Valentines

I have to get valentines ready at least a week in advance, to mail to our little ones.  I spent hours this morning, cutting out hearts from various felts and papers, to make valentine banners. 

Banana Yucca Up Close

Heifers in the Pasture

On Wednesday of last week, Papa helped Colter move thirty one first year heifers into the pasture nearest our house.  Five of the heifers have separated from the rest of the herd, and they seem to like hanging out near our house.  Yesterday, they were in front of the house and today they went up the fence toward Hunter's Camp.  I hiked up to check on them. 

Beautiful Winter Day

Today has been a beautiful winter day on Winchester Ranch.  Papa did road work.  I hiked and threw rocks out of the road.  The sky was full of wispy clouds. 

Mary's Winter Roundup Photos

Mary came for the ranch winter roundup, January 7-9.  Mary took lots of photos and sent them 

to me today.  These are some of my favorites.

Today at the Ranch

We are expecting guests at the ranch, February 27-March 11.  Claire and her family will be returning from Jordan in mid February, arriving in Arizona on February 23.  Audrey and her family are planning to come to the ranch the first weekend of March.  I'm trying to cook some things ahead and am freezing casseroles, muffins, cookie dough, and more.  Papa cooked two batches of meat this morning and I finished them off as supper nachos and party pizzas, which I packed in the freezer. 

Papa and I enjoyed a nice walk this afternoon, to the Buck Knob pasture and back.  The horses were at the Rock House corral and saw us walking, so they came up the road to meet us by the gate to our house.  They like to be in the middle of things. Papa walked back down to the corral with them later to feed and pump water.

For dinner, I made romaine, pear, walnut, and parmesan salad, and mini pizzas on English muffins - smeared with pesto, and layered with pepperoni, sliced grape tomatoes, mozzarella, and parmesan.  Papa and I had a good day. 

New Patio Complete

Well, almost complete!  A small adjustment will be made to the drain, but otherwise, 

I'm pleased with the new patio.

New Patio Under Construction

I have been in Tucson for a few days, as one of our back patios has been demolished and a new patio is taking shape.  The tree in the middle of the patio had cracked the old patio in too many places.  The demolition was a little more involved than we had hoped, but after two days of jackhammering, out with the old!  They have brought in sand and brick have been delivered. The new patio will have a much larger well around the tree with brick laid in sand. 

Generosity of Bloomberg

I read an article in the NYTimes about Michael Bloomberg's latest gift to Johns Hopkins University, of $350,000,000.  In total, he has given $1.1 billion to Johns Hopkins over the past 40 years. 

While Audrey was at JHU, Mr. Bloomberg was on campus numerous times, walking about, looking at projects.  He was the keynote speaker at her graduation in May 2003.  Neither Papa or I will forget it.  It was a rainy afternoon, with everyone given a rain poncho as we entered the stadium.  It was a happy day for most.  Mr. Bloomberg spoke of coming to JHU as a mediocre student and leaving a very different person.  He was smart and worked hard.  Clearly he has been successful.  His generosity is overwhelming and inspiring.  

Happy Birthday Audrey!

Happy to be mother of little Lauren, wife of Dan, 

and working in a business she enjoys. Life is good!

Happy 31st Birthday, Audrey!