Happy Birthday!!!

Hi everyone!

We celebrated a special birthday today, Happy Birthday Mom! My sister and I made a special dinner and a delicious vanilla cake with yummy frosting! Happy Birthday mom! xoxo Linden Oh, and I also have pictures coming soon of my "Christmas projects" Hope you all have a nice week!

Hello!

Hi everyone!


I have been pretty busy ( as I always say, ha ha!) I have been working on a few crafting projects. This year I decided I am going to give practical gifts that people can give, I decided to give gift tags. And or personalized mugs for those non-gift wrappers (ahem boys.) Looking forward to a wonderful holiday season! xoxo linden

This weekend...

{ a rose }

{ farmers market }

{a fountain with lavender }

Hope everyone is having a restful weekend! xoxo linden

New section to the blog added!

Hi guys!
I have a lot to tell you all, but I am pretty busy right now! I am doing a whole new section to the blog on crafting. I started some new projects for Christmas gifts....and created a picture frame with mosaics. (Pictures coming soon.) So get ready for an exciting holiday season. Oh, and I also have some photos of me and Chaps. Can't wait for you to see them! xoxo Linden

just saying hi.......;)

Hi guys!
I found a really cute dog book called Dog Lover's Daily Companion by Wendy nan Rees and Kristen Hampshire. It is a fun day to day things to do with your dog. My dog and I have really enjoyed doing all the fun activities together throughout the year. I would love to hear what you guys think! Also, any of the Judy Richter's horse books are a great read too! I know earlier in the year I talked about "Mogo we just click the bracelets "...If any of you have visited the website....I would love to hear what you think. I forgot to mention...the camera lens broke so it is getting repaired right now, which means no photos for a couple days:( Hoping you all have a good, relaxing Sunday morning~xoxo Linden

Sunday Mornings

Hi guys!
Just wanted to pop in and say hello to you all. I am trying to create/put together a e-class on the blog . If any of you are wanting to apply (oh, by the way it's free) just leave a comment below this post. It's on Christmas: (decorating, cooking, links, and photos.) For those of you who have or want to sign up, I'll leave a post on the blog for more info. Thanks Linden

What I'm up to....;)

Hey guys....sorry for not posting for a while.....I have been pretty busy with riding, and being at the barn. I was actually there this afternoon, I saddled up Chaps and headed for the trails. We went through brush and even saw some animals, very exciting:) I also hacked Chaps in the arena yesterday on the flat walk, trot, and canter. Tomorrow I'm having my jumping lesson, hopefully I'll get my friend to snap some photos of me over the jumps. Linden

Just dropping in.....;)

Hi everyone!

Just got back from a soccer game...(have a mentioned I play soccer...???) Hmmm.....anyways we won 1-0!!! Please note that I, during the school week will not be that consistent on posting because of the homework load...but for those of you who haven't seen the blog for a while there is some cool posts to check out! And we have created a new "fall look" for the blog! Keep the comments coming, always love to hear what you think! I will try to post as many as I can......xoxo Linden

Right Now.....

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is doing well! This morning I am.....Hearing: the clatter the pots and pans. Smelling: bacon..... seeing: the fog. Hope everyone is having a relaxed and lazy weekend morning...I sure am:)

Fall....

Hi everyone!

Yesterday, I was so excited for my next post I started right away with all the fall recipes, crafts and activities. For today, I chose a recipe and craft. I found this recipe in "The Farm Chicks In The Kitchen" I love their crafts and recipes, I really recommend buying one of their books, they have wonderful recipes and a variety of crafts. Here is the recipe: Cheesy potato soup,


Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter, 1 cup diced carrots  (1/4 inch dice), 4 cups chicken broth (1 32-ounce carton), 5 cups peeled and cubed russet potatoes (about 4 medium; 1/2 inch cubes), 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 1/2 cups milk (lowfat or whole), 8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese grated (2 cups).


Make the soup: Melt 1 teaspoon of the butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add carrots and saute until sofened-3 to 4 minutes. Add broth, potatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil; lower the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender- about 20 minutes.

 
 Make the cheese sauce: Meanwhile, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a medium-size sauce pan over medium-high heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened-2 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted and thoroughly combined. Gradually pour the sauce into the soup and stir until thoroughly blended. Serve and Enjoy! 



I really do love potato soup! I love mine with bacon sprinkled on the top, try it on this soup;)

For the craft, I chose kinda a simpler one because of this complicated recipe! Fall leaf rubbings, is a great way to show off your back-yard leafs, because now all leafs are shedding them. (you can also try this with bark rubbings) Just find some leafs and get started!

Supplies:
crayons (typically brown, red, orange, leaf colors)
white pieces of paper (depending on how many rubbings you want, dependsin on how many pieces of paper you need)
and (of course) leafs

Gather leafs, take a white piece of paper and place leaf underneath. Take the side of your crayon and rub. Repeat, and hang to enjoy your wonderful masterpiece! Enjoy!!! xoxo Linden

Well.....

Hi everyone,

Hope you all enjoy the blogs new "fall look"! Thought we needed a little change:) I've been thinking towards Halloween, candy, costumes, decorations. Which brought me to the point of some other things...

I was also thinking of adding a new "feature to the blog" I thought I might put more recipes, crafts, and links onto the blog....especially seasonal stuff.

I was at a craft store today, and I put together all this "stuff" to make one beautiful masterpiece, if that's what you call it!!! Just opening your eyes to new ideas can help you create something really amazing! Anyways, my point was that I thought having this new feature would be a good "add on" to what we have. So far, I have been keeping my eyes out for new ideas and recipes, hopefully I'll get our first post on Halloween crafts and food!

I am really excited of expanding the blog to new ideas, such as this one! Can't wait to here what you guys think. xoxo Linden

just saying hi.......;)

Hi everyone,

 I came across these magnetic bracelets with charms called "Mogo we Just Click" which is a cute name number 1., and number 2. it's for a good cause. Some or all of the profit (I'm not entirely sure...) goes to rescued or sheltered animals. Can't wait to tell you more on this topic! Also, they have a cool website with a blog, go check it out at  www.mogowejustclick.com. I love hearing your comments, ideas, or thoughts so feel free to write a comments! xoxo Linden

Right Now...

Hi everyone! Hope you all have been doing well!
I (which I say every time, but seriously I am serious now!)  am going to get back in the habit of posting again! I really do miss it, and can't wait to tell you all I have been doing. I am going to try to up-date and give the blog new looks monthly, I love to get your ideas and comments so keep them coming! xoxo Linden

Right Now.....Our dinner table

Just another Wednesday Morning

Hi everyone!

I have been so busy this summer, from horseback riding to going to the beach with barn friends. I can't wait for a calmer schedule in September, but I will miss the long lazy (or not so) days of summer! Today I: baked sugar cookies, hung out at the barn, and read my good book with some ice tea. Here's my simple version of making ice tea: boil water, pour a small amount into a cup, brew your tea, add water, add sugar (if wanted), and put ice into your cup. Delicious!!!! Hope everyone has a nice Wednesday evening~linden

A cozy spot in my home

A summer sunset

A silver heart

I'm Back!

Hi everyone!
I have been WAY too busy and lost track of posting, but my schedule has gotten a bit calmer now that it's August. I'm hoping to go to the barn on Friday to get ready for maybe another show before school......please mom:)! SaraLee, my dog,  has been sick with ohh....4 or 5 different things:(  We took her to the vet yesterday at 7:00 ~  I'm not joking, because of kennel bark. We boarded her at a place last weekend when we were away where they don't use kennels which is why we took her there thinking that she wouldn't get it. But....she supposedly did! Hope everyone is having  a great week.~Linden

SaraLee

Northern California

These are just a couple pictures from our family trip up to Northern California. We had a lot of fun, from picking in the organic garden to going to summer camp. Enjoy!!!

My sister on our favorite rope~swing at camp

My Dad the driver of the boat!!!!!

My sister and I are being towed by a boat on a fresh water lake! I'm the one on the right.  We had SO SO SO much fun! Thanks Northern Cal!~Linden

PJ Party!!!!

Hi everyone! I hope you all are having a restful weekend. Anyways...My sister made these pj's for the whole family (she takes sewing classes!). To celebrate, we barbeque'd, swam in our pool, watched a movie, and had ice cream sandwiches. Thanks sis!

On a Wednesday Morning

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is having a nice week. I got to spend some time with the cousins last night bungee jumping, dinner, dessert (which included an icee as big as your head!!!!) We stayed up to at least 10:00 maybe more!!! We all drove home tired and full, what a great Tuesday it had been! This morning I woke up, my mom and I chatted for a few minutes, and then I grabbed a book and read while my little sister Rylen slept past 9:30. Here are some things I am doing, thinking, etc. What  I am doing this morning: I am thinking about taking a dip in our pool. What  I am thinking about: my book I just finished Keepers of the School, by the way a very good book. And Savvy, a book I also completed in these last couple of weeks, best book I have ever read. What  I hear:  Me typing on the computer. SaraLee's (our Golden Retriever ) Birthday is next Tuesday ~  the count down is on!!!! Happy early birthday to my favorite puppy!!! Here are some photos (that I did not take, but found.) Enjoy~Linden

Fourth of July/ Cousin Millie's birthday

Yesterday, I put my swimsuit on and jumped into my grandparents' pool. Our whole family was here to celebrate two things: Fourth of July and my cousin Millie's birthday. After swimming we all watched a bit of a movie and ran around outside. A yummy dinner of chicken, steak, fruit, salad, ect. was all put together out on the outdoor table. We chatted for a while and then we all played until dessert. Millie was turning #14 and chose pies for her dessert. YUM!!! We all watched her open gifts, then it was time to walk down to the fireworks. An amazing colorful show lit up the night with different patterns, colors, and shapes. We all agreed it had been the best one (which we say every year!!!). We walked back tired and full. I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! Oh...pictures soon to come. ~Linden

Horse Show

Hi everyone!!! Here are some photos from my first horse show that I went to in May. Because it was my first one, my goal was to have fun and work my hardest. I was not thinking to come home with a first place, but guess what, I did! Even better, I had fun and I also won Reserve Champion!!! It was also Chap's first show too! He is the best horse ever! Thank you Chaps!!! Enjoy the photos.

Welcome to Horses+Dogs=Life

Hi everyone and welcome to the blog! Please call me Linden. In this blog, I will talk about horses, dogs, and my day to day life. I have an an adorable Golden Retriever named SaraLee (we adopted her from a rescue center). I also ride a beautiful Palomino horse named Chaps. (I do not own him, but I wish I did!) Please feel free to post comments, and I will try to answer them as soon as possible. Also, I am hoping to to host a couple guest bloggers from time to time. I am trying to figure this whole blog thing out. So............ I will try to get the about me, links, and other stuff set hopefully by today!!! Thank you for visiting! ~Linden