Headed to Madras

We are going here:

Madras, Oregon

to look at this:

and this:

and hopefully, not come home with any of these:

but, you never really know.  and we are bringing the horse trailer, (so that we can sleep out of the weather- but really, how convenient would that be...).

Yes, you guessed it- we are headed to the Small Farmer's Journal Auction this weekend.  Oh? you didn't guess that?  Well, now you know.

It is an awesome place for horsey types to co-mingle with others with common interests.  There are workshops and seminars on everything from horse training to blacksmithing to raising chickens.  There will be a sheep dog trial and a social event on Friday. Here is the link to the schedule: SFJ Auction Schedule.

Lots of neat horse-drawn vehicles for sale (these are all from last year):

Everyone needs a horse drawn hearse.

Water, anyone? That is the main man Lynn Miller in front of the water tank!

Coolest little dump-bed cart

And you see this all day:

And there is always a little political discussion:

In my mind, no truer words have ever been spoken...

Last year I met a wonderful couple from Halfway, Oregon who have Stonehaven Farm- a Shetland sheep farm!  I had to buy some of their beautiful roving (which I still haven't spun up-oops) and I think this year I will bring my wheel and sit and spin with them awhile.  I hope they are there again!!


So pack up yer wagons and head on down!  Sure to be enlightening and tons of fun!

See you next week! (and yes, I'll take pictures... geesh you all are demanding.)

Okay, it's gone

Yay!  the snow is mostly gone and green grass is peeking out everywhere.  In addition to the formerly crabby robins, I have now seen the bluebirds and swallows darting about.

And we have had gloriously sunny and dry days.

We took a trip back to Maryland to visit Brian's family.  We even got dressed up and went to a fancy event!

Yes, I do have high heels on...

 We had a good time, but I was ready to come back to the ranch.  It is very busy and hustly bustly back there...

In celebration of Spring (and in anticipation of our upcoming horse trip to Wyoming) we had our favorite veterinarian, Dr. Mike, come out.

Here is my good boy getting his teeth floated!

He took blood samples for running the Coggins test on everyone, gave vaccines and "floated" my horse's teeth.  In case you are unfamiliar with this procedure- the vet gives the horse a sedative and then takes this enormous rasp, called a dental float, and files off the sharp points.  Cheyenne is sooooo much happier with his new, not sharp teeth!  Dr. Mike uses a hand float, not an electric one, although I have just recently seen that in use at the horse clinic in Sandpoint, ID.

Here's some more action shots:

Don't I look more comfy in my Bogs and jeans?

As you can see, the snow is mostly gone!

Everybody is shedding out their winter coats right now. Hair is flying everywhere!














Hopefully we will get some riding in this weekend!







Of course, there are still sheep to be shorn, fences to repair, a checkbook that needs balancing and don't even talk to me about house work!  It is becoming the time of year that house work is more easily ignored (as if I am totally into it at other times... not.so.much.)

I hope all of you are enjoying your Springtime-  I know I can't wait for the warm, dry days of summer!!!