Beautiful Ending to a Beautiful Day

 I took the golf cart over at 6:30 am to check on Cookie and feed the cat. While there Cookie's stall was cleaned, her hay feeder filled and 2 clean buckets of water were left before going down to the farm house. Each time I go I bring back a load of things to go through but after this morning there isn't that much left. We picked up  Rhonda for church and since Wednesday night was family night the Bible studies were brought to church. We have quite a few studies that need grading so if anyone is interested they are now at the Peoria church. Rick Kaisner's family were here and it is always a joy to listen to him. He had the morning message and if you are feeling a little old and tired you WILL want to listen to this message. Click HERE for that. Tina and Jozsef served lunch today and had hamburgers and hotdogs. After lunch Tim Funk started the statement of faith study. He just gave the history of how and why we put out this statement. Click HERE if you would like a history lesson. We stopped at Aldi on the way home from church to pick up hamburger and hot dog buns. We had already determined we would be serving hamburgers and brats for our dinner tonight at the barn. We were also going to celebrate Jack, Israel and Jace's birthdays. Supper was very tasty and well attended. The kids were playing in the gym before dinner. 

The video below shows how this 2 on 2 game was going. 

Those boys are talented. Israel had just made a 3 right before this shot by Abe.

After supper came the birthday party.

After supper most of the kids went to play in the lake. Berlica took Zion and Riley over to the barn to start them on vaulting. They used Daryl the barrel for this lesson.

They were glad to come back and jump in the lake to cool off. Joan took Nancy out on the canoe to fish.

She caught a big stick BEFORE she caught any fish. The video shows her catching both but only after getting some of the grandchildren in the lake.

They all started going home around 8:00 pm. Once everyone was gone. Rizzy, Israel dog who is spending the week with us, went over to take care of Cookie. I was surprised to see someone had cleaned her stall and filled her water buckets. Must have been some grand daughters.  Cookie was put outside in a paddock for the night. Her skin is healing quickly. I stopped to check on the two Friesian foals. Tessa's was up playing but Rosaleigh's was taking a nap.

The sun was down by the time I got back to the house but God had painted the clouds pink and that was reflecting in the lake. I couldn't help to admire the beauty.

Independence Day

 We had a storm come through in the middle of the night and when I left the house at 6:00 am to go care for Cookie the air smelled and felt refreshing. I stopped first at the farm house to check the rain gauge. 

That one storm dumped an inch and 3/10ths in a short period of time. We are thankful for the rain, the fields are growing well. Once the stall was cleaned and Cookie fed and given fresh water I went back to the house to fill the microwave box with things that still needed to be brought over. Then once emptied I taped up the top, cut out a hole and made a den for the cat to have a place to have her kittens.

That was placed in the garage under the old desk. The cat came up as I was leaving so Mark gave her a hotdog in the box. David, Israel and Elisabet spent the night last night after the fireworks. They cleaned up the beach and also the downstairs after a good breakfast of pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs. 

The oven needed to be hooked up today. Mark was having trouble and needed a magnifying glass and smaller fingers. He really needed the correct tool and once he had that it went much better.

While he was working on the oven burner I started hanging the pictures Tarah and Molly found.

The big one was hung in the downstairs bedroom, the single horse on was hung in the upstairs bathroom.

The last picture was hung over the desk in the horse bedroom upstairs.

The next job was to put the bookcase headboard together.

Mark helped on the hard part then left to go home to rest. I finished it and put it in place.

Sarah brought her girls out while earlier while it was still cool and gave Zion and Penny some canter work in the round pen then a small jumping lesson in the outdoor arena. Of course Eden and River wanted to try that too.

Diane called to let me know there were horses out. Those were Jewel and Dancer. Dancer is now in season and found a way to get to the stallions. Jewel, her mother, just followed her out to keep her company. Dancer is related to both of the stallions here so Mike and Diane took her to Middle Grove. Diane sent back the video below. 

Dancer was not in a standing heat, in fact she kept her tail clamped when Mike brought Oliver over. We decide she will need to stay out there and hopefully she will be in a standing heat tomorrow. 

As the fireworks at Three Sister's Park was cancelled tonight because of storms. Some of the kids and grandkids (and sisters) went down to the river to watch the fireworks. Below they are enjoying the evening waiting for the fireworks to start.

Meanwhile enjoy the video below from last night. Rachel sent it in. Notice the kids floating on the lake watching them.

Celebrating Freedom

 Mark had a bad night coughing so I was up before 5:00 am. I was reading when I happened to look out the front and saw Rosie walking the lanes around 6:00 am. She was ready for a golf cart ride and was shown around the entire compound then stayed on the golf cart while I grained the horses.  Rosie, Jacob, Hannah and Chelise joined us on the walk this morning. We stopped at Mike's new barn to show Jacob the 'elevator', it is really a lift. Of course they had to ride it up and down.

We stopped next at the cabin field. Mike has a fan running by the automatic waterer and Rosalie has claimed it. 

Mike was already on his way to Middle Grove to drop off a salt block and look for the missing horses from last night. We didn't see Lily, Harli and Cookie. When he arrived the herd was all together and just grazing. When he walked up to Cookie he was horrified, called me to say, "we have to bring Cookie home." He sent me a picture and I agreed. I left right away with the truck and trailer, trying to figure out what could have caused what we were seeing. Mike had her down by the gate and I was surprised to see her breathing was much better. What we believe is that she got into a weed, had a bad reaction then was rubbing herself on the trees. The flies would bite and the heat made everything even worse. Her neck was the worst. At first we were going to put her down but she was eating and didn't seem to be itching now. Mike said she was content with the herd. When I got her home she was given an antiseptic bath then stalled with the new hay and 2 buckets of water. She can't be out in the sun. The picture below is why we were horrified. 

Both sides of her neck are sunburned as is her nose. I have the fan running and every few hours today have cooled her down with water. She seems content and is not calling for the other horses. I'll see if there is anything else we can do when the vet clinic opens on Monday.

While I was gone to Middle Grove the microwave and headboard were delivered.

The microwave was unboxed and put on the counter. Mark went to work to put the headboard together but I needed to get the food started for tonight. 10 pounds of potatoes were peeled and put to boil, the pork loin was seasoned well and put in the oven on 300.00. About then lots of people were arriving to enjoy the lake. The video below was taken after supper. It was still very hot so the lake was the place to be.

The kids started lighting off small fireworks and having fun with sparklers before it got dark. Ruth's two boys were helping Spark and were out with the trailer that was loaded with the explosives. Spark was sitting on the deck with the remote. All was going well when my phone went off. The boys had a question and I missed videoing the grand finale. It really was an amazing display, the best yet. I thought I might be able to use Rhonda's as she was videoing too except it was so good she forgot to push the start button. Oh well, at least we have it in our memory.

Everyone is now gone and I am ready to crash. We really had fun celebrating the amazing 250 years of freedom our forefathers set in place. 

First Swim

 Today was another hot one, in fact I think it was hotter today than yesterday. On our walk we met Berlica driving Joan's old van over to the barn. She was meeting some friends to go trail riding early, before the heat. Even at 7:30 am it was still very hot. They had a nice ride then decided to take the horses swimming. Below they are on their way over to the lake.

Rosalie has never swam across the lake and wouldn't go in so they just left her loose. She was happy to graze not realizing the other horses left her. This was the first swim of the season.

A successful swim!

After snapping the picture above I took the golf cart over to get Rosalie and her rider.  Rosalie figured out the other horses left and took off running through the fields. When she couldn't find them she finally looked back and saw the golf cart and came running to that so we could rescue her and take her home. These 3 mares were taken to the cabin field, there is much more shade there and plenty of grass. They were glad to be back in that pasture. Rhoda arrived to work with Jury and found the plug was missing from their waterer. Mark went to find a replacement but meanwhile I went in the paddock to search and found the missing plug. Mark gave me the replacement which I stuck in my pocket. Rhoda took Jury out to give Iris a walking lesson on her. I took Zeke to the house as it was to hot to be outside watching. The first thing I did was to stick the extra plug up on the mantle so it doesn't get lost.

If you can't see it below is a closeup.

I'm posting it here so I can remember where it is when needed.

Zeke found the toys great grandma left in the basement and had such a good time playing with them.

 Below is Iris on Jury learning how to ask her to stop.

When Rhoda got back we all joined the group out swimming.

Zeke was glad to get out to play with his favorite cousin River.

At 3:00 pm Diane, Mike and I left for Middle Grove to pick up Dancer and Dahlia. We drove back to the big field and the horses heard us coming. They came at a gallop. I stopped the truck jumped out and thought I put my phone on video but only later realized it had just taken one picture. Bummer. Below is after the herd arrived and had us surrounded.

The first thing Mike does is halter Oliver the stallion and ties him to the trailer. Only then does he give out carrots. Oliver knows if he stands quietly his turn will come.

Dahlia was loaded into the side door of the trailer and tied, then the divider opened and Dancer led into the back. She was tied up near Dahlia. When we were ready to leave Oliver had been let loose and ran over to Star Temple. I was waiting to see if she would kick at him to keep him away from her filly but instead they greeted each other then both came running up to the truck for carrots. Oliver stuck his entire head in the truck waiting for Mike to give him one. He really is a sweet gentle stallion. Diane had her window shut to keep any horses coming in her window.

When we got back Dancer was taken to the cabin field to join the other riding horses while Dahlia was put in the middle paddock with Jury and Izzy.

We've had a busy day but nothing more got done at the old farm house except Rebekah took the popcorn machine and all of the supplies. Tomorrow the appliances and bookcase headboard are supposed to arrive. I'm thankful to live here. Thankful for the refreshing water in the lake to cool down and very thankful for friends and family.

3 For 3

 Mark came over to help hook up the stock trailer at 7:15 am, then Berlica arrived just as I was going to load. I hired her on the spot. She got Madiera out while I haltered Thalia and brought her out. Last was Basilea. Those three mares were taken to Hoerr Vet Clinic for their ultrasounds. Madiera was out running with Oliver when she was in season but we didn't know he was settling mares yet.  Madiera was bred once to Evan and didn't stand well so may have already gone out. She was the first to sonagram. 

Madiera will not enter the stocks but stands well so I asked Berlica to hold her head while I held her tail.

PREGNANT

She was confirmed in foal and is due April 26th, 2027 but we will need to dna this foal as it could be Oliver's. Next we brought in Thalia and Basilea together. They are mother daughter and very attached. Berlica held Basilea up by Thalia's head while Dr. Hoerr worked on her.

Thalia has the red halter on while Basilea has the green halter.

Also PREGNANT

Thalia was bred to Evan and is due April 28th, 2027. Once she was confirmed in foal we switched and put Basilea in the stocks and Berlica held Thali up by Basilea's head.

She too was confirmed in foal. She was bred to Valiant and is due May 18th, 2027

The last two mares I need to get in foal are Tessa and Izzy. 

The mares were loaded up and driven straight to Middle Grove. They were pretty thrilled to get out on the grass again and settled down to graze. We expected them to start running up the hill to find the herd but that just didn't happen.

It was a good 3 hours before we arrived back at the farm. Berlica went to work with Penny and also move Jewel, Sally and Rosalie into the middle paddock as that one has more shade. I left to work on the old farm house.  I had to quit though as the man that put down the deposit on Rosaleigh's colt wanted to see a short video of him. It was so hot outside today I just took it while they were standing in the shade. Berlica took the kids on a short slow trail ride.

The video below shows Zion leading Penny back to her paddock after a good hosing down.

They left to go cool off in the lake and spent most of the afternoon swimming and playing in the water. Mark helped move the desk upstairs and once that was set up the floors were cleaned. Below is the second bedroom. It is still missing the book case headboard which should arrive tomorrow. 

By the time I was done working I joined the kids in the lake to cool off.  Mark and I left for the fellowship hall just after 4:00 pm to start setting up the tables.  Joan S arrived with the meat and buns, Diane arrived with the salad stuff, Joan arrived with the green beans, ice cream and sherbert. Below Joan, Joan and Berlica are making the ice cream cups for the dessert.

Mackenson, Mark and Mike put the chairs around.

The food was delicious.

Dave Beutel gave his testimony on how he ended up in Peoria. Click HERE to watch that. 

Sarah had the farrier scheduled to come out this evening to remove the shoes from Penny. She sent the pictures below.

The joys of horse ownership. When we left for home from the fellowship hall the sky was beautiful.

I am feeling so very thankful tonight, thankful for family, for church and most of all for Jesus my savior! How can I NOT give thanks!

Really HOT

 I just did one round of walk as I needed to leave by 8:00 am. Before going to Berean I stopped at Sam's club to buy the water for the family night tomorrow along with the food for Friday's meal. I am thankful for the big fridge in the Berean office. It easily fit the perishable foods. The bad news today was the internet was still not working. Skip and Marvin worked this morning trying to get it up and running but no go. That meant we would not be able to print out the Bible stamps. Skip opened a really nice letter and right after the prayer read it to us. I thought I was video taping his reading only to figure out that didn't happen. 

We did some complaining today at having to apply postage stamps to each envelope instead of just running them through the machine.

That brought back so many memories of when we had to actually LICK the stamps and to seal the envelopes we had what we called lickers. We really needed our licker here.

Life is much easier UNLESS the internet is down. We got desperate enough to call that nameless IT guy from church to see if he would be able to come out to help.  He didn't answer his phone but Skip left a message, hopefully he is not screening his calls. 

The Bibles and studies were taken to the Hanna City post office. As each Bible would need to be scanned for postage I knew it would take a while so asked Kathy, the postmistress, if she would mind if I ran the food home then came back to pay.  She was fine with that. I got back even before she finished.  She was quick to tell me that one of my sisters came in while I was gone. Funny how they know we are related, we all have different last names. A notice came that the new fridge and stove were going to be delivered on Thursday. I really needed to get the floor scrubbed before they arrive so spent the next 3 hours cleaning and scrubbing. David brought Israel out, Anna brought the girls out, and Taunya brought her boys out today and all enjoyed the lake while I was working so I never saw any of them. The guests moved out of the apartment today so at noon I drove up to check that out, opened the door and my eyes started burning and the smell was over powering. This couple had 4 little children and yet the apartment smelled strongly of pot. Thankfully the ozone machine was still in my possession. I lend it out each time someone needs it but everyone that has borrowed it has returned it. That was turned on for an hour and a half. A do not enter sign was put on the apartment door then Braelyn called to tell her not to come for a few hours.  We have new guests arriving tomorrow at noon so it must be cleaned before then. Later today I went inside and that machine worked it's magic. The apartment no longer smelled like pot. I took all of the towels and sheets over here to wash. Braelyn is going to take the comforters home for washing.  I picked up a desk in East Peoria for the second bedroom. Mark helped get it inside but it is not yet upstairs. That will come later when Mark is feeling better. A new microwave was ordered. I decided on an under the counter one but wanted a 1000 watts or more and found this one that has 1150 watt. It is also stainless steel so should match the new fridge and stove.

The sail boat was used a lot today. Berlica and Cheyanne hosed off the horses for us. It was just so very hot today.  The Family night meal will be moved inside tomorrow instead of outside. 

Buying and Selling

 As today was Leila Witzig's funeral, Diane needed to leave really early. She is in charge of the funeral dinners this year. I left at 8:45 am so I could go through the visitation line. We couldn't go yesterday because of the wedding. The funeral was very well attended. It is up on AC Central and if you didn't get the chance to go you can see it by clicking HERE. I got home to start cleaning out the fridge and freezer when Sarah and Rhoda arrived, Berlica joined them. They were going to take the horses to Jubilee but Rhoda called and found out the horse trails are still closed. Instead they tacked up Jury, Jewel and Penny. Sarah took the 2 pictures below. Penny did better following Jury. Rhoda rode Jury, Berlica rode Penny and Sarah rode Jewel.

Penny did not want to go through the creek at the first crossing. It took a while but when she finally figured out it was safe she was fine the rest of all of the creek crossings.

They made it back and all of the horses were hot.

They rode up to the barn, untacked and all 3 horses got a hose down and all 3 enjoyed their cool showers.

I went inside to order a new stainless steel fridgerator and a stainless steel gas stove from Home Depot. I also ordered a bookcase headboard for the 2nd bedroom upstairs. Those things will all be delivered on the 3rd of July. Rhoda and Sarah worked with Izzy. Sarah needed to leave but Rhoda went over to mom's house and started organizing and putting things away. I didn't know this until I finished cleaning the old appliances and was so surprised and pleased. 

I came back to the house to post the fridge and stove on Hanna City Happenings on Facebook. Below are the pictures that were posted. I put the price of $50.00 each.

Truly within 10 minutes the phone started going off and didn't stop until the post was removed. So many of the people wanted it but wanted me to hold until they could get here. I've been that route so put first come, no holds. By 4:30 pm I knew they are both sold and the people arrived at 5:00 pm to pick them up. They also took the microwave so I will need to order one of those too. Of course the floor needed scrubbing where those appliances had sat for years. The wind picked up this afternoon so Joan got the sail boat out and going. Joan and Berlica sailed then when Taegan came Berlica took her out. Below Berlica and Taegan are going for a sail.

Today was one of those labor days I really don't want to repeat. My back is sore from hauling heavy equipment and my legs are stiff. It's not easy getting old with so much to do. I'm so very thankful for everything that did get done!