We’re expecting a full house here of shooting clinic participants; I know that whenever we have shooting clinic participants coming; it conjures up pictures of what they must be like as some descend in their Cabelas hunting clothes ready voice an octave lower, for effect tatoos for a day at the range . Also reminds me of sometimes when guests show up at the door; you see them through your filters and they end out by never being the “same folks” upon departure… It almost always happens that these folks are the kindest, most funnest and a classic case of “kiss your pictures goodbye”

Ever notice how phrases either take on new meaning and or come back to haunt you? How many times have you heard the saying “born in a barn” We’d hear that sometimes when we came in the door! Some simple country gleanings:

• Words that soak into your ears are whispered, never yelled.
• Forgive your enemies. It’ll mess up their heads.
• Never corner a critter meaner than you.
• It sure don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
• You just never can unsay a cruel thing.
• Everyones path has got some puddles.
• The best sermons ain’t preached, they’re lived.
• Most of the stuff people worries about never happens.
• Remember, silence is sometimes the best answer.
• Country fences should be horse high, pig tight, and bull strong.
• Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounces back
• Don’t take the bull by the horns, take him by the tail; then you can let go when you want to

And that was no bull here trailing the last of M’s bulls being moved to summer pasture.. Hot, tired and plum slugging along… mysteriously forgot about their fatigue when they saw the ladies. Typical males… though I often wonder how Gazi sees these creatures from his horse perspective

But these boys are waiting for some fixings . To sustain ‘em we whipped up Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes — Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. courtesy of Epicurious

# 1/2 cup buckwheat flour (available at natural foods stores)
# 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
# 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
# 2 teaspoons sugar
# 1 teaspoon salt
# 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
# 2 large eggs
# 1 cup milk
# 1 1/2 cups blueberries, preferably wild, picked over and, if large, halved
# Non-fat spray vegetable oil (such as Pam) for the griddle
# pure maple or blueberry syrup as an accompaniment

In a food processor blend together the flours, the baking powder, the sugar, and the salt, add the butter, and blend the mixture until it resembles fine meal. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs and the milk, add the flour mixture, and whisk the batter until it is combined well. Let the batter stand for 5 minutes and stir in the blueberries.

Preheat the oven to 200°F. Heat a griddle over moderate heat until it is hot enough to make drops of water scatter over its surface and brush it with the oil. Spoon the batter onto the griddle to form 3-inch rounds and cook the pancakes for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden. Transfer the pancakes as they are cooked to a heatproof platter and keep them warm in the oven. Serve the pancakes with the syrup.

Makes about twenty-four 3-inch pancakes.

And if all else fails, I can always retreat once again with dignity to the barn It’s there that I’m yet again reminded why G-d invented horses.

On days when things don’t go so right
When plans are crushed
or my heart aches,
I take a walk to the barn.

I hear a welcome murmuring
and then, Gazi’s fine chestnut head
peers out from his stall door.
He listens to my troubles
and never tries to blame.
I lean against his strength and softness,
rest my head on his rumpled mane (i need to detangle that thang)
and take a long deep breath.
He bends his neck to cradle me,
making sure that I’m okay
and then goes back to munching hay.

The rhythm of hisr chewing,
The smell of my GaZi,
Reassure me that life goes on.
So when I need a better reason
to keep moving on down my path,
to clear the air,
to forgive, if not forget,
I take a walk to the barn.

Horses are not just a hobby; they are a lifestyle.

Here’s a tip: Any sport that has an extensive lexicon of specialized terminology for equipment is guaranteed to be a financial black hole. Equestrians don’t even call it “equipment” we call it “tack”, thank you very much. The tack for the horse begins with a bridle, a saddle, and a girth to hold the saddle onto the horse. Then there is the saddle pad, which goes between the saddle and the horse, and comes in a dizzying array of colors, shapes, thicknesses and patterns. Then you might need a certain kind of breastplate or martingale to help keep the saddle from sliding back, or special boots to protect the horse’s legs. The array of accessories offered are endless. Then there is apparel for the rider boots, breeches, helmets, jackets, casts, crutches, etc. And that’s just to ride.

f you actually OWN horses, they require lots of special care, from grooming to shoeing to feeding, and lots of special barn equipment. Oh, and did I mention a barn? And fenced pasture? And if you want to compete in a show, you will need a horse trailer, and a vehicle capable of towing it, thank you very much. To support everything from riding to actually owning a horse to just being a horse lover, there is a HUGE number of businesses offering all the necessary equipment and supplies. And all of them are more than happy to send catalogs to assist you in your shopping experience. Enter equiporn - glossy catalogs with unspeakably gorgeous photographs of the perfect horse clothed in perfect tack, standing proudly in front of the ultimate barn or working in the perfectly manicured ring. Whether they admit it or not, horsepeople spend hours perusing these gorgeous catalogs for things they will never, ever need. While this addiction to equiporn is usually harmless, care must be taken that it does not infringe too much on the necessary activities of daily living. To date, there is no Equiporn Addicts Anonymous group, but I understand this is in the works.

Next, to keep your horses up and running, so to speak, you will need to keep on speed dial an entire staff of professionals veterinarian, farrier, trainer. Some horsepeople even swear by having an equine chiropractor. (On a serious note .. I do)The latest in horse care also requires that you have equine dentistry performed on a regular basis, which can be quite amusing (But that’s a story for another time). But the most valuable equine professional, hands down, is the trainer. Part yoga guru, part horse whisperer, part family therapist, and many things in between, she should be worshipped with a reverence reserved for deities in the ancient world. After all, whether you want to admit it or not, her knowledge and teaching skills control whether the outcome oyour ride is worldly riches, such as ribbons from the local horse show, or human sacrifice, when you fly off your horse to perform a spectacular face plant at jump six. If you invoke the displeasure of this goddess, you do so at your own risk.

The second most important professional in the world of equestrian sports is the farrier. There is an old adage, “no foot, no horse”, which puts succinctly just how important good hoof care is for horses. However, when you weigh the difficulty and risks involved in nailing pieces of metal to the bottom of thousand pound plus animals’ feet against the limited financial rewards, it’s easy to see why farriers are a disappearing breed. A good farrier is worth his weight in gold. In fact, competition for the services of a good farrier can be more fierce than the fight for the ball at a football match.

Horse Trader Syndrome, or HTS, is a less common disorder than ETS, but far more ominous. Related to compulsive lying, it is brought on when horsepeople are compelled to sell a horse. When this occurs, a horse with career-ending infirmities is suddenly described as “sound”, a horse of unknown origin becomes a “quality warmblood”, and a horse previously established to be a treacherous bucker or rearer is rhapsodized over as a “kid-safe family horse” or “beginner-friendly”. . To avoid buyer’s remorse, it is therefore essential to be able to decipher the true meanings behind terms commonly used by the HTS sufferer. With this in mind, “dead broke”, a term which should mean that a horse is a highly trained, trustworthy mount, actually means “has been under saddle less than two months”; “forward”, which usually means a horse is not lazy, but is willing to move forward, translates to “still thinks he is at the racetrack and won’t stop running”; and “good husband horse”, which should mean a horse is calm and gentle enough for a non-rider, is code for “widowmaker”. Needless to say, learning HTS-speak is quite challenging. If learning a second language is not for you, it is advisable to employ the services of a bilingual equestrian friend who is loyal to you, and not the seller, when horse shopping.

So if you love horses and are thinking about entering the equestrian world, welcome. But be sure you are aware of the risks.

But with a houseful of guests this weekend and horsey ones at that I need to git along from horsekeeping to housekeeping and rustle up some kick’ arse grub… Hmmm pancakes.. that’ll put some giddyup in yer git along Adapted from Allrecipes

Ingredients

4 tbsp sugar
1 egg
1 cup self-raising flour
3/4 cup milk
1/4 tsp bicarb soda
2 tsp vanilla essence

1. Mix together sugar and egg, beat till combined. Add vanilla and beat again.

2. Beat in flour and combined milk and bicarb soda, alternating between both. Beat till smooth.

3. Drop spoonfuls onto a hot, buttered pan, cook till bubbles begin to appear, then flip and cook for about 1 minute.

Serve with cream, maple syrup and fresh fruit

Tally ho!

We can glean alot of horse sense or is that common sense from cowboys. Whatever your chosen vocation, do… set a spell … what can you learn?

–Don’t name a cow you plan to eat.
–Life ain’t about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.
–Keep skunks, bankers, and lawyers at a distance.
–Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
–Don’t squat down with your spurs on.
–Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
–Don’t interfere with something that ain’t botherin you none.
–If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin.
–Only cows know why they stampede.
–Always drink upstream from the herd.
–If you’re riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there with ya.
–Letting the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in.
–Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
–When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
–Always take a good look at what you’re about to eat. It’s not so important to know what it is, but it’s good to know what it was.
–Never miss a good chance to shut up.
-When people say “Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too”. Damn right! What good is cake if you can’t eat it?
-When people say “it’s always the last place you look”. Of course it is. Why the hell would you keep looking after you’ve found it? Do people do this? Who and where are they? Get a rope
–There are more horses asses than horses.
- People who ask “Can I ask you a question?”…. Didn’t really give me a choice there, did ya ?
–Most smart asses just don’t fit all that well in a saddle.
–Solvin’ problems is like throwin’ cattle. Dig your heels on the big ones and grab the little ones ’round the neck.
–Like a good cowboy, a good hat just gets better as it gets older.

But kindness always perseveres, a helping hand indeed; the cowboy’s been a hero to alot of folks in need DDnt say you’ll do, just get ‘er done, runs deep in a cowboy’s roots.

And now some Friday fixin’s to get some giddyup in your git along . Nu What else ? For those of you who arrived here thinking you were visiting the upscale Ritz Carlton: turn around. Run. Far, far away. And whatever you do, don’t look back. For the rest of you, here’s how to make a very important cowboy staple: Biscuits and Gravy.
From cooks.com

SAUSAGE GRAVY AND BISCUITS

1 lb. sausage
3 tbsp. flour
Salt and pepper
2 to 3 c. milk

BISCUITS:

2 c. self rising flour
1/4 to 1/2 c. shortening
1/4 c. milk

Crumble sausage in hot pan. Fry until there is no pink. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Stir quickly. Stir until a paste forms. Then add milk, 1 cup at a time. Mixture should be thick. Pan should be on high. Add salt.
Biscuits: Mix shortening with flour, using pastry cutter. Add milk, stirring quickly. Knead and put on flat surface. Roll out and cut dough. Place on baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.

Or else Global Gourmet has another grilling guide. Check out its rundown of recipes from their favorite grilling cookbooks. Whoopi Goldberg’s Big Bad Ass Beef Ribs, anyone?

Wash it down with Coffee Boiled with Eggshells, also known as cowboy coffee or camping coffee, You simply boil the water and coffee grounds with some eggshells, which help clarify the brew. You let it settle then strain or carefully just dip out the liquid coffee, leaving the grounds at the bottom.

Another recipe… for our horses…and it’s totally free. Here’s the recipe, make it at home!

1 cup of patience the main ingredient
1/2 cup of know-how that can be borrowed from a friend or trainer
1/2 cup of consistency

mix together bake at 98.7 degrees at anytime you’re working.

Works every time!! Git ‘r done, trot on friends, trot on.

It was another incredible “train the trainer” ride with Patrick today. Gazi or Picken and I continue to teach each other lessons. We typically meet at a variety of venues and I do two loops with him. As a horse trainer, he’ll bring two horses, we finish one loop, go back to his rig while he readies the second horse as I say “second shooter”. That in and of itself is great training for Picken who thinks “she’s done” after the first loop and lo and behold, she’s off again up the hlll and onto the bench.

And like us humans interact differently with each other , so horses have different energies. Invariably, the ride with the first horse will be pardon the phrase “a horse of a different color” with the second shooter. Different energies. The first horse, Picken rated real well with, wasnt in racetrack wanting to be in the lead. Here we got to work alot on my seat and leg position which Patrick would coach when I could hear him in between the “winds of Whitehall”.

The second horse was a an Appendix Quarterhorse with just a tad of thoroughbred in her that he’s training for his wife . Kick it up a notch. Much harder for her to curb her enthusiasm. “We dont want to get left at the gate now” Here it was way more difficult for her to be behind. I noticed that I’d purposely put her in “second” position just so we could work (play?) through that. Her pace and her head would pick up. That’s actually huge for me since in the past I’d avoid that scenario. Coming down the steeper downhills she’d really pick up the pace and I thought great , you want to trot fast , let’s play with collection. Curb the enthusiasm just a bit … pardon the pun. . A great ride and always, a lesson that reveals more of myself to me. Apres ride I, we were talking about how suited to “their jobs” Alle and Gazi are, showing and endurance, respectively. The conversation turned to G-d and suffering, definitions and the lessons. During the conversation apropos of horses and the ride I had yet another “aha” moment with

It seems that your horses are almost like us — we do best when we are focused on God, much as they do best when focused on their rider. Your experience with training brings much insight to this discussion on suffering.

Natural enthusiasm is a gift when it represents inner joy.People love horses and I’ve come to understand why. They have the purest of souls and their forgiveness of our mistakes is never ending. I sometimes think they have a better understanding of the world than we do. I can still remember waking up on a summer morning genuinely excited about going outside to play. When I “grew up” with pressures and worries of keeping up in a fast pace world.. it’s easy to lose that inherent joy. Horses never lose that excitement. They remind you of the importance of enjoying things such as a warm summer morning… and they remind you to “play”. A that lesson is so important whether you’re horse keeping or innkeeping. Trot on friends, trot on..

What brings out your natural enthusiasm ?

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Bonnie Jean Wasmund

We are. Montana is for the kid in all of us. Some are just lucky enough to get started on their Montana adventures sooner than others. Kids and Montana’s Big Sky Country naturally go together. The state’s wide open spaces, outdoor adventures and hands-on experiences are just what young whippersnappers need to put their bundles of energy to fun use.

When actor Billy Crystal, as Mitch took a cattle drive vacation, he got more than the cowboy experience he signed up for. As the City Slickers comedy plot unfolded, Mitch gained insight into what was most significant in life for him. And by the end of the movie, he was on a new, more purposeful midlife path, fresh from the ephiphany he got out there on the range.

The beauty of our spectacular Big Sky Country is the opportunity to be isolated but accessible. When you have the simplicity, along with all the facilities you need, your distractions are gone and you can truly be at home, both physically and spiritually. High tech ont he range, we offer a wireless wilderness for folks who simply must stay connected between cattle drives.

To help kids understand what Montana offers, Travel Montana’s Publications Program has put together a brochure called “Kid Friendly Montana”. This colorful, cartoon- bordered piece provides basic facts about Montana—its geography, economy, state symbols, etc.—along with color photos and text on Montana’s numerous family-oriented attractions.

So what makes Montana such a special place for young people to visit? The possibilities are endless. Here’s a short list of popular kid-tested diversions:

1. Mountain wildlife at Glacier National Park,

2. Active dinosaur dig sites open to the public,

3. Kids (and adults for that matter) can learn how to be Bear Aware

4. Horses to ride across Montana’s landscape,

5. Indian powwows where tribal members celebrate the old ways,

6. Crystal clear rivers, lakes, and streams offering water adventures. The Whitehall area offers fabulous fishing…so many rivers and lakes, so little time. Montana’s 306 Fishing Access sites are among the best places in the state to fish or camp. Now a new, full color guide to these places are available at no charge! There’s also an online guide from the Fish Wildlife & Parks site . Click on Fishing to use the Find an FAS Site selector.

7. National Trails Day is the first Saturday of June and the American Hiking Society hosts events around the country each year to celebrate the day. For more information, visit www.americanhiking.org

7. Winter snows creating mountain playgrounds with x-country skiing and sleigh riding outside our door
Here are a few toys for the tikes and gadgets for the older girls and boys. Gnarly gear. Outdoorsy accoutrements. Material motivation, perhaps, to help nudge your kids off the couch, into the backyard and beyond.

-Kona Stinky 2-4
Budding mountain bikers can peddle trails heretofore reserved for the big boys with this kiddie-size ride. The Stinky 2-4, a scale replica of the bike mommy or daddy might use to tear down the single-track, has a springy suspension system on the front fork as well as on the rear wheel. Its 24-inch wheels and 13-inch frame are a custom fit for kids as young as nine years old. But at $1,399, the Stinky 2-4 has a big-boy price tag, too. (www.konaworld.com)

-CamelBak Skeeter
Hydration should not be lost on the little ones. CamelBak, maker of the ubiquitous hydration backpack, has a model to fit thirsty girls and boys. The Skeeter, which costs just $25 and comes in pink or blue, holds 35 fluid ounces of water—enough for one to two hours of intense outdoors playtime. It has a sweat-wicking mesh back panel and reflective fabric strips to keep kids visible in all conditions.

-Mion Current
Mion Footwear’s play-on-word namesake (“my-own,” get it?) is derived from the company’s “Ergomorphic” footbed, a foamy interior that permanently takes the shape of an individual foot after about 12 hours of use. The Current, a post-modern sandal that comes in youth sizes and costs $45, is made of a secret foam concoction. It weighs almost nothing and has a sole tread that, according to the company, actually gets stickier when exposed to water.

-Kelty Convertible
Leave the stroller behind on your next flight or trip to the cabin with this wheeled kid carrier. The Convertible transforms quickly from a comfortable kid-carrying backpack to a basic four-wheel stroller. Don’t expect to jog laps in the park with the $175 Convertible. But Kelty’s contraption is versatile enough for rolling through the airport or on sidewalks and paved trails.

When there’s kids in the house, to , to my way of thinking, it comes down to two options: pancakes or muffins. D is more of the pancake maker of the household, so I’ll usually pass the spatula to him. I personally prefer making muffins because, frankly, they’re easier. Mix ‘em up, pour ‘em in, and let ‘em bake–no standing over a hot skillet waiting for bubbles to appear. I can be checking my email or collecting the horses. while the house fills with the heavenly aroma of muffins baking. I tend to go “cinnamon heavy” and hope that everyone else likes it too.

They can also follow the Journey North online. Journey North is a website dedicated to the study of wildlife migration and all of the wonder of seasonal changes. With participants around the globe, the site allows students K-12 to share field observations about the natural world in their neck of the woods.

We had some kid -age guests last week that we made these for… It was only after the fact that I heard that they were, indeed, delicious. . (Sorry, they’re all gone,) So consider these kid-tested, guest tested…yeah, whatever. If they’re ever are leftovers… make most excellent care packages for hitting the road

Cinnamon Streusel Muffins from Recipezaar
Ingredients
Muffins
* 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
* 2/3 cup sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
* 3 tablespoons egg white, beaten
* 1/2 cup low-fat milk
* 1/2 cup light margarine, melted
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Topping
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 cup light margarine, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, allspice, & cinnamon.
3. Add egg, milk and margarine.
4. Stir wet mix into dry ingredients until just mixed. Do not overmix.
5. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 1/2 the way full.
6. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over muffin batter.
7. Bake 20 minutes or until done.

.Now get out there..

I confess, ever since my college days, I’ve been a John Denver fan. I learned about the “country spirit” a good way to be from his spirit. Being from New Yawwwk City but going to college way upstate New York , I handily earned the nickname “Hayseed” from my city friends.. A compliment methought. But tooling back from town, had the radio on, caught this song, and couldn’t get it out of my head Thank G-d I’m a Country Girl… sorry J.D. hope you’re looking down from heaven with a smile on yer face.

If you don’t know the tune, the song is available through Itunes .

Thank God I’m a Country Girl! (With apologies to John Denver)

Well, I was moved out west from these NY burbs
Its where I catch my rain and where I grow my herbs
Move the cows and cross at the curbs
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

With my husband and kids building fences we like
To the farmer’s market, y’know its quite a hike
Our horses have been great for our psych!
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

Well, I got me a fine life, got a green plan
Life here’s no flash in the pan
I can’t do it all but I’m doing what I can!
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

Well a simple kind of life never did me no harm
My greenhouse and barn on my own lil farm
Small town livin’ has its own kinda charm
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

Well, I got me a fine life, I got a green plan
I’m cookin’ homegrown and we got us a some land
I can’t do it all but I’m doing what I can
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

Its 25 miles to the supermarket
But I’ve no need for goin’, took the rig and parked it.
Huntin’ my own and the deer ain’t remarked it
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

We saddle up the horses and go for a ride
Gotta go ride out with the tide
If hard times come, folks are on our side
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

Well, I got me a fine life, I got a green plan
I’m cookin’ homegrown and we got us a some land
I can’t do it all but I’m doing what I can
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

We’re just folks who remember what we’re after
We’re not seeking riches, we’re really chasin’ laughter
Those that think we’re crazy, we know they’re daft-er
Thank God I’m a Country Girl!

Country’s not just a place, it is a state of mind
There’s earth under the feet of folks of every kind
The country and the future they belong to me and mine.
Thank God I’m a Country Girl.. Yeah

Dont worry, I’ll spare you a Green Acres rendition with the Hooterville Fire Department band.

With a full house of guests this morning we were crunched for time but we needed to put a hot breakfast on the table. We had made homemade pizza the night before, so we saved a couple balls of dough in the fridge and brought it up to room temp in the morning.

We shook it out thin, slathered it with ricotta cheese and fresh herbs Our b’fast pizza had basil and a little leftover tomato sauce, topped with olives and plenty of Parmesan. We cracked three eggs on top and baked. Delicious! The yolk spilled out golden goodness all over the other toppings.

Breakfast Pizza adapted from cooks.com serves as many as you’d like.

1 recipe either slow rise pizza dough or thin crust pizza dough
Red or white pizza sauce
1 16-ounce tub whole milk ricotta
Several handfuls of fresh herbs
2-3 eggs per pizza
Salt and pepper
Any other toppings you would like

Make the dough and separate into individual balls. Mist with spray oil, cover, and leave overnight. If you’re going to cook it the next morning there is no need to refrigerate.

Heat the oven as high as it will go - hopefully at least 550°. Shake out each ball of dough and lay it on a sheet of parchment. Top with everything except the eggs. Put in the oven for 4-5 minutes or until it just begins to brown. Crack the eggs into a cup and slip them onto the pizza. Shake on a little salt and pepper and put back into the oven for another 5 minutes or until the yolk is just set and golden.

Let cool for five minutes then eat!

Git ‘r done

Crash Davis: You just got lesson number one: don’t think; it can only hurt the ball club.
- Bull Durham

Beliefs about what we should be able to do often get in the way of actually doing. We feel we should be more organized, more creative, better in one way or another.

How are your beliefs about yourself getting in the way of your creativity and creative projects? What’s getting in the way of making progress on your goal (whatever that may be? Let it go … strive for progress, not perfection. I know when I’m practicing showmanship at halter with Alle, I’m so much the perfectionist. She’s well trained and I’m learning the cues and finer nuances. Boy do I get impatient with myself when I dont get it right away…

How often do you think to yourself “I really want to do that” but before you can take any action, you hear another voice in your head telling you that it isn’t possible, you’re not good enough, that you will fail, look stupid, etc?he problem arises when you allow past limiting beliefs to guide your present and future decisions. These negative beliefs stay with you and you remain stuck in the past. We do however have the choice to create new supportive beliefs, leaving the past where it belongs, in the past.

Self-sabotage is the voice that represents the culmination of all the limiting, restrictive and disempowering beliefs that hold you back and stop you from being the best you can be. It is the uninvited guest that gatecrashes every decision-making event in your life and shouts down your ideas before they can develop into something magnificent.

How often have you paid attention to this voice and avoided taking action towards your goals? When you look back over your life, how many times have you talked yourself out of doing something that you really wanted to do, or convinced yourself that it can’t be done? How many opportunities have you let slip from your grasp, how many potential relationships have passed you by and how many plans were aborted before they could shine? How many hopes and dreams remain just that, a figment of your imagination?

Of course, this little monster is actually a part of you and only exists as a result of everything that’s happened in your life so far and because of the meaning you’ve given each experience or event. Limiting beliefs are formed at specific defining moments in time to protect you from harm and support your needs. But as you mature, these beliefs often outlive their use-by date and bring about more harm than good.

A plum perfect example today at the Whitehall Saddle Club at my first show.A beautiful venue with quintessential Montana views. Dan and I hooked up with Joani who’d trailered a beautifully coiffed Alle over along with long timers Nancy and Taylor Taylor’s an 11 year old spunky wonderful kid who lives on a ranch and only started bare back riding at the ripe old age of 3!! Joani’s always told me that a huge part of showing is the comraderie especially since there are usually 20-30 classes comprised of horsemanship skills, english and western riding. It’s like visiting a family reunion. During my running days however , I tended to dispense with the hobnobbing, preferring to show and go as it were. But wow what a great time I had between classes.

My first class was showmanship at halter which is performed on the ground with your horse. Our class was small, 5 competitors and I came away with a third.

The first riding class for me was about 1 1/2 hours later after Joani and I ‘d ridden and warmed her up. There were 10 competitors including Picken’s former owner in the Western Pleasure class.. My barn buddy and equine soul sister Kim made it out as well forgoing her logging detail at home. Her last word of advice while I was on high horse was “let Alle show you how to show”. That’s exactly what I did. I looked up at the scenic Pintlar mountains and thought.. how great is this. I stopped worrying about wrong leads, missed cues and let her show me how to show. It’s totally obvious she loves her job. After lining up for the judge after the ocmpetition , awards were announced and Taylor got 6th place. So I knew (or thought I knew) that I’d be one of the four that didnt get a ribbon. Well this was the only time during the day I dang near came off. Blue ribbon and first place to “number 136 Etched by Stone”.  Can you say “shock and awe”? I was plum amazed though the best part was the high fives with the other competitors.

Methinks I “got out of my kitchen”. My partner, my mare, though Alle’s favorite part of the whole day was never in question; the “all day buffet”. She certainly did not want to get out of the kitchen

But alas, time to get in the kitchen, if for only a short while now to whip up yet another “granola concoction”. Must be “oats mode” from the horsey thing earlier. It makes a huge batch, which means there’s enough for breakfast for the next few days. I also have enough so I can set aside a couple jars to send off with guests.

The dried fruit punctuates the seed and oat mixture and gives this muesli lots of flavor and a beautiful appearance. The oats absorb just the right amount of natural sweetness from the honey. Another bonus, it is painfully easy to make. Toss your oats, nuts, seeds with honey and a splash of oil. Spread it out on a pan and toast in the oven for a half an hour or so. Stir in the dried fruit.

Honey-toasted Muesli

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Put 5 cups rolled oats into a large bowl. Add 1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds, 1 cup slivered almonds, 1 cup triticale , 1 cup pecans or walnuts and 2 tablespoons sesame seeds. Stir to combine.

Heat 3/4 cup honey and 4 tablespoons vegetable oil in a saucepan over low heat. Pour the warm honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until they are well coated.

Spread the mixture on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Add 1/4 cup finely sliced dried apples and 1/2 cup of raisins. Toss to combine. Store the muesli in an airtight container. Makes 12 servings.
From: The Essential Guide to the Kitchen by Michele Cranston

Now get out of your kitchen and expect a miracle.  Trot on friends, trot on.

Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did. William Butler (1535-1620)
Oxford dictionary of quotes

Some days I feel like I can’t get anything “important” done, because of all of the daily, mundane tasks I must first accomplish.

Tasks such as getting gas, buying groceries, stopping by the post office, horsekeeping, housekeeping, innkeeping, (geez all this keeping !) greenhouse gardening the weekly menu line up, getting the car’s oil changed…these are all regular, everyday activities, which seem to leave little room for creative expression.

Or, do they?

Perhaps this every day life stuff is what sets someone apart from the crowd.
Perhaps it is about the way you treat people, and the way you face each day, which makes you who you are.

If you grocery-shop with a scowl on your face…what does that say about you? If you wait in line at the post office with your hands on your hips…what does that say about you?

How can we make our “everyday life” reflect our extraordinary qualities? It’s something I strive for everyday. I’m not quite there yet. I might be guilty of an occasional grocery store scowl, or find myself in an occasional hands-on-hips sort of mood…

But I want to create a better realty, because this islife; it’s not a dress rehearsal. So on to the weekly menu with my all time favorite fruit… guaranteed to inspire creativity and smiles..

When To Buy Strawberries
From: Handling Tips From The NASGA Fresh Strawberries Booklet

If you cant or don’t grow ‘em yourself, of course, choose locally grown strawberries during the harvesting session, they will be the freshest and the most flavourful. When picking strawberries, try to pick early in the morning or later in the day when the fruit is cool. Strawberries are best used within 2-3 days of picking. Cover and store them unwashed in the refrigerator. Do not crowd or press.

What To Look For When Buying Strawberries
From: Handling Tips From The NASGA Fresh Strawberries Booklet The best strawberries are the ones you pick yourself or buy from your local strawberry fields. Farm fresh strawberries are hours old with little or no handling and no travelling. Enjoy the flavour and fragrance of fresh-picked strawberries. Look for plump, bright red and fully ripe berries. Caps should be attached green and fresh looking. The size of the strawberry is not important. All strawberries, large and small, are equally sweet and juicy.

How To Store Fresh Strawberries
From: Handling Tips From The NASGA Fresh Strawberries Booklet
Sort and remove any bruised or damaged berries as soon as possible and use in sauces, purées or jams. Place the berries in cool, well ventilated containers (32 to 40°F / 0 to 5°C). The moisture content of Fresh Strawberries is high, so store uncovered or loosely covered. Hull strawberries and rinse gently JUST before serving. Careful storing and handling will maintain their maximum flavour, colour and texture.

They start pointing their nose out around mid-may and disappear by the end of July. We are lucky have real-ruby-red-home-grown strawberries as soon as the beginning of May.

Strawberries are so versatile from a mousse to a soup, from a compote to a posh tart A so many strawberries, too little time.

So basically what happens is that you end up making a new strawberry thing everyday and everyone — except you — gets bored with strawberries.

It’s Monday …. so let’s have a healthy start to the day and week. Not to worry, decadence will take uh root during the week, no doubt Blend strawberries, blackberries, a banana, a small pot of strawberry yoghurt and orange juice for 30 seconds.

Served with whole wheat toast or muffins . you’re ready to roll. While you’re sipping…more fruit for thought.

Freezing Strawberries Without Sugar for Jam and Other Uses
From: Handling Tips From The NASGA Fresh Strawberries Booklet
Fill freezer containers with prepared sliced, or washed and dried berries to within 1/2″ (1 cm.) of top. Combine 4 cp. (1 L.) cold water with 1 tbsp. (15 mL.) of lemon or lime juice and pour over berries before freezing. Seal, Label and Date.

More strawberry induced fixin’s on the inn menu this week.

Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast

Serves: 8

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
12 slices home style white bread cut into 1-inch cubes
16 oz. cream cheese (cold) cut into 1-inch cubes
1 dozen large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1/3 cup Canadian maple syrup
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. butter

Steps
Slice the strawberries. Arrange one half of the bread cubes in a well greased 13″x 9″ baking dish. Arrange all of the cream cheese cubes over the bread cubes, and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups strawberries on top. Arrange the remaining bread cubes over the strawberries.

Pour the half-and-half Into your blender, then add the eggs and blend. Add the maple syrup and blend. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread, strawberry and cream cheese mixture. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Remove the dish from refrigerator 45 minutes prior to baking. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes; remove cover and bake an additional 30 minutes, or until French toast is puffed and golden.

To prepare strawberry sauce: In a small saucepan, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, and 1 cup water. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until mixture has thickened. Stir in the strawberries and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until berries have softened. Add the butter, and stir the sauce until butter has melted. Serve hot over the Strawberry Cream Cheese French Toast.

Waffles with Fruit
Ingredients

* 2 cups sifted flour

* 3 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 tablespoon sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 eggs, separated
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 5 tablespoons melted shortening
* 1/2 cup strawberries, blueberries or whatever fruit you’re adding

PREPARATION:
Mix and sift dry ingredients. Combine beaten egg yolks, milk, melted shortening and; add to dry ingredients, beating until smooth. Stir in sliced banana. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Pour or spoon batter into each section of a hot waffle iron.

Cook waffles until crispy and browned. Serves 6.

Strawberry Pancakes - From all recipes

Pancakes are the epitome of a decadent breakfast. Light and fluffy, sweet and doughy they are comfortable and fancy at the same time. Dress them up with some vanilla and a few slices of gorgeously plump strawberries and you have the perfect start to an amazing day.

ingredients:
1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 ¼ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for cooking
approximately 1 strawberry per pancake (~8), sliced into 8ths

* obviously these would work with almost any fruit: banana, blueberry, blackberry…peach…mmm. Anything works.

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a smaller bowl beat the egg slightly, add milk, vanilla and 3 tablespoons oil. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir just until flour is moistened (clumps are okay!).

2. Heat non-stick frying pan over medium-high and brush lightly with oil.

3. Pour batter by ¼ cupfuls onto hot pan, making three pancakes at a time. Top each with strawberry slices and then cook until edges look slightly dry. Turn and cook other side until golden.

More fruits of my labour for next weekend, and the “doingness” takes my mind off pre-show nerves. Another show and go with Alle, here in Whitehall. Yup .. it’s showtime folks yet again…

Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit. Sorry couldnt resist
-Baltasar Gracian

“Nothing to it, but to Do It“

A pearl of wisdom one of our guests left with me as she and her friend departed on their continuing hiking adventures in Montana. Just what I needed to hear. Since moving to Montana, G-d has truly blessed us in our acquisition of 5 count ‘em five equines. This from a city girl who’s been on a horse all of once in summer camp as a kid. Our herd includes a Thoroughbred, Quarter Horses and an Arab Ican you say “endurance“) … Arabs particularly are known for their longevity, living 30 plus years. I expect them to outlive us!

By the time your loyal equine companion reaches these golden years, he has served as your friend, confidante, and riding partner for a good long while. How can you return the favor and care for him in his final days? Yet again, I’m called to the some-time 10 Commandment series

The 10 Commandments of Equine ElderCare

1. Thou Shalt Keep Him Moving. Just like us’ns we do lots better not being c(r)couch potatoes
2. Thou shalt protect His Teeth. Regular equine dental care will help both his demeanor and digestive process
3. Thou shaalt Maintain His Feet. Regular farrier care will help keep em footloose and fancy free
4. Thou shalt Groom Him Daily. It’s their day at the spa
5. Thou shalt Offer Enough Water. A biggie to ensure they dont colic
6. Thou shalt Modify and Improve His Nutrition. Older horses have different nutritional requirements (hmm sounds a little like usn’ns again!)
7. Thou shalt Monitor His Medications.
8. Thou shalt Give Him Fresh Air. Dont keep him cooped up in a stall. You’d go crazy too
9. Thou shalt Protect Him in the Pasture.
10. Thou shalt Remember you’ve been blessed by the best (both by your horse and G-d for gracing you with him/her)

Do I hear an amen?.

On the road again.

With summer in full swing, many folks are making vacation plans that include the “family” of your animal kingdom. Regardless of whether you’re traveling with your horse or canine, there are some helpful tips that you can follow to ensure a safe and successful trip for you and the extended family

When you decide to travel with your dog, it’s important that you have all the supplies that you need to take care of your pet while you’re away from home. One of the most important things that you’ll need to do is to make sure that your pet is wearing a collar along with an identification tag that contains your home phone number, cell phone number as well as the contact information at your destination. Having this information available will increase the likelihood that your dog will be returned to you in case he or she escapes. We had Manker microc-chipped practically day one. Check with your vet on getting the pooch micro chipped.

Home Away From Home Once you’ve gotten that small but important detail out of the way, its time to choose the proper carrier for your dog. It’s essential that you have the right carrier for your mode of travel so that your dog will have a comfortable trip. Carriers are made of both hard materials such as plastic and soft materials such as fabric. Hard-sided carriers are ideal if you’re traveling by air and plan on checking your pet in. While a soft-sided dog carrier is a great and also stylish choice to transport our dog in the cabin, by train or by car. With your carrier selected, spend at least a week making sure that you’re pet is accustomed to it before you start your trip.

Since I try not to leave home without him, that Is Manker our flat coat retriever ,one of our policies here at the inn is welcoming your canine as one of our family here since Manker our flat coat retriever loves new friends. Turn down treats as well

Be Prepared The Boy Scouts have something there.One of the key components of safely traveling with your pet is being prepared. Before you embark on your trip, you should pick up a copy of your dogs medical and vaccination records for your pet. And, if you’re pet is currently taking any medication, be sure to bring an ample supply. I also recommend bringing along a first aid kit that contains products specifically for dogs in case of emergency.

When in doubt, a simple checklist for your and your pooch
• Medications
• Kennel or carrier
• Food and water
• Cleaning supplies
• Poop bags
• Extra towels
• Collar and leash
• Favorite Blanket
• Identification
• Vaccination records
• Pet First aid kit

And whod’a thunk you can even go the organic pet food route. Some Fish Creek Finds to get you started.
Natural Pet Food with Organic Ingredients (*=Certified Organic)

Yarrah
Certified organic ingredients, dog biscuits, vegetarian natural dog food line, puppy food, cat food, FAQ’s, retailer locator.

Pet-Grub
Pets Need Wholesome Food Also will clearly explain to you the why, the what and the how of making homemade pet food quickly and easily.

And if your dog is anything like Manker, the ever friendly,b&b” dog, he sees another dog and immediately wants to make a leaper to make a new friend. The down-side is slobber and paw prints all over the doors and seats. Car Door Shields to the rescue. These puppies protect your vehicle doors from the mess and scratches. Sold as a pair of 2 in each box.

• Coated polyester fabric.
• 4 Colors: black, gray, tan and taupe.
• Available in 22″ or 26″ sizes.
• Machine washable.
• Easy to install: retention tabs slide between window glass and interior door panels.
• Ninety (90) day warranty.

Walk your dog in eco-style with this durable and adjustable hemp harness. It’s lined with fleece for maximum comfort and can be used with a seatbelt in the car for maximum safety. A portion of every purchase goes to the Planet Dog Foundation, Planet Dog’s nonprofit, to support canine education and service programs.

Tips to Make You and Your Horse’s Vacation a Smooth Ride

With overnight stabling accommodations for our equine guests, we’ve put together a list of tips to make your horse’s vacation a vacation also!

First of all make sure you have a first aid kit packed. It can make all the difference during an emergency situation while on the road.

The amount of travel time each day a horse can handle varies by situation. In general, most people get tired and worn out at about the same time, or sooner, than their horses. As a standard, eight to ten hours of traveling each day is not a problem for your horse. In some instances, such as rodeo contestants, horses are hauled for much longer hours with no apparent problems. Contradictory, some horse owners prefer to travel much less per day.

Make sure when traveling any distance or length of time to give your horse a 30-minute break every two or three hours. This does not require that the horse be taken out of the horse trailer. Just standing still and not traveling is considered rest.

One important aspect of traveling with horses is keeping them hydrated. Horses can be reluctant to drink when traveling, which can affect how much time to travel each day. Each break you should offer your horse a drink of water, even if you are repeatedly unsuccessful.  Carrots are an example of a good source of liquid on the road.  Don’t unload  from the horse trailer until you are in a safe, enclosed environment, such as your horse hotel (shameless plug since we are one)  for the night. It is generally unsafe to unload horses at strange locations or roadside stop, since horses are easily spooked.

Minimize the possibility of colic by having your veterinarian give a gallon of mineral oil plus water and electrolytes 4-12 hours before long distance transport. Alternatively, feed him mineral oil in a bran mash.

Try getting your horse to eating soaked hay a month prior to the trip. Eating soaked hay for one day prior to and during travel will provide your horse with additional water. Apples, carrots or wet bran mesh will also help to deliver fluid to your horse’s system. (However do not introduce these eating habits with in two weeks of travel. Only use these methods if they are already part of your horses diet.)

Horsey trick : If your horse is bad to reject foreign drinking water, try adding apple juice to the water prior to your long travel so that it is part of his normal digestive intake. Another option would be to ensure that you bring enough water from home.

Things to Bring

1. Hay — it is a good idea to bring along enough familiar hay from home to last the entire trip.
2. While most horse hotels have hay for sale, it may be different from the hay your horse is used to. Sudden changes is a horse’s diet can result in colic.
3. Travel Papers — virtually all horse hotel owners and some state border livestock inspection station will require current health papers for horses and proof of a negative Coggins test. These papers should be dated within 30 days of your trip.
4. These certificates and papers can be obtained from your local equine veterinarian. Your veterinarian should know what documentation you will need for your trip.
5. Occasionally, some horse hotels and inspection stations may require a brand inspection for your horse. This does not mean you are required to get your horse branded. A brand inspector can certify distinguishing characteristics on an official form to bring along as you travel.When it comes to riding lessons and trail riding, there are a lot of rules that can help you stay safe around horses. Horses are, after all, a lot bigger than we are. The following tips are designed to help you make the most out of your barn and trail time and most of all to help you not get hurt.

And since we do turndown treats for our canine guests.. some horse treats too
Stuffed Molasses Apples
Ingredients:
2 Apples
1 Cup Bran
1 Carrot, Shredded
3/4 Cups Molasses
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Sweet Feed
2 Sprigs of Parsley or Green Carrot Top (We substituted with Alfalfa Blooms)
2 Seedless Green Grapes
Confectionery Sugar
Core two apples and dig out as much of the center as you can, as you would a pumpkin at Halloween. Set this aside.
Mix shredded carrot with bran, molasses, brown sugar and sweet feed in a large bowl. Add more molasses or bran to give mixture a stiff consistency. Scoop mixture out of the bowl and press into cored applies. Press fairly tightly.
To garnish: Drip a small amount of molasses over the top so it runs down sides of the apple. Add a sprig of parsley or carrot greens, top with a green seedless grape, sprinkle with confectionery sugar and serve immediately! Serve in a feed bucket as this is a gooey treat. Serves two horses.
Or serve: After you’ve cored apple, slice in hald and press ingredients into each half, garnish as in the whole apple recipe and serve four horses.
Super suggestion: Terrific for hiding worming medication or other veterinarian prescribed medicines.
Recipe is from “The Original Book of Horse Treats” by June V. Evers
And the last thing to pack is granola for youself…  Let your imagination run wild when you make granola. The basic ingredients are cereal, oil, and a sweetener. Then add anything that you like to give it the character, taste, and nutrition that you want. Remember that kids’ tastes are different than yours so make two batches—granola is easy to make.

Mix and Match Granola

4 cups rolled oats, wheat, or barley (any combination)

In a hurry to hit the road? Consider a granola mix.

1/2 cup sunflower seeds or sesame seeds
1/2 cup honey, maple syrup, or a thick syrup made with 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2-3 tablespoons water
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla and/or other extract
3/4 cup raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together except for the dried fruit. Set the dried fruit aside.
2. In another bowl mix the sweetener, oil, and extract together.
3. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. The liquids will be absorbed and the granola will become darker and shinier.
4. Spread the granola in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for ten minutes. Use a spatula and turn the granola on the baking sheet. Place the granola back in the oven and bake for another ten minutes or until fairly dry and starting to brown. Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the fruit.

Store in an airtight container and use within two weeks. Freeze for longer storage.

Now you’re good to go.  Git ‘r done… and get there safely.