Thai Food, Iron Man 3, and Mother's Day

We spread Mother's Day out a couple days this year. It all started with a delicious prime rib on Friday night. I love that we have cows and therefore get to enjoy expensive cuts of meat such as prime rib more than just once a year!

Saturday mom and I left Cornucopia to go to Baker City and run some errands. While running errands isn't normally something I enjoy, I bought a beautiful Montana Silversmith ring that made the whole day worth it! Plus when we got to La Grande I treated my mom to dinner at the new Thai place in La Grande called Bangkok East and I'm happy to report that it's still just as delicious at the first day I ate there!  After eating our meal (I had yellow curry of some sort) we headed over and watched Iron Man 3.  I love that the Iron Man movies are action packed but still filled with plenty of comedy and funny laugh-out-loud moments; I definitely recommend going to the show and seeing it.

On Sunday, which was actually Mother's Day, my mom and I went back into La Grande to eat dinner with my grandma ( The best part about the dinner at the retirement home was the delicious chocolate pie!). It was really great to have three generations together!  I'm glad I got to spend Mother's Day with my grandma and mom!  It was a really great day!

Grandma and I

Mom and Grandma

And of course I had to go say hello to all my horses at home before we headed back up to Cornucopia.

More ACTHA Ride Photos

Just thought I would share some photos of WindDancer and I.  Most are from a great photograph in Boardman (Oregon), Laura Dieter and some were taken by friends and other riders!

WindDancer and I at the "gate" obstacle. 

WindDancer and I entering the campsite obstacle. 

Going through the "gate."

Love this photo! Coming over the hill.

Riding with Jaci (on Dess) and Shannon (on Twiggy)

At the "gate" obstacle.

This one is neat too... just riding on the trail.

WindDancer looks awesome. I was trying not to lose my hat.

Happy faces!

And a picture of my new hat. I LOVE the side work.

ACTHA Ride

This past weekend I headed up to Washington to attend an ACTHA  (American Competitive Trail Horse Association) ride at the Horn Rapids Park just outside of Benton City. I took my horse trailer and headed up following my friend Jaci and new friend Shannon!

The ride was really fun and WindDancer did such a great job! I've never taken him to any sort of formal "equine event" because he is my trail horse, but I think he enjoyed the change of pace.

Vine Simulator Obstacle 

The first day we completed in the open division (the division with the hardest obstacles) and we won third! Yeah! I'm so proud of my horse and all that he accomplished at the ride... plus I can't believe we placed so high!  I love that as a bonus we got a beautiful hay bag - I'll certainly be using that a lot in the future!

During the awards they also had a "Coolest Dog Contest," so of course I had to enter Scout for this competition. I wasn't sure about the competition, but Scout won over the crowd we his ability to play dead and he won! Scout is loving his basket of treats and toys.

Scout at the Coolest Dog Contest

Scot enjoying his basket of goodies.

The second day was a lot harder for WindDancer and I because the obstacles were more technical, there was a lot of side passing, lead changes, haunch turns, etc. WindDancer and I are much better at bridges, campsites, animal crossings, etc. However... given the increased difficulty we still placed fourth! And I now own a great horn bag set - it'll be good for use on the trail!

It was great to spend time with Jaci and Shannon. Both are great people and I am glad that I got to spend a weekend with friends, riding someplace new, and challenging both my horse and I!

Shannon took some great photos this weekend, so I'm posting them below - enjoy! (I personally think we looked pretty awesome.)

The trio - Scout, WindDancer, and I

Playing on the horses after the ride

Everyone stands on horses in their spare time, right?

Morning Hugs with Scout

Completing an Obstable

Campsite Obstacle

Downhill!

Cracker and Sunburnt Shoulders

Yesterday I got to ride Cracker! She's usually pretty feisty, but she seemed calmed than normal. I think that's because I was riding her in 75 degree weather and she worked up a nice sweat!

I just love warm weather so much, even if I manage to get sunburnt. Yep. My shoulders and back are bright red! I guess I need to invest in some new sunblock to keep me from roasting. But do you know what's really funny? The whole time I was in Asia (in 95+ weather) I never got sunburnt! Only in Eastern Oregon.

Scout is lucky - he doesn't burn! And he seems to just love the warm weather!

Today I'm up at the lodge. It's supposed to be warm in Halfway so I hope it's warm up here. Plus it would be nice if some more snow melted off!

Grand Ronde Retirement

On Thursday my grandma invited me to come enjoy the celebrations at the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence (where she lives). The retirement residence was celebrating their 25th Anniversary, so there was lots of festivities!

First my grandma and I played some Bingo. Normally, I am not very lucky but I ended up with a winning card! As a prize, I got a wine glass engraved with the Grande Ronde Retirement Residence logo. The glass was also filled with jelly beans - so that was exciting! After playing Bingo for an hour or so, I popped over to Walmart to grab some things, then headed back to my Grandma's apartment.

We enjoyed eating some hor dourves during the social hour. Then they proceeded to bury a time capsule, cut the ribbon, and release balloons into the sky. After that I got to stay for the family barbecue and it was nice to get to meet some of Grandma's friends. We also got to eat some icecream and cake - my favorite!

I really had fun and enjoyed spending the afternoon with my grandma! It was a fun event an I'm glad I got to go!

Herding Horses

I love herding horses. Plain and simple.  It's a rush when you come flying down off a hill at a full gallop chasing a giant mob of beautiful horses.  And I've done that twice this week.

I've done pretty well this week. I've sold some horses, sent one off to training, and am going to send the two draft horses to get a week's worth of work under their belt.  Maybe I'll get lucky and sell another horse today.... but until that time I am headed outside to work with Payton (a paint horse).

I've been able to do a lot of riding recently so I am really happy about that.  And hopefully, if the weather follows the forecast, it'll warm up a lot today and maybe even hit 75 by Friday!  Riding is always better when it sunny and warm outside.

Fun Times Around Town

Sometimes I get so busy living life I forget to blog. Never fear though! I'm here to blog now.  So, here's what has happen so far since I've been home. (In no particular order.)

Played with my dog Scout when the weather has been warm (and not windy/snowing). He just loves chasing sticks in the yard. The grass is also starting to turn green... it makes me so excited for summer to come!

I got to see my friend Megan! It's been so long since I've seen her, so I was really excited to get to spend some time with her.

Still short compared to Megan!

Went over to my friend Lisa's house. We ate food, made cookies, and then played Pictionary with a group of friends.  I am such a great artist.... not. Haha.

We had two teams of four players each.
Our team lost!

This is my drawing. I have no idea what it was supposed to be.
Your guess is as good as mine!

My mom came home so we went to town and had a great lunch with my Grandma at El Erradero, a Mexican restaurant, in La Grande.  It was really great to see my Grandma! Plus I helped her program her remote for her TV, which was surprising harder than I had anticipated.

My mom and I also went to the Maridell Center in La Grande and saw our friends Jeri and Lisa.  We played mini golf and even went roller skating!  I'm not very good at skating, but for my first time I did pretty good. (I didn't fall over!)

Mom putting into the bathtub.
Such a fun little mini golf course!

Lisa and I playing mini golf.
I came in second to last! Fail.

Jeri and her family have done such a great job with the Maridell Center.  It's a great place for people to come and have some good, quality, family fun. They also have laser tag, Zumba classes, Hulu Hoop classes, and you can rent it out for parties!

Mom and Jeri roller skating!

Katlin almost falling over... but I didn't!

Mom and I roller skating at the Maridell Center.

Today I've got to go check the water trough across the road, work with a horse, and get some other things done... So I better go get started!

Jill and Ian

My friend Jill and her husband Ian visited Seattle this weekend. Ian is looking at either going to grad school in Washington or Arizona so they spent the weekend in Seattle checking out the University of Washington.

Today they headed back to Logan - but not before stopping and eating lunch with me in La Grande! (So thankful La Grande is on I-84!)

I'm just thrilled that they stopped and we got the chance to eat lunch! It's so nice seeing friends from Utah and it makes me happy! Plus I think Scout made two new friends, so he's a happy puppy.

Thanks Ian and Jill for stopping to see me!

(I'm personally rooting for Seattle as their future choice... But I know Jill would love that Arizona heat in Phoenix!)

Sometimes I Forget to Blog

Sometimes I forget to blog because I'm too busy riding my horse and baking cupcakes!

Before I came home I was up at the lodge, and boy o' boy was the snow melting! This might sound a little weird, but I haven't seen dirt up there in a while. I'm excited for the snow to melt because I really want to get a horse up there so I can ride.  I just hope that the snowpack holds so we have some moisture this summer. It not, it's gonna be another dry one!

View from the Back Deck

 Getting up and down the road can be interesting when the snow starts to melt. Often it results in (me) walking down the road to the nearest vehicle then driving it back up so we can  park closer and closer.

Walking down the road.

Neat Tree Photo

 I've actually had time to take care of my horses, which is really nice. Lance, my old man, isn't looking to great. Then again he is REALLY old, so I have to admit I'm surprised he lasted the winter. I think he's excited that I'm home. It means he gets to eat his senior grain everyday. What horse wouldn't want to eat grain everyday?!

Lance Walking Himself... Wish all horses
were this talented.

Lancelot after eating his grain.

Oh hello camera!

I'm super excited too because Heidi sent me an Easter package. Which means I have all sorts of hot chocolate flavors to try! I love love love these! Thanks sister dear.

Hot Chocolate Varieties

 I also got some riding in while I was checking fences. Both Quin and Window got super sweaty, but I hope this will get them ready for summer time. If nothing else, it is helping them shed some of their winter hair!

Quin

Riding Windancer

Window after the ride

Wow... I forgot what happens when I don't blog. So much to catch up on!  My mom sent me this recipe for a "different" sort of ice cream. It's super creamy and rich and I actually really like it. I just have to make sure I don't count calories. If you want to try it yourself here is the recipe I made. Originally from here.

Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream

2 cups heavy cream1 (14 oz.) Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk3 tablespoons butter, melted1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks in large bowl. Whisk sweetened condensed milk, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla in large bowl. Mix well. Fold in whipped cream.

Pour into a 2-quart container and cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Store in freezer.

This is what "pre-frozen" looks like.

 Another bonus for this super rich cream based dessert is using it in hot chocolate. It's really delicious!