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!

Week-end continued

Just a little more about the week-end and then back to quilting and cattle.  :)    I have to share this photo of my youngest SIL's feet.  The mother of the groom needs comfy shoes. 

She and her family really had alot of fun with this wedding.

The 2 brothers of the groom are 12 and 14. 

This is DH's whole family.  He is the last one on the right, the oldest boy and #4 in the family of 9.

Thank goodness for kittens.  How do you entertain a 4 year old that doesn't like to color or play with dolls?

You let her bring some kittens in the house.  Here she is in her nightgown.

The kittens survived.  She is a busy little girl.  It's nice to have the house quiet again.  lol 

I am defrosting the freezer today.  The beef will need to be picked up soon.  We are getting things ready to work cattle this week-end, if it doesn't rain.  We will brand the new heifers.  Calves and cows get vaccinated for diseases and then poured with something that helps keep the flies off of them.  The flies and mosquitoes are terrible this year, because of all the extra rain.  Then everyone will be moved to summer pastures.  I'm looking forward to no morning chores.  I still don't have my garden planted.  My goal is to get my Jelly Roll Sampler block done today or tonight.   Later......................

Catching Up

Last week I wanted to share with you our little cemetery.  It is about 4 miles from our house.  DH's grandparents and parents are buried there.  It looks so nice all cleaned up for Memorial Day.   The first clean up before Memorial Day is a community effort, then a local, retired woman mows it periodically through the summer.

The flag pole was placed at the cemetery by DH and his siblings in memory of their grandfather.  We take the flag over early on Memorial Day to put it up.  I had taken Jen to the airport, so I didn't get a photo with the flag flying and I forgot the camera when we went over to take it down.

We had a busy week with Jen home.  Her good friend, Leah had a new baby girl 2 months ago.  Leah and Britton Kay came to visit us for the day on Thursday.  We had fun holding her and the girls got caught up on all their friends. Look at all that hair!! It was so much fun to hold a baby.  You forget how small and sweet they are.  I teased Jen that she was a natural at this baby stuff.  I continue to pray for a wonderful match for her.

The wedding was beautiful and the rain held off until evening.

    Jen pinned on flowers and Michelle was at the punchbowl.  I helped with serving at the buffet table.  I thought I had someone take a family shot on my camera,   I'll have to get one from the girls.  I didn't have much time to take pictures.  DH's oldest sister, her son and two granddaughters stayed with us over the week-end too.

Stasha (13) and Tanlynn (4)  were dressed in pink.  They liked the nut cups shaped like cowboy boots.  I wish I had gotten some more photos taken of the decorations.  It was a western theme.

I borrowed these from the my SIL's facebook photos.  They won't enlarge for you, but it gives you an idea of the west idea. 

It was also my BIL, Tom's birthday.  We sang Happy Birthday to him and some of the younger relatives layed some red lips on him as he came back in from the restroom.  He was a good sport about it.

We are off to a funeral this afternoon.   A very nice man who lived a long and happy life to the age of 93.

I'll be back later.......with luck.  :)  Hugs........................................     

We Will Never Forget

This is a photo of my uncle Bill, who I never got to meet.  Lt. William H. Stimson was reported missing in action October 11, l944.  My Mom's older brother was a fighter pilot and his plane went down over the Pacific Ocean.   We all pause this Memorial Day to remember "freedom isn't free" and we honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.  I pray daily for our soldiers, who currently serve all over the world and the families who support them here at home.

 I'll be back blogging tomorrow.  We had a wonderful time with family this week-end.  The wedding was beautiful.  All of DH's eight siblings were able to be there and get a family photo taken.  Jen  flew home today.   AND I am exhausted--sleeping was not one of our activities.  Laundry and cleaning tomorrow.  :(   Hugs.....................

Doin' the Happy Dance!

I think the dancing started in my heart yesterday.  So much energy and bubbles inside!  What's happening you ask?  I am picking up my baby girl at the airport today!!!  Jen is coming home for the wedding this week-end.

There will be a lot of laughing, giggling, talking, cooking and Phase 10 playing in the next 4 days.  DD2 hasn't been home since Christmas, so we have alot of hugging to catch up on too.  DD1 has work off Saturday and Sunday and is coming home too.  DH's nephew is getting married, so we will get to see alot of family over the week-end--more laughing and hugging.  We are looking forward to a happy time all together.

I promised llama shearing pictures.  The shearing went better than we thought.  The critters didn't like it, but they are much more docile than cattle to work with. 

We put them in the cattle chute.  BIL used his sheep shearing clippers.

Poor brown one didn't appreciate the hair cut.  She was vocalizing and spitting the whole time, but she stood pretty good.  The guys worked fast together to get her done.

She's working up another good wad of spit here. 

Looking much cooler for summer!

Not looking too pleased while waiting her turn.  She vocalized and showed her teeth while she waited, but stood very well for the actual haircut.

What a sweet boy.  He just layed down in the chute.  No yelling, no spitting, just laying low.

Do you have any good llama names?  We were waiting for the girls to come home and help name them.  DH and I haven't come up with any good ones ourselves.  BIL has a llama that lives with his sheep.  His name is Homer.  I have been giving them a few raw carrots.  They don't eat them out of my hand, but they seem to like them.  We will be taking them to pasture for green grass next week.  It's been fun having them close in the yard, but I know they will be happier after the move.

We are getting down to the last calvers.  Yeah!  We will be working calves and taking everyone to summer pasture sometime in the next 2 weeks.  The weather  has been rainy this week so far.  We have received 3 inches of rain.  As I said before "the wettest spring ever".  Our corn isn't planted yet.   Our neighbors have been cleaning up the tornado mess.  There have been alot of people helping.  Sunday there must have been about 80 high school age kids come to help.   It's been so awesome to see everyone work together.  I'm so thankful their house didn't get damaged and the boys weren't hurt.

I've only gotten 2 words playing Spring Fever Bingo--am I surprised? No!  lol  It's been fun to check for the words, tho.  Have you been to Jenny's to sign up for The Christmas Story giveaway?  Thanks Vivian for entering! :)  I think my "girls coming home" joy has splashed over into all my daily living.  Isn't it crazy how happy that can make you---"they are coming home".  I better get cracking around here.  There probably won't be much blogging in the next few days.  Have a great Memorial Day week-end with your loved ones and activities!! Hugs................