An Early Rainstorm

A few weeks ago, we had a very light rain shower.

The almond growers were racing to get their crop harvested, in fear of an early winter.

We barely got a sprinkle.

But I sure enjoyed the cooler weather and cloud cover!

Ridin' Dirty

This weekend is the prestigious Oakdale Rodeo. Our hometown rodeo that is notorious for being either BEAUTIFUL or POURING DOWN RAIN. Guess which is happening this weekend?

This weekend is also home to a huge annual spring barrel race, Youth Championship, and Futurity through the local barrel racing organization. Texas and I took our ponies over to the arena the other night to ride the horses around. We had no idea what was in store for us as we pulled up.

Needless to say, there was a bit of wet ground. 

Lots and lots of mud.

Jader's first time (to my knowledge) riding in knee/ankle deep mud. It was a good character building experience for her, not to mention a dang good workout.

I'm feeling for all those ladies entered up in the rodeo and the barrel race this weekend. I contemplated entering Jade in the Futurity as it's my only chance to run her locally in a Futurity as she is only eligible this year. I really feel like she's been coming on strong the last few weeks and really getting the hang of things (or maybe it's me that's getting the hang of things and she's saying "FINALLY DUDE"). But, I think it's God's way of telling me to give her some more time to come into her own. I don't want to run in the mud this weekend, especially on my girl who is just getting used to the barrel racing gig.

So, stay tuned folks, I am hoping to have Jade running in barrel races by May as there are some good races going on. But for this weekend, I will be the spectator, thanking the high heavens that's not me out there skating around the arena on my beloved.

A Wednesday Evening Drive

Driving home from riding our horses in a mud hole arena.

Been getting lots and LOTS of rain this week.

Crazy to think we were having one of the driest winters on record.

Let's just say, we ain't hurtin' for water anymore.

A Little Mud

Our rain dance must have worked. It must have been one heck of a show... we have been DUMPED on the last two or three days. 

Yesterday, Manny and I had to move some cows around in the pastures, so we opted to take his horse out during the lull in the rain.

As we were getting ready to move the Holsteins around, we check out on the pasture they were being moved in to. When we were ready to turn around and go get the ladies, Manny misjudged a puddle... was actually more of a sinkhole. Let me tell ya, it's sure fun being a passenger on the back of that thing with mud flying up from all directions.

Next time, I think we will find another spot to turn around.

Cowboys Will Be Cowboys

Cowboys will be Cowboys. Given the opportunity, they will take any chance to pretend they're in a Western.

Ridin' off into the sunset on a white horse. Don't get much more Cowboy than that. :)

Sleeping Beauty

Someone was happy to be out of the rain and cold while we were going through cows the other day...

Clouds

The Calm Before The Storm

Working yesterday morning during the vet check and enjoying the beautiful sunrise.

The calm before the storm! Love it. Love the calm, love the storm.

Back Home

The ponies minutes after they were turned back into their home pasture. We've been giving their pasture a break the last month or so because we haven't had any moisture. After irrigating it once and getting a little natural wet stuff on their pasture, the grass is starting to grow again. We didn't think we would turn them back out into the pasture yet, but we're actually in the middle of a rain system which has turned their current digs into a sloppy mess.

I think the horses are happy. This video is really terrible quality (thank you unsmart phone), but Jade busted down that pasture like her life depended on it. Lazy girls got some gas.

Stormy

These were taken a few weeks ago when we got a little bit of rain. Sadly, all the gloomy lookin' rain clouds seem to always go around us. 

Grass needs water to grow. Cows need grass to grow.

Horsies need grass to grow!! Pray for rain!

Finally

Last week, we finally got some moisture!!

First time it's rained all day since last winter. Sadly, it did not accumulate to much moisture as it barely did much more than drizzle. It's ok, we will take what we can get!

Got Some

Got some rain the last few days. WOO!!

Texas and I watched the clouds roll away as we sat on the front porch. Love me some good stormy weather.

Rains-A-Coming

A little sunshine before the sprinkles came.

Hopefully, we get some more moisture soon.

How?

How can people not live in the country?

This is what I live for.

Spring in February

Yes, I am wearing a tank top in February.

Unseasonably Warm

The other day I rode my horse in a tank top, and then gave her a bath.

I don't enjoy the unseasonably warm weather. We will be getting enough warm days this summer, why can't a girl get some rain and clouds in the Winter?

Barn Sunset

I know I have a lot of these... sunrises, sunsets - but they are pretty awesome.

Almost Snow

This was taken about a month ago - I forgot I had it! 

I really loved this morning walk up to work because the corrals were so thick in frost that if you squinted and looked juuuuuust right, you would think our corrals were snow covered. Almost.

Cloudy Morning

This was a beautiful sight to see Friday morning... 

Clouds!!! You know what they say about clouds??

RAIN!!

A Hay Truck Sunrise

Got a hay delivery this morning... wished I had my better camera, or actually, a camera that's not also a phone, to take a picture of the sunrise coming up.

These pictures don't do it justice, but it was a pretty, pretty morning. Something about seeing hay coming off a truck when it's in such short supply around these parts. Add a sunrise into the mix and well, ya got yourself a pretty day.