Today's Joy: Getting There Just In Time.
While my family was out having a ball trail riding and driving at the local forest preserve all afternoon, I was unfortunately stuck at my weekend home decor job, Reader. I watched the clock and as soon as my shift was up, I beat-foot it home. But no one was back yet. So, I called Aunt and she said they were all still out having fun and I should come join them for a pie iron (a lovely camp dessert involving two pieces of white bread, slathered with butter and having all manner of deliciousness in between, sandwiched in a pocket-shaped pair of cast iron long-handled irons and baked on a bed of hot coals).

So I jumped back in the truck and headed over to find the usual suspects lounging around in the usual place. And while my pie iron was baking into toasty, bubbly goodness on the smokey joe, I got to meet the newest addition to our kooky cast, E, the Trail Aficionado. A friend of our Fearless Trail Leader, E seemed to really be enjoying his first outing with our set. I suspect he's also a man who knows how to tell a good story. (Just so you know, E, we are all ears!) Here's hoping he joins us for more adventures.

Though it was only for a bit, it was totally worth it to catch the tail end of today's festivities. And my pie iron was crazy delish!

Out for a leisurely drive.

Today's Joy: A Fourth of July Trail Ride/Drive & Picnic.
Happy Independence Day, dear Reader! Hope this most patriotic holiday finds you celebrating with loved ones while being mindful of all the sacrifices that have been made (and are being made now) to protect this wonderful country of ours. How blessed are we to live in this incredible land of opportunity!

I was blessed enough to have the day free to join 20 of my friends and family on a trail ride/drive at the local Hampshire Forest Preserve. After rolling over hill & dale and having a marvelous time (including a cart drag race across the back forty, but I'm not naming names...), we regrouped for a picnic, with the incomparable Aunt Chef at the grill. In her red, white & blue apron, she doled out mouth-watering burgers and the juiciest BBQ chicken I've ever had. We did get a tad wet when our picnic was ambushed by a fast-moving rain shower, but it was gone toot sweet and we picked up right where we left off. See below for all of the day's photo highlights!


Aunt & Poodle


Out on the trail.

Aunt, Pony & Poodle

Kathy, Harry & Sugar

Getting Fred ready.

Aunt Chef & Dreamer

Driving a wooded lane.

Grilled Corn

Helen & Jim driving Ginger.

Aunt Chef's delish BBQ Chicken

Sarah, pulling Grace (& I) in the marathon cart with Aunt Chef & Dreamer just behind.

Mike & Kelly driving Tobey.

Aunt & Her Poodle, Portrait

Calling for directions.

Sally & Julie waiting on the rest of us.

Road Trot

Relaxing after a good ride.

Down The Lane

Today's Joy: Risking The Rain.

Definitely a galoshes sort of day, Reader. This afternoon, I tagged along with the family & cronies on a trail ride (and drive) through the beautiful grounds at St. James Farm. The weather threatened all morning and eventually opened up to drenched us completely. But despite the literal wet blanket, it was a lovely afternoon and a great opportunity to see the property's preserved horse & dairy barns--freshly-painted in their trademark golden mustard color--as well as the ponds, woods and statuary scattered about. Everything had a deep green, misty quality about it. Driving down the lane I felt, for just a moment, what it must have been like in its heyday. Can't wait to go back and tour the rest when the sun is shining. Here are the highlights of our adventure:

Aunt has a new navigator.

The Foot Bridge at St. James Farm

Ginger, Portrait

First ride in the cart and she's a natural!

Fred & Ginger, Belgian Drafts

Aunt, Silver Poodle & Super Charge.

Grace & Smoke

Aunt Chef & Ginger

Breezy & Julie

Fred & Uncle

Wild Turkey

But I Don't Want to Wear Fly Roll-on!

My Viewpoint

Wild Turkey

Today's Joy: Freedom & A Sunday Morning Trail Ride.
It was so lovely this morning, Reader, to forego all the fancy show trappings of the last few days and just get the horses out for some fun at the forest preserve. It was warm (high 80's) and beautiful at the Cook County-Potawatomi Woods Forest Preserve in Barrington, IL. We were quite the entourage with 5 carts & buggies and 4 people on horseback.

As it was Memorial Day weekend, I couldn't help thinking, as we laughed and rolled over hill and dale and through the backwoods, how blessed we are as Americans. The sacrifices of innumerable men and women throughout our country's history have made it possible for us to spend this carefree morning in the country, not worrying about our personal safety, or a corrupt government, or religious persecution, or if we'll have enough to eat tonight.

It's so important to remember how we got here. And equally important to recognize the people who give up so much so that we can continue to live this amazing life. I pray that God brings hope, joy and peace to those who are called to serve and to their families. They are doing sacred work.

Here, for your enjoyment, Reader, are a few shots of our wonderful day on the trail. More trail ride highlights are available here. I can't think of a better way to honor and celebrate the sacrifices of our forefathers & mothers and of our dedicated military than to get out and really live! What are you going to do today in celebration of all you're blessed with?


Little Man, Cousin & the Divine Ms. "M" on the trail.


Julie & Breezy, Serious Trail Riders.

Follow the leader.

Stay to the right!

Grace & Norma come up over the hill.

Uncle & Ginger coming up the hill.

Little Man hitches a ride with Aunt.

Waiting for stragglers.

Ginger meets the water obstacle.

One look and she's an old pro.

Elated smile or terrified? You decide.

Taking a break in the shade.

Cathy & Harry traverse the water.

Charge taking the plunge.

Just chillin'.

Uncle, Driving Portrait.