Once in a while when I reflect on the weekend I just enjoyed I realize it was just a perfect combination of my favorite things.

On Saturday morning I slept in to nearly 8:00 a.m.  That is sleeping in for me!  Then I putzed around the house and took my time enjoying my coffee while Vince was outside with the pitchers.  I did make it to the Prior Lake Farmers Market where I bought what I needed to supplement the peppers, onions, and tomatoes from the garden.  The “egg guy” still had eggs too!  Yeay! (These eggs are much better than store bought I don’t care what they claim.)  I went to the local grocer in Prior Lake and bought s’more makings and hot dogs for the gourmet camp fire meal Katie, Vince and I were planning for the evening.

I watched a little gopher football and took a nap with Bo and Cricket before Katie arrived home.

We caught up with Katie’s adventures of graduate school and her internship at the American Red Cross before we enjoyed that fancy cook out dinner. 

On Sunday morning I enjoyed hanging out again with Vince and Katie before getting ready to ride horse in the park.

Then my Mom and Kim arrived.  My Mom brought some fabric samples for me to pick fabric for pillows for the horse trailer/camper that she will make for my birthday.  I liked all the samples and it was not easy to pick!

Kim, my Mom and I went for a ride in the park.  I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy this passion for horses with my Mom and my lovely daughter.  We had a very good ride together.  Chance and I were doing very well leading when he decided he was not going any farther.  After we worked through that it was back to a very enjoyable ride.  I am proud of all of us and happy that our little 3 generation group can enjoy each other so much.

Sunday ended with Kim and Erik making us dinner from the grill!  It was delicious and good to again enjoy some family time filled with laughter and love.

So to end the weekend, I went out to pull Laura Bell and Chance off of the east pasture and they already were in the run in.  Perfect, perfect, perfect.

-Sue

Kim on Laura Bell 2009

My favorite picture of my Mom on Cowboy

I love cats.  I have always loved cats.  I grew up with cats and really cannot remember a time when I didn’t have at least one special cat.  Even when I was in the US Air Force and could not keep a cat with me, I had one at home with my mom.   My daughter Katie and I went “looking” at cats one day at the Golden Valley Humane Society and brought home “Cricket” pictured here.  Cricket lives indoors but sneaks out in warmer weather.  Cricket is a very sociable and vocal cat.  She is a very good pet but will not put up with being ignored.  Cricket has a middle name, Marie, because sometimes when she is quite naughty a middle name helps with the tone of the conversation.  <smile>

Cricket Marie

One of the best things about having a hobby farm is that cats are a welcome partner.  Here is a picture of Peach, the oldest of my 2 barn cats.  I saw Peach in the hay on the day she was born and named her.  My dear friends Marcia and Gary saved Peach for me, so I could bring her home when she was old enough.  Peach makes her home in the barn and makes good use of that beautiful coat. 

Peach in the cold winter sun

My daughters, Kim and Katie (with Vince and Erik’s help) threw me a birthday party on Saturday!  It was a great time and I enjoyed catching up with family and friends.  Thanks girls!!!!!!

Chance is learning about trail riding.  Chance is  my 5 year old Paint Horse and has been camping only 2 times in 2008.  He is taking to it very well and is calm 99% of the time.  Chance is very curious and always wants to be the horse chosen when I go out to barn.   Chance is a big horse and can be very smooth to ride.   Chance and I have some more work to do over the winter months to continue his training and trust in me.

Chance tied at Wild River SP

I have 2 wonderful horses that I keep at home in Credit River, MN (where is that?)  My main trail partner is pictured here.  This is Ms Laura Bell Blue.  Laura Bell is an 19 year old Quarter Horse mare that has been my trail partner for 14 years.  She is a terrific trail horse and is always willing to jump up in the trailer for our next adventure.

Hi!  I am working on this blog to provide my Saddletrails information here.  Hang in there while I learn my way around with this.   

One of my favorite sayings:  “How do you make a small fortune in horses?”  “Start with a large fortune!”