Burrito Breakfast

 

I make Bill's breakfast every morn. On days he heads to town for work, I prep burritos. 

The above photo is filled with farm goodness, of poblanos, jalapenos, serranos, green chile, onions, and eggs. The only outside sourced item was the potatoes. 

 

I pack enough for lunch too, with a side of unsweet tea, lemonade, and orange juice. 

 

Bill absolutely loves burritos  so the menu is burritos but the type changes at the whim of the short chef!

 

Plenty of Pomegranates

 Perfect for the Fall Feasts!

Canardly Owner Morning

The day began before I even planned on waking as we had a thunderstorm overnight. Not much in rain but a great deal of thunder. Our inside guardian a canardly, is the bravest of all dogs in every situation aside from two. She is deathly afraid of the sonic booms and thunder. 

Last night she was terrified. I tried to comfort her but she panicked before I could get out of bed and she squeezed under our pine log bed. She doesn't fit under the bed. Seriously. Bill slept through the thunderstorm and I did not wake him until it was 5:45 am as that is my time to begin the day. While I tried to get my canardly out from under the bed, Bill maintained his 40 winks. Finally, I had to wake Bill as poor pup was stuck and I needed help. 

Bill had to lift the end and I had to pull the pup out. She had a rough time with the thunder. I am grateful we do not have much in the way of thunder as I don't think she could survive thunder more than once or twice a year. 

No real rain accumulation as it is New Mexico. 

Bill only woke up a bit earlier than he usually does and I was still able to accomplish the morning chores needed before he headed to town. Hmm, a day in the life of a canardly owner is interesting and unique and well worth the breed, if you can find one.

My Mountains are Magnificent

 

 

 

Trash to Treasure?

 A month ago, Bill and I were returning home from town and passed a dumpster that had some trash on the outside. I asked him to turn around as something caught my eye!

I found this gem. Oh and I am not going to repaint it. I am going to do a few modifications and make this a place to put the garden tools. Just close off the bottom(no snake entrance) and leave only the front of the drawers. I will then have my handy dandy Bill cut holes in the top and then bam...tool center for the garden tools. It will relocate under the back off the porch. Kind of a window to my brain for sure. Bill just seems to get me and helps me in my weirdness. I am so thankful that there does seem to be a perfect match for everyone no matter how much trash treasure hunting one does!

Them Boots

 I wear boots a good deal of the time. We have too many mesquite trees to mention and of course those awful slithering things scare me, so I boot up. No matter if I am wearing a skirt, shorts, jeans or a pjs(early morning critter feeds) the footwear almost always is a pair of boots.

Now the grands all have boots they wear when they come to help Papa, but lately my one pair of boots has become very interesting. I was at one of my son's houses and a few grands were there. As custom we take our shoes of at the door, but the grands found this to be an opportunity to try on Gigi's boots!

 

Grand #4

 

Grand #7

 

Grand #2

What do you see?

 

What do you see in this photo?  I can share with you what is in this photo. So the horseprint rolls are hand towels for the main bathroom. The blue check fabric in the bowl in the back left are cloth napkins, the two tissue boxes have cloth tissues (only for me), the other rolls are kitchen towels, the crocheted items are dish scrubbies, and the jar contains small squares of fabric that I use like cotton balls.

The two yards of fabric in the bottom right corner are going to be new cloth "paper" towels for the kitchen. 

Here is how the rolls work when in the kitchen. I place them on a standard paper towel holder and use as one would use paper towels except that I do not throw them away after a use. 

So my answer to what do you see, could change. You could actually see a way I have (for nearly 16 years) saved money in the home. So I see tremendous savings when I look at the first image. 

Bill has been the primary income earner in the past 35 years and I have done all I can to ensure that the work he does is not seen as expected but appreciated. I work very hard to spend as wisely as possible. And paper towels years ago were roughly $15.00 for about 15 rolls(I can't remember but you get the idea). Now paper towels are far more expensive. I couldn't see the value in an item that I tossed immediately after a few seconds. So I bought some flannel and began this journey. I have no real idea how to sew much more than lines etc., so my squares are just edged with a triangle pattern! 

With the left over flannel, I made the squares to use as cotton wipes. I also cut the large squares and sew again the edges, when they wear out a bit. I use them for cleaning the bathroom or non-kitchen cleaning jobs. 

Cloth napkins were easy to make. When the kids were at home I actually had clothespins with their names on them to attach to their napkin, as the napkin would be used for the day if not totally messy. 

I bought two new yards of flannel for $6.00 and will update the kitchen towels and rotate down any old wore out "paper" towels to other zones in the house. The bathroom towels were an upgrade from the hand towel as I found horse flannel to match my horse themed bathroom. 

So I see money in that first image. Out and out money that one could calculate in savings. A thing I love that I learned is that I like creating things for my home. They are items of  my handiwork and made for the specific purpose of the success of our home, our marriage, our family and it may not be something another would consider but to me even the cloth towels I make are priceless.
 

 Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor but I can stretch a dollar more than it deserves to be stretched.

You've Got Mail

In the 21st century, it is hard to imagine that some things are still old school, but it's true. 

This is my main mail/parcel delivery "box."

 

It is an updated model from our first one. The first model was a stump and we ended up taking that in to get a wee bit fancy. I know you can tell that we have upgraded this model with that fancy rock, yep it's true. The rock does what rocks do~and holds down any light items. 

 

 

We do have an actual mailbox. It is not on our road and it is often opened and perhaps searched for any valuable contents. Not much ends up there aside from Miguel.Miguel has a beautiful web and it will remain until Miguel decides. I will not infringe on his home!

 *Important to note, we do have a PO Box way far away in town. 

Content

I have a well worn little piece of paper on the computer that has a very simple thought. It says "Contentment is not getting what we want, but being satisfied with what we have."

It is very easy to be content when I look beyond the house and see the mountains and see the hands of the Creator.

 

Gate view

 

Dusk gate view facing the farmhouse but boy oh boy the skies!!

 

Crazy to see this and then remember to snap a photo! I love how this looks a bit like a volcano erupting.

 

Even the skies take my breath away. I pause in gratitude many times a day.

  

Don't forget that you can be content too...it is a mindset, that with time can become a lifestyle.

 

Sweeties

 

Grand #9 on the left, and grand #8 on the right. These cuties are 14 months apart!

 

This is grand # 5 and she is 5.

 

These three are my daughter's wee ones. Amazing news today is that they will have another sweet sister added to the family! Makes Papa and I so happy!!

Thinking About Winter

 

I've checked my pantry shelves to make sure we are prepared for the upcoming months and

 

I think about our critters as they watch the flames of our only heat source. Winter in southern New Mexico is not as warm as many surmise as it is the desert and it does not preserve heat. We haven't had a bad winter in several years and that makes me think we are due. Of course, prepared not worried is our mindset. 

We have to prep the outside as well. It is a time to reflect upon the summer and really dig in to hard work outside as the temps are finally nice enough to be outside and not feel that you are on the surface of the sun.

We are always in project mode and of course dreaming this and that about our place as that is what makes things grand, dreams, whether big dreams or small dreams.

2023 has been a hard year as we lost two of our livestock guardians. One was totally unexpected and one gave us 13 amazing years and was the most loyal of friends. We brought a new livestock guardian into the fold last September and he is truly a keeper and was well worth a long drive deep into Texas. 

Mind you, it is not even fall yet, and our temps are still super-day-duper HOT, but I do look ahead as one should always be prepared. 

• Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

 

My Hands are Always

Busy! If I am not doing actual housework, farmwork, or helping Bill in one of our many side hustles, I am creating. I cannot seem to stop.

 

We love pistachios and of course that means a good deal of shells are left. It bothers me to waste the shells so I often come up with some art piece using them. Here is a heart. 

 

And a simple menorah.

 

I love horses. I had an entire year where I had a long-legged season of artwork. I think it is because I love my Bill and he is one good lookin' long-legged fella!

 

One of my oil paintings. If you ask me which football team I like, I always say The Bill's. I like the Buffalo Bill's because I am a cheesy kid at heart and I love Bill. Why not love a team that is Bill's?

 

Here is a small corner of pieces that are filled with salvaged wood, chicken feathers and bristles from a paint brush!

 

An earlier piece. 

 

This is a mobile I made for one of the grands, and that cutie will soon turn 8! 

 

This piece is made of a piece of a business sign that was destined for the dumpster. 

 

Another piece from the repurposed business sign.

 

I also designed the summer 2019 NMSU-A catalog. This was my prototype!

 

I also had a giraffe season. The long legs of those critters amazes me!

 

I am a rockhound as well and I painted a good deal to hide about for the children to discover, 100 for the local museum to give out, as well as this box, which was raffled off for $200.00 for a local fundraiser.

 

Here is Mr. and Mrs. Double Nickel made with dried gourds for the head, and old pieces of Bill's and my clothes. The wire is the form which is something we use often out and about on the farm. 

 

Here is a hummingbird that I painted one afternoon on a rock. In the past several years, I think I have painted over 300 rocks and placed them about the community to be discovered by someone. It is kind of a place of happiness I create when I paint the rocks, and then knowing someone may have a moment of joy finding the rock makes my day. 

 

This is just a teeny tiny window of my world and it is the part where my brain must create. I am thankful that I can and hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

 

 

The Legacy One Leaves Behind

I have been thinking a good deal about my father-in-law.  He passed away in 2020 and is missed.

 

This is a photo of my father-in-law with my kiddos and Bill about 13 years ago. My father-in-law shared much about his childhood and parents and told me about wishing to have his name carry on. We ended up with three sons to pass his name on and we actually named our second son after him.  

When I think about my father-in-law, it is often because of things I see Bill doing and we are the age that my father-in-law was when I first met him. I see all the hard work that Bill does and know it was all taught to him by his dad. The work ethic, the jack of all knowledge, I mean I could go on and on.

And this is something that makes me think even more of my father-in-law than just about his last name. You see, he instilled so much into my Bill that it truly was part of who he became all because. Bill, in turn, has done the same with our sons. It is a legacy or inheritance of zero cash value but is worth far more than all the money in the world. A man with honor, integrity, and good character that walks with the LORD, is a man worth all.

 

 

Now we have 4 grands that carry on the name and also are being trained by their Papa and father's to become men of honor, with integrity, and good character...

and I smile because the fear of not leaving a legacy behind by my father-in-law is unfounded. He has a tremendous legacy all because.

 

Oh and for the record my father-in-law was the father of 7, grandfather of 20 and the great-grandfather of 18+. Quite and impressive legacy!

 

 

Three Month Stock Up

On our anniversary, Bill and I drove 5.5 hours to Odessa/Midland Texas for a three month grocery haul. The day is long and usually is a 14 hour day, depending on our stops, picnic time, and overall traffic. 

We put money away for the HEB grocery trips as they proved themselves to be loyal, even during the tested times that the past three years have presented. The prices are very reasonable with not as much increases as we see in New Mexico. I thought I would share what a 3 to 4 month grocery stock up looks like for us.

Here is the haul:

 

Laundry soap mix (Borax, Washing Soda and Zote soap), dish soap, a scrub brush, freezer bags, a pack of plastic food containers, wooden utensils, witch hazel, straws, 4 jars of castor oil, and a few flower seed packs, and water colors for projects with the grands!

 

The snack aisle. Bill is a sweets guy and I am a crispy chips gal. I will supplement this with homemade desserts and popcorn! By the way HEB brands are superb!!!

 

 

I found a few extra produce items I missed in the produce pic(coming up), and added them here. Garlic, a red onion, 2 cans of baked beans, tortillas, fideo, elbow noodles, 2 ranch dressings, 2 lbs of butter, and basmati rice. 

 

The luxury drinks. Some mineral water, orange juice, coffee and a cute addition, the little storage containers. 

 

The meat. Only one pack of chicken-boneless skinless thighs, as well we have those itty bitty critters about the property to fill that need. 7 roasts, a brisket, stew meat and ten lbs of ground chuck.

 

For context, each roast is about 4 to 5 meals for us. I use a portion to make machaca con huevos for breakfast burritos as well. The roasts are a massive meal possibility for us, with so many ways to prepare it and enjoy! The ground chuck I used to make beef chorizo as we do not eat pork. I also made up several already seasoned hamburger patties to just take out and put on the grill. I canned 7 pints of albondigas soup with the ground chuck as well. I divided the brisket into 3 portions and we will enjoy each portion for a few meals! The chicken thighs are going to be grilled in some fashion.  

 

The fruits, avocados- a morning staple, limes for pico and salsa, lemon for tea, Bill loves cantaloupe, and bananas well for a quick snack! 

 

The produce: cabbage as it keeps so long in fridge, corn on cob for grilling, soups, and sides, celery for bases of almost all, Brussels Sprouts as they are my second favorite food of all(onions #1), cilantro which we use on everything, tomatoes again in everything, poblanos, zucchini, cucumbers, serranos, jalapenos, sweet peppers and broccoli. I freeze snack size baggies of the peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes to toss in breakfast burritos. I  boiled the broccoli with carrots and onions that I already had to freeze a creamy sauce to use in a recipe for later this month. We eat the cucumbers daily with lime juice salt and NM chili powder on them. They are a refreshing snack in these hot burning oven days.

 

The onions are an addition to most meals in the prep stage. I love onions and incorporate them into almost everything. I only got 5 lbs of Idaho potatoes because I had an Azure pickup, and the itty potatoes I already cooked for us with Brussels Sprouts...yum!

Not pictured was my Azure standard haul of wheat berries as I use them to make bread, tortillas and sweets, 50 lbs of potatoes to store as it is getting cooler (well kind of not really), yogurt, cottage cheese, 

and a pickup from Sams and Costco of toilet paper, dog food, 4 lbs of butter, v-8, foil, and famous Amos cookies. 

This is an interesting post as it wove in and out of the times we are in.  I cannot express enough thanks to those in this great country that still believe in the Constitution. Seriously, the value Bill and I place on that is why we are willing to drive so far, deep in Texas for this commonality. A simple grocery haul becomes so much more.

So a post sharing the food and junk an old couple will live off for the next few months resonates in an entirely different fashion. 

By the way: Be ready. Call upon His Name. The time is now. 

The Mountains of New Mexico

 

take my breath away.

Sunrise, sunset it is amazing from morn til evening!

 

Birthday, Music and the Best of Neighbors

 

The other day our neighbor celebrated his 50th birthday with his friends and neighbors. 

It was a wonderful time as Bill and I had a mini date night at the party. 

The mariachi singer made the evening a success. 

 

For our neighbor, he has been amazing from the very first day we moved in. Our well pump needed priming and he came over and helped without even a thought. 

 

It has been that way back and forth ever since. 

 

Neighbors.

Something vital to a successful life as they are there when you need something, and vise versa. 

I cannot imagine a world where we did not know who our neighbors were and I am so thankful that we live in a place where neighbors are still important.  

 

Grand #7

I had an opportunity to spend some time with grand #7 this week.  He is just shy of 3 by a month and is full of energy that makes my heart melt. When I get a chance I try and do some sort of a project with my goofs kiddos and this time I was going to make some salsa. 

#7's Dad loves salsa but he loves super spicy salsa and so #7 and his brother grand #4 won't eat it. I thought I will make a very flavorful salsa with #7 and with each ingredient taste it, so that he will understand that Gigi's salsa is delish and not spicy. 

We began with cilantro, just pulling out any leaves that weren't the best and then #7 just decided that all the rest was perfect and tossed it in the bowl! We added tomatoes, garlic, lime, salt, pepper, and onions. This round I did not add any peppers because #7 thinks all peppers are spicy!

 

Here he is mixing the bowl of salsa ingredients. Oh boy did he have a great time!

 My mission was a success because #7 ended up drinking the bowls after I had put the rest in jars. When his big brother got home from school, #7 raced to the cupboard to grab the chips to have brother eat the salsa too. Both boys ended up eating the salsa like soup! They are so cute and I was so thankful that I was able to spend this time with the grandcutie pies!

 

Window to the Double Nickel

 

Views from the front porch.

 

Beyond the garden the views continue on.

 

From the porch we have real feel weather reports.

 

And the kitties have their very own patio catio!

 

Last summer's pup sleeping on the table...

 

is this year's bandit still resting on the table!

 

This concludes the window to the Double Nickel for today!