This And That

It's been raining cats and dogs here today in Maine. We aren't complaining as it is very dry and the fire danger is high. For me personally I am glad as we had some hydro seeding done in the back pasture and I have been trying to keep it watered with a sprinkler which is very time consuming changing the location every hour. I think I walked more then what I do each morning with my Dad when we go on our walk.

We moved two more of our horses home today. We got soaked but it was worth it to get them home. Hubby is out in the barn checking on them before we close up the barn for the night.

Just watched a news story about Patrick Dempsey. He is here in Maine setting up a unit in the Lewiston Hospital called The Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center For Hope And Healing. His Mom has had three bouts of ovarian cancer and has been treated at this hospital which is in his hometown. What a wonderful addition to this hospital that will serve women with all different kinds of cancer. It's wonderful when people use their celebrity for causes such as this that impact so many lives rather then just being fodder for the tabloids with their escapades.

I didn't get to ride today due to the heavy rain. I try to ride every day, it's been a goal that I have set for myself this summer. I don't normally like to ride alone but have used this time to work on things with Buddy and to just reflect and think about things. It's very relaxing to be out in the woods on the dirt roads with just trees and wildlife around and I have been really enjoying it. After the horrendous summer we put in with Buddy last year with his laminitis this has been pure joy to just go out to the barn, throw the saddle on and take off for a nice ride every evening. Sometimes I ride over to Son's house and say goodnight to T and D or they hop on with me for a little ride around the yard. Last night I rode over but all was quiet so I think they had already gone to bed. Usually by 7:30 they have hit the hay.

Thanks to all of you that left such nice comments about my Dad marching in the parade with the other vets. Sometimes we tend to take so much for granted in this wonderful country with all of our freedoms that so many aren't privileged to have. We need to remember to stop and think of those that gave of themselves and sometimes gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy freedom.

I missed out on a great picture the other day. The local fire department was out putting up flags all along the main road of our little town. They had one of the ladder trucks and a firemen was up on the ladder putting up a flag. It was such a heartwarming sight and I wish I had turned around and gone back and taken a picture. Now we have flags on every other telephone pole for several miles going into town and through the downtown area. It's a beautiful sight!

Someone asked me to put in my recipe for the rhubarb pie that T made last week.

Fresh Rhubarb Pie

4 cups fresh cut up rhubarb (1/2 inch pieces)

1 and 1/3 cups sugar

1/3 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel (if desired)

2 Tablespoons butter

Heat oven 450*

Prepare pastry

Combine ingredients and mix with rhubarb

Pour into pastry lined pie plate

Dot with the butter

Cover with top crust and make slits

Flute edges and cover with 2-3inch tin foil strips to prevent excessive browning

Bake 40-50 minutes till juice begins to bubble through slits in crust

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream

Now I will give you my tutorial on making pie crust.

1. Get in your car.
2. Drive to the grocery store.
3. Go to the refrigerated section.
4. Pick up a box of rolled up pie crust.
5. Bring it home.
6. Open box, roll out pie crust.
7. Slap it in the pie dish.
8. Add your filling.
9. Slap the top crust on.
10. Cook

Works every time for me but don't tell anyone, they think I make it from scratch!

We had our dock put in at the lake on Sunday. We drove down after church and they had it all in and were picking up getting ready to leave. It looks really good and much sturdier then the old one. Son and T were with us so T wanted to go swimming. Now you know that the water this time of year was probably only about 50*! Grampie was brave and went in with her, I did the looking on, safe on the dock, nice and dry!

I can't imagine jumping in that cold water! Nice to be young!

Poor Grampie knows that he is going to be splashed with that freezing water!

I think she was cold by the looks!

This is the view to the left. We are in the narrows and the big lake is out towards the left.

This is the other direction towards the little end of the lake with the mountains in the background. We get some spectacular sunsets!

This is just looking directly out from the lawn. Hubby's brother and family are next door to the right.

Now if this isn't the ultimate in resort wear?! Hubby's camp shirt and notice the clogs with the socks, nice touch, next thing I know the Fashion Police will be knocking on my door!

This is one of my foolish campy wall hangings.

We got T dried off and warmed up (D was at a birthday party with DIL) and then headed for home. Next weekend we will get the boat in and the camp cleaned and we will be ready to roll for the summer!! :o)