Pony Cart Rides and a Birthday Party

I got my ark half built and then the sun came out this afternoon. Go figure. I think I will hold onto it for a while though as the rain is supposed to come back with a vengeance tomorrow. We made the most of the few hours of delightful sunshine. We decided Kipper needed some exercise and Miss T was attending numerous birthday parties so we hooked him up to his cart. BTW what is it with all these birthday parties that the kids go to nowadays? I'd have to get a part time job just to have the money to buy the presents for all of these parties! I'm not talking about family parties but friends from school parties but I digress.....

We brushed little Kip trying to get more of his winter coat off which seems to want to stay forever but with the frosts we've been having I guess it's not all bad. Hubby and Dad harnessed him up while I played photographer and off we went.

Come here little Kipper, I have a surprise for you. I don't think he is buying it do you?

Oh I see you are looking for an apple. Oops, I forgot it, will get one after.




I used to have to ride in the neighborhood before we made the carriage trails so had to put the reflector on the back of the cart.

Doesn't he look cute in his harness? This isn't even his fancy one, it's his everyday attire.

Off we go down the road through the woods.



We had to have a lot of these big pines cut to make our trails. They were put to good use.

Smile for the camera Kipper!

Look at the beautiful sky. It was that way for about four hours. :o)

This is my view.......ahem......isn't that a cute little fat rump?!

Kip was a good boy and did really well for his first time out this summer. We only went two or three miles as I didn't want to overdo it. He's such a good pony and loves the kids. They can climb all over him and he doesn't care, very laid back.

Last night we went to Mr. D's 6th birthday party. He has been so excited about it for weeks. Cousin K's is first, then Miss T's and then his is last. He met us at the door all grins and giggles. We had pizza first and then it was time to open his gifts. Cousin K helped him read his cards.

Yea! A water gun so that he can pester his sister! I'll probably hear the screeching over here! But, I got two of them so all will be equal! :o)

This cake was surrounded with cupcakes all decorated nicely. They were removed before he blew out the candles. Germs you know...

He got them all!

Happy Birthday D you are our precious boy, we love you! Grammie and Grampie xoxox

Ye-haw!

It's raining cats and dogs here today and I guess for the foreseeable future. I so enjoyed the lovely summery days over the weekend but I guess we need the rain so I shouldn't complain. I haven't been able to put my annuals in yet as we have had record cold the last couple of days. It was in the 20's here yesterday with a frost. My annuals are still in my sun room out of harms way.

Yesterday I got to go to Miss T's riding lesson. I missed her first one of the season last week as we were away so was very anxious to see this one. She has been practicing on Kipper giving him some much needed exercise and doing really well. Usually she rides Divit a nice little pony that is small and old. Good combination for this overly protective grandmother to watch. She has very occasionally ridden Sissy a nice little quarter horse mare that's about 14 hands high and she loved that but normally it's Divit.

DIL and I were waiting for her to come out of the barn with the other students and when we saw her we gasped as she was leading this close to 16 hand appy named Duffy! Gulp! DIL almost fell over and I must admit I was a little shaky. I mentioned it to her instruction (who probably wished I would mind my own business) that Duffy was rather big. She explained that Duffy is 31 years old, as gentle as a lamb and the worst thing he would do is fall asleep in the class. I guessed we could go with that.

He's not the prettiest boy on the block and looks pretty much his age but he is a good ole boy and did well by Miss T in the class. When it came to cantering though I saw her shake her head no when it was her turn to go. (sigh of relief from both Grammie and Mama) Here are a few shots of her class.

Her new helmet that she got for Christmas.

Mr. D brought things along to keep him busy. I was asking him to smile and he was telling me the sun was in his eyes.




This is Kippy the barn kitty at the riding stable. She always keeps us company while we are there.

One day on the long weekend we went to the coast for lunch with FIL and SIL. Of course we went to the Lobster Pound our favorite seafood restaurant. Hubby and SIL had lobster and clam chowder, I had the seafood newberg and lobster stew. FIL isn't a seafood lover so he had a nice turkey sandwich. I know you are drooling right now Jo-Lynne!

We have an abundance of rhubarb this year so I have been making pies. My family loves rhubarb pie so I try to make it quite often during rhubarb season and also cut up some for the freezer.

Hey! Who took a piece out of this pie?!!!! I love my fluted pie plate that Nancy of Nancy's Nonsense sent me. It cooks so evenly and the crust doesn't stick to it like some of my pie plates.

Guess that's it for tonight. After looking at all this food I am hungry. I think we will head for the Lobster Pound again this weekend................. :o)

Flowers, flowers and more flowers

It is Memorial Weekend here in the states. The weather has been glorious and I love seeing everyone out working in their yards, setting out their annuals and swimming in their pools. Son and DIL opened their pool and the kids have been having a blast swimming by the hour. We went over yesterday to watch them swim for a while, oh to have all of that energy! Hubby went in with them but I was gabbing with DIL's Mom so didn't get in. It turned really cold late in the afternoon so we headed home through the woods so that Hubby could change out of his wet swim suit. The pool is heated so the water was warmer then the air at that point.

I finally got out to take some pictures of my spring flowers that are in bloom. This has been an exceptional year for the lilacs, they are just spectacular, these pictures don't really do them justice.

These aren't quite open but oh they smell soooooo good!

Mom and I have been bringing bouquets of these into the house.

We have numerous different crab apple trees that are in full bloom.

I have some other spring perennials open. I just love bleeding heart!

I do love my double buttercups too.


Lily of the Valley, they smell so good.


Miss Munchie was following me around as I took these pictures.


Anybody know what these are? Someone gave me a slip several years ago and I can't remember the name.


Mom and Dad's house hooks onto the end of our house.

White violets that just came up on their own.

Bachelor buttons.

Lupine. The yellow ones haven't opened yet.

Flowers are such a blessing to have. They bring joy to our lives and put a smile on our faces as we look at them and smell their lovely fragrances. I get excited as each new thing opens and hopefully it will stay warm enough next week so that I can put in my annuals.

My niece Jo-Lynne over at Musings Of A Housewife is in a big competition for the Best Philly Blogger. If you have a minute please click on this link and vote for her as the competition is really tight between her and another blogger, they are running neck to neck! You can vote every day till July and it takes less then 30 seconds, really, I timed it! :o) Thanks!!

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/philadelphia-pa-usa/best-philadelphia-local-blog