Foal

Our nearest ranch neighbors raise horses.  This spring they had several foals, all fun to watch as they prance about playfully following their mothers.  I saw this mare and foal as I was driving down the ridge toward our gate.  A beautiful pair! 

Weekend in Tucson

Papa and I left the ranch around 10 a.m. yesterday, to spend a couple of days at our home in Tucson.  We needed groceries, gas, and various other things.  We feel quite fortunate to be able to go to Tucson and stay in our own space.  We feel at home in Tucson as we have much of the furniture, rugs, books, dishes, piano... that we have accumulated over the past 30 years.  It's our stuff!

Knocking on the Door

With all the rain in the past month, it's quite wet on Winchester Ranch.  Every night over the past week, we've heard "knocking" on our sliding glass doors.  It's a rather loud thumping that causes us to jump up to see who's there.  Every time it has been a giant toad, hitting the glass as he catches insects.  Last night I laid my cell phone inside the glass doors to get perspective of the toad's size. My cell phone is 4.5" long, including the antenna, and 1.75" wide.  Mr. Toad is a big dude.

Rock People

Winchester Ranch Rock People

This was a fun project with Madilyn!

Double Sided Receiving Blankets

With baby girl Shedivy arriving in December, in Chicago, she will need extra warm blankets.  Earlier this week, I made four double sided receiving blankets for her.  They are colorful and will be quite warm!

Spending the day with Madilyn

Madilyn, our ranch manager's 6 year old daughter, came over at 9 a.m. today, to spend the day.  

We started a sewing project right away.  Madilyn had never used a sewing machine and needed considerable assistance, but we made three lined drawstring bags with one of the fabrics in her favorite color, yellow.  She was imagining all the ways she will use her bags and 

she learned to use a tape measure along the way.

I got our doll house out and Madilyn played for at least two hours, while I cooked.  We chatted 

and I chimed in as she named all the dolls and played make believe "house."  I prepared pasta bolognese, hummingbird muffins, and chocolate chess pie for Madilyn to take home at the 

end of the day.  She took a break from playing house and helped by spooning all the 

muffin dough into the muffin pans.  I also prepared Madilyn's favorites for lunch, salmon, 

pasta with butter and parmesan, and fruit salad of mangoes and kiwi.

After lunch, we went on a walk and collected rocks.  We cleaned the rocks with soapy water and toothbrushes, let them dry, then stacked and glued them 4-5 rocks high as "rock people."  

We went on another walk to collect flowers and grasses for a bouquet.  By 4 p.m., we were 

starting to wind down, so we colored pictures for a summer party that Madilyn was planning.  

She is a party planner extraordinaire!  Both Madilyn and I enjoyed the day.

Red Flower

This beautiful mammalaria cactus flower is blooming in our yard.

Little Hands and Feet

These little hands and feet belong to baby Greta. 
They are precious as are the little hands and feet of all babies.  Perfect!

Frogs after Rain

There are so many benefits of getting rain in the desert.  

A small surprise in one of the puddles was a frog.  

 Frogs are rare on Winchester Ranch!

Hiking Gear

After a 5 hour hike in our mountains with Dickie and Susan last Sunday, Dickie bought me a gift of walking sticks and a fanny pack for my camera.  They will be used often and with thanks.