Switz or bust!

buy Katie Daisy's awesome art here

Tomorrow I'll leave for Switzerland with my mom and kids.

Due to 22"+ expected total snow, who knows if we'll make it out.

Although I hear that, much like Sochi,

it's warmer there with less snow!

I was born in Geneva, Switzerland.

My parents were there pursuing degrees, and working.

We moved to the States soon, but travelled frequently.

My Father was British so I spent considerable time in England as well.

He worked for World Health Organization and we visited many wonderful countries.

 "The World is a Book and those who do not travel read only one page".

~ St. Augustine

When I was a kid I did NOT appreciate it.
I wanted to be home for the holidays and build friendships.
We moved back to Switzerland when I was in 6th grade.
That's where I really became a rider as my folks allowed me free range 
riding a friends ponies through the Swiss countryside, bareback.
Then we moved back to a new part of Maryland .
I was bribed to agree with promises of my first horse...
That I had to work and save to buy and care for myself.
(but that's another story)

 `

I think that it's because of so much travelling at a young age, that I've become a real homebody.
My kids, they just love the farm.

Just over a year ago the kids drew our farmhouse with crooked chimney while travelling with Gramma JoJo in Williamsburg. I LOVE these pics!

I've been back to Europe since to visit old friends, but it's been too long.

And my generous mother felt it important that my kids see where I came from

(and have fun skiing real mountains AND MEET THEIR BABY COUSIN in Austria)

It's very hard to leave my farm.

Emotionally and practically.

The Farmer is staying behind to ease the latter.

but that just makes the former worse...

Please say a prayer for every.body~ staying n going!

(I'm quite worried about the 21bodies staying n coping with snowmageddon)

XO!

What I wore Wednesday~ farmgirl addition!

Soooo, I'm a huge fan of Lyndsey at The Pleated Poppy

She keeps it real, is beautiful, creative, funny and 

makes the prettiest things out of colorful fabric.

She also hosts the CrAzY popular blog party

"What I wore Wednesday"

It flat out cracks me up every time I think of it. 

(the ladies look lovely tho, I'm not busting on them)

"in order to inspire one another to put a little more time into ourselves.  as a stay-at-home mom, it is so easy to stay in pj’s or yoga pants all day, but i want to do more!  i want to feel good about how i look..."

 My outfits are prolly not what she had in mind...

Yoga pants would be dressing UP!

Most of the time my Wednesday is about the same as my Tuesday!

I'm sure you've admired my farmgirl attire in previous posts;

no, not pink Carhartts. yet.

My uniform is:

Down coat, ear band, scarf or fleece jacket 

 either layered over a polo shirt or turtleneck depending on the season.

but no matter what;

bootcut jeans n Ariat paddock boots

most.every.day.

This pic could have been taken almost any day last year with my black down coat.

Yes. I do get a new down coat every year. Your point?

So far; red, blue, black and this year's PINK

(Last years blue is now melted along cuffs from brushing against hot woodstove as I load more wood!)

Hey, I am a farmgirl, horse trainer and mommy. 

I'm not the kind to wear riding breeches everywhere so this is my compromise.

I do not own anything that hasn't walked through the barn at least once to throw hay at last check...

Even my ballgowns after a fancy hunt ball.

And then there was the time we drove in to find ponies in the alfalfa field.

(Could make them seriously sick so freak out n panic is appropriate)

I remember trying to run as my high heels sank down in the dirt.

Bad words said, shoes cast off.

If I could wear paddock boots everywhere I would.

Wait a minute. I do.

I must add here that if I do go shopping for myself I often think of another fave blogger Meg who once showed off a cute outfit that she said came from Dress Barn. 

She pointed out how that's not the best name for a fashion store and said she always thinks "moooo" when she sees it. 

Perfect. Now it's in my head that I should prolly shop there!

But ...

I've ordered several flower pins from Lyndsey and today am lusting after some of her newest creations. 

Tell me that these don't look like they were made for me?

Accessories to make me feel pretty while sporting my farmgirl attire!

LOVE this sunglasses (shhh- readers?!) case in rainbow-stripes

this ruffled scarf is gorgeous and fun!

These bitty button gingham earrings are perfect for a farmgirl!

 Can you (kinda?) see why now...

In honor of The Polar Vortex; 
my 
"What I wore Wednesday"

I thought I'd share so that more of you could join my Michigan bff who teased me and said I must look like a sumo wrestler when I described the SEVEN layers I was wearing.

starting w/innermost layer

thermal tee, turtleneck, fleece, irish fisherman sweater, pink down coat, formerly known as blue down coat, scarf 

and below~

fleece pj bottoms under jeans.

cotton socks, then the bestest fleece socks under winter Ariat boots

Hey, I was able to stay outside for hours layering blankets and making hot feeds for ALL the outdoor farm critters (Henny Penny was almost brought inside).

Then I came in mellow n happy and layered quilts on beds and made chili.

I'm sure hubby might wish I'd wear yoga pants but...

Happy wife. Happy life.

Now go see how hip city mommas dress for their date nights!

I'm inspired (and envious) and will definitely steal a few ideas!

Hey, maybe someone else out there would like to buy my new equestrian style boots?

For reals. Size 6 1/2  Steve Maddens for $40 + shipping
(they are a richer/darker brown than this poor pic shows)
Comment or email for better pics if you're interested.

Celebrating x TEN!

Its a new DECADE!!!

New Years Eve marked the end of a great decade in our family.

Ten years as a farm FAMILY.

from this

and this

to THIS

An awesome Grandma was created 

 celebrating her 60th with newborn Sarah and

JoJos always loved the pool and been a fun Grandma

JoJo learning she's having a grandson (Jack) - so I couldn't travel to a family reunion. 

and rang in her 70th as a Grandma to another grandson, Aden!

Yesterday we celebrated JoJo's 70th 
and Sarah's 10th

I can honestly say that it's been 
one of the hardest

 and certainly THE BEST

decade of my life.

If you'd told me 15 years ago what my life was to become

 I'd never have believed  it.

Giving up life as I'd known it.

Among other things, friends n clients, my business training advanced level riders, owning a "boutique barn" on 10 acres, minutes from the hunt club n highway, with a custom built home and indoor arena.

Even at my old farm  (different dogs) improvements were made by this builder/farmer

To move to a gorgeous part of Maryland I didn't even know existed

with a crazy passionate Irish Italian younger man

weren't we babies ourselves in 2002?!

and have a baby in my late thirties and another at 40!

Buying an abandoned 200 year old shell of a farm

on 115 overgrown acres.

It almost looked better in 1965- it had an intact roof, unlike when we bought it!

Which led to...

Improving the buildings

and house first.

Then, gathering my own eggs.

Milking my own goats.

Making my own hay.

Driving big tractors and equipment.

Planting an orchard

and large vegetable gardens.

Eating homegrown chicken, rabbit or venison.

Watching my Builder/Farmer husband produce great things
while teaching his kids.

Riding with him in his assorted truckS, tractorS, bobcatS, motorcycleS
 or quieter(!) carriageS w/ClydesdaleS!

Going to hunter shows with lotsa littles,

and generally having many unexpected adventures!

Possibly the best is still just

RIDING through my FARM FIELDS with my FAMILY

I've learned many valuable lessons.

One of the most important being...

I've even taken to trying to teach others and host farm tours.

I never dreamed I could be so blessed.

or tired

 I'd bet my amazing Mother is surprised 
at all she's done too!

Can't wait to see the next ten years!

Wishing you ALL many happy surprises in 2014!