Snow time drive

Winter time is a good time for a snow drive here....using the wheat field by the house, I took the opportunity to go for a drive!  Hubby was kind enough to take some pics for me....and what a superb job he did. After my solo drive, I added on my "gator"  we went for a short drive.....my carriage has a way to correct the balance, and gator Alice and I need to practice some, and get the balance for 2 people correct..that will help Legacy alot...she will only have the chore of pulling the carriage, instead of pulling and trying to balance the carriage off her back.

My new driving rug

 Well, its almost Christmas and I took a little time to make my horse a gift ;-)  I sewed up a new driving rug, designed to keep her back warm on the cold winter days we drive.  It took a bit of  "experimenting" since I did not have a pattern,  just had a copy of one driving rug version in a catalog.  I used comfy no fray fleece, that you can find at awesome prices this time of year, and also a wide variety of colors or even colorful patterns.  The rug pictured below is what we in our family call the "gopher"  ... a cute story stands behind that. Years ago, when Mike's Mom was married to Harry Graf she wanted Harry to cut out of wood, a couple of bears....having no pattern (just a photo in a magazine) the first attempt Harry proudly brought in from his workshop for Frances to see....she simply exclaimed "Harry, that is NOT a bear, it just like a "gopher" .....and the term stuck...so, here is my "gopher"  what some folks would call a prototype, a first attempt or...LOL...a gopher.

 The concept worked well, and this rug in a whole lot like the rugs you see in catalogs...but I wanted the back half of the rug to lie closer to my horse's loins to keep her warm...so, after driving in the rug a few days, I modified the rug to be cut out above the first section of shafts, and then to lie flat behind the breeching strap where it connects to the shafts.

 Another practice round of driving...to make sure it works fine and dandy.

And....drum roll please...the finished product....I will be adding velcro straps that connect the rug to the saddle of the harness, so it won't pull back as the horse moves...but I needed my horse holding groom for that task....and...the rug is simple enough to sew up in a matter of minutes...Legacy already has 3 now, all in different colors...I had better stay out of the fabric store for awhile.!  haha!  I bet they put fleece on sale REALLY good sales, in January...and....I will be making some matching harness pads, and matching polo wraps too, I already have the fabric. Who would have thought a gal that could barely pass home ech in school could be so creative?  Merry Christmas !!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Creekside Curlies!  This has been a year of amazing blessings, and life changes for our family....In October we brought home Mike's Mom to live with us, and on the First Day of November, our 2nd Grandson arrived....Both Grandma and new baby are doing nicely!  Time to drive has been limited,  but I always have much more time for such things in the winter months of January and Feb.  Legacy is in the "handy" pasture and I can literally go drive anytime I have a half hour or more...it is good for my soul!  We wish you the best Holiday season, and a VERY Merry Christmas!

New arrival

A new arrival in our world ;-) Mr. Nickla VavRosky.... One mighty handsome Grandson arrived November 1st at 8:56pm....making his birthday the same day of the month as Great Aunt Robbie !!!  congrats to the really proud parents, and to our other Grandson...."big brother" August James.  What a sweet baby,  he loves to be held and cuddle.He is yet another miracle baby from our Momma with RA. This pregnancy went well, but shortly after Nickla's birth, his Mom had problems..we are praying she is stable now and will continue to be the wonderful Mom that she is. 

A little fun photography

Take one two year old,  one covered arena and add a sunny day and a few of that young man's favorite photos and what do you get?

                                                    A whole lot of FUN !!!!

I am always amazed how well silhouette photos show every detail, include facial expressions..though I can't actually see it, I can see August is smiling, by the position of his little cheek and jaw.

                                                                      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.