Lots Of Homework

Hi everybody. It's me, Mitch!
Class on Wednesday went okay. Mom said that I did pretty good for my first ever obedience class. 
An hour was a long time to hold my attention ya know, mom!  There were other pups there to meet and possibly play with but mom said that wasn't the way that school worked - not this week anyway!

My teacher, Miss Kathy, likes to send us home with TONS of homework!
One of the things that I'm going to learn is to "leave" treats and not touch them until mom says "okay"!
Are they serious?

 As soon as I become less interested in mom's hand that's full of treats, I get treated.

 I can do that!
Keep those treats coming mom.  Just don't expect me to wait too long, okay?

 William and Kate aren't the only ones who had a spa day and got to look their best!
I did too!   I'm all set for the warmer weather now!

Mom says we have to do homework every chance we get.  She says that practice, practice, practice makes perfect! Sure mom!

 I'm looking atcha, mom!  Honest, I'm paying attention! 
Can I go play now?

 This homework stuff is very tiring.  I think I need a nap!

So until next time................

Yer friend,
Mitchy Boy

Not the Perfect Choice

Do you see her?

 How about now?

 Dauby has chosen mom's lavender patch to make a nest.  It's a southern exposure and it's up against the barn and it's HOT there!

 Dauby has made herself a nice cozy sweet smelling nest for her eggs. 
The eggs are not fertile.  She doesn't have a husband or a boyfriend!

 She looks hot!   Mom says this was a poor choice for a nest.  She's too far from the pond to make a quick exit if need be. 

 She's finally beginning to feel the heat and she's heading back to the cool water~~

 Look what she left behind.  Tomorrow there will be another one and the next day another one.  Dad takes them away from her because she'll defend her eggs that are duds and we don't want her to lose her life!

 She made it safely to the pond for a cool drink and a nice swim!

 Dauby lays her eggs in the strangest places every single year.  We can't understand why she doesn't build her nest next to the pond where she'd be safe from harm.  Mom does try to reason with her but she's too stubborn and does what she wants.

Do you think she could possible have Airedale blood in her?

This is day 2~
Are you sure both of these eggs came from Dauby, mom?  One is dirty brown and the other one is blue!

So until next time...............

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

I'm Off To School

Hi everybody. It's me, Mitch!

I'm off for my first day of obedience class ~~

Wish me luck!

Yer friend,
Mitch

Happy Easter

Check out mom and her brothers on Easter Sunday way back before electricity and cars were invented!

Happy Easter to all of our friends!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Helping Mom Bake Easter Meat Pie

I always help mom make our Nonna's recipe for Pizzagaina every Easter and this year is no different!

 Our ham and our proscuitto and our genoa salami are all diced. 

 Next we dice the basket cheese.  Everybody always asks what basket cheese is. 
This is basket cheese~~

 Mom is stingy with the meat but not with the basket cheese!  yummmmmmmm

 Next is the 1  1/2 cups of ricotta mixed with 7 eggs and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese and lots of black pepper. 
Gently toss the meat and cheese mixture together with the egg mixture. 

Mom cheated this year!
She bought the pie crust instead of making her own - shame on you, mom.  Nonna is watching and shaking her finger at you!
She unrolled the already-prepared crust and added the filling.

This top crust is a whole lot more fun that the traditional lattice one!
Way to go, mom!

The Easter Meat Pie bakes for 1 hour and 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

We can't wait for our piece!

 Happy Holy Saturday~~

Love ya lots,

Maggie and Mitch

Wheelie Wednesday - The Easter Bunny

Hi everyone!  It's me, Autumn.
Guess what?  I met the Easter bunny!   He told me that he was catching some rays and working on his tan!

 I also met a kitty who is waiting for the catnip to get larger so that she can roll around in it!

The bloodroot is in bloom!  I just love how the leaves wrap around the stem of the flower~~

 Hyacinths are one of my favorites - moms too!  They smell so heavenly!

 Don't tell my dad but look what I was checking out!
shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I wonder if he'd notice if I took it for a spin?

See you all next Wednesday!

Love,
Autumn

The Tour of Barns

Today is the tour of barns with the new timber frame students, also known as Dunkin Donut day!
The students did not disappoint us!

Who NEEDS to join us?  Come on - there's plenty for everyone!

 OMG, Cheetos! This is one heck of a pawty!  Puddles, are you on your way?!

 Who the heck wants a healthy apple when there are Dunkin donuts to eat?

 Are you serious?  Do you really think I'm going to fall for that, mom!

 Look what one of the students rode to class.  How old is this kid?
Mom says that his name is Jeff and he's just about as ancient as she is! 
Jeff is sure cool!

What a fabulous day this has been!

So until next time................

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Timber Frame Class Weekend

This weekend is timber frame class weekend and for the very first time, class is being taught in the Aaron Hall barn - the barn that mom and dad and the Northford Timber Framers worked on this past summer!

There are 25 new students attending class who will be learning the art of timber framing!  It's always fun to add new friends and more "family" to our barn raisings. 

 Dad was psyched this morning and feeling better.  He and Uncle Thom are sharing the teaching duties. We have the bestest and most wonderful friends.  Everyone goes above and beyond to pitch in and help out!   We are truly blessed!

 These blocks of wood are teaching props.  Some of them are over 300 years old and each one has a story to tell.   

 Cousin Karen painted our Northford Timber Framers trunk.  Didn't she do an awesome job!

 Can you see the oval picture right in the front?   That man is Aaron Hall.    Our dad loves history and when you come to his timber frame classes, you not only learn how to timber frame but you get history lessons too. 

 The students learn to timber frame with antique hand tools but they do use modern electric drills and circular saws and planers too.  It's more practical. 

You don't see us because we weren't invited to attend class and it's a very busy weekend for both dad and mom, who is helping out with the foodie end of it. 

Monday is one of our favorite days of the entire year - The Tour of Barns, also known as Dunkin Donut day for us! 

Nope, we don't go on the tour but we do clean up when the students are off on the tour and we are the greatest helpers at cleaning up!  Our paws are crossed that we get a yummy Dunkin Donut or two!

So until next time...............

Love ya lots,

Maggie and Mitch