February 2011 in review......

 Lots of snow in the back yard. This winter has been better so far, just got snow in the last few days.

 He looks cold but he's finding the feed under the snow.

 This is the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. We had never been there and it was really interesting. I was glad we went.

 From there we went to Pringle SD. We stopped at one bar to eat lunch and then went next door to the other bar! That's were this carving along with alot more are. 2 brothers from the Denver area bought the bar and they are fixing it up, and one or both carve stuff in the logs. It was interesting, and fun to hear their stories and see the carvings.

 Next stop Custer. I wish this horse was in my yard! So cool:)

 I started making these wall hangings for Carrie and Kari for their birthday. The July one is Carries, and the horse one is Kari's.

 I love these shoes! I get lots of compliments, but then I'm sure they think they really aren't grandma shoes are they!!!!!

 Happy Valentines Day. This one is mine.

 Carrie's.

 Still lots of snow.

 One of the books I read. It was along winter so I'm sure I read a few more. This one was a good one.

 I had 2 of this one so they each got one.

 I can't remember if I ended up with 10 or 12.

 Oh good old Williams and Ree. Sue had our tape of their PBS show transferred to a DVD so we had to watch it again. An oldie but a goodie!

 The before and after of sorting my books by color.

 It's still that way just alittle messier.

 Did I think I needed to start a new project? We'll see what month the finished quilt is shown:)

I didn't plan this one to be the last picture, but it's neat that it is. It reminds us to be so thankful for all our many blessings. I know I am I don't know how I got the life I have with the best family,  kids, daughter-in-laws, son-in-law, grandkids, sisters, friends,  neighbors....yippy:)  JMF

Jan 2011 in review...............

 I thought I would go back through last years pictures and post some from each month. The years are going by so fast. If you are reading this and are under 30 years old take time to enjoy the ride it goes too fast. Ok enough:) I found out I took way to many pictures of birds squirrels and rabbits!

 Some of the quilts and wallhangings I made last year. No wonder I haven't been in the mood to sew. I'll be back I'm sure!!

 Our sign is still standing. The boards are cedar and we are having trouble getting the color to stay. You can't see it in the picture but the wood has alot of red in the grain. More on that in the spring we are trying something different.

 We must have had some warm weather in Jan.

 I got my kindle I have lots of books downloaded but only have read maybe 7 of them.

Sold calves the beginning of Jan that's always a good feeling. That's all I have for Jan must have been an exciting month. I got to thinking is that our Jan?? So I checked the calendar we always write stuff on it and sad to say yes it was:)
Happy trails   JMF

Hodge Podge of things............

 I've had a cold so haven't been real ambitious but did get 2 bibs made. Someone wanted western girl bibs so I'll see if they like these. I'm not sure I do, they need something else. This might not be the last time you see them.

 This came driving in the other day! Like my  DIL said when Matt made one it is a Redneck 4 wheeler cab:)

 It will be warmer in the winter and dryer in the spring.

If any of you knew my Dad you know where they got this need to tinker and make things out of almost anything. I love that about my boys cus it makes me think of Dad.

 Greg, Jared and Lucas went to Madison to the bred cow sale so John and I ran the ranch!LOL We went over to shut the water off and drain the hose where these cows are. Then of course (according to John) we HAD to check the traps and try to shoot a pigeon when we got home. It's been a long time since I spent the day with just John I loved it:)

 We had dinner my was Yogurt with broken pretzels if you haven't tried it you should oh and I had a bun and a mound bar. John had his dream meal ........Ramen Noodles   (yuck) and 2 peanut butter and jelly sandwich's and yogurt. While I cleaned up he watched a episode of the old Roy Rogers show!

 Some of my winter decorations.

This is what happens when you put your finger over the flash!!!
stay warm...........JMF

Regan's Quilt

 This is the last of the 7 quilts. Regan's room is decorated in John Deere. That made it easy to decide what fabric to use for his quilt. I used the same pattern as Ellie's quilt. I had to be a fast one because it was a week and a half before Christmas! yikes I cut it close.

 I got this JD print at equilter the green and yellow too.

 The back is a wildlife print I had.

Regan is 3, and is growing up so fast. He is my little man. When he started talking it was in a little man voice, just so grownup and pretty matter of fact. He loves helping Dad and Grandpa Reg, loves playing farm and Dino Dan. I just love his little smile and dimple in his cheek.  We love you Regan and are so proud of you, little man!!........JMF

Lucas' Quilt

 No you are not seeing the same quilt again. This one is Lucas' our 6th grandchild. I used the same panel in the center as John's quilt. The rest is alittle different. This one is the largest of the quilts as he has a full size bed.

 Dang pictures anyway it says Luke by the cowboy so I had to use that.

 The last of the cow fabric.

 I machine quilted all the quilts on my grace frame with the sewing machine Santa gave me last year!

Lucas is 5 and goes to preschool twice a week. He told me that he and his friend rough house at recess. For being a quiet shy boy most of his life I think he will get in his share of trouble! He loves to ride his bike, his cat herd and flock of chickens, all things to do with cows real and play. I really miss that he doesn't hold my hand anymore when we go on our adventures out in the yard!!! We love you so much Lucas and you make us very proud!........JMF

Ellie's quilt

 Ellie is our 5th grandchild, 2nd granddaughter! When I asked her what kind of fabric she would want a quilt made out of she said kittens! Which surprised me she is our little cowgirl! I found this print with cats and dogs and it wasn't as babyish as most I've seen plus I really liked it:) 

  Ellie likes to draw, school, be outside, and ride horses. She is quiet and always has a smile! Plus she loved the doll we gave her for Christmas! I haven't forgotten I will get some more clothes made for her Ellie!

I had to put western fabric on the back of her quilt. We love our Ellie, and are very proud of you. You wonderful girl!!!!............JMF

Sale day!!!!!!!!

 Free ad for Feldhaus Trucking! They got all the calves to the sale barn safely thanks guys!!

Waiting to be loaded.

 It was sure fun to sell when the prices are so good. The calves looked good too.

Our cycle of a year raising the calves has ended! Now it starts all over again with purchasing replacement heifers, calving them in Feb or  March then the rest of the herd starts in April. Each time you never know how it will turn out. Last spring was so wet and it was a challenge calving. Like I said to Greg yesterday on the way to the sale barn it seems like a long time ago that you went though the rough calving season. He agreed! But said I think you have to be nuts to do this year after year! I compared it to childbirth if we didn't forget about the pain so fast every woman would just have 1 child!!! We love our life and raising cattle it is very rewarding in many ways.
JMF

Rachel's quilt..........

 Here's Rachel's quilt. It started out as a baby quilt, but she loved the horse fabric so I just kept adding until it was a twin size. Sometimes my addition was OFF but she has a quilt!

 Again bad pictures but it is a rickrack print on the backing fabric. Rachel is our first granddaughter! Our 4th grandchild, so after 3 boys Grandma was pretty excited when the nurse accidentally told me Carrie was having a girl!! Carrie and I had lots of fun shopping trips after that:) Baby girl clothes are so cute! Rachel is so full of smiles and giggles! She loves to draw, her kittens, school, and she is the queen of stuffed animals. Every time I'm at her house they are rearranged. She is a busy girl!

 This is her quilt also. I made it before she was born. Carrie (her Mom, our daughter) wanted it but I said not til you have a baby! I know I'm mean that way! it worked then but now I'm not sure what I would have to offer now:)

It was a kit  I embroidered the blocks then colored them ironed to set.
This one hung on the wall behind her crib and then her bed until they moved to their new house.
Rachel we love you and are very proud of you, my smiley girl. You are a wonderful beautiful  girl.............JMF