A bit more rain

I woke up at 5 but forced myself to sleep until 7. With H sleeping in the garage and no restless partner, I had no excuse. Nonetheless, I started my day with coffee and finished the last episodes of Housewives season 1. Then, it was time to let the cats out and work on the table so the stain could dry. I touched up the small edges, flipped the table and did hand sanding, wiped it all clean and applied the first coat of stain.

2 cuties

Before diving into outdoor tasks, I caught up on Thursday's blog. After an early bologna sandwich for lunch, I braved the ugly wind to scoop poop and set up 5 new solar lights. I returned indoors to sort photos before heading out again.

While burying compost, which led to unearthing tulip bulbs and weeding, B arrived at 2. The sky darkened in the west, but she rode in the winter pasture as thunder began. I was brushing Har when lightning struck, and I suggested B come inside. Soon after, rain poured for about half an hour, adding another 2/10ths of moisture. As it began, I caught Switch and took her to the barn for B to trim her hooves. Thanks, B!

In the garage, I washed rugs, winter jackets, and towels. I swept the floor, bagged bottles, and disposed of the stinky trash. Once the rain stopped, I went out to weed the garden and plant more corn as B released Switch and fed Roo. She then fed Bird and tended to her hooves. I flitted between tasks like a squirrel in a hailstorm, trimming trees, pulling weeds, rearranging rocks, tidying the kitchen, washing dishes, and more.

Sharon came to visit Timba at 5 while I was feeding Har. Britt, Sharon, and I chatted for over an hour in the sunshine, despite the looming dark skies to the south. Once Sharon departed, Britt gathered her pets and went home. Subsequently, I came inside to write today's blog. Sheldon messaged to say he was en route, prompting me to delay dinner preparations.

Sheldon's fence fixing hydration

loads of grass cutting over the 2 days and road grading

and the bison and babies.. only 6 so far which is not good. Perhaps the bull is not "working"?

While preparing the last GF meal, a strong wind picked up around 7, bringing a smattering of rain and darkening skies. I began cooking dinner, anticipating S's arrival at 8:30, but he didn't show up until just before 9. I decided to eat while the food was still hot. The chicken fricassee was delicious, surprisingly complemented by apples and Brussels sprouts. I also prepared the last two ears of corn. S loved the meal as well.

When he took off his clothes he said I wonder if I should look for ticks. Lo and behold he actually found one on him!! It was bagged up and the clothes sent outside. Afterward, we enjoyed a hot tub session, showers and then settled in bed to start a new show titled 'Buying London.' The real estate prices in London are astonishingly high!

S off to the AV farm

The day greeted us with sunshine, which was a delight, especially for my plants that seemed to crave some warmth. However, I woke up with an annoying headache. Looking outside, I noticed Stella on the deck. When S went to let out J, he discovered that the far corner, their usual entry and exit point, had been dug out. Following our typical morning routine, S decided to take a trip to the valley to mow the lawn and check on the baby bison, considering our upcoming weeks are packed. I managed to plant my sprouted corn and some red sunflower seeds in the garden. Meanwhile, S got the ranger ready and topped off the truck with fuel.

The second GF meal was prepared for lunch, consisting of pork patties served over a vegetable hash. Despite the abundance of peppers, which I generously shared with S, it was delicious. After packing up his remaining items, he departed for Acadia Valley at 12:30. He'll decide based on how the day unfolds whether to stay there or return home tonight. Meanwhile, I resumed trimming roses, sowing flower seeds, and planting the final Siberian iris bulbs amidst the fern leaf peonies.

our dogs :)

The weather was off and on again with drops of rain then sun. I started on the island which is loaded with weeds and grass.

soooo many weeds and grass

B sent a warning about an approaching storm with hail, advising to shelter the plants. I relocated them onto the deck, and as predicted, the rain began around 4 PM. It was mostly rain with a smattering of small hailstones, lasting about 45 minutes and yielding two-tenths of an inch of precipitation. 

This weather drove me indoors to continue working on the table. I progressed to sanding with 180-grit paper. Afterward, I turned the table over to sand the base and legs, then applied the first coat of black paint.

After finishing the table, I left it to dry and went back outside. The moisture makes it easier to pull out all the quack grass and dandelions. The island is also overrun with thistles! It's amusing how the cats enjoy keeping me company while I weed, almost like they're on guard duty. Harley was occupied with a bone, which kept her quite busy.

                                            weed progress and my guard cats on duty

I was still weeding when Britt arrived at her usual 7:30. I wrapped up the weeding, slipped into my cowboy boots, and we set off for a ride. It was over an hour of exercising the horses. We concluded with a walk along the lane where I had trimmed the trees.

Can you spot Stella?

Stella was up top on the roof scouting birds when we arrived back. Harley did not join us as she stayed with her bone. I tossed the pail of dandelions when I released Switch. B fed her horses while I dished up the bone broth and put a new pot on to simmer again. I had a late dinner of cottage cheese and pineapple. B headed home before 10. 

I headed back to the garage to paint the base and legs a second coat of black paint then left it to dry overnight. Brush washed and things tidied it was Netflix up next relaxing in bed at 11. I ended up watching episodes till 1 am! S is staying at Mom's tonight to do more farm work in the am.

Tree chopping continues

It was a usual start for us with coffee in bed and brain games/ news peruse. I worked on the dining table hand scraping and sanding the edges. However the skies and forecast was possible rain so we headed outside before 11. The cats were happy to be out then too. They like to hang out with us while working especially Stella. S and I worked together to continue the fruit trees mulch turning and grass removal. S had to remove a few nests with one he left that had 5 robins eggs in it but I fear the mom may be the corpse in the barn. Spits of rain came and went as did the sun. We eventually took a lunch break when it rained a bit more but did not last long.

Mom has tons of rhubarb already so I sent her our favourite rhubarb pie recipe

S made grilled cheese while I made us a spinach salad. Tasty lunch then we headed back out. I walked a bottle of tire cleaner S bought that never used to the gate for a fellow. While here I pulled grass from around the pillars. H and I walked both lanes of the trees pulling dead trees out and snapping small dead ones. They look pretty good but need more trimming in some areas. We checked out the trees then headed back. S mowed the roast of the grass and chopped up the stuff we pulled out.

Back at the house I continued to prune the evergreen trees getting right under and really cleaning them out. S helped me after his mowing. He would lift branches with a stick so I could get under and pull out the dreaded quack grass and trim dead branches. While we were over at the east trees he noticed the trap was not where he put it. Nor did it have any gophers left in it except one head. it seems the Wiley fox managed to get in without tripping it but did move it 8 feet from original spot.

We jumped in the ranger and headed to check the trees at the road as we still have ash, lilac and maple trees but they are HUGE. One the way we were sidetracked trimming the trees to make a wider path for the ranger, horses and walking. S took a load with copilot Harley then back to help. We decided the trees wil require a game plan with well dug amended holes before we even try and move them. On our way back to the house we dumped another load.

this time she rode in the ranger

first load heading to the pit and me trimming along the front row and below the last load

The skies continued to darken and it now dropped a few more drops once we were inside at 5. I fed H then we started our coconut shrimp over red lentils GF meal. S chopped as my sous chef. There was also chayote again as a simple salad. Another healthy tasty meal. Speaking of meals... Renn eating hers video series from Shaina

Hot tub was very much needed with all the bending and crawling around. It was now super sunny out but that changed as we got out with a dark sky again. The first west semi final game was on watched the big TV in bed. I order some sprout from a Saskatchewan company. Been interested in giving them a try. Britt was out as usual and after feeding she let the horses into the middle paddock now. she put J in the barn but Stella was not keen. I went out and carried her from deck and put in with J. B and C were off.

Dave has his first foal

Wet and dreary out with  2/10ths in gauge when S checked while letting the cats out after his coffee and breakfast. I worked on sanding the table top and also tried the new dust free carbide scraper.

I had S help me by removing the broken table pegs while I scrubbed up the rails then salved and greased them. They slid allot smoother now.

see the difference sanding makes on this beauty wood table?

GoodFood arrived a day late with the box crushed and ice packs melted. Yep I got a refund.

B was out at noon but headed back in to get Cooper's food she forgot. S made tuna sandwiches which were tasty. Once B was back she fed Bird then we set off to see Dave's new baby. It is his first foal ever so very exciting. This was an adventure. We followed and parked truck at Langdon. Britt drove to the stables the new and 1 week old baby were at. This little guy is 6 hours old born to a maiden mom Susie. Isn't he sweet?

Dave named him Aristides after the first Kentucky Derby winner with the barn name Basil. I shall call him Baz :)

We also stopped to see the little filly too. Her mom is Lindy. Filly's name is Lay your money down, barn name cash :)

It was a short visit and we were off. B planned to drop us back at Langdon but her naturopath appointment was in 45 minutes and we were 48 min away from it. That is where we went. While she went to her appointment I drover thru Tim's get fetch us an iced coffee and B a latte. She then drove us to Langdon and headed back to the NW to meet her sisters and Renn for a girls supper out.

<3 <3 <3

Thanks Britt for these adorable photos

Back at the ranch it was leftovers for supper. I took the dogs for a walk when Sheldon left for yet another rodeo meeting at 6. I was bundled up in a winter coat. boots and toque. Soon the sun popped out and it was a spectacular night. I weeded the gardens, pruned some more dead tree branches, raked a big dead grass area and such then put the cats in the shop before coming in after 7:30. I was catching up the blog when Britt drove in. She and I went for a lovely ride.

Ruby Jr (AKA RJ) is setting flowers

While riding we saw the fox in the middle of the hay field and not the least bit bothered by us. Cooper was hot on his scent but was going in circles till he finally spotted him then off to the winery he went. We untacked and eat the horses go. B and Coop headed home and I inside. Sheldon arrived home from his meeting and beers just after I got in after 9. We went for a nice hot tub soak. After our showers we started a  show called Bodkin but stopped after the first episode.. not really interesting. The roast of Tom Brady was next. For me I miss allot not know football but S fell asleep half way thru which was 12:30 anyway so lights out.