Wednesday 26 March 2014

One year ago today...

A year ago today...

...we were putting the pine board up on the ceiling of our living room/kitchen...
...we were still staining pine board for the ceiling and trim....
...we had no kitchen in our house...
...we very little interior doors installed, stained or varnished...
...we had no flooring in the kitchen or living room or bathroom...
...our little girl was JUST learning to crawl...
http://canelson927.blogspot.ca/2013/03/look-who-is-9-months.html
...we did have our beautiful log railing installed in the entrance way already...

http://canelson927.blogspot.ca/2013/03/railing-pine-and-laminate.html

Crazy how much changes in a year!!!

Have a great evening!
Ashley

Tuesday 25 March 2014

A helping hand

I had the pleasure of helping this big white elephant get going on the first few hours of his life tonight. He's a big calf and his momma is short on milk. So he's got a few things going against him but he was more than willing to try. As I was trying to help him keep the tit in his mouth, I actually couldn't help but sympathize with him and his momma. I was remembering when we brought our first-born home and struggles I had learning to nurse my baby. Now most women in this world would be offended to be compared to a cow.

But in all reality, we're not so different from eachother are we? Just mommas trying to do the best we can for our babes.

And sometimes we all can use a helping hand.

Ashley

Monday 24 March 2014

Calving Season

Other than harvest, calving is my favorite time of the year. We've got about 125/200+ calves on the ground. Let's hope the warm weather keeps coming and the pneumonia and scours stay away!! On the weekends the kids and I are usually outside right in midst of everything. In the tractors, barn and cow pens (safely of course). This is our 'family time' if you will. I'm so glad we can provide our kids with this lifestyle. I can't say enough about how important It is.

Also, we've got baby kitties in the barn! So fuzzy and cute. The kids are enjoying them.

Happy Monday!!
Ashley

Saturday 22 March 2014

Slowly but surely...

Slowly but surely spring making an appearance. Although -21 overnight sure didn't feel like it. Our yard number was completely covered for quite awhile there, it's poking out again. I know there were some road signs that were pretty much buried in our municipality.

We are working on getting our basement ready for a big thank- you supper we are putting on for everyone who helped build our home. I'm cooking the whole thing myself! Really looking forward to it, it's in a couple weeks time.

Ashley

Thursday 20 March 2014

Potty training...Need I say more ;)

 So we have been at it for three days. I'll admit, the ONLY reason I'm even trying this early (she's not two till the end of June) is I was really really hoping I have one those daughters that fit to a T into that saying "Girls are usually easier to train than boys". So Day 1 we had accidents till almost supper time, then she peed on the pot for the rest of the night. Day 2 wasn't too bad and Day 3, today, by lunchtime I quit!! She was peeing EVERYWHERE. My patient pants went out the door faster than my dogs when I'm giving them the gears. BUT. Then after supper my daughter is banging down the bathroom door. I ask her if she has to go potty? Nope. (a very fast short answer, that is the answer to everything you ask her...) She kind of wanders between her brothers room and the bathroom but continues to bang on the door and want in. So I let her in and put her on. Two minutes later, we have poop in the potty!!!! WHERE did that come from??? I'll take it. Yee haw, hopefully she keeps this up. And yes those are chocolate chips in her bowl. And yes I bribe.
 I'm folding laundry tonight and here she is...found her brothers gitchies and puts them on her head. Never a dull moment with Miss Ali. I love this girl sooooooo friggon much.


That's all folks, between that and washing muddy clothes, drying wet boots and splash pants, that's whatI've been up to.

Ashley

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Curling Fun


 A friend convinced to enter in our local curling bonspiel this past weekend and I have to admit I really did not want to curl. I have never really been into curling, mostly because I don't totally understand the game. Heather and I have not curled together for probably five years! She recruited two of her cousins from the city and we had fun and actually did pretty good! We got second in the first event. Not too shabby.

 I just thought I'd include these pictures from a couple weekends ago, I love them! Life on the farm NEVER gets old. This picture would not win a safety award but it sure made the boys day ;)

Lately skating is winding up and we are still plugging away at calving cows. At least the temps have been nicer. Have a great week.

Ashley



Thursday 13 March 2014

Drip, drip, drip...

A couple days ago we discovered that one of the south Windows in our living room was leaking. So my hubby squeezed through the little hole we left in the ceiling of my broom closet to see what the issue was. (the day before this happened, all the snow slid off our roof so we knew it couldn't be that) Low and behold, we have snow drifts in the attic..........yep! The ridgecap was never finished properly so I guess the snow is able to blow in there! And everytime we have an above zero day the snow melts. It quit after a day of dripping but it started again today. It's like plus six outside and oh so beautiful! It's the in between stage where the boys winter boots and clothes are soaking wet when they come in but still too cool for spring clothes and rubber boots. Blegh.

If I didn't have a house full of hooligans I'd be having coffee on my verandah.......................maybe this wknd? In between curling that is!

Ashley

Tuesday 11 March 2014

Totally random Tuesday

Here are some things about me you may or may not know. There will be one thing that is not true...can you guess which one?

1. I actually love doing laundry.
2. My favorite appliance is my dishwasher.
3. I don't really enjoy holding other people's babies.
4. I worked at a cattle/horse ranch for a summer when I was 16. I was so homesick but I don't regret it one bit. Learned lots and made some lifelong friends.
5. I miss riding a lot.
6. My son can say Grace at the table all by himself. 
7. I'm terrified of what my daughter will be like when she's old enough to, well do anything she puts her mind to...!!!
8. My cat Louie has six toes on each of his front paws.
9. I love working with horses and cattle.
10. I tell my hubby that when I grow up I'm going to be a Vet. (soooo, never!)
11. Our new house is leaking water in my living room.
12. I love having coffee on my verandah.
13. Once we had the best most spontaneous party in the middle of a pasture on a fenceline. At 3 in the afternoon..... ;)
14. I love digital scrapbooking.
15. I love me some coffee. Just slightly discolored with milk. Mmmm.
16. I will take chocolate over chips anyday.

There's my very random post for the day. I will reveal the false fact in 24 hours time.

Ashley

Friday 7 March 2014

Twins & then twins again!!

Two more sets of twins! Both yesterday. One set was even out of a first calf heifer.

On another note I'm soooo very glad it's Friday. We've been fighting head colds and last night Miss Ali decided to not sleep for half the night. Daddy is supposed to play in a hockey tournament this wknd so we'll watch some hockey, work on income tax, laundry and hopefully scrap-booking. Plus a birthday supper tonight for my Grandma who turned 71 yesterday!

Have a good day.
Ashley

Tuesday 4 March 2014

Frosty but beautiful sunrises

-Sunrises are one of the many great things about checking cows. It's just been so bitterly cold this past week (-36 with winchills in the -50s) that we've been walking through the cows at least every two hours. The father-in-law was away this wknd so it was up to the hubby and I. I actually quite enjoying doing it. (once you get past the waking up at two or four or whatever time it is) And another exciting thing that happened (which the sunrise reminded me of this morning bc it's new every day) was that we had a new baby cousin born yesterday!! Little girl, can hardly wait to meet her!

Anyways, stay positive!! And have a spectacular day!

Ashley