Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Chairs are done ... porch sitting time! A-n-d ....... Surprise!!

I finally put the redwood chairs back together.  I had to cut several of the old bolts to get them apart, which meant I had to go to Lowe's to pick up some replacement.  Sigh, the more things I learn to do around the place, the more I love hardware and tool stores ... they're as much fun as a fabric store for me now.  And if you knew how many bins of fabric I had, you'd know that was saying something!

I love the hardware section - all those pretty bins filled with shiny stuff just waiting to finish off a project.  My husband sometimes compares me to a crow ... 'Oooooh, shiny'.   Anyway, I picked up 16 shiny new carriage bolts, 32 washers and a small package of nuts.  I love that I could buy just the number of bolts and washers I needed - not like the old hotdog/bun situation.  But I digress.

The chairs feel so sturdy now, and make me feel very happy!

Here are all the disclaimers, lol - please excuse the cell phone picture, I was too lazy to pull out the 'good' camera.  And it's not staged because it's the only clean section of my back porch, I don't know how to stage things.  You're lucky I used the leaf blower to blow 6 12 24 months worth of cobwebs and dirt off the concrete.


I only finished one cushion but wanted to show off the chairs.  The pillow is a down insert from Ikea ($6.99! whoa, Nellie, that's a good price, and it is comfy!)  I winged it making the cover - it has a zipper in the back and ruffles on 3 sides.  Wider ruffles would look better, but I'm not gonna change them now.    

Now on to the 'Surprise' portion of today's program ...

One of the reasons we like living on acreage is that we love our critters.  We have 3 mutt dogs, 2 roosters, 9 hens, 2 barn cats, and 2 horses. 

Here are my two horse buddies (once again, sorry for poor cell pics).  They are so friendly, and love to follow us around.

Boone - 11 year old gelding - he's just an old ranch horse, but such a pleasure to ride!



Lightning - a 3 year old Pinto mare



Last week I was at a work conference in Dallas, and my 20 year old son was taking care of all the critters for me.  He called me a week ago Monday and the conversation went like this:

Z:  Mom, there's something I need to tell you
(this is *not* a good sign)

Me:  Ok

Z:  It's about the horses
(my heart sinks, stomach roils)

Me:  O ... k ....

Z:  There's 3 of them now

Me:  ...
(thinking, huh?)

Z:  And one of them is a lot smaller than the other 2.

Me: ...
(stunned silence)

May I introduce the newest addition to our little menagerie - no official name yet, we're thinking "Surprise" or "Lightning Strikes" ...




We did *not* know Lightning was pregnant.  My brother in law brought both horses to live with us last Thanksgiving.  We knew she had been bred, but the vet said it hadn't taken. 

Surprise   :-)   

Praise the Lord that nothing went wrong with the birth.  Poor Lightning had no mare care (just regular feed and water), and no vet during or after the birth.  But both mama and little guy (yep, he's a little colt) seem to be doing fine. 

9 comments:

Every Little Birdie said...

Oh I love your horses and little surprise is too cute!!!! Thanks for stopping by Every Little Birdie and sharing your likes. I want so bad to buy some of those big galvanized troughs they use for horses/cows and instead use them to plant flowers in. So glad to have you as one of my blog friends!! Have a blessed week. Marsha

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Hi, love the chairs and the beautiful horses. After reading your comment on my blog, I instantly knew you were from Texas, especially when reading about the tarantulas and the Mojave rattlesnakes. We have those also. I almost stepped on one last summer in the door of my hen house. They aggravate me so because they do not rattle and let you know they are there until you actually step on them! Thanks for stopping by!

FlyAwayHome said...

Hi Patty and thanks for visiting. Your chairs turned out great! Leaf blower, 24 months of cobwebs and leaves? Ha ha Ha..I have actually taken a photo and noticed AFTER taking the picture, I needed to dust! sad but true :-). congrats on the newest member of the family! He's adorable.

Stacey said...

Oh how precious! I just look horses. You've probably heard this before but today I read, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man's soul." Isn't that perfect?

Hey I saw that you live in Wimberley. I think my dad is close to you. He's in Lockhart.

Linda said...

What a wonderful surprise!
I'm really liking your chairs, too!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh what a lovely visual treat you have blessed me with.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I hope my comment went through.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh my gosh, the little colt is such a wonderful surprise! Glad that it made it into this life o.k. I have always wished I lived on a farm for that very reason. How fun to have so many critters to brighten your day! Love your chairs painted white and the cushion turned out darling! Thanks for visiting me. Happy to be a new follower!!
hugs,
Jann'

Mrs. Kelley Dibble said...

What an adorable post! You should post more often, Patty. There's no telling all the adorable projects you've finished since this, your last post..........

Hugs and happy weekend,
Kelley~