"blankies!!!"

Last fall, my friend, Kim, popped over with a gift that she had received for her birthday. It was a beautiful fleece blanket that had been made for her. She wanted me to see it, because it was easy to make and she knows that I am always looking for new and interesting projects.

NOT, that I need to know about more projects, goodness only knows that I have a "million" of them in process at any given time, but I do suppose it's nice to keep your "list" up to date. The blankets are so easy to make, that I gave them to "everyone" at Christmas time.

I also made a few extra to use as donations, four to my dog club, and these three are for Cocker rescue who have a table this weekend at the local dog show. (Deb also made 5 of her beautiful dog coats - like the one Camille worn at the dog show - as another donation for the table) We're hoping these items will bring in a little extra for rescue.

Basically all it takes to make them are two yards of two different pieces of fleece. You will want to trim off the salvage sides, and lay them out carefully without any wrinkles. The only place I manage to do that is on the kitchen table where I have room to spread them out.

Then, you cut out the corner, and I make a 3 inch "fringe" all the way around. The quickest way I have found to do this is with a rotary cutter, straight edge and a cutting board. I also find it is better not to make too much "fringe" in one sitting, as it makes it harder to do the tying later.
















Then you tie all the little fringes together, a top to a bottom and... there you have it!!!

These blankets are very warm and durable. Pop them into the washer to clean, and dry on a low heat.

so, if you are in need of a project or something different as a donation to your favorite charity... here you go!!!!

too cute!!!!!

After a "whole winter of waiting".... look who arrived safe and sound on Friday, May 9th.... this is "Rollin' Thunder Josiah Norton"... a brand new colt belonging to my friends, Karen and Missy!!!! His mom is a gypsy vanner mare.... "Lainey" (aka Rollin Thunder Lainey May)....

Currently both are at our trainer's farm (Laura), and week after week, when Tonka and I went for our lessons, the big question was... is the baby here yet. Last Thursday, the answer was the same "no, not yet"... but he did arrive shortly there after!!!!

Karen reports that all went well, that Lainey is a proud and excellent Mom (she has had babies before!!!) and that little Josiah is a doll. How could he not be???

"This" is such a nice breed of horse... it would be a dream of mine to one day have one!!! but in the meantime, I will just have to "enjoy" the vanners of Rollin Thunder!!!!!








I have a feeling that this is just the first of many hugs and kisses!!!!!!!

Mother's Day

What had been fore casted as a "rainy weekend" turned out to be nothing of the sort!!! So, on "Mother's Day"... Ed and I had the family here for a cookout!!! The weather was beautiful and we were actually able to spend most of the time sitting out on the deck. It has occurred to me that this will be the last Mother's day for me in this house, and possibly the last cookout here as well. We head to NC next week and when we get home, it will be June.... come June, a great many weekend are spent at camp.. and that's pretty much how the summer goes!!!! Come fall, we will be in Acton...

I guess Mom's have a way of passing things onto their children, whether they mean to or not. I have done just that..... poor Kas is afraid of thunderstorms (though she is getting better with them living in the south) and this fear came directly from me.... I HATE them!!!!!! but, on a better note, sometimes you pass on "good things" too... like my 4:00 tea time!!!

Like a lot of folks, come 4:00 in the afternoon, I begin to run out of steam. Course, teaching dog classes at night, you need to have your "steam" back.. so I have the habit of either having a coffee, tea or hot cocoa that time of day. Kas has found that she has herself in the same habit!!!! So, for Mother's Day, she sent me this "tea basket"!!! It has all sorts of goodies in it, and the little teapot that is sitting there is really a pot and cup!!! (cup is on the bottom).. Sadie kept along the same "theme" for her gift.. and got me a travel mug.... which, when I have an early morning student (like today) I can take that "last" cup with me!!!... Sadie's cup is the black one and it says.... "coffee and dog hair" on one side.. and "I never leave home without them" on the other side!!!!! Ya, pretty typical for this house I would say!!!!!

So, it was a great weekend... the festival on Sat., presents from the girls, and a cookout yesterday...... I am truly blessed.. and hope that all of you had as much fun on your weekend.......

wooly Saturday!!!!

On Friday afternoon, my friend Linda arrived from New York state.. she was here for a little visit and also to attend the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival that was going on at the Hopkinton Fair grounds. She has asked me to go with her for the past couple of years, but the dog show had always fell on the same weekend... this year ----- it didn't... so I was able to go.

We were on the road fairly early, course, half way there I realized that I didn't have my camera with me!!!! I WAS not a happy camper, because I could have taken "dozens" of photos for the blog!!! But aside from all of that, it was such a fun day. Having the time with Linda was a joy of it's own (we haven't had time together like that since our children were VERY little) but I so enjoyed seeing all the vendors and animals.

Linda and her family have alpaca on their farm. Linda spins.... and has been doing some "neat experiments" with all sorts of different "fibers". She was telling me about her "adventures" with them, and it just makes me want to get spinning into my life all the more!!!! We were able to see some alpacas, and they're a neat little "creature"... I know I will want "something" else on the farm with the horses, but I haven't quite decided "what" that will be. I did see some nice looking sheep and can't believe how many "breeds" there are of them!!!! There were llama there as well, but, "they" really don't do anything for me, so I think I have pretty much ruled them out. OH, and angora rabbits!!! Now, that is a neat little animal, but I'm not sure I am up for the "work" that they require.... but... they sure are cute!!!

Now, as any of my "knitting" friends can imagine... the yarn that was there was incredible!!!!! I can just see Dale and Karen there... NO... maybe they shouldn't go there, unless Val and Greg are ready to move out of their houses!!! I am still "new" to knitting, and it took great restraint to keep from going "crazy" with all the wonderful products and projects!!! I did come home with a few goodies, but ones that I will actually do!!!
There were also "tons" of spinning wheels ... wish I had known what I was looking for in that department, because I am sure it was there. I have to say, there is a beauty in a spinning wheel that is something else.

The weather was perfect, ( HUGE difference from last Saturday!!!) the people there were so nice... no "pushing and shoving" ......people were chatty and it was just a nice feeling overall. You don't get that sometimes at these sorts of events. The time flew by, and before we knew it, it was time to get back home again. I guess there are several of these types of "shows" that go on all year, but I am hoping next year I can go again, and maybe I will even have a better idea of "what" I am looking for. Either way.... it's always on Mother's Day weekend, and if you are in the "yarn, spinning, animal" department... take a drive out... you won't be sorry.

down on the farm...

So... THIS is what the barn looks like without a huge pile of snow all around it!! Actually, I think summer arrived in Acton yesterday.... temps were in the high seventies and the black flies were horrid!!!! Lucky us... the good thing is, they only hang around a few weeks, and for the most part are gone... I keep telling myself that tons of birdies are being fed by the little "buggers".. course, they're trying to "feed" on us!!!!

It's funny how projects like this one go... seems like there are huge changes, and even though the work progresses, you don't seem to notice anything new. Then all of a sudden, there are huge changes again....

And the big one for this week.... a driveway!!! It goes from the main road, to about where the house will be... and all the way to the barn (yes I have some tree trimming to do!!!) BUT, no more mud... so, if you were "waiting to visit"... drop by anytime... the path is clear!!!

And now, what always seems like the "messy part" of construction... the dirt being moved about and the plans are being laid for where exactly (and how) the house will sit..

I don't like seeing the land torn up and all these "piles" about.. but, can't be helped and I know its temporary....

"Mo" the operator of the big "tractor" is very clever... I love to watch things like this, he can move big huge mounds of dirt, or clear the tinest patch... it's a real talent....

This is also where the building part gets hard for me. I have such trouble looking at a semi-bare lot and "seeing" a house there. Ed, on the other hand, can picture it so easy, and he is always saying things like ..."so here's the front door, and the porch goes here, and the garage is here... and should we have a window here or there?" etc. etc...... he is very patient with me as I shrug my shoulders and say something like... "sure, honey... sounds good to me!!!" --- I haven't got a clue!!!!

The "good thing" is... we have built things together in the past, like our little camp... so, when Ed can "see" something, I trust his instincts.... and then when it's really there.... I can take over!!!!

looking for...

I am looking for a ... HORSE.... a "white" horse to be exact, and somewhere under all that hair (and dirt) he is there. It has been a daily search, and layer by layer, I think I am finally getting down to "him".

"poor ol' Sil"... when I bought him 11 years ago (this month in fact) my first words when I saw him was...."he's white??" I just knew that a "white" horse would be trouble!!!! Not in his temperment, mind you, in his "keeping clean!!!" and this has proven correct. Tonka on the other hand, can get away with a "ton of dirt" and you don't even know it!!!!

So, a sure sign of spring for me....

horse hair all over the floor.....

and for the old boy... well, he is there somewhere, but I still have a few more days of "looking" (ie: grooming!!!!)

Missy heads home

Here is Missy with her new "mom"... Juline.....

may they have a long and happy life together!!!

onto rescue #5!!!!!

two for two

Several times today, I asked a question that seems not to have any answer.... "Are "new englanders" a hearty bunch that, despite the weather, continue to do the outdoor things that they love?" or "are we just a foolish lot that don't know how to get in out of the rain?" either way, no one at the dog show had an answer for me. So, aside from the fact that it was pouring rain when I packed Moxie and Camille into the truck, we (like everyone else) headed to the show.

Our judge held her breath anytime we entered the ring... this is what the entrance looked like... fortunately, it was somewhat dry under the "pulling shed" where the rings were set up...

It mostly drizzled, but every now and again, it began to pour, which did manage to send folks scurring.....

as for Camille and I... well, we are two for two.... today Cam added two more points to her score.... we received a 96!!!! and came in third place.


One more "leg" to go, and she will have her first obedience title... we'll probably try to finish in the fall, I have a feeling the summer will be just too busy house building to "worry" about it now.....

"show" barn

If there is one thing that my hubby could never be accused of.... it would be "doing a poor job" with anything that he does. Ed is a "detail" man if ever I knew one, and he doesn't believe in just doing something to get it done. If it is "done" by my Ed... it is done right.

Case in point with this barn of ours!! and NOT because it is "ours"... but this building is beautiful... and if there were a "Better homes and barns" magazine... this one should have feature story done on it. Ed has made it a "show" barn if ever I saw one...

He told me that he and Ken had pretty much finished the tack room, so today, after the dog show, the "girls" and I went up to take a peek.... the tack room...is nothing short of amazing!!!!

And nothing doing, he and Ken continue to apply the same detail to the stall area of the barn.

All I can say is... I hope a couple of horses appreciate the home that they will live in...

if not... well.... I certainly am going to!!!!!!

good girl, Camille

Bright and early this morning, Moxie, Camille and I headed to Acton (my soon-to-be hometown) to attend the York County Kennel club dog show. This is a really nice show, with a history of really bad weather, and nothing was different for this year. What was suppose to be a "cool day with chance of showers" turned out to be a rainy day that was down right cold!!!! But, wisely (though not fashion for sure) I dressed for the weather.

I entered both Moxie and Camille in Rally Obedience, but with Moxie not feeling well all week long, I decided to pull her from the show and just let Camille do her thing. It was Camille's very first time in the ring!!!!

And the "thing" is... I haven't really even taken the time to "train" her. Anything that she knows, she has picked up herself just by coming to classes with me and being my "demo" dog. Rally Novice is pretty basic obedience, but there are some details to it, that I knew she could do... provided she would listen to me.

Showing outside is a bit of a trick at times... there are many distractions!!! On top of that, the obedience rings are set up under the "pulling arena"... where during fair season... horses do their thing. I can only imagine what that dirt has the scent of....

But, little Camille did her "mom" proud and worked like a little show dog......

A "perfect" score is 100.... Camille got a 94 and qualified for her first Rally Novice Leg"... PLUS took fourth place AND highest scoring cocker...... "NOT too bad for a very first try"..... good girl, Camille!!!!!

and tomorrow, we go back and do it again.... guess what, they are predicting rain!!!!!

foster #4

Happy May Day!!!!

This is "Missy"... our fourth foster dog of 2008!!! She is a three year old cocker spaniel and is the "perfect" dog... I am still trying to figure out why she was given up. It's a little unclear to me, just that I was told... "they didn't have time for her, she required grooming, and she will sometimes submissive pee"...

OK.... so, what's the problem? From the moment she has stepped inside this house, she has been nothing short of a little dream boat.

She LOVES everyone, is quiet, crate trained, and if I didn't already have SIX of my own... she would certainly be a keeper!!!

THANK goodness, there is someone coming to see her this Sunday. Actually, they will be making a decision between Missy and another rescue dog.. Jenni. I think it would be grand if they were both adopted, but... we'll see. Either way, this little girl will go fast...

You can see how "stressed out" she is to be here (that's Sadie's dog, Tatter sitting with her)

Hope I am not encouraging any bad habits!!!. cockers are allowed on the furniture.......

they really aren't "floor dogs: ...if you know what I mean

truck

This is my truck....

"yes, we know that you have a truck"

This is my truck........

"yes, we know that you drive a truck"

This is MY truck......

"what do you want us to say... we know you own a truck"

this is my truck....




and this is the LAST truck payment, going out in the mail!!!!!!

hoofprints....

I drove for about as long as I could... (have definately decided that the cart seat will need a cushion.)... gave out all the rides that I could muster (Butch says I will "put him out of business" --NOT) and decided that I should get the cookout going and feed these wonderful friends.

So, I turned Tonka and his cart back over to Butch. Their grandson had come with them for the day... and Butch wanted him to have a little ride behind Tonka....

Major was at the end of his workout with Becky... so the last I saw was the family all out together in the field....

It made a sweet picture.

After we had the horses "tucked" in and taken care of... we had a little cookout and went over the events of the day. To be honest, my mind was swimming.... I had so much new information, plus the thrill of driving and the thoughts of what it will be like, living up there and running out to the barn on a moment's notice...
it was a bit overwhelming......

But ... the silliest thing of all..... I nearly broke into tears when I saw this...

Hoofprints on the farm!!!!

cart work

As I was ground driving Tonka about the property.. Butch and Ed pulled our cart out. We bought this last fall, but Tonka has never been hitched to it. I was glad that Butch was there, and helped us make the fine adjustments that it needed to fit Tonka.

When they were ready, I drove Tonka over to the cart... he seemed unimpressed at the sight of it, so Butch had me back him into the shafts... MORE holes in my training. Tonka and I need to work on steering when it comes to backing up!!!! You can bring the cart up to the horse, but again, if I were ever to have a team with a big wagon that you couldn't bring up to the horse... you need to know how to back them in. That's ok... some pvc pipes on the ground make for good "shafts" and backing work.

Butch took Tonka out first .. by himself no less. Last time he had Becky go with him, just in case someone needed to "jump out" and attend the horse. But that wasn't necessary this time... (another improvement!!!)

Becky's beautiful paint, Major, was quite interested in all the "going ons". Becky is doing some great work with him, including driving. In fact, on Monday she is headed to New York state somewhere for a four day training clinic with him.

After a couple of spins around the field, Butch had me climb in and off we went. Tonka was an old pro and I can honestly say I felt very comfortable driving... even when we did hit the ruts in the field.

Then Butch jumped out, and said, I think there are some folks here that need a couple of rides.... have fun!!! So, he went "off" to help Becky with Major and left me to my horse!!! (though I know he was keeping an eye on things....)

I took "everyone" for rides... Sadie, Matt, and my friend Betty (who dropped by to see all the excitement) all went with Tonka and I. When it was Ed's turn, we had the greatest time driving together and chatting about the whole day. Ed did tell me that he is going to have Tonka and I help him fill in the ruts in the field... "since you hit every one of them, you know where they are".... ya, very funny!!!!





Ed also told me that I must have been having the time of my life... (of course, but what would make him say that.).. he said I never offered to let him drive Tonka during his ride.. I do feel a little sad about that... but not too much!!!!!

"Butch"

Becky and Butch arrived around 10:00... just as the rain began to have a "real purpose", Becky brought her horse, Major, to "play" with... it was fun to have a couple of "equines" on the property. We gave them the grand tour and waited for the rain to let up some.

Butch is a "true horseman" and has a talent for them that I can only hope to learn. He is very interested in natural horsemanship and uses that idea for training. So, he brought his usual "bag of goodies" and worked Tonka in the round pen. Now, here is where I have a few moments of bragging rights.

After we had visited with Butch last summer, I took many of his ideas and worked with Tonka my self. So, when I saw Butch pull out his "blue tarp" I thought to myself... piece of cake!!! and it was. Tonka could have cared less about that silly thing and continued to work just as Butch asked him to do. There were a couple of other things as well, a big beach ball... no prob... a tire that Butch asked him to step around, threw and over... no prob.... cones... "big" no prob (I don't even think Tonka noticed them) and a few other items. Tonka was very respectful of Butch's space (which I still have to remind him about with me) and he walked, trotted, cantered, whoa and turned on voice. I was so proud!!!! Until.... the whip!!!! When Butch pulled that out, I thought Tonka was heading for home!!!!

He has been extremely sensitive with the whip, so I am careful with it around him... but, after watching Butch yesterday... my "protecting "Tonka from it has proved not to be a good training idea. As Butch said, a snapping branch in the woods can sound a lot like a whip snap, and if I am driving out there... well, I don't want him taking off on me. It took probably a couple of hours for Tonka to decide that Butch wasn't going to hurt him, with that horrible sounding thing, and after the work, Tonka pretty much decided that everything was still ok.... but, I can see that I still have "holes" in my training work.

After the roundpen work, we harnessed Tonka and headed out. He hasn't been in harness since last Novemeber, but I remember hearing that "if you leave a horse in a good place, that is where he will likely return when you begin again". This proved to be true in Tonka's case, because in moment, Butch had him tugging a tire without any trouble at all.

Then it was my turn. I was surprised at how familiar it felt when I took up the driving reins. Guess all those miles of walking last fall have paid off. We went together like "peas and carrots" and I ground drove him all around the field.

He stayed happy and relaxed in my hands, and though the raindrops continued to be their pesky selves... we had a grand time and I could see that when I finally get up on the farm...

There's a pretty good chance I won't be leaving it!!!!!

horse on the farm

Today was an exciting day on "Sweetgrass Farm".. and because I have so many good pictures to share, it's going to take a couple of "blogs" to do just that. So hopefully, "you" are all interested in horse stuff... if not, just skip the next few blog postings.

As previously reported, our friends, Becky and Butch called and made plans to come today to see the barn, and help get Tonka back into driving mode. So, bright and early this morning, Ed and I went to fetch Tonka and get him up to the farm. The weather was not the best, it was quite cold and drizzly, but, I wouldn't allow it to dampen my spirits!!! This was a taste of future days ahead, and I couldn't wait.

As we unloaded, Tonka was very curious about his new surroundings. It's been a while since he has seen a field like this one, and he was quite happy to check it all out.

He backed off the trailer like a gentlemen, took a big deep sniff of the air, and a long whinny..... just in case someone should answer back!!!!

I took him over to the roundpen, wanting him to have some time to check out his new surroundings and get settled in before Becky and Butch arrived.

He didn't quite know what to do first, check out the countryside, have a good roll in the soft grass, do a little grazing, or run around like a crazy boy..... he actually did a little of everything....


we were off to a good start......

it's starting....

This is, I dare say, the first of many loads that will be taken north to the farm... the driving cart will more than likely live there now, as I do not really have a place to "drive" down this way.. and the round pen is actually making it's second trip north.

It's a funny story about the round pen(s), I actually bought two of them three years ago. The lady I got them from, had warned me that these would be the last of her old prices, and so, Ed and I decided to get two of them and then if we found that we didn't need the extra, we could always sell it. We trucked them up to Acton to be "used" at a later time, though we did set one up just to see what it looked like and in case we wanted to use it.

When we moved into Teresa's barn, I brought one pen back down from Acton and used it to outline her little arena area so we would have a place to ride. It worked out quite well. Then when we bought Mocha and moved her over to Teresa's, we took the second pen down and used that for Mocha's little paddock area. So, already we have had good use of both pens.

Now, tomorrow our friends, Becky and Butch are coming to visit. They have been wanting to see the barn, and Butch has been asking about Tonka and his driving work. After some conversations, we decided that Ed and I will bring Tonka up to the barn, and Butch will do a little work with him while they are here..... so, it was time to move the round pen BACK to Acton and get the cart up there as well.

With the "idea" of guests arriving and a horse coming to the farm, Ed and Ken concentrated on ..... finishing a stall!!!!! AND, putting the outside wall on the tack room. So, this morning when we arrived with "our load", I had the most wonderful surprise waiting for me!!! All of a sudden, it is really looking like a horse barn!!! Ed and I puttered around, we hung a bucket in the stall for Tonka tomorrow, put up some cross ties, and just did some tidy work. I have that same "excited feeling" that I get around Christmas time, and can't wait to see Tonka there at his "new home"..... I hope he likes it as much as we do!!!! AND I hope that he plans on "being good" and maybe we can do some driving around the field... time will tell, I guess.




My sister Rachel popped in the other day with my little niece, Naomi.... she is getting so big and I just love having them visit. Naomi is quite fascinated with our house... guinea pigs, bunny, turtle, cats... they have two big dogs, so the cockers aren't that special, but she loves to check out all the other critters.

As they were getting ready to go, Naomi decided she wanted "a little ride on the horse".... so Rachel set her up on the cement horse we got in North Carolina... she thought she was pretty special sitting up there..... I thought she was adorable!!!!