Monday, December 21, 2009

The Festive Season Closes In

I've been extremely busy with various things - organizing protests against the despicable hay racks, scanning the horizon for predators and of course supervising mail delivery in case there is something for me that Herself commandeers. Christmas has used the opportunity to sneak up and ambush me while I was looking the other way.

I realized this morning how close we are to the actual event when Herself sidled up to me with some garish, shiny objects and tried to drape them on my person. I let out a mighty trumpet and bolted. She's not getting near me with that revolting frippery this year. I endured pseudo antlers last year and have put my hoof down firmly when it comes to further personal decoration. Jack didn't twitch an ear or bat an eye when she installed it around his neck and thus he became this year's purveyor of Christmas greetings. He balked at raising his nose out of his morning hay but happily stood draped in the tacky festive trappings. "long as i don got to stop eatin, she kin hang prit near anythin on me. needles is a diffren story. none a them and none a that worm poison they trie ta choke me with."

He's feeling a tad huffy on the vermifuge front. Testing revealed he (and thus we) needed vermifuge for a specific parasite and the Tall Woman was pressed into service to administer Jack's dosage. They had a tremendous "rasslin" match and he did manage to cause her head to connect with the corner of a light box, making a dent (in her head - the light box is fine) and even drawing blood but she got the stuff into him eventually. Then she made him stand quietly without trying to head-butt her, so he's still rather resentful. But I digress.

The woman put the festive nonsense on Doc and asked Molly if she wanted a turn but Molly turned her down flat. Sally posed on the fence with the the sleazy baubles and then gave them a thorough thrashing. No wonder I'm so fond of cats. They know bad taste when they see it and act accordingly.

Here are some photos of the festive nonsense. Penny opened one of her gifts early - I'm not sure what it is but it's of purplish hue and has various appendages. She loves it and I've included some action shots of her. Violet is working on stripping the tree they put in the house and is de-peopleing the manger scene, replacing figures with her felt mice. Unfortunately there is no photographic evidence - yet.

20 comments:

billie said...

LOL, Sheaffer - I looked at the photos before reading your post and was thinking "Sheaffer and Molly must have gone into full-fledged mutiny over that fancy red ribbon!"

Happy winter solstice to all of you!

completecare said...

Hi Sheaffer,
I am pleased to hear than you did not agree to the Christmas decorations being draped around your neck. We young donkeys must take a stand on what we think is right and proper. Our human hasn't tried any of that nonsense on us yet!!!! Like you, I will head for the hills - well at least to the hay feeders. The hills are a bit far. There aren't any decorations put up in the barn yet. Our Girl Friday comes to visit us tomorrow so heaven know what the two humans have planned in the way of Christmas displays. I hope it will be in good taste and not some lavish, extravagant exhibit. I'll keep you posted.

Merry Christmas to you and all your barn friends as well as your humans. Have a great festive season with lots of snacks and egg nog!!!
Your fan,

Willy

Buddy said...

HAy Sheaffer - loved the photos - very festive - but I totally understamd not wanting it on yourself - me neither. Just bring on the Christmas Treats!

Merry Christmas to all!

Your Fren,

ponymaid said...

Billie, I won this minor battle but the war rages on...I suppose a cupid outfit is next in February...Happy holidays to all creatures great and small at your place and many treats for young donkeys.

Willy, the best thing to do is to dismantle or consume any festive decorating of which you don't approve. I wish you and your donkey women the very best of the season, free from frippery and embellishment.

Buddy, we equines seem to form a united front on the subject of dressing up. Except for Doc, of course. He likes anything that leads to more attention. Give him a hat with a propeller and an audience and he's set for the afternoon. May your day be merry and bright and filled with the things you requested from S. Claus.

billie said...

Happy holidays to all!

I made a quick and yummy equine treat today and took the tray (18 cookies) out to the field to share with the herd.

You mix:

1 cup oats
1 cup whole wheat flour (or wheat bran if you use it in the barn)
2 tbsp. molasses
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup diced apple
1/4 cup grated carrot

mix and form into balls

bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

These come out very much like stud muffins but the apple and carrot are fresh and quite lovely in smell and texture.

I can say they were scarfed up in about 5 minutes.

Redford and Keil Bay would have followed me through tarp tunnels and shavings bags flying like flags for more.

BumbleVee said...

Merry Christmas Sheaffer... !!

I hope today finds you inside and toasty warm....

perhaps Santa will bring you some gummi worms tonight...

Buddy said...

Mom has some treats in the over right now - same recipe as Billie's. Can't wait for them to cool.

Your Fren,

ponymaid said...

Billie, I have instructed Herself to stop baking those silly ginger biscuits and shortbread and to get cracking on that most excellent recipe you sent. I know we four will love them. Thank you for sharing it with us.

BumbleVee, we all send you the very best wishes for a wonderful holiday - as warm and snow-free as possible that close to the Rocky Mountains...

Buddy, were the treats wonderful? Your woman is a little quicker off the mark than ours - has her priorities right.

Buddy said...

HAy Sheaffer - they were WONDERFUL. Crunchy, carroty, molassey, oaty - just wonderful.

Tell your woman to make you some!!

Your Fren,

Finn the Wonder Pony said...

Merry Christmas Sheaffer!

I applaud you for eschewing the gawdy gee-gaws! Thankfully, my woman uses some taste in dressing me, if not herself.

Billie, I am instructing my woman to bake those cookies as soon as we get to Florida. They sound scrumptious. We have no oats here, is oatmeal an allowable substitute?

The Whobus is leaving Sunday morning. Anyone who can get here and fit on top of the hay & carriage in the trailer is welcome to come. The Pony and I are riding First Class in an Air Ride Van, which is picking us up at noon on Monday. Anyone who misses the Whobus is welcome to pile in with us.

Merry Christmas to All!!!
CLW

billie said...

So much fun to see everyone checking in!

I'm sure the oatmeal will work just fine.

I made a second batch a little while ago and took them out to the barn, as we are being deluged with rain and everyone is grumpy and in need of some Christmas Cheer.

I figure I'll make a batch a day until the whole wheat flour runs out, and then it will be time for New Year's Resolutions in our barn, which may need to include the D-word. :)

ponymaid said...

Buddy, I'm pushing her as hard as I can and she's still in there cooking people food. Humphhhh. They sound delicious...

CindyLou, how I envy you your impending voyage to warmer climes. I think your ankles will feel much better out of the frosty, clammy northern chill. Please write and tell us about your journey in the posh motor coach. What a sensible way to travel - with your human bringing up the rear with your luggage.

Billie, you are a veritable saint amongst humans - a second batch of the equicookies? And another batch till the weather warms? Someone here could do well to use you as an example.

Buddy said...

Hay Billie - mom uses oatmeal and they taste just fine! not the instant the regular.

Your Fren,

Buddy said...

Hay Billie - forgot to add - mom took some to my girlfren Cheyenne down the street for Christmas. I hope she loves them as much as I do. She might come over Sunday for a playdate - WHOO HOO.

Your Fren

billie said...

Buddy, between Salina and her older woman issues, and Molly and her drama queen issues, I'm very happy you have a local girlfriend to spend time with!!

Sheaffer, I doubt any of the equines here will agree with my potential sainthood, but you are very kind to even mention that word!

I wish you were here b/c I would indeed set you up with a tray of cookies and a snifter of brandy. (later I might take you for a jog around the arena to work it off, but... at least we would have the dessert first!)

Buddy said...

Hay Billie - did I say girlfren? I meant the neighbor girl. She is older - 25-26 - she comes over to play once in a while. She is a good fren. Tell Salina I'm still thinking about her and she is not old.

Molly and I - well - not sure whats going on with us - she sure is a looker.

Your fren,

billie said...

Buddy, you are incredibly wise and diplomatic when it comes to mares! :)

ponymaid said...

Oh dear, oh dear - I'm staying right out of the girlfriend debate - I won't breath a word of any of it to La Molly. I don't do well in the world of drama, unless I am the source and centre of it(or so I'm told by Herself).

ponymaid said...

Buddy, we four barn residents much appreciated your thoughtful card - thank you so much. I think some sand might have fallen out of it - or perhaps I am simply hallucinating because of all the snow.

Buddy said...

You are truly a good fren Sheaffer! I'm still crazy about Miss Molly!

Did mom put poof dirt in that envelope - well if she didn't she should have.

Your fren,