God Bless America!

Hello friends and family!!

Just a quick hello between various jobs -( I actually had to set a schedule! - 1 hr yard work, 1 hr housework, 1 hr ranch work, 1 hr other job - grant writing) errands (that darn recycling is taking over my house - I started storing it in the house instead of the garage - makes a bigger 'deal with me now' statement) and events ( local parade at 1oam then rodeo at 1:30pm!) on the docket for today! Not sure we will make it to the fireworks... I am not a night girl!

It is a gorgeous gorgeous day today. We have had such 'cool' season weather, today's high will be 74 and that is just perfect for me! Although.. if we were pool bound, 80's please...

I am so very grateful for our Independence, so very grateful to the heroes - past and present, and the families of our troops that sacrifice so much that we can enjoy days like today... a celebration of America's birthday and Independence as the home of the free, the brave, and the super darn spoiled rotten that CAN do what we want!

Here is my 4th Of July Post on the Ranch Blog. Some of the photos you have seen before but alas, I don't have any yet for this year:)

Happy 4th my friends.... and God Bless us All.

Summer Living!

Casa de Espinoza!
This vehicle was parked here for 2 nights!
Oh we love it when our favorite people come to visit!!!

My Auntie!

Hello Aunt Alice!
You're lookin' Gooood!!!

Jake Giving Uncle John Wheel Line Instructions

Jake is in charge of this wheel line. He goes out twice a day.
Shuts it down, lets drain, turns on the motor, moves it so many feet,
then turns it on and poof!
Sprinker Irrigation.
Uncle John was impressed with Our Boy!

The Checker Tournament
Gotta Love a John Deere Checker Set!!

The First Heat of Checkers
Jake won.
See that stack of yellow checkers just to to the left of his neck?
He smoked!
Or, did Uncle John give him the game?
You never know with that kind hearted soul.

A Close Up!

Back Yard Summer Fun!
I love the steers in the background, and my yard actually looks decent
when shots are taken 'from a distance'!!!
Little do you know the grass is tall, I haven't weed eated at all this summer, etc. etc.

My favorite Auntie and Uncle came to visit us during their Grand Tour of Oregon!

I love these people... They are kind, loving, caring, and just the most compassionate human beings on the planet.

We all fell in love with them all over again!

We miss them already.

Sniff.

**********************

Ranch Life:

My husband hurt his back last week or so, and the kids have been his left hand and right hand. He points at things, and they do the work. They have NOT been happy campers! This went on for over a week! Finally, he is feeling better and all of us are too!

One of Sami's Gold Fish died last Friday. She and her Dad and brother were quick to replace her (Angel was her name) with about 4 guppies... Goodness...

Saturday: Sami and I did the Boise Farmers Market. Hotter than heck! 104 degrees during the drive home! Sizzlin'.

Sunday: Housework all morning, then to the pool. To many people at 'our pool'. Sami basically sat out and watched the whole scene. She's a shy one.

Monday: Last minute housework (2 hours) before putting in a whole day at work. Our Guests arrived! Dinner: Lamb Sausage.

Tuesday: Up at 3:30 for an earlier than usual Chicken Run. Dick and I loaded chickens in the dark. Picked up the processed lambs, met a customer, back to chicken place, loaded last weeks chickens, back home by noon! Hello!!!!! Napster. Dinner: Lamb Chops!

Wednesday: Work day, followed by a huge order and delivery to one of our restaurant clients in La Grande. Hectic day - again! We will be having dinner at this restaurant on Saturday Night!!! When I got home about 3:30 pm from work (before loading up and heading to La Grande), there was a note on the laundry room door to be quite when entering!!!

Our kitty had her kittens!!!

Too darn adorable.

Sami was the Doctor.

I heard the whole story.

And, I'm car shopping! Well, I did a quick glance. Hope to have time this Sunday.

The question is: Ford Explorer or Expedition? I love my Explorer! It now has 248,000 miles.

See ya!

Our Father's Day Picnic

Morning Sun Kissing the Apple Tree

5 am - Morning Sun
View of the East

The Sun Hitting the House

Cherry Pie!
Finally found cherries at yesterday's Farmers Market in La Grande
(I've been searching!)

Sami and Jake
Practicing their fancy Napkin Folds
(Preparing for this week's 4H Foods Contest!)

Our Father's Day Picnic

*******************

Our Father's Day tradition is to take a picnic down to the Warm Springs Creek and have a lovely, lazy, enjoyable sunny feast. A few dogs come along to join us, and after our lunch the kids play in the creek catching tadpoles or other treasures while Dick takes a short nap before returning to work...

But not this year!

We woke to a gorgeous peak of sun.

Just a peak.

And it rained most of the day. It was cold! And wet!

But that did not stop us!

We still made our feast (4 hours in the kitchen to make lamb bbq ribs, potato salad, a cherry pie, and a new dessert Sami tried out for this week's 4H Cooking Contest).

We are still stuffed.

And, we wore summer clothes for the 'effect'. I am back in my warm toasty clothes!!!

*************

The latest project?

We have lots of work to do to practice for the 4H Foods Contest that is this Wednesday! ACK! The first contest is at 8:00 am, breakfast. Crudola. AFTER we feed the lambs and all the other chores, we have to somehow get to town (17 miles away, with all the food stuff, by 8:00 am!)...



So far we have practiced: Setting a table, measuring, loading and unloading foods in the oven, and Sami did one of her recipes.

Mother's Day Recap - 2 Events Down... More to Go!

Some of my new plants! I also got strawberry plants
They are all in the garage,
hidden from the chickens
The chickens should be moving to their new home by Friday
Then the yard is all mine!
Except for the bummer lambs

The kidlets and Me
In a nice, toasty greenhouse!
Oh was it heaven...
Now I know where to run too when it's cold...

My Apprentice!
The new Lawn Ranger!
Yahoo!!!
I'm free!
(well, except for touch ups, raking, etc. etc.)

Sami and Mr. Deere
And a few of our Heifers looking on!
I have to start the mower for her. Her legs are not quite long enough!

The Raker
Dude!
That's actually a shovel. He had other duties - in the dog pen,
before raking...

************

Yesterday was wonderful! Well, the whole weekend, really... Even though Jake has been fighting a nasty cold...(he missed 2 days of school and a field trip)... he's finally on the mend... His sister 'was nice enough' to bring home all his homework on Thursday, and he got to catch up.. somewhat... last night was a a furious 'model building' project - the courthouse.. Something for history? Beats me... All I know is we got to use my scrappy supplies.. Fun!


Here's the Low Down:

Friday Night: The Pendleton Farmer's Market: Sami went with me. Home at 10pm. I bought 2 new plants! Geraniums... Love their earthy smell...

Saturday: Yard work! I trained my new apprentice... Sami, how to mow! She's going to be an excellent driver.. Very conscience! She and Mr. Deere are fast friends now... Saturday night, we went out to dinner.. All four of us... no babysitter, so we all celebrated our 14th year Anniversary at the Haines Steakhouse...

Sunday: Started with more yard work! Jake was recruited as a raker.. Sami still mowed.. I got to rake, weed, supervise... Then off to the Ace Greenhouse, Mexican Restaurant and back home...

Lambing season is going strong!!!

We are up to 5 bummer lambs now...they are in the garage under heat lambs.

Bottle feeding schedule:
6 am (me)
11 am (me, when no kids)
4pm (kids)
8 pm. (kids)


It's a small world out here in our area. The nursery is owned by Sami's teacher's husband. So Sami's teacher was working.. She works 2 jobs this time of year - in addition to being the school principal.. Make that 3 jobs! That woman deserves a medal! Man.. I thought I had luggage under my eyes...

We ran into Jake's teacher at the nursery also!

And, one of the gals working was the La Grande market manager last year, and she just so happens to work in Human Resources full time, at the University... She said she has seen my name on the two jobs I applied for and that I am 'in the running' and doing well!

Oh cheese. To small of a world at times!

Tonight is my other interview!


Up Next: Two Birthdays...

My Little Skiiers...

The skiers! After Their Ever So Fabulous Day!
Yeah, I'm mean. Look into the sun, kids! Kids?
What do you mean you can't see?
Poor Sami!

Heading Out with the Instructor
Sami and Jake had a 1 hour lesson.. that lasted 2 hours!
Heck what a deal!
Had I known that I would have gone off on my own and met them later!
Next time...

Getting Tips on Their Tips!
OK I made that up.
Beats me what he is saying..
I'm just zooming in and trying to not be the obvious Mother
with the Camera!

OK I Know - This Was Supposed to be Just the kids.
But the instructor just moved right in!!!!

I just wanted to have a photo of them standing up and smiling!-
just in case they didn't - smile or stand, later.
(As in - just in case they take after their accident prone father -
who refuses to go skiing ever again!
Don't ask him about skiing. He tells everyone who asks that I try to kill him when we go.
Dude! I'm not wearing your ski's! You are!)

*****************

This Photo is Just 'Mommy Proof' For My Kids
That Bikes Left Outside Are not Happy Bikes!
(and they are still out there, in the same position, a day later!)

***************

Today was awesome!!

As most of you heard, yesterday a storm came in... All of our Spring cleaning chores and yard play came to a screeching halt! So, I made a nice big pot of lamb stew, and we watched the Twilight movie last night... The kids loved it!

(FYI: I tried to read the first book, but I just could not sink my teeth into it! Ha Ha! Get it? Sorry all you Twilight peeps! I'll just have to catch the flicks.)

Anyway, today we had scheduled on our Spring Stay-Cation list to go skiing! And boy were we lucky dogs! Man, are we good or what???? OH MY WORD! It was absolutely gorgeous! Sunny! And awesome snow! And the kids had the time of their lives!

I have to confess, this was their first time skiing. Horrid, I know. Heck, we live only 17 miles from the resort! But there always seems to be something that has to be done around here that keeps us from playing. Plus we have tons of snow here and can go snowshoeing right out the back 40... or get pulled behind a truck. We are so simple...

Anyway, when it was time to go I had to pull Jake off the hill ... poor kid. He was having so much fun!!!!! He just kept going back for more.

I am so glad they had a great experience!!

You will notice there are no Daddy photos. He refuses to go up to the hill. His ski days are over.


Tomorrow we are off to Boise... It's a meat delivery day... And some play time!

OH yeah baby... Olive Garden here we come! And, Starbucks!
And Archiver's. And Warmer Temperatures!!!

Oh my...
Big City Goodness...

One Happy Camper. :)

Valentine's Dinner Recap

How Do You eat your Kabobs?
The kids eat them off the stick.
I take everything off and mix it all with my rice!

The Main Course

Dickster Opening His Present

My Mock Olive Garden Salad
Oops! I forgot the olives! And carrots!

The assembled Kabobs.
We each did our own...

Dark Chocolate - Dick Hosted A Tasting Event
We each had our own little plates and Dick gave us a square,
one at a time, to savor.
The winner was the milk chocolate - for the kids and I!

Our Centerpiece
Love M&Ms!
Seriously...
I always have the 'bag of the season' on my scrappy desk.
Dark chocolate. No peanuts.

Another View!

The Drinks

The Dessert!
I love making these!

Oh man... We spent 2 hours at the dinner table last night! It was so much fun!!!!

I decorated the table and put everyone's little love gifts at their spot. The kids got a heart box of goodies, and Mr. S got a 12 cup capacity French Press... (note: it's really 6 cups - we measured!).

We had a toast in the kitchen... We all clinked our special drinks glasses.

Then, everyone built their own lamb kabobs. The kids nabbed most of the pineapple (real, not the canned kind, of course!) Gads. Next year the parents will have to go first through the food line! But oh, were they yummy!!!

Then, we had our salad - my mock Olive Garden salad!

And then... the main course... Kabobs and rice...

After that we did our dark chocolate tasting... we interspersed the taste with the chocolate dipped strawberries! Dang some of that stuff is bitter!

It was a great family night... a real event..

Can't wait to scrap these photos!

I gotta say... I am just Lovin' life...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I love Valentine's Day...

Always have...

I woke at 4am and worked on a layout for the Hero Arts blog.. It's Valentine's related and I'll share it later... But what an awesome 'private time' moment! The house was quiet until 6am. So it was just me and my papers, inks, gorgeous goodies and fun stuff! Heaven... Oh. And a great cup of coffee! I'll have to do that more often! Seriously. I've been on cloud 9 since! Some endorphins must have gotten released. A scrappin' high, eh?

And, today has just been an awesome day. Every single minute! From the hug I exchanged with my husband in the kitchen to this moment. I love being with my sweet little family and just doing sweet goofy things for and with them!

We have big plans tonight... Just the 4 of us... they involve lots of lit candles, sparkly drinks, lamb kabobs and chocolate dipped strawberries! Oh my! I can't wait!

Sami and I went on a morning delivery... We started out with wrapping gifts for a new baby... 1 week old... and we went and delivered them!!! Oh... I got to hold a 1 week old baby boy. Heaven... Sweetness... Love.

Sami and I also went shopping! Yahoo Just us girls. We got real milkshakes at the Ice-Cream parlor downtown, and equipped her with new duds. She is now 'cowgirled up'. She also purchased a dog collar for Bugs...A valentine's gift. Bugs is the sweet doggy who gets to sneak into the house.



I'll post picture later... gaiter...

I hope you are all having a fabulous, love filled day!

And if you are one of those folks that is just plain dead set on being misserable right now, keep in mind that you gotta give it to get it.

Yes, I do beleive it is a choice.

Flame me. It ain't gonna burn baby, it ain't gonna burn!

xo

A Recap of Mr. Sexton's Birthday, and Sniff... So Long Our Beautiful Summer!

Birthday Card for my Husband
Dick's Birthday was Saturday.
We all took the day off and had a grand play day.
See? Life.. Nothing else matters.

My Crew
First we went to the Baker City Farmers Market,
as shoppers instead of sellers!
Boy, was that fun!! Really.. To just stroll.
We toured an organic orchard.
And came home with lots of fruit!
Peaches, pears, apricots and plums.
We saw a praying mantis, ate at a greasy spoon cafe,
took a dirt road loop and saw some cool old buildings,
came home for a nap.
Then, drove for an hour to go to one of our favorite restaurants,
which was closed.
Then went to another restaurant, and had a fabulous dinner!
Funny, it was right in Haines.
Whoda thunk?
Then home to open gifts.
Mr. Sexton scored.

Here the kids are inspecting a motorized apple press
Sami got her head wacked shortly after this shot

Jake - Totally Diggin' the Tour
See that heavy metal handle?
Sami, was not a happy camper.
She got her head a little too close
when the 'demo' with the crank smacked her in the temple.
Ouch!

Sami's Gift to her Daddy
I love this sweet gift.
It captures Sami and her daddy perfectly.
Sami picked it out and bought it all by herself.
At Hallmark.
But we made our cards.
Because, that is what we do!

****************

Sigh....

Today is our last glorious day of summer vacation. And, ol' Mother Nature is being a sassy little thing! It's been super chilly in the morning, breezy all day, cold at night. This morning it was 35 degrees... Only three degrees from a hard frost! Rats... It's officially turning to fall here in our world.

We had a lovely short stint of summer... even though the kids could not recollect what they did, I gave them a run down of their very busy and active summer... It went something like this:

• Learning to saddle a horse all by themselves and riding almost daily
• Moving hand lines and irrigating (summer job)
• Going to the Farmers Markets with their mom
• Bowling (instead of the water park, because it rained!)
• Camp outs in the backyard - 2 for Jake, 3 for Sami
• Backyard campfires... I forget how many, 5? 6?
• Picnic on Fathers Day at the Creek
• Having our friends over for a lamb kabob BBQ and campfire, only to have a huge thunderstorm and we ate inside by candles and lanterns
• Touring the Organic Orchard in Richland, Oregon (1 1/2 hours away)
• Walks with Patchie
• Real French Toast, Huckleberry Waffles, Scones and Lemon Curd
• Sami's new love for Chai Tea on a cold morning (non caffeine)
• Staying up late (9pm, 9:30 pm, 10pm)
• A record crop of bummer lambs
• A bummer calf
• New puppies
• A few sleepovers

So... even though we never officially went on a vacation, we managed to make the best of it, right here at home and in our own stomping grounds.

School starts tomorrow, along with the soccer routine and school volunteering scene.

I am already stressed about our first school fundraising project - our PTCO is serving lunch to 2,500 cyclists (the pedal variety) for Cycle Oregon, a week from today. Guess who opened her big mouth and said she would organize all of us? That would be me...

Someone please, scratch my eyes out and make me mute so I don't volunteer for anything soon..

So, it will be an early to bed night for the kids and a shock of a morning wake up call. 5:45 for the kids... OH.. Guess I am back to the morning chores.. Dang..

Off to make some phone calls, and twist some arms... aka recruiting more help!

Who Loves You!

Valentine's Cards Made during Winter Stamp 08

Card I Made for the Chocolate WS Challenge
I gave this one to Jake.. See the chocolat ribbon???
Very special stuff that I got from a RAK from Ginny's Small studio!

This was for a stencil/template challengeThis card I gave to my husband...

A Vintage Valentine made for another WS Challenge...
I gave this to Sami!

Hello everyone!

Well, I'm sitting here with a box of tissues and pocket full of Ricola throat lozenges... Sore throat, runny nose... That's me... The germs my kids have been swapping with other kids decided to jump ship to an older more stable victim...me.. All the moms out there can sympathize, I'm sure... I mean, what is the justice in being your kids nurse only to have their germs turn on you??? Last night, my daughter came into our room with a high fever, bad headache, and needed some momma Love... her ailments were hinting at a horrendous ailment, I was certain.. so, to ward of the bad juju, from midnight until about 3:30 am I nursed my baby girl (who is actually 10)... Back rubs, cold wash clothes and a bath were here remedy..in addition to Children's Motrin. and momma in her bed...holding her tight...

Oh..my son went through this Sunday night...

So, today, while I was 'down' from lack of sleep, the germs attacked. And, after breaking her fever, my sweet little daughter decided she was just fine and happy as a clam... and tired of hanging out in her bed... That's her down there, watching TV and laughing... and me? Cough cough sniff sniff... can't wait till bedtime!

OK.. Back to Love...
I really should not complain.. (but my cousin Deb started it!)...
Yesterday I took a wonderful road trip to Boise.. the main purpose was to deliver a meat order, to one of my favorite Boise customers... But Boise needs to be savored! Enjoyed! Appreciated!

I talked my ever so wonderful friend Michelle into going with me and we had a great day! Here we were, 2 moms who dropped our kids off at 7:45am at school then hit the road... our husbands were in charge of picking up our kids in the afternoon while us mommies played in the big city... Such great guys!!!!

We shopped for our valentines (kids and husbands) at Cabellas and various other stores... Ate a great lunch at Olive Garden (Thanks Michelle!!!!), played at some cute fun stores and then came home... Such a great day... Girlfriends are the best!!!

Tonight I put out the gifts, made the table pretty with candles, and served my Valentines Rib Eyes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and a salad.. we toasted our apple cider and said Happy Valentines Day! My sweeties gave me roses.. sigh... Everyone loved their gifts...nothing extravagant.. just some 'I'm thinking of you' goodies...

I'm feeling the Love.. Love of sweet friends, and my sweet family... I hope all of you are feeling the love as well... I love the fact that you come to visit me, hear my ramblings and leave little notes...

Have a beautiful evening...
sniff!

Advent Day 10 - Happy Holidays!!! Meet Jess

Presenting......Our Christmas Card from Sexton Ranches

Every time I read or say out loud 'Happy holidays' I break out in song, Bing Crosby style!!!!
This is our Christmas Card (be sure to click on it to see it in all its glory!) that we are sending to all our wonderful beef and lamb clients...and some relatives and some friends!

You haven't met Jess yet - he is our new guard dog - and he is in the background with the sheep. Jess' full name is Jessie James, courtesy of Sami, the namer of all creatures great and small.

Jess is a shy guy... A true Guard Dog... also a little sweetie pie.. You can walk up to him, and he wags his tail, but he has his flight zone... get too close and off he goes!

Jess is the young dog Sami & Dick went to get after our other guard dogs were killed by the train. He actually came with a name... a mean one (Satan)... his previous owner obviously did not know his true spirit...

Advent Day 9 - Just a recap from yesterday.. Sami decided we needed a tea party.. She is so intuitive! She broke out her beautiful tea set from Auntie Paula, a Beatrix Potter collection, and she and I and Jake had tea and cookies! She made real herb tea. It was such a great Sunday event! Everyone poured their own tea. And our little hostess passed around cream and sugar. Afterwards I napped.. Sami joined me. Oh, life is wonderful! Of course it was only 11 am, but once again my insomnia woke me about 2:20 am and I just can't get back to sleep! By the way, in case any relatives are reading, Sami's tea set only has 2 cups.. we may need to upgrade!

Well, I am off to Grand Jury orientation! Yep.. I might be a little busy January through April! The kids are so curious about the jury process.. on one hand I would love to be selected since it will be a great experience to share with them. The downside is we would be home bound for Spring Break, and any other trips planned... and the markets start up again mid April! Oh well.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Advent - Day 2 - Stay Cozy & Warm & Sneak Peaks!

Look Who is Staying Cozy & Warm with Hot Cocoa..

A perfect Sunday... the kids and I are still in our jammies.. and it's almost 4pm!



Sneak Peak #1 - CD Calendar January & February 2008

So, this year I decided to make a different sized calendar for my Christmas gifts
for family members. I need some input - do you prefer a wall calendar or desk
top calendar? Mr. Sexton is not 'digging' this size... something about his eyes and small photos.
The stamps used on January & February are from Purple Onion Designs.. the snowflake stamp is part of a new RAK directly from Purple Onion Designs!!!!

Sneak #2: CD Calendar
Here are all the pages, but since I do have my little sister checking out my blog,
it's just a sneak! Paula, let me know what size you prefer... Desktop or Wall?

So, the idea of a CD calendar is to put all the pages, into a CD case, then you flip the case top around, so it holds a page 'up' on your desk. Great concept, but, uh, my pages are longer than the case and I can't package them in the case!!! DRAT!!! I am playing with the idea of binding them instead... decisions, decisions...

NEWS FLASH - WEATHER STORM REPORT:

Huge storm going on outside!!!

I'm looking out the big windows and I cant see past the wheel-line - which right on the other side of the yard's south fence (good thing it is staked down)... My view white, blowing trees, blowing snow, and the making of drifts.... It's been like this all day... which means tomorrow morning's drive down the driveway will be 'interesting'.. Usually, I have to go fast through the drifts so I don't get stuck...even though I have 4 wheel-drive.. When the county plows the highway they leave a huge berm at the end of the drive, and I have to go through that, land on the road, and hope no one is coming... Oh Joy!


At 5pm we are 'scheduled' to put up the tree and decorate it! The tree is still on top of my car, but it's nice and safe in the garage.. Good thing I didn't put it outside! It would have been buried by now, or blown into the next County.

I'm going to make a crock pot full of Mexican Hot Cocoa for our decorating party, and perhaps some tasty snacks.. I've got some of that ever so tasty spinach dip and some sour dough garlic bread. Yum! Just need some celery and carrot sticks, lamb salami, a tasty big girl drink and dinner is served!

Have a great evening! If we get done, I'll take a photo of the tree...

Be sure to leave a comment and help me with my calendar dilemma! Again, do you prefer a desktop calendar or wall calendar???

Christmas Lists!

I saw the most awesome blog post earlier today! Check this out:
Ali Edward's Holiday Traditions List.
Isn't it just the greatest? I am going to have to lift this idea... I really like the following:

• Pick a night to drive around and look at lights - then stop for cocoa & coffee!
  
• Add activities on slips of paper - have the kids open one each morning - so they have something to look forward to each day....
  

Fa la la la la! Thanks Ali!
I'll be back with some more Christmas related goodness...

Thanksgiving Recap!

Note the Apron! My Thanksgiving One!

Yep. This is me. No makeup. In my kitchen attire.. Glad I decided to get off my rear and peel the Yukons at 9 am for our 2pm dinner appointment. Ha! I was in the kitchen for 3 hours!
Well, I do get sidetracked... I decided we would also need snacks at noon - a light little celebration of our own since dinner wouldn't be until 3ish... I tend to do that. Get sidetracked! You know the routine, clear the table, then search for fun stuff to put on the table, then go off on some sort of tangent that involves checking the candle inventory or crystal goodies that are stashed!


Garlic/Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
My favorite mashed potatoes.. Absolutely no butter in this recipe! (Disclaimer: I love butter and use it frequently, real butter!). This recipe has Yukon potatoes which give a buttery flavor, tons of garlic (I throw 3 heads into the boiling water - then squish garlic out into the potatoes and mash together), 1 c milk, and a brick of real cream cheese.. Yum! And yes, those are garlic cloves (cooked) on top!


Our Holiday Table
Our noontime celebration. Special drinks for all of us, along with snacks. Our relish plate has baby corn and pickled Okra in addition to black olives. Yum! See the snow out the windows? And the pot of geraniums I saved from outside (saved from the goats and weather!).


Our Little Family
At our friends house. We have a potluck with friends, and play games after dinner - Taboo and Apples to Apples. Sorry for the funky blue/green tint!


The Ride Home!
Jake is not quite asleep. Although he would like to have us think otherwise!
We all had to change into our snow gear (coveralls, snow boots, hats and gloves) to do our evening chores at 9:30 pm (they usually get done at 4pm). Thank goodness for the moon light and flashlights. The snow had diamonds all over it! It was a beautiful crystal clear night - hence the low temps. It was about 15 degrees and we had to break ice or carry water buckets for all the domestic critters that are outside our house - the dogs, cats and Sami's calf, Ruby. The sheep, cattle and goats have other water sources that we haven't had to break yet. That happens when we get below zero - in another month! The next morning it was 10 degrees.

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful and filled with family, friends and food! I attempted to call all my favorite girls. I called my sister Paula, and left her our annual 'gobble gobble' message. Still haven't heard from that girl! She is MIA. Stinker. But I did get to chat with two of my other fave women. First was my mom, Pat, in Seattle, who had a great story to tell. She made Thanksgiving dinner Wed. night because on T-Day she was spending it at my cousin Eric's - whose wife was making a vegetarian dinner - so Wed. was a 'sneak in the meat night' for the rest of the family. Hilarious. Gotta get that traditional turkey or ham in somehow!
And my 2nd successful call was to my Aunt Alice. She is the perfect role model. Actually, both she and Pat are. They both had awesome careers and raised children under the worse/best of circumstances. There were other gals I had hoped to call, but alas, ran out of time!
OK.. gotta go get some more photos to share!