Reno and back in 4 days...

Ok, so "normal people don't do that...  But I never said I was normal!

I took Kiri over to Correy's on the 27th, and we left from there Saturday morning, traveling through Klamath Falls, Alturas and into Reno.  It was snowing almost all the way down (not sticking, thankfully), an being drier on the east side, the road was mostly dry, too.  That meant I could actually cruise at 70 mph, which my truck likes, very, very much - I got 17.1 mpg on that leg of the trip (less than one tank of gas from Bend and over 500 miles).

We got to my sister's, who was not home, and went to dinner with my dad, who had beat us by a day coming up from So. Cal. with the trailer.  We went to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Golden Flower, where we had War Won Ton Pho, and salad rolls - yum!

Side note:  I'm still not used to the fact that I'm a) allergic to mushrooms (like, epi-pen allergic), and b) they're in everything.  Of course they are in the pho...  I picked mine out and gave them to Correy.  Fortunately, my reaction doesn't set in until about 30 minutes later, by which time we were back at my sister's.  I was feeling a little weird (like my head was full of helium) - oh, and did I mention that I left my epi-pen at home?? - so I took two benedryl.  I haven't reached the stage of being instantly affected, nor do my breathing passages close up quickly, so the benedryl still works.  But if I don't quit forgetting, pretty soon, I'll be in trouble...

On Sunday, we kind of lazed around, went shopping at Borders and Jimmy Beans Wool (yes, I bought yarn), and I made Alpaca shank stew.  Unfortunately, while we were out, my sister and BIL came home, and he turned the crockpot down, so they didn't cook in time, changing dinner plans.  We salvaged them and had them on Monday.

Monday morning, Correy and I went out to Red Rock and visited with Sharon and Mim.  After a tour of the pastures and seeing the sheep and adorable goats, we hung out in the Womb Woom - talking fiber, playing with the dogs and cats, and catching up.  We left in time to meet Allison and Amy at Walden's Coffeehouse for lunch.  What fun - Amy and Allison duelling with their iPads and we were all laughing.  It was really, really good to see all the Reno friends - I miss them.

Got back to my sister's, where we were expecting my niece, Harmony and her husband, Jeff, my nephew, Mackenzie, and his girlfriend, Aubrie. They were all adventurous enough to try the alpaca stew (and loved it...), along with the bbq'd chicken and roasted veggies - it being Memorial Day, bbq-ing was mandatory.

We left early (5:43 am) on Tuesday to wend our way back home, trailer in tow (dang - I forgot to take pictures!!).  We had quartering, cross and headwinds all the way up and still got 11.5 mpg pulling the trailer! After dropping Correy off at her daughter's in Creswell, I got home at 5:30 pm - whew, what a long day!

Everyone at home was very pleased to see me...  I was very glad to sleep in my own bed.

Home again!

It's a girl!!

I delivered Kiri to Correy's house Friday evening, and then we left for Reno (more on that trip in a later post).

I was on the phone with my sister, whose birthday is today, when Correy called to let me know Kiri was no longer pregnant, and had delivered a filly sometime late last night or early this morning.  Her name is "Who's Your Daddy," barn name to be determined.  It appears that she will be bay, with a left hind sock and a star. Correy's mare is not interested at all, for all that she's due anytime now, as well!

So, debut pictures:

Kiri looks relieved .  Correy says she's not pleased with the calves trying to check the filly out!  I can't wait to get over there to play with her!!

Wedding, Ponies and Travel

Last weekend, I spent Thursday through Sunday in Prineville.  My goddaughter, Brin, got married.  Now, you probably didn't know I had a goddaughter.  I was given the honorary title of Fairy Godmother by Brin, who is Correy's daughter.  There are actually several of us Fairy Godmothers in Brin's life - we all love her very much.  FG Sue made her veil from the wool of one of Correy's sheep, and FG Belinda made her dress. When they announced that they wanted pictures of the new couple with the moms, we FG's all looked at each other and decided they didn't mean us!

My part in the wedding was to deliver Brin in all her gorgeousness to the base of the aisle in the pony cart.


I'm concentrating really hard!

The wedding was outside, and the weather was perfect, after a morning scare.  It was raining Saturday morning, and we were all a little concerned.  By about 9:30, though, it quit, and then for the ceremony, it was just overcast, perfect for pictures.  After the ceremony, the clouds broke up and it was sunny, and the party was on!

I don't really like having my picture taken.  So when a friend was aiming my way, standing with Correy to my right, I stuck out my tongue.  Unfortunately, another "friend" took advantage of another angle and got the shot.  Ok, so it's not my best pose!

We had a great time, as did all of the participants and guests.

I think I've been bitten by the driving bug.  After driving Levi (the pony), I could just picture Annie in harness. She has a a really lovely trot - very elevated action, which shows off the feathers on her lower legs. While she's not as dark as Honey was, she's still a pretty good looking pony. I may try to get her and Prize trained to cart - he's pretty flashy, too!  First, I need to get a harness.  Ok, first I need to start working with Annie and get her used to basic things before the harness parts...

Tomorrow, I'm starting the trip to Reno, via Prineville, to pick up the travel trailer that my dad is giving to me.  It's a 1979, 19.5 ft. Komfort.  It's going to be used as the party pad at sheep shows and the guest house at home.  While in Reno, I'm hoping to get together with all the friends down there, as well as seeing family - too much fun!!