Happy Weekending Peeps!

Well we made it to Friday and I'm super excited for what promises to be a busy and super fun weekend ahead.

I'll be shooting not one but two concert series in two different counties. Awesome right! And if that isn't cool enough I have a couple equine photo sessions as well. Oh my gosh, live music and horses, life is so very good.  Here are a few images from previous shoots I've done.

 This is a sweet mama with her new born, who was born blind just days old here. This mare and filly are so special and sweet. I loved working with them.

 Such a character and handsome boy he is.

And this gorgeous stallion, what a stud!

What are you guys doing this weekend?

Chores Are More Fun In The Company Of Friends...

Here's a few photos from my phone, the quality of them isn't great but it sure gives a fun little glimpse into what chore time looks like around here.  Ms. Minnie Pearl has made it her job of watching me. I guess she wants to be sure I get the coop cleaned. I love her company she coos and follows me around so sweetly.

and our crazy girl, Luna Tuna Pie who really wanted my phone in this photo but would be happy to sniff, lick and try to chew on anything she possibly can.

And sweet Ms. Punkin Pie who thinks life's pretty great at the ranch too. Yep, getting chores done in the company of friends may take me a bit longer to get finished but is way more fun then doing them alone... I am so grateful for my life and honored to serve all our animals.


Linking up with Madge today over at


Happy Hump Day Peeps!

Because We Can...

 Shelby (Monkey) and I went on a late afternoon adventure Friday up into the San Jacinto Mountains.

How awesome that we live in the greatest country of all! We educate, we dream BIG, we achieve and succeed, we adventure and we can do anything because we are FREE.

Thank you to all those who and have served. For all those who gave their lives and the to the families they left behind, as I celebrated this long weekend I did so with you all on my mind and in my heart knowing this freedom was not without sacrificed lives.

Thank you for fighting to make and keep this the greatest country of all. Where everyone regardless of sex, race or religion can achieve their dreams because of them... We can.  

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And On The Eighth Day...

God looked down on His planned paradise and said "I need a caretaker" so God made a farmer.

Or maybe he said farmHer... Either way I love this poem and I sure love my hood.

Here is a little video of Chancie running around. The quality from my phone is poor but he is having so much fun I think it will make you smile anyways.

Happy Weekending Peeps!
Linking up with Sky Watch Friday

More Chancie...

Because he likes my camera and I love him. It's been a cool and windy week thus far and the animals I are loving it. Hard to believe it was over 100 degrees just a few days ago. Oh yes, I'm liking this weather much better.

Happy Hump Day Peeps!

Watermelon Is Good...

A few of the fires are totally out now, the rest at least 70% contained. I am so thankful for the fire fighters who work incredibly hard for all those in harms way. Though the closets fires were approx 30 miles southwest of us the smoke was intense.  We had Santa Ana winds with gust upwards of 70 mph and temp in the low 100's... It was crazy!

Due to the thick smoke and ash in the air I spend most of my free time indoors working on my website and planning upcoming photo shoots. I did hang out with my favorite friends and we all enjoyed some cold watermelon.

Luna

Chancie wanted you to know he loves watermelon too and check out sweet Punkin Pie photo bombing while patiently waiting for her turn. Note her tongue sticking out. OMgosh I love these guys!

Yesterday we woke to cooler temps and a layer of fog so the music man I spent the entire day outdoors busting out maintenance moves and boy did it feel good to be outside. I'm not made to be indoors all day...

Wishing you all a marvelous Monday!

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Natures Balance...

I love nature! I absolutely love living out in the country and my heart is full here, content. I love living among the animals, having my hands and feet in the dirt, the sounds of the wind as it blows through the huge oaks and the smell of wild flowers. The night skies without any light pollution, the rhythm of my days and listening to the coyotes talk is amazing and such a gift.

I've also learned that there's a hard and ugly side to nature that I don't like at all...

My girls free range every day and with the dogs and myself outside I feel that they're safe and since moving here all has been well.  I know we have all kinds of predators on the land but with all of us outside together it feels right. Keeping chickens in a coop 24/7 doesn't.

The other day I had them out like usual and all eight girls were dust bathing by my front door. I went inside for a little bit and duh...... let Duke in with me. Bad move.

As I went back outside I heard and saw one of my girls running across the driveway and instantly knew something was wrong. One, they never go over into that area and two, one of my hens was signing her warning song.  I got everyone put away and yes I was missing one.

I ran over to the driveway where I found feathers. It appears that she was dust bathing under a small tree and something got her. Quickly and quietly. I followed the feather trail to no avail, she was gone.

The next two days I didn't let anyone out as I knew whatever it was would be back and I suspected either a coyote or bobcat....

I am so bummed I lost a hen but also understand the predators here are simply trying to survivor too. We have a ton of rabbits and squirrels but by leaving my girl unsupervised for a few minutes I gave them opportunity.

It was a bobcat. He's been back naturally to see if I've left another opportunity, I haven't. I'm back to letting my girls out again but for shorter times and only when both dogs and myself are with them.

RIP sweet girl.

Yes I love nature, I just don't particularly care for the harsh and ugly side of it but I know it's a necessary balance, just not an easy one.

Our Weekend With Friends...

What a weekend, phew!

Our bestest buddies came down for a visit and their oldest son proposed to his girlfriend.

Oh my gosh what sweet fun it was to be a part of their Joyful day.  It was beautiful and the music man sang  this song to them.

 Of course there was some rock and roll too.

This is another buddy of ours who had a show at a local Casino. If you're a Bon Jovi fan check them out here. They're really good.

I spent yesterday enjoying my mama day quietly on the couch catching up with my dvr shows and relaxing. Going to bed late and up early was rough for this girl.

Hope you all had a great weekend and Happy Mama Day.

This Light...

The other day in between chores I captured the sun rays as our recent storm was passing by. Some call this, the light in Gods hands or Faith Fingers. Whatever you call this I hope it brings you some Joy and Thankfulness.

We have a HUGE weekend of fun planned with our best buddies. Hope you all have a wonderful one as well.

Happy Weekending Peeps!
Jen

Linking up with Sky Watch Friday

What A Great Way To Start A Day...

I love the coast. It calls to me, it always has.
I love the quiet and stillness of a new day.
I love the contrast it offers to the thundering of crashing waves.
I love the sight of the rising sun and the amazing colors it cast out upon us.
I love walking barefoot in the cool sand with my camera in hand.
What a gift it is to be present among God's amazing creations and I sure love that.

I'm off on another adventure with my mama and sister for our annual Mothers day celebration.  Thank you everyone for the sweet words about Jack, I appreciate them all so much.

Happy Hump Peeps!

My Sweet Brown Dog...

Is running me ragged. For the last few months his crazy "I'm getting into everything and eating it" has recently stepped up to a whole 'nother level and now includes consuming socks and patiently waiting for the girls to lay an egg so the second they leave the box... he can grab it. Oh no we cannot have that!

We are living in a state of constantly checking ourselves to make sure nothing has been left out if we leave a room or an area.  With his hair falling out and an incredible thirst that keeps me up at night (he has to go out sometimes five or six times a night...) Not to mention a super gassy tummy that peels the paint off the walls... Ugh. I suspected he may have a hypo thyroid so I took him in for some blood work a few weeks ago. He was diagnosed with Cushings Disease and hypo thyroidism. Welp, that explains the insane hunger he thinks he has...

Apparently these two diseases go hand in hand in older dogs and eating everything insight is one of the major symptoms. We started him on medication and with follow up blood work and some adjusting, we believe the dosage is now correct.  He is drinking less water, has more energy and his coat seems to be holding. Unfortunately there is no cure for his brain continuing to make him think he's hungry so I have to stay diligent in not leaving things out.

It's hard to see animals getting old, sometimes their needs overwhelm but at any stage of life serving them is a gift. Jack will be 13 in July and has always been my shadow especially since I got hurt all those years ago, he has never left my side.

His illness is not fatal, not painful and he is a super happy dog. He still runs part of the ranch, perhaps a bit slower than before but still, he's running around and does everything he loves.

Our phone selfie during morning chores

So now it's my turn to take extra care of him, after all he sure has been there for me. So I'll remember that at 1, 2, 3, 4 A.M. when he gets me up, eats a cake in it's entirety, a freshly laid egg and/or inhales a sock how much I love him and what a good friend he is.


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A Little Bit Of Heaven Here On Earth...

Boy did this week fly by! Life is busy these days and I'm not sure where the time went. I hope you all had a wonderful week, I have been working up more photos from my trip so here are a few more images from my time in Cabo last week.  Each photo was taken during my morning walk to greet a new day and the sunrise.

We normally go into town and stay in the tourist area but this trip we did things a bit different. We met up with eight couples to celebrate a very special birthday and all stayed at a private residence 40 minutes north of Cabo's airport.

The area was gorgeous, it was in an un populated area where the days and nights are quiet. In fact the only sounds to be heard were from the crashing waves or our own voices. Stillness for our minds and this view.... A little bit of heaven right here on earth and what a treat it was.

What an incredibly magical experience, oh my gosh... And I'm feeling super thankful for my time there. My goal was to capture some of it's beauty and bring it back to share with you all. Can you feel it?

Happy Weekending Peeps!
Jen

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Linking up with Sky Watch Friday