Pomegranates

I planted a pomegranate tree about 10 years ago, in our back yard.  It was frozen to the ground 4 years ago.  I thought it was dead, but it started sending up shoots.  Papa trimmed the shoots into three small trees.  This spring they had lots of blooms, and now there are lots of pomegranates. 

Braided Belts

Claire asked Papa to make new belts for Emerson and Colby.  With Papa on the mend, he enjoyed 

a new leather project.  He made two leather braided belts for Emerson and Colby.

The Red Moon

Papa and I waited for the moon to come over the mountain last night.  An eclipse had already begun when it peeped over.  We watched off and on for the next couple of hours and were treated to amazing views of the moon.  And then... the red moon!  It was spectacular!

Owl in the Moonlight

I woke up around 5 this morning to an owl hooting.  I listened for a bit before I stirred.  I tiptoed about the house until I figured out where he was, on top of the parapet wall above our upstairs east guest room.  Than I turned and looked out the window, to see an incredibly beautiful moon about to set over the Rincon Mountains.  I got my camera and stepped outside.  The owl and I looked at each other for a few moments and then he flew away.  He was a very large owl! 

Horses Waiting for Papa

It has been ten days since Papa's kidney surgery.  He is feeling better each day, but still in recovery mode.  We returned to the ranch on Wednesday afternoon.  The horses were happy to see Papa!  They were standing together in front of the house again this morning as the sun was rising over the mountain, waiting for Papa.

Golden Rule

I watched the Pope's address to the US Congress this morning.  It was an amazing sight to see the Pope speaking at the US Capitol.  The singular take away for me was a reminder of the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  Imagine if everyone on earth did that!  Imagine if most people in our circles of friends and family did that!  As Americans, we are particularly fortunate to live predominately peaceful lives.  So many on earth do not live in places where that is possible.  For those of us so fortunate, shame on us if we choose not to live daily with friends and family by the Golden Rule. 

Tropical Depression Sixteen-E

We woke up yesterday to a surprise weather event.  Tropical Depression Sixteen-E apparently moved across Baja California and into southern Arizona overnight, producing very heavy clouds and light to heavy rain that lasted all day.  The clouds were so thick that we couldn't see the mountains or the city for most of the day.  Late in the afternoon there was a break in the fast moving clouds and I took these photos.  It was a beautiful wet day in the desert!

Bird of Paradise

Papa is recovering at our Tucson house.  He feels a bit better each day.  

The recovery time is estimated at 6-8 weeks, so there won't be 

much shoeing of horses, roadwork, or other strenuous ranch activity! 

Tucson has been blessed with more than normal summer rain and it shows in our yard, with the saguaros plumped up, and the trees covered with lush leaves.  The showstopper in our yard is the bird of paradise.  It is growing in front and back of our house, so we get a glimpse each way we look. 

Cactus Blooms

While staying in Scottsdale for Papa's surgery, I walked around the hotel each morning 

to get a bit of exercise.  This night blooming cactus was sharing its bounty. 

Papa's Surgery

Papa had kidney surgery at Mayo today.  The surgery was longer than anticipated, but he came through with flying colors.  Papa didn't feel so good in the evening after surgery.  Audrey stayed with him overnight at the hospital, while I went back to the hotel to reserve for an extra night and to get a bit of rest.  I was back at the hospital by 5:30 the next morning, in time for doctors visits, beginning at 6.  They called Papa's kidney, "a stone quarry."  The surgery was more complicated than expected but they got all the stones, leaving a bit of "stone dust" behind.  The doctors are hopeful Papa will pass the "stone dust" normally.  We've spent another day at Mayo, with various tests performed, mostly to be sure Papa is well enough to go home.  The next month should be interesting, as he is not to lift anything weighing more than 10 pounds or get much exercise.  We are most anxious to get test results back, so we can start ASAP to avoid whatever it is that is causing Papa's kidney stones.  Onward, Papa!

In Scottsdale

We don't spend much time in the Phoenix area, but Papa and I drove to Phoenix today.  We are staying in Scottsdale for a few days, as Papa will have several tests tomorrow, and kidney surgery 

at Mayo Hospital on Wednesday.  Audrey is flying from Chicago this evening, 

to spend a few days with us.  More to come in the next days.

Skulls and Antlers

Over the past 100+ years, lots of animals have died on the Winchester Ranch.  Lion kills, random ailments, and hunting have probably caused most deaths.  We don't pick up many of the antlers or skulls, but Papa has hung these on the tack room wall over the years.  It's an interesting assortment.

Cow Standoff

I hiked down to the Rock House and back this morning.  As I got close to our house gate, this cow stood her ground.  We stared at each other for a few minutes, long enough for me to take several photos.  I was left standing, as she turned and walked away. 

Cowhide Pillows

I decided that after ten years, it was time to get new pillows for our living room at the ranch.  Papa and I chose a cowhide at a leather store.  We cut squares for four pillows and I dropped them off at Pancho's Upholstery in Tucson.  We like them!

Lulu & Papa

Photo taken September 7, 2015

Papa's Pancakes for Sunday Supper

Papa has been making pancakes on Sundays for over 10 years.  About five years ago, when we started watching Downton Abbey, Papa began making pancakes for Sunday supper.  It is now our tradition and we have Papa's Pancakes with fruit, every Sunday evening for supper.  Most Sundays we watch a BBC tv show after supper.  Downton Abbey in winter, Mr. Selfridge, Father Brown, Foyle's War, Bletchley Circle, and Call the Midwife are but a few of our favorites.  They are best while eating Papa's Pancakes!

Papa's Pancakes

2-3 generous servings, 8-9 pancakes 

Note:  all measurements are approximate

2/3 to 3/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

dash salt

3-4 tablespoons sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup walnuts

1/3 cup old fashioned oats

2-3 tablespoons canola oil

2-3 drops vanilla

dash cinnamon

1-2 cups buttermilk, until you get the consistency you want

pure maple sypup

fresh fruit

Notes:

1.  Cook in melted butter on preheated non stick skillet.  The best is square with low sides.

2.  Cooking temperature is important.  Too low a temperature and the pancakes don't fluff up.  Too high and they burn easily.  A medium high temperature, about 6 on a 10 scale, seems about right.  Back the temperature off a bit after the first batch.

3.  These pancakes are best served with fresh fruit and pure maple syrup.  We had chopped roasted apples last night.  We also like strawberries, banana, peaches, blueberries, raspberries... 

Staying Busy

We spend six days a week without driving anywhere, except up and down the hill for Papa 

to feed the horses.  We rarely see anyone, except each other, and Colter 

when he passes the house to check water.  Still, we stay busy!

We have a trip to the UK planned this fall, so I've been researching the country, from B and B's and country inns to Roman times there.  I've made multiple calls and sent emails to invite speakers for our time with the kids at the Boys and Girls Club every Tuesday, plus I've spent hours looking for scholarships, summer programs, helped with resume writing, and more.  We are having a friend from my high school years visit in a few weeks, so I've been planning her visit, with meals and activities.  I've been making Christmas gifts for family and friends, mostly 12 Days of Christmas arts and crafts for the grandchildren, and books for many others, along with our Christmas card.  I exercise every day, hiking most days and riding my stationery bike, along with a bit of weight lifting.  Late in the afternoon, I make dinner for Papa and me, often trying new recipes.  Papa has his own chores and hobbies that get him up early and keep him out and about all day.  All good stuff and staying busy!

Cows in the Yard

The grass in our house yard continues to grow, with good rains every few days.  We've been leaving the gate to the house yard open.  A few cows have been coming in the yard, and today we had the most yet.  A little mowing (cow chomping) going on!

Cool on the Ranch

Since the school year has begun again, we are going to Tucson every Tuesday, to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club with a great group of high school students.  We enjoy being with the kids.  Our time with them is a real highlight of our week.  We stay overnight at our Tucson house, then return to the ranch on Wednesday.  This time of year there are huge weather differences between Tucson and the ranch, with about a 20 degree difference in temperatures.  We were happy to come back to the ranch this afternoon, to 75 degrees, after spending much of the day in 95-100 degrees in Tucson.  We love our ranch views too!