Fence Building: Pt 2

Well, the majority of the fence is complete. We still have to add the decorative fence that will separate the garden from the yard, but as we currently have no plants/garden, this is less of a priority. The weather has started to improve - daily temperatures ranging in the mid 70s to nearly 90 the other day! As usual, we have been out enjoying the weather and catching up on our outside chores.

Barry had the opportunity to get his first turkey (ever) with one of Hubs' friends. Very exciting. As I type, it is marinating to be made into turkey jerky.

The great hunter emerging from the woods

20 pound bird. Not bad for his first time!

Ethan helping Claude pull out the old fence separating what will become the garden

Look at Claude go!

Track-hoes make everything easier

Uh-oh, getting instructions from the big guy

Claude removing a small oak that the old fence was growing through

New and improved view from our back deck. Soon we will look out on our garden

Dragging the tree away

Completed perimeter fence

Nice and secure. Nothing in and nothing out

Mean looking barbed wire

Hubs added a nice man-gate so we can more easily access the pasture from the side yard

Scout is stealthy...hiding in the grass

Old fence, new fence....lots of fence

It's wonderful having the fence complete. Now we no longer have to worry about Allie, our small dog, getting out. She would always seem to find a hole in the previous fence (not hard since the mules mowed it down). This brings us one step closer to our garden which I am BEYOND excited about. We plan to take it slow this year - we have a lot going on and we don't want to waste money, get overwhelmed and take too much on. Best to start small. 

Peace Out :)

Fence Construction: Part 1

We're alive! I swear! Life is crazy - but isn't it always? Ok, quick synopsis of the past few weeks. We sold our house in Grass Valley finally (yay!!), we started many of our Spring projects (yay!!) and we adopted a new cat (double yay!!).

Our property is just under 25 acres, and surrounding the house is approximately 1-1.5 acres of "yard space". Beyond the yard is our pasture where our neighbor brings his cows and mules and we get to view our rolling hills. Before Christmas, while our mule friends were on an extended visit, one of them got feisty and decided to kick down our fence separating the pasture and the yard. The fence was old, ugly and decrepit to begin with (gross chain link from a million years ago) but with the added crunch of mule hoof-prints, it was quite atrocious "lovely".

We had been planning to take down the old fence and build newer, more picturesque (and efficient) fencing when time and finances permitted. Along with the yard, we planned to map out our garden (and consequently, fence that as well). We are well underway. Quite the project it has turned into. Hubs and the boys have spent the past two weekends (and weekdays) working on getting this fence project up and going. Still not complete, but pictures of the whole project will follow. Hubs is hopeful that he will get it finished before the weekend. I hope so too!!

The process begins 

Trying to save our plum tree. The tree was growing right through the old fencing 

Mess of concrete posts pulled up by Claude 

Removing the old fencing

Ethan doing his dance moves

That looks like a lot of work.....

Fence-less yard. The biggest it will ever be

Putting Claude to work to remove the old water pressure tank

Barry pouring cement for the corner posts

Corner posts 

Lining up the fencing with string - gotta make sure it's straight!

8 feet in between each t-post....all the way around 

My cowboys working until dusk to get those t-posts into the ground

Almost finished with this line of fencing!

So much work involved and I am thankful to have a husband with the drive, desire and ability to do this. Love this country life we have.

Peace out :)

A day in the life: Spring is coming

Photos courtesy of Hubs

Ditch digging and tree branch hitting

Hubs was so excited to put Claude the Trackhoe to work this past weekend. We have a large pasture that is boggy due to the lack of draining off excessive water. Since burning the blackberries and the water grass, all he has talked about is helping to allow it to drain properly into the area at the bottom of the hill. This area is where we plan to put a pond. Of course, that is about 43 years down the road, but at least we have plans.

How does tree branch hitting fit into this whole work day? Well, I'm glad you asked. Last week, Hubs had a procedure on his head resulting in a handful of stitches and a quite tender surgery location. Ignoring explicit orders from the doctor to "take it easy for a few days", he got up the next morning and proceeded to excavate the entire property. There are two things I am thankful for right now. Well - three technically. First, I'm thankful he's ok. Let's start with that. Second, I'm thankful he followed directions enough to keep it covered for a few days. And third, I'm thankful I wasn't there to see this. Evidently, whilst traipsing around on Claude, a thick tree branch got caught and swung back. He didn't see this happen as he was watching the tracks to make sure he didn't get stuck. Said branch flung back and with full force hit him directly on his wound. I am certain the colorful words that came from his mouth following this would shame any sailor.

Proud Hubs after some clearing

Good thing Claude can handle that mud!

Creating drainage

Already the water is moving better

Checking it all out 

BUT - he's ok. And wound seems ok too. Believe me, I was VERY careful when changing the dressing. The good news is that he is getting more comfortable on the trackhoe and therefore, more and more pleased with how it works and what it can do. I'm certain he'll go back out there again this weekend and work on the pond. Me? I can't WAIT for that day. With the valley heat, a nice pond will be refreshing.

Peace Out :)