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 .

Friday 26 October 2018

On to the rest of the year so far.

So since our mini vacation in September we have been doing the usual, work sleep, eat,repeat.
Oh and I published another book... actually two!
Another collection of cowgirl poetry "Cowgirl Logic,Its not just about the horses" 


and my first venture into children's stories "Why ?Mother Earth and Father Sky" illustrated by none other than Mel (Almighty Marshmellow)of our old blog crew! 

I also have a farm first aid tips and tricks volume in  the works. SO I have in fact been writing, just not so much on the blogs.
It is my hope that that is about to change. Since I started I actually wrote 4 posts in one day! I have them scheduled because I also am about to have some down time. Thursday October 25 I am going t have my right elbow replaced (so by the time you read this I should be on the road to recovery) Had my left one done 2 yrs ago and I guess as a result of overuse and Rheumatoid Arthritis it is time to do this one. My recovery was super last time and very straightforward so I am looking forward to the relief . 
I have spent the last few days/weeks readying myself and the farm as much as I can fro the downtime. Martin is home and Mel is here to help out along with my family so I am sure it will all go well. Foals are weaned and hanging out in the barn so I think I am ready. Even if I am not its happening so I best buckle up! 

Thanks to all who have stuck with me, I am off to read other blogs, catch up and rest up! 
Meanwhile as always , stay safe! 

Thursday 25 October 2018

So very much to say ! And a lot of pictures . Part 3

Before summer was done, we celebrated a wedding. My dad married his sweetheart Bonnie. A few pictures from the day.








We wrapped up with another quick run to Jasper on Labor day. Just Martin, I and the dogs in our very tiny little RV. But to mess with a song lyric a little "love grows best in little spaces"











So that brings us to September.  And I still have more to tell you! Clearly I need to be blogging on a far more regular basis!
 till the next installment
Stay safe!

Wednesday 24 October 2018

So very much to say! And a LOT of pictures ! Part two

Hi again! And welcome back to those who are still hanging in with me.
Wrapping up the Mane event ,I was honored to have an article published about our group in Saddle Up Magazine!



Also in June, I had an experimental Stem cell treatment on my ankle. DAMN!!! It actually helped but in was bloody awful! The bone marrow extraction was bad enough but the injection was brutal! Upside is that it helped and the ankle is very nearly fused so I wont have to go through it again.

The next weekend while I was laying low and recovering, I got to be swamper in my brother in law's rig for the Farmers Day Parade. 
Then Hubby and I took off for a couple of days. A quick trip to Jasper, to reconnect and well to just breath.






Nothing like the Alberta Rockies to help you breath and reboot! 

Then home to prepare for some festivities! 
Martins Sixtieth birthday ! 





And what better birthday present than a colt born in the middle of the festivities? Meet Sixty (FV Martini Sunset) 

Summer was ,well summer, it flew by as always. I played around with making some home made bath and body products, did some foraging for wild herbs and plants. Took my little paddle boat out for a spin(hilarity ensued!) and of course I did what I do, I took pictures! Bunches of them! 











 A wonderful visit with my beloved Auntie Elsie, at a sausage making class! 

 Birdie's first horse? 

















Two posts in and we haven't finished August! 
See you  with part three shortly
and as always ,stay safe!