Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

From the Great Smoky Mountains National Park - We wish you a Happy New Year!

And a belated Merry Christmas.  As you can see, we were all tuckered out and couldn't get to the blog!

And remember I don't like heights...

What does one do on a day off?  Go fishing, nah.  Read a book, negative.  Oh yeah, pull out the "honey to-do list.  Check, right answer.  I mean, what could be more entertaining than cleaning a chimney, nothing right?  All joking aside, it was something we had been meaning to have someone do for about a year of so.  Safety first. OK, Chris said I couldn't light up the wood stove until she was sure the chimney and stove pipes were cleaned.  Enter stage right....Next door neighbor.  Clean the chimney, heck I can help you do that. I've got the ladders and brushes.  And by the way, we could use my truck to move your wood down by the shed up next to the house. Just say the word. 

And the adventure began...

Ron, why is this stuff so dang heavy?  Well, based on my experience I would say the wood is heavy because it weighs a lot. 

Lefty loosey, right?



Creosote wasn't too bad, but better safe than sorry.




I made it to the top.  What the heck do I do now?



Time to scrub the chimney.



Beautiful view, just don't look down.



Hey, who's holding the ladder?  Guys? Oh, guys?



Pigs Beware!!

This past Labor Day Chris and I went to a party out in our neck of the woods.  The highlight of the party, besides the social interaction, was the main course.  A roasted pig, finger pickin-good!!

Well, the contraption that they were using to cook the pig was a neat boxy looking roaster (Insert: Wheels a-turnin).  Got to get me one of those said I.  So after some research on their website http://www.lacajachina.com/ and comments from people who has purchased their product....Several months later and wallah!


One of the cardboard boxes that showed up on the front porch. Let the games begin...




Step one:  Let the dog organize the pieces for constructing the box.

Step two:  Lay partly constructed box on its side, along side the dog's stuffed toy.

Step three:  Look for side piece, oh yeah
right next to the dog's squeaky toy.

Step four: Attach both sides and lay next to stuffed toy.

Step Five:  Mission accomplished
 (Dog and Toys not included)

A word to the wise...Beware of flying handles!!
Story to be continued....



Cuteness to the "Nth" Degree



I want to be a good dog...but it is so hard out here in the Country!!
So, I do my best at looking cute so maybe, just maybe that will distract you!!!



I think I hit it!

Art show



What a great couple of days we had during the art show.  The neighbors were wonderful in helping on the days of the art showing, some helped outside parking cars and some inside fixing up some lunch and keeping Chris company as folks wandered in and out of the house.  And besides being fun, 16 pieces of Chris' artwork sold, fantastic!!

Here we have the living room set up in gallery style.
  On the table is one of Chris' works in the city magazine.  Congrats!



The other side of the living room.

One of the dining room nooks set up as part of the gallery as well.

A flower arrangement added a nice touch!
  This flower and more came compliments of one of the neighbor's gardens.

One of my favorites that sold, called "Stand Off".

Another one of my favorites that sold.




Above is the print that made the local Art magazine.



Guess who has found her voice!

We had one of the local farmers over to bush hog our pasture and guess who decided it was time to find her mojo!  This is the first time we have really heard her bark with earnest.  We were laughing ourselves silly!

Visitor on the hill

Do you know who I am?

How about now?



I am an Eastern Boxer Turtle and I have come to visit.  Party on Garth!



Adult Easter Egg Hunt

Anxiously awaiting the hunt






The Master Egg hider busy at work

 





A happy customer!



On the hunt



 

This is hard work, time for some refreshment

  

Determined to find the golden egg

You go left, I'll go right.  We can do this!

A leisurely walk down the hill



I won!  33 Eggs, I am the champion!! I raise my basket to the Great Easter Bunny!!!



Another satisfied hunter checking out a prize



New Family member

Welcome to our newest family member....This photo

says it all!!!  We went round and round on naming

her...Hannah, Beemer, Asta, Bullet, LT (Little Terror),

but finally decided on SCOUT.  So, welcome to the

family Scout.

 

She is a rescue dog.  We were on our way to Tractor
Supply (a store) to go look at chicks and ducks, just
for fun.  As we were walking towards the store we
heard the sound of barking.  Turns out that a local
animal rescue was there at the back of the store.  I
warned Chris not to venture out back, but the draw of
the "help me" barks was too strong.  Long story short,
we ended up with this docile, cute, lovable puppy. Oh,
did I say docile....wrong answer, well for at least now.

LT, I mean Scout, has some Terrior in her.  We think
Jack Russell and a bit of something else.  The Rescue
society didn't have much info, other than she was picked
up as a stray and thought she was about 3-4 months old.

Here are assorted photos of our bundle of energy...

Out amongst the violets with Daddy...

Time for a treat....

Welcome to North Cacolacki....

How do I look in black and white?

What do you think, is this my best side?

Play time with my buddy....

Sharing a laugh with Mom...

Daddy's girl....

Happy New Year to all...

Happy New Year!!

We had a nice little party for 15 people

yesterday, a great way to start off 2011.

Our guests were all people who have

made our life in the "Mush" all that

more enjoyable, comfortable and

downright pleasant.

We hope your New Year started off

with just as much fun.

It hardly ever snows in the Mush...

Here we are, same Bat time, same Bat channel
as last year.


Chris on the walk home from the neighbor's
house. Notice the head lamp, courtesy of
LL Bean's shop.


The morning after the snowfall. Good thing
we moved the car down the hill this year. Live
and learn they say. No power outage this year,
but we made sure the solar batteries were on
"Full charge" this year. Chris also put some
spare water in jugs and we had our weather
alert channel on. We have learned to control
the heat in the house better as well, with the
radiant floor heat, the furnace and the wood
stove. Here's to staying warm and a mild
winter!!