Winter Roundup, Day 1

Papa came home from Tom's roundup yesterday, to tell me their lunch was exactly what I was planning for our lunch today.  Fortunately, I had some things on hand to quickly change course.  Papa left at 5 this morning, to feed the horses and get to Colter's barn by 7.  I prepped food, loaded the Hummer, and left home by 10.  I stopped by Antelope Ranch to pick up Ashley, and we got to the Patterson corrals by 11, with Carly already there, along with Colter Lee and Traven.  The weather was beautiful, with clear skies, and crisp temperatures.  The cowboys had been hard at work, and there were cows in the corral with more were headed down into the canyon.  It was a perfect day for Winter Roundup!

Week of Winter Roundup

Papa has been helping with Winter Roundup on Tom's ranch over the past few days. He left home at 5 again this morning, not returning until 7.  I spent much of today cooking and prepping for Winchester Ranch Winter Roundup lunches this week.  Our Winter Roundup will begin day after tomorrow.  I'll be cooking more tomorrow, making chili for cowboys!

Downton Abbey

Papa and I don't watch a lot of tv, but we got hooked a couple of years ago on Downton Abbey.  Its a British period piece, set in the early 1900's, following the lives of an aristocratic family and their servants.  Its shown on PBS, Masterpiece Theatre.  Downton Abbey has become the most watched tv drama in the world!  Tonight is the first night of season 4.  We'll be watching!

Anniversary Thirty Three

Today is Papa and my 33rd Anniversary!  We feel like the luckiest people on earth.  We have made many happy memories over the years.  We are healthy.  We have four happy grown children and eight happy grandchildren.  We enjoy our life together, on the ranch and wherever we are.  Today is a happy day!

New Year's Greeting

Wishing you, in your busy life,

some time for relaxation and reflection,

good sleep,

good health,

good exercise,

someone to dance with,

a bit of adventure,

good looks...

but most of all, I wish you

lots of bear hugs,

and the bliss of real love.

May you always have love to share,

health to spare,

and friends that care.

Thank you for this greeting, Joy!

Happy New Year, 2014

Happy New Year from the ranch!  

We are not in Paris, but we have a family trip to France planned in April.  

We wish for many happy moments in this new year.

Sunday Hike

We returned from our holiday visit with Audrey's family in Wilmette and got back to ranch duties.  Our Sunday hike was purposeful, as we wanted to get a GPS reading for a corner post.  We rode Bob over to our ranch entrance gate, and hiked up and down to our destination.  It was a clear day and we had a good view of our house, three miles away.

Cousin Visit

Papa's Cousin Ken lives about 45 miles north of Audrey, so we planned a visit the day after Christmas.  Cousin Carol, Ken's sister, drove down from Wisconsin.  We drove through falling snow to get to Ken's house, a converted barn built in 1890.  It looked like a winter wonderland.  We enjoyed brunch together at Ken's house, with Hannah (Ken's daughter) joining us.  After brunch, we went to the nursing home, to spend a few hours with Aunt Shirley.  We later watched old family slide shows .  We all enjoyed family time and reminiscing about the 50's and 60's. 

Scenes from Christmas 2013

We made many happy memories with Audrey's family in Chicago, over the past few days.  Sweet little Taylor Rhea, cooing and smiling, playing "owl fly" with Lauren, luminarias lining the street, angels at Christmas Eve service, Lauren's first chocolate fondue, opening gifts on Christmas morning, laughing so hard we cried while playing Clue.  We enjoyed every moment!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Chicago!  We are enjoying a few days with Audrey, Dan, Lauren, 

and little Taylor.  Its a white Christmas!