Monday's ride

 September, already. Oh, I am going to love this month. I'm ready for cooler weather, harvest, apples orchards, and long hours in the studio painting, painting, painting. Seth and I have been riding a wee bit more this summer than last- he on Tag and me on Piper. She's a gentle auburn colored mule with the sweetest disposition. Do you see her peaking from behind the hitching post? So precious and a little shy. I just love her.

We don't typically go too far from home to ride, taking little day trips every now and then to a forest preserve less than an hour away. Seth's been riding his whole life and could go for hours and days and week probably without the slightest hesitation. I, on the other hand, am much less experienced and tire easily. It's harder than it looks but so fun once you get used it. 

Riding Mules

Last week was eventful, to say the least. I'm not sure where to start, but I have lots of pictures to share, so I suppose I'll start there. Seth was home all week with meetings in the office (the office we live three blocks from) and with the weather so gorgeous took me all over the place for evening adventures. It was so fun. I'm not used to having him around during the week and felt blessed to have so many dates with him in one week!

Ok, I should probably stop here and say that the week began well and ended poorly with a trip to the ER and a head injury on my part. Seth and I aren't the "stay at home and read on a Friday night" kind of couple but are more like "let's do something because I'm tired of just sitting here." That's not to say we're reckless...maybe just adventurous? I don't know. It's just that our hobbies have a certain amount of risk involved...like riding things that could potentially throw a person off...

that's all I'll say about that.

Anyways, this particular evening of riding mules was safe and relaxing. My in-laws live on beautiful farms with lots of fun animals to visit (remember my wedding?), and Seth and I decided it'd be fun to just saddle up and ride around the yard. I practiced my picture-taking skills (always) and played with the farm kittens while Seth visited with granny and gramps atop his pretty auburn mule.

Today I'm taking it easy and hopefully working up some sketches that involve a pretty farm with flowers and horses set against a dark blue starry night sky. More pictures to come!

A little something

I'm popping in today, not because I have much to say, but to simply share a new painting in progress { #3 in The Rider's Series } and to get myself back into the rountine of blogging after almost five days of no phone, no computer, and no tv!  It was slightly disorienting...ok, majorly disorienting to shut my "routine" down for almost a week and live out in a cabin in the woods where the only thing on the agenda is which trail to ride and what meal to share.

And chores, of course.

Riding horses requires a great deal of work.

My focus this month is getting as much painting done as humanly possible.  Shows and outdoor festivals are just around the bend with my first one May 5th.  So far I'm really loving The Riders Series and enjoying the steady flow of ideas that seem to pop into my head throughout the day.  How are you liking it? 

Oh!  Thank you for the wonderful birthday wishes!  I really love hearing from you all and appreciate your feedback so much!