Barn Photos in Black & White

It was snowing quite heavily when Zoe and I made our way to the barn to see Rosie. Her owner is in sunny Cancun this week and we are caring for her on days we usually don't. We both really enjoy it!

Rosie is such a gentle mare.

Zoe tries to take her blanket off but can't manage the hooks yet.

Sophie the warmblood weanling is giving me the hairy eyeball!

Zoe loves Rosie and attaches herself to Rosie's leg after riding.

Honestly one of the sweetest horses I have ever met. I don't even attach a leadrope on her when Zoe rides, she follows me around the indoor like a puppy dog. She even jogs when I do!

How lucky we are to have this opportunity!

I bless the hoss from hoof to head -

From head to hoof, and tale to mane! -

I bless the hoss, as I have said,

From head to hoof, and back again!

~James Whitcomb Riley

Thrifty Blooms

My garden has been featured in the latest issue of Pennsylvania Gardener, I can't believe it!

Laura Mathews, of Punk Rock Gardens, has written and photographed this wonderful article about how I have created my flower gardens on a budget. If you click on each photo, it will bring up a larger image and you should be able to read it. I am so excited for spring.

It's been one cold, snowy, winter and I long for color. 

I've made some beautiful Etsy treasuries this week. I think one may have reached the front page because it has received over 800 hits on the first day. I've never had one take off like that.

Click on the links to view:

Leather and Lace

Ladyhawke

finer than frog's hair

winter's bone

spring sleeps under the snow

soul meets soul on lover's lips

And a cute photo of my Zazu, just because.

Raptors, rivers and other things...

Zoo America in Hershey, PA is free this weekend and being a huge fan of all things free, we had to make the short trek to check out the animals indigenous to North America in the 19 degree weather.

They have a lot of raptors which are always fun to watch.

Red-tailed Hawk

Burrowing owl. Looks like I've surprised him!

One of my favorites, the barn owl.

I need to make a painting of this adorable little screech owl.

Lovely bobcats seemed very relaxed.

Beautiful bison digs the chilly temps.

Next we managed to access to the Susquehanna River in the small town of Bainbridge, PA.

We were down stream from Three Mile Island where the river was less frozen.

Something ominous about a nuclear power plant like TMI.

Winter Blogging

Sorry I haven't been my usual blogging self lately. I blame it on winter. No beautiful flowers in my garden to inspire me. No vacations. Very few weekend trips to fun places. Cold, snow, ice. Even my riding has tapered off. Zoe still likes to ride, even when it's too cold for her wimpy mom. And yesterday she turned 5! I can't believe it!
I've been having fun on the site Big Huge Labs making photo mosaics. Click on them to see a larger image. Here's a bunch of pictures of my little gremlin over the last 5 years.

And here's some photos of Pumpkin Pie over the last year of his life...

Boy do I ever miss my garden!

 Here are photos I took of my 2010 flowers. I'm using this one as my current desktop. Fell free to snag it for your own desktop if you miss warmer weather:)

I finished a Painted Pony inspired by The Day of the Dead if you didn't see it on my PP blog:

Now on ebay - "Lovely Bones"

Thank you Amber at the blog- Calamity and Me, for my award!

I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about myself so I'll make it short!

1. My first car was a 1976 Volvo with over 200,000 miles on it.

2. My favorite movie is Amelie - I love EVERYTHING about it.

3. My first horse was an Appaloosa named Niki. I rode him in my first horse show and won 2nd in my first class without ever having a riding lesson (novice horse and rider).

4. I hate flying. I cry during take off.

5. I own a classical guitar (Fender) that I never learned to play (someday maybe).

6. Cello is my very favorite instrument.

7. My dad and I want to walk the West Highland Way  in 3 years when I turn 40.

Sunday Cats

Lady Gaga at the Farm Show!

Well, the Longhorn Lady Gaga was at the farm show.

Isn't she sweet? I laughed out loud when I saw her name tag.

This little Longhorn was getting a wash from his mama.

This sheep didn't look very happy about her haircut.



And I think this coppery hog was dreaming of happier days.

An unusual hand made wedding dress for the lady who like to hunt perhaps?

Caught some of the PA High School Rodeo. I couldn't believe how young some of the bronc riders were and how close their heads came to pounding hooves! Yikes!



Next we watched a young draft riding competition.

 Lots of nice horses and riders.

I couldn't believe how small some of those kids were on top of those large drafts!

Next was an English class for draft horses.

I like this lady's dressage attire.



And this white percheron had pretty pink flowers in her tail and a heart shaved into her rump.



Men's Clydesdale Cart Class was next. this one in pink placed 2nd.

This nice pair took 1st place.

We had a great day at the PA Farm Show!