How Did It Get To Be September?

It's hard to believe today is September.  We have had a very, very hot week and it's been hard on the corn and the cattle. The air conditioner was still running at 10 pm.  Today fall is in the air, but next week's forecast is back in the 90's.  As you can see the baby calves have grown up over the summer.  The grass is not so green any more.  We are praying for rain.  DH has been preparing for silage cutting time and stacking all those bales we've made.   They will start cutting the corn on Tuesday morning.

I  have been cleaning and sorting.  I have too much stuff!  I've been thinking I need to have weekly goals, but my "flexible" life style seems to get in the way.  At least  Cherry on Top is a topper.  I've been doing most of my quilting on paper this week.  When it cools off, I'll need to do a practice top and I'll be ready to load and quilt Cherry.

I've been stitching a Thrift store find.  I bought this set of alphabet blocks at the store for $.50.  Embroidery is so relaxing for me.  I love the plain lazy and winding down of sitting and stitching.

Life is busy, but good. 

Sewing Interrupted

It's March!  Life has once again gotten in the way of my sewing projects.  We didn't get as much snow as they predicted, but we got plenty.  They even cancelled the calf sale.  We had planned to sell calves last week.

It took us most of the day to feed everyone and give everyone a dry place to lay down.  I hope this is our last shot of snow.

It's always nice to have a warm coat to wear in this weather.  It's even better to have food and a bed of hay.

You can't see the furnace vent under Puss.  It was a chilly morning and she was making the best of the heat.

BIL and nephew came yesterday to help sort the calves.  We are selling them tomorrow.  We will keep the smaller ones  and next year's heifers at home.   It was a gorgeous sunny and warm day yesterday--lots of mud. 

It Was A Snap!

I did get the little "snap bag" made last week.  When I make something new, I like to make just one so I get the process straight in my mind.  I used the pattern by Stitchin Sisters.  I borrowed the pattern from one of my quilting groupies.  These little bags use old metal measuring tape to create the snap closure.  DH brought me about 10 feet from the shop to use.   I learned a lot making the first one and hope to get some more made for some Valentine treats.  It was quick and easy.  It took me longer to cut out the pieces than to sew it together.   There is a tutorial for one here too.

I've been in a "January funk" this last week.  It has been overcast and super, super cold. It has snowed off and on the last 3 days.  High winds a couple days blew the snow around and into the shelter belts. It was -18 this morning, but at last the sun is shining.  It is amazing what sunshine does for me.  I see on face book that a lot of people take extra Vitamin D in the winter time.  I'll have to look for some next time I get somewhere that sells that kind of thing.  When it is so cold I just want to wrap up in a blanket and vegetate.  Rocco loves when I do that, so I'm appreciated by him.   Linda sent me the book, The Quilter's Apprentice, so I was reading instead of sewing.  Thanks, Linda, it was a good read.

Peanut  had a successful surgery last week.  She was back to wanting outside in two days.  I worry about her naked tummy and getting too cold.  She whines and nags until I give in and let her out.  At least she comes back sooner than before.  I thought maybe the surgery would slow her down, but so far not a bit.

These three shared some snacks together the other morning.  "Bad Cow" walks over the cattle guard gate, which is suppose to keep her out of our yard.  She likes the corn and oats that get spilled by the grain bins.  She was joined by a cotton tail rabbit and a blue jay.   The pheasants and deer like to stop for lunch too.

I ran letters to the mailbox this morning, so I took a sunny day picture coming back.  The snow doesn't look as stacked up as it does in towns, because we have more room for it to spread out.

The cows were all waiting for "Meals on Wheels" to show up.  I don't want to come back as a cow in my next life--not a South Dakota cow, anyway.  They don't seem to mind as long as they have a lot of food.

Well, I hope to get over my funk and back into my sewing room.  With the sun shining it should help warm it up in there too.

Runner Contest

I entered my Gingerbread Dancers table runner in the Quilting Gallery's weekly contest.  They have a themed quilting contest every week.  This week is for table runners.  This is the first time I've entered.  I'm not asking for your vote, but follow the link to see all the pretty runners. Vote for the one you like best.   Michele does so much work keeping the Quilting Gallery on line.  There are fun contests, swaps and lots of  blogs to read.  If you've never been to her site, check it out.

The baby calves born last spring have grown up.  Today we weaned them from their mothers.  The youngsters are in one pen.  The mothers are in another.  There is a strong fence in between.  There will be a lot of bawling going on for about 3 days and nights.  

This little guy is what happens when "the boys" don't stay in their pen.  He was born about 2 weeks ago.  It will be a cold winter for him.  He's doing well snuggled in the hay.  We'll keep him and his mom near the barn, so they can go inside when it gets real cold.

I'm in the process of drawing the book winners.  I'll announce them in the next post.  I had planned on sewing this afternoon, but I have a migraine.  I don't function very well with one of those.  Rocco and I are hanging out until my meds kick-in.  I want to put the borders on Rooco's quilt and start the sandwich.   I can't believe it's Friday already.   Jen will be home for Christmas in 12 days.  Michelle has finals next week.  She will be home the days Jen is.   Can you tell I'm smiling?

Is It Friday Already?

 Down on the Farm is completed--not quite.  I really did think I was done.

 I even made a label (blocked the last name on the photo).  Then I washed it with Color Catchers--lots of green flannel color was caught.  Oh, dear now look................  Have you ever had fabric disintegrate?

Sorry for the out of focus shot!!  This John Deere fabric just disappeared from the scarecrow's sleeve and neckline.  I know I should wash fabric before I use it--I don't, never have.  I might start.  I know I've had this material for a while--not sure how long, but evidently too long.  I'm going to do a little patching.  : ( 

I learn something new every time I make something. 

 DH has been hauling bale stacks this week.  This is the stack mover empty.  The mover tilts down and slides under the stack of bales.  Little fingers help pull the hay up on the stackmover.

 Here he is headed in with a load.

There are 20 big bales in each stack.

He is headed to the feed yard to unload.

We should have plenty of hay to feed the cows this winter.  (click to make larger for better photo).  DH is glad to get this job done.  He had been waiting a week for parts for the stack mover, so he could get started.  We also worked on water tanks and the well this week before the weather gets colder. 

We found out today that a regulator on our 1000 gallon propane tank failed and it leaked to empty.   It was an expensive failure for a $15.00 part and propane went up $.30 since our summer fill the end of August.  Rats! 

The weather has still been fairly decent out.  I don't think Soot could get any higher in that poor little volunteer tree. 

Rocco and friends have been enjoying the sunshine this week.



It's been a busy week but I've been blog hopping and trying to win the new 100 Blocks magazine from Quiltmaker.  I won a copy last year and was hoping I could again.  I really need another magazine.  : )

As soon as I get the little scarecrow patched, I'm looking forward to starting another project.  I need to do something quick and easy again, before I go back to borders on my pinwheel quilt.  I still need sashing on my Jelly Roll quilt too.  It will be fun just to work on whatever I want to.  Have a great week-end. 

A New Week

Monday--again already!  And the middle of July too.  Where does the time go?  Michelle and BF Jared were home for the week-end.  We enjoyed visiting, watching movies and eating--too much.  We had our first watermelon of the summer.  It was really good.  It's always a gamble when you pick a melon--will it be good?  I got it right this time.  I use the ole "thunk" method.  It was nice and red and sweet.  

Sunday I went with my baby sister MJ to a baby shower for my niece's step-daughter's new baby boy--wow, that was a mouthful.   We had a nice visit all the way there and all the way back.  Nice to catch up on everything and everyone in the families.   The new baby received alot of wonderful gifts.  They have such nice equipment for babies now days.  I never had a bouncer, walker or a stroller for my babies.  We ooohed and aaaahed over the outfits and took turns holding the 3 babies in attendance.   Three of MJ's 4 daughters were there and we went out for Chinese after a short shopping trip.   Michelle and Jared stayed home to entertain DH and Rocco.

DH is recovered and back to work today.  He is laying down more hay to bale later this week. 

Rocco and I did pasture checks.  I thought you might enjoy a photo of our cows visiting with the neighbor's cows. 

As they say "good fences make good neighbors" or something like that they say.  I was also thinking this morning that I'm always taking pictures of nice flat ground to show you.  We do have small hills and lots of rocks in places.

Yes, that is Rocco's nose.  :)  He loves to hang out the window.  Don't worry I'm always hanging on to him.

As you can see I have no sewing to share, so I better get busy.  I need to do the next block for the Jelly Roll Sampler and I'm plugging away on the Pinwheels.  I have all the vertical sashing done.  Hugs until I talk to you next time.

Full Moon

I couldn't resist a shot of the full moon rising.  It always seems so strange to see the moon during the day.

No sewing this week, since the pinwheel block.  I've been in kind of a funk--maybe it's the full moon's fault.  I'm looking forward to a better sewing week.  I just need to get my groove back.

We made a road trip and bought 2 new bulls to breed the heifers.  Hopefully these guys will put an end to the c-section problem next year.  

The vet came and did the annual check-up on the rest of the bulls.  They got shots and pour on.  The bulls were put out yesterday, so calving will begin again next April.  We have 3 pastures of cattle now to rotate grazing and check fences on. 

The cattle rubbers needed a little maintainence.  The cattle can rub on this to keep their flies away.  The flies and mosquitoes are really bad this year, so we keep a rubber in each pasture.

Rocco enjoyed some time checking out the gopher holes.  He needed a drink of water, which we always carry with us for him.  It was a hot morning for a little black dog.

DH and Rocco checking fences.

We are headed home from the pasture.  This week we will start mowing, raking and baling.  I hope I have some sewing to post next time.  Hugs.............

Good Rainy Weekend

It was a cool rainy week-end.  It's not often that we wear jackets to work cattle in June.  Usually by now the days are in the 80's and it's dry and dusty.  We worked the cattle starting early on Saturday morning.  This was the day all our helpers could come and rain was in the forecast for the next 3 days.  We have the pairs split into two bunches.  We brought the first bunch in and worked them and moved them back to their pasture.  The crew stopped  to eat a roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy dinner (lunch to some of you).  After dinner we got the next bunch in and finished up about 4:30 pm.  It was cool out, but hard work in the extra wet and mud.

The llamas went first.  They got poured for flies and mosquitoes.  We put them in the pasture with the cows that are still expecting a calf and the ones that lost their baby or aren't having a calf this year.

The crew sorted the calves from the cows. The calves go through a small chute and the cows will go through the big chute. Michelle was home to help.  She needed to borrow her dad's slicker pants.  The orange plastic panel is so the calves can't see out and will go down the small passage way to the chute.

Michelle and nephew, the groom have to persuade the calves to take their turn.  It involves some pushing and wrestling and getting kicked.

DH, BIL and nephew catch the calf in the chute and give it shots and pour it.

Calves are done, now for the cows.  As you can see all the work DH did last week on the pens didn't do much good after the 1.5 inches of rain we got on Friday night.  It did stop raining about 8:00 am Saturday morning, so the crew didn't have to work in the rain, just the mud.

The cows take their turn.  Only the first cow is caught in the chute and they can do 8 to 10 at a time.
Then we let the cows and calves mix again and move them back to pasture.  It's nice to have this big job done.  Everything went pretty well and no one or animal got injured.  I always pray for safety for them all.  And yes I took my turn after dinner helping too. 

It was nice to relax on Sunday.  Michelle stayed for dinner and we took naps afterward.  It rained again.

I got my Jelly Roll Sampler block stitched up, so I don't get behind.  I'm still loving the "Blush" fabric.
I've been printing off the directions for all my BOM's.  I'm missing those long winter evenings that I could do all that hand work.  I spend more time mowing now.

I found out today that my mini swap quilt will be late.  My partner has been ill.  I hope she will take her time getting better and not worry about finishing the quilt up.  I'll still be here when she's done.  I haven't received any of my prizes in the mail yet.  I can still anticipate on the drive to the mailbox for a surprise.  

Hugs to you all.........

Going Slow

This is a sign you will see as you approach our ranch.  DH made these signs last year to alert traffic to the small dog, Rocco that had just moved in.   Delivery drivers (UPS and FedEx) drive way too fast on our little country road as they quickly make their rounds.  Although our road goes from gravel to 2 wheel trail, it is used by neighbors, farmers and hunters who cut across to save time.  They are usually in a big hurry. 

Some days lately I've wished I had a sign.  SLOW  TIRED WIFE   lol   We are working on the pens behind the barn today.  We will be using these pens to sort the cattle into groups of cows and calves.  Each bunch will get vaccinated and poured separately.  There will be lots of bawling and mooing going on.

The planters are here trying to get our sunflowers planted.  We grow the kind of sunflowers people eat, not the kind for making oil.  They planted all afternoon yesterday until it rained last night.  It rained .22, so they should be able to plant later today.   It will be a partial planting, because most of the fields have parts that are under water.   It is suppose to rain tonight too.

I'm guilty of reading quilt blogs instead of sewing in the little free time I have.  Have you been to Prairie Flower Farm?  Of course, it involved the lure of a free redwork pattern!  I have a weakness for snowmen, so the Spring Thyme and Summer Thyme blocks are just too cute for me to pass up.  I enjoyed her farm pictures and I am using a photo and verse that she said I could use.  I'll visit there again. I found her by way of  Free Stitchin' Patterns.  This site is great for feeding the stitchin and snowman passionate sewer too.

I'm looking forward to DD #1 coming home later today for the whole week-end.  DH will work her buns off.

Too bad my buns don't work off--my knees just hurt.  Aleve--I love you!

Just a reminder to myself, to spend more time seeking. And to remember that our grass is green and not brown, so I better not complain about rain.   :)   Hugs to you all....................................

No Sewing: Giveaways and Voting for a GO

No sewing here.  Just a quick update before I waterproof the deck and do some yard work.    First I want to share with you the 100th post of Marilyn's Maze and of course she is having a giveaway of some wonderful fabric that is already pre-cut.  Yummy!  Happy Blog Anniversary to you!

I also wanted to let you know you can help a friend of mine win a "GO".    If you visit Sheilac's blog, she will tell you all about it.  Or you can go straight to Bejeweled Quilts by Barb and vote for My Empty Nest is Full of Cat Hair in the upper lefthand corner.  I know Sheilac would be so grateful to you for your support.  I went and voted for her last night.  How awesome it would be to win a "GO". 

Thanks Marilyn and Sheilac for being followers and blog friends.

I also wanted to let you know about a give away Jane's Fabric's is having.  It is her 400th post and a big 2 year anniversary.  She is having a week long celebration.

We have been getting yards and pastures ready.  I took a few photos of the natural prairie for you.  This is north of our place in what we call the "big pasture".  It is the summer home for most of our herd.  We have had a lot of rain and the grass is the tallest I've ever seen it.  There is also water in more places than I've ever seen.  It is a beautiful place.  It wasn't a sunny day for me tho--kind of overcast skies.

I wish I was more of an expert, but I can't tell you the names of these plants.  I just love the natural growth of it all.  I am looking forward to getting the cattle worked and moved.  We will still need to check on them daily to make sure they are staying in their beautiful home, but I will have more time to myself starting next week.  Hopefully, this time can be used to do some sewing, besides gardening and yard work.

Thank you for the comments about answering comments. There were so many nice comments I had to answer some of them.  I started blogging for the fun of it and to mainly to join the quilting community of bloggers.  I have enjoyed it so much and you have encouraged me through the last 2 busy months.  Sometimes calving season can be somewhat of a downer, but this year making new friends really gave me something to look forward to.  I'm happy to share our wide open spaces too.  It has been fun to visit your states and countries.  I love the recipes, family sharing and especially the quilting. 

 Thank you to all my new friends for keeping my spirits high.  Hugs to you all.................

Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side of the Fence

It's been a busy week here. I'm sorry I haven't been good about answering comments.  Just not enough time.  I love to hear from you.  Sometimes when I comment I don't need a response, I just want to comment.  Is that how you feel?   What is good blog etiquette about replying to comments?  Maybe some of you that have been at this a long time will comment and let me know.  I would never want someone to feel bad that I didn't respond.  I love my blog friends and checking on your blogs makes me feel like we talked to each other that day.

 We have been fixing fence so we can move all the cattle to summer pastures.  Fixing fence is an everyday project.  We fix the fences of the pastures the cows are already in and fix the ones that had winter snow damage.  You'll have to click to enlarge the photo and see all the steel fence posts leaning over.  The cows are reaching as far as they can to get to that luscious tall grass on the other side.  The barb wire doesn't really phase them either.  In this case the grass is really better over there--taller anyway.

We use steel posts mostly, because the staples that are nailed into wooden posts come out with enough pressure.  This post needs to have the wire reattached.  We need to work the cattle by giving them shots and pouring them for worms and flies.  Then they will all be moved to the larger pastures of tall grass for the summer.  We worked some of cows and calves yesterday.  We were a man short so I had to work and didn't get to take any pictures.  The heifers had been in the lot since December.  We branded them.  They will be our new cows for next year.  We don't brand the calves.  They have ear tags only.   I'm sure the heifers  think they are in grassy heaven now.  It was good to see them get out and have some space.  This next week we will do the big herd and I will try to take some pictures for you.

The Llamas went to grass on Wednesday.  We are still deciding on names.  Big decisions!  lol  They seem much happier out in the pasture.  They keep to themselves.  I'm not sure the cows know what to think of them.

I did get my Jelly Roll Sampler block done this week.  I have a really hard time making flying geese with this method.   I struggle with the sewing corner to corner concept.  I usually use Eleanor Burns' method of making flying geese.  I make them a little bigger and trim.  I think I need to call and make an eye appointment--for real.  I'm not seeing as well as I should.  The block did turn out pretty well.  Don't look at the flying geese too close, tho.

I added a couple of  "Bouquet" blocks to flickr that I finished stitching and I finished the Under The Sea block for May.

These little characters have been fun to stitch and I like the coloring aspect that adds to them.

I won at Spring Fever BINGO!!  My first win ever at Bingo!  It's been fun to check the sight and see what words were picked for the day.  I've gotten 8 words so far.  I won a box of Petit Fours in Thursday's drawing.  I see it has a pincushion pattern included, so that might be fun to make.  What do you put inside your pincushions?   I've never made one, but want to.

I'm trying to catch up on cleaning and laundry today.  I'm kind of stiff and sore from yesterday. I think a nap might be in order today too--just for my mental health.  I still haven't planted my garden spot.  There just hasn't been time.  Gotta run.  Talk to you later............ Hugs!