a day on the farm.

Yesterday, after visiting the fair, my two sisters, Becky and Rachel, with my two nieces, Kelsey and Naomi... and friends, paid a visit to the farm and then to the lake. I was so excited to have the kids come to the farm, because ever since Mocha has become such a good little driver... I have been "dying" to take the kids for a ride. I had her all hitched and ready to go when everyone arrived, and dear little Mocha made several trips up and down the driveway, taking each one for a ride.

I'm not so sure who was having the most fun... the kids or ME!!!

(and.. the silkies... were another big hit!!! the kids are beginning to talk about "auntie Sue's farm) After our ride, everyone came to the lake, and all the kids jumped in and took a swim. We adults talked about "how we swam any time we could" but now, we're just as happy to sit in the sun and watch the kids swim!!!!!

horse show at the fair.....

Sadie and I went to the fair this morning to see the classes for "mini, pony, mule and draft" both in hand and in cart. We only had planned to be there for a few hours, but actually spent nearly the whole day. It was great fun, and there is one thing for sure.... Miss Mocha will be entered next year.. I know she and I can do this......

This little gal is just THREE years old (the child, not the mini)... her Grandmother proudly told us....

And this is a neighbor of mine... they did real well, placing first in all their classes today....

I was quite taken with this mare.....

And look at this four in hand!!!!!

another Mare that caught my eye...









who knows, if I do my "homework"... maybe even "the team" can go next year... wouldn't that wagon of Dave's look good at a show. More Fair blogs to come.......

new residents on the farm!!!!

One year ago, this very night, Ed and I spent our first night as "new residents of the town". Kas and Nate were safely back in Maine after Nate's four years of service in the Marine Corps... and even though none of us were really settled into our new homes, it felt like everyone was where they were suppose to be. I still can't believe that the year has come and gone!!! I truly hope the rest of my life isn't going to continue to go this fast!!!

Ed and Ken made great progress on the siding today.. actually they made it even higher than this pic, but it was too dark to take a picture tonite and show their total accomplishments. Once you get thru all that fussy work around the windows, corners of the building and such.. the work goes pretty fast. I am happy to report that I am liking the house color as much as the barn, and am relieved about that!!! It's a nice soft color that I think will compliment the house.

So in yesterday's blog, I "talked" a bit about possibly getting some more chickens for the farm. I can't believe that I am turning into a "bird person".. because I have never really liked them. But, we have grown pretty fond of "Mr. G".. and then the two hens that were given to us. I have to admit, that getting a fresh egg almost every day has been pretty cool, and I am really liking the "fresh egg vs. store egg" taste.

Sadie has really gotten fond of "her chickens", and has been saying that maybe two more would be nice as we would get a few eggs a day. Just enough for the family, we're not interested in selling eggs, but it would be fun to give some away and have them for ourselves. So, we began to look at the different kinds of chickens, what their temperaments were like, would they be good "free rangers", egg quality and the like. We sort of picked out the Rhode Island Reds, until yesterday, when at the grain store... we came across a "breed" known as the Barred Plymouth Rock.

I think it was the black and white coloring that really attracted both Sadie and I. They look like a "rare breed" that we see in Colonial Williamsburg, and they suppose to be very docile and easy to get along with. They lay a fairly large brown egg, and are "home bodies".. so, we decided that two of them might be a nice addition to our "little flock".

I was hoping that I might add a couple of guinea keets as well. They had 8 keets last week, but when I got back this week... all the keets had been sold, and none expected in until next spring. Oh well, guess I wasn't suppose to have them, and really, if the three Keets we have do well, plus Mr. G... four guinea hens are really enough.

However something else really caught my eye!!!

Silkies!!!

Is this the strangest bird that you have even seen?? It is a chicken.. of sorts... they lay eggs, but I guess they are so little that it takes a few to make up to a real chicken egg. They don't have real feathers, but more of this "down like" feathering. They can't fly, and basically, aren't much good for anything other than eating bugs and looking cute.





I just HAD to have a couple of them!!!! So, along with our four guinea hens, and four "real" chickens, we now have two silkies!!! just because ....

These are very docile and can easily be handled. They don't make much noise, and they feel like down pillows... When they get bigger, I will let them free range with everyone else, but right now we are just working on meshing "everyone" together.

The Keets will go into the stall when the turkeys are moved and the Silkies will go with them. So for now, I have the two caged side by side and they can get used to each other. The "Rocks" are being caged inside the chicken pen, so the big chickens can get used to seeing them and then in time, they will all go out together.

Miss "big" chicken did come into the tack room to check out the "newbies"..but she actually seemed more interested in their grain. And Mr. G. has checked out the keets and seems pretty interested in them, and I think in time, everyone will get along just fine as long as they have the room to roam and time to get used to being around each other. And so, for now, that's about it for animals on the farm... we are currently housing... four horses, four guinea hens, six chickens, three guinea pigs, one bunny, one barn cat.. and 12 turkeys...

quite the house full......

busy days ahead...

I don't know why I think the days ahead are going to be any busier than we have been all summer, it's just that we have some projects well in gear, and some things to look forward to, that make me think of the word "busy". This is going to be the new home for the turkeys!!!! We had (have) a shed building at our old house, that the kids aren't interested in keeping, so Ed thought if we could move it up here, it would make a good turkey house. The only thing is, the shed needs some TLC.. and a new floor, so Ed has made this new base for the shed to sit on. Then we will fence this nice cleared area (thank you Rick!!!) and the turkeys can be moved from the barn to a much larger outdoor space. I am so hoping this will be done very soon... they need to get out!!! It's nearly impossible to keep them clean, they are really feeling crowded in the stall, and they are getting hard to handle. Once they are out of the stall, then my poor "little" guinea keets can get out of their (now cramped) cage and go into the stall with so much more room as well.

This morning I packed up my two entry pieces and took them down to the fair, that opens on Thursday... it's fair weekend!!! and I am so excited to go. I love our little fair and have a whole list of those "awful" foods to eat. I actually have three "entries" this year... my square that will be in the "fair quilt", which I made and submitted last fall... then this photo of Mr. G admiring himself in the chrome of Ed's motorcycle.. and a cross stitch piece.

When I came in with them, I already got a few comments (compliments) on both pieces. People were surprised at the photo, and wondered I happened to shot that photo... just beginner's luck!!! The cross stitch piece is quite sentimental to me... it was almost finished when I lost my Moxie dog... so, the one little part that I didn't have done... I didn't finish... instead I stitched Moxie's name and date of death in the space. I would love it if this piece took "judge's choice" this year... it would mean so much to me, just because of what I was dealing with at the time of it being done.... but we'll see, there are usually a "ton" of excellent cross stitch pieces to judge at this fair, and the "competition" can be keen.

The carnival people have arrived with all the rides and the like. I wonder what kind of life these folks have... traveling the countryside, setting up and taking down one fair after another. Certainly not the life style I would choose for myself... but it must have it's interesting points to say the least. Two more nights, and this will be lit up like a Christmas tree with all the action to go with it. I do like to see the midway at night!!!!

Ed will be serving a few shifts with the fire department at the fair. They (the fire department) play a big role in the fair.. keeping folks safe, and being there to shoe themselves off to the public.

Back at the farm, the siding project is going well. The garage (barn) is mostly finished... there is only one side left to do, but Ed and Ken are waiting for a cool, cloudy day to do it, as it is on the southern side and gets the sun all day long. It's been just too hot and humid to try and do this kind of work in the sun.. so they're going to wait a little. I am very happy with the choice of "red" on the "barn"... it's scary trying to chose colors that you know will be permanent!! Unlike paint, once vinyl is up, you are stuck with the color... so, the thing is, to get it right the first time. I am glad that this one turned out so well.


The color for the house was easier to pick as it will be the same as our old house.. which I liked very much. And since this side was in the shade, it is where Ed and Ken began today. Because of the shape of the foundation, there was a fair amount of that "fussy" work to deal with again, but by the end of today, that was all done, and Ed says that tomorrow they will go "great guns" and I wouldn't be surprised if they go the whole side done...

On my way to "work" this evening, Sadie and I stopped into my new favorite store... Andy's Agway!!! If you are looking for "things for the farm" this is a simply wonderful shop!!! I needed some fly sprayer replacements for the barn and some PDZ for the stalls,and turkey food... which I easily got. Last week, they also had some guinea keets, and I had been thinking all week that I would like to buy a few and add them to the babies that I already have. But, sadly, the keets were all sold (should have got them last week!!!)... however, they have a good batch of chickens in and we have been thinking about adding a couple more chickens to our little group... we would like to get a few more eggs a day, and we thought maybe two more chickens would give us just enough.

We looked at the Rhode Island Reds, but they also have a very pretty black and white chicken called a Barred Plymouth Rock... and I am thinking that it might be fun to have something different and we may go with them. They also have another breed of chicken that has taken my eye, but I don't want to say too much about that until I decide for sure...so you'll just have to stay posted on that idea.

anyways, big fair weekend, projects going well.. time is flying by......

28 on the 22nd....

Today, we celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary!!!! And I have to say, that I have no idea where the time has gone. We have had a wonderful and interesting life together and I only hope the Good Lord continues to bless our life and time together.

Last year, we were in the process of moving, this summer we are in the "little" camp.. and hopefully, next year, we will be long settled into our new house on the farm.

Kas made us this beautiful "upside down cake".. I said to everyone.. "28 years ago, we were cutting a wedding cake.. now we are cutting an upside down cake.. is there a story to this???" but, Kassy's cake was so yummy and we greatly enjoyed it....

It was so grand to have our little house filled with dear friends. Ed and I thought it would be fun to have folks over, rather than going out to eat or whatever. As always, the conversation was great fun, and we just enjoyed having everyone here. A rainy evening kept us mostly inside, but that's ok.. we can all squeeze in when we have to!!!! Our guests were... Dave and Deb,Kim, Kas and Nate (and doggies) Rick and Kelli, and Sadie. The evening went by way too quick.

After our "party" I ran down to the barn, and had all our company follow me... so there was lots of extra help with barn chores tonite!!! Thank you all for coming and sharing this special day with us!!!!

I had to pop in this picture of Trevor... our bedroom door was blocked, and I had taken his favorite ball and thrown it in the bedroom, because he was getting "growly" towards the other dogs about it. Nothing doing, Trev wanted his ball, so he climbed up the spiral stair way that we have, and could look into the bedroom and see his ball sitting on our bed. I think if he could have fit thru the rails, he would have jumped from the stairs to the bedroom, thank goodness he didn't fit. But, he knew just where his ball was, and was doing his best to figure out how to get it... silly dog!!!

goin' along

it's happening!!!!

At last!!!the part that I have been waiting for..... pieces of vinyl siding are going up!!!! the garage/barn is first.. and then onto the house... now big changes will really show up!!!!

Ken starts the first piece, once that is leveled and nailed in place, the rest goes fairly quick....

the garage is being done in barn red, as we want it to have the appearance of a barn that is attached to the house, the house will be in a beige/tan/grayish color... you'll see in a couple of days!!!!!

waited all winter!!!!!

After looking at the "great white tundra" all winter... this is what I have been waiting to see!!!

a summer Sunday

As previously reported, summer has finally arrived. Now, I am not really a "hot weather person", but I have to admit, these temps have been very enjoyable, and for the (roughly) five weeks of "summer weather" we have left, I will certainly enjoy it. We really did get "jipped" in the summer weather this year.

All "summer" Kas and Nate have been trying to get Banjo to swim. You can tell that he really wants to do this, but his puppy, awkward body just doesn't seem to co-operate at times. And then when he gets discouraged, and the weather is cool.. it's been just as easy "not to try". But Sunday was the best summer day yet, and so the kids decided to change plans and bring the dogs to the lake.


This was just the break that Banjo needed, he really (really) wanted to get into the water, and after a few different tries, it was like "he got it" and began to swim strong and fast like a good Chessie should!!! Course, now the trouble is... getting him out of the water when they needed him to!!! (by the way.. our lake is NOT this "brown".. Banjo had been pulling up reeds and digging around in the water!!!!)

Charlie has always been a great swimming dog, and I think he was a little upset to see now that his "younger brother" can join him in the water!!!! Banjo is faster than Charlie, so he easily kept up with Nate while the swam... poor Charlie had to "work" to keep up with them.

All our dogs swim, but Camille isn't crazy about it, and only goes in if it's very hot, or she needs to keep up with me... Hunter swims only to get sticks, and Tatter only to be with Sadie. But Trevor, Tazzy and Cole like to swim just for fun.

One thing you can't do is keep a dry towel on the dock. Guaranteed that a dog or two will be more than happy to use it for themselves!!!!

After several hours of swimming, Trevor decided to play "life guard" instead, and kept an eye on Ed and Nate while they had a "people only swim"....

It was simply a gorgeous afternoon, and I feel so blessed to not only have such a beautiful place to be, but to have family come and enjoy it with us.

Later that day we went down to Portsmouth to Prescott Park and watch the summer play. This year's play is Grease, and since it only has one more week to run, we needed to get there or miss out.

These plays are very good, and the fact that they are free (well donation is appreciated) to the public is a neat thing. The park is beautiful and you can bring a picnic supper and enjoy the river as well. We got there quite early, so we had a really nice place to sit, and saw some friends that we hadn't seen in a while. It was a bit cooler by the river, and the performance was very good.



Sadly the winter winds will be blowing once again, so, you have to just enjoy each day and try to fill it with as much fun as possible.

"fireman's field day"... again!!!

Summer arrived just in time for the 93rd Annual Firemen's Muster. It was a beautiful day, and the parade was quite grand!!! I was in a bit of a panic about even being able to see this year's parade. With renters leaving and renters arriving... making sure the house was all set for both, plus doing barn chores and then the travel time down, I had some doubts that I would make it in time for the parade... but I did make it in time and was very happy about that.



It occurred to me that I have NEVER missed this event ONCE in my whole life!!! My Dad is a firefighter, which meant that I attended this event for the very first time when I was just five months old. THEN I married a firefigther and the tradition just continued. SO.. I wasn't about to break it, if it could be helped!!! Kas said that she has only missed one herself (last year when they were still in NC..) and Sadie also has only missed one, due to a camping trip... but I hold the record in this family!!!!



The "Red Shirts" pulling "Protection 2"...(Ed seems to think that a team of Percherons would look good in front of this item.. and I think that we couldn't find an insurance policy that would cover it!!!)

Miss Flame 2009.....

And "monster" fire trucks...

We brought the dogs to the parade with us, Sadie had Tatter, I had Camille, and Kas and Nate, brought Banjo and Charlie. Since this is such a noisy parade .. all the trucks run their sirens, we made escape plans ahead.. just in case some one got upset. But no one was bothered at all, and actually enjoyed the attention that they received. Certainly is good "socializing!!" wish I could have brought a horse with me!!!

After the parade is the "muster".. a series of games that the firemen play and compete against each other. There wasn't a big crowd this year.. maybe it was just too hot (summer has finally arrived with it's 90 degree temps) but there were a few running teams and some foods and other things to do. It's such a nice family event, and I always feel a little sad to see that not many "families" are taking advantage of it anymore.

And, After the "muster" comes the clambake and award ceremony. The bake was very good, but the building was so HOT, that I'm not sure I really "enjoyed" it. I guess we're just not used to having summer!!! It was good to spend sometime with old friends, and catch up on the news that we don't hear so much about, now that we live out of town.

Ed was this year's recipient of the "Chief" Award" for his 32 years of service with the fire company. As you all know, due to our move, he had to "give up" his position in York, but will soon be taking over as Chief here in our new town. He was quite honored to be recognized by everyone in the "old" fire company and many are excited for him as he begins here.

This is "Chucky" and his wife, Barbara.. sadly I didn't get the "happening".. but Chuck was given an award for .... 55 (!!!) years of volunteering with the fire department!!! this kind of dedication is not common place anymore!!! Certainly something to be recognized and celebrated.

And so, another year has come and gone!!! Fireman's Field Day (when I was a child) was always a clear sign that summer was quickly coming to an end, and it's still the same. Except now, it means, that we have lived in our new town for almost that year!!!! And THAT I really find hard to believe!!! Time passes quicker each year.. guess that's why you need to enjoy each and every day... be a "good" or "bad"...