Category: Walking for Health and Well being

Weekend Coffee Share; Dec. 27, 2020

On By DianaIn Walking for Health and Well being, weekend coffee share20 Comments
  • Welcome to my weekend coffee share where we meet to share what’s happening in our lives with old friends and new!

As I sit here coloring my adult coloring book I am reminiscing about Christmas as I relax and enjoy this gift. I have to tell you that my artsy crafty side of my brain is completely addicted to this coloring book! This isn’t my first one, I am not sure where my other coloring book is but this one has cool sayings and quotes. I am enjoying it immensely! I’ll share a page and you can color too! Haha, you will find it very addicting. I am coloring away thinking I really wanted to share coffee with you today and share the happenings of my Christmas weekend. So I will set it aside for now, and I’ll share what I’ve colored so far.

I started with just the small box of crayons. Today I purchased a much bigger box and some twistable colored pencils!

My daughter is on her way home up North and we had a great time together with my son and my hubby. We video chatted with my family in Arizona as we opened gifts that we sent each other. We did a secret Santa (website) so that it would pick names so that we could buy each other gifts to make Christmas a little easier. We use this website where we can share our wish lists, which sure comes in handy and makes shopping so much easier. It was great fun opening up gifts together (video chat) and catching up and seeing those beautiful grand kids!

I told my daughter I wanted to try and have a Swedish dinner for Christmas. It wasn’t exactly authentic as we made everything vegan. We made Swedish meatballs using frozen vegan meatballs which heated up super fast. I found the recipe for the IKEA Swedish meatball sauce, and I may have made more sauce to meatball ratio, which is okay in my book and YUMMY! My daughter made homemade Swedish Cardamom bread, and even though we may have over-proofed it (I think that was our mistake?) It turned out delicious! We made a Swedish Potato casserole and a Swedish beet and apple salad. Dessert was pumpkin cheesecake bars. It was so fun cooking with my daughter! ❤ We started baking/cooking at 3:30pm and didn’t stop until we sat to eat at 7:30pm Christmas day. Cooking from scratch takes a lot of time! BUT WORTH IT! Now I need to find the energy to make soup for dinner tonight! Haha 😀

  • Swedish beet/apple salad, potato casserole and meatballs!
  • Swedish cardamom bread

The cardamom bread was so delicious. It is a little sweet and I just LOVE the taste of cardamom. We were struggling with timing everything as I only have the one oven and since we didn’t meal plan or plan out the timing of everything, unfortunately we think the bread sat too long before we could get it into the oven to bake. Being a yeast bread, that can make a huge difference. It was still very soft and tasted wonderful but was slightly dense in the middle and that bigger loaf a little under done in the center, but just barely. It sure smelled good while baking! All the food tasted wonderful and how can it not when it is made with Love! ❤

We decided to go out for a hike as my daughter is always inspiring me trying to fit in exercise where we can. We had a bit of winter weather which brought rain which clears the air and the next day was beautiful! My daughter wanted to hike to Pumpkin Rock which is a huge boulder at the top of this hill in our town. The locals here keep pumpkin rock painted, as it will get a bit of graffiti and/or fade over time. I just googled it and it is there as Pumpkin Rock Trail Loop which is 1.7 miles long. Sounds just about right! Here are some photos from our hike.

We are about half way up enjoying the views. It is a fairly steep trail, so if your not in shape you’ll need to stop and catch your breath! Haha!
The foreground is George Ingalls Equestrian Center. You are looking at Norco where I live! The mountain range you see in the distance are the San Gabriel mountains with the highest peak at 10,064ft/3,068m.
We made it! I’m with my son on the left and I’m with my daughter on the right!
We were celebrating, we made it! Haha!!
Me and my SHADOWS!

We had a blast on our hike up and down on Pumpkin Rock Trails. As we were leaving the rock and started back down we were laughing at our shadows. We just had to take photos and I thought it would be fun to share. I didn’t take my phone so I didn’t have my camera and my son did a great job with all the photos I am sharing with you. We could not have picked a better day to hike, only 65F such a beautiful, gorgeous day. I will say that as I am sharing with you this last weekend of reminiscing, I am realizing that we didn’t take any photos of present opening. I usually always take photos of at least one gift each person opens, oh well, it was a fun day even though I didn’t digitally record it and it goes with this rather strange year.

I took this photo the next day and I had to zoom in from the road below. I wanted you to see what we see when we are in town even though the photo is really grainy!

Thanks for having coffee with me today. I forgot to ask you for a refill but I just get going on and on about things so I apologize for my lack of hospitality. I do enjoy our visits and hope you enjoyed your holiday however you were able to celebrate!

Happy Christmas Weekend!

Love, Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; Aug. 12, 2020

On By DianaIn Walking for Health and Well being, weekly smile12 Comments
  • Welcome to my weekly smile! What made you smile this week?

I was in a hurry when I took this sunrise photo as I was on my morning walk and stopped quickly to take the shot. I decided to use my app on my phone as I exercised. The app is always tracking my walks but I decided to click on the walk tab and have it start and track my walk. This is all new to me so it counted me down and start. Then when I stopped to take this photo, it said pause exercise. So I quickly snapped it and started moving again and it resumed. It told me when I was half way, and encouraged me when I was almost home! Haha, I did not walk alone this morning with my phone talking to me along the way. 😀

When I got home I got 6 awards from my app. I had bested my walks in many ways which was my goal when I set out. You see, I have been walking for a long time but when I was visiting my daughter last time some light bulbs went off as we jogged a little and then she was showing me how people power walk. I don’t like to jog, but have added a bit of this to my walks to raise my heart rate and I am walking much faster power walking up hills which also raises my heart rate. I guess in the past I was walking but not thinking how can I get in better shape? what can I do to get more out of my walks? I am doing this now!

I thought I would share one of my rewards as it makes me Smile! 😀

My daughter has used these kinds of apps and she was saying they are good but when you run or get out there and can’t perform like you normally do or you do not get better like you thought you would, it can also be disappointing to see the numbers on your app. I get that, there is always good things and bad things when tracking what you do but for me as I get moving to improve my walking it is fun to see the progress! I will continue to use it for awhile. 😀

  • Completed! I’m Smiling!

I am smiling from ear to ear because I can get this pretty baby blanket in the mail. It is nice and pink for the baby girl of a dear friend. She has two boys and is so excited for her baby daughter due in September. I have one more baby blanket to make and am not sure what I am going to do, still thinking about that. They are super FUN to create and all my crafting helps keep me sane and relaxed. It really is a stress reliever!

Thank you for visiting my smile post this week. I want to continue my walking and if I can pick up my pace, my next step is to add miles. I am really motivated and hope I can reach my goals. Have a great rest of your week. 😀

Smiling, exercising Gal –

~Diana ❤

Walking and Horsey Stuff!

On By DianaIn Barn stories, Horse stories, Living life, Walking for Health and Well being6 Comments
This mornings sunrise! Walking for health and well being.

I wake up feeling a bit stiff. I stretch and stretch again and can’t wait to walk. I am writing this to keep myself accountable because I want to walk every day, but I don’t. When I am working I am walking and I walk when I am at the barn but that is not what I am talking about. I want to walk miles, but my busy life makes walking miles challenging! How do you fit exercise into your schedule? I LOVE the endorphins from exercise, I think I would be an exercise addict if I didn’t own horses, or LOVE crochet and the other things that block my way, like work and my crazy schedule. 😀

So I am writing this to encourage myself. Haha, maybe I may encourage you too! The stretching I did after my walk after my synovial fluids were warmed up (they say it takes 20 minutes for your synovial fluids to flow and lubricate your joints, this goes for horses and all animals so consider a good warm up as you exercise!) that stretching felt SO GOOD! I am feeling my age these days and if you do not stretch, DO IT! I can’t tell you how tight your muscles get, whether you are sitting all day or standing a lot. I can’t tell you how much better you’ll feel if you add stretching to your daily routine. I am no exercise guru, just an average Grandma/Mom and am feeling great and adding this to my routine has really changed my life. I never thought stretching and walking could make me feel so GOOD! YAY!

I do get exercise at the barn with my horses. I get upper body work out with the pitch fork and raking. I also carry bags of grain and shavings. I lift my saddle (a saddle can weigh from 10 – 60 lbs) my western saddle probably weighs between 30 – 40 lbs as it is a flex tree and is lighter than the average western saddle, my English around 20 lbs. I have never weighed them but that is another upper body work out. AND brushing (grooming) my horses, definitely a good upper body work out! This is my outside gym! ❤

My grooming helps them shine! This is from last weekend after a beautiful trail ride!
Zack to my left (really my right) and Chloe as I walk them to their stalls!

My girlfriend at the stables was walking up the aisle as I was walking my horses together back to their stalls after my ride. She said “whoa” HAHA! and I realized she meant for me to stop as she pulled out her phone to take some photos. THANK YOU! I don’t have many photos of myself with my ponies. I just LOVE THEM!! I am going to share a few more as I so adore my Equine friends. I am so blessed and truly thankful I can have these beautiful animals. They really listen to me and we have such a good time together.

As I walk both of them I have learned that keeping their feet moving is the best way to get from point A to point B. You see they are 1,000 lbs and are very strong and they know their strength. Yes, they are compliant most of the time, and while leading them if I let them put their head down and take a bite of grass, it is all over. They are too strong for me to pull their heads up one arm at a time! Haha, they are not bad, they just act like they are starving and that they must eat the grass. So if I keep their heads up and don’t let the lead line get too long, especially walking both together I am good! Silly ponies!

I just LOVE this photo, such pretty horses!
Uh Oh! I need to move their feet! Zack wants to eat, and Chloe too! If they get the upper edge I just leave one to eat and take the other to the stall. No use fighting or pulling and not winning the grazing need.

As I walked into the tack room yesterday and with all the rain I noticed all the leather smells in the tack room. I think when it rains it really makes the Earth smells a bit stronger, don’t you think? That smell of leather is just wonderful. Have you ever walked into a tack store with all the leather and its smell? I do know that you can walk into a stable or even a petting zoo and I know you can smell the animals, right? I just LOVE the barn smell, all the hay and horses! but I get use to that smell so I only smell it when I am away and then return. Maybe some may not like it, but I can’t believe people wouldn’t like the smell of leather. This got me thinking about ALL the leather stuff I own. I wonder why when you own a horse (or two!) ALL the amount of stuff you accumulate. I have enough horsey stuff for probably 4 horses, hehe, maybe my hubby will let me get another horse!!

This is a peek into our tack room at our stables. Oh the WONDERFUL Leather smell today!
This photo is all my horsey stuff! There is the 3 tree tier to the left and the 3 tree tier to the right. YUP! It all belongs to me, except for 2 saddles which one is my friends and the other is my sister’s. I have to admit, my sister did leave me a bunch of things when I adopted Zack. 😀
These are my 3 saddles. The top saddle is over 40 years old and is my original English jumping saddle. It is called a Crosby and can still be used today. The middle saddle I bought used at a yard sale for $250 about 10 years ago (good deal) a nice riding English saddle. The bottom saddle is my western trail saddle. I bought it barely used for $750 (good deal) it has served me well and is very comfortable!

As you can see us horse people NEED a lot of horsey stuff to ride with and to take care of our beautiful horses! In that white bucket near my saddle tree is horse treats. I have to keep them in plastic so that I don’t invite mice and/or rats into the tack room. I like giving my horses treats after my ride and since they are not suppose to eat carrots (too much sugar) these horse treats made for horses are a good substitute to carrots or apples. I have many bridles, bits for bridles, leg wraps, clippers oh my, so many things. I decided that it is a good idea to have these photos and thought it fun to share. Just in case I see anything missing (we haven’t had any issues with theft) but it always a good idea to have these kinds of photos!

I have so enjoyed sharing with you today my need to hold myself accountable and to share my horses and all the fun I have with them. I am thinking I may go through all my horsey stuff and pull out items I can sell. We have a wonderful store here in town called Thrifty Horse, and you can bring them items you can sell, a horse consignment store. Its great as you can find things used and cheaper there and/or sell things you’ve collected and don’t need any more. With these rainy days, this week would be a good week to do some Spring cleaning! I hope you all have a wonderful week.

Walking and Horse Loving Grandma!

~Diana

Walking, Invigorating!

On By DianaIn blogging, Living life, Walking for Health and Well being7 Comments
On my walk this morning. The sun comes up over the hill and illuminates the buildings, it may be too hard to see, so far away. As I look at this photo, I can see Catalina Island! Pretty cool! I am looking towards the Pacific Ocean.

Many folks are exercise guru’s, so motivated that they do not need much prompting to get out there and exercise. I’m the type that procrastinates but once I get going I really enjoy the exercise, it is so invigorating that I know once I keep up my walking schedule that I actually look forward to it no matter what the weather. I do not have a gym membership, and there is a simple reason why. I own horses! Haha, they are my gym membership as I really would rather spend my money on them and try hard to stay fit and active outdoors. I am also including with my walks, lots of stretching and yoga. I think any little bit you do is better than nothing, what do you do for exercise? I know many run (I’m envious) but I’m just not a runner. And I know many do the gym and I think if I didn’t have horses I would definitely join a gym! 😀

Haha, trying to capture the sunrise here! Love the sun rising up over our local hills! ❤
My temps for today. I am going to get my gloves for my next walk! My hands just get so cold but otherwise I am loving the cool mornings! ❤
YIKES! The wind is coming today. My girlfriend and I are hoping to get in a trail ride before the wind this morning. Trail rides and wind, not going to happen.

As I get ready for my day I am enjoying this weather. It has been a mild winter for us here which I have to say I am enjoying immensely. I am sharing my walking partly to keep myself accountable. I can’t believe how much I can procrastinate, and so this helps me stay motivated. I enjoy sharing my walking expeditions, even though they are small and in my neighborhood!

I am praying the strong winds stay away long enough to fit in a trail ride as my best friend is off today and the wind is coming. We can’t ride in the wind as it is dangerous. We have a lot of palm trees around the streets on the trails. If a palm frond fly’s off in the wind they have spikes on them and you do not want to get hit with one and they are usually huge! Also, the horses can be very spooky in the wind, although our horses are seasoned trail ponies, anything can be blowing around so of course it is just not safe.

SUNRISE in my neck of the woods!

I will close with my sunrise photo. It sure puts a smile on my face and am so happy I went out on my walk this morning. I hope you all have great day and week!

Walking for health and well being,

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; Jan. 22, 2020

On By DianaIn blogging, Living life, Walking for Health and Well being, weekly smile10 Comments
An early rose bloom! 😀

I went out for my walk this morning and saw some early blooms on my roses and thought I would share. I have posted before my rose blooms and although I love how pretty they are what I love the most is the smell. Just LOVE rose, definitely one of my favorites. This put a huge smile on my face as it is still winter and yet some of my roses are blooming! They have loved the rain we have been getting and the cool weather. My smile today is just enjoying another day off. I so look forward to my days off, who doesn’t right? My days off are split which is okay with me as I work night shift so it works out working a few nights and then getting a day off to recharge. I’m happy with my schedule! What makes you smile? Is there anything special happening this week? or maybe just enjoying your day?

This is my tea rose which is getting a few blooms.

It’s been very cool the last few weeks with temps barely hitting 60 degrees. For us here in Southern California, it is nice and cold. It gets down into the 40’s at night with cloud cover and down in the 30’s when the clouds are gone. The morning dew is here and with all the clouds and rainy weather its such a nice relief from our many months of sun and heat. I took a few photos on my walk this morning. I love the clouds, haha, we do not get clouds as much as sun in this part of the world. 😀

This is heading down the hill to my house. So wintry out!
The sun rising and illuminating the clouds. So pretty and silvery grey!

I am enjoying my day off so much. I am seeing the sun shining in the front yard now that it is rising and that puts a smile on my face. The high today will be 65 degrees and I just looked at the 10 day forecast and starting tomorrow it will be in the 70’s and by the end of this month the high will be 80 so it is beginning to warm up.

I also wanted to post an update with the kitties as they are doing excellent! They are so happy and they have settled in so nicely. I am really happy about the transition and am very thankful they have adjusted and find us enjoyable to be around. They will follow me around the house, so cute. They play with the kitty toys and let us know it is time for breakfast or dinner! Their meows are so cute, and they rub on us and let us rub and scratch their chins. Happy kitties! 😀

Tried to get them to look at me, they are so adorable as they love laying and sleeping together!

I want to thank Trent for hosting the weekly smile! Thanks for visiting and smiling with me today! Have a wonderful rest of your week.

~Diana ❤

Weekend Coffee Share; Walking, Crochet and Horse Fun

On By DianaIn Living life, Projects, Walking for Health and Well being, weekend coffee share12 Comments
Weekend Coffee share is a time for us to take a break out of our busy lives and enjoy some time catching up with friends (old and new)! Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and share with us! What’s been going on in your life? any weekend plans?

This is sunrise just coming up over the hills across the street as I walk this morning. It was a brisk 37 degrees and I can’t tell you how good it felt to get outside and walk. I am the hugest procrastinator and I do not really make New year resolutions, but I told myself it is a new year so get out and WALK! I may not exactly be fit but fit enough to walk and am in good health and want to walk miles. I really do, but to fit the time in to walk into my busy schedule is where I struggle the most! I am tired of my excuses, it helps that I share because it makes me feel more accountable even though it is to myself! Crazy, but it works!

My walk ended here and there was slushy ice on the cars windshields in our driveway!

On my walk this morning I checked the temps and have to say was taken aback. I thought brrr, that’s cold. I have made crochet caps and haven’t used any of them yet and thought PERFECT! It was great to wear and kept my head and ears very warm. I love to walk with a walking stick, which I brought with me and my fingers were getting a bit cold. I should have worn gloves but my walk wasn’t that long and the cold bearable. I thought I would share the hats I have made with a few scarfs. I have over the years made dozens of scarfs and given away many. These two are really different and one is an infinity scarf or circle scarf where you can twist it around and go around your neck several times. I probably could have worn one this morning but didn’t think about it as I headed out the door. Can I freshen your coffee or tea? I thought I’d share a photo or two of my crafts! 😀

These are 4 caps I’ve crocheted and 2 scarfs. The 1 red cap is a different pattern and came out huge! Lol, I should find a guy with a big head for that one. The other 3 are all the same pattern but with different types of yarn Interesting how different they look! The light blue scarf is the infinity scarf, it was fun to make! They were all fun to make! ❤
Christmas presents from my daughter and with a gift card I received! Crochet FUN for years!!!

Oh my, I have so many things I want to crochet! I have enough books and patterns to crochet for years and years!! I just love creating all these cool things. I can’t wait to make those cute crochet horses! And my daughter who bought me the box with the horses also bought the cacti crochet. She said she wants some cactus for her book shelves!! So creative and FUN!!

I could go on and on about my crafting fun. I also want to make more Star Wars figures. There are so many people at my work who Love Star Wars and I know they would love those crochet figures. I need to finish the baby blanket first for the new grandson coming in a few months. I am almost done with it and want it completed before I start any new projects. Luckily it is coming together fairly quickly so the end is in sight! I will share a photo of it when I get it completed. It is REALLY CUTE, nice and soft and warm!!

I can’t believe this selfie turned out as it is difficult to do with her big head! ❤

I’ve enjoyed having coffee with you this morning. I am off to the stables to ride my horses and enjoy my morning with my horsey girlfriends! I will then come home run a test with my new Instant Pot I got with the gift card I received from my work. I need to learn how to use it and I am sure it isn’t difficult but there are a lot of buttons to learn and I need to wash it and get it ready so I can cook with it soon. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for stopping by as I enjoyed sharing with you all!

Keep walking, crocheting, riding, cowgirl,

~Diana