First show in many many moons

a dressage show with Nelly 

on our way in the ring I was thrilled to see people I knew there supporting us

after our test I was full of gratitude and appreciation for the most amazing journey we've had so far

Thanks for the weeding

What is a weed?  I have heard it said that there are sixty definitions.  For me, a weed is a plant out of place.  ~Donald Culross Peattie

Spent an early half hour weeding the pea and lettuce beds thinking about how much I owe to my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather - then my mum and aunts. I have been "helping" weed since I could walk. I don't remember ever getting in trouble for pulling out a seedling tho  I am sure I must have, probably often. I do recall getting diverted to other jobs - carrying weeds away to the weed pile; filling watering cans; resting in the shade awhile. We talked while we weeded too - so much fun! I probably was as much work as help but I felt important and I learned things that are lasting a life time.

Many gardeners will agree that hand-weeding is not the terrible drudgery that it is often made out to be.  Some people find in it a kind of soothing monotony.  It leaves their minds free to develop the plot for their next novel or to perfect the brilliant repartee with which they should have encountered a relative's latest example of unreasonableness.  ~Christopher Lloyd, The Well-Tempered Garden, 1973

My standards are not their standards with regards to weeds- my garden might embarrass a more sensitive person but the food coming out of it tastes just as good as a garden without a fringe of weeds on the border. I think my new veggie garden will be laid out in blocks - this is a combo of rows and blocks and while it is productive Big T is keen to try something new and I'm happy to go along with that.

Criticizing another's garden doesn't keep the weeds out of your own.  ~Author Unknown

I wish all the folks who taught me to love and appreciate the earth and the good things that grow in it  were around to appreciate the yummy produce!

A man's children and his garden both reflect the amount of weeding done during the growing season.  ~Author Unknown

That cute little mare from March 21

joined the Vareharri family

her name is Quirk

she is full of fun and quickly revealing a very sweet affectionate nature

Her feet hadn't been trimmed in far too long so we had to take it easy which was actually great as we did scent work together - teaching her to pick wintergreen over food actually went very well!

Now she's sound and happily working on a fitness program -hacking out for half an hour or so then a little schooling.

What a fun project!

Spinach, peas and romaine!

are in!

it's gotten cold again so it may take awhile for the seeds to germinate -but it's nice and damp and they are in!!

YAY!

i so hoped

this entry would be about how early garden peas,lettuce and radishes were already in and thriving ... instead the ground is frosted hard for all but about 5 hours of day 2 of them in the dark

it was nice enough to get compost on the beds one lovely day last weekend and get the seeds -then BOOM the cold rolled in

so instead I leave you with pretty pictures of a lovely horse I played with recently (of course it's me taking photos and vid)

enjoy - hopefully garden info soon!!

Morning giggles

even without functioning speakers (no idea why!) this site made me giggle this morning :D

an interesting take on horse show kids

depending on where you are watching you may want to turn down your volume at first

jus' a cute little mare ...

regular programming will resume if the snow ever leaves us!

playing detective ...

2009

Nelly

Won Pre-enty Canterdown Event

She had been purchased by her rider from a horse dealer. She had been sold to the dealer instead of privately because she was stopping randomly at fences. She was purchased as a project, evented the once and then sold on. In that month she never stopped.

She went to a home that had her less than three months. She was not happy it seems and was sold quite quickly despite great aspirations for her.  She was sold to a school and has been a school horse since 2010. She didn't love that either. She liked her part boarders just fine.

Now she seems quite happy.

Hoping to find out about her early years someday - maybe even including her age!!

Go Nelly

Fabulous lesson yesterday. Nelly is really starting to think for herself.

Working the body and brain is so good. Great vet check with Poppy too and then a great work session with her as well. Always such a treat to be able to spend time with the dogs and horses.

Spring really could arrive any time tho! A year ago today we had buds and flowers. Today we have snow cover with snow flurries!

Winter is hanging on by her fingernails

We wooded a bit - thanks for the help Sally!

The dogs ran and played and played and ran.

Then we all relaxed at the ridge. A lovely lovely day.

Snow will melt fast I suspect if the day temperature stays above zero.

Then it will be mud season.

Oh yay!