Ranch Call

Rancher Roy is out with the livestock several times during the day.  When he needs me for something, one would think he would just call out my name or sweetheart or some term like that.  Or maybe, he would even make a sound like

What Is the Most Common Phrase on Your Homestead?

We are busy all day long every day on our ranch.  Rancher Roy and I talk to each other and work with each other a lot.  He is so wonderful and I do so enjoy being with him as we tend to the stock and garden chores each day.  

The most common phrase I say each day is

Ranch Horse

Well, we finally did it.  We got our first ranch horse.  Rancher Roy has been wanting a horse since we established Saltbush Flats.  We brought home our handsome fellow and fell in love with him immediately.  He is so sweet

New Calf!!

Here she is!

 Just hours old!

Born Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 11:55pm.

65.2 Pound Bundle of Joy.

Sweet Midnight Moonglow

Proud Rancher Roy

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First Snow on the Ranchlet!

It was a cold 20 degree morning.  Brrrrr!!!!

A half inch of snow covered the ground.  Beautiful!

Rancher Tracks

First thing outside what did we see?

These Cute Little Tracks.  

These little fellows must be very hungry to be searching all over the ranchlet for food.  Feeding the wild birds, quail, and doves is part of our morning chores.  They were very happy when food was put out for them.

Wild Bird Tracks Everywhere!!!

We found Bruce and Lucy just talking and having fun just like every other morning.  They seemed to love the snow.

Lucy and Bruce and Their Tracks

Goose Tracks

The chickens were not too thrilled with this little overnight delight of white and headed straight to the barn to scratch and play away from all this snow.

First Chicken to Come Out and Brave the Snow

Chicken Tracks

Mia, she did not care one way or the other.  All she was concerned about this morning was getting to her morning grain and hay.

Cow Track

Tubby did not want to go outside, but I lovingly scooped him up and tossed his little furball right out the door.  One quick trip around in the snow and he had had enough.  He cried at the door to come back inside.  Our sweet little Braveheart.
*Remember this big fellow is the Head of Ranchlet Security!    

Cat Tracks by Tubby

While everyone was busy taking care of things this morning, here lies Molly.  We could all learn a lesson from Molly!

No-Track Molly

Molly, the cute little thing, would not even go outside.  After this morning's chores we came in freezing cold and found Molly all curled up asleep in her favorite overstuffed chair.  As we stood in front of the fireplace warming our fingers and toes, we soon realized the wisdom in Molly's decision.  Molly, you are an inspiration to us all.

We hope you are enjoying the snow as much as we are here at Saltbush Flats!!!!

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Rancher Roy Romance

Rancher Roy:  "Darling."
Me:  "Yes, Dear?"
Rancher Roy:  "I was talking to the cat."

This was part of our actual conversation this morning.  Sometimes the only good way to respond is a hearty smile, and then give him a great big hug!

WatchGeese! Lucy and Bruce

Lucy and Bruce

This delightful pair of Chinese Geese needed a new home.  You know what that means.  Yes, you are right.  Saltbush Flats is here ready to take them in.

Brown Chinese Geese

Bruce is a sweetheart.  He comes up to me and stands so close to me and talks and talks and talks to me.  And, of course, I talk back.  He loves the attention.  He allows me to pet him and does not bite me.  Now Lucy she is a different story all together.  She does not come to me, and if I get close to her she bites me.

Now Rancher Roy seems to have the opposite effect on them.  Lucy just loves him.  And Bruce attacks him.

The men of Saltbush Flats, Rancher Roy and Tubby, thought it was high time there was another male on this ranch.  They were feeling pretty out-numbered. 
Awwwww poor fellows.

There are now 24 females and only 3 males.

Roses and Diamonds!!!

Well that is what most wives want for their anniversary...

But I am not "most wives"!  What do I need with roses and diamonds?

Instead, We gave each other a Chipper, a Gate, a Tiller, 10 Chickens!!, and many wonderful dinners.  We are thrilled.  

We have been celebrating our anniversary for three weeks now, from the day we met, October 12, to today, November 2, when we were sealed for time and all eternity.  We have enjoyed remembering all the little details of how and when we met. 

Rancher Roy is the most amazing man.  He watches over me and everything here on the ranch.  He goes out of his way to do little things to help me out during the day.  He never ever complains or gets upset.  I am so blessed to be his wife.  I completely adore him.  

Life truly is wonderful!

Romance on the Ranch

"Darling, beautiful, sweetheart, come with me to the manure pile," invited Rancher Roy with a loving sweet smile on his face.

Most fellows invite their sweetheart for a lovely stroll down the country lane in the moonlight.  Not my fellow.  

When we lived in the city, we went for a walk, hand in hand, every evening.  Now that we are on the ranchlet, we are too exhausted from all the chores, work, and responsibilities to go for an evening stroll.  So we will take what we can get, a romantic stroll when and where ever we can fit it in... even if it is to the manure pile.

This pile is courtesy of these beautiful girls.

They are so sweet!

Someone has to do all the work!

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Canning Failure.... But Tasty End Product

Saltbush Flats has been flooded with fruit!

The last week in our former home we were processing hundreds of pounds of cherry plums.  Our first week in our new ranchlet we were canning 50 pounds of peaches.  Then we froze 150 lemons and limes.  We followed that with 80 pounds of pears and 45 pounds of Hatch chiles.  And these last few days we have been picking crabapples.  So far we have 270 pounds of crabapples to make into juice, and we have only begun the crabapple harvest.  

This is work.  This is fun.  We are loving every minute of it.  I thank Rancher Roy every day for working right there beside me to accomplish our goals.  Whether it is picking apples, washing fruit, or shoveling compost, we do all this together.  There is a certain satisfaction that comes from knowing that we are doing all we can to provide for ourselves and our family.

We made some Pineapple Pear Jam (well almost) last night.  We are still processing the pears and there is about 25 pounds remaining to be made into pear sauce tonight.  Outside work is done during the day.  Inside work, like canning, is done in the evening after dinner.  As many of you know ranch/farm work is never done.

We all have trusted brands we like to use when we are canning our produce.  I rely on the integrity of certain companies, like Ball and Sure-Jell, to provide an excellent product and results each and every time.  I had in my canning supply stash two boxes of pectin that needed to be used.  It was NOT the brand I usually use.  But not wanting to be wasteful, I decided to use those last two boxes of pectin in this jam recipe.

Pears all ready for jam

I prepared the pears and pineapple as usual.  Followed my recipe just like always.  

Jam in progress

Then failure struck... no jelling.  Jam is not jam unless it sets.  Never in all my experience using Sure-Jell have I ever had a set failure.  This other well known brand is a disappointment.  I originally purchased four boxes of that other brand pectin.  Not one box gave me satisfactory results.  Lesson learned.  Always use Sure-Jell. 

Beautiful Yummy Pints of Pineapple Pear Honey

 All is not lost.  What started out to be pineapple pear jam turn into Pineapple Pear Honey.  This is delicious and will be used on biscuits, stirred into yogurt, and blended into milkshakes.  The possibilities of this honey are endless.  

Sometimes failures result in a very pleasant end product.



Note:  This my personal opinion based on my personal experiences.  Your experiences may differ.



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Saltbush Flats Invasion!

Saltbush Flats as been invaded.  Where is the Head of Ranch Security when we need him?

Inside Sleeping on the Job as Usual

We have been fortunate to receive a lot a rain these last few weeks.  Everything is greening up.

Not only did the rain bring a nice green color to our land, it brought these!!  And lots of them.

Swallowtail Caterpillars!

Thousands of them all over the ranchlet!

They are everywhere!

And this one is eating Rancher Roy's tender young purslane!

We know nothing about swallowtails.  It will interesting to see how many survive and become butterflies.



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Clothesline Part 4 - The Merry-Go-Round

With the base now securely in the ground.  The umbrella top can finally be set in place.

YEAH!!!

Looks a little odd.

Thanks Rancher Roy

Did you notice what is growing next to the clothesline?  Yes, you are correct.  Lavender!
There is a large plant on each side of the clothesline.  Fresh, clear mountain air and lavender too.  Laundry never smelled so clean and fresh.

Even this moth enjoys the smell of lavender

Merry-Go-Round

Within minutes of erecting the clothesline this little hummingbird was enjoying the first of many rides on his new merry-go-round.  Silly me, I thought this contraption was for laundry.  Who knew.

See Clothesline Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

This umbrella clothesline fits perfectly with Saltbush Flats' attitude of self-sufficiency. 
What New Mexico has an abundance of is sunshine and wind.  Why pay for propane to dry clothes when this glorious New Mexico weather will do it for free... and better.
No static cling.  No wrinkles.  No artificial smells.
Just soft fresh laundry.  sigh :)

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Clothesline Part 3 - Securing the Base

Rancher Roy is making great progress with the clothesline.

Base Secured in Cement Block

Because the hole this was going in was massive,

You do recall this from part 2, don't you?

A box needed to be installed to help support the clothesline post and give stability to the cement block.

As you can see, Tubby, Head of Ranchlet Security, is hard at work inspecting every element of this operation.

Tubby

The base is all in and ready for the clothesline top.  We just need to wait a few days to make sure everything is dry and set.

Well done, Rancher Roy!!!

See Clothesline Part 1, Part 2, Part 4.

Clothesline Part 2 - Stump Removal

Now that the clothesline as arrived.  I found the perfect place for it, close to my back door and inside the walled patio garden area.  Just one problem.

Diseased Elm Tree Stump

This ----->

We (meaning Rancher Roy) cut the two elm trees in our patio garden area down a few weeks ago.  One was heavily diseased and dying and the other was shading our small vegetable garden too much.

Before

After

In between the before and after was a lot of this.

Rancher Roy

Removal of this stump was not easy.  Rancher Roy worked long and hard to get this out of the ground.













We will just get the winch and pull it out!... Brilliant idea!

Well, that did not work.

Rancher Roy

That means a lot more of this... again.

Winch again.

It is moving!

Yeah, success!

I do not think the instructions that came with the clothesline said to make a hole quite this big!


Without the winch we could never have moved this montrosity of a stump.  

It is so heavy, impossible for us to lift.  It will not fit through the gate.  We will have to cut it into pieces to move it out.  But that is another day...

See Clothesline Part 1, Part 3, Part 4.

Wisdom of Rancher Roy

"You can't change a woman's mind, but wait a little while and she will change it herself." 

- Rancher Roy

I often precede a lot of statements with "I've changed my mind."  Husband Rancher Roy and son Colt in the City just laugh and then say something like, "you've got to be kidding!" or "really? you've never done that before."