Update.

Here we are in our new house finally. I'm a little (okay, a LOT) frustrated that we don't have closet shelves yet. So my room has lots of boxes still. Well, this is here. We are getting ready to start school and that's going interesting. I'm going to my riding teacher's place to visit in about a week, I think. I can't wait to do that, because I miss everyone so much! My brother-in-law and sister and neice came to visit over the weekend and then my brother-in-law went back to work this week. He left my sister and niece here.

Today, I took my niece on a walk in the woods with our dogs. On the way out, it started to look dark the direction facing the house. Rain was on the way. We saw a black snake in the grass that still hasn't been mowed and made our way up to get the dogs a drink and put them in the garage (their temporary sleeping area) to eat. Then we went up on the covered front porch and watched our first storm roll in. It was a lot of fun and we saw part of a rainbow before the storm. After it rained, the sun came out the rest of the way and we saw the full rainbow! I decided not to pull out my camera, but it was spectacular. So pretty. Every time I see the rainbow, I remember why it's there. It is absolutely amazing to think that I am looking at what God is looking at( Genesis 9:16). It's so cool and it reminds me that God never breaks His promises. It makes me smile. =)

We have a lot of work to do still. We need to mow and get fencing up. Actually, for my horse, the brush needs to be tilled up and re-seeded. I don't know if I'll be getting a horse this fall or not, but we'll have to see.

I'm in love with a 120 lb 30in Anatolian Shepherd

Okay. Maybe not those measurements exactly. I'm in love with this dog. I really, really want to help him, but we're not in a good place to do that, and I can't take any more dogs. Not to mention, my Mom would have a cow because of his huge size. He is apparently starving himself because he is so depressed. His owner left him on the side of the road because he didn't get along with her cat, I guess. I really, really, really wish I could bring him home with me. =(

The before and after shots I promised

I'm sooo happy. She actually had eyes under those third eyelids!

The absolute best feeling in the world...

has got to be when a horse nickers and walks to you without being asked.



If you don't know anything about horses, they don't normally(there are a few exceptions) walk up to you unless you have a treat, and even then, sometimes, you have to go to them. Horses, by nature, would rather spend their time with their equine buddies and just chillin' in a pasture. But under normal circumstances, they would rarely choose to be with a person unless they really love them.


So yesterday, after I had ridden her and then ridden Sapphire(another Arabian), it amazed me when I walked around the barn to take Sapphire back to the pasture, Angel gave a low nicker and came over to the fence to see me again.



When I had been working with her earlier, I had her galloping around a ring without my using a lunge whip or lead rope. She just ran on my voice command. Then she followed me right back to the hitching post almost without the lead rope. I was totally thrown for a loop(haha, another unintentional pun). I never expected her to follow me around. It was the coolest feeling ever!



So, other than that, Colleen got her eye surgery yesterday. I can actually see her eyes, now! I would take a picture, but I'm gonna have to wait a couple of weeks until I go riding again, because I left my camera at my riding teacher's house. I will give a before and after picture soon.

A wow.

I'm actually having a good day today!

I just found out that I only have eight weeks left in Spanish, not twelve. I'm ecstatic!

Aaannnd, we have an inch and a half of snow! I've been out sledding, getting some bruises. Okay, well the first couple aren't snow, but I liked the rain on the window last week...




No, actually, I couldn't get her to go down the hill, but at least I got the picture. Training your dog to stay pays off...
White nose!!!


The first gold of the morning...

Cream cheese walnut muffins and more

As I drink my second mug of wassail, I will tell you about today.

Today started out kinda slow. We got breakfast and finally made a decision about where to get a Christmas tree. We decided to get one here. (Blogger did it again. So click on the pictures, please)

Christmas tree hunting...




I wanted to put this one in my room. Oh, well.






We finally picked out a tree and tied it to the car. After we brought it home, I started the wassail, and decided to start some cream cheese walnut muffins and we got the tree in the house.

Cream Cheese walnut muffins
Beat together-

1 c soft margarine
8 oz. cream cheese

Add-
1/4 tsp. salt

Work in by hand-
2 c sifted flour


Roll into ball and refrigerate overnight or at least 3 hours

Roll out dough cut to fit mini muffin tins

Filling(may have to make double)-
1 1/2 c brown sugar
2 T melted margarine
2 eggs
1 1/4 c chopped walnuts
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt


Bake 350 degrees for 20 min.

Let cool in pan a few mins. before removing. (May have to use butter knife to remove from pans)





But anyway, after starting the dough, I ended up going out again to get some things an hour away. When we left, it had been snowing a litte, but I didn't think much of it since it usually doesn't do much here. So, when we came out of Walmart, it was really snowing. We drove the hour home through the snow and when we got home I went out with the dogs to get a few pictures of the half-inch of snow for my blog.

Then I turned the wassail back on(which I had never finished making) and we got some turkey soup for dinner. After dinner, I finished the filling on the cream cheese walnut muffins. By this time, it was probably about nine or so. I finally got started on decorating the tree. There is not much else(excluding riding of course) more satisfying or fun than decorating the Christmas tree in your pjs when you have Christmas music playing and wassail to drink and cream cheese walnut muffins to eat.



This was not a set up shot. She was just there. I got inspired and tried to get the other dogs set up, but the pictures just didn't turn out except the bottom one. =( But Lexi is sooooo cute! She looks just like a little present.

After decorating a I came up here. I'm going to redo my blog picture tomorrow. I think God sent the snow just for me today. =)

Also, I would appreciate prayer that it wouldn't be too cold or wet on the 13th as I am going riding with a friend. I am praying really hard, and I'm sure she is, too, as she hasn't had a chance to go since before last Christmas. So please pray.

Let's talk about....hmm...

Hmm...My mind has been drawing a blank about what to write lately. Maybe I'll upload some random pics... I took the one of Colleen.

Veterinarian

Well, today we are taking my dog to the veterinarian. The vet is going to check her eyes and she will probably be scheduled for surgery. She has what I believe to be cherry eye. It is a prolapse(or inflammation) of the third eyelid.

We first noticed it last fall or so when she had a sac-like piece of flesh jutting out of the corner of her eye. The vet thought she might have allergies. But it kept coming back.

Now she has it in both eyes. According to the research I've been doing, she will probably have to have surgery. The vet will put a stitch in her eye to hold it back. They previously had been taking the whole thing out, however, it produces approximately 30 percent of the dog's tears, so they are trying to stitch it back into the eye. It has been 90 percent successful(don't quote me on these approximations).

Anyways, this apparently is common in some breeds such as Cocker Spaniels and bulldogs. Just a little note.

My dog is hilarious...

These are adorable.

Just quickly...

It's late. But we(being my sis and I) have the weekend to ourselves. It's very cool. We actually had a water leak in the basement and so had to call our Aunt to fix it. She did a wonderful job. I don't know what we'd do without her. But one of our dogs was limping and we weren't sure what it was, but he seems okay tonight. It's been a pretty quiet day 'cause our parents took our brother off to college and went to help some of our family move. We also moved my sis out of the bedroom we're sharing and into the extra bedroom being used for our brothers over the summer. So I also spent the day moving my room around. It took most of the day, and I'm still not finished. It's been quite the day...

Dog pics...

These are Lexi...





This are Muffin...

First day of school...

Well, today was the first day of school. So far it's been okay. I love Family Life. I like Literature, I love, love, love Biology, Math's not so great, but hey, it's not that hard...Spanish was only introductory, so I dunno if I like it or not...Everything else didn't really make an impact. But it was a relatively good day today. I got up on time and went walking on the treadmill and got breakfast and started school. After school, I played with the dogs and I made chicken and potatoes and vegetables for dinner and Mom didn't have to do anything. I asked Mom if I could do meals twice a week on Mondays and Fridays. So that was my day. Oh, and the dogs got bathed and brushed. That's a big accomplishment with four dogs.

Fun Things to do with your Dog

1. If you believe your dog needs new toys, don't buy him any. Instead, give him one or two ice cubes every now and then(it helps if you have an automatic ice maker). This saves money. Our Cockers are obsessed with ice!
2. Play with your dog! I haven't met a dog that doesn't love to play! Make up games, just chase him, or throw a ball. My Cocker loves to play chase.
3. Get small treats(such as small pieces of meat, cheese, crackers or chips) and teach your dog the "sit","down", "stay", and "come" commands. There are many books about training your dog. Look just about anywhere and you can find something. Even if your dog is already well trained(good for you!), these can be play sessions and be fun for your dog and even more fun for you! You can even combine the commands in different ways. Be creative!
4. We consider our Cockers to be part of our family. Not everyone allows dogs on the furniture, however, one of the things that we enjoy doing most is watching movies with them(although it can be challenging sometimes with two five-month old puppies in the house!). This is good bonding time, and if you are cold, your dog is a nice lap warmer.
5. Walks are especially fun, although, I have to admit that we almost never go on walks with them(hikes are awesome to take your dog with you). You should take your dog on a leash, but don't keep it too taut. Allow your dog to smell things along side the path; it will help you relax.
6. Finally, just be with him. Dogs enjoy human company as much as we enjoy theirs. Let your dog know that you love him. It's fun to just sit with your dog or even if your baking in the kitchen, your dog can be with you(as long as they don't get underfoot[literally, our Cockers love to be underfoot]).