and so .. it was a party.

The "open house" was today (Sunday) of Columbus Day weekend. I wasn't sure how many folks would be able to come, as this is typically a good weekend to "get away".. but, I invited everyone I could think of and knew that some folks would have the time to pop in.

I was so very pleased to see how many of my dear friends and family were able to come!!!! I wish now that I had thought to have a guest book for folks to sign in, because even though I made sure to see and talk with everyone, it will be hard to keep in my mind the number of friends that were there. I didn't even really get any good pictures, because I was too busy (HAPPY) talking with everyone!!!!!

We even had a number of "four footed guests" as well (which are ALWAYS welcomed on the farm!!!!)

Not wanting to miss out on anything either... the horses "demanded" a certain amount of attention from our guests as well......

And my friend Kim brought along a special little fall treat.... a pumpkin with our names engraved on it.....

The day flew by in a flash... and all too soon, folks were needing to head for home... but, I am thinking that we will make this an "annual event"... and next year... we will have a "real house" to show them. But I saw one thing for certain today, I am so very blessed with such wonderful people in my life, and this farm needs to come up with a special purpose in life... it's too big a gift to be "wasted".....

birdies on the loose!!!

Well, today was a big day for the guineas... I let them out this afternoon into the big world. The keets are fully feathered now and nearly the size of their Mom... they have been flying for weeks (well flying as best they can in the stall) and with the weather so perfect, I just couldn't bear to have them miss out on it.

Naturally, they were a bit cautious, especially Mama bird, but with a bit of coxing they headed out the back doors of the barn. They were pretty excited when they felt the sun and found they could roll around in the dirt and look for buggies and such.

Mama bird was pretty watchful over her babies, and kept them close to her. They are so good, and when she calls, they do exactly what she asks them to do. I kept a close eye myself, after letting the barn kitties out and not ever seeing the big gray boy, Sammy, again... I am a bit gun shy about letting these guys loose. But, it would be hard for them to do "bug duty" cooped up in the barn forever, I got them to patrol the barnyard.. and that means, being loose.

They didn't travel too far from the barn, they went into the woods a bit, but didn't stay long. They made their way out to the manure pile, and into the pasture (Tonka had fun chasing them out of the paddock) looking for bugs and scratching around. They loved eating the "greens" and just seemed so happy to be out in the world.

Before I left I did herd them back into their "house" which was all nice and clean and had a big bowl of food waiting for them. They had a nice meal and then began to bed down for a rest after a day of exploring. So, the guinea hens are on the loose..... look out bugs, they're coming after you!!!!!

the neighbor's view

One on my big hopes with moving into a "new" neighborhood... is that we would be very good neighbors to have. We have told Mike (who is our closest neighbor) that if any of our animals, or whatever is bothersome to his family, he needs to tell us about it. I popped over to visit with him a minute the other day, and his sister is visiting from Florida... she told me she got a nice picture of Tonka thru the trees... and sent me this copy of it.... it pleases me to know that the neighbors are enjoying their new "view".....

docks and beams

Living in the heart of apple country (we have several large orchards in the neighborhood) the signs of fall are very easy to see. I think I have eaten more apples this fall than I have in my entire life, but they are so good, and being able to run down the road and get them fresh off the tree.... amazing!!!

I haven't picked out my fall pumpkins yet, but will do that within a day or two. I need a few for the party on Sunday, and what is the fall without a nice batch of roasted pumpkin seeds. Course, this year with "no kids" around, I will have to clean the pumpkins myself, but the seeds will be worth the work.... googy as it is!!!

And all too soon, it's time for the docks to be taken out of the lake. Two summers ago, Ed decided to go with the "light weight aluminium docks"... well, they are better than water heavy wooden docks, but there isn't much that is light about even these. Fortunately, ever faithful Dave and Nate came to brave the waters and help Ed get the docks up on dry land. I always tell Ed that he should pull the docks on Labor Day weekend, when the water is still warm.. but he can never bring himself to do it "that early"... so, here it is October and the water certainly isn't warm!!! I suppose it's better than the year they were pulled in November!!! And Ed seems to think that the wet suits do help a little, but I am not so sure that Nate would agree with that idea. Charlie of course, had the last doggie swim.. he couldn't help but get one more jump in the lake before the season comes to the end.

Bundle by bundle the beams are being unwrapped. Ken sands them all by hand, and will then apply a light stain and oil before they go into place. He says its easier to do them on the ground, and it will protect them as they go into place, but what a job this is. Every beam is handled with care, and the sanders have been running for the past two days. Fortunately, with the "walk out cellar", the beams that have been done are tucked away out of the weather. The cellar looks like a workshop!!!

I can't decide if there are enough to make a house or not. There seems to be a lot of them, but when I think.. "that's my whole house" it doesn't look like there are enough. I am sure, after sanding them all... Ken and Eric know that there are more than enough!!!!

In some ways it's sad to think that all this beautiful work is just going to be covered over when the beams go together. I noticed, too, that they are all numbered, so this certainly will go together like a big kit.

can't wait to see it...................

ok rain.....

Ok rain.. you can go "home now".... another day of off and on showers. Ken and Eric are in the process of opening up the bundles of timbers and trying to get them ready so they can stain them and prepare them for assembly. They would get a group opened up, laid out and here comes another shower!!!! Ugh!!!

But, it seemed like the cellar was staying pretty dry, so, they decided to move the timbers "in" and work where they had a better chance of staying out of the rain.

The timbers are so pretty.... I can't wait to see a few done, and even more excited to see some up and in place. IF the weather will co-operate, they hope to have some ready next week. I hope so, because I have had this "brilliant" idea of having an "open house" next Sunday, and have invited a huge number of friends and family to come and see the "farm" and (hopefully) some timbers standing!!!!

I also had it in my mind, that rain or shine, Tonka was going into harness today!!! We have skipped out on too many days, and I don't want to "get behind" with him. So, I harnessed him up and out we went. As you can see, we got a peek of sun, which made the afternoon very pleasant.... and even though Tonka and I were walking in a very sloppy field... it was great fun. He's doing well... now, I just need to get my confidence up and pull that cart out!!!! I am comfortable ground driving, but the cart adds another element in my mind... and I "just got to do it!!!"

sneak preview....

Off and on all week, it has been rainy. This is a bit discouraging because the builders can't work as fast as they would like, and it seems like whenever I want to get Tonka into harness... the sky opens and the rain pours down. Yesterday afternoon, just when it looked like we might have a little break, a big black cloud appeared and I didn't even bother to take out the harness. However, look at the treasure we got instead.... a beautiful full rainbow over the field. Sadly, this picture really doesn't do justice for it's beauty... but I tried just the same.

Ken and Eric worked thru the rain showers as best they could, and by the end of the day... they had the foundation decked over. Ed couldn't resist taking a little stroll around the "house".. and here he stands in our new entry way!!!

And this is the view of the field that we will have from our front door!!!

Earlier this week, Mary had asked if I would like to come and see the puppies, and if I would be able to help her trim their nails. (they are very strong and wiggly, so it takes more than one set of hands to do nail trimming!!!!) I said I would love to come, and could Kas and Nate come and see their new baby. Mary was happy to have them come, so we snuck over last night!!!!

Even though I know puppies grow at an amazing rate, I can't believe how much these guys have changed in the two weeks since they were born. They are very strong, and they might be little, but, when you hold them, you really have to hang on!!! They have their eyes open now, and are beginning to walk.... and Rosie has been the most wonderful Mom!!! She was very patient with us standing around her box... she accepted the fact that Mary would pick the puppies up and hand them to us. She accepted the pats and compliments we gave to her... so, when it was time to trim nails, I thought I would just step into the box with Mary and the puppies and do them there. Well, that was the point where Rosie put her foot down... with a very gentle... but SERIOUS growl and direct eye contact, she told me in no uncertain terms, that I had crossed the line. I quickly respected her wishes, and backed off, and she calmly laid down with her babies, happy that I had gotten her message. So, we trimmed nails in the kitchen, Mary brought out one baby at a time, we did the nails and returned them to Mom.... who was happy with this arrangement. She is really such a wonderful girl, and if Kas and Nate's baby takes on after his Mama... they have got themselves a real prize for sure!!!!!

house progress

The builders have been quite busy this week... putting in the supports for the floor and getting the "deck" on.. I now have a clear picture of the house floor plan, and even though I continually hold my breath as they easily walk across the open floor supports..... I can "see" my kitchen, living room, dining room and craft room.

I have been known to make such comments as "you did wipe your feet before walking into the kitchen?"

This has been a long process, Ken is very particular of getting everything just so. It makes good sense though, if everything is lined up, level and "perfect".. the rest of the house will go together just in the same way. He is extremely pleased with Scott's foundation and has remarked several times that it is about as perfect as a foundation could be. I guess in the 30 plus years he has been building houses, some of the foundations that he has worked with has been... well, let's just say... anything less than perfect.. couple even make the"nightmare" comment!!!! We knew we could count on Scott and his crew for a good solid base for our new home!!

The time for decisions has also come. Ed and I need to pick out a stain for the beams. Ken brought us a few choices and I think we have narrowed it down. There could be several "hundred" different choices, but I asked him to give me just a few.... sometimes having too much to choose from, isn't helpful. We know pretty much what we like and don't like... so, when we see something that isn't "right".. we know it. Unlike paint or wallpaper though, whatever we "go" with will be "it".. and in some ways, that is a scary thought!!!

This is the last time that I should see the sky from the cellar!!!!

The next big stage will be raising up some beams... there is still a lot of detail work to be done before that actually happens, but, as far as "big" work goes... that is what will happen next.

23 today!!!

It is hard to believe that today is October, and even more so, that one of my babies is turning 23 this very day!!! Happy Birthday, Kas!!!!

This is the first birthday that Kas and Nate have had together as a couple!!! The first year that Kassy's birthday came around, Nate was in boot camp, the next year.. he was in Louisiana doing clean up work from hurricane Katrina with the Marines, the next, he was some were in the ocean on an aircraft carrier and last year, he was serving in Iraq..... so, for Kas, one of her biggest presents is to be able to celebrate the day with Nate. I...on the other hand.... have been with Kas on every single birthday that she has ever had.... including her very first :-) so, I just couldn't imagine not spending some time with her today. Since she had to be at work and I had a dog student to meet with, we decided that we would meet bright and early for breakfast. Then, because we had the time, we took the dogs for a nice walk.... so, even though it's Kassy's birthday... I got a great gift too!!!! and the dogs really enjoyed going on their old walking route again.

After our walk, I was looking over the painting project that Kas and Nate have going.. and we thought we heard someone calling her name. Peeking out the window, we saw all the kids from the nursery school (across the street where Kassy works) standing out on the steps, and they were calling for Kassy.

When she went out they said, "come over here" and they had a cake for her!!! So, that was a nice surprise and the children were so excited to be a part of her special day.

This is the cake that they decorated for "their teacher".....

tonite Kas and Nate are having a small party with their friends... but just having both her and Nate home again, safe and sound.... makes any birthday a special one..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PEEKA...... we love you!!!!!!

surprises....

A couple weeks ago, I was given the nicest gift. A beautiful scrap book that was made by my friend/dog student Kelli. She has been taking pictures of her hubby, Rick and their Boxer, Mindy as they attended classes. She then put them into this book as a present for me. I have had a grand time looking at all the pictures and seeing all the dogs that have been in class together. She also put in all kinds of stickers and sayings that really add to the pages. I have only scrap booked one page, so I can only appreciate the time and thought that she put into it..... thank you again, Kelli, it's beautiful and I will treasure it always!!!!

Then... brother Bill, came up to the farm with another gift for me!!!! An old fashion "dinner bell"!!! He had a friend hand forge this and it is a copy of a dinner bell that was in a barn in Rowley, MA. It's hard to see, but the plate on the top is carved out and says Sweetgrass Farm. Bill was going to do the cooking for me at the tracking clinic, and he thought the bell would be perfect to call us in from the field when it was time for lunch. AS you all know, this wasn't able to happen, but, this bell will be hung and used at future meals times... maybe to call Ed in from the field!!!!! so, a big thank you to Bill... it was a great thought and I will treasure this as well!!!!

Well.... I have always felt a bit sorry for Mocha... being a mini, when she is in a regular stall... she really can't see what is going on in the barn like the big guys can. She is always sure she is going to miss out on meals or treats (and let's us know with very loud whinnies!!!)... and I just feel like she is in a big box. So, I asked Ed if we could make an opening in the bottom of her stall door, so she can peek out and be a part of the "world". Ed had our friend , Greg, weld up a panel and today he got it installed in her door. Not only does it look nice, but I can tell you Mocha certainly appreciates it....

Once she realized how much she could see... she stood in front of the door enjoying all the attention and watching me sweep the alleyway and Ed drop down a bale of hay. It does look a little like she is in jail... but really, it's her window on the world..... and now she won't miss out on anyone who wants to come and visit!!!!

all for a turtle!!!!

I got up yesterday morning and nearly pitched a fit... well, maybe I did pitch a fit.... because, there were peaks of sun and no rain at all. I cancelled the tracking clinic because "they" told us all about the "extremely rainy weekend" we would have, with chances of mild flooding, etc etc... and I see the sun!!!! I turn on the weather and now "they" say, "we have a bit of a lull in the stormy weather and for the most part the morning will be good"... thanks a lot!!!!

I run down to the barn, do morning chores and head back home. Just as I am getting out of the shower, the phone rings... it is a dog student of mine, they are at the barn looking for the tracking clinic... oh NO!!!... I sort of forgot that I had invited all of my classes to pop in and watch the clinic... I have no idea who might be showing up to watch.... great!!!

Ed and I run back to the barn... and actually find a few of my students there. Fortunately, they were all happy to look around the barn, meet the horses and "see" where I now live. I still feel bad that they made the trip and didn't see the clinic... but, you know... I really just have to let it go.



Since it appeared that we had an "extra" day, I thought that maybe we should go and move Titus. I had left him with Kas and Nate when we moved, just because moving that tank of his is a project all of it's own... and requires manpower!!! It wasn't raining, so I thought, good let's get it done.

We asked Nate if he would help (course he was happy to do so) and told Kas and Nate that if they could come to Acton to help us move the tank in, I would feed them supper to boot... such a deal.

It took me over an hour to break the tank down... I also got everything cleaned, thinking that way, I could just set it back up when we got it in. The idea worked well, but was time consuming.

Wouldn't you know just as we were ready to load the tank into the back of the truck, the sky opened and the rain began.. so much for the lull.... poor Ed and Nate were nearly soaked by the time the tank, stand, and all the equipment was loaded into the truck. (what is IT with me and the weather this weekend???)

The ride home went well. Titius wasn't too happy about being stuck in card board box... but all in all, it was uneventful.

It was pouring when we got back.... Ed and Nate hauled the tank in, Kas began to start supper, and I began to get Titus's house back together. After we were settled in, I looked at the four of us, eating supper, wet to the skin and thought "all of this for a silly turtle".... but today, as he happily swims about his tank and comes over to say hello... I am very glad... I like my little turtle!!!! I also like the idea that we will only move this thing one more time!!!

And the rain has finally come. Aside from ruining my weekend plans, it really is pretty. The lake has a different sound with the rain... and because it's tropical.. the weather is very warm... almost like an August day.

The horses seem to enjoy it, they are out grazing every day.... and Mocha is doing just fine, so what ever she had... has passed.

We got a fair amount of rain during the night, so I am watching the docks, there is a good chance the water will be over them before the day is done. We will need to pulling them out within the next couple of weeks, can't believe the "summer" season has come to the end......

does it have to be this weekend???

Back in February (I think it was) I told my dog club that it might be fun to hold a tracking clinic in the fall on our farm. Everyone thought that would be a fine idea, so we hired a judge and people signed up, and I have been waiting all summer to host the clinic. All week, I have been fussing around the barn, getting Ed to put things here and there and making it look as good as possible. I have been excited for friends to come and see the barn, the house being built and enjoy our field with their dogs..... THEN... around Tuesday, they started talking rain for the weekend. Oh come on.... NOT this weekend.

work on the house is really coming along. Tony, as promised, made the back yard look beautiful after getting the septic system in. My dogs are going to have a great place to run around, and that walk out cellar is a dream come true. Now, with rain on the way... I hope the dirt will stay in place... because it's not just "rain".. it's a tropical storm (Kyle) coming up the east coast, and even though we live "in-land" we can still be in for some heavy rains.....

Playing it on the safe side... our builder.. Ken covered everything up and got all the tools and equipment tucked under cover....

His efforts paid off, because this morning, it was raining.. earlier than predicted... after much thought, I decided we best cancel the tracking clinic..... it just isn't fun working in the rain... with wet dogs who are trying to figure out just what you are talking about.....

and the forecast looks very wet right thru Monday....

I gave the horses a quick breakfast and let them out... a little rain won't hurt and they might be stuck inside the rest of the weekend if we get high winds. I had a doctor's appointment, so Ed and I didn't get back to the barn until early afternoon. The big boys were out grazing... I went to get my rake to do stalls when I heard Ed say "what's wrong with Mocha?"
I don't know "what's wrong with Mocha"... I look and see her laying just outside her stall door... shivering... OH NO.. this is NOT good. I called to her and she didn't get up... so I grab her halter and tell her she has to get up... she does. We bring her in, check her over.... I take her temperature... normal.. but she is shivering.... so, while Ed begins to walk her up and down the alley way.. I call the vet... can you guess.... his day off. But they give me his cell phone number and some suggestions for Mocha... Keep her moving, maybe give her a good curry to warm her up.. cover her... see if she will eat.

We offered her some hay.. she picks at it... unusual for my "piggie mini".... I covered her with a blanket (I don't have a mini blanket.. next thing on my list).... and then-- am relieve to see her poop...ya!!!! she goes back to her hay and is a bit more interested. I begin to pick out the other stalls, keeping a close eye on her. After a bit, she seems to be warming up, and much more interested in hay. From what we can guess, she just got chilled out in the wind and rain. And because she hates to be in the barn alone.... when the boys were out, she stayed out. I close her in, close her window and think that if she gets upset that the boys are out and she is stuck in, her moving about will be good for her.

The vet called back... he waed a little worried about colic but happy to hear that she has pooped, eaten and seems more lively... he told me just to keep an eye on her. We have checked her twice more.. this last time, she seemed back to her old self, and happily went after the hay that I brought ... so I guess we are ok and I hope that I can get some sleep tonite....

So, no tracking clinic... close watch on a little horse, and tropical rains..... not exactly what I had planned for the weekend....

oh well....................

it's a ....

House!!! The truck arrived bright and early this morning with all the timbers for the house. Since the drive was too tight of a turn, it was just as easy to bring the "lull" out and grab the bundle of timbers and bring them into the house site.

Ed couldn't help himself and had to open one of the bundles and take a peek. They are beautiful and smell so good!!!

The "builders" got the cellar walk out wall framed up yesterday. Today was a lot of "fuss work".. just getting everything measured and plumbed... when I left this afternoon, they were beginning to get the "deck" put on the foundation.

Course you always have to have a little "playtime" on the farm. Ed's little John Deere tractor has been acting up. He's pretty sure that it's just a matter of old gas, but still the ol' gal wouldn't start. Being a "crank start"... it would have been alot of work to get her going... so, brother Bill brought up his old tractor.. and with a bit of pulling and some fresher gas....

he got her running again!!!

say cheeze!!!

Doesn't this guy just make you smile???

This is Beau, he belongs to Dan (one of the site crew) "poor" Beau was sent to the truck, because he thought that the 6 inch pipe that the men were laying on the ground for the septic system.. would be fun to "retrieve"!!! I wish I had taken a picture of this big goofy guy running around with a length of pipe!!!! He only thought he was helping!!!!

And this handsome guy is Oden... Tony's dog. Oden is being trained as a "blood scenting dog".... here in Maine, you can get special permits to train your dog to track wounded game (like deer).... at the moment there are only a handful of dogs that have their certificates to do this work.... Oden is just a year old... and I'm not sure when he can get his certificate... but Tony is working on his training right now...

I do have some views on the whole hunting thing... but the idea of knowing that some poor deer won't be left to die for no reason.. sits well with me. If Oden can track it down, so that it is not "wasted".... I think that is a pretty good thing. I didn't realize that the "blood scent" thing existed.. I dare say Tony will be called out on a number of cases. But in the meantime... Oden is happy to be with Tony.. doing "digger work".....

chuggin along

Now that the "site crew" has the foundation all back filled and ready for the builders.... they move their attention to the septic system. And again, Tony amazes me with his abilities to run that big "digger" and put everything just so!!!!

The other thing that is great fun, is the number of dogs that come along with the men. All of them had asked me if it was ok to bring their dogs to the work site... course, you don't have to check with me about dogs!!! And from a "trainers" point of view, I have had great fun watching all of them. I wish more dogs could have this sort of thing in their lives..... because they are so busy all day long, there is no doubt in my mind that they "crash" when they get home at night. Because the men have their minds on other things, these dogs have to "stay around" and have good recalls.... they all do!!! And because they do get to travel about, they have learn to be very social and good.... as of yesterday, there were four dogs on site.... two were "intact" males, and there wasn't one bit of trouble anywhere. Expect they do get under foot once on twice!!!!!

Before they leave the job, Tony assures me that my "back yard" will be "pretty"!!! They will cover everything over, bring in the loam... and seed it to boot!!! Might be that I will have a little grass growing before cold weather!!!!

Speaking of grass, the "boys" have done quite a job with the grazing area that we set up. As you know I was a little worried about getting them back on grass, and had a pretty small area for them to start out on.

Well, they made pretty quick work of it, to the point where we had to bump the paddock area out.








Pretty easy to see where the "old paddock" ends and the new one begins!!! Needless to say they were very happy to move into the new area....guess that "formula" of one acre per horse seems pretty realistic.....