New Year's Day 2011

•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
╔╗╔╦══╦═╦═╦╗╔╗ ★ ★ ★
║╚╝║══║═║═║╚╝║ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ ★ NEW YEAR ☆ 2011
╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝ to EVERYONE!! ♥ ￥☆★☆★☆

It's always interesting to wonder what the New Year has in store, and yet as I reflect on 2010, I don't know that I would have told you last January 1 that 2010 had two US National titles in store for Legacys Renoir; one of which would be a US National Championship with Ian. I would have absolutely said that competing at both Regina and Tulsa for a National Top Ten title was certainly in our horse business plans. Ian says he thought the reverse would happen; that we would get a national championship at Canadian Nationals rather than at the more competitive US Nationals in Tulsa. Even though we came home empty handed from Regina, our competitive spirit and belief in our stallion were not dampened. That Renoir won two US National titles in a 48-hour period is amazing and speaks to what a fantastic animal he is. And we readily share our joy knowing that we could not have reached those dizzying heights without help from friends who have embraced us and believed in us, especially our fairy godmother (you know who you are).

Icing on that tasty cake, having Renoir in training at Conway Arabians, wasn't even a possibility this time last year! Admittedly, as early as July, Ian and I had talked about what a dream it would be to have Renoir there with our friends Peter and Lori Conway and training under Tom Theisen. Say it, believe it, and, voila, after his wins at Tulsa, Renoir made his new training home in Chatfield. What an excellent examples of bringing dreams to reality.

Having my mother, Joyce Tiffany, live with us on the farm in January and February is a more personal reflection and these are memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. That she had a second ischemic stroke and yet another hip replacement in her 2010, as she transitioned further from living on her own in the fall of 2009, to round-the-clock care at the Minnesota Vets Home in March, is testament to how sometimes it's better to take the future as it comes and do it in small, manageable bites. Her strength and zest for life sets a wonderful example to all who know and love her. Of course, Joyce is mother to three, and I remain thankful for the support and love of my brothers, Mark and Matthew.

Having my youngest son Richard, a true city kid, come to live with us in September has proven a win-win for all. He left an unproductive living environment and a job he hated, got a job he wanted at the local casino, which adds interesting characters to his life, funds his music recording pursuits, and the milieu of the Auld Macdonald Farm affords this lyricist precious time, space and peace to write.

Having Ian's freshly-graduated daughter, Alexandra, visit during the first weeks of summer was wonderful. She continues to amaze us with her talents, pose, humor and dreams.

Last year continued as the fifth year running where our attract magnet for well-bred horses remained in full affect. Thankfully, along with that 'talent' came three neighborhood farmers who literally knocked on our door with fabulous, fair-priced hay for sale. It's nice when those blessings come together. And thank you also to another friend for the generous use of her hay-hauling trailer.

Goldmount Royal Design, our palomino American Saddlebred stallion, was another dream come true. We already had owned two of his foals, had admired many of his get and loved his owners as both fine people and amazing horse breeders. To be able to bring him to live and train at Wildflower Farm with another amazing horse-people couple, Jim and Cathy Finnerty marked another dream talked into reality. Unbeknownst to him, as he enjoys his paddock with gelding friends at the fence line, 2011 will be a busy year for Roy.

2011 is the year when our Auld Macdonald Farm horse sales take flight and soar. We laid the groundwork in 2010 to aide this new cash influx component with our professional photo session and beautifully designed Auld Macdonald Farm website both done by Christina Rousseau. We thank her too for her multiple talents, guidance and ongoing friendship.

Hello 2011, welcome.

E-I-E-I-O