Smug

He knows he has certain privileges the other cats don't.  I mean really...look at that face?

A new porch for MCF

In late June, an event forced us to make the decision to finally fix our rotting porch.  See this hole?  It was caused by a bench I was standing on that went through the floor.  Woopsie.  

We got to work pulling up boards...figuring, we needed only to replace the rotted boards with new boards.  It wasn't long before we realized that "rut row" we had major issues.  Rotten beams.



A quick trip to Lowes and several hundred dollars later, we were back in business.  We removed the rotted beam...



And replaced it with a new pressure treated beam.  Yes...the previous owners had used pine beams...ummmm...okay.  NOT!  (btw...thank goodness for the mini excavator....phew!)



Yup...ANOTHER rotten beam.  Ugh. Bye bye rotten beam!!


The new porch starts to take shape.

Mark even added special touches like the finished corner.

It's amazing!

We had installed these oak tree trunks as supports...they were neat looking but not pressure treated.  They were starting to rot.  They had to come out.



We purchased (yes another trip to Lowes) 6x6s to replace the trunks.  Not as neat, but much better for construction.  We even installed the post brackets.

The first new beam in place.

Big difference between the old porch (red/blue) and the new.  Lovely oak boards.

So cozy!!!



The best news of all, the porch is 100% kitty approved.  We will paint the posts (no more white) and install a railing.  The new porch is safe and sound...100% built by us.  Cool.

Repurposed

This year we had 3 sets of barn swallow babies.  Three nests FULL of the winged critters.  Their nests are so neat...they use mud and whatever else they can find.  I really appreciate their craftsmanship and that they use the hair from our horses to create their home sweet home.

The greatest gift of all...

One of my lesson students recently chose Cheech as the subject in her art class.  I was flattered.  I mean really...it's exciting when you realize that your horse is inspiring a young person.  But last night...I was absolutely FLOORED when she GAVE me the painting.  I'm not gonna lie...I burst into tears.  What an amazing child.  Talent, compassion, humor, and sweetness...she has it all. (and she's cute as a button too!!)  I'm so honored to be able to share horses with her.  Drum roll please...by the way...she is only 3 years old.  AMAZING!

pssssssttt...we can say we knew her before she became famous!!!  :)

Cheech's Good Side

Truthfully this mare only has good sides.  She's amazing.  Truly amazing.  Me Heart Her.

Seriously? In Da HOUSE?

CB is not please to hear that Ol!ver was in the house.  She is (at this moment) looking for her anti-boy spray to get rid of the germs.

Ol!ver in da HOUSE!

Ain't he just the cutest thing ever?  And yes...he was recently sited in the house.  Shhhhhh....it's a secret.