Good bye Summer!     

                                                              Harvest time on the farm

Fall brings harvest time to Creekside Curlies......Our garden was poor this year, due to weather conditions and lack of time on our part,  but our fruit trees rewarded us regardless. August and Grandpa picked plums, prunes, apples, and blackberries. August was very fond of them all.  Mike and I put up 66 jars of blackberry jelly and we also have a good supply of berries in the freezer for cobbler on a cold winter's day.

I have been running way behind on my blogging,  August and September were consumed with activities off the farm. We are glad to be settled back in for our fall weather and time to enjoy it!  and more time for blogging ;-)

Photo fun...what I have been up too

 Some of my latest photos......I have been doing "people practice" and trying to improve my people skills. Here is my Great Nephew, and my Great Nephew and my Sister (his Grandma)

 Again, people skills practice...my Sister and her Hubby

These two shots are of my super adorable Grandson.....always a smile for Grandma !

I pass the tree plantation near Boardman, OR on the way to see family...after 14 years of passing, I finally got the chance to stop and take some photos! I hope you enjoy my latest photos.

My Olympic connectin

A few years back, I had a friend tell me "just you watch, Adrienne WILL be in the Olympics someday"  My friend Alene, was talking about Adrienne Lyle, who was in college with her at the time, at WSU.  I had the opportunity to meet Adrienne shorty after Alene made that comment....and this year, in the 2012 Olympics, Adrienne competes for the first time.

I have chose a couple links to share...one is a blog from Adrienne, written for a magazine, about the journey to the Olympics, and the other link, is her profile page for the games.
http://www.equisearch.com/news/olympics-2012/olympics-2012-dressage/adrienne-lyle-new-jersey-rest-and-preparations/?utm_source=DressageTodayNL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter
 
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=adrienne-lyle/index.html


Adrienne story is a Cinderella story,  a story we can all relate too. As you youngster, she bought her own first horse,  trained it, competed and sold it..the funds brought the next horse, and so the story goes. Adrienne had the opportunity to attend a clinic put on by Debbie MacDonald (2008 Olympician) and was offered a dream job...come work for me and lets see where you can go!  So, Adrienne has bee working hard, and bringing along her young mount "Wizard".....I always noticed when she was in the news from the Dressage Community, whether it be show results or articles written.

Back when I first met Adrienne, she was riding her mount "Miguel" that day...I was offered a ride on Miguel, and boy, I kick myself for not taking the opportunity..he was a fantastic horse, very talented and capable. I was really afraid I would embarrass myself, due to my level of training,  but I wish I would have been brave that day, and taken the ride!  Most likely that will be the one and only opportunity to ride a Grand Prix level horse in my lifetime...and most riders never get the opportunity....I really do kick myself!  Adrienne was as kind as can be, and never wore the "stuck up" attitude so many times seen in the upper levels of horsemanship...just a regular gal,  with a heap of talent....and really, that is the true spirit of the Olympic games......Adrienne, I wish you MY best, and come August 2nd, when Individual dressage competitions starts I am rooting for you! 

A boy and his horse

A boy and his horse.......August James VavRosky often stands by the window watching the "real" horses outside in the pasture....who knows what he is thinking...he usually brings his "stick" horse with him to watch, making an image I could not resist capturing as a photograph.

Saturday drive and lots of wildlife

When Mike mentioned we take a drive, I hopped at the idea ;-) We wanted to go and check out the fishing spots on the Grand Rhonde, and the quaint little town of Troy, Oregon.

NOTE...I found this blog entry in an unpublished file....thought I would go ahead and publish...it was late winter, probably Feb. 

The Teddy Bear Farms Combined Driving Event

Well, here we are!  Competing at the Teddy Bear Farms CDE in Mead, WA in June 2012. My very first CDE and we made it with grace and style. Our weekend went well. I had to make the trip without my Gator, as she had a family emergency.....but I trudged on. I did call Liz though, and have her come over and take some photos of Legacy and me.....something for the photo album of our driving career together.  I made the decision to scratch the marathon portion of the CDE. The weather conditions were not the best, leaving the roads with ruts and footing that I was unsure of taking a green horse and driver out on...so, we scratched. Legacy and I headed home on Sunday...the CDE was well attended and the Saturday looked more like a picnic from the 1800's with the ladies and their hats and the gentleman and their top hat or bowlers....what fun and what a wonderful way to spend a weekend.

The Pacific Northwest Driven Dressage Festival

 On June 1st my harness horse "Legacy" myself and my Gator "Alice" arrived at Olivia Farms in Ford, WA

We were attending the PNWDDF .....an annual event at Olivia Farms....we drove the easy, quiet trails after we arrived on Friday evening, then competition on Saturday, and a lesson from the judge on Sunday. 

 I want to THANK my gator Alice, who rode along, and willingly hopped off the carriage to snap a photo...

Sunday was lesson time, and then we headed home....full of knowledge and ready to practice for our next challenge. Legacy, was simply an angel. She handled all the commotion with the grace of a well seasoned driving horse.