Trail Ride Pictures

Here are a few of the trail ride pictures I promised. What a fun experience that was! I hope to put more pictures on here.

Nancy

Draft Horse Sale

We went to the big draft horse sale last week and while in the area we decided to go fill our kerosene containers at the general store. Things looked very still and the door was locked so we decided we had made the trip for nothing and left. Ahead in the road we noticed what looked like a truck and a buggy off of the road. We feared the worst and drove up to find that the horse had shied because of the ice on the road and gone into the snow-filled ditch. The man in the truck had stopped to offer help and soon sped off. We pulled up and got out to help the young woman that had been driving the buggy. She was fine and was trying to unhitch the horse whose legs had sunk in the snow with its rear end resting on the bank. Fortunately, it was unhurt and was led up out of the ditch and onto the road. Meanwhile, the truck that had stopped came pulling up with an Amish man to help. He asked what had happened and she told him the horse had shied and he and I together said,"Thank goodness that's all that happened." Everyone got the buggy out of the ditch and onto the road and the men got back into the truck and left. She had the horse hitched to the buggy again before you knew what had happened! We told her what a good job she had done and that she sure had a good horse because it was ready to go again without any problem and that we hoped the rest of her day went well. Off she went with the horse at a brisk trot.
I was very impressed with how this young woman handled the situation and I was struck by the big smiles on the men's faces when they pulled up to help. But two things really stood out about this whole thing for me that day. Number one: They could go to the first Amish farm for help. And number two: Someone was home. You can't take those two things for granted any more.
Nancy

Busy Times

We have been taking advantage of the warm beautiful weather lately. We finished the barrel stove and before we could move it a gust of wind came through and knocked it over and it broke a handle on our horsedrawn plow. A friend picked up a pair of new handles for us at the buggy shop and saved us a trip. It's one more thing to do having to replace them but it will be very nice having new handles next spring.
It dawned on me that it would be a good idea to make soap while it was warm in the house so I made two batches; a plain castille that is a wonderful bath soap and the same soap with oats and honey added. When I cut the oats and honey one into bars my little granddaughter kept saying, "that smells so good!" It made me hungry for oatmeal cookies! I planned on making a batch with lavender but didn't get around to it.
Today we rendered a lot of beef fat into tallow, cooking it outside in three very large pots over propane burners. It was good to get it done and just in time before the rain started. This is the first rain we have had in several weeks.
Wanted to get spinach cut yesterday but we had to make an unexpected trip into town. It is supposed to be quite a bit cooler the next couple of days.
Yesterday we sent two of our cows to be with a friend's bull. I can't wait until they're back.
We have a new little horse that is just the right size for the children. She has a very sweet disposition and is very easy to ride. They are having such fun! There was rain close by today and our grandson came riding up on her and stopped with a beautiful rainbow behind him. It was quite the sight.
I hope you are enjoying fall. It is a wonderful time of year.

Cold Frame Reminder

Here's your annual cold frame reminder. We have spinach large enough to eat now but the lettuce is coming on slower. If you still haven't tried a cold frame, you might want to consider it. It's pretty great to be able to eat fresh lettuce and spinach in the winter and LOTS of it in the spring before anyone else even has their seeds in the ground. And, it's weed- and insect-free gardening.
We got the garlic planted yesterday and covered it with a thick layer of straw. I love growing garlic! You don't need much room to give it a try. Plant your garlic cloves pointed-side-up spaced about 5 inches apart and cover with straw. Next summer you will have your very own fresh garlic!
Millie is doing very well and getting used to the place. She is very sweet and so beautiful!
There is a freeze warning tonight so we harvested more comfrey leaves and blackberry leaves to dry while we could! Sure hate to see everything go. Well, there is a time for everything.
How are your fall activities coming along?
Nancy