visiting Blaine and the horses.

We started the day by caring for Brees' hooves (named after Drew Brees, she is a young sprightly horse). In the background, Aida and Luna wait for Blaine to work with them. 

It was really great to see the change in Aida and Luna's response and interactions with Blaine over the course of the day; they grew to be much more comfortable and responsive to him. More trusting and curious, less uncertain. 

Shoveling manure, which he composts—now I've got some to fertilize my garden!

Taking a break to walk along the hay bales...

Let's play chase! Blaine has taught the horses a game of chase—it's good to do some running everyday. It was so cool to watch them play. If they run with him, they're rewarded with something tasty to eat, something other than the grass they find in the fields, which they welcome.

Bayou likes to run along too. 

Greta always follows close behind.

 back to work with Aida and Luna—

Thanks Blaine! I love these horses—can't wait to go back. 

Tim's visit to New Orleans!

Tim came to visit us earlier this month! While he was in town we made our rounds to a few favorite places to eat (Joey K's for the all-you-can-eat catfish, Stein's for the perfect sandwich, among others), to the French Quarter, and to the some great used bookstores (Mckeown's Books, Dauphine Books, and Crescent City Books).

After eating far too much fried food we needed a good walk in the park...

see all of the ducks and cypress knees?

(Thanks Tim for the photos!)

And later we went to visit the fish at the aquarium...

Yay, Thanks for visiting Tim!

Ray's Birthday!

When I asked Ray what he wanted me to make for his birthday, he asked for a king cake. 
Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of it, but it looked much like this one:

So naturally I decided to make him some butternut squash ravioli with sage butter, roasted chicken, and sauteed spinach with mushrooms too.

(butternut squash for the ravioli filling)

Ray's plate always looks good.

Before dinner we spent some time in the French Quarter and stopped into a few of our favorite used bookstores. A good day for a birthday. 

(Thanks to Tim for the photo)

carrots from my garden

I love how funky these carrots look. 


[As an aside, I'm trying out a new kind of New Year's resolution. I'm shooting for 12, one for each month. One of these is to be more environmentally aware and active. SO... I'm currently making a composting bin, and clearing more garden beds for growing food. Thus far I've been clearing out weeds, turning the soil, and have planted another kale plant (this one is a dark reddish purple kale) and rosemary. I'll get some photos to post.]

'Twas a very good Christmas. Now, onward in the new year!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I enjoyed the time with family and friends.

There was plenty of holiday baking going on, and I was happy to use my copper double boiler that I found at a thrift store with Dad over the summer!

In it I melted the chocolate for my flourless chocolate cake which is my new favorite. 

Thanks to Uncle Jr. and family for the lovely array of citrus that we picked right off the tree on Christmas eve! Oranges and grapefruits galore. 


All of this followed by a very relaxing new year. 


Up next, Ray's birthday, Tim's visit to New Orleans, and my visit with Blaine and the horses!