Celebration time...

 My brother got married this weekend.  I am so happy for both of them.  It was a wonderful ceremony, and everything was decorated beautifully. It was good for the family to spend time together. Especially in celebration.  Part of the ceremony was braiding a rope and then 'tying the knot.'

It was a blizzard on the way back for us heading to Deadwood and for them heading to Minnesota. 

Bear Butte was a delightful site when we finally got to the hills. 

The bighorn sheep greeted us when we got to Deadwood.  

There is a lot of country to see when you cross South Dakota.  Still my favorite view is from the family cattle pasture overlooking the river.  Growing up I rode a lot of horses through those draws. 

I am so thankful that we were able to celebrate with my brother and his wife.  Any time you can spend with family is precious.  Taking a few days with my parents was also also a highlight. It was a weekend where memories were made.  Some were precious and others were hilarious.  

What was the last family event you attended?  

Ready for Spring...

Today I prepared for spring.  I took all of my tools and scrubbed them with steel wool and then gave them a coat of mineral oil.  I took apart all of my pruners and sharpened the blades.  All wooden handles were coated with linseed oil, as well as my tool caddy.

Can you believe the rust on my clippers?  The poor tool caddy was bone dry. 

There they are.  All shined, sharpened, and ready to go. Spring, I am ready.  

A few more sunsets and I am sure it will be here.  We have some snow predicted in the future, but for now it is warm and we actually don't have much snow on the ground.

Are you ready for spring?  When was the last time you gave your tools a good once over?  What do you do to prepare for gardening season?  

Duck, Duck, Goose...

 Not much going on here.  It has been warm.  We stopped at Canyon Lake and enjoyed the ducks and geese.  

We have some snow, but it is melting fast.  It comes and goes.  We had a pretty sunny weekend.  

It was a great sunset on Friday.  It has been a while since we have had a pretty sunrise or sunset.  I just found out that I will be without an oven for another month.  I can't say that is making me happy.  

I'm on one month without my oven.  How long have you gone without a kitchen appliance that is necessary?