January

Another snow shoe trek out back.  This time with the youngest boy.  He got new snowshoes last year and we didn't have much snow to try them out on.  His keen eyes noticed this little wintergreen plant (or Checkerberry as I knew it from growing up).  He loved how it was still looking mighty alive amid all the snow and nestled in it's old stump home.

We went quite a long way into the woods so that I could show him where the deer travel during the winter.  We saw their tracks and moose too, before heading back.  Most of the animals closer to home are rabbits, fox, otter, beaver, porcupine and lots of coyote and turkey.

This was a photo I snapped of the parking lot at Wells Beach with my truck and trailer and Monica's rig too.  Not sure why I took this but as it turned out...it was the last trip in my trailer.  I found a new one and said goodbye to that trusty CM Circuit Champ.  It served me well in the 12+ years that I've owned it.  I bought it used and it goes on to another owner from my town who will enjoy it for some time to come I imagine.  

Here is a not so great shot of the new trailer on the night we brought it home.  Right after getting it home we went into a stretch of bitter cold weather.  Wind chills well into the negative numbers day after day.  So I didn't get to play with my new toy at all for the first 2 weeks anyhow.  

Here is a snap of Monica and Ember out on the beach.  The riding that day was fast.  Her morgan is a runner for sure!  

Another friend of ours, Kathy, came down to say hi and snapped a couple of photos with her iPad.  Thanks for the photo Kathy!  I love the reflection she got in this photo.  It was a wonderful "January thaw" beach day.

Lyre

Here are a series of photos of our high school senior working on a self designed study to make and learn to play a historical instrument.  It's a trossingen lyre.  Very, very cool project.  The instrument is hollow on the inside but without a hole like guitars have.  It also has no frets so the strings are all played open and chords are arranged by dampening the ones you don't want to resonate.  It's pretty to listen to.  Good work!

Family Time

Happy New Year to everyone!  We had a very nice visit with Cory & Justin and their 2 dogs recently.  We admired their tree and enjoyed their food.  So nice to visit when we all have the time off and can line up our schedules.  (A real challenge during this stage of life.)

Happy New Year!

Playing in the first good snow

This year we thought it would be fun to build a big snowpile in the front yard with the plow.  Why not?  The boys dug tunnels into it and generally had a great time playing on the pile.  Here is a quick video of snowplowing.  Usually the little guy is my co-pilot on most snowplowing trips.  He loves to use the plow controls while I drive.  We've done so much plowing together over the years that I hardly have to say a word to him.  He knows what we're doing next and aims the plow blade accordingly.  He is looking forward to a time when he has his license and can drive.  He has totally outgrown the little ATV and is using our Honda Foreman now.  He's discovered the joys of spinning circles in the snow with it too.  Now he really understands the benefit of 4 wheel drive as an option.  2 wheel, rear wheel drive is a joy...if you like to play in the snow that is!

I like this spot from up in the horse's paddock.  The house looks so pretty from here in the morning sun.

Time to try out John's brand new snowshoes.  We went out looking for tracks in the snow and made quite a few of our own.

This track is of a flying squirrel's landing.  It plopped into the snow and then scampered into a hollow log.  We loved the "squareness" of the track where it sunk into the soft snow.  

The snow was sticking to everything and making a  winter wonderland.  This guy, however, loved to shake it off the branches...especially when someone else could be the recipient of the snow shower.  Silly.

Here is our boy with his new camera taking in the view and capturing it. 

On the way back I caught sight of him lifting his snowshoes up high and playing in the snow.  I always love the "Christopher Robin" moments that my boys have.  These are not oversized wellies that he's wearing, but still...it reminds me of the little boys playing in puddles.  18 for this little boy.  My how time flies.

December

Decorating this tree gets a little trickier each year. But if you wear funny hats it makes it all an adventure.  

Most of December was snow free and I enjoyed many trail rides.  This one was just as I am coming home from a short trip to try out the new Renegade hoof boots.  I've been riding in front boots since the summer but this was our first trip out with back boots too.  

I think they worked out quite well.We couldn't find a suitable tree out in the back woods this year so off to the christmas tree farm to buy one.  

Back at home the cats are enjoying their chairs and we are enjoying the fire.  The Christmas Tree is all up and decorated and can be seen in the reflection in the window.  Time to settle in for the winter.

We had some very pretty first snow.  Here is the tree with nature's decorations

So very pretty.

The first sledding trip did prove a little icy.  Boys out in the puckerbrush.  John nearly went into the Miller Brook on his next run.  I don't think any of them will ever grow up!