Winter Babies

Stars Tiger Lily & Stars Dreamwalker

 

The two yearlings playing in the fresh snow - they are quite the pair of munchkins! Very frisky and playful, sweet temperaments. Sure do get running around that pen sometimes. Both are very good quality and cannot wait until they are old enough to ride! I know, at least a two year wait but am still excited........

Mickey & Ozzie

 

Ozzie

Mickey

 

 

We lost our beloved Buster to the wolves in early January, RIP dear friend. Oh how I miss him! But he died doing his job of protecting our farm animals from the predators. Poor Molly was so sad and lonely and beginning to get very tired trying to patrol and protect this large area all alone. She was also in lots of danger being by herself to do this job. We were able to locate a couple of young 8 month old Irish Wolfhound X Komondor pups and picked them up Feb. 2. They have settled in very nicely and are already working! Both have big, deep voices that might make the coyotes think twice at least. Quite a pair of sweeties and I sure hope nothing happens to them! These wolves need to be removed from the area, do not need them around the farm at all.

Goodbye 2012 and Welcome 2013!

What a wonderful way to say adios to the old year and usher in the new! The weather was as perfect as it could be, not too cold and not so warm that ice formed - and riding in a one horse open sleigh! Stars Ladyhawke did fantastic her first time hitched to the sleigh. We found that it does pull somewhat different than the cart for sure, but she had no problems adjusting. The driver on the other hand, took a few minutes to  get used to the different vehicle! It is always so nice to be able to spend time with family and friends. Got to babysit the grandson on New Years Eve, grand daughter had a sleepover with a friend. AJ and I had a great time as always together. Amma tends to play the little tyke out and he slept like a log.....he went sledding, helped split wood, fed horses, went for an adventure walk through very deep snow (thought I might have to dig him out LOL), quad riding.....busy little man. Here is hoping that the rest of 2013 is as great as the beginning has been!

Here we are, past mid-December with Christmas approaching quickly! We have had a LOT of winter already with a long way to go until spring.....temperatures have been somewhat below normal since October, but nothing too serious yet. Still feel like we are playing catchup with winter hitting so early, but we are actually doing just fine. Only a few days left until the shortest day of the year and our daylight hours will begin to increase again, thank goodness. It has been far too gloomy and dark the past couple of months, in desparate need of some sunshine. Horses are all doing great, have sold |Kidd and Foxy, they will go to their new home in the spring once the weather is more suitable for a long haul. Sure am going to miss them but the people are getting two exceptionally nice saddle horses that should do the job they want very well. Looking forward to Christmas with the family, dinner yummmm and just good times together. It is so much fun having little kids around again for the season...they bring much joy. Till next time.....

Wishing all our friends and family all the best for this Holiday Season and in 2013!

UK Was a Great Experience

Kristin and Stars Red Hawk

 

 

Here is a picture of my daughter, Kristin and Stars Red Hawk in his pasture at Blaisdon, Gloucester, UK taken on the second last day of our visit. We had an awesome time. Helena and Kyriako treated us like royalty and were great hosts. Helena purchased Red several years ago from us while living in Athens, Greece. The family made a huge move last winter to England. Of course, Red came along as well as Jojo their big dog. The climate, vegetation etc. are all very different from what we have here in West Central Alberta. The humidity is unbelievable! Nothing gets dry....it even smells like a musty basement outside, everywhere you go. Very different from here with our crisp, clear air. Roads are so narrow, lined by tall hedges and in some places you have to back up if you meet another car. The River Severn is impressive and dangerous. Gloucester Cathedral is a must to see if visiting the area. It is so old, the architecture is beautiful. More a piece of art than a building.....more pictures to come as I get time to download and sort through. London/Heathrow airport is an experience in itself. It was so good to see our little Edmonton International Airport again, much less initimidating.

 

Gloucester Cathedral

Fall is here

 

View from the Bedroom Window

 

Enjoying the sunshine and grass

 

Stars Really Foxy & Me

 

Brothers - we may have a team!

 

 

Just some random pics taken on a gorgeous fall day on the farm. Needed the roundpen mowed so openned the gate for the gang. September was an amazingly warm and sunny month, enjoyed it a lot. October is starting out kinda wet and cool but should get nice again by weeks end. The foals have grown superbly well this summer, the two year olds are much taller and filling out. All are very sweet and kind. Will be weaning the foals as soon as I am back from the UK. Should have lots of pictures of that experience! We leave on Oct. 9 which is coming up very fast. Getting somewhat nervous and very excited, of course. Hopefully we will have our big yard lights up and working when I get home too, that will really be nice on these short and dark winter days. Had one of those black and white smelly critters come visiting a few nights ago - the house finally doesn't smell like a skunk! Little monster didn't like out motion sensor light very much.....

Summer is Over

 

Totie on pedestal

Totie learning to bow

 

One on one with Josh Nichol

 

Well summer is pretty much finished again! The time flies by so quickly it seems. I closed the season with a superb 4 day clinic with Josh Nichol at his facility in Meanook, AB. As usual, learned a lot and now it is to practice it all! We really ended the summer with a two day Trick Horse Training clinic with Jackie Johnson, also a super experience. Horses had a great time learning how to perform some fun tricks. Looking forward to clinics with both of these excellent instructors in 2013.