Monday, Monday.....

I know you all have been just holding your breath waiting for the details of the Spa*nx saga. To say it was rather anticlimactic would be an understatment. Sunday morning I got up and was getting ready for church and thought this would be a great time for a test drive with the contraption. So I go into the bathroom, lock the door and get the thing out of the package. It looked rather big for something that is supposed to be tight and hold everything in.

I put it on without a problem and it certainly didn't hold in ANYTHING. I think I must have bought the wrong size as this thing was loose! Remember what your grandmother's old wrinkled winter stockings looked like around the ankles? Well that's what this thing looked like.

And hot! For the Queen of Hot Flashes this certainly isn't something I would want to be wearing under my clothes. It was suffocating, not because it was tight but because it was all this stretchy material all around my body from my thighs to my.... ahem....bosom! Sorry Spa*nx you're going back to the store to live out your life or maybe some other unsuspecting full figured gal will take you home!

The snow is dropping fast around here. Yippee! It's been rather warm and with some rain on the weekend the snow that we got on Friday didn't even last over night. Funsize, Ann, T and I went to the stable on Saturday morning to give all the guys a good grooming. T rode Kipper bareback with Funsize leading and with me walking beside her. Kip was frisky and knew everyone else was out in the pasture so wasn't interested in giving T a good ride. She didn't even have her bridal there so rode with the leadrope tied to the halter for 'reins'. She enjoyed it though and put him through his paces very well. I think she is going to be more confident in her riding this year. Maybe turning six is the majic number. :0)

If you look in the upper right hand of my sidebar you will see a new award designed by my friend Nap Warden at Nap Warden Designs. I wanted this award made to give to those of you that have horses and care for them the way it's supposed to be done. It has been brought to my attention way too many times lately of neglect of our equine friends. It breaks my heart to hear about these things as our horses depend on us for everything and are loyal companions asking only for the very basics.

Please take this award, post it on your sidebar and pass it along to others that you know are deserving! I know I have probably missed someone so please forgive me and add it despite my lagging memory!

Rising Rainbow

Barngoddess @ Ramblings From The Reservation

Donna @ Just-Me

Jen @ Copenhagen Kisses

Mikey @ Horse Shoeing Housewife

Kris @ kdhorses

Callie @ Midwest Horse

Toad Hill Minis

Tonya @ There Is A Season

Needled Mom (yes, donkeys count too!)

Janey @ Mustang N Cowboy

Just Another Day On the Prairie

Friday Night and it's SNOWING again!

The Family portrait, I'm the one holding the cat.

Yes, it's snowing. Again. It started out as rain mid day but by 5 o'clock had changed over to snow, the kind with the big fluffy flakes that you caught in your mouth when you were a kid. I still see the children doing that guess it's just a kid thing.

We lost our power about 2:15 this afternoon. I was 'resting my eyes' as my mother says, before T got off the bus here and all of a sudden the alarm system started buzzing so I was out of my chair in a flash to reset that. The generator kicked on within two minutes, it's loud but it sure beats not having any power.

I had a recipe I got from my SIL while in Boston last weekend so after a few games of Sorry with T I put it all together. It's very easy and sooooooooo yummy especially still warm from the oven. I'll put it in here in case anyone wants to gain a few pounds this weekend.

Apple Cake

Mix the following together in large bowl

3 cups unsifted flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

4 eggs unbeaten

1 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup orange juice

2 tsp. vanilla

Blend with mixer on low for 1 minute. Blend on medium for 4 minutes.

In separate bowl mix:

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Peel and slice 5 Macintosh apples. Add to sugar and cinnamon mixture and mix.

Grease two 10 " loaf pans. Layer batter, apples, batter, apples, batter. (don't use too much batter in the first and second layer or you won't have any left for the top)

Bake at 350* for 55 minutes. Depending on your oven it may need a few more minutes.

This is sooooooooo moist! Warm right from the oven with a nice ice cold glass of milk and you'll be in seventh heaven! Trust me.

Speaking of Boston, I am still thinking about all of the shopping that is right nearby where SIL lives. Now they are outside of the city in a more rural setting but there is an abundance of good shopping within a few miles of their home.

Now I am a speed shopper. I can get more done in a small amount of time in a store then most people. (I wonder if this is a good trait or maybe not) They dropped me off at Chico's one of my favorite stores as they had an errand to do so I figured I had a good 20 minutes, plenty of time. I knew what I was looking for, knew what size, and jumped in with both feet. Twenty minutes later I had two outfits, jewelry to match, a blouse and tank top to go under it PLUS something new on the market.

Now I follow my nieces blog, Musings Of A Housewife and she does a lot of great fashion posts. Now I know I am old enough to be her mother and the mother of all her thirtysomething readers but I try to stay hip to a point. Or is it my hips are getting pointed, well no matter, you get my drift. I read about this item on one of her posts.

Anywho, there is this new product out called 'Sp*anx, The High Powered Pan*ty.' The Perfect Foundation For Every Wardrobe. (Foundation, now doesn't that make you think of cement?) It goes on to say, Comfortably Smooths Waistline, Slims Tummy, Thighs and Rear. (this is sounding better all of the time.) No Binding. (yeah, I bet that's a joke) You wear these things under anything that you don't want pan*ty lines to show and you want to smooth out bulges, rolls or anything else that tends to appear after a certain age. These things are supposed to be tight. TIGHT. Now I haven't tried them on yet but I am expecting it to be a real experience so stayed tuned for a future update. :o) I bet you can hardly wait.......

D is growing up. He went for his orientation for Kindergarten this week! I don't want him to grow up so fast, it seems like he should still be creeping around on his hands and knees not getting on a bus and going to school in the fall! He was disappointed that they didn't go on the bus this time but they will do that near the end of this school year. He is a smart little cookie if I do say so myself, it's a grandmother's right you know to brag, he can do his numbers, letters, read some, and add and subtract. Things I didn't know till half way through my first year of school. Are kids smarter these days or what?!

Saturday

Well T is still in bed so thought I would jot off a few more lines before she gets up and we head to the barn. She came after school and decided she wanted to spend the night. She and Grampie played Le*gos last night and built a house. These are the Le*gos that Son had when he was her age. Those things are indestructible except for the occasional one that meets up with the vacuum.

Our snow didn't amount to much last night. (doing the happy dance!)

No, this isn't at my house but it could be as I have cats and deer and snow and a deck that exact color and sliding glass doors. Hummmm maybe it is my house......

Tuesday Talk

Back home again from our little trip to the Boston area. What a difference in the weather, although it was cold there is no snow and things are starting to come up. BIL was out raking the yard, we'd still have to chop through the ice to rake anything!

Had a wonderful time visiting the lovely stable where my niece rides and takes her lessons. We were able to watch one of her classes in the corner of the big inside arena and it was even heated! That was much appreciated as the wind was really blowing outside and it was more then brisk.

It was an interesting lesson with actually two group lessons going on at once. The younger girls on their ponies in one and the more advanced girls on the horses. At first I was a bit overwhelmed with the warm up with horses and ponies going in all directions at all speeds but once the lessons started it was very controlled and safe.

The older more advanced girls were working on their jumping at a canter and I held my breath every time L went over the jumps but she did fine, had no problem whatsoever! I wasn't at a very good angle to get good jump pictures but did the best I could from my corner.

L was riding a gelding that is about 15-2 or 3 so was a pretty good sized horse for her as she is very tiny. She handled him well and he responded well to her directions. She has been asked to be on the equestrian team for their stable and she is considering it.
Now if there is anyone on the face of the earth that hasn't seen these photos I must put them in here for you to enjoy. The fawn's mom came after him when the horses wandered off so all was well but I think these are incredible photos. These horses could have so easily stepped on this little guy but they were careful knowing I'm sure that he was just a baby.

Was out in the sun room this morning watching two new visitors sampling the grain that I put out. Actually we have this pair come back every spring to nest down by the stream. Just as they were chowing down a big hawk came zooming out of the sky with his mate in close pursuit and I was ready to jump out the window if he had gotten his claws into one of the mallards! We call them George and Barbara. I think they are Republicans.

Well K just got off the bus so I guess we'd better go play a game of Sorry. The kids always beat me at it! It's a good thing I don't cry easily! heehee!

Friday Happenings

I only got to the gym once this week. It has just been one of those crazy weeks.

Do you ever notice when you do things out of order you get mixed up for days? I can't be the only one with this dilemma. This week has been totally changed around and I have been struggling to stay with the program. Today seems like Saturday as I always ride with my friend Ann and Funsize on Saturday but we had to go today as we are going to visit Hubby's sister tomorrow. I told them I would probably get up and go to church tomorrow as it seems like it should be Sunday. They told me I would be the only one there.

It is snowing again today. Again. Yes, again. It has snowed all day but we haven't got much over an inch or two. It's that fine half sleet half snow stuff. The poor people in Northern Maine are getting tons again. I just don't know what they are going to do with all that snow. It's six feet deep in some places already!

We gave the horses a good brushing this morning. Some of them are really shedding monstrous amounts and some are hanging onto that winter coat for dear life. They were out enjoying the snow and rolling around in it. They all need a bath but not in this weather.

I've been working on a project this week in my sewing room. We still haven't heard whether our totes and kids towels will be accepted for the craft show in Camden in July. Everything has to be juried to see if it's what they are looking for to sell in this particular show. Lots of tourists will be at this one so I thought I would make up quite a few coastal themed totes. Once we get the word the fur will fly and we won't see the light of day for quite some time!

I got this in an e-mail this week. Evidently this man has been feeding the bears in his back yard for over 25 years! He just kind of hangs out with them like they were his pets or something. I think he is tempting fate on this deal! They sure do look like they are part of the family though don't they???? I guess I wouldn't be late with their supper any night!




The turkeys have been eating me out of house and home lately. A couple of them are really mean looking dudes! Can you see that horn looking thing above this guys beak? Anyone know what it's called?

This guy was really strutting his stuff. Now admit it, some of you are thinking Thanksgiving dinner aren't you????

This little guy is what keeps Noodles and Munchkin occupied for hours on end every day. They set very quietly and watch him just waiting for a chance to pounce on him and have him for lunch. They have been doing this all winter so I guess he's pretty safe.

Came across this old picture today. This was my family back in the early 1960's I would guess. I am the middle child (I know you all could tell that anyhow) with the long ringlets. My mother used to wind them around her finger after shampooing my hair. I didn't appreciate the curly hair then or in high school but do now! :o) In high school I, or one of my roommates would iron it to straighten it out as long straight hair was all the rage then.

Guess I'd better get packing as we head out to Boston tomorrow. Just a quick trip but will be nice to see SIL and all her family. Have a good weekend everyone! :o)

The Milkman

Now I know I am dating myself with this but how many of you had a milkman? Back home on the farm we didn't always as we had fresh milk straight from the cow every day. It wasn't pasteurized or homogenized and in the spring when the cows first went out to eat the new grass we always said that it tasted 'green'. I didn't like it those few weeks before it went back to tasting normal.

My grandmother used to 'separate' the cream from the milk in the milk room and make what we called 'cows' butter or 'real' butter. It sure had a lot more flavor then margarine and probably is one reason I have a tendency to spread it on thick on my toast like we did 'back then'.

When hubby and I were first married we had a milkman. He came twice a week and left the milk in a box on the front steps that was sort of like a cooler only it wasn't made out of Styrofoam. It was so handy to have the milk delivered and I missed it when they stopped that service. It seemed like such an inconvenience to have to go to the store to pick up milk. I guess I don't know where I was going with all this, I guess I just liked the graphic. :o)

We were watching the deer out back tonight while we sat in the sun room. I had the floodlights on and the lights inside off so we really had a good view of them. They don't all look alike you know. Some are prettier then others. Tonight there was one that was really outstanding, the Faith Hill of the crowd. Not that she was singing mind you, but I think Faith along with being a wonderful singer is very beautiful.

Also there are some that are rather bland looking. Can't you hear the bucks along the edge of the woods saying, "oh, look at that one, what a dog! I wouldn't date her if she was the last deer in the woods!"

We really enjoy our deer. Our land is posted so that they have a safe place to live. I don't enjoy them when they eat my shrubs and flowers though. I buy this terribly putrid smelling stuff to spray on things so that they won't eat them. I looked out the front window a couple nights ago and one was almost looking me straight in the eye as she was munching on a shrub! Stick to the grain I put out my pretties or I may un-post my land! (I can here my family saying, yah right, as if that is ever going to happen!)

Isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?? We had hamsters and guinea pigs when we were kids and I loved how they filled their pouches with their food.

Made the appointment with our vet this morning for spring shots and check ups for all the horses. He can't get here till April 25th so I'm glad I didn't wait any longer to call! We are so shorthanded for large animal vets here in Maine. It's really hard to get anyone to come here to practise on large animals when they can stay in the comfort of their warm offices and take care of small animals.

While in Florida we went by a vet clinic that has 22 vets on the road for large animals and 10 small animal vets! We struggle here with maybe 5 large animal vets for a tri county area and it's a good thing I have a trailer as some people don't so they have no way to haul in and have to wait a long time to get things done.

Got to get T signed up for her riding lessons that start in May. D doesn't have any interest at this point but I am hoping he will eventually want to ride. You can't push it with kids, they either like it or they don't.

Some of you have asked me where I get my graphics. If you go into my credits at the bottom of my post you'll see Hug Bug in there. If you click on that it should take you to the site where I get them. They have HUNDREDS of different themes of graphics to chose from. You have to buy them and get permission from the company to use them in a blog but it's worth it especially if you do a lot of scrap booking and crafts.

We are expecting some snow tomorrow. Sigh........ Northern Maine has set a record this year of 189 inches of snow so far, we are still at about 100 and it has dropped a lot but still has a long way to go. I guess it's time to put the snowmobile away for the season though. The trails are rough as there is no soft powder to cushion your ride. You just hate to pound your machine to death on rough trails let alone your body.

I can't decide whether to watch American Idol or Dancing With the Stars. Oh such decisions to make!