Family Photos ~ 2013

My sister was at our house this summer, so I took advantage of the fact to get a few family photos taken. You moms know just how hard it is to take a good family photo! My requirements have reduced over the years to one where there is no visible dirt on our clothes and we all have more or less natural expressions. (smile) I was pretty happy with these. Especially happy with the bright green grass/leaves that we could use for a background this year!

 

Note: If you want to view the photos larger - just click on the photo.

 

 

I tried to get some of those cool couple shots of my Cowboy and me, but alas - we are not a very photogenic couple. We just get goofy when we try to be sweet on camera. (grin) so this was the best we could do...

 

My poor baby was so tired she could hardly keep her eyes open, let alone smile.

But that's OK.

A Country Girl

There is no way around it - I am a country girl.

I have lived my share in the city, and often in small towns, but I always feel most at home in the country.

 

 

I enjoy seeing my daughter carry her pet chicken around.

 

 

I enjoy cows standing on the road in the rain.

 

 

 

I really find it relaxing to hang clean laundry on the line in the summer.

 

I enjoy taking walks with my kids in the coolness of early evening, down a dirt road.

 

 

                                                               I find cows amusing.

 

 

I like to watch my baby watch the chickens.

 

I am glad my kids can hang over fences and watch Dad work cattle.

 

My heart goes pitter-patter when this handsome Cowboy rides past me, swinging his rope.

 

 

 The road home is always pretty...

 

 And the flowers in my yard seem to be shouting praises to God.

 

 

The rambling old rose bush harks back to a day where life was slower.

 

 

 

 And the wild roses that grow along the creek are so delicate and pretty... blooming unnoticed, mostly, but still being as pretty and sweet-smelling as they can be. Just because that is what The Creator told them to do.

 

 

The sinking sun streams over the snowy white clouds, shooting streaks of brilliance into the wild blue yonder. It makes one look up. Sometimes I just need to stop and look UP.

 

 

Note: All the photos in this post were taken with my phone. Minimal editing done.

Choke Cherry Jelly

I enjoy canning. It is a lot of work, especially for some things, but I enjoy it anyways. Looking at those rows of jars...hearing the 'pop!', it makes me happy. And it is beautiful. Always make beautiful things. Life is too short to live ugly.

I moved to a ranch house along the creek bottoms about two years ago, and this place is loaded with choke cherries. They grow in my yard and along the bridge over the creek. I had never tasted or used them before we moved here, but I quickly decided that I will not let any free food go unused...least of all fruit! So. I perused Pinterest, recipe books and Google for a chokecherry jelly recipe. And I found some. Problem was, they all are different, and some don't work right. Finally I found two and kinda combined them to come up with my own that is pretty much perfect. At least in my opinion. :)

The method is pretty easy, actually. At least the way I do it.

First, have your kids pick the cherries. :)

 Some are redder and some are blacker. I don't know why.

 Then you wash them. I stir them around so the leaves and junk can come to the top. Then I scoop the trash out with my spoon.

Drain. You will notice there are some green berries in my bowl, and the tiny stems are all still on. Its OK. They really don't matter. The pioneers used a certain portion of green berries in their jam instead of pectin. I don't recommend that route. I tried it and was sadly disappointed.

Put in a large kettle and fill with water till the cherries are just covered.

 Simmer about 30-45 minutes, or until the juice is dark red. I confess I have never timed this. I'm bad about cooking by feel...

Drain the juice in a large bowl,

 Wow! The kids an I picked about 4 gallons, and got a gallon of juice! I see lots of jelly in my future... If you don't have time to make it into jelly right now - you can store the juice in the fridge a few days.

You should have your jars and lids ready before you start the jelly process...

 

 Then you pour 3 1/2 cups juice into a large kettle. It will boil up considerably, so make sure the kettle is big enough. Add the lemon juice and pectin. Stir. Bring to a boil.

 

 When the juice is boiling, add the sugar. Bring to a rolling boil (boiling so hard you can't stir it down) and continue to stir as it boils for 2 minutes. (This is where it will boil up and up and up. I boiled over two kettles of jelly on my stove. Please don't be that stupid. Burnt on jelly is HARD to clean off. )
When the 2 minutes are up, you can skim the foam off if you like. It doesn't have to be skimmed off, but looks prettier/clearer if you do.

 Then you ladle it into jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space.

 when the jars are full, wipe the rims with a clean cloth. (They might not seal if they have jelly splatters.)

 Place a lid on each one...

 ...and a ring. Tighten to fingertip tightness. In other words, just tighten them with your fingertips, don't use all the force in your being! :)

 Place them in a hot water bath. The boiling water should be about an inch over the jars.

 Bring the water in the canner to a boil and let it boil for 5 minutes. If you live above 3,000 ft seal level, you need to check your county extension to see what the recommended processing time is for your area. I live at 6,000 ft, and I need to process them for 10 minutes. Then you remove the jars to cool. If the jelly isn't set, I recommend not disturbing the jars for at least 24 hours. The pectin takes time to work.

 Last but not least, stand back and admire your hard work!

 And go make some room on your shelves for some yummy jelly!

 

Note:: This picture is of a double recipe. One recipe yields about 5 pints.

 

 

Chokecherry Jelly

3.5 cups chokecherry juice

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 pkg dry pectin (1.75 oz)

4 1/2 cups of sugar

 

Pour juices in kettle.

Add pectin, stir.

Bring to a boil, add sugar.

Boil and stir for 2 minutes.

Remove from heat, skim.

Ladle into jars.

Process in hot water bath for 5 minutes.

Cool undisturbed for 24 hours.

 

Here's the pectin I use: 

 

 

3 Day Snowstorm

 

We have been in a drought, here in southern Wyoming. Therefore, it wasn't hard for even this southern gal to be happy for the big (albeit late) snowstorm we received last week. I mean, a foot of snow is at least a couple inches of water, right?

So we canceled the kids music lessons and stayed snug at home in our warm house.

(I love having a warm house. )

 

Sunday evening it began to snow again. They were calling for chance of rain or snow through Wednesday. But I wasn't too excited...I mean, since when has the meteorologist been correct, ya know?!

But when I got up Monday morning, it was still snowing.

It snowed all day.

 

 Tuesday morning it was still snowing....

Again, it continued to snow all day. Now, it wasn't a heavy, pile-it-on snow - just a gentle, at times very light snow. But still, it was snow.

 

Last night at 10:30 pm, I flipped on the porch light,  and watched the snow falling...

When I got up this morning, it was still falling. Snow, snow snow.

Water. Moisture. whatever you want to call it.

I am truly ever so thankful.

But I am considering running away.

Preferably to Florida.

Where snow doesn't fall in the door when you open it.

And where people dress in a normal fashion - not covered head-to-toe in snow gear.

 

But still. I am thankful.

Some hay this summer, perhaps?

That would be great.

Oh, and how cool is it that you can take pictures of snowflakes? Even if it you have to lure the cats to the porch so you can see the flakes on their fur. :)

Feedin' Hay

One sunny afternoon a few weeks ago, I took the 'little girls', and went with My Cowboy to feed hay. We usually feed round bales, but - thanks to the drought of 2012 - we have some large squares here, that we had to buy for the cows.

I use the term 'we' loosely.

 

 

Driving out to feed, this is what you see...

Awww.

 

 Then, there is the babysitter. Yes, cows do babysit. A couple cows may go to get a drink at the water tank or creek, and their calves will hunker down together, while another cow stands guard. It's touching. Sorta.

 

At the sight of the hay truck, they come running.
And then wait patiently while My Cowboy cuts strings off the bales and starts forkin' the hay off.

 

Or not...

Actually, cows know not the meaning of the word patience.

It's all noses to the hay bale, people! (I mean, cows.)

 

Anyways.

 

    I was doing what I do best, (next to makin' cinnamon rolls): Holding my baby, taking photos and videos by turn, and steering the truck, while making sure the drenching bottle stayed more or less upright. (My Cowboy had to drench a sick calf after feeding.)

  

You see, I dislike driving large vehicles, so I opt out on any excuse I can think up. Like taking videos. Or holding my baby. Or just about anything.

 

I act like I'm helping by reaching over with one hand and steering. But it's not really necessary. He does it every day or so by himself.

 

So I hold the baby and take photos and My Cowboy starts the truck, then climbs onto the back of the truck (while it's moving!) and forks hay. When he's done,  he climbs back through the door and continues driving.