Learned a new skid steer skill set

I was awake early again, must be this time change and loads of sunshine. S was awake not long after and made a pot of coffee for us to enjoy in bed. It was only 9 when I had finished perusing my online sites. I am not posting in the morning in hopes of getting more interaction on both Facebook and Instagram, not sure that it is working.

I got busy dark waxing Debby's tables; screwing the double decker back together and hauling in to stage. S went out and seeded his newly top soil filled water lines and fixed the broke soaker hose system before taking the skid steer out to collect the old hay that is left covering the grass. He made a few big piles then grabbed the dump trailer to load it in and dump in the pit.

I moved on to mixing up milk paint to paint the antique dresser. I used an old blended Shaina was tossing to mix 2 colors and it worked great. The darker color was brushed on to the dresser.

Shaina arrived after 1 and kindly walked down to bring the truck back for S. I made salmon melts for us for lunch while he showered up, packed, ate and was on his way by 2:30. I put the lighter color milk paint on the dresser while Shaina worked on her computer and was off to town for 3:30 appointments.

I finished up my painting around 4 and drove the skid steer to the pasture to finish up bale scraps S could not get all done. I have added another skillset to my ranch abilities. There were gophers running amuck. Seems I need to learn art of gopher elimination too now.

here is what was left in piles and right is me pushing it along

many of the thicker piles had snow and ice under it

Better view if open the dirty window

Back inside I sanded the dresser smooth, did some touch ups then cooked up some supper. Before putting on the chicken I ran out in the golden sunset hour to give the horses their meds and I sprayed Switch's leg when I was pushing old hay in the pasture. It was a late eat at almost 8 but it was good. I left the remainder for Shaina when she gets home and wrote up a blog post for the chocolate silverware chest.

Shaina was home after 9:30. I had showered, changed my bedding and had a lovely diffuser aroma going. There is no better feeling then crawling into fresh linens after a warm shower and the air full of relaxing scents and catching a few Shameless episodes.

More trees trimmed

Cooper was ready to head out at 8 so I let him and Lola out to go partrol and whipped up a cappuccino. Time to work on some blog posts. S was up to make coffee later on then relaxed in bed.

I put another coat of white on the tables and distressed them while S harrowed in the pastures some more.

I got a bit more height off and this apple tree is ready for the season

Nicer day at similar 16 with less wind. We cooked up steak for late lunch. Prince had a nap while I went out and trimmed a few more trees. Once up he and I added top soil to the front planter, then he to the top up the water line trail he put in last fall. I added the last to the garden boxes.

this is why he is the prince and I am the pauper ;)

He was then inside to get ready to head to his man date in town after 4:30. I went back outside to scoop poop in the paddock Slim was in and trim a few more trees. The egg lady dropped off 5 dozen, great service. I put the sprinkler on in the arena to ride when B arrived.

I put a final coat of white paint on the tables. Britt arrived before 6 and as we caught the horses a few drops of rain came down and was gone. While we were grooming there was a wee spook with Switch ended up scraping her leg. B sprayed some meds on after we rode for an hour. B loaded up Cooper and was off for home after 7:30.

S brought me and he home a burger when he got back at 9, then we tried to watch Justice League but soon he was sound asleep ;)

Family supper

Coffee started our day; Mom and S had a toad in the hole to give them energy to get them started. By 10:30 we all headed out in the crazy wind to start our projects. Mom had Slim caught so he and I went off to the barn to trim his feet. Mom got started on the apple trees and Sheldon was off to harrow.

 front left complete

before and after

Jacob was the next to arrive to change the oil in his truck as I was taking Sim out. I then was off to help Mom tree trees. S ran the load of recyclables to town and grab beverages.

When done his truck, Jacob gave Lola a brush as her coat is starting to blow out. She was super stoked about this. He was then off to town to pick up Shaina from the gym. They were back not long later and threw in pizzas for a late lunch. S was back to get in on the pizza as was Britt and Cooper. Mom and I finally shut down the tree trimming at 3 with a pile of progress done, THANKS Mom!

Once fed and watered we all headed back out. Us girls rode in the arena Britt had watered and harrowed while the boys swapped out Britt's winter tires for summer. Once horses were untacked and brushed and the tires good to go we were all back in the house around 5, what a busy day. But wait, S and I loaded the antique cabinet in the horse trailer for Mom to tack back to Oyen for Jean to finally get since she purchased last fall, thanks Mom.

Sausage and macaroni was started. The Paetz crew joined us bringing buns and BBQ sauce and a great meal was enjoyed with lots of visiting and laughs. Thanks to Jacob for cleaning up supper and doing all the dishes! This deserved you taking the leftovers home ;) Mom loaded up Slim and she was off after 7:30 with Jacob and Shaina right behind her off to the city. B and the Paetz's were off an hour later.

After a quick catch up on marketing I het the tub to soak and watch Shameless while S hit the TV room for hockey. What a great Saturday here at the ranch!

Cooper stayed the night and was quite happy to be snuggled in bed with me watching Crave

Mom for a sleepover

Rosie set off to her cleaning at 9 with Sheldon putting coffee on soon after. I checked the nightstand that went with the dresser and did not find a smoke smell. The buyer was offered a return and suggestions but he loves it and wants to keep it.

S unhooked the horse trailer and loaded the recyclables while I swept out the garage. This led to lots of tidying in there. We also picked plastic that had broke in the hay field to send with the trash too. Dog dishes were scrubbed along with the washing machine. It is always nice to have a tidy garage right? S checked the shop for things to go to the recycle or trash too. Seeing doors were open I hauled the scrubbed up dresser for more sanding.

washstand I picked up last week

spring has sprung, I have tulips coming

We had lunch then S a nap while I went out to start the first coat of paint that arrived yesterday on Debby's two tables. Mom called around 3:30 to say she was loading up and heading over. I finished the last table and went out to get hoses and set up water in the small paddock for her horse. It seemed I missed some dog poop so got it picked up while filling too.

After his nap S replaced the wood drawbar on his harrows and at 4 started on the paddocks. He was back in in about half an hour. The plus 12 was brisk with the wind. I folded and put away the last of the washed and mended horses blankets in the tack room. I wrote a blog post for the rustic grey nightstands. Time to get some supper on the go.

We ate late almost at 7:30 and not long after Mom pulled in with Slim. She and I unloaded him and she ate and visited while I put up a blog post.