Photo Cards
I had some “Mommy-Time-Off” today and went out to take photos of the horses and anything else I found in the pasture that would be Photo Card worthy. I think I got a couple of neat shots that would be interesting enough to make into photo cards to sell at our Peddler’s Faire next month — I’m wondering what you think.
This one I love, it’s of our red dun mare Cali and I love all the color that it shows and the richness of the color too. I tried it in a more washed out look but it seemed less dramatic. I also made sure to crop it in the rule of thirds so her eye is in the lower right corner and matching up with the grid lines to make the photo more appealing — as rule, most of the time, things are not as interesting centered.
I’m kind of thinking this picture of Sunnie’s muzzle munching on the new spring grass only appeals to me — I tend to think I have a rather “strange” eye. What do you think? Too artsy, too… too… too… I really am not looking to have this one on a card but could it? Have you ever heard the name “barn blind” in the terms of horse breeders? Well it can happen to photographers too, especially those that photograph their own animals.
How about our resident geese?
And this last one, I can’t decide on which looks best; colorized, black and white, or color — I’m leaning more on the black and white.
1. Colorized
2. Black and White
3. Color
… Or, not at all?
Also, would you think it would be more interesting or attractive to package in bundles of, say, 5 cards or individually?
And, would you do bundles of themes or miscellaneous?
I appreciate your thoughts and help!
Spotlighted Mr. Finch
Linger awhile upon some bending planks
That lean against a streamlet’s rushy banks,
And watch intently Nature’s gentle doings:
They will be found softer than ring–dove’s cooings.
Sometimes goldfinches one by one will drop
From low hung branches; little space they stop;
But sip, and twitter, and their feathers sleek;
Then off at once, as in a wanton freak:
Or perhaps, to show their black, and golden wings,
Pausing upon their yellow flutterings.
— John Keats
Lambs, Finches, Phlox & Orioles
I had set out to make double chocolate chip cookies this afternoon, right after I put Annie down for a nap but found out I am out of eggs! Ack! So… I went out and took pictures instead.
First off, one of our City Girls had a couple of lambs today — both are very dark! This is Hillside’s C.R. Boudicca (just did a search on her name and Boudicca is a Celtic warrior queen…) and her ram and ewe lamb, the ewe is standing. They are sired by our ram Kenleigh’s Raider a very handsome four horned boy who is giving us very crimpy fleeces so far!
This is Kenleigh’s Kiara — also a City Girl who is actually a Country Girl turned City Girl turned Country Girl again. Regardless, she has become one of my favorites. She has such presence and really is a sweet girl — even though she took her lambs up the hill out of my reach. Anyway, Kiara aka “Kiki” also had a ram and ewe on the 25th both sired by Raider.
Boudicca’s ram lamb snoozing in the afternoon sun
I was walking back from the pasture and saw a beautiful little patch of wild phlox growing on the hillside just below the ram’s pasture.
Then I noticed that Dub was above the phlox bathing in the afternoon sun also so decided to creep up and try to get a picture of the pink phlox with a sleeping ram just above it but at a shallow depth of field so the phlox would be the foreground and Dub would be the background. Dub quickly decided that he would have no part in this photo…
…Frances didn’t mind so much. He thinks he may actually look good with pink.
Female gold finches belly up to the bar
I also keep a couple of bird feeders out as I like attracting the little guys — especially blue birds, finches and orioles. So far, I’ve got all three varieties — it’s just a matter of catching them on my camera.
I’ve noticed that the males and females tend to visit the feeders at different times in a matter of higher percentages. I’m trying to get one of all the gorgeous boys fluttering around and will, it’s just a matter of time.
I usually set out an oriole feeder too with the orange nectar in it but haven’t done so yet this spring. Mr. Oriole has decided to make a pig of himself at the seed feeder to my delight. He did spend quite a lot of time there just pigging out but atleast I was able to catch Mr. Shy on camera (through the glass of my front door.)
Then this little beauty queen showed up do any of you know if this is the Missus?
Last, but certainly not least, is my house cat “Jack” turned out-door-adventure-kitty. He’s really enjoying the bird feeders — but no worries, he weighs a ton and I guarantee there will be no harm to the cute little birdies while he’s on the prowl (he’s really not all that coordinated.)
A Pay It Forward Thank You
Michelle at Boulderneigh had participated in a sort of “Pay It Forward” tag/game a while back and I was one of her first responders.
Annie and I received these little items in the mail the other day and though it is too hot to wear them other than “modeling” (yikes), we look forward to sharing this coming winter! Thank you so much Michelle — They are so soft and oh so colorful!
So now on to my invite — Would you like to participate in a Pay It Forward? Here are the rules copied from Boulderneigh:
Here is the most recent incarnation:
Wanna know the catch before you respond? The catch is that you have to make the same offer on your blog!
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me.
I will try to make something tailored for each of those five people in some way or another.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
- You will have no clue what it’s going to be.
- It’ll be done by the end of August.
I limit this giveaway to responders in the United States — Maybe next time I’ll be more brave.
Those of you who do respond and play along, please e-mail me with your preferences… Would you like a signed photograph? Some hand made cards to mail to family and friends? Notecards with a photograph by me on them? Let me know! I hope I get a few “takers.”
Self Portrait — “Freckles”
I had actually planned on participating in the I <3 Faces challenge this week with a self portrait — Obviously I never got around to it but liked the idea of trying to take a picture of myself without a tripod or “help” from anything other than my person. Here’s my attempt — Just thought I’d share. Maybe one of these days I’ll participate! Of course, I’ll let you know when.
Sunday Stills — Bowerman Barn
Lots of photos ahead — I hope you enjoy them enough to wait for them to load.
One place that has always attracted me, even before I saw it in person, is the Bowerman Barn. I saw a watercolor painting done by a very well known local artist who did a fall version of the Bowerman Barn and have loved the place ever since. I had actually had visions of getting married there — nevermind there isn’t any electicity or running water even remotely near the place save the creek that runs through it’s pasture.
The painting was done from this view and still, this has been my favorite view until this last visit.
The Bowerman Barn has always held some kind of spiritual draw for me — I think most of you know by now that I’m normally not someone who would say something like that as I tend to be very low key, but I’m just being more open than normal right now so bear with me.
Historical places do attract me like a moth to a light bulb and though this is 1800′s and people in Europe would laugh at such a “young” age — this is where the Old West started! I often ponder things such as whose hands dug the hole for this post? And who was the one to cut down this tree for the post? What was the weather like? What was on their mind?
With the lush pastures that surround the barn, I’m sure the cattle were content to stay while they built the fencing and corrals. Did they finish the barn just in time for the first snow fly? Was the hay in the loft?
Lots of sweat and hard work went into this building. It was such an essential piece of living which is now a dying breed. Who builds wooden barns anymore (besides Hubby and I?) How on earth did they get the tin to that tippity-top of the sharp peak of the roof?
I often have that wish in the back of my head, to live during the times of homesteading, to live every day doing the things that make you survive.
Each door in it’s odd place has a reason, a master plan was thought of for usefulness and practicality — That practicality has turned in to beauty. A timeless treasure.
My New Favorite View
The more I think and walk around, the more I’m transported back in time. Times of simplicity, honesty, hard work, practicality, respect, truth, sincerity, faithfulness; an age of true aptitude, competence and proficiency. I’m in awe of their daily lives.
…Then my mind starts wandering back to reality — of where I am living now.
And out walks…
…Two very good reasons, God put me where I am today.
Life is but a vapor.
What Hubby Sees Right Now
Mariners vs. Angels
He’s practicing up on his umpiring skills for Little League — Hopefully he learns something new but will give the kids a bit of leeway. Have fun Hubby!
Hubby’s Got Talent
Many years ago, what were dinosaurs like?, Hubby actually was hired by his high school (his senior year) to work for them in the wood shop making cabinets, podiums, desks and the like. He has since had a long seperation from wood working but has recently jumped back in to it so that he can make cabinets for his grandmother’s new addition on to my inlaw’s house. He’ll also make cabinets for his mother’s kitchen.
We’ve converted the upstairs of our barn into his new wood shop — he’s got the best view around.
Being her father’s daughter, Annie can often be found up stairs working with the tools and “helping” her Dada. She likes to pound the rubber mallet and turn the screw drivers.
How could you not hire such a cute little face?
Hubby’s first project, other than planing boards for various other things and just for fun too, is his grandmother’s bathroom cabinet. The pine he is using is “blued” which accounts for the blue-ish streaks you can see running through the yellow flesh. This is a sign that the pine tree was actually starting to rot before it was cut down and milled.
Blued pine can actually be quite expensive because it is so unique and rustic looking. My Godfather actually owns a bandsaw mill and he mills all our lumber for us, including pretty much every board in our barn itself.
Among Hubby’s tools and machines he uses are a planer, a shaper, a few jigs, a table saw, and many other things I’ve forgotten. I’m so new to this woodworking thing that the names, let alone the functions, are not quite embedded in my memory yet but they sure are neat and what Hubby can make out of a funky rough cut piece of wood is nothing short of impressive.
This is what he calls the “face frame” which is the frame of the bathroom cabinet without the doors and drawers installed. Since these photos were taken, the cabinet is almost done — laquered and drawers installed.
I am really impressed by these drawers. He bought a dovetail jig that is really a neat tool. Dovetailing makes the boxes of the drawers very sturdy and strong. I love the face plates on these, they’re so beautiful and unique.
I love all the little pin marks in the wood and the coloration. The dovetail is beautiful in and of itself, the way the color of the face plate blends with the rest of the drawer. Hubby is looking forward to blending a darker wood with a lighter to make it stand out even more.
Whatever grandmother has to put in these boxes, surely won’t burden it any!
Each step of the way I know that Hubby is putting his love in to his work with his grandmother on his mind. See, I told you he was talented!
I also know there’s a little girl following quickly in his footsteps.
Wordless Wednesday — Scenes of Yesterday
Trying my hand at “M” for Manual mode on the camera — I’ve done it before but now I’m forcing myself to shoot “M” all the time.
The Perfection of Violet
I’ve mentioned a few times before how perfect Violet is. She may not be the best in Jacob standards — too much black in color so her “color ratio” may not be exactly perfection and I’m sure there’s other things Jacob breeders may find that might not be exactly right on the money but I truly believe she’s perfect.
Yeah, I’d say I’m right.
Busy Week!
What a crazy busy week I had last week, beginning on Tuesday and finally settling back down today. Tuesday Hubby had a friend and three of his children come and visit us from the City and by that I mean the Real Big City — L.A. We had a wonderful time with them, taking them around to do all the country things that we enjoy. They are seriously city folks, and I guess you wouldn’t call someone “folks” if you lived in the city but I guess that shows how much of a country girl I am.
First we took them to our Big Lake, and look at how low it is. We are in a serious drought and they’ve been letting the water out of our resivoir so it is down probably around 100 + feet. We were planning on going bass fishing once we reached the shore line (took a while of driving around to be able to get there – avoiding ditches and ravines) but the wind was blowing so hard we just let the kids play and throw rocks in the water.
The beautiful family posing in front of our Alps.
This is a better view of the shoreline. It is always a low lake but this year, I really don’t think there will be much boating because of the ramps being out of commission.
Next we took them to our local “shooting range” which is up in the mountains in the middle of no-where that’s what’s nice though — no one around, just us and the facilities. Hubby is a big advocate of gun safety and education of gun safety as he and I both believe that guns are a tool and to be taken seriously but can be fun. Our friend had shot guns before as a teen but his children never had so we rounded up our .22′s and took them. They were excellent marksmen/women and did an excellent job.
Their Dad, who is of Hispanic origin wanted to take a “guerilla” picture — I then gave it a vintage look and love how it turned out. Too fun, and the kids were all so safe and took special care. Really, he is harmless he often gets comments that he looks like a cop, he’s more of a teddy bear inside though.
One of the days we took them to some hotsprings about two hours east of here. There were a few little pools but this one was the best and I’m glad I got a picture of it before the kids muddied it up. Hubby fished, I took pictures and the kids played — Annie threw rocks.
Her cousin took her in the pool at one point but she wasn’t too excited about the idea. I think she would have much rather had me holding her, or Hubby, but neither of us came prepared to get in.
Finally, after a few more activities our guests went home on Saturday and we had to wake up early Sunday to prepare for shearing.
39 sheared sheep later, we were pretty wore out and we didn’t even do the shearing! It’s funny how that activity can tire you, just the notes, gathering fleece, catching sheep, tagging lambs – It’s a job that didn’t get done until around 3:00 p.m. and we started at 9:00 a.m.
Our shearer made an interesting observation that all our “brown faced” sheep were ornery to shear. Dub was not exactly relaxed and kept fighting that’s why Hubby had to hold him at some points during his shearing. Thank goodness for those large handle bars.
Hubby tried to take a picture of Annie and I in the barn with one of our recently born lambs (two horned sired by Raider), but things weren’t working out too well –
See. My kid and “Bandit” were not cooperating and I was tired, smeared with sheep poop, lanolin soaked, hair-not-washed-because-there’s-no-point-until-we’re-done — Oh well, I’ll post my bad side here too.
It’s nice to have the sheep shorn now — I’ve been eyeing everyone to see how they’re progressing. I’ve got some “City Girls” that are bagging up, all bred to Raider and are from my acquired flock from the Bay Area. I’ve decided on culling some ewes – some freckled, some with not so pretty babies… And on and on. I was also pleasantly surprised with the development of a yearling ewe, Francine, who is really gorgeous with fleece and shorn. It’s nice to see her as an addition to my ewe flock — Looking forward to next year’s lambs.
~Joan
Dada’s Funny
Annie’s Dada has no trouble playing with the kids — that’s a good thing since there’s usually from 6 to 10 kids at his Parent’s house for dinners and get-togethers. This past Easter there were 16 kids from ages 17 months to 13 years and Hubby fit right in.
Hubby’s parents have a big trampoline in the back, and Hubby decided that the kids weren’t exciting enough by themselves so decided to join in. He quickly became a bucking bronco in which the challenge was to ride and stay on the longest.
Annie was fairly charmed by the kids’ activity and was in for a surprise when Dada became the bronco.
No she’s not crying, that’s an all-out laugh though with a bit of fake sounds to it, kind of like she’s trying too hard.
I’m thinking that Hubby will be soon superseded as “Funny Man/Woman” around here, I also believe I know who is #1 fan is.
What’s New
I got some new flowers at the Home Depot the other day and they’re still waiting to be planted. These are the Million Bells in “Teracotta” color, which I love. They’ll be planted in a teracotta planter underneith the big pink aster looking flowers. I think they’ll blend nicely. In that neat weathered wine barrel I’ll plant my nasturtium seeds again this year, after the frosts.
The milk jug has historical significance, it was used in the old dairy that was near my parent’s house way back when… I’m not sure of the year but I believe it was round the turn of the century — that being 1900′s. It’s bottom is rusted out from sitting in the old dairy barn for years but it is a nice reminder of the history of our valley and of a glass milk bottle that I could have bought at our Peddler’s Faire that was from that dairy… I’m still kicking myself for not getting that thing.
My parent’s took a train out to Boulder, Colorado to visit my brother for his birthday this past week. They got back on Saturday, just in time for Easter and my Mom brought me this really neat set of playing cards featuring my hero, Annie Oakley. There is a historical picture for every suit and one of them is an illustration I’ve been meaning to put in my side-bar. I’ll get around to it.
My parents are known for setting out on long road trips — it’s a favorite past time for them. Sure enough, they went to Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming and brought me back this mug. I love the size and the color is perfect, I’m kinda nutty for Chocolate Brown plus it helps that I’m a fan of the State of Wyoming and then there’s a cowboy on there riding a bronc; definitely a favorite mug now.
And in my mail box came these little tags for my sheep — I’m now officially part of the mandatory scrapies program. Poor sheep won’t know what hit them… From no ear rings to two! One for our ranch and records, and one for the State.
And last, but certainly not least I received this yesterday via UPS from Amazon.com. It is my new lens, which took all the above pictures and without a flash, indoors. It is a 50mm f/1.8 and I’ve heard nothing but raves about this lens. It is a Prime so you have to move your feet a lot, and what you see is what you get but that’s what is nice about it. Also, the pictures are crisp and it’s fun to be able to turn a ring on my lens again, just like the good old days. They’re pretty cheap, so if any of you want a fast lens for low light, I’d suggest you look into a 50mm.
Have a good day! And watch out for more 50mm shots — hopefully portraits!
How Far Camera Avoidance Will Get You Around Me
My Sister-In-Law, Hubby’s youngest sister. Isn’t she beautiful? She get’s those looks from her Dad, Frud – They’re both shy.
Easter Sunday Happenings
We went over to Hubby’s familys house yesterday and I think there were around 36 people there. Hubby’s mom and dad have added on to their house for Grandma and that has included a nice little covered porch that perfectly seated three tables worth of people as well as a few food tables for our buffet style feeding frenzy. We didn’t do anything “fancy” but had delicious burgers and hot dogs with many side dishes brought by all families that were there.
We also had an Easter egg hunt for the kids… That’s always fun.
Here’s the local pastor, Joe, giving all the kids their instructions… “Little kids who can’t write their names are between these trees… big kids go every where else.”
And they’re off! I like the look of determination on a couple of faces.
My egg… grrr.
My Mom (Nonna) helped Annie. They’ve been attached at the hip since Nonna got home from a week’s trip to Colorado to visit my brother for his birthday.
Annie quickly learned how to open the plastic eggs — as you can see, her face is already stuffed.
This is a question of who’s taller… Obviously the one on the left has an advantage (she’s my niece too).
Two of our sweet little friends, sisters, and they have two more sisters younger than them.
This is my very shameless 13 year old nephew… Hunting eggs with intensity.
These two are both right around three, they also got distracted by the egg’s contents and started stuffing their little faces immediately — then they wondered why they weren’t getting more eggs! It was pretty funny… Especially to see how little kids think.
Annie’s loot, she and Nonna did pretty good!
Obviously hunting for eggs can be a tiring job — sitting down in the cool grass and enjoying the day is always a good thing to do after such activity.
I hope you had a joyous and blessed Easter!
Sunday Stills – Red
A little late in posting but this is what I had in mind for today’s Sunday Stills. This is my daughter after the easter egg hunt had started and she found that I had already placed a chocolate bunny in her basket.
Happy Birthday Uncle Thomas
Annie, Hubby and I wanted to wish Uncle Tom.E a most wonderful and blessed birthday today! We’re thinking of you! With all our love –
How We Roll
Tractor Girls: Tough as Nails…Argghh
Sonic Cameras – Buyer Beware
Most of the time I like to post things that are nice, comfortable, and sweet. I like to include pretty pictures and like to uplift someones day but unfortunately, today is not one of those days and I feel the need to warn possible buyers who may consider ordering from www.soniccameras.com.
Yesterday, I had something up my sleeve that I wasn’t going to announce until my surprise had arrived — I’m so glad I decided to wait. I had ordered a Nikon D700 which is a sports car of a camera, professional grade with the best capability to shoot indoors or in low light situations plus so many other wonderful features that would give me a huge advantage in my photography. You can read all about the marvelous thing on Ken Rockwell’s wonderful site at http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d700.htm. I was upgrading, and not only upgrading but really taking a huge leap in my equipment and was super excited — I started researching everything about it, looking up photographs on Flickr that were taken with D700′s and enjoying every minute of anticipation waiting for the weeks up when it would arrive on my doorstep. Not only was I getting the camera body, but also a 50 mm lens that would be awesome for portraits and macro shooting — I was in bliss.
Today, I get home from the Big City to receive a message on my answering machine asking to call Sonic Cameras to confirm my order. I called, and the man asked me for the three digit number on the back of my credit card, I gave it to him then he proceeded (with a snotty voice) asking me why I had only ordered the body and not the charger etc. that comes with the camera. I said that I didn’t realize it didn’t come with that and that my husband had ordered it for me as a gift — The guy also was speaking very quickly, and was obviously high-pressure sales and it didn’t help that he had a NY’er accent which I could not understand. By the time I was done with him my bill was from $1,200 (including the lens) to $2549. Big difference eh?! I hung up with him and talked to Simon who was pissed and called the guy back. Thankfully he likes to argue and will have no problem pushing back if being pushed; something I have a hard time with though I shouldn’t. So we had the charges reversed and I’m no longer anticipating a super cool camera to arrive within the week. It’s both depressing and a good thing, I wouldn’t want to support a company like that. They didn’t even have the camera marked as gray market (which it was and thus so cheap) on their website. It even included a 1 Year USA Warranty which leads you to believe it’s the real deal.
I think they used the three digit number as an excuse to talk to me in person and use the High-Pressure Sales Pitch — Why wouldn’t you include a box in your order form on the website for the three digit number? Everyone else does.
Edited To Add: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Sonic_Cameras
Yikes… Looks like I really got scammed, the good thing is that there’s a nice website to check out companies at www.resellerratings.com and that my credit card (checked online) has no activity.
Riding a Behemoth
My niece, (Hubby’s youngest sister’s oldest daughter) talked me in to going on a trail ride with her this past Saturday evening. I really didn’t have to be totally “talked” into it as I accepted quick enough once I knew that Annie had her nap and someone would watch her while I was gone. Someone watching her isn’t usually all that hard either as at Hubby’s parent’s house there is normally atleast five kids, sometimes more and such was the case this weekend. Annie loves playing with her cousins, especially on the trampoline but… I did have to ride a Behemoth. If you don’t know what a behemoth is, you can click the link or to sum it up; is a biblical creature mentioned in the Book of Job, 40:15-24. The word is most likely a plural form of בהמה (bəhēmāh), meaning beast or large animal. It may be an example of pluralis excellentiae, a Hebrew method of expressing greatness by pluralizing a noun; it thus indicates that Behemoth is the largest and most powerful animal ever to exist.
Behemoth aka “Chloe” aka “Princess Chloe Buttercup” is my father-in-law’s horse. She’s a Percheron and Paint cross but somehow missed out on the Paint in her breeding because she doesn’t have a speck of white on her. Also, my niece was kind enough to saddle this animal for me (don’t worry I checked everything out…don’t want to fall off from this high up!), and Rebecca is atleast 5’4″ at age 11 – how tall is Chloe? I’m not sure.
The nice thing about her is that, well, she’s nice! Very sweet and really wouldn’t harm a fly unless it was on accident. She’s definitely girly though… I think her favorite color is pink and her whinny is sweet and high pitched. Not something that goes well with my father-in-law except that opposites attract.
Chloe is the epitomy of “Does this saddle make my butt look big?” Why yes, yes it does, especially since it’s an Abetta endurance saddle!
Off we went, down the neighborhood road and off on to the trail that winds around some catch ponds for the local creek that runs into the local river. Rebecca rode General Morgan, an old guy who has been rode hard and put away wet, but he’s found renewed energy and spark thanks to Becca’s rides on his back.
Grass Valley Creek Ponds – no not THE Grass Valley, CA.
It was neat riding through my old stomping grounds. I let Becca chatter away telling me all about where the roads and trails led. Little did she know that I have known this country like the back of my hand – I’d been riding around here my whole life, by myself as a kid but to a kid her age, she doesn’t realize how young I really am.
Bless her little pea pickin’ heart, she’s doing great on her old steed! I’m proud that she’s wanting to ride so much lately and hope that she’ll keep it up because riding and spending time on a horse is so much better than what a lot of kids do nowadays — including those stupid video games of which I won’t get into. I’ll just leave it as, Becca will be much smarter than the kid who stares at a screen all day if she keeps at the riding business.
There’s my parent’s home (where I grew up) nestled in the trees. Their rough coated collie dog can be seen down on the left, the black spot. I’m standing in the field taking this picture from a place that I’d ridden umpteen-million times on various horses. Their house is across this large field from my parent’s in law’s house — approximately a mile and half via the road.
This is the view with my parent’s house at my back looking toward my parent’s in laws house though they are more over to the left of this picture, through various trees. I love this little valley though, many good memories are here. I used to kick my horse into high gear right about at this spot and we used to go ripping down the side there just to the left of the bushes in the middle. I also would end up ripping out some survey stakes that were set up for a proposed golf course… Yes, I was silent but deadly and so was my horse. We were crime partners.
This river borders The Valley on the right and this is one of it’s calmest spots. Definitely a good little fishing hole right at the beginning of the rapids — many a brown trout has met it’s end here.
Some government entity has been clearing spots along the river lately and so we were able to ride through an area that hasn’t been available to be ridden through for quite some time due to over grown brush. It was a pretty view and that grassy spot ahead is a lovely place for a horse back picnic.
As we end our loop, we come out next to these old corrals. I love this spot, I can almost hear the cattle lowing and the cowboys yelling and moving them around.
This is the upper settling pond, meant to catch the silt from the creek before it goes in to the river. You have to cross here to go to The Valley and back again from my parent’s in law’s house. When the salmon are running, it can be quite an experience because the fish spook at the horses hooves and go scurrying up the water, the horses then spook and I call the fish “Mountain Lions with Fins.”
Nearing the rapids where we have to turn right to go down the trail back to the house. Chloe sure has a good attitude doesn’t she? I also appreciate how tall she is here, the water doesn’t even come close to getting on me!
We’re almost up to the neighborhood road here, one of my favorite spots because of the tall pines and the black berries that grow here are wonderful — especially if you can battle the mosquitoes in the summer.
Back to the homestead, Rebecca is that little dot down there on the road with dust flying behind her. My parents in law’s house is on the left as well as their pasture fence. This road, Dirt Road (yes, it really is named that), is where a couple of Becca’s horse back riding friends live and it’s a nice flat spot to gallop, should you feel the need… Of which, Chloe and I did not. Not only did I have a digital SLR hanging from my neck, I was also in a strange saddle on a very gigantic horse with huge strides that could lurch you if you’re not prepared… I wasn’t feeling too prepared.
When I got back, my baby felt the urge to ride this beast, and I was happy to oblige. My mother-in-law took the photos and did a nice job too.
It was a nice trip down memory trail and riding a horse this large is always novel. Chloe is a sweetie, and such a gentle giant.
Thanks for the ride Becca!
Sunday Stills – Animals of Husbandry
I’ve decided to jump on the band wagon with the Sunday Stills group — How could I not being that the subject is “Animal Husbandry?” So, though I didn’t go out and get this photo this afternoon, it is from January on one of our first sunny days and the group of animals… Sheep and a horse. That’s a couple of creatures I don’t think are seen loose together a whole lot. Our horses were moved out the more lambing season arrived as they tend to get a bit pushy with the sheep, especially at feeding time.
The Challenge Description:
This will be easy for most but a challenge for some of us…:-) For a real challenge how about 3 or more animals in the pic?? Or 2 or more different animals in the pic?? Have fun…Ed
Enjoy your Sunday!
Wool Terms
Modeling her wool, the lovely Grace O’Malley
Just thought this was a neat little bit of information on the internet from www.ag.ndsu.edu; Wool Terms and their explanations.
Bellies – short and less desirable wool from the belly of the sheep.
Britch or Breech Wool - wool from the hindquarters of the sheep, usually the coarsest on the body, often approaching hair in characteristics.
Crimp – the natural curl in the wool fiber, gives wool its natural resilience and elasticity.
Fleece – the wool from a single sheep in the shorn grease state.
Grease Wool - wool as shorn from sheep, not washed or scoured (raw wool).
Handle or Hand - a term referring to the actual feel of wool.
Hoggett Wool - also called virgin wool, first fleece shorn from a sheep when about one year old.
Keratin – a complicated chemical protein substance, major constituent of a wool fiber.
Lamb’s Wool - wool taken from a lamb not over seven months old.
Luster – determined by the amount of light reflected by the fiber.
Pelt – the skin of the sheep with wool still on the skin.
Pulled Wool – wool removed from pelts after slaughter, also known as “slipe.”
Scouring – actual washing of dirt, grease and foreign matter from grease wool.
Shearling – shortest wool obtained from sheep sheared about a month before slaughtering, about 1/2 inch in length.
Skirting – a practice of removing from the edges of the whole fleece, at shearing time, all stained and inferior parts.
Staple – the length of a lock of shorn wool. In the trade “staple” refers to wool that averges 2.5 inches or more in length.
Suint – salts of perspiration present in the raw wool fleece.
Woolen Yarn – yarn spun from wool fibers which are short.
Worsted Yarn – yarn spun from wool fibers which are long.
Yield – amount of clean wool derived from grease wool in the scouring process.
Yolk – natural grease and suint in sheep’s wool, when purified is known as lanolin.
The Winner of our Eco Store Giveaway!
Thank you everyone, for playing along! I’m glad you all entered and was very interested in reading your responses. My question was, “If you could learn anthing, what would it be?” I’ve been wanting to learn to do so many things including but not limited to: Needle Felting, Spinning, Sewing (well on my way to learning), Mounted Shooting…someday, Tole Painting and on and on. I don’t think I’ll live long enough to do all the things that have crossed my mind to try and of course, my perfectionist comes out in wanting to do these things perfectly… not realistic. So, I’ll try to not disappoint myself.
Here are some answers that I got, incase you haven’t read as I find them pretty interesting:
- I’ve always wanted to learn to work with glass – fused glass and the like!
- Paint! Watercolor, airbrush, oils and pastel.
- First I would like to learn to back a horse trailer better, I have awful depth perception. I would like to learn to ride bridleless like Stacy Westfall, to music. To ride in mounted shooting or a cutting horse. I would like to learn to do silverwork jewelry.
- When I want to learn something, I pretty much go ahead and learn it. Well, except maybe for patience – still haven’t really learned that! And pie crusts. Just can’t make a pie crust.
Seriously though, I want to make shoes. I came across this really great book “Crafting Handmade Shoes” by Sharon Raymond. Handmade shoes from my handmade felt from my home raised sheep. Would that be cool or not! - I’d like to learn to long line horses as well as Richard so I guess that means I’d like to learn to “see” what he sees during that process.
- I want to learn how to use PhotoShop – but Patchworkfiber’s comment has really got me thinking… That would be really cool
- Play the piano – I love the graceful music – but I should probably start with learning to read notes! I am also fascinated with the Irish Step dancing! Of course, I think patience is at the top of my list, but I’m not sure I WANT to go through that process!
- If I had the opportunity to learn one thing, I would definitely have to learn how to sing like an Irish woman. I love to sing, but it would be super spectacular to be able to sing that beautifully. Also, Tanyo wants me to say that he would want to learn how to be able to move objects (like hay and mash) with his mind, cus it would just make life a lot easier and he wouldnt have to wait for me to bring his goodies to him.
- I have always wished I could learn to drive a race car in competition. I love to drive fast and have gotten our one ton Dodge truck up to 100 mph on a long stretch of freeway (with no one around of course). It gave me goose bumps at that speed…
- Right now I’m in the middle of learning beekeeping. It’s been on my list for years and my hive is almost ready and my nuc of bees shows up in two weeks. There is a steep learning curve in caring for such amazing and delicate creatures with the colonies collapsing all over the place.
Very interesting answers! Thanks so much… Some of you have sparked new interests for myself. 
I called Hubby up and he said that he chose #9, and as luck would have it it turned out to be our last winner, Mary. She very nicely requested not to be the recipient because she won last time (thank you Mary!), so I asked that if she was #9 did he want to choose #8 or #10? He chose #8…
Congratulations Chelsea! Write me at mudranch at gmail.com with your mailing address and I’ll send you this Pure Oxygen Whitener by Eco Store!
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