Five for Friday

 Sigh. I just slammed the oven door on a pan of fudge brownies and settled down to write a short post before the dinner party starts. PS. These brownies come from Scotland originally, are over 100 years old, and if you ask nicely I’ll share the recipe with you. Wink, wink.

Next week I’m loading up Blue Duck (Adrian’s horse) and Fat Albert (my horse), my bedroll, kitchen stuff and braiding gear and heading up to Bakersfield to hang out with my friend Nicole for the summer, focus on my writing, and play cowboy. I’m so excited I could bust, it’s been a loooong time since I’ve gone somewhere new and I can’t wait to get my roping arm back in shape.

For all of you heading off to rodeos, parties, and BBQ’s for the weekend, please be safe and remember the real reason behind Memorial Day Weekend: To honor the lives of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I’m so proud to be an AMERICAN!!

My friend, fellow blogger, and cowboy boot collector Monica from Jersey Girl, Texan Heart always posts a 5 for Friday, and she inspired me to make my own. Thanks Monica!! 

Five for Friday

1. Take time occasionally to kick up your heels and relax with friends.

2. Never underestimate the power of a simple “Thank you!”

3. Silver jewelry is always elegant.

4. Take pride in the way your horses, gear, and pickup look.

5. Always carry chap stick with you!

xo xo Liz 

Summertime

Enjoy this summer. Savor the long hot days, saturated with heat and color

Rodeos and lemonade

Haying and fixing fence.

Soon enough fall will be here and with it,

Gathering steers

Kids back to school and the air crisp with the promise of new habits put into effect and the big annual, invitational horse sale.

But for now, do yourself a favor and enjoy the remaining months.

Make flavored water with fruit or cucumbers. In a fit of luxury take all your pants to the dry cleaners and ask for the heaviest “rodeo” starch they’ve got. Take your baby to the barn with you and let her watch her mama ride. Make waffles and eat more than your fair share. Go to a concert. Start those colts that have been neglected. Iron your sheets and be amazed at how cool they feel. Watch an old black and white movie that ends predictably, happily ever after. Sit with your man as he shoes his horses: pull the old shoes, give him cold beer and hand him his tools. Watch and learn. Read a book that challenges you. Take a kid hiking. Remember that the bridle horse you want to show so badly is also your friend and partner. Take a grandparent fishing. Paint your toes shocking pink. Clean out that closet that’s been driving you crazy. Set a goal of how many pushups you want to be able to do by the end of summer. Buy fresh flowers and put them all over your house. Gather some kindling for this winter’s coming fires. Lie on the couch under a fan and take a nap. A long one. Forget to feel guilty. Make homemade pizza.

Enjoy the many small moments that make up the long summer season and maybe, just maybe, if the opportunity presents itself, jump in a hot springs and take a bath.

xo xo Liz 

Christmas Came Early

After five days on the road and two long, hot and fantastic days of shows (for Adrian), we are back home for a week before another bout of 'Chris Ledoux-ing' it.

Adrian got a bucking machine from some guy a few weeks ago and apparently the reason he gave it to her was because it didn't work at all...plus it weighs a ton. Not that I blame him. I wouldn't have wanted it cluttering up my shop either if it didn't work. And if some crazy blonde gal wanted a bucking machine, it would seem like a win-win situation for both of us...except for the blonde girl because it didn't buck. So for the past few weeks Adrian has had this bucking machine setting out in the barn and has just been DYING to ride it.

Adrian and my uncle Kalvin, who is an electrical contractor, came to visit last week and for the last four days he and our dad worked non-stop on this machine for Adrian.

18 bags of concrete, 3 hours of welding, completely rewiring the motor and 2 tired good samaritans in cowboy boots later, Adrian has a bucking machine that she can practice on.

She's a little excited. And to celebrate she took Boyfriend (yes, that is his name) for a ride. I think he approves.

It is so beautiful here at home that I can't hardly stand it. There is so much grass and all the black calves we saw on the drive up look healthy and cute beyond belief. 

Can't wait to get on my fat old horse tomorrow...good night to all and to all a good night! 

xo xo Liz 

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