In the pasture (finally)

The horses have been put out into their summer pasture, where they will basically graze undisturbed (for the most part, except for the occasional ride, weather permitting) until October.  It's a large, square area with a run-in shelter, so they can get out of the weather.

They have an automatic waterer, so horse care at this time of year becomes pretty easy around here.

The only dark cloud is...the flies!

We are finally having a hot day (cue the halleluja chorus), and so the May 'biting bugs' have appeared.  This results in fussy, fidgety, stamping, snorting horses.

I must go to the feed store and buy some bug spray (which only grants temporary relief, and also requires sneaky application since two of the three horses are scared of spray-and white cloths- it's a whole procedure, believe me).

Despite the bugs, I do look forward to the horses getting all glossy and fat (well, not too fat-although Joe and Ollie are looking thin.  Our farrier told us that many of the horses he's seen have lost weight because of the tough winter weather). They already seem so much more relaxed after a difficult winter.  It's a lovely sight to see them hanging out in the pasture just...being horses, enjoying the sun and the wind and the all-you-can-eat buffet, and dreaming about sleeping (as I'm told they all do) and perfecting the art of doing nothing!

Lilac time

It's lilac time .  It's been very cool here, so all of the blooming plants are able to showcase their finery for an extended period of time.  I keep telling myself that, as I shiver in my sweaters and windbreakers.  That, and also, the cold is keeping the biting bugs and mayflies at bay.

There's a gorgeous fragrance in the air as soon as I step outside.  It's a feast for the senses.  I can bring armfuls of these lilacs into the house.

And that's because we have *the biggest lilac bush ever*.

Big, huh?

The lilacs scent the rooms.  Have you ever noticed that bringing flowers indoors makes both the suroundings and the flowers more beautiful?  They add a gentle sense of life to a room.

You can't really say that about people, though.  People bring energy into a house, but they don't ornament it.  And some people can just suck all of the air out of a room, or make it seem gloomy.  I suppose one shouldn't compare people to flowers...I mean when was the last time a plant made you a nice cup of tea or rubbed your back?  Exactly. 

Enjoy your day, and don't let the gorgeous springtime make you feel too silly and giddy....it's too late for me, I am in the process of being bewitched by the season.  Happens every year.

Heat

....is something that has been sorely lacking here these last few days.  Cold and rain has been the order of the day.

The pansies can handle it, and it hasn't stopped the apple blossoms .

Full-out blooms, baby!! (too bad the apples from that particular tree are tasteless and mealy). 

On a somewhat related topic, my horse Sadie is in heat!  I discovered this while letting her graze on our lawn while I held her on a line.  Joe, our old gelding (who was roaming freely) decided to mount her then and there! (well, he attempted to, anyway).  This was rather alarming on many levels.  First of all, I wasn't expecting it, and didn't want to be that close to that much 'action'.  Secondly, she normally doesn't give him the time of day.  I think she finds him too short, too boldly coloured and lacking in refinement.  He's clearly not her type.   Plus, the dude's a gelding.  

 Yesterday, though, she was basically stalking him, and giving him all kinds of signals and overtures, most of them none too subtle.  Poor Joe, there's only so much he can do.

Ah, spring in the country.  Bursting with life.  And heat.

(almost) blossom time

A sunny day with a hint of cool breeze; the air smells indescribably beautiful.  The only thing I can compare it to is taking a drink of cool clear water after a thirst that's been long in the making.  

And it's just about full-blown blossom time.  Sometimes a slow spring has its good points.  Must get outside to breathe it all in.  Bye.

get em before they're gone

Blue skies

Mud 

Boots

Dogs

Wildflowers (just a few more)

Have a great weekend.

smoke gets in your eyes

I know you're not supposed to burn damp hay....

It can get awfully smokey....

....awfully quickly....

....but I do it anyway

It is spring cleanup time, after all.  Have a good weekend!

sprung

I know I'm a bit late with this, but I hope everyone had a happy Easter.  On the other hand, if you're Orthodox, then my timing is almost spot-on and you'll appreciate this snapshot, since you'll inevitably still be digesting your Easter celebration meal.

Spring has more or less sprung in my part of the world, and we have been graced with some (but not too much) beautiful weather.  It sometimes feels like counting chickens before they're hatched, though, as yesterday was chilly and windy, and today.....

...today is rainy and cold.  However, the grass is greening up, and it will soon be time to torture the offspring with endless sessions on the riding lawnmower.  Some things in my garden (namely the ones which have escaped being sat upon by two large dogs) are beginning to unfurl.

Others remain tightly furled.

These peonies are getting ready to put on a show- it's funny, last year they only had a few modest blooms.

It's the time of rakes and shovels and rubber boots and gathering twigs and branches and burning piles....and picking up doggy doo... I keep my eyes peeled while doing so, though, because inevitably I'll come upon a treasure....

like this little woodland violet...when it warms up a little, I'll take you on a spring wildflower ramble.  Bring your boots.

peaceful morning sunshine

Today, freezing rain pellets are being driven against my windows by a relentless, gusty wind.  There have been some moments of loveliness, though, in this difficult, slow spring.  

This old house is not the greatest light-catcher, to my never-ending regret.  I think I would be a much more successful, well-rounded person, if only I were surrounded by more light.  The window-wells here are deep, and the place was built to exclude the elements, not let them in.  But a few mornings ago, I came downstairs to find the kitchen table in such a pretty, peaceful morning light, I just had to take some photos.

Can you feel the quiet?  (can you see the dust bunny?  :) )

spring break

Oh hi.  I seem to have inadvertently disconnected from the interwebs for quite a while now.  My only excuse is that my kids were home for March break and they commandeered my computer. This year we didn't travel anywhere, and instead took part in some championship lounging and relaxing, interrupted only by regular bouts of sleeping in (kids, not me).  It turns out that the official uniform of March break is pyjamas.

So really, you didn't miss anything.  Oh, except that I cooked quite a bit.  I even  made some chicken soup.  It was good. 

There was a great deal of greyness, rain and thawing/flooding.  Mud, mud, and more mud.

But today the sun is out and it's bright and drying things out nicely.  And signs of spring are popping up everywhere.

Finally!