Shannon Ranch

Quick Camping Trip

Thursday, September 20 –

We wanted to get to the mountains as a family before it became too cold to go. We headed to the Cloudcroft area of New Mexico. It was a short trip but very enjoyable. We took a tent to sleep in and a few other things for cooking, but traveled pretty light. We just about had the place to ourselves although quite a few people came in Friday night and Saturday as we were leaving.

On the drive over the scenery was so pretty.

We were delayed setting up our camp because it began raining about the time we got to Cloudcroft. But we shopped around in town and waited for it to clear. When we finally pulled into this camping spot, we were surprised to see a few elk grazing peacefully.

It didn’t take long for the guys to set up camp. It did take a while to get the campfire going since the wood was wet, but they did it.

You gotta have bacon for breakfast when you’re in the mountains, right?

It was so nice to be in the mountains again. It smelled so good.

We managed to work in a couple of nice hikes on Friday.

This old train trestle bridge was at the end of our first hike. It was very impressive and dated back to the late 1800’s.

This scenic view shows the white sands near Alamogordo in the distance.

Besides deer and elk, apparently there were bear roaming about as well judging by the tracks we found.

When we returned to camp, the elk were back. I managed to sneak around and get a few closer shots.

Stockton and I had to make a run into town to pick up something at Allsups. The sky was so pretty we snapped these shots.

Baby Shower for Courtney in Midland

Sunday, July 9 –

We got up early and traveled to Midland in order to attend a baby shower for Courtney that the Fairmont Park church of Christ was giving her for her expected baby boy in September. After the shower we got to visit with both our Midland grand babies and then attend church with them on Sunday night before returning home.

The first thing we did was meet for lunch at Cracker Barrel.

Then it was on to the shower for the girls. The Fairmont ladies really outdid themselves with a darling outdoorsy hunting theme for the decor.

Courtney got so many cute and useful things at the shower.

Afterwards, we went back to Cim and Courtney’s and played with the grand babies again.

Cim gave us a demonstration of lifting using his homemade atlas stone.

The evening brought another fine sermon from Laredo at Fairmont Park church of Christ. It also gave us a little more time to spoil Callahan and Bella.

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Windy’s Birthday Surprises

Saturday, January 16 –

Courtney and Cim invited us for supper at their house tonight. We had a delicious pasta dish and a chocolate cake with delicious icing.

The best present I got was when Courtney and Cim gave me a card. Inside it broke the news that they were expecting in September! The best early birthday present ever!

Tuesday, January 19 –

This is what I saw at my desk when I first got up.

Carolina left me some sweet notes.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Mother’s Day Surprises

Sunday, May 10 –

Today was filled with very nice surprises. First, upon awakening, this was what I saw waiting for me on my desk.

a large vase of wildflowers, cards, posters and various notes.

As we left out for church, I was also surprised to see my pickup freshly washed.

Apparently, Stockton and Carolina had been out in their bedclothes at 6:30 doing the job.

After church, everyone rushed away from church in their various vehicles. ( which wasn’t strange as the boys are always dashing away somewhere without notifying me.) Nathan and I stayed and visited as we usually do. We stopped by Georgia’s to pick up Stockton and Carolina who often go home with her after church. I walked in the door to find everyone there and a large spread of food prepared and ready.

There were two kinds of enchiladas, fried rice, black beans, salad, chips and hot sauce! and for dessert, a wonderful cherry cheesecake with chocolate topping. Who wouldn’t feel special after this treatment?

Aren’t our children such a gift from God? We’ve been chosen to raise them and give them a good foundation in the Lord. As they are now coming of age and becoming responsible for their own lives before God, it fills my heart with gladness to see them making good choices and living amazing lives for God.