I love the winter solstice...it means the days will be getting longer now! I know that many people find the depths of winter in Jan and Feb to be the worst time of the year. Me...it's got to be late Nov and Dec. As much as I love Christmas and giving gifts, the lack of sun and going to work and coming home from work in the pitch black gets me down more than most anything. The short days and the usual muddy paddocks is likely my least favourite things about this time of year. All I have to say is, it's a good thing Dec has Christmas so that this time of year has some good cheer and holiday spirit sprinkled into the short days. :-)
The tree is up and trimmed.
Mom has been out and did more decorating of the house. It looks wonderful and I am happy that she has put her creative touch throughout the house.
Dad has also been busy doing clean up along fence lines and cutting up fallen trees in the bush which we will burn next winter or the winter after for much needed heat.
Izzy has been schooling superbly! Diane Creech has been coming to the farm for clinics. Having her expert eye helping me has really changed my focus and has made some significant improvements in Izzy's basic gaits. There is still lots of work to go but I can feel more power coming through and more willingness from her to come into the bridle and accept the contact as she continues to have power from behind. It's an awesome ride when she offers it. Getting her there is not always easy but training her to actively seek this place of engagement is my training goal for the winter months. I can already feel a difference in her strength and her willingness to get to the level of engagement I am seeking from my lessons in the summer. Sometimes when you work at something everyday it's hard to see the progress unless you reflect back on where you started. Everyday, I am thankful for this lovely horse that has been sent to teach me a different way and new skills.
I have been busy in the kitchen over the past few days. Christmas will be hosted at the farm again this year. It's great to see my family together under one roof. We really don't see each other all that much even tho we only live about an hour apart. Some of the treats this year of include my home made fudge, baklava, chewy chocolate gingerbread and a first for this year creme brûlée. Thanks to my friend Katie who, off the cuff, said that it was super easy to make and that I would have no problems making it. Sometimes it just takes that small vote of confidence to try something new and out of my normal zone! Thanks Katie!
The last month has been all about the food for me! Dear Lord, I need not get on the scale until after the Christmas binge is complete as I have eaten out on so many occasions this season it's sinful! AND, I might add at some very decadent places with lovely company. I actually ate creme brûlée from 3 restaurants in less than 36 hours! ...from Shakespeare's, Devlin's and Twisted Lemon. Yikes! That means extra km's on my sneakers are needed! All the office and social gatherings are now complete with all of our friends...just one more big family meal as the grande finale on Christmas Day.
I have been enjoying a couple days of down time away from the office this week before Christmas. It has given me time to let the dogs roam and be dogs in daylight hours. I have come to learn that Marley is actually a Tomboy at heart...even tho she's sweet and kind...she's a digging Tomboy! Look at that face! That's the face BEFORE I clean her paws in the wash stall!
This is what dogs outside most of the day look like in late afternoon and evenings!
The full moon brought in the month and it was a beautiful weekend night. Terrie and I ventured out to enjoy the mystic of the full moon, the awe inspired moon shadows and the calm that night brings to the outdoors.
As life sometimes sends us unexpected events, I have had a few in the last month that have left me a bit low and feeling in need of a "break". One of the horses that has been in board at the farm the last several months had to be put down in Dec. Ross, a lovely old horse of 27 but in the end had kidney failure and was humanely euthanized. Our boarder had this guy for over 20 years so to save her last memories of him, I assisted with having him put down. It never gets easier to be there and guide even a weak, old soul with the transition over; even knowing in the end his pain and suffering is over. It's hard ... harder than I thought it was going to be. This is a beautiful picture of him over the summer. He was a handsome old man with a gentle eye and kind expression. I am glad he took flight from our farm and will look over our pastures now to assist others in their transition.
