Audrey & Dan Anniversary

On Thursday of this week, Audrey and Dan will celebrate their 4th Anniversary.  

They are celebrating their Anniversary week in Jordan, visiting Claire, David, and Emerson, 

along with several historic sites.  I love this photo from their wedding day.

Marbleized Eggs

I love dying Easter eggs and found the idea to do marbleized eggs at www.marthastewart.com.  It's very simple...
Step 1:  In a small mixing bowl, combine 3 cups warm water, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and a few drops of food coloring. Place egg in dye, and leave it submerged until it turns the desired shade.
Step 2:  In a wide, shallow bowl, prepare a second batch of dye -- which will provide the swirls -- in a darker shade or a different color. Liquid should be 1/2 inch deep. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Run a fork through this mixture, creating curlicues of oil on the surface.
Step 3:  As oil swirls, place dyed egg in mixture, and roll it once around the bowl to pick up oil streaks; remove the egg.  Gently pat egg with a paper towel.
Step 4:  Let it dry. You can experiment with color combinations: Vary the base tints and the swirls to achieve striking contrasts, subtle shadings, or multihued richness.

Happy Easter!

Survey Marker

We have been surprised to find several survey markers as we have hiked on the ranch.  Most are dated 1916, and stamped US General Land Office Survey, Penalty $250 for Removal.  We have found these markers in the oddest places, in a solid rock face due south of Muskhog Peak, on the peak of Buck Knob surrounded by rocks, on the ridge that follows Rattlesnake Canyon, and in boundary corners.  They are withstanding the test of time. 

Spring Roundup

On Monday, April 11, Papa helped Colter, Colter's Dad, Granddad, and Uncle, move 135 cows from the west end of our ranch to the pasture nearest our house.  They drove the cows about six to seven miles, gathering cattle as they rode across the ranch.  All the cows are pregnant.  They came across several new mother cows with their calves and left those behind for another day.  I happened to look up the hill behind our house as they were almost "home."  I took a series of photos as they moved down the fence to the gate.  Once they neared the gate, there was a succession of "cuts."  They cut one group of cows and then another, so they could get a good count, and also to pull a group of first time mother cows aside to put into a pasture by themselves.  One of the first cows through the gate was Frosty, the first cow born on Winchester Ranch after we bought our first herd six years ago.  Fascinating to watch!  We love this life and are so grateful to have Colter managing the ranch.

Changing View

We probably seem crazy to most who know us, living in such a remote location, with no close neighbors, the nearest grocery an hour away, our doctors over 2 hours away...  But our magnificent views make up for most doubts, especially on cloudy days. 

Butterfly Chair

I recently came across a terrific butterfly chair at UrbanOutfitters, for $14.99!  Papa made
a leather cover for it and voila!  My perfect butterfly chair!  Papa spent many hours
of hand sewing to make my leather butterfly chair cover.  I love it!

Dead Sea

While in Amman a few weeks ago, we visited the Dead Sea one day.  We had lunch at the Mariott and then Claire and I went down to the water.  It was warm and very salty!  David took the photo of the two of us in the lounge chairs under the umbrella.  The wave is Classic Claire. 

Bath Time

While I was visiting Claire, I helped with bath time for Emerson.  What fun!

Deer in the Yard

A herd of deer came into the yard, just as the sun was rising over the mountains.  I grabbed my camera but knew the deer would run away if I opened the door, so I clicked away through the glass.  Was so much fun watching them, for over 20 minutes, and within 30 feet of where we were. 

Tucson Festival of Books

Papa and I went to the third annual Tucson Festival of Books on March 12.  Over the course of the two day festival, there were 450 authors participating and over 100,000 people attending.  We enjoyed our day there. Lots of others did too!  The children were especially photogenic.

Grammar

My Mom, known as Grammar to our girls, flew west in February for a girls weekend in Santa Fe.  She came back to the ranch with me for a few days, then she and I went on to Tucson for a couple more days.  Grammar makes quilts and crochets baby blankets in her spare time.  All of us are fortunate to have several of her quilts and various crocheted blankets and scarves.  She calls and sends notes and small gifts throughout the year. Grammar will be 74 on her next birthday in June.

Cousin Time

While in Chicago this past weekend, we spent some time with Papa's cousins, Ken and Carol, and his Aunt Shirley.  We met at Ken's home, about an hour northwest of Chicago.  His home is a renovated barn built in 1890 and is beautiful!  We shared champagne and then went to visit Aunt Shirley at a nursing home nearby.  We surprised her and had a wonderful time!

Audrey's Home

Upon my return from Amman, Papa and I met in Chicago to spend the weekend with Audrey and Dan.  Audrey has spent months renovating and decorating their vintage 1920's apartment in the Lakeview neighborhood.  She has furnished the apartment with a mix of new and antique furniture.  Papa calls it "the Ritz Carlton".