Well, They Survived

 First Post of the Day

"There's another box on the porch, a big one, but I didn't bring it in. I thought you might like to see how it looked when they delivered it," Craig said as he carried a couple of packages into the kitchen.

A big box. 

And my BreyerFest models were marked as out for delivery. 

Was that the box?

I stepped out onto the front porch, fearing the worst.

Oh, gosh. 

It was my BreyerFest  models.

A side of the box had split open and I could see the brown bags of the models inside.

I could even reach my arm inside through that split. Had anything been stolen or fallen out??

The top had been significantly caved in and when I finally felt brave enough to open it, I discovered why. 

The box was far too big for the models inside and there was just a single strip of that brown crinkle packing paper that  had been used on top of the horses to protect them. Something heavy had been set onto the box and, with no support, it collapsed down.

The brown paper bags the horses were in were in good shape, thank goodness, and I began opening them.

Oh, my goodness!! The very first brown bag that I opened contained a really, REALLY good piece.

Stay 'tooned!

BreyerFest Friday - Finally, It's Pony Time!

It's BreyerFest! The event officially opens in a few hours, and as I write this, I have reports from friends who camped overnight in line that the rain is falling.

Not the way any of us would like to begin, but hobbyists are hardy and willing to endure whatever the weather throws at us, right? (Be safe, folks, if there is lightning!)

I'm doing virtual BreyerFest and I absolutely do not feel like I am missing out by staying home - after years of attending in person, I am more than happy with the offerings of virtual BreyerFest. I've developed some of my own traditions that I get just as excited about as I did when I did the event in person. 

~ The live feed will be going most of the day.

~ I will be watching social media and checking in with friends who are there. (Can't wait to see the Scandi Surprise horse!)

~ At 11:00 I will find out what I got with my tickets, pay for those, and then do some online shopping in Breyer's store. I really want the crystal, the dala horse, and Uppsala. Daughter-in-love Emily is Swedish Canadian and lived in Uppsala as a college student plus it is on the Semi-Rearing Stallion Stablemate mold. A must-have!

~ Even though I made the video, I always watch my own virtual seminar. 

I love to teach, I love to sew, I love Breyer. 

I feel that the seminars I do for them are a way of giving back to Breyer for all the joy I've received from them over the years I have been collecting.

~ I always go shopping for HSOs and have already added a Proud Arabian Foal to my collection.

Aside from being very yellowed and needing a bath,

it's in good shape.

It's also an early release - check out the line at the corner of its eyes. It's got some pinking around its mouth; I'll need to be careful of that when I start putting it in the sun to whiten up.

I left behind an alabaster  Family Arabian Stallion (with the eyeliner eyes) and a palomino one,

a Belgian and black Stretch Morgan in poor shape, and an early Stablemate Mule.

My "Clarion" shopping is done!

~ Another tradition is to head over to Bob Evans for dinner - Craig and I did that in Kentucky one year and I've added it to my virtual BreyerFest celebrations. I'll do that tonight since I want to watch the Saturday night auction online.

~ Finally, one last tradition that I also shared on Monday, I always listen to Chubby Checker's video, Pony Time.

It's finally Pony Time, folks! Happy BreyerFest and have fun today,!

BreyerFest Week Thursday

 Second Post of the Day

It's the first day of BreyerFest activities, although not officially part of the listed dates for the event. My guess is that next year Breyer will include Thursday and we will grow into a four day event. 

That's hard to believe, says she who was there in the beginning and remembers  the two day event complete with dinner models,  

1991, Dr Peaches,

1992, Mustang Lady,

1993, Turbo the Wonder Horse,

and a big BBQ served for all attendees in tents (that's Liz Cory and her mama, Caroline,)

and model shows being held in the arena! (I was so dirty and dusty after showing there, and so were my models.)

How far we have come in 36 years!

Because I had physical therapy yesterday then an out of town drive to go get the chair Van made for me, and finally with Cole and Henry arriving (more on their visit later), I am behind on yesterday's news from Kentucky. But...

I did see pictures of the Clarion with flooded hallways - apparently they had heavy rains and the hotel was flooding in some areas. (I don't have permission to post names or photos of that; sorry!) Photos also showed that despite the flooded areas, shopping and other events were in full swing.

I was also excited to get shipping notices yesterday from Breyer that both of my Flinkas have shipped. Currently she is scheduled to be delivered on Monday. 

Speaking of Flinka,

where in the world is she? Breyer has posted a key; I'll download that and share it with the final photo tomorrow.

Stay 'tooned!

BreyerFest Week Wednesday - Breyer Updates Us

First Post of the Day

Your "Where's Flinka" photo of the day! 

I haven't been this excited about the Celebration Horse for a long time. Not even Athenian Lady on the Dundee mold or Danash's Northern Tempest in that wild spotted coloring had me looking forward like this. The last was Atlantis Bey V in 2001 - 25 years ago!

Yesterday Breyer posted an update as to what is happening on Thursday, an unofficial BreyerFest day but one that BreyerFest has expanded into this year. Here is a quick summary of Thursday's activities:

The Clarion

The Resin Renaissance and Breakables shows begin around 5 PM. Will Call with free QR codes printing will be open between 10 AM - 3 PM.

Sellers in the Artisan's Gallery or the Swap Meet need to pick up their packets at Will Call during that 10 AM - 3 PM time slot. The Artisans' Gallery opens in the Expanded Belmont Ballroom at 5:30 PM.

The KHP and the Hotel Loop shuttles begin running at 4:30 PM with the last departure from the Clarion at 11 PM.

Kentucky Horse Park

The Alltech Arena is where all activities will be taking place. Thursday workshops are being held in the South Expo Hall. The Open Model Horse Show will be in the North Expo Hall. (Performance and Mini divisions.)

All other areas of the KYP are closed to visitors until the gates open Friday morning.

It's so close and I am so excited!

Stay 'tooned!

BreyerFest Week Tuesday - NAN and Other Things

First Post of the Day

BreyerFest officially is listed as Friday, July 10 - Sunday, July 12, and is three days away, but the BreyerFest Open Model Horse Show runs Thursday through Friday at the North Expo Center. So, things are already happening as we get ready for the hobby's best weekend of the year! Here are some of them.

~ Breyer's event team left New Jersey for Kentucky on July 1 and is onsite in the Kentucky Horse Park getting set up.

~ The 2026 BreyerFest app has dropped. 

 It's free and useful for both on-site as well as virtual BreyerFesters.

~ NAN has completed its first day of competition

The 2026 championship medallions by Solstice Studio/Becky Turner.

Shannon Rodgers sent me this picture of her Top Ten winning entry last night. I've seen this piece in person several times and it is gorgeous. Congrats, Shannon!

~ The Clarion has begun to fill up despite that it is currently undergoing remodeling. There has been a big kerfuffle on social media due to a hobbyist who had arrived early and begun posting misinformation about the Clarion, the shape it was in, and how management "did not want us there." Things calmed down as more folks arrived and shared their own posts and photos with correct information about the remodeling situation and that, yes, we are welcome in the Clarion.

~ Another Where's Flinka from Breyer's Instagram account has been posted.

I don't know Scandinavia very well so I have no idea where these pictures are being taken, but I think it is a cool idea! (And I REALLY like Flinka!)

Just three days until BreyerFest officially opens!

Stay 'tooned!

Surprise Auction Pieces & BreyerFest Merch

 Second Post of the Day

Heads up! More BreyerFest auction models have surfaced! 

Sleipnir, the eight legged horse from Norse mythology and Odin's mount. I would LOVE to see the other side of this piece and see how the extra legs were added. I'm revising my original opinion that the glossy Pegasus would be the top piece in the auction; Sleipnir is gonna knock it out of the park!

Just added to the June 26 blog entry of already revealed models is this lovely Wixom.

Move over Cantering Welsh Pony, this piece is now my favorite in this year's auction. She's softly colored, sweet faced, the dapples are nice and subtle...  High mid is my prediction.

The third new auction lot was also quietly added to the June 26 blog post. A "poly" pony!

Another Kathman piece, I instantly was reminded of last year's Single Day Stablemate, Bellini.

That shadow blanket coloring on the auction piece is interesting - I don't know that I've ever seen that on an Appaloosa before. My guess is that it is an unusual or even rare coloring in the breed. Mid high.

Breyer also announced the merchandise for this year's BreyerFest which can be found here.

I really hope I can snag two of these journals,

one for my Swedish/Canadian daughter-in-love, Emily (whose home is decorated with Dala horses) and one for me.

I'd also love to get this mug.

It would look so nice with my Kalamazoo and Feast of the Hunters' Moon mugs.

Sadly, it is limited to  in-person folks only so I won't be getting one.

Tomorrow I will be revealing the completed quiet book. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Stay 'tooned!

Big Breyer News

 First Post of the Day

Yesterday my Breyer Ambassador shirt arrived. I was surprised at the color.

Pink!

The bright colors of the tee shirts help people find the volunteers if they have questions, a problem, or need some sort of help. While I was surprised at the color, I do really like it.

Some very big BreyerFest news came out yesterday. News that is startling, news that is inconceivable to many of us.

After 36 years of hosting, this is the last year that the CHIN will be the host hotel for BreyerFest.

A post on the BreyerFest Official Facebook Group innocently let the cat out of the bag. 

Breyer quickly responded that yes, they were aware and would release more information after BreyerFest 2026 has ended.

Part of me is not surprised. If you have ever attended BreyerFest and gone to the CHIN, you will find that the motel is packed, decorations, ads, and other things are taped up all over the building, both inside and outside of rooms, and there are throngs of people everywhere. 

Parking is at a premium, it's noisy, it's crowded, but for most of us it is also a lot of fun to wander and shop, meet up with old and new friends, and just immerse ourselves in the hobby.

Having said that, I am hopeful that the new host site will have more rooms for those of us who want to attend. I have never stayed at the CHIN. Never. I've tried to get a reservation, I've been on the waitlist, but I never was able to reserve a room.*

At the moment there are conversations on social media about the fairness of the CHIN's system of reservations and how it seems to benefit one group but excludes others who'd like a chance to stay there along with hopes that that will change in a new place. In that discussion, I can see pros and cons on both sides. If that policy is going to change, this transition to a new host hotel would be the ideal time to do so. (I am not picking sides here - these remarks and discussions originated on social media.)

The loss of the CHIN could also be a springboard for a better BreyerFest experience. Breyer has had events elsewhere and experience finding hotels that work for their purposes. I would assume they would use that experience as they find a new host hotel for us.

But, there is also chatter that perhaps the CHIN will continue hosting BreyerFest and the coming changes that Breyer mentioned only apply to the room sales. If you reread what the original poster asked, she says she was told  "the Clarion will no longer be hosting/allowing BreyerFest sales..." And that they (the CHIN) were "making changes."

A new place, bigger, cleaner, better maintained... there could be some real pluses in moving from the CHIN. Or, if we stay there, what would BreyerFest look like without the room sales we treasure so much? Would Breyer accommodate that somehow?

We will find out the plan in a few weeks.

Stay 'tooned!

*Learning that I wanted to stay there but hadn't been able to, Marilou Mol once invited me to stay with her and Brenda Metcalf who always room together. I declined as I knew they had a lot of room sales and that adding me to the room would really make it crowded. Still, I have never forgotten Marilou's kindness.

It's Here

The BreyerFest reveals have been coming fast this month, but yesterday's was a bigger surprise than usual.

The 2026 BreyerFest non-equine animal special run is Hirtir, the Red Deer. The Elk mold was last used when 750 were produced as Inari at BreyerFest 2018. Prior to that, one piece, White (a Harry Potter tie-in), appeared in the BreyerFest 2007 auction.

This is only the seventh release on a Chris Hess mold that was first introduced in 1968. So, as you might imagine, there are a lot of happy collectors over this piece. 

I'm intrigued but I'm also wary. This might be a vertical shelf-eater. Just how tall is it?? 

That winter storm is here - the one that forecasters have been talking about for several weeks. (And then they remind us that next weekend's storm should be even worse. Please go away, Winter!)

I spent some time yesterday preparing. I had to get a bone scan at the hospital (where everyone from the receptionist to the tech who did the scan were discussing the approaching storm) and when I finished, I made a chocolate run got groceries, topped off my gas tank, made a bank deposit, and picked up a refill of Pepper's meds.

The cities were both preparing, too. I could tell that the streets were being prepped with beet juice, a natural de-icer that isn't as harsh on the environment as straight salt mixtures can be. 

When I finished my errands, the Arctic front had arrived and temps had begun dropping. They fell throughout the night.

Our high for today happened when it was 18 at midnight. It was 8 when I got up at 5AM; as I finish writing, it is 3 with a wind chill of -17.

And school is still in session. No two hour delay, nothing. The teacher in me is unhappy with that decision. I taught out in the hinterlands where almost all the students were farm kids, and I hate the thought that those kids will be standing out in this weather waiting for their buses. The ground is flat and there is absolutely nothing to stop the winds.

Teachers and staff will have to be out on bus duty, shepherding kids into the building, looking for stragglers, and more. While a two hour delay can be inconvenient to parents (and, truth be told, to teachers who have to juggle their day's lessons), it is far better to keep everyone safe. And temps accompanied by wind chills this cold are not safe.

Heavy snow is a part of this storm and will arrive tomorrow. But at least it's not ice. Cole and Emily live in Nashville and are expecting this same storm to bring them heavy snow coupled with icing of up to 3/4 inch. 

Ever helpful, Cole posted this on our family chat to help us all understand just what that kind of ice could mean.

I can't help but wonder what that measurement would be in horses. Hah!

When I got home from running my errands yesterday, I noticed more evidence of just how tough this winter has been.

The ground has been shifting more than usual and my bird bath is the most recent visual evidence that that is so.

I am so ready for some steady sunshine and temps above freezing.

BreyerFest Week 2025: Saturday

I may not be wandering the grounds at Kentucky Horse Park, but I am exhausted! Emily and the girls are staying through to Monday (yay!) and Curt and his family and Lisa (plus Gus, Mama, and Nash) have been joining us here at our home every day.

It is crazy busy but it is also wonderful and I am enjoying all the memories we have been making.

There is SO much to share, and I haven't even written yet about the bocce tournament! (I didn't make the podium - not my year!) But I will start catching up next week when things settle down. 

In BreyerFest news, one advantage of doing Virtual Fest and watching the live feed is that Kimber and Jamie revealed the surprise variations of the SRs and LEs early in Friday's broadcast. They showed each one and talked about it. 

 Jamie said there were still a few micro variations and those would be secret until someone unwrapped them. Already one, a silver Silver, has been received by a collector.

Kimber and Jamie had also pre-recorded a walk through the Breyer store

and showed us the huge bins of Warehouse Finds placed all around. I can only imagine the crowds around those!

I took some notes as Kimber and Stephanie talked about setting up for the event:

~ BreyerFest planning begins at least 16 months in advance,

~ Ten tractor trailers are used to transport the merchandise from New Jersey to Kentucky,

~ Each semi holds 26 pallets of boxes for BreyerFest,

~ Collectors from 80 countries were watching the live feed as they were speaking.

The mystery surprise horse was not the PAM; it is Totilas. I don't collect that mold although I think it is a beautiful piece. I am disappointed, but it's not the end of the world. 

I ordered my models quickly. I have two Fish, two Totilas, one Silver, one Old Timer, and the crystal horse. As a mostly vintage collector, not many of the LEs and SRs were appealing to me. I would have liked to have the Collie but he was not available to virtual ticket holders.

I also watched the first part of my virtual seminar, Making a Show Drape with Lynn Isenbarger.

Last night I'd planned to watch the Liberty horse show, but my family wanted to watch The Incredibles so I didn't mention it. Maybe tonight.

Some of us saw more of the film than others. Poor guy was tuckered out!

Today my BreyerFest attendance will be sporadic as I am helping with a meal for a funeral and I will also be watching the kids while Emily, Curt, and Vanessa run up to Camp Tecumseh to pick up Julie and Ian (they have been at overnight camp.) 

I have a haversack order to finish before Monday as I am meeting a customer at a Wendy's at the I- 65 exit close to my home. (Saves shipping for her and she's going right past that exit as she heads home from BreyerFest. Might as well meet there!)

With Ian and Julie back, no doubt we will be playing games around the dining room table and chatting late into the night tonight.

No rest for the weary here (unless you are Lukie), but maybe I can grab a nap this afternoon.

Enjoy your BreyerFest!

BreyerFest Week 2025: It's Friday and It Begins!

It came! It came! Despite an email saying the delivery had been delayed, my new desktop showed up yesterday morning! 

And Craig, bless his heart, dropped everything he was doing (again) and got my computer set up and running so I would be ready for the start of BreyerFest today. (Thanks so much!)

While the new desktop will facilitate BreyerFest, there are still some non-tech challenges to writing blog posts.

Normally Pepper and Tammo are my writing companions, but there have been some "plus ones" for the last week.

And there is no way I am going to shoo the four of them out of my office (which, as you can see, is also doubling as the sewing room at the moment.) We are chatting and laughing and sharing, all while making memories that are already very dear to my heart. 

Tammo is especially happy to have Kate and Susie in the house, and last night climbed into bed with Kate! I agreed to let him sleep there if he wanted to and if Kate didn't mind. (You can probably tell from her face what the answer to that was.)

So.... back to BreyerFest! I feel like it is Christmas morning and I am waiting for everyone to wake up and gather by the tree. 

My usual Virtual Fest Friday plans are to go out to the "horse park" (the barn) and visit the horses, and then come home and go online. I turn on the live feed, shop, and begin trying to find out who the mystery surprise horse is.

Several of you wrote me and said that I had not dreamed it, that there really was a Family Arabian Mare and Foal pair in this year's auction. I was able to find a photo online of the two.

(If this is your photo, PLMK so I can credit you!)

The fact that those molds have been used is interesting. Did Breyer have some whiteware set back for something like this? Or did they pour a whole bunch with plans for a run of some sort? If it's the latter, then chances are higher for the mystery surprise to be the FAM and FAF.

But, I still think there is a high possibility that we will see the Proud Arabian Mare. My fingers are crossed! Just a few more hours and we will know.

Rarely am I on the computer late at night, but since I was still getting to know this desktop, last night I was. To my surprise, an email from Breyer was waiting for me, saying that the last of my order had been sent with tracking included.

I checked the entire order and apparently they are sending the Celebration Model as well as my Stablemate early. And, they have put the Stablemate ticket with one of my online Traditional tickets. 

The other one is on a different account and I have not received any email from Breyer there. I hope I don't end up having to work things out, but if I do, I know Breyer will make it right. 

In the meantime, the day is finally here and I am going to enjoy it. I hope you all have fun, whether you are there in person or at home like me.

Happy Horse Fest!