Summer on the Ranch Day 5

 It was a good day at the ol ranch.

No snakes...yet, and more hot hot sun.

In the afternoon, after lunch and once the sun hid behind the clouds,
 Ollie and I decided to try and put a stop to the prairie dog towns
 that are infesting the ranch.

These varmints eat the grass and ruin the open range where our cows graze.

Oliver and I conjured up an idea: we would go to Dairy Queen

and buy smoke bombs, then throw the bombs 

in the prairie dog holes and see what could happen.

Well, nothing happened.

It was a cool idea, and we had loads of fun trying.

Other memorable activities today included:

taking photos in front of the barn flag 

that Mr. Nielson and I painted a few years back.

The boys continued to catch more bullfrogs, lizards, and crazy-looking bugs.

Lottie spent all day with her favorite cousin, Margot.

And swinging on the porch swing (Nicholas looks like he is dying).

Finally, our night ended on top of the hill with the fire pit.

We sang songs, roasted marshmallows, lit sparklers, and took awesome pictures,

as seen in the following:

Happy weekend to one and all!!

Spiritual Enlightenment: Lord, Is It I?

Summer on the Ranch Day 4

Today was hot. Super hot.

The Boss asked us to head into the village to get more gas for the 

wheelers, so we all popped in Old Red and drove the dusty road to Dairy Queen.

Dairy Queen is also a firework shop, a gas station,
 and the best gift shop in New Mexico.

We got fireworks, ice cream, and a surprise for my brother Topher.

I also got myself a fantastic shirt with a coyote, along with a  Snickers. So yum.

Upon returning to headquarters, we were sweaty and dirty 

(mostly from sitting in Big Red),

so we all ran to the water tank, where we jumped in. 

It was freezing. But worth it. 

1, 2, 3....smooooooooooch

Evenings here are my favorite.  

Everything cools down, and the ranch glows.

Mr. Nielson and I took a walk under the big sky and
 both commented about how grateful we both are for God in our lives, 

and for this country, we are privileged to live in.

Everything in our lives points to God, and we recognize His hand in

 everything we do and everything we are.

Being here does something for my soul, and I really like it.

No painting today.  

I better get going if I want it done by the time we leave!

Summer on the Ranch Day 3

This morning, Nicholas ran into my room and told me that our barn cat
 (whom Lottie named "Rajah"), was having kittens!

 It was so exciting, and Lottie couldn't contain herself.

And sure enough, there was young little Rajah under the rose bush birthing
what looked like little black mice.

I think Lottie thought she would have little furry pink-nosed kitties,
and was a little unimpressed with what she saw, but stayed and
 watched the whole process nonetheless.

 The boys probably rode Bae a thousand times around
 the ranch house dressed up like Jim Craig.

They also played pioneers and used the large
oversized squash and zucchini from the garden as little pioneer babies.

 In the evening, after dinner, Mr. Nielson and I slipped away again,
this time on a wheeler.

We drove around to our favorite spots on the ranch, including a place

where if we could, we would build a ranch home that Georgia O'Keeffe
would approve of.

We also wheeled over to "Hidden Canyon."
where incredible rock formations have been created-
It's beautiful, rugged and wild.

 We stayed until we heard the coyotes howl, and we knew it was
 time to head back to headquarters.

The ranch is beautiful country,

we play hard, sleep great, and look forward to what tomorrow will bring
(and I hope it's another thunderstorm).

* * * * * *
Also, while at the ranch, I am scheming up plans for our
2016-17 Back to School Feast planned for August 10th.
I ordered my stained-glass stars today.  Do you have yours?

* * * * * *

Mr. Nielson and I are chatting today...even from the ranch!

Summer on the Ranch Day 2

Early this morning, before the ranch house awoke, Mr. Nielson and I

 slipped out the front door and into the pastures.  

We have a workout routine that we developed some years back together...

It's like cross-fit, but way cooler.  

We sprint from telephone pole to telephone pole, do push-ups on the

 salt-lick tubs, and squats up against the water tank. 

On our run home, we came across the cows- or the "ladies,"

 (as Christian calls them) at the water hole.  

They are fascinated with us, and I am equally as fascinated with them.  

They came up to us, smelled us, and licked our salty skin.  

After we ate, showered, and returned home, we assisted 

Boss in filling up the water hole. Today and tomorrow, 

additional Nielson cousins are expected to arrive, and the water hole

 will provide a refreshing refuge from the New Mexico heat.

We also loaded Big Red, the ranch truck, and let Claire and Jane

 take turns driving her on the dusty ranch roads.  

The boys sat in the back with their pistols, ready to shoot prairie dogs.

The days are slow up here, and time moves like molasses.  

Then Mr. Nielson saddled up Ol Bae, and we all took turns riding him

under the stormy sky.

Then I got really hot and had to go inside and lie

 on my bed near the fan on full blast.

Paint by number day 2:

 Moving right along!

Summer on the Ranch Day 1

When we rolled to the ranch late Saturday afternoon,

the clouds had begun to form in big dark clumps. 

 The sky was majestic- and loud. 

 Lottie's eyes would light up every time the thunder roared, 

and my heart was very, very happy. 

When we got to the ranch house,

Lottie climbed up on her bed and read stories while I went

 outside on the balcony to take in the glory of the ranch after dusk.

I watched our cows grazing the blonde grass just outside the gate.

I slept well that night.

Sunday, we woke up and attended church in town. 

 It was a wonderful service, with wonderful people. 

After church, we piled into the car and drove to

 the Zuni mountains, where we stopped for a picnic.

When we got home, Mr. Nielson and I took a nap on the bed upstairs

with the windows wide open.

Outside, we listened to the Little Nies

 playing pioneers and screaming every time the thunder boomed.

Oh, and yes, I am working on another paint-by-number.

It's a ranch tradition for me!

"Look, Mom! Jeremy is giving Jeremy 

(Lottie named both frogs Jeremy) 

a piggyback ride!!"

(NO animals were hurt in the hands of Lottie.)