Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Tuesday 1 May 2012

The Mane event

Hi all! I made it home! 
Attended the Mane Event  over the weekend and what an event it was! 
Spent Thursday getting packed up, and running around here getting things set up for the weekend. We had snow forecast for Friday , so with cows calving I  wanted to make sure we had dry pens. Took out  3 bales of straw , fed the geldings , cleaned the house ,and  went through what chores needed to be done with the neighbor and my cousin Kirk, who with my brother in law Marc ,kindly offered to help out while I was away .
Up at %am on Friday , did chores and away I went ! Picked up my sister in law Connie (who was sharing the booth with me , and we drove through a  bit of a blizzard till we got to highway 2 .
Arrived in Red Deer at 9 ,plenty of time to  unpack and set up the booth (not) for 11am opening . But we got it done! .


As you can see we had a shared booth , this worked well for us manning the booth (after all we need to  go to the ladies room now and then ) But the big banner for the insurance proved to be a bit confusing to patrons , so we took it down Saturday . Connie still got lots of contacts and inquiries , but it reduced the confusion and I also  was able to  make sales and speak to folks 
 My side of the table , I had my calenders there and flyers for Comet and Quinn, no calenders sold , but  several people took a flyer for both colts. Also my photo cards were there.Interesting  outcome with that, no cards sold , but I had a couple people ask if I would sell the photos (enlarged ) to them , as a poster size. I gave them my email, and we will see if there is any follow up on that . I did sign and sell some books as well, and got to meet some wonderful folks as well as to see  several friends . Crystal , came for a book , and a visit , and we finally had a good chance to hang out and  really visit. Matter of fact we talked her into having dinner out with Connie and I as well !
I fully intended to get to some of the sessions , and do some shopping and picture taking , but it just did not happen. We had a young lady from Denmark with us, selling "Cadence beads " and she was such a sweetie, and so excited to see all the things , Connie and I  felt like we would have another chance to see the things , so we let her go to most of it . I did do some shopping , but mostly managed to earn more than I spent ! 
Course if I had seen this...
Saw a gal walking  by with it , and just had to grab a shot of it for Mikey! 
 This little guy was one of so many kids  that fell in love with our rocking horse (I bought this  a few years ago,one for Miss Abigail, and I guess one for a spare), I actually had agreed to sell it at the end of the show , but I think most folks that said they wanted it were long gone by then , almost wish I had more of them , it was a pretty popular item!LOL Oh well, I like it and there are lots of little ones in my life who will enjoy it 
 The show was  11-9 Friday 9-8:30 Saturday and 9-5:30 Sunday 
A lot of hours! sitting standing walking etc. It was great fun, and a success, however I am one pooped  participant , and I believe my feet have filed for divorce! 
Home today , and after the wonderful care over the weekend I had to take over  and get back at it . The family and friends did great and all was well here when I got home. 
When I got up this morning , not so much. But that is a story  for another day 
Stay safe and well 

11 comments:

Paint Girl said...

Sounds like a great weekend! I like events like that and wish we had more in my area!!
And that is a pretty cool saddle pad!

Linda said...

Sounds like you had a good time up there. I really wanted to make it this year but we were dealing with the after effects of the snow:(

Shirley said...

All in all a successful event, I hope you get some follow-through on the colts and the posters.

Reddunappy said...

I love doing shows, I know I am a glutton for punishment! LOL I used to do a lot of craft shows when my kids were little, I worked at home and sold with two other gals.

I bought Meghan a pink camo saddle pad her last year of equestrian team! LOL She loved it.

Crystal said...

I was glad to see you up there too and visiting with you! I love the book too :)

GoLightly said...

Oh, thast all sounds great.

Butch is in love with your rockin'horsie.. Is it a mare?

Want to try some embryo transfers?
;)

Prairie Ridge Performance Horses said...

Congrats on the weekend, wish I could have been able to make the trip, why don't you bring your books, etc to the one in Saskatoon next year???

Sherry Sikstrom said...

FUnny GL! As I carried it out to the car on Thursday night , I inadvertently pushd the buttom oin its ear, it whinnies and makes a galloping sound. Well you should have seen Phoenix!!! Right up to the fence wondering why the pretty pony wasn't coming to see him!

Nicole said...

Sounds like it was a great event! Hope you had fun!

Mikey said...

What a great day! Love that pad, lol!!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Ooh! My, that was a busy weekend with long hours. I wouldn't have done well having to hang out in one place all that time...and I tend towards introverted-ness, so after the first day, I'd have needed some quiet time away from all the crowds.
I'm glad it went well for you and your SIL.

~Lisa