HEEE HAWWW! BACK FROM MULE DAY IN COLUMBIA!!

Well, we pulled into AWESOME ASS ACRES yesterday about 6pm, after a wonderful week in Columbia, TN!  Mule Day, 2010 was a huge success, with beautiful weather (did have a tornado scare on Wed, but it passed around us), great crowds (about 240,000), excellent times with wonderful friends and memories to last 'till next year when we'll make some more!! 
We started our week joining up with the wagon train on Sunday (4/4/10).  Each day we travelled 18-22 miles, camped out at night, then finished up the ride by pulling into Maury County Park on Thursday.  The group consisted of 18 wagons, 2 or 3 riders...about 50 participants total.  The route was beautiful backroads that snaked through the countryside, meandered along mountain ridges, showcased flowering trees, vines, bushes of every kind, crossed through farm land, livestock production and introduced us to some of nicest folks middle Tennessee has to offer!!  Of course, campfires burned late into the night and started coffee brewing by 4am every morning!!  There were tales told, jokes laughed at, lies spread, and friendships forged.  Breezy, sunny days, followed by cool nights by the creek brought relaxation for a good night's sleep to greet the next morning of harnessing, hooking up and pulling out for the day ahead!  I've posted some pictures taken along the way...hope you like them!!

SPRING CLEANIN' & RE-VAMPIN'

Ahhhh....yesterday was the first day of spring and it's none to soon for me!!  For weeks, we've been sorting through the attic, closets, barn, kitchen cabinets...and then, yesterday,  "BIG YARD SALE-- ALL MUST GO!!".  That was how the signs read, but of course, there were still some things left to box up for another day.  Yard sales are soooo much more work than some would imagine and after several weekends of moving sales during our re-locating from GA to TN, I don't relish the idea of preparing for one!  Anyhow, we made through the weekend,  and I'm rid of most of it, so I'm tickled! 

I've been painting several things, trying to get ahead a little before we leave for Mule Day.  Things have slowed since Christmas, but orders are still coming in, so I'm staying busy!  The picture is of one of my photo albums that I've just finished...very pleased with it.  It's listed on Ebay now!

I mentioned Mule Day...for those interested, it's in Columbia, TN --- April 8-11.  Anyone that loves long ears or work animals, be sure to check it out.  We've been going 15 years and plan to attend 'till we can't go anymore!  We camp inside the park and it's UNBELIEVABLE FUN!!  We're heading over on Sunday, April 4th, to ride in the wagon train.  We travel 15-20 miles a day on back roads, camping out at farms along the way at night, then pulling into the park on Thursday for the kick off of the pulling, driving, western, jumping and yes, even gaited classes!!  The crowds number 250,000 and you'll see mules out of every known breed of horse...Quarter, Walking, Paso Fino, Appaloosa, Paint, Belgian, Percheron...the list is endless.  Every color, every size -- it's truly a AWESOME ASS event, where every bray brings a smile!!  Contact me if you have any questions and I'll gladly help you out!!

I plan to re-vamp my blog page within the next few days.  I need to update "favorites" and some other things...watch for NEW things soon.  I also plan to post links to some really great sites for horse folks, artists, farmers, gardeners, wildlife enthusiasts, pet/livestock owners, so check back with me often!!  I plan to "network" more with links to Facebook, and other friendship sites.  I'd love to connect with as many folks with my same interests as possible!!  Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my blogs...I know how busy we all are and I appreciate each visit!

MORE PICS!!

Just wanted to add a few more pics from Mule Day...my favorite is the chunky, chocolate mule with the lady and dog riding. The mule is 22 years old and she's had him 10 years...I think he's out of a Paso Fino mare. One shows another mini, in full harness and the grey mule was one, of a pair of wagon mules, that camped next to us. The spotted saddle mule belongs to a friend and is gaited...there were several gaited classes this year and all had great entries! For those that are surprised to hear that there are gaited mules...ALOT of folks nowadays are breeding the best jackstock to Walking Horse, Paso Fino, Foxtrotter mares and getting mules that are as smooth as silk to ride. The annual Columbia Mule Sale was held on Tuesday and we were amazed to see gaited, riding mules going for $4500.00 & up...especially when in todays market, horses are being given away! I guess that's what happens when hybrids are "in"!!

WE'RE BACK!

Well, another fun time in Columbia, TN has come and gone...already looking forward to 2010! The week was filled with riding, laughing, visiting with old friends, making new ones, sittin' round the fire, tellin' tales, listening to others tell tales, more riding, seeing some BEAUTIFUL ears, hearing non-stop braying and oh yeah, a tornado evacuation! We wagon rode 28 miles from Etheridge to Columbia on Monday...the day was gorgeous, about 70* and sunny! We pulled into the park about 4:30, set up camp, and started the week there. Things were very uneventful until Thursday...a tornado touched down in Mt. Pleasant, about 8 miles away and the officials decided to evacuate the park and have us "visit" in the hallway of a nearby high school. That lasted 2 hours, with flooding, hail, wind outside, but no touch down that we know of. Several large campers that were parked in a low area of the park were sitting in water up to their windows...we felt bad for those folks, but no injury to anyone. We rolled back into AWESOME ASS ACRES this past Sunday evening, glad to be home, but already planning next year's trip! I've posted several pictures...one is of the back of our trailer, we're always surprised at the folks that want to take a picture of it!! The next is a pair of grey mules that were in a "one line, voice command" class...it was AMAZING to watch these draft mules respond to a slight built, older man as he held a LOOSE line and softly told them how to navigate an obstacle course, dragging a log behind, to boot! They also stood UNTIED, throughout the class waiting for their turn! The next one is "Shorty"...of course, I'm referring to the mule...the mountain man in front, is my husband, Larry!! Shorty is the tallest known mule in the world...he's out of a Percheron mare, 8 years old and measures 19.2". I wish Larry had gotten closer to his shoulder, but Shorty was a little antsy and didn't want to stand still. The last picture is of some miniature mules that are soooo cute...I'm afraid that I'm going to have to add a couple of those to the farm sometime in the future!!

I'm back to painting now...will be adding some more things to Ebay this week!!

Take care and let me hear from you!!

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!!

AWESOME IS THE DAY!!

Today was absolutely beautiful here at AWESOME ASS ACRES!! Our bedroom faces east and the sunshine was a welcomed sight as we got stirring this morning! I've posted about our menagerie of animals here...well, some of them work for their "room & board"! We have several Golden Comet chickens and when the winter sets in, their egg laying slacks off. Well, they've left the picket line and started laying again---YEAAA!! Nothing like fresh eggs right from the source to make breakfast the best it can get...just not the same from the store!! We also sell a dozen here and there and we've started getting calls from our regular customers about the laying update! It's also the time of year for worming, shots and the usual maintenance routines for everyone in the barnyard, so Blossom, the mules, horses, chickens, peacocks, guineas, the dogs and cats were "in line" for appropriate doses of various concoctions.
I'm excited about spring coming...it's my favorite time of the year and sometimes I get ahead of myself, with anticipation. Columbia Mule Day is April 2-5, and we have to start getting ready for that, shortly after New Year. After worming and shots, Solomon will be my priority next month. He'll be groomed daily, mane trimmed, new "shoes" after being barefoot all winter, coggins blood work done, and ready for showing in April! With his color, there's always classes to be entered (and won, of course), so we pamper him, somewhat!
I've been painting several things in the last week...pendants, boxes, bowls...most have been listed and sold on Ebay. No words can express my appreciation for the folks that watch and collect my work. I'm humbled by your words of praise and your commitment to my art. Very sincerely, I say thank you!
Along with my painted pieces, I list items that I find at various sales in the area. This week, I found a beautiful, hand embroidered piece that features small birds in a tree. The fabric has been mounted to a thin piece of wood and is in excellent condition. Thousands of stitches and many hours, make up this excellent example of artistry. The colors are bright and the work is unbelievable. I love this type of hand craft...it reminds me of the doilies, table scarves, table cloths, pillowcases...that my grandmother use to create. Check it out if you'd like, it's listed now.
I'd also like to thank EVERYONE that has posted to enter my giveaway drawing on February 12th. I've had so much fun with this and have met soooo many wonderful folks! I will be drawing the lucky winner, Thursday morning at 8:00AM and will contact the winner that afternoon. Be sure to check your mail...to find out if you won!

HAPPY 3RD DAY OF THE NEW YEAR!!

Well, if you're like me, you're trying to catch up on some rest after the hectic holidays...we've celebrated with family and friends, but now, we're back to the everyday stuff! BIG NEWS for 2009 here at AWESOME ASS ACRES...we've finished my added on studio and extra bedroom!!! YEAAAAA!!! My sweet brother-in-law drove up from GA on New Year's Day and stayed until today. He, along with my husband and 2 of our boys, finished ALL of the construction, electrical, heating/air...We're putting down our flooring and we're THROUGH!! When I get my never ending inventory of painting supplies + computer and all components moved in and situated, I'll post pictures...hopefully, that'll be within the next couple weeks. I plan to start teaching some classes in the spring, so I've got to get going with it all!! I've been painting some things during the holidays...a few pendants and a wall sconce that's cute for the cat lover. I've posted some pictures and will be listing them on Ebay tonight.

It won't be long 'till we're packing up again for Mule Day in Columbia, TN and I hope to get some mule things painted for that...I always sell a bunch during the week there! Keep checking back with me for the never ending saga of farm life here...animal drama, fence building, garden planting, mule riding and oh yeah, some painting here and there!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**PS... Don't forget to leave a comment, idea or suggestion...I'd love to hear from you!