Thoughts on riding

Lately I've been trying to work on myself when riding. One of my problems since starting dressage is that I look down. Try as I might, I couldn't break this unhelpful habit. However, the other day while I was riding I realized I wasn't looking down much at all. Three things helped this, I think. First, the riding ring is located at the top of a hill, and the views are quite nice. It's all I can do to not stare out. ;) Second, in trying to improve myself, I'm caring less what Addy's head and neck are doing each moment. Before, I didn't trust myself to have a good enough feel. Now, in trying not to nag her, I'm finding that I can feel her better. She feels slightly above the bit, I correct my position, she feels right again. Cool! Last, I'm trying to ride better corners. Sloppy corners is an awful habit left over from my hunter days. The ring I currently ride in is smaller than I'm used to, so I'm forced to utilize every inch of it. With hunters, you look around your corner to where you're going to end up. But now, in order to get deep into the corner, staying straight and balanced, I have to look at the corner itself until we're there, practically hitting the fence. Then I can slide my eyes around the fence, helping to keep me close to it.

Addy is a very sensitive (but sensible) girl. I'm thinking that I'm going to start training her to go bridleless soon. She's practically there anyway, I just need to fine-tune a little. Horses ridden bridleless generally go in a lower frame.. which is not something that Addy really needs to do (she loves to stretch and wallow!).. but I think she will benefit from being allowed to find her own balance while I'm on her back. Her daddy goes bridleless, and it's a fantastic thing to watch!

*Blaengwen Dafydd Y Gwas going bridleless.

Ponies!

I have a lot to do, and not much to say.. so here are some shots of Addy at her new home.

Crappy shot, but I was trying to get the fading fall colors along with the ponies.
The boy in the blanket is the herd "stallion" and Addy's new BFF.

Not an artsy shot - I was reading, Adds was eating - then she saw
something interesting. Look at that fuzzy nose!


Addy's eavil sister, Dragon's Lair Lady Lindsay. Early morning in Florida.

Time flies...

A new yarn store has opened in Gainesville, FL - Hanks Yarn and Fiber. And it's a goodie! My mom and I stopped by for a visit yesterday afternoon. The smell hit us first.. freshly brewed coffee.. cozy and wholesome. Mmmmm. We were warmly invited in for coffee and browsing. And then we saw the yarn. Double mmmmm! I had never seen so much Lorna's Laces or Malabrigo in one place before. Insanely gorgeous. I couldn't keep my hands off of the Malabrigo lace and the Lorna's Laces superwash worsted. My ooh my!

The women in the shop were friendly, funny, and not at all pushy. The selection was colorful and luxurious. I wish we could've stayed longer to explore, chat, and buy.. but we were in a rush to get back to St. Augustine. Hanks is a fun, fun store.. definitely one to spend an afternoon in!

The other fiber excitement for the weekend was a return visit to one of my favorite yarn stores, Yarnworks, also in Gainesville. They boast a huge collection of yarns, neatly packed on shelves from floor to ceiling. This store has the largest collection of Noro I've found in my limited LYS shopping. (And oh how I love Noro!) Handknit sweaters, hats, slippers, bags, afghans, and socks adorn the rooms, tempting you with possibilities. They also have tons of patterns to look through.

My big, happy find here was the 2006 Knitscene issue with the pattern for the Central Park Hoodie. I've been drawn to this sweater again and again - it's just so me. Tweedy, cabley, easy-to-wear, buttony goodness. But I kept talking myself out of going out of the way to find the pattern. Luckily, this one jumped into my hands (and they had a few more issues, if you're looking!), and now I have to knit it. The hardest part will be choosing the yarn! Cascade 220 Heathers seems a good choice, but I've been dying to try out the Beaverslide worsted I have stashed, and now that I've touched the Lorna's Laces Shepard worsted I want to knit a sweater with that even more than before. Malabrigo is also on the short list.. sooo soft. I'm just not sure if it'll hold up to the high use that I'm anticipating this little hoodie to get. Suggestions?

Well! My last fiber surprise for the weekend was the acquisition of a pile of vintage knitting patterns from my grandmother. Those demand an entire post of their own, though! :)

Trailering Adventure

Yesterday was moving day for Miss Addy. And what a day it was.

Let me just say that solid, roomy, aluminum four horses are the way to go. I've *never* had problems loading my girl before, but I've also never tried to stuff her into a shoebox before. I'm immensely grateful that someone was willing to trailer her for me, and immensely grateful that they didn't leave us at the curb. But jeez.

All's well that ends well, and Adventure seems to be settling into her new home just fine. Being a very social girl, she detests being in quarantine.. but I intend to be out there with her every day. She'll be out with the herd soon enough.

And the new place is gorgeous!

(No, there aren't still buttercups here in the fall. But I couldn't resist putting an Addy picture in an Addy post!)

In Memory...

.. of Dragon's Lair Goldwing (*Blaengwen Dafydd y Gwas x Madoc Erian, *Kentchurch Chime). 2006 Welsh Cob filly.

.. and of Norman, the terrier who ruled the farm, and warmed the laps of all who sat.

Ay!

Life has been hectic, with 10 family members packed into my little 2 bedroom place.. getting Addy ready for another move.. house hunting.. and lots of "touristy" stuff. It's been fun though!

The knitting part of the Luggy Bonnet is done - we'll see how long it takes me to get through the weaving in, blocking, and sewing. So many little ends to weave in! I'm thinking the other niece will end up getting a different hat. Perhaps the Piggle?


My mother is hooked on knitting again! (How do I not have a picture of her with her gorgeous, almost-finished Silk Garden scarf??) I had a fantastic time learning about the history of knitting and other fiber arts in our family. Through the years I've proudly inherited a cardigan that my mother knit when she was a teenager, as well as a gorgeous cream coat that my grandmother knit years ago. I hope to get my hands on something that my great-grandmother created as well. Being at least a fourth generation knitter is too cool. Even more incentive to get my nieces into it someday.

Baltimore is such a fun place to be a knitter. Mom and I visited almost all of the area yarn shops, as well as one in Richmond. Oh my - such eye candy everywhere! The best part is that each store has its own unique personality. And all were brimming over with treasures. In love!!

In trouble now...

I didn't understand the whole sock knitting craze. Yeah, they're quick and easy. And boy do I love socks. (I like mine argyle, stripey.. preferably knee-high) But why spend $20+ on a pair of socks that you have to make yourself?

Ah, but now I understand. It's all about.. the shoes.

I'm not a shoe girl. I like my Doc boots, and my $5 flip flops suit me just fine. But my old short Docs have finally been retired, and needing something else, I have finally splurged on some fantastic Mary Janes.

These babies just scream for some kick ass socks. Socks that one can't find in any store. $20+ socks that I knit myself.


Oh boy.

(That's some Mountain Colors sock yarn in the picture.. yarn I was in love with but had no idea what to do with before these shoes!)