BFF

This is my best friend in the world, Mary Ann. We have not seen each other in 20 years. That's right, the last time I saw her was in 1990. She is still my soul mate. And she is coming back in March and we are going to party like rock stars at the Kid Rock Concert at the Rodeo.

Cowboy Brock

My nephew, Brock and I had the opportunity to spend some time together riding my horse Cowboy a few weeks ago.
This little guy is as tough as they come and he knows his way around a horse.

Remember, Cowboy stands over 17 hands high, yet Brock had no trouble handling him. This young man has a future that will include lots of time in the saddle.

Pheonix

Bradley and I spent a few hours with Pheonix, aka Hell Bitch, the other day.
It took almost two hours to get her under saddle. She is a turd.

I just need to commit to spend more time with her. It's not her fault. She has a lot of trust issues and she doesn't like men at all.

Wedding Day

Amber Dyke Collins was married last weekend. I am posting this picture of me to show yall that I actually do clean up pretty good. Though my wardrobe is mainly jeans, tshirts, and boots, I do own dresses and makeup and have been known to wear them both, at the same time.

Willie

This is Willie. He is a glass eyed Catahoula Cur. We got him a few months ago to breed with our Texas Blue Lacy Cur. Unfortunately, Willie died December 31st at 11:48 PM. We don't know what happened to him. He was fine around lunch, but by dinner, he was in bad shape. I forced fluids and broth, but the situation became very bad and I was forced to relieve his suffering. We do plan on getting a new pup soon.

Birthdays and Memories

Thursday, January 6th will not only be a day for celebration. It will be a day of memories. Our youngest daughter, Brady will turn 16 (I know, crazy). It also marks the 3rd anniversary of my brother's death.
I recently had this piece of art placed on my back. He will always be with me and it is such a comfort.

Those who knew him will always miss him, those who didn't have heard his stories. He was a legend and a true Texas Tall Tale.

Christmas Present?

Here is Sunshine. He is a 4.5 yr old gelding. He is a great kid horse, as he is gentle, loving, and doesn't like to go anywhere in a hurry.

He is very filled out and and has a nice apple butt. He is 14.5 H hands high. He saddles well, takes a bit easily. He doesn't put up any resistance to anything, except this season's round of worming (all the horses hate it, it's the grossest round).

He is used to being and all types of animals and has never had any issues with them. He gets along with everyone. He loads and unloads wonderfully. He stands perfectly for the farrier.
Bradley does his feet about every eight weeks, but he has gone longer, depends on the terrain he is walking on.

He may not be the most handsome fellow in town, but he is distinguished looking and remember, pretty don't always ride.

We never have any problems catching him. He comes straight to us and loves to be petted, brushed and hugged on. Our only complaints about this horse is that he doesn't like to run. He will trot, reluctantly, but running is just not his thing. He is more of a "take your time, look at the scenary" kind of guy. We have found nothing that spooks him. He goes through water, Bradley even swims him. He goes fine over roads, tracks, ditches, inclines, etc. We had him out the other day, fixing to cross the tracks and a train came, honking loudly by, he never paid it any mind.

Quinceanera

Brady and Ruben getting ready to go to his cousin's Quinceanera.
They look adorable.

Best picture they have ever taken together.

Brady, Ruben and Adilene (Ruben's little sister).

A Perfect Day

This is Cowboy on the left. He is my ride. The best horse EVER. He is quarter-draft and stands almost 18 hands high. I couldn't ask for a better horse. Pheonix is on the right. She is his girlfriend. She is another story.
Pheonix is six years old and has never had any training at all. She destroyed one saddle, but she is a champ at getting saddled now.

She is responding better to me than Bradley for some reason. She has probably had some bad experiences with men (who hasn't, right). I lunged her a bit and we worked on voice commands for about an hour. I am going to try to start putting some weight on her next week. I'm going to do all the work on this gal. I'm excited and scared.

New Do

Yesterday I forgot to take my anti-crazy pill before I left the house. The result: I bought two pairs of $108 jeans and cut all my hair off.
I could take the jeans back (but I'm not), but I can't put the hair back on, so I'll deal with it. Remember, it could always be worse.

Brandy's Legal

She finally got her license in the mail. She can legally cut your hair, wax your "whatever", and basically make you beautiful.

Lunch Ladies

Lou are I are officially the "Lunch Ladies". We are cooking and delivering lunches to a oil rig plant in Conroe.
Between the hours of 8:00 and 11:30 AM, our kitchen is a crazy disaster.

But the food is great and the money is better. Where ever there maybe hungry men. The Lunch Ladies will deliver.
I want to wear aprons, hair nets, plastic gloves, and put a hairy mole on my face but Lou said NOOOOO. She is such a pooper sometimes.

Yes, I'm 40 today!

I rarely put pictures of myself on the blog, for obvious reason (I don't want to scare anyone), but today I will make a exception. Today is my birthday. My 40th birthday to be exact. I have pondered through out the day what that means to me, exactly. I have come to the realization that it doesn't really matter. I'm the same as I was yesterday, and as I will be tomorrow.
I did make a mental list about how things have changed since my last birthday. Not much.
1. I weigh less this year than I did last year.
2. I get less sleep now.
3. I exercise less.
4. I have more responsibilities and less time for myself.
5. I have more horses and more dogs.
6. I go to school three days a week.
7. I have started a lunch business.
8. I still dislike most people.
9. I still hate veggies.
10. I have yet to learn to make decent gravy.


As you can see, I'm still the same boring person. I wish I could tell everyone that I have had a profound year that has changed me in some way that will dramitcally alter my future. But the truth is, I go to bed late, get up early, and work like a borrowed mule in the time in between. Happy Birthday to Me.

Apple Upside Down Pie

I tried out a new recipe tonight for Apple Upside Down Pie. The picture above is what it looks like coming out of the oven. It is really very simple. You spread the bottom of the pie pan with a pecan, brown sugar, butter mixture, then you layer your pie crust, apple filling and then top with another pie crust and seal. After it cools, you flip it. I won't lie, I was VERY nervous about the flipping step, but it did fine and it all came out beautifully.

This is what it looks like after you flip it out of the pie pan. Now the pecan mixture is on top and the pie is on the bottom...thus the name...Apple Upside Down Pie.

It actually cuts nicely and looks beautiful plated up with some Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (ha-ha to yall that can't get that stuff, George W. used to have it flown into the White House weekly, that's a fact). I apologize for the poor photo, but I put it on paper plates so we could enjoy our treat outside since the weather was gorgeous (low 80's, can I get a yee-haw).

Everyone gave the pie a TEN for taste and originality. I must confess, I had a piece as well (no ice cream). I really try not to eat junk, but for goodness sake, this has apples in it....we all need more fruit in our diet, right? It tastes DELICIOUS. I will have to get rid of the rest of it tomorrow to the neighbors because it is too dangerous to keep in the house. BINGE ALERT.

I am organizing the Ward Harvest Carnival for November, after making this little slice of glory, I have added a Apple Pie Contest to the event. That's right, see if you can beat this slam dunk recipe. For those interested in this recipe, I got it from the Southern Living , Easy Entertaining, Recipes and Ideas for Fall edition. I picked my copy up at Lowe's last weekend.

It's a Hay Day

Bradley and I began our journey right after lunch yesterday. We were heading to Tarkington Praire for a few round bales.Here were are driving through Cleveland.
We stopped at the bank and got the money for the hay. Two hundred dollars doesn't go far.

We arrive at the Hay Man's house but, Oh NO, his tractor just broke down.

There is the hay that we need, it's less than 40 feet from our empty trailer, but we can't get it into the trailer without a tractor.

There is the Hay Man, working on his tractor.

So we wait......30 minutes....

We wait........30 minutes.....

(I would have rolled up my pants, but I haven't shaved my legs in a week)

And we wait.........One hour later......

FINALLY, a neighbor comes to the rescue and loads our hay for us.

So, two hours and two hundred dollars later, we've got hay for our horses.

I asked Hay Man if he wanted us to bring our tractor with us next time to load our own hay. He said it might be a good idea.

We could have had it delivered for $5 more a bale.

Sunshine

Bradley and Sunshine are just enjoying a little swim.
Sunshine is FOR SALE.

If you're looking for an easy-going horse, this guy is for you. He is a four year old quarter-app gelding. He was professionally trained and will make a great kid horse as he doesn't like to go anywhere fast and doesn't spook.

Willie

Willie is growing, but not fast enough.

He loves going to the other house with us and playing with the horses.