Blizzard 'Rocky' at our Lil' House on the South Plains

The Weather In Texas is always Wild! I am usually freakin' out during Tornado season, because those are very scary and Ryan seems to always be at the California rodeos when me and Toto are trying to keep the Fort from flying off to Kansas.
Today the magnificent power of Weather on the plains didn't disappoint...
We have been gone the past week to San Antonio and San Angelo Rodeos. And this week we are supposed to take our horses and do some ranch work and branding. So we got home unpacked, quick like (we've had lots of practice). I ran the vacuum and mopped (my OCDC had flared up) while Ryan worked up the arena. It was sunny and 70 degrees and I couldn't take it anymore and had to get outside. So I caught my horse and spent the next hour soakin' up the sunshine and trimmin' her hooves so she would be ready to cow horse this week. I am not a pro by any means, but dad always made me hold my horse while he shod them, so I try. Lady has never complained, she just looks at me funny as I do contortionist moves trying to work the rasp on her front feet. Its no easy job. But got I her Pedi all done, rather nicely, if I do say so myself. Then get and emergency alert on my phone, for a Blizzard warning. It was 70 degreess out for Petes sakes. Lady was even starting to shed some of her winter coat.
We prepared for the storm and tucked the horses in the mare motel. Put extra bedding in goat pen. Plugged in heat lamps in Rabbit bin, Chicken box, and Pig hut. Gave them all a lil' extra dinner including some alfalfa and oats for my spit fire mare, which I will pay for on Wednesday.
5 a.m. the snow started fallin or I should say blowing, 40 mph sideways and 70 mph gusts. The windows on the house were solid white and the snow was sticking to everything.

Including The Animals

Yes thats me, The hot pink abominable snowman.

Snow Ball Goats. Good Thing thats a Cashmere coat they're wearing!

So Being the good Mama I am, spent the next couple hours outside in the heat (cold) of the storm getting them a tad more comfortable.

We brushed the snow off the Caballos and gave them their first Blankies. We never really did sack them out or tarp 'em when we broke them, and were a bit leery of the rodeo that could've ensued, with blustery blankets flapping in the wind. But they stood like champs, and I think they even said please, and thank you :)

The Goats got a goat palace in Ryan's shop (yes there is snow in the shop too) Saw horses, Lawn mower, Roping Dummy, Scrap wood, Oh My! Like a Goat Disneyland. Yes they escaped and left goat berries all over. I would've like to have seen the great escape as one must have got entangled in a saw horse, as it was on the other side of shop.

We retreated to the cozy house and had wonderful warm jerseylicious Chuck Roast that had been slow cooking all morning. Watched the Weather Channel. Sipped Hot Tea and took a nap. Pretty sure it was hibernation instinct kicking in.

Then There was Glorious Sunshine!

And we had to go play outside again.

Roping Anyone?!

Snow Piggys

How do like them drifts?

Lady Bug all thawed out and very thankful after her hot mash dinner that I always make for them on Cold days~

Feed bucket filled with Rolled oats, Bran, grains in feed we have barrels, Salt and minerals, Molasses, corn syrup or maple syrup. And big Pot of Boiling water poured over it and left to soak in a few minutes, stir together, and serve while still steamin' to warm their bellies.

I am just glad that I don't live in Canada and have to deal with Chinooks all winter. One day was enough for this cowgirl and her cowboy and critters.

But thats what I get for mopping...

 Gonna hold off on dusting because thats means the Semi Trucks start Blowing off the over pass on our Interstate exit and the Dust bowl returns. 

Man Salad

I've Loved Salad since I was old enough to choose my own meal. When I was just five years old, Sizzler's Salad bar was my favorite place to eat out. Still today my choice at restaurants is a yummy salad. So I have come up with ways to convince my tough cowboy that a salad can be a yummy meal. That usually takes meat and cheese toppings to do so, but hey, there is some lettuce involved~ And in this case BACON! :)

Lunch for two:
6 slices of Bacon cut in small pieces with scissors (easy peasy) into a cast iron skillet (what I cook everything in) and put into 375* oven for 30 minutes.
Cut a Romaine head of lettuce in half lengthwise.
Dice a tomato~ I love the ones on the vine.
Smear 2 TBS Ranch or Blue cheese dressing onto Romaine half.
Sprinkle with Blue Cheese or Feta Chunks or any other cheese you may like.
Sprinkle with Tomatoes.
Set the bacon on a a paper towel for a few minutes to degrease, then sprinkle on top of the delish salad.
Yes its still a salad even with all that yumminess ;)
And to take it to a whole new culinary level, drizzle a Balsamic Glaze on the top. Balsamic anything is great in my book.  I found this yummy 'Blaze' last month for $4 at Wal-Mart and it is great on anything! Including my finger

It Even Requires a Knife to eat. Total man worthy.

Cowboy Loved It and even said " It is surprisingly filling".

Hopefully some you other  herbivores will enjoy this salad that has become one of our favorites. I look forward to sharing some other Man salads with ya, even a breakfast one... ;) 

Oh Ya. The Doggies Love it when I cook Bacon too! As they get the grease on their dog kibbles ~ Bad Mama, I know. But they sure do Love it! 

MMM! Bacon. Is there much better cooking smell?...

XO,

Lacy

Innocence of a child

Had a fun day playing with my niece Hayley whom just turned 4 on Saturday. Her daddy was busy shoeing our neighbors horses, so I begged him to bring her out for a play day with aunt Lacy and uncle Ryan. We opened birthday presents; a lady bug snuggle-up-it and pink stampede string so she doesn't lose her new cowboy hat riding her Christmas bike. Colored. Watched Mickey Mouse clubhouse and danced with Foxy to the Hot Diggity Dog song. Got in my dresser full of fun toys and played farmer, rancher, cowboys, dollies and horses. Went outside to play with the Bunnies; Fiador and Bosalito. Petted Reba, my favorite chicken (thanks Binion) Hayley got spurred by Red Rooster and I gave him the boot. We turned the goats out to pasture. Watered dogs, petted cats and disposed of the cats prize rat from last night. Uncle Ryan played hide and seek and tag he even ran around and in place, giggling with her, as kids must always run everywhere they go. We had a blast! And took a nap after she left! :D 

Oh How Fun it is To Be a Kid. Even if your grown.

XO,
Lacy

Horsey Happiness

GunSmoke Olena "Doc"

Sometimes a great horse comes around once in a lifetime. I have had several awesome steeds that have left hoof prints on my heart. (The one I have now 'Lady' left some on my ribs).
Doc was my dads head horse, then became heel horse. But when he started tracking calves on him, his blonde haired daughter stole him to have the ride of her life. Breakaway, goats, barrels. You name it, Doc excelled. His heart and try is BIG. He would get mad at me for not catching the calf or steer because he undoubtedly did his job. Dad started him on barrels just playing, but the first Barrel race we went to over the 4th of July went to he spanked 300 gals and we won first all 3 days. The same in the goat tying, when I had to ride him at the state finals because we lost my old goat horse. Taking me to Springfield IL. and on to college to rodeo for Coach Jim Watkins at Odessa college. 
I am truly blessed to have got to love Doc for 17 years and still. He is 23 now, But our Gypsy ways and the 30 hour trailer ride and Washington Pastures are hard on him. In order to keep loving him, I had to let go. We took him to Coach yesterday in Odessa. They are going to have to much fun roping the days away. It made my heart happy to see Coach on him, as he always loved Doc while I was in school, and he really enjoyed riding him yesterday with power steering engaged.  I have a feeling they will keep each other young, in the Big Sandy Arena and irrigated pasture. I missed Doc today at the barn, but know he is happy and loved by a great man that is a second father to us that we love dearly.
I hope that you are blessed with a great mentor and a great pony in your lifetime.

"Look back at our struggle for freedom

Trace our present day’s strength to its source

And you will find that man’s path to glory
Is strewn with the bones of the horse." ~Unknown

XO,

Lacy

Warms My Soul

Something about the chill of a Winter night and Fire Burnin' In the Fireplace is so comforting. I am very thankful for this warm house and cowboy that cut firewood today. Blessed. There are people that are cold tonight. Don't forget how lucky you are...
Good Dog Curled up next to me and my belly is full :) Ryan Cooked Rib Eye on the Green Egg tonight. And watching my favorite show on TV ~Pioneer Woman!

Growing up in Arizona, I got to enjoy the joys a fire once a year on Christmas Morning, by the Christmas Tree (if it wasn't 70 degrees outside) Momma would buy a DuraFlame log and Presto! Fire. So while Ryan and I were remodeling our house before we had moved in (no propane for furnace) we decided to work into the wee hours of the morning and sleep on the floor next to the warm fire. I being the sweet wife that I am ;) took the initiative and offered to build the fire. Ryan (my Wyoming/Washington Cowboy) walks in to me lighting a Phone book on fire with a 10 inch Pine log on top of it. He got a good laugh out of that. And I learned to build a fire that night. Oops! Seemed logical right?! 

^"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." ~1 Peter 1:6-7

XO,
Lacy

Eyes Wide Open

We only have a limited amount of days on this Earth and only so many opportunities are presented. Carpe Diem! No regrets. Life is short.  Very thankful to be married to another Gypsy soul that goes where the wind blows at the drop of a hat. It makes for the best memories but also some that make you go hmm...? Like our most recent Kirby vacuum purchase :) I am getting side tracked, as I often do. But follow your heart and that gut instinct. Leave nothing to doubt. Step away from the Shore. Try to raise that Herd of Easter Bunnies :) I have Now adopted 2 Bunnies and a Jack. They are Right at home in the looney bin with the chickens. Reach for the stars!  There are soo many chances daily to make this life what you want it to be. Step out into the great unknown... 

"Be very careful, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.  Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." ~Ephesians 5:15-21

Today's 13 Random Acts of Kindness Giveaway 
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=535651146453338&set=a.510222808996172.122022.197573703594419&type=1&theater

XO,
Lacy

I am Excited! How about you? So Many Possibilities to Make Your Life into what you want it to be. 

I Love Goals and Lists (mostly the crossing off part) But the pretty pens and stationary make me happy.

Dad always said have a plan and work your plan...

Here are some of my Aspirations for myself in 2013;

Give~ Unselfish, Unexpected, and expecting nothing in return. Join Me in 13 Random acts of Kindness in the New Year, Checkout my giveaway. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=965334564798&set=a.933631667658.2577838.16731530&type=1&theater

The Movie Pay it Forward is one of my Favorites :) Thanks to Mindy at Lil' Red Roan for the Random Acts of Kindness inspiration, Give her some Love and check out her pretties. www.LilRedRoan.com

Love~ It really Does make the World Go 'Round. He Knew what He was doing when He gave us that commandment.

That Sums up a few Resolutions.

Water~ Soo Necessary, and important for well being, I need to drink more. Doesn't this look Fantastic to keep in the fridge.

                     Mint, Cucumbers and Lemons. Yummy!

Sing Unto the Lord!~ I am going to Learn to Play the Harmonica this Year while Ryan learns to play his guitar. When I opened it on Christmas I squealed a 'lil and was told we shouldve been born 100 years ago. May have been the fringed Moccasins and Circa 70's Wrangler Denim Sherpa Jacket I was sporting that were from Ry too. But by golly my mare is gonna learn to love my tunes. You are invited to howl at the moon with us around the campfire in Washington too.

Glory to God~ To Pray without ceasing and live by the Holy Spirit and grow spiritually in Him~ Mighty Counselor, Prince of Peace.

Grow~ The Business. Family. My Herd; Chickens, Rabbits and Goats OH MY! Can't wait for spring to plant perennial veggies, herbs and trees too.

Just some of my hopes for the New Year and maybe a little inspiration for you. God Willing...

XO,

Lacy