friday fragments!

Or should I call this another Friday Foto Finish? Whatever. Same subject, alternative alliteration.

ANYWHO.

Here's a raft of random photographic happenings from the last month or so that have not managed to make it into a post of their own (despite my best intentions). Each fragment is meaningful to me tho so I want to document them here for posterity and reflection!!

Like that time I went to Plantation with Alli and Megan K!! I can't believe I still haven't edited the media to do this post... ugh. I made a video tho - it's below if you're interested! Who knows, maybe one rainy cold day I'll get around to posting all the awesomely bad ass pictures from this day. Maybe in mid winter when we're all wishing to get back outside again? For now tho, enjoy the video :)    (and my weak promises to do a better job about Fair Hill this weekend!!!!)

Also the DIY customized fringe bonnet train has kept on rolling - with some old dusty stained navy monstrosity that turned into something passable after a trip to my local crafts shop. Charlie now has his very own sparkle hat!! And just look at all those bead options - really the possibilities are endless!

And. Um. Just sticking this in here bc there's really no rhyme or reason to it, but I shared my morning metro commute with a butterfly last week and it somehow felt oddly special. So. Butterflies. You're welcome.

Moving on to other special, tho decidedly sad, happenings.... I'm not the only one among my group of friends who has experienced major upheavals in horsey life. Being purposefully vague (lest my rage and heartbreak boil over), Brita lost the lease on Wick. They had an incredibly special and inspiring journey together, and Wick is a much better and more valuable horse for the time he spent in Brita's care. 

No rest for the weary tho - I don't call Brita my 'life coach' for nothing. She's already undertaken a new journey with another promising yet green horse. So you haven't seen the last of her yet! Once Charlie and I have this whole 'trailer' thing figured out, we'll be right back on the weekly riding lesson routine with these guys!! In the meantime tho we're getting our fix with beers 'n puppies and occasionally jump judging together at events. #winning

Speaking of events and horse shows, Charlie's home barn has hosted a couple shows in the past few weekends. It's proved to be a good opportunity to expose him to heightened atmosphere (including the PA system and noisy air compressors and generators). He's proven to be a little spooky about some of it, so I'm grateful to have these opportunities for practice while we're at home!

Because we all know how much I love horse shows! Competing in horse shows, spectating at horse shows, and supporting friends at horse shows - I love it all! Especially like this past weekend, when Amelia from Dark Jewel Designs (remember her guest post from earlier this summer?) made her way down to Loch Moy!! So obviously I had to get out there to meet her and her lovely gelding, Duke!! 

Plus it was just a gorgeous (albeit VERY windy) day - perfect for taking in all the sights and getting in some cross country course walking (a favorite activity of mine, even tho I haven't had a course of my own to walk since May....), and observing legends like Bruce Davidson Sr casually pilot his lovely gray through the training courses. And notice - that's the same horse from when we watched him do the puissance at Plantation?!? 

Anyway tho, getting out there to watch Amy and Duke KILL IT in stadium and cross country was so cool - thanks so much for inviting me!!! Even tho I had already ridden that morning before going out (that was the day Charlie tackled his first actual jump under saddle!), I was totally inspired to go home and ride again. lol. Luckily for Charlie man, I satisfied myself with beers and football instead. #priorities....

Of course another benefit of seeing Amy at Loch Moy was strategizing about refitting the many beautiful customized bead strands she's made me into Charlie-size browbands. I can't wait - he's going to look soooooo good!!!! :D

And, bc let's be real, no post is complete without at least one adorable Charlie pic - here he is trying on his winter clothes. What can I say, but that homeboy looks good in navy!!

Happy Friday, y'all - here's to having a great weekend!!