Shades of late summer

Just a few of some of the magnificent handmade quilts that I admired at the fair.  I love them all...

Well, the kiddos are back in school, and we're enjoying our post-Labor Day remaining summer days...days to be savored for sure.

Hubby and I had a 3-day weekend for the Labor Day holiday and we kept ourselves pretty well occupied.  Our riding club traveled to central Oregon east of Prineville and camped and did some riding in the Ochoco National Forest.  We really would have liked to have gone, but opted to stay off the busy highways with our horses and stick closer to home.  I have 3 days of vacation time left and we're hoping to get in one more extended camping trip before the rains begin, but we'll pick a quiet, unassuming weekend and hope for less people in both the campgrounds and on the road.

So, we started our weekend with a trip to the local drive-in, watched a couple of movies and enjoyed a take-out pizza and popcorn.  We drove our truck so the dogs could go, but they were in the back giving us a lot more room.  They love going almost as much as we do.  Our little drive-in theater is one of only a handful left in the entire state.  It's sad to see so many of them going away, and becoming nothing more than history.  It's a great family-oriented place.

We also went to the state fair.  It was a very hot day, so much of our time was spent inside the air-conditioned buildings and in the animal barns away from the glaring sun.  Many less attendees, vendors and competitors than in years past.  Every year we go, we think the fair's gotten smaller.  I sure hope this isn't another event that fades into history.  But, it was fun...and of course we ate fair food.  I had Yakisoba noodles with Terryaki chicken and later a strawberry milkshake.  Yum!!  I took quite a few pictures of the quilts on display, the baked goods, canned goods and fiber handmade items.  Besides the animals, and especially the horses (of course), the agricultural aspects of the fair is always my favorite.

We also took the horses to Perrydale Trails.  An old friend that I've known since my days as a 4-Her has built all kinds of trail obstacles on her property for people to enjoy.  There are 4 sections with everything imaginable for people and their horses to try, from simple to challenging.  We took a few pictures, and Rebecca took some as well, but we were too busy riding to take many.  Little Missy was such a delightful girl.  She did pretty much everything I asked of her.  She's cautious and careful, but very willing.  I'm finding her to be a joy to ride, and just be around.  A very nice little mare.

Biff & Ladde coming up out of the ravine

Ladde, however...was not.  He was having a very bad day, and had a serious case of his knickers being in a twist.  Big time.  He was consumed with where Sugar was, her proximity of the other two geldings that were there, and everything possible but what he should have been focusing on.  *sigh*  My poor husband.  Poor Ladde.  To say he was a challenging ride is putting it mildly; but my hubby prevailed and was an overcomer.  I'm afraid he had his hands rather full though, and a relaxing ride it was not.  It's been a very long time since I've seen Ladde that upset mentally, and that sweaty and dirty.

Yesterday, we slept in and then went out for a late breakfast at our local casino with a dear friend.  My husband and Claudia both have September birthdays and she treated us to breakfast.  It was so much fun and as always, the food was delicious.  I ate so much that I needed a walk afterwards...not good.  We took the road less traveled back home, winding our way through scenic farmland and vineyards snapping pictures as we went.  We stopped at a quaint little farm market, bought some raw, blueberry honey, sweet onion/jalapeno pepper jelly and a boysenberry pie.  Good grief, as if I hadn't eaten enough already!!  But, in my defense, this lady bakes absolutely amazing homemade pies of so many varieties, that it's very difficult to pass them up.  It was a glorious day.  When we got back home, we took a leisurely nap.  Wonderful.  When we woke up, it was nearly time to do the evening chores.  We had pie for dinner and watched the horses eat theirs.  A peaceful end to a delightful weekend.

Ladde after being rinsed off

So, that was our weekend in a nutshell.  How did all of you spend your long, holiday weekend?  The last official hoorah of summer.  :)

Blessings,
Lorie @ Cingspots