Snow in December

I took this photo today through the window from the breakfast nook. It has been snowing for most of the day and accumulation started about mid afternoon. That is not so unusual, but the wind is terrific!! It blows in sudden gusts and the wind chill is -10. I have put both mares in the barn for the night and will probably do the same for tomorrow night. It is expected to be even colder then. Needless to say the doggies are snug inside. I think that the weather is becoming more like it was in this area when I was a child back in the sixties...just gave away my age:).

I am babysitting my husband's business partners dog...well actually I think "Junior" is a small horse in disguise. He's gigantic: 1/2 Great Dane, 1/4 Labrador, 1/4 Australian Shepard. He is so sweet, but likes chasing Molly. She thinks its a game and so does he, but when she's had enough, she charges at him with her ears back and her teeth brayed...oh gosh the lights are flickering. I'll post a photo of him later.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving with our family at Laughing Fox Farm. We are grateful for one another, the blessings we have received and pray for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Molly Did Very Well at Her Show

This blog is also about life on a farm, and a big part of my life at Laughing Fox is my horses. Molly has decided that fox hunting is not what she wants to do. So, Lily Wray-Davis and I took her to her first show in five years. She competed in the Hunter Under Saddle Over 2' Jumps Division and, out of 10 riders, came in second!!! An outstanding showing. She's for sale as a show horse (I like to say she's my "Show Girl")and will only get better. Thanks to Lily for making her look so good and to Heather Mullan Ransom for getting her in show condition!!

As Soon As I Get My Laptop, I'll Post More Photos

I had the APTA sign installed in the front yard last week. It looks very nice, and I will post a photo as soon as Andy gets my laptop to me:)!

I had a very hard worker come to the farm and clean out all of the out buildings (Summer Kitchen, Smokehouse, chicken coop),so when we are ready we may start restoration on any of them...don't hold your breath! I guess you have to play the lottery to win the lottery, right??

The same man has cleaned out old fence rows, taken out saplings, and generally is getting the yard into some semblance of order.

Oh, and did I say that I am looking for a new fox hunter? Life is always lively on the farm!

Good Golly Miss Molly Jumping

This is the video that I took of Molly jumping in front of her stable in July, 2010. My young friend, Heather is riding her.

Gardening...Lessons Learned..Some Tongue in Cheek Observations

I have never had a vegetable/herb garden, never had the sun for it...until this year. Here is what I have learned...

If you think you have planted your plants far enough apart...go further...unless you enjoy the jungle look...much like the one my garden has.

Place aluminum foil around the base of your tomato plants unless you want Cutworms to do what their name implies...

Organic gardening is impossible for me...I succumbed to Sevin Dust when worms ate the leaves and blooms off of my squash plant...notice that I used squash in the singular...

Squash plants grow as big as a breakfast table...and produce a LOT!!!

Those upside down planter things advertised on TV aren't so great...should have realized this when they were on 50% off sale at Wal-Mart...

Horses will try to eat anything in the garden...and the cat thinks she is helping with the fertilizing aspect of gardening...

Lavender gets big...if you give it room. Mine look like Lilliputian Lavender plants...

Basil and Mint will take over...

Weeding is NOT for sissies. I am, therefore not doing it...can't tell the weeds from the mint...smell is a clue...and speaking of smells...

Cilantro smells just awful...

I have learned to make lost of dishes using mint, basil, squash and tomatoes all together...makes for a bust of color, not so sure about the flavor...

Mint in iced tea is a given, but try Basil in iced tea; it's really good!

Just because it looks good does not mean Andy will eat squash...

Mosquitoes do not respect the gardener...except for their need for food in the form of the gardener...

It's HOT in the summer!

will have photos next year...it's too embarrassing to post what my garden looks like this year!...but at least it's producing!!

I will do it again next year!

I would appreciate any and all gardening suggestions...and I promise to post photos of our next restoration project on the farm.

Day Lilies

Andy really likes flowers (getting in touch with his female side) and wanted me to post these Day Lilies...they're everywhere...anyone want some??