Ode to a Horse: Remembering Poncho

Yesterday was the hardest day. We had to put down a very special horse, the best horse in the world. Poncho was 28 and he had been with us for 24 of those years. He enriched our lives and gave us so many wonderful memories for many years. It was so hard to let him go.

DH bought him in Dripping Springs, Texas just after he graduated from college and before we were married, so technically, he had Poncho longer than he's had me! Poncho turned out to be a great roping horse and a super little cow pony. He never got real big, but DH could put him in any situation and Poncho would always tend to business. When I rode, he was the one I chose. Then the kids came along and he turned out to be worth his weight in gold. Priceless, really. Any of you that are around horses and kids know that a good kid horse is hard to come by. Poncho was a horse you could count on and he had a sweet disposition. The kids have been riding since before they could walk and I never worried when they were partnered with this good old boy. They would often mount up and ride out into a pasture just to see the sights, in search of the next great adventure, which we all know, is just over the next hill. He raised them both and they formed a bond that can never be broken.

He was the parade horse, the roping horse, the show horse, the cowhorse, the reliable horse, the 4-H horse, the reining horse, the cutting horse, the sweet horse, the "let's go on an adventure" horse, the kid horse, and the "I'm really feeling sad and I need someone to talk to" horse.

He was DDs first love and as far as I'm concerned, every little girl should be so blessed.

DH has had lots of horses through the years, but they all pale in comparison to this amazing equine. He wouldn't win any beauty pageants, but he was the most beautiful horse to all of us. He had heart and we will forever treasure the memories.

There are countless memories that swim through my mind when I think back through the years, but I'll leave you with just a few of the pictures that show how very much he was loved. After all, he was a very important member of the family and he will be dearly missed.

Sorry, the slideshow is in the next post so just scroll down.

Thanks Ol' Boy!

Texas Caviar

Happy New Year Ya'll! Hope everyone had a safe and fun slide into 2010. I don't know about ya'll, but my January is filling up fast...too fast. I thought January was supposed to be the quiet month.

We had friends over last night and here's a recipe I made that I wanted to share with ya'll. I grew up with the tradition of having to have Black-eyed peas on New Year's Day and this is a yummy way to enjoy that. Even folks who don't care for black eyed peas seem to like this.

I'm not sure where the whole 'black-eyed peas will bring good luck' story originated and I'm not going to promise you good luck if you eat this, but just enjoy it because it's good stuff!

Texas Caviar

2 (15-ounce) cans black-eyes peas, drained

1 (15-ounce) can whole kernal corn, drained

1 (10-ounce) can Rotel

1/4 c chopped red bell pepper

1/4 c chopped green bell pepper

1/4 c chopped onion

1 chopped jalapeno

Dressing:

1/2 c red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/4 tsp sugar

pinch dried oregano

1/2 c olive oil

1/2 c vegetable oil

Just combine the first 7 ingredients. I combine the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake to blend. Then just pour it over the pea mixture and stir. Let the mixture set in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and then serve with Scoops tortilla chips.

Oh, and if you're really short on time and in a pinch...just substitute Italian dressing.

It's such a colorful dip, and a good salad /side dish for those summer get togethers. Before you know it, we'll be planning those!

So here's wishing all of you a healthy, happy, blessed New Year!

One Last Christmas Project

Hey ya'll! Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas! We had snow on Christmas Eve and that always makes me happy! Yesterday we had another 3" or so. 4 snows so far makes this an unusually wet winter. If this keeps up, we'll have a really amazing spring!

I just wanted to pop on here for a minute and share the last Christmas project of the season. I know most of you are tired of Christmas, but I've had some requests to share this and this is the first chance I've had to do so and it's easily adaptable for other occasions.

On the 23rd I decided I needed to make this. A neat gal (Thanks Elaine!) on a site I frequent (Hi SS buddies!) made one and I thought, "well that looks like a quick, easy project". The original idea came from here:

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/11/fabric-wreath.html

Then I started thinking how you could make these for different seasons and holidays and how they would make great gifts. So I made one and I really like the way it turned out, but if any of you attempt one like it, it comes with a warning....

The project starts with a jellyroll bundle which is a thick roll of fabric cut in 2 1/2" widths. Then you just cut those into 5 1/2" lengths and start tying them to your wreath form. Well, first off those jellyrolls are expensive and I found some fabric on sale and added some that I had in my stash. Thus, you have to cut it yourself and use pinking shears on the edges. It's a lot of cutting folks. I used 6 yards of fabric and then added some brown tulle, which by the way, is very uncooperative. I purchased a wire wreath form at Hobby Lobby. And I tied...and tied...and tied....for 2 days. And here's the warning...your fingers will hurt... that night... and the next day...a lot.

And no, I don't need any reminders about the fact that I am no longer a spring chicken.

I imagine if you just worked on this a bit every day instead of tying for 4 hours straight at a time, you might not run into the achy finger dilemma. However, once I start a project, I have trouble walking away from it. My Mom even called me a bulldog, referring to my stubborn determination. But, I did finish it, and I ended up giving it to her, but here's the end product:



As the stiffness and aching faded, I must have forgotten (once again, nothing to do with my age!)my resolve to never make another because when I was in town the other day, I found myself purchasing the perfect material for a Valentine's wreath...

Merry Christmas!

Hebbert Family Christmas - 2009

Good Gravy, the year has been here and gone - doesn’t seem possible, yet here
The baking has started, the lights are all strung, and the carols are filling the air.

Our box at the end of the dirt road is filling fast with holiday greetings we love so much
It’s a treat to hear from each of you; thanks for keeping in touch.

We were blessed with good snow on the first of December and we couldn’t resist going out
First thing at daylight I was out snapping photos, it’s something I’m crazy about.

The ducks in the tank looked awfully cold, enjoying the little dirt lake
The magic of snow just makes my heart glad, Christmas spirit in each falling flake.

This year brought great sadness as I lost my Dad and the world simply tilted I fear
And although I’m devastated and we’re all saying “he’s gone”, God is celebrating and proclaiming, “He’s here”!

Changes seemed to mark 2009, as Tyler graduated and began college this fall
I’m adapting better than I expected, but miss that kid and looks forward to each and every call.

Caitlin at 16 has started taking college classes, earning dual credit – college is headed her way
She’s 4-H president, still plays the piano and her love for horses is still a priority these days.

Gary stays busy with cattle and horses and he shoots at the range when he can
He brought home a big deer, loves working with colts – he’s never still and always has a project on hand.

As for me, I’m getting a taste of that empty nest - seems our homeschooling days are about to end
Not liking it, not in the least, but it’s been a blessing and new adventures lie just around the bend.

As for now I’m enjoying the quilting and scrapping and wondering what God has in store
For soon it’ll be quiet, school books packed away and no children to teach anymore.

I’m sure I’ll be drafted to fill in the gaps, as the kids have helped so much through the years
We wouldn’t change a single thing, loving this lifestyle through laughter and tears.

They say ‘count your blessings’, well that’s hard to do; don’t think I can count that high
We’re drinking from our saucer, giving thanks to the Lord, and knowing He is always close by.

So for now we’re enjoying our time with the kids and celebrating the new roads ahead for all
May your Christmas be blessed and the New Year be bright and may Christ be the center of it all.