Project 365 - The Random Approach - Day 31

Project 365 - Day 31

And the rest of the photos!

The Sheep and Llama eating breakfast

The Back of our house

What? I have to come out and step in that white stuff, again?

My House
(that's my favorite tree, the tall one on the right!)

Dick's Morning Commute
Out feeding critters

Delivering Groceries to the Goats

Sami is inside directing Traffic
And making sure the babies out of the way

Last night we went out to dinner at some friends. All four of us. The kids had a great time and were the only children yet treated like young adults and part of the festivities and conversations. It started snowing when we left, and had snowed quite a bit while we were dining, laughing, and chatting the evening away. I took a photo of the beautiful table and our hosts - but I left my little camera there! These photos are from Dick's camera that I borrowed this morning.

We got home about 10pm.

I went out to put the chickens to bed and it was gorgeous. Not a sound. Fresh snow. And it was still snowing. A true winter wonderland. And bright! Even with the cloud cover, that big ol' full moon was still lighting things up.

We woke to a beautiful snowy world this morning... Six inches of new fluffy snow.

And, again, our world is quiet.

A beautiful Sunday.

I'm still in my jammies at 2pm.

Life is goooood!

(Dick's computer crashed last week, and it's such a bummer (sure it is!) that I can't do all the payroll reports, end of year taxes, and other nasty stuff that gives me a headache!)...

Guess I'll just have to get inky!

Recap of Eleven-Tween

Do YOU know this girl?
Here she is, little miss Eleven-Teen
All decked out in her new duds from G. Grace

Vampin'
Or Scampin'
Or Saturday Night Feverin'

Oh, and Let's Not Forget the Office Supplies Wish List!
This girl asked for office supplies for her birthday.
I see a trend toward playing with paper, punches, ink, etc.
It's addicting.
I know.
Auntie Paula is sending office supplies...
And she cracked up when she heard the request.

Headin' to School With Cupcakes!
Yes, it's dark.
We walk down the drive at 6:30 am.
Look out your window at 6:30 am.
Tell me, what do you see?

A Digital Camera!
Thanks G. Pat!!!

Sami turned Eleven-Tween on January 5th.. yep. You heard me. Eleven-Tween... See her? There's no denying that girl is not a babe anymore... Look at that bundle of gorgeousness!!!

So, normally,Jan. 5th would have been the kids first day back to school after their EVER SO LONG Christmas break... But we had a huge ol' storm so school was closed. Highways were closed. And there was no gettin' out of dodge. No mommy escape routes. Dang.

We had Sami's party that night. Lots of fun! Her favorite foods were served (Buffalo Drums, shrimp). The oreo cookie cake was a hit. And her gifties. She is getting a custom rabbit hutch in addition to all you saw above, as well as earings from Auntie Avis, a sweet gift from Great Auntie Alice, and lots of office supplies.

The classroom cupcakes had to go to school a day late, another snowy day, but alas, no wind, and thus no drifts...and my escape route was opened! Yahoo!

HELP! Please Assist with My Christmas Card Photo!

A Pine Tree
Perfect for a background!

Sami Checking Out the Frost Enclosed Birch Tree

Christmas Card Shot #1
Kids and Bugsy
(Bugsy is the little tyrant who is sleeping in the garage
during these cold days and he is
taking all the shoes he finds and playing with them!
This morning he had my snow suit - humf)

Christmas Card Shot #2

This is my favorite - except for Sami's dirty coat!

Christmas Card Shot #3

Not the best.. Bugsy as a snowball face
Jake has a severe case of bed head!

***********

Ranch Log... oh dark early... And Five degrees...

Dearest friends and family!!!!
I need some 'hep'! The sun was out for just a brief period this morning while the kids were doing chores. It was gorgeous! Fresh snow from yesterday and the trees are covered in a layer of frosty stuff so I grabbed the camera and got a few shots... I really really need to get our Christmas Card done, and well, would like to use one of these photos...

My dilemma? Sami's coat is dirty! It's her work coat.. sigh... and this is as good as it's going to get because I want to order the cards TODAY so they are just in time for, er, New Years!!

Do any of you have some tips on how to clean that coat up in Photoshop Elements???

Pretty please???? OH! And please pick your fave!

Thanks!

It Was HOW Cold?????? Minus 17???

The Result of Our Snow Storms - Friday through Monday
Not counting the stuff that melted or fell through the table top!
The table is one of those metal wire ones so it has openings

Inside the sliding glass doors - In my Bedroom!
Hello!!! Can you say cold?

This is what COLD looks like!
I am standing on the front steps
It is spectacular... I'll take the sun no matter the temp!
Just give me my sunshine
(see the moon up in the sky?)

Looking to the left on the front steps
Gorgeous stuff that cold snappy snow!

***********

OH Boy is it cold here!!!

This morning when I looked at the thermometer at 4am it said minus 10. Apparently it does not go farther below because my husband said his truck thermometer said MINUS 17 at 7 am!!!
It's 2:17pm right now and the computer temp says it is 8 degrees in Baker.. Which is 500 feet below us... hmm... balmy.

BRRRRR!!


This is how cold it is:

• There was frost on the inside of the sliding glass door - in our bedroom
• I found 21 chicken eggs frozen and cracked - as in busted open! And they are in a chicken house
  
• The chicks water in the barn was frozen
• Cuddle Bug (the puppy) looked like the abominable snow dog this morning at 6:30 am. He had frozen eyelashes and whiskers and decided to stay in the garage most the morning!
• I have broken ice twice today (critter water)
• I am inside the house and got my thermals on under my clothes!
• My cheeks are burnin' (face that is!) from being outside!!!
  

Just thought I would share!

But like I said.. At least the sun is shining! And the ski's are clear!!!

More snow arrives on Thursday...

Hello From Snow Land! Weekend Recap

Our Chili Ticket Sales Team - All Students!

Accepting a Big Ol' Honkin' Check from the Bella-ettes - of Bella in Baker City
(That's me on the left wearing snowpacks.. Eastern Oregon fashion)

Hello my faithful readers, friends, family members and Ranch customers! I am still here, recovering from the Chili Feed.. and Super Duper Ever So Fabulous Super Bowl!!! Uh, can you tell MY team won? This past weekend was the Chili Bowl and Super Bowl.. BOTH events were super successful! TA DA! As a segway, my favorite commercials were (1. Pepsi with Justine T; 2. Budweiser Clydesdale w/ dog trainer; 3. Sobe Hot Chick dancing w/ lizards to Thriller! Way HOT! I know that girl is famous, but I don't know who she is!!)... And the game was HOT as well! OH.. one more segway.. what's with that dorky coach walking off the field before the game is done? Sore loser... Guess he was on his way to the pokey..to serve time for STEALING info from the St. Louis Rams! Don't mess with St. Louis, my ever so favorite home of awesome sports teams...

Back to other interesting stuff:
At last count our little itty bitty school made $6,700! Ya Hoo! History in the making... We only have 80 kids... THANK YOU to everyone that helped! Only one ticket that our family sold won a raffle item.. and that was a neighbor down the road (as in 3 miles - one of our closest)! Sorry your tickets did not win, but our kids sure did... Gracias!!!!!!

Weekend Bad news: That rodent Phil did not see his shadow... which means, HELLO! More Winter! Like, we need it! If you go to the weather channel online, and key in 97833 (our zipcode) you will see snow for the next TEN days... this story is getting old... It must be Ground Hog Day! (the movie).. My back is tired from shoveling snow... my car is tired of 'waiting' to make it's grand escape - having to postpone trips because the driveway isn't plowed... and I am CRAVING Sun! I do have places I would like to go for crying out loud.. Like I said before, no Global Warming in this area of the country...

BTW (by the way), if you are one of our ranch customers, I have a 'more appropriate' blog for you at: The Sexton Ranch Round Up. That is where I post customer related info... you are more than welcome 'to hang out here, too', but just in case you are confused by my ramblings, this is the place where people hear about my crazy interpretation of our life! Ranch trials and tribulations... adventures, and my passions... mommy stuff.. critter stuff... you know.. Life!

Speaking of Life.... gotta run. Time to walk through the drifts to the bus stop. Just wanted to say 'Hi'.. I'll be back... Promise!

The Sentinel - Old Man Ernest

Do You See Him?
Out in the distance.
Sitting on a snow covered hay bale.
Keeping Watch.
Ernest.
Our 11 year-old Man-Dog.
Friend. Pal.
Father to all the pups.
Deaf.
White Whiskered.
and Old.
He, who has earned the right to just sit,
and contemplate the world.
He, who works when he wants to.
And, keeps watch.
He is one of a few that has mastered the
fine art of being a livestock dog by day,
guard dog by night,
and family member, 24/7.
Our Sentinel

Yes. More Snow

This is a glimpse of 'part' of the back yard...
You can see the chicken house in the back, as well as our 'fire pit' area (just 2 chairs are visible).
It's been snowing most the day, again.
The hummocks in the backyard are not fancy snow covered hills.
Our yard is flat, slightly sloping toward the back trees...
Those hills, are the result of wind... Snow Dunes...
Drifts.
I slipped on these suckers when I was doing the morning chores... they are icy below the new layer of snow.. hard to navigate with a bucket of water in one hand, hammer in another (to break ice or a path or dig out doors) and critter food!
I had to dig through a nasty one in the chicken penned yard area to carve a safer walkway.
Tired of slippin', and twistin' my knees...
Tired of shoveling snow paths, too.

But heck. I'm getting a 45 minute workout each morning! It's better than nothing.
Well, except Club Med.
Sigh....
Club Med. A gal can only dream!
Sun, sand, ocean, heat.
Vitamin D.

T Minus 10 - And Counting!

Actually, T minus 14.
That would be the temperature that we woke to at 5am.. MINUS 14 degrees! Oh, Nelly! Can you say cold? Brr? My fingers and toes are killing me? I did, when I went out to do chores...

So, there I was, in my

• turquoise ski bibs (thanks Pat Mom!)
• my Carhart coat
• my heavy duty polar fleece jester style ski hat - it's hilarious! Always a smile maker!
  
• my ski gloves (which really seem useless in the real cold - why do my fingers want to fall off when I am wearing $50 dollar ski gloves? HMMMM????)
• my snow boots - Sorrells
• and underlayers... (aka, sweats)
  

And, I still had to come into the house three times to thaw out! ACK! So much for designer label goods... but heck.. I was a fashion statement.. ok, a statement of some sort.. As in, 'that crazy lady is outside again'...

Right now it is a gorgeous sunny day - to look at.. and only MINUS 4! HA!

Today is definitely the coldest day we've had this year.. Still not as bad as three December's ago, when it was minus 20... That would be the day Dick was on the road and I was in charge of getting water to lambs and ewes.. HA.. the day the hoses froze up on me, the day I left the pump house door open and our house water froze up! OOPS! Also the day I was in tears wanting so bad to move back to my ever so warm and lovely and friendly State of California (I will always be a California Girl at heart and in my dreams.. sigh)

Ok.. Back to Oregon...
So far the only 'mishap' of the day has been Dick's truck... He left the lights on all night when he got home last night from his 5 day hiatus... aka, meeting... He hasn't left the house yet to see what is 'out there' awaiting his discovery.. and it's almost 11. Yes, that's right.. Minus 3 degrees at 11 am...

But, heck, at least the wood stove is working right (he has the touch)... the four of us were freezing last night upon his return, central heat being a very inefficient tool, so he lit a fire.. Ah... warmed our bones right up! My knight in shining armor!

I'm glad my man is home... Restores warmth and structure back to our little world... aka, I gotta get back to work from my mini vacation!

Snow People

Super Cute Cowboy Snowman.. Created by Sami

This guy is wearing Jake's first little cowboy hat!! Dick found it in 'my stash' hidden in the garage store room... I remember my dad had a pair of one of our itty bitty gloves hung up in the basement forever.... I loved seeing them each summer when I visited, and when I was older...

And Then, Jake's Yard Art... Calvin and Hobbs, anyone???
Boys just kill me! How can you NOT laugh at these guys????

Another one of Jake's Snow Critter Creations

Close Up of Mr. Cowboy Snowman
Those Buttons are from my scrappin' stash... Foofala Buttons!
Sure glad they are getting some use!

And, the Crew.... Tres Hombres
Doesn't that snowman look like he is leaning in for a hug?
I for one, thought he needed a holster and some guns.. When he is all by himself he
looks like he is leanin' to one side, to shoot... or bowl...
Sami would have none of it...
Guess he was just leanin' in for a hug!

Have a great Sunday...
Ours is once again
All White

GADS! It's Snowing Again!!!!

Top of the Hill! In the front yard....


A Better View of the Custom Sledding Hill -How about that Ramp?


Casa Sexton - Snowville (I shovel snow daily!)


Snow Log... 4:17 pm.

OK.. This is getting ridiculous. It is snowing, again. No Sun in sight... Just White on White...

I swear we have gotten more snow this Winter than any other year (in our soon-to-be 9-year history) we have lived here in good ol' Eastern "OrrrEeeeeGone'. The good news is it should be a gorgeous green summer! Yahoo! I love the summers... being a California Girl at heart. Give me some sunshine!

The kids are outside playing... Dick has been piling the snow (from plowing the driveway) in one area for their sledding pleasure... It has quite the ramp now...

Today was a meat delivery day for me... I drove to La Grande, and decided I had enough winter driving. I made it through Ladd Canyon (the pass that gets closed all the time when weather is bad - it was closed again day before yesterday - two big rigs wrecked). Met my customers. Did a smidgen of shopping, then turned around and came home. Oops.. Forgot the groceries (but remembered my new Xyron)!

No need for a white knuckled drive to Pendleton. And boy am I glad I did! When I got home it started coming down harder - which means the passes would have been worse... (there's another whopper pass between La Grande and Pendleton)...

So... here I am! In our toasty house (Dick fixed the woodstove!)...and enjoying the comforts of staying home...

fa la la la la!

I Spoke Too Soon! Severe Storm Results

The Coleman Stove - Which we put on the stovetop
Lunch was cooked on this baby.. Sauteed Green Beans and Rib Eyes... Left Overs...

The camping stove was actually put on top of the electric stove...


The Three Burner Stove - Which I started our Dinner Lamb Stew On

Why, yes! That is a propane tank in my house! (totally not endorsed by the safety commission).


All The Lanterns Came In...Prepping for Evening


Oil Lanterns got a Tune Up.. With a "nasty" Green Oil!


The Wood Pile.... Our Third Load of this Winter Season
Our woodstove is the appliance that is constantly running 24/7. Just showing you...


Well...
Our power went out about 10:30am yesterday (I was bummed! I had not taken my shower yet!). Dick had plowed the driveway (I was going to go to town and take care of some errands) but the wind soon filled it in again. The winds and drifts caused all sorts of complications for local drivers. The La Grande area was a disaster, 30 minutes north of us. Interstate closed...

The school called for us to 'please come get the kids' about 11:00 am. We are the farthest out and the bus driver did not want to be driving out here in snow drift land... I don't blame her. I did not want to drive to the school! So Dick went and got the kids while I cleaned out the woodstove (seems we always plan these projects when it is a huge windy day!)....

About noon Dick decided we needed lunch. Not a cold lunch (my idea) but a hot lunch... What could have been a 10 minute project turned into at least an hour and a half project.... I began to understand why those poor pioneer women did nothing but cook and clean...cook and clean.. cook and clean... Poor Pioneer Women!

Dick is one of those 'loves to rough it' kinda guys... Any opportunity for living off the grid, he's on it... So, the camping gear came in and we prepped for the worse... Here are the highlights of our experience.

• No flushing of toilets unless, uh, serious business.
  
• Conserve water... The bowl in the kitchen sink is to catch all the water. Rinse your hands in this one first! Sami misunderstood and dumped out the 'grey' water.
  
• Refrigerator: We will only open the door to get 'lots' of stuff out at once.. or return lots of stuff. No Looky Lou's allowed standing with the door wide open.
• Hot Water? My best friend once the power came back on. I got to clean up all the messes left in the sink. Ever try prepping a meal without hot water of full use of your resources? A challenge... I also did all the things I am grateful for: laundry, hot shower...
  
• Everyone find your flashlights! Have them handy... (wasn't I smart getting Dick a new headlamp and camping lamp for Christmas!)
  
• All lanterns and camping lights within reach for the evening
  
• Woodstove stoked.. (a no brainer.. it's our daily thing).
• Start cooking a stew for dinner... Lamb Shanks & Lamb Stew... I sure had fun trying to regulate the burners! I kept lowering it too much and loosing my flame...

Our power was out for only 3 hours... Just enough to get you thinking about what a delight hot water is.

The stew found a new home on the electric stove.. All the gear is still inside. Waiting for the elves!

Severe Storm Watch! Time For Tea!!!!

Check Out This Awesome Box! No, Not a Hat Box!


What's This? Ever So Beautiful & Delicate Tea Cups??? Six? And Big Girl Sizes???


What?????? With Butterfly Handles???? OH SAMI! You Special Girl!


Isn't this the most beautiful tea cup & saucer set you ever set your eyes on??? Sami is such a lucky girl! Auntie Alice saw this, and 'due to the power of the blog' she just knew Sami needed it!!! We are so lucky Auntie Alice has a beautiful heart...

So, today, after I hike down to the bus top through the snowdrifts to get the kidlets, (there is no way the bus will make it down the driveway!) we are having a special tea party! Sami is going to be 10 tomorrow....... Thank you Auntie Alice! (Big kiss and hugs inserted right here!!!)

Severe Storm Watch: That's the weather forecast... Extreme winds from 8 am until 8pm... Problem is, the severe winds started way before 8 am here....

• My car got stuck in the driveway... at 6:30 am... Kids and I hiked through the snow drifts to the bus stop, in the dark... Good News: More exercise, New Years resolution.
  
• Bus got stuck later on... Good News: but got out (phew!)
• Another parent spun out - a manly man... His kids are scared to death, didn't want to go to school. Good News: All are safe
  
• Had to cancel Sami's 'beauty' trip to town today... It was her big birthday trip to the salon (hair, nails, little makeup - all 'natural')... Good News: We will do a home version...with special tea party (so much better than the cold salon!).. I got stuff from Auntie Paula a while ago... pedi's & mani's here we come! Better make scones! Yummers....
  
• Had to 'dig out' the chicken coop door and dog kennel doors... snowed in from the drifts... Good News: Count's toward my New Year resolution of getting more exercise!
  
• Good News: It could always be worse.... California has a whopper of a storm coming! Rumor is 150 mile an hour winds... Bummer is it's in the Sacramento Area, where my sis Avis is... Prayers baby...prayers...

Stay safe... Tea, anyone??? Scone?
Fa la la la la la

Happy New Year!

Banging Pots and Pans... Uh, This morning!


The Simulated Ball Drop....Countdown and All!


And a Quick Segway - Photos from our Grand Sledding Adventure New Year's Eve

The Walk UP to the hill (we only did this once... hitched rides the remaining times, from people we know!)...
The Boys... aka, Winter Olympics!
That Hill Climb - almost there!!! Go Team!
Just had to show you those... Sledding was awesome!!! Us moms sledded too.. What a riot! My friend Michele went flying down the hill past Sami & I (we were doubled up, Sami was having trouble steering her sled.. more tears...hmmmm)

OK, BAck to the New Year's Story.....

OH man... At 6am we had a little girl in tears ... 'What happened, my alarm didn't go off'! Last night, about 10:30 pm, and 5 degrees Fahrenheit outside, Sami & Jake were poured into their sleeping bags in with the agreement that Sami would set a timer to wake us all up so we could bang pots and pans and watch the ball drop in Time Square... all that were in earshot missed the ringing of the timer... No one woke... All three of them, in our room... I was in the living room...crashed out on the couch were my husband left me..with my reading light shining down on me!

The Crime: After the kids went to bed, Dick tried watching TV while I laid on the couch to read... I fell asleep on the couch... uh, right away... .I crawled into bed at who knows what hour....but after midnight... I could just kick myself! We were so close!

Had I been smarter, I would have set an alarm too... Had I been super smart, I would have recored the entire Time square EVENT including the ball drop so we could relive it this morning - Hannah Montana and all! SSHHHH! Sami doesn't know Hannah was playing... When she finds out I'm going to be toast.... I didn't know either until I was surfing the web trying to remedy the grave error of missing a once a year opportunity....

So - back to the little girl..
Me - It's OK Sami, we still had fun last night! (Prime Rib dinner, baked potato bar, lots of super duper special drinks, playing Cranium and even setting off fireworks in 5 degree weather for crying out loud! We had a great time with our awesome - friends. I reminded Sami about all these super things...).
Sami - But we missed the ball drop and we didn't bang pots and pans, and it only comes once a year...
Me - (thinking as fast as my fuzzy little brain will let me...)You can still bang pots and pans.. Today is still the first!
Sami - sniff... OK...

So off to the kitchen... we enlisted Dear Dad, simulated our own ball drop and all was well... then proceeded to search online for videos of the drop.. which we watched....

The above trauma was repeated when Jake woke up... 'Why didn't we bang pots and pans!, Why didn't we wake up at midnight!'...He was happy watching the Time Square ball drop on video...

Sigh... Dick & I get the Parent of the Year Award, again!

Put the pre-party was sure fun!

Today we made Huevos Rancheros, our favorite post New Year's Eve brunch!!
Then naps...
Then Sami & Jake ate part of the gingerbread house...

The End....

Advent Day 9 - Clean Up on Isle 5!!!

Results of Last Week's Storm


Side View of My Green House


Another view.....So, as most of you have heard, a good portion of Washington and Oregon have been declared National Disaster zones... A week ago we had a wallop of a storm here - winds, snow... the highways were closed due to accidents in our area - snow drifts... And, lots of flooding on the west side... We escaped damage, other than the above... It was the straw that broke the camels back!

So, looks like come March I'll be a buildin' a new structure! Or attempting to fix this one.. Oh Uncle John!!! Come on out!!! My Uncle John is the super duper man of all men when it comes to home repairs and yard stuff... Love him...