it's going to fly by.....

So, now that December is officially here, I have begun to get ready for the season. Which as I well know, is going to speed by in the blink of an eye. The shelf above the wood stove is a perfect place for my manger set and I love seeing it back there once again.

I'm glad we got that digging project done a few days ago, because sure enough, the weather is beginning to turn and we even got a dusting of snow today. It looks so pretty, I love the first snows..... the house is cozy, the decorations bring a happy feeling ... and I'm happily working on a few Christmas projects.... 

Christmas will be fun with the grands and all the special events that are about to happen... but I am going to take quiet moments to enjoy and think about all the good things that I have been blessed with. 

odd project

The big furnace is chugging once again... later this year because we have been using the "new" inside furnace. Which has been nice since the days are really that cold... but once it does cool down, this wood furnace is still the best way to heat. The weather has been so odd... by now we should have a bit of snow, but that just hasn't been... however, I feel like we have a few extra days to get to those projects that were meant to be done all summer

One such project that Ed has been meaning to do is to run an electric line out to Denises barn. We didn't think that she would be staying with us this long, but since she is here... Ed wanted to get some electricity out to her building. When the days get short, chores are done in the dark, so this will be a big help if she can have lights in her building. I'm also thinking that heated water buckets will be a huge help in the winter... and now she can also heat her horses water tank, so they will have easy access to water all winter. 

It  will also be something we can continue to use even after she moves to her own place... so it's a good project to do.. but we never thought the ground wouldn't have any frost..

Mona was quite interested in the actives... She's such a funny girl... she has basically become the second barn cat... until it gets cold, then she'll move back to the house. She and Annabelle get along real well and I think Annabelle actually likes her company

Digging the ditch and running the line turned out to be a whole day project, as we thought it would. The sky looks like winter, but it's still pretty warm. Ed wanted to get this done and filled back before the end of the day... as it could freeze anytime.

Project well done, now Denise can fill her tank, the water won't freeze and we don't have to try and lug pails of water to her horses over the snowy barn yard (when that happens)... or in the wind and cold....

Thanksgiving,.....

Thanksgiving once again. I know the holidays come faster every year!!! The turkeys were "done" and turned out to be on the small size as we had "feared".. so, I decided to cook two.. one done in the oven.

and one done in the fryer outside. Actually it's kind of fun to have a choice as to "what type of cooking" you want to try. But I have a feeling that my family will probably have little of both. This year, almost everyone is coming to the farm... with the family getting so big and there being other "sides".. holidays are having to be split so that everyone has a chance... truthfully, I just wish that we could always all be together, but that not practical or real anymore and I need to learn to share. 

Turkey cooking....

Tables all set........

Family arriving... and the house is in it's happiest time... full of sounds, laughter.. being crowded... just the way I like it to be...

 Kelsey and Dan even came for a while...

Ed carves the turkey(s)......

And we gather at the table... taking the time to say thank you for all our blessings.. and I am so very very grateful that we are together another year. 

After dinner, everyone takes a hike up to the barn. My family likes to check in on the horses and the various farm animals.... I had hoped to pull the forecart out and do some rides, but there wasn't time enough...

Kevin and company were back on the farm.. just in case I needed any dirt moved around

The kids were pretty impressed with the dirt pile the loader left.... and who can't resist climbing to the top of a big dirt pile!!!! (dogs included)

After a nice walk about the farm... petting the animals... it was time to head back in for dessert awaits....

Some more visiting... yummy desserts and coffee... playtime... and this little one begins to close out a very wonderful day... Thanksgiving blessings... there are just too many to name...

visiting

Poor turkeys.. the days are numbered... and they head "in" this coming weekend. I hope they'll be "good" because I have been pretty disappointed in how little they grew. We thought (I thought) to try this breed of bird, but we have already decided that when we raise birds again, we're going back to the white meat bird. I'm already planning that we'll need to cook two turkeys for Thanksgiving...

Got a little cold snap the other day.. and actually had some freezing rain. The seasons are changing again.... I wonder what kind of a winter we're in for. But I did think the ice made an interesting photo here on the frame work of the screen room....

Logan,Rory and I were invited to do a visit at a place in Portland. It's an after school program for children with disabilities, so I was happy to pay a visit and of course, use it as a training experience for both Rory and Logan. 

Logan's always up for adventure... and Rory dog will be heading back to needs in the near future.. so anytime I can get her out and about it good too. Rory is mostly with Kathleen these days, but I can "borrow" her whenever I want an older puppy to do a visit.

The kids enjoyed seeing the dogs, but this young chap really loved Logan... she was so good with him, very calm and just such a good baby for a dog so young...

Atta girl, little Logan... you're on your way!!!!