over the weekend...

To start this blog out, I wanted to show a "finished" photo of the tile work that we did in the down stairs bath. I say "finished" because it isn't done just yet, we still have the grout work to do. But that will be done by the first of the week, then it's some trim around the window... some baseboard... a toilet and a sink ... and we will have a COMPLETED room!!! (ya hoo!!!) I just have to say again, I am so happy with the way this turned out, and I can't wait to get the other rooms done!!!!

Now, most people would get a little excited at the sight of a firetruck in their driveway. However, around here, it's a common occurrence... Ed had a firefighter who needed some "drive time" on this particular truck. So, he took a little break from house work and went out and played with the firetruck... what's that line... "the difference between men and boys? the price of the toys!!!" Yup, Ed is just playing with much larger tonka trucks!!!!




From firetrucks to "dirt" piles... actually this is the manure pile!!! Last year, Rick took a big part of the pile away for us, and this year our well (digger) man, wanted to take the rest away. I am MORE than happy to get rid of the pile. First off, I "hate" seeing it sit there (and getting bigger every day) and second, if you don't have a huge pile sitting around - it helps keep the flies down.

So, Ed pulled out his little tractor and began to load Brian's truck up. We should probably be taking the time and making our own loam, but right now... who has the time, and if I can just move this pile out... I am very happy to see it go..










Happy gardening, Brian.. hope this works out for you!!! and if you need any more... we make it on a daily basis :)

After playing with the manure, Ed did do some "yard work" for us. We had a couple of dirt piles that needed to be flatten out around the barn yard. We are going to try pumpkins again this year. We didn't have much success last year(but then again, didn't do well at maintaining the garden either).. and I think we planted way too early. So live and learn, and we'll see how we do this year. We did save a bucket or two from the manure pile for ourselves, so we'll throw that on and see what the pumpkins think of that.

"They" told us that Sunday was going to be a rainy cold day. So Ed and I had a list of things to be done in the house. However, when we got out of church this am... it was a beautiful afternoon.

Now, we both know we have a long list of things to be done in the house, and yes the time is getting short... but, I simply could not waste this beautiful afternoon inside (I might regret my decision tomorrow).. so.. nothing doing, we hitched the boys and played with the horses for awhile.

They were pretty good... they certainly need to be worked more, and the black flies were some what bothersome.. but overall, they did quite well. They're shaping up to be a good little team, and basically time and work is what they need the most of.

One day soon, this house will be at a point where we can "play" (and not feel guilty).. and you know, I am really looking forward to that day. For now, we'll "cheat" where we can.

so helpful......

The reason "why I can get so much done in the morning" is because I have "help" Just about every morning, Chester is always ready to give me a hand.....

"Look I found a bowl"











"Hey Mom, here's a bowl - you know - the one that you FEED me from!!!"

"Here you go Mom - now remember this is the bowl that you FEED me from".....

"thank you Chester!!!"

we can do it..

For a little while I have been going back and forth about the floor in the down stair bathroom. We talked with "floor people" and thought about vinyl and then tile. (both pretty expensive) just when I thought I made up my mind about the vinyl, I saw the nice tile in Kelli and Rick's bathrooms and went back to the tile idea. Then that was another whole conversation (and sticker shock) with the floor people... so, we decided that we would look into doing it ourselves.

We went to the home store, looked over all the tiles, talked with the folks there and decided, yes, we would do it. Ed has done tiling before and "hates doing it".. (he really can't be on his knees for any length of time) so I said I would like to give it a try.




After finding out what we needed for supplies, turns out it's WAY cheaper to do it yourself and basically, if you take your time and are careful... you can do a pretty professional looking job.

Now, since I was doing the tiles... Ed took over the measuring and cutting department - which is good, because I'm not crazy about using "equipment"....

step one... cement board.




Just getting that into place and covering the (very dirty) plywood floor made a huge difference.











And (bonus) the tiles that I picked for the bathroom were on sale!!!! That was a really nice surprise. We "rough laid" it out to get an idea of where to start... mixed the cement...











started cutting the tiles that needed to be done...














and got to work. I did one row at time, that way I didn't have too much cement on the floor.. and could easily reach the sections that I was working in. It was good having Ed cut, and then the pieces were ready when I needed them. I actually found it fun... it's a lot like quilting in some ways.








I was very happy to "find" that last piece though... being on the floor that long does take a toll on the body, but surprisingly I wasn't sore the next day!!!!


I thought I had a "finished" photo to show on the blog, but don't see one. We still have to do the grout, so, we really aren't quite finished, but it looks really good, even if I do say so. Now, I am excited to do the other tile projects which will be the mudroom, the kitchen and the pantry... so.. check another project off the list... it's getting down, but time is ticking!!!!!!!!!!

takin' care of horses...

Something that fascinates me are the different kinds of jobs that people choose to do. Now, I know that sometimes people don't actually choose their job, maybe it's just "something" they are doing to get by, or perhaps the job just "fell" into their lap, or perhaps they have a "gift" to do that particular job... but either way.. I often look at people doing their "jobs" and wonder how/why did that person chose to do that.....



Case in point, our farriers. Now, I am extremely glad that they do the job they do.. where would our horses be without them? ( in big trouble) But honestly, what would make anyone want to purposely stand underneath a horse (hold him up while he stands on three feet) and trim their hooves. Even with the "quietest" of horses (and thankfully our drafts are very "quiet).. it's hard work!!!!






Dean and Ben arrive bright and early Monday morning. I love having them come, not just because they take such good care of our horses, but they are just really fun to be around. Like any good farriers, they are filled with all kinds of stories, and as the work continues, it is an hour of good fun, swapping stories and laughter.








For those of you who don't know.. a horse's hooves need to be trimmed about every six weeks. Fortunately for us, we do not shoe our horses, so it's just a trim.. but if a horse needs shoes, that has to happen just as often. The hoof grows like our fingernails do.. and if not trimmed and taken care of, it can cause a lot of trouble for the horse. The saying "no hoof, no horse" is one that is very true!!!!

We like to keep "good feet" on our boys.. so, I just make the next appointment when they guys come out. That way I keep on track and the boys for the most part, always have good looking feet....



here we are .. all pretty once again.






course, we can't forget Miss Mocha!!! Trimming drafts has it's own "thing" but doing a mini... poor Dean just about stands on his head!!!!













"aaawwww"... look at that cute little foot (compared to Duke's in the previous picture!!!)











"We're shoeing Mocha this time, right Sue??"

(ah... NO!!!)

Very funny Dean!!!!! (obviously one size does not fit all in horses shoes!!!)










Look at Miss Beeker!!! she had to come and watch all the fuss being made with the horses. What a silly chicken she is, she acts more like a dog than a chicken. She will follow me all around the barn, making her little clucking noises.. you can walk right over and pick her up anytime that you want. I just love this little thing!!!!!

Next blog, I will catch you up to date on the house work we have done over the past couple of day...

but for this one.. it's "the end"....

what month is this

While it isn't that unusual to get snow this time of year, it sure was "disappointing" to see it arriving late Friday afternoon. Especially when everyone has been saying "how early" things are, the trees are in bud, flowers and bushes are in flower, and just weeks ago we had temps in the seventies and we thought (ok so I thought) winter was on it's way out.

Camille could hardly believe her eyes when she looked out and saw the snow!!!!

So, the woodstove isn't done with it's job yet. It actually felt good to have it chugging and keeping the chill at bay.

No "lakeside sitting" for a bit....

Even the ducks don't care to be in the lake!!!!

Oh well.. spring can't be too far away.. and I guess we'll just continue to wait for it to "really" come!!!!

first six months

November 16















December 16













January 16













February 16














March 16

April 16..................

it's the 16th...

Which means.... it's time for the "birthday photo".. and here we are at six months!!! I can't believe "so much time" has already gone by, and I can't believe at "how much" Abbie has turned into a little person!!! We can already "see" some of her likes and dislikes, what makes her happy, what makes her cranky. She sits very well on her own, and by the way she is pulling herself up, I dare say she will be crawling by next month's photo.

We started out in the "red chair/Tatter" photo.. but Tatter wasn't in the mood today.

So, we moved Abbie to the floor.














And then brought Camille on the scene.











But it wasn't too long, before "everyone" wanted in on the photo shoot.... so.. why not!!!

"Hi everyone, it's me... Abbie"

"Now, I wonder what I can get into??"

"Where did all my doggies go? I can't wait til I can crawl after them"....

Happy six months!!!!