My New Banners
So now that I’ve found my cute little sheepy design, I’ve gone ahead and made some for each season.
As my daughter would say *clapping hands*, “Yay Mama!” You can click each to biggify and I also mad some that are similar for my Etsy Shop. I like my new job as a graphic designer (no offense to professional graphic designers — a girl can dream!)
What do you think?
I have been wanting a “cute” logo — something to go on my Etsy site (atleast the tree and sheep part) and something to go on my website. It seems that I am never satisfied but I’m wondering if I’ve finally settled on it. What do you think? Could I add or take away anything? Perhaps a different shape to the box, maybe more square or… ?
Edited To Add: I have changed my Etsy Shop appearance with this logo in mind — please go check it out! I’m pretty excited about what I’ve done to spruce things up.
Sunday Stills — Toys
Annie’s “new” toy is my old stick horse — I had it when I was a child and my mom just found it in the attic and gave it to Annie for her second birthday.
And me, riding my toy, who’s pushing her toy as seen in yesterday’s post.
For more Sunday Stills participants and their “Toys” please go here.
Another Neigh Neigh Event
Annie and I loaded up Cali this morning for a little event put on by my friend Dixie at our local arena. I’m not sure what she called it, except a trail competition — it should be called the Extreme Cowgirl Race… well, unless a man happens to show up sometime.
Notice the new shirt Aunt Megan made her for her birthday!
I told Dixie that she never ceases to amaze me at her creativity in the ring and the events she puts on. Keep in mind, she does it to raise funds for the arena up keep itself, and not for her own personal gain.
First you had to cross a bridge, then go around a water obstacle (kid’s blue plastic pool filled with blown up tubes and balls), then through this blue tarp curtain.
Here’s your diagram, if you choose to follow along.
This is Ashley riding Missy her quarter horse. She also brought her arabian named Ginger whom you’ll see coming up.
Missy did pretty well considering in the beginning her feet seemed like they were stuck in cement.
Here’s “Truck” and Jessica crossing our bridge. Dixie made sure that almost all the obstacles had poles or something around them so that the horse felt even more squeezed (something horses aren’t too keen on — they’re claustrophobic.)
Ack! I forgot the ring in my diagram!… Oh well, I’m not drawing it again. The object was to get both front hooves in the ring — they are two noodles duct taped together.
Truck was one of the few horses that didn’t mind the bubbles being blown at him.
Isn’t he a gorgeous handsome horse? I really do like him and Jessica has done all his training — her secret? She ponied him every where off her little arab gelding, Harley. I like her little saying now, she has a Truck to pull her Harley.
Approaching the box — I believe he got both hooves up there once Jessica got off. I really don’t know that anyone stood on the box with their rider on, but I could be mistaken about that.
Ashley on Ginger for their lope — another girl who has trained her own horse. I believe Ginger is about 5 now. Ashley received Ginger for free from a big arabian breeder in Southern California, the only condition was that Ashley had to catch her, get the halter on her, and halter break her (she was wild as a march hare.) Ashley did just that and spent a full week at the facility working on it! But now she has her little arabian and enjoys working with her all the time. They’re quite a team!
Ashley and Ginger walking through the soda cans and the water bottles. This was definitely a scary obstacle.
And Ginger was one of the very few horses who kicked the ball through the cones.
Cali and I went over the bridge just fine and put our hooves in the ring too — after much circling but not for the reason of a spook, just rather Cali wasn’t paying attention. But we did it.
After a long drink in the “scary” pool with floaties, she moved on through the tarp curtain with just a little hestitation but not too bad. This horse was the one that would find a tarp by our barn and pick it up in her teeth to scare all the other horses. It was always very funny. And yes, I’m riding with a flat nylon halter — I’ve got to get this horse some head gear!
Cali was not at all fond of the bubble machine. I think it was more the noise it made rather than the bubbles, though she really didn’t like the bubbles touching her either. We finally passed by when it stopped, and she did sniff it when it was quiet.
We went around and around the box while I was on her — she finally stepped up when I guided her, though I think we only got a point for one hoof and not two.
I did our walk through of the rest of the course, and dismounted for walking under the two noodles. Then I remounted to go and try to kick the ball through the cones –
Kigers are so smart that you often have to tell them the objective of the game before they’ll cooperate.
“Oh, I see! Put the ball through the cones.”
“Okay Cali that’ll do.”
“Okay THANK YOU Cali — that’s far enough!”
Yep, we are one of the very few other horses that pushed the ball through. Silly girl.
We got second prize which was a pretty little red ribbon and these rhythm beads to attach in Cali’s mane! Cool eh?
And of course, Annie had to ride the “neigh neigh” as soon as I was done. She didn’t want to get off and we had our usual small cry when it was time to put the saddle away and load up to leave. This is pure indoctorination as Hubby would call it — yes, I need someone else on my side when it involves horses. Good thing I had a girl!
Photos of Cali and I are courtesy of “MeMa” Gross — thank you MeMa!
We had a party last night
Annie’s Nana (my mom) has Thursdays and Fridays off so we did Annie’s 2nd birthday party last night at Nana’s house! All of Annie’s little friends from here in town were there plus her cousins and that makes it a total of 10 kids not counting Annie. We supplied cake and ice cream and of course present opening.
Nana made the cool banner out of Annie’s finger paints.
I made the cool cake… Okay, I bought it at Costco because I was running out of time.
Annie received some really fun presents including a little out fit hand made by her Aunt Megan which includes two shirts, one with horses, one with sage and pink flowers. She also got a large tube of bubbles (very large), paints with stamps, play dough (!), a tool box, a John Deere cap, new PJ’s, and a really neat little Pooh tool box. The biggest gifts were this little red tricycle from her Papa and Me-ma (Hubby’s parents,) and a tire swing made to look like a horse from Papa and Nana! Out of all these really cool presents, the balloons really took the cake, and the Playdough with the tool box was right up there next to them — we’re really on a playdough kick.
Apparently she enjoyed herself.
Okay, really really enjoyed herself.
“Okay, enough of this, let’s get back to business.”
And being that we’re a John Deere family –
We had to get a picture of us in our caps.
The Birthday Girl
I know, I know — content overload. I just can’t help myself… I’m so proud of her.
Too cute eh? You can find these at a great little Etsy shop ran by a very sweet lady based out of Texas: www.thehaypatch.etsy.com.
My Baby is 2 Today
Look out world, here she comes and she’s lookin’ to put lake moss on your leg.
Happy birthday baby — Mommy and Daddy love you much more than we could ever imagine. You’re quite a shining star to all those around you.
A Visitor and a Couple Keepers
We have a visitor for a few days until she continues her journey up to Washington state from central California. She is the raffle lamb for this year’s Jacob Sheep Breeder’s Association AGM (annual general meeting) — which is actually quite a shin-dig put on by the JSBA including seminars and shows. We attended last year when it was held in Dixon, CA.
This is the raffle ewe lamb donated by Robin at Meridian Jacobs down in Vacaville, CA. She was won by Cathie up in Washington state at Swallow Lane Jacobs.
I know that on Robin’s end, this little girl doesn’t have a name yet.
She was looking for a friend, anyone to talk to this afternoon. She felt pretty alone in this great big pasture with a bunch of strange sheep. She did follow the girls around alright but was baa’ing all the time.
It was funny — Robin has a beautiful little farm down there in central California but it is smaller acreage (I really don’t know how many exactly.) We have opened up all our pastures because they’re so dry to let all the cattle, horses and sheep roam where ever they’d like and as Robin turned this little girl out she said, “I feel like I’m releasing her into the wild!” I had to laugh because I can see why she feels that way. Our sheep are safe though, with Abby on guard (speaking of which, she never got up from her mid-afternoon slumber while Robin was here… apparently it was too hot for the effort) and being that we lock the sheep up at night. The little gal came in just fine though and is safe and sound in the barn til tomorrow morning.
I also wanted to show off two new “keepers” that I got from Shannon at Kenleigh Acres. This is Demure whom is a beautiful two horned lilac totally unrelated to all my lilacs which is a huge plus! She is simply gorgeous, has marbled blue eyes and is so feminine.
And this is Serenity — too bad she’s being shadowed by Tiffany because you can’t get a really clear view of her body style. She’s what is known as “primitive” type as she is more upright or deer-like in body build. Her twin brother just left in Robin’s truck going down to Meridian Jacobs for a big job this fall of breeding some ewes. I hope he serves Robin’s flock well, I have no doubt though as both he and his sister and his dam are beautiful!
Demure and Serenity have proved to be a bit hard to photograph though. They’re usually in the middle of a bunch of sheep or conveniently walking out of the picture. Today I got Demure drinking — taken through the glass of my french doors and through our fence.
And Serenity, this is the only view she ever wants me to take. I’ll win them over… it’s just a matter of time.
Haflinger Portraits
I thought I’d post some of my more fun photos from last week with the Haflingers. I’ll also let you know if we go riding on some for a trail ride — if so, it may be Friday.
“Fanny” reminds me of Mister Ed.
You should have seen how easily she took Annie’s carrot — it was quite incredible how she used her lips and was so careful to not touch Annie’s fingers. I was actually there right before she took it from her hand with a quick sprint and though it gave me a slight heart attack, I’m glad Fanny was so well behaved.
Unwelcome Visitors
Abby woke us up this morning having an absolute hissy-fit. She was barking in a hysterical bark one that was very un-like her “coyote bark” so we were wondering what she was up to, but kind of unconcerned. Hubby got up before I did (normal) and looked out the window, “She’s just barking in all directions.”
“Humm,” I replied (normal for that early — 5:30am). Finally he got a shower and headed out in the truck but I heard him stop and praise Abby. So I decided I had better get up and check it out. Hubby was staring up in to a small oak tree as I headed out and I asked him what it was, his reply, “The cutest thing you ever saw.”
This is what I saw when I got there.
This is what I saw when someone had enough curiosity to look down.
You can learn quite a bit from raccoons — just because you’re cute, doesn’t mean people want you around, especially if your destructive (physically and mentally.)
And don’t bring the family — ’cause they’re most likely just as destructive as you!
Sorry Lana, no pictures of Abby this time but I’ve got you in mind!
La Pequeña Vaquera — a tutorial
When you are a Vaquera, you must have a good hat, a good horse, and a good straight face.
You also must be completely serious and very aware of your surroundings. Remember that when you’re bringing someone in to the law; bad boys have brothers and they’ll be trailing along.
Watch your back.
Stay close to your prisoner, make sure their head is down, and they keep moving in this dry desert.
Pushing the prisoner up front may be a good idea if you think he has some harm in mind. They’re never to be trusted — once you get him in to the law, you can go back to punchin’ cattle.
Keep your eyes peeled – the prisoner, his comrades, the rocky terrain, snakes, and your horse — each one could pull a fast one when you’re feeling relaxed.
And when you see the jail house in view, you can let out a slight grin but make sure no one’s watching.
Such is life, living out on the range.
A visit with some Haflingers
My friend Dixie picked me up yesterday and dragged me to the Big City though it was scorching outside to take a look at some Haflingers. The place had about 52 of them, though we only saw a handful of that number.
The farrier was there at the time and had a couple cross tied in the alley way at each time. I was very impressed on how calm they were and didn’t jump even when Annie went bouncing around.
At one point, after Dixie had her mount saddled and ready to go, we actually walked the little horse underneath the cross ties of the other horses and no one said a word — very odd for horses and it made me a little jumpy because I’m used to “normal” horses. Mine would have had to argue or throw some sort of little fit while another horse walked by in such close proximity.
Dixie rode a very cute little mare named Fancy. She was super sweet and oh so gentle. Dixie has been having trouble with trusting horses the last few years and felt very comfortable on Fancy.
They cruised around the small arena and even got up to a very fast trot. Fancy wasn’t feeling energetic enough in the heat to pick up a lope. Dixie will be heading back down to the Big City tomorrow for another ride and then possibly a trail ride next week on one of the Haflingers. I’m supposed to go with her for the trail ride — we’ll see. It does sound like a lot of fun though!
My Fleecey Weekend
I was visiting my friend Shannon up in Oregon for a couple days last week and actually had more time to do the blitz-fiber filled couple of days because my good friend Maleah took care of Annie for me. It was our first time leaving her over night with someone else and for me it was a little strange but a welcome time. I was exhausted by the time I arrived at Shannon’s at 7:00 am. We had travelled the night before up to Ashland and Medford only to find that the Motels/Hotels were booked! No vacancy so my husband, being a traveller, pulled over to a Petro station and we fell asleep in the truck. Not my idea of a good night’s sleep. Hubby slept for a few hours, I tried but only got a couple at best. Once he was awake at around 3:30 am we took off again and finally I was able to sleep with the truck moving and the quiet of the diesel rumble. Yes, quiet, because we weren’t hearing the traffic, the bright lights and the jake brakes of the surrounding semis at the Petro.
When we got to Shannon’s I took a quick shower in her little Fiber Studio and Hubby took another nap before his trip resumed up toward Portland. Shannon and I started out our day thinking of what we would do with fiber and what I wanted to make. I thought a pillow would be fun so we started needle felting and I was amazed at how it was done.
This is what I ended up with on my little square piece of felt. My red dun mare, Cali. I prefer Shannon’s more whimsical ways with her art, I always try to get to realistic and it turns out funny. It’s okay, but like I said, whimsical is a lot cuter! So, we had to make the felt that this piece would attach to and we headed out to Joanne’s to see if they carried 100% wool felt like Shannon had noticed before. They of course didn’t so I learned how to wet felt some roving! That was very neat, and very fun too.
While I was making my felted horse pillow, Shannon was making a pillow with a custom Jacob ram for a present for someone who had done a lot of people a big favor. Mine is the chocolate, hers is the Jacob gray. It is incredible how much roving it takes to make a felted sheet, and is also incredible the shrinkage that occurs. Thankfully both of us are in the mindset that we “just do it” — no not Nike. Shannon had told me that some people will make a swatch to figure out the shrinkage to know exactly how large they should make their felt sheet for their specific need. Neither one of us was wanting to think that hard, thankfully. My head was still completely foggy from the night before — I don’t do good with lack of sleep.
Here I am, hard at work felting my wool and it was turning out pretty good. I definitely will be more aware of the holes you can get in it if it’s not thick enough, but for me, and my first time, it worked out just fine.
The process was sure interesting. Here I have my fleece on top of the bubble wrap (for friction) then put on top of that was the shelf liner and you soak the wool through the liner with a sponge of hot water, then rub a bar of soap all over it aggressively. You then rub it with your hands aggressively and then take of the liner, roll up the wool with the bubble wrap and rub it aggressively, then take it out, fold it up and pound it to death. Then there’s the rinses in hot and cold water, beating it every time you touch it. If you ever have some aggression you need to relieve just wet felt!
While all this was going on, we tried dying some wool, but I’ll do more on that later.
The problem with needle felting…
These guys won’t leave me alone, and they’re multipying.
Sunday Stills — Textures
This week over at Sunday Stills, is the challenge for “Textures.” Being a very tactile person (shopping for things with my fingers) it was fairly easy for me because I naturally see textures. It was fun nevertheless!
Alstromeria, the softest plant you’ll ever touch!
For more Sunday Stills please visit the blog and ready all those who’ve entered in the comment section.
Leaving on a Loaded Down Truck
I’m scurrying around trying to pack everything I need to join Shannon again at her lovely home up in Oregon for a couple of days. Hubby is traveling on up to Portland for business (installing a machine) and I talked him into dropping Annie and I off for some felting and fleece lessons.
So while I wandered around the pasture, saying “see ya later” to my girls, they all enjoyed the shade of the oaks on a sunny afternoon. It’s always funny to me how mama’s and their babies will snuggle even after the baby is just as big, if not bigger, than her mama — Lily and Bubbles, above, for example.
I’ve got a stack of registration forms, filled out with pictures included, ready to take to Shannon (the registrar is going to have her work cut out!) I’ve also got my ONE washed fleece in the tub ready to meet Shannon’s carder. I am a little disappointed I didn’t get a couple more washed, but oh well, I’m sure I can learn enough with just one.
I’ve checked on the weather for Oregon, to see what it’s like and yes, I believe I’ll be taking a sweater. I’ve been used to 80-90 degree weather and it looks like it’s going to be partial clouds and in the 70′s up there. That’s a bit chilly for this sissy California girl. I like having sweatshirts on, when a lot of other people wouldn’t be thinking of wearing them.
I’ve got to finish writing out my instructions on how to take care of this menagerie for my dad and father-in-law to figure out. I also have to secure my last dog crate — I’ve got three now, and need four to bring home four sheep! One of them is not mine, it is being brought down for a Jacob breeder down in the Bay Area (5 hours south) and will be staying until she can pick it up. At least we’re bringing him toward her half way, so she doesn’t have to travel as far.
The only thing I’m concerned about is not having my mocha in the morning… Hey Shannon? Got a Starbucks near by? 
Until then, I’ll let sleeping sheep lye.
Smart farmers come from… Illinois?
Just had to share this — super smart functioning farm I’d say! Kinda blows the doors off of PETA and others who’d lead you to believe that all farmers have cruel ways and that cows don’t like to be milked!
Sunday Stills — Wildflowers, Leopard Lily
We live in a gorgeous area of California, somewhat still hidden from the daily rush of the busier places. Over looking us is a large wilderness area which we call locally, “The Alps.” They are rugged snow capped mountains of granite which house multiple lakes and creeks with lush meadows. Amongst all this breathtaking beauty is my absolute favorite flower, the Leopard Lily (I commonly call it a Tiger Lily which it is not.)
They grow in very wet, shady areas right on the edge of running water. I have often seen them in marshy meadows where they are growing in a couple of inches of water — often they are neighbors of fern.
I had gone fishing with Hubby and a friend up at the base of the Alps a week or so ago and as we fished down the creek, I had noticed a small stream pouring in to the creek. I followed it up the side of the mountain a little ways and found a patch of my flowers. The sight of them always makes little butterflies in my stomach.
This was a nice sized patch but it is even better when you find a whole meadow full of them. Their elegance is incomparable.
Hubby recently came back from one of his log moving adventures to our friend’s mill and brought back a small bouquet from our friend’s spring. He knew that a little handful of these lilies is the way to this girl’s heart.
The Leopard Lily is so delicate and fine, the colors are vibrant. I enjoy every second of enjoying them — especially with my lens!
Calm before the Chaos
“A state of utter confusion or disorder; a total lack of organization or order.”
That can be a good thing right? Because that’s what I hope I mean, good chaos. We’re having quite a few people over tomorrow afternoon for an Independence Day Celebration here at Mud Ranch. There’s four families with 4 kids, us with Annie, Hubby’s middle sis with her daughter and son, Hubby’s parents with his grandma, my parents and 1000 water balloons, plenty of food, and fun old time games. We’ll be hosting a bunch of games such as the three legged race, the gunny sack race, the water balloon toss, the egg race (Never heard of it? Do a relay race with a fresh egg carried in a spoon and see how far you get,) and guess how many red, white and blue m&m’s are in a jar.
So this morning, before the chaos ensues I went for a walk to check on the horses and cows in the lower pasture. The calves were laying down in the early sun until the horses started for the gate where I stood then they decided to get out of Dodge. I should have named Pigpen “Snort” because he sure gets offended at small things… any time you approach, he sticks his tail up and heads off.
Cali showed me her gorgeous fly mask which has a hole in one eye. It is pretty new too, so lovely when they ruin a 18.00 mask and have only worn it for a month or two (at the most.) So yesterday I picked her up a new one but just had to show you how humorous her one eye is, peaking out from behind the netting.
I let the girls up to the upper pasture which surrounds the house, mainly because I don’t want them in the lower pasture (they snuck through while Hubby was working on loading some logs with the excavator.) I also think the grass is a bit rich for them down there — the little pork chops. And, knowing horses, they can get in to trouble if not looked upon regularly and it’s much easier for me to keep tabs on them up here.
How many sheep can you find in this picture? Lost?… They look like stumps.
The sheep were let out of the barn at around 6:00 and were already up on their favorite hill trimming the brush. They talk back and forth to eachother constantly while up there, busying themselves with finding the best treats. Nope, we don’t raise sissy sheep around here, they’re mountain climbers.
So as I type this post, my cake is baking in the oven, my strawberries sprinkled with suger are sitting in a bowl on the counter soaking. I’m putting together a cake that is taken from the Pioneer Woman’s site. It’s her recipe for Strawberry Shortcake only I have revised it. I’ve put it in a rectangluar pan and am putting the juicy strawberries on it under the frosting with a flag decoration made from halved strawberries and blueberries on the top. I’ll be sure and get a picture and let you know how it tasted. I’d imagine it’ll be fabulous.
I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s celebration. Though I don’t have much confidence in our nation as of right now, I sure do love our history and admire how wise our Founding Fathers were. I’m sorry, but I sure don’t see us getting any smarter… I will celebrate tomorrow and on the 4th remembering those who fought for our country, who are fighting for our country, and those who respect and hold true to the values we started with.
What are you doing for your Independence Day celebrations?
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