An Affair to Remember.......

"Tesoro"

"Away"

.......an art affair in Santa Fe, that is.  I recently wrote about winning 2 awards in a photo contest I was brave enough to enter, and I just returned from my quick weekend in Santa Fe to take part in the reception and opening night of a month long showing of the winning images. What a weekend it was!   My image of "Tesoro" (second place) even made 2 Santa Fe papers (one shown below)!

Santa Fe Journal

But, first, let me back up a little.  The weekend wouldn't have been as mar-ve-lous as it was if I hadn't been joined by my friends - Leslie Anne, Katy and Cara.  We four did the town up right.....from boot buying in town .........

Vintage Boots at "Traders Collection"

Vintage Ladies in Vintage Boots??? Nah!

......to shadow playing on Canyon Rd......

Cara, Katy and me on Canyon Rd

Katy doing "The Crane"

........and just generally goofing off........... 

Katy and Leslie Anne give a "2 thumbs up" to Santa Fe

Always the horse trainer!

In front of Gregg's photo "Ghost Horse" on Canyon Rd

The venue for the evening was Collected Works Bookstore - a bookstore, coffee shop, gallery - which kindly donated their time and space for the event.  Dorothy  and her daughter Mary, who own the store, were the most gracious of hosts, and I enjoyed getting to know them both.

On my way to the "Grand Reception"!

Dorothy welcoming the crowd

Leslie Anne and I showing off our brochures

The reception and showing of the winning works, along with the book signings by the judges, was joined by a sneak peek preview of a new documentary by filmmaker James Anaquad Kleinert - "Wild Horses and Renegades" - about the plight of the wild horses in America. 

James gave a little talk about the film, and he and I are looking into having him  show the film here in Grass Valley soon!  Check out his web site for more about him and his films.  We ladies were hoping that Viggo Mortensen would be at the reception, (he is featured in the film)  but..........alas!

James introduces his film

Jackie Fleming, who runs the non - profit Cimarron Sky Dog Horse Sanctuary - also talked about the plight of the mustangs in her state of New Mexico.

Jackie talks about the wild horses

When the evening was over, Gregg Albracht, Tony Stromberg (two of the three judges), Jackie and we ladies adjourned to La Fonda restaurant for a late meal and re-living of the evening, which, of course, was a smashing success!   

Gregg, Leslie Anne, me, Tony, Jackie, Cara and Katy

It's still hard for me to believe that I have images hanging in Santa Fe, but seeing is believing - and I was there in person!

I want to thank all of you who made it possible for me to make this trip (ya'll know who you are); I want to thank Gregg for taking his time to show us ladies all the best places in town - you're the best; and Jackie for doing such a great job of putting on her first photo contest; and I want to thank my friends Leslie Ann, Katy and Cara for making this trip the BEST EVER!!

Leslie Anne - this one's for you

(Double Dog Dare)!!!

The photos in this post were a compilation of images from the cameras of Lesley, Leslie Ann, Katy and Cara.

Snow

No, it's not snowing here, but it has been in Santa Fe!  (The photo above is from the snow we received here last December.)   I received a great video from Jackie, at Cimmaron Sky Dog Horse Rescue, of her mustangs in the snow and wanted to pass it along to you.  Just click here (it will take you to a new page, so you will have to use your back button to get back to this page) to see the video.  Below are photos I have taken of these same horses on my trips to the sanctuary.  Remember that you can click on the photos to see a larger version if you wish. 

"Whiskers"

"Eye Shadow"

"Wondering"



"The Gang"



"4 in the Sunset"

"Golden Dreams"

"Wet Kiss"

"Wisp"

"The Secret"

"The Kiss"

I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and safe Holiday Season, and.............keep smiling!

The Great Christmas Monster.........

is coming to get you!   It strikes fear in the hearts of all - young and old, men and women - no one can escape it's grasp.  The faint of heart can be seen running away from it's scary call.  However, it has been known to give a pretty "mean" riding lesson..........

Photo by Sam Newell

OK - "It" is yours truly, with my Christmas Antlers on - how professional looking is that?  And especially with the girlie boots on, too.  Guess that's what the holidays (and rainy weather) do to you.

We're getting in the Christmas spirit here around BFF.  We've started doing some stall decorating.....

and people and their horses are getting dressed up "In the Spirit" for their lessons - especially the leg-wear.....

I think Linda's horse Mel gets the prize for fanciest leg attire........

Look at the action of these leggings!

We even had two impromptu sessions of Quadrille - a surprise to those who had never done it before - but everyone did a great job, and had a great time!

We still have 2 weeks til Christmas, so I'm sure we'll find more Christmas Cheer at the ranch!

"At least she didn't make us wear the flashing red noses again!!"

 

Good News!

  I recently entered some images in a photo contest being held in my favorite (next to my own ranch) place to shoot photos, Santa Fe, and I won a 2nd place and an honorable mention!  My second place winning image is known to many of you - it's "Tesoro" (which was shot in Santa Fe)...........

Click on the image to see a larger size

And the honorable  mention went to an image titled "Away", an image I shot in my own backyard of a horse named "Snuggles".

Click on the image to see a larger size

There is going to be a showing on January 7th in Santa Fe at "Collected Works Bookstore" of the winning pieces, as well as pieces from the judges - Tony Stomberg, Gregg Albracht and Lynne Pomeranz.  Tony and Lynne will be doing signings of their books ("Spirit Horses" and "The Forgotten Horses" by Tony, and "Among Wild Horses" by Lynne) as will Jackie Fleming (the host of the show) of her books "Sky Dog" and "Cimarron".   Part of the proceeds of the sale of the images will help to support Jackie's "Cimarron Sky Dog Horse Rescue".

Wow!  I'm actually going to have some of my works hanging in Santa Fe!!  Anyone want to go ???  :)  

A Walk on a Foggy Day

Yes, foggy days are cold, and the horses are fresh - but they sure are great days to take photos!  So, camera in hand (even during my lessons) I made a fun day out of the recent fog.  It was difficult to see Victoria  and "Draco" enter the arena for her lesson

and even tougher to see Susan and "Annie" leaving after theirs!

Find the hidden horse and rider! Click the image for a larger view

I love how the fog makes little water droplets on the horses whiskers..........

Becca came "out of the fog" on her rounds from the back pastures....

and the pumphouse looked pretty cool.........

The goats always wonder why I'm pointing the big black eye at them...........

Maverick was having fun in his pasture.........

then he settled down to have a look off into the distance........

I made my way to the vineyards - my favorite haunt this time of year -

I thought this looked like a swallowtail butterfly (if you use your imagination, that is!).........

......and this old piece of vine had water trapped inside it...

Then I wound my way up the back lane towards home, and into a nice warm shower! A fun day, but BRRRRR !!!