News From the Ranch, Episode 1306

Posted on March 17, 2015 by prairiemoonquilts in Prairie Moon Ranch, Quotes, What's New

We’ve had a most wonderful break in the cold weather the last week or so, and that means we’ve been doing as much as possible outdoors.

Winter is so hard on things. Freezing, thawing, getting wet, wind, mud, snow, ice, and hard ground — it just makes everything more difficult.

So we do as little as possible when it’s like that. Which means once spring rolls around, there’s a lot to do in the way of fixing and cleaning up.

Our first order of business was getting some gravel. Things had gotten so muddy, we couldn’t even get to our barn in a vehicle. It was so bad, the dump truck almost got stuck, too. Scared me a little — who was gonna pull HIM out?

Gravel

But it’s nice to have a nice fresh layer of rock to drive around on. We need more, but we’ve decided to wait and see whether we’re done having to buy propane — I find it hard to believe that winter is completely over in March! As much as I don’t want it to, it’ll probably reappear for one last hoorah before it’s over.

My Cowboy and I also finished up Jasper’s new digs! We didn’t quite get done with it before the ground froze so hard we could no longer drive fenceposts, so when it warmed up, we only had one more side left to do.

Jasper3

When I turned him out in it, he wasn’t quite sure what to do. He picked his way around real gingerly, cautiously exploring everything. It’s been a few days now, and I think he really likes it.

Jasper2

I’m not sure he’s figured out that the little house is his for shelter, or if he’s used it yet. I used to put him inside the old livestock trailer at night. The first night in his new pen, My Cowboy went outside right at dark, and Jasper looked at him and bleated as if to say, “Um, maybe you should tell Mom I’m still out here? Isn’t she gonna come put me back in the trailer?”

Jasper1

But it’s been nice weather, and he’s getting used to it, and we’ve espied him running and bucking a couple times, so I think he likes his new freedom. Now I’m shopping for him a girlfriend, so he can have company!

Today, the handyman is here building a new section of fence. My Cowboy is supposed to only be supervising, because his arthritis has been plaguing him bad the last few days. Which means I’ll have to supervise him to keep him from doing more than he should — I know it’s difficult when the mind is willing and the old bod won’t cooperate — poor guy!

Fencin

And we got our new bull! After weeks of poring over pedigrees, various ranch visits to look at bulls, and attending several sales, My Cowboy presented me with our best options (because I’m in charge here — haha!), and after several discussions, we finally decided what we wanted.

NewBull

He’s just a yearling, so he’s got a lot of growing to do, and he also doesn’t have a name yet. We’re giving him a few days to see if he names himself. I hope he hurries . . . My Cowboy has been calling him Big Boy, and I don’t want that to stick!

So the Ol’ Ranch is looking some better, and some much-needed things are getting done. It’s like the plug has exploded out of the money jug, though. Farm maintenance can drain the old coffers in a hurry!

In between those jobs and spending time outside, I’ve been sewing a little bit. My youngest daughter, after more than a year of being engaged, has finally set a date for her wedding — June 13th! And naturally, she ordered a wedding quilt — king-sized, no less! No hill for a stepper, right? I can do this — please tell me it’s possible.

She wants it all white, so here’s what I’m starting with:

whitefabric

Boring, I know, but just you wait — I’ll keep you posted on that project . . .

Meanwhile, I have a couple other things to tell you about that I think you should see. My friend, Karin, in New Mexico, posted pictures of a quilt I quilted for her last year: Western Skies. It’s a cowboy quilt, and it was wonderful before I even got hold of it. And very fun to work on!

Karin also recently posted a recipe for Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies that I just had to try. My Cowboy wouldn’t let me put any Craisins in his, but I added some to mine. It’s the only way I’ll eat oatmeal! Check out Karin’s other recipes, too — she has lots of good ones.

In fact, just stay awhile over there — there’s lots to see. Hers is one of my favorite blogs to read. And I still hope to get together with her in real life one of these days.

And that’s about enough chatter for today, don’t you think? I’ll leave you with a couple funnies from last Sunday morning’s breakfast with my family.

“I just keep findin’ money in my pockets. I’m startin’ to think I’m wearin’ someone else’s pants!”

“The Kentucky Fried Chicken has a new name now?”
“Yeah — Jiffy Lube.”

0 responses to “News From the Ranch, Episode 1306”

  1. Maxine says:

    Your new bull is BEAUTIFUL! And he’s still a “puppy” .. lol.. I kind of like Big Boy for his name. 🙂 And your cute little goat, Jasper! OMG.. I hope you find him a friend soon. He seems so lonely! I really need to come visit you.. But then I’m sure you’d just put me to work.

  2. Cindy says:

    That is an awesome quilt. Love everything about it….the fabric, the pattern and the quilting.

    Wish I would find money in my pockets!

  3. Judy Smith says:

    Love your news from the ranch! Keep them coming.

  4. Ranch Wife says:

    Goodness, y’all have a lot of projects going on! I second a sweetie for Jasper! Have you settled on a name for your pretty boy? He’s going to need some sweeties too. 🙂
    Think you you every day when I make the bed…favorite quilt EVER!

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