Too Cute

Bumble and Bea are still growing fast.

They have past Emma in size.  Emma is still top dog however.

Invasion

Well, my beautiful tree has failed me.  I put up with the pine cones shedding, the drooping branches and bare spots (fishing line worked wonders), but this last problem is doing me in.

We are being invaded by this creature, whatever it is.  I have been sweeping up 20-30 a day.
Their abdomens are big and if stepped on leave an awful brown spot.  I guess I'll have to start the undecorating process tomorrow.  Maybe if we get the tree out our infestation will stop.

Job

V had another weekend job of horse sitting.  She fed and let them out in the mornings, cleaned stalls and let them back in in the evening.

The trick was getting the big horses in without letting sneaky Blackie in.  It's a good thing they are calm, well behaved horses.
The snow is half way gone now. 
No snow on the left of the driveway that faces south.

Snow on the right that lays to the north.

A few more Christmas images that are not tree related.  E's Barbie ornament collection.             

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas

4R Ranch
Tree of the day.

Tree of the Day

Merry Christmas Eve.

Tree of the day.  Present from E last year. I believe was a votive holder but I think it looks better with ornaments.  I'll unveil the tree in the background tomorrow.

Tree of the Day

Tree of the day.  A thrift store find this summer, ceramic tree with plastic lights.

Snow Cream

This has been the first snow in a long time that has been deep enough to make snow cream.  I have been enjoying it every day.  I can't seem to get V and E very interested in it however.  They don't know what they are missing.

To my family, I know this is the wrong bowl but since I was only making it for myself I did not get out the big yellow one.
Tree of the day.  I made this stick tree several years ago.  It was originally 3 dimensional but that made it hard to find enough space for.  I then took off the cross pieces and now display part of my angel ornament collection on it.

Pre Snow

We have been wanting to get the Hereford cows bred back but could never see them in heat so we gave them shots to bring them in.  54j was ready to breed the day before the snow.

Unfortunately, the other one wasn't until the next day.  Therefore, we will have to try again with her later.  The A.I. technician is in near 80 with bad knees so we didn't ask him to come back with 14" of snow on the ground.
Tree of the day.  A fabulous auction deal that came complete with color wheel.

More Snow

Despite the cold and the increased difficulty getting around, the snow really is beautiful.

From every direction our views are breathtaking. 
The snow uprooted a tree which fell across the driveway.  J had to cut it out of the way before we could go anywhere.
E took a break from shoveling snow with the thoughts of making a snow angel.  Emma however, was worried about her and went to help revive her.
Everyone thought I should enter this picture of Lady in the ugly horse class.
Tree of the day.  Jar full of marbles.  I won't continue to use my tree jars for tree of the day, I have about 50.

Snow, Snow, Snow

It started snowing yesterday afternoon and finished this morning.  We have between 12-14 inches.  The power flickered off twice early this morning but fortunately returned both times.  I have filled several containers with water just in case because -no power-no well pump.

Oreo was not to thrill at the prospect of having to leave the garage.  He did eventually go out after I did, jumping from one boot print to the next.
The horses had to paw and root for grass until J got a round bale to them.
Bumble and Bea are just part of the goat herd now.
Emma seems to enjoy the snow.  More picture tomorrow.
Tree of the day.  M brought back from his trip to Mt. Everest.

Strip Grazing

J has been strip grazing the cattle in the hay fields this fall.  This is the first time that they have broken through the electric wire.  J thinks coon hunters spooked the cattle last night causing them to run through it.

The grass really is greener on the other side.
I took this picture before it started snowing this afternoon.  This was probably the last the cows will see of this grass for awhile.
Instead of trying to run them back out of the field J decided to just roll up the wire and be done with it.
Tree of the day.  Santas in a Jar.

Tree of the Day

Tree of the day.  This is my little woodland scene.  The tree is actually one of a set of three that are meant to be staked in the ground outside.

Gingerbread House

E had always wanted to make a gingerbread house so this year I bought her a kit.  Her and a friend constructed it a few days ago.  

I think the gingerbread man, tree and chimney were eaten before I saw it to take a picture.  
Tree of the day.  This beautiful glass tree is adorned with glass wine charms from the dollar tree.

Old Pumpkins

Like all biodegradable produce, the old fall pumpkin decorations went over the fence.  

Jessica was somewhat interested.  The steers and heifers on the other side of the fence seemed to want to know what was going on so I threw one over to them.
They were very cautious, approached slowly, bolted and ran then came back for another look.
The second time they decided it was edible.
Tree of the day.  I liked this spinning tree lamp gift so much it has stayed out for 2 years.

Tree of the Day

Tree of the day.  I like to dress my Jade tree for Christmas.  

Tree of the Day

Tree of the day.  This originally was a gift that came with clear plastic crystals.  I think the eggs my sister C made are much more attractive.

SATURDAY

We didn't get home this evening until after midnight so this will post on Sunday but it is really Saturday's post.  It was 12 degrees this morning.  Pretty cold for this time of year.  The cattle had frost on them.

Maybe Al Gore needs to fly around on his jet more to create some global warming.

Tree of the day.  A very old music box from Mary and Jean's.  I think when I got this I decided I was collecting Christmas trees.

Wind Again

Well, the trampoline is a total loss.  We had a little wind the other day which picked up the trampoline, ran it into the satellite dish (again), lifted it over the fence and blew it down the hill until it ran into a cherry tree.

We now won't be able to watch TV until Tuesday.  J is having Fox News withdrawal.

I am very sad to see the trampoline go because I had always wanted one as a child and I enjoyed playing on it.  J on the other hand is glad to get rid of it because he had to move it every time he mowed the yard.
Tree of the day.  From an auction, it was in an extremely large lot of junk which someone else bought for $1.00.  I asked if I could buy it for $.25 but they just gave it to me.

Tree of the Day

From my friend Kathy

More Birthday

We got E a real show shirt for her birthday.

I think the smile and the fact she put it on immediately means that she likes it.  I can't wait to see her show Pep in it.  That's a gingerbread house she wanted to make in the background.
Tree of the day.  I use this one to display interesting earrings.  The troll angel was a real find.