Horseshoes - The Dilemma

We don't really like the fact that our horse needs steel shoes on all four hooves. And she must have some protection and traction because she is on pavement 99% of the time.

There have been a few issues with the shoes coming loose, and I am told that steel shoes in the winter are very difficult to care for. So -- not looking forward to that.

Our farrier suggested we consider hoof boots, and in fact recommended we carry at least one for when she might throw a shoe while on the road. When we started doing the research, we found they could be used as a replacement for steel shoes. We are very excited and have found a farrier/PBHT expert that came out to help us get her fitted. Our shoes are on order for our "petite" hoofed pony, and we can hardly wait until they arrive.

Check out the web site for Nature's Path - any of you farmer friends who read my blog - I have Rebecca's card to pass along if you are interested.

Thursday Post -- Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Real mashed potatoes and gravy. Homemade stuffing, candied yams, scalloped oysters, rolls, jellied cranberry. Pumpkin pie, peach pie, cookie pie with ice cream and/or whipped cream.

When we finished dinner, we decided pie had to wait. I hitched Sadie up to the fancy cart, and Tim and I went for a long ride. We saw very few folks on the road, so it was a very pleasant ride.

When we got back from our ride, the pie was cut and enjoyed. All the food was put away and the first load of dirty dishes washing in the dishwasher.

After that we cleared the fancy tablecloth and napkins off the table and got out the college pig and started rolling coins. Great Grandma and Grandpa brought a silver piggy bank for Holly in April and we have been putting all the loose change from the laundry area, emptying of pockets, spare change in it for the last eight months. After we finished rolling it, we put it with other money Holly received and we now have $200.00 to put in her college fund. Now we will start feeding the college pig again until next Thanksgiving.

Wednesday Post

Since I am off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving, seems like a good time to do a little catching up. Mid November we went to Arigato - Andy's pick for birthday dinner. It was so good. Holly enjoyed the meal from her butterfly sling, which was made for her by her Auntie Kendra. She slept through most of the meal in cozy comfort.

We've had a bit of indian summer, but with cooler weather has come prodigious rainfall. We do need the rain, but it makes the goats miserable. Since they do not like to be wet, they have spent much of the last couple of weeks cowering inside barn. Many of our pastures where goats and pony reside are incredibly muddy. This year, instead of struggling with unlined dairy boots (not meant for any kind of terrain but cement floor) and crocs, I bit the bullet and purchased myself a pair of work boots. Of course since I am now a horse owner, I had to get something will a little cowgirl style. My Ariat FatBaby boots are probably one of my best footwear purchases ever. I did buy a half size larger than I need, so that I could wear thick socks in the winter. Since I started wearing them on the farm, and went back to my Danskos for the work day, all my foot issues have resolved themselves. They are wonderful boots and I recommend them to everyone. I am thinking down the road that I will get myself a "dress pair" for wearing off the farm.

Time to go pick up a baby Holly Anne. More later.....

Sleeping and crying........

That's what babies do.

Isn't she pretty in either mode?

This post is short because I am holding her, but I bet that's no suprise to any of my readers!!!!!!!!!!!

Look Everybody - My Diaper Bag is Ready!

Nana finally got busy and finished my new diaper bag. She's been working on it a long time and I thought she'd never get it done.

Sunday night she picked up the crochet needle and got to work. She had two rows left, handles and the trim. Now her wrists are tired and sore. She says she's going to put some dividers in it so Mommy can organize my stuff, but it will have to wait a while.

Mommy picked out all the colors for it after she found out I was going to be a girl.

Here I am modeling it. Nana wrapped me up in the pink flowered blanket she got me and tucked me into it for these pictures. I thought it was pretty boring, but I posed for the pictures anyway.

In two days I will be two weeks old. I am pretty much in charge around the house. I sleep whenever I want. Mommy feeds me whenever I am hungry. Nana and Papa John change my diapers whenever I make special presents in there for them. I am waiting for my Daddy to give me a real bath. Mommy and Nana have given me sponge baths, but I know he's going to give me a real bath in my tub when my belly button is all fixed up. It's going to be fun.

My room is all fixed up with lots of pink, but I am spending most of my time hanging out with Mommy on the couch. I have a cozy place to nap, and a place where everyone takes me to change my diapers. I have a bouncy seat that I sit in to watch Nana working in the kitchen.

Everybody is always kissing and hugging me--but I guess I'm just too cute to resist!

Holly Anne Leap

I'd like to introduce Miss Holly Anne Leap. We've been waiting so long for you Holly! Holly, Mama Karol, and Daddy Andy are home from the hospital and everyone is recovering.(Including Papa John and Nana.)

She has reddish gold hair and it looks as though she may have blue eyes.

View From the Back of a Pony

Friday afternoon when I got home from work I hitched Sadie up and went for a ride. We went all around the little neighborhoods near our house. It's a very pleasant ride. Afterwards, she really enjoys the grooming session--it must feel really good, because she practically falls asleep.

Saturday, we hitched her up again and checked out a couple of yard sales. I scored big! I got a bathtub for Holly, stacks of baby washcloths, towels, bibs, and recieving blankets. A box of baby toys, and assorted teethers. We also found a bunny step-stool, and some pegboards for John to put together to hang hats on.

After we got home, we hopped in the truck and headed for Greensboro. We had a glider rocker to pick up, and we also stopped in at the farmers market and got some fresh fruits and veggies. Tonight we had fresh mashed potatoes -- man were they good.

I also collected 24 eggs today. The Auracanas have started laying, so we have pretty blue-green eggs to go with the brown ones the Rhode Island Reds have been giving us. Egg production is up again. We have 9 dozen in the barn fridge.