Remington!!






 My Grandson Remington.





This cute, sweet, adorable baby, just threw up smack dab in the middle of my eyes while I was holding him up above my head!!!  ...And not just a little!   ......It was classic America's Funniest Home Videos.  I scared him when I screamed.  S-o-r-r-y Remington :-)

18.8 inches

This is pretty in December --- not so much in March. 
Alright.  It's kinda pretty. 

    Ok that was a lot of snow.  With really bad timing.  Rick is thinking this is not good for the deer.  Before the snow, he was out looking for "sheds" (antlers the bucks shed in Feb. or Mar.).   He didn't find any sheds, but did find 2 dead fawns.  Probably ones that were born late June or early July last year, and just didn't have enough time to put any weight on for the winter.  When there is too much snow cover it is tough on them.  This snowstorm could very well kill some that were right on the edge.

     All the birds that were "twittering" (the word we use for birds mating :-) in the woods are quiet.  I think they are all just trying to stay warm and find food.  I saw a very cold redwing blackbird that I'm sure "just got into town" this morning.  The robins will do ok, no worms, but there is fruit hanging on some trees they will eat.  I've seen them devour ornamental crab apples this time of year.




That's as far as the load of wood got. 

   

Our driveway this morning --- you need 4 wheel drive.




The dogwood is still making me smile :-)



Thunder Snow

     It was thundering and lightning last evening in the middle of a nasty snow/sleet storm!  Thunder snow is what the weatherman calls it.  Very strange.  So far we have about 13 inches of the wettest, heaviest snow ever.  We are suppose to have 15+ inches by the time it is done today.

     The guy came and plowed the driveway, leaving a 5 foot high bank in front of the garage door, which my husband is tackling right now.  There is no school today.  Ironically they used up the last, "built in" snow day just recently. (As in they got a day off).  Now they will have to make up this day off, by going another day longer.  I was suppose to work at the food pantry today, but, when school is called off for snow, the pantry is closed.  Not that I could get there.  Rick says he is only shoveling out his side of the garage right now.  I'm officially home bound for the day.  ( I don't want him to do anymore than his side -- that snow is heavy!)

 

Butsch loves the snow. 
The reason why Leader Dogs For The Blind
only uses double coated breeds - snow & cold climates.

     This morning when I took Butsch out, he stepped on the back of my slipper/boot and pulled it off.  The next step was a bare foot in 13 inches of snow :-).  He of course was sure he had to help me get it back on.  As I hopped around on one foot trying to hold onto the leash and put on the boot --- well, let's just say that didn't work!  Into the snow with my bare foot again.  This is guaranteed to wake you up in the morning!  No coffee needed.



.......and Billy loves the snow.  Golden Retriever, another double coated breed.



.....and Rick hates the snow.  (A heavy coated breed :-)



Yesterday

 


Today
(If you look close you can see the corner of the kids picnic table.)





     I am so glad I didn't get my baby chicks yet.  All next week is only suppose to be in the low 30's for highs.  I start them in an old water tank in the garage every spring.  Just too cold at night and too "drafty" when we open and close the garage door. 

     Those of you with your gardens going already......I'm jealous :-)

                                       

                                   

No Picnics Anytime Soon

Outside my back door at 11:23 a.m.

"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming"  ---- Dory in Finding Nemo 



Sunday In Pictures






My daughter, Dr. Kristy (with Trixy).  Kristy is a
chiropractor that also adjusts horses and dogs. 
.......and she is Logan and Zoe's mommy.
oh....and Nate's wife :-)
www.countrycritterschiropractic.blogspot.com/




My favorite "spring picture".  I have it enlarged and framed.  I bring it out every year.
This was my broodmare Abra Aziz -- (Abee), full Arab.   She is Fire's dam.

   

Tulips are coming up by the house.  "Who's been scratching them up?!!"



       

I do believe I found the culprits......
(Not really any dry dirt by the chicken coop yet.  Still snow.)

Granddaughter Zoe is learning how to "pet a dog" with Grandpa.
Billy thinks he is a lap dog :-) --- he's the ONLY dog allowed up.

(Doesn't Rick look thrilled I am taking his picture for the whole world to see :-)

Pure Duck Heaven

Melting snow makes my ducks h-a-p-p-y :-).

.....and I figured out how to get a video on my blog!  That makes me h-a-p-p-y!

Pussy Willows

     I always look for the pussy willows for a decoration for Spring.  My favorite bush (in our deep ditch) is just starting to pop.  I cut tall branches and make arrangements.  Don't use water.  If you just make the arrangement and let it dry, they will stay just like they are, until one day when you say, "it's not spring anymore" and throw them out.  Cutting pussy willows from the bush only makes them grow bigger and wider for next year, you're just pruning them.

Butsch barked at the bunny when I put it out ..lol.



And...make some small bunches up to give to friends.



Cooking Sap

    

Had to dig the cooker out to start!

     My house smells like a campfire, the kitchen floor is sticky, and the first qts. of maple syrup are in the jars and canned.  So-o-o worth it :-)  Rick has cooked the sap down outside, to about 2 gallons.  He finishes it on the stove so he can make sure not to burn it.  (You do not want to be here if he burns it....)

He checks the sugar content with a brick's hydrometer to the hot test line.





All this gunk, called sugar sand, gets strained out.



  

Five quarts and one pint so far.
(My middle daughter already stole a quart  :-)

     Now....... potato pancakes & cheddar cheese, maple pecan cookies, buttermilk pancakes, a topping for vanilla ice cream........... the taste of fresh maple syrup really can't be described.



Man That Ground Is Hard.....

     I took a digger yesterday afternoon on the ice.  (Everything is icy right now) Landed hard on my hip and shoulder.......saved my head though :-)  I'll live, it just reminds me that---aahhhh, well, I'm not getting younger :-)  Falling reminded me of another time I said "man that ground is hard"!

     It was when I had just became the new owner of a 12 mon. old colt.  I had wanted a horse all my life and finally had one.  I knew absolutely nothing about horses.  Cherokee was lying in his outdoor paddock soaking up the sun.  He didn't want to get up for me, he was too comfortable.  So, what did this rookie do?  I came over and straddled his back -- you know, he had to start getting trained soon.  I figured if he started to get up I'd just slide off.  Well, I never saw a horse move so fast.  In one fluid motion he stood up into a high buck.  There was no time to...... slide off!  The ground is hard enough from 4 ft up., but, really hard from 10 ft. up!! 

     Over the years I learned a lot about horses.   We had them for many years until everyone went off to college and the chores were just too much for me.  Lots of good memories though.....


This is Fire, 1/2 Arab -- a different colt that I bred.



Meet Cookie Monster the Rooster




Cookie Monster


He is the most gentle (or most timid as it may be) rooster in the whole world. 
We always laugh because his "cocka-doodle-do" is only
 "cocka-doodle"  -- he forgets the end :-)
He is a Birchen Cochin Bantam. 
 Behind him, is a Leghorn, and a Red Sex-Link (hens).