outdoor views

Some new blooms in the front yard...

I put patio blocks under my 3 gates.  There were 15 blocks at the old house and David brought up 6 last time.  So, I quickly found a proper place.  It was a pain to get them in place.  The ground has rocks and roots and the fence posts have cement which I had to hack away at with the shovel.  The space between the gates is barely enough for the two blocks to be side by side besides having to make the ground level  and the gate being in the way a bit...I loved the work but wish my hands could handle it better.

 Lily chilling for a few a seconds after getting a drink.

 A partial view of the side yard.  Its about a half acre...I'm thinking agility space...
 Rio is faster!

 Lily doesn't care she loves Rio and loves life!

 Can we go again?

Good-bye Belle

Belly Boo.  This is a photo of her in her name sake position. I hope that you get forever belly rubs over the rainbow bridge 8/19/1996-3/16/2011  I feel numb.   That is her in the photo above on the right.

Rock Garden

I love rock gardens and have always wanted 'my own'.  This house came with one and I changed it...a lot.  I brought my rocks that I have moved with me twice now...but it has been 20 years since the last move.  I added to what was here and really didn't do much with the arrangement.  The rocks themselves are beautiful and like everything else in Gods world, we just need to stop and appreciate the beauty.  (click on the photo to enlarge)

Nick- part mountain goat?

This is what I saw out my kitchen window-yikes!  Nick is definitely my chair dog.  He loves to get up in lawn chairs and hang out.  He seemed quite proud of himself and seemed like he was happy I saw that he was up there.  This was taken through the screen.                  

Then I went outside the porch to try and get another but he got excited with the others running over toward me.  And yes, he lept off!  Of course I gasped!  He was just fine and actually launched himself enough that he did not dive onto his front.  He almost landed with all 4 at once.  Need to move the chairs!

new farm members

I want to have chickens on the farm but I was going to wait...then I saw an ad on  Craig's list and made a spur of the moment decision.  The poultry farmer had the breeds I wanted at only a dollar a chick...so, here they are:  I asked for 6 silver laced Wyandottes and 4 Light Brahmas and the farmer gave me an extra one of each...I have 12 chicks!

Spring activities

Before I get to the Spring things, here is one of the photos I wanted to find of sweet Shimmer earlier.

And this one of Shimmer and Belle with one of our cats, Shade. CUTE huh?  Belle is 14 1/2 and will likely be next to leave us.

OK SPRING photo!  Daffodil close up along our driveway.  We have tons.  I gave two neighbors huge bouquets and cut one for us as well.

Shade watching me open the front door.

 This is a sealant around the chimmney before it was painted.  I came up on the roof to get a good look.

 ...and while I was up here I took a photo in each direction.  The field and trees behind the horses all the way in the background, is our property.  The inner dog yard is right off the porch.  Pretty neat view of the back of the place.  The other direction beyond the barn and fence shows our neighbors front yard and long driveway.

 Here is my new grooming room!  We closed in the alcove with 2 windows and door. Inside we have a raised floor, dog washer, dog tub and room for a grooming table and dryer.

Dogs in the yard with handsome Nick in the forefront.

This is a huge mound of debris I raked and gathered from the dog yard.  It amazed me how many small bits of yard stuff there was made up of acorns, pieces of sticks, wood and leaves and such.  The dogs ran along as I took a trip down the hay field to the woods entrance and I dumped it in a low wet spot.  Sure glad to have my lawn tractor running again.  I did that yesterday.  The weather has been so wonderful!! The dogs sure do like being out and about getting to explore and be with with me.  I spent most of the last two days enjoying being outside doing things with a 'Merry Heart'!

Remembering Shimmer

Don't we all dread these days where we have lost one of our pack...I had to help Shimmer cross over yesterday morning, she was no longer able to function due to kidney failure.  I buried her outside my daughter's window.  She really was Hannah's dog.  Shimmer always lit up when she saw Hannah.  They grew up together.  Hannah could do anything with Shimmer.  When Hannah was little she would put a leash on her and hang it on a door knob while she laid out a blanket on the living room floor.  Shimmer would watch and wait patiently.  When Hannah was ready she would bring her over and the two would lay on the blanket to watch TV or whatever.  

I could not find one of the 2 pictures I was wanting to post but Amy has written and posted a lovely tribute to Shimmer on her Crazy Cardiness blog with a nice photo.

Shimmer was one of those regal Cardis.  Never caused anyone any problem.  I finished her as my first Bred-By champion.  She was so easy to show because she never wanted to be told she was doing anything incorrectly...she just did right.

Her Mom was ROSY ROMS (CH.Maranatha Cornerstone Rosy)

Her dad was STORMY ROMG (CH.Tarfrnwr Coedwig Blackstorm)

Shimmer had 3 litters and her biggest contribution to Cardigans is DREAMER ROMS

And her proud claim to fame is her brother DC BELI <grin>

This is Shimmer with her second litter.  They are actually all black but some have the reddish hue and the photo color quality is off.

Sleep sweet Shimmer and now you and Rosy can play again.