New Year barn gathering

Market Street is an anomaly.  Since almost all of the core team lives two hours away from the farm, we end up crashing at Marcy's house.  She and her husband are most gracious in making room for us all.  And providing food.  And beverages.  Lots of beverages.  Everyone brings their dogs, and it's a mini party almost every weekend.  This weekend was a bit of an exception.  There was no mini about it this time.

We had 13 people total, which was the core team of four riders, a few neighbors, and some long time supporters of Marcea that are in for a few months and staying at Rocking Horse.

The horse grouping around the table.

Ginny slaved over the stove all day, making chili, cornbread, and mushroom risotto.  Marcy got it started with apricot, almond brie and various bean dips and chips.  Melissa brought a veggie tray.  The libations were flowing freely.  I helped out in the kitchen and spent a lot of time holding puppies or babies, whichever needed current attention.

At dinner, the group separated, as is usual, into the horse people and the spouses.  The horse people sat chatting, drinking and eating at the dining table.  The spouses ate at the bar and then retired outside to the firepit.

The night ended later than usual.  By the time we were done, there were open-mouthed kisses between babies and dogs, boys were jumping over fire, and puppies were hiding out in their rooms hoping for a little quiet.

Eli soooo tired.

It was, without a doubt, one of the funnest impromptu gatherings I have been to in a long time.  When I woke up at 6 to head back to the barn to feed and decide if we were riding or not, my head let me know why I don't do this often.  Only thing that could have made it better is if I had had warning and had brought the boy.

And due to the rain, there was no riding on Sunday.  Or at least, that's what we told ourselves...