COOKING, BAKING AND CANNING

My weekend started with pickling wild plums by the side of the road. After being inspired by my son-in-law, I picked and canned these tiny sweet treats.

Expecting my honey home Saturday afternoon, gave me good reason to bake some honey wheat bread and cook a big pot of vegetable soup using all fresh veggies.

For me there is therapy and renewing of the soul to peel, slice, mix, measure, bake and cook something from scratch. When I do this, it makes me think of women like my Great-Great-Grandmother. When I think my chores and responsibilites are too much to handle, I think of how she must had to do things. I don't have it so hard after all.

Sunday, John and I canned 10 more jars of dill pickles.

It was a very good weekend. Of coarse, I took time to pick some roses from my garden and sit them in the wondow sill. Did you take time to smell some flowers this weekend?

Just when I thought there was nothing to write about...

When I got on the dirt road and was nearing our gate I saw something standing in the road. The closer I got, it became clear it was a cow. Oh no, IT IS MY COW. Well to be exact, it was our young bull. To make things really interesting, John was not home. My mind was reeling. What to do. I knew chasing it in the car would be wrong. I followed slow and he went to the gate just north of us. I pulled over and he went past me back to our gate. I guess he knew where he lived! My question was -how did he get out? I had locked the gate when I left for work, and it was still locked. One side has a cattle guard and the other doesn't. I didn't want to let him out of my sight. I remembered I had gotten a tub (big plastic tub that held mineral lick for livestock) from a co-worker and it was in my car! Yippeee I knew what to do. I opened both gates and drove through, got the tub out and acted like I had cubes in it for him. Sucker....he came right in! I quickly shut the gates! I did it. I got the little guy in all by myself and in record time, but it wasn't over. Where were the cows. We only have 2 right now but I did not see them. So I drove quickly to the house and got some cubes and stood by the pond shaking the can. All 3 came running. Thank goodness. All were accounted for. But how did that little bull get out? I got my fence mending tools(my hat too, it was very HOT in Texas today) and Sadie and I got on the 4wheeler to check the fence lines. I found a spot in the fence, right on the road that was missing fence hooks. I put new ones on, then rode the road to check for the bulls tracks to see if I could tell where he can out. I found tracks so I am pretty sure I fixed the right spot. I guess I will know tomorrow!

The little bull (Bullseye) is Maggie's calf from last year. We decided to keep him and have our own bull for breeding. He should be ready for business any time now.

Bulls are new for us, but we are learning....they like to get out! The cows, Spudz and Bluebell, could care less. It must be the testosterone! He is getting older and maybe he wants to check out the neighborhood! I hope this is not a constant occurrence.

Well, I got that all taken care of, then collected eggs. We have 4 hens, one rooster and 2 growing chicks (don't' know their sex yet). We are getting 4 eggs a day, so that is a 100% return! Next I gathered some tomatoes, squash and cucumbers from the garden. Oh, check out the spider that built a web today. I had to tear it down....with a stick and I threw it very fast! Fed the cats and my chores are done! John I miss you!

Have I mentioned how much I hate weeds?

Gardening is a great reward and I love it, but I HATE WEEDS!

I have a wagon that I use in the garden. It has many uses on the farm and holding my umbrella is one of them. I use knee pads too. That way I don't have to bend over so much, which tends to hurt my back. My gloves protect my hands and no true Southern woman would work outside with out a hat! So 2 days of pulling weeds and everything is looking much better....again, till the next time. I hate doing it but it has to be done so the vegetables can grow properly. I water every morning and pick the veggies in the evening. Gardening is something special for me. It gives me time to think, hum, sing and just enjoy the outdoors. Buzzing bees as they pollinate the plants. Chirping frogs as the evening sets in. The song of the locust in the summer time is a dead giveaway that you are in the south. Some say the country is quiet but I say it is full of sound if you just stop and take a listen.

Welcome-new memebers of Murphy Ranch

Kelly brought us the "Three Stooges"- Moe, Curly and Larry.

With New Kitty gone and EJ only visiting occasionally, Murphy Ranch needed mice warriors. Now we have them. I never thought of myself as a cat person, but it is not hard to do with these 3 sweet faces.
For now, their world is the porch-and what entertainment they provide.
However, 2 days ago John came in saying Moe was not there. We looked everywhere...nothing. It began to rain-hard-and my mind wondered. It made me sick to my stomach to think of that poor little kitten; wet, cold and scared. Later in the evening, John went walking and looking again. I was on the front porch when I heard him calling to me. He said he heard a faint "meow". It was still sprinkling but we both continued to walk. Listening for that "meow". We heard it about a 1/4 of a mile from the house near the corral. I got closer and there was Moe under a clump of trees-crouched to the ground. When he saw me he actually ran to me. I scooped him up and wrapped him in my shirt. He was wet, cold and shivering. When John and I got back to the house it was just about dark. We dried Moe off and put him in the kennel with his brothers for the night.
I don't know how we found him, but we did and now they are all back to running and playing on the front porch. Happy Happy. I still have trouble accepting some of the hardships living in the raw country as we do, but this time all turned out on the happy side.

Well I am closing this post as I smell a delicious omelet that John is preparing!

When God closes a door-he opens a window.

As I was watering my garden, I noticed this cloud formation to the west. I really lookes like a window. Look around and see God's beauty.

My cup runnith over

This weekend my house was full and so was my heart. All of the kids were in for the weekend to celebrate the 4th of July and my twins 25th birthday. It began with a fish fry and just enjoying everyones company. Then birthday cake and games. Later, the house was quiet but my heart smiled knowing in each room, was sleeping someown who is very dear to me.

My favorite time is the morning. One by one sleepy faces arrive in the kitchen. Some looking for coffee, some looking out the window to see the country morning. The smell of bacon and coffee and the chatter of precious voices.

John and I wave the last goodbye as the car kicks up dust on the road, a tear comes to my eye. When will be all come together again?

Star Bangled Banner

Happy 4th of July everyone. We enjoyed a spectacular fireworks at the high school. In case you missed seeing some, I wanted to share. Not to shabby for a small town display.
Thanks Comanche!