Garden Update..........

Walk through the gates to the Garden for the Blue Fountain Farmer's Market ..........

 

.......an ever changing and growing project!  I never would have believed that I could have so much fun  creating and maintaining a vegetable and flower garden - since I've never done this before, but it's a blast!  Sure, I've always loved "gardening", but it's the landscaping variety, where you go buy plants in 6 packs, or 5 gallon containers, plant them in what you hope are appropriate places, water them occasionally, and hope they stay happy and healthy so you can enjoy seeing them on a regular basis.  But this - this is different.  I've never planted seeds before, never seen them sprout through the ground, and I've certainly never eaten something that I "created".

I'm saying "I", but this project has required the help of a lot of great people - from Seth inspiring me to take this project on and being the "this is how you do it" teacher, to Leon building the above awesome gate, to Sherry and Bob and Mary and Phil and Tim helping with the weeding, planting and picking - I couldn't do it all myself, that's for sure!  And I can always use more help (hint, hint!)  

    

This is an all-from-scratch, work-with-what-you've-got, as well as a learn-as-you-go endeavor.  It's, as they say, a work in progress.    

We've been selling our "Gourmet Mix" lettuce to rave reviews............

as well as the Snow Peas and Beets.........

I love the look of the purple kohlrabi, and hear that it's great to eat - haven't tried it myself yet  ..........

Because of the late, cool weather, we had to wait to plant more crops - herbs, squash, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, peppers, etc. - oh, and all the flowers as well - but they are all coming up and I'm counting on more great food coming our way.

In the meantime, we're getting the big, red truck ready, little by little, to eventually be our store-front.  For my birthday awhile back I received a great sign from all my friends and customers  for the Market and Garden......... 

and I'm having fun with all sorts of gizmos and gadgets to add fun and color to the garden............

This kind of peacock doesn't cause any problems!!

and, while they're probably not keeping the gophers away, these fans are fun..............

Sooooooooo, for those of you who think that my only place is in the arena or on the back of a horse, surprise!  It's a new venue for me, but I'm loving it!   

Success!!!

And a good time was had by all............

Yes, Tim and Ridley are expressing the feelings of most everyone who attended our June 2010 Dressage Schooling Show this past Sunday - "I feel good now!" (cue James Brown music)!!  We couldn't have had a more beautiful day for our event, everything ran very smoothly, the volunteers did a wonderful job at their respective jobs, and everyone got along really well.  

One of the great things about a dressage show here at BFF is how relaxed and fun the atmosphere is, even though, as I wrote in my last post, the riders get a case of the pre-class jitters.  Carter, yet again, was a manager extraordinaire, and lined up a great group of ladies and gents who were kind enough to volunteer their time and energy for the event.  Take Tom ............please!  (Sorry, Tom, couldn't help that!)  I think he was practicing to work at an airlines to get the planes to their docks........

  

Way to go, Tom - great ring stewarding!!

Our Judge for the day, Jan Horton, always does an outstanding job at judging any time she comes here -  she makes it relaxing and fun for all the nervous riders - 

Jan (in blue) and her scribe for the morning, Linda

 The entry staff, score keepers, scribes, ring stewards, runners, awards monitors, and so on, were fantastic, friendly and helpful.

Lynn and Gail at the entry desk

Mary arriving for her ring steward position.

Entry desk area, with art displays by Leslie Ann Webb and yours truly.

Our offical test caller, Laurie, was all business, and  her hard work and test studying showed!

The horses looked great, and put up with all the "fru-fruing" of their owners.................

Mary and Kachina working out just how many whiskers are getting trimmed.

Taz getting the final touches on his "do" by Gale.

and Sol was entirely bored by the whole thing!

And then there were the riders themselves - conquering their nerves and "trotting" themselves out there in front of the public.  Our own BFF riders included -

Andie and Dundee

Cara and Anastasia

Victoria and Draco

Sam and Soulstice

Mary and Kachina

Gale and Taz (who is getting a good luck pat from Rolf)

Jane and Mijo

Leslie and Maggie

Fiona and Beaujolais

Michelle and Kabuki

And then there were the riders who were "grounded" due to shoulder surgery (not related to horse injuries, I'm happy to say)......

Teri and Laurie with their matching slings.

To see more photos from this memorable day, check my photo website.  We are planning another show in the fall, October 3rd to be exact, so put it on your calendars and join us for an exciting and fun-filled day at the ranch.  Here's a toast to all the riders (both from BFF and those who trailered in) and to all the volunteers, grooms for a day, spectators and behind the scenes workers who made this event possible -

Thanks!

Award

Upcoming Dressage Show at BFF

It's time again for the first of our two dressage schooling shows here at Blue Fountain Farm, and everyone is revving up for the big day!   It looks as if Mother Nature is going to smile on us with a beautiful day - the weather this spring has been unusually wet, to say the least - and the entries have been coming in strong.  This Sunday, June 6th, is the target day for all the preparations, both for the riders, and for the behind- the- scenes organizers.

  

Schooling shows are a great place for everyone to put themselves in a show setting, with all the rules followed, and with good judging, but in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  That being said, though, it is fun (from my perspective as an "old pro" at showing) to watch most everyone "freaking out" as they prepare for the big event!  As soon as someone says the word "test" - watch out!  Here they are, those who have their horses here at BFF, on their own turf, and the nerves start to show more and more the closer the show gets.  "What should I wear?", "Should I braid?", "Who's going to call my test?", "I think I'm going to throw up!!!"

However, that being said, the day of the show comes, and everyone gets here early to put the final touches on their horses, who have had to endure multiple baths (especially if they have a "white" horse!).

   

Even the Haflingers get their manes braided and their leg "feathers" cleaned and fluffed

The much appreciated volunteers arrive and put up the entry desk, direct the parking, put up the food stand, learn how to score the tests, set up the judges stand, and, generally, get everything "good to go".

 

What I love most is the support that everyone gives to the riders that day, whether they are from here, or they haul their  horses in from afar, everyone pulls together and helps everyone else.

Everyone finally gets their turn in the arena, in front of the judge, to try to pull together all their hard work and studying...........

 

The onlookers cheer for their riders............

The runners bring the tests from the judge to the score keepers....

and, although each rider, in their own way, is a winner, some riders garner the top honors - and it's carrots for the horses and a "toast" all around for the riders!!

Consider joining us here at Blue Fountain Farm  this Sunday the 6th for a great day in the country with good friends and camaraderie, beautiful horses, a walk next door to Naggiar Vineyards and Winery for wine tasting and live music, a  chance to win an original painting from Leslie Ann Webb , and to cheer on those who have worked hard with their horses and trainers to shine on their special day.  If you want more info, or directions, send me an email , and I'm happy to reply!