Spring

The light has been so pretty this weekend. 

 My flower borders are in full colour. The wind was blowing today, and with the flowers bobbing photography was very tricky.

 I added some herbs to my arsenal of germ killing tools today. I've been gargling with a concoction of crushed sage, rosemary and thyme steeped in boiling water. They are all herbs with antibacterial properties, and my cough has been less intense as the day has gone on today. A bit of garlic would have been good too, but I thought that would be very antisocial.

 As I said yesterday, I headed out to do a feed run for the horses today. I had to collect the big feed sacks, take them out to the farm, fill them with goodies, and return to deliver them to where Tara and Zanny are staying. The smell in the car was glorious because there was a new batch of baleage, which is a fermented grassy feed that reminds me of the aroma of warm fruit cake and summer. The horses go mad for it and it can be like "rocket fuel" so you don't want to give them too much!

 I've got some big clumps of wonderful blue grape hyacinths now. They are at their most beautiful at the moment. So are these pink primula. They are doing well along the shady border.

 The flowering currant is so old fashioned. I love the fragrance.

 Shame about this photo because it doesn't do justice to Mum's gorgeous double seedling. I love these so much. The colours of the flowers change from quite a rich, buttery yellow, to a more pinky, apricot shade.

 Look who is winning the rosebud race this year. This is Cornelia and her friend Cecile Brunner is also keen to be the first rose to bloom this year.

 The glasshouse is looking all neat and tidy, ready for planting.

 Mr Mouse has to check it all out. He is wondering why he can't pass all the way through and out the open back where the panel was missing. How inconvenient!

Take a look at that magnificent tail!!!!!

I'm off to bed now. Back to school tomorrow, and I hope I'll last the week. Next weekend Zanny and Tara are returning to the farm, all going well, on Saturday. There is a One Day Event next Sunday too, with five horses to look after. There's so much gardening to be done in the afternoons now that the days are getting longer. I need to get rid of this horrible germy illness. Grrrrr! I'll gargle almost anything to feel better- even crushed garlic.

Thank goodness for warmer weather

I've been a sick chicken. My poor lungs have been deeply unimpressed by some invading bacteria, so I was banned from doing anything much at all by the doctor for three days during the week, and spent a quiet day pottering around cleaning tack and gardening gently in the sun today. I really wanted to see the horses, but am prone to unexpected, uncontrollable bouts of coughing, which do not fit with my philosophy of calm quiet around my girls. Anyway, I need to go on a feed run tomorrow, so I'll see them even if I'm still rattling and barking. 

I had lots of fun cleaning Mum's old saddle today, and it was a happy thing slurping up the leather oil with great enthusiasm. It does need some minor stitching and a bit of a check by someone who knows about these things to see if it will be safe under the strain of a girth. I worked on the stirrup leathers, which are very dry, and may not make the grade (I'm not giving up on them yet), and think the stirrups are super, even though they are a little tarnished. I gave Zanny's new bridle an oil too. A lovely thing to do in the warm sun out in the garden. 

I also did some weeding and cleared out the glasshouse, ready for seed planting. I got this fantastic commemorative Yates seed tin from Mum and Dad for my birthday, and am anticipating some planting very soon. Some of the seeds can be planted directly where they are to grow, and others will need cosseting in seed trays in the glasshouse. Johnny did some minor improvements to my plant support system and re-installed the end panel, which had fallen out and remained that way for ventilation in the warmer months. He also got me some compost soil builder for the two beds along the sides, and some more lime chip for the central walkway, just to make it look all pretty again. 

I am all excited about Claude Monet's divine garden at Giverny once again, as I love all of the glorious colours and lavish plantings. I'd like to make more of an effort to use it as inspiration for my own flower garden. I need some plump budded peony plants and lots of exquisite bearded iris. I have a few iris, but not many in blues and purples. Monet made wonderful use of blue, particularly in shaded areas of the garden. I haven't got a pond, but I do have some shady areas like he had in the water garden. He had beds of beautiful pelargoniums, which I love to grow in pots. The garden has highly labour intensive seasonal plantings, to keep everything looking beautiful for the masses of visitors.

I'm really keen to get all of my garden looking beautiful and interesting, and I think I'll take a lot more inspiration from Monet's garden. Visiting Monet's garden at Giverny is right at the top of my "Bucket List." I haven't really got room for a pond or an oriental inspired bridge, but I'm sure the flower borders  and plant combinations would look just as fabulous here as they do in France. Especially on a lovely sunny day like we had here today. Maybe I'll get into doing some painting again.

Ps. One of those amazing moments I have had in life has been to stand in front of an original Monet painting exactly where the artist himself would have stood or sat to work on his creation. Seeing some more original Monet paintings can go on my "Bucket List" too. 

Tough Week

I'd rather not repeat the last week. I've been sick, and we had lots of stressful things happening at school, so I'm pleased to move on. I'm still feeling pretty grotty, but managed to get out in the sunshine to visit my ladies today. They were a muddy pair when I arrived! Zanny is a lot bigger than Tara, as you can see, but Tara is a lot plumper. After a good mud and hair removal session they both had a shine beginning to appear on their coats. Tara gleams like gold in the sun. I think Zanny was pleased that I decided that it would be way too hard to force my wobbly legs to push me up into the saddle. She gobbled up her carrots gratefully and went back to grazing as I drove away. 

 Grape hyacinths, anemones, camellias, primulas and daffodils are the stars of the garden at the moment.

 There are anemones everywhere now. I love them with their velvety button centres.

 The daffodils are starting their glorious display.

 There is so much grass around these ones that I couldn't get rid of it with the daffodil stems and leaves tangled among it. The daffodils actually don't seem to mind at all.

 The blossoms are coming out. These peach blossoms on my tiny wee miniature tree are so pretty.

I just love getting out into the garden on a warm spring day. The soil is so full of possibilities. Well, weeds, mainly, but I can't help but make plans for new plants to put in and seeds to sow. I like to move things around, and wish for more sun next to the fences so that I can have more and more roses. I'm longing for plum and raspberry tones in the garden this year. Soft pinks and cornflower blues. Touches of lime. A lemon tree that actually grows and flourishes. Lavish clematis scrambling through the climbing roses. Extravagant bearded iris. Fragrant clumps of English lavender. How exciting! 

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.

Back in the saddle again

Today was the big day! I had Zanny shod yesterday and today I mounted up for the first time in about nine months. She was really happy about it too. 

I wore my back protector to give me confidence but Zanny was good as gold. She was a little anxious for a start because she hasn't been in the arena where she is staying before. I just let her walk around on a long rein until we both settled. Then we practised our stopping and starting, lining up with the dressage letters on the arena. 

Zanny didn't feel scary at all, and I was amazed how I adjusted so quickly to being up high again. I found that difficult previously, if I had a short break in my riding, We worked on our trot. She needs to go steadily as she tends to get quite fast if allowed to. I need to work on riding on the correct diagonal, sitting upright, and using my body to steady her.

We only had a short ride because I saw how her muscles quivered when she had to stand on three legs for a prolonged time while the farrier worked on her hooves yesterday. We are both so out of condition (and Zanny is the only one with a good excuse for that). Riding gives me some motivation to work on that. My back only pinged once, and when Johnny pointed out that I was hunching forward (the fetal position is my go-to position when unbalanced), I sat up tall and no more back pain! Considering how temperamental my back has been of late, I was very surprised. Riding is very good therapy!

These are the first pictures I have of myself riding Zanny, and I am really pleased to have them. I think we look great together.