January already? Seems like I was just writing this LAST January! If I remember correctly I was going to try to be a little more precise about my getting this out every month. Oh well.

So on to more important things, trauma of the afternoon was…I bought new horse pellets, measured them out for my girls, gave them all a small taste and two of them started choking immediately! I mean CHOKING choking. Laying on the floor and half gagging sort of choking. The vet had to come flush out their stomachs with water and fill them with drugs, very traumatic. Anyway, all are fine. I just gained a couple of gray hairs and spent a hundred bucks for the pleasure.
First a weather update, have had quite a few snows, some heavy, all welcome. Today was freezing in the morning and warmed up quite nicely by afternoon. I usually have the fire going but today haven’t bothered. Could be I’m still heated up from the horse treats gone askew episode.

Many have written and asked if I still had that bull that tried to hump me every time I entered the barn? The answer is no, Bobby Brown Swiss (his name) was sold back in the spring. Disappointed? The sad news is that I sold Consuela, Cow Patty and the all girl cow group this autumn. I just have too much work to do to try to keep up with all these animals and milking and cheese and barn cleaning, and riding, and house cleaning, and cooking and canning and gardening and laying by the pool, er, I mean CLEANING the pool. So, cows had to go. But cows or no, not to worry there will be fresh milk on the table this year provided by the all girl goat group. As yet to arrive. We’ve already had the disastrous goat experience years ago with Babi and Ludi for those of you who may have met them, the ones who made rather short work of my ninety tulip bulbs, planted “just so…” I sold them out of frustration and hate. Water under the bridge and a failing memory for bad experiences has brought about this want for a new goat adventure. I know I’m asking for trouble, but what the hell, the cheese is good.

As you know by now, we put in a pool last year. It changes EVERYTHING! There is no better way to spend a summer afternoon than lounging in and by the pool over looking the Tuscan peaks and valleys. The problem with it is, now I’m too embarrassed to do the nudie thing. There are so many in-shape, fitness-crazed Americans stopping by that when they are here sunbathing in their sculpted “bodies by Jake” I am forced to wear a sweat shirt with long sleeves to cover my “body by butter and cheese daily” Anyway, pool is fantastic.

We are FINALLY renovating that falling down barn this spring. We are hoping to start in February so we should be well under way by the time the summer comes along. We are adding another independent apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, living-kitchen room with fireplace and a great terrace overlooking the valley and the lake! Wine anyone?

We’re hoping to add a room with bathroom and a summer kitchen as well. It will all be finished off with terraces and stonewalls (probably NOT this summer but in time). We have also re-done the road!!!!!!!! For those of you who lost a muffler or popped holes in your oil tanks, thank you for your patience! The top part here by the house is done and it looks and works great! Feels like a highway without a bump! The lower part with “the climb” still needs some work, but it is SSSOOOooooooo much better than it was.

The baby horses (two) born this spring are growing nicely (apart from the choke scare this afternoon), their names are Lily (after her mother) and Whinny.

Weeks are booking up for the summer, so if you had the idea to come over and visit…..call or email soon!
Until the next update,
Brent

Ps…..just in case you’re wondering…..life in Tuscany is good, REALLY really good.