Copper has a cousin!

We went to see Copper's cousin "Freckles" at the Gilbert Farm today. Yes, that's what used to be Coppers home. James bought her and is training her. She is 6 years old and has only been used to wean Thoroughbreads. However, she is learning a whole new life beyond the pasture now. She and James are having a lot of fun. She is similar in demeaner as Copper: laid back, fast learner, kind eye, good nature. She has 4 white stockings and, oddly enough, has 4 black hooves!

She is has a deep red color, is "frosted" = roan and has spots. Absolutely stunning. She has the littlest head! She lets you touch her and handle her everywhere.

James saddled her up for us and let her work out some kicks in the round pen before he got on. She backs up well and goes off your leg. But she is really still green broke. He said he worked some cattle with her and is doing really good.

We also looked at his gray mare "'Sandy" and Lora might be interested in her. I did not take a picture of her (sorry, forgot). But she is a more seasoned Grand-kids horse, that would work well for her. Maybe when the weather gets warmer we go back to ride her.

Riding with Baby?

So, Kelly, you brought up a good idea. What to do when riding and needing to teach baby from an early age. Here's how I envision myself:

But I can already hear the grand-parents come running and screaming and offering this solution:

But wait - how about the hotslings? They are snug and safe! Wouldn't it be worth a try?

Or a backpack?

That's a thought - but I wonder if it gets real bouncy. May have to stay with walking (no trotting or running)?

I am surprised that they have not yet come up with real equestrian equipment for us mommies that want to take their babies along on a sunny day's ride (and not wait till they're 3 years old). What's with that? I am searching the internet.....So, if you come up with any better ideas -

Tell me about it!

First baby picture / Erstes Baby Bild

First ultrasound at 7 weeks. The arrow is showing the head. The oval thing just above the head is the yolk sack. The black background is the amniotic fluid. The baby is currently curved like shrimp and still has a little tail.

DUE DATE AUGUST 29th.

Mein erster Ultraschall mit 7 Wochen. Der Pfeil auf dem Bild zeigt auf den Kopf. Das ovale Dings ueber dem Kopf ist der Eiersack. Der schwarze Hintergrund ist das Fruchtwasser. Momentan ist das Baby einem Schrimp eher aehnlich und hat sogar noch einen kleinen schwanz. Man kann sehen, wie es sich an das Wandgewebe angehaftet hat.

Geburtstagstermin: 29ter August

Charlie has a new truck!

He said he was "just looking" and drove home with a brand new 2009 Ford F-150 5.4 Triton XLT truck yesterday.

See below.

Is Paul trying to reach out to see if it's real?

Mmh, with real wood lining! Heating & cooling seats.

This truck on the right is Paul's truck.

Let's see the power under the hood:

And the best thing about it: it can fit baby car seats - even TWO (let's hope it won't come to that, two that is). :-)

GOD is Good

Always a first

On Sunday we had several firsts. One of them was the unspeakable:

BARN CHRISTMAS PARTY.

Who would have thought that would ever happen? But it did! We love each other now. Yippieh!


We even brought (horse related of course) presents and food...


Which brings me to another first: I cooked little calzones. Yes, fancy with real dough that I had to roll out and stuff with Italian sausage, tomato, mozarella and garlick! Normally, I don't take the first attempt to a eating, just in case, but I think these turned out pretty good, except for the ones that were a little "flame kissed'.



Here lately, I am a real cook! That must stop! That's not like me! So, today I went and ordered us a smoked turkey for Christmas from Shane's. Mmh...looking forward to one, never had a smoked turkey! I am not cooking at Christmas! I might make a salad or garlic bread, but that's it! This year it's just Paul and I and the dogs, and the cat... By the way: meet Klaus: His typical facial expression....



Another first on Sunday: At the barn party I won a bracelet with horse stuff dangling off it! I've always wanted one like that! This one has horse heads, cowboy boots and horse shoes on it. Kelly made it herself. It is pretty. Thanks, Kelly!

Amish Friendship Bread

I have never heard anything like this before? Mush the bag for 7 days? Then divide the batter in 5 parts and give 4 away and bake the rest? Huh? How old is that batter? Yuk!

These were my thoughts at the barn that day when Kelly talked me into taking this goop in a ziplock back from her, called "Amish Friendship Bread". I have to say, I was not a good "musher". I poked it rather - 3 pokes a day...Paul would ask: did you mush the bag today? I'd say, uh-oh....thinking..oh, I better mash it once or twice before I go to bed....

Well, I found out that this is how sour dough works. Oma tells me that in our bakeries in Germany, bakers always keep some of their sour dough for the following day to start a new batter...so, I guess you can say the actual batter is ancient! Almost gross...how many hands have been in it? How many germs have jumped in it?

Even in the olden days, the batter has been kept and "fed" continuously. Past down from generation to generation. Who knows, this batter right here could be from Abraham's days!

No matter the age, it turned out pretty good! I even started to experiment: made one with vanilla pudding, one with chocolate, one in a 9x13 pan with apples on top etc. Took one to Sunday school, one to work and sent one to Paul's work. Those breads or cakes taste delicious and so moist. The one I took to work today lasted about 1 hour! People thought I was Amish, not German.

My first experience with sour dough. My brother Eric is a baker: This post is to you, Eric. Auch deine Schwester kann jetzt mit Sauerteig backen. Da staunste, was!?