A breath-taking sight: Andalusian stallion with his handler.

Today's Joy (Part I): The Horses & Varied Disciplines Exhibited at the St. James Farm Homecoming Celebration.
Reader, after attending & photographing this amazing equestrian event with my family, I looked over all the images I captured (nearly 600 in total) and decided that one post is insufficient to pay homage to my loved ones & their horses as well as all of the other participants. So, Part I of today's joy includes just a few shots of the various breeds, riding disciplines and showmanship demonstrated on May 29th, 2010 at St. James Farm.

Many of the shots below feature a traveling performance troupe of Andalusians & Friesians. They were a sight to behold. SO gorgeous! I couldn't whip my camera out fast enough to capture their dramatic and skillful demonstrations. For more highlights from the St. James Farm Forest Preserve Homecoming Celebration, click here.


Andalusian stallion headshot.


A gorgeous pair.

Riding Demonstration.

Andalusian stallion bows for the crowd.

Andalusian in harness.

Andalusian pulling a cart.

Another gorgeous Andalusian.

A beautiful Dressage demonstration.

Demonstrating the concentration & precision required in Dressage riding.

Dressage Movement.

Girl & Friesian demonstrate Spanish riding.

Mario & his traveling troupe waiting to perform.

Spanish Riding & Long Lining Demonstration.

Mario demonstrating Spanish horsemanship and long lining from the saddle.

Mario & Andalusian pair bow for the crowd.

Member of Miniature Horse Drill Team.

Vaulting Demonstration.

Today's Joy: Rainy Days.

Reader, once in a while I love a good rainy morning. Yup, really enjoy it when I can traipse outside in my wellies and shoot photos in the garden between downpours. We even got a few sun showers today and a rainbow or two! Nothing quite like late spring rainstorms: when everything's in full bloom and it feels like summer will roll in any minute, bringing with it a perpetual warm front that will last until October.

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Here are a few of Aunt's gorgeous irises & delphinium after a good soaking:

Quote courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Today's Joy: Quality Time at the Flea Market.
Reader, my favorite thing to do with Mom is hit the monthly flea market. There's nothing quite like bonding over a bargain. We went early this morning and made a beeline for the plant vendors. They had the most beautiful begonias, ranunculus and clematis! I had to snap a few shots to share (see below)! Today's finds included fab hanging baskets of geraniums for $12, wee pots of gerbera daisies (my favorite summer flower) for $2.50 and a Duchess English bone china cup & saucer set featuring Cattleya Orchids for $5.

If you haven't been to a flea market, you gotta do it--they're a hoot! For those in the IL area, check out the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles. It's a long-standing area tradition. If you happen to get there this June, check out the hippy-ish guy under the livestock pavilion. He has the best deal on 800-1200 thread count sheets--2 for $25. He's also got groovy scarves: 3 for $10 (and they're labeled exactly that). Sweet-talk him & he might strum you a tune on his acoustic guitar...

Photos: Pink Flower; Yellow Ranunculus Bud; Clematis; Begonias; Purple Something-or-other; Yellow Ranunculus; Clematis, Kane County Flea Market, May, 2010.