One thing I have come to learn... it's wise to make plans, and even wiser to be flexible. And so it has turned out with this year's Thanksgiving. This is what we woke up to this morning. A house full of guest doggies (which I was planning on) and six or so inches of new snow... which I wasn't planning.
Poor Ed had a horrid ride home from work .. "they" had been predicting this snow for a few days.. and all of a sudden "everyone" needed their snow blowers. They were busy crazy at work.. and then he had to deliver a few of them on the ride home. Between the snow, hauling the big trailer and getting snowblowers on and off the trailer.. it was not a fun ride...
But he made it home, and we spent a quiet evening together. Plans for the family coming to the house for dinner were changed as well. Dad is home from the hospital but he's not feeling well at all. And with the snow... and everything else... we have decided to take Thanksgiving to Mom and Dads....
Livy however, and despite the snowballs.. is loving the snow....
So, before we could head out.... the drive had to be cleared....
and it looks more like Christmas, than Thanksgiving....I'm glad I got my "fall decorations" picked up before this snow arrived.....
And this is why we had been putting the littles out in the round pen. Miss Escapee.... Mocha. Found her wondering around, in search of grass when I went to the barn this morning. We're going to need to come up with better fencing, but that will now have to be a spring project.
I told the guinea hens that the coop will be a better place to be.... they didn't believe me.. but I think now, they're reconsidering their decision.....
Now, fortunately, I had planned on frying a turkey this year for Thanksgiving all along. But, since we had to move our feast... this worked out even better. And then.... we discovered that there were parts of town, including the neighborhood behind Mom's and Dad's that didn't have power!!!!! We never lost power at the farm... but there were many towns without it.... it was a heavy snow.
So, we packed up the cooker... Ed got it running, and we were able to cook a wonderful turkey, just the same.
Fortunately, (and un-fortunately) there was just a small group this year. Kass and Nate was with Nate's family.. Sadie and Jessie were with Jessie's family... Abi with her Dad, and Naomi with her Dad... so, that left Mom and Dad... Ed and I... Rachel and Rob.. and my friend Kathleen. I have to say I hate it when we aren't all together... but families change over the years, and I can either sulk or celebrate.And since Dad is home ... and we have the ones we have... I choose to celebrate.
Ed was the master chef.. and Rachel and I made sure that Mom didn't get stuck with a lot of work. It's been a long time with Dad being so sick..... and we wanted to make today, just a peaceful time to be together.
Everyone commented on how good that turkey smelled, and we wondered if the neighbors were a bit jealous being able to smell it....
I think Rob was scared to death of dropping that bird in the snow.
We had a nice meal. Not very fancy, and certainly on the quiet side... but just so thankful for the millions of blessings in our lives....
and the well earned (and traditional) naps after the meal.....
I made this wall hanging as Mom's Christmas gift. But since it is a Christmas thing.. decided that it might be more enjoyed as an early gift instead of opening it on Christmas itself.....
so, as I have said, a quiet, change of plans, enjoy it as it is Thanksgiving... but a happy one as well.....
The days ahead and from here on will be more than busy. A great time of year, but one in which I hope that I don't let things get away from me. It's so easy to get caught up in the hussle and bussle and not take the time to just enjoy. So "enjoy" is going to be my theme for this year.
Danny Boy is doing well... he's such an easy going guy, that I often don't say too much about him. He goes to church with us, and just settles in under the pews. Everyone just expects me to show up with a dog....
We were at church a little longer than usual...
A handful of us are practicing with the bells to do a song for Thanksgiving. I love playing the bells, and wished that we did it more. But, our director has so much going on in his life and I know it's hard for him to make the extra time for practices and the like..
So, I'm just happy when the do pull them out and ask for volunteers. Danny seemed to enjoy the bells too.....
This week, Kelli had a big conference for all the town clerks in New England. She has been planning this for over a year... there is simply a ton of work that goes into an event like this and I know I don't even know half of what she has done. Her guest speaker is John Moon from NEADS.. so of course, we puppy raisers were invited to be a part of the program too. Here's Moxie and Otis....
and Danny Boy. It was such a nice event to attend... a wonderful luncheon.. and being the center of attention is always fun. The clerks loved seeing the dogs and asked so many questions about service dog and puppy raisers...
John had a great presentation.... and a wonderful slide show....
He was introduced by the mayor!!!!
Afterwards, people came to talk some more.... the day was cut a little short for me.... but over all it was great fun.
It seems as though winter has come to stay. Time to get these birdies in the coop. Course penning up guinea hens is about as easy as penning up air.. but I have some tricks that might coax them in.
Mona.. the ever faithful... she always walks down to the barn with me in the mornings...
The big boys coming running as well when they see us. Nothing left in the pasture, so it's all hay from here on....
Looks like those thick winter coats are going to come in handy.....
and the "little" probably won't be left out in the round pen much longer. The weather changes too quickly, and they'll be happier in the barn and their small paddock...
"my day" at the conference was cut short, because Dad is in the hospital.He's battling with some major health concerns... one being his kidneys are beginning to fail, and it looks like dialysis is going to be in his future.
Certainly not something that anyone wants to do.. but he stays in the hospital are beginning to become quite serious.... there will be much to think about in the days ahead.
Well now... not a total surprise, and not particularly "early".. but somehow getting snow before Thanksgiving isn't all it's cracked up to be. I mean I like the snow, and the first one is always a little bit special.. but it just doesn't "go" with the fall decorations.. pumpkins in snow look kind of sad......
It certainly wasn't a "big" snow, and was really quite heavy and wet.. and just stuck to everything, which is part of it's beauty...The doggies didn't quite know what to think.
by mid morning, the sky began to clear, making a grand show all it's own. And the temps began to rise, so this snow is probably short lived....
Even the ponies had a look of "it's back again??" Grazing is done for sure, and everyone will be locked into the winter pastures now.
The blue jays and chick-a-dees have had a grand time picking seeds out of the sunflower stems. We didn't mow them down, and I'm glad, because I like hearing and watching the little birds enjoying their meal.
Abbie had spent the night, and she was very excited to see the snow. Especially when she discovered that it is perfect snowman snow!!! She got right to work!!!!
Funny how quickly that snow ball gets heavy just pushing it about the yard....
When she got him all in shape, she looked about for the perfect "eyes" and "smile"....
and was more than pleased when she stepped back to admire her work....
The first official snowman of the season!!!!!
And we can't forget that it's someone else's very first snow!!! Mr. Danny dog.... it didn't take him but two seconds to decide this is just the thing for him!!!!! He loved the idea that it can be eaten!!!!
And dug in, and pushed around....
And run threw as fast as you can go!!!! Up, snow... it's a new favorite....
so.. I guess we can begin to say it now... Happy Winter!!! (just hope it isn't too long!!!)
I love days that present "presents"..... and this was one for sure. It was a nice fall day, a bit on the cool side, but the sun was shining bright.. and a call from Kass... "we need a change.. we're coming to the farm to play".. (yahoo!!!) So, up they come.. Kass and Reagan, Charlie and Banjo... to have some lunch, visit and a romp around the farm. We thought it would be fun to walk the field, but it's a long trek, so I pulled out the wagon thinking Reagan would like to ride.
No... he'd rather push!!!!
He actually pushed quite a ways, before he decided that maybe a little ride would be OK. Course he wanted Charlie to join him.
Banjo preferred to walk......
After our hike around, he then wanted to go the barn and see the "cows"... now, I don't have cows.. but at this stage of the game, Reagan refers to all large animals as "cows"... so we went to visit them. He has no fear of the big guys, which makes me so happy. There certainly is a difference with "attitude" around animals when children are raised with them.
We managed to get him in for a short time for a bit of lunch. But this little boy is an "outdoor man" and he would much rather be outside. He loves to run, and climb and explore.... and I love watching him do it all. This swing set we bought has given us so much fun, and I love the fact that it easily holds adults as well as kids. Which means I can swing with the "grands"......
"driving his tractor"... or so he told us....
and the slide is always a favorite.. especially since he can do it on his own...
and his first attempt at the ladder (all by himself).. you can bet his Mom was right there with a watchful eye, but he did it.....
growing in leaps and bounds.. and I feel so very blessed that I am "close" by and can watch this all...
Tonka "watching" it all too... just making sure that Banjo isn't a wolf!!!
just a wonderful fall day.. playing around the farm.. life is good!!!!
