Beautiful Clydesdale Horses

"The Clydesdale is a breed of draft horse derived from the farm horses of Clydesdale, Scotland, and named after that region.

Thought to be over 300 years old, the breed was extensively used for pulling heavy loads in rural, industrial and urban settings, their common use extending into the 1960s when they were still a familiar sight pulling the carts of milk and vegetable vendors.

They have been exported in the Commonwealth and United States where they are famous for their use as the mascot of various beer brands, including Anheuser-Busch's Budweiser brand, Carlton & United Beverages and several others.



Clydesdales are now most numerous in the United States where recently over 600 foals are reportedly born each year.

Today, the Clydesdale's most significant presence is in exhibition and parades."



That last sentence taken from Wikipedia is certainly how my family came to get a chance to see these beautiful creatures. It was well worth the effort to find parking and walk a little bit to see our local Fourth of July parade in Great Falls this year due to the appearance of the Budweiser wagon being drawn by a full team of Clydesdales. I told my husband we could head home after they passed because that is all I really wanted to see.

Earlier in the week I missed a chance to see them at a local park, but I later heard the masses of our community had descended at the location for a peek.



They are spectacular and I hope you too will have a chance to see them pass by your way if you have not already.

Horse 'n Around -- Eagle Mount

Two of my children and I got to tour Eagle Mount the other day and meet the staff that work with disabled children and adults.



I have signed mine up to participate in their "Wrangler" program where they will be doing horsemanship activities, which could include "mucking". Both children didn't sound excited about that chore and we will have to see how it goes.




Also, they do not have to be put on a waiting list to be involved in that or summer day activities on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11 to 3. We went over the calendar of events and each child got to decide what activies they want to participate in. (Savannah Rose - age 15 chose twice as many as Avery - age 9).

I am so thankful to be in a new community, a smaller community, and one that offers special activities for those with disabilities.




We took some photos of the horses and donkeys while there and some of the pictures turned out beautifully. Hope you enjoy.

An Afternoon in Franklin Tennessee

On most Fridays my daughter, Savannah Rose, and I travel to a beautiful part of Tennessee known as Franklin. We have an appointment at Saddle Up! (A nonprofit recreational therapeutic horse riding program for those with disabilities, “Where all children are equal in the saddle!”)



(January 8, 2009) – Southern Living magazine named Franklin to its Readers’ Choice Awards top ten list, ranking fifth for “Best Small Town”. Franklin joins a diverse group of destinations in the listing. Southern Living readers voted for their favorites in different categories. January’s issue names the magazine readers’ choices for “best” places to stay, visit, shop and dine in the South.


After Savannah's lesson, we decided to explore a specialty shop we usually pass by always wondering what goodies can be found inside. Well, just as I last wrote about -- chocolate has a way of calling my name -- today was no exception. A specialty chocolate and truffle shop -- Hillsboro Chocolate Company. We treated ourselves to a truffle and picked out a box of 4 for my sister-in-law in Chicago and another for my sister-in-law in Montana. Let's hope they get put in the mail and not opened because chocolate calls other people's names in my house as well!