Are You Getting Ready?

July is right around the corner.  It's hard to believe.  One of my favorite holidays is July 4th.  I love seeing old glory flying high, the colors of red, white and blue, fireworks, and cookouts. 

Are you planning something grand for July 4th?

I must admit, along with the huge tubs of Christmas decorations and Halloween creepy stuff, I do have a tub full of July 4th decorations stored in the decoration hide-out area.  I am always in search of the Mister or a daughter to help me drag it out and go through it to see what I want to set out, hang up, lay out, or wrap around for the holiday.  We're so tucked in back here in the woods that the husband thinks I'm crazy because no one sees it unless I have another party or someone random drives back down here.  I guess its more for me and I love for my (almost grown) daughters to see it. Hopefully, they will be inspired to carry on one day.   They all complain like crazy about giving me a little help, but love it when it's all done. 

                                                                               ~ Debi

Celebration ~!

What a weekend ~ Today, I am more than tired.  Saturday evening was a birthday celebration for my good guy and man of the house, Mr. W or, as some call him, "hammock-man".  This party was all about him - his friends, his beer, his night, his music ~ a surprise party. I don't know what happened to my camera or anyone responsible to take the pictures, but this is all I have.  There were drinks served that could have started an engine, so....  I will say, it was a very GOOD evening. 

Mr. W. on his birthday, before things got started .....

It was supposed to rain and I was planning a cookout.  At the last minute, maybe Thursday, I decided I couldn't deal with the rain and decided to cater a barbecue dinner. It was so worth it.  No stress. 

Everyone's table had a bouquet of my zinnias. They were so pretty.

Every man here said he owned a jacket like that at that age.  So funny.  Everyone signed their birthday wishes to Mr. W. He loved it. 

Our woods were sparkling with all the grapevine balls up in the trees throughout the woods.  No rain, clear night.  It looked magical.

 We'll just call it a "wine-tasting" ..uh, umm.....

And, of course the birthday cake.  I found it this morning looking like this. 

I know you tire of horse pictures, but just had to throw in the evening shot here.  The yearling is settling down (still not out with Ace yet), and things are good. 

Have a good week, Debi

SOMETHING ARRIVED AT THE BARN .....

I know you sort-of, kind-of know what it might be.

You got it ~ This is Rock this Way by Rolling Stone out of Pikor de Mint, born 5/2010.  He is an Oldenburg. He has come to visit for a couple of weeks. His home (Wellsmont Farm) will be host to the GOV Oldenburg inspection coming up in July. Ally and I will be doing something with that (whatever they tells us to do).  Should be fun; I'll bring back some news and pictures.

Isn't he gorgeous.  He's only a year and still has a lot of growing to do.  His body looks a little awkward at times.  He loves to play with the muck buckets and his basketball.  He just runs all over the pasture after Sail.  Ace and this young man haven't been out together yet.  They are stall neighbors in the barn and really seem to get along. 

Even though Oldenburg baby is pretty sweet, I'm still partial to ACE. 

If you ever lost a pet ~

I have not lost a pet recently even though Potter has had some hard knocks this spring.  He fell off the Gator Saturday and has a busted nose.  Anywho ~ this story was sent to us when we lost our BEST pony last summer, Splash, and it helped (a little). I found a friend on this blog journey this weekend who lost her pony. This is for her and everyone else who has lost that "special" fur child.
 


There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of Rainbow Bridge is a special land.


When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills and valleys with lush green grass for all of our special friends, so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warn and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again...just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing. They miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.  They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent, the nose twitches and the eager body quivers. Suddenly, this one breaks away from the group, flying over the green grass, legs carrying them faster and faster. 

YOU have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, NEVER to be parted again! The happy kisses rain upon your face. Your hands again caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet...so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then, you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Wonderfully Busy Saturday

Our mornings start early now with temperatures in the upper 90's.  The horses have started their evening turn-out when grazing is a lot cooler.  They're brought back in early the next morning for their grain and will stay inside during the day.  Their stalls have been cleaned with fresh shavings added, they have fresh water, and each horse has about 3 fans going all day.  Sometimes we make big "ice-cubes" to add to their water buckets.  Horses like cool water.  They're checked over when we bring them in from their overnight graze checking for any cuts or scraps that might have occurred.  We check their eyes for any puffiness and clean their hooves.  It's rare, but occasionally, we get one to come in with a swollen eye or scrap and wonder how in the world that happened.  Who knows.  We have other things to tend to while they eat their breakfast. Then we'll be back up here. 

Zinnias ~
These are definitely my all-time favorite annual.  They just bloom their little hearts out for me.  The butterflies just love them.  I get a nice bouquet all summer long.  These flowers make people smile. I had time while the horses were eating to drag the hose around and give all flower beds a little squirt this morning. 

I harvested all the squash and zucchini while I was out in the garden area.  I just can't believe the harvest from these this year.  I have cooked just about everything there is to cook with them.  So, now it's time to share with friends and neighbors. 

Once Ace finished his breakfast, it was time for his little workout which didn't go really well.  We all have our days, 2-legged or 4 ~ sometimes it just doesn't work.  Like Mother and daughter out at the riding ring some days.  Hope the neighbor's don't hear us ... urgggh!!!!

We got cleaned up.  I had time to run by the Farmers Market and see my back woods neighbors.  They have a certified organic farm and have a CSA ~ absolutely beautiful farm.  They just do everything so right, so beautiful, OMG!!  They set up at about 3, maybe 4, different locations on the weekends. Outrageous.

Daughter #1 worked the store this a.m. while me and daughter #2 did the work at home.  This one here took the afternoon shift.  We had a pretty good business day.  Seems everyone wants a hammock for Dad.  I hope he has good balance! I always want to meet the people who have the time to lay in one.  Everyone I know only lie down when they sleep at night. 

That was my day. It really was good.  Good-night little friends - Debi

Good Help is Hard To Find

 Gracie at Work

It's a Dog's Life

I

Pots

I like BIG pots.  The property is sprawled out, so big pots with big things fill up the green space.  My daughters gave me the iron pot to the left for my birthday.  Can't wait to fill it up, but I'm not sure with what yet.  The green pot, I think will be filled with (all yellow theme) ~ Sunflowers, snapdragons, cockscombs, marigolds, lime green potato veins.  Since the woods surrounding me just scream "GREEN", I'm thinking the yellow would be a nice contrast and you can really see it from a distance.
 

Honest to God True Story About the Pots

I have help out here on the property with mowing, weed-eating, etc.  This new group of guys came out one time.  I was trying to show them around where to touch up some places. I had big pots and plants out all over the place.  I was talking to the head fella about a particular area where a planter was located.  This is what I said:  "Be careful around my pot over there and don't knock it over".  This is what he said: "Oh, I won't mow over your pot, I smoke a little sometimes too".         

   

Always a Horse Day

We had the vet come check Sail out.  Our easy keeper just hasn't been drinking any water in this heat.  (He drank but not enough). He wasn't dehydrated (yet), but we went ahead and gave electrolytes and, electrolyte paste, which didn't seem to make him want to drink any different.  Big ice cubes in his water didn't work. (They are terribly spoiled). He then developed a fever, legs a little puffy, so we became concerned - call the vet.  He has a virus. We separated the horses in different pastures for a couple of days.  He's back to himself now.  Little heat stress.  Cha-Ching to the Vet.

Ally did get some riding time in.  I always have to video or set the bars, run get this, get that, bring fly spray, get the crop, ......

                                    Ace tries to be so fancy sometimes.  

 

The ride is over; cool down done, time for a shower!

Aaaah..that feels so good!

He deserves this treat of good hay.  He was such a good boy. 

Morning has Broken

Sail and Ace

Squash Bandit Arrested

My squash was disappearing from the garden.  I was finding in out in my yard.  It looked like some animal was eating it like it was corn on the cob!! I could not figure it out.  Then .... it happened. I caught sight of the thief.   Jack Russell, Potter, in plain view opened the gate with his nifty little paw, searched the big leaves of the squash and zucchini, grabbed his prize, and off he went.  It took 3 robberies of vegetables before I caught what was going on, then captured the evidence on camera. He was NAILED!!

Look at him ~ No shame

                                              Trying to escape

Nabbed and Arrested!