INNside Innkeeping in Montana

Horse Tails

2008-07-11T10:26:00.000-06:00

"I get up every morning determined to both change the world and to have one hell of a good time.
Sometimes this makes planning the day difficult" -E.B. White

If you want to watch G-d laugh, have a plan... especially with your horses. They dont know from schedules... all their is is now... Another great lesson they teach me. I think G-d teaches great lessons through his animal kingdom

I like quotes, phrases and mottos, because they can contain wisdom and lessons in a few words. . They're no good unless you share them. Which brings me to another in my sometime series.

The 10 Commandments from the spirit of Horses
1. Thou shalt trot a mile in your fellow man's hooves. If you treat everyone you meet as if they are hurting in some way, you'll be right most of the time.
2. Thou shalt remember: you aren't what you do. If you are what you do, then when you don't, you aren't.
3. Thou shalt do it now. There are so few tomorrows.
4. Thou shalt remember, horses reveal, when we are truly ready to listen.
5. Thou shalt treat money like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow.”
6. Thou shalt know it is not enough for a man to learn how to ride; he must learn how to fall.."
7.Thou shalt shut thine eyes our eyes tight and commend yourself to G-d when purchasing a horse or taking a spouse.
8. Thou shalt not need a title or braggin' rights to enjoy riding my horse long distances.
9. Thou shalt remember the innate qualities of our horse even when he's not listening. "The horse has the pride of a lion, the eye of a deer, the speed of a gazelle, the strength of an ox, the loyalty of a soldier, and the heart of a woman. He has brought the country doctor to the day of our birth, cleared our roads, and plowed the fields that feed us. He has carried us as children across an open meadow, and, finally, when our time is done, pulled the wagon that takes us to our final resting place. He is with us always."
10. Horse, thou art truly a creature without equal, for thou fliest without wings and conquerest without sword.

The horse is G-d's gift to man
- Arabian Proverb
Trot on friends, trot on.

Kid Friendly in Montana-

2008-07-06T09:33:00.001-06:00

We are. Montana is for the kid in all of us. Some are just lucky enough to get started on their Montana adventures sooner than others. Kids and Montana's Big Sky Country naturally go together. The state's wide open spaces, outdoor adventures and hands-on experiences are just what young whippersnappers need to put their bundles of energy to fun use.

When actor Billy Crystal, as Mitch took a cattle drive vacation, he got more than the cowboy experience he signed up for. As the City Slickers comedy plot unfolded, Mitch gained insight into what was most significant in life for him. And by the end of the movie, he was on a new, more purposeful midlife path, fresh from the ephiphany he got out there on the range.

The beauty of our spectacular Big Sky Country is the opportunity to be isolated but accessible. When you have the simplicity, along with all the facilities you need, your distractions are gone and you can truly be at home, both physically and spiritually. High tech ont he range, we offer a wireless wilderness for folks who simply must stay connected between cattle drives.

To help kids understand what Montana offers, Travel Montana's Publications Program has put together a brochure called "Kid Friendly Montana". This colorful, cartoon- bordered piece provides basic facts about Montana---its geography, economy, state symbols, etc.---along with color photos and text on Montana's numerous family-oriented attractions.

So what makes Montana such a special place for young people to visit? The possibilities are endless. Here's a short list of popular kid-tested diversions:

1. Mountain wildlife at Glacier National Park,

2. Active dinosaur dig sites open to the public,

3. Kids (and adults for that matter) can learn how to be Bear Aware

4. Horses to ride across Montana's landscape,

5. Indian powwows where tribal members celebrate the old ways,

6. Crystal clear rivers, lakes, and streams offering water adventures. The Whitehall area offers fabulous fishing…so many rivers and lakes, so little time. Montana's 306 Fishing Access sites are among the best places in the state to fish or camp. Now a new, full color guide to these places are available at no charge! There's also an online guide from the Fish Wildlife & Parks site . Click on Fishing to use the Find an FAS Site selector.

7. National Trails Day is the first Saturday of June and the American Hiking Society hosts events around the country each year to celebrate the day. For more information, visit www.americanhiking.org

7. Winter snows creating mountain playgrounds with x-country skiing and sleigh riding outside our door
Here are a few toys for the tikes and gadgets for the older girls and boys. Gnarly gear. Outdoorsy accoutrements. Material motivation, perhaps, to help nudge your kids off the couch, into the backyard and beyond.

-Kona Stinky 2-4
Budding mountain bikers can peddle trails heretofore reserved for the big boys with this kiddie-size ride. The Stinky 2-4, a scale replica of the bike mommy or daddy might use to tear down the single-track, has a springy suspension system on the front fork as well as on the rear wheel. Its 24-inch wheels and 13-inch frame are a custom fit for kids as young as nine years old. But at $1,399, the Stinky 2-4 has a big-boy price tag, too. (www.konaworld.com)

-CamelBak Skeeter
Hydration should not be lost on the little ones. CamelBak, maker of the ubiquitous hydration backpack, has a model to fit thirsty girls and boys. The Skeeter, which costs just $25 and comes in pink or blue, holds 35 fluid ounces of water—enough for one to two hours of intense outdoors playtime. It has a sweat-wicking mesh back panel and reflective fabric strips to keep kids visible in all conditions.

-Mion Current
Mion Footwear’s play-on-word namesake (“my-own,” get it?) is derived from the company’s “Ergomorphic” footbed, a foamy interior that permanently takes the shape of an individual foot after about 12 hours of use. The Current, a post-modern sandal that comes in youth sizes and costs $45, is made of a secret foam concoction. It weighs almost nothing and has a sole tread that, according to the company, actually gets stickier when exposed to water.

-Kelty Convertible
Leave the stroller behind on your next flight or trip to the cabin with this wheeled kid carrier. The Convertible transforms quickly from a comfortable kid-carrying backpack to a basic four-wheel stroller. Don’t expect to jog laps in the park with the $175 Convertible. But Kelty’s contraption is versatile enough for rolling through the airport or on sidewalks and paved trails.

When there's kids in the house, to , to my way of thinking, it comes down to two options: pancakes or muffins. D is more of the pancake maker of the household, so I'll usually pass the spatula to him. I personally prefer making muffins because, frankly, they're easier. Mix 'em up, pour 'em in, and let 'em bake--no standing over a hot skillet waiting for bubbles to appear. I can be checking my email or collecting the horses. while the house fills with the heavenly aroma of muffins baking. I tend to go "cinnamon heavy" and hope that everyone else likes it too.

They can also follow the Journey North online. Journey North is a website dedicated to the study of wildlife migration and all of the wonder of seasonal changes. With participants around the globe, the site allows students K-12 to share field observations about the natural world in their neck of the woods.

We had some kid -age guests last week that we made these for... It was only after the fact that I heard that they were, indeed, delicious. . (Sorry, they're all gone,) So consider these kid-tested, guest tested...yeah, whatever. If they're ever are leftovers... make most excellent care packages for hitting the road

Cinnamon Streusel Muffins from Recipezaar
Ingredients
Muffins
* 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
* 2/3 cup sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
* 3 tablespoons egg white, beaten
* 1/2 cup low-fat milk
* 1/2 cup light margarine, melted
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Topping
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 cup light margarine, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, allspice, & cinnamon.
3. Add egg, milk and margarine.
4. Stir wet mix into dry ingredients until just mixed. Do not overmix.
5. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 1/2 the way full.
6. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over muffin batter.
7. Bake 20 minutes or until done.

.Now get out there..

Horse Power

2008-07-04T06:53:00.001-06:00

Ah the joys of pet ownership. Saying “he’s mine” or “she belongs to me” gives you a feeling that is a combination of partnership, yet bein' "the boss". A misnomer, as the animal kingdom truly is a horse of a different color. Dogs, cats, birds, (lions and tigers and bears oh my) and definitely horses have a free spirit people often underestimate. This free spirit cannot be owned. Now that's true freedom

When you ride or own a horse, they truly become family. To ride a horse one of the first rules before you even get on, isthat the horse isn’t a bike but a creature with a brain and feelings all its own. As Joani has said, we're riding horses not bicycles. Stuff happens. At times when they misbehave you can’t blame them, but put the proverbial rein on it.

Horses are never born to be ridden or driven. They are born to either fly or live freely and be whoever they want to be. But riding and driving takes that away from them. Riding or driving a horse displays friendship, partnership and understanding, not ownership. They have a strong spirit and personalities. Being able to accept the fact that they must share their spirit and sacrifice their freedom for a person on their back is something courageous all on its own. Willing to be held down and tolerating it shows they are something more special than a ride. Because of that alone we should thank and stay true to them. Regard them as much more than a horse. Instead of saying “Gazi's my Arabian horse ” it's really Gazi's my horse and he is a part of the family.” And trust me like kids... they each have their own personality, foibles and quirks. Like my Gazi who tends to be more spooky than the others.. he'd jump when I started flapping around and hopping up and down til he figured it out. Picken and Alle, look at me non plussed like "what is that chicken dance you're doing?" There are simply too many items in the world to get our horse "used to" all of them and we can't ask our horse simply not to be afraid.

And their spirit truly does move me... I constantly get those "V-8 moments" or G-d incidences from them Such as the old "act as if "

Don’t you love discovering something and feeling that "flash light" turn on in your head? Happens to me all the time. I was reading the training blog of a horse owner who realized long ago after having trainers scream at her to “relax” while riding that it’s nearly impossible to consciously relax. When you’re riding and you’re green or the horse is green or you’re having negative visions expecting something to happen, it’s not good. Trust me. What she learned is to pretend she’s riding a dead broke 20 year old gelding and just keeps a good seat to stay on, just in case. She also had someone tell her that the horse has no idea that he’s what’s causing the rider to be nervous or afraid. When a rider tenses he assumes the rider has spotted a predator or something dangerous and hasn’t a clue it’s fear of him that’s causing tension. So act as if.

Wow. Total light bulb moment for me and hmm I could'a had a V-8 . Doesn’t that make perfect sense? And those of you who already knew this, please just humor me as I’m a clueless horse whisperer but I am a thinker. Whod'a thunk ? Now if I can actually put it into practice and act as if. Stay tuned.

So what about you? Where could you "act as if" to be more effective? Trot on friends, trot on.

Viva Summertime Simplicity

2008-07-03T19:10:00.000-06:00

What is it about summer time that conjures up memories of childhood ? Maybe it was because summer's always were a return to simplicity.. more of a time to kick back and enjoy what life's about

There’s something very joyful and comforting about returning to childhood through sights, smells and sounds. My childhood was a happy one, so any time I’m able to awaken my inner child, it’s reason to smile.

This partial list I found on Viva Consulting had some great things reminiscent of being a kid:

Catching the fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, “do over!”
Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in “Monopoly”
You could determine if someone loved you by plucking flower petals
The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties
Decisions were made by doing “one potato, two potato, three potato four…”
Nobody was prettier than Mom
Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true
Saturday morning cartoons weren’t 30-minute ads for action figures (and weren’t known to cause seizures)
War was a card game
Taking drugs meant orange-flavored chewable aspirin or grape-flavored cough syrup
A lie didn’t count if your fingers were crossed
Ice cream was considered a basic food group
A quarter bought a pack of gum (Bubbalicious or Hubba Bubba)

What about you? What are some of your kid memories? Happy 4th of July from usn's.

THe Kitchen Installment

2008-06-30T20:19:00.000-06:00

Everything is like everything else.. .except not always...

Since I'm often asked about our inn construction.. the next installation on the B&B remodel . Construction imitates life.

So now we've been through the whole process, the contractors, their tradespeople, the inconvenience, change orders, delays. You're tired and you've had it. Stop right here. Is this typical at this stage to feel this way? That's a trick question. The larger the renovation, the more impatient people become later on, understandably.

All is prepared in the kitchen for the installation. The cabinetry is delivered, and a brand, new, shiny source of stress is beginning. Here is a huge investment in cabinetry that will change your quality of life. You are ready for the perfect installation.

Here are some tips to know about kitchen installers. - apply to your own work situation.. hmmm?

There are basically two types of kitchen installers. The first type of installer runs his own business, the second type is an employee of a kitchen installation company. There are pros and cons of each type, and I use each type for different reasons.

Installers, like you and I, are capable of making misjudgments and mistakes. It does not mean they are unqualified or less professional, etc. Mistakes must be made, as we are humans. With a competent builder, and good installers, mistakes or misjudgements are minimized or nonexistent. But, of course, they can happen. Can you say "Murphy"?More about mistakes another time. When I am talking about mistakes, I'm talking about small mistakes that are easily correctable. Big mistakes qualify as a big problem!

An installer's appearance is no indication of skill level. We had one installer with tattoos over most of the exposed parts of his body, for years, and who wears somewhat worn clothes. The skill level has been at the very top compared to any installer I've ever used. His demeanor is professional. Appearance IS zero indication of intelligence, creativity, and problem solving ability. Kiss your pictures goodbye! Different installers for different projects for different reasons.

Negative opinions or assumptions by you and the contractor about the installer's work can be extremely damaging to the project, causing an unnecessary (and potentially messy) loss of confidence in the designer and/or installer. Sometimes another tradesperson or contractor will do things a different way and point out where the installer is "wrong." Trust me when you're having an expensive product being installed, such as cabinetry, you're very sensitive to any and all opinions, good or bad, right or wrong. It is a stressful time.

Chow has given a guide to "building the ultimate green kitchen." The eco-conscious remodel guide takes into consideration a range of qualifications, like whether the business the product is made by can be considered "green," as well as the source of the product and whether it came from a renewable resource.

Take a look and see what you think! Building the Ultimate Green Kitchen. Do you have other "green" remodel resources or ideas?

Nothing alleviates stress than the comfort of childhood favs.... now that the kitchen's done! I may have Fig Newtons were a favorite cookie of mine as a child When Fig Newtons were in-stock (pantry, top shelf) I would reach for them bypassing the oreos and chips ahoy. Needless to say, I didnt have to worry at lunch time. What kid is willing to swap a Fig Newton for Twinkies? Anyways, that was many, many moons ago, yet Fig Newtons remain an all time favorite not only in "civilian" life as I call it, but it used to be one of my "ultrarunning carbs of choice" when I was hitting the trails. But I digress..

A "grownup" version of my figgiesl . from recipezaar

1 lb dried fig or 2 lbs fresh figs
1 cup sugar
1 cup water (1 c. for dried figs, 1/2 c. for fresh)
1/2 cup butter, room temp
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon cream or 1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 3/4 cups flour

Directions
Dice figs, soak in water 1 hour.
Add sugar & cook on medium heat until of thin jam consistency.
Beat sugar, butter, egg, milk & vanilla until well blended. Add dry ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Place 1/2 on well floured dough cloth; knead about 6 times. Roll out to 1/4" thick. Line 13 x 9" glass baking dish; cover with figs.
Roll remaining dough, cover figs. Cook at 350° for 30 minutes.
Let cool and cut into squares. Depending on the size you cut you can get a couple dozen cookies.

Now you're ready for everything and the kitchen sink. Git git 'r done!

Equine Time

2008-06-30T17:51:00.000-06:00

I 've always known that my acquisition of Gazi was what Joani calls a "G-dincidence".. He opened the doors and we let him in.. . Few breeds of horse have captured the imagination like the Arabian horse has.

In the days of early history, Arabian horses were prized as warhorses. The Old Testament in the Bible contains many references and descriptions to these horses, the most notable being in the book of Job, where a horse "rejoices in his strength" and "is not frightened - he devours the distance with fierceness." These attributes of courage and speed are evident in Arab horses today. (trust me on this!) I told you he's of G-d... it says so right here !

Arab horses have also played a vital role in the development of Thoroughbred racehorses. All modern Thoroughbreds can trace their ancestry back to one of three founding Arabian stallions, known as the Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Barb ("Turk" and "Barb" were synonymous with "Arabian" at that time). No accident, I have both an Arabian and a Thoroughbred... methinks another G-dincidence

My horses have become an extension of their family, why else would a woman get up at five O’ clock in the morning and go outside in the freezing cold to feed a horse and clean out their stall? There has to be a great amount of love involved for anyone to do that. Many of us women see their horses as not only members of their families, but also as their best friends.

Many women could easily spend hours in the barn telling their horse about all of their problems or other events that are happening in their lives. This is because horses are great listeners, much better than most men. This is why we're smart enough to turn to our horses. A horse will stand quietly in their stall or in the pasture and will listen for hours and they do not even have to be bribed with food. Some days I swear they have a command of the English language and understands what I'm saying. I can bury my head in their mane if I'm feeling down, and they give a nudge with their muzzle as a way of saying “I understand". ( or would that be okay, enough whining, where's my carrots?)

Dear husband also know that if I'm having a a bad day, after a short trip to the barn and a ride.. and I'm far less cranky and have experienced G-d 's blessings. My buddies have often described their trips to the barn as well as the "besttherapy session” Trust me, ninety percent of the time Il come back from the barn with a smile on her face and with a new outlook on life. How many therapists can you think of that can produce an effect like that during an hour long therapy session?. He also knows that the horse listens to all of my woes, and I have a good ride, he's free and clear to go out to the shooting range. Now everyone's happy... a truly peaceable kingdom all the way around.

Do I hear an amen? Trot on friends trot on

Kitchen Commandments

2008-06-29T08:26:00.001-06:00

As we're inn our high season, there'll be more friends , family and guests . Innkeeping or not, the kitchen can be one of the most organizationally challenging rooms in the home. So much happens there: nourishing, visiting, laughing, crying, making memories. So you want your kitchen, the heart of our home, to be a place for friends and family to gather together, lingering for hours over good food and conversation.

A recipe to de-stress in the kitchen:

large windows to bring in nature and soothing sights
a heavy duty, wide, pull out butcher block (from a drawer) to easily expand counter space as well as allow two people to work together, one on each side
something soft - we have a raised up sofa as part of our eating area, wonderfully cozy, conducive to hanging out
variety of lighting, including a dimmer over the table
room to roam, not a crowded or cramped plan
good food, good wine, good conversation
love

Another in the occasional Ten Commandments series

Thou shalt Plan the layout. It should flow. The glasses should be near the sink, the pots next to the stove and the cutting board with the knives. If you have little ones then keeping cups and healthy snacks within reach can save you time and give them some independence. Placement of everything in your kitchen should make sense. When guests come over, do you find they always look for something in a certain spot? Maybe you should move things to minimize steps and maximize efficiency.
Thou shalt make it safe. With most home accidents occurring in the kitchen, safety is an important concern. Your kitchen has many dangers, including electricity, chemicals, fire, knives, not to mention , bacteria. How can you make your workspace safer?
- Thou shalt keep knives up out of reach of wee ones. That goes for chemicals under the sink. Find another location for your cleaners. Kids can open most child safety locks anyway.
- Thou shalt sharpen your knives. There is more risk of cutting yourself if the utensils are not razor sharp. Keep away from guests :)
- Thou shalt keep your food prep areas are clean. Wash things thoroughly with soap and water.
Thou shalt rotate stocked items. Treat your cabinets like a store shelf. Put the items that expire soonest up front. This will keep your food fresh and you will use all of your food, offering more variety to your meals. I'm absolutely type a about this
Thou shalt keep a list handy. Keep a magnetic pad on your fridge with a pen. When an item gets low, jot it down (don't wait until it runs out to list it). This list can eliminate multiple trips to the store, saving time and energy.
Thou shalt have rules. You have standards and that's a good thing. But don't banish everyone from your kingdom, get them involved. Show them how you like things done and then let them loose and put your feet up while your family cooks a meal. Set rules for cleanup and other kitchen chores. Don't cause yourself undue stress by being overly territorial. Your kitchen will be a more fun place to be.
Thou shalt make it easy to keep clean. Take advantage of new cleaning products that save time and effort. Keep cleaners in easy reach with a package of antibacterial wipes in the knife drawer. Invest in the new cutting pads that soak up chicken juices and you can rest easy that cleanup will be a snap. Peruse your store's cleaning aisle for ways to make cleanup easier. And keep your counter free from clutter. The more little appliances and jars you have out, the more there is to clean.
Thou shalt practice the 3R's. Reduce. Recycle, Reuse Recycle/ Toss that blender with the frayed cord. Appliances are so affordable that I find replacing is often cheaper than repair. Don't keep electric items that are unsafe, thinking you will get around to fixing them. You won't, they will take up prime real estate in your space and you won't buy the replacement you need. Don't hang on to it. Toss it and move on.
Make your kitchen a place you like to be. Even if you don't like to cook, your kitchen can be a wonderful room in your home. Use colors, textures and items that make your happy. Appliances come in so many finishes that you can create the look you want at a price you can afford. Don't be afraid to purchase things you need. Invest in your kitchen and you will spend less time cooking and cleaning and more time enjoying the fruits of your labors.
Control the "Hot Spots." Maybe it's the top of the microwave, near the phone or at the bar. You know it-the space that attracts clutter. Every kitchen has it. Never fear. Turn it into a strength. Turn your phone's clutter zone into a "Command Center." Contain the clutter with baskets and boxes for mail and homework. Hang the family calendar on a bulletin board, along with schedules and a notepad for messages. The family already congregates in your "hot spot;" make it functional. Don't forget to purge it regularly.
Thou shalt got with the flow. One of the best tricks I've learned is to prepare breakfast casseroles the evening before that can sit in the refrigerator overnight, and simply be baked in the morning. These work well for egg casseroles, with or without meat, and for French toast recipes that bake up beautifully in the morning

Got all that? Promise? Good. Now hop to it and start planning. We’re watching you.

Fish Creek Fireworks

2008-06-28T11:59:00.000-06:00

Every year about this time the fireworks tents begin to sprout out by the county line, and I know its almost here again - the 4th of July. Get the party started with some fireworks fun. Doing this will also let all of your closest neighbors and their dogs know that something special is going on. Dogs just love the excitement of fireworks and will bark for hours, before, during and after the display is set off, to let everyone in the neighborhood know that they heard the fun! Let's hope that they don't let the police know. No need for that. Unless your cousin is chasing a friend around the yard, scaring her with a sparkler. Then, the police might be needed. That is, if he won't stop. Some people just go overboard, with all of the fun.

Always remember, when setting off your fireworks, to aim away from all houses, including your own. We all love excitement but, the sight of several fire trucks is not what we really want to achieve, here.

More seriously here are some safety tips for those getting ready to light off some fireworks:

Do not smoke around or while lighting fireworks (DUH)
Keep children away from lighters
Buy from trusted sellers
Keep a bucket of water around for “dud” fireworks. Do not try to re-light them. Toss them in the “dud bucket” for 15-20 minutes
Do not carry fireworks (not even the fun snappers) in your pocket
Never point fireworks at another person or living being (be nice to your pets and other animals)
No matter how small the firework is, use it outdoors!
Do not try to make your own fireworks (another DUH!)

More news you can use at The National Council on Fireworks Safety.

Did I miss any? I’m looking for your tips too! Get fired up ...safely.

Get Pumped to Hit the Road-

2008-06-26T19:08:00.001-06:00

Summer vacation.. ahh.. conjures up pictures of scenic highways and byways. BUT, reality bites... and this year's gas prices could really hit your wallet hard. Prices estimated to be $4 a gallon in some areas of the United States coupled with a possible economic recession can definitely fuel your fears (pun intended) . Although we can’t stop prices at the pump from going thru the roof, let not your heart be troubled. It is possible to find those pumps around town that provide better deals. .With gas prices so high, perhaps we could follow some of these gas saving tips. Check out 101 ways to use less gas.

Here's a list of tools that will aid you in your quest for the cheapest gas available

Thirteen tools to help you plan ahead by checking out these sites or signing up for e-mail updates from those in the know.

GasBuddy.com: Click on your U.S. state of Canadian province to start your search for cheap gas. Prices are tipped off by other visitors by the minute, so you’re always the first to know. This website also lists national averages and the states or cities with the lowest prices.
MapQuest Gas Prices: Search the lowest gas prices that are nearest to your home or office by typing in your address. MapQuest also lets you search by gasoline type: regular, diesel, or alternative fuels.
GasPriceWatch.com: Gas prices are separated into three categories: green prices are less than 12 hours old, orange ones are less than 24 hours old, and red ones are more than 24 hours old. Users can type in a location or click and drag on the U.S. map to find nearby stations.
MSN Autos: Enter your zip code to access a detailed map of the most economical gas stations in your area.
GasWatch: Set up this widget on your website or blog to get updates on the cheapest gas available in your U.S. zip code. Once you’ve selected a particular gas station, click on the Map It button for directions.
Motor Trend: This popular car and racing website also features a gas price locator. Click on your state, county and city to find the lowest prices available for regular, plus, premium and diesel fuels.
Fuel Gauge Report: The fuel gauge report from AAA reports local and national gas price averages each day. If you’re planning a trip, type in your departure and destination cities to get a rough estimate of how much cash you’ll need to spend on gas.
FuelEconomy.gov: This government website has current gas price data for cities all over the country. Find cheap gas near you or read the helpful gas mileage tips to help you conserve the amount of gas you use.
InternetAutoGuide.com: InternetAutoGuide.com is another site that lets visitors find cheap gas prices in their neighborhoods.
12 Ways to Find Cheap Gas: This article from MSN Money provides a list of tools and ideas for finding cheap gas in your area, including stopping at Wal-Mart or the grocery store.
How to Find Cheap Gas: eHow.com shares its secrets to getting cheap gas: visit low income areas, get gas at a wholesale club and more.
Where to Find Cheap Gas and Gas Saving Tips: This article not only gives tips for finding cheap gas, it also encourages readers to research alternative fuel options.
Automotive.com: This helpful site finds the cheapest gas in your area and compares it to the national average so that you can see how much you’re really saving

So get pumped, and hit the road... Be safe out there.

Lessons from the Innside Out

2008-06-25T08:39:00.001-06:00

Work imitates life yet again. In the ongoing journey partnering with GaZi in endurance rides, I continue to have "V-8" moments of how being an entrepreneur is very much like being an endurance rider.

1. Ride Your Own Ride
A cardinal rule and probably the first commandment of endurance riding. Lots of folks start the journey but how can you better the chances of a successful finish. Like a solo entrepreneurial venture, it's about knowing yourself and choosing to play to your strengths. Everyone has advice on everything from training schedules, what tack to use, feed strategies, ride strategies, particularly in the beginning. I learned to listen to it all, then used what worked for me."

2. A Support Team Is Crucial
Ain't nothing like having a support crew support established to assist them as they hike the trail. We do major logistics to set up drop bags for the vet checks in advance, so both us and our equine partners have supplies waiting for them. I rely on others for physical and emotional support along the way, and strategically balance their need to stay in contact with their desire for a solitary experience. I rely on my support team, but know that this is my adventure.

And while lots of endurance folks carry a GPS, I currently don't. Though a "never leave home without" item is my cell phone. That came in handy when I had an unforced idsmount and albeit a short separation from my mount.

3. Plan To Be Flexible
As with remodeling our inn , another tough journey, attention to detail has is everything. As a self confessed "Type A', it's almost my birthright . You plan for inspectors to come out on Monday morning and alas, it happens Tuesday (maybe) Additionally, you plan to ride with someone, and find out the horses are totally unsympatico in terms of pace. Likewise, flowing with the go, you can/will inevitably find riders along the way to share the journey. Even with all the preparation, many other elements can cause a change of plans. (Sound familiar ?) Heat, rain, sleep (or lack of), and overall physical condition all play into the mix.And me, while I'd , I'd rather know what to expect and have a plan... as they say, if you want to watch G-d laugh...have a plan.

4. Each Day Is a New Day
And endurance ride , like a solo entrepreneurial venture, is a mix of enjoyment and struggle. While " to finish is to win", ist he goal, it's crucial to focus on the "now"... especially when you have a horse and their needs. One minute's easy trot down the trail is next minute's spook. Had that experience our first endurance ride.

No harm, no foul,especially if my equine is unscathed, but after that fall, I learned to be more present. I also recognize how important a positive attitude is. I know when I fall, I need to get up and look forward, not back," she says. "If you're going to whine about how tough this is, you're not doing yourself (or anyone else for that matter) any favors."

5. Enjoy It All
There's days regardless of your venture, when the elements, be they it suppliers, contractors, or missing a trailmarker, can cause crankiness. But those days are offset by seeing wildflowers for miles, mountaintop views, Gazi drinking water feet in forest streams, and having a day in paradise with my equine partner. Even the worst day on the trail is a good day.

I've always believed that anything is possible if you put your mind to it I know I fall prety to the self doubts and giving too much credence to others' opinions. (The secret.. .they're too busy worrying about their own ride to watch what I'm doing). But I digress.

Motivational speakers, Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Cookies, tells a great story about the power of perseverance and the impact of others upon our life..... and death.

A group of frogs was traveling through the woods and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit.

The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why did you continue jumping? Didn't you hear us?"

The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were cheering him on.

Which frog are you? Trot on friends, trot on.

A Riding Wimp goes Riding High

2008-06-21T09:48:00.001-06:00

As a woman bonds with a horse,
Attempts to understand and interpret …
she is nurturing, facing her fears,
and moving beyond boundaries.
Essential lessons in any relationship.

Then in this new, quiet communication
of touch and thought
intuition and expressions …
she finds at last,
her Self.

~Kim McElroy

What is it about thoroughbreds and now Arabians that so attract me. My equine massage therapist thinks that it's my lesson in giving up having to be so in control... since those two breeds are renowned for being shall we say "high energy" My first horse as a brand new rider... an OTTB mare... geez

Most people who know me now would never believe what a wimp I was when I first started riding. I was scared to try anything out of my comfort zone. I mean anything. Horses acting up made me nervous. The simple thought of cantering made me nervous. Putting a halter on made me nervous. Leading a horse by myself made me nervous. For that matter, doing anything around horses by myself made me nervous.

And it probably really grated on the nerves of my fearless trainer, Patrick. At the same time, he keeps pushing me to do more despite my cowardly lion instinct was probably one of the best things he's done and continues to do for me.

I was feeling confident about it … until I fell off. At first I was plum scared to canter GaZi ! But as is typical of me.. I absolutely hate not doing something because of fear.

I've been blessed by trainers that have pushed me through it... through baby steps And to my amazement, I survived. They were really good at pushing me to do what she knew I could handle, even if I thought I couldn’t But so much of how I think, how I react, and how I work I can trace back to my experience with horses. They are truly some of the greatest teachers.

Eventually I got over it. And as I do more.. I get back into "wimp mode" and the process begins again. And that's ever more when I lean on G-d's Everlasting Arms

Following His Wisdom, creation, wonderfully made
Acknowledging Him--paths becoming straight, pleasant, peaceful
Walking His path-a broken trail of promises

Praising His unending steadfastness
Knowing man's heart, He's still healing, guiding, comforting
Today throughout Eternity!

I can certainly relate to learning to nurture, face fears, and move beyond boundaries through working with horses. I can also relate to finding my self through horses. Now if I can only find and keep my seat!

Trot on friends, trot on.

Answering the Cattle Call

2008-06-18T07:49:00.000-06:00

What on earth do you think is going through their mind as they stare at me? I often wonder the same with our equine menagie. Are they just watching me, assessing my distance from them as it relates to a potential threat to their wellbeing? As I jog by, with Manker as my protector, I always chant "friend, not foe, friend, not foe" Do they vividly remember those rescues when they got hopelessly entangled under the fence and separated ? Cows always think the grass on the other side is greener and they will push over or jump over any boundary to get to it Or are they simply curious about these strange, stand-on-two-leg human forms that in no way resemble their fellow bovine brothers and sisters?

Maybe they're checking out my running clothes.. I was wearing my Nike tights that day, and an Israel Defense Force Sweatshirt. Hmm... I'll bet you anything they were wonderin' if I was packin'. Okay, so the Nike Airs are circa 2005. I'm certain caught a couple of those bovines glancing down at them and making all kinds of sweeping generalizations about the color combination And yes, I’ve sort of fallen off the tempo runs lately so maybe they thought I was a slug, and the Nike's were just a tad snugger than they'd been .

Such judgemental critters gosh , who knew cattle can be so narrow minded Don’t they realize I’m a real person and have feelings just like them?

Yeah, cows can look funny..sitting there chewing cud with their mouths swaying back and forth and slobber hanging from mouth to hoof. But don't be fooled. They could be plotting where to leave that next inconveniently placed cow patty that you step on, drive over or get blown into your face.

Whoever blinks last, wins. Make mine mocha.

Horses are Not a Hobby

2008-06-16T06:10:00.000-06:00

They are an affair of the heart.. .trust me When we first started looking at property in anticipation of our moving tog to Montana, we knew we wanted acreage. though I had no idea that a roundpen, arena, barn and 4 horses would become part of the scenery. Having never ridden before, it is the proverbial "Toto.. we're not in Kansas anymore.

But I've discovered I LOVE horses in their own mind but have little if any of the real knowledge or experience necessary to raise one or more horses. We've been blessed by folks that led us to purchasing the "perfect horses" aka teachers. The horse purchase (much less ownership) however is not for the faint of uh heart

Whether you're reading homes for sale or horses for sale ads, you quickly notice that certain phrases pop up again and again. Glowing descriptions of a horse's appearance and abilities can make every horse look like the perfect one for you.

These amusing definitions were posted on the EquiSearch Forum.

Big Trot ~ Can't canter within a 2 mile straightaway
Nicely Started ~ lunges, but we don't have enough insurance to ride him yet
Top Show Horse ~ won a reserve championship 5 years ago at a show with unusual low entries due to a hurricane
Home Bred ~ knows nothing except being raised on the front porch
Recently Vetted ~ someone else found something badly wrong with the horse
Big Boned ~ good thing horse has mane & tail or he would be mistaken for a cow
Doing Courses ~ when tranqualized to the eyeballs & lunged 6 hrs straight before hand
Well Mannered ~ hasn't stepped on, bitten, or kicked anyone for a week
Professionally Trained ~ hasn't stepped, bitten, or kicked anyone for a month
Should Mature 16 hands ~ currently 13h, dam is 14.2h, sire is 15h, every horse in pedigree back 18 generations is under 15h but this horse will definitely defy his DNA and grow
To Good Home Only ~ not really for sale unless you can 1) pay twice what he is worth, 2) allow current owner to tuck in beddy - bye every night, 3) are willing to sign a 10 page legal document
Bold ~ runaway
Athletic ~ runaway
Needs intermediate Rider ~ runaway
Needs Experienced Rider ~ "dead" runaway
Dead Quiet ~ just dead
Started O/F ~ started overfeeding because we can't ride
No Vices ~ especially when he wears his muzzle
Light Cribber ~ we can't afford to build any more barns & fences for the buzz saw
No Time For Him ~ he's lucky to be fed
Excellent Disposition ~ never been out of his stall
Clips, hauls, and Loads ~ Clippity, clippity is the sound his hooves make when he hauls a$$ across the parking lot when you try to load him

And while hindsight (or would that be hindleg) is 20-20 some insights into horse ownership . What I've discovered.. for me you cant put a price tag on the health and well being of your animals.

How Many Acres?: If you do want horses; a good rule of thumb in good pasture areas is 3 to 5 acres of pasture per horse, and ideally another acre or two of paddock per horse. The wise Equestrian will thus plan about 6 to 10 acres per horse they want to keep in the purchase of land. The paddocks are smaller fenced pasture areas close to the barn used for training, saddling up your horse or getting a new horse acclimated to his new home. Again in hindsight, wish we'd purchased more acreage, but at the time 50 acres seemed enormous

The risk of injury to animals increases where horses are overcrowded, and competition for food, water and space may lead to fighting. You must provide an adequate number of paddocks or yards to permit incompatible animals to be segregated. The number of horses and their grouping in each paddock or yard must be appropriate for their compatibility and for the ground conditions, taking into account the climatic conditions pertaining at the time.

You also need room for the house, barn, hay storage, tack building and a loafing shed for them to get under when the weather is not quite acceptable to them. In any yard or shelter, each horse must have adequate room to lie down, stand up and turn around. There should be a clean, dry area for the horse to lie down, the surface of which protects the horse from abrasions and capped elbows and hocks. Paddocks which expose horses to items of machinery, equipment or rubbish (especially wire) likely to cause serious injury must not be used. We had to have the land where the barn now sits graded to level out.

Fencing: There are numerous types of fencing that are designed for horses. Board fences are deadly dangerous if not constantly maintained. The horses can break a board and end up impaled on it. Wire, especially barbed wire can entangle your horse’s leg or neck and seriously injure him or worse. There are several kinds of fences made for horse pasture. Barbed wire and narrow gauge (2.5 mm) high-tensile steel wire, because of their cutting, non-stretching and nonbreaking properties, can cause severe injury to horses. They should be avoided when constructing fences for horses, as should internal fence-stays or posts, which are a common cause of injury. I think we have the world and olympic record as it were for putting up fences when we first moved here.

Fences should be readily visible to horses and properly maintained. The ideal fence for premises designed mainly for horses is the synthetic, strong, flexible, post-and-rail type, with rails treated or painted with nontoxic preparations. A popular alternative, which also provides a good visual barrier, is a single top rail attached to a conventional post-and-wire fence. I like the Sheep Wire fence as it has a grid that is very small at the bottom and larger at the top. The small grid size at the bottom prevents the horse from stepping through the fence and getting tangled. I also like a charged electric wire just above the highly visible top rail to “convince” the horse to not lean over that top rail to get grass on the other side. Such leaning by such a strong and heavy animal is a major cause of fence breakage. There must be no sharp objects projecting inwards.

Forget Lassie : Contrary to all the horse stories and films, your horse will not respond to you the same way a dog or cat will. He will respond and perform best when his owner is consistent and has a routine. Forget all those stories about Flicka and Black Beauty; it only happens in the movies. Horses are not pets

Horses do have personality but you must remember that they are very big and strong and you cannot make them do anything unless you have convinced them and then they choose to do it. Proper ground manners are a must and the rider must know how to ride. Take some lessons if you are a first time owner. Horses do not like you to hang onto the reins for balance. Learn how to balance yourself in the saddle and to gently guide the horse with the reins. There is no faster way to make a horse “sour” than to pull on their mouth roughly; especially if you have a thoroughbred. Learning the horse language; the way to communicate to your horse is through the balance of your body, your seated position, the position of your feet and legs and lastly the position of your hands. It's a work in progress.

Pasture: Plant a pasture with a mixture of proper grass seeds. Check with the local Agricultural Substation or horse feed supply store for the seed mix. Build several paddocks to keep your horses in for short times, so that you can rotate the pastures and periodically give each one a rest to replenish the height of it’s grasses.

Horses are poor utilizers of pasture, compared to cattle or sheep. Most horse pastures contain a large proportion of weeds and “roughs” where horses are the only grazers. Horses will not eat pasture that is contaminated with horse dung. This usually causes the contaminated area to become larger and the grazing area smaller. The pasture growing round the dung patches is usually lush and looks to be the best feed, while the patches in between will look overgrazed.

Your horses will leave some big manure piles around the pasture and especially in the corners. Spread the horse manure out on the pasture with a drag harrow and rake out the pasture corners to break it up in smaller pieces; it helps to keep the fly larvae in the manure from hatching out and bothering your horses.

You will need a manure spreader to spread the manure you shovel out of your loafing sheds and stalls. Whod'a thunk I'd learn how to drive a John Deere?

Grazing animals deplete soil nutrients progressively, which in turn leads to poor pasture quality and growth rate. This should be regularly monitored by soil and pasture analysis. Pasture should be top dressed with fertilizers to replace identified nutrient deficiencies. Check with your State Agricultural Agent (each state has an Agricultural College and Agents attached) to learn to identify soil nutrient needs and to show you how to destroy noxious plants properly. Make certain that there is always plenty of clean fresh water in the pasture and that the water trough is kept dutifully clean!

Vaccinations: Your horses require annual booster shots for Rabies, Tetanus, Flu Rhino and Encephalitis, and Potomac Horse Fever. Check with your local Large Animal Veterinarian and maintain a proper schedule of immunizations and regular checkups. Horses also require quarterly worming to keep the intestinal parasites below the danger level.

Farrier Services: Horses in the wild got along just fine without a Farrier. They ran and romped over vast expanses, were chased by predators and often ran long distances as a herd. But now that they are kept and ridden mostly on soft sandy soil or grasslands — the hooves need trimming every six to eight weeks. AND, yes some horses do need horseshoes of steel, rubber or some other material. We're blessed to have found Keith since I've heard (and continue to hear at the barn especially) horror stories of horses going lame due to poor or incorrect shoeing.

Intention : Your intention is of great importance! Horses can feel a fly on their back and they can feel your intent; when you really mean business. They learn in a hurry who they have to respect and who they can play around with — DON’T be fooled! Set yourself up to win his respect and keep it. Don’t ask him to do anything that you suspect will be an argument unless you have the time to make certain that he does it. Be firm. Being firm does not mean beating your horse; it does mean that sometimes you might have to put a chain a little too snugly across his nose to lead him if he walks too fast and gets ahead of you at lead. For a newbie, this is an ongoing lesson

Trust: It is so important that your horse trust you. Please don’t abuse him by hitting or kicking him. Trust is necessary for him when you want him to cross a ditch or a fence or take him to water or take him to ride with other horses. Trust is built by day to day consistent care and treatment of your horse; and by not putting him into situations that hurt him or scare him badly.

Equine dentist:: Horses need dentists too! At least once a year, some horses require to have the equine dentist “float” his teeth. This removes sharp edges so that he can chew his food properly and be comfortable with the bit. See above diatribe

Grooming: Horses love to be brushed and bathed. Spend lots of quality time with your horse when you first get him and each time before and after you ride him with gentle loving hands and lots of brush grooming. Pick the stones and dirt from his feet before and after a ride to keep him from getting bruised feet. Check for ticks after any ride in the woods or tall grass — especially in warm weather. Keep your tack clean and the leather saddle-soaped and lightly oiled. It's like washing out your running clothes after a romp... they appreciate clean stuff too.

Nutrition:: Nutrition is a powerful factor in the life of a horse, just as it is our own. Often a problem horse can just be suffering from some nutritional deficiency. Often a horse that is “cribbing” that is chewing on his stall or on the fence has a nutritional deficiency. This should be handled quickly as the swallowed wood splinters have obvious danger to your horse. Horses need vitamins, roughage of course, minerals, protein, oils, carbohydrates, enzymes and trace elements in their diets to be at their best in health, behavior and attitude… and sometimes even if they are getting the correct food they may not be digesting it to get the proper use of the nutrients… just like us.

Who's the Boss?: If you don’t watch out — your horse will TRAIN YOU, for instance… I knew this lady who trailered her horse to various lessons and rides… but he knew he did not have to get into the trailer until the third attempt each time. First she would lead him to the trailer, he would stop and she would pet and coo to him. The second time she would coax him a little more with carrots and baby talk. When that, of course, didn’t work either (he liked that sweet talk and especially the carrots) she would try the third method. By now she was a little tired and frustrated with him, she wanted to go home or get on with the lessons; so she spoke firmly, put the chain across his nose, tightened it a bit, and… he’d get right on. But he always knew that he didn’t have to get on until the third technique — besides he would miss his carrots and sweet talk if he got on the first time!

Mounting your Mount: Training your horse to stand still as a statue while you mount is a MUST! If your horse likes to walk about while you try to mount up — have someone hold him while you get up and properly placed in the saddle. Once you are mounted — sit well in the saddle with an erect posture, take a deep reath and sink into your saddle with poise and assurance before you start off with him. Take time frequently with just you and him; when no one is around, mount him inside the pasture or paddock fence and just stand there in the saddle with him for several minutes. Then after quite some time, ask to walk. Of course you will need to spend the time needed to train him to stand quiet and still while you are on him. And you must each learn the particulars of how to open the pasture gate while you are in the saddle. Since Picken's close to 16 hands, she does a great "line up " cue. I can mount her from most any rock, fence, or incline. Gazi fortunately is 14.3 hands so I can do a running leap and mount him.

And youthought horses were just pasture ornaments. Just another day at the inn. Incredible teachers, friends, ride on, ride on. An affair of the heart.. THink I'll go out and hug my horses.

The Protector

2008-06-15T06:30:00.001-06:00

A (Heavenly) Father's Day missive.

Arms outreached, he is my protector

His heart , a wlecoming light of hope

Clutching his young in his large warm arms,

Yet in a flash, his happiness and laughter turn into thunder and lightening

Strict and strong, enforcing his rigid rules

He is Father, Light and Happy, Yet as quick as light, He can burst into an anger

A storm... but after a storm.. there is always a rainbow

Happy Father's Day, in heaven and here on earth. Do I hear an amen?

Memories of Magic

2008-06-14T08:08:00.000-06:00

Sooner or later we all discover that the important moments in life are not the advertised ones, not the birthdays, the graduations, the weddings, not the great goals achieved. The real milestones are less prepossessing. They come to the door of memory unannounced, stray dogs that amble in, sniff around a bit and simply never leave. Our lives are measured by these”

Susan B Anthony

There are people who like to spend money on things and others who like to spend it on experiences. We definitely fall into the latter category. With Thanksgiving around the corner, signifying gads... the holiday season already..As the traveler, you can do your homework beforehand and make sure your trip is as low-impact as possible

In a world with a throw-away mentality, deluded by false notions of unlimited natural resources, is it possible to be a conscientious traveler? Or is this just a leftover concept from the 60s generation, where virtue and idealism often travel a different path?

Many might say a conscientious traveler is nothing more than an eco-traveler, however, I argue it is more – it’s about traveling with one’s conscience, about being aware of our environmental and social footprint. Montana's appropriately referred to as "the last best place", so this is a subject near and dear to this intrepid innkeeper's heart.

It’s about awareness of our impact on both nature and culture. Whether buying local, selecting eco friendly lodging,or not littering, a new breed of traveler is arriving on the travel scene.

One with ethics, a disposable income (in many cases), and a desire to preserve and maintain for the future. A traveler’s conscience is the beginning of the conscientious traveler.Conscientious travelers are engaged, participants in travel with a passion for life. They are not merely observers, consumers to be entertained.

Travel is not an act of conquering, of chalking up how many destinations one has visited; rather it is about the stewardship we share, and a touch of humanity that we impart during our journeys, which spells out the tenets of a conscientious traveler.

Ron Mader, founder of Planet.com, defines conscientious traveling as

“traveling with one’s conscience and connecting with others in a particular place. Travel encourages a deeper understanding of people and place and this concept recognizes the fact that travelers engage in various activities in the same day.”

The human element is a fundamental part of the travel experience, it is essential if that which is unknown and misunderstood is to be resolved. It requires a deeper discovery of self, and a greater awareness of something bigger.

Caring about the world, the conscientious traveler is one who seeks expression and experience on multiple layers, with dimensional depth that is both internal and external.

The conscientious traveler travels to be altered; to be moved by experiences outside the mundane but familiar life at home. To be altered is the goal; to be permanently changed is the equivalent of ecstatic insight.

How we travel, and even why, becomes the defining basis rather than where one travels. Conscientious travelers are people who connect with their travels in environmentally and socially meaningful ways.

Some more memories of magic... Whole Wheat Apple Muffins
Adapted from King Arthur Flour

These dark, magic monsters muffins will keep well for several days, or pack a goody bag and the brown sugar on top, should you not skimp on it like I did, adds a crunchy touch, perfect for those of you who know that the lid is the best part. Makes 12 muffins

1 cup (4 ounces) whole wheat flour
1 cup (4 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup (8 ounces) buttermilk or yogurt
2 large apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Grease and flour an 18 cup muffin tin and set aside.

Mix together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and add the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well; stop once to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.Mix in the buttermilk gently. (If you over-mix, the buttermilk will cause the mixture to curdle.) Stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the apple chunks.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, sprinkling the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar on top. Bake for 10 minutes, turn the heat down to 400°F, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the tin, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Happy travel planning!

Windows on the World

2008-06-13T05:55:00.001-06:00

When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen. Either there will be something solid to stand on--or you will be taught how to fly
- Author Unknown

Every so often we get a glimpse at the way our life could look or the person we could be. Perhaps we are on holiday and experience an internal peace that comes with being relaxed and away from the office. Or perhaps a huge smile comes across our face in the midst of graining horses in the pouring rain , but we have the awareness to realize that in this very moment everything is ok (despite how chaotic or bad life may appear).

In most cases these glimpses are quickly forgotten when we return to what we think of as our normal life or regular state. I, however, prefer to think of these glimpses as a doorway that we can have the power to either keep open or slam shut.

When I've had more than a few "unforced dismounts" on GaZi, I start thinking .. what is G-d's will for me and this horse? I know that door opened just a little more as we journeyed the physical and spiritual endurance ride last month. . The more I learn about God and this journey called life that I'm on I realize that He has already answered most of the questions. He's just left it up to US to actively seek the answer, pray about it and take the leap faith based on the discovery. Can you say Hebrews 11:1??

He provides the doors and puts them in front of us ..we simply have to walk through in faith... not knowing what lies ahead. While it sounds simple and easy on paper... living it, doing it is a whole 'nother story And the will of G-d is made known to us as Joanie would say " if he closes that door" or drops it down in front of us. Step lively and watch the closing doors. You can always count on Satan or as I'd say "the monkey mind" to kick in with "You know you can't do this... whatever possessed you"? and on, on. That happens in the life.. what do I do?? What happens then? I give it to G-d and He shows me in all different kinds of ways.

We've all known peopel that are just truly delighted in the world around them. Their delight allows you to see things anew, in ways unknown to you before. I get that every time I'm around Joanie and what she's appropriately dubbed G-d's barn

In my life, the people that have most transformed me - who have shaped the direction of my life and inspired me to dream - are those who delight in the world. It is a simple delight, and inner joy, noticing everyday surprises and moments of grace that most of us ignore, or are too busy or distracted to see. Seek out people of faith. This is really important. Why would you want to surround yourself with people who have a defeatist attitude? Attitudes are contagious you know. If you surround yourself with people who walk by faith rather than by sight, you too will find your faith growing.

At which point I look to one of my favorite prayers

Fear not, for I am with You, Do not be Dismayed for I am G-d, I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Do I hear an amen? Shabbat Shalom friends

Horse Speak Defined

2008-06-11T07:13:00.000-06:00

The longer I live on a ranch like setting, the more I come to realize that what may often be perceived by some as the "lazy way" is actually the "now you're finally getting it!" way. The secret is to stop fighting Mother Nature because you are never going to win. When you find yourself racing around a field and screaming madly at the sheep to GET IN THE @#$%! BARN while they munch away, calmly ignoring you, it's time to step back from the situation. Wait 10 or 15 minutes, and chances are the horses, who know that dangerous predators( (lions and tigers and bears oh my!) come out at night and that the only truly safe place to sleep is in the barn, will eventually tuck themselves in. Call me lazy, but at least I've saved some of my sanity--and my voice. Aka "it's easier to ride the horse the direction it's going in".

Apropos I got this email from another horsey friend and thought I should share. While it's not about Arabian horses but horses in general, I'm thinking it might be a fun thing to modify for a future post to laugh a little at my breed of choice. If you have any ideas that come to mind, please add it to the comments.

Auction - A popular, social gathering where you can change a horse from a financial liability into a liquid asset.
Azorturia (Monday Morning Disease) - a condition brought on by showing horses all weekend. Symptoms include the feeling of dread at having to get out of bed on Mondays and go to work or school.
Barn Sour - An affliction common to horse people in northern climates during the winter months. Trudging through deep snow, pushing wheelbarrows through snow and beating out frozen water buckets tend to bring on this condition rapidly.
Big Name Trainer - Cult Leader: Horse owners follow them blindly, will gladly sell their homes, spend their children's college funds and their IRA's to support them- as they have a direct link to "The Most High Ones" (Judges).
Bog Spavin - The feeling of panic when riding through marshy area. Also used to refer to horses who throw a fit at having to go through water puddles.
Colic - The gastrointestinal result of eating at the food stands at horse shows.
Colt - What your mare always gives you when you want a filly.
Contracted foot - The involuntary/instant reflex of curling one's toes up - right before a horse steps on your foot.
Corn - small callus growths formed from the continual wearing of cowboy boots.
Drench - Term used to describe the condition an owner is in after he administers mineral oil to his horse.
Endurance ride - The end result when your horse spooks and runs away with you in the woods.
Equitation - The ability to keep a smile on your face and proper posture while your horse tries to crowhop, shy and buck his way around a show ring.
Feed - Expensive substance utilized in the manufacture of large quantities of manure.
Fences - Decorative perimeter structures built to give a horse something to chew on, scratch against and jump over (see inbreeding).
Flea-bitten - A condition of the lower extremities in horse owners who also own dogs and cats.
Flies - The excuse of choice a horse uses so he can kick you, buck you off or knock you over - he cannot be punished.
Founder - The discovery, of your loose mare-some miles from your farm, usually in a flower bed or cornfield. Used like-"Hey, honey, I found'er." Founder: A condition that happens to most people after Thanksgiving dinner
Frog - Small amphibious animal that emits a high-pitched squeal when stepped on.
Gallop- The customary gait a horse chooses when returning to the barn
Gates - Wooden or metal structures built to amuse horses.
Girth Sores- Painful swelling and abrasion made at the point of mid-section by fashionable large western belt buckles.
Green Broke - The color of the face of the person who has just gotten the training bill from the Big Name Trainer...
Grooming - The fine art of brushing the dirt from one's horse and applying it to your own body.
Grooms - Heavy, stationary objects used at horse shows to hold down lawn chairs and show bills.
Hay - A green itchy material that collects between layers of clothing, especially in unmentionable places.
Head Shy - A reluctance to use the public restrooms at a horse show. Always applies to pit toilets.
Head Tosser - A blonde-haired woman who wears fashion boots while working in the barn.
Heaves - The act of unloading a truckful of hay.
Hobbles - Describes the walking gait of a horse owner after his/her foot has been stepped on by his/her horse.
Hock - The financial condition that a horse owner goes into.
Hoof Pick - Useful, curbed metal tool utilized to remove hardened dog doo from the treads of your tennis shoes.
Horse shoes - Expensive semi-circular projectiles that horses like to throw.
Inbreeding - The breeding results of broken/inadequate pasture fencing.
Jumping - The characteristic movement that an equine makes when given a vaccine or has his hooves trimmed.
Lameness - The condition of most riders after the first few rides each year; can be a chronic condition in weekend riders.
Lead Rope - A long apparatus instrumental in the administration of rope burns. Also used by excited horses to take a handler for a drag.
Longeing - A training method a horse uses on its owner with the purpose of making the owner spin in circles-rendering the owner dizzy and light-headed so that they get sick and pass out, so the horse can go back to grazing.
Manure spreader - Horse traders
Mosquitoes - Radar equipped blood sucking insects that typically reach the size of small birds.
Mustang - The type of horse your husband would gladly trade your favorite one for...preferably in a red convertible and V-8.

Trot on friends, trot on.

A Slacker's Guide to Gardening

2008-06-10T17:17:00.000-06:00

We are so blessed here to have our onsite greenhouse .. .it's the perfect complement to the farmer's market

I love the *idea* of gardening, making things grow and thrive and eating the freshest of vegetables and fruits.

Sadly, the fantasy doesn’t always live up to the reality.

This whole gardening thing is fairly new to me, but these are some of the things I’ve learned in my quest to reduce the amount of work.

1. Pick your plants and seeds carefully. You’re looking for words like “Perennial” and “Enthusiastic self-seeder.” aka Things You Won’t Have to Plant Again. “Thrives on neglect” is another good one.

2. Don’t pull up weeds in a section of garden until you’re ready to plant that section. Nature abhors a vacuum, and if you pull weeds up without putting in new things, all it means is new weeds will come up and you’ll have to pull them, too. Besides, from a distance, who can tell? Hell, they’re green, aren’t they? When in doubt, throw in some marigold seed. Not only are they green, but they have pretty flowers and they are a natural insect repellent.

3. A remarkable number of garden problems can be solved by the addition of two things: water and mulch. By mulch I don’t mean gravel and bark and stuff; that takes work. I mean, stuff from the chicken house, old hay, newspapers, things like that. The mulch stops the weeds and holds in the water, resulting in Less Work.

4. Get animals, such as chickens, ducks, rabbits, or goats. What you clean out of the garden, give to the animals. What you clean out of the animals’ pen, dump in the garden. The circle of life. It’s a beautiful thing. (However, do keep the animals and the garden away from each other; the animals may have a different idea from you on what constitutes a ‘weed,’ and this can result in More Work.)

5. Redefine your idea of ‘weed.’ If you can eat it, it’s not a weed, it’s a vegetable. If I could get into the whole eating dandelions thing, I could save a hell of a lot of time.

6. If it’s ripe, pull it. Don’t wait for it to be perfect. If you do, either some damn bird or animal or insect will get to it before you do, or it’ll bolt or die or turn into a baseball bat or something, resulting in Wasted Work.

7. For every outdoor spigot you have, get one of these from somewhere. It’s called a manifold, and it lets you turn one faucet into four. Collect all the garden hose you can—garage sales are good. Then pick up a bunch of these. It’s called a soaker hose, and it’s a hose with a bunch of holes in it. The difference is that these are there on purpose.

Run a length of garden hose from all the new faucets to all the garden spaces, and surround them with soaker hoses. From then on, watering consists of sauntering outside, turning on a spigot, moving a switch on the selected faucet, and having a beer while you wait.

If you really want to be lazy, put battery-operated timers on each of the faucets and set them up to run on different days. Yes, this is all some work to begin with, but it’s just once a season. Leave them out there all winter. So what if it cracks? It’s just a $10 hose, and that way you won’t have to take it down in the fall and set it up again in the spring.

8. Especially if you do #7, set your lawnmower to 3 inches. At least. And say, maybe pick up some hose repair kits while you’re at it.

9. If you have a drip irrigation system, a couple of times a year it’ll suddenly quit working. You’ll think the well ran dry. You’ll think your neighbor was stealing your water. You’ll worry about the dwindling aquifer. You’ll look fruitlessly for leakage. Nine times out of ten, the connector between the hose and the system has gotten clogged with dirt or earwigs or something. Check it first. And check both sides.

10. For God’s sake, don’t get green-handled garden tools, gloves, etc. I spend half my time in the garden trying to find the damn things. Wait til May and get pink ones, even if you’re a guy. Better still, wait til August when they’re on sale. Ponder the notion of pink garden hose while you’re at it.

11. When it gets over 90, there are only two jobs I do. First, I mow the lawn, because I have a riding mower and no matter how hot it is, at least I’m sitting down. Besides, it has a cup holder. Second, I do things involving water—fixing the irrigation, hosing off the house and trash cans, etc.—because at least that way if I get wet it feels good.

12. If you’re uncoiling something dark for the first time—hoses, edging, etc.—pick a nice day, leave the damn thing in the sun for a half hour and go have a beer. You’ll both be a lot happier.

13. Practice the following phrases:

“I’m creating natural habitat.”

“It’s a native plant garden.”

“Don’t you know that lawnmowers and weed whackers are major contributors to global warming?”

However, if sustainable eating does interest you, here are some resources that may help.

USDA Farmers Market Directory
Local Harvest - Find local farms and farmers markets.
Eat Wild - Pasture-based farming
Eat Well Guide - Find restaurants, farms, and stores.
Heritage Foods - Find restaurants and stores supplying heritage foods.
Food Routes - Help source locally grown foods.
Co-op Directory - Find food co-ops.
National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service - Local food directory.
CSA Farm Search - Find farmers involved in Community Supported Agriculture.
Finding harvest calendars for each state (for eating local produce in season). This site also has an excellent guide to finding hormone-free dairy products

Let's hear it for our salad days... chomp on friends, chomp on