Hard work pays off

I haven't posted in a long time because I've been busy with my sweet/sassy lil' horse.  So I guess I will share some pictures of her.

In just our seven months together she went from this...

To this...

After a hose down

Sorry this is a really bad pic!

So Wee Royal Penelope (a.k.a. Penny) is doing really good. She no longer trips on the ground or coughs after a hard ride. She's finally letting me catch her. No sickness or injuries. Putting on weight, gaining muscle, has a healthy coat, and her mane and forelock are growing.. She flexes for me and has become very good at barrel turns. I recently discovered she gets very excited when I rope on her. 

With the coming year 2016 I hope to be more active and do more with her.

Thanks for being there for me Penny when I need a horsey hug! I can always rely on you to make my day better.

P.s... I think she is considered a chestnut... but she has a black tail... hmm....

~Emma

Painting

I take an art class once a week for my high school art credit and this is what I've been working on for over a month!

It's a barrel racer!  ( actually.... it's me and Penny.... heh heh)

~Emma

Meet Penny

Two weeks ago, a friend from church had asked if anyone wanted a horse.  He said he never really rode her often, and I (always looking at horses for sale) took advantage of this awesome opportunity!

Penny is a 20 year old Quarter Horse mare, but don't let her age fool you! She can go very fast if you want her to.

Bath time!

Yes, she is skinny in this picture.  But after a few rides and some sweet feed, she's gradually getting back into shape.

Penny and the farrier, Mr. Rocket!

I got this saddle the day before I knew I was getting Penny!  Perfect timing.

Baby sister's first ride!

Two weeks after I got her. Already looking better!  

~Emma

After the Storm

After being stuck inside because of the weather for two days, we decided to go to the stable for the afternoon.

Zoey, MiMi's lesson horse, was nice and warm in her fuzzy halter.

Riding bareback 

After realizing how much leg work was necessary for riding bareback, she threw on a saddle.

And the final picture.....

Poor Lucky had frozen droppings stuck in his tail!!

~Emma

My First Fish (15th blog post!)

I got a fish yesterday!

The story of how I got him...

    Last night at youth group we had a gift exchange.  I got a gift from my friend that said, "FRAGILE!!! DO NOT SHAKE!!!"
"Hmm..." thought I...
The fragile gift was a Betta fish!  I named him Mikey after our St. Michael's youth group.

( my sister thinks I should name him Red Skull. yay or nay... ? Nay.)

The gift came with:

1. the fish (obvy)
2. a tank
3. tank decor
4. fish food
5. reversible backgrounds

It didn't come with pebbles, so I collected some from outside.

Thank you, Eden!

P.S. My 15th blog post!

~Emma

Horses

 Pictures to share...

Horses are my favorite animals. This is Velvet, my BFF's horse

Me and Socks

Me and Charlie Brown.

Rocco, the dummy horse.

Sam feeding Charlie B. a carrot.

He loves attention.

MiMi and Hugo.

I love all horses, but C.B. is my favorite!

~ Emma

New Orleans

This fall my mom and I went to New Orleans.  It's a really cool city!

The Mississippi River

Jackson Square

The St. Louis Cathedral.

Here are some pictures inside the old church.

The alter and Tabernacle.

There were Frescos of the Saints on the ceiling.

This is the only copy os St. Louis's bible.

There were trollies all over the city.

We got a day pass and toured the city.

The old Usuline Convent.  Nuns still live there, and part of the building is a museum.

Sadly, it was closed for renovation, so we couldn't see it.

Once an old blacksmith shop in the 1800's, this building is now a bar.

This is the paddle boat, Natchez, which takes tourists up the river daily.

Behind this once plantation home is the battlefield of the Battle of New Orleans, hence the memorial.

We also took a carriage tour of the French quarter and the first cemetery in New Orleans.

Finally, we made sure we picked up some beignets before we headed back to the airport.

This picture was taken from the sky deck of our hotel.

New Orleans is such a beautiful city and there are so many things to do! I would go back in a heart beat.

~ Emma