movin' dirt

It's funny how people look at things, and this has happened time and time again with our building project. I see "something" that I "want done now" and Ed sees another thing that he "would like done now". For example... dirt piles. I know I have mentioned them before, and I know they are a necessary evil, but I just "hate" seeing all those piles sitting around all over the farm!!! I think it make the place look like a "construction zone" (oh ya, it IS a construction zone).. but I don't like them just the same. And, for me, having them moved and flattened out will be a big deal!!!









Ed's "big deal" was getting the house completed vinyled!!! He couldn't wait to see it all weather tight and finished!! And to know that aside from a few doorway trims, it will never have to be painted or"maintained"... it's done!!!



So, that "wish" came true last week. The vinyl is completely done, including sending the lift back. And if you look carefully in this photo, just the white trim around the two front doors need paint, but other than that, all "outside" work on the house is done.



And that leads to the next "dilemma".. what do we do next?? The sheet rock project is well underway thanks to some long weekends (and extra help) and of course that needs to be done. BUT, we're into some really good weather right now, and it's good time to move dirt!!! So, Ed is trying to divide himself between the two projects... dirt moving and sheet rocking!!! The game plan is, if the dirt can be moved and settled, we might even have a bit of "growing time" and could get a jump on the lawn. Which would be a good idea for next spring's rain and "mud season"... and of course, it would be much easier to plow if you don't have to dodge dirt piles.



God Bless our little green tractor!!! Because it has been chugging along, and bit by bit, the dirt is being moved. I see a big difference in just a few afternoons of work!!! and I am so excited to see "my project" happening. The house is beginning to
"come down".. I feel like it has been sticking up in the air with all the dirt moved away from it, and now it's beginning to look more normal. It's fun too, to begin our landscaping ideas, and figuring out where we will put things. We have a couple of rock walls to make, (in order to use all those great rocks we have "found", and it will help move the water and such into the places that we want it to go) I would like to plant some trees and the like, and perhaps put in a garden or two. Now that the "land" is beginning to "show", I can almost see these projects!!! AND, it won't be long before we can see the front of the house and not have it hidden behind great mounds of dirt!!!

OH.. "MR. G" has been a busy guy lately. Aside from his usual job of protecting his chickens, Mocha and the barn yard in general.. ridding the world of yucky bugs, and just being his handsome self (can you tell that I am really fond of this bird!!!)..he has also kept track of other bird members of the farm.

We moved all the babies into the big stall after the turkeys went to Turkey Manor. So, the Silkies, the Rocks and the Keets, have been all together. At first there was some scuffles as to "who was whom", but they have all settled in. The keets really aren't "keets" anymore, and have gown almost to their adult size... and SOUND!!! Sadly, out of the original six that I bought, only two have survived, and I am pretty sure one is a hen and the other a cockerel. Anyways, when they get "singing" Mr. G. comes running, and he can't wait to get to meet them. I, however, am being a bit smarter this time, and these birds will not be going outside until next spring. I am NOT having another winter where we are trying to get birds out of the pine trees to come in at night, nor worry about them getting cold or eaten. So, these guys are staying in. Besides, if that hen begins to lay next spring, I would like to try and raise my own little group of keets. So, Mr. G. will have be happy peeking thru the door and saying his hellos that way.

I have also found it quite funny at the way he hangs out around Turkey Manor. I would like to know what he is telling these guys, or maybe he is just showing off that he has the freedom to roam around the farm and they don't. Course, I'm not really sure that they care.... but, I don't think he would really want to tangle with them... you can see how much bigger they are. I "fear" they won't be with us much longer, they're beginning to eat us out of house and home, and I am already wondering if some of them will fit in the oven.....

but that's another blog......

weekend report - part 2

Saturday afternoon, we were at "old" house, or rather - Kas and Nate's house!!! for a very special event. Dave turned 50 (technically on Tuesday the 22nd) but the kids had planned a party for him on Saturday. Now "being Dave", a black tie affair just wouldn't have been his style. So, a cookout with family, good friends and food fit the bill so much better. He even had soda bottled in his honor.









It was however, a catered affair - by the "hot dog man"!!! He came with his rig, set it up right in the driveway, and everyone just ordered what they wanted. He actually had more than just hot dogs, and it was all so good. Then along with the hot dogs, Deb, Kass and Lauren had made all sorts of wonderful salads and snacks, and of course.... cake.

We're pretty sure that Dave wasn't totally surprised, Nate had "invited" him over to help with yard work... but I am sure he was surprised to see what everyone had come up with for his birthday.

and how many people came to celebrate with him














Nice looking group of men!!!











After the party, Nate's uncle John (Dave's brother) wanted to take a little spin on Nate's bike and before too long, he found himself giving rides to everyone. I wasn't so surprised when I saw the kids going out with him... but when Dave's MOM!!! hopped (and I mean hopped) on the back of it, I was shocked. I don't know why I was so surprised, she is always one that is up for an adventure.. but the back of a bike!!! She had a great time.. it was just too funny!!!

the weather couldn't have been better, people stayed for quite a while, and the afternoon went by much too fast. Happy 50th Dave!!!!!


Now on Sunday NASCAR was back in New England, so of course Ed was off to the races early in the morning. He always likes to invite different people to go with him, and this time he had asked Rick if he would like to go. We discovered a side of Rick that we never knew about... he's a racing fan!!! He mostly knew about drag racing, but was more than happy to tag along with Ed.






The track always has some sort of entertainment to keep the fans happy. There is generally a concert and other such things... this time... it was the Budweiser Clydesdale horses!!! I wished I could have seen them. Ed did get these shots with his camera phone, but a picture just doesn't do it justice!! I can just imagine the "sound" of these beautiful animals trotting by... goodness, had I known they were there, I would have gone just for that!!!!

I hear the race was very exciting.. and again perfect weather just made a great day for Ed and Rick.

I - on the other hand - was about to chuck my phone out the window. Sadie and I told Kelli that we would do a girl thing since the boys were playing at the track. Well.. I don't know what's with the answering service that we have, but we didn't get Kelli's message until almost dinner time. I was so mad.. she was waiting for us to call her back, and we were waiting for her to call.... so, we all "lost the afternoon" together. (I am still stewing over it)... but, we'll do a make up day and hit the quilt and cross stitch shops for sure!!!!!!

And it's getting close to baby Abbie time. Sadie and I spent Sunday afternoon, getting some things moved back into the big camp, and going thru some of the things that she has collected for baby Abbie. This cool sling was sent out by my friend Linda.. it's great for infants. Since we didn't have a clue as to how to use it, we decided to try and figure it out. I think we got it right, and we tested it with Mona - who is our biggest cat - because we thought she might be about the same size as baby Abbie will be. Mona looked pretty comfy in the sling, just hope she doesn't get the "wrong" idea of who really belongs in there.

So, another busy week ahead... got to get settled in back next door, got to get a crew to take docks out of the lake, and begin to think of "coolish weather" and yes... winter.......

weekend report... part 1

Sometimes, I "hate" weekends -- in that we either have "millions" of great things to do, or we have "nothing" to do.. wouldn't it be nice if once in a while, a weekend could "balance " out, but they never seem to.
So, this was one of those "millions of great things to do" weekends, starting with the Apple Fest that is hosted by our little town. I was up fairly early, got our pies to the church and saw that the pancake breakfast there was hopping. Vendors and crafters were arriving and setting up their wares in the church parking lot, and you could hear the tractors and like beginning to run in the orchards. I got the barn chores done, and was returning to camp when I saw that the "airport" (which is behind our farm) was also offering a pancake breakfast.

Ed and Sadie were waiting when I got back, and when they had their choice of "which" breakfast to try, we opted for the airport. I haven't been back there but once or twice and Sadie has never seen it, so, we thought we would check it out.

The airport was offering a breakfast (and a nice one at that) but basically it was for the "fly ins"... people had arrived in all sorts of small planes, to visit with each other, enjoy a beautiful day of flying and to have breakfast. I didn't count exactly how many planes were there, but my guess would be around 20.
As we ate, we watched some of the plane come and go, and then took a little tour around them ourselves. They're beautiful little planes, and really small!!!! I have been up in a "small" plane, but I had forgotten just how small they really are. I got some good video of different planes taking off after breakfast, but for some reason "blogger" won't down load them, so you'll just have to enjoy the photos.


I found this sign interesting, the elevation of the airport is 705 feet above sea level.. (if I am reading that correctly???) which means our farm would be the same elevation...










I guess, from what we heard in various conversations, that often at these "fly ins" the pilots will take you for a ride. However, the wind was really (really) strong and so the offer was not open this time. There were two little boys that had been looking forward to their flight and were so disappointed that they couldn't go up. But I saw their disappointment turn to smiles, when "their" pilot made plans to take them up on Sunday when the wind is suppose to be calmer. I still haven't decided if I would go up if I had the offer... Ed would for sure, but I don't know.

We stayed longer than planned at the airport (just having too much fun I guess!!!) and we had to be in York for the afternoon... so, by the time we left, we couldn't get back to the church in order to check things out there. (bummer!!!!) It looked quite busy as we drove by... oh well, maybe next year!!!

There's another "fly in" coming up in October, I got a flyer on it, but if we should "forget" I somehow think all the little planes buzzing over the farm will remind us.......

and then onto the afternoon.... but THATs another blog!!!!

morning routine

Most mornings Ed is the one that "opens" the barn up. Because he is working at the house, he'll do the morning chores which allows me time to get "house things" done. It works out nice and I certainly love the way we work together with this "farm thing".

He's been telling me that the turkeys have discovered the shelf that is in Turkey Manor. We used it as a little work bench when the shed was in it's "other life" and we just left it there for the birds.

I guess the past few mornings as he arrives to let the birds out for the day, he has seen that they have found the shelf and the window. And they sit there, peeking out as if to say... "I wish the "Butler" would show up and open this door and serve breakfast." I caught them doing it this morning when I went to do chores and got this photo with my phone.

When we open the door, they file out.. sort of looks like Noah's Ark with them all coming down the little ramp!!! But, the best news is, they are getting used to going in at night as well.. so Ed has fewer and fewer birds to wrestle in each night. We'll just get them trained and then... well.... they'll be "gone".... :-)

finishing touches.

As of today, the outside of the house will be "officially" done!!! Ed Is working there this am, but these are the pictures that I got late yesterday afternoon. The antique hinges look so nice, Ed painted them a flat black and size wise, they fit the door perfectly.

I am now on the hunt for some type of "latch" to go on the center of the door, so it really does appear that you could open it. We weren't so sure if we would need one there, but I think it would just finish the whole look off.

The "entry" porch, which leads into the mud room, only needed one more "course". The shingles that we used here, were left overs from the barn!!! We had a few boxes and when I was picking out the vinyl I thought those might go nice here. I have a "thing" about "extras" just laying about, and when we saw we could "use them up" here, it was a great idea.






It helps "break up" the two bigger part of the house, and just adds a different look. The color was so close to the house and in some way it also ties the house to the barn. (I know, what is this "thing" about matching buildings and tying things together?????)

Today, Sadie and I have pies to do for the church, and we are going to start moving back next door to the big camp... pretty much have decided that we WONT be in this house this fall... ohhhh wellll.....

one of my favorite actors...

by now just about everyone in the US has heard the news that Patrick Swazye lost his battle with cancer and passed away yesterday at the VERY young age of 57. I have to say, he was probably one of my favorite actors and I greatly enjoyed many of his movies. Of course, the most popular movie must have been "Dirty Dancing"... but I remember him more in the TV mini series "North and South"... either way, the world was given a gift thru his acting and dancing talent. Of course, I didn't "know" him, but he seemed to be a gentlemen and certainly did not appear in the news due to his rude behavior (as so many "popular people" do these days!!!) He was married to his wife Lisa for many years, and I can only imagine her grief at this time.

so, goodbye to Patrick Swazye, husband, horseman and actor... God speed.....

apple picking 101

This weekend, our little town hosts it's annual "Apple Fest" event.. a fun weekend that kicks off with a pancake breakfast, craft fair, bake sale and the orchards will all be open for apple picking, hay rides and the like. Our church plays a big part in the bake sale, and the goal of the ladies this year is to be able to sell 50 apple pies!! Which means, that 50 pies need to be made. So, several of us have volunteered to bake a pie or two... Sadie signed us up for two pies.

This morning, one of the orchards graciously offered to let the church ladies in and pick the apples needed for our 50 pies, they asked us to take as many of the "drops" as we could, but a bit of picking was Ok too. It was a beautiful morning, we went fairly early which put us ahead of the bees and other "bugs" and the picking was great fun. I have never been to this particular orchard and had as much fun enjoying the views as I did the picking and fellowship.

The apples this year are beautiful!! I thought that we had an awfully wet spring and summer, but from what the apple trees are looking like, I am guessing it's just the kind of weather that they like.

The apples are huge!!

And the trees are loaded... it's almost like picking grapes. I am surprised that the limbs don't break under the weight of them, and if this good weather keeps up (which it's suppose to do) I bet the orchards will be quite busy over the weekends. I do know that "they" worry about any big storms coming thru right now, because that would cause the trees to drop the apples...

Needless to say, it didn't take us anytime to pick all the apples (and probably a bit more) needed for the pies--oh and the home made applesauce that will be served at the breakfast!!!! (this photo makes me think of the line from the movie Baby Boom... where she had picked baskets and baskets of apples and quotes..."this must be enough for a pie!!!!")


We divided them up and brought home a bucket to do our pies with. So, Friday morning, we'll get ours baked up and drop them off at the church.

And to my "dear readers" if you want a fun fall activity this weekend, head to Apple Fest, fill up at the pancake breakfast, buy a pie to take home.... and pick yourself a nice bag of sweet Maine apples!!!! Sadly, the season doesn't last long, and when the winter winds are knocking at the door, you will be glad that you got out.........

more on turkey manor

The turkeys did well last night, the first night in Turkey Manor. And when I arrived at the farm this morning, they were all huddled inside, even though the door was open to the outside. Since they have only been "inside" they were a bit fearful of that outside world. Sadie and I tried to shoo a couple of them out, but it only created panic in the flock, so we gave up. We wanted to get the stall cleaned out and ready for the other birds to move in.





Early in the afternoon, just as the rain began, we looked out and saw that some of the turkeys had indeed, found their way outside. I thought that the rain might send them back in... but no, they seemed to be enjoying the "water falling from the sky" and goodness knows they could use the "shower". By the end of the day, all the turkeys had found the way out, and seem to really be enjoying the pen and the room to move about.... course this evening... Ed had to wrangle them all back inside.. no one wanted in!!! We didn't dare leave them out, we don't know what "wildlife" might be lurking around the barn at night, so everyone had to be locked in. I think once they figure out that the can go "in and out" and that the food is "inside", they'll be running back and forth. I am much happier to see them in a "better spot" and to have the younger birds now in the big stall with more room.

Dear Nate was back again today to help with sheet rocking. We can't tell him enough how much we appreciate his help!!! and Kas as well, because it means she gives up a day with Nate!!! (thank you ..thank you both!!!) Ed had to get some more sheet rock, so that took sometime from the morning, but they still got the sewing room done, and some of the walls in the pantry.

It makes a big difference quickly to see "real walls" in place. And really, there isn't much left to do except for some smaller pieces, which Ed can basically do himself.

Once he has the chance to "mud and tape", then I can take over and begin to get the walls primed, and think about what colors the rooms will be.

Every project done is one step closer to moving in... even though right now, it is still quite a way from happening. But I certainly appreciate what has been done thus far. Looking thru old blogs tonite (and crying my eyes out anytime I found a Moxie photo!!!) ... I saw that last year at this time, only the foundation was in place... the building hadn't even been started.. so really, we have come a long way in a short time.....and I need to "not be so anxious".. we will get into this house

odds and ends

It seems as though there is just "so much" happening right now...first off, my Dad was in the hospital. The day after our cookout, his heart went "out of beat"... he has dealt with this in past, but over the last ten years, thru good care, careful watch of himself and meds, it hasn't given him any trouble. And then, for no reason, it was acting up again. He spent the better part of the week there, and he did have to be cardio verted, but this evening he is home and feeling so much better!!! Hey Dad... so glad you are home once again......

And we are seriously beginning to get ready for baby Abbie. She will be here in just about a month, so Sadie is working on getting organized and trying to think ahead as much as she can. "We" have been EXTREMELY blessed. People hearing that she is expecting have given Sadie so many wonderful things... and there isn't much that she will need to get started. Just look at the clothes she has to sort thru!!! We have also decided that we will have an "after baby.. baby shower"... that way, Sadie will be able to show baby Abbie to everyone, and then she will also know what she might really need and be able to let folks know. It's pretty obvious that we won't be in the house before baby Abbie, so the three of us are trying to decide if we should move back into the big camp for the time being. It would certainly give us more room.. especially with another little person arriving... but we also "hate" to go to all the bother and not need it for very long... so that remains to be seen at the moment.. (though, I think we will end up moving once again.... )

The turkeys are getting huge and I can't believe how quickly they can go thru a bag of grain. As of this evening, they now live in Turkey Manor.. and if you read onto the next blog, you will know all about that.

No, we don't "spoil" our chickens or consider them "pets"... well, maybe we do, and Sadie thought that "miss Chicken" would appreciate a daisy necklace.. she did... as she ate it off herself.

And we now have "matching buildings"



"Sweetgrass barn"












"the Electric company"

and "Turkey Manor"

On thing for certain.. I can't say that life is dull

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I also don't want this important date to be overlooked. Eight years ago, we lost thousands of people when our country was attacked... may God send his blessings on the families who lost their dear loved ones... 9-11-01....................

"Turkey Manor"

For the past week, Sadie and I have been working as much as we could on the turkey building and if I do say so myself, with a bit of paint, it has spruced up rather well. In fact, we have fondly named it "Turkey Manor". It took two coats of stain and three coats of red on the doors, and will still need another white coat on the trim, but all in all.. the little old building has come back to life.

Then at the end of the day, Ed has come to finish the rest of this project (after working on the house!!!)






He cut a door way in the side so the turkeys will be able to come and go during the day. We will definitely lock them in at night, due to the predators!!! And he made a sliding door so we can close them in...

Sadie put a nice red paint on the turkey door... to match all the other color schemes.















We had a number of ideas with regards to the pen itself. I have seen all kinds of turkey pens and everyone seems to have their own ideas. We were looking for something strong, quick to put and cheap. Turns out that a dog kennel seem to fit the bill the best. Home Depot had a 10x10 dog pen for under 300.00.. and with the house being one end, and taking a panel from our real dog pen... we ended up having a penned area that is 12x20, (roughly) which should be plenty of space for the outside.

Now, turkeys can fly, to some extent..and they certainly would be able to get over the top of the dog kennel. Some folks suggested that we clip their wings, which isn't a bad idea except we really don't know how to do that, and secondly, they're pretty big now, and we weren't too excited about handling them that much.... so, it was just as easy to put a top on the kennel. Ed made a big wood frame, and we got some "bird wire" and simply stapled it to the top. We still have enough head room that we can walk around the inside of the pen (for cleaning and the like).. and the wire is open enough that we don't have to worry about a snow load next winter. The birds won't be able to fly thru the top.


By the time we got all this done this evening, we had just enough time to move the birds in. They haven't had the chance to try going outside, that will for tomorrow. Moving them was an adventure!!! They're getting quite big... Sadie was in charge of the door of the shed, Ed handled the birds, and I kept track of the door in the barn. Ed was pretty great with the birds, he wrapped them in a towel and one by one carried them out to their new house.

So, this evening we left them to settle in and the last I saw was everyone chowing down on supper and getting use to their new surroundings.

I can't wait to turn them out tomorrow.. I am sure they will appreciate the extra space and the chance to poke around like birds.

And now we will have Turkey Manor already for raising future generations of birds. I can't say that raising our own turkeys has saved us any money, especially this year. But I like the idea of raising some of our own food, and knowing that these animals have been raised well, and treated kindly during their lives. I not so sure we will raise anything "bigger" than turkeys, but I have come to know... never say never....