A Dad & A Daughter

So many of his favorite stories start with “One time, my daughter and I…”

He taught her to ride a bike when she was 5. Running behind her, he was always there giving both support and freedom. I think he knew back then that he would be doing just that for many years to come.

Today she carries with her the strength of her character and a beautiful blend of promise and possibility

There is an understanding, intuitiveness, an easy kind of laughter that they share.

When they connect, they can fill every corner of the day with sunshine...and fill their hearts with some really good memories.

Hilton Head Island 2009

The Other Side

If you're a regular visitor here, then you probably know that instead of writing about the latest & greatest of the moment, I prefer to write from my heart about the other side of the moment ~ the quieter side. I write this blog from our home, in the heart of the Bluegrass ~ Lexington, Kentucky.

Horses are my husband's business and the reason we are here ~ 

He comes from out west, Arizona to be exact. Raised in a horse-loving family, he started early, mucking stalls, cleaning tack and riding Western on Porter saddles ~ made by his great-grandfather, Newton Porter.

Most mornings he is on the other side, the barn side, with only one thing on his mind, helping horses to breathe easier. To have a healthy & happy horse though takes the dedication of many ~ Breeders, owners, trainers, jockeys, exercise riders, and grooms who always, always put the horse first.

Speaking of…I love this photo that he snapped of groom Raul Rodriguez and his best friend, California Chrome ~ Taken after his Derby win, they were waiting to board the plane for the flight to Maryland.

Out of the limelight, on the other side, Raul is the private groom to California Chrome and plays a vital role in the daily health and well-being of this sweet & often smiling horse.

This morning I was reading the Twitter feed of Claire Novak who is the Online Features Editor at BloodHorse.com and I was moved by her wonderful video below. The short film beautifully documents my message about the vital role that Raul Rodriguez plays, out of all the limelight, on the other side, in the daily life of California Chrome.

 Claire Novak (@ClaireNovak) May 17, 2014

If you are unable to view this video on your mobile device, click here. I'd hate for you to miss it! 

After the video, I'd love to tell you a more personal story that I published 4 years ago about how lovingly these gentle animals give back. Our daughter will tell you, "There is nothing better than hearing a rider speak their first words while on horseback, or sharing the amazement of a student as they touch the soft nose of their equine partner for the very first time."

Read more of her story on The Quiet Side.

Happy trails ~

Blue

It’s my favorite color.

It’s abundant in my closet.

Always my first choice in my home as well.

Blue is a gift from the sea.

{ thank you, Slim Paley }

My first beach cruiser which I still ride is blue.

I’m always California dreaming!

Love both of these blue boys!

One of my favorite artists captures my favorite color beautifully!

www.pvedesign.com

One of my stylish & entertaining blogger friends bring blue into her garden with a nautical nod to the past.

{ Thank you, Tamara Matthews Stephenson }

I smile every time I trip over these.  Last count, five blue pairs in the Porter house!

Every single shade of blue makes me smile.

It’s so all-American with red & white you know.

I love Jeeps too!

In Kentucky, we take great pride in our Bluegrass!

I had to say something about Kentucky!  We’ve had a serious case of March madness lately because come Saturday the Cardinals and Wildcats will meet at the Final Four in New Orleans! 

I mean it, folks, this is the grudge match to end them all!  To quote Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell from the Senate floor -

"Basketball fans from Kentucky have been waiting their whole lives for this game."

Wish us luck!

On a personal note, I want to say how lucky we are to have our #1 girl around and cheering with us this weekend!

One week ago today, she survived a serious head-on collision while driving through the countryside.  Her Jeep was totaled & she’s pretty black and blue but by the grace of God she & two of her dear friends all walked away.  Seatbelts, airbags, and angels saved their lives.

Go Big Blue! 

To market, to market…

To say that Santa Fe is colorful would be putting it mildly.

They call it the “Land of Enchantment” you know.

One of the best ways to get a feel for Santa Fe is to take a drive.

We love to take a slow easy drive through the soft-brown foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains 10 miles north of Santa Fe to the quaint village of Tesuque.

Tucked quietly away behind low adobe and stick walls under the shade of cottonwood trees you’ll catch a glimpse of beautiful old compounds.  Sitting high on the mountain ridges you’ll find stunning estate properties featuring traditional Santa Fe architecture and sweeping views.

Initially, Tesuque drew in artists because of its affordability and beautiful setting.  Later, the more affluent caught on to its “back to nature” appeal and began to seek out its peaceful environment. 

Today it’s home to famous artists & local families & celebrities & civic leaders like Ali MacGraw.

It’s also home to the world-famous

Tesuque Village Market.

“Think chic general store with a hipster aesthetic” TVM

It’s a good spot to pick up provisions if you live in the surrounding hills - or do as we did, have a wonderful long lunch and keep an eye out for Ali.

  Oh,  I’ve only mentioned Ali MacGraw on my blog how many times?  Meanwhile, my mother runs into her here at the market! 

I would be remiss if I did not mention that their Tortilla Soup with cotija cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo and tortilla chips are the best in the world!

Remember, “Land of Enchantment?”

Taylor became completely enchanted not only with this, 

but also with this!

In fact, I’ll let her show you around the market…

I swear there were other folks there…

Freshly baked bread, a deli, homemade deserts,

 

fresh bunches of lavender,

and liquor!

I think I saw on their Facebook page that he was an employee of the month!

Thank you, Taylor, for the colorful tour of Tesuque Village Market!  And thank you, Nancy, for the wonderful lunch!

Even though we missed Ali, you two made it the most memorable afternoon!

To read more about Ali MacGraw’s private journey to live an authentic life in Tesuque, read the story by Sheila Weller for Vanity Fair Magazine.

photo Annie Leibovitz