Jack Frost nipping at my... windows

Today's art work provided by... Jack Frost




The ice crystals are so delicate and intricate.



It's a cold day here in northeast Wyoming. When I woke up this morning it was -12 Fahrenheit and our high for the day topped out at about 13 degrees. Granted that is a bit (okay a lot) colder than this desert rat is use to, but it does have it's advantages. Nature has a way of showing its beauty even in the cold. I love the ice etchings I've been waking up to and the icicles coming off the buildings. There was an awesome icicle growing outside my office window till it warmed up yesterday to 40 degrees. I'm sure I'll have a few more before winter is over however, so it will be something to look out for.

The animals amaze me when it's cold out. The wild ones go about their daily lives of eating, drinking and procreating. It seems the blue jays are a more brilliant blue since it gotten so cold. The turkeys are coming into the yard to eat what ever seeds the blue jays leave. We've spotted a few bobcat, foxes and even one mountain lion so far this month. They all just go about their lives.

Our pets are adapting quite well. Their fur is thick and soft. They come in when it's really cold, but are good sports about going out to do their business. Even poor little Chiwa goes out. Albeit she is the quickest of all :) Then she has to come in and get under a blanket and cuddle for a few minutes as her reward.


I love finding something everyday that's new, exciting or beautiful. It makes life that more joyful and rewarding. I'm truly thankful for being able to live in such a beautiful place.

So cool...

The world around us is so amazing. No matter where you are you can find things that are just beautiful, unusual, or just plain cool.

This picture was taken out behind our house. The snow started to slide off an old tin roof. It slid in a long sheet and froze as it curled down toward the building. Not completely falling off that day, but just hanging there. It reminds me of an ocean wave... but frozen ;)

It doesn't matter where you live, you can always find something to intrigue you. In the desert it was the beautiful flowers that would bloom in the spring after we had rain in the winter. Or a leaf as it is changing colors during the fall. I love to sit and watch the birds that fly by and I'm always amazed at how many different types there are where ever I'm at.

My challenge everyday for myself is to take the time and find something beautiful, unusual or just plane cool. I challenge you to do the same. It makes life a little sweeter. It makes me thankful for the wonderful planet we live on, problems and all.

Trying to teach my self to cross country ski...

I've always thought of trying cross country skiing (xc skiing). I've been down hill skiing when I was younger, but I'm a) not very good, and b) not fond of going fast down hill. I don't know. I just never really took to it. I had a roommate in college who xc and it sounded interesting. I just never really lived anywhere that it was feasible... until now :)

So, Lloyd and I found me the gear I'd need. I looked up some things about it on the Internet and watched a few videos. I decided today was the day I'd try it out. My first trip out I was the only one home and just went around in our yard. Made some trails, fell a couple times, you know all that fun stuff. Of course the hubby wasn't around to get pictures, until later that day when I went out again. I am so glad he has me around for his amusement :)



Me and Maggie moo going out... on a hill...


at first things seem to be going all right...


Then I get to close to the muddy-icy-muck made by vehicles...and WIPE-OUT :) Thanks Maggie and Hada for all the support and kisses, hahaha :)



But I make it back on my feet...




and Maggie and I are off again...



I think next time I'll try an area more level....

The first snow of the season

We had our first real snow! (We had a dusting last month, but it melted faster than it fell). Everyone has been teasing me, because I'm excited about it. Of course coming from the desert snow is not something I have seen very often, except when I would travel to it. I'm going to enjoy it. Lloyd took me out for a driving in snow lesson. I stomped around in it and played in it. So, tease me all you want. Maybe by March or April I'll be tired of it... or maybe not. ;)

The ranch was beautiful. The landscape reminded me of being in a Christmas card. In fact this will be the first time I might actually have a white Christmas! That's never happened before for me.

This is coming up our lane once you turn off the highway.



The trees just looked magical...

Lloyd took these pictures of the snow hanging on the antlers on one of the old buildings.

I thought this one looked pretty darn cool.

This is one of the old bunk houses. Just imagine living in it...

and having to run outside to use this... brrrrrrr

Rex was not to sure about his first snow storm. He didn't want to come out from under Lloyd's pick up, so...

Lloyd had to shovel him a path to the sidewalk :) Spoiled cat!

Maggie went out to "rescue" Miss Em... I don't think she really appreciated it that much.

So how are the animals adjusting...

We were wondering how our pets were going to take country living. For the most part, they had only been city animals...


We especially worried about Rex. He was kind of a sissyfied city cat.

He was a very good kitty when he traveled the 1100 miles north. He didn't even complain about wearing his leash :)






We need not have worried. He took right away to ranch life. Catching mice, stalking birds, scaring the deer and turkey. I have a feeling I will have many tale's of the adventures of Mr. Rex!

Rex sitting on the porch of the old house.

Mr. Hada loves to go where ever Lloyd goes... as long as it's in the Rhino or Pickup. If you want to ride with him in the Rhino, you have to share HIS seat.


Hada overlooking his domain :)





Miss Maggie? Well, she has become a regular ol' ranch dog. She has discovered the lab within (bahahahaha) and loves to get into the ponds. She goes or follows Lloyd everywhere! She has really become a great dog. She just needed to get out of the city and into the country.

She plays hard...

Maggie exploring one of the ponds...



and rests hard....

Maggie taking a nap while her dad works :)






Chiwa? Wellllll.... She's not to sure about all this. However she is one warm puppy! She loves to snuggle under ANY blanket with us. I had to get her a coat for when we are out and about.

Whats funny is she is a great cow dog. You tell her which way you want the cows to go and she chases them that way, then comes right back to you :) The cows are probably thinking "What the heck was that"....

Chiwa modeling the latest in fall puppy wear :)
Notice the hunter orange for her protection?






This little kitty is our newest addition. Her name is Truffles and she is a sweetheart! Except she talks way to much. :) Meow, meow, meow... on and on if you don't give her your undivided attention.

Truffles standing on Lloyds leg.

This is Bandit, his sisters, Miss Em (on the top with him) and Katarina below them.

Miss Em's new technique for stalking birds... Just lay in their bird feeder and let them come to you :)

The only cat not pictured is our barn cat "Little Joe". He's kind of shy and the only kitten that actually stayed up at the barn!

Fall on the ranch

Once we got somewhat settled in, Lloyd took me out to see the place. I had only been up there twice that wasn't in late fall or early spring in 22 years. There were many parts of the ranch I had never seen. This is one of my favorite views. As you cans see Maggie and Hada like it also.




One of the things we did (even before I got there, thanks to my wonderful MIL) was get kittens. Because no one had lived full time there for so many years there were many rodents. This one is Bandit. He was helping me take pictures of birds.


Can't you tell how much help he was?

Lloyd's parents also bought him a buffalo hunt at an auction for his 50th birthday. (The auction was a benefit auction for the local volunteer fire department. Lloyd got to hunt it and keep the hide and half the meat. The fire department received the other half of the meat.) So Lloyd and his cousin Craig went to the IPY Ranch for the hunt. They had a blast and we have a freezer with half a buffalo!



Lloyd and his buffalo.

The Year of Change

A lot of things changed for us this year. My husband lost his job after being employed with the same company for 9 years. Unfortunately the Las Vegas economy was hit hard, especially in the construction industry, which he had worked in for over 30 years. After months of no positive feed back looking for work, we decided maybe it was time to go in a different direction. Things fell into place once we made that decision and we moved to his family ranch. And the adventure began...

I had to have surgery right before we moved. I wasn't able to help pack or move! Thank goodness for a great husband and many wonderful friends from church who were willing to come over and help. What a blessing they are!




Lloyd starting to box up our Vegas house...




One of the trailers/loads to go north...




Lloyd and a couple of great boys from our church took the first smaller load up. This is the crew at the other end who helped unload it! What a great group of family and friends we have been blessed with.