4-H Field Trip

Hope is working on two projects for 4-H (Horse and Rabbit) and was voted as the group treasurer!  A local farm hosted the girls for a day of fun and learning.

Learning about horses

The girls watched an experienced rider preform jumps and demonstrated lead changes

Then they learned the benefit of lead changes first hand or I should say "first foot" :-)

Grooming is one of my favorite things to do

Learning about the parts of a hoof

An Andalusian.  One of my top 5 favorite horses.

(My Top 5:  1. Arabian  2. Friesian  3. Gypsy Vanner  4. Andalusian  5. Paso Fino)

A Step Back in Time

We enjoyed stepping back in time at Bow's Hollow, a family owned and operated 1930s replica town.  The trucks, cars (Ford Model As), wind mill, water pumps and gas pumps were all in working order.  The different buildings displayed numerous items preserving the past.  

The mom of the business explained to Hope that back in the day it was common not to have toilet paper, so they used corn husks.  They would use two red husk and then a white!  LOL!  

All I have to say is I love you, Charmin!!!!

Horse Show

One weekend Hope and I got a chance to watch a friend of ours compete in a horse show.  As we were driving to the arena I soaked in the beauty of rolling pasture land, old red barns and picturesque farm houses.  When we stepped out of the van, Hope and I drew in a deep breath and sighed.  

All I could think of was a scene in National Velvet.  When Velvet arrived at the horse race, she stepped out of the truck after a long trip and breathed the word, "horses".  Great classic movie!

 Jessica and her Thoroughbred, Reggie, memorizing the course

 Warming up

 Barn cat

 Hope enjoyed the Friesian Cross colts.  They were adorable.

 As well as making four legged friends, Hope made another little blond haired friend.  They enjoyed roaming the grounds together.

 The corious colt started sniffing the little girls hair....

 She looked straight at him and declared, "That is my hair!  Not hay!".....

 then kissed him!  

 One of Hope and my favorite breeds, a Gypsy Vanner.  They are beautiful horses, but this picture does not do them justice.  

Another friend Hope made that day, a pet rabbit brought to enjoy the show.

I have a confession.....

....I LOVE dressing up!!!!

 Disco Family

 A friend of ours dressed up like a "local"!  LOL!  

 Posing with Hope's wig!  I found this dress on sale 70% off and bought it just in case.  I finally had an excuse to wear it!

 Our neighbors boyfriend had the best costume!!!  He was cracking us up running around.  I wish I had a video camera!

Groovy Girl!

Exciting morning!

I have to say one of my favorite things about the cold is that the deer come visit our neighborhood.  The other morning I woke up to two bucks along with three in our neighbor's yard.  The smaller of the bucks kept chasing the other away.  I was too excited that I was standing out in my pjs with no socks, ran in for my camera and returned to the cold still sockless.

 The champion

Our neighbor's game camera took a picture of the buck checking me out on my porch

 Off to chase the other buck

 If you in-large the rest of the pics and look carefully you can see both bucks.  The larger one on the right only has one antler.  We thought he was the same one that came around last year with one antler missing, but he is a different buck.