The Colt

On a trip to visit our horse this morning, we discovered that Winston has proclaimed himself the adoptive father to a little weanling colt. The colt was starting to take a toll on his mama, who is not in good health (she is in another pen a few yards away). As soon as the colt and his mama were introduced to Winston yesterday, Winston became very protective of him, keeping his other pasture-mate, and even the colt's own mama, away from him. Today, mama seemed very unconcerned, while meanwhile, Winston was quite upset when I took him up to the barn and away from the colt for a few mintues so that I could groom him. They called back and forth to each other until I returned Winston to his pen. I didn't find out what the colt's name is, but Noah called him Isaac. Noah calls all babies Isaac. The colt is a cute and friendly little guy, and is doing very well for his first day away from his mama. (The masks they are wearing keep the flies out of their eyes.)
It was a beautiful, but hot morning. The freshly cut hayfields were all aflutter with thousands of Clouded Yellow butterflies. Appropriately named, as there were literally clouds of them flying all around.

As we drove away through the clouds of butterflies, we were happy to know that our kind horse is easing one little colt's transition to life away from his mama's side.
~Jen

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Seeing an old friend.

A horse, of course.

(Translated by: Dad)

What can you find at your local grocers? The essentials--bread, milk, eggs? On a beautiful holiday weekend like this, some will find burgers, brats, and their favorite chips. Today, we found Mick, the Budweiser Clydesdale! As Mom got ready for work, me and Dad took a trip to visit him.


Mick arrived in a specialized semi all to himself, as his buddies rested elsewhere. He had two designated drivers who did their best to maneuver the semi through the already over crowded parking lot. Mick is in the area to trot in a Memorial Day parade tomorrow. He came all the way from St. Louis, Missouri just to say 'hello.' He's 8 years old and quite the handsome fella.


Dad and I waited patiently as he stepped out of the truck and clip-clopped his way over to the grocery store's entrance to be a greeter. He drew a lot of attention and his coat was extra shiny in the sunlight. He was very friendly and let all of the children who came to see him, pet him.

Mick let us take our picture with him. Dad let me pet his nose. I said 'hello' to him using my horsey words. He's much taller and cleaner than Winston, but just as nice.

It was a fun surprise after Mom, Dad, and I worked all morning in the garden. It's not every day you see a horse at the place your Mom and Dad buy shaush (applesauce).

Thanks for the visit, Mick! Have fun in the parade tomorrow. Bye bye.
Love,
Noah

Mud and Carrots

Two days of above freezing temperatures has led to lots of melting snow and ice. And all the melting has led to lots and lots of mud at the stable. The hill that leads up to Winston's pasture was a slippery, muddy mess today, but I climbed it anyway...with 25 lbs of toddler on my back! The chickens were oblivious to the mess and actually seemed to be enjoying pecking around in the mud and muck.

After a long and muddy hike to the far end of the pasture, we found another sign that spring is not too far off... Our fuzzy, wuzzy shedding horse!

Back at the barn, Noah watched patiently from his sled as I gave Winston a good grooming. A not-so-patient Winston thought Noah was hiding carrots in his puffy snowsuit.

This weather is such a tease! I am sure next week will be bitter cold and we will get 2 feet of snow. Good thing we are enjoying it while we can.
-Jen

Big Black Horse and the Apple Tree

Poor Winston. Due to his chubbiness, he was moved from his lush green pasture with the apple trees and burdock to a dirt pasture where he recieves hay several times a day. There is but one apple tree in a far corner, under which he can often be found patiently and hopefully waiting for a brisk breeze (or me) to rustle the branches enough to dislodge an apple or two. Even more sad is the fact that there are several apple trees just over the fence from his new pasture, where he can smell the sweetness of the many apples that nobody picks.

Well, today I crawled through the fence and waded through the burdock to gather of few of these apples. There were many fallen apples that were sadly beyond saving.

The apples still on the tree looked a lot better from afar and I really could have used a ladder, but I managed to find just over a dozen decent little apples. Winston was happy that I brought a couple over the fence for him as well. To show his appreciation, he gave Noah a little ride, which Noah clearly enjoyed.

Back at home, I was afraid to cut into the apples for fear of what I would find inside.

After spending a good amount of time peeling and coring them, I had a long conversation with Dad about whether or not they were edible. Deciding that they probably were (I only found one little worm...just kidding!), I had an even longer conversation with Mom about how to make a pie. After consulting her 53 year old Betty Crocker Cookbook and adding a few tips of her own, she was able to talk me through the making of the pie, which I am pleased to present...

It turned out! And it tastes pretty good, too! Plus, there were enough apples left for a couple cups of applesauce, which Noah sampled for dinner and seemed to thoroughly enjoy. Sweet success!

-Jen