got snow

These photos are actually "old" as they were taken last week, we had another round of snow, and I recall saying something about "just a bit more and my garden horse might be gone for good". Well, it's getting close, poor thing!!! I already know that I will measure spring in how quickly he reappears!!!!









It's been cold again too... cold meaning anything under 20 degrees. I find myself happy to do inside projects on days such as this, and believe me, the inside list is long... there is always something that can be done. On this day, Abbie and I decided that peanut butter cookies might be just the thing. She loves to help with anything... unload the dishwasher, feed the dogs, pick up her toys... and bake!!!





Course, I'm not exactly sure how many cookies I 'loose" before they make it to the oven!!!!!












I was so happy last fall when we moved all those piles of dirt and you could see the front of the house. Now the snow has taken the place of the those dirt piles... at least this will melt and the front will be "see-able" once again...









Ed continues the battle with the snow. He had to take the snow blower and go around the entire fence line. In some places the fence was so buried that the horses couldn't see it, and could easily walk over it. The usually don't stray too far from the barn, but just in case they did want to spread out further, I feel better that they stay inside the fence.

The piles and drifts are so large that from the driveway, you can't even see the barn!!!!

Happily our "little furnace" keeps chugging and is keeping the house nice and warm. As long as we "feed it" twice a day...we had wondered how it would be to rely solely on wood, but so far so good, and this has been the winter to prove it. The tent building has worked out ok.. but we're thinking that a pole barn would work better, so there's another thing on the to do list. All in all, life is pretty average around here, and the winter is on the downhill side...

winter's beauty

It's feeling a bit "long", but winter sure does have that beauty of it's own. We had an "interesting" storm the other night... snow, sleet, rain and THUNDER STORM!!! so strange to see the lightening (and there was a lot of it) reflecting on the snow!!! Camille was beside herself and promptly climbed into bed with us.

The next morning, the world looked like it was made of glass. So after church, I took a little drive around and got these shots... enjoy!!!













Icy roads!!!

Apple orchards waiting for spring blossoms

Pines, frozen in time.....

ground hog day!!!!!

February 2... ground hog day!!! If he sees his shadow, he gets scared, runs back into his house and we have six more weeks of winter!!! But, if there is no shadow to be found, he stays "out" and we are in for an early spring.....
















Well, one look out the window this am (and with all the warnings we have had for the past few days).. it was pretty certain Mr. Groundhog wouldn't be seeing his shadow today. Another foot of new snow has been added to our already "good amount".... Mr. Groundhog may not have seen his shadow, but I fear if he stays out, he will be lost in the snow!!!! Happy early spring everyone....





And if Mr. Groundhog doesn't get lost in the snow, there is a pretty good chance that a kitty could. Good thing Mona is black, because we could at least see her!!!!










Other than the fact that we are into a new month and winter is certainly on the down hill side... there are signs of "spring" creeping up everywhere... like here on Ted's sign.... yup, they're looking for help.... which means, opening can't be too far away.....








Now, let's take a minute and talk about "Red"... he's the little foster dog that we have been keeping since October. Rick ran him thru an obedience class and brought his manners up to date for me... and we have just been looking for that perfect family....







And "that" family arrived this past weekend!!!! Red has gone to a wonderful couple who (like him) are very active. He will be the only dog - and doesn't have to share his new people with anyone!!! By the looks of this photo, I would say it was love at first sight, by both parties....










not only does Red have a new home, but a vacation home to boot (out on Cape Cod).. I think this little guy hit the jackpot!!!!











So, on behalf of Red... he sends out his thanks you to Cocker Spaniel Rescue... Rick.. and yes, us too... because he has been given that second chance and a great new life has begun.....

cold!!!

As I look out the back and over the dog pen, seeing that the snow has pretty much hidden the fence, I tell myself that next summer, in the heat... I'll miss this. Ya right!!! It's been a "typical" Maine winter and I am very happy that February is next week. It's time to move on... onto the next season, where I will then complain about the black flies and mud...

We have come thru quite the cold snap. I don't know how to photograph "cold"... actually I don't want to stay out long enough to photograph "cold" so I guess you will just have to take my word for it, unless you live here and then you know just what I mean. I could take a picture of our dwindling wood pile (though Rick is great about keeping us supplied)...

but, this picture better describes it... I don't think this cat (Darci) went more than a few inches from the stove. Maybe she changed from one side to the other, or popped out for a moment to eat, however this is where she was during the whole time.

Titus on the other hand, has his own little tropical island. You can pretty much find him hanging out on his rock. He doesn't even bother to go into the water when you walk by the tank... he knows a warm spot.

And cold winter days, when you aren't going very far, are perfect pj days. I must confess that when Abbie has been home, she pretty much hangs out in her pj's. Note the "dog on the leash"... this is her newest game... she loves taking the leashes and clipping them on her "doggies" and walking them around the house. If it would warm up just a tad, I would take her out on a real doggie walk....

Look who has a "new project"!!! Here is Rick with service dog #2 ... Ginger!!! Rick was so great helping me with Chester, that when I asked him if he would like to help with Ginger, he was all over it. They're first class together was this past week....

She likes her new friend!!!!

I am very fortunate and get to take care of lots of doggies. Everyone is my favorite when they are here, but once in a while.. there is one that is a "favorite" favorite.. and this award goes to Ella. She is a mini wire-hair dachshund. She was in my puppy class and is currently in the Adv. class.. I fell in love with Ella the first night she came thru the door. And everything that you see in her face is true... she is grandest little dog you could ever meet.




I'm not sure "who likes who" in this picture. Darci is quite taken with Ella, and I think she is in return. Course, they get so busy playing that "potty" time seems to go out the window....

We have to make that "business" run when kitty isn't around... and yes... the cat is bigger!!!!!

Back to the snow... my garden horse, another storm or two and he might completely disappear - and this is all "real" snow.. not just a plowed up mound around him....

I'm even thinking about next year's garden...

time to leave Mr. Winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

winter days

We still had a bit of snow to contend with on Wednesday, but for the most part, we were pretty well cleaned up from Tuesday's snow. It seems as though we are in this little weather pattern of snow every few days... fortunately, the little breaks allow "life" to continue. And so, it was dog class Wednesday night, actually it was graduation night (which had been cancelled the week before). Ginger was thrilled to see her friend Lily...

And because Lily was the only puppy to show up for her class... we allowed them to play the better part of the time. Lily is a white Boxer and was born deaf. However, as you can well see, it doesn't stop her one little bit.









Her owners are teaching her hand signals, and if you didn't know, you could not guess that she is any different from any puppy in class....

Happy graduation Lily...

For the "big dogs" everyone managed to come out for their graduation. This was really a nice group of dogs, and I have to say their owners did them proud.









Thursday morning, we headed down to NEADS for our monthly check in. It seems I have pictures of NEADS in all kinds of "weather" except for snow.. so, had to get this shot...











Like we did last month, Dave started the puppies in the training room. We worked on the basics like sit, stand, down and come.. and showed Dave how well the puppies are doing wearing their gentle leaders and cape. He was pretty pleased with the progress that both Ginger and Leo have made.

Then we packed up and went to the local Home Depot to work the puppies in public. I was surprised at just how busy the store was on a Thursday afternoon. We played with shopping carts and listened to all the different sounds of the store. The puppies got lots of attention and took it all in stride.

Dave watched us run thru the obedience lessons there, and gave us some tips to keep things on track. It is always so good to check in with him, not only is it a wonderful day of friends and puppies, but it keeps me fresh as a trainer to be a student.

Leo, taking in all in... he is such a good puppy!!!!

THEN, Friday... more snow!!! My boss called and asked if I could cover the post office. He has such a long drive and of course, I have all of 800 feet to travel, so what can I say. I don't mind working these snow days.. for the most part, it stays pretty quiet, I make a few extra dollars, and get to take Ginger with me... not a bad trade. Besides, look at this nice view that I have from the office windows.

Ginger is getting pretty comfortable at work. She likes to see the people coming in and out, and they like seeing her. In fact, when I don't have her with me, they always ask where she is.....

look at that sweet face... she will be another one that will be hard to say good bye to......

And here we are back at another weekend!!! Doing what we have done the past few, cleaning up and moving the snow around that came during the week. Up until now, Ed had pretty much handled it with the truck, but this weekend, it was time for the "big guns".









There has been so much snow, that he needed to clear a little space in the pasture for the horses. Especially for the "little guys"... Mocha and Kringle are about up to their bellies...

I feel so blessed that we have all this equipment. The job is big enough, I could imagine having to any of this "by hand". We even took the tractor down to Kas and Nate's to make more room for them.

We're dealing with a real cold snap right now.. it is only in the single numbers during the day, and well below zero at night. But as we head into the last week of January, spring is getting that much closer.. the days are already a half hour longer and now the sun doesn't go down until after 5:00. Winter days on the farm are to be treasured....