Friday favorites

There is a Kylee Parks Elfwynn hanging out on my unpainted resin shelf. She's been there for years.

I love her, and I really want to get her painted, but I've never been able to decide on a color. 

A pony this cute deserves the perfect color.

This year, Polish artist, Maks Wiecki, signed up to paint an Elfwyn during NaMoPaiMo.

This is the first progress picture he shared. I thought, "Oh, that's a good color for her."

This was the next picture.

Then this...

and this.

By the time we got to these, I knew the perfect Elfwynn color had finally been revealed.

Also, the perfect color execution.

This pony is so good.

In fact, this pony is perfect.

Congratulations, Maks. If I could own one model from this year's NaMoPaiMo, this would be the one. She is my favorite and also, today's Friday Favorite.

P.S. Now to discover the second best color for my own Elfwynn...

Lollihops

Although he has already appeared in a couple posts, I have yet to formally introduce the newest member of my herd.

This is Lollihops.

He is a Kylee Parks Zeke resin painted by Lauren Hoeffer.

I purchased him during Kylee's 2021 STAG sale and handed him off to Lauren at the last Denver BreyerWest.

I let Lauren choose the color, and I could not be more delighted with the results. This guy is so cute.

Here he is with his fellow Elflings.

Ribbit was painted by Stephanie Blaylock and Butterbean was my 2024 NaMoPaiMo model.

I can't believe I got them all painted, and it only took four and a half years!

On to the next, I guess. Lollihops needs a mommy!

Thank you again, Lauren and thanks also to Stephanie and Kylee. I love my Elflings!

Secret commission santa

Every year, I participate in a model horse hobby Secret Santa gift exchange. This year's box arrived the day after Christmas. At first, I did recognize it as such because the sender was Lauren Hoeffer and I was expecting a package - albeit a much smaller one - from her anyway. It wasn't until I opened the box and read the card that I realized this was a twofer!

Of course, I wanted to see the finished commission first. Happily, Lauren had anticipated that and made sure he was clearly marked.

So cute!

Here's a look at the rest of the gifts before...

and after I opened them.

I usually do a better job of photo documenting the opening process, but I was really sick with Covid. Those two pictures - plus this shot of the very cute wrapping paper - were all I could manage.

I am feeling a lot better now, so here's a better look at some of the stuff minus the candy, which is long since gone.

Lauren sent so many fun little minis. I absolutely love these totes and the balloon animals are amazing.

These tiny Disney toys reflect both of our interests so well.

I am especially enchanted with the one thousand twelve piece Mickey Mouse puzzle!

I also got two very easy craft kits, these Mini Brands Masterpieces paintings...

and a Fruit Box Stowaways set. 

There were perfect, short projects for me as I was recovering from Covid. 

Thank you so much, Lauren! You are a fabulous painter and an amazing Santa!

December 29

Over the last twelve months, this quote has crossed my Facebook feed at least a dozen times. 

I knew I wanted to use it for today's anniversary, and I have several different versions saved in my files.

This morning, I realized none of them were appropriate because they all said friend singular.

Let me tell you, there has been a whole village of people who have listened to me talk about Olive this year.

So I made a new version. Mine is the best because it has Olive. Also, it says friends plural. I would have never made it through this year without the support of my friends. Thank you so much.

To be honest, I'm not really over this particular situation and probably never will be, but life goes on I guess.

Because I've been so sick, I haven't been to the barn in days. Today I'm feeling a little better and really wanted to hug Sage. Out of an abundance of caution I took my last test and... Dammit.

No barn for me! Instead I stayed home with these two...

and made some bad life decisions.

And look! I have a new little friend helping me.

Honestly, ending this year with Covid feels completely appropriate. Kudos 2025. Please show yourself to the door.

Today's photo

In regards to model horses, I like variety. 

All the breeds!

All the poses!

All the genders!

All the ages!

All the colors!

Especially, all the colors!

I like to look at my shelves and see a rainbow of horsey shades.

So Purdy.

So satisfying.

In regards to real horses, I also like variety.

All the breeds!

All Some of the disciplines!

All the genders!

All the ages!

All the colors!

Oh, how I love taking photos of horses with fun and unusual colors and markings!

When it comes to my own personal horses, however, I am considerably less flexible. 

I want a round, little, red mare, preferably a mustang.

She can be a deep, dappley red...

or a lighter, roany red.

All shade of red are good.

All shades of red are necessary.

Today's prompt for the Yuletide Cheer Photo Chaos Challenge is Chestnuts NOT roasting on an open fire.

Of course, I had to make a picture of my two favorite red girls roasting on an open fire. Sorry/not sorry.

Tune in tomorrow - or some other random day - for my next craptastic installment in this photo challenge!