we're on the road!!!!

Yesterday, the truck pulled a hay wagon... today... a car hauling trailer.... and inside... Protection No. 2.... we're heading to Adrian Michigan to celebrate their fire department's 175th anniversary. This trip has been in the works (for us) a year... for the fire department a few years... and I am sure that everyone is so excited that the time has finally come......

We had hoped to get to Michigan in one day.. but because we were so late getting started (due to the hay)... we ended spending the night in Erie PA..... just four hours shy of Adrian, but it was late and we were tired..... 

The trailer has pulled well... giving Protection No. 2 a good ride.... Ed, of course, has been carefully hauling....it's been a long ride, but a good ride and we are seeing parts of the country that we have never seen before....

Hello Ohio..... I have been teasing that I hoped there was land west of Vermont....not having been this far "west" before.... I am pleased to say that there is...

Adrian is sort of in the middle of Michigan.. so my "dreams" of seeing the great lakes wasn't exactly what I thought. However, as we approached Cleveland... we did catch a glimpse of Lake Erie....

As big as it looks to me, it could have been the ocean... and I understand that this isn't even the "biggest" lake... but we'll put this back on the bucket list... "to see the great lakes"....

Hello to Michigan.... honestly, by now we were pretty happy to see this sign... it's a good ride, but a long one, and we'll be happy to get where we're going...

Even better... "the" exit....













So, why Adrian and why Protection No. 2.... Protection No. 2 is an 1853 Button hand tub... She was bought, brand new, by the town of Adrian Michigan... when Jeff began to do the history on his department, he did a search as was so surprised to learn that Protection No. 2 was still around. He contacted the Red Shirts and made the trip out to see if this really was the same fire piece. That was 10 years ago, and since that time, Jeff and Brenda have become very good friends with all of us. They have come out for several of our firemen's musters...

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As their anniversary approached.. Jeff asked the Red Shirts if they would consider allowing Protection No.2  to come out to the celebration. Their answer was yes, provided that Ed was willing to take it out. And we saw this as a great opportunity and were more than happy to give her a ride "home"..

As we pulled into the station, everyone was so excited to see her.... and I think they were surprised at just how beautiful she is... 

They couldn't believe that Ed had done the restoration work and she looks as good... if not better than she did so long ago....

This is not the station that she worked out of... that building was a few blocks away from the station of today... and sadly, it burned down in 1950...but the fact that she was back in the Adrian Fire house and on the streets that she once served... it was a very special moment...








As usual,,, Ed fussed over her, making sure that everything  was and is... just so...

We arrived in time for an open house that Jeff had planned. Several people aside from the fire fighters came to see her. And I think sitting there beside the modern trucks.. she held her own for sure. 











The weekend ahead is filled with all sorts of activities... tomorrow a parade... muster and banquet.... and Protection No.2 will be the queen of the ceremonies 

This is one of the original fire houses... (not Protection No.2)  but it looks very much like the house she was in. The building is now an office building, but they have kept the original look and the hose tower (in the back).. tomorrow we get to tour it, and I understand there are many things about it that are original to it's history. 

Love the weather vane.....

Mark from the Red Shirts arrived later in the day.... he was glad to see that she traveled well. Four of the Red shirts will be coming for the celebrations... plus three of the guys from our fire company .. and Ed and I... so, that makes a pretty good showing with us from the "east'>..

It's going to be a great weekend. Full of history, traditions, good friendship and adventure.... 


I am so happy to be here and share in all of this.... 

a night of hay...;

As a "rule"... once I begin to see Father knocking down the hayfields, I am a happy girl. With the hay loft beginning to look empty and the knowing of how much hay we need for the winter months... it's always a comfort to me to see the hay getting ready to come in. However, this year..... when I saw the hay drying in the field.. my thought was "oh no!!!" We are leaving for a trip tomorrow... and knowing we can't get all the hay brought in in a day... I will be leaving this job to others. 

We have been planning our trip for almost a year... but, when we found out the dates were in June, a small dread did begin to creep in. June is such a busy month for us with everything that we seem to manage.... so, I decided, as best I can, that this is just one of those things that I can't have complete control over and sometimes, it's best to just let go and allow things to plan out on their own accord. At any rate, it will give us the chance to try out new hay wagon, which makes Ed feel better because the flat bed trailer always made him nervous when having to haul hay. 

Because it had to dry all day in the sun... the hay wasn't (isn't) ready to baled and brought in until the end of the day. We were hoping to be on the road bright and early in the morning, but again... what needs to be done.. needs to be done.....

The first load was ready around dinner time. Denise, Ed and I headed down to the field...We decided that we would just do the best we can....but I feared it was going to be a rather long evening....

I will say... the hay is looking good, and with this nice stretch of weather... it's a good time to bring it in...

First load..... 

Everything went along quite well.... the trailer pulled nice, the hay elevator worked well.... after this load, Ed had to attend a meeting at the Town Hall... which left the rest of the work up to us gals. Astrid (who is minding the farm while we are away) arrived and jumped right in on the activities.  .. then Sadie came up... so, the second load was all us....

Girl power for sure.....

We brought in a total of three loads of hay. Almost 500 bales.... Ed arrived to help with the last load, which we put in around 9:30 pm. Supper was at 10:00 pm..... We were hoping to start our trip around 5:00 the next morning, but since we hadn't packed... and there were still some loose ends to tie up.... no way were we on the road that early.... 

To top it off, there are still another 500 bales to come in, and as much as I hated to.. I had to leave the rest to the gals. They all assure me that it's fine, and to go and not worry....easier said than done..... but again... I just have to let go what I can't do and trust..... 

I know the hay will get in... and it's time to look forward to some time away and a chance to have some fun and see new things....

party for 10

the school year ends...

visiting

Service dog awareness day.....

 I just never know "where" dog training will take me.... I have to say, it has been the most wonderful adventure, being a puppy raiser.. not only do I work with really great puppies, but the places I have been, the things I have done and the people I have met due to dog training, is a world all of it's own. And thus today, was no exception!!!!

Logan and I found ourselves in Concord, NH.... having been invited to the State house for a ceremony honoring service dogs... in fact... it was proclaimed that today was "Service dog awareness day" for the state.... it was a beautiful afternoon and we went a bit early to get the lay of the land.. and a few photo opts to boot...

Course, "important matters" need to be attended to first... we don't want to make the wrong impression inside the capital!!!!

Everywhere we go is considered a "training event".. and it was no different with this outing.... a very small, closed in elevator took us up to the Governor's office... and stepping off.... nice bright..shiny... slippery floors greeted us. Service dogs never know "what" surfaces they must walk on.. so this is one thing that we take the time to practiced with. Sitting on these types of floors has it's own "special" task as well....but Miss Logan can do it...

My goodness... is this not grand!!! We went right into the Governor's office!!!!

Being a dog person herself... Maggie Hassen greeted (with permission) all the dogs right away. Logan thought she was just grand......

I was so impressed that she took the time to talk with everyone... listening to their story and hearing about the dogs and the different type of work that each one does. It really made it a very fun event....

Sandy T.. (the pretty lady in black) is the lady that brought this all together. She has had two NEADS dog... CeCe her first dog is now retired and Rally is her second and current working dog. Sandy has done great work in the state house with regards to laws about service dogs. She is well known about the halls of the Capitol....

Here Governor Hassen is proclaiming that June 2nd is NH Service dog Awareness day.....

I have to say, I felt very honored to  be called up and personally thanked for my work as a puppy raiser........

Nice group photo of the Governor and the people and puppies who came today....

A few private moments spent with Rally (Sandy's dog) and a few seconds for a very busy Governor to sit and just enjoy the day and the event.

Logan... do you have any idea of how special this all was???


(No says Logan.... I just enjoy being out and greeting people!!!)

Two NEADS dog... Rally, working service dog.. and Logan, puppy in training... were very good ambassadors for both NEADS and the service dog community....

Guide dog, Finn... service dog, Rally... PTSD service dog, Lily... puppy in training Logan.. Service dog, Jafey....


great day and one that I will remember for a very long time!!!!

Memorial day weekend......

Memorial day weekend is usually the "big" start of the summer... but with the fall like weather we ended up having, it didn't feel very summer like. Still.. it is the start of good weather.... outside weather... and we are getting ready for when it comes. We have been enjoying the deck ... I think back on last year when we were just starting this project.. and here it is. 

The orignial design of the house didn't call for a deck, it was going to be a three season room. But the budget cut that idea out, so the deck is fine. Except the doors in the living room out onto the deck are "wrong". They open out as though it were another room... and we couldn't have the open without all the bugs and such crawling in. Ed found some screen doors that are made (or can be made) to go on the inside.. he ordered those and first project of the weekend was to put them up. The project was - quite frankly - a pain in the neck, and took longer than we thought it should have. But in the end he got them figured out, and they are just what we were looking for!!!  Now, I can open up the door, let the breeze go threw the house - which it really does - and all the buggies can just keep themselves outside...

Our pond is doing just great!!!! We added a few more plants.. and even some small fish... Everyone who sees it thinks it's really neat and I love sitting out in the mornings and watching, listening to it. I'm glad we took the time and did this project too... it seems as though we are really getting the finishing touches done on the house and making it a very happy place to be...

I have a bull frog polliwog that lives in the pond. I hadn't seen him in a while and feared that he might not have made it. But the other morning, when the light was hitting the water just right... I spotted him. I don't know how long it take a polliwog to become a full fledged frog... but I guess we'll find out....

Kass and Nate invited everyone to the house for a cookout. And though it was almost cold... we all went and had a very nice time. Looks like Calvin is finally beginning to fit into the little sheep hat I made..... I love making these hats for the kids, but (must be my knitting talants /or lack of ) becuase  the hats always come out a little different in size. Oh well, if it's too big, the good thing is... they'll grow into them...

The campfire felt good, and made for a nice time to sit and have good conversations....

Reagan was very excited to show everyone his construction site. He had all his equipment lined up and ready for work. I doubt any of us will be surprised if this little guy owns a huge construction business one day...... (and we all know there is money in "dirt"...)_

Very busy and had to bring in the "big equipment" for this job!!!!

Friends and family gathered for good times, a bit of rest after working long weeks.... and the thing that "real" life is made of....

Couldn't help but take this cute picture of Alna.... all the little ones are just growing in leaps and bounds....time really does just fly by.....

and not matter "what the summer weather" actually turns out to be...



we're going to enjoy it..



Happy Memorial Day... keep in mind the ones who have and are still keeping our country safe. We enjoy these good times, because they have done the work....

checkin in with Logan 5/26

a fun weekend 5/20-21

"THE" pond.....

fiber fest......

5/15... The New Hampshire Wool and Fiber festival... usually this event happens on Mother's Day weekend... and since our weekend was jammed packed, I figured I would be missing it this year. But, I saw that it wasn't on Mother's day this year, it was this weekend... and even though we were jammed packed with things to do.. we took some time to go out and see it. One of my goals is to learn more (and do more) with wools and fibers... so, I love going even though I really don't know "what" I'm seeing. Spinning is on the list of things to learn, and I've dabbled in it, but haven't taken the time (yet) to really learn it. I do love the looks of a spinning wheel... especially the traditional ones....

Of course "everything" is here... from the knitting supplies to weaving. I haven't been taken by the "weaving bug"..but friends who do it love it, and they can create the most wonderful things. 

I was really on the hunt for roving. I like to do felting and make the dryer balls.... Kass has asked for some because when Calvin goes into cloth diapers.. the dryer balls can be used in the dryer..... you can't use the dryer sheets, because they ruin the diapers, so the dryer balls are nice. I need to make a few for myself, and I have had other requests from my sisters for them... so.. I best get at this project...

I thought this was a clever item.... roving punched into a basket and making this hanging. I think it's a poodle... though I suppose it could also be a sheep... but either way... nice idea....

And then, of course, the animals.... when we first moved to the farm, I kind of thought I would have some type of fiber animals.  Honestly though, they are a bit of care and I can just as easily buy any of the fiber things I need without the care of the animal.... so... more and more not likely they will join our farm.. but I still can appreciate them....

This lady was doing a demo with angora rabbits.... there's more to it then one would think. The biggest part is having the rabbit be still when grooming for his fiber... she showed how you can do it from your lap....

or a bunny grooming table!!!! He's a good bunny not to be hopping about!!!!

Alpaca are pretty popular around here. You see them way more than llamas..... not sure if it's their size or temperament or even fiber as to why people choose them. But they're certainly not unusual....

Even though the day was rather cold and very windy.. there was good food, wonderful things to see and do.. and 4H kiddos showing off their animals. Just a nice break from what is seeming like our extremely crazy schedule these days... and of course, other crafts and idea for things to learn about....