Monthly Archives: June 2011

Several weeks ago, I took Ellie out to the barn to visit with Avdoo who has been laid up with a popped splint.  Watching the two of them interact was absolutely magical.  My big huge giant horse (who at one point in his life wouldn’t walk more than 10 feet without rearing and striking) was so incredibly gentle and patient with my tiny little munchkin.  I will remember the moment forever, no doubt.  I had an amazing sense of pride – knowing that I had trusted myself and my gut in regard to my horse.  No one would have believed that 2 years ago, I was told he was going to kill someone, another horse, or himself if we didn’t put him down.  I’m so incredibly happy that I stuck it out, worked hard at fixing the cause of his behavior, and ultimately found a trainer who knows what he’s doing and is producing results (thank you, Gabby Deets, for all the help you put in for the interim year or so – I gained so much confidence during that time!).

I can’t wait to see where Ellie and Avdoo end up.  I have a sneaking suspicion that they’re going to go places together!

What the heck?  Is it really June??? I’d never know by looking outside – and I say “looking” because the weather sucks so much I won’t be “standing outside.”  Honestly, I know Portland weather isn’t exactly known for its warmth or sunshine, but don’t you think this is taking it too far?  I mean, on our drive over to Bend for Memorial Day Weekend, it snowed and hailed.  Sure, Ellie loved feeling the hail plopping into her hand as we drove with the sunroof open, but I could do without all the freezing and the CONSTANT wet.  Rain, rain, Go AWAY!!!!!

The vegetable garden has started to grow a bit – but it’s rather slow (and I’m beginning to think we’re going to have a repeat of the fiasco that was LAST year).  Unfortunately, Victor planted my tomato seedlings straight from the greenhouse without hardening them off (they need to adjust to the temperature difference from the greenhouse to the garden), so they’ve almost all died.  Kinda frustrating, but can’t do anything about it now.  I may be hitting up the Garden center for more mature plants soon.

The asparagus plants have been producing loads of spears, and man, oh man, you haven’t had good asparagus until you’ve tried it straight from the garden – it’s insanely delicious, and asparagus has never been a favorite of mine!  I’m not sure that we won’t soon be tired of asparagus, but even after a few days without it, I’m already looking forward to the next dish!  I’ve posted a few recipes of my own, and was also pretty thrilled with  a recipe from Mari at OnceUponAPlate…I made my own little adjustments, but stayed pretty true to the dish.  It was unique…I think I’ll broil quickly them next time to crisp them up…

We’ll see how the rest of the garden does with all this damn rain….who knows.