Back In The Dirt

There's nothing like a few days of rain to turn one's herd into an almost unrecognizable, muddy mess.

The worst of the herd was Ollie - who had turned himself from white to muddy grey.  

The dirt was so caked in his fur that it felt like plaster of Paris.

I can honestly say, none of my horses has ever been this dirty.  Nothing short of a bath will return him to something even remotely resembling his former self.  I curried and brushed and shedded his furry little body.... and still he looked like a wretched orphan!

As I knelt down brushing him, I found myself surrounded by the herd.  

Red and Donnie stayed close to Ollie... hoping they were next in line.

Moonie busied himself by picking through my hair with his lips.  It's always this way.  Every activity must be a group activity - mutual grooming is common with these guys.

I worked and worked on Ollie and made a little bit of headway.  

I needed a little immediate gratification, though, so I switched to brushing the ponies. 

Then back to Ollie, once again.

It's going to take many days of brushing to get all of their winter fur shedded out.  I'm pretty sure I returned home with half of that shedded fur sticking to my clothes!

Yesterday was one of this sunny days that kept me outside from sun-up until supper time.... mowing and planting.

Hubbs was gone for most of the day, but I had my sidekicks to keep me company.

I added some perennials and a couple of annuals to our gardens at the house.

Aren't these just beautiful?

Wonderful colors!

Osteospermum,

also known as Cape Daisies.  I am not sure how long they will keep blooming, but they were too beautiful to pass up!

The next couple of nights are predicted to be in the 40's.  I am itching to finish planting.  I think I will be safe to put annuals and vegetables in after tomorrow.  I'll have many garden updates to share with you after that!

It's going to be a very colorful summer here on the farm!

I finally finished my latest knitting project. Here it is, being wet-blocked.


 This shawl was more work than a sweater!  I am happy with the finished product.  It matches a couple of my winter dresses perfectly!


Now, to search for my next knitting project......

Comments

Lisa said…
I love Osteopernums. If you keep deadheading them they flower all season. I also love heliotropes. They smell wonderful.
jaz@octoberfarm said…
beautiful flowers! and that shawl is beyond beautiful. wow!
Unknown said…
Flowers are beautiful. The shawl looks very complicated, definitely shows your skill. Do you ever make ponchos? I love a good poncho, they are like bringing along your own blanket. Lisa G in TN
Lynne said…
Poor Ollie, scruffy, dirty with packed dirt, mud.
Poor Beverly having to work hard at the cleanup!

Loved the flowers and looking forward to more of your color.
This long, long cold spell has taught me patience.
I am so looking forward to adding some color to the greens!
I must say though, this cold weather has made it pleasant
to weed, change, create new garden spaces. Not buggy yet either!

Lovely knitted wrap piece Beverly . . . not sure how you do it all
but I sure enjoy seeing your creating. Inspiring to say the least!
Anonymous said…
Oh my, I don’t know what is prettier, those daisies or your shawl! Wow to both!
Queen Marcy in Atlanta
Marcia LaRue said…
The equines are a continual source of amusement ... for us readers, anyway!
The colors of your flowers are simply gorgeous ... so glad we can enjoy them along with you!!
OMG ... the design in that shawl and then knitted ... OMG You are so adept at knitting ... it just boggles the mind!
Csnook said…
Beautiful flowers! Where did you find them?
Bee Haven Bev said…
A little Amish nursery between Van Wert and Mifflintown
Dee J. Hartman said…
Can anyone add anything to my alphabet list describing Bev and her Hubs?
Her life is so
amazing,
busy,
caring,clever
delightful
energetic
fruitful, fulfilling
grateful
healthy
intelligent,imaginative,
jovial
kind
loving
moving,
necessary,
optimal,
playful,
quick moving
responsible,
sensational
touching,
unique
v
w
x
youthful
zealous























































































































































































































































artistic,
fulfilling,


Wanda Devers said…
The flowers are beautiful. We plan to plant more flowers in bare spots in the vegetable garden--my husband's idea!

That Ollie! He must have rolled in the actual mud. What a blessing it is to have their love. They are so gentle, too. I've always feared any large animals--brought on partly by out neighbors Houdini cow who escaped way too often. "Go over there and head her off"--soul chilling words to me then. I think my frantic prayers reached far as I never remember ever actually having to "head her off".

Your shawl is beautiful!
Love those 'lovin' pets of yours--
and those new flowers are really colorful--hopefully they will bloom all summer long--
I spent some time today deciding on a new knitting project( going to start a shawl) and getting the yarn out for the next pair of socks to start--and I always have a baby sweater on the needles--I do see that bag is getting full and I will need to box them up soon and get them in the mail to the charity (my baby sweaters are from preemie to one year old and go to a charity--I knit in the evenings when I am too tired to quilt or sew!!)
I keep living my 'farm and garden life' through you--as I live in a senior housing place and can't do/have those joys here)
luv, di
This N That said…
Ollie was certainly a mess..as I'm sure your yellow jacket was when you were finished cleaning him up...What a job!! Moonie the beautician..What a group!!
You have the best company and companions..Perfect!!
Beautiful flowers..Never saw Osteospermum..guessing they need deadheading?
Your shawl is beautiful..love the colors..looks like a lot of work went into it..Small stitches.
With these temps, you can probably wear it now!!!
Anonymous said…
That shawl is spectacular! Could you please post a link to the pattern. I want to try to knit one. my skills are not up to yours but i must try.
EDGR C. BEARD said…
AWESOME...YOU ARE SUCH AN AMAZING LADY...YOU ARE NEVER LOST W/JUST THE RIGHT THING TO SAY ABOUT EACH DAY AND THE BEAUTY OF GODS UNIVERSE...AWESOME IS THE BEAT COMPLIMENT I CAN THINK OF TO DESCRIBE YOU...EACH POST IS AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL....THANK YOU SOOOOOOO VERY MUCH..WE HAVE NOT HAD AN INTERNET FOR 3 DAYS SO I AM RESPONDING TO BOTH ON THE SAME DAY...YOU AND HUBBS HAVE MADE THE FARM SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SHOWCASE...SO ENJOYABLE TO SEE AND READ EACH COMMENT !!! THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!


EDGAR C. BEARD