Another Good Thing

While scrounging through a magazine oldest child found a web site that takes your art or photos and customizes them into tile murals, say for an oven backsplash or shower stall.  Have a look @ www.txlctile.com  How cool is that!!!   

Our First Christmas Away From Home

Ho, Ho, Ho Christmas Day 2010 --A few hundred miles from home.  For the first time in their lives they arose on Christmas morning many miles south of our Christmas tree and the comforts of home.  But, not to worry Santa made an early appearance before he went to work and then dropped a few goodies off for them way down south. 



One of those gifts was a watch, want to know the time.....just ask Mr. Watchman, he can tell ya!  
Oldest kid has blessed him with that Christmas time monkier.   (it's better than Fat Baby---a nickname given me by my lovely siblings)




Working---which he did lots of. 




The boys grilled steaks for the crews to which I added Peach Cobbler, Uncle Harlen candy and Orange Balls.  Also I cooked lunch while visiting. We left at 6pm-ish stopping in Stephenville for a snack at Allsup's.  The boys were unhappy that Hard 8 was closed.....BOTH times we drove by!  About the time we made it to Jacksboro the carb overload got the best of them and they conked out...then slept the rest of the way home.  Their first words upon entering the driveway...."do we have to feed?"....."no....go to bed, it's late"
It was a good day--I'm glad we could go. 



Hair Care

Larry, Mo and almost Curly had a much needed haircut today at their favorite place....THE GIRL PLACE, which smelled to high heaven with mixtures of nail polish and hairspray wafting through the air.  They were the only dudes in attendance.  I feel justified dragging them in there for a "do"...makes my trips to Kurt's (tire repair, car fixin', spitting, scratching man place) more bearable.  They also suffered through a Goodwill donation and a visit to the hamburger joint.  I don't know how they'll survive such Mother torture. 

Goat Babies

The baby goats have arrived....later than I wished, but they are fine, fat and sassy.  Their momma is taking great care of them.  The pumpkin patch maze is their home...lots for mom to snack on, protection from critters and a wonderful wind break to boot! 

Girl Children

I like parents who let their kids be kids, parents who can take a little dirt and who don't wig out when little pookems tears her jeans or whatever.  This little girl was "allowed" to be a kid and she throughly enjoyed it.  She has a good Momma, her Daddy was killed in Afganistan.  Pray for them----And Merry Christmas! 

Ancient Fence Removal

This farm once had ancient fence.  The kind of fence that made for phone calls which sounded a bit like "YOUR COWS ARE OUT!!"  So, the other day we removed the ancient artifact and while doing so I contracted poison ivy.  The county hands came down and pushed out most of the trees, they did SUCH GOOD WORK!  Mr. Husky Varna cut down a bunch of trees too, along with a big cottonwood that was leaning over the road.  Now one can actually see up and down the road, what a blessing!  It will be much safer now.  The big cottonwoods were left for cow shade, we want our girls to be cool in the summertime when lounging about near the road.  This is a farm we call Cherry, named after my Daddy's old man friend Leonard Cherry, a man we all loved.  Cherry is now in better shape,  just waiting on new fence. My Daddy & Leonard would like it. 

Ruth

Ruth is oldest kid's new calf.  She refuses to be led so Donk is at work teaching her that she WILL lead and she WILL go where HE wants to go.  She isn't happy, she wishes he had ventured into the boneyard--without her! 

Goin' to the Chapel.....

Our neice was married yesterday, she is a blessing and her new man is a good one. 



At four years of age she stood in the pew along with her sister and cried at our wedding....we cried at her wedding too!!  We love you Jeccapoo! Go BABY go.!! 



Thanks BP

New regulations concerning oil and natural gas employees, top to bottom, go into effect on January 1st.  That legislation just cost us $600+ for fire retardand/resistant clothing....ugh  I really don't think clothing was the initial problem that set all of this into motion..  It is osha's doings.........set off by the BP disaster. 

Fashion Plates-- who found that scrubbing that face paint off was a job!

Speeches & Fence

Oldest kid presented his speech today in the Classroom Bldg at OSU.  He spoke of anaerobic digestors, no-till farming and his family's switch from conventional tilled wheat to B-Dahl Bluestem. He was second in his division.  The rest of the family tore out fence on the Cherry Lease, the one where cows could just breathe on the fence and then walk right out.  They always chose to do so when hubby was at work or when I was three hours away!!  The Cherry Lease has been "ours" since I was about ten.  That has been ONLY a few years ago.  We'll load up the speech giver and finish our job soon.  May you dream of B-dahl bluestem and anaerobic digestors...

Apple Cake & BB Icing

I have found a wonderful apple cake recipe along with amazing icing. 

Even Hyacinth Bucket (Bouquet) would approve, she'd probably serve it at one of her candlelight suppers.... so Google yourself over to Southern Living recipies October 2010 and find Fresh Apple Cake, then down below it you'll find Browned Butter Icing.  You will hit the cooking lottery with this one!  Bake and ice it, then let it refigerate until the next day.  Or better yet:  http://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/southern-living-october-2010-recipes-00417000069068/


You're welcome!!

More Than A Moma

During the last week I've exercised my funeral director, preacher and pear picking talents.  Granny the cow (not her real name) kicked the bucket on Monday.  I had to prepare the body for "burial" and preach her funeral.  It was a short sermon.  Only one buzzard was in observance.  On Thursday I was a pear picking Moma...really I was only the driver, Black Betty had to get close so Jr. Jr. could climb up on top of her feed box and collect the pears which hadn't fallen.  It was imperative to gather them before the wasps, wild pigs or horses did.  So, they say go to college, it will broaden your horizions and give you many talents.  Worked for me!!

 

Pretty to Ugly

The pumpkin patch has experienced a negative transformation, a bunch of stocker calves will do it in a hurry.  A few sheep and one naughty goat consumed every inch of our very nice morning glories.  The whole area is now covered in "fertilizer" shall we say, it'll make the grass "greener" next year.  Might just make the morning glories more glorious!! 

Toasty or Chilly

This was last year at Thanksgiving...warm and perfect weather.  The kids had a good time outside, riding horses, digging up the cat and climbing up in the windmill.  This year doesn't look to be so nice weatherwise but,have a great day anyway!  Be ye THANKFUL!   WITH LOVE....JMCS

Preg Checking

Our girls took a little road trip the other day to the vet.  They were preg checked (no pp in a cup), given wormer and such.  It is a messy job and thank goodness for our vets.  This guy is the "new one".  I've already apologized to him...I thought he was a helper the first time I met him, he looks SO young. 

Red spotted cow was READY to get out of there.  Pregnant=Gets to go back home.

"O" isn't good.  We had more in the open pen than we wanted, they weren't bred and thus no bundles of joy arriving in the Spring.  The bred cows were hauled home and let out in the pasture. 

14

Today we venture into the land of 14. 

Happy Birthday!

When he was born people would say, "Oh, enjoy the moment (sleep deprived-wondering if I could keep him alive-is he breathing still) it will pass quickly.  Through my half closed eyes I looked at them and thought..."yeah, yeah, yeah, I just need a nap".  They were SO right.  We did enjoy those moments and they did pass so very quickly. We're off for more, stay tuned. 



Bud Williams School

 On Thursday and Friday the boys and I attended the Bud Williams Stockmanship School in Bowie, Texas.  There were dairymen from Holland and Mexico.  Cattlemen from Nevada, Arkansas, South Carolina and of course three good hands from Oklahoma.  One dude was from Canada.  It was fun to see the differences in attire.  One Nevada cowboy sported a waxed mustache that stuck straight out to the side.  Some chick from somewhere sported her cowboy duds, I'm sorry, I think one should dress up a bit when traveling...leave your cow lot boots at home and wear something nice.  The cowboys (and I mean boys--they were 20) from a NW Texas ranch were dressed nicely, they had good manners, they took their hats off to eat.....those little Oklahoma cowboys took their hats off when the walked in the building.  A Senator from Arkansas was there, you could spot him a mile away.  It was an interesting mix.  It was very informative, if you are in production agriculture you need to attend--it is absolutely worth the cost.  

Reducing your death loss and increasing your production are added benefits.   

Their web site is http://www.stockmanship.com/

Singing for Supper

Donk was entertaining during the pump patch.  This picture was taken by a family who visits every year....they have a great photographer!  Donk would "sing" almost every time the tractor rattled by.  He knew it meant vittles.  Especially when those mean, nasty horses were not close by! 

Still Expecting

Still expecting, will probably do her thing when it turns cold.  

A New Girl in our LIfe

She is so new, she's nameless and hasn't had time for a picture.  She isn't human, porcine, ovine nor equine.   

I just love this picture.  Sisters are good things, most of the time.  Once C kept me from falling out of the car by grabbing the hair on my head when we were turning a corner, once B put me in in juicy cow poop....it got in my pants...yes, inside.  I was one mad little girl.  She should have gotten a spanking over that one.  Once, well several times she'd lean backwards while both of us were on Thunder...and make me think I was going to fall off.  But, I got even.  I'd pound my fist on the wall upstairs and wail as if she were killing me...Mom & Daddy fell for it every time and she got in trouble.  Ha!!  But, I trust she pulled me a mile or two in the wagon and I'd have smiled at the camera like chickypoo above is.  These are C's grandkids, aren't they cute??  She wasn't as mean to me as B was....but tomorrow B has surgery...we're gonna have some fun with her in the recovery room!! 

Fun with Pumpkin Guts

On the last day of the pumpkin patch, we let loose.  After "putting the pumpkin patch to bed" for the year Throwback Mt. Dew, Snickers, Dr. Pepper and M & M's were on the menu .  These Pump Patch "indentured servants" were playing, chasing each other and breaking a few leftovers when Child #2 decided that pumpkin helmets could be fashioned from the remains.  Thus began our evening of fun.  Oldest's has sideburns, middle kid's was too tight as was his little brothers, but  Mom came to the rescue and scooped out more pumpkin guts so that ears wouldn't hurt.  Natural hair conditioner was applied to all, especially for the girly on the end.  After Child #2 made his helmet, he decided that body armour was a necessary addition....so they all pitched in and made it.  Heavy is an understatement.  For all of you who came out to pump patch with us, we appreciate you and were blessed to have you! 

Two Days Left

Just two days left on the Pumpkin Patch.....

So come on out and see me....

Sheep Tails

 Sheep are born with tails, just thought you needed to know that!

Michelle's cool dude scarecrow...it is in need of a name.

Expecting

Could you please schedule my C-Section TODAY!

Pump Patch Cousins

These girls had a great time pump patching!  They love each other!!

Sir Talks Alots First Tour

Sir Talks Alots first tour (for the pumpkin patch) was the other day, he did ok...not as good as his Mom..but, he'll get more practice tomorrow evening!  Talking has always been his best subject. 

On Saturday we had awesome coverage by the Lawton paper, a FULL page story...what a BLESSING! 

Pump Patch Horse Ride

Trigg giving a little Cyril girl a GREAT RIDE!

More Pumpkin Patch

Girls having fun-mustache and all!

Tasting at the Pumpkin Patch

American Gothic...sort of...

Today's afternoon visitors.  

Runny Noses

 

 

 

 

 

Hygiene comes in many forms.   

The 3 Amigos

These three kids have been visiting the pumpkin patch, they are expert grasshopper catchers when not wearing their stylish glasses...chickens LOVE juicy grasshoppers.