Wacky Weimy Wednesday: Horse Dogs

I've often said that my crazy dogs remind me of horses. Caleb especially. He loves to eat grass and runs around here floating on air and with extension that any dressage horse would be envious of. ;) He reminds me of a little gray warmblood.

Having said that, allow me now to present a little more evidence of my theory.

Exhibit A:

I think we have a bit of an identity crisis going on around here.

A question for those smarter than me...

Quick question for any of you smarties that may be familiar with creating signatures & logos. What I'm trying to figure out is how I can customize a signature with characters like a flower and butterfly. I'm starting up a flower farm & want to create a fitting logo. So, for instance, how might I go about replacing the "i" dot with a daisy character & maybe add a butterfly to the end of "farm"?

Any ideas???? Thanks everyone! :) :)

Frosty Christmas

Well, here we are, the day after Christmas! I'm always sad to see the season come to an end, but then again, with the beautiful sunny days we've been having, now I'm starting to get in a spring time frame of mind! Uh, oh...I still have a LOOONG way to go.

With this beautiful weather has come some COLD mornings! Yesterday we woke up to white surroundings, but it was all frost, no snow. Still pretty though, so I just had to take some pics. I love the fuzzy frosties that grace the fence tops. Such an interesting texture!






I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season filled with lots of love and happiness. I was lucky enough to get to spend some great time with family and friends this season...a perfect way to wrap up 2009. Now 2010 is just around the corner! A brand new decade & I'm eagerly anticipating what our 2010 trip around the sun will bring. :)

A Very Weimy Christmas! And other miscellaneous goings on...

Hi everybody! It's me! Kuntry Girl!! I'm still around! Like many of you I've been sooo crazy busy with all things holiday. :) What a great time of year this is. Stressful at times, sure...especially so for a lot of people this year in particular. Kuntry Boy and I work in the construction industry, so suffice it to say...not a lot going on here on the work front! But I'm confident that brighter days are ahead and I'm trying to keep in mind the "reason for the season" and really focus on all the things I'm so thankful for.

Things like this for instance:

And this too...

These two are always there to bring a huge smile to my face. Here they are waiting for me to split a mini candy cane between the two of them...it's the only way I got any kind of cooperation for those antler shots. ;)In addition to torturing my dogs, I've also been busy, busy with crafts galore!! I've been making swags...
orange and clove pomander balls (accompanied by spiced cider of course)...
fingerless gloves...
and I even trimmed my Charlie Brown tree last weekend!

All kinds of fun stuff! I'm thankful to have a warm, cozy house to hunker down and get crafty in, crazy dogs to curl up with, a nice shelter for my pony and wonderful friends and family to share this season with.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Soul Stirring

So, recently Pony Girl did a post on what she likes about Twilight. I totally agreed with everything on her list, but I now have one more to add.

I realized that one extra thing I've gotten from Twilight is an introduction to music that I probably wouldn't have happened upon otherwise. An eclectic range of music that I've really been missing out on. Last year, after seeing Twilight, I downloaded the soundtrack to my iPod...and then burnt myself a CD from it 'cause I'm old skool and don't have one of them iPod jack thingys in my car. ;) For the last year, I'd say that that CD has been in my CD player at least one day out of every week. For some weeks it didn't leave, but rather got played over and over and over again. I'd drive down the road daydreaming (um, but still concentrating) about doing a freestyle dressage routine to Paramore's "I Caught Myself" (never mind that my horse is barely greenbroke...it's a daydream, remember?)

It's funny, it actually took me a few listens through to warm up to it...and there are still a couple of songs there that I'm not crazy about...but that's with any CD right? But for the most part, I really love the CD and the variety of music included on it.

With a different director for New Moon, I was a little skeptical about whether or not I would like this new soundtrack. But a couple of weekends ago, I was at Wal*Mart and there it was next to me in the check out line (I mean seriously...is it possible to be anywhere these days without standing next to something New Moon?!) ;) Curiosity got the best of me so I threw it in my basket (blushing and feeling like a teenybopper). Once in my car I immediately popped it into the CD player, preparing to let the New Moon mood wash over me, transporting me to Twilight land.

But it didn't happen for me right away. Once again, it took a couple of listens through before it really got under my skin. But then it did and now I'm hooked. And it hasn't left my CD player since. I've been missing listening to my favorite morning show on my way in to work, but I'm alright with that.

One of my favorite songs on the soundtrack is "Roslyn" by Bon Iver (with St. Vincent). It's the one that first got me sucked in...then the rest of the songs followed suit. Curious about this band, I googled 'em and learned that the lead singer is from Wisconsin and wrote the majority of the songs on their most recent record while hibernating in a cabin in northern Wisconsin, nursing a broken heart. Then, in an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Kristen Stewart mentioned the band and they talked about a you tube video of them singing a capella...so of course I had to check it out. And it was AMAZING. One of those things that you feel in your guts, ya know? I totally dig that kind of music.

If y'all want to check it out here ya go...

Sunday Stills: Fins, Fur, and Feathers

This week's Sunday Stills challenge of Fins, Fur, and Feathers (did I get that order right?) was a fun one! Of course, this time of year, there's no shortage of fuzzy fur around here!

As much as I love my smooth summer horsie, I also like him furry in the winter so I can warm up my cold fingers when we're visiting!

His winter coat had already started coming in by early September this year and he's definitely my fuzzy furball now! Can you see my handprint remaining? :)

For fins I went to the archives and chose this cute picture of the Orcas at Sea World. Such an unbelievable show they put on. I think eveyone leaves that show wanting to be a whale or dolphin trainer. ;) I know I do.

Lastly, for feathers, a photo of one of our resident hawks. I think I've already posted this guy...for Skywatch Friday if I remember correctly. But I don't have a whole ton of other birds pictures, so here he is again! I'm definintely now going to make it a goal to get more bird shots. They're just so fast! Kinda hard to capture.

Well, that's it! Thanks for visiting...hope everyone has a great week! :)

And up from the barn, there arose such a clatter!

Okay, pardon the Christmas reference...I know we're not quite there yet. But I couldn't help but think of that poem this evening when up from the barn came the familiar clang-clang-clang of Mr. Arab kicking his feed bucket to beckon me to come out and give him his "seconds". Can anyone say demanding? Sheesh. :)

As you can see in the photo above, he has parked himself just perfectly in front of the bucket and if you look closely you will see his right rear hoof poised to deliver a few perfectly placed kicks. He's very clear about getting his message across.

You would not believe how loud this is! I can be in the house, with a washer going and TV on and hear it as though he's right in the backyard. He's definitely close to the house, but not that close!

I really don't mind though...after all, I did set up this routine. See, I feed him so early in the winter (he insists on eating by dusk...otherwise MAJOR Arab-tude ensues). So, lately, I've been going back out around 8:00ish or so to give him either a little extra warm mush or a litte extra hay. And now that I've started it, he's not gonna let me skip an evening. But it's no biggie, 'cause I actually really enjoy going down and visiting with him...and I know he appreciates the company (although he probably appreciates the food more).

Doesn't he look so content now? :)

It will be so nice when we have a companion for him...I feel bad that he spends so much time alone, so I definitely try to make a point to visit with him frequently. After all, I am his herd for now! Except, of course, for when the elk come 'round...then I'm kicked to the curb while he visits with his girlfriends. The other morning my husband caught him standing at the front of the arena whinnying at them while they cow called back to him. Hilarious.

Anyway, that's off topic. Where was I? Oh, yeah...my demanding Arab. Gotta admire his tenacity, right? ;) Whatta nut.

For the love of your dog...

Okay...I don't do this often, but I'm going to clamber up onto my soap box for a minute. Those of you who don't like soapbox climbers...better not keep reading.

Tonight I had a scary thing happen on the way home...I came very close to hitting one of our neighbor's dogs. Who also happens to be a Weimaraner, so I have an extra soft spot in my heart for him. Not that I don't love ALL dogs. ;)

Anyway, it was about 4:50-5:00ish, definitely dusk. Now, we may live out in the sticks, but our road is a county road and does serve quite a few houses. And unfortunately, a lot of people go WAY too fast on it. Fortunately, though, I was tooling along pretty slowly...I especially always try to slow down a bit when I'm passing in front of people's houses. As I was passing this little guy's house all of a sudden I saw a blur of grey streak out in front of my car and jump around by my left front tire. He was close. It totally startled me...I jumped in my seat and my heart started pounding furiously. I always try to keep my eyes peeled in this area, but with this guy's coloring (he's the same color as Caleb) he was very hard to see at dusk! I'm still trying to figure out where he came from. I think he might have been on the other side of the road and decided to dart out in front of me. Holy cow. Scared the crap out of me. And pissed me off too. I collected myself and pulled to the side...thought I might just mention to his owner that we had a close call. I got out and approached their driveway...finally the ding-dong comes out and feebly starts calling for him. Meanwhile, another neighbor is drives by and the dog is still running around.

Still shaken, I politely said to him, "you might want to keep him in when it's dark like this. I almost hit him." I promise, I was polite. Didn't yell or anything. Well, the creep doesn't even respond. No acknowldegement whatsoever. Hoping for some kind of response I said "that was really scary". Still nothing. What a butt. Just turns around and heads back for the garage. I was still shaking for about a half hour after this. One, because of the close call, and two, because of his rudeness!

Now, I realize it's really none of my business what people do with their animals. But I do think that we all have a responsiblity to look out for animals' safety. And especially when there's an incident that directly affects me, it becomes my business. That was a very close call and if I would have hit that little guy, my life would have been turned upside down in an instant. I was shaken enough just from the near miss.

It's not hard to be responsible. When you're not, it's not only unfair to your animal, but it's unfair for others who may have to suffer from the reprocutions of your irresponsibility.

Having said that, I will confess...I am a bit of a crazy dog lady. I know it and I embrace it. Maybe I'm a little over the top...by someone's standards anyway. But if there are moving vehicles around my dogs are either on a leash or in their kennel. When it's potty time, they're on their leashes and I'm out there in the rain with them. Even if it's at 2am. It's what I signed up for. Our property is not fully fenced yet and what fencing we do have is defininitely not Weimy proof.

If my dogs are ever off leash on our property playing, I'm with them watching. If Cabela gets a wild hair up her butt to go taking off over to the neighbor's I'm chasing after her and apologizing to the neighbors for the intrusion. Not acting like it's no big deal. And trust me, if we were near the main road where that other little guy lives there is NO WAY in H-E-double hockey sticks that they'd be allowed to run free and cross the road. Accidents can happen anytime and it usually happens in a split second.

Sometimes people (especially those who don't have dogs) look at me like I'm nuts. But I don't care. Being a dog owner is not always an easy (or fun) job. But again, it's what we sign up for. We are responsible for ensuring their well-being. And personally, I'd rather be known as a crazy dog lady and keep these knuckleheads around for as long as possible than have to deal with the unthinkable alternative.

Okay, stepping down now. Sorry for the bitch-fest. But thanks for listening. ;) I feel a little better now.

November 1st

Wow. We had the most unbelievably BEAUTIFUL day here today. The only thing that wasn't perfect about it was the whole "falling back" thing...I hate when it gets dark so early! Oh, well...time to hibernate I guess! But I was sure glad to get one last really nice (and even warm!) day in before I retire to my den. ;)

Before night fell, I decided to load up the crazies and take a little drive. They love going for rides and I wanted to try to get some good full moon shots. With the clear sky, turning leaves, and the smell of woodstove in the air we were in heaven. Both dogs had their little snouts poked through the crack of their windows, taking in the smells of a fall evening.

We headed out my favorite "Sunday Drive" road for a few miles 'till we reached the entrance to our locally managed timberland area. I pulled over and got a couple of shots, but didn't linger too long...

I really wanted to get back to the bridge that goes over the river by our house before it got too dark. I had a feeling the moon would soon be at just the right height in the sky & I didn't want to miss it!

These photo turned out a little dark, so I might have to do some messin' around with them. But I really like how the moonlight is reflected on the water, the trees displaying their fall color, and the smoke from a bonfire hanging above them.

On the way back up our road, I looked to the left at one point and was surprised and delighted to see this beautiful sunset!

Shortly after I got home, darkness took over...it sure happens quickly this time of year! For the finale of my picture taking excursion, I was excited to get some extra moon shots, complete with spooky clouds. :)

In this cropped shot the clouds remind me of toasted marshmallows. :)

I had so much fun with this that I think I'm gonna try to make it a point to go out of my way to take pictures of something interesting on the first day of each month. I think it will be fun to have them in their own picture folder, representing what my world looks like at different times of the year. We'll see if I remember next month... ;)

Happy November!!

P.S. For all my fellow Twi-hards...JUST 18 DAYS TO GO!!!

Sunday Stills: Landscapes (Fall Foliage)

I have been so delinquent in my Sunday Stills challenges lately! A bummer, 'cause I really do love the challenges each week...I've just been finding myself a little bit short of time lately. Always so much to do getting coming down from summer and readying for fall/winter. Anyway, I am loving all the beautiful fall colors lately so I definitely wanted to make sure to post this week and check out everyone else's photos too.

Soooo...in case y'all didn't know, I have these two crazy Weimaraners. They are the light(s) of my life, the apple(s) of my eye....and they're also my most favorite work out partners. These photos were taken on one of our daily walks...they do their best to keep me active! And I love it. Who wouldn't love strolling (okay...half walking/half running) down a road like this, kicking maple leaves along the way in the company of two wonderful companions? Fresh air in my lungs, their noses high in the air sniffing for a hint of deer or elk nearby...a perfect fall afternoon!

Frost & Harvest

Kuntry Boy and I got to get outta town for a couple of days recently...and upon our return THIS is what I saw! Excuse me whilst I weep aloud. Sniff, sniff.

Apparently, while we were gone Western Washington experienced her first frost. Well, at least those of us at higher elevations. I can't speak for the lowlands, but I suspect that they may have been spared this time around. But just wait...it's coming for ya.

We've had some very nice fall days, but recently it has turned c-o-l-d. As in itchy skin, chapped lips, and warm up the car in the morning cold. Yuck. I've been dreading this. But I've also been preparing myself for it. And it's time I suck it up.

So yesterday I donned my jacket and earwarmer and poked around in the garden, desperately clinging on to the memory of warm soil.

Sadly, it's time to say good bye to most of my flowers for the year. But I rest assured knowing that my tulip and lily bulbs are cozy underneath a bed of dirt and poo and will be there to bring in the spring after cooling their roots for the winter.

I do have a few beds that still contain some cheeriness...a few varieties that don't mind a little chill like snapdragons, stock, bachelor buttons, sunflowers, and sweet peas. But it's only a matter of time. ;)

Fortunately it's not all doom and gloom in the garden (hmm...am I coming off a little melodramatic? Maybe a bit whiny?) ;)

Anyway, while I was poking around and inspecting the carnage I came across this lovely sight!

Wow! How exciting! Red potatoes ready to be harvested! I was so stoked about this because even though I've been an obsessed gardener for years, this was my first year trying my hand at growing food! As I rooted around I came up with 11 or so of these babies. And a few were BIG! Too fun!

In the same bed as these guys I also grew leeks and onions...so guess what I made for dinner tonight? That's right! Potato leek soup! You are so smart. ;)

Unfortunately, my onions were not as successful as the potatoes or leeks. See these three little baby onions? Yeah, they're more like shallots. Oh, well. I still used 'em. And another grown up onion from the store. Darn it. But it was still fun to use ingredients from the garden to make dinner tonight!

And guess what the best part is? Kuntry Boy LIKED IT!! ***Bells, whistles, party blower, ah-ooo-ga*** Mark this day on the calendar! It's not often that one of my experimental meals gets rave reviews. Or even a "thumbs in the middle". But he kept going on and on about it! Of course, he had to doctor it up with lots of pepper and saltines, but he even does that to Ivar's clam chowder so I didn't take it too personally. ;)

I found the recipe for it at http://www.pinchmysalt.com/. I picked it 'cause it looked like the most straightforward recipe, yet still flavorful. Emeril had a mouthwatering recipe, but Mr. Meat and patatas isn't usually a fan of meals with a "gourmet spin".

Definitely go check out the site, but here's the gist of it:

Sautee up (in 3tbsp. butter) 1 onion (chopped) and 3 leeks (thinly sliced) until just golden brown.

While that's cookin', thinly slice up 6-8 potatoes (depending on the type/size of potato being used).

Once the onions and leeks have turned golden, add in the potatoes and enough chicken broth to just cover the potatoes.

Continue cooking on medium heat until potatoes soften.

Use a masher to, um, mash the potatoes until you reach the desired consistency.


Add in 1 cup (or so) of heavy cream (or half and half or milk). I used heavy cream. 'Cause now that it's getting cold I need some extra insulation. At least that's what I tell myself each winter. ;) Also add in any seasonings you dig...I used sea salt & pepper and a little garlic sea salt too. Can't go wrong with garlic, right?

Cook on low to medium heat for about 15 more minutes to let the soup thicken and then serve up and enjoy!


Since I didn't think the heavy cream was enough of a sin I also sprinkled some cheese on top. Oh, yeah...and I also dipped some fresh bread into it. I'm doomed. Better put the scale away for a few months. Why can't I have the metabolism of a Weimaraner? ;)

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