Tree Reveal

Merry Christmas Eve.

V helped me pick out this beautiful nine footer.

Finally, Some More Horse Stuff

All this getting ready for Christmas has made it difficult to work in some horse time.  But with E home from college I was hopeful she might want to ride.  So when she said she was going to ride Pep today I jumped at the chance to ride with her.  

 The weather is unbelievable, 65 degrees and NO WIND.  The horses have all taken advantage of the rain and mud and have covered themselves completely.

 After much brushing we were finally ready to head out.

 I picked Otoelene because I just wanted to enjoy the ride with no drama.

 We just finished watching the movie Unbranded (highly recommend).  I think this could be a scene from the movie.

 I finished up by catching Wrangler for a couple of paintings.

 My boss ended up buying FIVE paintings so Wrangler needs to get busy to replenish his portfolio.

I'm really liking his technique on this one.

More From Pinterest

OK, I lied.  I apparently am still decorating.  But when you see an idea like this who wouldn't want it.

It looked a little fancier than I have time for so I made a quick stop at the dollar tree for my supplies.

And I came up with this.  I'm counting it as another Pinterest success.  

Unusual Condition

J noticed a problem with one of his favorite bulls recently after he was turned out with the fall calving cows.

 Luckily, he had only been with the cows about a week when J saw that he was going to be unable to breed anything.  We already had calves out of our heifers from him and J didn't have to pull any of them.  So he was going to be J's go to calving ease bull.

 But his new problem is called "spiral deviation" or 'corkscrew penis'.  Pretty self explanatory.  We had a local large animal vet that specializes in reproduction to come out and check him.  He confirmed J's observations and recommended selling him.  This was only the 3rd one he has seen in 20 years.

Looks like we will take a loss on this one.

Tree Preview

Here's a little hint of my decorations this year.

I think I might finally get to keep this horseshoe candle holder.  Although, someone from one of the parties that didn't end up with this really, really, really wants one.

And the stocking are hung.

We're ready for some visitors.

And here's a new thing this year.  I had a bare corner (image that, bare, how did that happen).  Anyway, I thought, "tall branches would look nice."  So to the yard with some pruners and now the red twig dogwood is minus 3 limbs.  J wanted lights on it so now not so bare.  Pretty cool I think.  

Decorating and Gift Exchanging

OK, as promised here is what I did with my Crate and Barrel knockoff trees. 

 Just ignore the reflection of the ladder.  Obviouly I wasn't finished decorating when I took the picture.  Come to think of it, I'm usually not finished decorating until I start taking things back down.

 I had another party that involved another gift exchange.  This one was much smaller, just 5 of us.  I thought I was going to have time to go shopping before hand but somehow I ran out of time and had to go shopping around the house.  So I lost the votive holder from my table and a necklace I had bought a couple of years ago and never given away.

 I ended up with this nice wallet/clutch,

and these "unique" picture frames.  I love the clutch and I'm pretty sure what I will do with the frames.  Oh, and there is white elephant gift exchange this weekend.  Hummmm.

Good Fences #91

On Friday J and I sorted the calves that we recently weaned, cutting out the smaller end and the replacement heifers. 

 That left 85 head  to make a load to send out west to the feedlot.

 We ran these through the chute to give 3 sets of vaccines.

 Now they are turned out behind the house getting started on eating grain.

For more Good Fences click HERE.