Wonderful Weekend

How lovely it has been having fine weather! I have had two rides on my gorgeous Zanny. Two quite different rides because yesterday we rode in the jumps paddock, and I was a bit anxious (no, we didn't jump), and then today it was Zanny who was in a bit of a spin. I tied her up to get her ready and almost decided to pack it in right then because she was rather loopy. I'm pleased to say I mounted up, and we did have a successful ride in the arena. Spring grass, Tara being a twit and Spurwing Plovers screaming with indignation (I threatened their ground nests by daring to enter their territory), seemed to be the causes of the issues Zanny was having. 

Today Johnny and I headed out to the farm to pick up some feed for the girls and look who I had cuddles with:

Aria and Fergie are looking so cute with their mega fluffy winter coats. They have fuzzy manes and tails. Aria was actually the most friendly today. What sweet, sweet wee ladies they are! When Zanny moves back home I will get to see them every week again, which will be wonderful. I'd love to do some handling work with them if I can. Aria is partly mine, so why not?

I am now officially a year older, and I had a fabulous birthday week. 

 Now I'm older I am baking more. Yummy banana and chocolate chip muffins.

 I got this beautiful cake stand from my very dear friend. It looks very pretty with my muffins on it.

 Mr Mouse approved of my new birthday book. I've been inspired to get out into the garden this weekend. I cleaned up the raspberry patch and came across a simply massive spider which made me actually feel a little nauseous. I love spiders, but I prefer the big ones to be behind glass. Johnny bravely gently evicted the spider so I could carry on working, but I'm sure it has headed home by now.

 Over the holidays I arranged my pretty china on my two amazing new Johnny creations. It is fun to move things around and add new items. I need some more stands for plates so they can be seen.

 The Crafty Neighbour lent me some china to add to the display, and she has fun fiddling with the arrangement too.

 I got this dear wee set (not quite a trio but put together as one) for my birthday from myself. It is my favourite primrose pattern.

 My "Marguerite" pattern chintz plates look sweet together with this coffee pot.

 This dear wee set has been borrowed and looks just perfect.

 I found these two plates at the Riccarton Market for about $10 each. Bargains!

 More muffins! Mmmm blueberry packed goodies. I picked the blueberries down the road in summer.

I'm watching a story about orangutans on TV at the moment. They are wonderful, beautiful creatures. I'm unlikely to meet one first hand, although I did see the ones in Melbourne Zoo, who did not have the air of peace of the ones I can see at the sanctuary. I am disgusted at the greed of humanity, and the destruction of the rainforest so that palm oil can be produced. Palm oil is in so many foods, but I'm going to make an effort to minimize my consumption so that in a tiny, tiny way, I can limit the demand. I'm pleased to be working on my own baking because then I can avoid nasty palm oil which features strongly in the biscuit lane at the supermarket. 

I hope you have a good week. I've got a very busy one coming up, so wish me luck!

Greetings, I'm still alive

Yes, I am still in blogland, but have had a couple of busy weeks with visitors and school stuff going on. Last weekend was great as we had Mum and Dad to stay. My precious cousin came for lunch on Sunday, which we all loved. We've got the Education Review Office coming to school next week, which has sent everyone into a frenzy of worry. It is just routine having them to visit, but no one likes the thought of letting the side down.

Sad to say, we didn't get to visit the horses at the weekend due to the horrible weather. It looks like my darling Zanny will go into retirement from motherhood and will now be my fulltime riding horse. That is really great news for both of us because I will be able to focus on my riding, and she will get to do some interesting things with me, hopefully. I worked on cantering last time I rode. She has a rather jerky canter so I will need to practise lots to look remotely elegant. We will be working out her living arrangements soon. She is enjoying her time at our lovely friend's house in a big paddock. We have to decide who will be Tara's next handsome man friend. She is a career broodmare, but I would like to do some groundwork training with her to add some fun into her life. She is a sweetie and loves cuddles and brushes.

My spring garden is looking so pretty, and I need to get a trailer of lovely rotted horse poo so that I can prepare my vege patch. I have leeks, ancient beetroot, rainbow chard, silverbeet and celery planted. I didn't get any garlic in midyear. I wonder if I am too late?

Johnny is asleep on the couch and I feel like curling up under a snuggly quilt myself. Not long until the weekend, but it is times like these that I wish I could work part-time.

Tired

Sorry, I am super tired this weekend and haven't done anything about taking photos. I did manage a ride on Saturday, between showers, and had a bit of fun with Zanny. She decided that Princess, the miniature pony, was a big, bad monster, and we had a bit of drama and snorting over her. I think the wind didn't help. Never mind. I did get some nice trotting in before it turned to custard. Horses who haven't been living around miniatures find them very scary because they don't know what they are. Funny! Pigs and alpacas are in the same category.

The week at school was very good, but I'm worn out already. Mr Mouse decided that sleep-ins were totally unnecessary for his mother, and he made sure I knew it. Never mind, I love seeing his furry wee face, his flicking squirrel tail and his joy over playing with my hair ties. He is always excited when I finally respond to his efforts to disturb me in the morning.

We went to a play at the Court Theatre. It was about PE teachers, and was full of un-PC fun and laughs. I don't go out to the theatre very often, so it was a real treat. Unfortunately the ballet Swan Lake was on the same evening, so I didn't get to go to that, which I would have loved.

It is my birthday soon. Hmm. What would I like to get for my birthday? Johnny knows I want a saddle for Mrs Zanny, but that's a bit of a tricky one. I need a new watch, but I've been looking for ages and haven't found one I like yet, so Johnny isn't likely to find one easily. Most of them have metal straps, but my skin can be very angry unless I clad it in precious metals. I'd love some more floral chintz china for my lovely shelves. Well, any pretty china makes me happy. I love Carltonware too. I'd like to own the Dexter tv programmes on DVD. Or the first series of Call the Midwife. I'd like to get Mr Mouse a kitten. Preferably a cuddly homebody type. A Birman or Ragdoll would probably suit. Mr Mouse is half Birman, and he is happy being inside most of the time and prefers having a friend with him when he plays in the garden. Perfect. I'd worry if I had a wanderer. I think time would be the best thing to get for a birthday. I'd love some time in the sun with Zanny and Tara. Time to go out to the farm to visit each and every horse and to spoil Aria, Fergie and Ben with carrots and cuddles. Time in the garden with masses of pansies and violas to plant. Time in my craft room sewing or scrapbooking. Not feeling like time is strictly limited because I'm so tired.