Valentines Day & Birthdays

Well here it is another Birthday..how did that happen. As a kid I always had a heart shaped Birthday cake(15th is my day) my Mom made me..with dark chocolate cake and Double Boiler Icing..OMGoodness was it good. So much for those good years..lol. Now with watching my carbs..no cake. Why bother, if it can't be the old fashioned cake..I pass!!That will not stop me from enjoying the day thats for sure.

It has been a wonderful weekend. Yesterday we went to friends for breakfast. Oh what a treat. Then off to the barn to see there new horses. A team of Percherons only 2 years old. What a sweet pair..and BIG..Wow!!Gotta ask first about posting pictures..but will if they say it is ok. Then home so hubby and friends could watch Nascar. Somethings have priority..lol. What a looonnnggg race. Ugh!! Welcome to the start of another race year..lol.

Have a table runner all finished. Well I still have to quilt it..but that is just a small detail..lol. Now on to finish up another project waiting for me.




Oh..anyone out there with a BowFlex exercise machine? Grrrr!! Hubby bought one and now it is in the middle of my livingroom. Now that is a problem..one it looks "bad" to my eye..and the other problem ..that is where my quilt frame sits when I want to use it. We have a very long room so it does not interfere with the sofa and TV..BUT!! Now it is all in the eye of the beholder I guess..but I don't think my frame looks nearly as ughly as this BowFlex. We have to come to some decisions because there is not enough room for both. What a dilema!! Will let you know what happens..grrr!!!

Enjoy the day..

Winter Play With The Mini Horses

We did have the expected deep freeze so the horses were in for a few days. I managed to get them out when we cleaned stalls but not for long. The first thing they all did was play then roll.











After chores were done back in the barn to nice clean stalls with fresh water and hay. The Clydes are not as interested in the playing part..lol..they just wandered around checking out there field. The little ones do give us a few laughs.

During this time I have been doing some sewing. So many projects that need to be finished. One day at a time will get it done. Every time I look at my fabrics I get excited. Our Fabricland is closing in our town so it is going to be a long drive to pick up just about anything needed. Good thing my stash is so full..lol.


Enjoy the day!!

It Is Just Winter!!

It has been awhile since I have posted. Lots going on in a routine way but nothing really interesting to write about I guess. We are going into another deep freeze starting tonite and have more snow coming down today. The drive to the barn is bad so I'll be glad when today is over.

Weekends have been fun. Rod and I are playing with the mini horses trying to get the little ones halter broken. It is like dog training..lol. They are so confused about being lead anywhere..lol. They just sit down. To cute!!! The big boys have to be out of the barn as we play around because they are jealous..lol. They figure they should have all the attention.

No pictures for this post. Time to get the camera out again.

Keep warm!!

Turkey's & Sewing

As I do every morning I went out and started the car so it could warm up before heading to the barn. Another cold start to the day. I heard something off to my left and there on the road was something very dark..as they came closer..yes they were wild turkeys. Boy can they move..lol. The school bus came along and scared them off into the field but they did come back later and hang around the area for the rest of the day. There is a large flock of them close to the barn but they mustbe hungrey and on the move. I always have an eye out for them as they do cross the road and you sure do not want to hit one of them. Could do a lot of damage. They are becoming almost more of a nuisance than the deer. On the other hand the coyotes out rank both of them. We have 3 packs in behind us that are constantly howling during the night. They think nothing of taking a wander around our yard at the house. Rather unnerving to say the least so I am very careful when taking Kally out in the evening. Needless to say the cats never go out. The barn cats are always locked up at nite also. I have never been able to get a picture of the little fox family that used to wander past..how cute were they. Lots of wildlife..just have to be at the right place at the right time.





With everything away from Christmas I am finally enjoying some sewing time. Just small projects but why not. This winter weather is going to be here for awhile so lots of time to get into some larger projects. A friend is on her way over with a quilt she needs help with so that will be a fun morning.

Have a Great Day!!!

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family. We had a great time and I find it hard to believe it is all over for another year. Tomorrow hubby returns to work and our routine resumes. Can't say I am happy about that..but it is what it is..lol

Along with the end of our holiday we are in a deep freeze. Just before it bottomed out I took a few pictures of the barn yard and the mini's. I managed to pick up a dandy head cold so have not been up to do chores for a few days. Nice to have hubby home to take over with the way I have been feeling. As you will see the mini's are a bundle of fluff which sure is keeping them warm today.










Christmas decorations are away and now there is lots of quilting and sewing time. Many projects are waiting to be finished and started..oh the decisions..lol.

Keep warm...

Merry Christmas To All

It is getting so close..have you finished your shopping yet?? Well I am down to 2 gifts to pick up and I am done!! Yippee!!

Hubby is on his way home and is also taking a week off. I am so happy it has worked out this way this year. He is tired..and winter has decided to hit with lots of snow in the forcast. Time to play with the horses and relax and visit with family and friends.

As you have probably figured out..the Stitches and Hooves is more Hooves than Stitches. Our horses and other pets are our true loves. This picture is of Fuzzy checking out the tree. I am not sure if he thinks he is a dog or people..for sure he is convinced he is not a cat. Not sure how we manage to mess up all our animals but we do.



Merry Christmas to all my Blogging friends that I have met since starting this journey. This has and is a great experience. Enjoy your family time and All The Best Wishes for 2010.

Yes..they are very RED!!!

A few months ago our washer/dryer needed replacing. The only thing my hubby said..was do not get white. Well the only color I could get this set in were either RED..or white..lol. You know what he said..well I guess it is red then. I fussed and fumed over that for the few days it took for them to come. Good grief that is going to be just more than I can handle..red all the time. The set have been here for awhile..and you know I like them. They are in the entrance way and I treat them like they are a peice of furniture not an appliance. I think that is the secret with this color..lol. Anyway I have two great times of year for them..lol...Christmas and Valentines Day. So if your faced with the choice..go for it..I love mine!!! You sure can not miss them when you come in our Red door..lol

This was my trip to the barn this morning..Yes winter has arrived. The wind was so strong during the night I thought the house was going to blow away. I fed everyone heavy so I don't have to go back til evening for one last visit. I hate to do it that way but there is no point in risking my life..they need me to badly for me to take chances. I can spoil them the rest of the week..lol.

Back to my sewing. Not the day to try Christmas shopping so I will get some work done while the storm roars across Ontario.

Keep warm and safe everyone.

The Barn

Check out the work going on at the barn. A steel roof is wonderful but the angle of this roof has the water landing so close to the foundation..some work was needed. Well the equipment was enough to entertain the horses..lol. This is a stack wall barn. You can see from the pictures what an intereting building it is. It is concrete(cement) and cedar poles. Part of the wall was left open to show how it was made. The rest is all covered up with parging..not sure of the spelling of that one. Anyway the barn is getting older and some work has to be done. This is only the start of the work that will be happening over the next 6 months. I am more excited about the barn work than I would be over the house being worked on..lol. Yes I know I am just a tad touched..lol. Hay going in the barn is also one of my thrill moments..odd I know but I love to see a barn full of hay and ready for the winter. Anyway here are some pictures of the work being started.




This morning when I let the little ones out .. oh my what is THIS..lol. They were so funny. After prancing around they finally wandered out to pasture..but only after they checked EVERYTHING out..lol




Here is a close up of the Stack Wall. Interesting isn't it.




Off to the barn again..enjoy the day!!

Appreciate Every Day

I have known for over 30 years that I could find myself suddenly blind. So of course after that long you tend to think you are one of the lucky ones and all will be ok. I have Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE)One in 25,000 - 100,000 have it. If you want to google it it is an interesting read.
Well it has finally happened. I am blind in my left eye. I was hoping for the help of injections but unfortunately my eye is to damaged. Now to pray the right eye does not develope the same problems. When you live in the country driving is a must. I have to admit this has unsettled me. Just taking it one day at a time.

Sewing is an adjustment and also just plain walking. My depth of vision is all messed up. I have found that I need a lot more light to work. Sure hope my good eye adjusts soon so I don't hit the deck..lol. Will return with another post soon. Starting to get some Christmas decorations out so that is enough to cheer anyone up.

Cute & Smart

Ok..so the Clyde's have been going to the same stalls in the barn for many years. On the other hand the mini's are new to us and the barn. It has amazed us how the big boys still wander into each others stalls, walk past there stall..have to turn around..you get the drift. On the other hand..the little guys from the start always have gone to there stall..and the little girls the same. So go figure!!! I am not going to try and figure this all out but it sure puts the stupid pony comment to rest at our barn.
Again..the first day we let the little girls out in the field with the boys they had a ball. They raced after each other..and made up all sorts of games.The girls had never seen an electric fence and managed to pull it all down. Rod and I were not impressed..what a job putting it all back together. The little ones watched every move as we worked..lol. It was like they were thinking ...humm how did we make this mess..sorry dude..lol!!!It has only happened once.





This is April..I call her snowball as a nickname..lol..isn't she the cutest. She sure is ready for the cold weather.

Barn Cats & Sewing

Rubbermaid tubs..ya!!! just a few in the basement filled with fabric. I was down there today picking out fabric for a class tomorrow. We are making a Serged Table Runner. Should be fun to learn some new techniques. I was looking for Christmas themed fabric but that was not to be. Had some fabric left over from Rod's quilt and decided to use it. It's red so I guess it qualifies..lol

It is going to be a busy week. On Wednesday I am heading with a friend to Cosco. Time to get moving on some Christmas presents and of course to pick up a few bulk items. The weather has been awesome so may as well do some travelling now before it turns nasty.

We got a load of sand for the barn. On the weekend we got it spread in and around the lad's leanto and around Gilly's paddock. They will be so nice and dry when the muddy times start again. We have not done it in a few years so it was really needed. The cats were watching every move. They are hilarious. I took this picture of JoeJoe a few weeks ago..position in life is everything..lol. JoeJoe came to us from a neighboring farm. He figured out we fed "real" cat food..and some wet food during the cold weather..ya!!..he is here to stay!!

Dusty is another one of our barn friends. Isn't he a sweety. His personality is just so loving. I wish I could have found him a forever home when he was a kitten..but..it was not meant to be. Maybe that is ok..he seems to be one very happy cat. I am sure he would miss his hunting trips if he was taken to a home now. I am always finding some dead mice at the tack room door with him sprauled on the floor looking very smug..lol.

The kids are now living in there own home..and I have mixed feelings about that. Sure miss them..but oh my it is nice to have some quiet evenings. At least they are close so I can visit. I must be showing my age!!

Remembrance Day

The attached YouTube video is of Ginny McIlmoyle, The song was written by a local writer and a production company saw Ginny perform it on a show in Warkworth Ontario and got everyone together to do this video. Please pass on to your email friends...it is a great song and video shot in Belleville at the Armories with footage from re-patriations at Trenton.

Back in the Sewing Room

I have finally been spending some time in my Sewing Room. What a great feeling. Everything is still all over the place with the kids still here but I don't care..lol. With Christmas not that far away I sure have to get myself in gear. I am working on a few table runners and then have some garment bags to make for some riders in the family. I made some a few years ago and they were really useful for the kids on the show circuit. Then for myself I want to make new placemats for the season and probably some gift ones as well. Looks like I have enough to keep me busy for awhile..lol.

The little girly mini horses are coming along really well. They have finally decided it is ok to have us maul them..lol. Talk about sweet..omg!! Last Sunday hubby let the little girls out with the mini lads. Oh what fun they had. Naturally the camera was at the house..ugh!!

Back to my room..have a great day.

Denim Tote & Venting

Tuesday was a great sewing day. Finally finished a small project I have been working on. I got the pattern while at the Quilt Show in Bobcaygeon. Living in the country and having horses..hey I live in denim..so a denim tote/purse. It is called the Traveller's Tote and is 12x15. Great design..not to big/small. There is a zipper to keep things safe and lots of pockets both inside and out. I will definetly be making this one over again. I have seen it done with a variety of different fabrics for the base and pockets..which give it an entirely different look. If you want to purchase the pattern go to this website www.sewlittletime.7p.com they are the nicest people to deal with. The pictures don't show the bag that well but it gives you an idea of what a fun pattern it is.






Rain today so spent some time in my sewing room organizing. Does a sewing room ever Not need that..lol. I have way to much "stuff" but I know I will need it all at some point..right?? Good thing we have such a thing as plastic totes for storage..and boy I do have a few...ugh!! Oh well men have there tools ect..lol. I should have stayed in my room..lol..but no I didn't..big mistake!!

I decided to go over my Bell Canada bill ( we have 3 services from them..Phone,TV and Internet..boy can that raise your blood pressure. Every time I take the time to check it out to make sure everything is ok..it is NOT. Then I go to the website..and check out the prices and make the phone call asking questions. OH NO that prices is for NEW customers..and further there is another $2 - $3 more on top of the quoted price your asking about it. Then there is the comment oh but you get $5 off for bundling..can't you see that on your bill? I feel so nickle and dimed by this company. I think at the end of it all I have saved a big $5. Why do I fight with them?? I never do win..grrrr!!! I hope at some point in my lifetime I will get to see enough competition out there that our rates will go down. There I feel better now I have vented..lol.

This & That

Today was another awesome fall day. Our fall leaves are more gold than anything else. From what everyone says..it is to much rain..not enough rain..to hot or to cold. It is what it is..lol. Who can figure it all out. Lots of windy days so the leaves are coming down pretty fast. Next week we are supposed to be going up to double digits..yippee.

Hubby asked me for his snow clothes for the truck so he will be ready for that white stuff we know is coming. Lots of it around us..but so far we have been lucky. It is also time for me to get out my fashion forward overalls..lol. Oh my they are just not flattering no matter what you do but I can't imagine not wearing them..lol. Then of course it is the rubber boots..ugh!!

Last week I got my little car serviced. The snows tires are good for another winter so they are installed and ready. Can't believe I am actually ahead of the game for once in my life..lol. This is also a wake up call..time to get some Christmas Sewing Started..!!!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

Morning Sunrise

Now can you imagine waking up to this awesome sky. What incedible colors over the lake.
I never get tired of checking out what is happening out my front window. The variety of birds in the bay are always changing. For the first time this year we even had a pair of swans visit us for a few days. Now that did send me for a spin. I hope they come back again next year so I can get some pictures. Sad to say it will not be long before the lake will be frozen and the winter winds blowing.





Later that same day we got the black clouds and more rain. Better than snow..lol which I hear has been all around us. You can faintly see the lads coming in to hang out in there leanto. Guess they thought it was worth a try to see if I would bring them in...not!!!

So today I am making our To Do List for the barn winterization. Not to say I have not already done some of the work already..lol There is not a lot left to do but there are things that need to be done now not when it is -20C..lol. Some new latches that are easier to handle in the winter..some windows that need some work, water buckets that need cleaning and storing. Oh yes and another shipment of shavings for sure. The day is young..lol...I am sure I can make this list nice and long for hubby.

The Lads on a fall day!

Morning scratches feel so good. Not to be forgotten in my posts are my wonderful lads. The sweetest boys. We have been together for so long that we have a great routine to our days . From the time they came I have always whistled if I need them to come in from pasture. I have to admit there are times I let out a couple to just hear the sound of them coming across the field. What a pair!!



Now time to graze and enjoy the wonderful fall day with no flies and bugs to bother them. What a wonderful time of year.

Mini Horses

So how cute is this fur ball???lol




We are still waiting to find out what there names are. These little ones have had very little human contact so we are taking our time in handling them. So far they are adjusting very well. This is my oldest GD having a little fun with them. I think I have mentioned we are boarding the little ones. Now how fun is that..and get paid as well..lol


Willy & Pepsi are making friends. Once the little girls get a little bigger we will put them all out together. The little fur ball is way to small to go out with the boys now. The other one is a lot taller in comparison but again to soon. Gee with these colors maybe we can hitch a 4 up in the future..lol..lol. Maybe we should start with getting harness on the little lads first..lol.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family last weekend. Again Thanksgiving makes you realize just how close winter is. Time to get a lot of work done for winter and there does not seem to be enough hours in the day for that.

Another week to two weeks before the kids can move into there house so still more play time at the barn with the GD's. Heading out to pick them up from school ..enjoy the rest of the day.