Doors, Doors, and more Doors

Geesh, I didn't know finding a door would be that difficult.  It is kind of like looking for that perfect little black dress.  It is something that will give a first impression.  It is classic and will be around forever.  I do have the LBD and I've gone through many to find 'the one'. 

Here's the deal.  We live in a farmhouse (more victorian style) built by Grandpa Arthur McNeilly in 1912.  Grandpa was not married yet nor did he have a gal in mind.  I'm one of those that truly believe in first impression.  And, I'm one of those that doesn't want whatever everyone else has. 

I found a program that I used to decide the color and the look.  That style though was a little on the pricey side, in my mind.  Found another door at a really cool salvalge (sp?)/new stuff in Spokane.  A hole in the wall that is full!!!!  of treasures. 

So, I'm still looking.  I'm open to ideas, suggestions, web sites, etc.  I've the contractor (Thanks Paul!), now just need the door!!!! 

Going through older posts will show you what our home looks like to give you an image.  Looking forward to hearing from you! 

Home Sweet Home & The Farm Chicks

Boy oh boy was I surprised to read the Farm Chicks blog entry about Farm Houses and see ours posted!!!  Ours is the fourth one down in the line up.  I was just so flippin' excited!!!!  Of course I had to share it on Facebook and with friends/family.  I told my husband the wonderful news and his question was  ... was the picture taken before or after I rinsed off the house this weekend.  Can you believe that?  As if people were going to see the spider webs all over .... hello Honey, we do live on a farm!  And anyway, the picture was taken a few years ago.  I just wanted to share and brag a little! 

http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/2009/10/farmhouse-overload.html

Farm House & Farm Chicks

Ok, there are many of us that follow the Farm Chicks.  Well not many .... ALOT!  Today on Serena's blog http://thefarmchicks.typepad.com/farmchicks/2009/10/farmhouse-overload.html, she posted a picture of our home that I had shared with her.  I'm flattered!  Here is a picture of our home decorated for Fall. 

Crispy

Crispy was the first thing that came to my mind while walking this morning.  The Fall air just felt so crispy & fresh.  The fall air is just so darned refreshing ... not too hot & not too cold -- just right, i.e. refreshing.  The colors of Fall, the leaves ---- crisp.  One word -- more than one sense.  Enjoy! 

"Red Rover, Red Rover ..... " A Glimpse at the beginning of another season.

Here at the ranch we don't go by the typical four seasons.  We have more than four ... I won't spell them all out but here are a few:  Weaned calves coming in about this time of the year, last week of October is round-up and the cattle come out of the mountains, calving begins mid-January, and then we are onto Spring Farming, haying, and the list goes on.

A couple of nights ago I had gone out to check on the cattle that were recently put into the alfalfa pasture.  Because their digestive systems are not yet used to the alfalfa, they need to be checked on a few times a day to ensure they are not bloating.  I had my entourage (sounds important, eh?) of dogs with me.  Kip (the ultimate cow dog & Dad), Mattie (soooo cute & Mom), Meg (timid, cute & from litter #1), and then Rex (cow dog in training & oh so cute!).  Kip needs little to no instruction.  Mattie loves the cattle but would rather have attention from me.  Meg does her own thing & doesn't listen ... yet, doesn't get in the way or chase the cows too bad.  If that makes any sense.  In other words, Meg is good -- just so darned timid and cowers.  We're pretty sure that when she was kicked in the head while working cows that maybe she was damaged 'upstairs'.  And the there is Rex or Rex-nard as Dick affectionately calls him.  Kip is ready for retirement and Rex is ready to work, so it is a good swap.

After we walked through the cows, I wanted to check on the others in the barn lot.  They were enjoying their feed until the four dogs got into the barn yard.  They were chased away from their hay and backed into the lot.  All four dogs were holding the cows, almost daring them to get past the fierce dogs that they are. The dogs reminded me of kids playing "Red Rover, Red Rover ... send the big cows right over".

Every season here at the ranch brings something new, yet familiar.  The calves are filling up the barn lot.  And with freshly weaned calves comes the familiar lullaby we hear at night ... bawling calves.  Seems like just when they begin to acclimate to being away from their Moms, a new set of calves come in and it starts all over again.

When your kids have kids ...

I remember hearing or reading cute little quips every now and then about when your kids have kids.  I find myself, as of late, often biting my tongue and telling myself to 'shoosh' when my girls share their latest adventures with their boys.  Words such as "pick & choose your battles" or "don't forget to praise also" seem to be constant and at the same time I'm telling myself to listen, offer support and let them know they are doing the right thing.  And, they are!  The sisters (our name for Missy & Nina)  are incredible Moms.  Each different in their parenting approach and yet very much the same -- just as the girls are themselves.  I'm blessed that my girls are very close to each other, very loving and are unconditional in their love to their families. 

Still, I giggle to myself when they share their stories and moments of frustation.  And once again I raise my glass and cheer ... TO LIFE! 

It's the middle of the night ... what are you doing up?

Ugggh!!  Another night of waking early ... way tooooo early.  How does 2:30 a.m. sound -- not so good to me.  I tossed & turned, counted 'cows', counted backwards from 100, said lots of Hail Mary's & Our Father's .... no luck.  Then I started thinking how I haven't baked for my co-workers in quite a while.  And then thoughts of how I could better 'perfect' my pie crust AND add some flavor to my apple pie motivated me to go ahead and get on up.  . 

So I hopped out of bed, quietly crept down the stairs, put on a pot of coffee and began playing in the kitchen.  Besides when life gives you a bunch of apples what do you do ... make apple pie!  Or ... when Francisco brings a huge bag of ginormous (word made up by one of the kids) red apples, a person has to do something with them and I'm all applesauced & apple buttered out. 

I put my pie bowl in the freezer to chill out (one of the 'need to do' for that perfect crust).  Then I mixed up the ingredients for my Fall Apple-Pumpkin Spice pie.  Peeled, cored & sliced the apples.  Mixed it all up.  Set it aside and then got busy with the pie crust.  So back to my 'wide-awake' thoughts.  Instead of using 1 cup + 2 tbsp Crisco, I used 1/2 cup butter (the real stuff), 1/2 cup Crisco & 2 tbsp cream cheese. 

Assembled the pie and decided it needed a little more.  The only leaf cookie cutter I had was a large one, so with the extra dough I was able to get a three leafs out and on the pie crust.  I am definitely going to order the ones in the Williams- Sonoma catalog .. cute little leaf cookie cutters -- perfect for pies. 

Cleaned up the kitchen while it was baking.  Fixed that first (and only cup of caffeine), poured my soy choco milk in it and then sank into the couch with some new scrapbooking magazines.  Awwww, the good life.  Oh, and my new Hanna Anderson catalog.  Love to window shop!  And the pie ... my gosh I'm surprised my husband was not out of bed and down those stairs because the smell of the pie was floating throughout the house.  Even the dogs (all four of them) who were sleeping in the office began to let me know they were awake. 

I was nice to my husband though and brought him up a cup of coffee and an extra piece of pie crust I had baked.  His comment ... "Thanks sweetie ... where is the cinnamon?"  Sorry, I put raw sugar on it, not cinnamon.  Oh well, there is always a next time.    

As for the pie, I'll let you know how it tastes when the gals (and Scott) cut into it.  I got alittle carried away with the apples, so it is more like a mile high pie. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday! 

*Gotta love a pretty door*

On Facebook I get updates from Southern Living.  http://ow.ly/sN9x  I saw this wreath and knew I had to try it.  So I did and it turned out great.  I made a few modifications, added some of my own 'fake' foliage and walaa --- a beautiful Fall Wreath. 

My find of the weekend!!!!!

You never know what you're going to find when you go treasure hunting.  Ok, so some may call it junking but I was on a mission to find a treasure.  I knew I wanted to find a big 'container' to put my mums in.  I hiked up to our salvage pile and look what I found

*Union Flat Farm Fest*

I think we have a new tradition on Union Flat ... the Union Flat Farm Fest!  What started as a small party for the neighborhood kids to celebrate fall, pick pumpkins from our patch & have some good old-fashioned fun got bigger!  The kids enjoyed the straw maze that Dick & AC put together (they like running through it & on it!)  They bobbed for apples, had feedsack races and ran through the maze over & over.  There was hot apple cider & even hot spiced wine! 

Happy FIRST Birthday Gavin Liam!!!

Last evening I was thinking back to a year ago when I was waiting for 'that' phone call. My eyes got a little misty as I remembered the joy & love I felt knowing that my first was having her first. And, our extended family's first grandchild. That our family was continuing. Even now as I write about it I bite my lip and hold back the eventual tears.

Gavin Liam is a blessing, as all babies are. But this blessing is even more special. He is a bundle of joy ... a wonderful combination of Mark & Missy's personalities. He has Missy's strong will & independent nature and Mark's sense of humor & smile that melts your heart. As the years go by GL will be developing his own sense of self and I look forward to watching the process.

I cherish the times we spend together, whether it be in person or over the phone. Each time Gavin & Grandma talk, I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to him.

Happy Birthday Gavin Liam!

Happy Birthday Gavin Liam!!!!!

I got a little choked up last evening as I recalled that evening one year ago when Missy was in labor. My first grandchild was getting ready to come into our world. As I've watched him grow this first year (Thanks Missy for posting all the pictures to Snapfish), I'm amazed how this little guy becomes a toddler right before our eyes.

I value the time I get to spend with him and the time I am able to visit with him on the phone. Grandma always sings "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to him.

Missy & Mark are incredible parents and their personalities definitely come out in Gavin. Missy's strong-will & independent spirit and Mark's sense of humor & finding happiness in all are a joyful combination and are just a part of who Gavin Liam is.

Happy First Birthday my little monkey!