December 26

In the past 3 days, we have cleaned the house, enjoyed four Christmases ( hosting the last one), disrobed the tree, unpacked our presents, tried on all clothes, caught up the laundry, and cleaned the house again.  No wonder the girls are napping and I can't get out of my chair.  Happy Holidays from our ranch to yours!

RIP Red

A week ago we had a little bad news, a pony that called Lough Ranch home for a few years had galloped into a better place.  Thanks for taking care of our young cowgirl, she wouldn't be where she is today if you hadn't have given her some confidence.  May your pasture always be green, old friend! Rest in Peace, Red!

Coffee

I forgot coffee on my thankful list... how could I forget coffee?  I love it!  When I was a little girl, I remember my mom ALWAYS drinking coffee, in the  morning, with dessert, while she prepared for the day, she would even heat it up in the microwave if it got cold.  Now as I get older, I completely understand the importance of coffee.  I must confess... at first I put creamer in it, lots! And I would only drink it when I was cold, but now... BLACK and EVERYDAY until noon... even the summer. It is a must in my daily routine.  I love coffee... the best part of waking up... is folgers in your in your cup!

Thankful!

A time to reflect on what I am most thankful for...
My wonderful family (all of you,)
My beautiful girls,
My helpful husband,
Cleaning paint trays,
Troy Church,
My warm home,
Our farm and livestock,
Tipsy,
Heated truck seats,
Canned garden goods,
Good friends and neighbors,
Flannel sheets,
Pearl snaps,
Cowboy hats,
Boots,
Hard work,
Dish washers,
Front load washers,
Co-workers,
Kayaks,
Online shopping,
Sunshine,
Love,
Life,
Laughter,
And every single blessed day!

Shunem Seasons

Once again our winter business is up and going... Shunem Seasons Fresh Christmas Wreaths!  Let me know if you would like to order some.  We have a few different sizes and could deliver around Thanksgiving.  They big out the Christmas spirit to any door!

Train tracks

Last week we started a new adventure... BRACES!

 

 

WOW!  Those train tracks are beautiful!

Good thing this mama has some sick days to spare, might need them for those monthly appointments... should we continue the Taco Tuesday Tradition?

Pumpkin Drilling

We tried something new with pumpkin carving this year... a drill.  We drilled holes in the pumpkins instead of cutting the pieces out.  We still scooped out the guts and then the drilling began!  BL was super excited to see his drill in such a creative tool.  Super fun, we love to try new techniques.

 

 

 

Photo Fun

On Sunday, we experimented with the camera and a little editing.  What a super cute little group!  I hope we can find a couple keepers.

YAKin'

We have YAKed over the last few weekends.  One year ago, we started our kayaking adventure in Wisconsin. Since then we have kayaked several times around the pond, a trip to Lake Lacey, again in Wisconsin on the Bark River, and ended a few weeks ago on the Des Moines River. 

Chicken vocabulary

As most of you know our oldest daughter has very thick hair and sheds ALL the time.  Sunday on the way to church, our youngest daughter declared that #1 was molting not shedding.  Giggle, giggle! She cracks me up.  We had a little chicken vocabulary lesson Sunday morning.  Chickens molt when they loose their feathers... we shed not molt. 

First day of School

Look out 4th and 6th grade, here we come!  The girls were super excited to start the new school year.  Brett moves to the Middle School this year, WOW! And Briley is in Mrs. Danley's class.  As for mom, year 2 in the Art Room.

Passion

Well for our little trick rider... her first season is complete.  She performed at the FBFRs this summer.  She giggles all the way the arena, from the hippodrome stand to the suicide drag... it's her passion!  Keep living your dream, sweetheart!

Cowgirl Up

 

Miss Brett cowgirled up at our FBFR last weekend.  She was fourth in the standings before the last rodeo... but with her clean, consistent goat runs, she moved into 2nd and won a reserve buckle.  Way to go Cowgirl!  Can't wait to see this little lady step it up next year. 

40 Years

We celebrated Jim and Vicki's 40th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday with homemade ice cream, pudding cake, steaks, fishing, cold refreshments, family, and fun.  We are truly blessed to be part of a great family and always enjoy this group.

Summer Fly By!

It is the 18th of July and our summer is flying by!  Here is the run down...

 July 4-6 Ft Bloomfield Rodeo... weather was beautiful! Worked and camped.

 July 6th All-Stars won second place medals... only 2 teams in tournament.

 July 7th we celebrated Bri's 9th birthday with Canon, Grandma, and MacKenzie.  I bought an ice cream cake, slacker mom!

 

Enjoyed sparklers at birthday bash.

 

July 10th the girls decorated Tilly's stall in the Horse Barn.

 

July 11th Miss Brett and Tilly won Grand Champion Pony and Junior Showmanship...

Nice work ladies.

 

 

 July 11th Bri showed Bella in the Cattleman's Bottle Calf show. 

 She won a show stick because this was her 4th and final year.

And yes, girls rule! (shirt) Bri won her age group at the pedal tractor pull on July 14!

 

 

Overall, we have had a wonderful busy July so far!

When the snow flies, I will clean my house... I will... I will... I WILL!

But until then, I'm lovin' summer!

 

4th of July

Happy Independence Day!!

Beautiful job today ladies.

The Dells

We vacationed in the Wisconsin Dells last week.  We all enjoyed the short little get-a-way!  The weather was cold, it rained every day, and we did not use sunscreen at the indoor water parks!  We ate at a couple of fun restaurants. (thanks DT) 

Softball

The girls are playing softball this year, which means we head to the diamond three nights a week.  With ceramics class, teaching, mowing, gardening, and chores that leads absolutely no time for blogging, cleaning, or riding.  Last week, class ending, school is finally finished (for girls and me), and we have a couple nights off from ballgames... and yes, a little time to shovel out the house, blog, and catch up with life.  Here are some pictures of the Little Leaguers!

 

Brett is an Angel... he he, giggles! She is learning the game this first year, and knows catching is not her favorite position.  She has also "perfected" taking strikes and loves folding laundry.

 Bri is on the Crush team.  She loves catching and stealing bases.  Catching keeps her "in the game" and away from picking dandelions.  Her team might receive the chants and cheers award.

 With only a few games left, we hope to finish the seasons with a few more hits, and will continue to practice hitting off their superstar mom pitcher! (not, pitching is not my strength)

Wanted

Lough Ranch is in need of egg cartons.  The ladies are laying and we need cartons.  Right now the eggs are in an ice cream bucket in the fridge.  I will pick them up or let me know how to get them.  Thanks!

Hello Blog!

Hello Blog, I have missed you!  Over the last few weeks, we have been very busy.  Miss Brett turned 11 and we celebrated Hawkeye style with cousin Clara.  All enjoyed grilling at the cabin, cake and ice cream, new clothes, and I-Tunes cards.  Thanks to all!

We have also planted peas, potatoes, onions, radishes, and lettuce in the garden.  Can't wait until we get our first produce... it's so exciting!

We also made maple syrup from sap we collected from maple trees.  When I have too many snow days, I dream up new adventures, and this was an adventure alright!  We "tapped" the maple trees about a mouth ago.  After gathering sap, we stored the sap in the fridge.  We gathered 10 gallons of sap.  Then we boiled the sap because it is 90% water... boiled on an open fire...  boiled on the stove... and boiled for 3 days... and boiled until we reached 219.5 degrees, and finally we made syrup!  We ended up with about 2 quarts of maple syrup. What an adventure!

Pottery

WA LA!  Here is my pottery.  We finished up our classes on Saturday with glazing, Betty fired them Saturday night, and I picked them up Sunday afternoon.  Absolutely wonderful class, thanks Village of Van Buren Folk School and Betty, our teacher!  Check out Iron and Lace if you are ever in Bentonport.

Pottery Class

I currently attended a pottery class in Bentenport.  I learned how to "wedge clay,throw a pot, trim a pot, and foot a pot."  The class is on Friday night and Saturday morning... uggg!  But it is super fun, and I can't wait to go Friday night.  Betty, our instructor, is amazing.  Enjoy my pictures.

Guess which pots are mine?  Does anyone have an old pottery wheel, some clay, and a kiln laying around?

Sledding

 We spent the weekend sledding... eight kids, four broken sleds, no blood or broken bones, three different hills, many wipe outs, a few cows and their poo... GREAT FUN! 

 BL pulled Canon back up the hill.  He walked down the hill and sled back up.

 Tipsy chased every sled down the hill and only got rolled once.

Goose and Maverick enjoyed some beverages.

Cinnamon and Sugar

Here are the cutest baby goats in Union Township.  They jump on their mamma's back, chase the puppy out of the barn, and pounce around like the are own the ranch.  They are keeper... both females!

Welcome Cinnamon and Sugar!

Insanity

In my biggest loser challenge, I decided to try to boast my weight loss this week by exercising... Great idea, right... Not!  We (BL and I) tried Insanity tonight.  It is INSANE!  The workout last 41 minutes and I only made it though 23 minutes, absolutely INSANE! I challenge any of my faithful followers to check it out on you tube.  Let me know how long you last... Good luck!

I know I am out of shape, but good grief that crazy!

Waiting...

We are patiently waiting for the arrival of more baby goats.  Sugar and Cinnamon were the first cute little babies born 2 weeks ago.  Then we a little bad luck with the next, born on the coldest night of the year, and now we wait for the next ones.

Back on the air

I have been experiencing technical difficulties with my computer, therefore, I haven't blogged for a while.  Sorry to my faithful followers.  But I am back on the air and have much to share.  First of all meet our new puppy, Tipsy.  We have had her for about 2 weeks, that means she is about 11 weeks old.  She is full of energy, loves chewing on EVERYTHING, and might think her name is NO.  Oh how we forget the puppy stage.  With the cold weather, we have let her in the house some... BL shampooed the carpet last week and now she sleeps in the garage.  She is a sweet little thing that is growing in our heart.

Saturday was Halfpint's last basketball game.  She is the blurry one on the right side with the ball.  She had a little trouble with turnovers last weekend, but all in all she has fun and their team has greatly improved.

Ice Fishing

Last weekend we went ice fishing.  Our fearless fisherman, Lincoln, drilled the holes and found the wax worms.  G. Suzy picked up some stellar, short poles.  We sat on the ice for a few hours and only caught a few fish.  The plan was to fry the fish we caught for a little Sunday afternoon fish fry.  Well, thank golly our fearless fisherman and his trusty side kick caught fish the weekend before.  We did enjoy eating their fish and, of course, good old family fun, but ice fisherman we are NOT!

Burn it!

 Before

After

 

 

It is never safe for me to watch the DIY channel.  I watched it almost one full day over break.  On one show, I watched someone burn a door with a torch to give it a rustic look, so guess what we did to this cabinet... burn baby burn!  I love the organization of my cookbooks in the before picture.