friends and food

We woke to bright sunshine and mild temps this morning, and as we were heading to the car for a day of fun... Kas and I noticed this beautiful flower!!!

OK.. so it's a dandelion... a weed, but it's bright yellow smile just caught our attention... I am ready for bright yellow "weeds" to appear at home!!!

The girls took a little time to themselves and got their nails done while I "babysat" little Maya. (basically we walked around the stores window shopping) she was so good for me, and was very interested in all the things around her.

After that, Mandi had made arrangements for many of Kassy's friends to meet at the local pizza place for lunch and a chance to visit. Maya was all for having pizza for lunch!!! but she will need some teeth before handling that piece of pizza!!!

Kas was able to catch up on all the latest news...she misses this part of living in Jacksonville... all these wonderful friends, and of course the weather!!!

We went onto the base in the afternoon, it was fun to see it again. I always enjoyed going there when we visited. Did a little shopping for some gifts and we had a nice time poking around.

Tonite's menu......

more food!!!

What a great way to spend the day... good friends, good food... beautiful weather...

what more could you ask for???

there IS a blog!!!

Thanks to our friend (and hostess) Mandi, I have a computer to send my blogs out from the south!!! so now you don't have to wait to read the stories, and I won't have to remember it all and try to write them when we get back home.
Our day began very early... 2;30 am in fact. I actually went to Kas and Nate's last night after I finished with dog classes (talk about a "weird thing" sleeping in my old house!!) I sacked out on the couch for a few hours, and then we were up and headed to Manchester. Our flight to Philadelphia started out late, because there was some glitch with the plane... that was a little nerve wracking for us (who do not fly that often), but whatever it was, they got it fixed and we were in the air. The flight went fine and we arrived only six minutes late. Once in Philly, we got some breakfast and sat and waited for our next flight. Both kas and I were very happy to see that the plane to Raleigh was much larger than the plane we had from Manchester!! And that flight was very comfortable and quick. Mandi and baby Maya were waiting for us at the airport, and from there we went and had lunch with my friend Barb.

Now, Barb was a gal I met back in 1979, my first summer after graduating from high school. She and I were working that summer at the Cliff House, a resort in Ogunquit, Maine. Actually it was a very fun summer as they hired lots of college kids, so there were lots of "kids" our age. We did all sorts of fun things - dinners out, horse back riding, all sorts of different things. In the fall, Barb headed back to school and I went to work, but over the years we have stayed in touch. Barb ended up attending school in the south, met her hubby, and made her home there. We have had the chance to visit once in a while, but it's been a least 15 years since we last saw each other. In all the years that Kas lived in Jacksonville, we never made it Raleigh,(where Barb lives) but once I knew that Kas and I would be landing there for this trip, I just had to take the time and look up my old friend.


Barb has a beautiful home!!! However, one thing I noticed right away was SNOW that she had on her back deck!! They got some on Monday here in the south... not a totally uncommon event, but certainly not a common one either!!!!

Look at how pretty her back yard is... I can just imagine it in the spring and summer months... and it was SO wonderful to hear the birds singing.... I can't wait until they (the birds) fly back home and sing for me!!!




Barb made a wonderful lunch for us....and it was so fun to catch up on all the news!!! The afternoon flew by and the visit was much too short!!! I hope it won't be another 15 years before we see each other again. Here is a photo of the two of us, with her darling dogs, Rocky and Henry....







And then with a cherry goodbye from Barb, we were headed south to Jacksonville. Even though spring hasn't really arrived here yet, the grass is green and some of the hardy flowers are appearing!!! It feels so good to wear just a light coat, and shoes (no boots) and the sun sets so much later here. It feels a bit like summer!!!!

I feel sad that Ed isn't here with me (hi Honey)... but I am so going to enjoy these four days of southern sunshine!!!! Jacksonville is much the same, a busy town just outside of Camp Lejuene... lots of traffic, planes and helicopters flying overhead... tons of great place to eat that we don't have at home.... it will be a fast four days, and we probably won't do everything that we have planned.... but I will keep you up to date on all the news..

so, as you all tuck into bed up there in the North East.... we cuddle in here in the south.....and send some warm wishes your way....

no blogs..

There may not be a blog over the next few days... Kas and I will be flying out for North Carolina first thing tomorrow morning. We are going to have a little visit with Mandi and Maya... and enjoy some warm, sunny NC weather!!!

I am leaving Ed to man the farm!!!

House work goes well, the guys "tied" the mudroom roof into the garage... they are working on the roof trim and I think after that we talk ...shingles!!!! and then windows!!!!!

Maybe when we get home.. there will be some warmer weather... the sun is nice and bright, so spring can't be far away....

Can't wait for "greener pastures!!!"

last laugh???

It seems that "ol' Man Winter" has an opinion of my new spring wreaths!!!!

That's OK.. I somehow think that I will get the last laugh!!!

Just a nice shot of Mocha and Silver... he sure does love his little mare!!!!

it snowed...

Maybe the good thing about weathermen "never getting it right", is ...it keeps us humble and reminds us that we are not in control of things!!!! We did wake up to snow, but it didn't turn out to be the "wild, windy weather" they talked about, nor was it 12-15 inches... more like 8 (pain in the neck) inches. Good thing, it was light and easy to move, and a day of wind and warm temps will make it disappear quickly. More important.. the power stayed on, as did the cable, so all in all it was an enjoyable "snow day".

I made a nice pot roast for supper that cooked all day long in the crock pot, plus baked a pumpkin pie. I had a "project" to do, played with my new Facebook account... and did barn chores and the like.

Hunter shares a secret with Cole!!!!

My project was to make two spring wreaths to go on the barn doors. Everything is fake, but I like the colors and they should stand up to the weather. I thought they came out quite well, and was happy that all the fixings were bought on sale. I paid less for the two wreaths than for the price of one... good deal!!! It was fun to work on them while the snow fell.. made me think of spring...

My way of telling old man winter that he can go away now!!!

They're a little hard to see, but I have tried all fall and winter to catch these creatures.... a nice flock of turkeys that have lived around the lake all winter. Many times they are all in the road, and you have to wait for everyone to move... course, by the time I get the camera out, they are well into the woods. They're big, fat and healthy, so doesn't appear that the winter was too hard on them.

Since dog classes had been cancelled for the evening, I got to spend it at home. Watched TV, worked on a new cross stitch project and made this blog....

but it's time to do other things... I want to play outside after supper!!!! come on good weather....

Sunday afternoon/March

My first comment about "March" is good bye February... "you did not turn out to be one of my favorite months, I am glad to see you go"... and so, here we are into a new month. For the most part, I guess March came in like a lamb... it was cold and windy, but not stormy... THAT will come tomorrow from what we are being told!!!!

Kas and Nate and grand dogs made a run up this afternoon. Their wood pile is getting low, so we offered some of "Rick's good wood"... which they were more than happy to get. Deb and Dave came along as well, and it didn't take the guys any time to fill up the back of Nate's truck. (the gals stayed inside where it was warm and chatted!!!)

Once we had the truck filled, we ran down to the farm, Kas, Nate, Deb and Dave haven't seen the house in a while, so they wanted to check out the progress. That's one thing, Ed and I see it on a day to day basis, we know that it's making progress, but some days it feels like it's being done at a snail pace (nothing against Ken and crew!!!). However, when folks see it who don't watch it on a daily basis, they can see big changes.... and that was the comment of the day..."wow you have so much done!!" It's nice to hear those words.. they are encouraging!!!

After the farm tour, we thought it would be fun to get some lunch. Betty was still at the barn, so I was able to "snag" her and have her join us as well. We decided to run over to "Poor People's Pub"... it's a great place and you get real "home made" food there. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but it's a really neat place. A favorite stop of the snow mobile crowd... and a real small town, homey place....

While we were having lunch, the whole restaurant came to a stand still, as this cute little chap came rushing in....

he had been in a fishing derby, and judging by the fish and the trophy that he proudly showed everyone... I think he must have had a fine day. The whole restaurant applauded his catch!! and several of us got a picture of him..... THIS is what small town USA is all about!!! it's nice to see that kids still do things like fishing derbys and not always those "electric games"....


More "BIG" snows tonite. I have already taken the time to cancel the dog classes for tomorrow evening... I fear that if we lose power and phone, I wouldn't be able to do my calling tomorrow. We are READY.... I have all my laundry done!!!!, the generator still in the back of my truck, ready to hook up if needed... groceries in the house,plow on the truck... maybe we will scare it away with our readiness......

This is the gas grill tonite before bed... wonder what it will look like the am.....

wonder if we will be able to "find the barn......"

Happy 21.....

Today/yesterday is Sadie's 21st birthday... she actually doesn't have a "birthday", because this isn't a leap year... but, according to the state, as of the 28th, she is now considered "legal".... She decided that for her celebration, she wanted everyone to get together at the "Texas Roadhouse"... and so we did. I can't believe "our baby" is 21... where has the time gone???

We told her that we would buy her ONE drink since she can "have" them now...

Kassy picked out some kind of fruity something or other....

I'm not so sure Sadie approved of her sister's choice.........

We had a wonderful evening together, I am so blessed that our girls are close by and that we are a close family!!!!!

"Our BEAUTIFUL daughters!!!"

good manners...

When our girls were little (about ages 6 & 8) and began to have an interest in horses, I decided that it would be wise to find an instructor for them. I had "sort of" grown up around horses, never having one of my own, but certainly had friends who owned them - as well as my cousin. When I think of the way we "rode" I am amazed that no one was ever seriously hurt or killed!!! My favorite line was "I know enough about horses to be dangerous"... I didn't want that for the girls if they were really going to be serious about horses. In looking for a "trainer" I wanted someone who taught "horsemanship"... not the "pay your money, jump on a saddled horse, ride, and go home"... I wanted them to learn that a horse is a living being and not something you that ride around on and be done with. We were blessed to find Laura..who definitely is all about horses, and horsemanship. One day, as I was watching a lesson, I made a comment to Laura that I would love to learn properly and she said..."why aren't you??" and so I signed on with her and did just that.(15 years ago!!!) She also helped me find Silver (my very first horse!!!) and I can't even begin to list the things she has taught. I still "ride" with her, Tonka and I will begin our lessons again in just a couple of weeks!!!! (When my friend Betty made a comment to me that she would like to learn "horsemanship" I sent her right to Laura, and Betty has had a grand time learning about horses.)

Laura is "big" on rules!!! Both of the human and the equine, and has taught me well that "when you get lazy about horse rules... you probably will get hurt". So, every time I handle our guys or am around them, I pay attention, I work on not "being lazy".. and "demand" the same from our little equine herd.

Last Monday morning, while the horses were still "snowed" in and Ed was working on "digging them out". I decided to get the stalls done. I have always felt a good "mark of obedience in a horse" is be able to work around them while they are in a stall. We "practice" this a lot, especially with the drafts, I shouldn't imagine that you would want to get "squished" against the stall wall by 1800 lbs of horse. Our guys know "step back", "step over", "whoa", and "stand" quite well, but again, we don't get lazy about it. I took this photo of Duke with his half clean stall. I "parked" him on one side of the stall, got that part cleaned, them moved him over so I could do the other half. He is very good about this, as is Silver... Tonka still needs reminders, but you can work easily around him as well. It's just so handy to do this and not have to cross tie them in the alley way or kick them outside... which we also do!!!!

Those of us who have horses, or even animals in our lives, can see these good manners applied among them as well. I marvel at the respect that they have for each other.. Silver is definitely the head horse, Tonka next and then Duke. The slightest "pinning of ears", "hard eye", or "bite" can easily move the "lower horse" out of the way. Sometimes you get the kick or the squeal, but seldom, because they mostly respect each other, or respond to the slight warning. I feel that if they do that for each other, then they can certainly do that for me. I just need to make it known that it's what I want, and I will only "go to heels" if I need to.

It's a wonderful thing to have a good relationship with another creature. I wish that more children could learn this thing, and I always feel so sad for kids that don't have any pets in their lives. I love having families attend dog classes and seeing each member working with their new puppy. Lessons like that are a gift!!!

Maybe it's what the "world" could use a little more of...... "good manners".........

Mocha's famous photo

My neighbor, Dusty, sent me this copy of one of the photos that she took during Mocha's big "Hollywood" day!!! She has no idea if her client will use it, but I am happy to show it off. I like the way Duke is looking threw, probably thinking, "hey, what's wrong with taking my picture". If Mocha really does become famous, we'll be sure to let you know... in the meantime, she is happy to sign copies on request......

the "assuming" Camille

Camille has decided that she is the new "truck dog".... it's funny how she has suddenly stepped up to fill Moxie's paws!!! For a few weeks, she totally went thru a mourning process of her own, but the last few days, she has changed somehow. It's hard to describe.

When I say to the dog's "it's time for kennels".. they all run to their crates, and Camille now runs to the door and not her crate. She assumes that she will be going with me. I suppose it only makes sense, since she and Moxie were my "class dogs", but Camille knew that Moxie was the "truck dog" as well, and never questioned that. but something has changed now for sure. I take all the dogs in the truck when I can, but Hunter and Trevor don't like to "sit" in the truck for long periods of time, and Tazzy and Cole, don't seem to care one way or another if they go or not. So, sometimes I pack everyone up and other times, I look to take just one.... guess it's going to be Camille.....

She also "assumes" other things... like, Ed wants her in his lap.... here are the two of them...

Ed after a day of moving snow, and Camille after attending three nights of dog classes.....

it's funny to see how things are changing. "the pack" seems to have settled in and re-arranged, I didn't think Camille would take the top spot, but the others have voted her in... I guess. She seems OK with the idea... life with dogs is certainly a learning experience...

still moving...

we're still moving here... both in the snow department and in the building department... I guess that is what is important...keep moving. Ed brought the tractor out again today, just to push the snow back, and after hearing tonite's weather report.... MORE snow for Sunday with a "possible repeat from last weekend"... we have just decided to get ready. Get the snow pushed back as far as possible, and NOT take the generator back to the farm just yet!!!! maybe we'll luck out and get rain.. but after last weekend, I'm not counting on anything!!! I just am so glad that we have the equipment to move snow!! it sure has had a workout.....

So, what's happening with the house. First off, I can't say enough good things about Ken, Eric, Buzz and Steve... they have hardly missed a day of work. And when they arrived on Monday, and saw all the snow... they just shoveled their stuff out and got right to work once again!!! They are amazing... the good news, is, there will be no more snow in Ed's workshop as the roof is on it now.

They still need to "tie in" the mudroom part of the roof, but everything is in place now. Once the trim work is finished up, they can begin the shingles... and that will make such a difference.

It's a wonderful HUGE space, I keep thinking it would make a fine training area!!!! Ed offered it to me several times, and I kept saying NO.. that I didn't think I would want to offer dog training classes on the farm... but after seeing this space, I am having second thoughts!!!! Course, now he tells me "too late".. you had your chance, it's "my workshop now".... but, we'll see, could be he won't need all this room and I could have a little corner if I wanted!!!! The downstairs is just as big, so, I could move a few cars out, and use that space if I really wanted to....I guess time will tell, who knows what it will really be like until we actually are living here....

I'm BACK!!!!!

Hello friends.... finally, a blog!!!! I have a "thousand" names for this blog... "dumped on" "stupid cable company" "withdrawal symptoms" "missing my computer" "where is civilization" "where have I been????" Well, the story goes like this... more snow!!! We were "told".. mostly rain, switching over to snow, 5 or so inches expected..OK.. wet heavy snow to deal with.. what's new?? Sunday afternoon, we went and got a load of shavings, and sure enough, it began to rain. We hurried and got everything undercover. But the rain didn't last very long, and by supper time, it had turned to big heavy snow flakes mixed with sleet.

As we brought the "boys" in for the night, the sleet was giving way to snow. Looks like the "rain" stuff was going to stay on the "coast"...

The boys seemed anxious to get it... they always are when it's feeding time, but I did get the sense that they were happy to get into their stalls... did they know something was up.

Around 10:00 pm it was snowing with gusto and out went the lights.. I'm getting used to that now. Since we were heading to bed anyways and the woodstove had the house nice and warm, it didn't matter. It must have been about 4:00 am (Monday) when the power came back... good!!! I can have my coffee. The power stayed on just long enough for that... coffee, start of some laundry and out it went again.

Believe it or not power (for the moment) was the least of our concern.!!! We got dumped on!!! There was at least 16-18 inches of new snow. And since just the bottom layer of it had been wet, the top was nice and light which made some "amazing" snow drifts!!!! There had to be at least four feet in front of the barn!!!! No horses were going out until we got that cleaned up!!!!

These pictures really don't do it "justice".. everything was buried!!! Including the fence itself!!!and mind you, this is just the barn.. Ed still had the camp to clear out, and the road that brings us in... he was hours plowing, hauling, moving, lifting snow!!!!

Every time I hear that wonderful tractor fire up, I feel so blessed that we have it!!! I don't think we could move all this snow just with the plow... on the farm, it really needs to be moved.. not just pushed out of the way. On top of all of this, Ed really was not feeling that well, I think he had a touch of "the bug" that is flying around. Still, he managed to move a lot of snow!!!

Turning the horses out (finally) was quite interesting, Ed had made some paths for them with the tractor, but wasn't able to clean the fence lines entirely. (On top of not feel well, the tractor was doing it's best, but it had a hard time) The big boys were fine, even though the snow was belly high on them... but Mocha... she looked at the snow and I could honestly hear her say "You have got to be kidding"... she tried eating some of the snow, but if she thought she would just eat her way thru it... she must have decided differently!!! I don't know if it's funny or sad when the snow is higher than your horse!!!!!

After spending the better part of the day moving snow, we went back to the camp for a little breather and some lunch.. and then remembered that we were without power. We sat and chatted for a bit (the sun was out so the camp was bright and warm) and I did call the power company to see if there was an estimated time of when we would have lights again. I got a recording that listed almost 30 towns without power... we decided it might be best to bring the generator back. So, down to the farm, dig the generator out of the "electric shed"... haul it to the camp, and had it up and running before dark. We made a good choice, because the power did not come on until 10:00... but with the generator running, we were able to cook supper and at least watch a dvd on the TV.

We then noticed that even though we had power, there was no cable... which means no TV... no computer and even worse...no phone!!! Oh well, it was time for bed and we would "worry" about that the next day.

Tuesday morning we woke to the same, no cable. I called the cable company, and they assured us it "would be on sometime today"....OK.. I was a little anxious for "my computer"... but, one more day...not too bad. Well, the day went on and on...still nothing, I don't like the idea of no phone..the cells were working OK, but sometimes it depends on "where you are standing" as to whether they really work or not. AND of course, no blogging.......

This morning, I called the cable company again... I tried to stay calm, but I had decided I wasn't going to let "sometime today" be the answer. The gal I talked to began to say it, and I cut her off... "look I have heard that for the past two days...please tell me what is really going on here!!!!" I figured she must have dealt with a "thousand" angry folks and it's not her fault, so I didn't want to go there, but I did want a straight answer.She finally told me that, because we are so close to the New Hampshire boarder... our cable power is supplied by them... and they had a problem that wasn't going well... thus, we were without our cable... OK... now that is an answer I can accept... (she should have just said that before!!!) but, the bottom line was.. she had no idea when we could expect our cable back and we simply had to be patient.

I put my "extra time" to good use... and got all the cockers groomed.... as I was trimming up Hunter (the last dog on the table) the phone rang... it actually scared me!!!! (I near cut Hunter!!!).. so I quickly answered it ... a dog student... and couldn't wait to get off the phone and onto the computer!!!! So, that's it in a nut shell.... no blog to read, because no computer to use!!!!! I could hardly wait to get in tonight from dog class, so I could blog and bring you all up to date.

If anyone needs any snow, we are giving it away for free!!!! just let me know..............

old camera

As I had hoped, I did buy a new camera last night. After breifly looking threw the "owner's manual" I wonder if I will ever be able to figure it all out... but, I remember thinking that way with my other camera. This morning when I did barn chores, I stopped to shoot some pics of the house, and after these, the old camera will be tucked into it's little bag and put away. It took some mighty fine photos for me, but it's tired and has done it's job......

As you can see, the guys got the ridge post in place and a few rafters up in the "woodshop" before heading home Friday night. Snow is expected again this afternoon, so, I am doubtful the guys will be back tomorrow to finish. But, it's a good start and I think we will have a roof by the end of the week.

We now have an overall view of the whole house. It is bigger than the house we moved from, but in square footage, not as big as it appears. I like the lay out, with the downstairs being mostly open. It will be a great house to entertain in, and I look forward to all sorts of different parties, and over night guests!!!!







It will be nice to make this shot and see "green" in the picture, instead of all this "white"....

and one of the barn.....just for fun...

now, off to "learn" about this new one... wish me luck.