Warm Springs Ranch

 

Sarah, David, and I visited Warm Springs Ranch near Boonville the night after Christmas to see the lights.  This is the breeding ranch for the Budweiser Clydesdales.  

We got to see some young horses outside in the paddocks.

And the giant lighted Clydesdale............can you see Sarah standing under it with her arms above her head?

It was a beautiful night, not too cold and fun to wander around the ranch.  After we were finished with the lights (we passed up the free beer), we headed to a Mexican restaurant for supper.

Christi

Cutest Post Ever!

 I know everyone wants to know the updates on Mabel and all the rest of the pets, so this post will be dedicated to our fur babies.

The house somehow survived 4 cats left alone for the weekend with 3 Christmas trees while we were at my parents.  Sarah's cat was with us for the week while she was home and we left Mabel inside as well.

Here are some highlights of the pet activities.............

Mabel has learned how to help bind a quilt and she's not as heavy to shift around as Esme is.

But Esme still helps.

I know this isn't an actual fur baby, but it's the quilt I finished with their help.  It's called Cat Scratch.  Mabel is definitely one of the cat hanging on by her claws.

She can still sleep about anywhere.

Mabel also became very adept at climbing trees, hiding in trees, and making the trees shake.  Fortunately she didn't weigh enough to fell a tree.

Of course, all that tree climbing is exhausting.

She's still trying to bond with her big sisters...........not sure how appreciated it really is.

Yes, Mabel has been spend lots of time inside this winter, but she still likes to go outside as well and will be an outside kitty in the spring.  The house just isn't big enough for 3 cats.

Mabel is learning to leap (small buildings in a single bound).  It's very disconcerting when she leaps from behind you all the way to your shoulder and sits on you.  I keep telling her that she is not a monkey but I fear she will be hanging from the light fixtures soon.  Spring can't come soon enough.

Christi

Another Month Since A Post!

 It's been ANOTHER whole month since I last posted.  I really meant to post during Christmas and after Christmas, but something more than Christmas was shared with me at a family gathering and I have been sick for a couple of weeks.  Really sick!  Fortunately I didn't get sick until just after Christmas.  I really didn't feel well, couldn't talk without coughing, and didn't even feel like typing.  I'm now ready for some conversation (still not talking much), so get prepared for a blast of blog posts to catch up on everything.

For this post, LET'S TALK TRACK!  I know it's cold outside, but before Christmas, we went to Carter's first INDOOR track meet of the season at Iowa State (where Jackson goes, so got to see him as well).

We picked up my parents (Mom was probably already sick then and sharing) and drove to Ames for the 2 day event.  We were planning to spend the night at Deb's, but due to the incoming ice storm got hotel rooms and just stayed in Ames.

Here is our guy........

I loved that we could just haul our comfy chairs around to the different event areas.  And I loved standing/walking on the indoor turf.  I must say that this would be a nice addition to any sewing room!  And as my bro-in-law pointed out with all those yard markings, I could just measure fabric that way!

Carter got personal records in his first 3 events and did win the heptathlon.  It was the largest overall point total he had ever achieved even though he didn't quite reach his goal.  

I did lots of video and even got covered in sand at the end of the long jump pit.

It was a long drive home on Saturday and we were glad to get there after surviving all the ice.  It did make it nice for Mom and Dad that we could drop them off at the door and pick them up so they didn't have to walk on ice as much.

So, that's the first blog update!  Stay tuned for a rapid catch up.

Christi

Tasty Day!

 It's gonna be a tasty day here.  This has nothing whatsoever to do with the photos I have to share, but as I'm writing, the hubs is injecting some pork shoulder roasts and rubbing them to put on the smoker.  I'm planning a potato casserole and spinach salad to go with them.  He's also gonna cold smoke some cheese on the grill.  We visited some Amish groceries yesterday and he selected a caramelized onion monterey jack cheese, swiss, and mozzarella to put on the smoker.  We also got some farmer's cheese.

Thursday afternoon I made 2 batches of caramels using 2 different recipes.  The first was done in the microwave and took 6 minutes.  The second was done on the stovetop and took over 30 minutes of constant stirring.  Both are very good.  I like the second one better.  Then comes the cutting and wrapping.  I tend to do battle with plastic wrap and waxed paper and come out defeated.  I suddenly realized that I have some really awesome tools in my sewing room, so brought them down to the kitchen and sped the process up and made it easier.........less swearing!

I have also finished a couple of quilts.  Both are baby quilts.  The first is a quilt from the odd blocks I received in a white elephant show and steal at the Missouri Star retreat I attended.  I know it was called White Elephant, but these were really pushing the envelope I thought.  I had the blocks A-G and J from what I'm sure was supposed to be a complete alphabet.  So, the J block was used to make this cute little bag for Jenna who loves pockets.

And the remaining blocks, A-G, the musical alphabet, were made into this baby quilt that I got to use a music panto on.

And speaking of a little girl named Jenna, she is going to have a baby brother in January.  This will be his baby quilt.

Isn't this adorable!  I think I may have to make more bunnies.

So all that candy making and quilting have been really tiring.............

Aren't naps just the sweetest thing?

Christi