Tuesday's Giveaway

The winner of Tuesday's IPad2 giveaway is Izzy. Congratulations Izzy! Contact me at loriwilde@aol.com to claim your prize!

Horse Colors

Horses come in many different colors.  Here are just a few.


 sorrel

palomino

paint

dapple gray

red roan

blue roan

 buckskin

brindle

bay

cremello

dun

grullo

My favorite is buckskin. What is yours?

Rodeo Clown

A rodeo clown may look funny, but there job definitely if not. These brave performers continually risk their lives to save others. They are also known as bullfighters or rodeo protection athletes. It is their job to distract the bull from the rider after he has been bucked off. It is an extremely dangerous job!

It's Release Day/Special offer

Have much exciting news this week. First, I've learned I'm a RITA finalists for THE WELCOME HOME GARDEN CLUB. I'm so thrilled. The last time I was nominated was in 1999. I'm celebrating this week.

Secondly, it's release day. Not just for me but for fellow cowboy author, Katie Lane.

http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Cowboy-Deep-Heart-Texas/dp/1455508152/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332864963&sr=8-1

Us cowboy authors have to stick together so I'm hosting a giveaway for Katie. If you buy a copy of Catch Me a Cowboy today March 27th, I'll send you a copy of THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE.

Email me your reciept to loriwilde@aol.com. Tell me whether you prefer a print or ebook copy and I'll get it sent out to you.

Lori

Leche Quemada Recipe

Do you like the caramel candy they sell by the cash register at Mexican food restaurants? Well, here's the recipe!

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar                                      1/2 cup sugar
3/4 Tbsp butter                                  3/4 Tbsp butter
1 can evaporated milk                          3 cups pecan halves
2 Tbsp white corn syrup

Directions:

Cook 2 cups sugar, corn syrup, 3/4 Tbsp butter, and milk until simmering point is reached.
Add 1/2 cup sugar, 3/4 Tbsp butter, and bring to a boil.
Add pecans and cook to medium soft ball stage.
Cool slightly and beat until thickened.
Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and cook until set.

Special IPAD 2 Giveaway

This giveaway is for those of you who have already pre-ordered THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE (or for those of you who plan to preorder it by Tuesday, March 27th)

I'm giving away an IPAD 2. To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is post in the comment section that you preordered THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE. Honor system. The winner will be drawn randomly from the comments. If for some reason you can't post on the blog, email me @ loriwilde@aol.com and I'll make sure you're entered.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, March 27th. If you haven't preordered THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE yet, there's still time.

Lori

Buddies in the Saddle

Emily March's March Madness

Hey guys, come on over to Emily March's March Madness page for a chance to win a $25.00 gift card from B&N from me.

http://emilymarch.com/

Horse Care

Taking care of a 900 pound animal is not easy. Horses need lots of attention. Here are a few basics tips on keeping a horse healthy.

Horses eat a lot! If possible, they need to graze on fresh green grass. If it is winter or if your horse stays in a stall,  you will need to give them hay every day. Good choices for horse hay are coastal or alfalfa. Depending on how much you use your horse, you will need to give them a serving of grains once or twice a day.

Horses must have access to clean water. A horse can drink up to 20 gallons of water in the summer heat!

It is important to groom your horse. Always brush and comb your horse before you put a saddle on her. You don't want to have a burr stuck under the saddle. Your horse will not be happy!

Horses, like all animals, get worms. You will need to worm your horse every 90 days. You can buy the worm paste at farm and ranch supply stores.

A horse's teeth will continue to grow throughout it's lifetime. It is necessary to check their teeth often. Sometimes, the teeth will become sharp and jagged. This causes discomfort for the horse when they are eating. If this occurs, you will need to have their teeth "floated" The vet or someone trained to do this will file the horse's teeth to a smooth surface. Never do this yourself!

Horses' hooves will split and crack. You will need to call a farrier to trim them. If you ride a horse a lot, you will need to have shoes put on them. You should never do this yourself either. This job takes great skill.

Make sure the area you are keeping your horse is free from debris. It is easy for a horse to get cut or stumble in a junky area. Never put a horse in an area with barbed wire. The fencing should be made from slick wire.

If your horse stays confined to a stall, you must take her out for at least an hour a day for exercise. You will also need to clean their poop from the stall regularly.

There is lots to taking care of your horse. Keeping them safe and healthy is hard work. If you are a horse lover, you won't mind it a bit!

Funny Animal Pictures

A picture is worth a thousand words. See what these animals have to say.

Lady, you better move that hand NOW!

Don't worry, I've got your back! I can take on all three of  'em!

Do these flowers make my teeth look big?

Did you ever have the feeling you were being watched?

I told you if you messed with me again, I would rip your eyes out!

This peanut butter shake is awesome!

What is that smell?!

Take this job and shove it!

Today's Giveaway

Today's giveaway is for those of you who like e-books. Preorder a copy of THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE today March 20th from 12:00 noon CST to 8:00 p.m. CST on ebook and I'll send you a $10.00 Amazon gift card.

http://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Takes-Bride-Jubilee-ebook/dp/B005S74BIC/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1332256983&sr=8-1

This is for ebook only. You may purchase it at B&N if you wish, just send me your receipt to loriwilde@aol.com.

If you already preordered the ebook, don't despair, I will have a very special offer for you on Friday.

Happy reading!
Lori

Honey Lime Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Salsa

Chicken
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
4 chicken breast

Combine 1st 3 ingredients in a gallon sized ziplock bag. Add chicken,seal and turn bag to coat. Chill for 30 minutes. Remove chicken from bag and grill. Discard sauce.


 

                                   Salsa  

                                               1 15oz can pineapple tidbits drained

                                           1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

            1 tsp ginger

                   1 Tbsp lime juice

                            pinch of ground cloves

                                       1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

                                  1 Tbsp Louisiana hot sauce

                                           Combine all ingredients in a bowl

                                 Serve over grilled chicken

Special Giveaway Next 8 Hours Only

Hey,

I've got a special giveaway today to celebrate 16 years since I first met my true love at the Fort Worth Zoo on a blind date. For the next 8 hours--from 12 noon CST to 8 p.m. CST (The length of our date that went from the zoo to Fort Worth Museum of Science and History) I'm giving away a $10.00 gift card to Amazon to anyone who preorders a print copy of THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE at Amazon. This is your chance to essentially get the book for free.

This offer is good only for print books bought today at Amazon, within the above time frame, so go forth and order! Then, to claim your gift card, email me your reciept--(you just have to send the part of the reciept with the title of the book and date on it.)--to loriwilde@aol.com

If you've already preordered the book, don't despair. I have something extra special to giveaway to you next week.

Rodeos Then and Now

Compare a Nevada rodeo from the 1950's to one in 2011.

Houston Livestock Show

This year from February 28 - March 18 is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. If you're in Houston this week, stop by and see all the attractions.

                                        http://www.hlsr.com/

A different kind of giveaway

My lovely sister made these awesome decopage earrings of my bookcovers for THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE and THE COWBOY AND THE PRINCESS.

I have several pair to giveaway. THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE are dangly, THE COWBOY AND THE PRINCESS are studs.

If you'd like a pair just drop me an email @ loriwilde@aol.com and I'll send them to you. First come, first served.

Lori

Broom Defies Gravity

My nephew told me that in his science class Friday, they were able to stand a broom up without it falling down. He learned it was because the planets are in alignment now and will be until the end of this week. I thought I would give it a try. Guess what, it worked!

Give it a try and tell me if it worked for you!

Spring Forward

Let it go on record that I'm against Daylight's Savings Time. It's just goofy to jack with the time twice a year and taking away an hour of sleep makes me cranky. It takes me a good two weeks to shake off the time change stupor. I think Arizona has the right idea. They don't observe daylight savings time and haven't for 40 years. I know it has a lot to do with their weather, but seriously, why can't we all just pick a time and stick with it?

What about you? Do you like Daylight's Saving Time? How long does it take you to adjust?

Custom Made

I've been told one way to tell a real cowboy from a "dime store" cowboy is by what they wear. Cowboys often prefer to have custom, handmade items. They want something unique and that will last for many years.

Handmade spurs are a must. Antique spurs are also a hot collector item for cowboys.

No real cowboy would be caught wearing a store-bought belt buckle. Most are crafted to show what event they have won or to reflect their personal style.

Boots need to be designed to take heavy use. Handmade boots are made to endure the rigors of ranch life.

The cowboy's hat is the first thing you notice, so it has to the right style. It also indicates what kind of cowboy/cowgirl you are. For example, a bull rider's hat is formed differently than a team roper's hat. Never buy a cheap cowboy hat!

A finely crafted saddle is an absolute necessity. Saddle makers are highly skilled artists. Check out my friend Paula Gauthier's brother's saddle shop at www.boothillsaddlery.com

Do any of you have any handmade/custom items? Someday, I would like to have some boots made.

Saddles

There are so many different kinds of saddles. The kind to use depends on what you want to do on a horse.

For pleasure riding, the western saddle is the best.

The English saddle is for jumping/steeplechase or polo.

This is a roping saddle.

For cutting horses, use this saddle.

Barrel saddles look like this.

Jockeys use a saddle like this one for racing.

There are many more kinds of saddles. Each is designed to help the rider perform their best on the horse.

Are any of you horse lovers? What kinds of activities do you like to do with your horse?