Ally and Pinta

We enjoyed Pinta's company a few times over the Christmas break and look forward to being able to ride in this mild January weather. We're inside the big barn, which has no improved footing, which results in shelter from the wind and precipitation, but makes us eat dust and all pictures are full of it ... not a bad trade really.

In these first two pictures, Pinta is showing off her amazing flexibility. Her favorite activity is bending back to accept treats from her rider. Ally is learning to lean down and steady herself enough to give the treat herself. They're both having a great time.




Here we are working on backing up. Our current practice is to do a few in-hand communication when we first get into the barn, and then Ally gets in the saddle and learns to just be a passenger and feel Pinta below her, while Pinta and I continue to work on whatever our current objectives are. Backing in a straight line is an ongoing objective-in-progress.




Here's one of Merri and Ally :)

GE Profile Double Oven

Check it out!! Our 2009 Christmas present ... after 9 months of pondering the idea, Skip decided it was time to act on the plan and we went and got the stove I had researched and selected. We're all very happy with it. Double-oven with the smaller one-rack oven on top and a large two-rack below. My thought is to use the top oven for most of my cooking and then have the larger one for the occasional times when I need more than one rack, which will likely just be holiday gatherings.

The main reason for the change was to upgrade to the fat kind of door seals which really help to keep the heat from the oven in the oven rather than in the house. This isn't such a big deal in the winter, but is killing our electricity bills in the summer (i.e. air-conditioning for the pampered beings who live in the 68 degree house). I'm expecting to see a big change in those bills next summer.

Before they brought it I was a bit worried it would overwhelm the looks of our kitchen, but I'm quite happy it looks wonderful. I have three pot-racks in progress on the welding bench in the shop. Yes, I did know the stove would be delivered Tuesday, and I did start the racks before that, but as usual I miscalculated the length of time needed to complete the racks with my sadly lacking welding skills. I'll get it done though ... I'll be posting pics whenever those are finished :)