WoW 2017!

2017 was a VERY busy year!

So much ground was covered

( I'll be back to do my annual photo dump )

I think we even set a record of south, north, south- at least enough to scare our credit card company into thinking cards were stolen as we hit Charlottesville, VA, Westminster, MD, Oxford PA then GA!

Here's just a couple highlites to hold the page...

ugg, loaded in a mess, back tomorrow to fix and add

Wishing all a fantastic New Year!!!

 (I'm finishing some Downton Abbey reruns with Sarah and crashing before the ball drops. Hope it doesn't shatter in these frigid temps. Silly New Yorkers... brrr)

Why did my plant die? a FuN poem by J. Charlesworth

Yay, it's SpRiNg glorious (wet) SpRiNg!!!

This was my Grandmothers darling book titled The Peter-Pan Twins stay at home

I'm already picking out my summer flowers, weeding n planting up pots! This silly poem has been in my garden shed for years so I thought I'd share it.

Why did my plant die

 by Jeffrey B Charlesworth

You walked to close. You tried on it. You dropped a piece of sod on it. You hoed it down. You weeded it.
You planted it the wrong way up. You grew it in a yogurt cup. But you forgot to make a hole. The soggy compost took it's toll.
September storm. November drought. It heaved in March, but the roots popped out.
You watered it with herbicide. You scattered bonemeal far and wide. Attracted local omnivores, who ate your plant and stayed for more.
You left it baking in the sun, while you departed on the run, to find a spade. Perhaps a trowel. Meanwhile the plant threw in the towel.
You planted it with crown too high. The soil washed off, that explains why. Too high pH. It hated line. Alas, it needs a gentler clime.
You left the root ball wrapped in plastic. You broke the roots. They're not elastic.
You splashed the plant with motor oil. You should do something to your soil. To Rich. To poor. Such wretched til.
Your soil is Clay. Your soil is filthy.
Your plant was eaten by a slug. The growing point contained a bug. These aphids are controlled by ants. Who milk the juice, it kills the plants.
In early spring, your gardens mud. You walked around! That's not much good.
With heat and light you hurried it. You worried it. You buried it.
The poor plant missed the mountain air. No heat, no summer bugs up there.
You overfed it 1010 10. Forgot to water it again.
You hit it sharply with the hose. You use a can without a rose.
Perhaps you sprinkled from above. You should have talked to it with love.
The nursery mailed it without roots. You killed it with those gardening boots.
You walked to close. You tried on it. You dropped a piece of sod on it.

Are your fingernails dirty friends?

I'm (heart)in' tartan

Did you know that April 8th 2017 is officially 

National Tartan Day?

It's no secret here...

 I'm mad about plaid

every day & e v e r y way!!! 

 I mostly show it off in my stable ~

all my horses all wear it!

even my website...

But I don't have a horsey hood like this. Yet ...  ;-P

However I do actually own an obnoxious tartan lap robe for carriage driving

(tablecloth)

(or it might actually be a 70's era Brady Bunch wrap skirt like this!);-)

I carry my riding helmet n gloves in this perfect bag I found at Target.

And within is my vintage wool change purse for mad money.

I pack our picnics using my collections too.

I use another tartan horse sheet as a tablecloth for tailgate parties at shows.

of course these would be fun on a picnic (from Ralph Lauren)

If it's a casual outing we use these saddle pads.

I'm always ready for rain with wax coat, hat n brellie by the door

Of course Christmas calls for LOTS of tartan!

Oh how I'd love coming down to find these under my tree!

Years ago (see young Nick) this was our cottage porch at Christmas.

I used flannel sheets n pillowcases outside.

My father was British, I enjoyed Scotland as a youth and grew up sporting kilts 

so you've prolly noticed that

I'm always trying to dress my family in tartans whenever they allow...

Guess who's next?! 

Ooh swoon, maybe The Farmer might wear this amazing ticking n tartan combo?!

He wishes I could carry off this combo!!!

Leopard coat with tartan leggings!

or maybe these would fit in to my lifestyle better? 

love. part tartan. part gingham

Drooling now...

Now this has promise!

via

I really am thinking about these since I've finally had to break down n wear glasses.

And this case would be perfect!

How fun would it be to tour the town in this?

In decor;  I adore...

The Polo House and Taratn Terrace.com are great sites!

I plan on recreating above n below images!

But I don't think tartan has to be  just for Christmas... do you???

I think it's awesome in the tackroom year 'round!
That's actually why I started this search...
I'm wanting to do a "feature wall in my clients tackroom.

But tartans also come in a rainbow of colors,

including brights n pastels that suit spring...! 

Maybe an Easter frock?  lol 

How about you?!?
You can see if your family has a tartan?
click this great site!

Q.  Can I wear tartan if I cannot find my name associated with any of those on the recognised list?
A.   Yes. Tartan is a gift that we have given to the world. The idea that a man can only wear a kilt in his own family tartan or one associated with it has given way to a more broad minded approach and most ladies are quite happy to choose tartan with the colours they like best.

(psst Etsy has TONS)

Happy National Tartan Day!