80 degrees!!!!

Last Saturday, Ed got water to the barn.... this Saturday, "summer came to the farm" and when two good things like this come together, it just has to be a day for bathing horses!!!!




thank goodness!!!!Betty was available, because I never thought it would take the entire day to bath four horses.... but it did!!! (we did take a little lunch break, and then another when some visitors came to the farm.... ) but all in all... it was a whole day's project. Course the fact that the horses haven't had a bath since last August might tell you what kind of "shape" they were in!!!



We began with Mocha, she can chill easily so I wanted to be sure that she had plenty of time to dry before it got cool in the evening. She is pretty easy to bath and the fact that we even had WARM water, just made things all that much easier.


Betty is getting quite fond of Mocha and has been doing a lot of driving work with her... however, Betty's big Newfoundland (dog) is almost as fond of Mocha!!! here, he came over to offer his support!!! (I love the fact that he is nearly the same size that she is!!!)

And then after that, he decided to cool off in a mud puddle... (course that meant a good rising off of him at the end of the day!!!!)

Duke was our next project. I haven't bathed him before, but being a public carriage horse for so many years, I figured that baths were probably something he was quite used to. He was a dream to handle, except for one thing... he wanted to play with the hose.... and the more you sprayed it towards his face... the better he liked it!!! goofy boy!!!!

Here he is ... all cleaned up and shiny!!! He seemed sort of sad that his turn was done.. I think he really enjoyed all the fussing and attention. (notice the hair still hanging from his belly... he has only begun to shed out winter coat!!!!)

Silver came next. I think he was the dirtiest of all... not just because he's white, but it takes him longer to get up after a roll (what would you expect at 30+ years old). We soon discovered that it would have been better to groom him first and then do the bath... but, we weren't thinking that far ahead....

"How many people does it take to bath a white horse???"

Tonka was last. I don't know if we were all tired, or if he was "mad" having waited all day for his turn, but he wasn't the best to do. Here, I am having some "words" with my boy...... he did settle down after that, but I expected better of him!!!!

It was quite a fun day, and we all felt like we accomplished something at the end of it. Course the one "problem" with all of this work... there are still some pretty good mud puddles in the paddock area, and I fear tomorrow, we might be back a square one!!! However, we at least got one layer off the them and some coat to boot, and with the water and warmer temps, this will be the first of many baths for sure!!!!

perfect windows!!!!!

At least six weeks ago, one of my blog readers (Mrs. Mom) had pictures of her garden going in.... needless to say, she doesn't live in New England!!! but I was so "jealous" to see pictures of her "dirt, seeds, and soon ... little plants growing!!!" It got me to thinking that I would like to try a garden this year. Now, I will confess that I do not do well with things that are "green"... but I also thought, why can't I learn..... and so, we're going to give it a try with stuff that is "easy" and see where we get.

These are my pumpkins!!!! Every fall I spend money buying "fall decorations" and wonder why I don't grow them myself. So, we'll start with pumpkins, some colored corn and some gourds... and then we'll try some easy veggies ... but we still need to wait just a bit longer for the "world to warm up"..... so far so good with the pumpkins and we will need to get them in within the next couple of days.

When the windows went in at the house, there was a comment made about how big they were, and "how close there were to the floor".... making them very easy to look out of. I think Ed said something about, "I can see the dogs now, and we might need to put oak trim around them, because it's doubtful that pine will hold up to doggie paws".

Camille and I went down to see what Ed was up to, and the moment she went into the house...

here is what she did!!! Hopped right up and looked out the window!!!

I think she approves of these "cocker height" windows!!!!! (maybe we should have sills made of cement!!!)

Wiring, wiring, wiring.... the work goes on, I bet there is "miles" of wire in this house. I am just so happy that Ed can do this work... this has saved us a lot of money!!!! (and it's getting close to done)

Before the guys left, they did a nice job of picking things up.... I miss the activity, but I like the neatness!!!!

Word has it that we are suppose to have weather in the 80's this weekend... if that is true, I know a few horses that will be getting baths!!!

I think this fuzzy creature is in dire need of one!!!!

a special gift...

This evening, after work, Betty stopped by the barn. Ed had gone down to his office and then to the fire station for some training with the new truck, so I actually had an evening home alone. (which is nice after being out all week). I decided to leave the horses out as long as possible, and just as I was headed down to the barn... Betty called.

She has been working on a "project" and was quite anxious for me to see it....

beautiful green sweatshirts with......













our farm logo embroidered on them!!!! She also has another "project" that she's done... but I can't share that with you just yet...... it's a surprise for another time.....

Since it was such a nice evening, and we both had the time, we decided to do some ground driving with Mocha. Last Monday, Betty had the day off from work, so we got Mocha out, and did some round pen work, ground driving and even actual driving with her. She was wonderful and I should have taken some photos of Betty driving Mocha in her cart. We were both so excited and felt that finally Mocha is getting the hang of all of this driving stuff...

Tuesday was a rainy day, so I didn't get Mocha out (I am trying to get her ready for the driving clinic in June)... but yesterday was nice and I asked Sadie if she would do some work with Mocha and I. Well... let's just say, it didn't go nearly as well as it had on Monday, in fact Mocha was next to horrid!!! She wouldn't listen, wouldn't stand, wouldn't go forward.... and even pitched a little fit in the cart!!! It' didn't get her out of her work, but I wasn't too encouraged after that.

She was better this evening as Betty took her around the field. She was still a bit fussy in the beginning, but we just worked her thru it, and she did settle in better towards the end of the lesson.

Guess we just need to keep her moving and working, I know she would rather be in her little stall and hanging out with the big guys... but heck... she's got to "earn her keep"...... (sorry Mocha)

wrapping up???!!!

As hard as it is to believe, yesterday was the last day that Ken, Buzz and Eric had at the house as far as "full time" goes. It's quite exciting and scary all at the same time, because even though much has been completed.....there is MUCH to complete, which we knew would happen that way. They will be back to finish up a few "odd projects", but they can't do them until Ed and I get caught up. Example, the steps into the garage and basement can't be done until the cement floors are poured. And Ken will be back a few days before the open house in May, to help get ready for that.... but for the most part, the guys are done, and it's time for Ed and I to take over!!!!

Much of yesterday's work was clean up. Typically they would take all of it away, but we asked that a lot of the scrap wood be left, because our wood furnace will take care of that next year. It saved the guys from hauling it off, and we now have nice small pieces that we can use to "break the wood furnace in"... since you need to start with small fires.

We all had lunch together... it was fun to just sit for a bit and chat. We talked about the future work of the house, and just other stories.... it's been a fun winter having the guys around, and you can be certain... I am going to miss them!!!!! and Nellie and Zoe too!!!!

This is just the first of many lunches and dinners around the woodstove!!!!

While we were having lunch downstairs, we heard some "goings on" upstairs, and I went up and found this little visitor. I assume he came in thru the front door (which we had open due to the nice weather), a little field sparrow, who wasn't too impressed about the situation he found himself in... I finally ended up removing a screen from one of the windows so he could fly out. He was pretty happy to have his freedom back.

So, now phase two of the house work begins, with Ed and I at the helm... oh my!!!!

a very special day....

This is my Mom and Dad... and today is their 50th wedding anniversary (to the date!!!) In celebration of this very special day, my sister's and I hosted a huge party for them!!! Almost everyone that was invited came... nearly 80 people!!!

Thinking about being married for 50 years brings up a number of different thoughts... aside from the everyday stuff... they have been so blessed with the "simple" fact that they are both still here!!! They enjoy good health.. they really love each other, and have been the corner stone of our family and all the successes that we have enjoyed. Certainly a reason to celebrate!!!

Girls seem to be the theme of this family... there is myself and two sisters... and then four grand daughters!!!! (All the boys have been "imported" thru marriages!!!)

(my little niece who is being held by our Kassy is two... so, you have to forgive her... this wasn't a good picture day for her!!!!)

This is a photo of the wedding party.... and everyone in the original wedding party, (except for my aunt who passed away several years ago... )was at the anniversary party today.......

This is the wedding party today... 50 years later. What was quite funny is my cousin Kevin, didn't even remember that he had been the "ring bearer" in the wedding... course, we figured that he was just about three years old when he did that!!!! If you look closely... the mannequin beside my Mom has a wedding dress on... that is my Mom's dress.... (it was also worn in three other weddings... my Mom's cousin, my Mom's niece (who is in the green coat in this picture) and my sister Becky... so that "poor old dress" certainly had some use!!!!

What's a wedding party without a wedding cake..... the cake topper is the very topper that was on my parent's cake when they were married.... and actually this is the third time it's been on a cake... as we used it for their 25th party....

Surrounded by family and friends... the wedding couple cuts the cake.....

It was such a fun afternoon... lots of catching up with family, remembering wonderful old stories and a true day of celebration...


dare I say, that wedding anniversary #60 will be here before we know...

Happy, happy anniversary Mom and Dad.... we LOVE you!!!!!!

new truck in the "old" town

As many of you already know, when we lived in York, Ed was the Assistant Fire Chief. He held this position for 11 years, and knowing that he would have to give it up when we moved, was a tough decision for him. He has been a part of the fire company since he was 16, and naturally, he has many close friends and tons of wonderful memories!! He is now a member of our "new" local fire company (once it's in your blood.. you don't just let it go) and he still keeps a close eye on the happenings in York.

Just after we "left" the town was "given" a grant that the fire company had applied for some months ago. This grant was to replace two very old (40 + years) firetrucks with a brand new one. Ed has served on "new truck committees" a few times, and he was invited to be a part of this committee as well. After some searching, researching, putting out bids and the like, the fire company found it's new truck.....

And it was delivered just a few days ago. Today they had a celebration of it's arrival, and the guys certainly wanted Ed to be a part of the celebration.

Since he now holds the title of "honorary chief", he still dresses in "his whites" and was photographed with the other "chiefs".... and then was also included in the "company" photo...

congratulations York... applying for a grant, then receiving it, and all the time and effort that goes into getting a new truck... is a lot of work and "we" are very happy for your success!!!!

another project done....

Now that we have had some decent weather to work in, we decided it was time to get the well up and running. Ed had to think about this because we don't have the cellar floor poured yet, which meant, what do we do about the water tank. After giving it just a bit of thought, Ed wondered why couldn't the tank just be put up on a "shelf"... so he checked with our well man, and found out that he could have it up and maybe we would be the better for it.

So, shelf was made, appointment was made with the well man, and this morning, Ed was at work, getting the water pipe (to the barn!!!) in place and getting the electric side of the well in place!!! Brian came, hooked in the well... and.....









We have running water!!!! (very exciting!!) we still need to "run the well" a couple of weeks, and then send a water sample out before drinking it, or giving it to the horses, but... we can use it for washing out buckets and grain pans... and even giving baths if the weather warms up a little bit more!!! Once we have it tested... then we will really be in business and no more hauling water from the camp to the farm!!!! We still have the plumbing to finish in the house, so we don't need running water in the house just yet, but when we are ready... it's all ready to go.

The stairs up to Ed's workshop are now in place. You may notice that we still have a "ramp" into the house, we can't make those steps until the garage floor is done. AND we are still waiting for a bit of frost to leave the ground inside the garage... it is progressing, but slowly.

That will probably be the next big project... the radiant heat and the cement floors. Aside from needing to put the radiant heat in place and waiting for the frost to leave... we also have to wait until the "heavy load restrictions" are lifted from the roads. (for those of you who may not know, here in New England, when the roads are full of frost and they "heave"... heavy loads are restricted until the roads settled down.. so, that means, no cement trucks can get to us just now!)

I puttered around the house while the guys were working with the well.... the sun comes into this house so nicely...

this photo was taken from the living room looking into the 'quilting room".. in time there will be a wall here, but today it is open and very bright. The grids have been put in the windows, so that gives them a completely different look as well.

I am falling in love with this house!!!!

just clouds....

As we were tucking the barn to bed this evening... this is the view we had over the field.....

starting to finish up

The door that leads into the mud room... will have a small front porch on it...

The guys began that project today... for them, the list is getting small...

but for Ed and I the list is.... well..........

sneakers!!!!!

Look at this!!!! I am on the farm (that's Annabelle) walking around... wearing sneakers!!! "so what?" you might be asking... well the "what" is... NO boots!!! could it be that we are actually almost done with mud season!!! that the ground is actually dry enough that you can wear sneakers now and not worry about sinking up to your ankles.... I think so. It also means that the field is even solid enough that I (we) can get back to working some horses and not worry about them sinking out of sight. Next to the lake and loons... I think this might be the next most exciting thing about spring and "real good weather"!!!!! course, black flies come next, but they're not here yet!!!!

Now, tonite didn't go exactly to plan.... I was suppose to start teaching three new dog classes in Wells. But my "boss" called to say that one of the classes didn't fill, so after some thought, we decided to give it another week and see if that one class will fill a little better (if not, than I will just teach two classes next week)... SOOOOO.... not having to teach tonite meant... I got to go to steak night!!!! I haven't been able to go since Christmas.. and I was very excited to have the night off and spend sometime with our friends. It was a great evening......


Two of my very loyal...

(ah -- make that ) EXTREMELY loyal

blog readers!!!!

Told them I would have something for them to read........... :-)

news of the day...

Yesterday, the lake looked like a mirror... I am just so happy to have it back and not look out over the "great white tundra"... People are returning to their camps, raking up the winter messes, taking shutters off the windows, and all the usual "spring work". I notice each weekend, it gets a little busier.

I didn't "capture him" very well, but that white line you see across the picture, is a loon taking his morning cruise. He probably enjoys having the lake all to himself, I would say within a month, he will have to share it with boats once again. But for now, it's all his....

Finishing details are happening around the house, and according to Ken, they will be done probably within a week. THEN the project is ours (scary thought!!!) This week they laid the plywood down over the upstairs "false" floor. I have been interested in seeing this done, because I really couldn't figure out how it would all look in the end. They kept assuring me that I wouldn't even notice it was a false floor and I found that hard to believe. Now that I see it, I think they're right, when finished you won't even know that it's been built up. (this is the hallway looking into the two bedrooms)

This is the master... bathroom to the left and the closet (were Ken is working) is to the right... no floor just yet.....

Here the first piece goes down. I couldn't stay long enough to watch it all happen, but when I go today, it will all be done.

And this shot was taken out the bedroom window.. we will have a nice view of the field when we wake in the mornings!!! I will be able to see the horses... we have to take some trees down and do some thinning to see the barn... but everything in good time.

Monday evening there were three more "graduations!!!" Another "six weeks" starts again next week.... told you my life is marked in six week sessions....

this is the "puppy class"












And the first of the Advance classes... (this was Banjo's class)

Here's "my" Banjo baby!!! (notice that he has already creased his hat???)




















And this is the second Advance class ( the gal on the end to the right... is Kathleen with her latest service puppy Harvey)

And now I am off, I need to get a walk in with the dog's, make a "grain run".. do barn chores and start the new Wednesday night obedience classes later this evening..... fun!!!!!