Birthdays

Today is my sons birthday.  He was actually born a few minutes after midnight, on a cold, snowy night.  I have told him since he was a child that he was my blessed miracle.  I had suffered several miscarriages prior to his birth, and shortly after he was born, the doctors became concerned enough to begin a series of surgeries that meant he was my only child.  He has been a blessing to me since the day he was born, and I am so proud of the man he has become.  He wanted a quiet celebration, to spend the day in his apartment, staying warm.  So, he got his favorite foods for dinner!  Lasagna, garlic bread, vegetable pizza, and an ice cream cake for dessert. 

I remember as a child, birthday dinners were about a cake and ice cream, and lots of family.  As a young wife, it was about going out to eat...my in-laws, parents, and us, altogether.  I think it has always been more about food than gifts.  Doesnt it seem that our best memories involve food, friends and family?

I had never even heard of vegetable pizza until my sister-n-law, Lori joined the family. She made it, and Jason fell in love with it!  Since then, whenever I make it, I think of her.  I have many foods that way, that I associate with a specific person.  Each one is a precious memory, and I am so grateful to have them.

And so, in honor of Jasons birthday, I will post the recipe for Vegetable Pizza that Lori gave me.  Let me know if you try it. I'm sure there are several versions, this one is really easy.

Vegetable pizza
1 cookie sheet
2 tubes of crescent rolls
2 small pkgs of cream cheese
1 cup mayo or miracle whip
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing
vegetables of choice:
broccoli, cauliflower, tomato  are what I use
shredded cheese


Spread the crescent rolls flat on the cookie sheet, bake til lightly browned, remove and cool.
Chop vegetables to small, bite size, set aside.
Mix cream cheese, mayo and ranch dressing to a smooth mix, spread on crescent dough.
Cover with vegetables, then top with shredded cheese.
Healthy, fun way to eat vegetables, and in my house, a nice treat.

Enjoy your week from Windhover Ranch.

Homesick......

A friend, Katie Troyer, lives in Florida.  She was born into the Amish community in Holmes County,Ohio, although she does not live it now.  Katie takes amazing pictures of her surroundings, the Amish who visit, her travels and family, and basically anything that catches her eye.  Oh, what an eye Katie has!  Something as "normal" as people talking, when seen via Katies lens catches the imagination and takes off.
Last week she posted a picture of her great-niece washing her hands.  The definition of innocent with  braided hair, little dress and apron.  Katie noted that she would love to be a child again for a day.   Within moments I was homesick.  Out of the blue, I understood what Katie meant. If I could be a child again for even one day, I would see my parents again, and my grandparents.  The beloved aunts and uncles that are gone now, even some childhood friends that are gone.  And think of the freedom we had as a child!  I waded barefoot in creeks and tried to catch tadpoles.  I spent half the day outside, playing.  My mom made wonderful meals, and always looked and smelled wonderful. Dad and I  went sled riding, and he talked me into putting corn on my toes and letting the chickens pick it off!  Daddy worked hard, but we werent rich, by any means.  Food on your plate was meant to be eaten.  My new clothes were made by mom.  And you didnt just get something because you wanted it. 
I wonder at times what todays children will miss.  Certainly this is a society of gratification, and most often instantly.  If they never have to wait for things, how will they learn to appreciate it?  And do todays kids run barefoot in the summer, and still collect tadpoles in jars?  Are handmade dresses appreciated as much as ones with store labels?
 Im sure that we all have good and bad memories of childhood..and yet, wouldnt it be wonderful, for just one day....to go back?  So, for me, I treasure the coat  that I still have, made by mom when I was 4.  And I find joy in making things like the suede vest I am finishing now for Jason.  And I think, when it is warm enough, I am going to take off my shoes, and go walk barefoot, find a puddle to wade through, and dedicate it to children.
Have a great week!

Thoughts of Family

This is my son, Jason. He is such a great guy, and Im proud to be his mom.   It hasnt always been easy for him, and yet he seemed always able to see the bigger picture.
I  suppose I am thinking of this more now, since his birthday is right around the corner. He was a miracle child for me.  After several miscarriages, some late in term, one managed to make it to full term.  I spent much time in the hospital during the pregnancy, and was quite ill, but my Miracle was born Feb. 27, 1978.  There has never been a day that I wasnt grateful for him. 
I feel for the new parents of today. It seems that we get farther and farther from our roots. Our children often spend more time in school than they do with their families.  That alone is frightening.  I have many friends who have home-schooled  their kids, with great results.  If I were a new parent today, I know that I would make that choice.  And there are so many social connections available, church, scouts, 4H,  and more. 
I think of the article I read, a college statement.  The children born today will never know what a rotary dial phone was.  Many will never see a wristwatch. Polaroid cameras, even film cameras will be a mystery to them.  Searching the library, the dewey decimal system, will mean nothing.  These children will not know that man  wasnt always in space and on the moon.  They will not remember the racial riots, or woodstock.  I remember as I read this, I felt very old!
My grandfather was born in 1880.  He was a good man, intelligent.  For all that, he would be amazed at cell phones and gps systems.  And electric cars would be space-age technology, along with computers.  His time was more gentle. Horses, later in life cars, that went almost 50 mph!  Women didnt wear slacks and   a man was a husband, a father, and a good neighbor.
Was it truly a better time? Not if we consider the discovery of medicines and  the technology that makes life easier.  But maybe families would be better.   I dont have the answers, only the questions. Do you ever wander through your ancestors lifves and wonder  how you would have handled it?
Have a great weekend,stay safe and warm.

Murphy's Law

We are all aware of Murphys Law, the concept that "whatever can possibly happen will do so at the worst possible time."  Lately it seems like my life is a parody of  that. We have had pipes break several times this winter, the last one broke the pump. So,  a replacement pump and  many water lines later,  I am hoping for no more  negative 20s and lower temperatures.  Ive been sick off and on since Christmas, and finally am feeling human again, I would like it to stay that way!

Progress continues with the Llamas.  Harley will eat from my hand, and let me touch his neck briefly.  Dolly and the cria wont get that close, but Dolly is braver at least in sniffing at the corn in my hand.  Funny thing is to look out and see Sam, our big sweet Mule, with his neck lowered over the fence rail into the Llamas pen.  The cria actually nuzzles him, and hums, as llamas do. He is such a gentle animal, and even though she is not much larger than his head, she seems to not fear him.

Our small  family of deer are staying close by.  This afternoon I watched six as they nibbled at the side field. They work as a team, five eating while one watches, then trading off.  A neighboring dog was barking, and you could see that the watch-deer was anxious. Once she realised the dog was nowhere close, she seemed to relax.  They were in the same place for maybe an hour before moving off, maybe for a nap in the sunshine.

I finished some small sewing projects today before beginning some new ones.  I may post pictures later as the new projects take shape.  I enjoy finishing something that I started, the knowing that  I stuck with it, and made it useable.  Would love to hear of any projects that you have begun.  have a great day!

"Theres no measuring the size of your obstacles, against the size of GOD"

I saw this as a friends Facebook status, and it really struck home.  I know all the things that we are taught,  to trust and obey, to hand it over and forget it, to know that He is all-knowing.   I guess that I dont do the best job of  being obediant.  Im a worrier.  And the more I worry, the bigger and harder things get.  Im sure its an inherited  thing, I remember my parents doing it also.  The point is that I have the faith, but still I worry.  I am grateful to Norma for posting this to her status today. It made me stop and think.  I needed the wake-up call.

Its property tax time!  What fun!  I admit that I have never understood how these are figured out.  Some people with large properties pay the same as one on a bit of land.  Right now, I am at odds with the county assessor.  The taxes are figured to include a building that no longer exists, and when the property was last a working business.  Jason has no time to fight with them  as he works 11 and 12 hour days, soo, Mom tries to help.  I was told that they can be re-assessed only one month of the year.  Why?  Grrrrr. Why is everything so difficult? As the world becomes smaller, thanks to electronic technology, it seems to become more complicated!  Oh well, my soapbox for the week.

Jason likes to cook. It relaxes him.  He learned as a boy to cook and do some minimal sewing.  It was good when he was in college.  He and the boys in his apartment ate very well. They bought the food and did clean up, he did the cooking.  It was so good that his Resident Adv. asked to get in on it a few times.  He paid for the food, Jas cooked and his pals did clean up.The RA looked good to his wife and didnt have to go out for the evening.  This past Saturday he made Navajo Frybread.  If youve never had it, you are missing something.  We have had it many times at various gatherings, but its best still warm from  the fry pan.  I had made ham soup the day before and he made the frybread to go with it.  Arent leftovers wonderful?  Sometimes its nice to have foods that hold a memory.  It helps to bring that day back, or those days.  There are amazing dishes out there, and people with magical cooking skills.  But with all that,  sometimes an old staple still is great.

The Fifteenth of the month

Wow.  Hard to believe it is already the 15th.  The month is more than half over and yet it seems like Christmas was just a week or so back.  Im glad to see the month move on.  It brings warmer weather, and soon, the trees will bud.  It will be interesting to see what the trees in the mule paddock do. Tom,  our troubled child, got bored last fall, and chewed the bark off every tree as far as he could reach.  Considering that he is approximately 8 feet at his forehead, he cleaned them pretty high.  Some say the trees will die, some say they wont be affected. As I said, it will be interesting to find out.
I call Tom our troubled child.  He is the younger of the 2 mules, by only 6 months or so.  He can be as sweet and loving as Sam, and yet Tom has this ornery streak built in.  He is the one to jump the fence to visit the Llamas. He is the one who decided to investigate the back acreage last summer and almost got himself hurt by falling into an old retaining pit.  He reminds me of a spoiled child, who doesnt care if hes in trouble, as long as someone is giving him some attention!
Today has been sort of a dreary day.  Ive a killer headache,and the sun comes and goes.  Its a day meant for being lazy.  Instead I puttered a bit, moved some things around, did some mending. And found time to give the mules their carrot treats.
What do you do on those lazy days when your "get up and go, got up and went"?  Read, craft, sleep? Or are you disciplined to continue your projects?  Enjoy the picture of Tom and Sam, and my son Jason.  Jas is 6 feet, 3 inches.  And the mules make even him look small.

Another week..........

Happy Valentines Day to those of you who celebrate.  Happy Monday to the rest of us!
Have you ever noticed that people react in different ways to different situations?  There  are people who, even in the worst of situations, are able to find a kindness and a gentleness.  And others who, given the smallest opportunity, find a way to act ugly.  To humiliate,  threaten, demoralize others.  Unfortunately, Ive dealt with far too many of the latter   in my life.  Ive tried to understand them, why they need to put others down, but I just dont get it.  Then, I look at myself. Do I act in positive ways with others, or do I allow myself to be ugly in my treatment of them?  Sometimes the hardest thing is to do self-evaluation.  I think it helps to keep us on track, to help us be the best that we can be.
When I went outside this morning I heard a songbird.  He was in the Cottonwoods outside the back door. I was thrilled!  The first songbird must mean Spring is coming.  Soon it will be time to brush out the heavy winter coats on the dogs and the mules.  The Llamas will need their coats sheared, somewhat like sheep do.  That should be an adventure!   Jason  thinks I should try to sell the rovings, since I dont knit.  Id love to see someone that I know use the wool.  Dolly, the female llama is looking much healthier. The home that they were in was a caring home, but not big on good feed.  We  feed  good hay to them, and they get corn daily.  Already her coat looks better.  Poor thing was bred too young, and I think has been bred almost non-stop since then.  We will give her a break to get healthy.   That means moving Harley out into a bachelor pad so that he cant get to her, but it will be ok.  He will have the mules for company.
Today I will do some cleaning, some organizing.  Still going through my sewing stash of fabric and patterns. Planning is half the fun!  I want to braid some pads for the kitchen chairs.   I want just the right color combination, so i will be sorting and matching. 
What are your plans? Are you seeing any signs of spring? Do you have a to-do list in mind?    Have a wonderful day.

 

Rambling thoughts

Tomorrow is Valentines Day.  Aside from newlyweds and young lovers, it seems the Holiday means the most to the flower and candy industries.Children in school still trade valentines,and early in the century, it was done between friends. Today, it is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Do  you send a valentine?   Long ago, I stopped. I began doing other sorts of things instead.  A  new book for my read-a-holic son.   Later, when he was in College, I made baskets of fruit and tucked some mad money in. 
Candy tends to stay forever here.  None of us has that much sweet tooth, so I try not to buy much.
For me, Valentines Day is the harbinger of Spring.  No matter how cold and dreary it is, I know that Spring is not too far away.  I wait for the signs.  Birds building nests, flowers pushing up through the ground.   A friend told me that his cows will be calving soon.  New calves running and dancing in a field, a sure sign of  spring.
And somehow,  that leads to the indoor rites of spring.  Cleaning, organizing, maybe redecorating.  Its as if we try to renew our surroundings.
I am thinking of renewing some fabrics into aprons. They seem to be out of style , but those Prairie style aprons with big pockets to hold my  treasures are comfortable to wear.  There are many variations of them,  the  Amish style, Frontier style, even the Chef style.  So, today I will look through my stash of fabrics, choose  one that seems right, and begin to lay it out.  Its my way of hurrying spring along.  What do you do to rush spring?

Continuing The Traditions

From the earliest days Farms and Ranches used, re-used and made do.  They turned feed bags to tea towels  and  lived the concept of making do with what they had.  In the past several years, that thought has been reborn.  No matter if it is called recycle or upcycle,  it means reusing, and making do.  There is a lot of good sense behind it. It saves money.  It allows for creativity,  it is good for ecology.
What are some of your favorite ways to recycle?  Do you use the online barter and free groups?  Do you buy at the thrift shops?  Do you take something and make it into something else?
WindHover Ranch does. We are a small ranch in the San Luis Valley in Colorado.   We regularly recycle wood and  look for ways of being more green.  Planning solar within the next few years as the budget allows, to offset the electric.  We scour the online and newspaper ads for materials that others toss out.  Its amazing what is available if you are patient and watch for it.  What are some of your best finds?  Do you have something to share?  To give?  Maybe some great advice?  How about an idea that you had and decided to run with....did it work out?  Tell us about you, your hopes. What you are looking for.  Your turn!