Welcome Emerson!

We are happy to announce that beautiful Emerson Rhea was born on 23 July 2010 7:50pm EST, to daughter Claire and David.  Emerson was 8 Pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long.

Nursery for New Baby

Claire and David are expecting a baby girl at any moment. A couple of months ago, I took my computer and web cam to the fabric store.  Claire and I "virtually" shopped for fabrics to coordinate with a rug they had already chosen for the nursery.  I made a crib quilt, dust ruffle, bumper pad cover, large floor pillows, pillow for the rocking chair, and drapes from the fabrics we chose.  Claire bought a calendar of old travel posters, which she took apart and framed.  They framed a large world map on a cork board and David cut out photos of family and friends and posted them on the various places around the world where the photos were taken.  More photos to follow as I'm flying to DC on Tuesday of next week for a few days with Claire, David, and baby Emerson.

Summer Plum

Toby is enjoying his summer plum!  He is too cute!

Natural Patterns

Just after I returned from my daily walk this morning, I took some photos of a tall cactus growing next to our garage.  The all over pattern is stunning.  Nature's patterns are exquisite!

Clouds

Summer is one of two rainy seasons in Arizona.  The cloud buildup in the afternoons and the resulting sunsets are breathtaking.

Chicago

I have just returned from spending several days in Chicago with Audrey.  We shopped for furniture, appliances, cabinets, flooring, fabric, and more.  I helped her unpack boxes and get better organized.  Audrey and Dan's apartment is in a 1920's building with many vintage details.  It is spacious and is in a wonderful location near the lake, with so many recreational options nearby, and within a block of all the shops along Broadway.  They are happy to be in their "new" home. 

Lulu and Papa with Oscar and Pablo

Papa's sister, Mary visited us at the ranch over the July 4 weekend, to be part of our ranch branding.  She took this photo of us with our horses, Oscar and Pablo.

Sunflowers

The quintessential summer flower must be the sunflower.  I like having a bouquet 

in our living room and this past week, we enjoyed sunflowers.  Gorgeous!

Branding

On Saturday, July 3, we had our annual branding on Winchester Ranch.  Our ranch manager, Colter, planned for the day for three months prior.  Cattle were moved over and over in anticipation of the week of branding.  On Monday of branding week, Colter and his Dad brought a load of corral panels over and set them up in the Schilling corral.  On Tuesday of branding week, Colter and eight more cowboys, including Papa, rode from our house across the ranch to push the cows toward Schilling corral.  On Wednesday, Papa and Colter gathered new mother cows and calves from the pastures nearest our house and pushed them toward Schilling.

Thursday was a day off.  On Friday, Papa rode Pablo and Oscar with Mel, a friend who came for branding, and checked the cows.  Saturday morning, July 3, we were up by 4 a.m.  Papa saddled Oscar and was ready to go by 5:30.  Colter and Papa, along with eight more cowboys got together before 6 and rode off toward Schilling.

By 7:30, they had gathered over 100 mother cows and calves.  They heated branding irons and began branding, castrating, and ear marking by 9.  Ninety seven calves were branded by 11 a.m.  All children had an opportunity to participate, and the weather was perfect.  It was a good branding!

All the cowboys and their families came to our house after the branding for dinner.  I had prepared a picnic of barbecue pork sandwiches, herbed chicken, slaw, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon slices, and carrot and Italian cream cakes for dessert.  We had a wonderful day!

1st Birthday!

First and only grandson, Toby, celebrated his first birthday on June 7.  I researched the best gifts for a one year old and most lists included a tricycle.  This photo of Toby on his trike is adorable!