said it before, I must say it again... I am very blessed and truly grateful to the Good Lord for such a life.

got water?

Yes we do!!! you might remember that a few weeks ago, the well man came and hooked the well up for us. That meant that we had water in the barn. But we haven't been able to "use" it, because we needed to "run the well" for a while to let it clear. So for the past couple of weeks, we have run the water about an hour every day. We have used it for bathing the horses, and washing our hands and such, just not for drinking.

On Monday, Ed ran a sample to the water lab, to have it tested and see if we could begin to use it... and the results were... it's perfectly fine!!!! There are a couple of things that it is a little "high" on, but the water lab says that use will more than likely take care of those "high results"... and if it doesn't, it would be OK...

I had forgotten how easy it is to fill water buckets when you can simply use a hose. Actually this has happened in the nick of time, because we only had about a day's worth of water in the big tank that we have used all winter... and it would have meant another load brought to the barn from camp.... But we don't have to "worry" about that any longer...




We're up and running now. Course I was just getting some pretty good arm muscles from lugging 5 gallon buckets of water... but, I won't mind not getting my shoes or pants soaking wet, when I miss my shot into the water buckets!!!!

This is Diana... she is the daughter of our friends Dee and Chris, and she (along with her three siblings) grew up together with our daughters. Diana has been studying to become a nurse and tonite was her graduation and "pinning"... since she invited us as part of her "family" we could not miss this.

It was a nice ceremony, but the best part was when Diana received her nurse's pin and she chose to have Dee pin it on her.

Diana has such a sweet and caring nature, I just know that she will make a wonderful nurse....we are so blessed to have people who chose such a service as their life calling...

Best wishes Di..........

seriously...

OK.. so maybe I took that "meat and potato thing" a little too serious!!! I think what my dear readers were looking for is "house progress".... well, we are progressing.. or should I say "ED is progressing"... I seem to be off with dog students or the like as he is working on some of these projects. Ken and crew have just a few small things to do, but really, the house is "ours" now, and what gets done, depends on us.

Ed's main focus this past week has been preparing the garage and basement for cement. Yes, that is radiant heat that will be in the garage, and it suits two purposes.... one is, it will keep the garage at a nice even warmth, and the other as a "dumping area" for the wood furnace heat. I don't exactly understand what or why about that, but I guess we need it.

The sand floor had to be leveled, which Ed did mostly by hand... then this green foam board was put down and the tubing for the heat is run along it. Certainly much easier than the wire & tie that is also done with this type of heating. It shows that improvements are being made all the time.

There is a pattern that needs to be followed when doing this. It depends on the size of the area and all sorts of other variables. Ed asked our "heat man" Wayne to come and help him figure out how this all had to go.




And, once that was done, I couldn't believe how fast it all came together. They were done in just a few hours... amazing!!!!

This is where the garage is now, it's already and just waiting for the cement. Yesterday, we got the cellar cleared out and the stone all evened up. So, now we just need to get the foam board down, and Ed and I can do the tubing, now that we know how it's done... and that will be ready too....

And, maybe next week....

cement!!!!

meat and potatoes...

I never like to disappoint my loyal readers... so tonite when a request for....

"I want a story that have some meat and potatoes in it... something I can sink my teeth into... enough of those doggies stories"... well I am happy to oblige!!!

so... "D&D"... here's a "meat and potato" story for you!!!!

and now, it's time for supper!!!!

dog show, day 2

Another bright and early morning for Camille and I... off to day two of the dog show. She was happy to go, though just before we left, I found her in bed snuggling with Ed, which pretty much goes to say... we don't have show dogs... we have pets that happen to show.

Our first class was the Novice (CD) class, the one that she "failed" in yesterday. Again I wasn't expecting too much in this class, we need to work out the "bugs" on this one. Her "set up" was beautiful, she is alert and ready to work... I really like this shot.

In we go, "on lead heeling"... great. Next "figure 8"... well done. "Stand for exam".. flawless!!! Now, the "dreaded off lead"...

Bit of lagging on this outside turn.. but over all.. not bad... still in the running...

Lagging back a bit here too, but still working and not as far behind as I thought she was....

end of exercise, the judge whispers..."so far so good"... I can't hardly believe it.... we're passing!!!!

Set up for the come command.... last exercise and a piece of cake.. Camille ALWAYS comes when I call her...no matter what!!! That first leg is almost in our grasp...

I leave her, judge gives me the signal to call... "Camille come".... She looks at me, she doesn't move... I can see that she wasn't paying attention and now she isn't sure if she heard me or not... she sits and waits.... the judge slowly shakes her head.... we're done... she allows me to call her again, but we have already "failed"... I call again, and Camille comes running.. big smile and "happy to see you again Mom" look is on her beautiful little face. I give her a hug, thank the judge and leave.... so close and yet so far... bummer!!!!!

As it turns out, five other dogs blow their comes as well. After talking with some of the other handlers, we all agreed that perhaps our dogs really didn't hear us call for them. The ring behind us was busy and loud, and where we were working was windy. We all decided that we should have called much louder, I will think of that next time. But the good news... even though we need to practice more together, I know that Camille will pull it off and get her CD... we'll keep our eye on the prize.

Banjo showed again today. However, I had to find a friend to take him in for me. Camille and I were in the Rally Obedience ring the exact time that Banjo went into the breed ring. I didn't get to see him show, but Kas and Nate report that it was much the same as yesterday. Nice job, but a young pup can't measure up to the big adult males. This is Banjo's idea of "showing".... more like showing off!!! He's such a great puppy, and for a first time out... I was very proud of his overall performance and manners!!!!!

Because Kassy's was busy at the breed ring with Banjo, she wasn't able to get any pictures of Camille and I in the Rally ring. Today was a bumper leg anyways, as she finished her title yesterday, but it was an excellent run.... in fact it was a PERFECT run... she scored 100!!!! not one point lost on anything.... I was thrilled!!!!!

And it turned out that there were two PERFECT dogs in the Rally ring today. Camille and this beautiful Newfoundland!!!! When this happens (scores that are tied), "they" look to see who did the course faster. I am always aware that I am being timed as we do the course, but I work more for a clean run than a fast run.

The Newfie was faster by two seconds!!! So, he placed first and Camille and I were placed second. But, a perfect run is a perfect run, no matter where you "place". Our little Camille is turning out to be quite a little star!!!!

Tonite we are both exhausted, I am going to finish this post, put my jammies on and wait for it to get "late enough" to go to bed. Camille has beat me to it, she is out like a light having just finished her supper!!!! It was such a grand weekend.... saw so many friends, got to spend some time with my kids, weather was great, and a little brown and white cocker did her "mom" proud.... what more can one ask for????