April Showers

Spring seems to sprung around here. While I'm always ready and anxious for spring, I have been saying prayers for a good old spring snow storm and wonderful spring rains.

I pray Mother Nature brings the rain and snow to us, but especially to the people of Harding County SD.  The Sheep Draw fire in Harding County is over 10,000 acres, and it's only March.  

So enjoy spring and all that it brings, crocuses, babies, green grass.  But take a moment and say a prayer for April Showers, and for all those fighting wild fires.  

Christmas Beauty Swap

Wow!  What a fun beauty swap!  Not only was I paired up with a fellow Montanan, my partner lives in Ekalaka!  Yes, Ekalaka!  Not only is Ekalaka fun to say, it's my old stomping, growing up, having fun grounds, and one of my favorite places!  Southeast Montana and Southwest North Dakota really do hold many fun and awesome memories.  

Ya know it's going to be a great day when you (I) get a card from Ekalaka!!

My partner, Michael, is a recent graduate of SDSU, and works at local paper doing graphics, and helping around the place.  We did most of our communicating via text, and got to know each other before figuring out what to place in that box to mail out!

Such a fun box!

Michael sent me such a fun box!  I mean, the gal sent me a can kookie, it's like she really got me!  :)

We discussed how neither one of us are really good at getting that smokey eye look down, so she sent me this eye shadow, to see if I can get it to work.  I have tried the lipstick, and love.  Not to bold, but fun.  The sample of bright bold lipstick, I'm going to rock at Christmas.   I love Mary Kay products, and this goodies that Michael sent me, I haven't tried that product or particular color.  And like Michael pointed out, if the lip gloss, or lip stick color turns out not to be for 'me', then (as long as dad approves) I can play makeover with the girls! 

Fun!

She included in my box, a fun new kitchen towel. Michael wrote that 'they are made by a local gal here and just cute.  That chick is my favorite part.'  Thanks!

I mean really, 'nuff said.  She sent me a can koozie, PLUS it says Ekalaka on it.  Some maybe shaking there head and I'm over here all 'be still my heart!'.

Love this stuff!!  And perfect size to throw in my bag for holiday travels.

This stuff equals amazing!!  Holy cow!!  This body butter feels amazing and works amazing on my hands.  Just started using it on my feet.  Wow.

One of the coolest things about my partner and the box she sent was that she bought everything local!  How cool is that!  

Thanks to  Crystal from Crystal Cattle and Melanie from The Traveling Cowgirl

Merry Christmas to all!!

OH!!  I almost forgot!  Michael shared a couple of her favorite recipes with me!  Pumpkin Bars, and Fudge Brownies!  I almost think they need their own blog post!

Writers Block

I've been a bad blogger!

I've tried, no words would come.

Finally I had a deadline and had to choice to write.

Here's the link to my piece 'Burning Daylight' I just wrote for Rural Housewives Blog 


Here's hoping I have jarred loose that writers block, and the words and stories will start to flow.

October #ccbeautyswap

Oh my!  What a fun beauty swap this was!  This past month I once again participated in a beauty swap hosted by Crystal who writes the Crsytal Cattle blog (one of my faves) and Ashley from Messy Kennedy ( I am new to her blog, and am enjoying it).   

I was partnered up with Andrea, and have enjoyed getting to know her and put together a box of goodies for her. Andrea is a newlywed, a new mom who lives in Texas and works with 4-H kids.  In fact, one email I received from Andrea she had typed and sent while at the Texas state fair waiting on 4-H kids to judge livestock!

I enjoyed our emails, and the beauty tips she shared, products she loved and how we are both still searching for the perfect mascaras or lipsticks. Through our emails, and the goodie box she sent, Andrea introduced me to several new products to try. 

My first three products she shared are so fun.  I love having my nails painted, and I can never have too many lip products.  I had never tried either of these lip gloss/sticks. The Baby lips is so moisturizing and feels doesn't feel heavy at all. The big lip crayon has yet to be tested, but can't wait. 

Argon oil!  I just recently discovered this for my hair and am in love!  I've used this several times already and will become a staple in my makeup/beauty regimen. 

Hog Wash hand sanitizer. How fun!  It's found its place in my purse already.

BB cream. Wow.  I had never tried and after vision with Andrea I had decided I needed some. Thankfully she sent me one to try.  I've used a couple days now, and am pretty sure I won't run out of this.  Love how easy it is, and how it makes my skin feel and look. 

Oh man!  Working outside, I can never have too much sunscreen or hand cream. This Supergoop stuff is great. 

I have to say I scored in my beauty box, and in gaining a new friend. Thank you Andrea, I am so glad we got matched up!  I had so much fun shopping for you!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!  Now, honestly I love the thought behind Mother's Day.  But truthfully, good bad or otherwise, it's usually just another day.  Now don't get me wrong, I don't forget to acknowledge my mother or grandmother, it's just that we don't do fancy dinners, or day the spa or any of those things that Hallmark and tv commercials tell us we have to.

Growing up, most of my Mom's Mother's Day were spent either at a rodeo, branding, going for a ride through the calving pasture, or we helped her get the garden ready.  Now, there were gifts, or fresh crocuses plucked from the pasture and presented to her in a old cup found in the garage.  We would make cards.  It's just the way it is and was.

Now that I am a mom, I really don't expect or want much.  We are usually farming, of course still calving and what ever else needs to be done around here.  Hubby will usually make me biscuits and gravy for breakfast (my fave) if time allows, or I get an IOU.  I am ok with that.  Last year when I was asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, I informed my family of 2 things.  1 was that Tally and I could go for a horse ride and 2 was just to spend some time and go tag calves together as a family.

I thought I would take a few moments of your time and introduce you to the Mother's in my life.

Now of course there's my mom, Mother Tracey.  She's tough, strong, stubborn and bossy, and still with us.  She has lived 12 years longer than any doctor gave her when she was first diagnosed.

Mother Tracey and Mother Marilyn

Mother Marilyn!  In no way is she related to our family, but when her and her husband became friends with my parents....she became Mother Marilyn.  She's been there through the good times, bad times, fun times, wedding, baby times.

Me and Mother Marilyn, wagon train circa 2009

My mother in law, Canova.  I have said many times that I won the lottery when it came to mother in laws.  She's a great friend, great mother, great mother in law and an awesome grandma to my children.

Ruth Ann was one of the first neighbors my parents met when we moved to North Dakota.  I spent so much time at her house through grade school and high school that she probably disciplined me as much as my parents.  Her oldest son is one of my best friends, and was a part of my wedding.  Ruth Ann also made a beautiful cake for our wedding.

Now that I have children there are 'mothers' in my kids' life that I would be lost without.  They have given me advice, helped with babysitting, given me advice.  They've laughed at me whenever I tell whatever recent shenanigans  my kids have pulled, and are just there whenever needed.  Most have kids way older than mine, and some didn't even have kids when I had my first.  The saying 'it takes a village to raise a child' is so true, and I have come to believe and rely on that.

Laura, friend, babysitter, and everything else.  

Me and Tam.....there's nothing we can't talk about or bitch about when it comes to life and our kids. 

No matter what you do or how you do it, thank your mom tomorrow.  Thank those moms that treat you like one of their own.  A simple phone call or text is worth a lot.

Lauri, she's takes my kids, helps me out and lends me her daughter to take on road trips to babysit.  

Pamela, a great friend, cousin, and god mother! 

Uncle Jess, (no that's not a typo, kids same the darndest things).  Sister in law, god mother and she's got my back when I need help or a babysitter.  Thank God she moved closer and is willing to help with my crazy kids. 

Wild Bunch.  These gals rock and have been and are awesome to my kids.  They help. they discipline and they give this mama a break.

I am truly blessed. 

Happy Mothers Day to all my Mom's and every other Mom out there.





Disclaimer; there are plenty more other mom's out there that help me out that I didn't mention or find pictures of.  All help me tremendously to help make my world keep going around and my kids happy.  

Adventure, Part 2

Well, I survived the plane rides.  We made it to Cabo and home in one piece.  The sun was amazing down there!!  We saw lots, drank lots and soaked up the sun lots.

I am a few months behind on posting these pictures, but still wanted to share.  Fun in the sun

Toes in the water....

What a blast we had on this ship.  Drinks, dinner cruise, live entertainment.  If you find yourself down in Cabo, I highly recommend an evening on The Caborey

It was prime whale watching season.  

Drinks in hand, again!

The third most photographed place in the world, Lovers Arch

I absolutely LOVE this picture of Lovers Arch

Lovers Beach

Being photo bombed my a spring breaker!

Spring in Montana

Mother Nature isn't letting up.  April Snow Showers will bring May flowers, right?  Snow in May? Sure, why not!

 Now, why were are truly grateful for the moisture she is giving us, couldn't Mother Nature at least warm up by 20* and send us this much needed moisture in the form of warm spring rains?

Here is a few snapshots I have taken in the last couple of weeks.  Sadly, this is the most snow we have had all winter.

Wet, cold horses begging for some hay

Mama taking care of her brand new baby

Hubby filling hay feeders for the heifers calves

Snow covered hay bales kind of makes for a pretty picture

Black and white

TC enjoying the snow and helping do chores

nom nom nom 

slushy, watery muddy mess

Tearing into the bales before they got put into the feeder