Rain

Another great sunrise and day ahead starting at 6 am. H and I back to sleep till 7:30. Our new routine is breakfast moved to 8 am then Roo's muzzle removed. I swept the garage while H ate breakfast. Of course the kitties were let out too and a poop scoop loop around the house. The grass and deck were wet so a bit of rain must have come down in the night.  Inside with my cappuccino I did some computer work. Shaina was up for an early making a cap for a meeting that was cancelled last minute but she kept on with her tasks.

Time to get to work on the dresser. Wood areas now showing after first coat of paint were filled. The drawers were clear and brown waxed then the new hardware put on and hauled in. A brief thunder cloud rolled over alarming H with a bit of rain. The dresser body had a second coat of paint brushed on and the front area dark washed.

A bowl of chili was had for lunch when I noticed my coconut water was not as planned. I did some research and got the grains separated out and put in fridge for a rest. Apparently this is normal but I wont make again. Taste not up my alley. #fail

Shaina was off to town to the gym on a break. Amanda and the 2 littles arrived around 1 as the dark skies got closer and not long after the rains let loose. This time there was a good dump. She brought the sweetest succulent planter and treats for my birthday, THANK YOU XOXO

XOXO

Her and Archer were off to his dental appointment at 1:30. Shaina was back around 2:30 after the rains ended and the sun was back out. Our rain gaugesis broken so no measurements to share. The last recorded 9/10ths was from the sprinkler LOL. Shaina made a smoothie and had some chili.  Aislyn and I had a great play session but once Shaina was up eating, she was quiet staying by me on the couch. 

opening her birthday bear and treats

This led to her falling asleep just after 3 as S went back down to work again. It turns out Shaina went down to have a nap as well. I did some computer work until Amanda and Arch returned after 4. They visited for a bit with Shaina coming up to say hi before they woke Aislyn and headed home before 5.

Shaina started prepping her supper of ribs; roasted Brussel sprouts and twice baked potatoes. The darn new restrictions were announced at 6 which were disappointing esp for Kaylin who has to close yet again. Frustrating when malls can stay open and have everyone and their dog wandering around gawking for things with no purpose yet hairdressers, spa services and such with booked appointments closed. Patios and gyms closed, 5 people outdoors together, 15 people in church, home schooling but you all can still hit up Walmart and the mall for an outing. GRRRRRR

Amanda sent this of Archer at his dental appt, what a kid :)

There was a bit of a timing issue on supper which may have dried some a bit but it was good. The fact I did not have to cook raises the score too :) Britt worked late but joined us bringing a hot Tims tea for us. THANKS girls for the supper.

Shaina was off to do Instagram posts, B to feed the horses and I catchup the blog. Back to the garage with tubs B had all the cats following her so we put kitties in garage. I fed them some raw offal and left them there for the night. Tomorrow is the girls surgery day. B and Coop were off for home before 9.

Dresser goes grey... again :)

No birds chirping, no Harley wanting out (she slept in garage again), no traffic sounds yet I was wide awake before 7:30, WTH? I was perusing Instagram when Shaina turned on the espresso machine for her 8 am meeting. I went and fed H early and took off Roo's grazing muzzle. The cats greeted me, what? I looked to see the darn horse door wide open; grrr that door. What a beauty day out even though only 2 above currently at 8 am. I made a cap too and did some computer work.

S slept till 9 then got his coffee going. I got back to laundry loads then spent half hour moving all the boxes under the stairs to get out Zoe's pet carrier. The 2 kittens go to get spayed Wednesday and each need a carrier. The water kefir was bottled - 2 lemon lime ginger then the new batch was made into coconut kefir. I also processed the 2 milk kefir jars; making Harleys in ice trays and other into the fridge jar then put both grains together with milk to rest for a bit in the fridge.

S headed out after his coffees to unhook the dump trailer and run and get the mail. Once back and read thru it he took the skid steer to the pit to move dirt around. He was back for leftover lunch and a nap. I headed to the garage to paint the long dresser grey. I was just finishing it at 2 when he headed to the airport stopping in town to do a few things on his way.

I let the paint dry while doing computer work and Shaina was off to town to work out, grab a parcel and get some groceries. She is cooking supper tomorrow :) I added darker grey around the edges of the dresser drawers blending and distressing. I think this is the look I am going for; another rustic grey dresser. Shaina was back from town and down to do more check ins after putting away groceries.

For supper I made a pot of chili and some dill pickle salad. B was out after 6 just in time to join Shaina and I then she was off to work with Roo and feed horses. Shaina went back to work. B was off for home around 8. I worked on the computer getting a Dixie Belle order together and such. I headed out to check the cats food giving them some soft after 9 and tucked them in.

walking the horse also walks my dog :)

First big SS job complete

Check out the 6 am sunrise today!! After putting H in the garage I went back to sleep till after 8:30, happy Sunday!! Sheldon was up at 9 making his pot of coffee eventually making his way out to let out cats, ratchet strapped the willow tree that was leaning east to the fence and turn water on. It was supposed to rain today but forecast has now changed although it went from sunny start to overcast in short order. Finger's crossed for rain! I got to work catching up on the blog.

I forgot to snap a picture at Kaylin's biz so had her send one today, this is one of the lovely rooms.

Shaina was up before 10:30 to make a cap and some brunch of sausage and eggs for us, thanks! A brief rain squall with 10 drops blew thru. Britt stopped out before noon to drop off Cooper then head to the city to help out Kaylin with her new employee training. I wrote a milk kefir tutorial for Hometalk while the prince napped on the couch. 

Once awake at 12:30 he headed back to Stouts to finish the last of the grooming then load up the skid steer and complete his project :) I wrote a Hometalk post for the olive green chair. Shaina was off to the gym for her 2 pm slot with S back soon after with the last load of rocks, cement etc. He unloaded the tree spade when a short hail storm came down. It was tiny and short and moisture as he says. I had him hook up the timer to the well and set the horse water trough to fill in the west paddocks before he dumped the load and headed back to town. He may have a quick gravel job at the neighbors who gave us the pear tree before he loads the skid steer.

this little cactus just blooms and blooms :)

I continued working on tutorials catching up on computer work while the up/down weather continues outside. I opened a package of my fav treats and thought it tasted odd. When I looked down I saw it covered in MOLD!! I dumped the whole bag and found them all covered, yucky!!

Shaina was back after 3, B was not long after followed by Sheldon - no extra job ;( . The weather changed yet again to nice and sunny so I headed out to clean up tools, prune more bushes and all round tidy. I put salt/minerals in the middle paddock and another bought of water in the trough. B caught Bird to ride after we put KD and Pepper in middle paddocks. She rode in the shop paddock.

Shaina hit the nail on the head with this belated birthday gift, THANK YOU!! XOXO

S dressed to change Shaina's oil but seems there is not enough oil so she ran to town. He and I finished the willow tree shoveling dirt, pruning and raking and encouraging it to grow. Once Shaina was back with oil he went to change it. I headed in to put the cabbage rolls in an swap laundry loads. THANKS Grama P!! The weather then got crappy but soon switched to sunny so B could work Roo in the same shop paddock. It hit 13 today but was so off and on it was crazy.

I helped Shaina hang her string of lights in her room. Brittany finished up riding Roo, put on her grazing mask and opened the gate tot he shop paddock for her and Switch then loaded Cooper and headed for home by 6. S came in from oil change and starting water on the willow tree area. Supper was delicious, thanks again Ma K.

S retreated to her apartment after supper, I rousted S to come with H and I for a quick walk. It was brisk for sure. The kitties caught up with us at the end so tucked them away for the night. Inside back to laundry while S hit the couch after shutting off the water to surf the net.

SLiK Services job complete

this was the before

We moved a 20 foot tree!

Crazy birds were gathered and carrying on after 5 am. I had to get up and shut window eventually. I let out H at the usual 6:30, lovely but a breeze then back to bed till after 8. Feeding her and getting the water going even though the breeze remains. S wanted to get up early and move the tree then changed mind and thinks tomorrow. Eventually he got his coffee going and decided that he would go dig the tree hole bigger after dumping the top soil load from yesterday then pushed the loads around in the pit and brought back a top soil load. I spent the am making all my milk and water kefirs and bottling a couple bottles ; lemon and cream soda.

Britt and Cooper arrived just before noon. She did horse things then picked allot of the poop in the closest paddock with the quad/trailer, well done B! I organized the garage a bit to make room. Here is the recent antique picked up without the marble top. I would like to plank it but not sure with price of wood, maybe keep marble and lose the top??

A customer and her husband who we knew from Oyen stopped after 1 to drop off a water damaged coffee table for me to refinish. Sheldon came out to visit as well for almost an hour. 

Then they were off. It hit 18 out sunny but the breeze remained. I dug some dandelions while getting water on the new trees.

This little volunteer tree popped up, my plant ID app says a red berried elder, now where to plant it.

Even though the west now looked dark and threatening we headed to town after 2:30. It did not take long to dig this huge last tree and get it loaded. It started to rain as we did so, hope this is a good sign for the tree. 

yard work done this week

digging underway

lifted and loaded

Back at the ranch B came to help us get the monster tree out of the trailer and into the hole then she was off to work with Roo. The hole required expansion trying with the tractor and bucket but ended up by shovel. While he had the bucket on and dumping top soil by the tree I had him lift me to trim off broken branches.

The rain had quit on the drive home but eventually came to the ranch however it was only a short lived drizzle. S and I finished dirting in the tree and staking it on a couple sides coming in just with minutes to spare to catch the Kentucky Derby. I prepped veggies to roast and S the steaks for supper.

Shaina returned from the city after 5 as I was feeding H. We all enjoyed the yummy supper then S was off to her room and B & C headed home (she had put kitties away when in the barn with Roo, thanks B). S was off to the TV room for hockey and I to the computer to catch up the blog. I also finished my kombucha tutorial and shared in a few places. Shaina popped up to make popcorn after 9:30 sharing bowls with her roomies :) thanks. Sheldon made a huge bowl of ice cream loaded with fresh fruit but he did not make any for his roomies.. boo!