PHOTO OF A PHOTO ALBUM

This post reminds me of the wonderful Seinfeld episode where Kramer has a book published for the coffee table...about coffee tables! I love Seinfeld and can watch the re-runs over and over...it seems they have an episode that matches so many of my daily life events...who knew my life could've been a sitcom???

Well, I've started painting some photo albums and they're such fun projects!! I've included raccoons, llamas, guineas, roosters, sheep and horses for the front. I finished my latest today...a pretty black and white Gypsy Vanner horse. We have friends that have decided to start raising these magnificent animals and they have a mare that's marked very similar to this one. I hope to visit their farm soon for more reference pics. This particular album is listed on Ebay now. I'm planning to paint several mule pendants this week, to take to Mule Day...last year, I sold several and folks have been asking for more this year. With gas prices, maybe my "on site" sales will get us back home!!

Well, I hope everyone's well and whatever your location, I hope you're getting a sweet taste of spring...have a great week ahead!!

SPRING...Daffodils and MULE DAY!!!!!

I LOVE springtime!! There's nothing like looking out and seeing my daffodils bloomin'! Audrey, my sweet mother-in-law, calls them "Johnnyquils"...so, I always think of her when I see the first bloom! She turns 90 in August and has only recently slowed from doing her own yard work, quilting, going camping with us, and frying the BEST apple/peach pies, known of, in this hemisphere! Her mind's still as sharp as ever, with twinkling eyes and always something sweet to say! A very wonderful human being...none better!

We're also gearing up for our annual trip to Columbia, TN for Mule Day! We'll leave on Saturday, March 28 and return on Sunday, April 5. We'll head out with the wagon train on Sunday morning (March 29), travel through some of the prettiest back roads in the country for 4 days, then pull into the Maury County park on Wednesday to join the other thousands of mule enthusiasts...about 250,000 folks showed up last year!! We've made this trip for 15 years and it just seems to get better each time! Ridin', campin', campfire, great friends, long ears, and non-stop brayin'...what could be better?? Watch for pics when I return!!

ANOTHER FIRST!!

These "first" happenings are fun for me!! I've been photo tagged by blackfeatherfarm and now, I'm passing it on! Be sure to stop by and check out the good folks that post these blogs...it's like pullin' up a chair and visiting a while!!

The rules are to pick your 6th photo folder and then, the 6th photo, post and blog about it...then to tag 6 others to add to the fun!! So here goes...

This picture shows a close friend of ours, Jimmy Martin, from Lawrenceburg, TN (south of Nashville) and two of his draft cross horses, Babe and Lil' Huey. They're a full brother and sister team, out of a Percheron mare and Walking Horse stud. Jimmy bought them as yearlings, and uses them for his tours through the Amish community in Etheridge, TN. He owns several teams, all black and white spotted horses of different breeds. Since Larry's retirement, we've started visiting Jimmy and driving for him when he's busy with holidays and some weekends! Then, in the winter months, he stays with us during Thanksgiving and Christmas...now, we have a "summer" destination and he has a winter getaway here!! We love staying with him a few days, driving the wagons through and visiting with the wonderful Amish families that we've met! So, if you're ever in the area, stop in and ask for him...he's always helpful with information and the tour's great...and who knows, you might even get to ride a wagon with me as the driver...!!

OK, the next six are:

Caroline at: Carolines Crafts
Christina at: Christina's Creations
melanie at: whimsical creations
Chris at: Evidence of an Artistic Life
Anji at: Anji Gallanos
Jill at: Jewelry Elegance by jill

MY FIRST!!

I've just received my FIRST BLOG AWARD!! Thank you, Dottie Baltz from...
http://www.gardensandcrafts.blogspot.com/ --- Thank you for reading my blog and thank you for this award! I love reading your blog, too! Your gardening tips, and your junk "renewal" is so ingenious!! Next, I'm to list 5 things that I've found "addictive" and then, go on to award 5 others with the same award!!

**Horses - I guess addictive would be the description for this...I've ridden, owned, shown, since the age of seven (I'm 52, now)! I've now added another phase to the "addiction" in the last 15 years...mules!!

**Camping - Never camped in my life, until our "blended" family numbered 7 and travelling became too expensive with hotels...so, we decided that a tent, Coleman stove and lantern was ALOT more fun and added to our travel time!

**My granddaughter, Alayna - Never thought that would happen, either...not the fact of having grandchildren, just the fact of me becoming "addicted" to her!! BTW, she's almost 2 and the PRETTIEST, SMARTEST baby in the world!!...is my addiction showing, yet??

**Farm Life - I've always lived in the country, but now, we've really "stepped" into it!! Goats, sheep, horses, mules, cats, dogs, chickens, guineas, peafowl, a huge garden, hay production...YES..."FARM LIVIN' IS THE LIFE FOR ME"!!

**Painting - This started about 25 years ago, as a favor to a friend...it's never stopped and only gotten stronger!!

Now, to pass the award on to five more deserving folks...

http://allhorsestuff.blogspot.com/

http://lackscottadventures.blogspot.com/

http://equinemine.blogspot.com/

http://magickdiva.blogspot.com/

http://blackfeatherfarm.blogspot.com/

Thank you again, Dottie for my first ever award!!