Memories Contained : Lis Cassey

a round yard...

2011-12-21T19:45:00.030+08:00

Mission accomplished....two hard days work by Ben and I and now I have a 75' (22m) round yard!

Gee my husband is great!

I am sure he could have thought of way more interesting things to do for his last two days at home...he leaves tomorrow at 5am...

But I think he actually enjoyed using his bobcat and hole borer!

It isn't perfect as we used the timber logs we saved from our post and rail fencing so a bit horse chewed in spots...and the wire is old fencing from the farm...but it suits me...now to try it out! Lissy

what we did in November....

2011-11-30T08:55:00.033+08:00

November has been busy! Ben arrived home from work with a mo for MOVEMBER! He lasted another week!

The girls were busy with final preparations for the whole school production of the Wizard of OZ....dress rehearsal...

Off to get ready on the big night...

The actual performance...both my girls were Dorothy...Morganne was in scene one with Jorja..

Evangeline was in scene four with Jess...

Intermission...

It was a really fabulous production and I was so proud of my girls...

The after party...

The next day was Lara's 8th birthday party...a dress up party so my girls chose to go as Dorothy!

We had an outing to the zoo with my mum, sister and family...

With Evangeline's 8th birthday and party November was a busy month! Lissy

horse happenings in november...

2011-11-28T21:47:00.000+08:00

Our horsey happening in November...

Bella has learnt to put her front two feet on the pedestal...

We have been up to visit Boy...who is being started under saddle by Mike...a fabulous natural horseman...

Evangeline got to have a sit on him!

He is so gorgeous!

And he is going fabulously...

On our next visit he was progressing well! And being ridden out of the round yard!

And I was very excited to have my first ride on him..I hadn't been expecting it! So I wasn't appropriately attired!

He was perfect...stood patiently to be mounted, moved around calmly and was just lovely!

And Chief will now go and stand on the pedestal at liberty...that is with no halter and lead....

Evangeline has been to riding lessons...on Bubbles...

And Trumby got some TLC..

My red string and certificate arrived from Parelli...for passing my level one...I have at the same time passed my level two online (horse on lead) and have only to pass my level two freestyle (riding) to then pass my level two ..so that is the plan for the next few months...once Boy is back home...Lissy

a beach pool party...

2011-11-20T20:32:00.031+08:00

This year Evangeline wanted a beach party...we compromised and had a pool party with a beach theme!

We sent out invites in bottles...

She requested a pool cake...which mum decorated...

Had buckets and spades for treat bags...

And Evangeline had a fabulous time...

The kids swam ate swam and had a super time...
So did Morganne...

We played a couple of party games like What's the Time Mr Shark?

and Duck Duck Splash...

and had races pushing rubber ducks along with noses...

And races with pool noodles...

And of course sang "Happy Birthday", blew out candles and cut the cake!

All in all a perfect party for 8 year olds! Lissy

Evangeline is 8...

2011-11-16T20:43:00.001+08:00

Today our very gorgeous girl Evangeline turned 8 years old...

She is always so appreciative of her presents and reads every card...and even waits for Morganne to be awake to help her open them...

Ben was still at sea...so she spoke to him on the phone...

We had a birthday tea with a cake...Diana and mum joined us...Evangeline helped decorate the cake...
Her favourite colour at the moment is blue...

Mum gave her a gorgeous maxi dress and necklace (a bit long but we will take it up!)

Evangeline has had a pretty full on year this year...she had her tonsils out after getting too many bouts of tonsillitis and having sleep apnoea, she has been diagnosed with dyslexia and celiac disease...so we have some challenges ahead but she is a wonderful happy active creative beautiful caring soul and we love her to bits...Her party is in a few days when Ben gets home...Lissy

Working with Chief...

2011-11-02T21:04:00.000+08:00

While Boy is up at Mike's being started under saddle it is a great opportunity to work more with Chief...

Today Pip came over and we tacked him up and did some on line work...over poles and so on...it is great for his suppleness and balance...he is going great...and I am learning heaps! Lissy

horsing around in october...

2011-10-31T20:37:00.001+08:00

Lots happening with the horses in October...
Boy turned 3...and is learning heaps!

Evangeline has been playing with Trumby...

and is getting very clever with both ponies...have a look at this...
I took Boy up to the Hills Natural Horsemanship Club...always a great day...
Boy and Will (Martine's horse) were so knackered by lunchtime that they had a little nap during the after lunch demonstrations...it was so funny...Boy was laying down for about 5 mins...even when the other horses all went of to start working!

Chief and I filmed our level one online audition for Parelli and passed our level two...so that was pretty amazing! I am very pleased with how Chief is going! If you want to see what we do go here...and see the video...

And Boy went off to Mike's to be started under saddle...

Chief and Trumby saw him off...Bella kept eating!!

We went up to visit him...

Mike says he is going fabulously and is above average! He is going to be a super horseLearning to bow and then lie down!

And be mounted...

And get used to moving with all the gear on....

He will be Evangeline's one day and I think they will get along great!

Evangeline joined in...

We will go and see him again soon!

The ponies had a bath...

Trumby rolled while tied up...have no idea how....

so he was bathed again and tied up on the pavement!

Pip has started coming over to help me with the horses...she is a very experienced horsewoman and also does Parelli so perfect! She has moved out from the UK for a few years and is missing her horses!

And I think that is about it! Lissy

so october went in a blur....

2011-10-30T14:11:00.030+08:00

In no particular order....lol..I had a great lunch at Upper Reach winery with friends and M came too...fab food and good for kids...

The girls started swimming again! E is thrilled not to have to worry about getting water in her ears...and M is gaining confidence!

We have been enjoying some fabulous spring weather....so lots of time outside!

We had an outing to the Bindoon Show...a fab little local show perfect for the girls to have a bit of fun...We met Simona and Eden there so we could catch up...and had a great lunch at the Bindoon bakehouse that have a kitchen for the kids to play in!

And the rest of the month involved horsey stuff which I shall put in another post! Lissy

runna...

2011-10-17T20:14:00.001+08:00

Morganne got this "runna bike" for Christmas...she didn't like anything with pedals and wouldn't get on the little bikes we had...it took her a few months but now she is hooning around everywhere on it! And trying normal bikes too! Lissy

an outing...

2011-10-13T19:35:00.001+08:00

Just before Ben went back to work we went out for a meal with the girls....

We ate at Padbury's in Guidford...lovely food and a good time had by all...Lis

our holidays so far...

2011-10-10T09:05:00.025+08:00

Diana came for tea...the girls miss her as she used to baby sit them a lot when Morganne was young...

Playing babies!

Evangeline made some super hero capes and masks for them both...

Kaysie (our niece) came over to learn how to sew...

Imi and Zachary came to play...don't you love all the PINK!!

And a very cute little boy...

And huge EXCITEMENT......a sleep out in the cubby house! I didn't think they would last the night but they did!

And I was up before them in the morning...it was so quiet in the house!

And Evangeline sewed a skirt to give to her friend Brooke for her birthday...
And the party was a disco party...so I made her a skirt to wear...the white sock thing is E's latest idea...lol...plus hair on the side!

And they made fascinators at the party!

And that is mostly it for now....Lissy

learning to sew...

2011-10-06T20:48:00.000+08:00

Evangeline has been asking me to teach her to sew for some time...

And I will admit I have been avoiding it...but today I said yes!

She wanted to sew some pants...eeeeek I thought...

But we looked at her stash of fabric she got for Christmas, found a pattern and set to work....I decided she could use my machine and over locker rather than her little Elna machine...
Cutting out the pattern...

Overlocking the seams....

Sewing the hems and waist band...

Threading the elastic...

She did a very good job for a 7 year old!

I did very little except sew the curve of the crutch for her...

She was very pleased!

Not sure what she will want to sew next...but having made these pants I am not so worried now! Lissy

our girls...

2011-10-06T09:04:00.000+08:00

Just a few recent photos of our girls...

I love my camera...I just point and shoot and hardly ever have to edit! Perfect! Lissy

the rest of September...

2011-09-30T17:40:00.001+08:00

All sorts going on around here...

A bit of sewing for dolls....

Washing dishes....

A late Father's day as Ben didn't get home until September 8th...

My sister and I took mum to Sandalford's for a Birthday lunch....Evangeline and Ike were at school but Ace and Morganne got to come along....

I took Morganne to see Play School in concert...Jen came with Imi and Zachary...they LOVED it!

A bit of creativity with some charcoal and a tree stump...

We had a very fast and furious hail storm...Morganne was home and thought it was snowing! The ground was covered....

This arch blew out of the paddock over the fence and landed in the garden...
Some branches off trees...

And ice everywhere....

There was still a bit left when Evangeline came home 3 hours later...she was not happy that she had missed it!

We had peace day at school so girls dressed in white...

Both girls had performances in the end of term assembly...Morganne was a great spaceman as they have been studying space....

Evangeline's class sang Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport...a good aussie song as they have been studying Australia!

We went to Open Classroom to see the girls work...it is great to go and see what they have been doing...and they love to show us!

The girls have been having sleepovers....E sleeps in M's room! They love it!
We went to Jo, Pete and Ava's for tea...the girls were great....Ava and E did some stamping...
M was waiting for her food...lol...

And then they watched Monsters Inc....so we all had a good time!

Skating and a chance to catch up with Eden and Simona....

A fabulous outing to ECHO at the concert hall...we love going to the cushion concerts...Morganne beetled around to try every instrument she could after the concert!

M making afternoon tea...

Ben has almost finished building his trailer...

And the big excitement of the month...his new toy arrived...a bobcat!

And that is about it....family wise...Lissy

more horsey happenings in September....

2011-09-29T20:19:00.001+08:00

Evangeline is doing great stuff with Bella...

I work with Bella too...

Evangeline was keen to start riding again..we have started at a place at Upper Swan...she rides around with a big smile on her face...her rsing trot is going well and she has done a few strides of canter on the reliable Bubbles...

They have to saddle and untack the ponies thenselves...

And put them away...

Some nice pics of Chief...

And Boy

And Trumby and Bella...

I took Boy to another rally at Hills Natural Horsemanship Club...all the horses ran around for a while first having an absolute ball! Looks wild but it isn't really! Here he is with Will(Martine's welsh cob)

Evangeline has been coming out taking photos of me playing with the horses too...is is me with Chief...

The horses hanging out munching some hay under the tree while it was raining...

And having their morning excercise around the track when I have let them out in the morning..they do lots of hoons around and then settle down and eat grass! Good for the very fat ponies!

And that is it horsey wise this month! Lissy

and this week...

2011-09-02T17:00:00.000+08:00

Evangeline lost her fourth tooth!

Morganne looks very cute in her sleeping bag....with my old teddy...

Evangeline introduced and then was the star in her assembly item today! No good photos but I filmed the play....I was very proud of her!

Our jar of 5c coins for Children of the Forest is full...we are raising money to pay for essential items such as so we will be off to the bank soon to send it to them! Did you know that measly $2 can provide a child care package of the necessary soap, tooth paste, shampoo and washing powder (and sanitary napkins for older girls)…for one child at the Children of the Forest...to last a month...Yes a mere $2 a month to have the basics that none of us would consider going with out...That makes a grand total of $24 a year...I am sure our jar has more than $24..or I hope so!

Ben is still at see so we will celebrate Father's Day when he gets home in about a week....the girls have made some cute presents for him at school...Lissy

I have been spying on Boy...

2011-08-30T17:18:00.012+08:00

My young appaloosa Boy is quite playful...so I have been spying on him in the paddock that is our horsey playground...he played with the pedestal...He can now put two feet on it...and will soon be able to put all four feet on it...

And he pushed the big green ball around a bit...

And he walked through the tunnel I constructed....Chief gave it a bit of a look and then left...Boy walked on through...such a confident fun horse...

Chief puts up a lot from our young rascal Boy! Boy will follow him around and nip at his hocks or neck to entice him to play!

The two ponies are on equine weight watchers...and that is about it....Lissy

our trip to the zoo...

2011-08-29T17:02:00.004+08:00

We went to the Perth zoo...with mum and our good friends the Albans...

The wagon was a great idea for Morganne and we all took turns pulling it!

The girls had some great close encounters!

We actually managed to see all of the zoo...a lovely day out...Lissy

four years...

2011-08-28T07:55:00.016+08:00

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." A.A. Milne
Winnie-the-Pooh

Dad loved his grand kids and would take them for rides in his old truck or cars or tractors...

We are off to the zoo today...Dad loved animals and would have loved taking the kids to the zoo...

I miss him and think of him everyday...Lissy

recent happenings...

2011-08-26T08:06:00.000+08:00

Nothing terribly exciting happening around here but Ben is waiting for an update!
I keep finding Morganne giving her dolls baths...

Evangeline has been playing out in the paddock with Bella...and having a few rides...

And the girls set up a little colouring station between the barrels!

Evangeline over did it on the monkey bars at school one lunchtime and got big blisters...they didn't photograph well but they were huge!

A bit of Sunday morning TV...

And Evangeline made breakfast...

The girls have been painting...

Evangeline went to a roller skating party ...she is very good at the limbo!

We have been for a couple of plays at the new park near us...it is great...
The horses snoozing heaps in the warmer and dryer weather...it wa 27C on Sunday! Boy actually closed his eyes and they laid down!

I took Boy on his first outing...we went to the first rally of the new Hills Natural Horsemanship Club...it was fabulous...he was very excited but we still had a successful day. Loadimh him on the float to come home took a while as he was so excited by every thing and a few crazy horse loaders next to us...with the help of a very clever lady Debbie he went on calmly.

When we got home the four of them had a little hoon to celebrate his return!
And the girls played horses in the float!

And waiting waiting waiting for a tooth to fall out!

And that is it from here..Lissy

our weekend...

2011-08-08T14:07:00.000+08:00

A quiet weekend at home...Friday we rescued the stray cat from school...looking for his owners but otherwise will keep him...

Ben left for work at 5 am Saturday...
Mum has been staying and playing games and doing jigsaws with the girls...

And as usual a bit of muddy play!

I am still trying to get clothes clean! And that is it...Lissy

our family...

2011-08-07T12:45:00.000+08:00

I love kids drawing! Here is Morganne's latest picture...Lissy

run...

2011-07-28T20:30:00.000+08:00

In between heavy rain this afternoon Morganne took the opportunity to go outside and RUN!

Got to love the energy of a child! Lissy

the rest of our holidays...

2011-07-24T20:59:00.000+08:00

We have had a mostly quiet holiday at home...just everyday stuff...

One day left...then back to school...Lissy

big sister....

2011-07-24T20:46:00.000+08:00

Evangeline is a great big sister to Morganne...They play together...

Evangeline teaches her things very carefully and patiently...

And reads to her...

And comforts her...

They have their moments but Evangeline is a fair and kind big sister...and she almost always lets Morganne play with any of her things...and includes her little sister when friends come to play...I hope they always have a good relationship...Lissy

holiday happenings....

2011-07-18T12:14:00.000+08:00

We are on winter school holidays...so we have had trips to the park....

We've had friends over to play...and been playing with the horses and ponies...

And been a bit creative over at the shed....

Some rainy and cold days but some great days too...

Ben is home so that makes it all nicer...Lissy

a walk to the park...

2011-07-16T19:03:00.021+08:00

Today we had a family outing...we took the ponies for a walk to the park!

If it wasn't for Parelli I would have never have thought of this! And now we have the skills and savvy to do this safely and have fun!

The girls led the ponies for a while…

And we stopped to say hello to our horses on the way down the road…

I did travelling circles most of the way with Bella...We did more circles at the park while the girls had a play in the playground....

And my non horsey husband even had a go at the circling game with Trumby and did great...he has obviously been taking in something from watching me and the dvds!

And of course there was a lot of eating grass...and odd looks from other people!

And the girls both had a ride on the way home...

The only blot on the outing was when M stood in an ants nest....I had to rip her clothes and shoes off...while still holding a pony and ants crawling up my legs ...

We left them on the side of the road and Ben carried her home and drove back to get them...still covered in ants!

An almost perfect outing on a warm winter's day! And good exercise for us all! Lissy

flat out like a lizard...

2011-07-14T06:29:00.000+08:00

This is how I found Ben yesterday....listening to the radio in the sun...lol...
The saying flat out like a lizard comes to mind...Lissy

lopealong cool rhythm...

2011-07-10T20:03:00.000+08:00

Yes crazy horse person here!!

Here is Lopealong Cool Rhythm or Boy to us...our latest addition...a two and a half year old appaloosa gelding...

He is liver chestnut and developing colour and spots...a glorious tail and pretty face..
He is 14.3hh and will probably mature to 15 or 15.1 hh...

He is not yet broken...that will happen later in the year when he is about 3 but he seems to have a lovely quiet but curious nature...

And he moves beautifully...

He seems to be settling in well...although the other three are putting him in his place and making sure he minds his manners!

So we shall get to know him over the next few months and then onto the next adventure of having him started under saddle! Lissy

the sky this morning...

2011-06-28T08:18:00.000+08:00

It was only like this for a minute...at 7.42 a.m...this is looking west towards storm coming...

The camera was on auto so not great pics and only got a couple before it was gone...Lissy

morning....

2011-06-23T16:25:00.000+08:00

Getting ready for school...breakfast time...

Evangeline requested "bear ears" for her hair today and so then had honey on toast!

All happy here today! Hope you are too! Lissy

time is flying by...

2011-06-22T20:27:00.000+08:00

Time is flying by and I am not being very good at updating my blog! I like to keep up with it as my online diary and plus Ben keeps asking me if I have!!

I have been disappearing off to pony / horse land! Ii hadn't realised what I was missing until I had horses back in my life!

I am getting great exercise doing ground work with all three! And I love being outside with them...they are all making such progress...

And I am getting the girls involved as much as possible! And when they feel like it...
Morganne came out the other day and had a little ride on Trumby bareback...and then she wanted to play with him! So off they went!

And she was so pleased when she backed him through the barrels...she was wiggling that rope like crazy. He is a sensational little pony...

And some cuddles at the end!

Evangeline went on school camp...

Morganne had her first corroboree (assembly) at school...they did three dances...she loved it..the best was a version of the "macarena" using the months of the year!

A finger painting lesson!

Friends to play...

A spot of golf...

And a little Musketeer!

Stay tuned...I may get updating again soon! Lissy

morning fitness...

2011-06-04T11:43:00.026+08:00

The horses are got their exercise this morning! Something next door and the birds in the front paddock set them off!

So I ran to get my camera and had fun watching!

They ran around yahooing and bucking for about 5 mins...








And then they stopped...phew!

Had some friendly scratching...

Then came over to see what I was doing...

Then back to munching...

I spread little bits of hay around the paddock today to keep them moving while they ate...

And that was it...Lissy

four bikes one tent...

2011-06-01T17:05:00.000+08:00

My friends have embarked on a great adventure...taking their two girls (6 and 9 yo) biking across Europe for seven months. I wished I was so courageous! They have already been to Oman, and Germany and now off to the Uk...Go take a look...Four Bikes One Tent...Lissy

eight years...

2011-06-01T11:54:00.000+08:00

Today is our wedding anniversary...eight years...

Ben is in Singapore! Actually he has only been home for one anniversary!

We have been getting rain and the paddock is greening up...I was out spreading fertilizer on the front part of the paddock last week in time for the rain! More rain and lots of rainbows this morning!

Where did May go?? I shall update soon! Lissy

trailer making...

2011-05-14T06:35:00.001+08:00

Ben has been busy making a car trailer...

A horse float (trailer) is next!! Lissy

chief is home...

2011-05-06T20:23:00.002+08:00

Chief is home…he got back Monday afternoon…he now loads on the float with a tap and Mike also practised tying him up without Chief pulling back…

Poor Chief had colic while he was there and had to be drenched and did not eat for 4 days.He went looking like he was a QH in disguise….

But being a thoroughbred this has meant he has lost weight. His rump looks all scrawny. So now I am onto getting some condition back on him!

It is nice to have him home and hear him calling out to me! I got him a new winter rug...

Tuesday was a day for all of them to settle back in and get reacquainted with each other after 3 weeks apart.

Chief is still boss but he is a benevolent leader…he lets the ponies steal food out of his tub while he is eating…it is quite funny to see two faces squished in there…Trumby is very cheeky pulling the tub away from Chief!

And he is so good with the kids...

And Trumby is too...

I am trying to edit holiday photos...I was just going to post a few but have decided that since this is my online diary I will do a lot so when I look back I will have all our memories recorded...

Ben is out at sea...he was supposed to be home tomorrow....but won't be home for several days yet...

On Monday Evangeline goes into hospital to have a tonsillectomy...she has large tonsils and gets tonsillitis but mainly because she has sleep apnoea....I am not really looking forward to dealing with it all by myself. Fortunately mum is around to look after Morganne...hopefully all will go well....Lissy

todays antics...

2011-04-28T21:21:00.003+08:00

We have been having some rain which is good...and the weather is finally a little cooler...Trumby made the most of it...

This morning Morganne snuck out to the paddock to see Trumby...

So then we gave him some carrots...

And she had a "ride"...

And then spent ages walking around with him...

She was so thrilled...

And E played with Bella..

Then Morganne managed to climb up too high in the fairy tree and had to be rescued by Daddy!

Evangeline wanted to ride and these days wants mostly to ride solo and not on a lead...so off she went and did very well..

Then she decided to trot...
And over did it a bit! A good example of why "kick to go and pull to stop" is not the best method!

And off Bella went...amazingly fast for a fat pony with more whoa than go...

E managed to hang on all the way back past the gate to the other end of the paddock...and fell of in the pile of dirt where the horses roll..mainly because the saddle then slipped and she only had one stirrup...

But no harm done!

And so I explained that she should get back on and finish on a positive note...

And no love is lost!

I showed her the photos later...which I had no idea I had...and explained that her signals needed to be a little more subtle! "Kick to go and pull to stop" from riding school is not really very good! I need to teach her more natural horsemanship!

She is a bit disappointed that Bella doesn't jump like Trumby so we will work on that one!
And she gave Trumby a cuddle too..

Also this week was my nephew Ike's birthday...he is now 8...we had an outing to Fremantle...

Over Easter we have been away on a ten day break to Lorne...along the Great Ocean Road...it was fabulous...I have lots of photos to sort out! We are all a bit out of whack with the time difference...a 4a.m. start yesterday...

Chief has been away on holidays too with our fabulous farrier Mike...learning how to load on a float and how to tie up with out pulling back...he gets home tomorrow...I have missed him...he is always looking in the kitchen window in the mornings when the light comes on...and calls out every time I go outside...I have a lot of work to do with him and need to build my confidence but we are becoming pals...

Ben has been working on the trailer he is building and is off to work for a week on Saturday...Lissy

he jumps...

2011-04-11T20:11:00.002+08:00

Little Trumby might have short legs and might look like a miniature shire horse...but he sure can jump...I have learnt from the lady who bred him, Janet at Anfield Pinto Stud that he can actually jump a 44 gallon drum! Even Ben who is completely non horsey is having fun with him and taking Morganne out to visit him in the paddock...

We have started teaching Trumby the 7 games...Evangeline is joining in too...

Other horsey news...Evangeline's friend Jess had a long ride on Bella today...Evangeline was busy showing off her horsemanship skills teaching Jess how to groom Bella and how to mount safely...I even heard her talking about the power position ( a parelli riding term for pushing your self into the saddle)...the girls had a lot of fun. Bella is perfect for this as she is quite happy just to walk!!

More horsey stuff...On Sunday afternoon we were out in the paddock as E was riding Bella...and what pulled up down our road...a lovely shire horse and carriage...destined for a wedding at Caversham House! So Bella was abandoned and we headed down our drive to say hello...his name is Bob and he is 18.2 hh...seven years old and just lovely...

Evangeline stood on the side of the float to watch him being prepared...I think Ben liked him too! Evangeline would now like a cart for the ponies!! Out equines were watching at the gate and then followed him down the road!

Chief has gone on holidays...our farrier / horse breaker Mike has taken him for two weeks while we are away on holidays...Chief has a habit of pulling back and I cannot get him to load in the float. Mike has a very natural way with horses so is going to spend some time with him and work on these issues for me and then give me some lessons in float loading too! My friend Shauna is baby sitting the ponies while we are away on holidays......it is our first real family holiday so we are all rather excited...a plane flight and we are heading for Lorne,Victoria...mum is coming too...see you in a couple of weeks...Lissy

little pony...

2011-04-09T14:11:00.001+08:00

Trumby is settling in nicely...he is not keen n being caught without food...but we will work on that one! We have taken his halter off...so we will see how we go!

He was following Bella around when Shauna was schooling her so getting his exercise!
He is a very solid little thing but he can move! I love his silver mane...

We are just giving him lots of pats and grooming to help him get used to us...and playing the friendly game with him as he is a bit shy...

And that is about it for today! Lissy

trumby...

2011-04-06T21:55:00.012+08:00

Morganne's little pony Trumby arrived today from Walpole on a truck...he was an hour late so it was a long wait!!

His full name is Anfield Trumpets and Fanfare...Morganne cannot pronounce his name so calls him "Crumby"...I don't suppose he will mind!

He is a gorgeous little 9hh Pinto miniature pony (about 36" or 90cm high )... He is six years old...He need some education as he has mainly been a companion but has been well handled...but we shall have fun training him naturally...

His colour is a chestnut tobiano...Evangeline walked him home down the drive...
Morganne has been asking for a little pony for a while so we have decided that we would get one for her....and the girls can ride and play with their ponies together...

The girls think he is gorgeous...Morganne is thrilled...

And it was Diana's first time leading a pony or horse too!

Bella and Chief could not believe their eyes...I don't think they have never seen something so little! He could walk underneath Chief..

But they have all been very friendly...I will keep them separated for a few days then start introducing them even though I think it will all be fine!

We are looking forward to getting to know him...and see what his personality is...he seems very sweet...we love him already...I think he is going to be an absolute darling...Lissy

days around here...

2011-04-05T20:04:00.003+08:00

Life is pretty busy around here...not sure why really but it is ... Sharon made this lovely canvas for my birthday...it is so me and is hanging on the wall in the kitchen...

Morganne has been chatting to friends on the phone...

And having play dates and helping me in the garden...

Evangeline went on a sleep over to Eden's...her friend who now goes to a different school...and having friend's to play too..

I did a visit to her class...parents can go once a term to spend some time in class with your child seeing what they are doing...

And then I helped the kids replant the garden...

Chief has been chatting to me at the fence...

And not loading on the float...pulling back and scrapping all the fur off his forehead...not good really...
We were supposed to go to a two day Parelli clinic on the weekend but I couldn't load him and had to go alone! Anyway he is off on a two week holiday to Mike's...our lovely farrier and natural horse trainer...

We will be on holidays too...off to Melbourne in a week...yippee..we have not had a family holiday in two years! Lissy

lots of layouts....

2011-03-27T15:49:00.000+08:00

I managed to do quite a few layouts over the weekend at the retreat...some I am happy with some not so much!

I did a few vintage ones for my family history album...

And then a few other layouts...

Always good to get a few photos scrapped! Lissy

retreat layouts...

2011-03-27T14:59:00.000+08:00

Well the retreat is over...and here are the layouts...
Festive Moments

Giddy Up

I am already looking forward to the next one!

The next retreat is the weekend of October 21st 2011....Lissy

a couple more sneak peeks...

2011-03-18T14:20:00.000+08:00

I just thought I'd share the other sneak peeks for the Festive Moments class...so you can see the My Minds Eye Good Day Sunshine paper range that we have used for a boy and a girl version..

See you next week at the Wave Rock Retreat...Lissy

my Parelli birthday...

2011-03-14T19:31:00.001+08:00

Well today is my birthday! And I have had a good day!

Evangeline made me a bracelet and jewellery box...she has had this ready for a couple of weeks now...and Morganne enjoyed helping me to open presents and drew me some pictures....I was also given some nice jewellery and metal trays from my mum and sister I plan to use in my craft room...

And my choice of activity for the day...a Parelli Natural Horsemanship lesson...lol..it was a family outing!

And since Chief was kind of my rather big present...it was a good choice!

Evangeline was keen to go so we skipped school and loaded Chief in the float at 8am and headed to Bullsbrook for a one on one lesson with Louise Atkinson...

And phew! I am worn out!

As Louise said I left home with a rather nice quiet horse in the float (trailer) and arrived at Louise’s place and unloaded a completely different horse…blimey! I suddenly had this crazy ex racehorse!

That was a huge learning curve in itself! If I had seen Chief like that I would have never have bought him! Luckily I know this is not him normally! But it is good to know how he reacts out of his comfort zone!

Louise helped me with him and worked him for the first half hour until he calmed down…it all seemed actually about him being there alone…no other horses…so Louise bought a young horse up to keep him company! It was good to see how to deal with him in that situation as I had no idea!

Then I was put through my pases…in the nicest possible way of course! There were a few things I was not doing correctly!

And few things Chief is doing like pushing very subtly usually with his shoulder which I had not even noticed…so a big thing to work on.

Parelli is all about safety and control and building a relationship with your horse. So he needs to learn to stay out of my space! Except when he is invited of course!
But it was great as I found out I was doing ok and that I could be more "forceful" with Chief as I was unsure as to how much pressure to put on. He needs to know that I am the alpha horse so to speak!

So I have some things to work on and some ideas to keep him from becoming bored!

And so I shall have another lesson and then I hope to be set to go to a clinic in April!

We did not much for the rest of the day and then had takeway for dinner! That suited me...no cooking and I was too tired to go out!

Do you think 7.30 pm is too early for bed...lol...and thank you for all the lovely birthday messages on Facebook....Lissy

crop night traumas...

2011-03-13T18:25:00.001+08:00

I had a very traumatic crop night on Friday night....lol...and because Sharon was siting next to me I think she did too! I really struggled with every layout...they all finally worked out fine even with the photos with horrid colours...but it was like pulling teeth...Sharon's I think! I kept threatening to pack up and go home...lol..but she coaxed me on! Thanks for putting up with me Sharon!

And I want to end this post with the heaviness I feel for Japan...the devastation and loss is phenomenal. We have two families at school who are Japanese and have family in Japan. One girl is in Evangeline's class. I have not seen them to know how much they have been affected....Lissy

15 minutes a dress...

2011-03-11T15:15:00.000+08:00

I have been working production line style on Pillow Cases Dresses as part of Little Big Girl Studio's

I had planned to make just one but couldn't decide what to make so I grabbed so fabric and started a production line....I cut out ten dresses and then set to work sewing...

I have worked out it takes about 15 or so minutes to make one....not long...they really are so easy...I think my favourite is the dark brown gingham...

I have a stash of fabric for Children of the Forest projects...I made twirling skirts last November to send...it is the pile on the right...

I always check out the remnants bin when I am waiting in line at Spotlight as often pick up some nice fabric, and check out the clearance section, and save fabric from projects of my own....And Textile Traders have remnants for $1...

And to make a baby size dress only requires about 40x60cm of fabric...I have plenty of scraps that size!

I have made all size dresses depending on the size of the pieces of fabric I had....

Even though I have joined in this sew-a-long I am just going to send my dresses straight to the Children of the Forest as I know they will appreciate them too...

I got the pattern from my Craft Hope book...which also has a specific project for Children of the Forest in it...and so that fits in with my other project this year...The Craft Book Challenge ...see the button to the right....

My plan next month is to make at least 10 pairs of shorts...they aren't so hard either...just have to work out a pattern and some sizes...and stock up on a few more boyish fabrics...but I will make some girls shorts too...Lissy

this long weekend...

2011-03-07T16:05:00.000+08:00

We have had a long weekend here...Ben has been off at a Benchrest competition all weekend...he has a national competition in April to go to so needs to get some practice in...

Mum has popped in a couple of times over the weekend...and mostly the girls and I have been hanging out...yesterday we watched several episodes of Little House of the Prairie together...

And the girls have been busy...making creative messes mostly...

Morganne want to join in when Evangeline is on the computer...so I gave her a mouse with no batteries...she is happy!

And I have been finishing my retreat classes and working with Chief and Bella a bit...they are both very food focused animals!

Bella managed to get into Chiefs yard this morning at feed time...she is getting too fat so gets no extra feeds...Chief is a bit skinny so trying to feed him up....He is the boss but quite happy to let her munch on his breakfast...it took quite a lot to catch her and get her out!

Then this afternoon Chief heard me come out side and started neighing loudly and trotting up to see me...looking for his evening feed I think...

And I finished my layouts for the Retreat classes...and that is mostly it for our weekend...Lissy

And finally you say....

2011-03-07T15:16:00.000+08:00

Here are the sneak peeks for my classes at the 12th Scrappin' Outback
Wave Rock Scrapbooking Retreat
25 - 27th March 2011

In both classes I am using multiple photos and focusing on creating your own embellishments.

The first class is Giddy Up...and I have done a general more neutral version and a soft feminine version...
I have used recent photos but both layouts would work very well with heritage photos...

You will need: landscape photos...two 4x6 and four 2x3 for this layout....you could modify it and use four 4x6 landscape or portrait photos but you will have to rearrange your page a bit...

The second class Festive Moments...has two versions...one is using Christmas papers...and the other will have more neutral papers that will suit boys or girls...I am just waiting on another sheet of patterned paper to complete that one for you...

You will need: one 4x6 portrait photo, two 4x3 portrait photos, three 3x3 photos and four 2x3 landscape photos for this layout...

For the second version I have used slightly different photos...you will need: one 4x6 portrait, four 4x3 portrait and then four small photos all 3" high but varying widths to make up to 9" wide...

I will post some sketches soon to help...

Contact Karen on 9880 5300 or 9880 5761 or 0427 977 672 or scrappinoutback@bigpond.com for details!

Looking forward to seeing you all soon....Lissy

working with Bella...

2011-03-06T20:57:00.001+08:00

We started Evangeline’s Parelli Natural Horsemanship with Bella today…learning the friendly game and the porcupine game...The 7 games are all about safety for the horse and rider and developing a relationship with your horse or pony...
We are waiting for Evangeline’s kid size equipment to arrive with the kidz stick and string and her own halter and line. I bought this purple on locally to get started but it is a pony size but a bit big. I am hoping the Parelli pony size will not be too big as Bella is very petite.

For the non horsey people out there...ears back are not always a warning sign...

The friendly game was great. The carrot stick is not a whip and is never used as such...you can rub them with it, flick it around and all over them and they should not be frightened.

Lots of lip licking is a good sign!

Bella is good at hind quarter yields but not very keen on forequarter yields in the porcupine game.You can porcupine her back on her nose but not on her chest so well.

I then did the driving game with her good on the hind quarters but not so well on the forequarters. Again it took a bit to get her to drive back at the chest.

I tried the yo-yo game and that was quite challenging as she did not want to budge and would try to turn her head away sideways. Finally she did a couple of steps but it took a lot of shaking my whole arm! But that was enough.

Then Evangeline had a ride and that went very well. I had her on line and she rode with her arms out practising turning with her body and going around the cones. Bella did a great job and I was able to drive her around the cones with Evangeline using her body. We then just walked along practicing Bella stopping when I stopped in front of her.

So a pretty good start for us as we are all learning...Parelli is not for everyone but it suits us...to me it is a bit like the Montessori of the horseworld...Lissy

working with Chief...

2011-03-06T12:30:00.002+08:00

Chief has been here for two weeks now. I am only just beginning to get to know him and him me.

I am worried Chief is bored with my basic level of skill. But he is very tolerant of my bumbling efforts.

I am organising some play equipment to put out in the paddock to make our sessions "on the ground" (that is not riding) more interesting...logs, poles, tyres, barrels and so one to add to the cones.

I am sticking to a walk when riding as I feel my skills, balance and signals I am giving to him are limited. Riding used to seem so easy but now I fee like I am beginning again.

The play equipment will also help with making the sessions in the saddle more interesting too.

But that is why I am so glad I have discovered Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

I gives me a path to follow to improve my riding skills but more importantly I feel I can really develop a relationship with Chief by purely working with him on the ground and that to me is a fantastic discovery.

It is early days but I feel so optimistic. I think I would have given up already on my dream to ride if not for Parelli.

He is not impressed with my desire for photo shoots...Lissy

rice, rice, rice....

2011-03-03T13:17:00.001+08:00

At Christmas Children of the Forest had a Christmas Rice Appeal

They are trying to raise money for rice.

It is their main food.

They need 30kg of rice to feed all 150 children in the Child Protection Centre for one whole day.

30 kg of rice costs AUS $16 (GBP10)

They have raised enough money for rice for 166 days this year…until the end of April...

They still need to raise money to buy rice for the other 199 days this year.

It is easy to donate through the link above...

Please help if you can and feed the kids for a day...

Please contact me if you have any queries....Lissy

Edited....many thanks to Nadene, Livvy and Jake and Bec S for donating...that is 170 days covered!

I am joining in...

2011-03-02T07:29:00.000+08:00

I am going to join in why don't you join in too....hosted by Little Big Girl Studio ....pillowcases dresses are very quick and easy to make....

I am aiming to make one as I have a few other things I am supposed to be doing at the moment...but if I get my act together I will try and make a few...

It doesn't take much fabric...or use a pillowcase...see what you can do!

There are plenty of patterns to be found on line...easier still pop to the Dress A Girl Around the World website and there are patterns there...

And you can make stuff for boys too...Lissy

enough...

2011-02-25T21:26:00.015+08:00

I have had enough of this weather...nearly 40C most days and 25C most nights...horrid horrid horrid weather and humid...

Perth has been sweltering in its hottest summer in 33 years and second hottest summer in more than 110 years of records...

I know we live in Australia but really enough is enough! But the forecast for the next seven days is the same...
And tonight we had a power cut so I was getting a little hot and grumpy!!

We have been hiding inside for many days...painting and so on...

And having friends for play dates...

I only really go outside for school runs, to water the garden a little, and feed the animals and administer mozzie deterrents!

Chief is doing well though I am sure he is not so keen on wearing the bug rug all the time..but the mozzies were biting me at 10.30 am Thursday and him too...

Jazz is doing better now she has the collar on so she cannot scratch or rub her nose...it still looks bad but at least the swelling has improved and it is starting to scab...

I am working on the classes for the Retreat....but not much else planned for the weekend...I am hoping Ben will be home on Sunday! Lissy

little ballerina...

2011-02-24T20:45:00.002+08:00

Morganne spends a lot of time twirling around the house and doing arabesques and saying "ballerina,ballerina!"

She really likes to watch Angelina Ballerina...though she couldn't understand why Angelina wasn't going to be there too...

Today we finally made it to her first dance class...she slept through the first two! Evangeline helped get her slippers on...

She was concentrating very hard and did a great job considering she has never been before!

I think she is going to really enjoy this...Lissy

and more animal sagas...

2011-02-24T20:29:00.004+08:00

Firstly we had a BIG snake on the lawn this morning...it was dead..so I am guessing the dogs must have found it...it is over a meter long...Shauna very bravely put it in the bin! Thankfully it doesn't appear that the dogs were bitten..it is a dugite...we had about 10 babies around and in the house last summer..but I have never seen a big one...

Chief seems to be doing ok with his lycra hood and coat...thought the mozzies still find the gaps around his throat and chest so more spray and cream tonight...

And I had my first ride here on him today as the lumps on his body were mostly gone! Just a gentle walk around the paddock as I did not want him to sweat and make his bites itchy!

But poor old Jazz has been back to the vet...more injections and more pills...and she now has a "collar" bucket thing on her head...this is what her nose was like today...getting worse...as she is scratching and rubbing it on everything...so hopefully it will be a lot better by morning...the vet couldn't clean it or put cream on as it was too sore...horrid isn't it...and she can lick it with her long tongue...

Jazz is in the pool area tonight as that is enclosed by flyscreen and I can keep an eye on her...and I have put another mozzie zapper out there...and the cats are staying on the other side of the pool fencing!

I am hoping the animal sagas are at an end...though if Jazz isn't lots better we will be heading back to the vet in the morning...Lissy

more equine and canine mozzies sagas...

2011-02-23T13:49:00.000+08:00

Well not only are the mosquitoes keen on thoroughbred horses they also seem to like Wiemaraner dogs....I noticed Jazz had a lot of bumps on her last night too...so sprayed her with repellent as well...

Then this morning I got up to see this...look at her poor nose...so I took her off to the vet... a couple of injections and some pills to give her and hopefully it will start to heal in the next 24 hours...so long as she doesn't keep scratching...cream is no good as she licks it off...

I was relieved to see when I took Chief's bug rug off today most of his lumps were going down under the coat...but his face was still munched...

I bought some pour on repellent to use tonight...and some cream to put on his ears and nose...it stinks but he was fairly tolerant...and a new fly mask he can wear at night...I am putting garlic in his feed and apparently yellow sulphur is good too...

I might try and give Jazz garlic too...and I have put a huge mosquito zapper over near the dog yard to see it that helps control mosquitoes around the yard and horses...

I will keep spraying them, using the stinky cream on their noses and using the bug rug over the next few weeks until hopefully the mosquitoes bugger off!

So about $400 in vet bills, bug rugs, sprays and potions later we are beating the mozzies hopefully! Apparently the council has not been spraying so much recently...Lissy

munched by mozzies...

2011-02-22T20:40:00.000+08:00

Poor Chief has been munched by mozzies...I feel terrible...He must be very uncomfortable...
I have sprayed him with repellent and bought him a special aussie bug rug...and hope that helps...it is supposed to be impregnated with repellant...

But it may take a few days for all these bites to go away too...

And they are on his face as well...I am thinking a full fly veil with ears might be needed...but not sure how he will see so well at night with that on...

There will not be any riding happening for a few days anyway...but we have been doing a bit of Parelli work on line...good for him to settle into to his new home...

Bella and Chief seem very happy together...

I hope I put enough repellent on tonight...the mozzies munch me too and it is not nice....dawn and dusk is the problem time...I shall see what other products are available tomorrow...they do not seem to bother Bella at all...Lissy

love song...

2011-02-21T21:01:00.003+08:00

Each night I sing a little "love song" that I made up when Evangeline was a baby...she sometimes sings it to me or sings her own version...and now Morganne is doing the same..

Tonight she sang...I love mummy, I love Sangeline, I love my daddy he's at work on the boat, I love my mummy, and I love Sangeline and I love my daddy I miss my daddy all day...or something close to that...so very cute...

I would have love to have recorded it on video...

And today I had brunch with my friend Jen to celebrate her birthday...with gorgeous bub Zachary too...
Ben is at work...They called up Friday night and he went to work on Saturday morning to relieve the master on a boat whose father in law passed away so not sure how long he will be gone...he is out at sea dodging two cyclones coming down the west coast...Lissy

bringing Chief home...

2011-02-20T18:21:00.001+08:00

This afternoon Chief came home...very exciting...

And even better Bella and Chief seems to be friends straight away...not one bit of nastiness as yet...here they are saying hello...

And doing a few laps of the paddock together...

and then settling into eating...

A pretty good day all in all...Lissy

riding...

2011-02-20T18:10:00.001+08:00

It is so nice to be riding again..I have been riding regularly in the last week trialling Chief...it is so great to be back in the saddle and finding my "seat" again...which is considerably larger than when last I rode! But is bound to diminish now I can exercise...trotting is great exercise! Especially with a foot injury that means I cannot do most other forms of exercise!

I had my last trial today on Chief in Bullsbrook....Charity and her husband (cannot spell his name!) have been really fabulous while I have been there...helping me get to know Chief and learn the Parelli method of natural horsemanship...I really like it...and as you can see I am happily riding Chief around in a halter (hackamore)...no bit...I feel very confident riding him...Charity took some photos for me today!

I have lots to learn but it is handy Chief "knows'' the stuff so we are not beginners together...though he is trying to pull the wool over my eyes a bit! I just have to show him more leadership in our new partnership!

He is just what I wanted...something quiet and reliable while I reconnect with riding...and have some fun!Though I never thought I would find that in a 5 year old Thoroughbred ex race horse! Proves that in all things you should be open minded! Now I need some with me playing the Parelli games with Chief! Lissy

team penning...

2011-02-20T10:00:00.001+08:00

Until recently I had no idea what team penning was....the couple that I am purchasing Chief off have just started team penning...it is a horse sport involving cows...

You are in team of 3 riders and you have 2 minutes to get three cows into the holding yard.

There are about 20 cows in the herd and they have different coloured colours...when the clock is started you are given a collar colour to go for. It is actually quite hard...

Last night Mum and I took the girls to watch...it was rather nice sitting on the grass watching for an hour or so...

Evangeline just wanted to climb on the fence...

And Morganne wanted to roll down the hill...she wanted to climb the fence to but I would not let her....

I took some photos on auto so they are not great...it was sunset and then the lights were put on...I need to find out what settings on manual I can use so I can take better ones next time...But fun was had by all...Lissy

first day in uniform...

2011-02-17T12:19:00.012+08:00

Today Morganne had her first day in uniform...she just wanted to pull faces and play around rather than have photos taken!

But she still looks very cute! So far school is going well! Lissy

first day free dress day...

2011-02-16T14:26:00.000+08:00

Today was Morganne's first day at school...it was also Free Dress Day to raise money for the Queensland Floods...

She was very excited...

And even did some little star jumps!

Evangeline helped her walk to class....

And her teacher Ian met her at the door...she went straight in no hesitations...

I picked he up at 12 noon as she only does half days...she was upset she did not have a packed lunch so I will send one tomorrow even though she doesn't eat it at school!

She said it was her best day....so I am happy she had a good one! She is ready to start this part of her life...

Then she came home and crashed! I think this will happen most days...

We will have another first day tomorrow when she wears her uniform! Lissy

orientation...

2011-02-15T16:45:00.000+08:00

After school today we went to Morganne's classroom for her orientation meeting...

She has already been for visits last year during play group but today was just a meeting with Ian her teacher to show her around the classroom, where to put her bag, where the toilet is and to do a couple of jobs, including how to put your chair back too!

She starts tomorrow and I think she will love it!

Only one new child starts on any given day so Ian can spend the whole morning with her doing jobs and helping her settle in...

She is in Jacaranda Class which is the same children's house (ages 3-6) that Evangeline was in...but with a different teacher...as is the Montessori way she will be in the same classroom for three years with the same teacher...

So we are embarking on a new learning journey in our family... Lissy

a few busy days...

2011-02-14T15:05:00.000+08:00

We have had a few busy days around here...Evangeline has been skating again and tried blades and liked them. She has learnt to skate backwards, turn and JUMP! eeeeeeeeeeeek!

Ben has been busy building a car trailer...I have been scrap booking...
And I have been riding Chief...

I am trialling him on the owners property but he is so nice I think I will buy him and bring him home soon! I have started learning Parelli Natural Horsemanship and trying it out on Chief...You start with 7 "games" that you play with the horses to teach them to move where you want them and to establish your dominance in the partnership...not in a mean way as it is supposed to be a partnership...but it is actually about safety...if a horse perceives you as more dominant in the herd then they will move out of your way and so on....
Evangeline rather liked Chief too ...

Mum has been over on the weekend and we went out for dinner...

Evangeline wanted to learn cross stitch so Mum has started teaching her...
And that is about it for now... and Morganne starts school on Wednesday...Lissy

a night out...

2011-02-12T10:49:00.001+08:00

I actually had a night out! No kids and no husband...it does not happen often...once or twice a year...I went to Tomorrow's Memories with Sharon for a crop night...and I actually got 6 layouts done before I had to call it a night at 10pm...a late one for me...

It was so nice to do some scrapbooking...as it is about 4 months since I did anything...I took very few supplies with me and coped fine...lol...so I am determined to pack lightly in the future!

Morganne wanted to paint yesterday...and this was my solution...WATER! And she loved it and it is mostly mess free!!

And a day at home today...it is windy again...Lissy

skating progress...

2011-02-06T14:31:00.001+08:00

It is very windy here today so this morning I took Evangeline skating again...

She is going great guns...

We discovered that every 6 weeks they test skaters to see if they can move to the next level in classes...

We did one class on the holidays which was a disaster as all E wanted to do was skate and go fast, then we went to two other free skate sessions on the holidays so she could practice...the rest of the time she has been skating around the house...ALL day...lol...driving me nuts...

So she only has been skating a handful of times...and she has passed Star One into Star Two already....so it seems she is actually pretty good at skating...

And so one of the coaches from Morley Panthers Skating Club chatted to me about her maybe joining the club...he was amazed that she had only just started skating...so we shall see how she goes...

She loves the games and speed skates sessions...

And she has come home this afternoon and is teaching herself tricks like jumps...heaven help us...Lissy

Chief...

2011-02-04T21:36:00.000+08:00

Well I have had an interesting day…I had decided after things not working out with Rosie I should only look at geldings...So I started my search again...

I was supposed to see a horse this morning…Banjo (grey anglo arab)…but the owner cancelled…saying she instinctively knew he was not the horse for me...very strange I thought...but she was right!

Then I went to see Sunny a very nice and quiet 11year old 15hh uneducated palomino…I liked him but no trial possible….Shauna like him too...

So last minute I phoned up about Chief…I was unsure as he is a 15.3hh (tall), only 5 years old and a thoroughbred….I said I did not want a Thoroughbred ex race horse...but still he sounded great…

I was planning to go and see Sunny again tomorrow morning with Mike, our farrier / horse breaker and buy him…

But thought I should see Chief just to be sure…so I went to look tonight with Shauna…

And low and behold he is the quietest non race horse type Thoroughbred I have come across...

He even siddles up to mounting block…and with a little tap moves his bum in ..can mount from either side..so it doesn't matter that he is taller...

And he was very comfortable…

He was quiet to handle and has lovely soft eyes...a good sign!

Shauna loved him..fortunately he is too slow and quiet to be an eventer or show jumper (which is why he is being sold) as I think Shauna would steal him to start show jumping again! But I shall let her pop him over a few jumps for fun!

So I left a deposit…I need to go back mid week to ride him again as he hurt his leg yesterday so is a bit lame…then vet check and bring him home for a trial...

I have asked Charity (his owner) to come and give me Parelli lessons with him! Chief is Level Two Parelli. Parelli is a natural horsemanship thing...

And I should like Evangeline and Bella to learn as well. It is all about developing rapport and trust with your horse...and giving them signals to do things..it is also all about safety...which is so important...

So I have had a very interesting week! And now I am very excited...it is going to be a long few days until we can bring him home! I am so glad I didnt' let his size and breeding put me off! Lissy

back to school...

2011-02-02T13:55:00.001+08:00

Our school year has started again..and Evangeline was excited to be heading off to school to see her teacher Natalie and class mates again...

She is in Year Two but in the same class as last year as it is a lower primary class of 6-9 year olds....

Morganne is missing her today...

We popped up to visit Sharon...and saw her P365 album...loved it....

Evangeline's best friend Eden has moved to another school so I think she may find it a little hard for a while...soon be time to pick her up...

I am a sad today as we are taking Rosie the Golden Horse back home...I was so excited about her...but she is still kicking out a lot and they are big hard kicks. It is aimed at Bella but I am worried the pony will get hurt or if Evangeline is leading her that she will accidentally get kicked...Mares can be like that and we weren't to know until we tried her...so back to looking again...maybe I should look for a gelding....Lissy

our little superhero...

2011-02-01T11:18:00.000+08:00

Morganne is often playing super heroes these days...she loves to watch Lazy Town...we usually tie one of her blankies around her neck as I haven't gotten around to making her a cape...but last night Evangeline decided to make her a superhero cape! What a fabulous big sister!

Ben and I got up early this morning to hang the last gate now the cement was well and truly set...then we took him to the airport....

Evangeline and I went out and caught Bella and Rosie...groomed them and then lead them around the paddock...

And Evangeline has been busy doing other sewing...making a doll...I helped a bit...

And this morning she decided she needed a pillow slip....

So quite busy around here...Lissy

Golden Girl...

2011-01-31T19:18:00.001+08:00

This horse is a golden girl...I love her colour....
Most of the day she did not lift her head from eating grass...just watching me but still eating..lol...Finally I managed one or two in the early evening...

And what on earth does this mean??? Her ears are forward so it is not nasty...maybe she ate something odd tasting!

Mostly now she seems to be keeping us away from Bella...

I am looking forward to tomorrow...Lissy
PS I am so sick of this blogger doing weird stuff like moving pictures...grrrrrrrrr

two mares...

2011-01-31T15:50:00.000+08:00

Kamala Rose arrived at lunchtime today...and she was very pleased with the green grass in the paddock....

It is a bit nerve wracking having two mares and seeing them settling in...poor little Bella has received a few kicks...

But mostly they are walking around together eating...
So I think in horse terms that means they are sorting out who is boss and getting to know each other....well hopefully ...mares can be horrid....

Rose has a full fly mask on mainly to protect her white face from sunburn!
She is settling in now...I shall go out later and spend some time with her...

Shauna is coming over to see her tomorrow...and I shall have a ride...it is all a bit nerve wracking but very exciting too...

Ben's worked called this afternoon and he is off to do extra work for 5 days tomorrow...so we will get up at 5.30 a.m. to hang the other paddock gate before he leaves at 7a.m....Lissy

sweet...

2011-01-31T09:42:00.003+08:00

Evangeline and Bella this morning...

Bella really is a gem of a pony...Lissy

hot, humid and stormy...

2011-01-30T13:27:00.005+08:00

The weather has been pretty unpleasant around here...a cyclone has come down the coast...doesn't happen often...the last one was in 1978...I was in primary school and remember that...

It hasn't affected Perth much but we have had very humid weather and it is hot...about 42C yesterday here...and we had some very heavy rain yesterday...

First thing in the morning Evangeline rode Bella then we went to meet Rosie. In the afternoon we stayed indoors....Evangeline and I went to the shops late afternoon and got drenched leaving...so when we got home there was a lot of water around...so this is what the girls did...

Then Ben hosed them down!

And into the bath...it cooled off a bit in the evening so Ben and I started replacing the gates to the paddock...one smaller one for daily access to the horses and a larger one...we are gradually replacing the top rails as well...the old ones are a bit chewed from precious horses...

This morning we went up to the Farmer's Market at Kalamunda and then had breakfast at a cafe with friends...

Evangeline has been busy sewing ...she has two great books...both easy for her to follow and do things by herself which she is loving...

Made by Me she got for Christmas and Sewing School arrived in the post the other day....

Her sewing kit which I put together for her Christmas present has been a hit...and the needle threader means she can be independent especially now she has learned to tie knots...She has made a needle book and a pin cushion today...She has done a great job for a 7 year old....

And now she wants to start a doll...and there is a ribbon bag next on the list...

We will get out and finish the paddock gates later too...Lissy

a new horse...

2011-01-29T13:19:00.010+08:00

I think I have found the horse for me...I saw the ad and phoned up about her last night and went to see her today...she is lovely...Kamala Rose... She is a 15hh, 4 yr old QHxTB, chestnut and white Paint...her sire is Critical Decision...

She is a gorgeous golden colour particularly in her mane and she has a gorgeous nature...and although green with time I think she will be great...so she is coming home with us on Monday for a two week trial...

She has a lot of lovely white on her face and a few flecks on her legs...so not "loud" in paint terms but nice I think. She is a great height and she will be easy to get on. Paints and Quarter Horses are well know for their sensible temperaments.

Mike our farrier and horse guru came with us and rather liked her I think...he has several Paints himself but he also knows horses really well...I like his kind nature with them and willingness to spend time on them, not rush them and get the most out of them...

Shauna is inconveniently away on holidays! So I will have to wait until Tuesday to get her tick of approval!

Here we are after our first ride...Mike has already ridden her and given his tick of approval and he expects a lot out of horses...he is going to spend some time with her in the next two weeks for me too...

I want just one horse...the right one for me that I can spend time with and enjoy riding, lead Bella (our pony) for the girls and start endurance on in a year or so...once I am in shape and loose lots of kilos...and regain my riding fitness...those muscles have been dormant for a long time...

This will probably be the last horse I own so I am looking forward to Monday and bringing Rosie home...Ben is going to be busy in this heat putting up the new gates...Lissy

slowing down...

2011-01-27T14:57:00.014+08:00

Things are finally slowing down around here...

Each year November and December are so busy for us...birthdays, end of school activities, end of year concerts and Christmas...

Then we seem to land in a heap on the other side in the New Year...and it takes a few weeks to get back on board!

Finally we are in holiday mode....we had swimming after New Year and that seemed to keep us very busy....

We have tried to get away for a few days holidays but that has not eventuated...

And here we are at the end of January and getting back into the swing of things and the holiday is nearly over...and I am now getting some of the things I had planned to do on the holidays done!

I am getting time to sew with Evangeline....and do some sewing myself...

I have completed my first item for the Craft Book Challenge...

It is from this book Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross...given to me by the crafty Sharon...

It is a fabulous book with lots of great projects...the instructions were easy to follow but I think the fabric amounts were wrong for this "Everything Tote" that I made...

I managed to sew on the handles wrong but it is still OK...I like the orange spot contrasting with the black and grey floral...

We are getting Evangeline out riding the pony most days...usually early befor ehte heat kicks in...and I am still looking for a horse for myself... I rode one yesterday...called Cisco...a big chestnut boy...but hard work to get him moving... And I am a tad sore today after the ride!

Evangeline starts school next Wednesday. Morganne doesn't start for two weeks...

Ben heads off at the end of next week again for a week checking out his new boat...so we hope to enjoy the next few days...Lissy

Captain Daddy and Australia Day...

2011-01-26T10:16:00.001+08:00

Today is Australia Day!

And we have had some exciting new here...Ben has been promoted and will now be Master (Captain) of his own ship...We are very proud of Captain Daddy...

Evangeline went riding this morning. She went and caught Bella with a flag....lol...Bella just followed her in...

Evangeline has also been sewing this morning and made a bag from her new book....Lara is now here to play for a while...

I want to try and do some sewing today too!

Ben has gone off with his dad looking at trailers as he is going to build one...next on the list is a horse float for me!!

I am looking at another horse this afternoon...still waiting to find the perfect one...

Happy Australia Day....Lissy

new book...

2011-01-25T17:53:00.000+08:00

We had a new book arrive in the post today...it is fabulous....perfect for children learning to sew...

It has basic sewing skills with clear illustrations and then great little projects again with very clear illustrations. Evangeline is very keen and picked out a few projects...

First up is an eye patch for grandma... and one for herself too...She has done it mostly by herself...even threading her own needles with a needle threader...

She made hers by hand and then we set up her machine to make grandma's...
And finished it by hand....

I want to set up a sewing station in my room for her sewing machine and sewing bits...just need to clear some space and get a small table and we will be set!

And we had some visitors today....The girls played non stop...except for a bit of time playing a Wizard of Oz computer game....

And Ben gets home again tonight from a work trip to Melbourne....and some big news...Lissy

skater girl...

2011-01-24T18:44:00.000+08:00

Evangeline is skating around the house all day....

So I took her for another session at the rollerdrome...bad photos

Another skater took her for a toboggan ride...

Thankfully her skills are improving but not her desire for speed...Lissy

speed skater...

2011-01-22T14:21:00.000+08:00

Evangeline is our little speed skater...lol...well she is only learning to skate...this is her choice for an activity this term...

They have a hour lesson then two hour free skate session with games...$12 and $2 skate hire...

She refuses to slow down and listen and just goes as fast as she can...so I bought her some safety gear and I am hoping for the best...I also bought some ex hire skates for her to practice...I am hoping with practice she will improve...Lissy

the big chop...

2011-01-21T18:08:00.000+08:00

Today I took the girls to have their hair trimmed before school starts in a couple of weeks...Morganne just had a little trim...
But Evangeline has been asking for shorter hair for about a year...so today was the day...she had about 6 inches chopped off! I think she was a bit shocked but is liking it!

Sharon and I had some fun yesterday...well mostly...lol...can't wait to show you...Lissy

perking up....

2011-01-19T19:21:00.002+08:00

Well the last three days have been not so good...starting with Morganne having 39.5C temperatures on Monday...

And then both feeling sick so off to the doctor on Tuesday...both have tonsillitis but glandular fever is going around...Morganne didn't like her medicine and spat it out...then decided it tasted ok...

Evangeline got violent stomach cramps and vomited...so I have been up since 3 am today..she reacted to the antibiotics...so back to the doctor today...

And now tonight all is pretty well! But I am knackered...

This afternoon they were well recovered and did some painting...very messy...but better than whinging sick kids...

Tommorow Sharon and I have some fun planned!

And Ben will be home...yay!!!

And early bed for all tonight...Lissy

busy days...

2011-01-16T09:42:00.000+08:00

All our days seem to be busy...not sure why since we are on holidays...the girls finished their last week of swimming lessons and each passed their level. It is great to see how much they have improved. Aussie kids need to be able to swim!

Evangeline is going great on Bella. She is responding well to leg aids. Shauna is still schooling her and she had her first hose down...

They have been crafting...Evangeline was given this woodwork kit for her birthday. She glued all the bits together and then let Morganne help her paint it!

Our little friend Imi had her birthday party yesterday..not any great photos but look at this amazing cake Jen made!

Afterwards E was going for a sleep over at mum's...while we were waiting for her to return home the girls played out in the lane and I took photos...they looked so gorgeous in the very cute skirts Sharon gave them...

I confess I have gone back to auto as my brain seems to have forgotten all the manual photography stuff...I shall have to read up and try again!

And then tears...

Today E has called a couple of times...and so chatted to M...

And we played some golf...

It is hot and windy here so probably not much will happen around here today...Ben is due home at the end of the week...and maybe next week we will go camping and celebrate Australia Day...Lissy

hot january days...

2011-01-11T18:46:00.000+08:00

The weather is hot...about 36C or so each day...and the nights are about 20C or so...

And while we are having hot dry weather Queensland is in a flood crisis...terrible for all those people affected...and south of Perth there is a deliberately lit fire destroying homes...

We have been busy going to swimming lessons...Morganne is going great guns and so is Evangeline...

And Evangeline had her first sleep over with her Nan and Papa (Ben's parents)...

And we have put some cones out in the paddock...Bella trotted around for quite a while...then went up and sniffed them...then ignored them!

We have had friends and babies to play...

And Evangeline made this Marble House from Mel's Hip Hip Hooray kids holiday ideas that she is doing with Tamar...

And the girls are having great fun playing with it! Thanks Mel!

And a change of venues to the paddling pool...then we bucketed the water onto the garden...
I have been tackling the garden and weeding a bit each morning...and mainly I am having a huge clear out and clean up...it is killing me as I really really want to get on and do some sewing or scrap booking or something...but I am persevering...but it is so BORING! And it seems to be taking forever....

I am horse hunting still...I have tried a couple but no luck so far...I quite fancy a Morgan...I rode some while on rotary exchange as a 17 year old in the US...but they are pretty pricey so I may just have to dream about owning one...here are a couple for sale that I like...gorgeous aren't they!

And one worn out three year old...

And that is about it around here...Lissy

stormy weather...

2011-01-05T11:04:00.000+08:00

It has been horribly hot and humid here for a few days but finally today it rained! Quite a lot...thunder and rain...rather nice...

Morganne got out in the puddles...

I took these photos of Bella before the storm...She is such a pretty little thing...

She is getting a little podgy and that is just on paddock feed and the odd carrot! We shall have to be careful in the winter when there is a lot of feed....

While the storm was on Bella and Missy (one of our dogs) played racing games up and down the fence again...while our other dog Jazz cried in the garage! She does not like water...

I am looking for a horse...I tried one last week but not the one for me...and trying another on Friday...I will find something eventually! Then Bella will have an equine companion!

And Evangeline is earning pocket money scooping up the manure! She gets her boots, hat and sunscreen on and off she goes! She gets about 3 wheelbarrow loads done!

Other than that things are quiet around here...We have been in the pool a couple of times each day.

Yesterday E rode Bella at 8 am and it was so hot we had a swim at 8.30 am to cool off! We have started swimming lessons in the afternoons and that is about it...Lissy

happy new year from the Forest...

2011-01-01T19:45:00.002+08:00

Dear friends and supporters of Children of the Forest,

We would like to wish you all a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

We would also like to offer our deepest gratitude for each of your help in continuing our mission to provide protection, education, health care and opportunity to the thousands of stateless children living in the Thai/Burmese border zone.

Without your support, trust and belief this vital work could never have come so far and helped so many...

sincere thanks from us all at Children of the Forest

ps sorry I couldn't make photo bigger....Lissy

word and 2011

2011-01-01T17:48:00.000+08:00

I have been thinking recently about my word for 2011...

and I have decided it is RECONNECT...

with connect meaning to show a relationship between one person or thing and another, connect someone with something, connect someone to something...

I am thinking about reconnecting to things and people...re establishing links...with things I used to do like horse riding, walking (if I can get over this plantar fascitis...very painful...), cooking and reading...and reconnecting with friends and family... but more about strengthening those relationships...slowing down, organising less each week and spending real time together...

So some personal goals for 2011...

get a horse and start riding again...
start swimming then walking to regain some fitness
try and read a book a month...or every two months...fiction or non fiction...
join in the Craft Book Challenge...see the button to the right...the idea being to actually sew something each month from a craft or sewing book you already own...

have coffee or lunch and go to the movies with friends more often...
organise at least one family outing when Ben is home...
work on decluttering my home...
do some more art...
try a new recipe each week...
start early and make some hand made Christmas presents..
sew some more clothes for the girls
sew some clothes and bags for the Children of the Forest...I have something big in mind for this year so stay tuned....

And here's hoping I achieve it all...what are your goals for this year? Lissy