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 21 December 2014

a little this, that, and the other

 Well we got dug out of all of the snow we had,m then have had some lovely warm temps, so much so that the John Deer lights can finally be seen again.

 The girls are doing well at the boarding facility, and we have had some great sessions with the kids.The folks that run the place are very nice, and even when I cant get there Keiterina sends me photos to show me my beauties are safe and well!
Martin has been home now since the 8 December, we have had some fun outings together Christmas shopping and he went on a couple solo missions to the malls, on one he came home with these . "just because flowers" are the very best! 

Christmas has exploded here with all of our decorations up!
Funny that "Mr Work safe" himself chose this way to put the angel on the tree! 


 Living dangerously, I decided to put Skeeter Christmas collar on Delilah, the look says something completely different than the stocking reads, but so far I have not been awakened by her wrath(I might have gotten away with it




the weather has been quite warm for here but humid and frosty , which makes for beautiful photos, this is the old trestle bridge near where I grew up. Maybe you can't go home, but you can at least drive by the area once in a while 




 Just a couple other frosty moments
 The "Prince on the hill" as Martin calls him. Fern Valleys Phoenix (FIX)
We have been fairly busy with visits, and shopping, home stuff, and making some home made treats for Christmas.
I made homemade "Baileys" and a "Twisted Tia Maria", to give to family and friends. Also some home made fudge, one with Baileys, and the second batch with Maple Whisky!(We like our candy to have a little kick)
 Taste tester, I think he likes it ! 
A few little things to finalize, then make my cabbage rolls to take to Heather's for dinner on Christmas day, and I think we are ready for "Santa Paws"!

I hope to get around to all the blogs and catch up over the next few days ,but in case I don't Merry Christmas!
and as always, stay safe my friends

Monday 8 December 2014

WD40, a torch, some expert assistance and ...

I made a deal over the summer to breed a mare for some friends, and rather than take payment in cash I arranged to exchange it for board at their facility a little south of here.The plan being to make use of the indoor arena to continue my EAPD work and also hopefully once I get back into shape get some time for myself on Cat , and Andee. Get us all fit for spring so I am able to attend some of the great rides I have been invited on and well, just ride my horses. They were initially supposed  to go around the twentieth of November but with the birthday party for my sister and the huge snowfall,then fog, and more snow... we postponed. Finally last Wednesday, the weather cleared and it was time!
I went down to hook on tot he trailer (which was nicely cleared in front of btw by my brother in law) and first  I found the lock on the hitch frozen. Sigh, tried heating the key, then tried WD 40, best thing to have next to duct tape, it is a penetrating oil, and also works to quickly dissolve ice, sometimes. While I waited to see if it worked I though I would just put the ball on the receiver, it is stored in the tack room of the trailer.Imagine my glee when I found the door was frozen shut! More WD40, and that worked a treat , got the hitch together and tried the lock again, no luck, by this time I was more than mildly irritated. I went to my brother in laws and asked if he had bolt cutters or a torch!Marc knows me well enough  he just raised his eyebrows a bit and gave me both, asked if I wanted help but he was busy with a project so I declined. One my way back I noticed that the girls were in the top pen so I whipped up and locked them up so I at least could grab them quickly if I ever got the @#%* thing hooked up!
Used the torch to defrost the lock, and apparently the WD 40 is not as flammable as I thought (about halfway through) so I did not burst into flames !
Dad showed up about then and helped line me up to hook on, I can do this myself but it sure nice to have a pro spotter. Caught up the girls loaded them and away we went !
Thery hauled like the troopers they are, and settled in nicely . Will be starting sessions there with them tomorrow .

Did a final session here with Tango, final that is for this winter, if he is still here in the spring I likely will continue using him , since he is so good to work with and the kids get so much from him. 
This young fellow had not been here for a while and the session went very well, but It took a lot out of all of us , in fact when my second client arrived ,Tango was flat out on his side sound asleep! 
No problem, we have no shortage of "therapists" here lol .
Who should step up for the afternoon session? none other than Johnnie Handsome! 

It was the first time I have used him for this , but Johnnie is a guy who rarely disappoints, and this day was no exception! 
I am really loving this work, there is no better magic than kids and horses! 

The rest of the farm and family is doing well, just steady day to day getting ready for Christmas, and working our way through the winter. Martin is home tonight and will be here right through till New Years! A nice long break for us.
Had a special shopping trip to town with my sister, my nieces,my mom and Dee's future mother in law as well as her maid of honor, for what? the dress of course! , all I will say here is that little lady would be beautiful in a burlap sac, but that is not what she will be wearing! 
I will leave it at that for now and leave you with some pics of the last few days around here.


 Skeeter chewing his nails, maybe worried that Santa know he chased the cats in the barn again?

You have heard of "Cat on a hot tin roof"? well how about "Cat on a warm wood stove"? She moved fairly quickly after this photo lol 

Stay warm and safe my friends