Spring Break at Blue Sky Ranch

Where did our break go? We kicked off an action packed week by running by the Flying Biscuit. I had to try the fried green tomatoes (as we were in the South, after all). I even tasted some grits.

Valerie opted for the stack of chocolate chip pancakes. While not specifically Southern, still delicious.




Meanwhile, back at the Ranch, Amira & Choo Choo kicked up a little ride. They looked like a scene from Bonanza.




Rosa is just two years old and full of frolic.




Valerie was in love with La Mancita.







Group photo!



There was some time for relaxing. Amira said everything here was especially soft and comfortable.




Rex & Choo Choo took the big tractor out for some chores & pleasure ride. It was Rex's pleasure.







Striking a pose at the bass pond between reeling in those fish.














All the kids love to drive the Gator.






More horsing around. We were all bow legged by the end of this trip.




Miss Amira was all over that horse salon time. Mancita's tail never looked so sleek.




On Wednesday Rex caught THE BIG ONE. The legendary monster bass grabbed the hook!




The boys were looking for a bucket of water for the fish when a wickedly fun idea crossed my mind.

Valerie, I owe you a root beer float!

Following that, the boys filleted that legendary bass, dredged it in pancake batter and deep fried it. (Seemed an appropriately Southern thing to do).




Here's chef Rex with his creation.



After stuffing ourselves with bass, we wrangled kids & pets for a family photo.




Thanks, Blue Sky Ranch!

Location:Lancaster, SC

Performing Artist

It has been Valerie's week. First she was invited (as part of the school orchestra) to play for the Chico Arts Commission.

First the kids sat up at the front pretending to hold court. Then they were chased down into the pit to play.

Then on Saturday she participated in the Butte County Fashion Revue with her Fiber Arts 4-H group.

You may remember she sewed a skirt & quilted bag.




As part of the show (after the judging) the participants could get hair & make up done in the dressing room for free from the local beauty college.






Wow, Valerie!



And look at this strut. The commentary in the video below was written by Valerie. Here she models her skirt & bag.

Here's all the contestants & beauticians.


Valerie took home two blue ribbons.

Epic Lambing

Okay, what is cuter than a baby? As part of the Fiber Sheep group at 4-H, Valerie was invited out to the lambing barn at Chaffin. This place was a regular maternity ward complete with color coded cards where all the mom and baby info would go.

Here is a mom with her twins. Most had twins or triplets. A few had singles. Out of 24 ewes ready to lamb, they had them all timed to go within a five day period.



When we arrived today a birth was in progress. Twenty minutes before we got there, this ewe had a lamb . She was still calmly washing it as she started to push the second one out.














She made it look easy. I was hoping Valerie would not get the impression that birth was this easy.

When I came to pick her up three hours later we saw a black ewe with a set of hooves stuck out her backside. I guess she'd been that way for a bit when the decision was made to help her out. This procedure involved long gloves, lubricant, antiseptic, ropes attached to the little legs and lots of pulling and great cries of discomfort. I leaned in to let Valerie know this was a more accurate depiction of birth -- as far as I was concerned.

I didn't take any photos of this one. It was too intense. But she birthed a healthy young boy that seemed big compared to the others. He even had some horns started. Can you imagine?

They let Valerie name this guy. This year the sheep all have names starting with the letter "e". So, Valerie named him Epic.

It was kind of Epic.

This 4-H business has been amazing. It would be cool to have a couple small sheep ...

February the Last

Way back on the 18th, Amira turned 9. She reminded me that after this year, all the kids would have double digit ages. Awareness of this thrust me into a feeling of having a triple digit age. But, then, lets not get competitive!


Here's Ruby, Eily & Ella on skates!


Rex made & decorated the cake. What a cool brother!


Here's the ensemble with Madelyn, Valerie & Rex.


Last week Valerie's class took a field trip to the Gray Lodge Bird Sanctuary. It was scenic & educational. Here's Valerie and her friends embarking on one of the paths.


Precisely on day 21, one of Larry's 7 eggs hatched. Sadly, the other 6 didn't hatch. A couple of them were rotten. One stopped developing at a certain point. And it looks like a couple of others were likely not fertile.

We probably should have put less eggs under Larry. She's a small hen and likely couldn't keep them warm enough. Ah, live and learn.



Rex loves to wrap Mr. Whiskers up like a burrito del gato.


Yes, I am totally bragging! These lovely specimens were started by seed last summer and survived some ferocious frosts! The cabbage above was served with a pork shoulder roast (from Book Family Farm) and some sweet potatoes.


Above is the tightest head of romanesco I have ever grown. And below are pix of cauliflower and cilantro. I never had success growing food at the last house. So, I'm just giddy with excitement when I can pick something out of the yard for dinner.






In the following photos we move off Rancho Wilhelm and over to Chaffin Family Farm. Amira's 3rd grade is going on a three day/two night field trip next month where they will camp in a century old olive grove, collect eggs, milk cows and have a lesson in permaculture. How cool is that?


Above is pictured the olive grove. Below are the 300 chickens that followed us until they came upon a fence.





Okay, part of the farm tour was taking the private road up to Table Mountain to see where the kids are going to have a campfire one night. Well, there are cows all over the top of this mountain. Above you can see one jogging alongside the car in front of us. The former city slicker inside couldn't help but audibly snigger at the sight.



Last but not least I leave you with a photo of a Stormy Morning cocktail I found on Pinterest. It contains Creme de Violette, St. Germain (my fave), champagne & lime. Just love the color. I'm going to have to try this one of these days.