A Beautiful Sunday at The Farm

Yesterday proved to be a fantastic day. It was perfect for a day out at The Farm...

The boys had a chance to build two more decks for the airstream. Darryl has been wanting to learn how to build a deck (I see one in his near future), so Hank taught him the basics of building a simple platform. While these are portable platforms, There are similarities in construction techniques. Hank had a sore back, so Darryl did most of the work (Thanks a bunch!). I also helped nail in some planks. Funny, but they laugh at my hammering techniques... LOL!

So now we have a mud-free walkway and a spot to sit and watch the sunset out past the barn...

It was so much fun watching the two work together. I'm so blessed that they have a such a great relationship. And the two guys were just cute to boot getting all handymanned up...Right Gladys?

And who could resist this cute smiling face just begging for attention! Doesn't she have the most adorable smile?

The kids are slowly but surely building a wonderful farm. In a couple of weeks they are attending a series of classes on bee-keeping. They will be tilling a large garden plot, planting a small orchard, and will eventually have a beef cow and some chickens for fresh eggs. Their ultimate goal is to remain as self-sustaining as they possibly can be... I think that's an attainable goal.

It's supposed to get up to 62 degrees today. I'm going to enjoy this while it lasts! This photo was taken yesterday from our small "patio" out the trailer door. The kids are letting us build a series of three or four portable wooden decks to make a patio for the trailer while we're parked here...

I've been deep-cleaning the airstream, reorganizing the cabinets, scrubbing and finishing the floors, and trying to get the clutter from small space living put away. I'm almost there... The windows were thrown open with fans blowing to air the place out. We'll be doing the same today.

I'm reading a wonderful book entitled, Keeping the Feast by Paula Butturini. I'm about 1/4th of the way through. It's a memoir about the dark times in her marriage to John Tagliabue, during periods of major upheaval and depression, and how they created a sense of normalcy at the dinner table. It's as if the dinner table was there "escape" during those difficult years. Both are journalists. This is a book club-worthy novel. And don't read it hungry, you'll be wanting to cook... just sayin'....

I've been spending some time with my grand-dogs. They are such characters. I'll try to get some video of the two playing. they are so funny.

The older dog, Belle, is twice the size of Bly, and Belle wins by just sitting on her...

Bly wins by being so agile, ricocheting off everywhere... She's a cheeky little one, too. They're my sweet girls! Gladys is teaching them the command to come to her when she blows a silent dog whistle. They're learning fast.

Darryl is restoring an old Jeep Cherokee to use as a farm truck, I think he and Hank are going to be looking at an electrical problem they have with the hitch. I think Hank is going to build a couple more of those decks today out in the barn, so I can have a bigger "patio."

Gladys is making a string quilt for a very dear family friend, so she'll be busy in her studio. I'll be out in the sunshine with some books or playing with my sewing machine. I paid $4 for a twin sheet yesterday, so I can practice a few techniques.

I so wish we could afford the land next door. I guess if we put our minds to it we can save up the dough. That way we can buy it outright. We've even thought about renting out the condo to increase our cash flow... I am hopeful that a decision will happen soon. Should I just spend $4 each week on our lottery?

Nothing tastes better than a grilled burger and hot dog. We had those last night for dinner. YUM!

Well, I gotta scoot. Need to shower and open up the trailer for some major sunshine and ventilation. I'm taking full advantage of this beautiful day! I'll try to get some good barn pics for you and some shots of the back of the property (if we can get back there... Heck I may even stroll over to the property next door and show you our dream...

Make it a great day y'all!

Wasnt to know the good thing about camping in the snow?

Ice cold water from the tap and a panoramic window...

Snow Day

Well, we survived with no power outages. YAY! We received a significant amount of ice followed by an equally significant amount of snow.

Today hubby went to the plant to assist with a project over there. It's a draw-down of the freezer system. If that goes well and the start up goes well, then we may be able to take a short trip home. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good news.

After being outside to snap a few photos I decided a little cocooning was in order. So I popped up some corn and am settling down for a Cary Grant movie on TCM. It's Operation Petticoat, one of my all-time faves.

How are you spending the day?

Riding the Storm Out (Cross-Post)

Well, looks like it's going to be fun. Freezing rain has started in Oklahoma City. We're next. Accumulations have been upped to 1" for us here in the Fayetteville area.

Last night was an interesting night. Hubby went tout to dinner with the work folks and I stayed in. I was just sitting in bed eating a late dinner (spanish yellow rice w/brussels sprouts) and I saw a huge blue flash and the electricity went out. I knew exactly what it was -- a transformer blew. Judging from the brightness I knew it was nearby.

The TV, coffee pot, alarm clock, and air conditioner are run on electricity. (yes, we have an emergency coffee pot, a french press, for those who are concerned about our cawfee consumption.) The rest runs on either propane or 12 volt (battery). So no worries. I even have a backup 12-volt crock pot.

I immediately turned off the electrical appliances and went outside to disconnect us from "shore" power. Yes, it was the transformer about 30-50 yards away that blew -- the oil starting a small fire on the ground. I immediately went back in to call 911 and tried to find an address for the RV park so I could report it. Came back outside, maglight in hand ready to do it. Saw some guys out there standing @20-30 feet from the fire. They already called 911.

I called Hank, but his phone wasn't on. So I called one of his brothers just to make sure I did the right thing about the shore power. Turned out I did. Yay me! I turned off all out lights except one interior and one exterior light, conserving our battery power.

About a 90 minutes later the electric company had a new transformer up just as hubby was pulling in.

If our electricity goes out, it may be kinda quiet here for a while, but not to worry. Our Airstream was built for boondocking. I'm sure we'll be fine.

Got a pork roast and bavarian kraut going in the big electric crockpot. Want to get that done so we can nibble on that tonight and tomorrow. Got the freezer stocked with veggies, two loaves of bread, peanut butter, two gallons of milk, a full water tank, and  three large bottles of drinking water. And one beer. LOL!

Go out and make it a good day, y'all. It's going to get fun here...