A day in the life

Hello Tuesday!!  It's another mildly comfortable, partially sunny day in my life.  I am loving this weather!!      I slept like the dead last night!  I love it when that happens!  It never ceases to amaze me, that when I get ample, restful sleep, just how much more energetic and cheerful I feel.  Crazy huh?

Note  Ladde's dirty little face?  :)

So, last evening when I got home I was still feeling a bit tired and a wee bit stiff after all the wood hauling of Sunday.  I just don't have the endurance or the strength I once had...sigh.  How's that country song go?  I was as good once, as I ever was.  I contemplated that while I was climbing into the back of the truck for the umpteenth time, and thought...nope, I'm not as good once as I ever was.  Not even.  But, I can still put in a full days' worth of work, and feel satisfaction at a job well done.

Eagle...who, me?


Needless to say, I did not get any work accomplished with the horses again last night.  I did make dinner though, and then did the chores and had some quality time spent schmoozing with each of the horses while they ate their dinner.  Pears were enjoyed by all.  I just love having fruit trees, it's so satisfying to walk over and pick up delectable fruit from the ground.  Good, fresh, organic fruit; there's nothing like it!  The horses think so too!

I had a lot of cherry tomatoes, so I cooked up some pasta and tossed it with a little olive oil.  Chopped my tomatoes in half and threw them in along with some fresh basil, black pepper and parmesan.  Then I shredded a zucchini, minced half an onion, and mixed in an egg, a couple tablespoons of melted butter, some Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, a little salt and pepper and made patties.  Fried zucchini fritters!!  Dinner was fresh, delicious and primarily from our little backyard garden.  I love that!!  There is just something so satisfying about gathering ingredients from my garden and coming up with a simple and tasty meal.  And, because I have an over-abundance of marionberries growing in my yard, I picked a couple of cups of berries and added 2 fresh peaches and made a simple fruit cobbler.  It was so good!

If I try this again, I'll take it out of the oven a little earlier so the texture is more cakey and moist.  The fruit ensured moistness, but the dough part was a little over done in my opinion.  Hubby thought it was delish!!

Handsome Shad

I took a vacation day tomorrow and we're going to the Oregon State Fair.  We're planning on leaving early so we get there in time to watch the Mustangs being shown.  One of my favorite parts of the fair is going through all the animal barns and looking at the animals.  I enjoy the horses, of course, but also the pigs, sheep, goats, cows and chickens.  All animals have distinct personalities, and they're all enjoyable to me.  If I have a chance someday (probably in retirement), I hope to have a couple of goats, a couple of sheep, some chickens, I hope to always have a couple of horses, and a momma cow.  Oh, and of course dogs and a cat or two.  Yep, a farmhouse menagerie is how I'd like to live.  I enjoy taking care of animals and interacting with them.  Animals are soothing to be around for me, and I always find peace when I'm in their company.  I used to do a little working with wool, combing, carding, dying, spinning and even some crocheting and knitting.  In my golden years, I dream of doing more gardening, raising more of our own food, riding my horses more often...oh, so many more things.  Anyway, didn't particularly mean to go meandering down dreamy lane there.  Haha!!  Anyway, looking forward to a mid-week break from going to work, seeing the sites at the fair, sampling a little "fair food" and just cruising around people watching and such.  And you just know there is an elephant ear with my name on it!!  Better pack my Rolaids with me...

Below is just a small sample of the many, many Mustang yearlings we watched compete last weekend.  Overall, the quality of the work done by these teenagers was impressive.  In most cases, less than 100 days before this event, these yearlings were in BLM holding facilities and had been untouched by human hands.  The sensibility and "teachability" of these horses just amazes me.  Their willingness to please and their desire to learn is incredible in my experience.  In their presence, I am truly humbled.  If you ever get a chance to spend time with a Mustang...do it!!!  I'm willing to bet, you certainly wouldn't regret it, and I'm pretty convinced you'll feel honored.  I'm sold on them...

 If I had an opening in my barn, or the need for another horse...this guy would have come home with me!!
Of course, if I'm honest, there were several that would have fit the bill.

 This little filly had the cutest curly tail and mane...so feminine and soft-eyed.  Pretty!!

 Calmly and self-assuredly, in the trailer, and then back out again...

One thing that completely surprised me was the number of horses that were laid down.  There must have been a dozen or more yearlings who calmly and willingly laid down, relaxed and quiet, until their handler requested they stand up again.  Most were saddled, and there were many different "tools" used to show their  calm and trusting nature.  This little gal would dribble the large ball until it bounced up and over the horse's back, sometimes stopping on the horse's back.  I loved it!  Oh, God in His wisdom certainly gave mankind a gift in the beautiful and beloved horse...

I know my life has been greatly enriched by these magnificent animals.

Blessings all,
Lorie @ Cingspots