Christmas Greetings!

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year from
Us to You!

Did I mention my husband is a bit of a ham? He has only been on Jasper twice before, but he just hopped on bareback in the pasture, no problem. My two hunks!
A little background on Jasper – he is a draft cross from Canada that I have owned since he was a yearling. He is 8 now and 16.3 hands tall. He was born from a pmu mare owned by ranchers in Manitoba (if you don’t know what the pmu industry is, you can google it, but some pictures are not pretty). They lost their contract and all of their mares, over 100, were going to auction and most likely slaughter. Luckily, they were rescued before this happened and they all moved to a ranch in Alberta. Turns out 50 of the mares were pregnant. Jasper was the first born, at midnight in a snowstorm. Thus his full name, Midnight Jasper (named after Jasper, Alberta).
He was practically wild when he first arrived.  Since then, this horse has taught me patience, humility and completely made me rethink my previous understanding of how to train a horse. I’ve been told over the years that he was ‘lazy’, ‘dull’, and had a bad attitude. Who would have thought that with a lot of time and love, these so called experts would be proven wrong time and time again. I’ve been lucky to have a supportive husband, whom at times was my only cheering section. Nowadays Jasper is learning tricks and is so good at them,  I can’t come up with new ones fast enough! Under saddle, my so called lazy and dull horse is not only peppy, he’s soft as butter!

It is the same thing with this house. For the longest time, it was misunderstood.

This modern gem had some bad renovations over the years. A solarium and atrium added to keep the outside out. It was neglected, called a dump, a teardown, and that someone would just buy it for the view and build a ‘mcmansion’ on it.

All it took was someone to see the potential, of what was…and what could be, with a little TLC.

Here’s to putting our best ‘hoof’ forward for 2014!
Michelle

Michelle

Welcome to The Napa Project, where I write about our five year remodel of a mid century home in Napa, California.

5 thoughts on “Christmas Greetings!

  1. Jasper is beautiful and he sounds like he has become such a good boy! I googled pmu and it’s very sad…I had no idea.

    I love seeing your house come together. Best of luck in 2014!

    1. Thanks so much! Not many people are aware of the pmu industry or where Premarin actually comes from – Pregnant-Mare-Urine. Even my doctor didn’t know. It’s not for me to judge, but I feel women should be aware of exactly what they are taking.

  2. A ham, indeed … your husband AND Jasper! LOVE THIS SO MUCH! That’s a great picture and I hope you guys have a Merry Christmas. I had no idea you worked with horses. Growing up I had 3 horses but to be honest I was so afraid of them. (I’m a wuss) My brother and sister loved to ride and my sister barrel raced. They were gorgeous animals and although I was fearful I did love grooming them and tending to them. It was a great experience for all of us. So to hear this story makes me really happy. (the rescue part… not the other) Happy for you and for the horses. Same is true for your house, my friend. You saved it too… in every way. It’s beyond gorgeous! It’s wonderful that there are people out there who can see past what’s right in front of them and envision the beauty that could be. I totally get that!

    MERRY, HAPPY, and HO HO HO! xo

    1. Thanks, Stacey! Ah yes, some little girls get the horse bug, some don’t. I was bitten at a very young age but Jasper is my very first horse. I hope to have more, maybe even a pony for Shawn! Just enjoyed a gorgeous sunset here with balmy weather and am so grateful we bought this house. Ho Ho Ho right back at you!

  3. I was raised around horses (showed Tennessee Walking Horses when I was a kid), so your story of rescuing Jasper really touched me.

    I had no idea about the pmu industry and how Premarin is made. My doctor put me on it years ago, but I hated taking it and stopped. I’m so glad now that I did. I agree that women should know what they’re taking, so they can make an informed decision about whether to continue, either for health or ethical reasons.

    I’m so glad you saw the potential in Jasper and in your house! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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