just stuff...

Is that Santa Claus up there on the roof???

No, that would be Ken (I think) doing the flashing around the chimney as they finish up the shingles on the back side of the roof. It was a very windy and cold day, the guys had to watch that the wind didn't carry the shingles away before the could nail them down. I don't know how they work in those conditions, but they always seem to manage. As of this evening, the roof on the main house is all done, and all of the second floor windows are in place!!!! (and the guys are very glad to be done with that part of the roof!!!!)

Inside view of the front door.......

Dean came today to trim the horse's feet. I wanted to get some shots of him doing that, but the horses were horrible!!! (in my standard...) usually our guys stand as still as statues.. but today, they couldn't seem to keep still. The wind was blowing pretty well, and their morning routine was messed up a bit, but still that isn't any excuse!!! Even the guinea hens were in such "a state".. that I ended up kicking them outside, because I couldn't stand their noise. Compared to some horses that Dean works with, ours (even being "bad" ) don't measure up .. however, I liked them to be "perfect".. Dean said not to worry, that they weren't that bad, but I will be paying even more attention to standing quietly and giving up "your feet" than usual.. so next time, we won't be playing those sorts of games.

After Dean left, I found a piece of Duke's hoof... and thought it was quite funny that my foot will fit "inside his, with room to spare".... he's one big boy, that's for sure.

And that's why he can't be "fooling around".....

NEADS dog, Posie...

This beautiful service dog is "Posie"... a dog that went thru a number of my obedience classes with her puppy raiser, Kathleen. Posie recently graduated from "NEADS" and has now been matched with a little gal.

If I remember correctly.. Posie is the 12th service dog that Kathleen has raised, and she is currently working with her next "service dog" , a black lab named Harvey.

I am always so amazed at wonderful people like Kathleen, who so willing raises these puppies for 14 (or so) months, and then turns them over for further training and starts again with a new puppy!!! Such a great gift to offer to people who's lives are truly changed because of these great dogs!!! "congratulations... to Kathleen and Posie, for a job very well done!!!" (and I am so very excited to be working with you and Harvey!)

nothing exciting....

I was at the farm bright and early this morning.. the sun was shining bright... with four boarding dogs, six dogs of our own, horses to care for, etc... there's lots to get done before heading out to church!!!

Ed and I are looking into becoming members of our little church, we have been attending since we moved and have pretty much settled on the fact that we would like to call this little church our "home". We met with the pastor and two other couples after the service today, so we got home later than normal. Made our usual Sunday morning breakfast, though it was lunch time, and just took some time to sit and chill for the moment... seems like we are always on the run these days....

Hunter and Trevor say "cheese" for the camera!!! silly boys.....











Suddenly the sky got very gray and look what came around the lake..... a "wonderful" little snow squall... would someone please tell ol' Man Winter that spring is here and we don't want any more of his foolishness!!!!!

We "puttered" around the camp for a little bit, and then headed down to the farm to do chores and take care of the horses....

Has anyone seen my WHITE horse... he seems to be among the missing!!! guess I know what I'll be doing sometime tomorrow...

grooming.......

sugarin'

Sunday is "Maine Maple Syrup Sunday"... and even though many people think of Vermont as the maple syrup state, there are many "sugar shacks" all over the states of New Hampshire and Maine as well. There are a number of commercial farms, but I think there are even more "hobby sugar farms"... and such is the case with our good friends, Peg and Chuck. Here is one of their groves of "sugar" maple trees on their farm, (if you look carefully, you can see the "taps and buckets" on the trees) The sap "runs" the best when the days are above freezing and the nights just under freezing... it varies a little each year, but for the most part... it's around the middle part of March that is called "sugar season"..... often times, the sap is collected while there is still snow on the ground, but this year, Chuck and Peg have an "open season" (some parts of New England are still under a blanket of snow)

From the trees to the bucket....












to the "sugar shack"...... I have to wonder who "invented" maple syrup... who was it that saw the maple trees and thought... "if I get the sap from that tree and boil it down... I will have a wonderful treat"... the sap, for those of you who may not know, is mostly water... there might be a glimmer of sweetness to it, but certainly not very much....

the average ratio is 14 quarts of sap, boiled down to make one quart of syrup.... there are variables that work into that equation, but overall... that is what you have to work with. Chuck uses an old woodstove to boil off his sap... the steam is incredible.. and this is certainly something you want to do outdoors.... as Peg said... this much steam in your house will take the wall paper off the walls.....

case in point... you can hardly see Chuck thru the steam!!!!!

Here's a batch almost ready to come off the fire... it has a beautiful golden color and the smell of it is simply wonderful....

From the fire to a strainer for one last "puring" and the syrup is ready to cool and enjoy......

so, if you have ever wondered why does "real maple syrup" cost so much (and I am NOT talking about "mrs. butterworth").. it's because of all the work that goes into it... but, if you have had the "real thing"... I am quite certain that you won't be able to settle for anything less....

Happy Maple Syrup season!!!!

Tonka goes to school.... twice

Today, after our riding lesson, Tonka and I stopped by the nursery school where Kassy works. I wanted to pop in and say hello and she thought "her" kids would have fun seeing Tonka.

Most of them were a bit timid when they actually got close to the trailer and saw that big creature inside, but one little gal who "loves horses" couldn't wait to get close enough for a pat.

Tonka would have loved to get out with them, but, it wasn't safe to do that, and besides, I didn't want to scare the kids....

Mocha is actually doing a "real school" visit in a few weeks (like she did last year).... I think they will feel a bit more comfortable with her..

we got..... windows!!!!!!

So..... they cut big holes in my house and then....

go to lunch....

actually, they finished shingling the front side of the roof, and then cut the window openings... by then, it was more than lunchtime!!!!

The crate that holds all the windows and was delivered last fall... is finally opened!!!!

"honey.... there's a man standing outside our window!!!!"

and in goes the first!!!! got to get inside and see what they really look like........

we got.... con't

can't believe how different the house looks with the windows in...

this picture was taken from the kitchen looking into the living room... there are still windows going in here on the back wall (to the left)

our bedroom... which is the right front corner of the house... we have 5 windows in this room... since the sun comes up on this side... there won't be much sleeping in......

this is the other front bedroom... looking across the hallway into our room...

this house will have plenty of light and fresh air...

animals, animals....

Sometimes, as I am rushing about, trying to "fit everything into that certain time slot"... trying to cope with the "stresses that seem to be thrown at me lately".. I forget just how blessed I am. And today, as I was yet again, rushing about, I looked over and saw Titus.... all stretched out, enjoying "his sun"... taking life as it comes. Now, I know that my dear turtle doesn't have to worry about the light bill (so that his sun light will stay on) or that the water level in his tank stays up, or that he has food coming... he just trusts that "it will be provided for".. and guess what... it is. So, my lesson of the day via my turtle.... "don't' worry about tomorrow, for it will take care of itself.. and the Good Lord knows what I need to get thru today.... "thank you Lord for taking care of today... and "we'll" handle tomorrow when it gets here".....

Last night was graduation night for the Tuesday classes. I am so grateful for my "work".. and I love watching how the dogs and humans progress over the weeks. I had some "different" breeds this go round, everything from a Great Dane to a bulldog!!!and almost everything in between....

Dane to beagle.... "you run, I'll run... why do we have to sit here?"

It was great fun!!!!!

I have a couple of dogs here for boarding, So, after class it was dog walking time and out we went. As they were "sniffing" about the yard, I could hear "an animal" rustling about -down near the lake. I didn't think too much about that, until it sounded like it was getting closer. I would have loved for my two dogs to do a little barking... but the cowards... ran to me instead!!! Then out of the corner of my eye, I could see something climbing up a tree very close by. I ran in and called to Ed, he grabbed a flashlight and turned on the big flood lights...

I ran up on the upper deck of the camp and look what we "caught"... a big ol' porcupine!!! just outside the camp!!! I don't think he was too impressed with all these lights shinning on him, and the flash from my camera... but he sat and looked at us and waited for all the "fuss" to calm down.... course, he presents a "problem" in that I don't dare let the cockers out loose at night... guess we will have to get our pen brought up here and put it up... which we have been talking about doing anyways....

so, we have had a "hootie in the house"... now a "piney in the tree".... what's next.....(or dare I ask)

this mud........ will eat you!!!

We'll be walking up to the barn for the next few weeks, as mud season has officially arrived... a few days earlier than spring!!! With the four wheel drive trucks, we could thrash our way there, but it's only tearing up the driveway, and really, we don't walk just because we are lazy!!! so, walking it will be... mind you, I am not complaining, these days with 40 degree temps are doing wonders on my spirits and the melting of the snow....

This mud is "serious"... and if you stop even for a moment, there is a pretty good chance that you will lose you boot!!! So, when you make your way across, you don't stop... or we might not find you until the fourth of July!!!

Now, in deciding that we are no longer driving up to the barn, we had to get the horse trailer pulled out. I will need that for Tonka's lessons on Thursdays. Ed decided to park it up near the house, and Tonka and I will have to walk out to it, but that's no big deal.

Ed felt that it would be better to pull the trailer out with the tractor, instead of bringing one of the trucks in. I think he made a good choice, especially when for a few seconds, he almost buried the tractor.... told you, you can't stop for a second!!!

He managed to rock the tractor out and with the trailer still hitched to the tractor, made his way down the drive. After that, he back dragged the whole driveway, so that when it does dry out, it will dry without big ruts in it....

News on the house... the guys are now shingling the main part of the roof..... they are making good progress and this should go easier as there are no angles or ties in to deal with....

after this.... window and doors!!!!!!



Oh... Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!!

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!!!!