it is November

Just HAD to put this on the blog!!!!!

one of those projects

In a way.. this "freak" snow storm was a real blessing, because it showed us "what's to come" and still allows us a break to get it done. This lovely mound of snow is what came off the barn roof. With the lean to roof over the stall doors, it doesn't land directly in front of them, but each snow drop has to be moved so the horses can get out. Our "poor" rope fence just doesn't handle this so well, and all last year, Ed said, we needed to do something different. The pull on the fence and the risk of catching it in the snow blower.. makes it a real pain to deal with.


So, after this storm, we went and bought three gates to put in and back the fence away from the drop zone. Fortunately the ground is not one bit frozen, so Ed popped the post hole digger on the tractor so we can put new posts in.











and the rope fence won't be an issue this coming winter....











One gate that we already had was moved....(can you see the kick marks in our doors??? drafts!!!)












and the new gates, which are 12 feet wide - plenty of room to run the tractor threw... went on in the pasture.













Now, when the snow comes sliding off this big roof, it will hit the gates... Ed has them swinging so he can easily work the tractor around them. And this is one project that should make the winter work a bit easier....


course, we still have a long list of "other winter" projects to do.. hopefully the snow will stay away!!!!

Halloween....

It was kind of hard to think "Halloween" between the snow and our company, but it came. In the "old home town" trick or treat is done on October 30th - we called it Beggar's night. Sadie had always planned on taking Abbie down for a bit of trick or treating... but due to the snow... Beggar's night was postponed until Halloween night. So, she met at Kassy's and the three of them went out to a few houses. I had to work,so I missed out on that fun, but I guess Abbie really "got into it" and would pound on the door and yell "trick or treat"....








Her costume this year.... a frog. We are still wondering where that came from. Sadie began to ask her back in September what she wanted to be for Halloween. Every single time the answer was the same... a frog.








All of us began to search high and low, and we weren't having much luck. One evening after we had been to dinner, I went into a local material/craft store and saw they had kids' costumes 60% off. Ed and I went thru each one, and we came across a dinosaur. I looked it over and thought that if I took off the teeth, I might be able to make it look "frog-like". Then I noticed on the floor a big pile of costumes.. so I began to dig threw them and would you know... there was ONE frog left, and it was Abbie's size!!!! Perfect!!!
(God wink) so, she got to be a frog!!!

Now Ginger was on her puppy swap and was spending Halloween with Linda. They were having a costume contest at Cabela's.. so nothing doing.. Linda dressed Ginger up as a hula gal. As you can see - from this photo- Ginger took it all in stride....

One thing that NEADS suggests is that we get the puppies around "costumed people".. Ginger certainly got that exposure this year!!!

She snuggled with everyone. As it turns out, there was a prize being offered for "best costume" and it was done by vote. Linda emailed me this evening... Ginger won!!!!

Halloween turned out to be rather fun this year.. we certainly got "tricked" by the weather and "treat" by the fun...

Happy Halloween everyone!!!

the rest of the weekend.

Believe it or not, the first order of business Sunday morning was finding the TALL boots.. because the walk to the barn was going to be a snowy one for sure!!! After Saturday's night storm, we were left with at least a foot of snow... it's hard to think of this as Halloween weekend...









The barn looked warm and cozy as I approached, but right away - noticed the fence was down. With the snow being so wet and heavy, it slipped right off the roof and onto the fence. We have been meaning (all summer) to replace some of the fencing with gates that would (#1) stand up to the snow slides and (#2) be much easier to plow around. Guess we best get onto that project asap!!!





Becky and Butch's team spent the night in the ally way. This is Ben and Bill... they seemed pretty happy in their overnight accommodations....











But I don't think Tonka was so happy with the company... or maybe it was because he (and the others) were locked in all night, or maybe because Butch is here and he knows it will be a work day.... or maybe.. he's just grumpy!!!!







We spent the morning visiting with Becky and Butch and having a grand breakfast. It also gave the day a chance to warm up - the sun came out, and Butch was all for working our team. They (well - Tonka) has been giving us some trouble all summer, and needed to have a little one on one time with Butch. Since Sadie was at work, Abbie got to spend the day with us in the barn... and rule number one here --- you must wear your helmet when in the barn and around the horses. Fortunately, she thinks her "helmo" is pretty neat and doesn't mind keeping it on.

We got the boys harnessed, and right off Tonka began his tricks. Which actually pleased me, because Butch could see first hand what we had been complaining about. He and Tonka had a little discussion - and then Butch gave me some tips.....

And after that -- it was right to work. We did a bit of ground driving -- Duke was great, and seemed happy to see that Tonka was finally acting like a team mate.

Abbie and Papa followed in the gator, Ed wanted to see the lesson too, and this was an easy way to keep track of Abbie. She enjoyed watching the horses too... and kept telling me "good job, Baby"

We are so fortunate to have Butch and Becky as our friends, and so willing to come and give us a hand. I am feeling encouraged once again and anxious to keep the positive time on a roll.

We got the hooked to the wagon, and went out for a drive... it was nice for me to have Butch sitting beside me as I drove, encouraging me and correcting the things that I did wrong. It was a good ride...

and we even had passengers.......

a couple of tired horses at the end of the day....good thing, because they will be locked in for another night until we can get the fence put back up.

We fed, put the tack away and got the barn all tucked in. Abbie took care of the cross ties....

and then Butch and Becky, packed up and headed for home. They will be doing rides at LL Beans for the weekend before Christmas, so we plan on trekking up there to see them again...

in the meantime, the team and I have work to do.

what is this?????

I feel like there are two stories from the weekend. One, visiting with Becky and Butch and working the team...

and two, the record breaking weather. Official reports put our snow fall between 14-16 inches.. at this point what does it matter... it looks more like January than October.

Good thing, it won't last, there is still plenty of fall season left... but the pictures will be fun to look at......

remember --- it's 10/30/11

Halloween hayride!!!

All week long, I have been looking for to the weekend. I try not to do that, because I hate rushing time, but when such fun things wait ahead, it's hard not to. Our good friends, Becky and Butch were coming to do an annual Halloween hayride, and afterwards, coming to the farm for a visit and to work with our team. Last year, when we helped them with this ride, it turned out to be a cold and rainy night. I hoped we wouldn't repeat that weather this year, especially after having that bit of snow earlier in the week. The weather folks said something about a storm, but were pretty sure it would stay south... by the end of the week, that report all changed. And as the week went on, it changed more and more. By Saturday morning, they were predicting an other "nor easter" that was going to bring SNOW instead of rain. LOTS of snow.


Ed and I decided to take this forecast seriously and we did some picking up around the yard and made sure all was ready around the barn. Since the report said "wet and very heavy" snow, we got read for power outage... let's face it, here.. outage is common place. By the time we did everything, we got to Becky and Butch on the later side of their ride. The pictures will tell you what the weather was up to by then.






Bill and Ben looked more like a Christmas postcard than a Halloween hayride. The wind was really picking up and the snow was very wet... so when it hit you, it melted and you were very wet. Butch was about done and was watching the team closely for signs of chill...









Fortunately, the party folks had about all the rides they wanted, and told Becky and Butch to pack it up and head for "home"










The team seemed so happy to be unhitched and ending their evening. Ed and I did what we could to make the packing up quick. The roads were getting bad quick and the horses needed to be cared for.









They got on that trailer quickly and we headed back tot he farm. The drive home was "interesting" fortunately Ed, Butch and Becky are all good drivers. It took us about 20 minutes more than it should have, but the good news, we made it safe. The Belgians were brought into our barn, groomed up, fed and were warm and cozy when we headed to bed.

Outside, the night looked like January - not October. The wind howled and the snow mounted fast.

At bedtime, we already had this much.....

and it continues......................

first snow.............

7:30 at night.. a little girl should be putting on pj's NOT boots. What??? well, for one thing, tonite "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" is on, and Abbie just HAS to watch that...











but heading out the door???? What is outside that would cause us to head out with Abbie???












How about the first snow of the season!!! It's really way too early for snow, even in New England.. but since it's here....










and Abbie really doesn't remember it from last year... it's time to celebrate!!!

It took some doing to get Abbie in from playing in the snow. She loves to be outside anyways.. but to go in the dark and when it's snowing.... made it double hard. However promise of the Great Pumpkin helped (even though she didn't know about that either)

She watched most of the show, I thought it was a riot to see her sitting on her birthday bike and watching the show. And just for the record, yes, she can ride that bike and the house has become a raceway!!!!

As we headed to bed, this is what is was like outside. We're sure to end up with at least a couple of inches.

Friday morning I had to work at the post, so I was up just before the sun. I must admit (and I still say it's too early - for snow)... the farm looked beautiful in it's new winter coat.

The view from the kitchen window... this will be common place before too long, but right now... it's all brand new!!!






OH... and for the record.. today is my Dad's birthday... so Happy, Happy to Dad!!!!