a Saturday morning...

The first Saturday of each month, our local "Lion's Club" puts on a pancake breakfast at the town hall. We always try to go, one because it's a nice breakfast (and cheap) and two because it supports a local club. Sometimes, it's quite busy and other times, not so.. but this was one of the month's where it was quite busy.

Sadie packed up Abbie, and per her "usual" style, she was rather un-impressed with the whole event and slept thru. We AGAIN got several comments about her hat... (I simply have got to make several over the winter time and see if I can sell them next year at the craft fairs)







The town hall had been decorated with these wonderful old decorations. I would love to know just how "old" they are, they're in great condition and all I could think when I saw them, was.. this is sort of thing you see in a Country Living Magazine under "what is it worth". I dare say, they are tucked away in the attic each year and come out just for the month, and it's been that way for years.There are several different ones, some really good ones of "Santa" - I wanted to take some more pictures of them, but didn't want people to think I was being "weird"

Course there were other decorations as well. It's nice to see that the "old charm" is still alive and well, and not every decoration has to be lit, moving or blown up!!!! though I like them too....

After breakfast, we brought the tree in.. just to be sure it was going to "fit" some where, and with the prediction of snow later in the day, it would keep the tree dry enough to decorate. As it turns out, it will fit where we had hoped, but we need to do some re-arranging of items before we start the decorating. So, that will wait for now, but at least it's in and ready to go.







From there we went to the farm, Ed wanted to be sure that "things" were picked up and out of the way and ready for plowing. I puttered around the barn, got Camille groomed (now just have four others to do!!!) And by the time I had to leave for bell choir practice...

Winter had begun to make it's appearance....

pickin' out the tree....

Today was another beautiful warm day... what's with this wonderful weather in the winter time?? I'm just asking... not complaining!!!! Because the weather was so nice, and being a Friday (not a weekend day) Ed, Sadie, Abbie and I decided that we would go and pick out the tree.












Every Tuesday when I go to teach dog classes - Camille and I travel thru "cow country" and Christmas Tree country!!! There are a couple of tree farms and I thought last fall that this is where we would go to get the tree. This tree farm was absolutely beautiful.. the rows of trees were large, the trees have been well cared for, and there were oodles and oodles to chose from!!!










Because the camp has a cathedral ceiling, height is not the issue (except when it comes to decorating it!!!) so we looked for a nice big, full one!!! We asked Abbie what her impression was... but she really didn't have much to say.... this year!!!!

And here it is....

Cute photo of Sadie and Abbie... but I think I should make a red hat for Christmas.. better yet, ... red and white stripped.. like a candy cane... (maybe I will get the "goods" tomorrow)

So, we threw the tree in the back of the truck and headed home. We didn't get it up tonite, by the time we did other errands, barn chores and the like, the evening was too late... but it will be up before the weekend is out....

makin' wreaths...

Last night at Kassy's church, we went to a night of making wreaths. It was a great evening of fellowship and passing on some good old fashion traditions. For a number of young women, this was their first try at wreath making....

The tables were filled with "greens", which considering we live in the "pine tree state".. getting good greens is hardly "hard" to do...

Here is Sadie..making her very first "real Christmas wreath".. once you get the knack of it, there isn't much to doing it....

and this morning, two wreaths (I made one to) decorate the doors of the camp... OH.. and that pretty little ornament we hung on Sadie's wreath... was a gift from Kelli!!!

We'll get our tree in the next day or two.. and the decorating part of the holidays has officially begun. Course I need to make a few more for the barn and the farmhouse.. but that's just on my list of things "to do"....

rainy day work....

We woke at 5:30 yesterday morning to pouring rain. Ed began to get ready for work, only to have his "boss" (hi Coz!!!) call and say it was raining too hard and not to bother to come in. Guess it isn't much fun to run the 'honey wagon" in such weather. So... suddenly we had a day to work on the house!!! Course, by 10:00 am.. the sun was shinning brightly and the temps soared into the high 60's.. it felt like spring!!! But, we had a game plan and were well at work by then.

Our house pretty much has an open concept design, I have this "thing" about open spaces and lots of light, and when we designed this house, that is what I kept in mind (along with "my big center chimney!!!) However, there can be drawbacks with too much open space.. one being no "definitions" of rooms. So, we needed to get a wall up in the dinning room that would "create" more of a "room" feel. This also makes a small hallway (if you will) by the front door.

Again, thinking "light" I didn't want the hallway to become cramped and dark, so the idea of having a set of pocket doors in the wall of the dinning room came into play. The doors would allow the closed feel if we wanted, and also allow the light to be in the front hallway. This is how is all looked before the wall went up... (this shot is from the hallway looking towards the dinning room/kitchen)

The dogs were home with Sadie - including Chester - I knew I was going to be busy helping Ed and wouldn't have the chance to keep an eye on everyone. But I did bring Camille down with us, she is good about sticking around and not getting under foot. At one point, I "lost" her and looked about, to find her sitting out on the front porch simply watching the farm and enjoying the warm "spring" day. She sat there most of the day.. silly dog.. and seemed to be greatly enjoying herself.




Back to the project.I didn't have a clue as to how pocket doors are installed. In all the projects that Ed and I have done together, I have never run across these before. But Ed knew pretty much how they were done.. and even though it was a whole day's work, I think the job went along quite fast... here goes the first door in place!!!

And the second... (notice those open windows... it was too hot in the house!!!)

In trying to keep with a "colonial look" to this house, I chose a "bubbled glass" for the doors. It's a little hard to see because of the protective plastic that is covering the glass, but I just had to peel a little back so I could see the effect. It's just what I was looking for!!! Once they are painted and completely in place I can't wait to get all the plastic peeled off and "really be able to see them"

Sheetrock came next...

And just as it was getting dark (which is around 4:00 these days!!!) we were finished up... wall, doors, sheet rock made just the idea that I was looking for. And now it feels more like a "real" room when we want it, or it can be left open to allow more room... when we have big parties....

So, for a rainy day that turned out to be almost summer... this was a job well done. and another
"thing" off the list!!! Days like this give me encouragement that we will ONE day be in this house!!!!

"most wonderful time......."

December (again).. seems like we just had December!!! However, this year has been nicely on the mild side and I, for one, am very happy about that. I need to look back at last year's blog, because if you remember we weren't too far into the month and dealt with the ice storm!!!!


Kassy has hung her count down calendar. This silly thing, I made this about 26 years ago and when the girls were little, they got to pick an "ornament" and hang it on the tree until it was Christmas Eve. I thought that it was looking a bit tattered and I made another one (cross stitch) and was about to retire this one, when Kas asked if she could have it. So, as "bad" as it looks, it is used each year. When we get into the farm house, I will get the new one out, and now I am thinking that I should be looking to do yet another one.. for baby Abbie!!!









Well, we're trying it again... the bell choir! Last year, we only got two practices in and then the ice storm knocked us out. This year, practices began a little sooner and hopefully, we can continue until Christmas. We're "scheduled" to play the Sunday before Christmas and might even do as many as five songs!!! We're doing "OK".. each week we're a little better and in some cases you can "almost hear the song we are trying to play"... Either way, it's great fun, and I am having the chance to really meet and talk more with the folks of the church. We do a lot of laughing and shaking of heads (when we get "lost") and it's just such an enjoyable time. I wished the bells were out more often and that we made this more of regular thing , instead of just a holiday thing!!!

They're beautiful in both sight and sound. I love bells anyways, whether they are "played" or jingle on a harness....

wish more people had the chance to hear them.....

more team training

I had to make another "chicken" hat for Abbie as she has already out grown the little multi colored hat that I made for her last summer. "We" get so many comments about these little hats.. I really need to put them into "production" and try selling them at the craft fairs next summer/fall. She is doing so well, growing like a weed and beginning to smile and truly look at things. I can't imagine life without her!!!!






I don't think I will EVER get tired of seeing our team together!!! And while all this training is going on, if you are reading the blog, you will just have to put up with picture after picture of them. Having a "team" has always been one piece of the "farm puzzle" and it's just so exciting for me to see this all coming together.

We have been so blessed to have Rick coming and giving us a hand with them. (Thank you Rick and Kelli..for giving up your Sunday afternoons!!!)There's "abit" to this team thing, and it's nice to have that extra pair of hands and eyes to help out. Especially where my back has been (still) tweeky and I haven't been a whole lot of use just yet. (can't "afford" to have these guys pulling on me).

Since the work went so well last weekend, we picked up where we left off and put the guys together from the start. I still encourage Ed and Rick to ground drive first (OK, so I'm cautious) because with this green team (especially with Tonka) I think it's wise to see where their heads are at before putting them in front of that beautiful wagon!! They were good, Tonka is still eager to do all the pulling, but with time, I am sure he will settle down and let Duke do some of the work!!! And with the ground work, it's a good time to get them out on the road and start working in that type of area.



But, before long both Ed and Rick said "enough of this walking business" and had them hitched to wagon and began to ride.

They took turns driving and the "boys" got a good work out.

We have pretty much decided that as long as the weather holds, this will be a weekend occurrence.And could be that the New Year's Day hay ride that I am thinking about.. will be horse drawn.. not tractor......

Thanksgiving....

We have so very much to be thankful for, and I sometimes have to remind myself of that when I get a little bogged down with things. For example, I had SO hoped we would be in the farm house this year, and we haven't quite made that goal... but, we have accomplished so many other things on the farm and I just need to continue to be patient and work hard. And just think that NEXT Thanksgiving we will be officially on the farm. Now that being said...

My Mom's birthday actually fell on Thanksgiving this year. I feel badly because I overlooked that and with all the other goodies we had to eat, I didn't even have a little cake for her (I guess my sister Becky did... good job!!) But either way, I am so blessed that I still "have" my Mom and I hope the day was just wonderful for her!!!!


Then we had Tara with us this year, she flew up from Mississippi to spend the week with us. Tara is one of Sadie's dear friends in the world, they have "been together" since third grade. Tara is now in college and quite the young lady!!!! I felt bad that we "took" her away from her Mom and Dad, but she hadn't been back in the great state for nearly three years and was anxious to see Sadie and Abbie and "be home" once again, so we grabbed her. (Her folks live in New Mexico now..) It was just such fun having her here with us, and the house was filled with activity on a daily basis.

And of course, it was baby Abbie's first Thanksgiving, and everyone loved fussing over her....

The camp was filled to the brim with family and friends.

And one of the "residents" of Turkey Manor made their great debut. "He" was very good, and one of the middle sized birds... which THAT in itself was quite the story!!!

On Monday, I went down cellar to the chest freezer that we had put the birds in. There are 8 turkeys in that freezer... I went to pull this bird out and found we had a little "problem".. see all the birds were fresh when Ed put them in there, and the bags that they were in were just a little damp.. well, when they froze....

they all froze together, and what we had was a big turkey Lump!!!! It took Sadie, Tara and I quite a few moments of banging them with a rubber mallet and prying them apart with a screw driver to bust them up and get this bird out!!! (how many people does it take to get one turkey out of the freezer??) For a few moments, I wondered if we would even have turkey for Thanksgiving, but we finally managed.... we'll have to remember that next year when we freeze birds.....

"MY" babies.... course you know that Chester made a big hit with the family.....

Naomi just loved him, they played together for a long time~~~















this is Adam, my parent's toy fox terrier...he's one of the senior doggies of the family... such a good boy and doing well at almost 14






We did have one other minor issue.. goodness what's a holiday if you don't have something go a muck... and "a muck" it was. Ed ran down cellar only to find that the basement bathroom was completely back up.. and had he not seen it, it wouldn't have been long before the upstairs bath and kitchen would have backed up as well. Bottom line was, the septic pump had quit and nothing was moving!!! He managed with the help of Nate and Josh to pump out the holding tank enough so that we could at least use the toilet (but dishes had to be done in the small camp next door) and we muddle thru the evening until the next day when we had the honey wagon come out. Turns out that a piece of dish towel had gotten into the pump and just plugged it big time, so it was "an easy fix".. but why do those types of things always happen during a holiday?????


Anywho...aside from that.. the day was very wonderful. Kas and Nate came up later after having been with Nate's family and they stayed over night in the little camp... My sister Becky was entertaining the "other side" of her family, so she wasn't able to join us, but all in all, we had the whole family together!!! I cherish these days..

"black Friday" morning, Nate stayed to help Ed did a bit of sheet rocking in the house. Kas and I babysat little Abbie so that Tara and Sadie could do some girl things together, and the rain poured down. We did have a breakfast out together, but for the most part, it was a nice quiet day and a chance to pick up and re organize after the holiday. Kas and I did make a run to one new store in town, she took Abbie and I took Chester... both got equal attention!!!!

So, as another Thanksgiving comes and goes, and I reflect on many things my overall view is just the same... we are very blessed and extremely grateful....

say hello to Chester

A long time ago.. when I was just a kid.. I remember seeing a movie, made by Disney I think, called "Atta Girl, Kelly".. it was the story of a German Shepherd dog who became a seeing eye dog, and the "adventures that she had with her owner. Then a few years later, I read a book called "Follow My Leader".. again another story about a Shepherd seeing eye dog. In both stories, they told about the "puppy raisers" who were 4H kids, and I thought "wouldn't it be fun to join a 4H and be a puppy raiser". Well, I actually did do 4H for a time, but never became a puppy raiser... until... yesterday!!!!!

I had applied with NEADS back in the spring, I thought it would be a fun "project" after having lost Moxie, and it has been on my "to do list" for quite some time... well, I got a call yesterday morning that a puppy was available for me, and could I meet up with "Cindy" to get my puppy.


I brought Camille with me, since she, in all honesty, will play a big part in this puppy's training. (I would like to tell you that she is excitedly waiting for them to arrive in this picture, but actually she was watching a few crows peck around the parking lot while we waited....)







but we didn't wait long before the van pulled in... (if you get the chance, check out their website, it's really interesting...)

And out came Cindy and this beautiful little boy... Chester!!! an 11 week old golden retriever. He was donated by a local breeder, passed all his "temperament tests" and was now ready to get into a home and begin his puppy manners training










He, of course, is as cute as a button, and has all the charm that a golden should have. Our ride home was uneventful, and he walked into the house like he had been here all the time. "Everyone" was quite curious about him, but that only lasted a few minutes and then they all went off in their own directions. We gave him the evening to settle in and just get used to the idea of us, and he went to bed in his little crate, and didn't make a peep all night.





I am very excited about this new adventure in my life. There is a whole group in the Maine Chapter that I am looking forward to meeting and working with, and not to rush any amount of time, but I can't help but wonder at "what" kind of service dog he might become and what sorts of things I will be doing with him to help him in his career. But in the meantime, I will simply enjoy this wonderful little chap.

If anyone is interested in keeping a detailed reading on him.. you will find that under the blog.. "Moxie's gift"... undoubtedly, you will see him now and again on the farm blog.. but I am saving the details for the other...

So.. Hello Little Chester and welcome home.. (for now!!!)