May Update

Hey y'all! I'm baaaack! How is everyone? Loving May as much as me? This is one of my favorite months. So much fun to see everything "springing" (ah, ha, ha) to life!

So...still having a bit of a writers block with my blogging...seems like a lot of the stuff that I feel like blogging about is the same stuff I would have blogged about around this time last year! So for now, thought it might be fun to post some before & afters of our yard/arena. Can't believe it's been a year since we started really working on it!

Remember this?

Yay! I have a lawn now! Please excuse my crooked/wavy lines...must've been hittin' the Mike's Hard Lemonade prior to this. Just kidding. ;)Of course, we still have all kinds of work to do...finish weeding, mulching the beds, etc, etc. It really is endless, isn't it?

On to the arena...here it is when there was still a big ol' compost pile in the middle of it...
And here it is now! But it's still unfinished too. We had a friend who was using a dump truck for a project at his house so we were able to go in on it & start getting gravel. There's a great quarry just about 3 miles up the road from us...so convenient! Except that the truck had to go back & we're still a few dumps short on the gravel. So we're gonna have to buck up and pay a dump truck service or rent one ourselves to finish. Yuck. I'm tired of shelling out $$$.

Then, we'll still have to compact the gravel and then bring in sand. But at least it's a start! However, I'm really itchin' to get it done, because fatso needs some good exercise! And my horse does too. He, he. But really, it's been hard to look at this area that is *this close* and not be able to use it yet. Argh. The SAFE show that we participated in last year is coming up in a few months and I'm not sure if I'm gonna make my goal of entering all the English classes if I don't get to work SOON! For now, I've been putting around on him, up the road and whatnot, but I really need to get down to business. All in due time I guess.

If you ask me though, Caspian doesn't seem to mind this situation a bit. He seems more than content to enjoy a life of ease soaking up some sun, rolling in the dirt, and, of course, eating like a horse.

Oh, in other exciting horsey news...I got new truck!!! Long story, but the short of it is that at 205k well driven miles, my trusty Rodeo gave up the fight. She's now parked out to pasture...she might have some more life in her but it's gonna take some diagnostics and we didn't feel like continuing to dump $$ into her. Now we can just work on her a little at a time & not have to depend on her for daily commuting. I had had her into the mechanic a few times in the last couple of months and finally one fateful Saturday she got a little belligerent and started steering us all over the road. It was at that point that we turned her back around and headed home. My hubby was heading out of town for the day, but before he left he found a 2006 F150 for sale in a town a little bit north of us. He wasn't able to come with me, so I called up my mom and we did a bonsai run up there and the rest is history. I now have a new/old truck sitting in my driveway and I absolutely LOVE IT! It's funny how when you have become accustomed to putting up with your car's quirks, it makes you really appreciate driving a super reliable vehicle.

And the most exciting part is that it's the model with the V8 engine and transmission cooler...which means...a HORSE TRAILER is in my future! Eventually. My grandpa has one he's been trying to get me to take but it needs new tires. And probably some welding work. Nothing too major & obviously still a good deal but like I said...so tired of spending $$$. Especially with the recent new/old truck expense. I'm thinkin' maybe I'll be patient and if anyone buys my flowers (fingers crossed) at our Saturday market I'll use that $$ for tires. We'll see. I'll definitely keep you guys posted & you'll be the first to know when my Prince finally gets his chariot! I have so many plans for us once we get mobile! It opens up a whole new world!

Here's a glimpse of some of my baby flowers...hopefully these guys will prove to be profitable and play a role in getting us mobile! Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'll definitely keep y'all posted!

Happy spring and longer days to you all!

Kickin' back with my hoss

Ugh...is anyone else feelin' the winter blues? I don't know about y'all but once the holidays are over I'm READY FOR SPRING! Can I repeat that? I'm READY FOR SPRING!!! Mother nature, did you hear me?

What's that you say? I still have 3-4 months to wait?!

Okay, I guess I better just suck it up then and try to enjoy winter for what it is. At least it gives me lots of down time (hibernation time) to cook up big plans for the upcoming season. I'm always making lists, drawing diagrams, and buggin' Kuntry Boy to listen to my ideas.

And every once in awhile, when there's a break in the weather, I get to go out and get in some good quality bonding time with my favorite pig...er, I mean horse. But you can see how I might get confused right?Caspian's winter area is atrocious right now. Whenever it starts to get under control we get another two weeks of rain and it turns to mush again. Then, when it dries out again just a bit, he wanders up to his favorite spot in the arena and gives himself a good dirt bath. Right after I brush him. Of course, right? I tell ya, I get no respect...no respect.

I'm definitely looking forward to getting this place a little more horse friendly, which includes mud abatement (if there's any such thing in the great Pacific NW) and lots and lots and lots of fencing to put in this spring. Here, Caspian is grazing in our front pasture, but as you can see I have to keep him on a long line due to our lack of fencing in this pasture. It's kinda fun though. I go out with my floral magazines and hold the line while he chows down as much as he possibly can. Kickin' back with my hoss on a Sunday afternoon...with no rain coming down...can't complain about that! :)

What are your thoughts on hangin' balls?

Er, I mean Uncle Jimmy's Hangin' Balls. Wait! That didn't sound right, either...what I meant was...what are your thoughts on horses playing with hangin' balls! Wait! Let me explain!

He, he, he, he, he...I crack myself up! Okay, so I know a lot of times these are called Bizzy Balls. But seriously, the one I just bought for Caspian was called "Uncle Jimmy's Hangin' Balls". My inner adolescent had a pretty good giggle at the store. And while I was hangin' my hangin' ball.

This thing is proving to be a very good baby sitter for my "sharp-minded-I-get-bored-easily-and-my-pacifier-doesn't-entertain-me-anymore-so-I-eat-my-house-ARAB".

You can kinda see in the back corner the pacifier I'm referring to. I got it for him when he started gnawing at the trim boards on his barn. Yeah...well, he played with it for about a week and then it lost its novelty. I still stuff snacks in it for an extra treat for him to find, but I think he's realized it's not a pez dispenser so it doesn't keep him occupied for long. Darn it. Enter the hangin' ball. Please observe:



Now, see the feed tub that's positioned under him? Well, I'll be darned if I didn't watch Mr. Smartypants pick up that tub with his teeth and move it over there so that it could catch the pieces that fell off the ball. He kinda missed his mark a little, but some of it still goes in there. I see it at the bottom when I go to give him his hay. So funny, that guy!

As fun as this is to watch, I think the best thing to cure his boredom will be a buddy to stand next to. Unfortunately, we are still a bit of stall construction and fencing installation away from that. And I have some more work to do on my reluctant cowboy. I think I'm making some headway though. The other night he asked me, "when I get a horse, am I gonna have to wear Stranglers?" He, he, he...but did ya notice? He said "WHEN" I get a horse! YES!!! Progress!!! Now I just have to convince him that he wants "his" horse sooner rather than later! ;)

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.

Arabian Night

So...I finally got a gate put on the "arena". I now have stepping stones going through my flower bed and lawn that lead over to the gate. For now, since I don't have nice footing installed yet Caspian can come and go in and out of the arena as he pleases. Often, he'll stand at the front to wait for his dinner.

This new gate is so convenient for me. Since it's on the side of our house, I don't have to go all the way through the back yard, turn off the fence, climb through the fence, yada, yada, yada.

There's just one problem. This new gate makes it all the more tempting for me to sneak out to visit Caspian any time I want. Like when I should be sleeping, cooking dinner, cleaning, etc. I know...not a bad problem to have, right? I love it. But I'm thinking I have to draw the line. What is it about my silvery horse that's so addictive? It's like he's a magnet for me!

One of my favorite things lately is our late night visits under the stars. With the big dipper overhead and a crescent moon poking out from behind the trees, it's like a moment frozen in time where it's just me and my horse. Nothing else. Just a soft muzzle nudging my cheek and a fuzzy chest for me to warm my hands on.

I don't often get inspired to write poetry (and I'm not even sure you could call it that) but every once in awhile something will make my wheels start turning and I have to get it down on paper. I wrote this "poem" after one of our first "gate assisted" late night rendezvous'. ;)

An Arabian Night

On a crisp autumn night,
With only stars to give light.
I’m drawn to a spirit,
So majestic in flight.

While I’m frozen in wonder,
A breeze softly blows through my hair.
As I watch a sleek silhouette,
Silently float through the air.

His tail flagged high,
Until he stops suddenly.
He’s heard a slight rustle,
And quickly whirls to see!

It’s me; I’ve been spotted,
And now I stand mesmerized.
As this magnificent creature,
Glides closer, staring into my eyes.

I’m pulled to his spirit by some invisible force,
I just have to be next to this incredible horse.

It’s so very late,
But still I ghost through the gate.

As I think to myself, “What is this pull?”,
“Why the longing?”, I wonder aloud.
But then my thoughts are soon broken,
By the sweetest of sounds.

And with a low nicker and a nudge,
He makes it perfectly clear.
I should need no real “reason”,
To explain why I’m here.

Surrender feels right,
And I feel so alive.
As I stand here entranced,

On an Arabian night.

I think it's hopeless...off to say g'night to my horse! ;)

Bareback attempt #2: much better! :)

So, I think I'm gonna have to stay home from work tomorrow. All of a sudden I'm coming down with a horrible cough, my head feels hot, and my throat is scratchy. I think it might be the flu.

Or maybe not. Maybe I just want to stay home tomorrow so I can ride my horse. ;)

I had such a blast riding him bareback tonight!!! After our ordeal the other night, I really had to gather the courage to mount up (I'm getting a tad wussy these days). Turns out I had nothing to worry about. Caspian obvoiusly remembered our ordeal too and decided to just completely trust me today. It was awesome. He lined up to my "mounting block" (please note the wood ladder in the background) like a seasoned pro and stood so politely for me. He was unbelievable.

I seriously can't even remember the last time I rode bareback, but I'm thinking it's been about 15-20 years or so. I forgot how FUN it is!!! Now it's all I can think about. Which is why I just might have to stay home tomorrow to nurse this "cough". ;) Just kidding. I think.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Happy anniversaries to my favorite dudes!

If I had to pick just one month out of the year as my absolute favorite it would definitely be September, hands down. Although we may get a few rainy, gloomy days that remind of of the chilly days to come, for the most part our weather is absoutely gorgeous in September. There seems to be a golden hue, an ethereal haze that envelops everything for this one month. The nights are getting cooler, but are still warm enough to be outside. Morning dawns beautiful, crisp and clear, reminding us that there are still many sun-filled, blue sky days to come.

This time of year also reminds me of a very special day...that being my wedding day! Kuntry Boy and I will be celebrating our 6th anniversary this Sunday, which we will celebrate with our annual trip to the fair, our favorite anniversary tradition. We'll scarf down junky food, play skee-ball 'till we win a stuffed animal and ride the giant yellow slide. Of course, I will also drag him through the horse barns, like I do every year. He's such a good sport. ;)

6 years already...wow, time flies. I always like to go through our wedding photos this time of year...here are a few of my favs. We had an unbelievable photographer, who not only put an album together for us, but also put all of the photos on CD. Unheard of, right? Trying to get negatives from a photographer is like trying to get a pig skin twist from Cabela, ya know? ;)

The place where we had the wedding also had an on-site florist (who by the way was also the wedding coordinator and vintner!). Talk about a lady with many talents! I gave her some ideas of what I was hoping to have in my boquet and left the rest up to her...I thought she did a great job. She also took care of the flowers for the cake, the food table, and all of the centerpieces. So convenient.

I was absolutely in LOVE with this building where we had the food table set up. It was an old dairy barn that had been converted. It had an arbor and tent off of it, where the guests sat to eat. The yellow walls with red trim and wood accents were just beautiful. I was so thankful to have found this wedding location. I was pretty picky about the "locale" and after months of searching, this place was just perfect. Reasonably priced compared to so many others and had everything that I was looking for. Notice I don't say we...that's right...everything "I" was looking for...you know boys...generally not too worried about the "details"! ;)
I really like these photos of my grandpa and I walking down the "aisle", if you will. It was a bit of a blur at the time, so I like looking at these pictures and seeing faces (or backs) ;) of so many people that I care about sharing our day with us.

Here we are...the married couple! I felt like my whole face was going to literally fall off by this point after all the picture taking! Notice the golden hue I was talking about? A perfect September day!

Another perfect September day was 9-6-08! This, too, is a day I will never forget. This is the day that I brought my "Prince" home!

Here he is, getting acquainted with Caleb and showing off a little for the camera. He knew he had an audience and was definitely hamming it up.

Here we are at the "pick-up" location...do I look a little excited to be getting a horse? ;) Not just any horse, though. I was SO excited because I knew this guy was my horsie soul mate.

Here he is arriving at his new home! Again, just a little bit of excitement from me. Have I ever mentioned my friend Patches who is awesome and trailers my freeloading butt all over the place? Oh, I have? Well, here she is again. Trailerin' my horse (whom she told me about) home for me! I must thank her from the bottom of my heart for her part in bringing my dream horse into my life. :)
Here we are a year later...still in love! He, he!

I joke with Kuntry Boy that Caspian was my five year anniversary present. You could say that he wasn't ecstatic about the idea of getting a horse. But, knowing how much it meant to me (and after A LOT of me wearing him down...sometimes obvoiusly, sometimes subliminally) he grudgingly agreed to it. He even stepped up and built Caspian an awesome shelter...I think I scared him into doing it by saying I was going to do it myself! Ha, ha! Ya gotta know how to work it, right? ;)

I know deep down he really likes Caspian...he thinks I don't notice the neck pats and extra handfuls of hay he gives him. Ha...I'm onto him. ;) I tease him that he's still trying to find his "inner cowboy".

So happy anniversary to my reluctant cowboy and to my dream horse! I look forward to many years to come with both of my special dudes!

Bareback attempt #1...

...was not so successful. ;)

I recently ordered up this awesome Best Friend Comfort Plus bareback pad from One Stop Equine Shop. I was on the hunt for a really good quality pad that wouldn't put too much pressure on Caspian's withers and I think this one fits the bill!

Plus, the seat seems really soft and cushioney...although I wouldn't know from experience, 'cause I haven't quite made it into it yet!!

I decided to start bareback training with Caspian mostly because the saddle that I have doesn't fit him very well...it's fairly narrow and needs a ton more lift in the back...if that's how you say that. I'm certainly no saddle fit expert, but I can definitely tell that it does not sit right on him. It's the saddle that I used to use as a kid, and when I got Caspian my mom brought it out for me, hoping that it would fit us. Well, it still fit me ( I haven't really grown since 6th grade) ;) but I was disappointed that it wasn't quite right for Caspian. Like I said, it really doesn't sit right and the slope of it pushes my legs forward...it's really hard to maintain correct position in it. I also really don't want the fit issue to have a negative impact on Caspian's learning, so I've decided that I'm going to dedicate this fall/winter to working on bareback riding. I think this will be really good for both of us...it will definitely help me with my seat/balance and I think it will be great for our communication. Now, if I could just get on...

Last night was my first attempt and I have come to the conclusion that even though I may not have grown since 6th grade, I'm definitely not as limber as I was back then!! Therefore, I do not think I will be attempting to back my steed again until I get a sturdy, appropriate mounting device in place.

Thinking that I would be fine with an overturned feed bucket was severely overestimating my coordination. It just wasn't quite tall enough, even standing on my tippy toes (note: standing on tippy toes on an overturned feed bucket is not recommended for those "coordination challenged" individuals such as myself). I was bound and determined to make it work though. Sometimes I can be kinda hard-headed that way.

So after a few times of leaning over him to make sure he wouldn't freak (I don't think he's ever been ridden bareback) I decided it was now or never and made my first attempt at herking my leg over. Well, that "really stable" bucket tipped out from under me and down went Kuntry Girl! It should be noted that up until this point Caspian was being a real trooper. But once that feed bucket went a-clangin' and his Kuntry Girl hit the deck he was outta there like a bottle rocket! He didn't go too far though and stood for me to collect him and bring him back into the arena.

Needless to say, the next 15 minutes or so were dedicated to convincing him that the bucket wasn't gonna eat him and getting him to stand next to it quietly again. Then, it was time for attempt #2...did I mention that I can be a bit hard-headed?

This time went a little better...I got halfway on at least! I'm convinced that I would have made it all the way on if only Caspian would've worked with me! But once he felt my weight he wasn't quite sure what to do and took off again! This time with me hanging precariously off his left side! Now, when Caspian gets in flight mode, there ain't nothin' graceful about it. So here I was hanging onto mane and reins thinking, "time to bail!!" And bail I did! Just short of the arena entrance Caspian took a hard right as I jumped left...replaying it in my mind now, I'm pretty sure I landed on both feet! Well, maybe not....maybe it was more like a tuck and roll and spring to my feet kinda thing...I do remember being on two feet and stumbling into a post before regaining my balance. ;) For this uncoordinated chick, I think it was a pretty graceful dismount though! Although I would have loved to see it on film. Probably looked a lot less graceful than it felt!!

Don't worry...I was wearing my helmet!

After this I decided to scrap the attempt to mount and just keep working with him on standing next to the bucket quietly and letting me lean (part-way) over him. He was a real trooper.

So, yeah...looks like I need to rig up something a little better for mounting. I can't count on someone always being around to give me a leg up and I've certainly proven that I lack the coordination needed to use a makeshift contraption! After listening to my play-by-play, Kuntry Boy has offered to build me a proper wood mounting block in the near future. Yay! I will definitley take him up on that offer.

In the meantime, I'm on the hunt for another household contraption...only this time, one just a little more stable. ;) But I'm determined to get in a ride before the weekend's over! Stay tuned! Should be interesting!!

I love this horse! SAFE Benefit show recap

2009 SAFE Benefit Show

This past weekend Caspian and I entered our very first horse show together. Although Caspian was in this show last year with Cowgirl Spirit, this was my first time ever showing. I wasn't sure quite what to expect, but had heard that the SAFE show is a really good place to take a greenie, just to get the show experience. No major pressure, no need to show off with the fanciest tack, etc. After seeing a post about the show on their website a few months ago, I figured it would be a really good goal to set for ourselves to get to a point in our training where we could feel comfortable enough with eachother to make it through the show without any major issues. So this was the goal I had in mind when we started working with our trainer in June. My main priority in our training, though, was to start at the ground up. I really wanted to feel confident in my ability to handle Caspian on the ground, as well as in the saddle, so I insisted on a good two months of ground work only. Our trainer was in complete agreement.

So from the middle of June up until just a couple of weeks ago, we'd been working on ground driving, lunging, round penning, bathing, desentisizing, etc, etc. His ground work will continue to be a priority in the coming months, but the show snuck up on us very quickly and so two Thursdays before the show we started saddle work. Now, I have had Capian under saddle in the past (but only a couple of times) and he came to me with about seven or so rides under his surcingle (instead of belt...get it? I crack myself up)...anyway...I knew Caspian wasn't going to pull any funny business under saddle, but I also knew that we also had a lot to work on in a very short time in order to be ready!

The classes I had us entered in were Halter, Walk Only English Pleasure Open, Walk Only English Equitation Open, and Walk-Trot English Pleasure "Rescue Horse". I was prepared to scratch ourselves from any of the classes if need be. The entry fee was only $8 and it went to a good cause, so I really didn't feel any pressure. If anything, I knew it would be good just to get the experience of the show envoirnment.

So, for the two weeks leading up to the show we worked at least every other day under saddle. The first session with our trainer was focused on Caspian standing quietly to be mounted (and me mounting quietly!). Then, I worked with him at the walk and the trot in between sessions. She came out again the Thursday before our show (as in two days before!) and gave me some pointers on my halting, posting, etc. All in all I felt pretty confident, but then the butterflies started later on that evening. More than anything I just wanted to show people that Caspian has a good home and that I was deserving of such a special horse. I started getting nervous thinking that people might see how novice I am and think "she doesn't deserve a great horse like that"! Silly, I know, but you know how you can get into your own head...

I got over myself though and mounted up for one last "pre-show" ride on Friday. I had taken the day off work to get Caspian ready and just spend some time with him. My mom also graciously came out and helped me bathe him...she (and Patches) also helped me get flower arrangements made for our benefit flower stand that night (more on that later in the post).

After a long night of flower arranging, Saturday morning rolled around and boy was I excited! Patches (the awesome friend that she is) came over to scoop up our sorry-no-trailer-yet-butts and we were off to the show!

Caspian loaded and unloaded great but once he got a good look around the show grounds he was definitely on "high Arab alert"! Spooking at this, snorting at that...I was thinking uh, oh...what am I in for??

It didn't take long to get him settled in his stall though...he was still on edge and pacing for a little while but calmed down slowly but surely. Finally, the barn cleared out a little and the commotion level dropped and we were able to spend some good one on one time...him munching on a little hay snack while I did his final grooming. I ended up scratching us from halter, which worked out really well. Especially since we hadn't had that much time to practice it. Plus, it was one of the first classes...by scratching that one, we were able to really get some good calm down time and then some good time in the warm up ring, which was much needed!

His "Arab Alert" was still in full effect in the warm up arena, but I totally expected it to be. A couple of freak out moments, a couple of cantering when he should be walking moments, but nothing unmanagable...thankfully. ;) All in all, I felt pretty comfortable with him, alhough I knew I better stay on my toes...or heels ;) After all, we'd only been doing "real" saddle work for about a week and a half! Can anyone say "unpredictable"?! Yep, wasn't quite sure what was in store for me!

Thankfully, we completed all three of our classes without me hitting the deck, which is always good! The first class was touch and go a couple of times. Keep in mind this was a "walk only" class. Well, something on one side of the arena was sure spooking him and we had a few "Arab Teleport" moments, as Patches calls 'em. You know...when you're in one spot one second and then you blink and you're on the other side of the arena? ;) The thing that made me feel okay, though, was that I could tell that even though he was nervous...it was just his lack of experience that was his worst enemy. Never during his episodes did I feel like he was intentionally trying to dump me. I think he just forgot I was there when his flight instincts kicked in! Thankfully, I kept my seat and talked him through it, took some deep breaths, and by the third class the monsters on that side of the arena seemed to have retreated back a little at least.

Here we are at the end of our third class, awaiting the results. This was the Walk-Trot English Pleasure Rescue class and there were a whopping 18 horses entered! What a great example of the potential of rescue horses!

I felt great about our ride during this class and very proud of Caspian for trusting me and working through his issues. But never in a million years did I expect to actually place in the class!

But we did! We placed 5th! Keep in mind, I came into this show with VERY low expectations. Not that I didn't have confidence in us, but I just didn't feel any pressure at all. I just really wanted to get the "show miles". I was absoutely flabbergasted when they called our names! I seriously could not believe it. That is a moment that will stick with me forever. Two greenies out there with not much going for us, other than a "still in development" trust in each other. Reflecting back on where we started in our training...just two months ago, I can't believe how far we've come in our relationship. I'm so excited to see what the future holds for us. My goal for next year's show is to enter all the English classes and complete the trails course.

My only disappointment about the show is that our fundraiser flower stand was a big fat flop! I had planned to sell these mason jar flower arrangements as well as blackberry freezer jam and donate the profits to SAFE. We spent SO MUCH TIME getting cutting flowers and getting the arrangements together! Unfortunately, I just don't think it was the right venue maybe. I mean, the last thing you want to think about when you're loading up the horse trailer is where you're gonna stick your flowers! I was hoping that there would be more spectators coming down to the vendor booth area (and maybe buying flowers for the winners) but there was so much to watch with the show itself that I think people had more than enough to keep them busy. Oh well! At least now I have pretty arrangements all over my house!
Oh hey, make sure you stop by Caspian's blog! I forgot to mention the "bribe your horse" class, but I think I'll let him tell you all about it as only he can! It's sure to give you a chuckle!!