Living in the country we are surrounded by horses. All our neighbor have horses and ride, some even compete in barrel racing events. So cool! Horses are beautiful creatures and if I wasn't severely allergic it would be nice to have one or two. My horse riding friends say it's impossible to own just one. When Penelope was little I really wanted her to take horse riding lessons but not knowing a lot about being around horses and riding I was always afraid of the idea of her falling and being hurt. Last summer Penelope was able to start riding lessons for the first time at our neighbors ranch. We got her a riding helmet and some riding boots and my brave girl just hopped right on. Of course, this momma was still afraid to see her get on for the first time, and every time after, but I am so proud that she is able to take on new activities with no fear. She's even fallen off a couple of times, eeek...and gotten right back on again. Here are some photos of Penelope's first couple of times learning to ride. 

 The sound of birds singing outside is a constant from inside our home. With the occasional thud because, oops that's a window. I often see hummingbirds that look like peeping toms buzzing around  as if to say "hey I see you in there". We see the occasional vulture devouring one of the many bunnies that live nearby and the occasional hawk or eagle soaring through the sky. If I was a bird watcher I would have a field day with my camera snapping away at all the little and big birdies. The quails are the cutest with their pointed feathers on the tops of their heads, they like to linger in flocks pecking in the dirt. The roadrunners are the silliest as they speed across the road and then there is the elusive giant owl. I have only seen him once from afar but the neighbors all say he is huge! We have several bird nests along the eaves of our home, we try to leave them be. We also find remnants of old bird homes out in the field. Nests made out of anything these birds can find, even horse hair from the neighbors horses! 

Here are some photos Chris took awhile back when he was playing around with my new camera. Just a few little birdies hanging around. 

I should dust off my camera and try to get a few shots of some of the other birds mentioned above that like to visit our home.  

 I can't believe I started this blog when Penelope was just 10 months old... 

 Here are a couple of pics of our doggies enjoying the country air. 

The shepherd above is Timber. He will be turning 8 in a few days and has been with us since he was a pup. He is a big, sensitive sweetie and a bit of a goofball. The husky pictured below is Relic. He will be 4 years old in a couple months. He is a rescue that we have had for about three years now. He is super friendly and affectionate and a BIG troublemaker.  

This is a long overdue post, but seeing as we are now mandated to stay in our homes in California until further notice, and unless we absolutely must leave, I should have some time to do a little more blogging. Last April we had our kitchen remodeled. I have been wanting to do this since we moved in a couple of years ago and we finally had the chance to do it. This is what our kitchen looked like prior to the remodel.







As you can see, we also had a wall taken out, a wall put in, some French doors added, a large island built and new flooring put in throughout the house. It looks like a completely different home. We have since also painted the kitchen white and the rest of the house a more agreeable gray.


 We still have so many projects we would like to do our home but those will have to wait for awhile...