dancing horses

dancing horses

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Christmas Gifts

Hello everyone- I hope that y'all had a wonderful holiday. We've had a wonderful Christmas despite the weather demons.

Christmas eve was a beautiful and warm sunny day so I decided to ride. Since I had only ridden once in 2 weeks it seemed prudent to lunge first. Carmen was a bit looky but pretty good. That carried over to the riding. She was very very good. I also stayed focussed on making sure that I was giving constant directions and not sitting in the back seat and letting her drive.

I always find it hard to know how much to school when she's not in regular work. I don't want to make her sore and it seems unfair to push her too hard- especially when I can't be sure to ride the next day to help clarify. I decided that I was just going to work on soft and steady contact, smooth transitions and bend.

I could feel a real change in the contact since I did her teeth- she was back to being soft in the contact and no more gaping or pulling. While she was definitely a bit looky she was not that tight ball of dynamite that I had been riding. I am filing that away as useful information- Carmen is far more explosive when she's uncomfortable. I ended our session after 50 minutes. In the barn she was quite happy to have me groom and make a fuss over her. It was a lovely Christmas gift.

That night we had lobster and a whole bunch of snacks.

Picked up the lobster at the wharf

Christmas day was a whole different story in terms of weather. We had freezing rain, followed by rain and then the winds started. Up to 130 km/hr. It was inevitable that we would lose power and we did around 3:45. Fortunately the turkey was done. Ed hooked up the generator but it doesn't run the stove.  I ended up cooking the potatoes and gravy in the microwave.  We were able to have some light with an extension cable and had dinner by the light of the tree and some candles.

Christmas dinner by candlelight
We had a ton of fun playing board games and spending time together. The barn chores are always more challenging by lamplight. I have a battery lantern that I use. It makes me feel like I'm in 'Little House on the Prairie'. 


This morning we rigged up some heavy duty extension cords to run the electric fence but first we needed to repair the fence. We still don't have power but are doing fine. It has been a wonderful Christmas with the kids (2 and 4 legged). Ed gave me a Fitbit Charge 2 which I'm really happy with. My kids appear to know their mother quite well:

From my son. I think that the will be my horse show sweater to protect my show clothes. 

My daughter saw me admiring this and sneakily bought it. 

All of these are lovely gifts but the best one is to slow down and spend time with the people and creatures I love. And eating. I will definitely be putting that Fitbit to use!



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21 comments:

  1. What lovely gifts! Fingers crossed the power is back soon!

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    1. Thanks. It's supposed to be back on by noon today. I have my fingers and toes crossed!

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  2. Sounds like a great Christmas minus the power issues. That sweater is funny, and the mug is super cute

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  3. aw it looks like a really charming family dinner with the candles and christmas tree light! bummer about the lost power, but seems like despite all that, everything went pretty well! stay warm!!

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    1. It was a good dinner with the family. I enjoyed it. I am now ready to stop roughing it though and get the power back. :D

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  4. Sounds like a relaxing wonderful Christmas by candle light. I love Little House on the Prairie! Just watched an episode but you’re living it for a few days. Love the shirt (I have the same one only in tan)! The mug is beautiful too. Happy New Year!

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    1. Yeah, it's okay for a day or so and then it gets old really fast.

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  5. I love that mug! I'm glad that you were able to have a good ride on Carmen while the weather was nice.

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    1. I love it too. And yes, with the current windchill at the -20 who knows when I'll ride again?!

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  6. That mug is really pretty. I hope the power comes back in soon and nothing is the worse for wear.

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    1. So far so good. I hope that the pipe doesn't freeze in the barn.

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  7. Sounds like a wonderful Christmas despite the inclement weather.

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  8. Your dinner lighting is so beautiful! Sometimes the best memories come from times where the electric failed.

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  9. What a lovely dinner together! THat light is dreamy. Glad you got a ride in before the weather.

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    1. I quite like the light. Just not the reason.

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  10. We have had some insanely terrible weather lately, ugh. Glad to hear you were able to make the post of Christmas despite the power outage - it kinda sounds like fun to be eating by candlelight and just enjoying one another.

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