Yeah, yeah, I’m one of those people who doesn’t manage to stay up to ring in the new year. What can I say? I’m used to getting up at 4am, so expecting me to stay up until midnight is expecting a lot.  We had an early dinner at Mitchell’s, and then stopped by Coldstone to get some goodies for later in the evening. 

Here we are at Mitchell’s.  We haven’t eaten here in quite a while. It is one of my favorite seafood restaurants, though dinner can be a bit pricey.  We usually manage to order off of the lunch menu, which can still be a little expensive.

Bread!  Theirs is a sourdough that is served warm. It has a pleasantly crunchy crust, and I usually try to eat the bread butt.

Seafood gumbo!  This is slightly spicy, with shrimp, chicken, rice, and other goodies tossed in for good measure.

Close up of my soup. Notice the green onions.  Most of them are from Dean’s soup – he doesn’t care for them.

Peel and eat shrimp!  My favorite!  This is a race to see who can peel and gobble the fastest.  I think I usually win.

Check out those spices!  Most of it ends up on your fingers.

Dean ordered the Shanghai sampler.  I have gotten this a few times, but I don’t care for the sweet taste.

Lobster and shrimp pot pie!  Fluffy shell with carrots, corn, and asparagus in a creamy sauce.

Check out the tiny lobster claw. 

This is a shark fin pie.  Look huge?  It’s about 3 pounds of ice cream.

Another view, this time a side angle.  See that Batman logo in the background?  It takes a superhero to eat this thing, so Dean didn’t have a chance.

My banana bread pudding, sitting in vanilla caramel sauce.

Doesn’t that look yummy?  I could only eat a little, and I had to bring the rest home to eat for breakfast tomorrow.  What a great way to start the new year!

Dinner was about 80 bucks with tip.  We ordered more than we normally would, but hey, it’s New Year’s Eve!  The service was great – it usually is.   Overall, this was a great time out.

What’s the plan for the rest of the evening?  Kicking back with a couple volumes of manga, and reading until my batteries run out.

I haven’t been posting much about anything other than the ponies, but I’m going to start buckling down again and update more often with pictures from our travels about town.  Let’s start with Christmas -

I went Christmas shopping with a co-worker.  We have been shopping and then grabbing dinner for more than a few years now.  It was hard to squeeze it in this year, but I sacrificed a riding lesson to hit the mall.  It wasn’t busy when we were there, the Wednesday before Christmas, but I think everyone who was at the mall was inside Bath and Bodyworks.  That place was packed!  I was disappointed with the selection this year and was dismayed that they no longer offer the hand gel that has been a staple for my present purchases for years.

After waiting in line forever so he could purchase his selections, we went to Macy’s for dinner.  I like the restaurant at Macy’s, but Dean refuses to eat at a department store, so this is usually my only opportunity to visit.  The menu had changed, and they didn’t have the squash ravioli that I like.  Instead, I ordered a shrimp and pasta dish.

Mister Moose lives in the restaurant. He is not happy to have those ornaments dangling from his antlers, but he likes that people mistake him for Santa when he’s wearing the hat.

Chilling at Macy’s Grill.  Yes, I went shopping in my PJs.  Have to be comfy for all of that walking around.

Bread!  They changed the rolls this year, and they weren’t as tasty as the previous version.  If something isn’t broke, don’t fix it!  These rolls were underwhelming.

My dinner.  Pasta, shrimp, spinach, sundried tomatoes.  Very colorful.  I liked it, but I missed my squash ravioli!

Contemplating how I’m going to eat that entire plate of carbs.

Christmas Eve, chilling at the parents’.  Just waiting for a special arrival with all of the other guests.

Elly’s pile of presents from Auntie.  The Littlest Pet Shop went over big.  She was getting impatient with me because it took so long for me to get the toys out of the package.  Why oh why do they have to use all of that tape and plastic?

Cookies!  Elly and Julia made this plate of sweetness.

Chatting it up with Santa Bear.  He’s a flirty little thing.

More sweets!  I am so sick of cookies, candy, and cake!!

Just letting my food settle here.  Too much over consumption went on last week. 

Yours truly, snapping away.

Ritz cantering

Monday night, I faced my fear again and rode Ritz.  I have no problems with this horse as long as I don’t have to canter her.  Once the cantering starts, everything falls apart like a house of cards.  Her rocking canter intimidates me, but I just have to work through this somehow.

We cantered the right lead first, which had me popping out the saddle with every stride.  I concentrate on being relaxed and deep in the saddle, but it just doesn’t work.  After being terrified in that direction, I turned her around and asked if we could go the other way so I could get my nerves back in order.

First way, no problem.  I sat down in the saddle and everything was good.  Then we turned around again and everything started sucking again.  I don’t understand my phobia about the right lead and it’s really starting to bug me.  And of course M says that now we will work more on the right lead, which is something that we should have been doing all along, I think.  We spend a lot more time going the first way than the second.

I am taking a break from riding until Friday.  Blondie should be in by then, and I can start riding both her and Nyk.  I hope that she enjoyed her break and that her mouth is all nice and soft again.  Hope I don’t mess it up again…

Man, the weather has been weird the last few weeks.  First, it was snow, snow, snow almost every other day.  Then it was freezing rain and slick roads.  Saturday was a record setting day, with temps up to 60 degrees!  That meant lots of flooding and heavy fog.  Then today, the wind has been unbearable, as the temperatures dropped back into the winter zone.

I rode Nyk Friday and today, and attended a riding camp on Saturday.  The riding camp was fun – I was able to meet other adult riders, and a few of them didn’t start riding until later in life like I did.  I had to leave early because we had tickets for dinner at Greenfield Village, so I wasn’t able to participate in the rotten banana race.  I have always wanted to do that, too – maybe next time.

I did get to play Ride a Buck, on legendary Big Bob, no less.  What a great horse!  I surprised myself by riding him pretty well, and by keeping the bucks under my knees for a lot longer than I ever have.  I hope I am able to ride Bob again because he was pretty darn cool.  Easy trot, nice canter, just a sweetie.

With all of the melting snow and higher temps, driving out to the camp was nerve-wracking.  It was so foggy there were places where I couldn’t see ten feet in front of my car.  I couldn’t see the signs on the freeway, and by the time I arrived at the barn, I needed to take a breather and relax.  I’m glad that traffic wasn’t bad, and that most sane people just stayed home.

Weirdest thing happened at the barn.  We were sitting in the observation room introducing ourselves, when suddenly, the only sound that could be heard was the roll of water.  It sounded like a huge washing machine.  Evidently, water from all of the melting snow (over a foot of it), got into the heating ducts.  What a mess!  I hope they get it all cleaned up before the temperatures drop below freezing again.

On Friday, we did some pattern work with Nyk, and then the usual rail work.  Today, Laurie and Audie rode with me, and D was also out with Cookie.  M had us chase him around and try to knock him off the horse.  Nobody got close, but we had fun dodging each other during the free for all.  I stayed long enough to watch Audie ride Chester, while D ran next to them with the longe line.  He’s a cute horse, even if he looks like a giraffe right now.   That awkward stage for him is really awkward. 

Harley & Amber

If I recall correctly, last year at this time it was actually pretty warm.  None of this negative wind chill nonsense, not to mention actual lows in the single digits.  It was just beastly out last night, and today wasn’t much better.  I hate the cold!

Yesterday I bundled up a little too much.  I was sweating while I got Nyk ready.  Three layers of pants, two socks, and 6 tops, not to mention six hand warmers was maybe a little too much.  I was comfy at the barn, but I was miserably cold once I got home.  Go figure that one out.

We used stretchers yesterday, but they were a little long for Nyk’s little pony legs.  He still managed to primp down the rail at a jaunty trot.  He has a horse size ego in his pony size body.

Tonight was bitter cold again.  My cheeks were freezing! Nyk was unfazed by the weather – it even energized him.  He was full of energy.  We worked on canter leads again, and grabbing the correct diagonal on a circle.  It was really too cold to do much of anything, and M said that it getting so cold that she probably shouldn’t have lessons to begin with.  If that’s the case, we wouldn’t be able to ride much at all from Jan – March.  They just need to keep the kerosene filled in the little heater.

My Monday lesson was canceled, and I had promised to go on our annual Christmas foray to the mall with a co-worker on Wednesday, so I wasn’t able to ride until Thursday.  I traveled out to the Other Barn, and had the most amazing lesson that I can remember.

First, we started out on the longe line, first trotting, and then cantering, with no stirrups and no reins.  I was a little nervous about this, but Caveat moves very smoothly, so I was able to relax and really concentrate on body position and staying balanced on the horse’s back.  We worked the first way of the ring, and then S turned us loose and sent us out on the rail.

She then had me work on standing changes every 3 strides, then every two, had me drop my stirrups and canter and then posting trot.  Then she had me come into the middle of the ring, tied the reins in a knot, took the whip away, and had me drop my stirrups.  With the words, “Trust me, trust your horse,” she  then me canter and trot with no reins and no stirrups, and NO longe line!  I don’t know how she trains her horses to be steady and trot and canter around the arena without much intervention from the rider.  Caveat must not suffer from the ADD that afflicts most of the other lesson horses that I have ridden.

I was very proud of myself for being able to do most of what was requested of me, which included standing changes without reins.  I cued the canter and transitioned to a sitting trot and pointed my right leg as far in front as possible and then as far back as possible, posting the entire time.  I was so tired when the lesson ended, but I felt that I had accomplished quite a bit.

Yesterday we were whacked by a blizzard, and had over 10 inches if snow dumped on the ground.  Getting down the road to the barn was a bit of a challenge, and I was so happy that I have 4-wheel drive, because I would have gotten stuck without it.  M helped me get Nyk ready, and then we worked on trotting and cantering and general self-confidence issues.  I did make a break through at the canter, and was able to keep him from getting strong and taking off on the right lead. I just have to remember to keep his head up, to keep him going uphill, and to keep him paying attention to what he is supposed to be doing.

Today I had another longe line lesson on Jimmy, and my legs are so sore!  I was doing great until the drop your reins and canter part.  I just don’t feel comfortable on him at the canter, and I had to hang onto the saddle when I was supposed to have no reins.  I don’t know why I can do this at S’s on both Lucky and Caveat, but I can’t do it with Jimmy.  So I came home feeling like I had taken a step back instead of a step forward. It’s very frustrating.

Nyk

Riding hasn’t been very pleasant the last few days because it is so cold.  Wednesday I could barely hold the reins, my fingers were so cold.  We worked on patterns so the horses wouldn’t get too hot, so there was a lot of time spent standing still, which doesn’t help to keep you warm.  Ugh.  It’s not even winter yet.

Thursday was off to the other barn, which is blissfully heated to a temperate 40 degrees.  I rode Lucky with a work bridle, which turned out to be a good thing – my balance was way off.  It was a good lesson, and those standing changes continue to give me trouble.

Friday I did no stirrup work on Nyk.  M kept telling me to use more snaffle, but the reins kept slipping through my gloves.  Guess it is time to find a warm pair of riding gloves as the snow board gloves no longer seem to be up to the job.

Today was a little warmer, but the drive at the barn is nothing but a sheet of ice.  Nyk was in the arena with Harley, standing around, so it was a bit of a surprise when I noticed his shoe in the dirt during my longe line lesson, which was conducted by Sarah.  They were just standing around, sniffing at the dirt!  D had it nailed back on by the time Sarah was finished torturing me with Jimmy, so I tacked him up and trotted him around a bit.  We cantered very briefly, both because I didn’t want everything to fall apart and because I didn’t want Nyk to get sweaty.

On the way home from the the barn I was overcome with a craving for curry, so I ran into the market down the street and bought tofu and some canned vegetables so it would cook faster. 

Since returning from Disney, I have been super busy trying to catch up at work.  I still have a ton of Disney pictures to share, as well as more restaurant reviews.  Hope to work on getting some of that up over the weekend.

Monday was bitter cold, and I was M's only lesson.  I rode Nyk, and we worked on cantering and leads.  He was a little lazy for a change.  He also had a pedicure, and now he doesn't have rear shoes.  He has snow shoes up front, so he can go outside and kick up some snow.  He and Harley were turned out in the arena together, and they appear to get along, so now they can be pasture buddies.  Blondie is coming in the day after Christmas, so I hope she enjoys her last two weeks of freedom.  I have a total of ten days off between Christmas and New Year, and I hope to get in as much riding as possible.  I hope the weather improves a little.

Speaking of Blondie, it seems that she had a great year.  She won the all important “Pretty Horse” award – aka, 5 and Over In Hand Championship, and was the Country Pleasure Driving Champ.  She was also Reserve Challenge of the Breeds Open English Pleasure Saddle Seat Champ, which really surprised me.   Now, I have to admit to that I had up my butt when I thought that she didn’t win the in hand championship, because I didn’t feel that the trainers showed her well.  With all of the other dissatisfactions from the summer, I was more upset about this than I should have been.  Hopefully that’s all behind us now.

Nyk in Hunter Horse mode

I am cursed with a migraine today, so I’ll keep this short and sweet.  We took Nyk to the second academy show yesterday, and he acted like the pro he is.  Had a brief moment when he stopped and looked out of a door way, but other than that, no reaction from him at being in a new place.  So different from Blondie!

The day didn’t start out very well for me – it was very, very cold, and it was snowing, which meant a slick drive out to the barn.  A salt truck driver cut me off when he decided that he owned the freaking rode, and I almost slid into his truck.  Jackass! Learn how to drive!  Then, I sliced my finger open when I made an emergency pit stop at a gas station – good thing I carry band aides in my purse, because I carved a huge chunk of skin out of my finger.  It really hurts, too.

Finally arrived at the barn, more or less in one piece (not counting the missing chunk of skin). Things went a little more smoothly this time – the horses were already there, and so were most of our riders.  I groomed up Nyk, and then walked him around the arena while M warmed up Ritz.  Then she warmed up Nyk, and it was show time.

I was able to trot him and canter half a round in one direction, but I really didn’t feel that I needed to do more than that with him.  He does everything you ask him to, and as long as I cue correctly, he does everything correctly.  He worked very well for me Friday night, and as he isn’t the slightest bit skittish, I wasn’t worried about anything other than getting out there and riding.  He was a little champ for me, too.  We ended up winning both of our classes.  He likes to get out there and show off, so I didn’t have to do much other than make sure he kept his head up.

M has been working on his canter, and both of his leads feel the same now, as long as I keep his head up.  Once I figured this out on Friday, I didn’t have any problem with his canter any more.  He did fall out of it when I tried to diamond cut out of traffic during the equitation class, but the judge didn’t see it and I got him going again quickly.  There were six horses in that class, and things were a little crowded in the small arena.  Still, I think I kept us out of traffic and made sure we didn’t get covered by other horses.

Audie had some problems with him at the canter, but she hasn’t ridden him very often and she was using too much draw rein and not enough snaffle rein.  The draw rein was throwing her off.  They looked really cute, though.

I hope we can take him to some more shows so I feel comfortable for our show season debut next year.