When you need perspective

On October 17, 2016October 17, 2016 By AveryIn Faith, Horses, MusicLeave a comment

OK, so I am still processing my last week…and am still tired! Tomorrow, be prepared for a picture book of my week riding in the hill country! For now though, we must all wait. I can not begin to process that just yet. Yawn. I am still recovering!

Oh!!! I can show you the gifts I gave! Looky looky!!! Remember I told you about a few gifts I made for some friends that were going to be on the ride this past week? Now that the gifts have been given, I can show you! I gave each a photo transfer of their horse on a block of wood with character (have a look at this post to learn how!) and a piece I found created by Alex Ladner, also on a block of wood. I think they are just exact. I really tried to work with the character within the wood and let it shine and compliment the photo. I gave a few more photo transfers to some others, but these two are my favorite. Do you like them??? I hope so.

OK, back to perspective. The Friday before I left for my trip, I rediscovered an artist! I love when that happens. I started listening to Sean McConnell while in undergrad. He was getting some air time on a local Red Dirt station at the time. I loved his sound, but then somehow I did not keep up with him. Not sure why. Crazy how that happens. Anyway, while at work on Friday, I was listening so some shuffle mix that came up on YouTube. I was working away when I heard the song ‘Lie Baby Lie,’ but a different version than what used to be played in the flatland when I was in college. It intrigued me and I went to go look at who it was that was playing and singing. To my surprise, it was Sean! I immediately went to look up all of the material he has created since I stopped listening to him. I still dig his stuff and I am still listening to it this week! One song in particular really spoke to me that Friday. Have a listen, and when you need perspective, give it another listen. I have added it to my mental file of ‘when I need perspective.’ I hope you enjoy it. Thanks to the man himself, Sean McConnell, for posting this vid on YouTube. He also has several faith based songs. I have no doubt that I will be post on his songs again!

Have a blessed day, dear readers, and lead with love!

Tune back in tomorrow for the big recap!

Hello, it’s me…

On October 15, 2016 By AveryIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I was wondering if after all these years you’d…

Ha! Just kidding! Did you miss me!??!??! No? Oh. Well…I missed you. I am back on the grid now. Too tired to post much and my MUCH needed bubble bath with music by Enya awaits, but I just could not wait to check in with my dear readers. How the heck have y’all been?! What have you been up to??!

I spent all week riding Ike, the southern gentleman along the Frio River in the great state. Great times, conversations, friends, fellowship, parties, and cocktails were had along with horses and more horses for days. Oh ya, and practically no cell service! What could be better?! Not quite sure at the moment. I may or may not have celebrated by 28th birthday this week as well. So much to be grateful for! AHA moment right there!!!

Ike and I are home safe and all my stuff is in order. Not quite sure how I got that done. Now that all the hard work is over, I am enjoying some refreshing mimosas with a beautiful orange slice. It hits the spot. I am headed back to town in the morning. More details of my week to come!

One more thing

On October 7, 2016October 7, 2016 By AveryIn Faith, Life, MusicLeave a comment

Before I go off the grid to ride horses for a week *excuse me while I giggle and jump up and down like a little girl*, I want to share something with you. Remember that bit about your light from the other day? Well, you also probably know by now how my brain works with songs. This song came up on my shuffle yesterday while I was running errands to prepare for my trip and it made me think about letting my light shine through my holes and cracks. Thanks to Cody Johnson for recording this song and to Rachel Richardson on YouTube for the vid.

Now I get that he is not my typical type to recommend as he is not always my style, but I just really like some of his songs. This one in particular. The lyrics speak to me. That last verse. Climb out and let it shine, man. AHA moment right there. I sing this one loud in my car. Makes me think I am a good singer! Ha! This song makes me want to post several more songs. Do you think I should? Does anybody listen to these??? I will just in case anyone is curious what I have to share.

The middle part of this song where he talks about conversations he did not have with his dad reminds me of Brandon Rhyder‘s (I know, I know, I will not wax poetic today. Well, only a little) song, ‘Fingers To The Bone.’ Seriously, listen to this one. He never disappoints. I also sing this one loud in the car. Fine, I always sing loud in the car! Thanks to Brandon Rhyder – Topic on YouTube for the video. It is funny the things we do and say to our parents when we are young and then how the future plays out. Grace. Reminds me to tell my parents I love them. I put them through a lot! AHA moment, again. This one I dedicate to my parents. The best I have heard this song was live at an intimate, unrecorded concert here in town. Bummer for y’all. Stop, hold the phone. My mother just called me! I told her I love her. I am serious. That just happened. Just go on and listen to this song.

I could go on for days connecting these song dots for you, but I have to go work!

Have a great weekend and week next week. I look forward to sharing my adventure with you upon my return! Do not worry, I will try not to kill my travel buddy with my horrid signing.

Gettin’ crafty.

On October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 By AveryIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Does today feel like Friday to anyone else?! It sure feels like Friday to me, but alas, it is Thursday for all of you who have not figured that out yet. Happy Friday eve! Ike and I leave Saturday for my week long trail riding vaca! This is why it feels like Friday to me, I guess. I am so excited…and anxious, but it will be fun! It is getting real. Have to pack today so I can leave straight from work tomorrow to get to the farm and pack our stuff there.

Anyhoo, I got crafty yesterday and created some gifts to give my compadres who are going with me on the ride. If any of you are reading this, STOP. I mean it. OK, now back to business. I will not show what I actually made or bought in case they are not listening to me.

The crafty part that I created was a photo transfer to wood. I used The Saw Guy‘s method (there is even a video!). I have actually done this now three different times. There are a few different ways to do this apparently, but I have only used this one method with the recommended products. Mainly because I still have all said products and I like the way it works. In my research done previously, it appeared that there are a few different products that can be used to create the same or a different look. Here are some examples of her
finished work from the post.

I never seem to accomplish the level of antiquey look that she gets, but I am guessing she applied filters or edited the photos prior to printing. I have not watched the video or read the post in a while, so she might explain that there. I just really like the look of these! The next photo transfer I do will be of my dun duo and my Darcy dog on pecan wood from the farm. It will be big ;).

The second part of a couple of the gifts came from a local gift shop here in town. I do not know how I got lucky enough to find these! I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what to get to finish out my gifts. I kept coming up empty. Then I went into this shop figuring I would not find anything that I felt was good enough, and bam. There they were. There were only two, which is exactly the number I needed. They perfectly fit the bill. They practically spoke to me and told me to buy them for my friends. I just love when that happens. To me, the best part of gift giving is finding that little something that screams that person’s name and seeing the joy it brings the person when they get it. That feels like an AHAmoment. I love gift giving. I suppose it is one of my love languages. I take it very seriously. Anyway, I digress as usual…the pieces I bought were created by artist Alex Ladner. I hope the gift shop gets more of his work because I would like some pieces for myself. The pieces I got were no bigger than a 4×6 photo and have a block of wood as the canvas! Again, I am not going to show what I got or made until after I give the gifts, but here is a teaser of his other creations (his photos).

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Does anyone know how to accomplish this look? Is it like a plaster? Clay? With glaze? I want to figure it out. I just love these! Alex, if you ever read this, I just love your work!

Tomorrow or Saturday morning will most likely be my last post until I return from my trip. Do not lose faith in me! I will return and with many photos!

I am excited to show you what I created and bought! Until then, walk in love, dear readers!

Love & horses

On October 4, 2016October 4, 2016 By AveryIn HorsesLeave a comment

I have to share this lovely nugget of love and horses entitled “Parkinson’s Forced Her Out Of The Saddle, But 30 Years Later She Gets A Second Chance.” Your daily dose of love and positivity. This video made me cry…in my office. Good thing my office is small! If I am ever unable to go to the barn or ride on my own, I hope I have people around me that can make it happen for me. It is in our blood. Enjoy.

In other news, on this day three years ago, my Lito man was 6 months old! Just look at that handsome kid. That is his Uncle Ike in the background. This memory is not good for my young horse fever… 1381602_10153312481575527_2076906329_n

Go lead with love, dear readers, and go ride if you can.

All the Fall things.

On October 3, 2016October 3, 2016 By AveryIn Food, Horses, Life, MusicLeave a comment

Happy Monday Morning! I hope everyone had a great weekend! As promised, (here is your teaser)

I have for you all the fall things my cousin and I did yesterday (although I have to warn you, I was bad and forgot about taking photos), but first I just have to tell you about the rest of my weekend.

I had a great dinner with a dear friend of mine on Friday. I have not seen her in about five years. She was in town looking at a possible second horse to buy. She did not end up buying the horse (sad for her), but we had the BEST time catching up on all the things! It was so lovely. After dinner I drove out to the farm to spend the weekend with family and horsing around. Saturday morning, I went for a walk ride with my mother. I ride and she walks. It is our thing. We had AMAZING burgers for lunch. Instead of a nap (which I really wanted) my nephew and I went for a drive around the property and down the road. That boy is so sweet. We had a grand time with the fall air in our hair. I got a blister from mucking, raking, and cleaning the barn. Cheetah and I had a nice lazy dink around the arena. After feeding the evening feeding, my mom, sister, and niece came out to the barn to have some horse time for my niece. She LOVED it and got and gave many kisses with the horses and Petunia the donkey.

Sunday morning was my Lito time. That horse. Man. He is just amazing. It was his 8th or 9th ride and he has not been ridden in about a month. First ride with a bit. He was great. Never offered anything bad and seems to really enjoy riding. He was little confused at the ‘new’ communication form as to be expected (he as been wearing the bit for a while and we have worked with it on the ground), but he was his usual steady eddy, lazy self. We took it easy because of the bit introduction and the fact that he as not been ridden in a while. He makes me want another youngster. Not that I need one. By the way, my news feeds have been full of nice Spanish fillies for sale. It is just not nice to me. Then my nephew had his turn to ‘ride’ on Chance. He rides, I lead. We had a grand time. How profound, I know, but it just was. Between family, horses, Texas countryside, and weather, it is hard not to have a full heart and be happy.

OK, on to all the Fall things with my cousin yesterday evening. I made a roasted butternut squash flatbread pizza for dinner. In addition to the squash, it had pesto, bacon, goat ebd0047a16213671db5f7b90cce21ea4 cheese, balsamic red onions, arugula, and sage. It was so good! Sorry I do not have a picture. We were too excited for photos. We then made this Magic Pumpkin Cake for dessert. It was naughty and pretty good. I am usually more of a made from scratch kind of gal, but it is nice to do easy things sometimes that just require dumping and stirring. I think it will be better today after sitting in the fridge over night. I also would use a white cake mix instead of a yellow cake. Then we painted some pumpkins for table centerpieces. I was pretty conservative with my painting. I just thought their natural beauty should be able to shine and I also did not want to get wrapped up in something really detailed and intricate…which is what I usually do. I used some metallic paint and glitter that my cousin brought. I mixed them in a bowl with some unpainted pumpkins. My favorite is the little orange one with the metallic accents in the creases and on the stem. Very simple, but complimenting and pretty. What are your favorite fall things? My cousin and I always do baking and or crafts the minute the weather cools.

Brandon Rhyder is still as on point for me today as he was on Friday. This song written by Jon Randall was basically my weekend (sorry, this is not the best recording). I sure hope you have read this far and can enjoy this song. He gets me. I may have been born and still live in the big city, but being in the country has made me into who I truly am. I am so grateful to my parents for that.