time for some sunshine

Thank you Tails from Provence for awarding me the Sunshine Award! I went to see what the sunshine was all about, and learned interesting things! Check out the beautiful photos, inspiration and humor Tails from Provence shares and while you are at it, vote for her deserving blog in the HayNet 2012 Blogger of the Year competition!!

The sunshine award goes to “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogosphere.” I'll do my best to follow the rules, altho I may will bend the last one.

1) First, the nominee must thank the blogger that nominated them and link to their blog.

2) Then, answer a list of ten questions and post them on the awarded blog.

1. Do you prefer Mares or Geldings? 
Doesn't really matter, altho I seem to partner better with Geldings

2. English or Western?
Western

3. Do you prefer “younger” or “older” horses?
Younger, well-trained horses. 

4. Have you ever trained a horse from ground zero?
No, I've done parts with guidance. I enjoy working with young horses. Maybe someday?

5. Do you prefer riding or ground work?
Riding, but I believe in the importance of ground work

6. Do you board your horse or keep it at home? 
We switched to full-time boarding this year. Like everything, it has it's plus & minuses

7. Do you do all natural things or commercial stuff?
A blend of our own

8. All Tacked up or Bareback?
Tacked up, altho I would like to do more bareback riding

9. Equestrian model?
None...I've deleted my answer so many times - that is when "the dot-dot-dot" comes in

10. What’s your, one, main goal while being in the horse world? 

To be able to enjoy the endless wonder equine offer, for as long as I can

3) Next the nominee must nominate ten bloggers for the award, and let them know.

I really enjoy the sunshine these listed blogs spread (in no particular order). They keep it real, complete with fantastic photos and stories of life happenings. I can relate to each of them, and feel like I've gotten to know these wonderful folks through blogs:

Fern Valley Appaloosas
Cing Spots Appaloosas

The Dancing Donkey
Living a Dream
Ride a Good Horse
All Horse Stuff

I hope to get to know the rest of you wonderful bloggers better, for I have no doubt you spread sunshine too! So grab your award and play along, or not ~ you are all winners regardless!! 

even more lovely

A sincere thank you to Wolfie, from What was I Thinking, and Megan, from Operation Horse Rescue for this award. It was lovely to receive, and even more lovely to get to know both of you better!!

Seven things about me:

1) I'm an unperfect perfectionist. I used to be super organized, what happened??

2) I love olives, Kalamata are my favorite.

3) I'm a Lifetime Member of the National Home Gardening Club.

4) I recently bought a new saddle, after a looong search. I ended up getting the last one I tried.

5) Much to my mother's chagrin, I believe in using and enjoying things - no matter how good they are.

6) My favorite wine is a Riesling, called Relax - comes in a blue bottle. Perfect in every way. It's light, sweet-ish, and priced right.

7) I've used purple inked pens at work for the past 8 years. No particular reason, but if I use anything else now - people notice.

If I follow you, I think you're lovely!! Grad the award and if you so choose, tell us about yourself.

better late then never

A while back I received this stylish award from Juliette at honeysuckle faire , figure it's better posted late then never. If you haven't read Juliette's blog, check it out. She has three beautiful horses, that she artistically shares with us via her well written posts, photos and posters - it's one of my fav blogs. Thank you Juliette, for being so kind!

There are 4 duties to perform to receive this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Seven things about me:

1) Loves being outdoors, for so many reasons.

2) Is interested in learning more about Western Dressage. Wishes it was more prevalent in this area, doesn't look like it's even being represented at Midwest Horse Fair this year...

3) Knows how to juggle, and used to be able to keep four items going/pass them pretty well. Once in a while, pulls out baton's and balls and gives three of them a whirl (drop, pick up, and repeat).

4) Is a magazine reader, Real Simple frequents the mailbox.

5) Favorite number is 5, which also happens to be the number of family members.

6) Works and plays on a Mac

7) Thinks waaay too much

Many already have the award/opt not to post, please consider yourself contacted & stylish. Blogs recently discovered, listed in no particular order...

http://adventuresofthepaintedcreekfarm.blogspot.com/
http://laughingorcaranch.blogspot.com/
http://4rranch.blogspot.com/
http://solitairemare.blogspot.com/
http://ranchriding.blogspot.com/
http://allisonsdream.blogspot.com/

...stylish blog's already discovered...

http://allhorsestuff.blogspot.com/
http://fernvalley01.blogspot.com/
http://rideagoodhorse.blogspot.com/

http://supersizemycob.blogspot.com/

http://onceuponanequine.blogspot.com/
http://livingadream2.blogspot.com/
http://horsecentric.blogspot.com/
http://oneoldcowgirl.wordpress.com/
http://cingspots.blogspot.com/

...and many other's...

a blog award, from a beautiful blogger

A sincere thank you to Jeni from Super Size my Cob for the Beautiful Blogger award. Check out her blog if you haven't already, it's an interesting, informative, and heartfelt well written blog!

The Beautiful Blogger award Rules are:

1. Link back to the person who gave you the award

2. Share 7 things about yourself

3. Pass the award to 15 other bloggers

Thing 1: When I was a teenager, I jokingly told my mom not to worry about me I plan to marry Robert Redford. I'm really not a big fan, must have been the "steady-type" older actor at the time. Well I did better. He's got darker hair, he's my best friend - and we are rich beyond compare, money not included.

Thing 2: I've been a fitness instructor for over 20 years, altho you can't tell by looking at me...especially these days. I've recently turned down some nice teaching positions. It's my second job. I'm currently a sub. I'm thinking about hanging up the towel, to keep all my evenings free to spend with my family & focus on horseback riding.

Thing 3: One of my dreams is to ride on a beach, splash in the waves, riding bareback - ideally on a Friesian (my dream horse). In reality, any horse would make the dream come true (no honey, a puddle and/or stream doesn't count).

Thing 4: I can't lie

Thing 5: The name Aurora runs in my family, it was my grandmothers name, my mothers name, mine, and my oldest daughter.

Thing 6: Another one of my dreams is to see the Northern Lights in Finland, altho I would settle for a Canadian sighting (hint, hint).

Thing 7: I am a firm believer in destiny.

I'm afraid I won't be able to comply with rule #3. This blog award has already been awarded to many bloggers whose blogs I regularly read, enjoy and also think are beautiful bloggers! Among them (in no particular order) are Super Size my Cob, All Horse Stuff, Mustang Diaries, Once Upon an Equine, Barn Door Tagz, Nuzzling Muzzles, A Year with Horses, If Wishes were Horses desert horses and more...below are very deserving beautiful bloggers who may, or may not, also already have the award:

MJ's LEGACY

allaroundhorses

Fern Valley Appaloosas