Monday, May 31, 2010

It's all in a days' work!

Today is the day that the tree comes down.
It needs to go.
It is time.
What are they looking at?

Mickey, what are you doing up there?
These are the early steps of this process.
The ropes are really important.
They are tied off to trees, vehicles
whatever is available
to make the tree fall properly.
Steve is always there.

Larry is anxious for instructions.

Can you tell how high he is?
Please be careful.

We girls had things to do, too!
My green thumb girls
worked on the herb garden.

The first cut - the wedge.

The second cut makes it fall
toward the first cut, ideally.
It worked.

Steve is confident and competent
and pleased with his work!

Wow look at that tree!
It is almost 70' tall!
We are happy with the fall!

And now...
the work begins!



Just for fun -
How old is it?Approximately 104 years!

We need some splitters!
Cory and John where are you?


Where did he come from?
Preparing for winter and it is not even summer, yet!


Sunday, May 30, 2010

Let's Ride!

Debbie volunteered to bring trail snacks.

And they arrived in this big,
beautiful basket - lots of them!

We found a good pull out on the road to Ocate.
With an incredible view!

Larry and Terry
ready to ride.

Mickey and I
get our gear together.

The entire plan takes a turn
for a 'girls trip'!


Together again...
Mickey, Betty, Terry, Larry, Steve, Debbie
(L to R)

Steve spotted them first!

ELK!

There were about 15 crossing the meadow,
lead by a large buck!
Elk are so pretty and graceful.


It's me, the photographer!
We were all having a great time....

until Steve had a serious brake problem.
Fortunately, Mickey was prepared
with a tool kit, extra brake pads
and fluids.
And the three mechanics
had us back on the trail quickly!


We found a great spot for our lunch
that Debbie packed
with an fabulous view
and great food.

Our guys...
the Richardson boys...
Mickey, Steve and Larry.

A little excitement...
jumping a downed tree.

One of the reasons we love this trail is
the mountain iris!
They are just beginning to bloom.
In another week or so,
this area will be covered.

Larry and Terry
give us a thumbs up.

Debbie patiently waits.


Steve, being thoughtful.


Look what Steve found on the trail!
Elk antlers, recently shed!

Back at the cabin,
we all got in the hot tub
while the ice cream maker churned out
strawberry pecan ice cream! 
Steve's specialty!
Yum!

Tomorrow?
We will be here
and
hope you will stop by!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

We're here!

Friday on our way to the cabin
for Memorial Day weekend,
we stopped at Salman Ranch.
This is where I pick raspberries
every summer.
There is a gift shop
and a cafe
and around the corner
is this wonderful nursery!
We found lots of beautiful flowers!
I could have spent half a day
and a small fortune there.
These beautiful flowers
are just perfect for the rock lined
flower beds that Jack helped me with last week!
I wanted to wait for the arrival
of my green thumb friends,
but the flowers began
to look a little stressed
so I planted them
and asked for a quick wave of
all green thumbs over them
as they arrived.

Debbie brought a wonderful new drink recipe
 from Southern Living Magazine.
It was quite refreshing
and presented beautifully and
presentation is everything!

Steve and Mickey discussing
something very important!

Larry and Terry...
thoughtful and cute!

Steve is the official
Chicken Fried Steak cook!

Perfect
every time!

Larry
showing his roasted jalepenos!

After a fun afternoon and a
wonderful dinner,
Mickey pepares for tomorrow.
Good night all!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

OK - here it is!

I know you~
I know why you have followed
our adventures in the mountains with Jack.
I know that you are watching for the
give-a-way!

OK, here it is!
CM Mini-Moments
includes
Micro Maker
Magnets
Photo Mats
Tin
What do you need to do to win?
Be a follower of this blog
and post a comment below.
What to say?
What do you or would you 
enjoy about the mountains?
Winners will be chosen
via in-house (literally) counter,
will be notified via email,
and announced on this blog
on Friday, June 4!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Eight?



We bought this new vacuum cleaner
for the cabin.
It came in about eight pieces and with 
"some assembly required."

Jack immediately agreed to put it together.
PawPaw joined in.

Are you kidding me?
Is this right?
Well, what do you think?
A robot?
A flying purple people eater?
Or a shark three in one:
stick vac,
hand vac,
portable canister!
And it works great!

With this major accomplishment,
outside play seemed the way to go.
Until...
disaster struck.
That gravel driveway can be dangerous
on a chipmunk hunt.
PawPaw used the butterfly bandages
after peroxide and antibacterial ointment.
He seriously considered the super glue,
but the last time he chose glue,
his finger was stuck to Brock's head.
(That is another story for another time.)

A dose of pain killer helped.
Recovery was slow and painful,
but it did occur.

The guys rode 4 wheelers down to the creek.
Jack, carrying a bucket full of skipping rocks
(harvested from our driveway, but not missed)
exceeded the record of skips-
EIGHT!!!


After a pizza dinner,
Jack's game choice was farkle.

He started the game with over 3,000 points!
Can you tell he won?
His grandparents are not very competitive,
easy prey and good losers.

Now for the BIG decision of the day.
Shower or no shower?
This ten year old boy wants to shower,
but the situation looks tricky.
The picture doesn't do it justice-
lucky you!
It really is a deep cut, but cleanliness won.
Showered, cleaned, bandaged and butterflied! 

Off to bed.

Don'r forget to check back tomorrow.
Remember I promised a give-a-way!