Well.. this isn't exactly what I would call "good service dog training!!!" Miss Debbie, I know she sees the cockers on the couch and assumes it must be OK for you (which it isn't).. so just after I took this photo... she was quickly shooed off!!!!
So, it's been our typical January... snow storms roll threw about once a week, and Ed is out there plowing and snowblowing. I am just so thankful for our tractor, it makes moving snow around a fairly easy task...
And I love the fact that Ed makes nice big paths for me to walk to the barn and get to other places around the farm.
But, after the snows, you can usually count on the January thaw... and we heard one was on it's way. This makes for a good time to check on the bees, and since I am slightly "worried" about their winter stock of food (ie: honey), we decided to make them a "candy board". It's just a fancy name for sugar and water, but it can be a resource if they are running low.
All you have to do is have a screen board.. mix boiling water and sugar....
dump the sugar on the screen, and pack it down. Basically it's a big sugar cube... you let it "cure" a day or two and then take it out and put in the top layer of the hive.
Many keepers put their candy boards on in the fall when they close up the hives... since we didn't get to it... I'm hoping that it will be OK to do it now.
A few days later, we went out to the hive with the candy board. We cleaned some of the snow away and was so happy to hear that nice buzzing sound inside. When we opened the top (which we didn't keep out long for fear of letting in too much cold).. we saw the bees alive and moving about. I didn't get into see how much honey they have, but now with the candy board, I feel better that they will have more to go on. It's been a pretty cold winter... colder than last year, so I only hope that "my little gals" will make it threw.
Because the day was so nice, after tending the bees, Ed and I took a little snow shoeing trip around the field. Certainly not as fast and exciting as the snow mobiles on New Year's.. but it was nice to be out and enjoying the winter. And the tracks made by the snow mobiles were pretty nice to walk in...
As long as we don't return to that bitter cold weather, I hope to get out on my "shoes" more often.
Then the warm weather really came in... it felt so nice to go out and not have that blast of cold. But, it doesn't come without it's own "winter issues".. mainly... melting snow during the day and cold temps at night, which makes for....
ICE!!!! and lots of it!!! our drive is dirt, so it doesn't melt like a tar drive would.. and everything became a skating rink!!! I am not a fan of ice... I hate slipping and fear falling... so my nice walks to the barn aren't happening.. I drive!!!
It was so bad that we had to hire a sander come in and help. Which I sort of feel like is a waste of money, but when the ice gets this bad.. it's a real risk.. so sander it is....
Took Debbie to the mall for some public work. Again, as nice as the weather is, it would be much more fun to be outside.. but everywhere the footing is bad.... so the mall is a safe choice.
And my friend Kathleen wanted to get her dog out working as well. So, it was a nice field trip to bring Debbie and Brutus out. For a week day the mall was fairly busy, I noticed there were a lot of "walkers" there, so I assume everyone is doing the same... getting out of the house, but in a safe place!!!
Debbie and Brutus were very good... and we practiced many of the service dog 'words"... Deb did some nice unders and both dogs laid quietly while we got a coffee and had a chance to visit. These dogs are good friends, and Brutus will be sad when it's time for Deb to head to college.
A few days later, we were off on another adventure. Nate and Mike were at the local gun show with their new business. And not that I am a big fan of guns, but it was "something to do" (and a place to bring Deb).. so we went along to see what it's all about.
Nate and Mike started their business about a year ago. For a small business, I think it's doing fairly well... and will grow over time. The guys didn't know "how they would do" at the show, but figured at least it would help to get their name out there.
It was a busy place.... I didn't know so many people would be interested in guns....
Deb was a real good girl and handled the crowd the well. She is pretty easy going and yet "serious" with her work... so I was happy to see when people reached out to her, she just went about her business, acting as a service dog should.
It was an interesting afternoon. On our way home we stopped for some supper and then coming back.. I have to say was the worse driving we have ever done. With the January thaw still well in place, the fog was just horrid.. and as it got dark, it was even worse. I worried about black ice, but Ed was worried about seeing well enough to even keep on the road!!! We made it home safe, but I would be very happy not to try that again!!!
The horses certainly enjoyed this break. I was able to take Silver' blanket off and he enjoyed the sun.
The big boys were playful... but with so much ice still about, I really don't like to see them racing about so much....
there are some bare patches of ground being to appear.. but the truth is.. this is a tease, and the cold weather will return.. and certainly more snow in the future. Days like this I can understand why some go south for the winter... not sure that I would - we can't with the farm, but I do understand.... (don't get used to this Tonka buddy!!!)
I never make New Year's resolutions anymore... because I never keep them. But, this year, I did make one... I have decided to finish all my "un---finished objects" (UFO's).. looking threw my stash, I have so many projects, that with just a bit more time, I could finish up. So... I am telling myself... no more buying anything "new" until I get some of the UFO's done. Well.. I got the first (of many) completed.... this is a cross stitch piece, which I can't even think how long I have worked on. I'd pick it up, work awhile - get sick of it - and then stuff it away... this time however, it was staying out until done...
and so it is..... now, onto another!!!!
Ten months!!!! just a year ago, we were planning a baby shower... now the plans are focused on a one year celebration!!!!
Happy new year... 2014... where has time gone??? "They said" when we were kids, that the older you get, the fast time goes... I fear that is true. Or maybe.. it's just that you can have more fun when you are "older".. either way... it's the start of the new year. In keeping with a new "tradition" we had another open house this year... I was a bit disappointed to find it so horribly cold out, which meant, no sleigh... I don't like to work horses in the bitter cold (and no one enjoys the rides anyways..) But all was not lost....
Dave bought two snowmobiles as Christmas presents for Deb and himself... he thought they might be fun to run around our field... so, he packed them up and brought them with him. I kept "hearing" something, and then looked out to find him unloading them. It took Ed and Abbie all about three seconds to get their winter gear on and head out the door.
Abbie hopped right on with her Papa and they were off....
This doesn't "look" good... I think I can see the "future" in this picture, and the snowmobiles had only been here a few minutes.....
I, on the other hand, had other things to do... we cooked another bird, and our guests were all excited to know that this was going to be the "main" course.... (he sure turned out good....)
Family and friends began to arrive. It began to really feel like a holiday (just what I was hoping)... Abbie was thrilled to see Reagan..... she couldn't believe how big he is getting!!!!
Course, my Mom scooped him right up the moment she came.....
My Mom with her "greats"......
Since it was an open house, people came and went all day long... some were able to stay longer than others... but my favorite thing of all..
a houseful of the people I love... the "noise" , laughter, good food.... it's just the perfect way to begin a brand new year....
The snowmobiles were a huge hit, and they didn't sit still very long. Just as I thought, I hear Ed and Dave talking in the back ground... "you can get a nice used one for a reasonable price".... (I knew it!!!)
Because it was so cold, people took turns... take a run or two around the field... come in to warm up.. and someone else got a turn. It seemed just about everyone took a little ride...
I did notice that Abbie got LOTS of rides, she just jumped on with anyone that was going... the cold wasn't about to stop her.....
Kass brought Reagan's little sled, bundled him up and took him out for a "sleigh ride"...
So much fun to hear him laughing.......
and here are the cousins all together again.....
The kids didn't seem to mind the cold so much... they played with their sleds, got rides on the snowmobiles... crawled around in the snow...
and the big people stayed inside, ate.. laughed and enjoyed the warmth of the woodstove....
Now, Becky's Ed.. had never been on a snowmobile, and was pretty excited to give it a try.... at first, he was a bit unsure...
but it didn't take long before he was out running it all around the field...
and then, with an impish grin.....
he was off on his own.......
Kelsey took her turn driving.... Naomi on the back...
and then with her Mom.....
and alone. It was beginning to get dark, friends were getting ready to head home, and back to "real life once again". The holidays have come to a close, and now "winter" begins.....
But there's much to look forward to... and many adventures ahead, I have a feeling that 2014 is going to be a great year... and I hope it is for everyone....
So the week between Christmas and the New Year... first off, it's been COLD!!! really cold... and even though the sun shines so bright, I have to admit, I don't feel like heading out. The woodstove is so warm, there are plenty of "hand work projects" to keep me happy and being inside seems perfectly fine.
Course, being "cold" is no excuse.. having chosen this "farm life".. there are chores that need attention, and even though I would be just as happy sitting inside... the barn calls and I need to be out and taking care of the animals.
The horses do fine in the cold. Everyone has a big furry coat... hay and water provide good internal heat, and they know how to catch the warmth of the sun. If only I were as brave as they are.
I don't remember having cold snaps as long as the last few have been. We usually get a few days of really cold weather, but it would seem this winter we are getting weeks of cold.... Ed and I have some "fears" of our stock of wood, so we'll be keeping an eye on that.....
I worry some about Silver too.... being such an old boy. On really cold nights, we do blanket him, but he is mostly happy without one.
I will say, we are going threw some hay as well as wood... but we are in really good shape in that department. Goodness, that hot 4th of July weekend seems so long ago... but am I glad that we brought that hay in... and had the help of the "marines" to do it!!!!
Even Annabelle stays well fed... she comes out to eat, and then hops back into her little kitty house. I check on her often and find her to be snug and warm in her little house... sure happy that we got that for her.
Camille continues to enjoy our tree. Every year she does this.. claims the spot under the tree. Moxie used to do that, so maybe she learned it from her. But the other thing is.. the afternoon sun lays nicely threw the french doors... so, this spot under the tree is always the sunniest on these winter afternoons.
New Year's eve day... Abbie is back for a sleep over. Sadie and Jessie had outdoor plans, and thinking Abbie might not be so happy doing that, they asked if she might not come and be with us again... (oh yeah.. like I have to be asked twice). Ab didn't get to see Aunt Becky and Uncle Ed at Christmas, so I had their gift for her. She was thrilled with their scooter.... and has decided that it's a good thing to keep here at Baby and Papa's....
And Papa found for her an after Christmas gift.... this is a "flutter fairy" and seem to be a favorite this year. (we're sort of out of the loop of the favorites....) But Abbie was thrilled to get her....
and you got it.... she flies!!!! It's the neatest thing... and she has a little sensor in her feet, so as she heads to the ground, she then floats up again. We had a great time playing with her this afternoon.
I'm not a big fan of New Year's... never have been... I know people wait all year for it.. but to me.. it's the end of the holidays and winter seems to only loom ahead. However, I am trying to change my idea about that... and since we aren't really the party type either.. simply heading down to Kas and Nate's.. for a dinner out, was just (if not better) as good.
We went out to a local Chinese restaurant... it was very good and not so busy (though we were there early).
After supper, it was back to Kass and Nate's for a little bit... Abbie and Reagan played and we just enjoyed being with our kids and grands.....
Reagan was soon ready for bed, and us as well.. we have big plans for tomorrow... so, I needed to get home and rest up. And we say a fond farewell to 2013... a year that brought us many many blessings and joy. And a year that I am very grateful for the blessings that the Good Lord has given to us. As the new year comes in, my hope is that 2014 will be just as great, and that it is great for all of you.....
