Abigail's Story

 Abigail was born in a pasture, only seeing people from a distance.  When I first saw her she was in a pen with all the other foals being weaned.  

She was cut from the herd, much to her dismay, and herded into the trailer like a cow.  When her first bumpy ride of her life was over she found herself deposited into a small pen with strange smells and strange horses all around.  

She wanted nothing to do with this predator like creature, trying to touch her and be close to her.

But the thing kept coming back!  All the time!  Talking and wanting to be near her.  

Reminds me of the other weanling I brought home, a 6 month old mustang filly. We named her Lady, for the "L" shaped star on her forehead.

Lady the Mustang

 How I miss her, she was one smart little lady. Too smart to sit in the pasture and wait for me to be able to ride again.

But I digress....Back to Abigail. After many long hours of standing in her pen, just quiet, letting her get used to me she started to come around.  She decided that since I bring her food and she sees the other horses lean over the panels to be touched by me I must not be all that bad.

 Many quiet hours later I was able to touch her.  Many more days later I was able to put the halter on her.  And she rapidly progressed from there.  We started going on "walks" in the pasture outside her pen, and then the time came to take off the halter and leave her with the "big guys".  Exciting and scary for both of us!  I don't think I slept much that night, up and down to check her many times.

 And now she is like a big puppy dog!  You walk into the pasture and she is in your pocket, wondering what you have today.  I love her curiosity, her gentleness.

 And she loves checking out the cows, which is good because I have plans for her to become a cow horse. :)

Frosty whiskers

 We've been on a few walks outside the pasture.  She's not so sure she likes to go through the gate, but she'll figure it out.

We're currently working on her ground manners, respecting my space, not walking on my toes, walking next to me.  And focusing on me when we are out and about.

Doll Aprons

They are approximately 12 inches in length (the ties) and 5 inches in height.

This one has cute little beads along the waist.

I like the ruffles on the western one.  Cute!

Cute little hearts

Prior to being sick I made up a few of theses---

They are in crochet thread, which I was given about 2 years ago. I had no idea what to do with it at the time, I don't do doilys and such. But the hearts are adorable in the dainty thread, don't ya think? I left the top threads long, not weaved in, for hanging.

I'm thinking these will be wonderful valentines for the boy's teachers. I may have to do one in the dark blue, Shawn has a male teacher, not so sure he wants a pink one. :) I'm thinking of taking some embroidery thread and putting something on them, conversation heart style.

One sleeve attatched to Hubby's sweater, one more sleeve to put on and then two long seams to do (ugh! I dislike the big seams!) and then buttons to attatch. I hope it comes out nice after all this work!

A teddy bear I started prior to Christmas almost done. I'm thinking he'll go in my artfire store, and then if he doesn't sell he can go to the farmer's market with me :)

Oh-Check out my ArtFire store! I finally got some things put in it! You can find my store here. I hope to have more done for the store soon, problem is I keep taking custom orders from friends and giving away what I make!

Just found this link for a baby unicorn  here . Adorable! I love horses, so I could just leave the horn off, chose some of my browns and make all sorts of little horsies. Once I get a few of my many WIP's done, of course!

Feeling Blah today, and a surprise!

I'm going on day...uh...3 or 4 with this cursed head cold. Not too bad during the day. Some stuffiness, a little coughing occasionally, a few tissues.

It's been between 1 and 3 am when the big problems start.

I wake up with a totally stuffed nose, stumble to the bathroom and blow out half a pound of snot (UGH!!!), go back to bed. Wake up in about 5 minutes coughing, can't sleep for about 10 due to coughing. Stumble back to the bathroom. Find the NyQuil and a cough drop. Prop up in bed and try not to choke on the said cough drop while not totally waking up Hubby, who gets up at 4:30 to get ready for work. No wonder I feel so totally unmotivated.

It's supposed to get all the way to the 50's today, not much mud to speak of. I *should* go out and ride a fat horse or two, work on getting them back in shape for show season, riding season, branding and gathering cows season.

Or I could work with Abigail, take her for another walk around the yard, perhaps do a few tying lessons, keep working with her feet. But I feel *BLAH*

I should finish up a few crochet projects, with a bottle of hand sanitizer and a box of tissues by my side, so I don't infect the yarn. Can cold bugs live on yarn? Probably.

Ok, enough whining, I said there was a surprise!

Here it is!

I promise to send something I make myself to the first 5 people who leave a comment on this post and who, in turn, promise to make the same offer on their blog. The rules are that you need to make the items personally and send them to your 5 folks within 2011.

I've played this before, but found it again at Kat's blog http://thebobwhites.blogspot.com/

It's a gift that keeps on giving! Odds are it will be a crocheted gift of some sort, and I promise not to make anything for this until my cold is gone! :)

Basque Cooking and Lore

The book is Basque Cooking and Lore by Darcy Williamson. Printed by Caxton Press, Caldwell Idaho. You can find it here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0870043463/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

We were able to pick it up in our little bookstore (no big box bookstores in our town)

I'll share one little recipe with you :)

Basque Garlic Soup -- Serves 4

1 loaf French bread, sliced and allowed to dry out

1/4 cup Spanish olive oil

6 cloves garlic, peeled

4 eggs , beaten

1 1/2 tsp. sweet Spanish paprika

water

1/4 tsp salt

Heat olive oil in Dutch oven. Lightly brown garlic cloves. Add sliced bread, paprika, salt, and enough water to cover bread. Simmer for 30 minutes. Whisk beaten eggs into simmering soup. Serve at once.

We've had it twice. It's a little thicker than I think of when I think "soup", but it's yummy regardless.

Next I'd like to try the Basque Gazpacho on the same page.....with vine ripened tomatoes and red and green bell peppers it sounds yummy.

I'd really love to get the recipe for the cabbage soup they serve at The Star Basque house. Love it!

Dishwasher's Grace

Thank God for dirty dishes,

they have a tale to tell.

While other folks go hungry,

we're eating very well.

With home and health and happiness,

we shouldn't want to fuss,

for by this stack of evidence,

God's very good to us.

Enjoy the little poem! I found it in a taste of home magazine. When I start griping about all the dirty dishes, especially after Hubby makes dinner, it really helps me remember to be thankful for ALL that I have.

Floors

I detest mopping. Perhaps it's the boys going in and out. The dogs going in and out. The mud, dirt or chicken poo that sticks to shoes and comes in. That's because the chickens feel the need to camp out on the front steps. And I kinda like em there, minus the droppings. And we have very little grass to speak of. The driveway is dirt. I have to go out and see my horses, and sometimes the cows, whenever I'm outside, even if it's just for a minute.

Now I don't mind vacuming. I do it a few times a week. I don't even have to sweep much because I have a Dyson vacum and can push a button to turn off the roller bar and vacum the hard floors. Makes it nice and quick.

But...I DETEST (I'm trying to not use hate...) MOPPING! It lasts about...A DAY. Tops. And that's if the kids are out of the house all day long.

Something is bound to happen. A spill. Hubby brings friends over and they forget to remove their boots. The dogs come in and it has been muddy outside. Doesn't even have to be muddy, Rebel the Red Poodle brings in straw and weeds of all sorts on his body, shaved down or not.

The kitchen floor is my household arch enemy! Partly because it's mainly white linoleum. So it's a pain to get ALL the way, sparkly clean.

As much as I dislike mopping, boy do I feel better when it's done.

Guess I better get to it! :)

Random Pictures

What good do they really do me, sitting in little files on my computer?? The whole point of taking pictures is to share, so share them I will! :)

this is Bob-A-Roo-Ni, aka Bob, my Spotted Sussex Roo. He was given to me as a little guy, she didn't want to risk having him in town. Good thing too! He's noisy! And has become quite a pain in the arse! Literally sometimes! His size and my good humor are the only things keeping him out of the freezer at the moment. I really want some chicks from him, perhaps I'll be able to raise a few of my own meat birds and not have to order from the hatchery. We'll see how long I can keep the peace!

My dear Hubby on my Christmas tractor, taking care of the driveway! I have since learned to drive my tractor, it's pretty fun!

Look at how the Silver Lace Roo is looking at that hen!
I love this picture!
Big ole Bob. Doing his job.
Shawn must have been taking the picture. The red haired "giant" is my babysitting boy. :) He was almost 2 in this picture! This is at Lehman Caves by Ely.
The horned toad I convinced the boys to let go.

Baby turkey and brown leghorn cross hen.
Little turkeys
Playing at the "mud puddle" South Fork Reservoir.
Bear and I in the 4th of July parade, with the Bible Day Camp Float for our Church.

Me and my GrandMa.
Don't squat with yer spurs on! (That's me, Hubby took this picture)
Mrs. Turkey was hiding.
Jack/Midge puppies









Well, that was fun!