Ring In New Times, Keep Old Truths

Ring In New Times, Keep all Old Truths

The tablescape is made up of Charlie's timepieces, my mother's gray horse plates painted by an unknown artist and some red beads to pull it all together like a ribbon of time.  Happy New Year to all of you; may 2017 be your best year yet.

Montana is having a notorious winter, lots of snowing, drifting, and freezing.  This is the way we work out in the winter time, no need for a gym, just shovel, feed animals, and ski, skate, or keep warm.  All of these activities take quite a bit of work, so sleeping at night is a must.  Thank God we don't live in Alaska!  We look forward to longer days by dwelling on the thought:  "Each day we get another minute of sunlight so enjoy living like a bear for a couple of months." 

art by Bailey

horseshoe wreath $28

hot-dish trivet $21

 Horseshoe wreath and horseshoe trivet for sale

Christmas is Coming

******************    December    ******************

(When Peace and kindness reign
And weather challenges and humbles us)

     The decorations can come out after Thanksgiving, and..... Charlie always took out his wooden Santa first, (really his only decoration, he thought that would do, ...but then he met me....and the rest is history.).  We are truly THANKFUL for all the blessings here on the ranch in Montana.  As we celebrate Christ's birthday, miracles abound, so, I must remember amongst the business of the season to give thanks each and every day.  We are the messengers for Jesus now so as the giving season begins, let's begin by giving a smile to someone.
     This election season should have taught us one thing, Courtesy and Kindness are all too slim amongst social media.  My father would correct our manners and say, "according to Emily Post,..." So I have once again cherished his memory while looking at the Etiquette book by Emily Post.  A quote from EP, " Good manners reflect something from inside--an innate sense of consideration for others and respect for self."   Then  my special friend, Robin showed me a special note written on envelopes of Christmas cards, it was written in green and red 

*** Kindly deliver to..." I hope this lets the mail person know we appreciate them.

The Barn is getting decorated

                                       Shep wins the Christmas sweater contest.

Shep, the miracle of enthusiasm 

Simon inspects the wreaths

Dash & She at CP's spot

THE TIME TO GIVE THANKS

NOVEMBER

Highland Livestock, Montana

CALENDAR Events :

Nov. 1 Matt's B-Day
Nov. 6 Daylight savings ends
Nov. 8 Election Day
Nov. 11 Veteran's DAy
Nov. 21 Jonathan's B-day
Nov. 24 Thanksgiving
Nov. 29 Mary's B-day and Giving Tuesday

       
         Election Day came and for many it was a relief to get it over with and now I hope we will all pray for our leaders to persevere for peace and good will.  

  I want to believe we can have strength and kindness (grace) together; I hope you will too.  Think of the majestic trees around our nation, the Redwood, the Lodgepole pine, Blue spruce and Maple trees in the east, they are strong, and stoic by nature and stature, yet they're beautiful.  Their limbs and leaves and by-product are their kind or graceful features, (that would be us or "we the people"), we are the ones that need to do the work of serving others with kindness, whether we are a teacher, nurse, construction worker, or community worker, just a smile towards others is all we need to begin.

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."
PROVERBS 27:19

O God, You have given me so much;
I ask for one more blessing--a grateful heart. Amen

          Having a quiet time each day to count your blessings is essential to your daily bread.  Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday, always great family time and delicious food, but even more valuable is the time to be still, silent, and thankful for all of our blessings.
        I will also be saying a prayer for America this November and I'm sure you all will be too.

October, Indian summer out west

Bailey art

Awesome Autumn Days 

Take Life’s Hurdles in Stride…Gallop to greatness!

 Advice from a Horse

Take life’s hurdles in stride

 Loosen the reins

 Be free spirited

 Keep the burrs from under your saddle

 Carry your friends when they need it

           Keep stable

 Gallop to greatness!

weaned calves

       Autumn solstice; A time to reflect.  Happy St Francis day/month.  I have given him the whole month since calves are being shipped all month.  

      A beautiful time to ride, walk, run, or journey through time, anywhere(when it is not windy).  Horseback riding through cows and calves, watching their growth are happy times; shipping them off to the feed lots, not so much.  But ranching is a business to grow food for others, so loving them a bunch while they are here is what we do.

/L2 or 28 is looking great

This is the time of year when orange and yellow shimmer in the light rays of the sun.  The wind is a loud roar sometimes here in Livingston but that just brings you in to clean-up summer gear.  The changing of the seasons always brings a new set of outerwear boots and coats for every season.  If you carefully pack your gear away, in the quiet of the moment, you can hear the memories speak to you. 

Two fun Fall reads for kids

Good MOVIE:  Time Traveler's wife

Handy things  made by Bailey:

Saddle bag made out of old boot top

horse stall name plate

Remember September

September 2016

Bailey art

                                             

Dates to remember:

September 1 new moon

September 5 Kes birthday & Labor Day 

September 6 Jim and Whit anniversary

September 8 Kris and Nik birthday

September 11 9-11and Grandparents day                      Great Picture Book Read:  
                                                                                              the Scarecrow's Dance

September 16 full moon                                                                                              or

September 22 Autumnal equinox

September 25 Christina and WEM birthday                      Red Leaf Yellow Leaf

September 26 Jim's birthday

      Summer weather has turned cooler and apples are red.  Birds are flocking and visitors have migrated home with new summer memories form Montana, (special times to remember. )

MOVIE HIGHLIGHTS:  2 GOOD WESTERNS: *Unfinished Business,  *Hell or High Water

Nik on Jess with cousins around

Weaning calves and preg-testing momma cows is the business now.  

 

Brockel black angus mom, charlais calf

Out the Back Door

                                                                   August's Gold

The Golden Days

Capturing the wild side of Montana is just outside my back door.  Here are some photos to enjoy.

Hummingbirds

a shy young bull

a pair of adolescent Sharpies (hawks)

Lion, Gray, Bear

a rare chipmunk

Tiger

wild flower road

Friends, TK & Jess

Treat mom

Dash

Peace, Hope, & Love

Shep

watercolors by Bailey

Big Sky's July

Big Sky in July 2016

     Summer is in full swing and maintenance on the ranch is a full time job. This is the beautiful time of year when entertaining guests is at its high point as well.  100 days of making hay and memories. 

The Barn is dressing up.

Happy Birthday USA

We salute soldiers!

watercolors by Bailey

Watercolor By Bailey

Frosted, this race horse looks a lot like Jim Dandy, a horse Char and I had for awhile and is now at Mountain Sky guest ranch.  They have those kind eyes.  I've been painting my image of these horses so look forward to what's coming as well as the tall hay crop in June.

 Ranch life is in full swing, always riding and looking at cows.  Hay season will start soon in Montana.

      Congrats to all the Graduates
The Belmont ,NY, Triple Crown race is June 11.
Flag Day is June 14th
Happy June to you.