Good Morning!

Good Morning! This is Maggie. She's 29 years young! She is retired now but in her 'glory years' she took care of my whole family. She's done it all; trail rides, lessons, Saddle Club horseshows, Pony Club, combined training, fox hunting, and even gave us a couple nice foals (Suni, used recently for Vaulting!).

This is Mike ... he likes to give you a 'high five' as a greeting! The rest of his time is spent chasing birds and bees.

"Uh oh!"

"Juliet's" ... ready to become sundrieds!

Woman Vs Racoons

Today, I decided to stop the pillaging of corn from my garden by unappreciative raccoons! I got out there early and picked about 2 or 3 dozen ears, husked them, threw out the 'wormy' ears and brought the rest in to be washed ...







Put a pot of water on to boil ....

Blanched and cooled the cobs ...

Then cut it off and put it in freezer bags. We'll remember summer's heat and bounty come January when it'll be time to start planning the next season's garden!

This whole process reminded me of my Mom and the summers filled with canning and freezing! I'm sure glad she taught me how to do so many fun things in the kitchen!
Well, time to get some more sundrieds started! Hope you're all staying cool! XO from Innisfree!

Random things you see on the farm ...

This morning while I was filling stock tanks, I heard this plane before I saw it ... I think it's spraying crops ... but the horses were quite intrigued by how low it was flying and would run to get a closer look. It was interesting to watch it turn and then dip so low you'd think it would hit the trees. I took this picture with my I-phone ... so it looks farther away than it actually was.

Last night as we were coming home from Praise Band practice, I saw what I thought was maybe 1 or 2 skunks, because they were staying so close together. Rick ran and got his camera with the big lens and took this shot. He was having trouble with the lens fogging up because it was still so hot and humid outside. By the time he took this picture we had determined that it as an entire family! Momma, Daddy and two babies! Sure glad the dogs weren't around!

Vaulting!

Today, Madeline was quite happy. She's been after me for some time to try vaulting, she even brought me an article out of the Tennessean about the sport. So, this morning we gave it a try! Six of my best students brought Suni (pictured with Madeline on board) in the barn and gave him a good grooming. I have vaulted one time, WAY back when I did my first CHA certification, so; armed with a book on Vaulting, the right equipment and some brave, daring girls ... off to the arena we went!

First, they learned how to go alongside the horse and match their 'footfalls' at both the walk and the trot. Then, they each gave a good try at getting up from the ground while Suni either walked or trotted ... now you have to remember, Suni has never done this before so he's thinking he'd better stop when someone's trying to get on and halt when they jump off ... that was a major obstacle but he finally got with the program and was a good sport about the whole experience!

I was not at all surprised when Madeline was the first to get on without help! She's a natural with quite a bit of gymnastic training! But I was amazed when Kensie was able to get on that big horse by herself, she's barely 5' tall! Now THAT'S determination!

We spent some time practicing the basic position at the walk and trot, learned the "Flag" position at the halt and finished up with a simple dismount at the walk. I am sure we will be doing this again!

All in all, a very fun morning for all involved! I find it amazing that as long as I have been teaching riding lessons (I guess around 15 years!) there's always something new to try and learn!

Sundrieds!!!

One thing that keeps me busy all summer is making sundried tomatoes!

I start a batch about every other day ... Starting with ripe Roma's, (this year I also experimented with Juliet's), I wash them, cut in 1/2, (depending on the size of the tomato), put them in an ice cream bucket and add whatever fresh or dried Italian style herbs I have on hand. (So far this season I have added fresh chopped basil, rosemary and thyme ... I also stirred in some dried oregano), then I sprinkle liberally with garlic salt, fresh ground black pepper and finish off with a good pour of EVOO. Stir well and refrigerate for 12 - 24 hours, stirring occasionally.

Then it's into the dehydrator until they are rubbery, not crisp (which I have let happen before and they're not so good!) *Save the marinade ... it's wonderful for marinating chicken or pork tenderloin!

Store in jars with tight fitting lids way in the back of your fridge (because people who normally have good manners will find them and eat them like candy!) About 6-7 lbs of tomatoes makes 'maybe' a pint of sundrieds!

Cooper's Hawks

This young couple of Cooper's Hawks kept us entertained most of a Sunday morning while we were reading the papers and getting ready for church! They chased each other and the pesky little birds that were not too happy about their presence all over the pastures! Mr Mullen captured them quite well. It looks like the bird on the right is wondering what kind of mischief they will get into next!

Welcome to my new blog! You can check in now and then to see what's happening on the farm and with my family. I'll share recipes, gardening practices, favorite quotes, and whatever else comes to mind!