This is the Official 2015 Thordale Christmas card.  I hope you like it.

And here is the immense preparation that went into making it……

Last night was spent making a headcollar/bridle for Lambie.  Yes, I even did sewing and if you know me, I do not sew.   But for Lambie and for you, I did.

The headcollar fell off immediately so we got rid of that.

My rider, who was purchased specifically for this Christmas card, was not brilliant at staying on upright either (we all have that problem at times).

We battled with the rider trying to get it right, using a chopstick up her back, then a right angle shelf bracket, but settling on a coathanger in the end.

Flossie said she had riding lessons like this so why was this not acceptable?  I didn’t know what to say!

Then Lambie pulled a face.  Even as a top super-model, he has his moments.

But we managed.  Here are a few shots that didn’t quite make the grade.

(action shot)

Dear Lambie – he is game for anything, for all my mad ideas without any fuss.  I see a modelling career ahead for him.

⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️ ⛄️

Shetland pony stallion burp cloth by Boysenberries

Shetland pony stallion laptop case laptop skin by Boysenberries

Shetland pony stallion postage stamp by Boysenberries

Shetland Pony Stamp by Boysenberries

So where is Lambert, some of you have asked?

He has been noticeable by his absence.

The truth is that after Lambster appeared, it became very apparent that Lambert was not happy.  He didn’t want to share either me or Lambie with anyone else.  Lambie, of course, was completely oblivious to the internal politics.

There was constant friction and it never really got better or went away.

The hill sheep regularly went past our gate, as we live on a corridor to the scattald or open hill.

I was used to Lambie and Lambert joining them, if I left the gate open, but they would never leave to go with them forever. I could always call them home.

Then one day Lambert didn’t come home.

My OH would see him on the hill, and call him, even getting him to follow once, but mostly Lambert would look up, acknowledge him and then go back to eating.

On two occasions Lambie and Lambster went into the hill and didn’t return.  Floss and I, after a long trek, found them and they happily came home, even bringing Lambert with them once and I thought all was well and Lambert would now stay at home.

He was nicer to Lambster but no, it was not to be.  The first opportunity and he was gone again.

I have seen Lambert a few times since and he lifts his head when I call him but won’t come home.  He has a new flock now.  As I am allowed sheep on the hill, I am not too worried about him.  He is castrated (I made sure of that) and he is happy with his new friends.  He has a good fleece and is healthy so he will be fine and if he wants to come home, the gate is always open.

I would love to say that Lambie is devastated but he is a fickle Lambie!

🚂 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌 🚌

If you go to Zazzle.com and look under Shetland ponies, you might find a wonderful Shetland pony postage stamp, a laptop cover and a burp cloth.

I can’t get into Zazzle.com or Zazzle.co.uk for some reason.  Perhaps it is because they don’t want ponies on burp cloths!

Gah!  Zazzle drives me mad.

There is mud in the fields and it is getting very depressing.  Everyone is filthy.  I don’ t bother brushing or cleaning (not that I did much when there was no mud to be perfectly honest), because there really is no point.

Obviously the field is huge and there is grass and dry standing all over the place but, of course, some little guttersnipes just want to wallow like young hippos.

Glorious mud, eh?

Nose kisseys can get a bit grubby but everyone would hate me more if I bathed them and there really is absolutely no point.  It would be cruel on all of us.

No matter how much I want to have clean horses!

Some are worse than others.  Some look for mud to roll in.

And some try their best to maintain a ladylike exterior.

And some like to grub about together.

Being with everyone is doing Hjalti the power of good.  He is such a chilled relaxed little boy now and his Hetja is happy to let him go off with his friends.  I am so glad they are home.

Meanwhile, The Boysenberries maintain a fairly clean exterior.

They are in a separate little old garden by the house, eating it down for the first time in years.

Hasn’t Lambie got the most beautiful eyes?  Liquid gold.

You would buy a used car off Lambie. This is his truthful and honest face!

🐑🐑🐏🐏🐑🐑🐏🐏🐑🐑🐏🐏🐑🐑

Shetland Orchid Nail Art Minx® Nail Wraps by Boysenberries

Shetland Orchid Luggage Label Tag For Bags by Boysenberries

Shetland Orchid Decorative Glass Cutting Board by Boysenberries

It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good…… dur dum, dur dum, dur dum, dur dum, etc!

Today’s sunrise was very magical today.

Last night, Esja’s new rider came over to try on her new-to-her saddle.  I have been badgering Lauren to bring her dog, Jack, as he very similar to BeAnne.

(but now I see the photos, I think that BeAnne might be a tad on the portly side – we don’t use the F word in our house).

Jack was enchanting.  His activity and enthusiasm was lovely to watch.

The two lookey-likeys almost played.

Almost, because then BeAnne lost her temper when Jack’s intentions were less than honourable.  For the worst Bum Slut Terrier in history, BeAnne suddenly became a snotty maiden aunt.

There was a spat.  That’s terriers.

Lauren and Esja did brilliantly.

They will make a perfect team.

Esja is really enjoying her training.  She has a good head carriage and outline that she naturally offers her rider.  No one has asked her to hold herself like this.

Considering Esja is four years old, she is very mature in her way of going – she has balance, poise and a good rhythmic tölt.

I promise they did go round the other way, my camera had run out of batteries by then.

Look what arrived in the post for me! I am thrilled. I have NEVER won a trophy by myself that I get to keep (I hope I can keep it. Please can I keep it? Pretty please).

There was also a useful and most excellent hoodie which I will live in, a keyring and a car sticker.   The last two look good in my new horsevan.

So a huge thank you to Haynet for my trophy and gifts.  Happy, happy, happy.

The other night the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis or Merrie Dancers, put on an amazing show.  All these photos were taken from the back door.  It was a very cold crisp night.  My camera and I spent the evening watching this majestic mysterious light display.

I have always said that the Northern Lights should be accompanied by a soundtrack and that night I was in luck.

Lambie and Lambster were in their bedroom-garden burping and baa-ing gently to me.  Perhaps not the magnificence of Elgar’s Enigma Variations or Wagner’s Die Walkürenritt but still it was certainly atmospheric in a different way!

I am easily pleased and my duet was done with love (and some complaining that they couldn’t “help”).  My exotic life!

🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇬🇧

Lambster Buttons Pack Of Small Button Covers by Boysenberries

Lambster Temporary Tattoo Temporary Tattoos by Boysenberries

Lambster Apron by Boysenberries