PEACE, DIRT, LOVE, COWS, HORSES, KIDS, LIFE

Who I am

2010-10-23T21:52:00.002-05:00

I am wife: Mother: Lover of animals: A Born again Christian: A question asker: should have been born a gypsy: A dreamer: A Lover: I am loved: I smile: I laugh: I love life in the middle of nowhere: I like freedom and feeling free: I am still amazed by my kids daily: I love the sparkle in my husbands eyes: A amateur photographer: A traveler: Dislike people who abuse animals: can have a mean streak: The class clown: I will make fun of myself: I am a daughter: A writer: I am not a good housekeeper: I have an artistic streak that I have not found yet: I still don't know what I am going to be when I grow up: I am thirty: I will never be twenty again: I want lots of kids: But I am blessed with the two that I have: Always wanting to improve myself: I walk with God: I pray daily: I need to read the bible more: Always striving to be a better mother: I need change: Anything normal scares me: I have secrets: I love food way too much: I love to cook for my family: I despise laundry and dishes: I get migraines and they scare me: A borderline Hypochondriac: I enjoy sweeping, mopping and dusting: A friend: A worrier: I have a vivid imagination: An optimist most of the time: I love nature: I hate TV but I cant stop watching it: I want to home school my kids but I don't think I have the patience's: I am impatient: I love my truck: I love my animals: Could easily be the crazy cat women: I need to improve: I am happy with who I am: I am crazy: I am loud: usually people like me: I need my space: my kids make me laugh: My kids make me crazy: wish I had a hippy bus: married to a cattle rancher: I am a vegetarian: Love health food stores: I love the smell of clean laundry: I want to start quilting: I want to be inspirational: I want to be remembered: I want to make my family happy: I am a pleaser: I am me:

Prayers needed

2010-10-23T18:52:00.001-05:00

I am asking for prayers!! A dear friend of mine is 22 weeks pregnant with a sweet baby girl and they have now found out that the baby has severe Infant hydrops syndrome. Her and her husband have been trying for a baby for many years and last year were blessed with a baby boy that they lost at 22 weeks, now she is faced with the chance of losing another baby! Please lift them up in your prayers, pray for Baby Delanie Hope. The Lord works miracles daily and we all need to pray that the Lord is with this family in this time of need and blessings. God Bless you all and God bless this family

Messing around with photo's

2010-10-21T21:12:00.001-05:00

2010-10-21T18:42:00.000-05:00

2010-10-21T17:55:00.000-05:00

2010-10-15T22:25:00.000-05:00

RANDOM PICTURES FOR A RANDOM DAY

2010-10-15T21:01:00.003-05:00

I find myself super busy now that I am working, I long for the day when I could just grab my camera and take pictures of anything and everything! Now that I am working most of my picture taking want to leaves me by the time I get homw and it's about all I have in me to snap a couple pics of the boys on a special day! But since I have only been working for six weeks I have a massive backstock of pics that I took when I could spend my days looking through a camera lense! It is funny how we want something and when we get it we long for how it use to be! I guess the old saying is true "the grass is not always greener on the other side"

Happy days to you

Things Boys say

2010-10-14T17:11:00.002-05:00

My youngest baby comes in the house,crying and says
"Dustin hides better than me"
I ask him "are you guys playing hide and seek?"
He says "yes, but"
I say "did you look for DUstin"
Cason say's "No because he hides better than me"
I say "Cson that's just the way life is "
Cason yell's "No ThaTS THE WAY DUSTIN IS" and he than storms out the door screaming for Dustin to stop hiding.

2010-10-14T06:32:00.002-05:00

I have always been the more positive one in the family, Always looking at the cup half full never once doubting anything, walking with confidence, but a very scary thing happened a few days ago, and it has changed my whole prospective on life, it was such a horrible event and even though I did have all the support of friends and family it was still an aweful experience. No trip to the hospital was needed though I thought at one time I was going to have a heart attack, all while thinking why me, why me. Now you have to know I am not one to dwell on self pitty I always trudge through whatever is handed to me but this was such an aweful, aweful thing that it's hard for me to even mention it to anyone even over the computer but I guess you all need to know the horrible experience that we have been through over the past week!

I turned THIRTY, I am Thirty not twenty anymore Thirty!!!!!
Oh well I guess I need to face the music and go into my next thirty years with my head held high!

Love the old woman

2010-10-13T17:25:00.007-05:00

Where have we been, if anyone is still out there we have been in Colorado yah thats right I have not posted a thing in over a year! Patrick took a job on a large cattle ranch in the mountains of Colorado. When I last blogged we lived in Mo so heres just a few of the 1,000's of pics I have taken over the last year.

Sky watch Fridays what a wonderful day

2009-04-16T18:26:00.004-05:00

This picture is straight out of the camera I did not even crop it! I absolutely love the deep blue of the sky and all the contrast of the flower and the wispy clouds almost wrapping around the flower. What a wonderful sign of spring! Happy sky watch fridays everyone and be sure to click on the title to this post to see other great sky pictures!
be sure to click on the image to see full effect

Touching on a Touchy subject horses

2009-04-12T17:24:00.007-05:00

No we aren't raising arabians she just wishes she was one

Horses are beautiful animals. I won't lie I absolutely love the horse. I don't think a person who wants to or does work with horses could say " I just flat out don't like horses". Even the meanest, grouchiest, nastiest horse trader at some point in his life probably loved the horse. Currently the horseman and the animal lover are in a debate over what should happen with thousands of horses. When looking at this situation I have to put myself in the middle and look at both sides of the story. As you all probably know I am a little strange and I have a hippy sitting on one shoulder and cowgirl on the other, I just can't help but look at both sides of this situation.

On one hand you have the horseman, ranchers, livestock owners, breed associations, especially horse traders, horseshoer and many others who make a living from buying/ selling training and breeding horses. These individuals have seen a plummet in the living they were once making. They have watched there business's go under. They have horses standing in there pastures that no one wants and if they are able to sell these horses it is for a fraction of the cost they put into them. I know this sounds like it is all about money for these groups of horse people and to some extent it is, but like I said before they have a love for the horse just like anyone else they just have a more grounded view about their livestock. Yes I said livestock the horseman/ rancher etc.. they see the horse as livestock like a cow, pig or cat or dog depending on what country you are from. I know I am sounding cruel, but I'm not, I am looking open minded at both sides. Being as the horse has been a faithful companion to the people they do respect it and most treat the horse better than say a dog would be treated in china. They all have that favorite horse the one who will die on there property but they have also dealt with that rank, nasty, rearing, mean nag who instead of shooting why not send it to kill make a little money and not waste the remains. Logical thinking yes but alot of people don't agree.

The other side of this group PETA, animal rescue groups, holly wood, horse lovers and others all shutter at the thought of their companion animal being treated like livestock. Horses to them are like dogs and cats in America and a few other country's. Americans don't eat there companion animals ( at least not publicly) they do good by them (most do, but there are alot of idiots out there). The animal lovers believe that the methods the horses are slaughtered are inhumane and cruel and granted there are probably some severe cases of animal cruelty in processing plants for any type of livestock. It saddens alot of them to see any animal killed in a way they deem as cruel. They are fighting this with good intentions but actually have made the situation worse for man and beast. For man the horse market is horrible everyone has horses and they aren't worth anything and part of that is due to over breeding but I will get into that later. For the horse the main problem is the traders are now shipping horses to Mexico where regulations are nonexistent. If they want to talk about abuse they need to be worried about the animals being shipped to Mexico.

I think that we as nation should come together, yes I said TOGETHER and make this situation better for all. We need to all decide what is best for the horse we do owe it to them they have been our legs for thousands of years they have ran for miles until they died to get a man away from an enemy they delivered our first forms of mail, they have touched us in more ways than most any other animal. God put animals on the earth for us to use NOT ABUSE. We as humans do tend to abuse our privileges. This is coming from both the hippy in me and the cowgirl. My feeble brain has many ideas on how to solve this situation. I think sending our American horses to a foreign country for food is not necessary and that is just my opinion. but if WE use the horse say for dog food and glue for us AMERICANS than yes we need to have a kill plant open that can provide to us what WE need. The kill plants need to have strict regulations on what they will process, old, rank, crippled and regulations on the animals being humanely killed someone needs to be at these plants that is not a snake and say NO not that horse. But wait you say that won't solve much there will still be to many horses and the horse market will still be bad. That's were we need to stop all the "back yard" breeding I am sorry if you are a back yard breeder, but there are so many people out there breeding a horse just because it has balls it is absurd. Everything bred needs to be registered and the breed associations need to come together and have committees and people who decide what horse should be a stallion and how many mares he should breed. So, sounds too crazy and a little like it is infringing on a persons rights as a livestock owner, but just remember I would like to see a situation that makes everyone happy (somewhat) . I think it could be done if everyone would just look at the other side of the situation. All the large breeders who breed and breed and breed till they find that one "perfect" horse that is not necessary anymore with this plan either because the breeds will improve on there own. With a committee of many people who know horses from each breed deciding what stallion should be bred to what mare the breed will improve, the horse population will go down and the price of horses will come up. The animal lovers will have a strict humane way to euthanize the horses that are slaughtered and used for us and everyone will live happily ever after AMEN

Now don't hate me for voicing my little opinion and I would like to see what everyone else thinks of this problem even if you think I am DUMB BUTT !!!!!!!!!! Nothing to mean though K

Happy Heifer and her hippy and cowgirl ride again

Morning Crisp and cold Garden waiting for another day

2009-04-11T16:03:00.005-05:00

Today I woke up to a beautiful, crisp morning. The fog in our valley with the sun shining through it was spectacular. The cows waiting for the morning feeding, standing majestically in the bright morning.

All my weed's closed up hoping to survive a late spring frost.

Our garden waiting patiently for a plant to grow was happy to feed this bug with the large amount of manure and compost placed in it.

This is our garden spot Patrick won the battle I wanted a big garden he wanted a small raised bed flower garden.

We used old railroad ties. We had two ties long by one tie wide. old railroad ties work wonderfully for a raised garden and often you can get them for free. When you use old railroad ties you are recycling, saving a tree and saving money it can't get any better than that.

Where have I been

2009-04-10T06:11:00.003-05:00

Do you remember two weeks ago when I posted the picture of the "flying object", well it actually was a alien space ship and they did not take to kindly to me posting a picture of them. So they abducted me. The events that followed the first meeting with the aliens will scare the pants off of you, First they took me up in to the ship and transported me to the planet zoombabap that when they..........

Just kidding not to long after my last sky watch post I got so so sick, sick, sick ,sick and could not figure out what was wrong with me so I went to the doctor and they said I had strep throat. I am 20 some years old and getting strep throat I am not OK with that. I got a shot in my butt and started feeling better then I decided I would do a blog all about my sickness every gory detail. I sat down to start my blog and lo and behold I had a bad virus or worm and could not put any pictures on and without pictures I have no inspiration, no imagination so I got sad and depressed. I tinkered with my computer and could not fix it, then I got mad and stubborn and decided I would not ever touch the computer again. About a week after my computer broke, I began to recover from my sickness then my youngest baby Cason got strep. Poor thing but the crazy thing is, I got it again too so now I am recovering from strep and taking care of a sick baby except it does not seem to affect him as much as it does me. Patrick says it is because I am a big baby ( he has no sympathy). He told me one day when I was feeling a little neglected and felt as though I was going to die he said "if you are looking for sympathy you can find it between $#!T and syphilis in the dictionary" how sweet is that? I don't think I am a baby I just think as an adult strep hurts lots, lots, lots worse than when you are a kid and when you get it twice in two weeks it just breaks your spirits and morphs you into this whiny, crying needy little thing. Just kidding I was tough as rocks, really I was I went and bucked 100,000 hay bales while running a 104 degree fever, really I did this is blog land remember.

Alright so I am back if anyone was wondering I know one person was and that touched my heart and made me so happy, thank you to you. I know my mom is not wondering because she is off on a two week cruise, Yuck on you mother!!! I will have pictures later today and will get going full speed again as soon as I get the kinks worked out with puting pictures on here.

Peace out and wet soggy cow Patty's

Sky Watch Fridays UFO

2009-03-26T21:29:00.006-05:00

What do you think the black dot could be? Sorry for the bad picture! I was searching through some pictures I took last week and stumbled across this. When I took the pic. I did not realize there was an unidentified flying object flying over the top of the hill across from our house. It looks to be way to big to be a bird compared to the trees under it. Way to low to be a plane and I would have heard and noticed a plane. I just don't know.

Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge it and see what you think! Give me everyones best and wildest guess's because your guess is as good as mine!

Happy Heifer

Click on the title to this post to view other great sky photos!!

Always stop and smell the flowers

2009-03-26T15:07:00.010-05:00

Sometimes when you try to look up in life you can feel trapped in a brier patch.

Don't look up, look down, way down, you will find a whole world of tiny flowers to brighten your day.

Even dandelions can brighten a gloomy day unless they are in your yard, then they may add to the gloominess. I really enjoy a dandelion bouquet given by a loving three year old though.

Even weeds have faces and bring beauty to our world.

These flowers bear there faces towards the sun in hopes of some warmth and a jump start on spring.

So when life has you down and feeling trapped make sure to slow down, untangle, and stop and smell the flowers no matter how small.

Happy Heifer

SEPIA SCENES

2009-03-26T09:19:00.003-05:00

Dreaming of spring!!

Watery Wednesday My first one

2009-03-25T18:12:00.008-05:00

It is almost spring, but all around, all we see are little memories of a crisp, cool Fall!
Be sure to click on photo to make it larger to see full effect!

Happy Heifer

BULL SALE AT OUR PLACE

2009-03-22T07:44:00.011-05:00

Yesterday we had a bull sale at our place. The boys and I decided we would go and watch and take pictures. When I told Patrick I wanted to take pictures so I could put it on my blog he told me to wear a disguise so no one would recognize me and realize I was his wife. How nice, boy he sure is supportive of my hobby.

They sold 300 bulls, 300 bred heifers and 50 pairs. They averaged $3200 and they made 1.5 million. The bulls were all premium Circle A Angus some were registered but most were commercial. Circle A was pretty smart in a new program they started to advertise and sell premium commercial bulls. They have kept such detailed records on all there commercial cows over the years that they have a certification program on all there commercial bulls and have the lineage on all of them. They are premium good quality bulls that do as well or better in calf production and weight gain as registered bulls.

The show barn which is were they hold the auction is also were Patrick and I attend cowboy church. The cowboy church was started by someone who works for circle A so we use there "show Barn" they call it a show barn but they don't do very much showing anymore it is mostly just there own private auction barn.

There were so many people there that to get this picture I had to raise my hand up with my camera. You see the guy in the middle he thought I was bidding on the bull in the ring and the bull was already at 6,000 dollars good way to embarrass my hubby who was busy at work in the back. I don't think a 6,000 dollar bull is in our budget.

They serve a pretty nice breakfast and dinner and keep the food up all through the sale. Cason did not like his and he was pretty mad that I would not get him something else. Dustin only ate a little bit and he was also mad because he did not get the drink he wanted. Fun day for me Not

They had red Angus and I thought this guy was very handsome. I did not get a good shot and now he is probably down in TX making baby's so I will not ever see his pretty face again. So sad

They had a pen full of real nice baldy heifers that were bred. We raised these baldys last year I always liked seeing the baldys born.

This guy was not for sale he is one of circle A's leading sires. I could not decide if he wanted to eat me for dinner or if he wanted his head scratched but I decided not to stick around and find out.

After a long day at the sale and having two CRABBY boys I decided it was time to go home we told Patrick by and have a good time loading out trailers but we be done. Especially mom.

Happy Heifer

This little calf was sure glad she was not at that crazy sale!!

SKY WATCH FRIDAYS

2009-03-19T19:54:00.008-05:00

We had some very interesting clouds this past week it almost looked as though the sun was dancing with them trying to get noticed.

Happy Heifer

go check out all the other great sky watch friday photos by clicking on the title to this post!

Dirty Dishes

2009-03-19T19:01:00.003-05:00

THANK GOD FOR DIRTY DISHES;
THEY HAVE A TALE TO TELL.
WHILE OTHER FOLKS GO HUNGRY,
WE’RE EATING PRETTY WELL.
WITH HOME, AND HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS,WE SHOULDN'T WANT TO FUSS;
FOR BY THIS STACK OF EVIDENCE,
GOD’S VERY GOOD TO US.
Anonymous

More often than not my sink has dirty dishes in it. I realize that if I actually set in and do the dishes after every meal it would only take me a few minutes, instead of the hours it takes me to clean them every other day or so. I despise a dirty sink, but I despise doing the dishes more. Its a never ending battle I have with dishes. It will be a fight till the end I don't know who will win me or the dish.

Happy Heifer

"You stink mommy"

2009-03-17T16:43:00.004-05:00

Cason my three yr. old and I went to town this afternoon to pick Dustin up from preschool. As we were driving Cason said "I smell something stinky" I replied "oh it is just this stinky truck" He said "No" "it smells like poop" I said I don't smell anything like that and he said " Do you smell stinky mommy?" I answered quikly " no mommy never stinks" LOL He couldnt leave it at that though in a shy little voice he said "mommy you stink" I again said "no" and he then asked "did you wipe your bottom good after you went Pooppoo" I just about crashed the truck then I laughed then he yelled "THATS NOT FUNNYYYY"

Just to clarify he was smelling dog poop that was on his shoe!! URGHHH So I really dont stink, really I don't, I am sure of it, If I did I would smell it, Wouldn't I? LOL

Happy Heifer

Calves will be calves

2009-03-17T11:13:00.006-05:00

Sometimes when working calves you have one go a little wild and that's when Doc the super horse gets to do what he loves best. Patrick will let Doc put that calves behind right between his front legs and Doc will push that calf where ever Patrick asks him to. Doc is very careful and does not step on the calves but for some reason this is his favorite part of the job.

Once the little calf is back with the herd everyone gets on with business as usual.

Happy Heifer

Cows all around

2009-03-17T10:04:00.001-05:00

Posing for the camera

Do you think she can see us?

Being that I am a vegetarian and sometimes have a little hippy sitting on my shoulder I have a hard time imagining these little calves as food. As I watch them playing in the pasture and just enjoying life I get a little knot in my stomach and have to look a way. Then the cowgirl on my other shoulder slaps the hippy and says get a grip.

Peace, love and cow manure

Kite flying

2009-03-15T21:34:00.002-05:00

Sky Watch friday's a week of sky's

2009-03-12T21:20:00.008-05:00

God's Glory

Traffic Jam

The Storm

Peace

Mellow Yellow

Happy Heifer

If you like my sky watch photos go check out other great sky pictures @

http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Hillbilly fun

2009-03-09T14:16:00.009-05:00

Yes, another H name to describe my many "personalities". Happy Hippy Heifer Hillbilly House how does that sound? Don't worry I am sure I will come up with another H name to describe the many other sides of ME. Everyone will know all about me or just be completely confused and biting your nails by the time I finish. I have come to realize that I am an odd duck. I guess I realized it unconsciously but now the realization is surfacing. I cant decide whether It scares me or I am glad to be unique. Believe m e I am the definition of unique, really I am I promise, I know it is hard to believe but I am.

Over the weekend the boys and I decided to go on an adventure exploring the pastures. We went wading in the creek, climbing trees, looking at piles of cow poop, playing with rotten leaves, throwing rocks into the pond and playing in the mud. Who needs a McDonald's play ground when you have 1,000's of acres of trees and creeks and ponds. Sometimes I wonder if my boys are deprived because they don't get to go play on the McDonald's playground like all the other normal kids.

When you ask Dustin and Cason what they want to eat they don't say McDonald's they say Mexian, yes Mexican we love Mexican food. When Dustin was little and we were out and a bout and he would get hungry he would not say I want french fries, or I want a hamburger he would say "I want chips' and dip it" chips and salsa. I think I have said to much everyone is going to think we love Mexican food or something and instead of being good parents and take our kids to McDonald's we have always made them come with us to Mexican.

I really enjoy going out exploring in the pastures. We have so many interesting valleys and hiding spots. Places that make exploring for a kid a blast. When my boys get older I hope they will enjoy exploring these places on there own making forts and little villages down in the valleys, with rock people farming there land until a big black monster comes and tears down their village. Or a flood washes away there houses, I am sure hard on rock people, I guess

I think I get my joy for exploring from my mom. She is the ultimate exploring queen.

Back to depriving our children we also don't let them play video games, not at all. So many kids are so addicted to video games that it scares me and Patrick and we decided early on that our boys are not going to play video games, and we have stuck to it, they don't! We plan to teach them the computer because these days you have to know computers but it won't be because they play games on there. We will have to see how all that works out when the time comes. I do feel bad depriving my children of things that all there friends get to enjoy but I just can't help it, It is my way or the Highway in my house ;P I do let them watch to much TV though and need to start working on that.

The boys were playing at the pond and decided to throw rocks in it then Dustin said he was going to throw rocks and hit the sleeping turtles on the head. I had to have a discussion about not hurting things for the fun of it. He still wanted to hit turtles on the head so I told him we are going to go home if he does not stop saying he wanted to hurt the turtles. He stopped saying but still continued to throw rocks in the same spot. I thought what a good boy he decided not to try and hurt the turtles anymore. I realized later that that devious little look on his face, the grin, and evil eye meant he was still thinking about hitting the turtles on the head but just quit saying it because I asked him to. He really pulled one over on me and he knew it.

Oh what a beautiful sign of spring a fly!

He had a blast climbing this tree. I was so proud of him and being brave because sometimes he can be a bit of a woos, did I just say that about my son, no I didn't, SHHH don't tell.

He thinks he is a stud muffin, did I just call my son a stud muffin? what is my problem first he is a woos then a stud muffin.

He is a gangsta! Now I am referring to him as a gangster sometimes, no all the time I wonder about my self.

We had Robin red breasts all over the trees of course I only got two shots and one was blurry because I had three dogs and two boys running around scaring them.

He is getting to be such a big boy and he is not a woos this boy was soaked from head to toe and did not complain one bit. Dustin on the other hand had to jump the creeks and threw a fit when his boot fell off and got wet. Did I mention he is a woos. Oh I already did well I don't truly think he is a woos really I don't, I promise, I think.

The ODD DUCK

Sky watch fridays Ice

2009-03-05T22:18:00.004-06:00

We had a beautiful snow and everything was frozen last week.

Current thoughts of a five year old

2009-03-05T08:43:00.005-06:00

From the brain of Dustin, sometimes I wonder about this kid. Doesn't that picture make him look like he is up to no GOOD? He was collecting shot gun shells out of an old bombfire pile.

1. What is something mom always says to you?

"pickup toys"

2. What makes mom happy?

"picking up our room"

3. What makes mom sad?

"not picking up"

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

"telling us jokes"

5. What was your mom like as a child?

"just like us"
6. How old is your mom?

"62"

7. How tall is your mom?

"7ft."

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

"go hiking"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

"clean the house"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

"for doing a good job at feeding the horses"

11. What is your mom really good at?

"feeding the horses"

12. What is your mom not very good at?

"not very good at working cows"

13. What does your mom do for her job?

"take care of us"

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

"everything"

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

"for letting us have ice cream"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

"Snow white or Guardian Angel"

17. What do you and your mom do together?

"cuddle"
18. How are you and your mom the same?

"we kinda have the same hair"

19. How are you and your mom different?

"cause you have long hair and I don't"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

"You tell me you love me"

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?

"working cows for you and feeding the horses for you"

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

"grocery shopping"

Just to clarify a few things I am very good at working cows and really enjoy it!
I don't really know why he thinks cleaning the house is all that important to me since it is not something I do very often! LOL

Happy Heifer

Current thoughts of a three year old

2009-03-04T10:57:00.004-06:00

The working brain of Cason Blaine

1. What is something mom always says to you?

"come here and talk to us"

2. What makes mom happy?

"open your eyes and go to town"

3. What makes mom sad?

"cry"

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

"tickle"

5. What was your mom like as a child?

"but I don't like crackers, I have to eat at home"

6. How old is your mom?

" Megan, you start with a Megan word"

7. How tall is your mom?

"Your taller than G.G."

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

"Put on your boots"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?

"watch my videos"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

"MMMMMUM"

11. What is your mom really good at?

"giving me writing paper"

12. What is your mom not very good at?

" I don't know, when you get out of shower that makes your hair funny"

13. What does your mom do for her job?

"work and get us to school"

I am a stay at home mom I don't know where this came from

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

"salad, now what is my favorite food"

at this point he began to turn the tables on me

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

" I am buurried mommy, I am going to snug into this"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

" Megan"

17. What do you and your mom do together?

"take Dustin to school, now what else do we do mommy"

18. How are you and your mom the same?

" I have a boy head and you have a girl head"

19. How are you and your mom different?

"I don't know"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?

" mommy I am drawing a bull right now"

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?

"daddy has to sit in his chair and you both have to play"

UMM OK

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?

" to get our grandma"

Happy Heifer

It from 80 to snowy in two days

2009-03-01T20:45:00.010-06:00

We had a beautiful snow filled weekend and of course I had to take pictures!

I started with just playing around taking pictures of strange things at strange angles. The whole time I was taking all these pictures I was waiting for Patrick and the boys to get the sled ready so we could sled.

I continued snapping pictures of random things.

I watched the dogs play. Even Homer was feeling his oats today.

Polly loved the snow, she bounded in it like a rabbit running from a wolf.

The snow was very deep on her!

Then I got ready to start taking pictures of the boys playing!

Cason fell into a snow bank on our way to sled, and then the most annoying irritating just my luck kind of thing happened. My Camera "Black Betty"'s battery died and I did not have another. We played in the snow had a snowball fight, went sledding and I did not get one single shot of any of it. Did it really even happen since I did not take any pictures?

Happy Heifer

The Dancing Cowboy

2009-03-01T07:16:00.008-06:00

Sometimes Dustin likes to break into song and dance. Usually he does his dancing when no one is watching, he is a rough and tumble cowboy he does not want anyone to know about his skills! I happened to be the lucky hunter on this beautiful morning.

He was singing his favorite cowboy song. "His" song he calls "ghostly rider" though that is not the true name of the song, It Is a Red Steagall song.

He'll start off singing real quiet "on a wagon last October was a kid of seventeen"

then the new species searches the terrain to make sure no one is watching and he'll go into full blown song and Dance

"a city kid from Dallas wet behind the ears and green" He'll look around again

"he stepped out of the pages of a western catalog"

"not the kind you'd pick to ride the rivers and the bogs"

"The boss had put the kid and me together for the drive"

"We took the outside circle I was mad and full of fight"

This new strange species I will call "Dancing Cowboy Dustin" is still thinking no one is watching. As I secretly watch I feel like a hunter stocking his prey, can I get close enough to get a good shot, I like to watch the fight dance of my prey. I sneak closer as the species continues to show us it's true glory. I have my camo and my sent away on. I finally get a good shot, capturing the new species of "dancing cowboy Dustin".

Then I get this face and the song and dance ended. I guess my hunt was only somewhat successful. I was only able to capture a picture of the elusive "Dancing cowboy Dustin". I planned to capture the species, cage it and parade the new find around the world, but no such luck, THIS TIME.

Oh well at least he is smiling again the capture was not to traumatic.

Happy Heifer

Sky watch Fridays Ocean sunset and storm

2009-02-27T09:09:00.005-06:00

My mom took these photos on monday, they are of the pacific ocean in Oregon

I like the rays in the last one. The man and his dog in the very bottom of the first one and the colors are very pretty. With the first one it is like you have a beautiful photo with a surprise hidden in it.

Happy Heifer

Answer to sundays fun game

2009-02-23T19:47:00.004-06:00

Nature person was pretty close except, I secretly flew to California to take the picture of the Elk in a blazing wild fire instead of Colorado.

Just Kidding, are there even Elk in California?

The picture was of a outside fire pit. It had a metal ring around it with Elk all the way around. Noone guessed right on but, everyone who guessed fire place was pretty close and you all win good thoughts from me!! ;P

I know it is an outstanding, thoughtful, expensive gift. Don't get too over whelmed with the greatness of it. I would not want anyone having a heart attack or anything. ;P

;P ;P ;P I am really winking and sticking my tongue out it is a weird twitch I have ;P ;P

Happy Heifer

2009-02-23T17:16:00.011-06:00

OH MY STINKIN SELF

2009-02-22T12:36:00.004-06:00

We just had a major, heart wrenching, blood pressure raising, pee your pants kind of scare at the Heifer House. I was in the kitchen being the domestic (not) goddess that I am whipping up some homemade Pesto and a completely raw homemade coleslaw. When I hear some dreaded words spoken by my oldest boy " we just let girl cat in and she brought something in with her" " so" I say because I am a nice mommy. I was thinking she probably has a prickle Bur stuck to her or something. Then His voice intensifies with pure excitement and exhilaration " NO IT IS ALIVE" "WHAT" I scream (I have always been very good with words, NOT). As I stand in the kitchen I contemplate my next move, will I just run out of the opposite door or will I actually be a good example for my boys and be brave. I decided to TRY to be brave. I practiced my breathing exercise and gave my self a good pep talk. I peeked my head around the corner into the dining room were I here boys laughing and dancing. I see girl cat and she has nothing I breath and wipe the sweat from my brow. I was thinking the boys had just played a trick on me and girl cat had not brought anything thing in. Always being the optimist sometimes does not work out so well. I then notice that girl cat is acting a little strange running around the dining room from one box of stuff to the next. I then start to panic again and my eye starts to twitch as it does in stressful situations. I realize that there is something in the house and it is alive and I am scared so I slowly step into the dining room. I start screaming and laughing because that is what I do even though I still I have no idea WHAT is in my house. The optimist in me kicks in and I think at least it is not a bird it is probably just a mouse, right. Patrick finally wakes from his mid morning nap and comes to see why the boys and I are dancing around the dining room screaming. I tell him that the cat has brought something in and it is alive. He and his calm butt go over to the box were girl cat is and begins to move it. Out runs a stinkin, dadgummed, pretty little RAT yes a RAT. I personally like rats, not wild ones loose in your house though. I start screaming and jumping now as the rat rounds the corner and heads towards our bedroom. Girl cat is fast on its trail, Patrick is right behind her and two dancing boys behind him. I am huddled in a ball in the dining room hoping it will all end. But then I start feeling sorry for the rat and want to safely let him loose out side. So I yell at Patrick "don't let girl cat get it" He yells back "she is a cat and this is the only thing they are good for" then I see the whole parade headed back my way again rat, cat, Patrick and dancing boys. So I quickly open the back door expecting to let the rat loose to live a long happy life outside. Out shoots Rat then cat I grab cat still screaming because I don't want her to eat the rat. I think the rat is home free. Then all of a sudden one of my outside cats catches him as soon as he clears the deck. Patrick tells me to leave it be and finish lunch because he is hungry. I tell him "no" I will save the rat, and I run outside in nothing but a T-shirt on and start chasing a cat with a rat around the yard. Every time the cat stops the rat gets loose. I run and yell at the cat but he catches the stinkin rat every time. Now the cat is growling at me every time I come near. Finally I think I have an opportunity to scoop up the rat in a cup when another wild cat comes snatches and takes off under the house. I was so mad, cold, frustrated but extremely happy because the Rat was not in the house. We all started laughing at me and my stinkin self when we got back in the house.

Happy Heifer

Fun Sunday Game

2009-02-22T07:40:00.003-06:00

How was I able to take a picture like this? Take a guess and post your answers. This is Just for fun and because I would like to see if anyone can guess it.

Happy Heifer

SKY WATCH FRIDAYS SUNSET and reflection of the heart

2009-02-19T22:28:00.008-06:00

I did not do any editing on these photos they are all the originals. All I did was crop a little. I love what the sun can do. I also love this horse one because the sky is so blue and reflects in the eye.

Happy Heifer

Trip Down a Lane, Memory Lane location Platte SD

2009-02-19T11:20:00.009-06:00

Who in the world would let there children run around outside with only underwear on? Let alone let them play in the mud. Whoever the parent is of these two children should be punished.

Oh how I miss diapers, NOT!!!!!

We are raising a tree hugger! We started him out early!

I really miss these sweet little moments, Oh wait he still does this daily!!!

Delicate little, precious, angel, cowboy, baby!!

Handsome tree hugging, cowboy.

Happy Heifer

Cabbage Salad

2009-02-19T06:54:00.004-06:00

This cabbage salad is so good! I eat it whenever I am dieting or just feeling in the mood for something light.

2 medium apples chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup light miracle whip
2 tablespoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons pepper
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
6 cups shredded cabbage green
2 cups shredded red cabbage
3 cup dried cranberries

In a bowl combine apples and lemon juice. In another bowl combine miracle whip, cumin seeds, salt and pepper whisk in vinegar.
In a large bowl, combine the cabbages cranberries and apples Add dressing and toss together cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

What have we been up to you ask- well absolutely nothing!! Yesterday we took Dustin to preschool. While he was at school I contemplated the reasons for him going to preschool and if I should just home school him. Then I decided that was not a rash decision I should make in an hour.

Cason and I came home cleaned the house.We Went up to the barn and investigated the body of a dead ground hog so we could find the cause of death. We fed the horses. I went for a walk while Cason went and helped Patrick with moving a hay ring.

I grilled Patrick on the cause of the ground hogs demise. Myself being an animal CSI decided cause of death was gun shot wound. When I put Patrick on the witness stand he confessed to knowing who the murderer was. It was the ranches hay man he speared the ground hog with a hay spear on the tractor. Patricks suspects it was on purpose due to the fact of who he is.

Patrick had to shoe three horses last night when he got off work. He was very stiff when he came home. I made him a egg, tomatoe, bacon, cheese and mayonnaise sandwich they were huge and he ate two at 9:30 at night. If I took a bite of such a fattening sandwich at 9;30 at night I would gain a thousand pounds.

Why borrow money, just learn to be more frugal, it is not a good feeling being owned by the lenders, and that is all I have to say on that.

Today I need to clean the house like always. play with my boys. cook something for cowboy church tonight. Read my bible. Go for a walk even though it is only 20 degrees outside.

At The Church we attended in south Dakota, all its members are popping out baby's like rabbits. That church was so wonderful and now they probably have more kids than adults, literally. We are so happy for everyone!

Once again I cannot put new pictures on my computer so I will spend part of today figuring out the problem.

My composting project has officially begun. I have everything mixed and ready to start working. Now it just needs to warm up again. All the moisture from the frozen stuff will help it decompose better when it does warm up.

I am trying to recycle better. I try not to throw things away and reuse what I can but since we live in the sticks there is not a recycling center nearby. That causes a problem because I am going to start recycling everything not just the things I am reusing. I don't really want A yard or house full of trash so I will have to find someplace to take all this stuff.

So that pretty much sums it up. I shall continue today with the prosecution of the ground hog killer. I will recycle and compost. I might clean my house, Probably not. We will go to cowboy church. I will continue to consider homeschooling, I think Dustin and I will benefit from it. I will do my research. I will work on getting my photos up and go to cowboy church. I shall leave you with a poem

My blog is like a box of chocolates you never know what your going to get

That is a poem isn't it ;P

Happy Heifer

Hypochondriac Kitty

2009-02-16T20:21:00.008-06:00

Hey did you here about how bad the economy is?
Yeah it is getting pretty bad around here. Our meal this morning only consisted of cat food. Yuck who eats cat food anymore. You won't see me eating cat food very long!

OH NOOOO what are the signs of a stroke? I think I am having a stroke some one call 911 now. I am having a stroke people can't you tell. I have all the classic symptoms. Slurred speech see " meeoossseeee" it is slurred. I am numb on one side. I am starting to panic here I caaaaaan'tttt Breaaaaath FOOOOOFOOOFOOOOFOOOO I am hyperventilating someone needs to take action now!!

It is getting worse I guess I am just going to lay down and die while you watch and take pictures. Lady you are suppose to care for me I need your help. I can't be alone, don't leave me alone It is getting dark, I see the light. The time has come.

BUUUUURRRRPPPPP Oh it was just a burp I am OK!! I will be fine no thanks to you.

Happy Heifer

Funny Boys

2009-02-16T19:09:00.010-06:00

Funny quotes from funny boys- Older boy sits in car kicking the back of the seat mom says "stop"! Boy does not stop. Mom demands he stops boy does not stop. Mom says "I am going to turn this car around". Younger boy chimes in "mom you said the wrong words, you were suppose to say I am going to pull this car over and pop your butt".

More funny quotes from funny boys- Older boy says "Mom Cason is inconsiderate" Older boy thinks for a minute "what does inconsiderate mean" mom says it means you don't care about peoples feelings Older boy says "OK I am considerate and Cason is inconsiderate"

-
-
-
Younger boy, older boy and mom are in a vets office. The vet is looking at our Homer Dog. The vet says SHE sure is a nice dog. Younger boy in a deep, deep voice says NOO HEE ISS A MAAAN. Everyone falls on the floor laughing younger boy screams THAT IS NOT FUUUNNNNNNYYYYYY. Everyone laughs more.
-
-
-
-
Older boy is very intellectual and thinks about things a lot. Yesterday he was pondering why he farts.
-
-
-
-
Older boy just came in my room and asked "why do a mom and dad have to be a boy and girl"
Patricks answer uuhhhhhhh

We were in wal-mart the other day and my oldest boy asked for a toy I said no we don't have any money in the bank he said "Just write a check"
-
-
Currently the two boys are walking around wearing my clothes and my exercise weights
-
-
-
-
When youngest boy throws a fit he sends himself to the corner and when he is done he says "mommy I am done with my fit" It is nice when your kids discipline themselves.
-
-
-
-
Oldest boy learned his colors by memorizing different tractors. We would hold up a green card and he would say "John Deere" we would hold up a blue card and he would say "ford" red card he would say "internationash" When he started going to nursery school his teacher asked him his colors and all he would say is different tractors. She thought he was special (not in a good way)
-
-
Happy Heifer

What I got for valentine's day!!!! Don't read if you tend to get a little green eyed

2009-02-15T07:10:00.004-06:00

This spectacular, wonderful, amazing, cowboy husband of mine. He blew my socks off this valentines day. He is so romantic and sweet. I could not have asked for a better valentines day present. The shear thought he put into this was mind blowing. I am going to have a hard time showing the picture because it will bring up all the emotion I felt yesterday when I first received this wonderful gift. I would not trade my husband or this gift for the world. OK I'll go ahead and show you please don't send me hate mail because you are jealous!

Here it is, oh ,oooh, ahhhhh, so beautiful I know

What there is NOTHING there I will have to fix this!!

OK how about now can you see it? Still NOTHING. HUH I sure dreamed I got something spectacular!

Happy Heifer

Random Pics for a beautiful sunday

2009-02-15T06:17:00.008-06:00

Wuper Whorse and the ware

Wunset's

Wunrise's

Whay barn

Cowboy Dan rides again

2009-02-13T19:06:00.008-06:00

Little did I know that something as simple as a children’s book would be one of the sole reasons why my life is the way it is.

"Cowboy Dan" is a wonderful children’s book. It has filled many children’s minds with riding the range on their trusty side kick capturing bad guys and sleeping under the stars. One of those many children who loved "Cowboy Dan" and all he stood for was a cute little toe headed boy from Tennessee.

This boy was shy, quiet and a cowboy. He would spend his days playing in the sand box and his nights snuggled up next to his mom or dad listening to "Cowboy Dan" over and over. He had every word memorized so no matter how tired mom and dad were they could not skip a page. The toe head with his bowl cut and perfect little legs did not dress the part of the cowboy though. Being the first born son he got to wear sailor suits and knee stockings.

He had an older sister who really wanted a baby sister, on a semi regular basis this little boy (much to his protest) dressed like a little girl. His sister loved this boy, they shared everything and even though the tough older sister liked to dress up the little boy, neither of them are in therapy (yet). The bond between brother and sister grew strong and soon she was reading him "Cowboy Dan".

This little boy soon started to grow and began to slowly live his dreams of being a cowboy. He started spending less time in the sand box and dressing up like a girl (because now he could beat up his tough older sister) and more time helping out on the farm. He even was allowed to stop wearing his knee socks. This boy was now a hand around the farm, he would help his dad plant, harvest and work cows.

The boy was now a teenager and was very active in his schools FFA and then became president and spent a lot time out at the schools farm (even when he was suppose to be in English). This teenager still had dreams, dreams of rambling, roaming around to see all the wide open spaces. He wanted to work as a cowboy on ranches in the wild untamed west. This teenager had dreams and soon his dreams were fulfilled and he began working on ranches and became a top hand.

He soon was to take a job on an operation in Wyoming. Little did he know that he would meet his future bride. Little did she know that the book that was so loved by a little toe headed boy would be what shaped her future husband.

"He's a rootin' tootin' cowboy

and his name is cowboy Patrick

he can ride a horse and rope a steer

as fast as any man-"

Happy Heifer

Patrick's mom and dad are visiting for the weekend and they brought Patrick's favorite book. They want our boys to enjoy hours of reading "Cowboy Dan" just like Patrick did. This is not Patrick's book they found this one on e-bay Patrick's book got worn out years ago!

Sky watch friday's sunset

2009-02-12T21:29:00.007-06:00

This was a beautiful sunset! The Lord was showing us his glory over our little barn a couple days ago. These pictures are not doctored in anyway no photoshop or anything this is what we saw!

Happy Heifer

Patrick's services

2009-02-11T19:26:00.005-06:00

Today Patrick got a phone call from a neighbor who has a jersey milk cow named Hershey. Our neighbor Jan loves Hershey. They have a bond that not many people share with a cow. Hershey was having trouble calving and Jan did not know what to do. Jan asked Patrick to come and help. When Patrick arrived it was obvious to him that Hershey was in a bit of a pickle her calf was breech and both back feet were back (coming tail first). Jan's husband and son had been working on getting the calf out for some time but to no avail. Patrick brought a calf puller and had the calf out pretty quick. It was to late for the calf. Everyone was very worried about Hershey though because she would not get up Patrick was worried she had exhausted herself or worse yet she was paralyzed. Jan was so worried about Hershey that she could not even be out at the barn she was sure Hershey was facing certain demise. They were able to finally coax Hershey up with some food, Hershey loves food. Jan finally came down to the barn and saw that hershey was Ok. She was very relieved that her best friend was going to be Ok. Patrick would not accept any kind of payment of course, but Jan insisted he atleast take a dozen farm fresh eggs. You cannot leave Jan's house without some sort of a home grown treat.

Its funny how on a regular basis we deal with this same sort of thing. But when it is a friends cow and that cow is not only a milk cow she is a best friend, how everyone even a burly tough skinned ranch hand like Patrick let's it touch his heart. Even if for just a second.

Happy Heifer

STEP 1- Compost pile

2009-02-10T17:38:00.004-06:00

Today while I was checking out my gardening spot and contemplating the future, I began to think about the steps I need to take to have a successful garden. I decided it would be great to document all my steps on here for my entertainment and yours(trust me it will be entertaining).

Also while I was in the midst of contemplating all that is life I gazed up at the clouds It was so peaceful and tranquil then a bird pooped on me and I screamed and cried. Then I realized life likes to poop on you sometimes but then you need to just take that poop and make a garden.

Step Numeral uno- Starting a compost pile

If you are like me and never picked up a rake last year and your yard is still full of leaves or maybe you have piles of grass, leave and debris clippings laying around these will be extremely helpful in the building of our compost piles.

First you need to decide where you want your compost pile then decide if you want it just a pile or you actually want to build a box. I would suggest putting the pile near a water faucet and in a somewhat shady, damp area.

OK a compost pile needs to be at least 3x3x3 feet the pile or the box. If you are building a box no need for a bottom just make the sides 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. A pile this size will make a good amount of beautiful black soil.

Ingredients to start- If you have horses or cattle you probably already have an enormous compost pile out in a pasture somewhere, that smokes everytime it is cold, perfect. Let's condense that down though, so you can use your food wastes and have that pretty black dirt.

You will need to gather all your carbon rich "brown" materials like straw or hay,dead leaves, cornstalks or newspapers shredded.Next you want "green" materials like manure, fresh yard clippings, kitchen food everything except meat. These "green" products are all nitrogen rich.

Now I realize for some it will be difficult to have all these materials and have enough to make a 3x3 pile or fill a bin. That's OK that's why we are starting now. It may take you a few weeks to get your compost working. Just follow the basic ideas as you build your pile.

You will also need some soil. Garden soil would be best. Just a nice loose soil free of rocks, because these rocks will allow to much oxygen to get to the black gold in the middle of the pile.

Now it is time to build your compost pile. Start with a layer of the "brown" pretty thick a couple of inches would be best. Then a few inches of the "greens" cover the "browns". Next add a thin layer of soil. Now add a layer of the carbon rich "brown's".

Continue layering until you get to the size you want (at least 3 feet high) if it takes you awhile that's OK. Make sure you have more "brown" than "green" a basic ratio.

To get the fastest results you want to turn your pile every 10 days or so. Just use a pitchfork and turn the top layer to the center. You will also want to keep your pile moist. Do not soak it though. It would be best to keep your pile covered with a tarp or lid to regulate the moisture it receives. After a while you will begin to notice creatures living in your pile that is good. And you will soon notice the center is full of nice black gold. Once you get enough of the black gold add it to your flower pots or vegetable garden.

I am going to build a compost bin tomorrow just a basic one. This will be interesting for sure. My first handyman project, since I attempted to build a TV stand 4 years ago that broke after 3 days. I am a little scared! Patrick will definitely be scared.

Things you don't want in your compost bin:::::

You don't want an excessive amount of wood ash. A little would be fine in large compost bins because it has trace elements that are good for plants. But to much will cause the PH to rise too much and will be bad for acid loving plants. If you have wood ash a better use for it would be to spread a thin layer over your garden spot a month before you plant. Also don't apply wood ash at the same time as a organic nitrogen fertilizer.

Don't put cat litter in a compost pile

dog pooh is a no, no all around

chemically treated grass clippings, yuck!!

Meat, fat, bones

I am excited to get started on my compost pile, how about you, lets go. OK not now because it is raining here.

Happy Heifer

Today's thoughts from a (fill in the blank)

2009-02-10T09:29:00.007-06:00

I started working on this flag a few months back. I don't have a sewing machine so I am sewing it all by hand. I got the idea from a few I have seen in magazines. I really like the look and can't wait to get it done. Since I am the worlds best at starting something and not finishing it has been awhile since I have worked on it. I decided today that I will start again and FINISH IT!!

You can kinda get the general idea I think with this picture. Obviously I have not touched it in a while because of all the wrinkles. It is going to be a decent size and when I am done I am going to hand stitch a scripture or the pledge of allegiance on it. I will then hang it with loops at the top that are wrapped over an old piece of barn wood. I just recently found etsy and I absolutely love handmade things I thought maybe I could sell a couple on there first of course I would have to finish the first one!! Has anyone ran across someone else who makes these on there? If so is it OK to sell the same things on there as someone else?

I can not wait to start canning. Last year was my first official year to really can and preserve. I don't have a pressure cooker so I did all mine in a hot water bath. The only thing that I did that needed to be pressure cooked was green beans. I went over to a friends house to do those. I canned apple pie filling, apple sauce, apple butter, pear butter (which was absolutely divine). I will share the recipe soon!! Spaghetti sauce(not so good, I mix it with stuff I should have followed a recipe), salsa (again should have followed a recipe) It is good but not very spicy, stewing tomatoes, tomatoes and onions, tomato sauce. It was such a job but so rewarding!! I had a hard time eating and using everything at first because I liked looking in my pantry and seeing all the jars. Then I was worried I would give my family botulism because I was sure the things would not work because I did them, lack of self confidence or something. Then Patrick who has a stomach of steel said "those things are closed perfect and I am not afraid" so he started in on some of it and since he did not die, I went ahead and started letting the kids eat the stuff. I still inspect every jar meticulously though.

Today I am going to go to a neighbors and collect a bunch of old barn wood and tin because I am going to use it to make crafts and things. Once I figure It all out I will show everyone.

I am also going to plan my garden. It won't be huge but will have what we need. I will still buy a lot of bulk produce from the local Amish community. This year I am going to can so much more, and I can not wait!!

On a green note- We live in a house provided by my husbands ranch job. They also pay our utility's. Which is wonderful but since we don't pay our own electricity bill it makes it hard to remember to turn out the lights for the environment. I have been working on remembering it though and especially turning off the heat until it is absolutely necessary for survival to have on (OK not that extreme but I am trying). I don't use many lights during the day and in the evenings we only use what we need and turn them down. I do leave my computer on all day though. Since I am computer illiterate about most things I was wondering if it is OK to turn it off or unplug it when not in use? Anyone know the best way to handle that?

Happy Heifer

ARTSY FARTSY HAPPY HEIFER

2009-02-09T15:42:00.010-06:00

I know this picture is actually, technically, suppose to be a bad picture because it is all blurry and stuff. But I thought I would have an artsy fartsy mind and give it a chance so I put it in black and white. I actually being the artsy fartsy intellectual that I am, like it. I don't know call me crazy, Patrick does on a daily basis.

I can now upload pictures! Not from my new camera but I just put my card into my old camera and upload. I am not very quick it took me a few days to figure that option out. I am so glad to get pictures on here again. That all makes it better now that I can put pictures on. I am starting to come out of my state of denial though and I am starting to realize that the whole thing with Homer T. was not a dream and that he is sick and that I don't know how I will handle it. OK I am done, tears are starting to roll. I will be strong!!

OOOOOHHHHH AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH (no I am not sneezing)

All I can say is yummmmmm

I can not decide which one I like better. The one with the horses face that is in focus and the saddle out of focus or the one with the horses face out of focus and the saddle in focus.

I think the horses face in focus and the saddle out.

Happy Heifer

Ropin on a saturday night

2009-02-09T13:27:00.009-06:00

This is Larry on Gold warming up for a fun night of tracking calves

Patrick took his super deluxe, high powered, 0-60 in nothing flat Ranch horse to a roping on Saturday. Doc the super horse is a coal backed bucking son of a mare. Patrick loves him unconditionally. Even now that he got injured and retired and bucks every time Patrick first gets on him because we don't use him enough. Patrick still loves him. His love for me is not unconditionally, oh there are conditions, definitely conditions!! He loves me more than the horse I promise, he really does, I am sure of it, he does, I think.

Patrick and Doc what a pair

The calves were new calves and had never been roped so they just tracked them. Which was good for Doc and the calves. Doc does not really need to worked very hard because he still favors his bad leg once in awhile. Doc loves to work though, I have never seen a horse love his job as much as that one. He does not like arena work but I'll have to admit out in the pasture he is a super star.

Handsome cowboy scratching his bottomminy

This picture and the one before I took right after Doc bucked with Patrick. Yah, bucked not crow hopped. It is quite the show when Doc bucks with Patrick because Doc is so powerful and Patrick is so sticky it is a pretty, harshly, beautiful dance. Doc is an honest bucker. He will only try you when he is fresh and not getting work everyday. Now that he is on retirement he is fresh every time we ride him. I use we very, very loosely I don't ride Doc because i would get bucked off in a heart beat.

OK I would never ever in a million years admit this to Patrick but I kinda like his old super horse. Don't tell him though because he hates my palomino mare and it is only fair that I hate his horse too. That is the key to a good marriage, keeping it real and making sure you don't like each others horses.

Happy Heifer

wacky, wild, weird w's

2009-02-08T09:35:00.007-06:00

Whis Whorse was wasking a wadow on whe wall

Whis wlane was wlying in whe wky

Whe Wise Wentle Whorse

Whe Wold wman

Whe weanlings

Wazing

Wappy Weifer

Can you believe I actually spell checked this post. Sometimes I wonder about me!

Yesterday we went over to a neighbors who has a roping arena. Patrick took Doc the super RANCH HORSE who has been on hurt leave for six months because he broke a small bone in his fetlock. Doc is 13 and still very colty. When he has been on vacation he will try you. Yesterday he tried Patrick and Patrick loved it!! He was so happy to see Doc feeling better he did not care a lick that the sorry old horse was coal backed and bucked pretty hard when Patrick first got on him. Of course I did not have my camera ready so I didn't snap a picture of Patrick in action. Patrick is pretty sticky and has rode many a broncs in his lifetime. I have seen him on some pretty rank ones and have not seen him lose his seat yet!! I did get some pretty neat pictures of our day and would love to show them to everyone, but for some strange reason I still cannot get pictures from my camera to my computer through the usb cord. Does anyone have any ideas why this might be happening. As I explained in my post yesterday we lost power and it blew the modem(I now know how to spell it, I think). We got a new MODEM and when we got everything all hooked up the computer won't let the camera upload pictures(uGGH). When you plug in the USB cord it just makes this dunndund noise and nothing happens. Any ideas

These other pictures are some I took last week, they are not very good but I like pictures and my posts are like totally boring and like my like way bad spelling like way shows when there are like no pictures

like way dude!!! :P

Sad news at the Heifer House

2009-02-07T14:28:00.005-06:00

In the midst of all my computer troubles yesterday I took my sweet Homer T. Dog to the vet because he is getting old and needed a check up. Well Homer T has bone cancer. The Doctor said with how old he already is he probably only has about a year and a half left. It has not really sunk in yet. It's way to hard for me to picture him only being around for another year. So for now I am in denial. Denial is a beautiful state to be in.

Happy Heifer

I am about to throw my computer out the window!!!!

2009-02-07T08:20:00.004-06:00

Somebody stop me because I am about commit a Hannis crime against my computer!!
Thursday afternoon the sky was clear, wind was calm, day was beautiful, we lost our power for five long hours. I was having with drawls, I could not get on here and post or look at blogs or anything. I actually had to do laundry and dishes. When the power finally decided to grace us with its presence I tried my computer. NO DIAL TONE, what! How could that be, hadn't I already suffered enough? Yes, we have dial up and that is bad enough, I know!

We plugged our home phone into the stinkin, dumbed old jack and yes there was a dial tone. That means our dad gummed, stupid, darned old, fluffy chicken, stinkin computer's motum is blown. Ok Megan calm down it is going to be Ok.

Ok I am calm now. How did that happen you say, don't you have a surge protector you ask. Well, any logical thinking, high school educated, normal person would have a surge protector to keep the motum from going cuputy. Just so everyone knows I am not a logical thinker, I am a version of somebody normal, I am not normal, I am a high school drop out (GED) hence the bad spelling and punctuation. I have a lot of things going against me. SO you say how come Patrick the college graduate, degree holding, logical thinker did not put a surge protector on? Simple he does not care a stitch about computers.

So, I had to take the computer in yesterday and get a new motum. Guess what, "What" I did not buy a surge protector. Yap thats right I didn't.

This morning I get on my computer to download some new pictures off my camera. Even though I can get on the Internet I now cannot download pictures, what is going on? I can not figure it out! I am, I am, I am so confused. I don't know what to do if I can't put pictures on my computer. I am going to go lock myself in the closet until the problem fixes itself.

I will be in my closet if anyone needs me Happy Heifer

SKY WATCH FRIDAYS

2009-02-06T18:45:00.001-06:00

LOOK AT THE SKY, NOT A CLOUD TO BE FOUND!
WOOPS! THEY ALL FELL TO THE GROUND!

ANOTHER INVERSION IN THE GREAT ROGUE VALLEY, I REALLY THINK THEY SHOULD CALL IT FOG ALLEY.

VIEW FROM ABOVE ASHLAND, OREGON FEBRUARY 3, 2009

To photoshop or not to photoshop that is the question

2009-02-05T11:34:00.008-06:00

PATRICK ON HIS JAPANESE QUARTER HORSE

I really want to get photo shop. I think it can make an OK picture great and a great picture spectacular or a bad picture OK. I am having a hard time debating whether I should go ahead and purchase it or not. I would like to be able to enhance certain parts of a picture and leave others alone. Like with portraits I like the sepia look with certain colors enhanced. I can somewhat get that look when I have certain backgrounds and neutral colors on the person but it is not the real thing. I would also like to enhance my boys eyes oh they have beautiful eyes and photos just don't do them justice. If I could do that I would be happy.

If I ever get good enough to sell my pictures, DO people want photo shopped photos or do they want actual true pictures I don't know. Some days I decide I am going to go ahead and get it then others I decide I am going to find a photo editing thing that is more simple and just has a few more options than the one I have now which is just adjusting the contrast and darkening or lighting the photo. Does anyone have any suggestions on other company's and what your opinion on photo shop is.

They all think I am weird especially Patrick

Currently this boy and his brother are sitting next to me fighting about who is going to play a guitar when they are older. conversation is going as so...

Dustin-" You are not old enough to play a guitar"

Cason-"When I's grown up I am going to plays a real guintar"

Dustin-"Well you can't play one now, you are still a baby"

Cason-"I am not a baby I AM A BIIIIIG BOY"

Dustin-" No you are a baby"

Cason-"No I am a big boy and Ims going to plays your guintar"

Dustin proceeds to whack CAson on the head with the guitar

Cason crys then proceeds to attack Dustin

Dustin cry's

I leave the room (hheee hee0)

Happy Heifer

Dreams Do come true

2009-02-04T19:53:00.003-06:00

Are you ever in the midst of a dream like being in a submarine or flying through the sky as a super human woman hero. All of sudden a gas line breaks on your submarine or you fly through a poisones gas cloud set by your arch enemy. When you are on your submarine you do what you can to get the gas leak fixed and when you are super human woman hero you put your nitric gas pack into super blast so you can get through the gas cloud before you suffocate. Just as you are about to fix the leak or about clear the poison cloud you wake up and realize that the gas problem is real and is suffocatingly bad as you rub your eyes and gag a little you try to figure out where the smell is coming from. As you wake up more and gag more your nose senses the culprit it is your significant other happily asleep next to you dreaming peaceful dreams of relief, as you gasp for air and go sleep on the couch. This has happened to me two nights in a row. I blame the Taco Soup he has been eating it for lunch and even with dinner. Tonight he was wondering what was for dinner and I told him there was Taco Soup left and he said that would be fine with him, but I might want to reconsider since I will more than likely have to sleep on the couch again. I think the Taco Soup is good and so does he but it does induce a gas phenomenon.

Happy Heifer

UMMM

2009-02-04T10:59:00.004-06:00

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see this picture?

SAD CAT STORY warning kleenex maybe needed(for me)

2009-02-04T08:28:00.005-06:00

When we moved into this house we are living in now there was a wild mam ma cat who had been left here by one of the other ranch workers. No one was feeding her and when we got here she was awful looking. She also had a litter of sickly looking kittens. They were all so wild, but me being the animal lover that I am started feeding her. She started looking better and eventually moved her self and her two remaining kittens under our house. I had no problem with it but Patrick being the cat hating man that he is was not thrilled with the situation.

I contemplated and worried on a daily basis what I was going to do with this wild cat situation. I am one who is always been all for getting your animals spayed and neutered. I even took our neighbors cat and all her kittens to get them fixed when we lived in South Dakota then gave her back half the kittens at no charge. They weren't wild though so it was much easier. I contemplated and worried for too long though because mam ma cat had another pile of kittens under the house this time since they were all getting fed well they all did fine one of her older kittens also had a kitten. So I found myself in a disheartening situation. I now had nine wild cats living under my house, and mam ma cat and her older kitten were pregnant again. I could not figure out what to do. No local no kill shelters would take wild cats and if I took them to the pound they would gas them immediately. So once again mam ma cat and her older kitten had kittens. This time mam ma cat had, I don't even know how many and her kitten had at least four. Oh my stinkin poop I have a problem.
In December PAtrick the boys and I went to Tn. for an early Christmas.
As soon as we returned home from Tn. I called for my cats only one barely peaked his head out from under the house. I thought that's weird even though they are wild they would always come out when I call. At that moment I new something was wrong. I went in and asked Patrick if he had someone come kill my cat's while we were gone. He said no and that he did not know what happened to my cats. It was late so we went ahead and went to bed I figured they would all be there in the AM. The next morning I got up went out to call my cats again this time I had food. Two cats came out, I new something had gone down. Some kind of hit on my cats had been accomplished. I once again asked Patrick if he new what happened to my cats. He said NO. Patrick went on to work and I proceeded to call my cats to no avail only three came out this time. When Patrick came home for lunch I trapped him. I asked him "so how did they kill my cats" his face changed and I knew he knew. He said that while we were gone in TN our neighbor called and said "I can fix your cat problem as long as her house cat is in the house". Patrick told him the house cat was in the house and the light was green.
I could not believe it my eyes weld up with tears. At first I was mad at Patrick how could he do this, And then lie to me for a whole day. Then I realized it was not Patrick's fault he has given me plenty of time to do something about the cats. Then I was mad at the neighbor for being gun happy and offering to do it for Patrick. Then I was mad at no one except myself I should have gotten the cats fixed earlier before they had these kittens.
I have forgiven Patrick and the neighbor. Some how some way our neighbor was able to kill six of them and destroy the evidence all in a days time. He is good that is for sure.
Now we have four of the older kittens left two female and two male that I am going to trap and get fixed this month because I found a place that will deal with wild cats. We also had six of the little kittens left and I was able to find homes for three of them and still have three left. I plan on just getting them fixed to because they are wild and probably won't make good pets.

Happy Heifer

let's pretend

2009-02-03T12:21:00.009-06:00

Let's all pretend that these picture's are of high quality and meticulously placed precisely on the previous post. Let's pretend that these picture's play out a poetic addition to the recipe. Let's just pretend that each one of these picture's along with the word's of the recipe magically flow together as if they were a perfect rendition of a Baxter Black poem. Let's pretend each one of these picture's are organized beautifully within the previous post to the point that makes your heart go flitter flutter with love and excitement over every word.

Let's stop pretending for a minute and add the last ingredient that I wonderfully forgot to add to the recipe post.

possum on the half shell. I think this would be a tasty addition. Don't you?????

Computers sometimes don't do what they are told and need a time out!!!

2009-02-03T08:53:00.006-06:00

My computer is having issues loading pictures this morning. I will try and get some more up this afternoon. I will leave you this morning on a good note. A note of warm and happy thoughts. A wonderful recipe that will make you sing songs of joy. You will have a brighter view of the world once you make this magical meal. Your heart will dance for joy at every thought of the taste and texture of this food.

Just kidding it is just Taco Soup

2 lbs hamburger browned
2 can black beans, undrained
1 can kidney beans, undrained
1 can corn undrained
1 can diced tomatoes undrained(i used homemade canned salsa and home canned diced tomatoes)
1 can rot ell tomatoes undrained
1 medium onion diced
2 packages taco seasoning
1 cup of water
Vinegar 2tbls
seasoning salt 1 table spoon
garlic and pepper seasoning
dash of Tabasco
cheese
sour cream
FRITOOOOOOOS

Brown ground beef with the vinegar, seasoning salt, garlic, pepper and Tabasco (all this is optional remember you are the one that is going to eat it!!) drain hamburger. Put hamburger in slow cooker. Add all other ingredients except cheese and Frito's and sour cream. Cook on high for 30 minutes then cook on low for 2 hrs. or cook on low as long as you want.

When ready to serve place in bowl and smother with cheese, sour cream and chips

Happy Heifer

Don't try this at home!!

2009-02-02T08:02:00.004-06:00

I have a bit of adult on set acne on my chinny chin chin. I 've tried lots of different products to no avail. Doctors would say it is a hormone problem or something but, they don't know what they are talking about. My hormones are just fine no problems here perfectly balanced and happy. Now excuse me for a moment I am feeling a little hormonal and need to go cry.

I am back, aren't you glad. I have found a few products that work pretty good and they are natural and not tested on animals. My favorite of all times is called a Blemish Stick from Dessert Essence. It like totally works dude. It is tea tree oil and is amazing. My favorite face wash is Mint Julep Natural facial scrud ( what is scrud?) It is like taking a big glod(what is my problem have I forgotten what a B is) of sand and rubbing it all over your face. So refreshing and elegant. And last but not least is and anti aging cream by JASON called Tea Time it is so amazing I definitely look like I am 18 again.

Now I don't have sensitive skin at all so some of these products may be a little harsh for certain skin types.

Another thing I like to do to help keep my flare ups flared down is once a week do a vinegar chemical peel. I use apple cider vinegar straight from the bottle but, the "normal" directions for this homemade chemical peel is to dilute it 1 part vinegar to 5 parts water. I wash my little face with my Mint Julep then I use a Mint julep mask by queen Helene. I leave the mask on till dry and rinse really good! I then apply my vinegar with toilet paper all over my face. Make sure if you are going to try this dilute it the first few times before going insane with vinegar like me cause I have tough leather like skin. Rinse vinegar off with cold water to close pours and feel refreshed. DO NOT, I SAY DO NOT use your Jasons tea time lotion on a freshly vinegary face because your face will catch on fire like a blazing wild fire and all your little face creatures will be fleeing for there lives from this raging inferno. TRUST ME I KNOW.

All these products can be found at local health food stores.

My skin is healing fine from the raging inferno if any one was concerned

Warning: the following may cause drool and heart palpitations

2009-02-01T20:21:00.008-06:00

In the steady gaze of the horse shines a silent eloquence that speaks of love, loyalty, strength and courage. It is the window that reveals to us how willing is his spirit, how generous his heart.
L. McGuire

The sunshines golden gleam is thrown, on sorrel, chestnut, bay, and roan.

His life was the life of a cowboy. He realized his former vision of himself, booted, sombered, and revolvered, passing his days in the saddle.
Frank Norris -McTeague

It is not enough for a man to learn how to ride; he must learn how to fall.

Mexican proverb

I love the horse from hoof to head.

James Whitmore Riley

No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.

Winston Churchill

Happy Heifer Photos Horse lovers Quote's

Randomnessy

2009-02-01T07:59:00.005-06:00

This morning we had cheerios for breakfast! Last night I did not cook dinner! The boys had popcorn and bologna. I don't remember what Patrick ate. My cat is currently sleeping on my desk and snoring. Patrick is out checking cows I should do laundry but I don't think I will. It is a beautiful muddy wet mess outside. I saturated my good tennis shoes with mud last night when I was feeding the horses. I will probably not wear them for weeks because I will not want to clean them. I had movies that were due back two weeks ago that I returned to the gas station last night. We won't be renting movies for awhile since they probably want our first born. I love to can fruits and veggies and can't wait til spring so I can start. I just knocked my cup o' joe off onto the carpet in my room. I should clean it right now, but instead I will continue with my randomnessy. My kids love to play in our hay barn it is a huge maze for them.

Today we are going to go shoe some horses. We were not able to go to church because Patrick did not get done checking cows in time. Since now it is mucky and muddy we are probably going to have sick calves to tend to over the next week or until it cools down again. We have no plans for super bowl no one loves us. Currently Dustin is leading Cason around with his lariat rope and Cason is barking. Dustin was just mad at me and told me he does not like me anymore. Then he told me he loves me only if I will turn him on a cartoon. I did not turn on the cartoon and I think he still loves me. I need to go feed bottle calves. I should clean up my coffee stain. Maybe I should go do laundry or dishes.

Oh Iam too tired. I shall go watch the news and drink my new cup O' joe

Happy Heifer's House of mess

Booger face is at it again

2009-02-01T06:17:00.003-06:00

This one is graceful!!

And this one picks his boogers!!

SWOC'S on MARS

2009-01-31T19:52:00.004-06:00

We raise cows on mars. They are called swoc's they live on mounds called mounds. They eat meteor blades and drink liquid gold. They don't have fences around them they have fences above them. We don't eat our swocs, since they are worth there weight in gold.

Happy Heifer

Grafting calves the skinny low down

2009-01-31T18:58:00.005-06:00

When you live on a ranch as large as ours you are going to lose calves during calving season. Since we are currently in the middle of calving season we have been dealing with lost calves. Usually when you lose a calf at this ranch you call around to all the other herdsman and ask if they have any orphan calves. Orphan calves are usually 1 part of a twin pair or they had a bad mother. If someone has an orphan or as we call them bottle calves we then go get that calf and bring it to our part of the ranch to graft it on to the cow. Now this is this cows only chance if she does not take this bottle calf or she loses her calf when there are no bottle calves then she is going to the cull pen. We do not keep cows around that don't have a calf on them. Sounds cruel I know, but that is how they do it here and at most successful large ranches. If you look at it in a business mind it is "good business". Lucky for this particular cow today we did have a bottle calf so we proceeded to do the grafting process.
Step one-Put the calf in with the cow

step two-watch to see if cow will except the calf on her own(sometimes this happens most of the time you have to talk the cow into taking the calf)

step three- talk the cow into taking the calf "come on you old hussy you need to take this stinkin calf or you are going to be hamburger"

Step four- if talking doesn't work then you run the cow into a chute

Step five- once in the chute you have a handsome, strong, yummyscrumdidlumpsious gentle man's man coax the calf into grabbing ahold of that teet and going to town! Nothing like watching your husband play with another heifers teets. Except she was not a happy heifer she was a mean heifer. And she was not a heifer, technically neither am I since I have two children but I am Ok with that.

Once the calf sucks the cow for a few days she than begins to smell like the cows milk and the cow and calf live happily ever after.

The one and only happy heifer

Mexican eggs

2009-01-31T13:41:00.009-06:00

Around here we love Mexican food and even for
breakfast we like to spice up our eggs a little!!

First you will need 8 -12 eggs depending how many
folks you are feeding. Then grab some butter or olive oil if you
are wanting a healthier version. Get one Medium green bell pepper dice and get one medium onion and dice. Next put butter or olive oil in skillet a couple of dashes of olive oil or 2 table spoons butter. Add bell pepper and onion to already heated oil cook until softened and a little grilled. To this mixture add 1/2 tablespoon taco seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or chopped garlic. When vegetables are done and seasonings mixed in, add eggs that have already been beeten ( is that even a word) then using spachuala (what is that) cook until eggs are done. Put eggs on a plate top with lots of shredded cheese and salsa and wrap in tortillas and enjoy!!!!

Ingredients:
8-12 brown eggs medium bell pepper
small-medium onion
taco seasoning
garlic powder or minced fresh garlic
salt and pepper to taste
tortillas
shredded cheddar cheese
salsa

Healthy ingredients:
10 brown egg whites and 3 yolks
olive oil
no cheese
whole wheat tortillas

Delisimoooooo
Happy Heifer

The adventures of Apple

2009-01-30T19:19:00.010-06:00

This apple was the only one left in the fridge this morning
and we thought he was lonely, so we decided to let him help
us for the day.

Apple is swinging

Apple is riding a trike

Apple climbs a tree

Apple feeds the cows

Apple rides a horse

Apple is lunch

Happy Heifer

WOE BLACK BETTY WAMBULAMBALAMBA

2009-01-30T18:41:00.005-06:00

Today is the day I shall post my first official photos with my new camera "Black Betty". Black Betty is a FujiFilm FInePix S1000, 10 mega pixel with 12x optical lens. I finally sat down today and read how to operate her. I am usually one who is all gung hoe for new things and taking risks, but with Black Betty I did not want to hurt her. I think I was a little afraid to use her. Now that I have used her for a whole day she is now one of my children, I love her and she loves me (I think). She will be put in time out if she does not behave. I have always wanted a daughter.

WOE BLACK BETTY WAMBULAMBA WOE BLACK BETTY WAMBULAMB YEAH!!!

My list of health for 2009

2009-01-29T23:50:00.004-06:00

HE IS STILL SCARED FROM BIGFOOT

2009 list

1. grow a large garden and use as much of our home grown food as possible

2. Compost

3.eliminate as much waste and trash as possible

4. post more healthy recipes

5. can, can and can some more I love canning i can't wait to start doing canning posts

7. watch less TV

8. get chickens, I want chickens

9. recycle more

10. make homemade crafts

Someday list

Learn how to quilt, Cindy I will need you for this one this is a someday though

Probably never list

Become comfortably wealthy so I can afford to be more green IE solar panels etc... and so I could travel the world helping others to become more green. Seeing as how I will be a Green Goddess by then.

BIG FOOT

2009-01-29T23:09:00.003-06:00

After a long day of feeding horses, cows and bottle calves Cason and I settled in the house for a few minutes to warm up and watch a movie. Patrick and Dustin went on to cowboy church, since Thursday nights is our night for that. Cason and I did not go because I still had barn chores to do. While we were hanging out at home I decided I needed a few things at the store. So Cason and I ran into town (pop. 150) and grabbed a few items. As we were driving back on one of the many dirt country roads we have to drive on I stopped my car for a brief moment to fix something or find something or both I don't remember. Of course, I stop my car on a slick snow packed part of the road my car tires aimlessly spinning as I mash the gas peddle . At this point my little world begins to close in on me because I am not but 2 feet on either side of my car from dense, monster filled, dark, creepy forests. Let alone the moon tonight was nothing but a sliver. No big deal you say,well I am very good at talking my self into being scared. I could see the Texas chain saw man heading towards my very stuck vehicle smoke billowing from his very sharp bloody chain saw. On the other side of the car was the big scary tree from Halloween Tiger and Pooh it's creepy eyes staring down at me as I try to rock my car of the slick spot. Then I hear the growl of a mountain Lion It came all the way from Colorado to Mo. just to be in this spot at this time to eat Cason and I. "It's Ok: I tell myself "the Texas chain saw man is not going to be in mo. he is in Texas and the scary tree is a nice tree he is not mean and Mt. Lions in mo. haha". I am doing better nothing to be scared of my car is starting to gain traction the world is looking up then all of a sudden out jumps Bigfoot just as my car catches some gravel. Feeeeeew we got away just in time!

Happy Heifer

SKY WATCH FRIDAYS LAKE PIC FROM MOM

2009-01-29T13:13:00.003-06:00

This is a beautiful picture of a lake near Ashland Or. I remember the name of the lake but not how to spell It...... HELP ME NOW, MOM

The bad speller (is speller a word)

Pictures property of Dawn Allen photography

NEW Sky watch Fridays Front porch and more

2009-01-29T12:30:00.008-06:00

This tree resides in our front yard, I absolutely love it this time of year when the trees are naked they seem so vulnerable but so majestic

Sunset view southwest from our barn lot.

Front porch early morning

Photos property of happy heifer photography please do not reprint without permission

I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY

Panera Bread

2009-01-28T19:30:00.009-06:00

Today the boys and I went to Panera Bread. My boys are wild children among wild children so it is a feat in itself to go anywhere, let alone a hip place like Panera Bread.

Once we were there the boys were being wild, and my hopes and dreams of savoring every bite of my Greek salad and veggie sandwich were slowly being flushed down the pooper.

Just then my simple mind had an idea. I will get them bagels and there own packets of cream cheese and let them have a blast (my kids are easily entertained). I was slowly devising a way to plunge my hopes and dreams back out of the sewers.

My skillfully devised plan worked spreading the cream cheese on a bagel quietly occupies a three and five year old for a good twenty minutes. In my small, strange world twenty minutes is plenty of time to enjoy a tasty Greek salad and a veggie sandwich.

Watch as the child concentrates on just the exact placement of his cream cheese, genius.

Oh and he has played a difficult card. He will be hard to beat!

This face might win the game!

Nope this won and we are going home, NOW!

GOOD MORNING WORLD

2009-01-28T18:42:00.004-06:00

Happy Heifer photography please do not copy without permission

Today was a day to remember! Everyday around here is a day to remember! We went from being ice breaking, cow feeding, horse feeding country people to Panera Bread eating city people. Yes, I do eat Panera Bread and I love it!!!!

This morning we all headed up to the barn to feed bottle calves, horses, and grafter cows (cows that lost baby's and have an orphan put on them). That took all of three hours. Then PAtrick speeds up to the barn frantically, it really startled me. He had a calf on the bed of his pickup that had fallen through the ice in a creek over night and was on the brink of death. We put it in the office and began the warm up process. The poor things legs were frozen stiff (literally). We did all we could for it, an IV, warm heaters and blankets, Tubed it with electrolytes but to no avail the little guy died. It was probably for the best she would have never recovered from the whole frozen leg thing. It's disheartening sometimes when you are having a great day then have to deal with a life or death situation. In those situations you do your best and realize that everything that could be done was done.

After the ordeal with the frozen calf the boys and I went to go get my new camera (yippy skippy, jumping for joy at the moment). I did not get anything super fancy it is still just a digital point and shoot but it is a 10 mega pixels instead of a 6.0 like my old one. I have a lot to learn about it and have not taken any pictures with it yet. All these pictures I uploaded today were with my old one. The new Camera is a Fuji I hope it does well. My old one was a samsung and it did good.

Patrick also bought a new truck today.(new to us) It has been a day of buying. Yes we are loaded and spend this kind of money daily. JUST JOSHIN YA"LL we got our tax money, wooohooo. No we did not save it and yes we should have, but I really really needed a new camera. Our kids don't need to go to college! Patrick really really needed another junky truck. Our kids don't need braces. We did pay off one bill with it, yah you go you responsible people!!!!

Everyone have a great night and I can't wait to start taking pictures with my new camera, Black Betty.

responsibility

Fluffy Chicken

2009-01-28T17:49:00.004-06:00

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT FLUFFY CHICKEN? YOU HAVE SOME NERVE TAKING A PHOTO OF ME!!

I THINK THIS COW WANTS TO EAT ME FOR DINNER! CAN YOU SAY HUMANBURGER YUMMY

HUMANBURGER

SNOW DAY

2009-01-28T16:36:00.003-06:00

I am so tired of my brother following me around! I need my space!

Wait Dustin why are you leaving me? I can't walk that fast! You have to wait.

Dustin didn't wait for this poor thing so now he is sad.

2009-01-28T16:03:00.004-06:00

Winter brings visions of sledding down country lanes, eyes closed tight, afraid, excited children, sounds of glee. Frozen noses warmed with hot chocolate, hands warmed by a fire, moms apple pie awaits.

Children's Dreams filled with snow men and sledding, summer time reminders are few and far between , when that first warm day arrives this swings long wait will soon be rewarded.

Cold, shivering, dedicated to children's play.

Relics of old " The school house"

2009-01-27T17:09:00.004-06:00

I can hear the school bell ringing. The teacher stands on the porch in all her glory, ready to teach her pupils. A smile beams across her face as the last student scrambles through the door. Once inside the burn of the fire place nips all the frost bitten faces. The students giggle and squirm until the teacher, the one who holds all these hopes and dreams in her hands, calls the class to her attention. You can hear the pride in her voice as she teaches Math, English,writing and art. The teacher would not want it any other way than being here in this old school house with her students.

SCARY

2009-01-27T08:00:00.005-06:00

This picture scares me!! Everytime I look at it, it reminds me of the Hound of Baskerville. When I glance at the trees mangled branches and dark spooky shadows I start to panic a little and my eye starts twitching then I have to look away!

Phobia Cowgirl

Healthy Vegetarian Chili

2009-01-27T07:28:00.005-06:00

Sloooow cook spicy vegetarian chili

1 tbsp olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp chili powder

28 oz can crushed tomatoes

2 cans (15 oz ea.) black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup water

1 4 oz can diced green chiles, drained

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cover and cook until just softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cook about 30 seconds longer.Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, beans, water, and chiles; season with salt and pepper, cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.Great to come home to after a long day and you don't want to cook. You could also serve this over rice and topped with diced avocado and sour cream.

I love my slow cooker, in fact I would use it everyday as I am more of a morning person and am usually uninteresed in cooking a good dinner in the evening.

My hubby bubbly

2009-01-26T19:29:00.005-06:00

Patrick is my hubby

He is a stunner

He makes my hearty

go pitter putter

Dustin is my sonny

he is funny

He makes me happy

and so does his pappy

Cason is my baby

he is so wildly

he throws fits

I knit mits

That is undoutably the bestest poemy I have ever ready

Booger face

2009-01-26T19:07:00.004-06:00

WHAT!#@ I DON'T HAVE A BOOGER ON MY FACE!

snakes,snails and puppy dog tails

2009-01-26T17:51:00.005-06:00

When I went to pickup my oldest boy up from pre school today he was being an absolute Meany butt. I asked him to put on his sweatshirt he punched me in my stomach, I asked him again he punched me again. I demanded he put on his sweatshirt and once again my bowl full of jelly got a beating. Flame started to shoot out my ears and my voice began to crack. I was HOT, mad, disappointed, delirious, emotional I wanted to yell and throw myself on the floor and have a nice little fit, but I kept my cool because his teacher was watching, of course!

What was going on with my boy he has never, ever been an aggressive type I could not figure it out. I was to the point of threatening, but his teacher was there and I had to keep my cool, I guess. The more I pleaded the more I got kicked or punched. Little did I now that my boy was showing off. Standing behind me was a cute little girl laughing at every punch and kick, and is he ever the little flirt. I was oblivious to the presence of this little girl since I was in fight or flight mode. I was really contemplating flight and telling his teacher I will pick MY son up tomorrow! She could keep whoevers heathen kid this is.

I finally dragged my boy out of his school tempted to drag him by his ear, but since his teacher was watching I had to keep my cool....... oh forget it I did not care anymore. Oh, when we got to the car did he ever get it I blistered his little Butt (just kidding he was already saying sorry before we even got to the car) because I told him it made me want to cry how mean he was being. He hates that line and man does it work. I am sure glad I have that option in the whole realm of discipline options. Is that even discipline? or is that black mail, who cares it works.

The black mailing mommy

THE TITANIC

2009-01-25T17:14:00.005-06:00

My sweet son, my oldest boy he is inequitably, undeniably, unusually, crazily, weirdly, absolutely obsessed with the Titanic. Yes that is right that big boat that sank, I don't know how many years ago. Wait just a minute and I will go ask him.......... OK Iam back it sank 97 years ago.

A little over a year ago I took him to a Titanic exhibit at a museum he was absolutely in awe. I thought at the time how cute. Now I cringe and my face starts to take on this new shape, a strange shape, it is like I am trying to be supportive and understanding but I am incredibly annoyed every time his lips even quiver the words titanic. I can even tell by the look on his face that we are about to have a 3 hr marathon full of Titanic questions.

I know I should be enthralled at the fact that my son who is 5 wants to know about history. I am glad that he does want to learn things but, OH MAN has it gotten old.

Ok now for my bad mommy moment we finally broke down and bought him the movie, Titanic you know with Kate Wins let and Leonardo DiCaprio. He saw the movie on a wal-mart shelf( here I go talking about wal-mart again I need a life) so I bought it. He loves it, he wants to watch it everyday (we don't let him of course). He even likes the part when the ship is breaking apart and people are falling, yeah, he likes it. His grandma(Patrick's mom) won't even watch that part. We let him watch the whole thing(except we did fast forward through a few parts). SCARY!!!!!! I thought OK maybe now the questions and Titanic marathons will end. Nope, he just asks more questions like " why did the captain not turn the ship" " how come the ice burg is bigger under the water" " how come the ship was unsinkable" " where's the north Atlantic" " I want to take a cruise to the north Atlantic" " How come they did not put the anchor down? that would have stopped the ship" " how come everyone wanted the necklace". We explained to him the movie was not what really happened and he understands most of the time. He knows Leonardo did not die. But since this is a daily conversation in our house he sometimes gets the real facts and the movie mixed up.

Does anyone else have kids with obsessions or am I the only one? Echo Echo Echo Echo I guess I am.

Let me know your kid's obsessions if you want to share.

I am the bahumbugger of the Titanic

FLower's by Mom

2009-01-25T13:46:00.005-06:00

My mom sent me this flower picture this morning and I absolutely love it. She is a very good photographer just this past year she upgraded from a inexpensive point and shoot film camera to a point and shoot digital. She has an eye for a beautiful picture and I think I get my love of photography from her. She sent me the original photo and I adjusted the exposure just a little( not photo shop) just the contrast button on my computer. I'll show the original

and the cropped ones. I like the original one the best, but it was fun doing the contrast with the other photos. Beautiful Mom!!!!!!!

What does everyone think the original or the darkened ones?

FLOWER POWER

Happy Husband Pizza

2009-01-25T09:59:00.003-06:00

Patrick loves this pizza and it can be made and rearranged in so many different ways

First buy frozen white bread dough ( it usually comes in 3 or four raw loaves to a bag)
or if you want to go healthy (this will be hard healthy recipe if anyone tries it and likes the healthy version let me know) buy whole wheat bread dough. ANd use less cheese like feta or Parmesan. also after you put the bread in the dish wipe it with olive oil then add the lighter cheese and all the veggies you want.

Next follow directions on bags of how to thaw out dough

this is how we like it but I will add some suggestions to the bottom on how to make it different

get shredded pizza cheese (lots)

I like Ragu Pizza sauce homemade style

Toppings- pepperoni, sausage, onions , olives, peppers, mushrooms, anything your little heart desires

Take the thawed out pizza dough one loaf and spread into a greased glass casserole dish with the edges going up the side of the dish ( we like ours deep dish and thick you may like yours thinner crust) you may have to add or subtract bread depending on the thickness you want. Since this pizza is baked in a casserole dish it is suppose to be more casserole like so I say the more toppings the better. slather with pizza sauce and then pile with cheese and your favorite toppings.

Put in oven around 350 and bake until crust is golden. Insert fork into middle of pizza to make sure the bread is cooked through. remove and serve hot it is also good cold and heated up the next day.

Simple, easy homemade pizza no mixing no settling it's your way and your way only

PS- I will have more pictures coming soon my camera is out of commission and won't be back in working order until tue. or wed. But it will be worth the wait because I have some super good picture Ideas and I am so excited!!!!!!

To buy Organic or to not buy Organic that is the question

2009-01-25T08:09:00.005-06:00

Being a ranchers wife and making a meager salary organic and healthy are not always an option. The only local store ( and by local I mean 30 miles away) that has a health food section is Hyvee and the health food section is kinda expensive. It is difficult to shop in this section and not spend fifty dollars on just a few items. So I try to utilize the rest of the store and products that are somewhat healthy and sometimes Organic. If you do your looking throughout a store even wal-mart ( I spend a lot of time at wal- mart) you can find things that are good for our environment and good for you too, but aren't incredibly expensive.

My favorite beauty products that are pretty darn cheap but also don't test on animals------
ST. IVES most of there products are not tested on animals. They make a great apricot facial scrub that I LOOOOOVE

For fruits and veggies if you are wanting to go Organic buy things that are in season. You don't have to go Organic on everything. If you are trying to do this on a budget than go Organic on the things that absorb the most pesticides. Take baby steps anything will help yourself and the environment. This is a list of things that absorb pesticides( yeah I know it is everything almost) but remember you don't have to do it all. Say you eat Apples a lot buy them Organic and don't worry about the oranges if you don't eat them as much or vice-verse.
Almonds
Apples
Apricots, peaches
Beets
Bell peppers
Carrots
Celery
Cherries
Cucumbers
Dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter
Eggs
Grapes, particularly imported varieties
Green beans
Greens and spinach
Lemons, limes and oranges
Peanuts and peanut butter
Pears
Pecans
Potatoes
Raspberries and strawberries
Winter squash

At wal-mart you can get free range eggs which I suggest they are more expensive but once in a while they do have have sales on them. Watch for sales and buy them when they are on sale. When not on sale buy the cheaper one's any little bit helps. Or get eggs from a neighbor, or the Amish or Mennonites they are usually pretty well priced and a lot of people who have laying hen's usually have an over abundance of eggs.

For flour, yeast, oatmeal, bran and most anything along that line I like Hodgson Mill you can find it most anywhere and it is good for you and your wallet

For cleaning products I like the price of method a product I found at Target they are pretty reasonably priced and are non-toxic, biodegradable,phosphate free, naturally derived and NO animal testing. I like the french lavender flavor of dish detergent.

I also like Clorox green works. Since it is Clorox and a large company they can have cheaper products and better sales. Search the Internet for coupons and sales and stock up when you find these. Stocking up on non perishable products is key to saving money.

It is hard for me to not buy the lesser known more expensive products that are made by mom and pop company's but I just can't afford it. I do the best I can and that is all we can do. When the "good" products that are made by small mom and pop company's are on sale cheaper then the normally cheap products I buy them and try them out.To support small American business's the best that I can.

REMEMBER ANY LITTLE BIT HELPS
Hippy Cowgirl

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA by mom

2009-01-25T07:41:00.005-06:00

This is a vegetarian lasagna made with tofu. It has quite a few ingredients but it is really very good!

1 med. onion, chopped
1 med. carrot, grated
1/2 cup water
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 15 oz. can chopped tomatoes with juice
1 28oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp each dried basil and oregano
1/2 tsp each dried thyme and fennel seed
pinch of cayenne
1 lb firm tofu, mashed
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
dry12 oz lasagna noodles (about 10 noodles)

Braise the onion and carrot in the water until soft, then add the garlic and mushrooms; continue cooking until mushrooms are brown. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings and simmer 20 to 30 minutes.Combine the tofu, parsley, and soy sauce in a bowl.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Spread about 1/2 cup of sauce over the bottom of a 9x12 inch casserole. Cover with a layer of uncooked noodles, then with half of the tofu mixture and half the spinach. Spread half the remaining sauce over this. Now make layers with the remaining noodles, tofu mixture, spinach and sauce. Cover tightly with foil, and bake for 1 hour, or until the noodles are tender.Let stand 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

My mom is the best resource for healthy recipe's. I remember growing up having to eat a lot of healthy food's some things were pretty strange. Now as an adult I really appreciate my mom instilling in me a desire to eat healthy(though I don't follow that desire as often as I need to, it is there). Her and my step dad do eat some things now that make me cringe though. So I hope everyone enjoys these recipes of health. I am going to be adding recipes as well more man friendly recipe's to go along with the healthy ones.

EAT TO LIVE DON"T LIVE TO EAT

Quirk's

2009-01-24T15:59:00.006-06:00

Quirk # 1 I am afraid of the dark!! If a sweet little kitten runs out from under a bush and I happen to be walking by at the exact moment I will pee my pants and drop dead of a heart attack on the spot. So if you read in the newspaper that a woman drops dead from a kitten attack, it will be me guarantee.

Quirk # 2 I don't like to fly!! I use to fly all the time when I was little. Now I have no desire, won't do it, can't make me. I will drive to Australia if I ever get to go someday.

Quirk # 3 I can't spell at all!! I depend entirely on spell check and that sometimes does not help. What's my problem, man. There, Their, They're, are my biggest problem givers by far and where, were, we're. Help me now, cause I am about to crawl into a hole!

Quirk # 4 I should be in playing with my kids instead of writing this blog, but they sound happy so I will finish

Quirk # 5 I want to become more green and organic and my husband thinks I am strange!! He thinks this is a quirk. Just you wait and see Patrick I will have you loving it all by the time I am done! He smirk's, smiles, laughs than walks out of the room. I'll show him I will!!

Quirk # 6 I wish I had a slight case of OCD. I am a terrible house keeper and SO unorganized( because I have self diagnosed ADD). I get into a fight with my laundry daily, it always wins. This is another reason I am on this mission to become more green, organic and sustainable. So I can live with just the necessities.

Quirk # 7 I have a deep love for animals and animal well fare. Ok most people would say this is not a quirk but most of our friends think it is. And yes sometimes I open my big mouth and say things on the animals behalf that I probably should just keep quiet at. Like when my husband and I are talking to a pig farmer and I start asking him about the size of his farrowing pens and if the sows ever get out. And he looks at me strangely and Say's "your not from PETA or anything are you" and my sweet understanding husband laughs a nervous laugh and gives me that look, you know that look of SHUT UP. He new what he was getting into when he married me 7 yrs. ago!!!!!!

PEACE OUT MY BLOGGER BUDDIES

SKY WATCH FRIDAYS frontporch

2009-01-24T09:10:00.011-06:00

For some reason from our front porch I can catch the most beautiful sunrises. I took these pictures two or three days ago. It was a cold brisk morning. How could you not have a wonderful day when this is what greets you in the morning. I did not doctor these photos with anything other than cropping them. I am so excited to have found sky watch because I

Love taking photos of the sky and look forward

to seeing everyone Else's.

GOD BLESS

ORGANIC BERRY COBBLER

2009-01-24T00:01:00.004-06:00

This is a really easy but very good berry cobbler recipe. Just buy a couple of bags of frozen berries (any kind), throw them in a baking dish, stir up the topping, bake, and top it with ice cream to serve. WONDERFUL.
1 1/3 CUPS WHOLE WHEAT PASTRY FLOUR
1 CUP RAW SUGAR
1 TBSP BAKING POWDER
1/2 TEASPOON SALT
1 1/3 CUPS SOY MILK
4 CUPS BERRIES (ANY KIND)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.In a mixing bowl, stir together the dry ingredients, then add the soy milk, and stir until batter is smooth.Spread the berries and any juice evenly in a 9X13 inch baking dish. Pour in the batter.Bake for 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm.This is a good recipe because it contains no added fat and be sure to use all great ORGANIC INGREDIENTS. I like it because you can make it all year round using frozen organic berries when they are on sale.

This is a wonderful recipe from my mom!!!!! Let's all give mom a round of applause!!!!!

YUMMY AND HEALTHY

Ranchers Recycle

2009-01-23T14:05:00.005-06:00

We are a ranching family. We work for ranches we don't own the ranches, we make a decent living but are not rich by far. We utilize what we can to save money and that means anything.

Ranch recycling 101-We work on a large operation and being so large during calving time there is always going to be some bottle calves. These calves come from cows with bad udders, heifers who don't know what to do with a calf and sometimes they are twins and the cow can only support one. Inevitably we always have milk re placer around. The milk re placer you buy in the big bags come with plastic measuring cups inside them. These cups make great drinking glasses for us. They also make great bathtub toys for the kids. Needless to say we have a bunch of them and we don't throw them away we use them in some way or another.

Another great recycling tip is when we buy ice cream we buy it in the large 1 gallon plastic containers( PAtrick eats a lot of ice cream). When we are done with the ice cream I wash out the containers and use them for dog food dishes, I measure the grain for our horses in them, I store left overs in them. Redneck Tupperware baby!!!!!!!

I also reuse all my plastic butter containers as redneck Tupperware as well!!!!

COWS and recycling

My oldest cowbaby how handsome is he!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RANCH LIFE

2009-01-23T09:58:00.006-06:00

This is my husband PAtrick he is a Cowboy. He does not like to be called that though he wants to be called a cattleman. And boy is he ever. Just yesterday I watched him in action trying to help a cow having trouble calving. The cow was in distress the calf had two feet back and was dead. A bad combination seeing as though its difficult to deliver a calf with two feet back that has not been dead a day or so. Add in the mix the combination of a bloated, dead, smelly body you have a problem. Patrick handled it with grace and charisma he is a calm, quiet man that excels in situations of stress. He worked on the cow by using a calf jack to pull out the calf. The cow would have a contraction he would crank it was like a dance. Once in awhile he would reassure her and say "come on girl" It's sweet seeing a man with his arm in the backside of a cow saying "you can do" puts it all in perspective for me. He loves what he is doing it's not just a job to him he cares for these cows all 7,000 of them Ok maybe not all of them I have seen him crack a smile at several old mean man eating cows that got sent to the cull pen.

Life

PEACE OUT Megan I love my cattleman husband

Binky's, Paci's, Suckey's and Soothies OH MY!!

2009-01-23T07:52:00.008-06:00

I was just looking through some picture's of my boys. As I searched the file's of picture's sweat started pouring down my face, my heart began to flutter. No I was not having a heart attack I was freaking out over the fact that (gulp, groan I don't know if I want to admit this) my youngest son always and I mean always had his suck for the first 2 yrs. and 10 mo. of his life. Now I realize that I subconsciously new it at the time that he had it, but since it was literally attached to him like an appendage it became oblivious to me of it's existence.

This little stinker I call my son would look at me with his sweet eye's and say "I wan my suckey!!!" and I would cave. He has me wrapped around his little finger. He's my baby, he loved to cuddle and play with my hair, oh so sweet. OK now I want another baby ( don't panic mom I am just kidding).

Every time, and yes there was more than one, we would tried to take the suckey away he would not cuddle with me. He could not bring himself to play with my hair. He would not sit with me and I could not take it. SO he would get his suck back and then be my baby again(That could be a song).

This little boy had his suck when we went swimming, when he was riding horse's, even when dad would toss him in the creek the thing never budged from his mouth.

OK now for the bad part the little boy's teeth had a gap in them between the top and bottom's. A big gap, he could not bite anything. Thankfully he was not a biter because he would not have been very successful at it and I want him to succeed at everything.

A month or two before his third birthday, after he was completely potty trained we decided it was really time to say bye bye to the suckey. So we cut all the ends of the suckey's told him they were broke and he said " no they aren't you cut the pacifier with the scissors" yes he could say pacifier by now and could speak really well. So that did not work, then we said "Cowboy's don't suck, Suck's" He said "OK" and since he was a cowboy he decided he was done with the suck. Once in a while he would ask for it the first couple of day's. It was like watching an adult addicted to something going cold turkey. The only time he had a hard time was nap time. SO me being the perfect mother I am (hheeehhee) did not make him take a nap that first few days without his sucky. He did OK with bed time and after three or four days he had gotten back on the wagon never to fall off again.

See YAh

Hippy Cowgirl AKA Megan

Amish, Mennonites and Farmers Markets

2009-01-22T21:03:00.000-06:00

Strolling down the rows of booths and seeing all the home grown vegetables, fruits and canned goods I take a deep breath, the smell is intoxicating. I look around and feel as though I am in a painting all the natural colors and beautiful pies and flowers, clothes, meats and produce. I am at a farmers market I love it here everyone is happy to help you pick out the perfect piece of fruit or let you taste the homemade apple pies.

Living as far out in the country as we do farmers markets are just a distant memory for me. I love fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers. It is not very often though that I can get to a farmers market.
We do grow a garden a small one mostly peppers, all kinds of peppers, Patrick loves peppers. We also grow tomatoes the kind that you can eat right off the vine with the juice dribbling down your face.
For all my other local produce I like to take advantage of an Amish community that is only about an hour away. I love the drive to this place the anticipation of a lovely discussion with one of the wives or what new beautiful flowers they may have available.
We also buy butcher hogs from them. They raise hogs and always have sows that no longer can produce piglets. I like buying my pork from them because at this particular farm the pigs are not kept in small cages. They keep all their pigs in big pastures and they have their piglets this way. I like knowing were my family's meat is coming from and I like knowing that the animals were treated fairly and compassionately.
Buying locally whether it is eggs, vegetables or meat is the best way to go. For one you support your local community and for two you know exactly were your food is from.
If you do not have a farmers market near by, find out if there is an Amish or Mennonite community. Or ask friends maybe you grow something in your garden that they want and vice- verse. Just ask around you will find somebody that has an over abundance of produce and they are willing to share.
TRANQUILITY

HIPPY COWGIRL remember I cant spell photo courtesy of treehugger.com

2009-01-21T08:12:00.000-06:00

This is my youngest cowbaby I love this picture escpecially now since its winter and this reminds me of summer. Sorry but I think he is the cutest thing I have ever seen. He has a major tempor though don't let those eyes and sweet smile fool you.

YEahawe
Hippy Cowgirl

Wake up wake up my sleepy pup

2009-01-21T07:51:00.000-06:00

This is what I say to my cowbabys when I wake them up in the mornings. This is the response I get nooooo iiiiiiiimm tired. What ever happened to all the blissful happiness of children jumping for joy when there loving beautiful mother opens the door and sings them a sweet good morning song. You know like the stuff we see on TV the perfect life. As I sit and type this lovely morning I imagine myself in this world of TV perfectness. My laundry's done there is a three course breakfast waiting on the table and a fresh bouquet of flowers.(Even though its the middle of winter I never have understood this but since its a perfect TV life I wont question). My hair is perfect and my makeup on. Then I hear a sweet voice moooomm I want a cartoon now. And I wake up and see my dirty clothes pile staring at me laughing because it truly has beat me. I almost cry then smile and tell it to be quiet because today is the day I am going to ruin its reign of terror on my life(probably not) but one can always hope.

Life is a daily heartattack

2009-01-20T19:57:00.000-06:00

Ok today I am excited to anounce that drum role please.............................

I am just kidding nothing to anounce yet. Maybe in afew weeks once I get a hang of this blogging stuff. I will anounce some sort of a contest like an envelope of cow manure or something to the first bidder.

Today my youngest cowbaby and I went to town to pick up horse feed and go to Mcdonalds while my oldest cowbaby went with dad to check cows, When I got home this is the conversation I had with my sweet children.

"Leave me alone, get out of my room"

just kidding, here it is really

"Mom" my oldest cowbaby says
"Did you hear the gunshots echoeing off the hills"
"No"I said, as I stand up to yell at cowboy Pat for shooting a inocent coyote"did your DAD shoot a coyote?"
"No I shot the 22 he says beaming from ear to ear"
"what" OK at this point I cant decide wether to be mad or happy or cry or lock myself in my room and pout which I do rather well if I do say so myself
"Good babyboy" I stutter
as the night wears on and he continues to tell me about his shooting adventure I start to actually feel excited for him this is a big milestone in a little country boys life.

Talk to yah later ya'll
HippyCowgirl