The cranes are on the move and so am I...

It is my favorite time of the year. The computer frustrates me, because I can only share the sights, not the smells or sounds that make life worth while.  The calls of the cranes tell me that fall is coming to a close here in South Dakota.  The leaves are at their peak and there is a nip in the air.  Still, I only feel joy when I hear their faint calls and watch as they quickly get close and move on.  I will never understand how they can go so fast even though they are flying in circles.   


I'm afraid I was AWOL for a bit. First, my husband came back from his hunting trip in Alberta with a moose.  I am here to tell you that a moose provides a lot of meat. I know that, because I am the butcher. It took me 4 days to get him all put away. Part of the problem is my husband took the freezer and a generator, so the meat was frozen solid by the end of their two day trip back. It takes a while for something that big to thaw. I did a lot of roasts using the wonderful food saver my mom got me. Then I tried canning for the first time.  I canned 21 jars of stew meat. YUM.  Best of all I did not blow up the pressure cooker.  My little sister will understand why I am so relieved about that.  While all of that was going on, I also picked buffalo berries for jelly and wine. I apologize for not having any photos of that project. I forgot the camera. 

I wasn't just in the kitchen while I was AWOL.  I made a quick trip back home and then went with my parents to St. Paul, MN.  I didn't take a lot of photos on our road trip.  After our business in St. Paul, my parents and I visited my brother and then my sister and her family. Then on the way home I saw my Grandma.  It was good to see everyone.  I also enjoyed returning to the ranch in the fall.  Words cannot describe the the smell of the prairie in the fall.  It brings a sense of peace. 

 

 

These are the farm pets; the dog is Wiley, and I don't think the cat has a name.  I also got to meet my parent's newest addition on the ranch, Santee.  She is a beautiful 3 year old POA.  They are currently breaking her and wanted someone to do the stunt work.  Namely, get on and off her for the first time.  I miss breaking horses, so I was happy to oblige.  She is extremely calm and the session was uneventful.   I told Mom and Dad it takes a hundred photos to get the perfect one and the one with Mom and Santee is the perfect one. 

Well, I'm sure you are as tired as I am now.  I hope you enjoyed the adventures.  Hopefully, I will be home and settled for a while.  It was great seeing everyone and spending time with family, but it is also good to be home.