this week's progress...

this week's progress - cont.

jobs well done...

Six years ago, when Ed and I bought our land in Acton, and began to dream of living on a farm, we knew that leaving York would be "difficult" at best. After all, both of us grew up there, all of our family is still there, and everything that we "know" is there. But we also wanted to try something new, to pursue a dream, and the fact that York is just "an hour away"... it wasn't like we were leaving the country!!! Overall, we are very happy with our decision, but we won't say that some things have been very hard to say "goodbye" to...

For example, Ed joined the fire department was he was 18 years old. He has worked hard over the years, moving himself up in the department, and for the past 10 years he has held the position as Asst. Chief.... a great honor and a true testament to his hard work and devotion to the department.

He knew when we moved last fall, that he would need to step out of this position, but has said that he will "always be there for the department" and will serve in any way that he can.

Last night, as he stepped down, the members of the station presented him with a beautiful plaque and a hardy thank you for his service. He said later, that he wished he could have made a speech and tell everyone how much he appreciated their gift, but he was too choked up to do so.

This is the plaque that was presented.

The good thing is, all of Ed's training and experience will not go to waste... as he has already joined the fire department here in Acton. "Sadly" he will be "on the bottom of the ladder", but that's ok.. I have a feeling it won't be long before the members here begin to "take advantage" of him....








Along with the fire department, Ed was also on the Board of Trustee's with the Water Department. This was another position that he had to stepped down from.

Last fall, as a gift of appreciation, the water department gave Ed a fire hydrant!!! (what better gift from the water department to a fireman!!!) It's a neat thing, and the guys had it made into a fountain!! with a plaque that states the years he served.

We plan to have a nice garden where his hydrant can be shown off!!!

I have no doubt that by next year, he will find some place to "be" in the government of Acton!!! My Ed is "not one to be sitting around", he has an excellent sense of business and likes to be a part of his community..

and in my opinion... they won't find anyone better!!!

buttoning up..

With predictions of another winter storm on its way... everyone was all about getting "things" in place today. The masons have the chimney threw the second floor and are heading into the attic space. So today, they were hauling bricks up to the attic and getting ready to go threw the roof. This was slow work, but their "pulley" idea worked out well, certainly far better than carrying them the whole way up.

I am anxiously awaiting the chimney thru the roof!!! I have "stressed" over and over (and over again) that I want a nice big chimney coming out of the roof. Everyone has assured me that it will be just what I want (this sounds so vain...doesn't it).. but for me the look of an "old" house is a nice big chimney!!!! So, I have placed my "trust" in them and hope they come thru for me!!!!

I love the look of the chimney in the living area and think that next winter it will be in full use!!!

I packed "Christmas" away today. For me, this is very late in the season to do it, usually I have the tree down even before New Year's, but this tree has lasted so well, that I didn't feel that rush to have it leave. Last year when I was putting things away, I had taken the time to organized it and weed out, etc... so picking up this year was very easy. There is something to be said about being organized... it takes a little time to do it in the beginning, but I do believe it saves time in the end.

However,there is one ornament that I have been trying to get rid of for years!!! This "Santa"... and yes, it is very beat up and even ugly and I think it needs to leave. But my dear hubby has a completely different view on this matter.... because, this "ugly Santa" has a bit of a history...


See, we were all friends as teens, my Dad called us the "fire crew" (he was the fire chief at the time).. and I spent much of my time "hanging out" with the young firemen!!! The Christmas that I was 16, I made a whole batch of these Santas for the guys to hang in their pick up trucks. It was just a "being funny" sort of thing, but for a number of years, some of the guys had the Santa's hanging in their trucks. Well, time went on, we all "got a bit older"... began to pair off... get married, etc.... including Ed and I.

The first Christmas that we were married, and decorating our first tree... what does Ed pull out.. but "his Santa" that I had made (back then...) five years ago. He insisted that we hang it on our tree... and so we did.... and did and did and did!!! As the years have gone on, and poor Santa has begun to wear out, I have said that he needs to go.. but My Ed...won't "allow" it. Sometimes, I try to hide ol Santa away, but Ed always looks for it and woe to me if he can't find it.... so, Santa had another season on our tree this year... which makes him now 32 years old!!!!! You'd think by now I would just give up and let the old thing go on the tree without any fussing... but, next year... we'll see.....

(I have been told that there are two new readers to the blog.... welcome Coz and Chris!!!! we shall add you to the list of "loyal readers"!!!!!)

heading up...

it's a bit "messy" and "hard to see", but here is the second floor of the house. The chimney has made it's way this far, and I am thinking that by the end of the week, we will see it thru the roof.

We will have three bedrooms and two baths up.. that way there will be plenty of room for over night visitors (and grandbabies at some point and time!!!) Ed may chose to have one of the bedrooms as more of a home office.. but that will all be decided as we get closer to a move in date.

These first two pictures were taken from the back corner of what will be our bedroom... looking across the house to what will be the other two rooms. It looks awfully large right now, but actually the rooms will be "a nice size" as our builder, Ken, says...

The masons kept a light on to keep the chimney warm... it makes a strange glow... this view is from the opposite side now looking back towards the space that will be our bedroom...

can't wait to see those windows going in... I know... patience... they're working as fast as they can!!! but I always want the "next thing done"...

"the" movie

What can I say about this movie??

Be brave, bring a box of tissues and go and see it...

for all the animal lovers out there, you will "so get this movie"....

it was a wonderful cry!!!!!

winter day

"poor" Hunter and Trevor... they find themselves tied to the end of a leash these days. Living at camp over the winter has been a bit of a challenge and has taken some "getting used to"...

When it first became "quiet" in the fall, I did miss the activity, but after a few weeks, I got used to it, and began to really enjoy it. All the dogs could run free, they never "went any where" and there wasn't anyone to bother, so they had complete freedom of the road. Then I noticed that on the weekends, there were still some folks that came up to check camps, and spend the day on the lake. There were also a few walkers that used the road during the weekends, so I got in the habit of "watching" the dogs during the weekends. When the snow arrived, it seemed like the camp road got busy again... snow mobiles, snow shoers, and now ice fishermen!!!!Sometimes, when Hunter and Trev went out, it would be a little while before they showed up at the door.... the others... Moxie, Cole, Cam and Tazzy would always be around the yard, but "the boys" were disappearing. One day last week, Hunter was gone for nearly a half hour, and when he finally did come to my calling... he came from way down the road. There are a few (other folks living on the road, and my guess is, he found someone's bird feeders or something of the like).... so... Hunter is now being hitched. Then it was Trev's turn, and after two times of "not returning"... he has found himself hitched as well. I am keeping an eye on Tazzy.... today, she followed two walkers a good distance down the road!!!!

In the summertime when we are at the lake, I have an invisible fence that keeps them in... but that is over in the small camp... here at the big camp, we don't have it. (they will be in for a rude awakening next summer when it's back on the fence!!!) I had thought of bringing my "kennel pens" from the old house up last fall, but didn't make it that far...so, I guess we will stick to the "hitching idea" for the rest of the winter. Too bad, they enjoyed the freedom, but I can't run the risk of losing them or getting into trouble with a neighbor!!!!

Fishing season opened on New Year's Day. It seems like folks couldn't wait to get out on the lake. Personally, I don't get "ice fishing"... sitting out on a lake, with the winds whistling across it... but seems like everyone who does it has a good time. When I go out with the dogs, or to get wood for the stoves, you can often hearing happy voices and people laughing. I do enjoy watching them from my cozy living room with the woodstove chugging out a wonderful heat, and a nice cup of coffee at my side. The dogs find them entertaining too, and can't figure out how "people are out in front of the camp".

We have had some pretty cold weather. On New Year's Day when I went to feed lunch to the horses, I found Mocha shivering!!! NOT good!!! fortunately, last fall, I found this foal size blanket at a local tack shop on sale. I thought it might be good to have a blanket on hand for her ... just in case.. never thought I would really need it. I gave her warm(er) water to drink, closed her inside with some hay and put her blanket on... she seemed to appreciate it very much. During the night, I blanketed Silver as well, being older, I do worry some about him... the drafties seem to enjoy the cold, so I don't worry too much about them.

It's always a dilemma to me, blanket or not.. but in this case, it was pretty obvious that is was the right thing to do. Besides, she looks like a big toy in her little blanket.

when the temps mild out some, I will take it off... but for now, we'll keep her cozy!!!!

roof day...

taking full advantage of a "windless day"...the guys were all about the roof today....

They started in the back and worked to the front.....

The "famous" last piece....

Climbing down.... and they're done!!! (and I can breath again... it's so hard for me to watch them being that high... I almost didn't get these photos!!!)

Happy New Year....

From our house to yours.....

"wishing you happiness and......

PEACE..... for the new year......

bye-bye 08

The last day of a very busy, lots of changes year!!! As I look back on other blogs that I have written, and see "how far we have come".. I have no doubt that this blog will prove to do the same...

We had to fill the water tank this afternoon. It is amazing how quickly we go thru 300 gallons of water!! But having electricity now, we put the tank heater in it, and it doesn't freeze!!! The horses buckets don't freeze either, and they are drinking gallons, which this time of year... is extremely important!!! Next year when we are living on the farm, and the well is getting water to the barn... this too will become a fond memory!!! (or at least I tell myself that today.. as the snow is falling, the wind is blowing, and I am watching ED do the work!!!!)

















The "family" arrived for dinner. I cooked a big turkey, made some meat balls, put a salad together, and we made sandwiches. The driving was not good, I am so happy that everyone came just the same. By the time we were done eating, the weather had let up some, and we decided to make a trip to L.L.Beans. We went there last year, and had a grand time, there were a number of activities going on, tons of people and it was a fun way to spend the evening.

This year it was a bit different... there really wasn't much going on, and the store was very quiet. I don't know if it is a sign of the economy, or just too cold, or what, but it was certainly different from last year. Still, just being with our family makes anytime fun.. we enjoyed it.

Kas, Nate and pups spent the night, and in saying goodbye 2008... I will chalk this year up as a good one.

much going on...

Today was a busy day at the farm... LOTS of company, lots of building... lots of everything!!! Kassy was watching a friend's little girls, so, as a source of entertainment, she brought them up to the farm. It was really cold today, winter has appeared once again, but the girls were good sports and seemed to really enjoy themselves!!!

The first thing they wanted to "try" was the new wagon!!! They climbed right up there and thought it was just great (btw... they are twins!!!) They also liked it because it gave them a good view into the stalls, and they could see the horses.

We then pulled Mocha out of her stall. The girls loved her, they gave her treats, spent some time brushing her, and even sat on her for a little bit!!! Mocha was so good and really enjoyed all the extra attention!!!

And since Banjo will be spending time on the farm and around the horses, we thought it was time that he met Mocha!!! She is wonderful around dogs, and Banjo seemed very happy to meet her!!! He certainly wasn't one bit afraid of her.... nothing better than a puppy that has been well socialized... Kas and Nate are working very hard on that!!!!

"how about alittle kiss??"





While Kas and the girls were there, more company showed up.... these are our dear friends, Chuck and Peg! We have known them forever, and if you ever wanted to meet two really "neat" people, these are the ones.. They have a beautiful farm, and do all sorts of cool things... raise their own meat, make maple syrup in the springtime.. grow a beautiful garden...operate an outstanding boarding kennel... just about anything. I love spending time with them and was just thrilled that they came to visit!!!!

(Banjo...what a ham he is for the camera!!!)

No sooner had Kas and then Chuck and Peg left, when my friend Kim drove up for a visit as well.... it was such fun to have so many friends on the farm!!! Everyone is pretty excited about the house and the progress.....









And speaking of progress.... look at the gables!!! Even though the wind was blowing, and it was really quite cold!! the guys worked today, and got the two gables in place... all of a sudden this house looks huge to me!!!! (and we still have the garage to build!!!)

"Sweetgrass farm!!!"

being "responsible"....

another day of perfect weather!!! temps nearly 50!!! perfect for harnessing that horse up once again, and playing in the field... I can't wait.

But suddenly, common sense steps in.... "notice there is no snow blocking the woodpile.... notice that the wood is dry thanks to the wind that blew all night..... notice that it would be very easy to get some wood in where it will be dry... remember, this is just a winter break, winter isn't done yet!!!" OK, OK... I get it...

I take a deep breath, find my gloves and begin hauling wood inside. It is much easier not trugging thru knee deep snow, and the wood is dry, I will be happy when the winds are blowing that I chose to do the "right" thing and played with wood, instead of horses... BUT ... tomorrow might be another story!!!!!

It's all about a roof now!!! The game plan is to have it up by the end of the week. The gable ends are all made and will be raised tomorrow (when a few more people will be on the scene!!) Eric and Buzz also began to work on the smaller roof that goes over the mud room and the small front porch. It will be good to get that roof on, we are having "issues" with the sheet rock downstairs, and there are several pieces that will need to be replaced, so having this building buttoned up against the weather will make a huge difference.....

Ed went to get our wagon at Dave's today!!! It looked so cute on the back of the big trailer, and Ed said he could see people pointing and smiling at it as they passed him on the highway!!!

We rolled it into the barn, so Tonka and Duke can look at it, I told them it was a gift to them... but for some reason, they were more interested in their grain!!! I am so excited to get one of them hitched to it!!! and then I can't wait to take the family for a ride!!!






A few weeks of this 50 degree weather would be a treasure, but somehow... I don't think it's going to be that way...

Christmas was wonderful....it can be spring now!!!!