A TEMPORARY BREAK....

 I woke up very early this morning...the sunrise was hardly visable....

 until I went out to do chores.

 A quiet, mild day....blankets off.

 Way too much mud.

 Romeo's last full day here.  I will miss him and he will miss Skoog Farm, where he was spoiled rotten.

 Right after chores I took a shower and had an appointment with the massage therapist.  My body can't get it's act together these days.

Decided to try drumming today and lasted until 3:30.  It felt good after missing it for three weeks in a row.

 When I went out to do evening chores, every single horse had rolled and all looked like clay sculptures.

 Did what I could and tucked them in for the night.

Our good friends Randy and Arlene came over for a simple dinner.

No fancy stuff.  We have been on overload since Christmas.

Put out some nuts and dried fruit...

they brought a rye boat.

 Pulled some Christmas Eve meatballs out of the freezer for Randy.

 Made a huge salad...leaf lettuce, green onions, sun dried tomatoes, Greek olives, croutons and crumbly blue.  We couldn't eat it all.

 

Arlene brought a lasagna casserole stuffed with artichokes and portabella mushrooms.  Delish.

 And apple pie for dessert.  Instead of playing Sequence, we sat by the fire and watched the movie

"It's Complicated."  Laughing is good.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
It has been such a pleasure to meet so many new people from around the world.

 

Night all.

PS - my deepest sympathies go out to Sue and Whit at Dream Valley Ranch and Kim and Carl at Golden Pines.  Both have been devastated by the loss of their beloved dogs.  These two families have gone above and beyond to rescue animals, love them, and have given them the lives they so richly deserved.  I am so lucky to have found them through this amazing community of bloggers.  How we connect boggles my mind.  There are so many caring people out there.

NOW IT'S RAINING....

 When I went to the barn it was relatively mild.

 Jill came out to help with chores and put her hand to the test...I'm sure it is still hurting but she did it anyway.  Tough cookie.

 Sidney came back to the house with me.  I could not believe that he sat on Gucci.

 By mid-morning the snow was melting....Lily and Sophie were hanging out on the back porch.

 Once again I cooled it during the afternoon....so tired. 

 Phoebe, Gucci and I vegged by the fire.

 By late afternoon we were back to grass....and mudddddd.

 Picked the paddock and did chores...

 The barn was very comfortable tonight....may reach 50 by Sunday.

 Took a quick shower and we were off to Lorna and Dan's for dinner.

 We started off with a delicious bowl of soup....

 Then, we had chicken, asparagus, polenta (covered with an outstanding homemade sauce),

salad and crusty bread.

 As if that was not enough,  there were lemon tarts for dessert.

 And Lorna's Christmas cookies if you had any room left.

 Another outstanding meal!

Their sweet lab (Birdie) kept us company.

What a great way to spend the evening.

Night all.

MORE SNOW AND HEADED FOR A WARM UP...

 Gary went down to Java early, and came back to help me with chores.

 It was VERY cold this morning....

 Jodi stopped over.  Romeo will be leaving on Sunday, headed for another facility around the corner.  I think he is going to miss getting spoiled, but will have 120 acres of trails and lots of other geldings to hang out with.  He's a sweet boy and I hope all goes well.

 I let Phoebe and Gucci out when I finished cleaning the stalls.

 Around 2 I went out and picked the paddock, took a name plate off a saddle (Jodi bought my Stueben Sigfried for Romeo), and dug out some pony blankets for my friend Jan. 

 Still grey, but a little milder.

 While I was on the phone with Sally this morning....

 Lily provided us with entertainment.

 Such talent for a cat....

Did not accomplish too much this afternoon.  Out to do evening chores and turned the pony blankets over to Jan.

 Got cleaned up and left for Brockport with Gary.  Dinner at Judy's tonight...picking up Sally on the way.

 Judy was all ready for us...her place was warm and welcoming.

 Next Christmas I need to remember to do this....hang some ornaments on a spring rod.

 Gary and Sally were getting a good laugh for some reason...I can't remember what we were discussing at that point.

 Miss Efficient was back there getting us ice water to go with the delicious dinner she prepared.

 Beef Burgandy on rice with mixed veggies, rolls and a superb salad...

 mixed greens, pecans and cranberries.  So delish!

 And what a clever dessert....Make your own cheese cakes!  Never heard of such a thing.

You spread cream cheese on an English cookie (Digestible) and top with lemon curd or blackberries.

Trust me...it tasted just like cheesecake.  Perfect when you are having a "tea party."

Home a little after 9 and headed for the couch.

Night all.