Tex here and, well, I'm still not doing a whole lot of cooking. At least nothing new. Beef, chicken and pork pretty much sums it up. Throw it on the grill, add a salad for me and hubby, some potatoes for the boys and call it dinner.
Since we've got some business goings-on at the ranch, our weekend trips have become more frequent. But I don't mind, especially this time of year. Yes, it's wet. However, after seeing the place look like this--
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| Those aren't storm clouds you see. That's smoke from a wildfire that struck in 2011. |
I'll never complain when it looks like this--
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Besides, what's a little mud among friends and family?
Ryan didn't mind.
And as long as I've got my rubber boots, neither do I.
My water dogs really like it.
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Maddie loves splashing through the water.
But Dixie is too demure for that. Why bother with splashing when you can simply relax.
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Sometimes it's just as much fun to dry off.
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Especially when you come out smelling like wildflowers.
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I love seeing everything so green and lush, and the tanks full.
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So bring on the rain.
How are things springing in your neck of the woods?
Oooo, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Virginia!
DeleteLove the pics, the view of your world! And the dogs, playing! Laughing because while I hate the smell of wet dog.... I love my dogs!
ReplyDeleteRuthy, the only thing worse than the smell of wet dog is wet dog who's been rolling in cow poop. Makes a four hour road trip seem much longer.
DeleteThat's hysterical!!!!!!!!! You need to take them to the doggie beauty parlour before you drive back home. LOL
DeleteIf only, Kav. ;)
DeleteAll that nature. We had hail last night, a tornado watch and two inches of rain in 24hours. ManO packed his fireproof clothes and flew to CA. Talk about contrast. Looking forward to more pictures of the ranch.
ReplyDeleteDefinite contrast, Julie. I'll take rain over fires any day.
DeletePraying travel mercies for ManO. The bright side is that you can watch all the HGTV you want. 😉
Looks like such a great place to hang out and relax! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteNow you know why I love it so much, Missy. :)
DeleteYou know me, I love the dog pictures and antics. You could turn the café into a doggy daycare I'd be a happy camper. LOL. They must have such a blast being out in the country -- as long as they don't run into any snakes. Eeeeek. I'd be such a Texas transplant failure. Just discovered that Newfoundland is the only province in Canada that doesn't have any snakes. Lots of snow but no snakes. I'm tempted to move there. But I digress. Mooning over your meadow of wildflowers.
ReplyDeleteKav, Hawaii has no snakes either. Just sayin'.
DeleteYeah, whenever we come across a snake we have to make sure the dogs stay away. I hate to think what would happen to poor Maddie if she tangled with a copperhead. Not that she wouldn't give the snake a run for its money. Still...
Ugh, don't even put sweet Maddie and copperhead in the same sentence, you'll give me nightmares. It's time I got a dog of my own -- I'm becoming too attached to yours. LOL
DeleteI did not know that about Hawaii. I would have thought it would be riddled with snakes what with all that jungle foliage and warm weather. Hmmmm....that might be a preferred move considering than. Or Ireland. No snakes there either. I'll have to make a list, then make a gazillion dollars and then I can live blissfully snake free in magnificent splendour. :-)
And we can all come and visit you!
DeleteBeautiful, Mindy! Your ranch is a gorgeous place in the spring!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid we might be heading into a dry summer. We've had less than an inch of rain in the last couple months, after a winter of not very much snow. Rain over the weekend helped, but only added a few more tenths of an inch to the totals.
And yes, wildfires abound. Two last week, a couple the week before. So far, no one hurt and no houses damaged. Just acres and acres of grassland and forest - which is a good thing. Not just for the no damage, but the fires are so good for the soil AND the forest, when the conditions are right, i.e. not a lot of underbrush to raise the temperature of the fire means that the fire burns off the underbrush that's there and doesn't damage the mature trees. As long as the trees are healthy they are better off after a low temperature fire.
Okay, I'm off my conservation soap box now. ;)
Dogs! They had so much fun! One of my friends installed a dog bathing area in her garage - tub on a table, a hose and a drain. There's even a ramp up to the table so she doesn't have to lift the Golden Retriever and the Lab up and down. So when the dogs get into the mud, etc. she can bathe and groom them in the garage. Wouldn't that be a nice addition to the ranch?
That's a fantastic idea, Jan. As it is now, they have to endure the hose. Which I feel bad doing when it's cool.
DeleteI remember the area being in a drought during the three years we lived in Rapid City. And the wildfires. There were mornings we'd come out and the cars would be covered in ash. Always worrisome when those fires would threaten the boys on the mountain, though. ;)
Some parts of the Hills are horribly devastated by pine beetles. Thousands of acres of dead trees. If they catch on fire.....
DeleteI try not to think about it. :(
They're having the same problem with pine beetles in Ouray and there's not a whole lot they can do about them. Very sad.
DeleteLoved the photos!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I tried the Salad in a Jar recipe that was featured one day last week. This is one of the best ideas since sliced bread! Quick and easy to make, healthy to eat and just grab and go in the mornings!