2019 Blogger Gift Exchange

Tracy of Printable Pony has hosted this exchange for seven years and I have been lucky enough to participate each time. Normally I can think of something small I have wanted/needed. This year I drew a blank. You would think with all my horses I could think of something. I felt bad for who ever got me.

So when my gift came in today, I was happy to recognize the name of the sender. Karley is a friend on Facebook and I enjoy following her horse and family fun.

The box contained something for the horses and humans. Chocolate for me and Mrs. Pastures for the horses. And then she nailed it with a brush. I don't think I have mentioned before, but my favorite brush is a mixed stiff/medium made from natural fibers. The brush she sent is just like that. Happy dance!

Thank you Karley! and thank you Tracy!

2017 Blogger Gift Exchange

As my sister and I work madly to finish my blogger's gift, my own came in the mail today. I always have a hard time thinking of gift ideas, but one thing stuck in my head since Roscoe's inspection. I wanted a framed shot of his final inspection jump.

Aimee (sprinklerbandit) knocked it out of the park with her gift. It is so cool! Thank you!!

The picture is integrated into the material somehow and she added his registered name. Asuper way to remember that awesome final jump.

2016 Blogger Gift Exchange

I love the gift exchange and am lucky enough to have participated every year. Each year I find new blogs to follow and enjoy seeing all the gifts. Hats off to Tracy!

This year I did a double take at my gift when it came.  I had pulled an all nighter trying to finish my own blogger gift so it was boggling when I saw "Nicole" in both address spots on the box. Well played Tracy, I had to laugh.

Nicole from Zen and the art of Baby Horse Management continued the surprise when I opened the box. An odd bundle greeted me along with mints and candy.

Pillow case and wraps

I read her note which shed light on the unconventional wrapping. She is not one to use bubble wrap :)
Instead she used a pillow case and wraps to protect the wonderful picture frames she had sent me. I specifically asked for frames to fit the professional pictures I received two years ago. The frames, two 4x6 and a 8x10, are matching and suit the pictures well. I immediately went to retrieve the photos and put them in.

I am so glad to be able to show off these pictures in frames that do them justice. Thank you so much Nicole!

8x10 of Rosemary

4x6 of Comrade and I

4x6 of Rosemary

All seven of the horses enjoyed Murray's gift of the mints. Now they hear the plastic crinkle and their ears perk up. And Rosemary stalks me thinking I have more.

And in case you were wondering about the unconventional wrapping... well let's just say a couple of people will be seeing it again. Hey it worked to protect my frames so I put it to use. I even reused the USPS box to mail my blogger gift. That will be a well traveled box and wrapping!

Blogger Gift Exchange 2015

Yesterday the rain stopped long enough for me to get a ride in on Roscoe. The first in about 3 weeks. He was awesome and showed the ground/lunge work we have done is transferring. Roscoe is moving along. We ended going over some poles. He has a huge stride, I think I will have to stretch them next time. When I hopped off, I found he got a bit sweaty after only a short bit of work. Someone may be in line for a trace clip if this weather keeps up. So we walked around the arena. He follows me, giving space and still listening. I laughed and jogged over the poles. My super pony trotted over them right behind me. Roscoe and I may never be show super stars, but where ever we end up, it will be a damn fun  journey to get there.
Then to cap  off the day, I came home to find my Blogger Gift waiting in my room. Tracy's Gift Exchange is so great because I get to know new bloggers. This year both sides were new for me. I opened my box to see that Rhiannon from The Horse is not Black sent a box full. Have to say I was super impressed that all the gifts were wrapped and labeled.

The first gift I opened revealed a pair of awesome socks. Absolutely me! When I showed them to Peggy, she asked if I mentioned my antisocial nature. I definitely prefer animals to people :)

The next gift came in a really cute bear topped box. Inside was bling for all three Cobs in the form of dragon bridle charms. Very cool! I can put these on riding or driving bridles.

Next came gifts for the ponies from her her two, Dexter and Sassy.

Plus treats for me. I already know the pony treats are approved since we have used the Purina Apple treats for years, though they were called Dobbins Delight before and I recently purchased the Standlee Apple Berry Cookie Cubes to use for my own Blogger gift and my horses. The horse world can be so small sometimes.

Another great Blogger Gift Exchange. I hope my blogger enjoys her gifts. Which I will admit, I totally used the box my gift came in to ship. So yet another helpful part from Rhiannon. Her box was better than the one I had packed mine into, so I changed it right before going to the Post Office.
I hope everyone has a great holiday!b

Blogger Gift Exchange 2014

I really have enjoyed participating in the Gift Exchange Tracy has put together the last two years. I get to find new blogs to follow and give and receive great gifts. It is amazing how far $20 can go.
So, my gifts came from ACHIEVE1DREAM of Equestrian Journey. She has an awesome Friesian/Arab named Chrome, who drew my grey loving eye :)

This year I asked for something pretty specific, something I have long admired: Professional pictures of Rosemary and Comrade. What she gave me far exceeded what I expected.

All photos are by PonyPrintsPlus, taken at the 2012 Spring Fling, a VA Welsh Breed Show

8x10 Rosemary



4x6 Rosemary, In Hand Breed class

4x6 Comrade, Ridden Welsh

Rosemary has not shown much, but at this particular show she had a spark. The pictures they took were super and now I have two. Seriously doing a happy dance. It is hard to get really good pictures of black horses, so these are special. Comrade's picture is one I wanted because we both look good in it and it shows how far we had come.
Now I get to look for frames that will do the pictures justice. I can't wait to see if my person enjoys her gifts as much I as I love mine.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Gifts, Gifts and more Gifts

After a crazy few weeks the Blogger Gift Exchange was a great way to have some fun. My experience was a bit of "what goes around, comes around." I was thrilled to get Allison and Shy from Adventures with Shyloh as my pair to buy for. Since she participated in my contest, I knew Shy would like Uncle Jimmy's Squeezy Buns. So I sent those along with Allison's gift. She has since informed me Shy kind of ate them all including the packaging. Gotta love Ponies.
Well, I had to laugh when I received a card letting me know my gift was on the way. My sender was Allison from PonyTude. Are you beginning to see what I mean? Yesterday my box arrived with gifts for me and treats for the ponies. Wanna guess what the treats are?

Thank you Alli

Yep, that's right Squeezy Buns! I was thrilled to get new lycra tail bags with zebra patterns. Last year we could not find our patterned tail bags any where, so I had to buy plain colored ones to fill the need. Each of the girls got to wear the new bags today.

Are you looking at me?

In addition to the Exchange, I received some other gifts too.

 From M and K, who came to ride today:

Pony treats

People treats

And from my friend's cat to Roscoe :)

New book

 And from Peggy:

My new toy

Now to learn how to use it and maybe get some new video of Roscoe :)

I guess I better get my Christmas shopping done soon and my wrapping. Hard to believe there is only a few more days.
I hope everyone has a great holiday.