Fancy Coffee?

Are we up town or what?

This fancy coffee maker arrived in the mail yesterday. It was an incentive for buying allot of lumber and since my husband is a contractor, we buy lots of building materials.

We've always just had a little cheap Mr. Coffee.

This coffee maker has a grinder and everything. Instead of passing by those aromatic beans in the market I will have to stop and pick some out.

Do you think the coffee will taste better, or is it just as good brewed over a campfire?

We used to make coffee in hunting camp in a big metal coffee pot. You just put the coffee grounds on top and boiled it. After it's done you try to skim the grounds off the top, but you are bound to get a few in your mug.

It was always the wranglers job to get the coffee brewing before he went out to chase the horses in.

I would be in the cook tent whipping up pancakes and eggs to go with that coffee.

Skunky

Fluffy is so ashamed.

She did it again. Several times a year Fluffy spots a skunk and can't resist going after it.

After being sprayed she always heads strait for the garage.

This time she brought the injured skunk with her and boy do things stink around here.

I did get rid of the skunk and cleaned up the mess, but that smell will be penetrating the air for quite awhile.

Sunday Stills-Barns

These are pictures of our calving barn. There are stalls with straw in them and a small bunk house in case someone needs to sleep at the barn to watch the cows during the night.

Most of the time they calf just fine by themselves, but sometimes a calf has to be pulled, or if it's really cold the momma and new born baby have to come in the barn so the calf doesn't freeze to death.

Have you ever heard the saying "Never work for a man who has lights in his barn"?

Generally on a ranch job you are paid a monthly salary. You work from sun up to sun down and are lucky if you get Sundays off.

You want to be careful to check out the barn before you sign on with the outfit. If the rancher has lights in his barn, you might be working all night too.

Crafty Wednesday

This is a little bag I made. I got the pattern and material at Center Diamond Fabric's in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

If you ever get a chance you've got to go to this little fabric shop. They have very up to date fabric and patterns. I wanted to buy everything in the shop.

Their website is: www.centerdiamond.com

The Easter bunny must have liked this bag. He came hoping along and filled it up with goodies.

Sunday Stills- Religion

This one has got me thinking. I've herd the saying many times "Don't talk about religion or politics" but here goes, some of my thoughts on religion. I am defiantly not a traditionalist when it comes to religion. I feel much more at peace with God out in a meadow full of flowers, or walking in the woods than I ever will in a church setting.

I've seen so many peoples life's messed up from religious beliefs. Who made all of those rules that are different for each religion? There are many people through out history who have done horrible things in the name of religion.

As I said to my brother in law "If those people are going to be in heaven, no thanks, I don't want to be there".

I did love to go to Vacation Bible school when I was a kid and think back with fond memories of sunshine, crafts, snacks and nice people.

I also loved Youth group as a teenager, and was in a bible study with a group of ranch ladies that I really enjoyed.

Mom's Soft Raisin Cookies

I cut this recipe out of a magazine, as a newly married young woman, over 20 years ago and it is still one of my favorites.

Try it. I think you'll like it!

1 cup water

2 cups raisins

1 cup shortning

1-3/4 cups sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Combine raisins and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. cook for 3 minutes; remove from the heat and let cool (do not drain). In a mixing bowl, cream shortening; gradually add sugar, add eggs and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture and blend thoroughly. Stir in nuts and raisins. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degree's for 12-14 minutes. Yield: about 6 dozen.

Easter Trip

We had a nice Easter in North Dakota.

It rained allot, but was in the 40's.

It was fun to have a bunch of girls there to play "Dora The Explorer" with.

We even made our way into town to check out the stores in the small town of Harvey. With a population of only 1,989 it does have quite a few nice shops.

The kids thought we where in the middle of nowhere, because there is no cell phone signal at the ranch. They where technically challenged with only a phone line to connect to the outside world.

The guys spent most of their time working on farm machinery while we cooked, did puzzles, went on walks and scoured through antique's that have been left at the ranch for generations.

It is amazing how many things family's can acquire in the years of living at a place.

I'm going to have to do some research to find out how much things are worth.

It would be cool if "Antiques Road Show" would come to help me out!

On The Road Again

We're heading out to North Dakota today, to spend Easter weekend

with relatives on the Buffalo ranch.

I'll be back on Tuesday.

Have a great Easter!

Turn The Page..... tuesday

Tuesday is a great day to post about this book, because we are Tuesday people.

If you haven't read "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom, it is a must read. This book really puts life in perspective. You see life in a new light. It reminds us that material possessions are not important. The things that are important in life are our relationships with people, our family and our friends.

"An old man, a young man and life's greatest lesson."

"Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough to find your way to such teachers, you will always find your way back. Sometimes it is only in your head. Sometimes it is right alongside their beds.

The last class of my old professor's life took place once a week, in his home, by a window in his study where he could watch a small hibiscus plant shed its pink flowers. The class met on Tuesdays. No books were required. The subject was the meaning of life. It was taught from experience.

The teaching goes on."

We have a good friend with ALS. He is in a wheel chair now and like Morrie has a very good attitude.

Sunday Stills- Animal Husbandry

This weeks challenge was to take pictures of three or more animals or two or more of a different species.

Although there are lots of animals around the farm, it is hard to get a good picture of three or more in the same frame.

I took a picture of horses and deer, but the deer are unrecognizable. They just look like brown dots.

The animals are quite segregated. The different species just don't like to hang out together.

In the end I did get several pictures that I liked.

H.A.S.H. Jeans

Does anybody remember H.a.s.h. jeans?

They where all the rage in the late 70's early 80's. With there wide legs and cool pockets. Of coarse you had to carry one of those colorful combs around in the back pocket of your awesome jeans.

H.A.S.H. jeans where expensive. $30 a pair. That was allot of money in those days.

I diligently saved up my babysitting money until I had enough to buy my first pair. The next time Mom went to the neighboring town of LaGrande I rode along and got myself these awesome jeans. Wearing them I would be so cool and popular.

feathered back hair, H.a.s.h. jeans, cool comb & chunky shoes. I never really got the popular part, but I felt cool in that pair of jeans.

What cool thing was a must have in your teen age years?