One of Those Days

I was in a rush to get to work this morning. After caring for horses, I went straight from the barn into my car. Half way to work I'm still smelling that familiar barn bouquet when I realize I forgot to change my shoes! So here I am stuck at work all day in my muck shoes. I washed them off in the ladies room (cleaned the sink well afterward), but it is still like Misty and Marley are right here with me in all their pungent glory. Oh well, maybe folks will keep their distance from me and I'll have a peaceful day.

Some days I wonder why I even bother to wash my hair and put make-up on. If I don't arrive at the office with hay on my sweater, it's manure on my shoes.

Ever have those days?

Cooking, Cleaning, and Cart Driving

Last week was very busy. We hosted our dinner party last night, so Friday and Saturday were full of grocery shopping, house cleaning, and cooking. My menu was assertive & challenging, but everything turned out well. I made another huge mess of my kitchen and the popovers came out of the oven 3/4 the way through dinner (wish I had 2 ovens), but everyone had a nice time and enjoyed the food. One guest went home with the recipe for the tenderloin rub and another wants the butternut squash soup recipe. It's a nice compliment when your guests ask for your recipes.

Prior to the weekend I had 3 interesting and productive driving lessons with Marley. I love that pony! I think he enjoys pulling a cart more than carrying a rider. He's built and bred for pulling. I will post details and more pictures later in the week.

But now, after preparing a Spaghetti Pie to cook for our family dinner this evening, I'm going to put my feet up and rest.

Misty's Monday Muse

Hey la, hey la, my boyfriend's back!


Sunday morning - 08/Nov/2009

Marley had a good week at driving school, but I'm glad he's back.

Life is better, when we're together.

Misty's Monday Muse

I'm lonely. Marley left this morning to attend boot camp for fat ponies. Actually, he's gone to boarding school for a week of driving training. But he'll have to exercise every day at school, so it will be like boot camp for him.

I miss my fat pony already. I will need extra attention from my people this week. And carrots.

Yes, lots of carrots. Carrots will ease my lonely heart.

Shakin' on Halloween

We won't be shakin' in our boots this spooky Halloween night. We'll be shakin' these cute pumpkin Salt n Pepper shakers.

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Halloween is actually my favorite holiday, but I'm not dressing up or decorating the house in spider webs this year. Instead, I'm preparing a trial menu for an upcoming dinner party.

On the menu:

Spiced Butternut Squash Apple Soup
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Orange-infused Roasted Green Beans and Red Peppers
Fall Green Salad (to be determined, suggestions welcome)
Roquefort Popovers

For dessert, probably something light like sherbert and a cookie wafer.

I have a thing for Salt n Pepper shakers. I have a small collection and am always looking for sets that are unique, cute, or holiday specific. One of my favorite sets is, of course, horse related.

The truck dispenses salt at the front. The trailer dispenses pepper from the back.

A perfect set to decorate the table of the horse lover or pickup truck enthusiast.

Blustery Blizzard

We've experienced a strong preview of winter weather the past two days, with today being the worst.

I chose to work from home this morning. Getting my car out of the garage would have been a challenge.

The wind was howling as the snow flew, swirled, and drifted. It was blowing into the stalls, so I closed the dutch doors and kept Misty and Marley inside today, entertained with a couple small snacks of grass hay.

"Marley, here comes our waitress."



"It's about time. Any longer and I might have lost a pound."

The wind and snow finally began to lighten, so I opened the doors to give the horses a chance to stretch their legs before dinner.

"Marley, are you under there?"

M & M are still dieting, but receiving warm, soaked & soggy beet pulp shreds with salt as their pre-dinner appetizer. I want to encourage water intake during these crazy days of fluctuating temperatures.

We're looking forward to better weather tomorrow and a nice Fall weekend.

Misty's Monday Muse

Marley and I saw the vet today and received our fall shots and rabies vaccinations. Rabies has been found in skunks, mountain lions, a cow, and a horse in Colorado this year. Better to be safe than sorry, so we had our rabies shots. My Lady is keeping a close eye on me because I had a bad reaction to my last rabies shot about 20 months ago. But they tell me the vaccine they are using now is not as harsh. Tomorrow will tell.

The vet said we are very likable horses. She also said we are both fat. She took one look at Marley (who has been dieting) and asked him if he was preparing to hibernate for the winter. She said he needs to lose 100 pounds; I need to lose 75 pounds. I think we over indulged on pasture grass this summer because this same vet told us our weight was good at the beginning of June. Our equine dentist also complimented us on our weight earlier this summer. But now we are both fat.

Pardon me, I prefer the term "fluffy". I'm fluffy. Marley is fat.

Let the dieting begin.

In The Soup

1. The white foam a surfer finds himself in after the wave breaks.
2. Meaning "in deep trouble" or in over one's head
3. A pilot's expression for flying in bad weather with no visibility.

My dad was a private pilot with an instrument rating so we often flew "in the soup". All feet and hooves are firmly planted on the ground this evening, but we are nonetheless "in the soup".

Sunday we were in the 70s; mid 60s yesterday and this morning. The temperature is dropping quickly and we are shrouded in misty fog. We expect to awake to snow in the morning.

Misty and Marley are in the barn, impatiently awaiting dinner while I prepare soaked beet pulp shreds - a warm, moist treat on a chilly night....just a little though, since they don't eat beet pulp on a regular basis.

Do you feed anything special to your horses when there are sudden and extreme drops in temperature? I boarded at a stable that fed bran mash whenever there were extreme temperature changes; they claimed it prevented colic. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Is it helpful or harmful?

4. Where "The Beav" goes:



P.S. I love June Cleaver. I'm nothing like her, but I have to admire a woman who can do housework in pearls and heels and still be so pleasant.