If there is such a thing. Life has been pretty hectic around here. But, things are starting to slow down again. The blackberries have all but passed. Now, we are just picking for ourselves, and enjoying the fruit in pancakes, muffins,  & syrup. If I get to make any jams or jellies, it will be after Aug, when our humidity has come down, and it jells up right.

The garden is still coming along nicely, though the grass and weeds have taken over more then I like. I’ve learned several lessons this year with our garden. I’ve learned that the tomatoes need to go on the high side of the garden, the corn needs to be planted in more rows, and the cucumbers really should be strung up!

These pictures were taken early July 2010:

Squash and Zucchini, right after planting

Tomato plants are really taking off!

From the back door, our garden in early July

It’s been a fun year with the garden, and very productive. We have made several batches of Salsa and speghetti sauce already, I’ve even got some stewed tomatoes for later in the year, and more still to ripen and pick. Our green beans are slowly coming on less frequently, and so are the cucumbers. But, I think I have more then enough of those to last me the year lol.

Nathan is loving the fresh veggies, and all that I make. We had one squash and a couple of zucchini to come in and were picked. I made him a nice salad with cucs, tomatoes, squash and zucchini, added some balsamic dressing and he totally loved it with his steak done on the grill.

Our hummingbirds are all hanging around. I’ve moved the feeders to the porch, under the roof, and they really seem to enjoy it. It seems like every time I fill the feeders, a new hummer shows up! It’s so fun to sit there and watch them, very relaxing, and enjoyable. They are curious little creature, and such a territorial bird! I never knew that hummers chirped, until I was able to bring them closer to the house.

Our feeders hand from the corner of the porches, right behind the front posts, now I have to think about getting one to put on my window in the dining room where I do my sewing. I already know I need to get a couple more out front.

Recently added the front porch with roof

As I sit by my kitchen window this morning, doing some sewing for the Farmers Market next weekend, I was being checked out by our hummers! They are now use to sharing the porch with our dogs, who don’t mind sharing with them.  Even I can sit out there and they just hang around and even check me out closer. Like I said, curious little creatures!

I really enjoy this little porch, and Nathan did an awesome job on it’s construction. We have even moved the dog kennel up under the porch, so when the weather permits, the dogs can be outside all day, enjoying the weather, and getting some fresh air.

Nobody could say it better then this true American Cowboy, John Wayne. I sit here and wonder what happened to our Nation. As we lose more rights to say what is on our minds, “for fear of offending others”. As we lose our God, to others who come after us. Was our Nation not founded on God?  Monuments that have stood for decades to give honor to those who fought for this country, and being taken down. Our Moment of Silence has been removed from the schools, along with the Pledge of Alligence, for fear of offending others.

The way I see it, the “others” have come to our country, have taken a pledge to defend her, and now they want to remove all that made us great! If we continue to allow this to happen, then we will no longer be the country we are meant to be. Strong, Proud, Free, God-Loving, and most importantly, INDEPENDENT!

I just had to share this video with all of you! Talk about having fun! Makes you wonder where this kid will be in 10-20 years from now. Will we be listening to him on the radio? Who knows, with the right nurturing, anything is possible. Dreams do come true every day!

Spring will be here long before we know it, and this winter will be gone. Now is the time to start thinking about getting your gardens, fields and animals ready for the change in seasons. Start planning your garden now. Consider what you are growing, where you are planting and how your going to care for it to yield the best crop.

For us at Cloud 9 Ranch, our calender is quickly filling up with coggins clinics, trail maintenance, and horse show, car show and other local events! You can find many of the events listed in our calender here on the website!

It’s also time to start getting the horses ready to hit the trails again. This means working them, getting them out of their “vacation” mode. And getting the ready to hit the trails with manner, grace and style. Just the way we like them! Join us on some of our rides, and come help support the BCHET with trail work. If your not a member yet, visit their website and join today!