Happy Days

Nowadays, one of the popular things to do is post on social media one thing that made you happy each day, for 100 days. I haven't don't it yet, for a number of poor reasons, but I really admire the people who think about what made them happy each day. When I see their post, it makes me think about what made ME happy that day. It's a really easy way to spread a positive attitude. Since I can't commit to 100 days, here are some things that are making me happy on this summer Monday. 

* Sienna and I have been taking the best long walks most evenings for the past week. I think she knows when I want a casual stroll or when I really want to power along. I really do my best thinking if the day in those 20-40 minutes. 

* Nashville with Kyle and Matt to see Cindy on Thursday! Can't wait. 

* Four day work week obviously 

* My team hit our quota this quarter, which ended today. It was the worst quarter we've had since I started. We did not exceed our goal as is normal, but we made it to the quota at least. Thankful for that. 

* A lot if my very good friends who normally are busy or live out of town, I've seen frequently this summer, and I'm thankful I've been able to see people I love a lot

* Jubala.  Coffee. That is all. If you live in the triangle, it is worth the drive for the pour over coffee alone, never mind the bacon pimiento cheese biscuits in top of that. 

* Kyle and his friend Andrew taught me how to play the DJ box last night. I was terrible but it was pretty cool. You may now refer to me as DJ Mrs. nDEEP. 

* A really nice, unexpected thank you card in the mail. 

* Bed time in t-minus 45 seconds

I'd love to hear what is making you happy, dear reader. Thanks for tuning in. 

Boone

Kyle and I went to visit family and friends in Boone two weekends to celebrate our anniversary a week early (I have a bridal shower next weekend) and did all our favorite things - Our Daily Bread (YUMMM), river floating, and hiking.  There's really not much to tell about what we did, because those activities took up all our time.

The boys with the beer float 

selfies, duh (RIP sunglasses)

Boo and a big blue sky

Had a little too much fun

river fronds

kergmonster on the rope swing

***

Rough Ridge

Making me nervous

What a view! The mountains are nice too...

Hai its me, Merg

BRP pano <3

Middleburg Part 2

Saturday morning I helped Rachel with some barn chores before breakfast, and then we went to Belle Grey farm to watch a driving horse demonstration.  Belle Grey was also pristine, but had more to look at.  The owner makes jumps so there were a bunch of gorgeous handmade jumps everywhere.  We watched the owners drive miniature horses around, walked around the grounds a little, and were about to leave when they said they were going to also demonstrate the mini's jumping.   It was hilarious!! These children run around at full tilt and the mini runs beside them and jump the jumps.  That is if the mini feels so inclined - sometimes the mini would push the kid over to avoid the jumps.  They also showed us the minis in at "at liberty" class in which they let the mini free, it has to trot and canter in both directions, the more attitude the higher the score, and at the end of 2 minutes, the kid has to try to catch the horse.  It was ridiculously funny.  We couldn't believe it was a real thing!

From Belle Grey we went down the road to Caliburn, which was probably the nicest barn on the tour. The interior was completely varnished wood, it had a lounge with easy chairs and kitchen (granite and stainless steel appliances), handmade mosaics everywhere, multiple chandeliers, a suite above the aisles, and of course, 12 perfect horses in the stalls.  It seemed surreal because it was SO nice and SO fancy.

Looking up into the cupola

Yes, that's a tile mosaic on the ground

We grabbed a quick bite to eat, checked on the horses at Rachel's barn, and then ended our tour at Poplar Grange.  It was the group favorite.  It was stone and wood (also all varnished), canvas prints of the owner and his daughter as barn decor, a perfectly decorated lounge with countless trophies (the owner also has steeplechasers) and awards.  I'm pretty sure we drooled all over the aisle.  I later looked this one up and it cost 10 mil - casual.

We had some time to kill before dinner, so we went to the nearby Greenhill Winery and Vineyards.  The service left something to be desired, but the wine and the view were stellar.  I tell you what, I LOVE Virginia wines.  Every one I've had was out of this world.  Greenhill was pretty expensive, but their Philosophy red blend was one of the best red wines I've had in the states (sorry to be a wine snob).  Ugh, I'm drooling just thinking about it.  We sat out on their patio and enjoyed 2 glasses while watching the sun slowly sink in the sky.

From Greenhill, we went to Salamander Resort for drinks and dinner.  I had the best cocktail there - all my favorites in one! Gin, ginger, jalapeno, cilantro - yum!  It was busy busy at the resort, but the view was amazing, the decor is so swanky, and the company, again, could not be beat.

Sunday we didn't do a lot, just coffee on the deck, watching Ruby herd airplanes and chase bunnies.  We also went to see Rachel's 2 baby horses, Teddy and Beau.  Total cutie pies!  Lunch and then on the road.  I hate leaving Middleburg because we always have such a great time.  Hopefully going back at the end of July for WEG selection trials, more drinking, Rachel, and fun!

Middleburg Part 1

Short week = lots of catching up = delayed blog posts.

Firstly, I got my wedding band in the mail!!!  HOORAY!  Its beautiful and French, so it will go well with my engagement ring.  Plus I think the wedding will have some French-inspired touches as well, so its all going to be so perfect.

Last weekend Mother and I went back up to Middleburg, VA to visit our friend Rachel again.  You'll recall we were up there for their Christmas Parade last year and we couldn't wait another year to go back.  We had a BLAST, of course.  We left super duper early Saturday morning and got to Richmond in time to eat breakfast at my favorite place (the smoked salmon plate is killerrrrr).

Once up in Middleburg we drove around a little to look at the spectacular farms and scenery, dropped off our bags, and then headed to downtown for a little lunch and window shopping.  Nothing was really different in any of the stores but they are fun to pop into anyways.  I think Middleburg is one of the few places I don't feel like shopping very much because there is so much else to do and see.

Every Memorial Day weekend, there is a Hunt Country Stable Tour which is a fundraiser for a local church, and this was its 55th year.  The tour showcases some of the nicest farms in the area, and we went to see five - Wind Field, Banbury, Belle Grey, Caliburn, and Poplar Grange.  They were all amazing in their own way, but were all so different.

Rachel had to work on Saturday, so Mother and I went to Wind Field and Banbury by ourselves. Wind Field was *pristine.*  I've never seen a more immaculate farm in my life - and it was 450 acres to boot!  Can you imagine keeping that much land perfect?  Oh, and it was only an 8 stall barn!  All that land for 8 horses!  I liked Wind Field, but it paled in comparison to the others, if you can believe it.

Wind Field

I know, my pants are amazing

Banbury's farm itself was pretty average, except they have their own polo field because they train polo ponies.  As part of the tour, the Banbury team played another local team out in their field.  Neither of us had ever watched a polo match, so we were pretty enthralled.  We only stay for 2 innings/quarters (not sure what the correct terminology is), before going to pick up snacks and meeting Rachel at her house.  We had a much-needed glass of champagne on her porch before going to Twilight Polo, at the Great Meadows, which is one of their many equestrian venues up there.  Rachel lives in the coolest house - it is nearly surrounded totally by cow fields, it is so old, there is even wood flooring in the bathroom, she has a wood burning stove and a great little back porch.  It is basically my dream home (minus the no heat thing).  Twilight Polo is the Middleburg equivalent of Beach Music nights at North Hills.  Everyone sits and has a little picnic, a lot of alcohol, and its just a social event with some horses in the background.  The only downside was that it was arena polo and not field polo, which is much more exciting because the ponies can run full speed in the field.

Trip to be continued....