Crazy Wind

The weather was crazy today.  It was 80 degrees and the wind blew 60 miles an hour.  Our little garden shed that took 2 days and much marital discord to construct blew over.  It landed on the lawnmower that was parked behind it.

So it now has a hole ripped in the backside and is no longer water tight.  The roof is all crunched on the edge.  At least it didn't go tumbling any further than it did.  The shed was the only thing damaged and did not hurt anything else.  The dirt flew and the shingles flapped on our roof all day long.

The best part of the crappy weather---I got to sew.  It was too ugly out to tag and sort calves.   I did alot of BOM block prepping.  I even had time to sew Block #4 of the Jelly Roll Sampler quilt along.  

Hopefully the weather will be better tomorrow.    Hugs to all..........................

A Fast Week-end

It was a fast week-end, but beautiful weather to have a calf.   My SIL Sharon and her husband, Dennis came for the week-end.  Dennis put up some more lighting in the calving barn for our night emergencies.  It was nice to have extra help.  We enjoyed visiting and working together. 

Looks like the baby sitter is taking them on a field trip.

This is Harry waiting at the gate for breakfast.  He is the most vocal of "the boys"--growling because we were late due to an emergency.

I probably won't be sewing today.  There is lots of tagging and moving to do.   I hope to catch up on reading a few of the blogs.  I printed out the new pinwheel block last night--maybe there will be time to cut them out later.  Have a great day.  Hugs to you..........

Rocco and his family

Who could resist this little guy in a pet shop?  All ears and sad eyes.  Not DD #1.  This is our grand dog, Rocco, when he was just a little guy.   He is an "applehead" chihauhau.   He is 2 1/2 years old now and lives with us while DD goes to nursing school and works fulll-time.  I've never been too keen on dogs in the house, but I was soon won over.  Miss Puss isn't real thrilled with him, but is learning to tolerate his presence.  

Rocco is a sweet natured dog and loves to cuddle.  He really needed to live with someone who could just hold him all the time.  After a year of living with us, he has converted to a ranch dog.  He loves to ride in the pick-up, explore all the smells available and roll in stuff I'd rather he didn't.  

Last fall one of the barn cats had a batch of kittens.  Unfortunately, this mom was a victim of a semi-truck hauling our corn.  Rocco sniffed out the orphans and we moved them to the house.  He and I took over the raising of 5 tiny kittens.

Rocco didn't think they should be out walking around yet.  He was very protective of them.

We found good indoor homes for 4 of them when they were 8 weeks old.    It was crazy with 5 kittens in the house.    Rocco loved every minute of it.  We kept the smallest one and his favorite.  Her name is Peanut.

It is so funny to watch them play together.  One minute you will see a dog chasing a cat and the next pass through will be the cat chasing the dog.   Pets sure bring alot of love and laughter to our lives.  I don't know what I would have done without Rocco's help raising these five babies.

I made it to the shower meeting this morning.  I stopped at the Quilter's Corner for some fusible batting.  I want to make a purse.  I've made tote bags before, but never a real purse.  I resisted the temptation to buy anything else---it was tough.   I'm off to do some tagging and moving of calves.  Hugs to you.............

more pinwheels

I slipped in some sewing time today and finished my pinwheels for week 6.

Now I'm all ready for the next block pattern when Rachel posts it.  She has some lovely quick and easy table runner patterns on her blog today.   If you haven't visited, her blog before, you might want to check it out.

It is a beautiful Spring day in South Dakota.  My main duty in the morning is opening gates and checking on everyone's health.  I watch for new babies, sick babies and new mom's in labor.  DH drives the tractor and feeder wagon and provides the meal for the day.  We also have barn chores, which is kind of like the hospital area.  Today we moved everyone out of the barn into the sunshine.  The pairs were as glad as we were.  The barn is empty again.  I wrote this earlier today.  We just pulled a backwards calf late tonight, so the barn has residents again. 

My little partner, Rocco rides along and supervises.

He's always ready to go for a "ride". 

I found a new to me blog today.  Cyndi at Bee Tree Designs has a fun blog.  She has some free redwork patterns available.   I am always looking for those.  She is also starting a mini mystery project.  I  had a good time exploring her blog and will return again.

I hope things go well in the morning.  I'm suppose to meet with my SILs around 11 a.m. to plan a wedding shower.     Our nephew, who shares a birthday with DH is getting married the end of May. 

 Hugs to you.......

Just Imagine

Easter was a busy day--family, food and calving.  You will have to imagine the strawberry pie I was going to take a picture of.   This is a Spring favorite and disappears quickly.   A few years ago I came up with this recipe by combining some things we liked into a pie.  I usually make it for Easter.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie

Crust:  3/4 cup flour                     1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal

1/2 cup chopped pecans               2 tablespoons sugar

dash of salt                                    1/2 cup melted butter

Mix dry ingredients and nuts together.  Pour the melted butter over them and mix.  Pat into a 9" pie plate.  Bake in the oven at 400 F for 15 minutes-until brown.  Cool.

Filling:  Beat 8 ounces of soft cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/4 cup powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.  Spread in the cooled pie crust.

Topping:   Slice a quart of washed and cleaned strawberries into a sauce pan.  Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and a scant 1/2 cup of sugar--depends on how sweet the berries are and how sweet you want them. 

Stir and mash strawberries slightly.  Let this sit for a little bit to get juicy.  You can do this before you make the filling and then when the filling is done you will have juice in your pan.  Then add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.  Stir over medium heat until it starts to boil.  Boil 2 minutes to thicken.  Cool.  Pour over filling and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving with whipped topping and strawberry garnish. 

It really is so good and I wish you could see it.  A picture would have made a better blog post.  I made 2 and they both disappeared quickly. 

I did make it to my baby sister's to see the new baby and hold her.  So sweet and small.  I also visited with my uncles, who are 96 and 98.  

We enjoyed having DD #1 home for a day and 2 nights.  She is a big help outside and always fun to spend time with.  She had alot of laundry and homework to do too.   We moved all the cows to the calving pasture now, so things will be alittle easier.  Then we moved the bulls to their spring lot in the opposite direction.  "The boys" were glad to get out of the wintering pen.  They have been pretty crabby lately and fighting with each other. 

Yesterday was a busy day with 12 new calves.  DH and I spent the day tagging, vaccinating and moving them to the pairs pasture.  It rained in the morning.  This morning the sun is shining and another busy day coming. 

No sewing here.  My purple and green squares are waiting to be made into pinwheels.  I have printed off some of the new monthly free projects.  I have a feeling I may get behind this month.  Have a great day   Hugs for you..................

Easter Blessings to you and all of yours.

I just wanted to do a quick post to wish you all a Happy Easter.  It's been a busy couple days.  I made a quick trip to town yesterday to restock calving supplies and groceries.  Today was a cleaning spree with many "I need help" interruptions.  I will have to get up early in the morning to bake buns and pie.  DD #1 has to work Easter Sunday, but will be off at 2. She will come home then as she has Monday off from school.  Always miss DD #2 extra on holidays--she lives in Florida.  We'll chat on the phone with her.  I am making dinner for DBIL, his girlfriend and his son.  It will be a small group of just 5 this year.  Everyone one else has plans and we need to stay home and watch cows    I plan on making a quick trip to baby sister's later in the day  to see the new grand baby--if things go well.   It is always IF, this time of year.  I hope you all enjoy your Easter celebration with family and/or friends.  We have so much to celebrate.............

He has risen!!

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

No fooling here

I'm always very careful on April Fool's Day.  My husband always fooled our girls a couple times and then they would catch on and he couldn't get them again.   I remember one morning when they were having breakfast before school and he came in and told them "we had a 2 headed calf last night".  They were both out the door fast, but quickly realized that he was fooling.  He hasn't got me yet, but there is 4 more hours to go.  Hope no one fooled you today.

I sewed 2 pinwheel blocks yesterday and got the purple/green ones cut out today.

I thought you might like to see how we are moving cattle now days.  We had more snow this winter than we have had for 14 years.  Our regular calving pasture is still too wet and muddy for the expectant mothers, so we continue to keep them in the fall/winter pasture.   When a cow has a baby, it gets a little ride to its new home in the "calf cage".  DH loads them up and ear tags them (same number as mom). The calf cage also provides protection for DH from loving moms, who don't love DH.  

A good mom will follow the calf anywhere we take him.  By using the cage the little guys, don't get tired out being moved.  So off we go to the nursery.

DH drives slowly so mom can see and smell the baby.  Rocco and I follow behind in the Yukon--just in case mom decides to take off.  Most older cows follow well.  It is mostly 1st calf heifers who have no idea what they are suppose to do that won't follow.   Sometimes in that case, we chase mom to the pen and bring the baby to her.

The new pair are in a dry and safe place.  The little shelter is for the calves, if it rains.  Hopefully, the calving pasture will be dried out next week and we can move all the expectant cows there.  It will be closer to home and the barns.

Tomorrow is the first Friday of the month.  Kaaren--The Painted Quilt blog does a first Friday Freebie.  She is so nice to share her talent every month with a new stitchery design.  I look forward to it.  I made her Easter sampler last month and framed it.  If I make it again, I will put a cross instead of the carrot.  I wish I had thought of that sooner.             I put her button on my blog to share with you, if you didn't know about her yet.  I like to embroider in the evening while DH takes control of the remote.     I hope you will visit Kaaren's blog if you haven't before.    A hug for you..............