Tag: #flowerphotos

Weekend Coffee Share; It’s May 15th Already!

On By DianaIn Living life, weekend coffee share21 Comments
Welcome to my weekend coffee share! How are you today?

I decided to feature these beautiful cactus blooms as they so deserve another look. I’ve never seen such pretty cactus flowers and although they aren’t mine they are local in my town at a horse feed store I was at buying horsey stuff. Can I get you a cup of coffee or tea as we sit and chat? I also have some yummy Trader Joe’s sweet offerings. Yummy chocolate chip dippers, they are delicious and I think we still have some milk chocolate covered pretzels, oh they are to die for ~ salty sweet scrumptiousness. Now I am drooling and may need to stop writing to get something sweet! 😀

As these weeks fly by it has me thinking about this past year. It seems to have flown by like a blink of an eye. So much has happened and as I look back I am also looking forward as to what does the future hold? Last year at this time I was in the process of adopting my horse Murphy from Oklahoma. It was a fairly stressful couple of weeks but so worth the stress and it all went really smoothly in hindsight. Interestingly, there was a young lady at the stables the night Murphy arrived that stayed with me while I waited for his trailer to arrive. She has an OTTB (Off The Track Thoroughbred) that she got through a rescue here in CA. As we chatted we had a lot in common, adopting a thoroughbred to name a few things. She could be my daughter at half my age and we got to know each other that evening as I bought her dinner as we waited.

She shared that she wanted to move to Spokane, Washington to have her horse at her cousin’s ranch. She grew up riding with her cousin and you know what? She made that happen! She moved with her horse last month almost a year after she told me about her dreams! She saved and saved and worked two jobs until she made her dream come true. That’s pretty cool and inspiring and makes me think I need to think more about our future and where I want to be and where I want to live as we approach retirement. It’s a lot to think about and I have some ideas as to what I want to see happen in the next few years.

Murphy after my ride and he is ignoring me but standing quietly.

I called his name so he would look at me but instead he walked towards me! Sweet Murphy! ❤

He is so smart and as I wanted him to turn his head and look at me when I called his name, he decided to walk to me so I clicked quickly and got this photo which I really like as he started his walk. I then took a really close up photo as he sniffed the camera! Haha! I just have to share! Warning, it’s very close up!!!

Haha, I know I am crazy to share such a silly photo but he melts my heart and our bond together grows stronger every day. It is hard to describe how special a horses bond can be, just as strong as with our sweet cats and dogs but different too. Especially since they let us do so much with them, riding around on their backs. It is almost indescribable. These horses in my life help keep me young at heart and the joy they bring to my life I wish I could share with everyone and what I mean by that is I wish you could come and ride my horses. I wish you could brush them and feel how soft their coats are and let them see you and feed them a treat. And so here I am trying my best to share with you all!

As I ride down the trail on my other horse Chloe the Jacaranda’s are blooming. I stopped near the blooms to take a close up photo! They are so beautiful and we have lined streets with these trees. I have shared them many times before and as each year comes around and they bloom, I share yet again!

Miss Chloe out in our small pasture! My pretty girl! ❤

As I wrap up my weekend I am looking forward to an Arizona trip at the end of this month. My son’s birthday is May 30th and so my daughter and other son will be heading there to help celebrate. We are so excited to spend a long weekend together, I can’t wait! The other thing on the horizon is an event I am going to attend in a month at Flag Is Up Farm, Monty Robert’s training facility and they have a weekend of clinic’s and the event is called “The Movement, 2022”. This event is only 30 minutes from where my daughter lives so I will be able to visit her after I attend the clinic every day. The horse trainer that trained Murphy will be there as she is a Certified Monty Roberts Instructor, I can’t wait to meet her! I’m excited to see my grandchildren and excited to attend this wonderful horse event!! 😀

He has the sweetest eyes, and a heart of gold!

I end with Murphy as May will always be a special month for me and Murph. Not only was it his birthday May 1st, he also arrived in the month of May. I haven’t forgotten my sweet Chloe girl as she’s had my heart for many, many years now. I spoil her just as much and have shared plenty of wonderful photos of her as well. I will continue to share and I may re-share as I continue this blogging journey. As I look to the future I have been discussing maybe moving north to be near my daughter. That’s an idea that needs to be looked into but we are in no hurry. I so enjoyed having you visit with me this weekend. I am always having FUN IN THE SUN with my ponies!! I’m also going to thank Natalie for hosting, the #weekendcoffeeshare.

Crazy Horse Loving Grandma,

~Diana ❤

Weekend Coffee Share; April 16, 2022

On By DianaIn Living life, weekend coffee share41 Comments
Welcome to my weekend coffee share!

I can’t believe it is the middle of April! The weeks just fly by so fast. Can I get you a cup of coffee or tea? It has been a nice April so far with only one heat wave just over a week ago. It was almost 100 (38C) degrees here in Southern Calif for a few days. We get these mini heat waves before the summer comes and then it cools off again. I just looked up our climate here and it’s considered a Mediterranean climate. I really can never complain about the climate here which is so loveable and livable! Hence why there is too many people here. I can tell you that our freeways overflow with too many people with too much traffic, and the construction to widen and/or add lanes or toll lanes continues and never ends. But we all love living here, and those who don’t will move away. Haha, I read that more people are moving out of California in recent years then moving in which is totally okay with me! (I think the cause of this is affordability or cost of living is so high, so people are opting to move elsewhere. It is expensive but we own our house so it’s not too bad for us for now.) As I write this I am not sure if this is where we will retire and I am all for living near my grandchildren when I retire if that is possible someday. ❤

Okay, how did I get on that subject? I do write as my mind rambles and I definitely have a lot on my mind. I will say I am definitely missing my grandchildren especially since this is Easter weekend. Happy Easter to all of you who may be celebrating. With no little ones around we will just have an Easter dinner that I will make tomorrow. No Easter baskets or hiding eggs, no little ones around which I miss. I will see if I can video chat with the littles tomorrow! Now that’s a great idea! Now I am smiling. 😀

My beautiful Iris blooms!
Cactus blooming at the feed store!
My roses are blooming and this one is just about done! I just love roses smell!

Such happy flowers! The beautiful Iris and the cactus blooms are just amazing, I just had to take a photo when I went to the feed store and saw their beauty. My very, very light pink rose bloom is almost done blooming but the smell is just divine. I always stop to smell the roses, one of my favorite smells! I just have to share the flowers as Spring brings in it’s gloriousness.

On to my horses. How can I not share any kind of post without sharing how my horses are doing. I see them every day and ride one or the other like I’ve mentioned before. This last week was a Vet appointment for Spring vaccines and the Vet checks them all out listening to their heart and lungs and checking their teeth. Horses need teeth care and because of the way their jaws are aligned and the way they chew when they grind down on the hay they can get sharp points along the sides of their molars. Horses teeth erupt all throughout their life and because they can get these sharp edges they need dental care called teeth floating. The Vet or Equine Dentist will take a tool to grind down the sharp edges on their teeth so they are nice and smooth. The sharp edges can in time cause tongue sores or cheek sores depending on if the points are on the inside or outside of their molars. They should be checked yearly.

I had Chloe’s teeth floated just over a year ago and so her teeth look good at this Vet visit. Murphy who will be turning 4 yrs old at end of this month has some sharp points but he also has 2 wolf teeth that are only on the upper jaw in front of the first molars on each side. Wolf teeth (which are very small) are usually removed because horses when ridden and a bit is in its mouth, the bit can hit or interfere with these teeth and can cause issues (pain) which no one ever wants. (About 70% of horses are born with wolf teeth that will erupt. I have had Chloe since she was 2 and she had no wolf teeth.) We want the bit to be in their mouth with no problems. For those non horse people, horses have a natural gap in their jaw where the front teeth are and the molars begin. This big gap is just gums and is where the bit sits in their mouth. It is amazing how we can ride and communicate with them and have the control we need to stay safe when mounted and riding. We communicate with the bit through the reins in our hands, and the horses learn so many really cool things. Think Olympics!

Murphy has only one erupted wolf tooth on one side and the other side it hasn’t erupted yet. The Vet wants to wait 6 more months to see if that other tooth will erupt so it can be pulled out. He will be sedated for this procedure and they will float his teeth at that time to smooth the sharp edges that have developed over time with his chewing. I use a French Link Snaffle bit which the Vet said is perfect for riding him and hangs in his mouth in a way that it should not be a problem for the 6 months I have to wait for the teeth pulling. I’m grateful I can continue riding him with this bit. He also lost a cap which is part of his teeth as they grow which I found just outside of his stall last month. Baby teeth! Haha! Here are some fun photos of my ponies! ❤

Murphy out and about in the round pen. He is filling out and is still growing!
Hi Murphy, he has a huge head, but then he is huge!
Hi Miss Chloe! She is such a good girl!

As my time with my horses has morphed a bit, mostly because I have such a young horse I have really enjoyed arena riding. My horse Chloe has a bad back leg which is an old injury and now arthritic so the best thing to do with her is walk. I can walk in the arena but it gets boring and since she is a seasoned trail horse, I can take her out by herself and I have shared many trails riding her. I now get the best of both worlds by riding and training Murphy in the arena because he is young and athletic and he can do all the arena exercises easily. It has been so much fun!

I have a super good friend, my best friend who I’ve been friends with since we were 10 years old. Gosh, we have known each other for 50+ years now. We were riding trails together for the last 10 years but she has needed to retire her mare Gracie from the trails due to age and health. She will be 30 yrs old April 25th!! She bought a younger horse Roscoe and after some trail riding she decided to devote her time to just arena riding and has moved him blocks away to another ranch. She now just rides at that ranch and I visit with her often. Recently, I helped her move Gracie to this ranch (she wanted to check it out first with Roscoe and make sure it was a good fit for her and her horses before she moved Gracie.) I helped her hand walk Gracie about a week ago and I took a couple of photos.

Gracie is a little thoroughbred mare, she is beautiful!
This is Gracie saying Hi to Roscoe, her other horse.

My girlfriend and I do not see each other near as often any more but that’s okay because we are in the same town when she comes and visits and takes care of her horses. We meet for lunches and I will continue to take time to make these visits happen. Paths change, and I am finding my horse riding goals are changing and morphing all the time. That’s A-okay and that is life, full of changes! ❤ ❤ ❤

I have taken up so much of you time but I know you can read this faster than I can type and put this all together. I was going to make it shorter but since I haven’t been sharing as often I will just make my blog posts a little longer, I didn’t think ya’ll will mind. 😀 I’ll end with this pretty photo of a happy horse eating his breakfast!

This morning at the barn ~ Murphy is so handsome!

Thank you for visiting and I want to thank Natalie for hosting and if you would like to read others coffee shares just click here! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and week ahead!

Horsey and Flower Crazy Grandma,

~Diana ❤

Weekend Coffee Share; April Flowers & Horses!

On By DianaIn Living life, weekend coffee share31 Comments
I LOVE SPRING!

I think Spring might be my favorite season. I love all the flowers and they sure are blooming. I am thankful you are here, can I get you a cup of coffee or tea? I made chocolate chip cookies last week and there are a few left, yummy. Can you believe it is April? March seemed to fly by and I had so much fun keeping busy with all the usual things I do each week. I wanted to share more flowers that are blooming as my Iris plants are going crazy. I am growing Iris in a big container and they are happy campers blooming like crazy. 😀

It was not a sunny day when I took these photos but the flowers are so pretty. We have gotten some much needed rain last week. It rained all day and into the evening. We got a lot more rain than I thought we were going to get but it doesn’t slow us down. I still get outside every single day as I tend to my horses and I enjoy all the weather. It’s been really overcast all weekend and very cool and cloudy. I am enjoying all the coolness as the heat is around the corner as we slowly head towards summer here. I see so many blooming flowers on my trail rides. I took this next photo yesterday!

Flowers blooming on my trail ride with Miss Chloe! ❤

As I sit here writing this I am thinking about all the wonderful people in my life. From my wonderful family who I love dearly to all the friends that I know and love. I also am thinking about my Mom and Dad up in heaven as they bestowed their best qualities in all of us children. We are all loving and giving people and we care deeply. Sometimes it is hard to balance as you realize we can’t fix the things that need fixing and no matter how hard you try you can only change some things which is often just the things close to you as the bigger picture stuff is pretty hard to change. I sometimes enjoy thinking about and pondering all these thoughts in my head. I think it’s important to not sweat the little things. We are here to enjoy each day as best as we can, how do you enjoy your day? I will tell you that smiling makes you feel better, I always feel better when I smile.

Miss Chloe after my trail ride. She is the sweetest horse and pretty too! ❤
Murphy is so silly trying to play with the big poles on the ground! ❤

I’m not free from stress, who is these days? But I try and release the stresses I feel by enjoying my time at the barn. Horses do not like stress, they can feel your anxiety through your hands and arms from your heart rate, it is an incredible thing. Breathing or taking a few deep breathes is a great way to release stress. As I take deep breathes and shake my hands to release the anxious feelings I can feel my body relax and as I talk to my horses you can see them relax their head and get soft in their necks and settle that big giant head and nose near your heart. Horses can sense a heartbeat from 4 feet away. Yes, they can and that is how they can sense any anxiety you feel as your approach. Think about your day but leave your day in your car when you arrive at the barn.

They are so sensitive that even if you do not feel anxious but are just not in a good mood, or say rushed and not paying attention, yes, this will all be picked up by your horse. They are amazing, fascinating animals and they are so centered and in tune with their bodies and far more aware of their surroundings that humans can’t come close to relating. They can also move 7 times faster than any human being, especially when they do not feel safe, we want them to always feel safe. Some days can go awry, you can have a bad day with your horse, but you must shake it off and move on to the next day. They do not hold grudges, they do not think like humans as they do not have a developed frontal lobe, they don’t lie or plot. In this way they are very forgiving, the next day is a new day. Interestingly, they have great memories. They can remember words and humans and things taught to them (good and bad) for up to 10 years. So abusing a horse can do some real damage as that can destroy trusting humans.

Clearly, I could talk all day about horses. I am so enjoying sharing these intelligent animals as they bring me so much joy in my life. I would be happy if I just had them and took care of them, but there is so much more as I am able to ride them and enjoy all that they give to us in their incredible lives. I have had a couple days this last week with some bobbles I’ll call it ~ Some miss-communication with my horse Murphy. (It was related to me feeling anxious, which in turn made Murphy feel anxious and worried). We are doing great, he is a good boy and really doing well. Learning with a horse is a gift and so I like to remember and think about all they have to offer to us humans. I am truly grateful and cherish every minute with my horses.

Murphy enjoying some yummy grass. He is such a sweetheart! I enjoyed having coffee with you today and as I head into next week I am thinking about my hubby who is traveling up north to my daughter’s place to house sit while she is away for training. She has a cat sitter, but thought it would be good if someone could stay for a few days. My hubby and best friend will be heading there tomorrow and it will be fun for them to explore the area. There is so much to see, Solvang and Pismo beach with their amazing cinnamon rolls to name a few places. I thank you for visiting and I also thank Natalie for hosting the #weekendcoffeeshare. If you would like to visit other shares click here for the linkup.

Appreciating life and horses,

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; Summer Flowers!

On By DianaIn weekly smile20 Comments

Welcome to my weekly smile post. I’m smiling at all the fun I have had in the last few months. A new horse, spending time with family and my grand daughter’s birthday celebrations to name a few. I have a best friend who has moved to Kentucky and she knows I LOVE flowers and from time to time she sends me the most beautiful flower photos! I asked her if I could share on my blog. These are recent blooms from Kentucky and they just make me smile! 😀

How can you not smile 😀 such beauties!! Here are a few more she shared with me!! Thank you sweet friend!!!

I know I usually fill my posts with lots of narration. I do love to chat, but there is also something about just taking in the beauty. I really wanted to share these super pretty flowers, what makes you smile?

My last photo from Kentucky! Such pretty blooms!
These pretty red flowers are blooming in Arizona. I just had to take a photo! They make me smile! 😀

Thank you for visiting my smile post for this week. I have to say it’s been a rather hot summer here and I am looking forward to the fall even though we have at least another month to go with hot weather. It can stay hot through September here! YIKES! I am also smiling as I have more travel plans in the works and that is to visit my sister in Colorado. I need to secure airline tickets soon. I hope you all have a wonderful week that is full of SMILES! Thanks for visiting! 😀

Smiling, Flower Loving Grandma,

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; March 25, 2021

On By DianaIn Living life, weekly smile16 Comments

Welcome to my weekly smile! I was out on my morning walk this week and just loved how the sun was coming up behind the trees! It just had a glow as I was walking so I couldn’t resist and had to take this photo. We had a couple of sunny days early in the week and as the week is ending lots of clouds and threat of rain. It has been very cool and I am enjoying every day. I know the heat will be coming and so enjoying these Spring days. I am also enjoying my blooms, so many flowers! I decided to take some photos to share because they all make me smile. 😀

I am heading out tomorrow to see my family in Arizona! YAY! ❤ I am so excited to see them and I will be babysitting so my son and his wife can take a day and celebrate their anniversary. I shared last weekend some really cute photos of my grandchildren and if you missed it you can click here to visit. I am so happy that I have the entire weekend off and I can travel and not feel sleepy from working night shift. I am so enjoying my new job, and can’t say enough how happy I am that I made the decision to leave my old job. There is so much that makes me smile these days, I am just so grateful and happy. Back to my photos, here are some flowers I thought you might like! 😀

I haven’t seen this bush have so many blooms! It is going flower crazy!! And my container flowers are blooming too!
This is my flowering bush further away and I haven’t ever seen it so flowery ~ this year it’s going crazy and I Love it!
I LOVE these purple flowers!

I plan on working in my garden and plant more flowers. I mentioned before I was not going to grow veggies but as I have been thinking about it I may plant just tomatoes. I Love home grown tomatoes and so I am thinking of giving them another try in a container. Do you have a favorite veggie you like to grow? or flowers? I know there is so much to choose from. I remember my Mom had gardenia’s in our yard and I just LOVE the smell of gardenia’s! I am thinking of planting in containers and I have some shady spots for them because I know they can’t take direct sun and summer heat. I also remember the artichoke plants my Mom grew. I love artichokes, definitely one of my favorites but would have to investigate if they would be worth planting and growing.

I want to thank you for visiting my smile post this week. I am excited about my weekend and am hoping you all have a ton of things that make you smile too! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I am going to end with my sweet pony. I took this photo of her earlier this morning. It was a very cloudy day, but I thought it a cute photo and decided to share. She brings me many smiles and helps keep me sane! Love my sweet Chloe! ❤

Smiling Happy Grandma!

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; May 6, 2020

On By DianaIn weekly smile12 Comments
My Beautiful flowers!

I am going to say that I can’t help sharing all my flowers that are still blooming! They not only smell wonderful, they are so pretty to see each day in my garden. How can you not smile? Welcome to my smile post this week!

I try and keep up reading all the wonderful smile posts, I so enjoy them and enjoy writing them. So to get back to my smile, I can’t help myself sharing my flowers and will continue as long as they keep blooming. I am also smiling because my horses are settling really well at the new ranch I moved them too. I am really thankful as Zack is getting old and was worried most about him and the change. He is doing great. ❤

I can’t believe that in less than a month half of the year has gone by. Can you believe it is May? And I would say that Spring is the best time to move horses because we don’t have to worry about winter weather and horses usually are less stressed in the Spring and Summer. It’s just the way they roll. So I am very happy as we have enjoyed some nice trail rides this last weekend! 😀 😀 😀

After one of our trail rides this last weekend! Wonderful shade tree and pretty ponies!
The horses were so good out on the trails! Makes me so happy ~ SMILING!

We rode several days in a row and I took so many photos that they seem out of order as I wrote on the first set we returned from the trails and then the next photo I am out on the trails! Haha, I am going to leave it as I know it doesn’t matter, but it is fun to share and I am super duper happy at this new ranch! YAY! 😀

The brothers taking over baby Teddy’s stuff! Haha, my son sends me lots of photos. Silly Kitties!

They barely fit in this baby swing. Such silly kitty brothers, as my son shares photos of them they make me laugh. I hope you all are staying safe and staying strong. I really wanted to share a smile this week and if I don’t get this finished up, I won’t have time once this day is over. I have to thank you for visiting my Smile post for this week of May.

Happy Smiling Cowgirl,

~Diana ❤

My Weekly Smile; It’s April!

On By DianaIn Living life, Smiles, weekly smile15 Comments
Do you see what I see? 😀

I took this photo on my walk today. I so needed to get out into the fresh air and clear my head. So many thoughts in my head I actually had trouble sleeping last night, my night off from work. Yes, I still work as we are essential – a Vet Lab and trying to do our part keeping beloved pets alive and well. I don’t usually make a big deal about the “things” you can see out of clouds but when I uploaded this photo and looked and stared at it I thought it looked amazing, like an eagle spreading its wings! All I know is it sure put a big SMILE on my face today. We are all looking for hope, for a smile, something good. What are you smiling about today? I LOVED the sun as it rose above the hills hitting my face on my walk this morning. It was grand, humbling, soothing, feeling good to be outside. I am very grateful to be here walking and sharing my smile with you today. 😀

A flower a day and a honey bee!
A friend told me this is a potato vine. I Love the purple flowers!

I have been sharing a flower a day on social media. Just because it makes me smile, maybe it can bring a smile to others as well. I am putting them in a flower photo album which is the other reason I am sharing. This way they will all be in one place. I thought what a perfect time to share as it is Springtime now. I am trying to add a little hope and share this hope with others, this all shall pass, but it will be some time. I’m smiling at all the flowers which reminds me I need to get some flowers or am thinking of planting some veggies. I have my containers and maybe this year I will plant flowers instead! They will help fill my photo album and share my flower a day! Lol

Sunset last night, wish I had a better view for a photo. It was beautiful to look at in person
Such pretty kitties, what a life!

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. IT DOES.”

William James

I don’t often share quotes, Love this one! 😀

I wanted to share the kitties, they sure make us laugh with their antics and of course smile as they purr while we love on them. I think we all have a lot on our minds and if I can make you smile then maybe I’ve made a difference, so here is a cheer to smiling. The more you smile the better you feel. Find something to be grateful for today, it can be anything and am hoping you all are staying safe and are smiling. 😀 😀 😀

Smiling, Loving Life,

~Diana ❤