Hosting the Convention !

What a hectic summer we're having.  

Soon - Top O' The Hill Farm will be hostess for the 2012 ICHO convention. 

I have a pretty nice selection of demo's/clinics scheduled -- along with some super food - and of course all kinds of good friends, both old and new, will be attending.  If you have not registered yet - go to the ICHO web site and sign up. You do not have to be a Curly owner, nor do you have to be an ICHO member to attend.  You can also visit the Facebook event page to see who else is coming and maybe make plans to share a room or car pool with a friend.

On Friday morning, Zoe's very qualified instructor will be giving us tips on promoting a harmonious relationship between horse and rider - using the elements of dressage. Sheila is a versatile equestrian and trainer - classical dressage, jumping, eventing, and carriage driving. She apprenticed with Dr H.L.M van Shaik and studied with Egon von Neindorff and Cindy Sydnor -- among others.

Sheila has come to love the farm's newest stallion - BCF Splash Dancer and coached Zoe and Splash to their group of firsts - First time off the farm to a show, first time at First Level taking a nice blue First place ribbon !!  This summer Zoe and Splash are working with Sheila learning to jump !

Sheila believes jumping will increase co-ordination and swing -- improving balance and ability to close hock hip angles, improve use of neck, and teaches the horse better use of the back.  All great goals ! Here is Splash's and Zoe's first time ~

Stay tuned for more news of clinics and demo's -- 

And as far as my little hayfield of oats ... it's growing -- Here's our favorite little ponies Miss Kitty and Salvadore's Legend getting a taste last week  They are fast eating it all down. 

We have a bit of a drought here -- but the flowers are still thriving with a little extra help.

I am still picking rock -- this is my 6th trailer load of stones and rocks... and I thought I had already destroyed the breeder rocks.. evidently not.

 And a tomato with its first blush appearing... it will be ready for snacking soon.

Enjoy ~

Catching Up after a long time

I have no excuses for not blogging in over a year !!  so I will not attempt to come up with any --

I tried planting one of my smaller areas this spring...  oats were the "nurse" crop - fescue free pasture mix along with that.


Soon after discing, harrowing, and sowing, we experienced quite a drought -- a few oat seedlings sprouted -  it made me think of this ~

One stalk of oat does not a hayfield make and 

One small pile of split wood does not a warm body bake.  

So ~  I can add that a blog is also not very interesting if I don't make the effort to post !!   Today is the beginning of some hopefully regular reports from the farm !

Tonight I tried a recipe for Queen Anne's Lace Jelly !! 


I love the plant... so the jelly sounded so intriguing I had to give it a try.


The result is a delicate sweet melt in your mouth jelly fit for the queen of fairies...

It's actually more of a light pink hue which I could not quite capture in the photo. 

  Blossoms in a beautiful hand turned maple bowl

A little left over - not enough to fill a jar... so toast for supper :)







If you'd like to try some for yourself -- e-mail me for the recipe..

For now -- Enjoy your day ~