Rodeo

I got to watch my nieces rodeo this weekend.  It brought back a lot of memories. Only there were a few major differences.  One it was cold.  I don't ever remember a cold rodeo.  100 degrees, I remember that and lots of dust.  Second, there were actually bathrooms with running water.  I remember outhoses without toilet paper.  Anyway, seeing the girls made for a fun day.

 Note to self, next time take the group photo at the beginning of the day when we are fresh as daisies.  Not at the end when we are sunburnt and grimy.

 Taylor running the barrels above and Sierra below.

 Haley running the junior junior barrels.  It was a wild ride.

 Cowgirls

 Haley in the goat un-tying.  She needs to take the ribbon off of the goat's tail and the goat is ready.

 Sierra is roping above and Taylor is below.

Dad giving some last minute advice.  The girls did good for their first rodeo of the year.  It was great watching them.  

 Finally, I am close to finishing one of my projects.  Someone in town had two big wheels for sale at a reasonable price.  I snatched them up immediately.  My garden fence is close to being finished.  These are preliminary ideas.  I'm very excited about putting this project to bed. Ha:)

It was a super busy weekend.  I don't think I was still for more than a few minutes.  Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when my husband started up the fire pit and we relaxed for a bit Saturday night.  Nothing say summer like roasted marshmallows.

Have you ever rodeoed or been to one?  Have a great week.

Quick as a fox...

Summer is slipping by quick as a fox.  It is the middle of June already and my tulips are just now blooming.  My rhubarb is a bit stunted, but it made a very good rhubarb cake.  

We have plenty of dandelions this year.  I've already made two batches of dandelion wine.   I'm getting a lot faster at taking the petals off.  I was lucky if I could get 5 cups of petals in a day.  I'm now getting 8 cups in half a day.  I enjoy sitting on the porch watching the world go by while filling up my bowl full of petals.   Every now and again the the hummingbird swings through for a few sips from the feeder.   It slows this fast moving spring down a little.   My older sister was out and we enjoyed the concerts in Deadwood.  At least until we got rained out.   We really haven't had much warm weather yet.  I could really use a little sunshine.

What is the weather like in your corner of the world?   What is blooming in your garden?

Spring has sprung...

We are done with snow.  Now it is just rain.  Lots of rain.  Everything is soused.  

 This poor turkey looks pretty disheveled.  It took awhile, but we did finally get some sunny days and the trees and grass turned a vivid green.  Still they could not compare to the colors of the Western Tanager.  This is one of my favorite birds.  He always looks so dapper.  

 I was able to get some gardening in last weekend.  My husband, as always, was quick with the camera.   I took a few photos myself.  The wagon he restored for me really stands out in the yard.  

 A day after putting up my feeders, I had a hummingbird.  I am surprised that it has stayed quite regular.  Generally they don't stay around until August.  I took the red food coloring out after it showed up.  

 I miss Out on the Prairie.  He could tell me what type of butterfly this is.   I enjoyed watching it sun itself on the blocks.  It was as happy as the rest of us for some sunshine.

 I think this may be the same hummingbird that stayed late into October a few years ago.  Although it isn't as chirpy, it is sitting in all the same places.   It seems to be taking a nap. 

Do you have any hummingbirds where you are?  How about turkeys or tanagers?  What birds do you look forward to seeing every year?

Exhaustion...

It felt so good to garden this weekend.  It has been a long couple of weeks.  I just needed to put all my energy into something productive. I gardened until I could garden no more, then I watered.

 Ella seems to be admiring the lights.  I think those have been one of my best purchases ever.  They really add a feeling of calm to the cabin.

 My favorite display is always the primroses and daffodils.

 I decided to put all of my herbs on the deck.  This will be handier, but I may change my mind if it ever gets hot.

That is the sum of my weekend.  All I have left is to plant my corn and beans.  I should have done it this weekend, but I completely ran out of steam.  I hope you all had a grand weekend.  Were you able to get outside?  If so what did you do?

To rainy days and peach cobbler...

 Gotta love spring in South Dakota.  Don't take green grass and warm sunshine for granted.  We decided to escape the snow and see if we could go fishing on our prairie property.  Of course it is flooded.  We expected it, but one can hope.  Despite all of the water, we both managed to pick up some ticks.  

It did melt somewhat quickly.  I was able to plant the rest of my shrub bed.  Lo and  behold I may actually have chickadees nesting in the bird house.  That cheered me up.  No the bird house isn't tilted.  It must be how I was standing.

 As you can see, my flower beds will be the last to melt.  I planted some grapes and raspberries in the rain.  Then I called it good and went inside. Seemed like a good day for some peach cobbler.  Nothing better then warm cobbler and a cup of coffee on a rainy day.

What is your comfort food?  Hope is drier somewhere.

Drat...

 Yes, you know what drat means.  It snowed.  Three inches so far with a prediction for 10 more.  Winter isn't coming, it is still here.  Despite today's woes, last week was wonderful.  Some friends came out to go turkey hunting.  We had a great time.  I think they saw a fox every day.  Turkey hens walked over their feet and they were swooped by a hawk.  Hunting is always an adventure.  They did get a turkey.  If they would have just sat on the porch with me drinking coffee they would have had several toms:)  That was the shining spot of May.  As you can see below, the birds are as aghast about the snow as we are.  Don't you love the look on his face and the snow on his forehead? 

 I was being a grump about the weather, but my husband sweet talked me into a walk.  I was glad we went.  Ella was upset that the men didn't take her bird hunting (you can't use dogs turkey hunting).  She was sure to show us her birding skills on the walk.  She pointed perfectly at our resident grouse. 

Well, that is that.  They still aren't done with the roof.  I am losing hope.  The roofer said they would try again tomorrow, before the big snow hit.  That is all I have for this week.  Please tell me I am not the only person with snow?

They are in...

Today was the nicest day all year.  I took advantage and planted my seedlings.  I dug up the soil, added some compost, and in they went.  We will see how big these little buggers get.  That little green dot is a tomato plant.

 The basils and thyme were taken back outside after spending some quality time indoors.  I'm pretty excited to see how they do.  The more I grow herbs the more ways I find to use them.

 I planted my peppers, pumpkins, watermelon, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and turnips.  I have mousetraps set up.  I also put collars around the seedlings.  Damn mice.

I have been seeing quite a few elk on the way to and from work.  My husband saw our local fox while out turkey hunting.  What herbs do you plant?  What wildlife are you seeing? Do you have any tried and true mouse repellent?