It's in my genes, Mom!

My mom might not be thrilled that I chose to become a "professional" horse trainer, but at least she understands my love of horses.

JoJo at summer camp

As a child, she was blessed to live in a historic home complete with old carriage house and stalls. She's told me stories of riding her broom horse and tucking it in it's stall at night... My very first model horses were once hers...

JoJo, Betsy, Grandma and Great Grandma Edie

And judging from old family photos, she came by it naturally!

She's incorporated riding into her love of travel and life enrichment. She's taken rides around some of the most amazing places... Like the southwest, Egypt and even
China last year!!!

JoJo in China!

Who knows what the next generation

will do with these genes...

Clearly Sarah takes after her Grandma JoJo A LOT!

Sarah,  JoJo and Leslie preparing to trail ride together.

Thank you Mom! 

You're the best source of inspiration in all areas of my life!

Happy Birthday!!! 
Hope the next year holds many exciting adventures!
I love you LOTS n LOTS n LOTS n LOTS n LOTS!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo  Leslie

Celebrating Sarah

Today is the day to celebrate our glorious, gorgeous, generous hearted, giggly girl!

She rocks!

(a bit like Elton some days)

She rolls
(yes, INSIDE as well as the barn aisle)!

She reels.

She rodeos 

n wrangles.

She rides anything that moves...
( sheep / "mutton  bustin'!")

"

She runs ( a LOT)!

She wrestles.

She relaxes (occasionally).

She radiates!!!!!!!!

"Oh our sweet little bear

you're the one we adore

and we could not love you more"
You're everything!

You've made this past year much fun for us.

Hope this next holds lots MORE for you!

xoxoxo

Mommy, Daddy n Jack

EnJoY your Christmas!

From every nook n cranny of our farm...

We wish you great JoY today!

XoXoXoXo

Leslie, The Farmer, Sarah,  Jack

and all the farm critters

Have you been good?

I finally made my ornament wreath, but some naughty words might have been said after the umpteenth glue burn!

We've all tried to stay out of the sweets...

But little hands can't resist touching n playing with ALL the decor...

We love to welcome all our friends at this fun time of year!

Even naughty little elves!

We're tryin' ...

But sometimes it's so easy to act naughty

at this time of year...

How you doin'?

still makes me think of Joey on "Friends!"  ;-0

m,k, I'm cheatin' and linkin' to 2011 parties.

I have the same mantel this year but will post soon of new crafts n vignettes etc.

Just click on the subject Christmas for more...

Be Merry my Friends!

Moth Eaten

Better than my first impression upon opening the coop a few weeks ago...

Feathers were ankle deep ~

Raccoon carnage?!

Nope, just moulting.

whew. giggle.

The hens looked ridiculous.

They knew it too and acted embarrassed.

Strutting quickly to the nearest bush to hide.

I don't get any eggs while they're busy making new feathers.

But I do collect the feathers!

So far I've just done this...

(The guineas are molting too)

But I'm crafting for Christmas, so maybe I could try these?

Christmas ornament made by Mackensley Designs

Feather wreath made by Holly on Etsy

feather mirrow made by blissbeautyboutique on Etsy

This one  by SophisticatedPosies is really glam!

Must admit. I altered my handmade Christmas policy a bit and am soooooo happy I did. This year it's still all handmade or charity, but it doesn't all have to be by my hands. I've shopped Etsy a lot for Christmas! Can't reveal much yet  ;-)

What have you Etsyed?

Hallelujah!

If the preparations n shopping are beginning to make you stress, stop n watch this beautiful clip!
Sorry ~ please hit pause on my blog's playlist music lower right!

* Slow down * 

You do enough, 
you have enough, 
you are enough!

It's up n DOWN n up!

Well we went and cut our tree last weekend.
We always go to a local farm that is so pretty and grows fir trees that we like. Last year it was hot (before the great snows), this year windy n COLD. But we still managed to have lotsa fun n silliness with Nanny along! Jack looks a bit embarrassed by our antics, huh?

We all enjoyed the time inside their log cabin shop, sipping cider n watching the train go round the ceiling. The following day we all decorated the tree while sipping cocoa and watching football.

The next morning I came down very early after a sleepless night (a sheet changing episode w/Jack at 3 am had left me wide awake)... Looking forward to the pretty lights, quiet Christmas music and sipping tea... Geez I guess I sip a lot!

Found the tree planted face first on the dog's crate. Poor Olivia.  She never even made a sound. Musta been slow motion as nothing broke on the tree either. Good thing there are no fancy Wedgewood or Lenox ornaments here!

Now it's back up n presentable with it's skirt straightened. Maybe it just wanted extra attention and appreciation? 

So here goes...

This is our kitschy, kids, Christmas crafted, full o love n memories tree!

Starting at the top with it's Angel made by Jack and Sarah's 1st preschool ornament.

I'm embarrassed to admit that these primitive crafts were made by me prior to kids!

Above is The Farmer as a baby with his Daddy who passed away 2 yrs later.

Below is my own Mommy dressed as an angel for her grade school pageant.

Bet you might have one of these...

But not a box o Barnum's and a silver baby spoon!

Yes, you saw right. They're empty tho.

Here's a glimpse of my new favorite tree skirt that I thrifted a couple years ago.

I can't seem to get any passable pics of any of this so you'll have to check out last years tree for a full shot. 

If I can ever get caught up tween extra winter farm work and extra Christmas work, I'll post some more bad pics of more Christmas round the farm!

Hope your world is Merry and Bright!