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December 6, 2009

Sleds on Snow

Filed under: Mushing — Tags: dogsledding, russ-stick acres, tours — Administrator @ 10:56 pm

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Our sage veteran main lead dog, Ranger, was ready.

Rustic Russ was ready.

I was more than ready.

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Our friend, AC (Animal Control) Ellen, came by mid-morning to run her team and get them used to our trails and dogs.

Ellen, along with several of our “doggy” friends, will be assisting us this year with our dog tours.

She figured it would be good for her…and good for her dogs.

It’s what we like to call, a win-win.

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It was a day of “firsts” in several ways on this snowy, sunless, cloudy Saturday.

The first day on sleds.

The first time our little gal, Little Feet, ran in lead (with Union). (Click to read her story.)

And the first time Ellen’s pup, Tug, was hooked to the gangline.

And… the first time Ellen and Russ did a head-on pass with finesse on our tight wooded trails.

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Ellen will be a permanent fixture as lead sled driver for guests, sharing duties with Rustic Russ.

She has been mushing for 10+ years.

Many of our dogs over the years, have come from Ellen.

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Old harnesses tell a story of dogs who traveled all the way from northern lower Michigan to Alaska.

Bambi.

Ellen is a consummate musher.

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Her little guy, Tug, has now grown up. (Click to read his story.)

We were all proud of how he took to the sled.

It is in his blood.

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Most of all, AC Ellen was proud, as Tug is now officially doing what he was bred to do – be a working part of a sled dog team.

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We’re looking forward to Ellen and her team of Chummer, Jack, Wiley, Possum, Tug, Nera, Kara being at our place on future snowy Saturdays.

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I know Russ will appreciate the expertise Ellen brings to the table.

It will allow us to offer more sled dog experiences, to more people.

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And have fun doing it…

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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October 30, 2009

Livin’ the Dream ~ Carrie style

Filed under: Mushing — Tags: Husky Homestead, Jeff King, russ-stick acres — Administrator @ 4:42 am

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In the very, very early days of our sled dog kennel, we met Carrie.

She was working spring, summer and fall up in Alaska at 4-time Iditarod Champion Jeff King’s kennel, and living just a stone’s throw down the road during the winter months.

It only seemed right that we would connect.

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We felt a bond immediately and in the next few years, she was invaluable to us.

In oh so many ways.

Going on the road with the dogs to events, handling with me at the 2003 Midnight Run for Russ and his team (a brisk -28 that year during the wee hours of the night…) tours, school visits, and socializing pups.

Even delivering Siberian pups under a shady tree in the puppy pen ~ on a warm 4th of July.

The Iditarod checkpoint litter. Compliments of our Katie ~ a red Siberian sweetheart.

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It wasn’t long before the call to Alaska came stronger, and kept its hold on her year ’round.

We lost her to the pull of the North.

She now has a cabin of her own, and a treasured dog, Gale, in a very special place…Husky Homestead in Denali.

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Where she is part of one of the top mushing kennels in the world.

She takes it all in stride.

Even driving the Iditarod sled in the 2009 opening ceremony with her confident (and trusting) Boss ~ him out in front, guiding the sled by an old-school Gee Pole. Check it out here…

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Nothing will change Carrie.

She is still in awe of the simple pleasures, and treasures of this world.

Good friends, hot chili, and lots of hearty laughs.

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Autumn brings beauty, both color and Carrie, to our kennel and homestead each year.

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A cherished time for us. And a time to bring up old, dear memories of earlier days.

Until tomorrow ~ we’ll miss you Carrie ~ God speed and God willing,

Woodswoman

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October 10, 2009

Wuss-Stick Wabbits

Filed under: rabbits — Tags: free range, rabbits, russ-stick acres — Administrator @ 2:57 am

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At our place, rabbits roam free.

That’s the way we like it.

And so do the rabbits.

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Black or white.

Doesn’t matter.

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We currently have 14+ mature rabbits.

Most are does.

Hmmm…I’ve never excelled at math, however…

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We may have a population explosion on our hands.

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One can only hope.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

If you would like to see what we are up to, check us out at Russ-Stick Acres.

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September 24, 2009

Autumn Beauty

Filed under: farm — Tags: autumn, colors, fall colors, horses, russ-stick acres, winter — Administrator @ 4:42 am

It won’t be long…

Soon we will be seeing the beauty of autumn unfold around us.

Our local ski resorts will be preparing for the winter season.

Our horses will be filled with a spirit from their ancestors.

Our equine trail time will wind down.

And our protégés will have the winter to ponder next summer’s adventures.

It will be a time for slow, easy walks down our Berry Beary Blvd., drinking in the sights and scents of fall.

Our woodland cabins will signal warmth as wood smoke curls from above.

And our sled dogs will rest on the trails, knowing an exciting winter awaits them.

And our aged dog, Satch, will begin her 18th year, enjoying her days at Russ-Stick Acres.

Her doggy Heaven on earth.

God and Dog…Click here to see the connection..

Until tomorrow ~ God willing (and winking),

Woodswoman

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September 20, 2009

Our Russ-Stick Plan

Filed under: horses — Tags: energy, green, russ-stick acres, simple life — Administrator @ 8:09 pm

Rustic Russ and I have been kicking around a plan for quite some time now.

It’s not a “green” plan, per se.

It’s our plan.

It’s about using horse power to get where we want to go.

The kind of horse power that comes with a tail.

And dog power.

Either/or.

Depending on the season.

Sure, it may take a little longer.

Good things usually do.

And there may be times we need to lean on the support of folks ~ and pay for a special trip ~ just like the Amish.

But it won’t be often.

Truth be told, everything we need is right here.

On “our 40″.

At Russ-Stick Acres.

So, come along for the ride, and watch us plan to go backwards in time.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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June 6, 2009

Mustang Mania

Filed under: farm — Tags: BLM, farrier, horses, mustang, russ-stick acres — Administrator @ 3:28 am

Year ’round, like clockwork, our farrier, Bruce, comes to trim the three horses.

It’s a set date.

Every six weeks.

Carved in stone.

And Nauish (pronounced Now-eesh) knows it.

And Bruce knows it.

And Rustic Russ knows it.

Nauish and I have the same mind set when it comes to pedicures.

No way, no how, nothin’ doin’.

Bruce has some convincing to do.

Sweet talk helps.

Then again, prayer works wonders.

Amazing. My sweet boy succumbs every time.

Until tomorrow ~ lovin’ my BLM Baby ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 31, 2009

Frolic ~ from Frenzy to Believer

Filed under: frolic — Tags: earth, frolic, frost, garden, russ-stick acres, tiller — Administrator @ 6:49 pm

Let’s start where all stories should start.

At the beginning.

Last week, Memorial Day weekend, Rustic Russ had the pleasure of placing manure compost on our garden space.

Fast forward to this past Saturday.

Our 2nd Frolic - planting the garden.

You can imagine my horror on Friday night, when I arrived home from a 12-hour work day to find the garden had not been tilled.

Friday’s tasks had bumped the tilling to the bottom of the list.

What would we do at the Frolic?

First, I had to remember that I was on “Sutherby” time.

Russ-Stick Acres. Where time stands still.

It’s my sage walk.

To learn how to relax and live in the moment.

I fell in love and married Rustic Russ because of his ability to believe.

He trusts, in himself, but first and foremost in God, and always keeps on track.

Over the years I’ve tried to let go and let God. It’s hard. It’s not what I’m used to.

But I see that it never fails.

Ever.

Our Frolic was fine.

Everyone was flexible. Amy, Francie and Joy. And their canine companions.

We took advantage of the early morning hours and ran dog teams.

We hand tilled the soil for Morning Glories and Sunflower plants.

We grilled hot dogs and enjoyed a lunch in the wind-protected Wee House, watching the rain storm roll in and out, and listening to Jason Barron on Sled Dog Podcast.

Rustic Russ worked from mid-morning (after running a team) until late afternoon re-fitting and formatting our new, never been used tiller on the Hudson Tractor.

Once the mechanics were completed, the garden space slowly morphed into a beautiful island of rich black planting soil.

The smell of fresh turned earth soothed the senses, and snapped me back to reality.

Although I’m in charge of a lot, I don’t have control of much.

And there is always a reason for my timeframe not to line up with everyone elses. I just may not be aware of it.

Like many times before, I realized the “master plan” the next day.

In this case, frost.

Lucky for us, the tomato plants remained warm all night in the Wee House, and not within the frost covered Frolic planted garden.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV).

Until tomorrow ~ continuing my sage walk-worry free ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 27, 2009

Trail Blazer

Filed under: Mushing — Tags: dog carts, russ-stick acres, summer, training — Administrator @ 11:00 am

Our friend Francie is cart crazed.

If it’s got wheels and will roll, she’s there!

Monday night, she needed a tad more power for her new rig.

Our Union fit the bill.

Francie’s leader, Koyuk, appreciated having a sage leader, such as himself, by his side.

And Union enjoyed a little stretch down the drive, through the trail and back.

Next time, our Astro boy will join India in wheel.

That will make for a nice little 4-dog jaunt.

A nice way to end an evening. Treats upon return and lots of praise.

And next time, little Mac may even join them in the basket. Toto style.

Until tomorrow ~ keeping it simple ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 22, 2009

Hogz and Dogz Piggery…is back in business

Filed under: farm — Tags: hogz and dogz piggery, pigs, russ-stick acres — Administrator @ 10:34 am

God gently nudges me awake each morning.

Early.

He wants me to see what he has created.

I smile.

“This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Today I have even more to smile about.

It’s my hubby’s birthday.

And, we are getting piglets.

We picked up three little grub muffins from a local farm, over by AC Ellen’s place.

Of course we had to stop at Ellen’s on the way home, since we were in the neighborhood.

We caught her doing farm chores and ready for a coffee break and farm talk.

She took a peek at our six-week old gilts riding in the back of the truck.

These gals were caked with dirt and mud.

Lucy.

Ethel

And…

Rosie.

Yes, Hogz and Dogz Piggery is up and running again.

After seeing Lucy and Ethel, we both came to the conclusion, right on the spot, that we miss raising our own little squeeky clean piggies.

So Rustic Russ got his wallet back out and we purchased Rosie as a third, to raise as a future Mama.

We will start anew with Rosie being our “gilt-turned-sow” come winter.

A suitable boar will be located when the time comes.

Welcome home Rosie.

And Lucy (aka “bulk sausage”) and Ethel (aka “sausage link”).

Until tomorrow ~ back in the pig business ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 21, 2009

A-Tisket, A-Tasket, a Green and Yellow Basket

Filed under: Meet the Mushers — Tags: barron, jonrowe, redington, russ-stick acres — Administrator @ 3:01 am

Don’t miss out folks ~ 10 more days to take advantage of the early discount for the Meet the Mushers event.

We are having a special feature this year. “Bid on a Basket!”

Silent auction bidding on a picnic basket of your choice. The winner receives the basket…and the Musher it is assigned to!

You will have the opportunity to have a light supper picnic with Dee Dee, Ryan, or Jason after the presentation on Sunday, if you are the lucky winner!

Imagine…

A delectable dinner with Dee Dee, talking dogs.

Reminiscing with Ryan about races, analyzing runs and hearing Redington stories.

And last but not least, jawing on some jerkey with Jason, shooting the breeze (and maybe the bull), with Beargrease Barron.

Don’t let August pass you by, only to look back with regret for not attending.

Musher Tim Riley will also be speaking and Ann & Will Rowland are returning again this year to sing and play!

Act now and save!

Come on ~ join in! Your friends will be here!

Until tomorrow ~ dreaming of baskets and bidding ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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