Dino being, well, Dino.

Kids! I must add that my niece thinks they should be called “goatlings”. She said calling them kids is just “insulting”. She’s something, that kid!

There were two does and a buck- he has a spot on his back:

Sonora, Nora my beautiful dragon:

She is affectionately referred to as the dragon because when she pins her ears she looks like the dragon from the movie, Shrek. She’s all bark and no bite.

Gump and I on our ride where I shared my “office” view:

Heading to the gate on the East side of the pasture, Gump is certainly fast enough to have beat that brumby and his crew out of there, but I didn’t send him galloping across the pasture.

A pretty bay mare. I call this one, Wind In Her Hair:

DX Black Velvet:

The neighbor’s cows are fascinated by my chicken in the yard. I snapped some photos of them at dusk the other evening and then used some new photoshop tools, just because I can.

I love the light and the bugs flying ’round.

Thunderhead:

This kitten is so comfortable looking!

Furs and Purrs!

Thanks for letting me share my week with you. As an aside, if you haven’t liked my Facebook page, you might want to do that now. There’s all sorts of fun stuff going on there!

Happy Weekend Trails!

Use code: BeMine at checkout, for 25% off any purchase of $25.00 or more! You can use it all week, as many times as you’d like!

And if you’re in the state of South Dakota, or in a neighboring state and you need photos for your senior (or your family), have I got a deal for you!

It’s Wheeler Dealer Auction Week at Dakota Radio Group, and I’m offering some amazing photography packages. If you want a deal- this is your chance!

Don’t miss out on something beautiful!

Happy Trails!

I found this saying on Pinterest and I have to say, I’ve heard the buzz and what not about this site; but I dared not give in, because well, I feared it might become an addiction. And frankly, it will. I’ll have to be careful. The good news is, I can do it from my iPhone in the car, so I’ll be sure to have fun on my upcoming road trips!

Now, go have a great Thursday. I know I will!

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I should say, I’m glad I’m not their mom and have to choose through the photos to pick the ones I want, because honestly, I had a hard time narrowing it down too.  There are so many great photos that either I’m getting better as a photographer, or these kids are just uber photogenic, or both, I suppose. That’s a possibility too!

Without further ado, enjoy these shots. I know I enjoyed taking them!

Happy Hump Day and Happy Trails!

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And then this morning, I awoke to this:

To me a sunset is more than just a beautiful sky. It’s the end of a day. It’s a chance to reflect on what you did that day.  Were you were the best person you could have been? Did you accomplish what you wanted to do? Can you rest knowing you did all you could do to be your best that day?

The sun rising, well it’s more of the same. It may be beautiful, with its pinks and purples, but if you really think about what it symbolizes- the awakening of the earth and the animals from their slumber, it’s a chance to start over. No two sunrises and sunsets are ever the same, just like our days shouldn’t be either. We should always strive to be better and more beautiful.

I will now leave you with some of my favorite lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof.

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

Happy  Trails!

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With nary a breeze it made for a nice walk down the hill to Granny’s house, where I knew a piece of apple pie awaited me. It’s still the Holidays for us through the 9th this year, so don’t judge me for eating pie at breakfast!

Here’s some of the shots I took on the way down.

Sparkly

Looking across the dam at the saddle horses who seem to be just kickin’ it.

The dam- you can see the dried up reeds.

And as I got closer to Granny’s house, I was greeted by our misfit crew of barking dogs, that weren’t sure exactly what someone was doing walking around outside.

From left to right: Higgins, Crystal and MJ.

Jake, Higgins, Crystal and MJ.

MJ is so cute!

Here’s what I found as I walked around down by the corrals and the hay stacks:

Windbreak fence:

More snowy sparkles:

A chisel:

Jake being a handsome dog:

Hay bales:

Windbreak fence casting a shadow:

WDX Nukem, one of the studs:

Nuke loves attention, so as soon as he sees someone he usually makes a point to come see you so you can rub on him!

I hope you enjoyed the tour around the corrals, through the snow! I certainly enjoyed the weather! And there’s more photos of my ride to come! So stay tuned!

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To encompass the entire year of 2010.

Growth.

I chose the word growth to encompass 2010 because I believe I grew exponentially this year. I grew in maturity as an individual, in strength and confidence as a woman, and in leaps and bounds in regards to my horsemanship skills. Is my life a journey? Yes. Is horsemanship one of the most important journeys to my life? Absolutely. Through the experience gained this year in my relationships with friends and family and My Cowboy I have learned the importance of doing, not saying; showing through example and being consistent. I work very hard to be consistent for my horses, doing the same thing for the people I love isn’t too far to reach.

I hope that when I look back on 2011, I can again add growth to my words; but more so than that I’d like 2011 to be perfect. And since I control my own world, that’s entirely possible.

What word describes 2010 for you? I’d love to hear from you.

XO

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In a perfect world, I’d have a bigger house that had a split bed-room layout, a real master suite, with a closet that’s bigger than a postage stamp and a bathroom that is big enough for two. But in the scheme of things, it’s not important.

In a perfect world, we’d have a 150×200 foot barn to ride in. All. Glorious. Year. Long! The grass would never be short; save for winter, and we’d have rain every month as needed. But in the scheme of things, we can get by with our 40X100 barn and make do with the weather patterns that Mother Nature Gives us.

In a perfect world, the horse market wouldn’t be in the tank. It’d be back to 2005 levels and we’d see a decent return on our investment in these colts of ours. But we’re still alive and eating, so in the scheme of things, we’ll survive.

While those things may not be ‘perfect’, my world and my life, certainly is.

I am able to get up everyday and do what I want to do that day. I can go ride a horse, start a colt, make jewelry, play the guitar, pack up the camera to take pictures, hang out with my chickens, or cook amazing things for someone who’ll enjoy them. In the scheme of things, I’m so blessed, and I do my best to not take that for granted.

I have a man that adores me and would do anything for me, a family that loves me, we live in some of the prettiest country known to this land, and I have the ability to choose how happy I am going to be each day. I can look at the negatives in my life, or I can focus on the positives, and that makes my life perfect! I have everything I need and most of what I want.

This Spin on Perfection is brought to you by Jen, at Sprite’s Keeper. I suggest if you want to see more spins on utopia, that you head over there, post haste!

Have a great weekend, y’all!

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Enjoy the love!

Of course we had to include Tucker, their dog. He didn’t want to be left out.

I just love a formal dress on the prairie. There’s something so romantic about it!

One of my favorites!

He said something funny! And I was quick enough to catch it!

Such a man!

Tucker:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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1. I’m thankful for Zach, aka My Cowboy, The Cowboy. He loves me even if I’m covered in horse hair; or when I cry because I lost another hen; or when I say something silly; or when I haven’t put mascara on in a week (which by the way has NEVER happened. I’m just sayin’). I’m glad he picked me as his soul-mate for life.

2. I’m thankful for such an awesome family. Not just my own family, but Zach’s family as well. Better people you will not find anywhere.

3. Today I shipped calves for the neighbors, and I have to say that I’m very thankful that I can get up in the morning, saddle a horse, ride across a pasture and spend my day doing exactly what I want to do. Every. Single. Day.

4. I am thankful for my health. And as such, I should enjoy every day that I am granted with good health, to the best of my ability.

5. I’m thankful that I’m not left to keep house all by myself. I know that this might go hand in hand with #1 above, but honestly, how fortunate am I that I can come in from being gone last night (to Lakota class no less) to find that Zach has the kitchen cleaned and laundry put away? Yes, I am grateful beyond words for this!

And more on this- I’m thankful that there are people in this world that want to preserve the heritage and culture of Native Americans. I am exceptionally grateful that I am able to attend classes to learn to speak the language and preserve this part of heritage that is the place where I now reside. We’ll talk more on this later!

6. I am thankful for all my friends. Friends that are there if you haven’t talked to them in ages; or friends that are there if you just talked to them 5 minutes ago.

7. Horses. I could go on forever about this one but suffice it to say, I’m thankful to the Creator for giving us this magnificent beast. I love their eccentricities, their honesty, their faithfulness and their willingness to please you. I hope to never take them for-granted.

8. Today I was thankful for the sunshine and almost 70 degree temperatures that have graced us most of fall. It’s not often that it’s this nice, this late into the year here in the frozen north, but this year has been kind to us so far, and I LOVE it!

9. Change. Today it wasn’t warm outside- in fact a norther blew in this afternoon and you could see the cold in the air, but you know what, the Creator knew that we bored easily, and so gave us change. Change is good when it comes to the weather and paint colors!

10. I am thankful that I’m at a place in my life where I can be the best me I am able to be. I’m at a place where my creativity is nurtured, and loved and admired and encouraged. I feel like my growth as an individual is really taking shape!

11. I’m thankful that I live where I do- In America.

12. I’m super-extra-duper grateful for our newest appliance- the DISHWASHER! Oh how it makes my time in the kitchen all that more wonderful!

13. Today, I’m thankful for all the mistakes I have made in my life. Without those I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I wouldn’t be as wise and those lessons that don’t kill you, only make you stronger.

14. Dogs. As I type this, I am surrounded by 4 dogs, that normally live outside. But tonight, they’re pretty sure they belong in the house. There’s nothing quite like dogs!

15. I am thankful to be asked to share about my life as it involves agriculture: check out the guest post I was asked to write!/

16. I love that my mother had me involved in so many things and encouraged me to take my interests and run with them. It makes my life more interesting and for that I am thankful!

17. Today I am thankful for Facebook. And before anyone laughs, there’s a story here. But I can’t tell it now.

18. I am thankful to be in a community of ranchers that will re-arrange their schedules and drop what they are doing to come help us when we’re short-handed. Good people are a blessing.

19. While I stood outside yesterday helping to preg check cattle, in what was less than a lovely day outside, I couldn’t help but think how lucky I am to have the ability to work outside, play with cattle and horses and otherwise work my tail off. Yes, I’m thankful that I am able to work hard, and enjoy what I do.

20. I’m thankful for central heat. Old Man Winter is gearing up, as evidenced by the colder temps. The high for Monday is a whopping 13 degrees!

21. My grandparents. They left a great legacy behind in their children- my aunts and uncles, and the family support system in place. More specifically I’m very thankful that my Grandma B had such a love for music. Thank you for instilling that love in your daughter, who instilled it in me.

22. This day I gave thanks for the fact that I don’t have to get up everyday and go to work. The weather conditions were, shall we say, less than desirable.

23. I am so thankful that Zach will wash clothes, clean the kitchen, and doesn’t complain about me making massive messes with jewelry and arts and crafts projects. And trust me, they’re everywhere. It looks like a few pheasants and a bead store threw up in our living room and kitchen. He just takes it all in stride and for that, I am eternally grateful!

24. I am thankful for Holidays!

25. I sat in bed this morning, as I was waking up, watching The Today Show. Which I never do- but I do love to wake up Thanksgiving Day and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s one of my favorite things to do- even though I’m all grown up now! But while I sat there, hearing the Weather Man talk about how cold it was outside and looking at the snow outside the window, a story came on about St. Jude Children’s hospital. A little girl, who a year ago was given only weeks to live, was able to go to St. Jude and received a treatment that now has her cancer in remission. Call me emotional or call me sappy, but I sat there sobbing because the poor girl had already beat leukemia once in her life and she was so upset to get it again. So this morning I am thankful that there are Doctors and Scientists who dedicate their lives to finding a cure to cancer. Not only for the little girl on TV that I don’t know but for two of my friends that are fighting this disease right now. My friend Anne, who I have known since high school has been through chemo and radiation, and is undergoing stem cell treatments, but is on a break for the holidays, and my friend Hilary who I’ve known for even longer than I’ve known Anne. Thank you again to the Doctors who work to save people so that their families can be complete.

Enough sappiness from me- Let the festivities begin!

26. I am so thankful that I love to cook, and bake, because that makes Thanksgiving day that much better. Yesterday I had no choice but to be thankful for all the food that we had to eat- because honestly- there are those in the world who didn’t have food to eat and we had food to spare. How was your Thanksgiving Day feast?

27. I am thankful that I am a sane, rational person, who has a sane rational man with which to share her life.

28. I’m grateful for parents that raised me in a sane, rational way, who gave me responsibility as I earned it instead of being sporadic and inconsistent. And I’m glad to know they love me whether or not they agree with my decisions.

29. Family get-togethers!

30. As this is the last day of November, it ends my Thirty Days of Thanksgiving. I’ve enjoyed it very much, and am grateful for the chance to have done it, and that y’all joined me. I have also learned to say thank you in Lakota, and as such, I’ll share: philámaya ye.

Coming tomorrow, we’ll begin Reverb10. You may have noticed the button on the top right side of the blog- we’ll be looking back on 2010 and looking toward 2011. It will encompass the entire month of December. But don’t fear, there will still be regularly scheduled programming as well.

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