Back from Sabbatical with a new name

Hello old friends.  I am back from my two year sabbatical with a new name and ready to renew our connections.

Back in the fall of 2010 we had a family emergency which took me out of town for a few days.  When I returned home I went into a deep depression for a while and I felt it was frivolous to spend time writing on my blog.  However, long story short, life goes on and so do I!

I chose my new name, Suburban Country Lady, because it better represents who I am than my old blog name and I wanted a fresh start. I still love God, my husband and family, gardening, reading and camping.  I am still a vegetarian who cooks meat for my husband and I still love animals.

So what's new you ask?  I had a milestone birthday this year and when I have a milestone birthday I must do something, well, out of the ordinary for me.  I gave myself two choices.  Jump out of an airplane or take horseback riding lessons.  I chose the latter because I could get more for my money and, frankly, do you think you could jump out of an airplane!?

I have had two riding lessons so far.  The first lesson was getting to know the horse.  I had to learn horse anatomy, how to brush it, put on the blanket and saddle and walk with it.  My horse's name is Spider.  He is a few years old, very sweet and gentle and he is used to work with handicapped children.  Does that give you an idea of how my instructor used my age to pick out my horse?  I am very thankful to her for that.

My second lesson I got on the horse and learned the basic commands and rode him the corral.  My instructor gives me praise when I do something right which makes me feel like a "good little girl".  I really like my instructor!  I will keep you posted on my new horseback riding adventures.

My husband expanded my herb garden for me this year.  It is doing beautifully growing and producing lots of herbs and weeds.  I have to get a handle on those weeds!  We got our vegetable garden in a little late this year.  We are getting lots of peppers right now and some eggplants.  Our tomato plants are loaded with green tomatoes and I am anxiously waiting for the rest of our produce.  We also planted cucumbers, three different squashes, soy beans, green beans and okra.  I also have a beautiful large pumpkin plant that came up by our back patio where I threw a couple of halloween
pumpkins last fall.  I have three pumpkins growing on that plant. 

Well, enough catching up for now.  I am glad to be back and I look forward to hearing from you all again real soon.

Please come back again for a visit. Sit down with me and we can share a cup of tea and swap stories together.

Peace be with you all.

SCL