one horse open sleigh/Happy Birthday!!!!

We woke this morning to a nice snowfall.. which I was a bit surprised to see. The weather men are always talking "snow" and just as I get excited about it, we hear things like "it went south of us" or "went out to sea" and we have nothing and I am disappointed. But, today, they seemed to have gotten it right.

Our neighbor, Dusty, who is a professional photographer called, and asked if Abbie might be up for a photo shoot. She works for all kinds of magazines, and wanted to see if she could get some photos of Mocha and Abbie for a horse magazine. I thought it would be fun, but reminded Dusty that Abbie is "three" and sometimes not easy to work with (remember my Christmas card??) She said she didn't mind trying... so out we went and over she came.

It took about a half hour, and Dusty's camera can take pictures one after another. I don't know how many photos she took exactly... I'll say "alot"... and she did get some cute photos... but this one was certainly the best!!!! Needless to say, this Grandmother is going to have to order a "good" print of this one.. and who knows... it could very well end up in some big horse magazine!!! we'll be sure to "brag" if it does!!!!

Around lunchtime, I got a call from the place where I teach my Wednesday night classes... they had decided to cancel, just because the roads were going to freeze and traveling could get bad. Suddenly I had the whole afternoon to myself.. no schedule.. so I ran out and got Duke harnessed. No way was I going to miss out on this nice new snow.

Another neighbor of ours had commented that if I ever wanted "company in the sleigh" they would be happy to join me. So, I called them and said I had the sleigh out, and they were there in a matter of minutes. We had a great ride going around the field a few times. They sleigh went so beautifully in that new soft snow. Duke hardly knew he was pulling it....

And these are my neighbors... Anne and John... Anne said it was the first sleigh ride she had ever taken. Duke and I seem to be "having a run of first timers"... and it's fun!!! So, I for one, this winter, will not complain about the snow!!!!

Tomorrow is Ed's birthday. Sadly, it's a busy day for both of us... I have to work at the post and both of us have meetings at night. I was wondering when we were going to celebrate. Well, an expected evening home, provided just the opportunity. Abbie and I got his gift wrapped and then I asked her to hide it until Papa was ready to open it. She chose her "cup drawer" as it's hiding place.

We had a dog to drop off at it's house and another to pick up... so while we were out, I ordered some Chinese food for supper... and we had a nice family dinner. Afterwards, Abbie couldn't wait to pull Papa's gift out....

And, of course, help him open it. A new "weather station" (since his old one has died)... So, what a perfect day for a day that wasn't even suppose to be....

 

Happy birthday "Rumney"... I love you!!!!!

surprise...

Last night, Kas thought that it was "just Bible study group" she was attending, but little did she know.. just after group had finished, something else was in store.....

A baby shower!!!! I was invited to attend (thank you Sharon).. which gave me the chance to get some photos, and see the surprise and delight on Kassy's face!!!

Her sweet friends brought food and so many wonderful gifts...

And her "teacher" and hostess to the event, Sharon!!!!

Kas was completely surprised and caught off guard. I think she was still "in shock" when she was cutting the cake!!!!

Other than the fact that these young couples get together to study the Bible, they are also raising young families. Kas will be surrounded by other young Mom's who "have been there and done that"... and to have that kind of support and love when you are just starting out, is a blessing for sure....

Gifts made with love....

And a great way to "begin" baby Reagan's new room...



"surprise Kass!!!"""

January thaw...

We usually get one or two a winter... a January Thaw, as it is commonly known. But when one arrives... it feels so wonderful. Today, we hit the 50's... and even though this weather should be enjoyed.. here on the farm, we take advantage of it.

That meant, a complete "go threw" in the barn. I was so excited with not just the warm weather, but the extra help. Ed and Abbie to the rescue!!! Stalls were completely mucked.. buckets washed.. floors swept.. all the chores that (sadly I admit).. get just a quick brush over when the weather is bitter cold.

I love it when our barn looks good!!!

And today, the boys will be "locked" outside, to keep it neat as long as possible. But with all this good sunshine, they don't mind.... course, it's just a tease... you know Ol Man Winter will make a return...spring is still a bit off... but we'll take these days as much as we can!!!!

road trip...

Today, Ed and I took a little day trip "down the coast". Not only was it a perfect winter day to go, and it was nice to have a change of scereny.. but it was also a "business" trip - if you will. My dear hubby needed to get a copy of his birth certificate in order to renew his license. And in order to do that, you must get it from the town that you were born in.

Now, we could have just "ordered" it threw the mail, but time was getting close and Ed was worried about getting it in time. It wasn't that far of a drive to get it, and Ed was kind of interested in seeing the town that he was born it, because, even though we have driven by it many times, we have never stopped in. There was also one other reason, though we knew the chances were extremely slim... that he might find someone who "knew" him. (that didn't happen)..

You see, my Ed was adopted. Which really isn't any "big" thing... he had great parents, a wonderful and happy childhood... but... he never knew he was adopted until after his Mom and Dad had passed.  We were going threw paperwork that was in a folder belonging to his Mom and he came across the certificate. It was a little surprising at first, especially when he saw that he was over a year of age when he was adopted.. and had a completely different name. He found a legal "change of name" certificate along with the adoption papers. He always knew that he was born in this little coastal town.. but never questioned why. 

The town clerk was very nice, and was quite interested in his story. She did not know of anyone in town with his "birth last name"...but she did tell us how to find the hospital where he had been born, and so we did a "drive by". Ed says one day, when he has some extra time, he does want to look into his story and see if he can find out some of the details.. but in the meantime, there are many unanswered questions.

From there, we traveled a bit further and had lunch at one of our favorite places. Anytime we are in the area, we always stop in at Moody's. The food is wonderful, the prices reasonable... and it's quite "famous"

It still carries it's old fashion charm, and it was nice to walk right in and have a meal. Come summer, I can tell you the line waiting to get in--- often extends into the parking lot!!!!

So, Ed got his birth certificate... we had a very nice lunch and a very nice day together.. and enjoyed the beauty of our great state....

And, if you ask me... it is the prettiest state in all of the US.....

sunrise on the farm

More often than not, if you're up in time.. this is how the day begins....

My friend, Belinda, made this beautiful tote for me. She has a new embroidering machine and thought I might like this. It's going to be my new knitting bag!!!!

Hello '13!!!

Happy New year.. and welcome to 2013!! I really don't like New Year's Day, because for me, it seems like the end of the holiday season. But this year, instead of pouting about it, I decided to have an open house and extend the holiday time a little longer!!!

Are we ready Trev??? Not only will it be fun to have family and friends here, but it was a good excuse to leave all our Christmas things up a little longer. Remeber the broken piece on the sleigh.. well, Ed has fixed it yet again (this time using a piece of oak).. and we are all set to offer sleigh rides today... sadly... it's bitter (bitter!!!) cold, so I'm not too sure who will take me up on the offer.

People begin to arrive and the house is filled with laughter and sound....

My Mom and Dad... Abbie and Naomi... and Uncle (funny) Bob...

My sister Rachel and dear friend Cindy...

Rick, Moxie and Kelli.....

Uncle Bob gives Kass and Nate advise on baby raising. I have know him my whole life (he isn't a "real" Uncle) but certainly someone who played a big role in my life.

Banjo kept bugging Nate about going out to play ball... (he got the "chut it" from his grammie)... Banjo loves coming to the farm, because he can run to his heart's content when he is here...

This is Ned... he is the son of friends Kate and Jeff.... Ned braved the cold to go up to the barn and visit with the horses.... he especially liked Mocha....

And then much to my pleasure... a couple of brave souls decided that they would like to take a sleigh ride. Even if it did mean buddling up with additional blankies and the such.

this is Jenn and her two little ones, they were  excited to go. It was a first sleigh ride for all of them.

and so, a good omen for me... finally some sleigh time... a house filled with the people I love the most.. and the first day to a  new year.... I am expecting great things!!!

Happy New Year to one and all.. and I hope it's a great year for you as well.....