are you sure we'll come back?

Here's the photo that Dusty took of Tonka loading for his "first" riding lesson last week. Almost seems like he's asking .... "are you sure you will bring me back to the farm if I get on this thing?" He loaded right on after this shot and yes, we brought him back home again!!!!

picture tour....

Hunter and Trevor... cuddled together in the front of my truck... enjoying the ride and the sun!!!!

Ed... scoping out his "workshop"... picture taken looking out the "back"... Ed's office is to the right off the workshop

Ed's office.. skylight was put in this week... this space is above the mudroom and to the left is the workshop....

View from the upstairs hallway... looking down the stairs...

Picture taken from the "master bedroom" looking across the hallway to the other bedroom... electrical boxes now in and Ed's begun the wiring... front hallway window partly cut open - to let the owl out, which he didn't use!!!!!

Downstairs... picture taken from the living room.. the dining room is to the left, kitchen to the right, with the pantry and bathroom...opening to the garage is now in place....

The two front doors have been brought to camp to be painted....and ready for Ken to be installed next week (?)....

The color is "cranberry"... not red!!!!!

a "hootie" in the house...

It might be a little hard to see, but there is an OWL in this picture.... and "he's" in the bathroom of our house!!!! I seem to miss all the excitement on the farm... this morning I was off to work with a private student, Ed, Ken and crew, were all going in to work on the new house. Buzz said that when he went upstairs he thought he saw something out of the corner of his eye, Ed saw "him" as he flew thru the rooms!!!!

I don't think "he" hung around too long, the guys tried shooing him out, but he eventually went out his own way (probably the way he came in)...

I don't know a whole lot about owls.. but seeing as this is Friday the 13th... I am going to consider him a good luck icon!!! and hope that he had a peaceful night in our new house!!!!

riding season begun...

Today, Tonka and I had our first riding lesson of the season, it was wonderful to be on him once again, and I have to say, he was such a good boy!!!! I haven't ridden since last fall, and he hasn't been on the trailer since we moved to the farm, so I was wondering how it all might go. He loaded like a pro with just a bit of encouraging from Ed standing behind him. That was a good thing, because our neighbor, Dusty (the gal that does the horse photos) was there. She called this morning to ask if she could "use the barn for a shoot" and when I told her, "sure, but I won't be there as I have a lesson".. she then wanted to come and take a couple of photos of Tonka loading on the trailer. She keeps a whole file on all sorts of "horse things" just in case she is ever called for them. I was so pleased that he was a good guy and got right on... not just for Dusty, but just because.

He seemed pretty happy to be at Laura's again (he knows this place well) and we got right to work. Aside from the fact that he is out of shape (and so is his Mom) he was very good and did everything that was asked of him. We even did a bit of canter work, which is where we had left off last fall. I had about a hundred layers of clothes on... it was a cold day, but at least the indoor keeps the wind out!!! Both Tonka and I were pretty warm by the end of the lesson, but I am glad that I didn't dress any lighter.

We're more than likely to get a little more winter weather (we're not out of the woods until April) but today... for me at least.... spring has begun.....

And look for Silver's "hollywood moment" in a future blog.... he was in Dusty's photo shoot today......

gettin' ready

Tomorrow begins the riding (lesson) season for me, so yesterday I dug out my tack, checked it all over and gave it a good cleaning!!! I'm excited to get back to my riding lessons, Tonka and I always learn something new to practice and it "keeps me honest" in my work. Nothing like your trainer keeping her eye on you and pointing out your "weak spots"....

It will also give Tonka a weekly chance to be on the trailer and we will be trucking quite a bit further now... instead of a 20 minute ride, it will now be an hour. But, I think it's good for a horse to be comfortable in a trailer .. you never know when or where you might have to ship them. His loading skills can be "if-y" so the more we do the better.

I had "forgotten" what mud season is like on the farm!!! Don't misunderstand, I am waiting for spring with baited breath... but, one thing for certain, my boots won't be "retiring" anytime soon!!!

and if anyone is dropping by the farm over the next six weeks or so... be sure you bring your boots along!!!!

And look what the guys began yesterday....

shingles!!!!

Course this morning I woke about 4:30 to hear sleet pelting on the sky lights!!! "They" said we were in for a day of "wintery mix".. sleet, snow and rain.. which is just what it has turned out to be. As I blog away, it has just turned over to rain.. so, the guys won't be up today. It's suppose to end by the afternoon and turn off cold...

guess it's what March is all about!!!!

back to "real life"

Yesterday morning in North Carolina, was even prettier than it had been the days before!!! It was a "slow and painful" project, packing things up knowing we were headed back to Maine. Mandi, baby Maya, Kas and I attended church. Everyone was so happy to see Kas again, and wanted to know all about her life in Maine.

This is such a sweet little church, "everything" you would expect out of a southern baptist church!!! I got such a peace listening to the sermon and I love hearing those southern voices, it's no wonder that Mandi drives an hour every Sunday to go there.

After church, we headed straight to Raleigh and the airport. Mandi said it wasn't any trouble to drive there to get us, or to drive us back.. but the truth is, she was just being a good sport... it's about a two hour drive, and with little Maya, that's a long trip!!!! (thank you so much Mandi... we had an amazing time with you!!!!)

So, it was "good bye" once again to beautiful North Carolina!!! The few days we had there, really re-charged my batteries!!!

If I had to pick a "warmer place to live".. North Carolina would definitely be at the top of the list....

The plane ride home was long. We had a big lay over in Philadelphia, and "problems" with the plane, which made us take off almost a half hour late... Kas and I tried to bring that good North Carolina weather home with us... but, when they checked our bags, "they took it away... said we couldn't have it!!!"... sorry folks...

We arrived in Manchester a little after midnight and got home around 2:30 (after getting the bags and such)

and we went from this........

to this!!!! Snow blowing and falling so hard this morning, that you couldn't even see across the lake...

unfair!!!!!

Ed said that it had been nearly 50 over the weekend, but the way the wind and snow was blowing across the field this afternoon... you could have fooled me!!!

Still though, home is home, and I was happy to sleep in my own bed last night, see my puppies again .. and my kitties....

and of course, my "big guys".. who were mainly interested in when I was serving lunch!!!

I am very grateful that I was able to take the trip... Kas for inviting me to go.. Mandi and Maya for their wonderful hospitality.. Barb for that amazing lunch we had on Friday... Betty for helping Ed out with the barn over the weekend... Sadie for pitch hitting with her Daddy.. and my dear Ed.. for telling me to go!!!! thanks everyone!!!!! and now it's back to real life!!!!

Emerald Isle...

Last night, we got a chance to "visit" with Patrick... and it made me think of my friend, Aileen!!!! (Aileen's husband was a POW in the world war.. and the way she was made aware of that, was to receive a telegram thru the local store. All the time that her dear "Pitt" was captured, Aileen had no real communications on his condition... I can't even imagine what that must have been liked for the two of them.) Patrick is serving in Iraq, and nothing about that is "easy"... for Mandi it means raising Maya, taking care of herself, running her household, and "worrying about her hubby" all on her own. However, technology is certainly a great aid during this time, because Patrick can contact his family on a daily basis, and thru the computer, they can actually see each other and "visit"... Long ways from "your day" right Aileen????


Because the day was so beautiful... we decided that we wanted to spend some time on the beach. We packed up and went out to Emerald Isle which is part of the "outer banks"... this meant crossing a huge bridge... I am such a fan of bridges (NOT), but you have to go over it in order to get there!!!











Here is baby Maya sporting her new beach wear!!!











Kas was able to hook up with another friend, Annie.. actually Annie is from "our area" and her hubby is down here serving in the "corps"... they only have a few months left of his commitment, so, they rented a condo on the beach for the winter.








The beaches in North Carolina are so different from our beaches in New England, it was such fun just to be able to walk them today.
















Tomorrow we head north again... I fear that Kas and I might suffer "climate shock"..... it certainly has been a wonderful little break!!!!

friends and food

We woke to bright sunshine and mild temps this morning, and as we were heading to the car for a day of fun... Kas and I noticed this beautiful flower!!!

OK.. so it's a dandelion... a weed, but it's bright yellow smile just caught our attention... I am ready for bright yellow "weeds" to appear at home!!!

The girls took a little time to themselves and got their nails done while I "babysat" little Maya. (basically we walked around the stores window shopping) she was so good for me, and was very interested in all the things around her.

After that, Mandi had made arrangements for many of Kassy's friends to meet at the local pizza place for lunch and a chance to visit. Maya was all for having pizza for lunch!!! but she will need some teeth before handling that piece of pizza!!!

Kas was able to catch up on all the latest news...she misses this part of living in Jacksonville... all these wonderful friends, and of course the weather!!!

We went onto the base in the afternoon, it was fun to see it again. I always enjoyed going there when we visited. Did a little shopping for some gifts and we had a nice time poking around.

Tonite's menu......

more food!!!

What a great way to spend the day... good friends, good food... beautiful weather...

what more could you ask for???

there IS a blog!!!

Thanks to our friend (and hostess) Mandi, I have a computer to send my blogs out from the south!!! so now you don't have to wait to read the stories, and I won't have to remember it all and try to write them when we get back home.
Our day began very early... 2;30 am in fact. I actually went to Kas and Nate's last night after I finished with dog classes (talk about a "weird thing" sleeping in my old house!!) I sacked out on the couch for a few hours, and then we were up and headed to Manchester. Our flight to Philadelphia started out late, because there was some glitch with the plane... that was a little nerve wracking for us (who do not fly that often), but whatever it was, they got it fixed and we were in the air. The flight went fine and we arrived only six minutes late. Once in Philly, we got some breakfast and sat and waited for our next flight. Both kas and I were very happy to see that the plane to Raleigh was much larger than the plane we had from Manchester!! And that flight was very comfortable and quick. Mandi and baby Maya were waiting for us at the airport, and from there we went and had lunch with my friend Barb.

Now, Barb was a gal I met back in 1979, my first summer after graduating from high school. She and I were working that summer at the Cliff House, a resort in Ogunquit, Maine. Actually it was a very fun summer as they hired lots of college kids, so there were lots of "kids" our age. We did all sorts of fun things - dinners out, horse back riding, all sorts of different things. In the fall, Barb headed back to school and I went to work, but over the years we have stayed in touch. Barb ended up attending school in the south, met her hubby, and made her home there. We have had the chance to visit once in a while, but it's been a least 15 years since we last saw each other. In all the years that Kas lived in Jacksonville, we never made it Raleigh,(where Barb lives) but once I knew that Kas and I would be landing there for this trip, I just had to take the time and look up my old friend.


Barb has a beautiful home!!! However, one thing I noticed right away was SNOW that she had on her back deck!! They got some on Monday here in the south... not a totally uncommon event, but certainly not a common one either!!!!

Look at how pretty her back yard is... I can just imagine it in the spring and summer months... and it was SO wonderful to hear the birds singing.... I can't wait until they (the birds) fly back home and sing for me!!!




Barb made a wonderful lunch for us....and it was so fun to catch up on all the news!!! The afternoon flew by and the visit was much too short!!! I hope it won't be another 15 years before we see each other again. Here is a photo of the two of us, with her darling dogs, Rocky and Henry....







And then with a cherry goodbye from Barb, we were headed south to Jacksonville. Even though spring hasn't really arrived here yet, the grass is green and some of the hardy flowers are appearing!!! It feels so good to wear just a light coat, and shoes (no boots) and the sun sets so much later here. It feels a bit like summer!!!!

I feel sad that Ed isn't here with me (hi Honey)... but I am so going to enjoy these four days of southern sunshine!!!! Jacksonville is much the same, a busy town just outside of Camp Lejuene... lots of traffic, planes and helicopters flying overhead... tons of great place to eat that we don't have at home.... it will be a fast four days, and we probably won't do everything that we have planned.... but I will keep you up to date on all the news..

so, as you all tuck into bed up there in the North East.... we cuddle in here in the south.....and send some warm wishes your way....

no blogs..

There may not be a blog over the next few days... Kas and I will be flying out for North Carolina first thing tomorrow morning. We are going to have a little visit with Mandi and Maya... and enjoy some warm, sunny NC weather!!!

I am leaving Ed to man the farm!!!

House work goes well, the guys "tied" the mudroom roof into the garage... they are working on the roof trim and I think after that we talk ...shingles!!!! and then windows!!!!!

Maybe when we get home.. there will be some warmer weather... the sun is nice and bright, so spring can't be far away....

Can't wait for "greener pastures!!!"

last laugh???

It seems that "ol' Man Winter" has an opinion of my new spring wreaths!!!!

That's OK.. I somehow think that I will get the last laugh!!!

Just a nice shot of Mocha and Silver... he sure does love his little mare!!!!

it snowed...

Maybe the good thing about weathermen "never getting it right", is ...it keeps us humble and reminds us that we are not in control of things!!!! We did wake up to snow, but it didn't turn out to be the "wild, windy weather" they talked about, nor was it 12-15 inches... more like 8 (pain in the neck) inches. Good thing, it was light and easy to move, and a day of wind and warm temps will make it disappear quickly. More important.. the power stayed on, as did the cable, so all in all it was an enjoyable "snow day".

I made a nice pot roast for supper that cooked all day long in the crock pot, plus baked a pumpkin pie. I had a "project" to do, played with my new Facebook account... and did barn chores and the like.

Hunter shares a secret with Cole!!!!

My project was to make two spring wreaths to go on the barn doors. Everything is fake, but I like the colors and they should stand up to the weather. I thought they came out quite well, and was happy that all the fixings were bought on sale. I paid less for the two wreaths than for the price of one... good deal!!! It was fun to work on them while the snow fell.. made me think of spring...

My way of telling old man winter that he can go away now!!!

They're a little hard to see, but I have tried all fall and winter to catch these creatures.... a nice flock of turkeys that have lived around the lake all winter. Many times they are all in the road, and you have to wait for everyone to move... course, by the time I get the camera out, they are well into the woods. They're big, fat and healthy, so doesn't appear that the winter was too hard on them.

Since dog classes had been cancelled for the evening, I got to spend it at home. Watched TV, worked on a new cross stitch project and made this blog....

but it's time to do other things... I want to play outside after supper!!!! come on good weather....

Sunday afternoon/March

My first comment about "March" is good bye February... "you did not turn out to be one of my favorite months, I am glad to see you go"... and so, here we are into a new month. For the most part, I guess March came in like a lamb... it was cold and windy, but not stormy... THAT will come tomorrow from what we are being told!!!!

Kas and Nate and grand dogs made a run up this afternoon. Their wood pile is getting low, so we offered some of "Rick's good wood"... which they were more than happy to get. Deb and Dave came along as well, and it didn't take the guys any time to fill up the back of Nate's truck. (the gals stayed inside where it was warm and chatted!!!)

Once we had the truck filled, we ran down to the farm, Kas, Nate, Deb and Dave haven't seen the house in a while, so they wanted to check out the progress. That's one thing, Ed and I see it on a day to day basis, we know that it's making progress, but some days it feels like it's being done at a snail pace (nothing against Ken and crew!!!). However, when folks see it who don't watch it on a daily basis, they can see big changes.... and that was the comment of the day..."wow you have so much done!!" It's nice to hear those words.. they are encouraging!!!

After the farm tour, we thought it would be fun to get some lunch. Betty was still at the barn, so I was able to "snag" her and have her join us as well. We decided to run over to "Poor People's Pub"... it's a great place and you get real "home made" food there. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, but it's a really neat place. A favorite stop of the snow mobile crowd... and a real small town, homey place....

While we were having lunch, the whole restaurant came to a stand still, as this cute little chap came rushing in....

he had been in a fishing derby, and judging by the fish and the trophy that he proudly showed everyone... I think he must have had a fine day. The whole restaurant applauded his catch!! and several of us got a picture of him..... THIS is what small town USA is all about!!! it's nice to see that kids still do things like fishing derbys and not always those "electric games"....


More "BIG" snows tonite. I have already taken the time to cancel the dog classes for tomorrow evening... I fear that if we lose power and phone, I wouldn't be able to do my calling tomorrow. We are READY.... I have all my laundry done!!!!, the generator still in the back of my truck, ready to hook up if needed... groceries in the house,plow on the truck... maybe we will scare it away with our readiness......

This is the gas grill tonite before bed... wonder what it will look like the am.....

wonder if we will be able to "find the barn......"