tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54051556474973676112011-12-31T08:06:39.178-06:00Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.comBlogger1571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-36008156471500043812011-12-16T10:20:00.001-06:002011-12-16T10:23:44.326-06:00

The battle of the bulge(s) reaches a new level. I am not nor have ever been clinically obese, but I have suffered from chronic pudge and the resulting altered self image. I can pinpoint too  many times in life when harsh or snide comments were made about my weight, and because they were from people I trusted, I believed them and accepted their judgments of me into my psyche. This is a grave

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-75746190711700681952011-12-13T16:54:00.001-06:002011-12-13T16:54:08.239-06:00

Well, well, I have neglected the blogging side of my brain for awhile! Life has just been going along at a nice even keel. Work is good, home/farm is good, cows are good, kids are good. Char will be home in 6 days! Dave and I have been on some fun dates, we play Canasta every chance we get and mostly our schedule has been the same so we are off work at the same time. (very nice indeed)

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-30167132130656866512011-10-28T13:24:00.001-05:002011-10-28T13:24:50.949-05:00

Louise calved last night, a precious tiny bull calf! He weighs about 40 pounds and is the smallest calf I think we have ever had. Remember Lizzie's calf that was 85 pounds? She was a horse compared to this wee fella! He doesn't have a name yet, though it will start with "L" (for Louise). Dave was home and caught the calf on his way to the ground (she delivered standing up), got him dried and

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-86924098298883137062011-10-26T13:11:00.000-05:002011-10-26T13:11:39.010-05:00

There are a few causes going on lately that are close to my heart and in truth they are all inter-related. If one touches you I hope you will help them out in any small way you can, even to share their story. Landreth Seed Company: "Landreth Seed Company is America's oldest seed house. It has been around since 1784 and is the most historically important small business that is still operating!

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-20526533427451763712011-10-16T14:01:00.000-05:002011-10-16T14:01:39.656-05:00

First of all---I have been accepted into the Texas Master Gardener Program for 2012!! This is held by each county statewide, and I am so thankful to live in a county with a very busy and active Master Gardener group! Coursework starts in January (7 weeks), and then the volunteer/hands on hours begin. I am extremely excited to be a part of the program and the group!! Secondly, our weather is

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-47240339478768057232011-10-09T13:13:00.000-05:002011-10-09T13:13:27.738-05:00

Finally, October has arrived and with it much cooler temperatures. We are so very thankful to not have to mentally or physically deal with 90-100's in the forecast. Not much rain to speak of, 3/4" in September which brings our total since March to about 3.5". There is little in farming as disappointing or frustrating as watching the pastures, trees, all greenery shrivel and die. I am more than

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-39632489216609535922011-09-04T13:24:00.001-05:002011-09-04T13:24:13.294-05:00

No, I have not abandoned the blog! It has been a very busy month and well I just simply got behind! Farm News from our Shareholder August Newsletter:  Firstly, the calves grew very well on their mother’s milk and were to be sold this month at weaning time. The prospective buyers requested testing be done prior to the sale and lo, to our astonishment one of them tested positive as having

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-47558726644684039662011-07-06T13:52:00.000-05:002011-07-06T13:52:35.050-05:00

Do you all get in a slump with cooking? I do. I have to consciously decide in the morning or the day before what I'm fixing for dinner, and I have to admit sometimes I fail at planning and even getting dinner on the table. Part of the problem is that I let myself get busy and lack of planning results in leftovers ("again??"), and another part of it I realize is a lack of setting down and

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-1977615704065925622011-06-21T15:50:00.000-05:002011-06-21T15:50:21.545-05:00

Is the longest day of the year......many are celebrating the official beginning of summer, as for me I am celebrating the fact that this is the longest day of the year and from here until 12/21 they get shorter. I hope that means they will get a little less hot--soon! The drought is bad. No pasture and a daily battle to water the garden enough so that it will thrive. Two things I love, our cows

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-77737567892079565512011-05-31T17:28:00.000-05:002011-05-31T17:28:26.501-05:00

Another whirlwind week! Charlye's graduation was Saturday night at Sam Houston State University coliseum. It was wonderful. Yes, I choked up tight for Pomp & Circumstance, how could I not? The ceremony was gorgeous, Char grinned from ear to ear the whole time (and she spotted us in the stands!), Josh presented the American flag with the color guard, family and friends were there to share the

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-45042500353509991772011-05-21T20:28:00.000-05:002011-05-21T20:28:50.336-05:00

Twice last week I overdid it and ended up with a headache from the heat, ugh. The last few days have been nice though, hot and humid but a couple of sprinkles and we got a new fan for the back porch so we can cool off! The garden is producing beans like crazy! My favorites are the "Rattlesnake" beans, so named because of their markings. They have a smooth skin and wonderful fresh flavor. I am

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-14272568537481856722011-05-08T13:14:00.001-05:002011-05-08T15:12:35.018-05:00

I guess nursing was always in the cards somewhere! Aerial view of the garden! The biggest tree frog we have ever seen, 3"! Birth announcement from Charlye's birth (she turned 18 this week). The print is from a painting my paternal grandmother painted while expecting my dad, in 1926. Heifer girls! Gigantic butterfly on lantana. My brothers and I, 1968 My maternal grandmother, Mary Oliver and I My

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-83056797911625819502011-05-02T20:24:00.000-05:002011-05-02T20:24:08.594-05:00

Our friend Damon Folmar has a beautiful heifer calf for sale. Born in January, small in stature, gorgeous confirmation and bloodlines. He is willing to help with transport in the SE US. (located in Alabama) Killer price, $800! Spread the word about this gorgeous heifer!! Here is his contact info: Damon Folmar jdfolmar@aol.com tel:205-966-8114

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-1744151059975078652011-05-02T17:54:00.000-05:002011-05-02T17:54:55.356-05:00

My apologies for the late posting! Last week was a busy one! Tuesday I had the day off and went to Beaumont to help my brother, not a bad trip but the night before some friends dropped off a foster calf for us to put on Vera and he was not looking so good. I picked up some antibiotics from a friend vet near Beaumont just in case the little fella had pneumonia, helped my brother and made the 2

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-21175562273501858222011-04-24T11:33:00.000-05:002011-04-24T11:33:27.389-05:00

September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 December 2010 January 2011 February 2011 March 2011 April 2011

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-4542930966033407802011-04-23T21:00:00.000-05:002011-04-23T21:00:10.833-05:00

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-74095967644540408412011-04-14T21:17:00.000-05:002011-04-14T21:17:13.246-05:00

We peeked into the hive on day 4 to see how things were going. (great)baby bell pepper  harvest 4.14 baby jalapeno  garden lizard

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-91305872854854086982011-04-10T14:51:00.000-05:002011-04-10T14:51:12.200-05:00

Spring has indeed sprung! A new calf, new growth on everything (yellow pollen everywhere), the bees are installed in their new homes and the garden has begun to produce--the first beans, strawberries, and continued lettuce and radishes. The special heirloom tomatoes I ordered as transplants have not come in yet, I am looking forward to when they get here! Garden pics: baby squash thousands of

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Yes, pregnancy does always end, even when the owner of the cow doesn't think it ever will! ;-) I unintentionally drove many of my beloved friends and family absolutely nutty with my anxiety and anticipation of this calf. (please accept my sincere apologies!) This calf that to me meant so much more than just a calf or just a cow. For me it was closing one of life's cycles and starting another---

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-63105551256597648522011-04-03T13:45:00.000-05:002011-04-03T13:45:07.783-05:00

I took these pictures about 10 days ago, with the intent of posting them last week. I never got to that ,so here they are though it seems silly to me because now everything is at least double the size it was then! Bananas Green Beans and Yellow Wax Beans(hops on the end) 2 varieties of cucumber  teeny tiny radishes  Herb bed  Hops Lettuce/Broc/Cabbage bed  Snap peas and shell peas  Rattlesnake

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-45890034266933107722011-03-19T18:38:00.000-05:002011-03-19T18:38:50.129-05:00

Nearly all the trees are in leaf or in bloom, or both! The downside is the covering of yellow pollen on everything, but I will take it! No calf yet, I am driving myself and probably Dave a little crazy with checking her and pondering, inspecting, ruminating about it all the time! We are really really ready to get the milking part again!  Bumble bee on Wisteria (1 of 30 or so!) I love their

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-72093262325069903392011-03-13T06:45:00.000-05:002011-03-13T06:45:29.645-05:00

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-27569742341566645522011-03-07T15:49:00.000-06:002011-03-07T15:49:18.500-06:00

It has been a great week, and we look forward to the next. We may even finally have a calf! ;-) Garden pics: Sunsets: Animals: Cooking: Made several loaves of sourdough and one loaf of whole wheat/oats/flax bread, also we were gifted a gallon of cream so several pounds of butter were churned! I ordered a kombucha mother culture, greek yogurt culture and will be doing inventory of the

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-38419621753182019312011-02-26T13:01:00.000-06:002011-02-26T13:01:43.538-06:00

The weather in our part of Texas can be gorgeous and can be predictably unpredictable! We have had both lately, though the frosts and freezing temps seem to have subsided (maybe). Here are some signs that Mother Nature believes Spring is on the way: Dandelion Lily Garlic Lettuce Peach Pear Around the farm happenings:cow-silhouette sunset sunset over the garden girls at hay, Vera still has a baby

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-92091092127917997132011-02-20T11:57:00.000-06:002011-02-20T11:57:18.909-06:00

The past week had its ups and downs, though nothing too drastic. Here are the highlights! Valentine's Day Dinner--we went to our favorite Italian restaurant for a special dinner with 4 courses, a tenor to sing and a pianist to accompany. Our good friends Mike and Natalie joined us and it was a great time. The main course was lobster tail and steak, both were melt in your mouth great! (yes we

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-43022289866926361302011-02-13T15:05:00.000-06:002011-02-13T15:05:21.092-06:00

The past week was busy! 3 clinical days and a trip to Fla. for Schumacher. Vera continues to slowly progress toward calving and once this week I got a strong kick from the calf (quite surprising because I was not even bumping the calf, just standing close to Vera and hugging her). It is a beautiful thing to get kicked like that! The majority of the garden seeds have arrived (Seeds of Change);

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-53752221424066951762011-02-06T20:28:00.000-06:002011-02-06T20:28:19.783-06:00

Lots of challenges this past week with trying to avoid freezing pipes and anticipating 4-5 inches of snow. The pipes did not freeze, and the snow never came (kids did get a "snow day" because the buses couldn't run with all the ice on the roads). The kids were disappointed that the snow went north of us. We ended up with some wicked nasty days and lots of frost. All the farm critters are doing

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-2601002765408273812011-01-31T20:53:00.000-06:002011-01-31T20:53:42.963-06:00

(This last pic is Vera a day before she calved last year.)

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-53393445979104047112011-01-25T14:19:00.000-06:002011-01-25T14:19:28.749-06:00

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-29691401784955808582011-01-25T14:04:00.000-06:002011-01-25T14:04:53.022-06:00

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-43494266166398188042011-01-25T14:00:00.000-06:002011-01-25T14:00:09.598-06:00

Chocolate Passion's cacoa creations ducklings! A toast to our first time in first class together!foggy day foggy day again cows in fograindrops on cabbage raindrops on peach branchsunny day cows in sunshine!

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I am so late and so remiss for not posting for what, 2 weeks? Good golly miss molly! To make a long story short, the last few weeks have been pretty darn great! Dave and I traveled to Albuquerque to visit our friend's Pint Sized Farm for her 40th birthday. It was so wonderful to visit another farm, learn new recipes, learn how to sprout grains, spend hours chatting and cooking together, see a new

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-15670229766436241982011-01-11T07:24:00.000-06:002011-01-11T07:24:34.968-06:00

Cabbage is about all there is in the garden these days, a little bit of kale I am slowly feeding to the cows and the comfrey patch that I will transplant to another (irrigated) bed when the temperatures are better!The garden seed and plant order is placed (Seeds of Change), the seed potatoes, onion sets and a couple of herbs I will seek out locally. There are a few new additions to the garden

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-58192290282099541322011-01-01T21:31:00.000-06:002011-01-01T21:31:49.457-06:00

The slick gardening magazines just pour in this time of year........choices, choices, choices!

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-38036240809570118082011-01-01T15:14:00.002-06:002011-01-01T15:27:38.394-06:00

Ok, I'm not sure where the last 10 days has flown off to! Christmas weekend I worked the Eve, the Day and the day after, had a couple of days off during which time I am certain I vegetated and was only semi-productive, and now here we are at the new decade, and new year! Fast and Furry Farm updates: **Ginger left today for her new home--we are positively thrilled that she has gone to our friends

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-75934875180127852832010-12-22T21:05:00.001-06:002011-01-01T14:47:15.035-06:00

Dave and I had a date to go fish at the Texas City Dike this week. It is situated near the ship channel, and we could see Galveston in the distance. The dike was ruined by Hurricane Ike 3 years ago, and all the shrimpers and stores are not allowed to rebuild. There is one bait shop that survived and they now have all the business (ala' Bubba Gump) The rebuilt dike is 5 miles long with water on

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-81146479676679679152010-12-22T18:13:00.000-06:002010-12-22T18:13:38.665-06:00

This week Dave and I picked up Lizzie, a BIG beautiful Guernsey! The farmer was great fun to talk to and she has been well cared for, in addition to her upbringing as a 4-H cow. She is adjusting well to life in a different place and the routine. (Ginger is still available-- let me know if you are interested, or feel free to pass her information along.)

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-59552562405040775482010-12-19T15:54:00.001-06:002010-12-19T16:13:49.555-06:00

Not too much news from the farm, just lots of little projects getting taken care of! I didn't blog about it last week, but Mike, Natalie and I went on the Texas Bluebonnet Wine Tasting Trail. We visited 5 wineries in about 5 hours! At the 5th one you get a crystal wine glass. The next wine even is in February (wine and chocolate trail). That one should be fun too, and we plan to get an earlier

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-82222658431553892242010-12-19T14:45:00.000-06:002010-12-19T14:45:31.828-06:00

Charley has applied to 3 colleges--U of Houston, UTx at Austin and Smith College in MA. On Wednesday she and I were killing time before she could look up online whether she was accepted to Smith or not (her first choice). To kill time we went for a pedicure. It was about an hour until "THE time" and as we were discussing things going on with friends at school, she handed me her phone and said "

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Well, we have 3 people that have expressed interest in Ginger, so hopefully in the next week or so she will be going to her new home. This was my first week to work FT for First Choice ER and PT for Schumacher Group; it has been an adjustment. Mainly that I don't feel like I have had any time off. After the first of the year my position with SG may change a little which will help, and I need to

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-13913654480867631152010-12-10T11:07:00.000-06:002010-12-10T11:07:42.329-06:00

Texas Bluebonnet Wine Trail: http://www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com/wineries.asp 2 weekends, 10 wineries pairing food and wine The Ice Cutter's Christmas: http://www.icecutterschristmas.com/ ice sculpture, snow ball fights, family fun!

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We have an opportunity to buy another cow who will calve very close to when Ginger is due, so we have decided to sell Ginger. She will be 2 in May, and will calve in May. Pregnancy confirmed by biotracking. Bred to a Dexter bull for lbw calf. She is Bangs vaccinated, has had all other vaccines except rabies, was de-wormed (prophylactily) with Cydectin in October. She has been dehorned (still

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-25188455195816390362010-12-05T21:35:00.004-06:002010-12-22T21:13:34.529-06:00

For some reason I feel compelled to keep a photo journal of sunsets, I guess because I love them so much, and in my heart I feel like we should contemplate the day we were given and plan for the next. It may work out to be a year long project if I can keep up with it! I hope your day was everything you thought it could be. If not, there is indeed tomorrow. Sunset 12/1, at the river Sunset 12/2,

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We pulled up the tomatoes in an effort to save all the fruit possible before too many more freezes. I found an article online that gives several methods for ripening green fruit. We chose to pick all the fruit (70+ pounds!!) and store it in boxes in the house and barn and let them ripen slowly. I hope we have many weeks of garden tomatoes. It truly was a bumper crop, and the fact that we planted

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-54919712674708439972010-12-05T21:11:00.000-06:002010-12-05T21:11:21.441-06:00

Dave and I took off for a couple of days fishing at Steph's family camp in the Atachafalaya River Basin this week. It was great fun and very remote, no cell signal means a real vacation for me. We fished and played cards, and fished some more. The day goes like this: wake up and check the shrimp traps, collect shrimp, drink lots of coffee (made on a gas stove with a percolator pot), harvest

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-72354588179586208162010-11-29T12:04:00.000-06:002010-11-29T12:04:54.507-06:00

As I am sure it has been at all your homes, it has been a week of food gatherings and cooking here! The Foodie & Friends gathering yesterday at John and Camille's house was so much fun! Four different soups, many loaves of bread, indescribable sweets and one gentleman brought homemade boudin (Cajun Sausage), that was a huge hit! The outdoor bread oven had been fired up the day before so the loaf

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-32581597468508688322010-11-25T09:39:00.000-06:002010-11-25T09:39:14.939-06:00

The weather has been mild, enjoyable and fall-ish. As is the way with Texas weather it is all changing tomorrow with a nasty cold front! We were told about an alternative feed source for the livestock--lentil screenings. The screenings are what the human-consumption lentil producers screen out. Some entrepreneurs collect various types of screenings and sell them in bulk packages. The protein

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-74876244829825628422010-11-25T08:47:00.000-06:002010-11-25T08:47:10.279-06:00

My friend Nat and I went to the Viking Cooking School's Tamale and Sangria Party, oh my goodness! What a blast! We were 2 of 10 in the class. The school's kitchen was of course humongous and gorgeous. The chefs walked us through making all of the following: Beef Tamales Cilantro-Lime Crema Spicy Lime Pepitas Black Bean, Tomato and Avocado Salad (with a cilantro lime vinaigrette) Mexican Rice

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-52707795207325991212010-11-23T20:58:00.000-06:002010-11-23T20:58:37.861-06:00

Dave and I left Saturday evening for Iowa after the Garrison Keillor show (wonderful!). The trip is exactly 1000 miles and 17 hours. We took turns sleeping and chatting, stopping for coffee, etc. One way we entertained ourselves was keeping an eye on the temperature outside, it steadily dropped from 70+ to 40 with a sharp wind as we got farther north. Jim and Kathleen are doing well, she is

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-31286247707085991722010-11-20T09:08:00.000-06:002010-11-20T09:08:09.691-06:00

New Blondes in the flock Cows enjoy back pasture brush. Cow in shadow, cow in bunk Rye is up! The sun sets on the farm. It has been a great week, especially since I did not travel and Dave was off for several days. Gearing up for holiday cooking, a show tonight at the Wortham Theater (A Prairie Home Companion live show), and a lightening fast trip to Iowa later tonight.Wishing you all a wonderful

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-71089450269747899272010-11-16T19:32:00.000-06:002010-11-16T19:32:48.900-06:00

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-81801365425904358352010-11-13T20:27:00.000-06:002010-11-13T20:27:35.284-06:00

Crisp, cool (50's), windy and sunny today, it made for a wonderful "fall" feeling to the air. The tomatoes should thrive with the cool nights and sunny days. Somehow at this stage they seem to take forever to finish growing and ripen, so I am hoping they do thrive! Bean flowers:  Big bean bed:  Cabbage leaf close-up:  Curly lettuce?:  Regular lettuce: The cows, dogs, hens, cats, and her majesty

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-51129868035271180782010-11-13T11:52:00.000-06:002010-11-13T11:52:13.853-06:00

We lost a dear friend this week. She was not only ours to lose, but belonged in several families' hearts. I will always count her a friend and try to remember this poem when my heart gets heavy knowing she has passed. RIP my friend Hattie. Death is Nothing at Allby Henry Scott Holland (1847-1918)Canon of St. Paul's CathedralDeath is nothing at all.  I have only slipped away into the next room

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-89773417038977657272010-11-07T16:36:00.001-06:002010-11-07T18:56:30.746-06:00

A great week! Farm Life: The weather has been gorgeous--clear blue skies during the day. A few nights we had frost, I remembered to look at the weather forecast before dark so the tomato plants and fruits are safe. Dave is out of town so I had to be the meteorologist-in-residence.The animals are all fine and maybe just a little sassy with the weather change.  We are getting 1-2 eggs a day,

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-28012156932195276122010-10-31T17:05:00.006-05:002010-10-31T17:45:33.730-05:00

Yippee!! Today we replaced the hens (all the previous ones were massacred by raccoons). We ended up with 12, all are laying now except for 3-4 of them which should start laying in a month or two. Dave completely rebuilt/recovered the outside enclosure last week, and sowed rye seed. In a few weeks, when it is not a dirt patch, we will let them out in their run area. Several hours after bringing

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-18129666756267621012010-10-24T12:51:00.004-05:002010-10-24T13:10:01.765-05:00

I have had a great time today catching up on all the blogs I follow. You all inspire me so much with your cooking, farm activities, animal husbandry, and just life in general and how you manage it all.All is well on the farm, animals are happy and healthy and the garden is growing like crazy.The kids are so busy these days with work, friends and activities! It is a challenge to keep up and spend

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-36614635253039492122010-10-17T22:07:00.004-05:002010-10-17T22:29:15.674-05:00

No rain this week, or for several weeks. The pastures are very dry and crunchy. This is the time of year to sow rye or winter wheat or clover, but without any rain in the forecast I don't dare throw seed out.Despite the dryness, we have had a pleasantly mild fall with crisp air (40's) in the morning. So nice!I survived the learning curve with the live trap, after having the bait stolen for

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-480777017368698242010-10-11T06:21:00.002-05:002010-10-11T06:23:56.252-05:00

I discovered in the settings for Blogger (on my dashboard) that I can post to the blog via text from my phone--this will be handy when I am traveling! Also, I had not ever enabled the notification to let me know when someone comments--I should be a little more responsive now!Just posting this in case it can help any fellow bloggers!

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-6309564099880388612010-10-11T06:06:00.003-05:002010-10-11T06:15:37.886-05:00

Lantana bloomSpottie!Yesterday was extremely productive here, we got 130 bales of hay put in (165 total now), Josh and his friend Victor were a tremendous help. Melissa picked up one of her cows that is due to calve soon and she brought me Spottie the GOS! Very sweet and curious pig so far, she "talks" too. (and is driving Cooper nutty). She does have brown stains from where she made herself "as

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-80923750540097676702010-10-09T20:40:00.005-05:002010-10-09T20:57:17.725-05:00

Much of this week I spent in Atlanta with the nurses at strategy meetings (pic above: Vanessa, Kathleen and Marty). The weather there was gorgeous! 40 at night with a high of 80, very little humidity--very nice! The only down side is Dave said the weather was identical at home, and I wasn't there to enjoy it. It has been warmer since I got home on Friday, but still very nice. I spent the day

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-38017038875841009652010-10-01T20:39:00.003-05:002010-10-03T20:23:58.593-05:00

Ok, so it is late-ish on Friday. The weather here in SE TX has been absolutely the best it ever gets--highs around 80 most days this week and lows in the 50-60 range. We actually turn off the air at night and most of the day now! A little crispness to the air and less humidity....all this adds up to FALL! It really is here! Wow, it just feels so refreshing.Besides the weather, all is well. Ginger

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-34433936127036531302010-09-26T10:54:00.003-05:002010-09-26T11:01:06.074-05:00

Well fans and followers, it is a great day on the farm!The temperature is lovely, the sun is shining and we have a cow of our own in the pasture!Ok, so she has been in the pasture for a few weeks, but she is ours now so that makes it all different.The previous buyer for her was not able to commit so Melissa offered her to us! She is a bred Jersey (bred to a red dexter bull that throws low birth

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-10079245611953790152010-09-19T21:55:00.002-05:002010-09-19T22:13:02.246-05:00

The top pic is what I found when I uncovered a garden bed today to plant beans.It looked a lot like the second picture the last time I saw it. Tall grasses and weeds, and in the heat of summer I did not have the inclination or time to weed it properly so I covered it with black plastic and weighted it down with bricks and old potting pots (it has been covered since early July). I did rake the

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-60148620173295638412010-09-19T21:18:00.003-05:002010-09-19T21:55:10.245-05:00

So, while pulling weeds today in the one bed I didn't cover with black plastic (didn't want to kill the oregano and thyme that was buried), I had a little adventure.I am working along the bed (4 x 16') pulling weeds and basically baking in the sun. Max and Cooper are helping, especially Max because he wants to be right next to me in case I uncover a frog or bug that he needs to attack.I am about

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-24623504123221255362010-09-19T20:37:00.003-05:002010-09-19T21:18:01.797-05:00

Wow, time has flown. I apologize that it has been so long (3 months) since I last blogged. It has been a very busy time for us, I'll try to sum it up quickly:*Job in the Florida region officially started June 1. I fly to Florida or Georgia nearly every week.*House was on the market until the weekend before school started here-- it did not sell.*We sold all livestock in preparation for the

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-43353265376131901192010-06-27T09:32:00.003-05:002010-06-27T10:05:19.272-05:00

It has been a wonderful weekend at home.Thanks to a dear friend supplying me with milk we not only had the best milk to drink, but I was able to make butter and then make wheat bread with the buttermilk. I have missed cooking and especially cooking with wonderful fresh dairy products!I also made salsa, it turned out fantastic! Basic recipe:In a large saucepan, sauté diced onion and garlic in

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-67065426190204896792010-06-13T00:37:00.002-05:002010-06-13T01:02:38.790-05:00

Two weeks since I have posted, good golly!I have traveled to Florida the last two weeks for work, and it has been great. Getting to know the facilities and all the people is a challenge and a lot of fun too. Driving from Central Florida to North Miami last week we went past miles and miles of orange groves. The crops were almost all in, and the last of what was being picked was for the orange oil

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-38116244975413885672010-05-30T12:09:00.006-05:002010-05-30T12:43:39.689-05:00

Ok, I admit it, what you all already know...I am not a daily blogger.So, here are the highlights for the last week:*I worked my last day from the Houston office, bittersweet.*We have started on the process of loan approval so when we do sell our house we will be ready to buy without having anything holding us back! *The house we loved has a contract on it, so it was not meant to be for us..but it

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-35139684691579787782010-05-23T21:25:00.005-05:002010-05-23T21:42:22.901-05:00

We traveled to Florida for 4 days to see the area, spend time with a Realtor and see some friends. It was a great trip! Friday we looked at several houses and areas, mainly to decide what part of the island we would like to live on, or what neighborhoods. It was invaluable to be able to do this. We found a house we love, and of course now are under the gun to sell ours!Saturday morning we woke up

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-33589319339556640482010-05-15T23:23:00.006-05:002010-05-15T23:56:15.127-05:00

Well, it had to happen eventually. The sweet adorable baby boy had to go to the vet for his big boy procedure. Dave had to practically drag him in on his belly. It must smell or sound really bad there. I think some dogs are more sensitive to it than others. Max trots in happy go lucky, and Cooper is absolutely petrified! He is now neutered, micro-chipped and has had his next set of vaccines. The

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-55649117855754119582010-05-15T23:18:00.002-05:002010-05-15T23:23:01.747-05:00

Charlye and Josh celebrated birthdays in the last week! Char is 17 and Josh is now 16, oh my gosh where does the time go? I am so proud of them and stand in amazement at the wonderful young adults they are. The future is definitely their oyster! Love you both! Mom!

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-39938944387566924372010-05-11T07:07:00.003-05:002010-05-11T07:24:53.678-05:00

Working in the garden on Sunday was wonderful, except for the part where I found a snake.It was a Rough Earth snake, basically harmless, especially at only 12" in length. It was probably very content in the garden bed nestled under the weeds. I took a brave approach when I found it (did not squeal like a girl), grabbed it with my gloved hand, being mindful to grab it just behind its head so it

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-13443777814974645382010-05-09T15:14:00.006-05:002010-05-09T15:37:09.527-05:00

Here are the tomato beds: slicers, romas and the sad cherry tomatoes. The leaves are curled up and I don't know why. I treated with BT first, then 5 days later with insecticidal soap; yesterday I limed and fertilized their bed. The leaves are curling tightly up into themselves. I hope it is weather stress and not a virus, bug or fungus.Any suggestions?Update: I found this site: http://

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-51008844314447552932010-05-09T15:03:00.005-05:002010-05-09T15:14:07.657-05:00

It was a wonderful, low-key kind of day here! I didn't get out of my PJs until after noon, planted some flowers, puttered online, and we all went to an early dinner/movie date!Happy Day!

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-16018632809472517852010-05-08T15:48:00.004-05:002010-05-09T07:10:56.266-05:00

I've spent a fair amount of time the last 2 days getting caught up in the garden. It has been wonderful, even pulling weeds! The humidity was lower this morning than it has been, an added bonus. The dogs accompanied me at almost every step. Max will leave me to chase carpenter bees (leaping into the air to catch them, mesmerized by their buzzing and flight). The leaping and cavorting only lasts

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-72615216181220629682010-05-02T23:11:00.005-05:002010-05-02T23:18:26.741-05:00

Crookneck Squash blooms!Radish Haul!The boys laying by the squash/comfrey bed.Bush Blue Lake Bean Bed.Cucs are about to start going places!Hotsy-totsy Pepper Bed!The sassy cow with the wheelbarrow just after I gave the hens some weeds.Attack and rub!What happened to my scratching post?

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-70861244777075833062010-05-02T23:03:00.004-05:002010-05-02T23:19:59.747-05:00

Me: walking out to the garden to pull weeds and cut bolting veggies for Hattie. Looking for her as I walk (she is a speck way in the back pasture), I give a whistle and call "Haaaattttttiiiieeee!"Hattie: raises her head, gives a mooMe: whistle againHattie: on full alert, begins running Me: grinsHattie: running full tilt with occasional bucks thrown inMe: hot stinging tears run down my cheeks at

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-88655975026304478552010-05-01T18:36:00.002-05:002010-05-01T20:15:32.110-05:00

Oh goodness! Two weeks behind on blogging, yikes!The highlights of the last two weeks:~~We took Daisy to Baton Rouge to meet up at a KFC friend's house (Amanda and Chris) to unload her and let her rest for Sandy (from Tenn) to take her home the next day. We had a great time visiting with them and seeing their gorgeous farm/dairy barn. What a treat! Sandy has let us know just how happy she and

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-18576878589338250082010-04-15T21:36:00.005-05:002010-04-16T16:42:03.923-05:00

Texas bluebonnets along the roadside.roses blooming like crazy on the south side of the housefront (east) side of the housefirst big berries!Lately more and more days feel like The Land of Funk for me. Work is pretty busy, we are living in the "Realtors can come by any minute so live like neat freaks live here" mode and I find myself staring off into space, or having insomnia in the middle of the

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-55083992113133233212010-03-26T20:14:00.002-05:002010-03-26T20:19:45.700-05:00

ThymeNecta-plumOreganoWisteriaHops TomatoComfreyBlackberry (Arapaho)

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-67984766896543011432010-03-23T22:08:00.003-05:002010-03-23T22:27:40.451-05:00

So, at about 3 am every morning Cooper the Cute wakes Dave so he can go out and do dog things. Last night was no exception, his cuteness woke Dave, Max woke up and harumphed his way out with them, bound and determined to get his cookie too. At approximately 3:20 there arose such a clatter of barking and cow bellowing that it was nearly deafening. It sounded like the cow was screaming right

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-78705777034816252782010-03-21T13:34:00.003-05:002010-03-22T08:26:50.294-05:00

Our last milking for awhile; no idea why I have such a goofy expression, maybe because I am goofy!First strawberry blooms (will get pinched off).Milking is going really well, Vera is letting down wonderfully now that Jules is gone. We have been storing up all we can to put off the no-fresh-milk time a little longer.Cooper, look here!

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-81709546136346582582010-03-20T14:31:00.002-05:002010-03-20T15:09:03.701-05:00

It seems like we are all about change lately. I have taken a position with my company in the Florida region, effective June 1! I have been looking online at homes in central Florida, with hopes to land within an hour of the Tampa or Orlando airport. No idea when we will move, that depends on when the house sells and about a million other factors, (we do have an offer on the house and are waiting

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-65464795040902774312010-03-12T15:39:00.004-06:002010-03-13T11:36:30.161-06:00

barn roof and springtime skyfirst lily!turtle hunting lessonsthe last gray day contrasted by bright peach bloomsfirst professional pedicure, had the massage too--heavenly!Cooper smiles!mmmm, garden greensthree brown cowsThe cold dreary weather has been gone for a week or so and I just have to say it makes all the difference! The grass even seems cheerful, even though it is barely taller than

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-87200420560221679402010-03-07T20:57:00.007-06:002010-03-07T21:16:50.949-06:00

The loyal Farm Collies respond very quickly to the master's snakey-dance-cuss-a-blue-streak command! So fast in fact that they killed all 3 rough earth snakes that I disturbed today, and then played with a toad until he was not capable of playing anymore.Such hunters and protectors they are!Here is the proper maneuver one employs to celebrate the victory (after rendering the evil spotted-belly

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-92118429269835151532010-03-07T10:11:00.007-06:002010-03-07T21:23:43.043-06:00

Garden Gnome--trying to catch either raindrops, bugs or snow flakes.Solarizing the flower/pollinator bed.Two of the beds uncovered today, they solarized for 4 months--beautiful, rich, weed free soil!Squash is planted in the near one, bush beans in the far.Roso de Castro Creole garlic--100% germination!Roma Tomatoes, nursery grown.Oregano, wintered over very well.Brussel Sprouts (only for the cows

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-85553497015377031842010-03-06T17:53:00.003-06:002010-03-06T18:41:57.207-06:00

This years garden is (I hope) an improvement over last years. The focus for me is to KISS--Keep It Simple Sis. In that, I am planting bulk (single crop) plantings in each bed. This differs from previous years where many of the beds ended up being a hodge-podge of all types of things I was trying to grow. Part of the reason for the change is just to simplify--we are only planting things we know

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-91430833702756358352010-02-28T15:34:00.003-06:002010-02-28T16:18:40.438-06:00

The peach tree is budding out!Vera.Max trying to herd Jules away from the hay.Dog training lessons.On the way to freezer camp.Semi-aimless wandering...In life lately, in thoughts and probably in this blog post.The last two weeks I just have not felt much like blogging, actually all things online have not held much appeal. I am not sure but I suspect I have a case of the winter doldrums. In the

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-62671625397181377452010-02-07T08:10:00.006-06:002010-02-20T15:50:58.135-06:00

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-55153917544819107152010-02-06T14:35:00.005-06:002010-02-06T15:16:39.927-06:00

Well, the first puppy week went pretty well.Cooper is a little bit shy when he first meets a new person or goes to a new place. He did not say a word on the 3 hour trip home, just laid or sat in the seat next to me looking really cute.The first night home he cried incessantly from his kennel (in our bathroom), we did not sleep.The second night he cried intermittently until I gave up at 2 am and

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-58110242637445477022010-01-30T09:26:00.003-06:002010-01-30T09:37:29.113-06:00

I couldn't wait! I had two varieties of tomatoes that I want to grow, so I started the seeds. They are up! The pic is not the best, but you can see little green shoots coming up. The garlic bulbs are Roso de Castro Creole. They smell as good as they look! I have planted over 100 cloves. The weather this week is back to being influenced by Canadian air, so the greens I planted last week may freeze

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-81153529798920193802010-01-23T18:19:00.004-06:002010-01-23T18:41:05.268-06:00

This week seems to have gone by faster than the speed of sound!We took Hattie to be bred by a friend's bull, he did his job and she is due 10/31/10.Daisy is settling in very well, though unfortunately she is at the bottom of the pecking order, and the big girls remind her of this when it comes to hay or treats.I got a few things planted in the garden: onion starts, garlic, lettuce, brussel

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-90445036406119537542010-01-16T18:22:00.004-06:002010-01-16T18:39:50.828-06:00

Finally we saw sunshine at sunset tonight!Daisy in the trailer.Daisy at home!Max 2 yrs old.Max 7 weeks old."Vinny", 6 weeks old.I don't know anyone with a farm (of any size) that is not in flux. Ours too!Today all the sheep left to live in LA with Theresa and Tom, and their heifer Daisy came to live with us. Daisy is 6 months old and has been handled extensively--which means she is extremely

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-60837593216040325682010-01-10T08:30:00.005-06:002010-01-10T08:50:14.620-06:00

The last few days have been extremely cold for our area (15 degrees at night). Two days ago the temp was 27 and the windchill was 10F! South Texas is not set up or prepared for such an insult! Pipes are freezing and breaking all over town, seems that is the main story these days on the news. We have not had any broken pipes (knock on wood), and have just had to break ice daily for the animals.

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-45839823301450087322010-01-07T18:10:00.004-06:002010-01-08T17:50:11.794-06:00

Don't laugh (too much), this is not profound but I learned to ride a 4-wheeler today!It was so much fun, I was laughed until I was crying, or was that the wind chill of 10F? Seriously, I grew up doing all things aquatic. We lived on lakes, rivers, oceans, canals and I learned to swim in the Gulf Stream! Sailing, boating, swimming, fishing, skiing, para-sailing, snorkeling, etc is what our family

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-28946754318489272412010-01-05T18:12:00.002-06:002010-01-05T18:19:57.632-06:00

So far the French Onion Soup, Beouf Bourguignon, Chicken Fricassee and Onion and Potato Soup are wonderful!I did make a mistake on the Fricassee and the sauce was not as creamy as it should have been.I have learned the difference between a saute, fricassee and stew. I have also learned that so far nearly every recipe starts the same--butter, onion and carrot. Much different than my tendency

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-7661920943344821632010-01-03T19:21:00.003-06:002010-01-03T19:31:00.750-06:00

We have consigned to buy a heifer from our friend Theresa."Daisy" is from a cow that has genetically tested positive for a good amino acid (proline), as opposed to histine. This is a very good thing, and Daisy should carry the genetics to produce milk that has proline. In New Zealand and Australia there has been extensive research done on the difference in milk with proline vs. milk with histine.

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-91511570094974394562010-01-01T17:45:00.002-06:002010-01-01T17:48:57.887-06:00

(Page 43) Is a great success! The Beouf Bourguignon is in the oven, the house smells fantastic!A glass of wine, a slice of swiss cheese and a piece of homemade wheat, yum.

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-71265848061023522192010-01-01T09:10:00.004-06:002010-01-01T09:43:42.412-06:00

It is true that time seems to speed up the older I get. Last year flew by and I expect this one will too in retrospect. I hope August and September heat fly by and leave us without a hurricane. Oops getting ahead of myself, need to focus on the now.Mom gave me a choice gift card to B&N, which I have just redeemed online for several picks from NPR's reading lists. All are fiction, that is my thing

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405155647497367611.post-69199057470651308472009-12-26T08:04:00.002-06:002009-12-26T08:24:18.325-06:00

After watching the movie Julie and Julia (twice) and being inspired to learn some new techniques, we have ordered the book (Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking).A few friends have agreed to cook and learn with me next year! I am excited about the challenge. We are going to do a couple of recipes a week, and work our way through the book. I don't expect we will do all the recipes or

Lucky Lizard Ranchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04143959640703758547noreply@blogger.com5