Happy 18th Birthday Beautiful Molly

Happy Birthday girl!!! Isn't she just lovely. Now, I know this is not your traditional picture, but there is not much traditional about this girl. She is one of a kind and we are glad that she is a part of this family.

April 2 is a very special day, because you were born. You have always been a blessing to us. Your parents picked this day for your birth (C-Section) as they did not want to have an April Fool's baby. Wouldn't it have been a joke on them if you would have decided to be born that day anyhow. You have always been a blessing to us and we are amazed at all of your talents and desires. God has blessed you.

We pray that you will have a very special day. Eighteen! WOW! Where did all of the time go? In a few short months you will be off to college and then Look Out World!!!

By the way, don't you think it would be grand if Grandpa would fix up this old pickup truck? I have tried to get him to do it many times. That was his first truck and that was where it quit him for the last time.

I Feel Spring In the Air

It's a BEAUTIFUL day. Yesterday, it rained and threatened snow, but today is beautiful. Spring has arrived. I can see the buds on the apricot and peach trees getting fat and ready to burst. I hope that they don't get too anxious and it will probably freeze several times at night before it really gets spring in the panhandle. Last year, there was not any fruit because of a late frost so I am hoping that we will have some this year. We especially look forward to having a good crop of wild sandhill plums. Sand plums make the best jelly. I always try to pick enough to put some in the freezer for the years that we don't have a crop. We missed two years in a row so my store was depleted. My family loves this jelly and I always like to have some made as gifts for Christmas, and for welcoming newcomers to the community. It is a great way to get your foot in the door and welcome a new friend.

I don't have my garden tilled yet. It has been too wet and I guess that my potatoes and onions will be planted on good Friday instead of St Patricks day. I really don't plant too many potatoes though, just enough for fresh new ones with peas or beans. Mostly, we plant okra, beans, squash , tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. That is what does best in our soil and that is what we like when it is fresh. I am not like my dear grandmother. When she had a garden, it was intended to raise the food for the year. This she did, and her gardens produced enough to share and sell. It was nothing for her to can 500 to 700 quarts of vegetables and fruit a year. This was before many people were freezing their produce. There came a day when she knew that she would have to slow down though. One year, she didn't have any jars and had to pour out some of the older goods to have jars for the fresh things. After that she didn't plant such a large garden. She would think me to be lazy, I fear.

I have watched the birds getting friendly with one another and choosing their nesting spot. One of the favorites of the finches seems to be right over my car in the carport. I do enjoy watching them but hate the mess. I have learned to move my car just a little though and it helps to keep it clean. Mother bird, always has a clean nest as she has trained her babies to turn their tail to the outside and hit what is below. What a smart little thing.

Yes, I can feel spring in the air. The yard is calling and I can see a lot of work to do out there but I think I have a bad case of the Spring Fever or maybe it is just plain laziness, so I think I will first go and take a nap. Don't you think that sounds like a good idea????

It has been quite a week on the Ranch. All of the kids and grandkids except for one were home. We have had company for 1 week. Oh not all of them but they were all here together for a couple of days. It is nice to get together, but mostly it is nice to come home and recapture the things of your youth. You know those like Mom makes the meals, picks up, does the laundry. All that sort of thing. Now not all of them revert to that but it is just a natural thing. I know that I sometimes still do it when I go to my own Mom's and she is 87 years old. There are things that you just want your parents to do for you.

Grandpa has had quite a week of letting the little ones help him with the feeding. He lets them all drive around the pasture while on his lap. I notice that he always has a hand on or near the steering wheel too. He even let the 3 year old great niece drive. Aren't grandpa's just wonderful or CRAZY? My grandpa never let that happen. Times have changed. My kids would say "Yea, but did you really want to hitch up the team?" The Rancher spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and riding too. He had a lot of help with that. The son and sons-in-law are great with the fishing and hunting division and Andi is great on the horse. Read all about at Andi's Ramblings.

The all had a lot of stories to tell about growing up and somehow, their stories aren't always the same as I remembered them. I guess I am getting forgetful. They could not always agree with each other about how hings happened though. Dawn found a lot of old pictures and we had a lot of fun.

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I thought that I would show this picture to prove that I have rode a horse or at least sit on one. Isn't that a hoot, a Ranchers wife that doesn't like to ride horses. I wasn't fortunate enough to have a good instructor like my own children and never really thought about there being a special technique until I was older and didn't wish to make that climb anymore.

We were also informed that our oldest granddaughter would be getting married in the fall and we are so pleased with the young man that she brought out to join us for a time. I guess I really have to get serious about this diet as I don't want her to be embarressed to take a picture of me and grandpa.

I know it will be quiet around here for a few days but I always think of what my grandmother said when we were all getting ready to leave her home after a big day. She had 7 children 22 grandchildren and countless greats. She would inform us that there was no need to clean up the kitchen after supper. (We would spend the entire day). She said "Now I will just be so lonely that this will keep me from missing everyone." Wasn't she sweet to say that. In reality she meant, " Now if you will all just get out of here, as quickly as you can, I can have a little peace and quiet."
Grandpa, always said that he liked the lights on the car. The headlights when everyone came home and the taillights when they left looked pretty good too. They loved us all though and I know just what they meant.

Blessings

I kneel down here before you Lord,
At the beginning of this day,
I have so much to thank you for,
As I bow my head and pray.

Some days there are so many things
That I need to do,
Sometimes I'm in such a hurry
That I don't take time for you.

Today, I want to thank you,
For the blessings that you give,
They come through opportunities,
Family and friends.

Some days, it seems that all I do
Is wipe little tears, and noses--
And referee the water fights,
That went from water guns to hoses.

I must make sure that one cookie
Isn't bigger that another
Remind them that thy musn't hit
Their sister or their brother.
Children and then Grandchildren--Thank you for this Blessing.

Honey, Can you please come and help me
Sort the cattle through the gate?
The truck will be here shortly, and
I don't want him to wait.

But, then, He helps me run the sweeper,
And he does the dishes too.
He prays with me each morning
As we start our day with you.
My Husband--Thank you for this Blessing.

The home that I grew up in,
My parents who lead the way,
It was the place where Sisters and brothers
Learned to laugh, work, sing and play.
Family-- Thank you for this Blessing.

I have one who knows when to call me
We talk for hours on the phone.
Another stops in to see me,
When she thinks I am feeling all alone.

One baked cookies for me
When I didn't have the time
One always keeps me laughing,
Another lends a shoulder to cry on.
My Friends--Thank you for these Blessings

The Rains that we pray for,
The wind that turns the mill.
The sun shining on the prairie,
The song of a whippoorwill.

The building where I worship,
The friends that fill each pew,
These are all special Blessings
And all have come from you.
Opportunities--I thank you for this Blessing.

From my files. I might say that God has blessed me in so many ways that I cannot count them all. We take so many things for granted, but in truth---All things good come from Him.

On the lighter side---

Why do we say something is out of whack--What is a whack?
If Superman is so smart, why does he wear his underpants over his trousers?
If people born in Poland are cales "Poles" why aren't people from Holland called "Holes?"
And finally---The older you get, The better you realize you were.

I am NOT a Technical Person

My computer is having issues that I can't resolve. I know that the only solution is to take it to the computer Dr. It seems that my brain just does not understand the language it speaks to me about doing this or that. It is time to take a course. I think every time that they have a class for Sr. Citizens at the nearest Vo Tech., which is 56 miles away that I will go. The distance, and going everyday for several weeks turns my mind otherwise. By the way, This is the

#1 Answer to the wonderful award that I have recieved from Andi on Andi's Ramblings. Thank You Very Much. I guess that my mind is stuck in a time frame where all things were okay...So why change. I do like my computer though and my digital camera. I hope that it ends there as I am perfectly content with my radio, and doing without an Ipod and all that stuff is just fine with me. My grandchildren think it would be nice for me to have a wii. Maybe it would be but just don't mess with my mind.

#2. I constantly worry about my weight and healthy eating. I think about it a lot. As a matter of fact, I do cook healthy food right along with all of the old favorites and guess what--- Carrots and celery are NOT as good as caramel snack mix or chocolate chip cookies. Pray for me. I do every morning and God does get a hold of me most days. Winter is hard on a diet, It is fun to try new recipes, have friends over for a pot of chili and play cards and snack afterwards. We have started having grapes and apples for our snack while playing pinocle. This is necessary as we need something to keep us going for the hours we play. We must play 3 games unless someone wins two in a row. Most of the time we have to play 3 games anyway because it is so much fun.

#3. I procastinate A Lot. I always think I can do something later. Now, I wasn't always like that. When I had children at home and when I worked, I KNEW that there had to be a schedule. What in the world happened to it??? I used to make lists and when something was marked off, I felt great about it. I look at my living room and think this looks okay, there is no clutter, but guess what, I have not dusted for 3 weeks. YUCK! How did I get like this. I used to dust twice a week. I just did it, just like running the sweeper every other day and mopping the kitchen every day. It just needed to be done. In all honesty, I do keep the kitchen clean. And the bathrooms, I hate a dirty bathroom.

#4. I am NOT perfect. I have a hard time with people who think they are. Some people are so perfect, that there friends need to be perfect too. I wonder how many friends they find. There is always Jesus, He was and is the perfect example for us to follow but no matter how hard I try, I just don't always get it right. Oh, I can be honorable to Him, but then there are the everyday things that get in the way of my being perfect. Read #3 to find some of them. I also have a pile of half finished things to do. Why don't I just get up and finish at least one of them today. I might but if I do, I might not have time to go out to dinner with friends and that is much more important than things. Isn't It? Light a candle and turn the lights low and no one will notice your dust. Well, that is unless they put their hand on the end table that you never use.

#5. I don't like waiting on people who are late all of the time. I think my time is as precious as the next person. Some of my friends cannot make an appointment with the rest of us as they have to finish their projects or morning chores. So what---finish them when you go home or be like me---Have a pile of half finished things and just don't dust unless you can write your name on the table. We can't start Bible study on time because we know someone else is coming and they won't want to miss out. One lady has started leaving at the appointed time even if we aren't through. She always comes on time thought and good for her for being bold enough to leave. Sometimes I do too but I carpool and can't always do that.

#6. I am tired of Snow. Never, Never, Never in my life did I think this Oklahoma Rancher's wife would say those words. This has been and exceptional winter though. I remember when we would talk about the Snow that we had in Decamber or the one that we had in February. This is the year when we talk about the "Snow" that we had over the week end and the one on Thursday and the one that is coming on Monday. Snow, Snow, Snow. I thank God for this wonderful moisture everyday and He knows our needs. I never want it to stop but I AM TIRED OF IT.

#7. I like a good recipe. I also like to alter ones that I find to fit our tastes. So when someone asked me for a recipe---it is usually really Mine. I always tweek them no matter what. I just think---well, this will be good in it, or I don't like that flavor, so I change it. I am going to share a wonderful recipe with you now. You can find one similar on a famous persons web, but this one belongs to the famous Rancher's wife, Namely ME.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup granulated sugar
5 large eggs - beaten
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
4-5 cups of cubed bread that has been dried overnight or in the oven.
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
Cinnamon to taste
1 cup pecans
1 cup raisins (optional)

SAUCE
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter melted
1 beaten egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Preheat oven at 350 degrees and grease a 13x9 baking dish. Mix sugar, eggs and milk and vanilla in bowl. Pour over the cubed bread and let set for 10 minutes.

In another bowL mix the brown sugar and softened butter (not melted) and nuts, etc.

Put bread mixture in the 13x9 pan and cruble the brown sugar mixture over it. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until set. Remove from oven .

For the Sauce--Mix the suger, butter, egg and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar is melted, Add the brandy if you choose. Serve over warm bread pudding. I have added orange juice instead of the brandy and this is good, also lemon juice may be added. You do need the liquid though. Eat and Enjoy.
WARNING---THIS IS NOT GOOD FOR A DIET.

I don't know who to give this blogger's award to as I am sure that the 3 people that follow me faithfully have already received this. If you read this and you wish to list some things about you that know else knows, just do it and let me know. Welcome Paulette. You are too funny.

Just go Ahead and Buy it.

Yea, Go ahead and buy some of these. They are Great and especially if you fix them this way:

Carmel Puffcorn

8 cups of puffed corn
2 cups nuts
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 stick butter or margarine (4 Tablespoons)

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Mix puffed corn and nuts and spread out on a cookie sheet. Mix syrup, brown sugar, and butter in microwavable dish and microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds on high. Stir and return to microwave and cook on high until mixture comes to a boil. Remove and add baking soda and vanilla. Mix and pour over corn and nut mixture. Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. spread out to cook and break in pieces when cooled. Store in plastic container, if it doesn't disappear too quickly.

Thanks Dawn, for reminding me about this on It Just Dawned on Me.

Another Snowy Day

I could post some more snow pictures but, alas, that is getting to be old news. It is snowing again this morning. The Rancher measured 4 inches around 7 a.m. on the table in the yard. I think this is about right as it sits up in the air and hasn't melted. This too is a beautiful snow and all of the trees are heavy. Maybe all of this snow will change minds about global warming. Have I mentioned that before? Probably, I seem to repeat myself more than I should.

This weather is good for reading. The Rancher is reading Going Rogue by Sarah. I started reading it and was about one fourth through when He needed something to read. I decided it was best to wait until he finished to pick it up again. It is a good read and makes you know that this lady and her family are about as ordinary as they get. She has met the same trials as most mothers have, and had some hard decisions to make.

I am reading condensed stories from Readers Digest. that is about how my attention span is now. I am also catching up on the magazines that have accumulated. It is also good weather for my mending pile and sewing.

This is Valentines week. Time to think of something special for your sweetie. When one lives miles from the nearest restaurant, it is easier to have a special meal at home. Many times I have fixed a special dinner and ate by candlelight with my sweetheart. Even after all of these years, the spark is still there. I thank God each day for this wonderful man that has taken care of and put up with me for all of these years.

Love is from God...

Beloved, let us love one another for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God, and knows God.....Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another God dwells in us and His love is perfected in us.

1 John 4: 7, 11-12

Love is also like a Fairy Tale....And once in awhile right in the middle of real life...God gives us a Fairy Tale.

Now with all of that...I shall get busy and think of what I will do for my Sweetheart this week.