Ochoco National Forest Horse Camp July 05

Here's some shots of Etesian and the dogs enjoying a beautiful day in the middle of nowhere. In the one shot, Etesian is contemplating whether he wants to jump the ribbon of water or do the right thing and walk casually over it. After some "persuasion", he finally overcame his fear of being swallowed by a rivulet and carried on with our ride.

My first blog post Jan 31, 2006

It's January in Oregon and today is no disappointment to those who love wind rain and gray. What a lousy day. So to brighten my spirits I've decided to create a blog thanks in part to a friend who told me to suck it up and do something other than complain about the rain! Thanks Scott...I mean Mr. Anonymous...

I left my job at Extensis back on December 9 and have had a great time creating a new routine. It was especially nice to enjoy the holidays with no stress from work for the first time in over 20 years.

My new hobbies include cake decorating and spending way too much money on redecorating the house (wait, is spending way too much money new for me?). That was a rhetorical question Amy...:)

If you're intereted in seeing the inspiration for my cake decorating check out http://www.colettescakes.com/book_cc_drm.html# . I'll be making this cake for Jacobs 7th birthday. Jacob is Vikkie and Mike's son who I get to play with sometimes. Lucky me! I also get to play with big sister Rachel who usually has a thing or two to teach me since she's a hip 12 year old.

The house is coming along very nicely. There's still a lot to do but when isn't there? Believe it or not, I'm almost tired of shopping. There's too many nice things out there and I want all of them. Check out my new table for the kitchen: http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product_detail.jsp?productId=prod3880002&navCount=4

I haven't yet found coordinating chairs but check out this page from Pottery Barn. http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpcfurdinchr%7Crshop&pkey=cfurdinchr&gids=p235.

Or these: http://ww2.potterybarn.com/cat/pip.cfm?src=shpcfurdinchr%7Crshop&pkey=cfurdinchr&gids=p6392

I think red or green chairs might be fun to coordinate with the table and a cool tablecloth. Or maybe black chairs. I'm taking all suggestions.

It's tough to be me right now...I'm sitting in bed with the dogs piled around me drinking a cup of decaf english breakfast (with cream and sugar), watching Paula's Home Cooking on FoodTV and writing this blog. But hey, what's a girl to do on a day like today when its so ugly and windy outside? In my defense however, I did get the dogs out for about an hour in the pasture today before the storm hit. The creek (pronounced "crick") is raging and at any moment I expect to hear a tree crash down.

My poor horse Etesian doesn't get ridden outside in weather like this so he's happily munching hay at Steve and Kaye's house up the street. He gives lessons twice a week and I make him run around in circles twice per week so he's kept in pretty good shape until its time to hit the trails again this spring. Can't wait!