The Journey!!

"It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end"

-unknown-

Have you ever found yourself working towards a goal or a commitment, perhaps you have an expectation of what you want to happen? Don't feel bad we all do to a certain degree. When we focus constantly on the goal or the "end" then we do not always enjoy the journey. We do not see all the little wonderful things that surround us everyday, all the "gifts" that are right in front of us every day.

I learn more and more from our 5 wonderful horses, friends, students, and mostly my husband Michael. From that quiet moment in the stall with my beautiful Friesian mare who wants to please me in the worst way..... when I rub her face she actually smiles! The corners of her soft black lips curl up and she smiles, and I know that at that moment she is as happy as I am. She has a place to belong to now and she knows it. To every time my husband does something small yet so significant. He is a saint. A week or so ago he came home with a brand new "red" manure fork, wrote my name on it and hung it up on the wall where my absolute favorite manure fork had hung, only the week before it had finally broke. I came in the barn and found my new fork and saw he had written my name on it with a black marker. I went out side and found him, thanked him, and gave him a hug and a kiss. He said "you know, some girls get flowers, but your happy with a manure fork"!!!

These my friends are the simple pleasures we need to stop and enjoy more along our journey. As they say "smell the roses".

Yesterday was a rainy Sunday, so we did grocery shopping, rented a movie and watched it in front of the fireplace. Slowing down for a few hours was such treat that we or I do not do often enough.

Enjoy the ride! Love the journey! Smell the roses! Slow down! Be grateful!

Happy Monday

Cheers, Meghan

FARM WORK DAY- A SUCCESS!

We would like to personally thank all who came to the farm and gave up their Sunday to help us expand our paddocks in a combined effort to accomodate our expanding business. Here is a picture before:

I hope you can view these pics. You can see all these high piles of brush left over from when we had all the trees cut down 2 years ago. Over the last 2 years lots of alders, sprouts, and prickers have "popped" up and needed to be nixed. Thanks to our troopers who all cames armed with chain saws, nippers, and shovesl, we accomplished everything and more than we anticipated! Great job everyone!

Here is an after picture:

Wow!! all cleaned out.... We still have a few areas we need to clean up, which we will hold volunteer work days in the future to help with. We cleared aprox 1/3 of an acre in these pictures.

In addition to clearing a new paddock area, we were able with the help of our volunteers, able to clear a new road aound the perimiter of the farm giving us a secondary access to the rear of our property another 2 acres. Here are pics of this road.... we still have rock removal but it is fairly clear for access with the bobcat , gator or walking/riding.

A job well done! Thanks everyone.

One door closes.......Another opens??

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."

I love this quote! So often we find ourselves looking at that closed door we really do not see the little opportunities that are presented to us, each and every day. If we really look at every sign and every event as a "message" or a "sign" we can begin to realize our everyday opportunities.

The universe has a strange sense of humor! Remember to always do what makes you the happiest. Even when it takes us a little out of our comfort zone to get there. Ask questions, don't assume. You will get answers that will ultimately help you make a decision on how to move forward and make yourself happy. Watch for the signs...... the doors that open, be aware of the "OPTIONS" that exist in everyday life.

Perhaps you applied at a company for a job that you knew would have good benefits and be a wise choice for your future, you interview and feel confident you will get this position. All is well right?? Over the weekend something happens.... a new door opens and this amazing position is offered at a company you never thought you would get into because you looked at the closed door too long! While you were putting out the vibe that you were looking for a job that you would really enjoy.... the vibe was picked up and a new door was opened for you.

These doors open and close all the time. Recognize which ones are for you. Recognize the draw that entices you to the new door opening! Smile and enjoy your day!!
Meghan

Trail Ride in the Copicut Woods

Well we welcomed spring early this year with our trail ride yesterday. We hit the trails and headed into the Copicut Woods on sunday and had an adventurous time! The sun was out and the temperature was about 55 degrees. Yeah!.
We have all been looking forward to this for so long, it was nice to actually get out and enjoy the day. We had a few water crossings and I have to say, they all were very succesful and cooperative. The dog and human interactions were minimal and very polite. A few steeds had a case of the "friskys", but seemed to work through them .
It never ceases to amaze me, how you can be walking along and your horse is so relaxed and "tired" (or so you thought) and your riding at the buckle. All of a sudden your trusty steed picks up her head, begins trotting and right there in the middle of your confusion in why am I know trotting to picking up your long reins you experience some turbulence as your 16.3H Belgian throws a little buck and you shriek "what the @#$! was that?" amonst other obsenities which we will not discuss here. We'll we all started laughing, so we made light of all the other moments when the, well call them "FRISKIES" came out.
Thanks for a great day!! I had a lot of fun.
Got back to the barn and spent some time with the black princess "Madison" and was able for the first time wash her tail and let out her braids. I took her and our Great Dane Ava for a walk.
Aaah what a nice day.
Meghan

Spring & Random Acts of Kindness

Greeting all! Seems the temperature is sneaking a little higher and higher every week. I welcome it, even if it brings a little mud here and there. Lighter longer is feeling great, the robins are out and the sun is warm on our faces.

Lots of news from the farm. All are well, aside from a few stifle injuries this winter on the ice and mud we are hanging in there and all are very healthy! The trails are beckoning our names. We have ventured out a few times, and they are in decent shape. Water crossings are melting and easier to cross, not much mud or downed limbs. We will soon be having a trail clean up day, as well as a farm clean up weekend!!! Yeah.....we have fun and provide food and drink for those who want to attend. I will post more information soon...

We would like to thank Shayna and Alicia both for choosing to board with us. It is not that often it seems that appreciation is given to those we provide a service too. We are so happy that you both found your way to SHF! It has been and will continue to be a true pleasure.

We would also like to thank Pam who is now leasing our Belgian gelding "Garth" who she has affectionately nick named "Garth Vader".... yes we laughed at this one too! She has put in the extra time and diligence and will be working closely to bring him along with his riding and driving training. Thank you too for finding us. You have been an immense help!

We would also like to thank Jaqui for all her donations of her time helping out at the barn and to her supportive husband and son who drop in to help too!! We look forward to seeing you all more often.

We are so grateful for all the "donated" time that has been given here at SHF. We wanted to recognize this gift. When people donate and volunteer their own time it goes much deeper than just "thanks". It is a gift that is given "just because". To us, this is one of the most valuable gifts we as humans can give. It comes from the heart and means the most. Imagine if more people in this world will stop and smell the roses for a minute. To recognize these individuals for who and what they really are??? To say "hey, thanks for holding the door for me" or "thanks for throwing the horses another flake of hay for me", or " can I get you a coffee?"

It seems more and more people are taking advantage of these acts of kindness, and we let them. The moral of the story folks is....if you have not done a random act of kindness just because , and just because you are not expecting anything in return but perhaps a smile, ACT NOW..... pay for someones coffee in line at Dunkin Doughnuts, hold the door for someone who has their hands full, let the elderly gentleman or lady go in front of you at the grocery line. Enjoy the feeling you will have inside, the giving you just gave may have just made their day. You will feel immediately feel gratitude for this act. And on the reciprocal end of this....when someone does a random act of kindness and you are the receiver- say THANK-YOU!

To all, have a fabulous Friday!!!!!

Peace, Love & Light

Meghan and Michael