Weekend at Taylor Ranch

Just had a ball with 4 of my closest knitting friends when we drove to our friend Lynn and Rick's Ranch in Tonaskat, Wa.  What a beautiful place.  They have 3 horses, Chrystal, PJ and Rocky as well as a border collie, Koby or is it Coby? Uh oh, I've forgotten.  Sorry Lynn and Rick, it's my memory again.  

This is Lynn, on her princess Chrystal.  She really was such a sweet horse, she actually let all of us ride her, or at least sit on her and be led around.  I'm not familiar with horses so it was very nice that Rick led both Amy and I around, as I really felt intimidated by Chrystal's size, and she wasn't even as big as the male horse PJ, he's the black one you'll see soon. We were also able to watch Rick train with Rocky to become ready for riders, at this time, he's still to young and is just being taught all the things he needs to know and building his confidence.  We learned a lot about horses that weekend and I find it so interesting to see all that goes into it.

The home of Lynn and Rick was so beautiful, it sits so nicely on the hill and the breezes really keep it quite comfortable, we were all marveling at how nicely the house cooled right down just with opening up the windows. The open floor plan and two floors were absolutely beautiful and so comfortable.  Loads of space to stretch out in. I was loving the light and the airiness it offered, but truth be told...the kitchen is what really grabbed me.  Talk about a cook's delight.  Loads of space in the kitchen and open so we could all chat and help in the meal making process. It's a huge part of all of our retreats.

I usually like to dominate the kitchen, but I have to tell you, when Miriam, on the left, and Amy on the right are there...(mother and daughter)look out as pans are moving and meals are being prepared fit for a king.  We ate salmon with Orange butter sauce, we had spanokopita that was absolutely to die for in it's light flakiness, we had gazpacho that I couldn't get enough of and Geralyn our other friend who's not in the picture there made the best blueberry buckle and walnut toffee bars you ever had, but her specialty, the Turtle Back farm granola which we've all come to crave, she brought for us freshly made before our retreat.  Miriam really goes all out and she scans cook books and always has the best recipes ready for us.  

I had brought talligio and padano cheeses from Pike Place and smoked mussles and salmon, some roasted tomato and olive tapanades from the market also and some breads for snacking along with a few other goodies we just couldn't get too. Needless to say, I was pretty happy to get out and walk off some of those calories we consumed. Whew, I left thinking I should never eat again.  Thank you ladies for making such awesome meals.

This is Koby, he kept us all entertained with how smart he was, we marveled at all the things he could figure out doing, Lynn and Rick said he was a breeze to train because he remembered everything.  He definitely is border collie though, he really liked action, but always was a perfect gentleman, I gotta say we were all so charmed by him. Poor guy though, I felt sorry for him, because I can't throw a Frisbee or a ball to save my life, and he just looked at me like, ok, do something will ya? I can wait all day...

The view over the sweeping 27 acres was beautiful,  grassy pastures with a stream surrounded by hills of trees...It was such a nice place to relax and I have to admit, I must have, because I was asleep so early every single night as everyone else knit and chat into the late hours.  I'm not a night owl even on swingshift.  We spent the afternoon out on the wrap around porch, knitting and talking and taking in the sun, I was into it.  I've always wanted a wrap around porch, it's on my bucket list of things for someday, so I really really enjoyed it while the opportunity was there.  Afternoon cocktails and morning coffee were even more enjoyable out there.

Rocky is the Red head, he's 3  years old and PJ there, the black horse, he's 30.  THey were both so very beautiful, Rocky was all frisky and puppylike, they told us that he was the one that got the 2 older horses out there running and really getting across the acres.

We walked through the pastures and got to be in their element, which was pretty cool as they decided to come up to visit us, they were very interactive, I really liked it, although, a tad intimidated by PJ.  He was just big! Totally nice, just BIG. These horses are some of the luckiest ever, they get to live like horses...not all penned up and waiting for people but like  a small herd, it was such a joy to see.

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This barn on their property was figured to be over 100 years old, as well as a few other building we saw as we drove through the area.  We saw beaver damns and work they'd accomplished as well as more of the other homes and ranches along the way. From here, you now know where the term "busy as a beaver" came from.

We had such a wonderful time, our host and hostess couldn't of made us feel any more comfortable and as with all close friends, the talk is easy and the time is always too short. Thank you for sharing your home with us.