Black Feather Farm

I don't know about you, but I don't make resolutions anymore. I am still hanging onto the ten pounds I was suppose to lose three resolutions ago. I still eat chocolate when I want chocolate. Instead of pushing and taking lessons to further my riding skills, I have just been having fun with my horse this past year. I don't feel guilty either. Heck, maybe I should have candy bars in my pocket so I can eat chocolate while I'm playing with my horse. Losing ten pounds will be great when I decide to do it. Not by imposing an ultimatum on myself, that will end in failure and guilt, when I don't get it done under the "New Years Resolution" rules. Don't get me wrong, I ALWAYS have goals I want to reach in several areas of my life and work towards them on a constant basis. I try to keep my ducks going in the right direction and in some semblance of a row. As long as I do that, I realized I don't need to impose any new rules on myself for a new year. I'm ...

As I find myself on the backside of another Christmas, alot of fun was had, the last dash to the store is memory and the chocolate covered cherries are gone, {well, placed safely on my thighs anyway.} A few minor setbacks, the photos didn't arrive for my Christmas cards, so no one got any from me, I had too many gifts for two sisters and not enough for the third, thus the last dash to the store. I ran the wrapping down to the last minute, something I said I wouldn't do this year, and one gift got left behind. One thing I have learned as I have gotten older is nothing is perfect. I have come to the realization that it doesn't have to be "perfect" to be perfectly wonderful. Life is easier and more fun if we accept all the little imperfections that will always be there. Every year, late Christmas evening I always remember Chevy Chase's character in the end of Christmas Vacation. It has become my own little tradition, for me to throw my arms in the air and exclai...

~ Wishing you a peaceful holiday ~

The giveaway winner is - quitecontrary1977. Email me at Wildhorsemoon to let me know your choice and where to send it ! Though I didn't get her for Christmas, my lump of coal has one blue eye. I don't know if she is cosmic payback for something I've done{ I won't ever do it again} or just the odds that I would finally get a digger, chewer, destroyer of all things, escape artist, free spirit with no concept of rules, dog. She has been more trouble than my other five put together ! Don't worry, she is so loved and spoiled it is ridiculous. I poke fun at her, but she is very clever and she is doing better with all, I can make mommy pull her hair out, things. She has been easy for me to train, and has learned walking on a leash, {at heel mind you} sitting, staying, laying down, waving, & shaking paws. Progress... a good thing. She also makes a me laugh, ALOT, and is my jester to be sure. My bald patches are starting to grow in. Yes, at my house, when out on...

Okay, if THAT song can't make you smile, you better check your grinch meter readings. The song was sung, in 1953 by 10 year old Gayla Peevey, from Oklahoma City. A local promoter launched a publicity campaign to present Gayla with a real hippopotamus for Christmas. The song and the campaign were wildly popular $ 3,000 was raised. So came Mathilda, the real hippopotamus. The Oklahoma City zoo, had no hippo at that time and Miss Peevey donated hers to the zoo. Mathilda lived for nearly 50 years, married Norman along the way and is remembered fondly, by those who remember her, at Christmas time. Now you know more than you wanted to know about the song, and can dazzle family and friends with your useless, trivia knoweledge... oh... errrr, thats what I do - sorry ! Facts are courtesy of Judy Brotton, via an article from Distinctly Oklahoma. The whimsical artwork shown is from Leslie Sealy, who is a wonderful artist. Check out her blog Leslie Sealy and enjoy some pretty things as wel...

I hope you are all able to stop and take a breath from the holiday rush to enjoy the season, the promise of a new year and the hope the future always brings ! Here is a giveaway for you ! All you have to do is leave a comment here, on this post. That way you don't have to leave an email address or anything like that. Then I will post the winner here, in five days, so check back. That person will then need to contact me with an address to send their necklace to. Simple as that ! You have two to choose from, only one will be given away. I thought I would include a non-horsey, non-cowgirl choice this time. So if you win, you can choose between the cowgirl photo necklace or the "Entangled Heart" art clay necklace. Good Luck !

We have freezing rain,some snow & bitter cold coming in over the next couple of days. I stocked up on supplies, so I'm not leaving until we thaw, which looks like Thursday. Time to create some new things while I'm socked in, and listen to some Christmas music. My giveaway will be the next post.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - One BIG ice storm, FOUR rescue dogs, and a SQUIRREL in a Bradford pear tree..... Last winter a massive ice storm hit Oklahoma. Norman, where I live was one of the harder hit areas. My huge, beautiful, Bradford pear tree suffered a great deal of damage, thus was cut into an ugly glorified stump. Apparently that makes Mr. Squirrel feel unsafe now when the dogs are about, even though it is tall enough for him to be quite secure. The other morning, while out doing chores, I looked up in time to see four of my dogs surrounding said tree, and there was Mr. Squirrel, trapped in said tree, frantically looking for escape. I watched in horror, eyes wide, shaking my head from side to side, as he scaled right down the north side of the tree trunk, and I uttered ssssqui-RREL !! SQUIRREL !! Yes, in times of crisis, do call on me, as I will stand frozen and repeat the description of the animal in peril. He made a mad dash at the exact moment th...

Some new things have been added to my website including this "Winter Horse " necklace. Watch for more new items being added to my Etsy shop as well. I have a giveaway coming right up !!! So please check back.

In case you missed it in this months Home Companion magazine, this is too fun not to share ! " If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something." ---- Steven Wright. Artwork by Mary Englebreit. Click on the photo for a good view !

Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas, is that DARN squirrel ! Yours truly, Tessa ~

I bought an interesting book a few days ago, Horse people, Writers and Artists on the Horses They Love. When I got it home I pulled it open to a story called Angel Foot, a Double Portrait. Here are small excerpts from this fabulous writer Tess Gallagher..... I hope to someday put down words that live and breathe like this. She was the gift of my uncle and my maternal grandfather, but she had been hand-raised for me by my uncle Porter. " Your filly is born," he wrote. " I have named her Angel Foot for the white on her hind foot where God must have held onto her when he dipped her into black "........ Why not recall Joan of Arc as remembered by Guy de Laval in a letter to his mother: "armed all in white, except her head, with a little ax in her hand, on a great black charger," and further, how the horse , with divine discretion, no doubt, would not let her mount until she led it to the cross...... And even now she would know me if I came to the edge of her f...

I was lucky enough to win this glorious deco brooch, in a blog giveaway from Whimsical Jewelry & Accessories Trust me, the photo does not do it justice ! I don't decorate in an art deco style, more like shabby chic, grabs some french country on the way out west, but I do love art deco, especially the jewelry. By the way, she is having another giveaway so hop over and enter ! She has some lovely things on Etsy too. Lucky me ! Thanks Pam !

Wishing for everyone, good food and a nap !

Trouble wrapped in an adorable package is still trouble. Please see "Tessa" in the dictionary, under "folly." She believes the world is her oyster, and she does make me say - "OY" alot. In her mind it all makes perfect sense - If you don't want it shredded, put it away. If you don't want holes in the yard, make the ground "undig -able." Oh, I thought it was a game, you plant it, I dig it back up. If you don't want me to go over there, you will have to watch me every minute, as my secret identity is " Houdini," master of escape. I like to smile at you, and make my blue eye twinkle when you scold me, as I can tell you aren't really mad. Aren't you having fun? I know I am. Rules ? What rules ? I don't remember any rules. What would we need them for? And if you have ever wondered why you never see collars on my dogs, it is because Hannah uses them to drag everyone else around. That would be in between my throwing her...

"We are here on the earth to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don't know. -- W.H.Avden {photo, my collection}

Last evening Indi wasn't in her usual spot waiting for dinner, and if anyone is "Johnny on the spot" to get their grub, its her. I called, and when she didn't come up, I was starting to worry. I went down to the back pasture and there she was standing by the fence. The gate had some how swung shut behind her and nestled snug against the post. I know she thought I closed it. I had been gone most of the day running errands, so she may have been there awhile. Indi uses the back pasture, but doesn't like to be locked into it, even though sometimes she has to be. I opened the gate, and her usual hesitation to visit with me was cast asunder in her flying hooves. Once back at the barn, she cast her eye on me in obvious scolding. "I did not shut the gate on you Indi," I said, pleading my case, but she was not convinced as she ate her grain in fervor. I went on to take out some hay, and as I passed her, she grabbed a mouthful, swung it over my head and showered i...

Here is the gypsy vanner horse painting, in completion. Watch for it in some new projects, from canvas collage to jewelry.

I was honored this week with a blog award from FairyJane. Please visit her blog, and Etsy shop to see her fairy art. See Fairies Thank you !

Did you know you can house train bunnies ? After having this sweet fellow in my life, I have never seen bunnies the same way. This is Touché, also known as Bun's. He was a so much fun and as darling as they come. He would come when called, was a snuggler, and loved to rip the paper off of Christmas presents. It would take too long to tell you all of his endearing ways. Suffice it to say his personality was bigger than "Harvey" and he was loved to the moon and back again. ♥ My son Chad {early 1991} & Touché snuggling. His favorite napping spot, in front of the return vent.

Look for projects that will include these, my {just started} painting of a gypsy vanner, will be part of a collage art piece, after it is finished of course ! My original art photo called "Winter Horse," will be made into a necklace along with a color variation of it. You will see them here first, when they are completed, along with where to find them.

Meaning, I made a photo to look like a magazine cover! So fun, and a lot of creative uses, party invitations, etc. You can do this on magmypic.com or create your own like I did. The horse I am riding in the picture is Chadon, a.k.a "Petey." He is a Swedish Warmblood, that was boarded at the dressage farm I used to work at a few years ago. He was adorable, and a bit of a snob, but you loved him all the more for it. If you weren't one of the people who did things for him, you would get the big white cold shoulder. I was lucky enough to be one of those people. Petey competed in the Pan Am Games awhile back, and his owner was so kind to let me take a dressage lesson on him once. She didn't offer that to many, and keep in mind I am quite the amateur, so that shows just how generous it was. I found out a few months ago that Petey is gone now. Whatever special place he is at, I hope they remember to stock his peppermints. That old saying - "For the love of Pete," w...

There IS something in there..... The tip of my tail is camouflaged at least ! My form is nearly perfect ! My " I know, I'm adorable" shot by the thistle. I so love the water, and when I get out, I will share some with mom.

"I don't make jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts."-- Will Rogers

Some new original artwork amulet pieces are now on my website,{one shown here is already sold} with more in the works. I am creating some new pieces that include vintage & costume jewelry elements in their composition. I am also working on a variety of things, from more vintage photo textile wall hangings to original paintings. I will have some new things to show you here, and in my Etsy shop soon. I also have another giveaway coming up so check back !

I don't mind what Congress does, as long as they don't do it in the streets and scare the horses. --- Victor Hugo {Photo from my collection}

Listen for the hoofbeats, as the moon begins to rise, The air grows thin, the stars dim, a veil of mist to fool your eyes. Neither dead nor living, her realm is in between, She takes the ride, that was her demise, each and every Halloween. ĦÃРРΫ ĦÃĿŁǾŴĒĖŇ !!!!! {Photo is from my collection, altered to accompany my writing}

What does this say about me ? That I like men who have no brains and won't say anything I don't like, but can ride well ? Yikes ! Image credits unknown, enlighten me on them if you can.

I stumbled onto this artwork of a headless horseman, so haunting, and just the thing to share this week. Artist credit unknown. If you know who painted it let me know. I find it fascinating.

I have some more handpainted, horse amulet necklaces in the works, watch for these to be added to my website soon.

Photo credit unknown.

Vintage postcard, and Equitana photo.

I thought I would give a peek into my horse collection nook. It is a tiny little room at the back of my sewing room. It has a little window seat so I can read and relax among the herd I have collected for many years. I am a shabby chic girl, I love old and worn things that have stories. For everything to match, or formal styles are kinda boring to me, so I mix it up. To create the mantle looking unit, I used two old salvage pillars, attached ornate brackets to hold an old board as the shelf. Simple to do, use small screws to hold the brackets and pre-drill your holes with a bit smaller than the screw size. Paint the top of the screws to match when finished. Click on the photos to enlarge. The horse print is just lying on the surface, with a framed glass piece over it. You can use a frame that has the glass glued in it, or just a piece of glass, or even a small old window, and just set it over your art or photo. Then add things on it or around it. Then you can easily change the image, f...