More Family Fun

Wednesday, July 22 –

Continuing the fun from yesterday, family members met up in Lubbock for even more food and fellowship with the Hamilton clan.

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More Decorating Updates

Just a couple of shots of a few updates, new curtains and tablecloths that Carolina and I have been working on.

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We’re still waiting on our fabric to arrive for the long curtains for the kitchen window.

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Visitors from the East

Tuesday, July 21 –

Today, my uncle and cousins stopped by for a visit. It’s not often we get visitors from North Carolina, so it was a very special occasion. We had lunch and then spent some time catching up. The kids rode horses, swam and jumped on the trampoline. It was a great day.

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The Miracle Cake

Friday, July 3 –

This is the story of a birthday cake that shouldn’t have been edible, but somehow survived a very unusual baking process.

It begins with a broken stove. My stove went out and we decided not to try and repair it because I didn’t like it that much anyway. I’ve only been using it a short time because the one I really like has been out of commission for a while.

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This is the stove I really like. I paid it out little by little until I had paid the full amount to a man with a little antique/salvage business on FM 1585 in Lubbock. That was about 15 years ago or more.DSC_0175 DSC_0952

It’s an O’keefe & Merritt gas stove from the 40’s or 50’s. You can see there’s a lot of history here.stockton licks fingers windy's camera 9-09 163

Anyway, until I can repair this big stove, we bought this little apartment stove that has a charm all its own.

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So, back to the cake.  Now that I had a stove again, it was time to bake Carolina a birthday cake. Unfortunately, after only about 15 or 20 minutes into the baking, my propane ran out! I called Nathan to see if propane could be delivered, but being Friday, July 3rd before a holiday weekend, they were already out of the office. So I hurriedly kindled a fire in the wood cook stove and hoped it would get hot before the other one cooled down too much. Once it was hot enough, I carefully moved the jiggling half-baked cake to the woodstove and continued the baking.

Here I am with the nicely cooked cake and the hot, hot stove in the background.

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Well, there you have the miracle cake. I wouldn’t recommend this method, but I’m glad it worked out this time.

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So was Carolina.

 

 

Roundup Fail

Saturday, June 20 –

Everyone was geared up to round up and brand some calves today. The cowboys were there, the horses were there, the former cowboys were there, the helicopter was there, the girls were there. Unfortunately, the cows weren’t there. There were several problems that couldn’t be overcome that morning, so we had to reschedule. However, we did get some good photos and video.

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The Jeep Ride *with video*

Friday, June 12 –

Tonight we piled in for a quick ride to the mailbox and back. The skies were overcast. Rain was headed our way, but just now the elements were perfect for a jeep ride.

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Still pictures just don’t do this fun ride justice. Jump in and experience it for yourself first hand.

 

Apricot Harvest

Friday, June 12 –

Nathan and his mom were able to pick apricots from a tree in Matador. It had been pretty well picked over, but with a tall ladder, Nathan was able to reach some real beauties near the top limbs. He and Carolina made quick work of halving them and getting them in the freezer.

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New Porch Furnishings

We moved this love seat out of the house. When one of the legs broke, that was the last straw. Until the guys have time to haul it off, Rusty is enjoying the new porch furnishings. The cushions? The kids took those to the trampoline to play with them there.

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June 9, 2015

What’s so special about June 9? Well, in my book, June 9 was an exceptionally fine cloud day. The sunrise and evening clouds were so colorful and spectacular that they deserve a blog post of their very own. What do you think?

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The Tennessee Dry Sink (plus more new decorations)

While in Tennessee for Alan’s birth, we went to an estate sale. I bought this marvelous metal dry sink.

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I found this picture on pinterest (follow me@Shannon Ranch). I loved it and used it as an inspiration.

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Cim offered to paint it for me one day last week. I’m so in love with it. I’d like to use it someday in a real sink application somehow.

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We also made a few other changes. We painted the coffee table a similar color and then distressed it a bit.

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We also recovered a lamp shade. We ripped off the red material and replaced it with our color. Carolina is also sewing us some new curtains. I’ll post on that later when they’re all finished and installed.

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River Fun with the Rodgers

Saturday, June 6 –

We really enjoyed hosting the Rodgers family from Amhearst. They came to pick up some Turkey poults and chicks that Aspen had hatched out for them. We enjoyed homemade pizza (Aspen again) and a fun time down at the river.

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The newlyweds joined us, too.

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The river is one of the best places for kids ever.

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Big sand hills along the river’s edge create a climbing challenge.

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Nathan and Joel enjoy discussing the terrain.

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Golda and Joel

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Rusty never passed up a chance to swim.

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