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 .

Sunday 31 August 2014

Wheres Winston ?What I have been up to, wasps ,and why you should always carry a pocket knife

So I am doing this post a little back to front , then back to the front again .K? got it? lol 
Well starting with this evening, Martin and I went out to  check some fences and move cows, Winston and Skeeter of course came with. So while Martin was stapling wires I was taking pics .

 I do adore this handsome fellow! 
 rolling in the peat to get a good smell on him 
 checking out new territory (well new to them ) 

 Last night was a little family BBQ , I had a nice big pork roast so I invited my sister and brother in law, and family , though only Dee and her sweetie were able to attend of the kids, and also my cousin Kirk and family (Kirk and Amber , as well as my sister often have me over for supper when Martin is away so its nice to return the favor) 
The kids Emily and Kyle loving on Winston 


 A nice evening for a fire 

 Dessert, my sister Heather's famous rhubarb upside down cake, she gave me the recipe, and frankly the ingredients as she was working and did not have time to make it for me (note to self, ask sooner) It turned out fine, but I like it way better when she does the baking 

SO back to earlier in the week, Martin is home this week , going back tomorrow, so we spent a lot of our time together , but last Sunday before he came home I had a visit with Mel! 
 It has been quite a while since we had time for a good visit so I was quite pleased to have the afternoon to hang out with her . 
Just before she left , I got stung by a wasp, again! That would be 3 times this year alone (probably have only been stung before this maybe a half a dozen times ) I was irritated, but ,well it is what it is , well by Tuesday I had been stung 3 more times , in different areas of the farm , and once in town, I am starting to react a bit to them , with itch swollen sting sites and a distinct loss of my sense of humor! 
We have now spayed the living daylights out of all the nest we can find, and also gotten our old bug zapper  out and placed it near the house. On top of that we bought these little rackets that zap them so its kind of like Bug badminton! There is something very satisfying  about nailing a wasp that is bent on stinging me with one of these, there is a snap and a spark and NO MORE WASP . Sorry if that sounds  barbaric, but I am done with them . I am a live and let live girl to a point, I have clearly hit that point! 

I have had a a few more inquiries about Wilder, and a couple people lined up to come see him, some were suppose to come this weekend buy one had to reschedule, and the other apparently stopped one place before coming here and bought that horse. Still lots of interest in him so I think once the right person comes to see him he will find a home .Then there is Tango, he to will find a home (if he survives ! )
Went to move them tonight and the "kids were running up and down the pen like their bums were on fire, well Tango didn't make the last corner and sort of half jumped half somersaulted over a 5 ft fence! landed on his back,  breaking one board in the process, but I thought for sure I was watching my colt kill himself! He landed in the mares pen but they were luckily on the far side so they weren't there to add to the drama, I quickly went to open the gate and it was chained and tied. This is why I say carry a kife, I needed to get him on the right side of the gate quickly and frankly my hands were shaking to hard to try untying the string so I cut it whipped the gate open and walked him calmly back in . He seems OK a little shy and shook up, but moving freely so we will see how he is tomorrow.Hoping youth and resilience are on his side 
Ad to that , I have someone interested in Debs mare Peps, and found her tonight with a nasty gash on her side! Sigh , she will survive, but its going to be a little challenging showing her under saddle ofr a few days! I may have a glass or six of wine tonight! 
Anyhow all's well that ends well I hope and I am looking forward to a new week , hopefully the wound will heal nicely and Tang  will start dancing with all four feet on the ground again!
Meanwhile friends Stay safe!

Saturday 23 August 2014

He is on his way!

FV Rainmakers Quest (Maks) is off to his new life bringing his own :Unforgettable Spots " to DeWinton Alberta!
Congratulations Kate, and family I am sure he will  he bring you years of joy!
 His new family arrived  this morning to pick him up, but not before Katie (honorary niece) trimmed his feet . So he went to his new home all up to date 



My merry little band is down to 3 now



                                         Good luck Handsome boy! we will miss you ! 
                                                           Stay safe friends 

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Pussycat Pussycat ,where have you been?


No not to London to visit the Queen. But I do love that old rhyme . The above pictured kitty did go somewhere though,to a new home with my cousins
But as to where I have been? Well the Emerald City ,just like I said! 
Dad and I flew to Seattle last weekend to visit his sister(Auntie Peggy, and Uncle Brian  ), my cousins and to attend my cousin Murray's wedding .
And we had a wonderful time . 
I will just let the pictures speak for me here 
Uncle Bill , Auntie Peggy and my dad. She was a happy lady to be standing there with her brothers 
 All dressed and waiting 

 I think we clean up good! 
The beautiful elegant bride 

Krebs family 


  Murray and his daughter Cassie





 My dad, dancing  with the bride! 


 He has some moves! 
 Dad and I with Uncle Bill and Sharon who also traveled form here to the wedding  at Pike Place market 
 From the Chihuly exhibit , stunning works of blown glass art 




Dad having some fun at Seattle centre 

Sunset on the last day  from the balcony at my Aunt and Uncle home 


It was a wonderful trip and I am so glad I went, but I was glad as always to come home, there really is no place like it !
Stay safe

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Singing ,dancing, and running wild (*many pictures )

I have been running wild, not the critters, well actually Martin and I , wild might be stretching it but we did have some pretty great leisure time this last weekend.
The usual busy week  while he was home, then a big rainstorm threatened our plans ,but as you can see, it cleared off.


Friday night was the Annual Darwell  Barn burner (not sure why its called that) a big outdoor concert with 4 separate acts , the headliner  being George Canyon, a wonderful Canadian artist . He has some great music of his own, and also played some wonderful old songs, from George Jones to Johnny Cash , and Glenn Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy" What fun it was for hundreds of us all singing along at the top of our lungs! I remember as a kid, maybe 10 or 12 Glenn Campbell rode out on a big black horse at the "Super rodeo" singing that song
It got pretty cool that night ,so We had to sit close for warmth ... yeah that's it ! LOL .Martin and I snuggling in the beer gardens 
Then Saturday, we went out again! This time to a Cowboy Poetry gathering in Stony plain
There were 2 venues one in a large hall the second in a little pioneer church , I much preferred the church, more intimate and fitting for the poets and singers, speaking of singers we were again singing along to Red River Valley with none other than   Gary Fjellgaard another Canadian artist but one who has been around a long time, nearly 80 yrs old and can still sing beautifully!
So there you go, to those who told be to chill and relax  some time, I did all in one weekend ! (yup I am a weirdo!) 
Thew rest pof my time has been busy enough, but there has still been some time to play with my camera 

 Catching my little hummingbirds in flight 
And making silhouettes on the sun shades 


Checking in on Johnny , Cat, Andee, and Annie 
 All of them looking round and in need of this round body to get out and ride some 
 And this little darling, who has just found a home for herself and her many toes 

And of course the kids, all leading well and doing fine. Maks will be leaving next week, Tango and Sprite are still for sale, but loading in the trailer well also and ready  for whoever takes them 


It has been pretty hot, but with the rain earlier in the week the humidity is high, after the sun goes down we are getting some prety misty evenings .Marc and I moving  the renters steers last night had some pretty views, only cell phone pics here ( I really need to start carrying my camera everywhere again ) 



So that is whats been going on here, I have a little more relaxation coming my way in a couple days, as I am off to the Emerald City !
Stay safe my friends