The test of a cattle rancher.

 This has been our weather the last few days. Sleet, rain, snow, and wind.

 It's called  a test of a Cattle Rancher, and it is one you don't want to fail. More on that later!

 Other than cooking the ranchers favorite food and sweets this is what I have been doing.

 Feeding the birds and squirrels:)

 I think the birds are very sorry they flew north thinking it was spring.

 This morning Mr. Pheasant was hungry too. I took me awhile to get some pictures. Everytime I got the camera on he would run off into the trees.

 I finally got some.The squirrel never left the dump truck until the pheasant was gone.

  I know their are people and groups of people who don't believe in eating meat, or even raising meat for food. They also don't believe that we take care of our animals. I wish they could have gone with Hubby last night at 2 AM to check for new calves.  Or at midnight when Jared and John went or 5 this morning! They could have helped get the baby in the sled, (above) pulled it to the barn, and carried him into the barn. I am glad to say the momma followed right behind all the way. When they were settled we got to dig the pickup out because we got stuck in the corral. Do you have a shovel I ask? Yes..... but the sad part it was in the other pickup the one without the mounted spotlight that you need at 2:00 am:( Lets see ice cream bucket, steel post, and my idea of hay in front and back of the tires it still didn't get us out. Called Jared to come and pull us out acouple minutes later called back "we got out go back to bed." Where were we those  people then? In a nice warm bed.

This is full of straw and cows and calves now. Before I jump off  my soapbox I want to say. The vast majority of rancher/farmer take excellent care of their livestock because they love what they do for a living, and to make a living in ranching you have to take care of your livestock. It is the moral thing to do I can't imagine having animals that you don't feed and care for. How could you look at them everyday sick and hungry? I know it happens I just can't understand how. 
I have jumped  off.............
just blame this on lack of sleep!...........JMF

The life and times of a Cattle Rancher........

 The cows are are enjoying being in the calving pasture. Clear blue water to drink, dry grass to lay in and munch. It doesn't hurt seeing the feeder wagon everyday either!

 Calves to tag, easy momma just going to pierce his ear:) It's ok for calves but I don't understand piercing baby girls but alot of moms do it.

 This is my favorite calf so far.

 There's trouble.

 Into the corral.....

 Then the labor and delivery room. Her calf was breach (backwards) so she needed help. That's what we are here for.

 And he's almost out.

 Into the maternity ward.

 I know he doesn't look good....but he is alive.

 Less than 10 minutes later he's looking around thinking finally I'm out of there:) He'll soon be out with the rest of them.

 The feed wagon looks dangerous to me.

 Fall calves, and the heifer's calves.

 Two of the dad's.

 We had a few sets of twins I think this is one of them.

 The geese like the calving pasture too.

 Little red hiding.

We see you in there...............The next few days will be a test rain and snow coming.........JMF

Wagon Wheel Quilt

 I pieced this quilt around 5 years ago, and just got it finished.

You would have thought it must have been huge to take so long to finish. No I just really take my time:) I quilted it with embroidery thread in a primitive style or in other words big uneven stitches. My wagon wheel must have traveled many a bumpy rough trails because it is no longer round!! I love it tho:)...JMF

Cows, Quilts and squirrels

 We moved the cows to the calving pasture on Sun afternoon. It was cold, windy and snowy.

 It's a little more than a mile it took awhile for them all to get over there. I had trouble getting some to leave the hay lot, finally I got John and we got them going.

 The next pictures are from quilt guild show and tell. These are some blocks Carol demonstrated  for us.

 Self binding baby blanket

 Potholder and bags Carol showed us how to make.

 Practice quilting.

 White on white fabric that MaryAnn dyed!!

 Some many cute quilts. Enjoy!!

 These are quilt as you go blocks someday I hope to share her finished quilt.

 Excellent I love them.

 cuddle quilts for triplet grandchildren.

 Future baby quilts

 Heart and purple mod quilt.

I got a few pics before they couldn't tolerate each other! They must be brothers:)..JMF