This afternoon I (Anna), Alex, Vicki and Alexis took the ponies on a trail ride. Living next to Pachaug State Forest really has its advantages. It was a perfect not too cold December day for a trail ride. The ponies were all feeling good and walking through the brooks and puddles from the recent rains. We went a little faster too…and everyone stayed on. It’s kinda fun now that the kids are older and can stay with their ponies a bit better and handle the occasional frisky moment. Fresh air, the sound of rustling leaves,  filtered sunlight, really can’t beat it. Now with two 9-10 year olds  it wasn’t quiet but enjoyable.

Today I turned 38.  Last night Anna and I went out to dinner without the kids.  Since I took a few days of leave this week, I was able to get up before dawn and spend the morning hunting.  While I didn’t harvest any deer, I did enjoy the morning in the foggy woods.  When I came in from my hunt, Amanda was following me around giving me “gifts”.  They were basically items she collected around the house and wrapped up in her blankets, but she was very excited to share with me.  I had a short sit in the tree stand in the afternoon and then went to trim a few horses this evening.  When I returned, we had dinner (venison and potatoes!) and cake.

Vicki made the cake from scratch.  Apparently this recipe required 8 egg yolks, so today she learned how to separate the white and yolk (manually using the shells).  She used pre-made icing, because my favorite cake is yellow cake with chocolate icing.

Vicki also made me a birthday present.  She used her loom to make a little pouch, and inside, she put 38 hunting passes.  She was very excited because they don’t have any expiration date or restrictions.  I think I know who will be using some of them with me.

So what made it a great day?  Family.

Amanda planted sunflowers by the house this year. The tallest one is three times her height!!!

Last fall Vicki met Alexis on her school bus. It was kind of an accident as Vicki had been left off the schedule for some reason and ended up riding the #10 Jewett City bus. Alexis was a fourth grader and Vicki was sitting in the back of the bus with all the older kids…As always Vicki makes friends easily and about a month later she was invited to go to six flags with Alexis’ family. At six flags Vicki had some spending money and bought a beanie baby shire horse or maybe a clydesdale. Alexis did too. They called them Hershey and Kisses. Since then whenever they play together the ponies come with them. They are pretty worn at this point both feature stitches and have been debeaned and washed multiple times. Today the ponies went swimming at Hopeville Pond.

This morning Vicki and I headed out on a trail ride.  Vicki was excited because Alex had given her permission to ride Dakota. I could tell she was a little apprehensive when she was grooming Dakota and said: “Mom, he’s big”. I rode King. He was as always great. We trotted and cantered down the roads of Pachaug and Vicki said she loved the pony. On the way home Dakota suddenly started head tossing and acting like he was going to run off with Vicki. She was freaking out. Dakota was upset by her freaking out and the bugs that were attacking his sweaty body. We stopped and calmed down and while Vicki was still a bit worried coming home, all went well. Note to self, Vicki does best trail riding for about an hour, then she is toast. Maybe hunter paces will have to wait a year or two for her.
But, we had a good time and covered 6-7 miles in an hour and a half. Pretty good work out. Now I just need me some bug shields.