end of the week.

Well, I hate to admit that it was a bit of a lazy day around here today. I don't know why I hate to say that, I have been busy all week, so one "quiet" day shouldn't seem like such a big deal, but with all that needs to be done, I sort of feel guilty taking a day on the slow side. Course, I can't say the same for the cockers.... look at these two, best seat in the house, the warm afternoon sun shining in on them.. maybe they do have the right idea. You can't tell from this photo, but even though the sun was bright, it was very windy and cold outside!!! so, maybe that's why I was just as happy puttering about the house.



Not too sure what is was that caught the attention of these three... more than likely it was a parade of guinea hens in the back yard, but whatever.. they were pretty interested in checking it out!!!

Abbie has had a great week discovering all her new toys that she got for her birthday. She is really beginning to play with things and will sit for a few hours, happily figuring out what each thing will do. This little dog has turned out to be a favorite, and Sadie somehow or another went to the computer and was able to program all sorts of things on it. Including the little dog calling Abbie's name and singing Christmas songs!!!

The day wasn't a total loss... I got my square done that will be entered for next year's Acton Fair quilt. This year's theme was "meet me at the beach". So, I thought a wind surfer would be a good subject. It came out pretty well and I am happy with it. I got the blue ribbon with last year's square so it will be exciting to see what this one will do.

I can't believe it's been a whole week and I haven't even told you all about our "new" dog. I am fostering for cocker rescue again, and picked up a little guy a week ago today. I need to get some photos on him and need to blog his story.. but just haven't taken the time to do so. I also got a little note from Dave at NEADS.. I'm on the list for a puppy and perhaps before Halloween... I have been missing Chester lately, so the idea of a new service puppy make me very happy... I'll keep you posted.

that time of year

well, we've "done it".. the big furnace has been lit, so I guess the "cold" weather has officially arrived. The house has been kept toasty warm by the "little" stove inside the house, but, the last couple of mornings, it's been working hard to keep up. So, Ed got the "big guy" going, right now, this heats directly into the cellar, and in no time, we had the cellar over 70. Then we opened up the doorway, and all the wonderful heat came up to the main floor. We still have to finish the heating system, but this is how we kept the house warm last winter, while we were working here, and it did a fine job. So, even though we do need to "finish" the heating system, I have no worries about staying nice and warm this winter. AND, we have found that so far, this is an easy house to heat.







One of the many reasons, "why" it's easy to heat, are the windows and doors. In this "new age" of building, everything is about all the "R" rating, and between the insulation and construction of this place, it has a very high rating. We don't even need storm windows - which I still can't get used to the idea of - but, we do need "storm doors". Ed got the first one put on yesterday. Not only is it good for the "heat" reason, but I love the light it brings into the mudroom, and in good weather, it becomes a screen door, so the nice air will come in. Course the cockers love it for "seeing out".. and they have a pretty good view of the farm (and the driveway) to watch over....








Well, it was bound to happen, and it has... sadly, "mini G" has met the fate of the fox. This makes me so mad, but I know I run this risk when I let the birds free range. He didn't come in one night, and the tell tale feathers in the field told the story. I know the fox has to "eat", but he might be eating more than he thinks if we ever have the opportunity to catch him!!!!



This is one of Abbie's birthday presents!!! From Kelli.... everyone knows how much I enjoy cooking the turkeys that we raised... and Kelli found this great little shirt!!!! I think we'll be raising turkeys next year, as I plan to get the ones we have all "cooked up" over the winter. I cooked our biggest one (30 lbs) for Abbie's birthday party, and "he" must have been good, because we weren't left with much "left over". Almost time to cook another!!!!

This is now on my "dangerous place to visit" list (along with my quilting shops, yarn shops and tack shops). A new Tractor Supply store opened about a month ago, not too far from us. "bad,bad news!!!" I have at least gone in once a week...but, must admit, it sure is handy when you need "farm supplies"....

which we did!!! Last Sunday after church, Ed and I expanded the pasture. The big guys have pretty much chewed up everything that was open to them, so we kicked it out again. They have been so happy, and for the past couple of days... the grain is gone, and the hay is left in the stall. They hardly ever go in the barn and are happily munching in the field. Nice for me, it's holding off my hay supply and I enjoy looking out almost any window in the house and seeing them.

Yup... it's fall.... for sure

the REAL 16th...

Here it is!!! one year later and the "real" 16th of the month... Miss Abbie is a year old today!!! and of course I am going to ask the usual questions...

"where did the time go??"










I remember last year, hoping that we would be in the house before she arrived.. and then hoping we would be in the house before we brought her home.. and then hoping we would be in the house for her first Christmas... well, none of that happened, but we ARE in the house for her first birthday... and party!!!!








Preparations have been going on for weeks. Kassy was in charge of "sweets".. her cake .. (see the little farm!!!) then cupcakes, and of course the "smash cake".I don't ever recall needing so many "cakes" for one party... but, this is Abbie we're talking about!!!!









"the gals".. getting things ready for our guests!!!!













And Abbie taking in all the excitement....
















"this whole cake is mine????"












it didn't take her long to figure out "what" to do with it...












Uncle Coz... wishing the birthday girl many happy days....












and the perfect opportunity to get some wonderful family photos.... not to brag, but doesn't our family host some very pretty gals......











I knew we would see it sometime.. that "this is way too much look"... but over all, Miss Abbie stayed very happy during such a busy day...








Course, when you come to visit here, it's never complete unless we make a trip to the barn and see the animals. My sister Becky just loves Beeker and never comes to visit without checking in on her.

Abbie and Auntie.....

It was our hope to give our guests a nice hayride around the farm.. sadly the big boys had a different idea, and they were so horrible!!! I don't know if it was the wind or the crowd or what.. but we decided not to put anyone else in the wagon. Guess we have some work to do with these two...









However, little Mocha was a perfect gal, and at least she hitched and took the children for "pony rides"

It was a very fun day, and now we have officially moved from "baby" to "toddler"... ugh... "school age " will be here way too soon, I just know it....

it's fall

Some where in this photo is our barn!!! We are having a real New England "nor'easter" today.. and though they are probably getting more of it on the coast, we're having a pretty good storm inland as well. I actually opted to drive my truck up the driveway to the barn this morning, or else I would have been sopping wet before I even began barn chores. We kept everyone in last night and after hearing the howling winds in the middle of the night, I think we made a good choice. The horses don't totally agree with our decision, they would be just as happy outside.. but some good hay and grain changed their minds.



It's nice this year to have my fall decorations out once again. The past two falls they have been tucked away in storage, and it's like having old and dear friends visiting to see them once again. I made this little wreath back in 1982!!!! It's held up well over the years, and because it is hardly "out".. all the colors have stayed bright.








Apple pie anyone??? I had forgotten how much I enjoyed baking, and having this new kitchen to work in... what a blessing...

like the horse motif???








The trees are putting on a great fall display. Well, until today, with all the wind, I might be glad I got this shot.. tomorrow they could all be gone. I love this row of trees at the edge of our pasture, and once the leaves to do drop, we'll be able to see our neighbors once again. And they'll be able to see the horses. Both our closest neighbors have told us how much they enjoy watching the horses out in the field.






I totally agree with that.... this is often the view I have from the dining room. I have dreamed of this view since I was a child... horses at my own home..... I will always be grateful.












Sadie and Thom and Abbie carved pumpkins the other evening (without me... much to my disappointment!!!!) Then they "stole" two of my electric night lights to light them up. I have to admit it does work better than candles.. but I miss my lights in the places that they really belong.





















Annabelle was not a bit interested in getting up this morning when I was doing barn chores. She has the right idea on a wild, wet and windy day....












even the chickens thought better and have decided to stay in.



tomorrow is Abbie's 1st birthday.. we have a big bash planned.. so you can probably guess what the next few blogs will be about....

drama.... in the barnyard!!!!!

"What is this?? Are you kidding, more of them???"














"What's that you say, Annabelle? Some thing's up... OHHHH... I see"













"Hey girls, have you heard the rumor..."













"We heard it!!!! Yahoo...... it's about time!!!!"












"The door is open!!! We are free... we can go where ever we want, see the world.. check out the barnyard!!!" "Hurray, hurry!!!!!"











"Now just one moment everyone, this is MY barnyard, and just so everyone has it straight, I am the king around here and you must do as I see fit. What do you even know about the outside world"










"Ah, see here, my fine gentleman... if the door is open and we choose to go out.. then out we go.. I don't see where you have any say about that"











"Wow, look at all the room... look at all the things to eat and see.. this is great!!!"












"and now if things aren't bad enough, there is another CAT on the other side of the plow? First more free chickens, and now a cat.. what is my place coming too??"










"See here, Mona, you stay on your path, I'll stick to mine and everything will work out just fine... thank you very much"











"goodness, my life of peace and quiet has just gone out the window... house cats coming out to the barn.. more chickens pecking about and guinea hens trying to control everything.... think this might be a good time for a nap"

"and those silly creatures don't even seem to care"

clean up at Kassy's .... and Nate's

Do you remember "Furby"? Back when the girls were little Furby was quite the item. We had a couple of them kicking around the house. I actually was taken by these funny little creatures and bought one for myself... which I never took out of the box. In my recent unpacking I came across "my" Furby and nothing doing.. Sadie had to bring him to life for Abbie....








At first Abbie was quite taken with him... but the thing is, with so many animals in the house.. I think she just consider him another pet, and after a little bit lost interest. We had to rescue Furby from becoming another dog toy!!!!









Walking is getting closer and closer... there's a lot of standing going on just now, but not quite brave enough to take that actual first step.....

















So, as the title of this story states... it was clean up day at Kassy and Nate's. A couple weeks ago they had a big dead tree taken down. Kas was in fear that one good wind or ice storm might do the job for them... on top of the house. Before that happened they wanted to bring the tree down properly. Actually three trees had to go, and though it was good not to have to worry, it did leave quite a mess.




No problem.. just call in the troops.. er, family!!! Rick let them take his big chipper for the mess and there was quite a bit of good wood that just need to be cut and split. With many hands the job actually went quick. Dave brought his tractor, so as wood was split, he brought it over to the cellar door and we got most of it brought inside. The kids will certainly keep warm this winter!!!

And since we had a tractor and truck in one place at the same time, I wanted to finally get my horse up to the farm. We bought him back when Kas and Nate were in North Carolina, and he made it all the way back to Maine. All last winter Nate was afraid he might hit him with the snow plow, so I knew that Nate would be happy to have him move along...

Here he is all loaded up and ready to make the final move. I haven't quite decided where he'll go, more than likely at the end of our walk way.. but we'll see. One thing, I need to make up my mind, because this isn't something that you can move around on a whim

Kass made a fine homemade soup for the work crew.. it sure tasted good after all that exercise and being outside all day...

and dessert was a "pumpkin cake roll"... very yummy. We arrived back at the farm, tired and full... a good day. Now, if I can only get my wood pile looking like theirs!!!!!