ITS A NEW DAY IN A NEW YEAR!

Well - 2011 went out with a whimper here at the Flying V . We barely made it past East Coast NYE.
All the better to start 2012 off with a roar.

We had some major happenings here at the ranch today.

Now that the back area with all the horses in it is basically done ( it will never be DONE done) we are starting to focus on the rest of the place. I don't believe that I have ever stated here that our house is a testament to the dangers of using Meth while doing construction. This place is a travesty. Every time we start a project , we unveil absolute madness that is sure to add months and dollars to our original plan.

That being said - MCH tore out the front deck today. The very one I have stepped through on one occasion and tripped on a new loose board on another occasion. Both times I somehow saved myself a faceplant. Just call me grace.

Who said Redwood won't rot

Before 

The demolition bandit

After

In the back I was busy testing  the limits of my newly healed, yet still misshapen and discolored, calf muscle.

I actually had a nice roundpen ride on the Onery Cuss , Poncho. Could have gone any which way, being he has been stuck in his stall and barely ridden for the last 6 months. He was an angel. Figures - when I decide to sell him  - he acts right with me. I have to use him for my FMP Quarterly training because Cisco has been off in the front for the last couple of weeks. Bruised sole I think. Sunday should be interesting.
He got a new haircut - I kind of like him all Mad Max - it suits him. He got a little feather extension today to.

Rocking the Mohawk with some Feathers

I got Dutch out to ride today too. Well - guess who is going on a diet with me? Lord - he is immense. He probably did the last bit of growing, but mostly its fat. I felt like a Munchkin on top of him. I managed about 10 laps before my calf started to speak to me. Lucky him.

Does this saddle make my ass look big?

Um, I'm pretty sure these stirrups are not flattering

Kick kick kick

I swear I'm using my legs, and yes I'm wearing sweats - so!

And last, but not least - I FINALLY got MCH to go for a walk with me after dinner. Had a nice little stroll around the park tonight.

What a great way to start off the New Year!
Oh and before I forget and it loses context, take a look at my neighbors Christmas decorations:

Just a little creepy

Why yes, Honey - it is, as a matter of fact.....

Me: Thank the sweet 8 oz baby Jesus!

MCH: Huh? Is that a new steak they are serving in Las Vegas?

Have a very Happy New Year everyone! May 2012 bring you many happy trails!

Foothill Mounted Patrol

I'm so proud of my group! A handful of FMPers was able to start and complete the LAPD's Mounted Unit Post Certification. A very big deal indeed.

The days were long and the entire Evaluating, Training and Testing spanned the better part of the last half of the year.

I wish I could have been there with them! Hopefully I will be able to do it the next go round!

Good job, Guys!! You are rock stars!!

P.S pictures are random - and do not depict the certified team as a whole

If this idea excites you and you would like to become a part of what we do please go to our website and check out what it takes to join : FMP

My Chickens are SPOILED and I'm a crazy person

True story: I just now, right this very hour, went outside and got my chickens and put them in the guest bathroom.

In the shower with towels, of course.

It's Hella windy out there tonight.

Next thing you know I will be knitting sweaters and little tiny beanies for them like this crazy woman - I might need a 12 step program .

Giving Thanks

 I have to give Thanks for all the amazing random Thanksgiving texts we received this morning!
The best text of all time has to be :

 " Happy Thanksgiven!" From one of our new friends on the East Coast. A hunter and a construction guy. He has a drawl. I think I might have to adopt him.

Here is my gratitude list for the year:

1. My Cowboy Husband
2. My Willow, the Preshes and Little Country
3. The Horse Nanny and her Love for Panda
4.My new family - by marriage and friendship
5. Our amazing equines
6. Our Pack of canines
7.My 4 remaining Jailhouse Chickens
8.My clients who are the best people in the entire world
9.All of my friends
10. My storybook life

Oh and pie and Captain BBQ!!!

My prettiest apple pie yet

The ugliest Pumpkin pie ever, but it's all from scratch - so who cares

Yay! Captain BBQ!! 

What are you grateful for this year?

Bixby Barnabus Ratkiller , Y'all

He eats rats. He excels at vomiting. He completes me.
He also sleeps with a sucked dry rat in his talon.

WHOOOOO Killed Ben?

The Victim, Ben Doe #45

If you guessed that what is left of Ben Doe #45 is an Owl Pellet - you would be right. Yes - that's right - an Owl Pellet aka Owl Vomit. Appetizing, No?

For months I have been finding these balls of "stuff" in my front yard, but much smaller and darker and not quite so "informative"at first glance. Apparently my Hawks also vomit up these pellets, but thy usually vomit up Pigeons and they always leave me the wings,which is so disconcerting it's fascinating, so its very unclear what a Hawk pellet is when you come upon one.They look more like something a Squirrel would throw at you then a regurgitated rodent, and yes, I consider Pigeons to be rats with wings.

This one was on my car, surrounded by a vast amount of Owl poop. I must be very Lucky indeed. I really should go and buy a Lottery Ticket when these things occur.

So here is the really amazing part - and I'm sad now that I was not aware of it before, because it would make for a great Etsy store. I could have been retired by now. Of course now that I am aware of it - they will vomit elsewhere.

Schools BUY these things!! Learn all about it here . You can also order your very own Owl pellet dissection kit here . I'm happy to send you the next one that lands on my car. Or just Google Owl Vomit and go to town.

Had we dissected the Pellet

Happy Trails!!