It was...

This is a long post with many pictures so grab a coffee and take a seat!
As promised, some pics from our yearly journey to Mexico. We returned to my favorite area , Puerto Vallarta. Such a beautiful and welcoming place to go! It was amazing
We actually stay in our residence club condo in Nuevo Vallarta , about 20 minutes the other way from the airport, but in the same area. It affords us the opportunity to go in to old Town or travel in other directions like to Bucerias, San Jose, and many other area, which  is just what we did this year.

We have met  this particular cab driver a few times over the years, he is friendly and kind and has often offered a private tour.Well this year we took Hector up on his offer, and I am so glad we did!
He took us out for an authentic Mexican breakfast at a local cafe, homemade tortillas , and the most wonderful cinnamon infused coffee. then off to a tequila distillery for a tour and tasting! (yay they finally let me go to one! ) Then to an artisan market in Bucerias and  up through the jungles and over the hills to San Francisco and Sayulita! What beautiful scenery! Stopped on the way to let us taste some Jack fruit at a roadside stand and show us one of his many friends shops.Then back down the hills to show us the farming areas ,and a quick stop back into Bucerias for me to purchase a Mandela puzzle.

Originally made by Tibetan monks as a tool for meditation and relaxation, the puzzle can be manipulated into many shapes some signifying the formation of the world, or some that just give the bearer comfort and peace. A coworker has one in her office and asked if I could bring a couple more home. I asked hector, and after his initial shock that I knew what it was he gladly took me right to the artists store to buy them! 

He then took us to his home town of San Jose, where he purchased us a sample of what he claims are the best tamales in the state! we agreed and bought more to take home for supper! 

After such a big and wonderful day we enjoyed tamales, and home made (by me) Pico de gallo, and guacamole, just like the sweet lady from the grocery store last year taught me! 

I would highly reccomend Hector, and if anyone is going to Puerto Vallarta, I have his card so feel free to email me for his contact info, you wont regret a day spent with this wonderful guy! 

Before going out with Hector we had another outing, to Pipi's restaurant in old town to celebrate my brother in law Marc's birthday , and as you can see it was wonderful! 

We had a few nice days hanging around , relaxing at the beautiful Grande Luxxe resort 

 Enjoyed the lazy river

 the views, 

 the breathtaking sunsets 

 fine dining 

 even breakfast got fancy from time to time 

We took a trip into old town to the waterfront market, and another favorite place ,Oscars bar! A great place to recharge after walking the Malecon

We had one final adventure before returning home, with a cruise to the Marietas Islands, volcanic formations in the Banderas bay. You cannot reach them except by boat and by swimming! My brother in law Marc and I chose to try the swim to the Hidden beach, we were advised if you can swim 200 meters it should be Ok , well 200 was a low estimate  it was more like 250 each way in a cross current through the cave, but we got it done, and it was wonderful! tiring but wonderful, and i am so pleased that I did it without having my brace on and suffered very little other than some sore muscles the next day, and well some minor humiliation. As we went back into the water to return to the boat we needed to back in with our flippers on and catch the wave to take us out, well I was not paying attention or something and got wiped out by said wave, and essentially a** surfed back to shore, not once , not twice, but 3 times! They say you are not allowed to take souvenirs of sand or rocks from the islands, and I swear I did not intend to,but I am awfully glad the federales were not around to check my swimsuit when I got back to the resort lol ! 

The return trip had its thrills as well with Wale sightings and a mock rock concert from the crew! 

 We were very saddened to hear of the lady who lost her life on a tour near Los Cabos, the wales are so massive and in a smaller boat I can certainly see how dangerous it could be!The beauty of nature is only equaled by its sheer power.Prayers for her family and loved ones who must be so very lost and heartbroken at this time

So that about wraps it up, our 2015 trip to Mexico.

and It was... AMAZING! 

A little snow tonight but otherwise it looks like spring is finding her way to Alberta, such a nice treat to come home to. 

Back to work and into a routine and I am happy to be here, the critters were well cared for by our good friend Mel. So we are rested and rejuvenated and ready to see what 2015  has to bring! 

Stay safe my friends 

Regarding Henry. Meeting him face to paw)

We are home form Mexico, and as always it was a wonderful trip, full of laughs and sun.I will tlk more about it in another post but first...

We arrived home late Friday night , the farm was in good hands and the critters were well cared for by our sweet friend Mel.

We were greeted that night by  an overjoyed Winston and Skeeter! I miss then so much while I am away, the homecoming wiggle and whine is always so much fun! 

Saturday extricated Tango form the feeder (a stunt he kindly waited till we were home to perform! so glad he didn't pull that one on Mel) then did laundry unpacking etc. The this morning we headed east! to meet Henry for the first time, face to paw, or puppy breath! 

I think I will let the pictures tell the story ,other than to say it is LOVE!!! He will be coming home  mid April. He is growing well and strong already pretty mobile on 3 legs and using the short leg just to sort of wave as he takes a step(it is too cute to believe! !)

Hoping to get out to see him a couple times between now and when he comes home , middle of April!! cant wait! I will be posting regularly as he grows and  develops, we will see where he fits into our Equine Assisted Personal  Development program here, or maybe look further into some therapeutic activities specifically with him. The sky is the limit when you are his kind of wonderful!

watch for the label "regarding Henry" 

Stay safe friends, the weather is warmed up here so for now I will leave it at that 

Out of a blue clear sky

The title is   from a song by one of my all time favorites George Strait. and of course it is about a love , that comes along when you least expect it . The song like most is about a girl but this story is about a boy.

A blond beautiful boy, who I will be calling Henry.

I wasn't looking for a puppy, I was happy with having my beloved Winston home, and his wonderful little buddy Skeeter. The thought of another golden retriever cruised through my mind from time to time, but not just right now was what I thought. It is winter, we are soon leaving for our holiday and I just wasn't there yet.I thought maybe in the spring.
And then I opened my email and there was a message from my friend Deb saying that the breeder who raised her lovely dog Autumn had a littler with a special little guy who would need a special home. Henry was born with the bottom of one front paw missing.

The breeder suggested he might go  to go to a home when he might do pet therapy. Well I don't currently take my dogs to do pet therapy but they do play a big role in the work I do with the kids and horses.And I am quite open to it, Winston and I did do some work in that area when he was young . I talked to my hubby about it and a couple of veterinarians I know to be sure we would be able to provide the right home for him. Once we were sure  I emailed and said yes I was interested.

I then waited and worried the remainder of the day that maybe he was already spoken for ,or they would think I was not the right person or, or, or...
  Because, you see ,when I fall in love with a critter I fall hard and fast , and he was in my heart from photos alone!

Henry is only 14 days old, I will not be able to see him in person until I return from Mexico. Am I jumping out of my skin? why yes, yes I am !!!!
But thanks to good friends(Deb is planning to maybe go next weekend) and a very talented young lady named Kass who is an aspiring photographer , and a good one at that! I will be kept up to date on Henry`s growth and development , and I will be out so see him as soon as I get home.

This special little boy will be given the best we can give him, Winston as a older pack mate teaching him and protecting , Skeeter for fun and, well I am sure some wisdom. The cat Delilah, and the horses for a balanced  well rounded life,and Martin and I with all the family with  hearts full of love to share.
Many thanks to Dawn and Kass, of Kozy Kountry Golden Retrievers . All photos credit to Kass

Stay safe my friends

Hot and cold, and Fridays for sale on Sunday

I have been asked by a friend to post a couple of her saddles for sale her on the blog. The friend is the young lady who bought Maggie from me, so I can vouch for her honesty, and also that the tack will have  been very well cared for.

 The first saddle is a dark walnut western rawhide with a 15 inch seat full quarter horse bars with a 6 and 3/4" gullet and its just a pleasure saddle($700). And the second saddle is a THSL roping saddle, its hand made in Texas, it has never been roped off of it has about 20 rides on it and it has a 15 inch seat full quarter horse bars with an 8 inch gullet.($900)

If you are interested in either , email me at fernvalleyappaloosas@hotmail.ca and I will put you in touch with Kat

As for the hot and cold, that has been the weather, freezing cold to freezing rain,melting then freezing again, it is pretty slick around here, and I have messed up my ankle, and elbow so I am taking it a bit easy , using the gator to get around for chores more than walking.As you can see , my entourage is also taking it easy.

 Today was a nice warm day so I took advantage and did walk a bit and took some photos

 just your average morning at the funny farm ! lol 

Stay warm and safe my friends!