Farmer's Market News, and.............

Jozsef immortalized on a Farmer's Market stand by my great friend Leslie Ann Webb

............a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has contacted me - either by email, card, flowers, or phone - whatever way felt best to them, to send their condolences and sympathy about Jozsef's passing.  I knew he touched a lot of lives, but there were many of you who had had some sort of contact with him, either riding, breeding to, or simply being around, who I forgot had been so moved by him.  I've been very touched by the outpouring of support from people near and far.  The above stand for the market was painted by my friend, and famous artist, Leslie Ann Webb.  She took the image from my last blog and "did her thing"!  And below is a great "Throne" that my friends made for me using the stall sign that has always been on Jozsef's stall............what a great idea, and how special it felt to find it waiting for me at the barn last night!  Thank you to everyone..............

Thank you ;)

Now, on to the Farmer's Market and Garden...........

Today was the "Official" opening of the Farmer's Market, along with our monthly Sunday Brunch.  It's been a long while since I've posted anything about the garden, (see the side bar post listed under "of interest....." to the right to have a look at the beginning of the garden) but it's thriving, and I'm very pleased with it!  For my first attempt at growing food to eat, I think things have gone very well, indeed.  I say "I" and "my", but, as I've posted before, it is a "community" effort, and (again) I want to thank everyone who has been a part of it.  Here are some images of the garden from this morning.........

There really are a lot of veggies, but the flowers are so great to photograph!

Along with growing the garden, we've been getting the Big Red Truck ready to serve as the Market stand.  I'm very pleased with how things are turning out on that front as well................

Seth's "Two Guy's" local honey

My chalkboard made out of an old window frame and chalkboard paint.

Ralph, a fellow photography buff

Bob at the cashier's stand

Chris hiding behind her sunflowers

Yea!  A food transaction taking place!

Pastels by Jeanine Christman and mosaics by Linda Lansky and Joan Fields

Jewelry by Laurie Finta

Yum - tomatoes!

So, next time you see the above sign out on the road (every Sunday), take a left and come in to see what we have! 

Until later............. 

   

The wind of Heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears........

.............and that is where my equine friend and companion - Jozsef - is now.  Jozsef (aka Siglavy XI-6) was humanely euthanized on August 5th at the age of 18 after a prolonged battle with spinal troubles.  He had spinal fusion surgery in 2003, and led a happy and painfree life until last week, when he started to evidence signs of pain and increased ataxia.  He now rests on a beautiful knoll here on the ranch overlooking his former domain.  His calm and self-assured presence is missed by all here - he surely made his mark on everyone who knew him.

I found Jozsef at the Lipizzan Stud Farm in Hungary in the fall of 1995.  He was a very rare, black Lipizzan stallion - only three years old - who immediately took my breath away with his beauty and swagger.

Hungarian Stud Farm

My first view of Jozsef through the video lens

It took over six months to get him here to Grass Valley, but it turned out to be more than worth the wait.

Jozsef's first day at Blue Fountain Farm

  He was an unstarted colt,  but proved to be a very willing partner in everything we did - right from the beginning.  There was a confidence about him that transferred through to me - I always knew that he could do anything I asked of him - and in our years together we had many adventures.  He loved to jump, herd cows, go on trail rides, do his dressage - anything that was asked of him.  He learned to drive in one easy lesson - which I am finding was a very rare task (maybe it  helps if both of you are ignorant of the possible dangers of a new task).........

Driving for the first time in an antique Dr's buggy

We did many exhibitions at the Draft Horse Classic and the County Fair, where he was a crowd favorite doing his piaffe to music.  Jozsef brought tears to women's eyes and was the object of desire of hundreds of horse-crazy young girls - who wouldn't love a gorgeous, fairy-tale black stallion who danced to the music?

 

Piaffe at Sunset

Waiting to perform

Jozsef was a very good father who sired over 60 babies, both purebred and crossbred.  He loved his kids, as shown by his interest in his orphan son - Siegfried.....

Jozsef and Siegfried

"Joz" - as we fondly called him - could be regal and commanding, or a total goof - in other words, he had plenty of character.  His life was much too short - most Lipizzans can easily live into their 30s - but he enjoyed his life thoroughly.  One of his favorite things in the world to do was to roll in the muddiest or dustiest spot he could find - he really didn't like it when he had to get all "Fru-fru'd" for his shows or exhibitions.  Strange as it may sound, I can only think that he is happy in his new home ..........

I want to thank everyone who has sent their sympathy and support my way after they have found out about Jozsef's passing, and I leave you with a few images - which can never do him justice - of this magnificent being.  I will miss you.............

Joz with his best friend, Calvin.

Piaffe by the lake

Good-bye..... and thanks.

Color...........

This is what got me started on tonight's post - my niece and nephew dyed their family dog, "Bella", in honor of the colors of the Dutch soccer team.  She seems to think she looks great - and no, I did not "Photoshop" the color on her - that's what she really looks like!  While the kids were busy coloring the dog, my sister, Wendy, was working with her beautifully dyed wools (see the post on Sheep Shearing), so I put them all together and got this image of them..........

I decided to take a little look around me to see more colors.  Out in the back yard, there are the sunflowers coming up everywhere........

as well as the turquoise vase in the landscaping..........

and back in the house were the beets I just picked out of the veggie garden...........

Then, I thought about what we perceive as normal colors, such as a horse having a brown eye, but some do have that spooky looking blue eye..........

and I thought I'd leave you with an image of a bird I took last year at an exotic bird sanctuary in Auburn...........

...here's lookin' at you!

What did you do on the 4th????

Naggiar Tasting Room as seen from the back hill at BFF.

Many of us from Blue Fountain Farm ventured next door (yet again) to one of our favorite spots - Naggiar Vineyards and Winery - for their Fourth of July BBQ with live music.  As usual, a good time was had by all.

The weather was warm, but a breeze kept us cool, as well as being on the new lawn next to the lake, and under all those umbrellas.  It seems everyone enjoyed partaking of the great Naggiar wines - including myself (with Victoria)........

...............Linda L............

.............Kathy M .............

..........Dave E................

.............and Linda B looks like she has a secret to tell..........

The band - The Nevada County Regulators -was great to listen to..........

and young Aurora and Mila enjoyed "dancing" - as well as getting the adults to play "ring around the rosie" and convincing Frank to swing them around...........

Aurora

Aurora and Mila

Mila and her mom, Romina

All the ladies dancing

"Choose me, Frank!"

Frank and Aurora - "Wheeeee!!!"

It was a great way to spend the afternoon, and soon everyone went on their separate ways to watch the Fireworks from their different vantage points.  What a great day!  There are more photos of this event at Blue Fountain Photography. under "Proofs>