tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42435546702030660042024-03-13T01:54:56.884-05:00LT Beef Blog: News & Updates for LT BeefThis blog is to update our web site <a href="http://www.LTBeef.com">LT Beef</a> with news about our beef and to generally update anyone who is interested in what we do. It will also allow people to leave comments about our ranch or our product.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-56184406570080902742012-08-19T15:33:00.000-05:002012-08-19T15:33:11.604-05:00Beef Availability<br />
<h2>
No Beef Available at this Time - Still at a loss Due to Drought</h2>
Will let you know when we have beef available. You might try Betsy Ross Grass Fed Beef or contacting the Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill in Elgin to see if the mill owner, Jerimiah Cunningham, has any GF beef for sale. I've seen both of these operations and can recommend them.<br />
<br />
Miss my regular customers and hope we see regular rain and fast growing calves soon.<br />
<br />
LaurenLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-23236999803965730672012-08-19T15:27:00.000-05:002012-08-23T10:51:51.219-05:00Cactus Pear Jelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0i6BrBVV_UZE1-s1PWCpSglMaR0432NG9GcXuGEiumTOi13-syzHzse-t4o0VooJcRd0JEntfLk9G9_vV5r2e1CrANV1yrCAa1Bxmf_QV82qThbJSeqOE_eAjg3VeS4NCcpzz50DVTeV/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0i6BrBVV_UZE1-s1PWCpSglMaR0432NG9GcXuGEiumTOi13-syzHzse-t4o0VooJcRd0JEntfLk9G9_vV5r2e1CrANV1yrCAa1Bxmf_QV82qThbJSeqOE_eAjg3VeS4NCcpzz50DVTeV/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
There's no beef in this recipe, but after my third lifetime try today, I found a Cactus Pear Jelly recipe that jelled and tastes great! Before I forget or lose my notes, here is the exact way I made my good jelly:<br />
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One quart cold cactus pear (tuna) juice<br />
<br />
8 Tablespoons pectin (I used Ball Classic (dry) pectin; Surejell would be one box plus two tablespoons)<br />
<br />
3.5 cups of cane (I used organic) sugar<br />
<br />
Mix the pectin and juice together in a large saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil (a boil you cannot diminish by stirring). Gradually add the sugar, stirring constantly. By gradual, I mean about 1/4 cup at a time.
Return to rolling boil and stir and boil until the syrup passes the Jelly Test according to the <b>Ball Blue Book of Canning and Preserving: </b>Dip a large spoon into boiling jelly sirup. Tilt spoon until sirup runs over the side. When the liquid has reached the jellying stage it will stop flowing from the spoon in a stream and divide into two distinct drops which run together and leave the edge of the spoon in one large flake or sheet. <i>Stop the cooking at this point.</i><br />
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Put syrup into prepared jars. Process in water bath for five minutes. Remove from bath and allow jars to cool. Verify seal and store.
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<b>Notes to self and anyone else:</b> The sugar amount I used was from the Ball Blue Book, which does have recipe amounts for cactus pears. I used the lower amount of sugar. There was no specific pectin amount given in the BBB, but a note that pectin was required. Because I knew that six tablespoons (one box of Surejell) wouldn't get the job done, I upped it to 8 T. I may try 7.5 tablespoons next time. I also did not add any citric acid or lemon juice as called for by many of the Internet recipes. I did add citric acid to my last (failed) batch.<br />
<br />
I don't know if having the juice in fridge for a day or two changed the pH at all (it would with my goat milk!), so I just noted in the above recipe that I used cold juice (which I had juiced about 48 hours ago.)
I am very pleased with my jelly! It set up within a few hours - no small feat with cactus!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-62371778143643083442011-06-28T16:48:00.002-05:002011-06-28T16:59:03.730-05:00Beef Available November 2011The good news is we received 2.39 inches of much needed rain mid-June. The grass is growing fast and means we won't be feeding any more hay. We had already fed three round bales the first part of June to supplement the meager grass.<br /><br />Hopefully we will get more rain this month and later. The goal is always to make it through to the first freeze before we feed our home-grown hay.<br /><br />The not-so-good news, at least if you're in the mood for a delicious steak or a grass-fed hamburger, is that we've sold out of beef for the season. Our spring calves will be ready for market in November 2011 and later. I'll start taking orders in October 2011.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-49963264142728236742010-05-18T09:29:00.002-05:002010-05-18T09:35:06.083-05:00Baby Goats!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzIEt3wSVNYk7MaxzKmCtJJ-1nkFL1oR_4BwUfnd-IDvQ9JytayLKqVSjWlqPfU-suX53kqVaDrksDbymtBG9pmYabzOoz2IjRiv0jihR0qK1Z7WGHdzVdVWvTzDBHmVpNsNRgAJAvnyy/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzIEt3wSVNYk7MaxzKmCtJJ-1nkFL1oR_4BwUfnd-IDvQ9JytayLKqVSjWlqPfU-suX53kqVaDrksDbymtBG9pmYabzOoz2IjRiv0jihR0qK1Z7WGHdzVdVWvTzDBHmVpNsNRgAJAvnyy/s200/IMG_0191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472618440214185490" /></a><br />My doe Spice delivered on Cinco de Mayo. We're still waiting on Ginger -- any day now as I've been saying.<br /><br />These babies are very cute; the doeling looks just like daddy Bubba Gruff and the buckling is a rainbow of colors. One of my neighbors lost her last dairy goat to coyotes last year and had asked for my doelings out of this breeding. She now has carpel tunnel syndrome, is a year older and has declined the girls. So, they are up for sale but only to a good home. Otherwise, they will go back to Jobi Dairy and become professional milkers.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-19142979340939111442010-03-10T12:00:00.007-06:002010-03-10T12:57:11.788-06:00Money in the Bank<div>For a beef producer, having adequate hay stockpiles is the same as having money in the bank. When the grass production ceases in the winter or, like we've seen for t<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHBETPKpfLuIt9LCd5gRtTTTp7-p9sy4Ss5IxRkJE46Tu3JRrGHgSZSg2AOk10mCg7PeztBpV7JrYAuP6YtwpaifmKrYhpn1ByU2-Ep-TdU2G_vaJeYBH6D2T383EJTxlklc233BAHp-M/s200/IMG_0157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447074863599135874" />he last two years, there is no grass due to drought, a beef producer without hay either has to sell his cattle (usually at a loss since so many others are selling for the same reason) or buy hay (usually at a premium since so many others are desperate for hay at the same time).</div><div><br /></div>And growing enough hay comes down to rainfall (or irrigation) and nitrogen. We grow Gordo Bluestem grass to make hay in our eight-acre hay meadow. Most commercial hay growers, and many of our neighbors, grow Bermuda-type grasses for hay. Bermuda grass won't grow well and will have less protien without large inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. Fortunately, Bluestem being a native Texas grass, isn't quite so dependent on fertilizer for quantity or quality.<div><br /><div>The synthetic nitrogen fertilizer that is most readily available and most easily to applied comes with environmental costs and increasing dollar costs. But, not applying it could mean the difference of half a hay crop and having to sell your cows or buy hay.</div><div><br /></div><div>When we were new to hay growing, we applied the synthetic nitrogen as recommended by our neighbors and local feed/fertilizer store. The increased production was impressive but after finding out more about the hidden costs of this fertilizer to our ground water and to the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, I began searching for a better nitrogen solution.</div><div><br /></div><div>One thing we did was plant Burr Medic clover, which naturally adds nitrogen to the soil. An interesting article on nitrogen fixing plants vs. synthetic nitrogen can be found <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301091552.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Latest+Science+News%29&utm">here</a> . But, due to the drought the clover never took off, although we may try it again this year if we continue to get a half-way normal rainfall.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLn0Zk-LFOtmPqKwpi2Zbwc6B4H_hNQ0XcQh6acJHoH_l_MYOCL35539Vv9oyHsxS7eJ6J5m-VP1NzICfh4nbvag57jVJ9xpCybgBDTB-k1KbtqrqX13ldq9raKsJe7yFdFk7OHR2Chcu/s320/IMG_0159.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447073962614218002" /></div><div>The other thing we did a few years ago and just repeated last week was adding two tons per acre of chicken litter. Largely due to the transportation costs, as it is delivered in the big truck next to my Big Dummy bicycle, chicken litter is almost as expensive as the synthetic nitrogen but hopefully balances out to be more environmentally friendly. I do believe that it is better for our soil in general as organic matter is being added.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are staying ahead of the curve in hay production, even without applying any synthetic nitrogen in six years or so. With adequate rainfall this year we should be well ahead.</div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-29336110081123377252010-01-04T20:55:00.002-06:002010-01-04T20:59:21.273-06:00As the meter turns. . .backwards!<div>That would be the electrical meter! Our new solar system is now up and running. The video below gives an overview of the system. I did make a horrible mistake though, no doubt from the brain damage I sustained from trying to learn "iMovie" and using those titles and fancy filmwork.</div><div><br /></div><div>The mistake: the company that installed our system is Meridian Solar, not Solar Meridian!</div><div><br /></div><div>And a good job they did, too!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sTA3w_amoag&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sTA3w_amoag&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-88988048488430370732009-12-30T12:10:00.008-06:002009-12-30T12:37:15.545-06:00Happy Holidays. . . in the rear view mirror<div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZWSZSwjSxK6wmLyM_WC29viJHds7SDXeuHSB0hNROymtOGAxYgB4OGL3bwducPzhrah20DljJ5udg08Ip7W6apJ6Zwybfe8hQ5U7kEkn7beqDCGI3T5UZj8Fu3_qdF7czT3yD24m_auF/s1600-h/IMG_0119.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRudKtW9ARUx7pXQRn-5ViA4FQBQHHQ9J1vJAumSx3uxFAxndx10bSP0NRCXF8lbMGB4Q391XtWpCVYOa-4ki5MfEFEb8xqfhcJb2RDgxQgJRtVoyEBXgI5v0OFBei9afokfE6Rj9b9F4j/s1600-h/IMG_0119.jpg"></a><span><span></span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTbNdSOx_8CcjJfZoue-hQRCcwDq63E7LbDWnSLiH3I3v_czuY85jBSrRnxkUPIQGDw_Xz-CEXLXBfArzBng0969UFI0wAtgztuRoE0LQwXx93TV2O11u3rMgoJvfSjyq2-aUnaG1P2GG/s1600-h/IMG_0120.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTbNdSOx_8CcjJfZoue-hQRCcwDq63E7LbDWnSLiH3I3v_czuY85jBSrRnxkUPIQGDw_Xz-CEXLXBfArzBng0969UFI0wAtgztuRoE0LQwXx93TV2O11u3rMgoJvfSjyq2-aUnaG1P2GG/s200/IMG_0120.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421095573537510802" /></a><br />Tom and I receive such wonderful Christmas letters from his family, while my family, now that the kids are grown, strains to put up a Christmas ornament! It is wonderful getting the up-dates of our far-away relatives and staying current on how fast all the children are growing!<div><br /></div><div>Highlights of our year: two weeks in <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/bartholomew.lauren/Europe09#">Europe</a> visiting the Lefebers and seeing sights, thankful that my sister could join us; a new sting-proof bee suit for me so I won't have to worry about re-queening as often; goat babies and so far six months of delicious goat milk; our new road and the almost completion of our new 7kW solar system. Visiting with Luce and Phoebe several times during the year was wonderful and of course our house sale in San Antonio and our move to the country was a big change. On a sad note, my mother also passed away this year after a year of meeting tremendous hardship with unflagging good spirits.</div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFarCGSOKVSl7no8sy5LW20zX7ppgfGo5yLOboYevXT1UVLEDOEu1BKaSiLGGDR6Pzp-9eYrnNJ8lWz2KM2c9fp-zgRXfVXRFHdmq3rVDhMrBhqkRA8aO9rCm7I1QZbVFDTNMlyDA3EGtp/s200/IMG_0118.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421096127894605378" /><div><br /></div><div>What we're looking forward to in 2010 is Tom's new schedule of working only on Monday and Tuesday of each week and spending the rest of the week together at the ranch.</div><div><br /></div>I'll post more about our new solar system once it is complete.<div><br /></div><div>Happy 2010 everyone!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Our new road after an inch of rain last night - no 4WD needed!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZWSZSwjSxK6wmLyM_WC29viJHds7SDXeuHSB0hNROymtOGAxYgB4OGL3bwducPzhrah20DljJ5udg08Ip7W6apJ6Zwybfe8hQ5U7kEkn7beqDCGI3T5UZj8Fu3_qdF7czT3yD24m_auF/s200/IMG_0119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421098953412572354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-3167136910149400122009-10-21T21:00:00.004-05:002009-10-22T06:29:40.382-05:00Bees, Goats & Green GrassFinally checked on my honey bees yesterday after months of neglect. Good news -- they've been doing just fine on their own. Have some more honey on them, which I'll leave for the bees, and both hives appear strong. One hive was very passive and calm, while the other hive was very loud and had lots of bees in the air, although none flew at me aggressively. Thanks to my new bee suit, not one sting.<div><br /></div><div>I made some beeswax candles a couple of weeks ago. I've had a time finding real beeswax candles to buy. Last month when I finally found some, I was assured they were wax candles but once I opened them I knew they were not. I finally called the wholesaler who read me the description from their order book: ". . . and contains 100% bees wax . . ." I knew then what the problem was. I could tell by their scent they contained mainly paraffin and very little, if any bees wax. But of course the drop or two of beeswax they did have in them was 100%! So, now that I've finally gotten set up to make my own, my bees and their production are even more precious to me. And I waxed one of my hard goat cheeses with the bee wax as well. Can't wait until that one finishes ripening!<br /><div><br /></div><div>The goats are doing well; I really enjoy listening to Bubba sweet talk the Girly Goats!</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre; "><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hhGhNYIuVnw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hhGhNYIuVnw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span><br /><div>Finally I am using the goat-milk soap I made last month. I am pleased with my first attempt and will be soon be making some Bubba Gruff Baaaaaad Boy Soap.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>With all the good rain we've had the cows and calves are looking good. Mostly I've been enjoying the animals, riding my bicycle for errands into town and seeing this place all green again after months of devastating drought.</div></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-50854596991257485842009-09-23T15:36:00.005-05:002009-09-23T15:47:27.716-05:00Good Golly Girlie Goat Soap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VcOjdsTm_O2i4F1IxJ5v3zVnenzh0fcP2XyqrSqXXWXV7Jk8miXg_4cvlMSgKD-FMRlqWVvA9yIzNcc1Rdk7Ke1njRRjq8m4EZKdVFy5TZYGZpX0Ww9wBD9QyqrBsLJ7xvEvB_WYV6AK/s1600-h/IMG_0055.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VcOjdsTm_O2i4F1IxJ5v3zVnenzh0fcP2XyqrSqXXWXV7Jk8miXg_4cvlMSgKD-FMRlqWVvA9yIzNcc1Rdk7Ke1njRRjq8m4EZKdVFy5TZYGZpX0Ww9wBD9QyqrBsLJ7xvEvB_WYV6AK/s200/IMG_0055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384766035669612226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAzDrOVuS08UJn8shK72typDvkzzjnH32bKIU8Iy-PsbxQoTRipIw1IMl52rznD6VhJ668Wm7V2k0kP1A8F-su-A2QSDbPbr2DrlHU61Ht77ZIyyOF0qd9-dYAbFej23C1M89zY04L2iX/s1600-h/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAzDrOVuS08UJn8shK72typDvkzzjnH32bKIU8Iy-PsbxQoTRipIw1IMl52rznD6VhJ668Wm7V2k0kP1A8F-su-A2QSDbPbr2DrlHU61Ht77ZIyyOF0qd9-dYAbFej23C1M89zY04L2iX/s200/IMG_0054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384765033560099234" /></a><br />Well, my first attempt at soap making. I'll know for sure in about a month whether or not I have real soap, but so far so good! This soap is made from fresh goat milk, thanks to the abundance of milk from my two Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Ginger and Spice. I look forward to using this as facial soap as there are no scents or ingredients other than milk, coconut oil and olive oil, and of course lye, which is no longer chemically lye due to the transformation between lye and oil (fat). No lye, no soap, as they say.<div><br /></div><div>I am looking forward to creating my first batch of <b>Bubba Gruff Baaaad Boy Soap</b>, which will be a manly concoction, much like Bubba Gruff, with rosemary and mint. Meanwhile I am hoping that Ariel or some talented person will help me with labels for our new soap.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I might buy some more molds and get back to work. Or go have a snack of my delicious goat milk cheese, both hard cheese and soft, or maybe some goat yogurt with maple syrup. Love my little goatees!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-6999100753390585562009-09-03T08:17:00.003-05:002009-09-03T08:27:11.010-05:00LT Beef Delivery Changes?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRx8-TOrdxIX7eLjrDbIrYeoiIcJKgBjAyLLOwU4bpfci3OntYb7mfpx081yAbwx1sF3mhQio1O1rSsPGqNpdimG1F5HCt9HUsV_twiDRWapSlP1P7qi14Jsw63f-BXTpVQtEOdF2DrKd/s1600-h/IMG_0453.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRx8-TOrdxIX7eLjrDbIrYeoiIcJKgBjAyLLOwU4bpfci3OntYb7mfpx081yAbwx1sF3mhQio1O1rSsPGqNpdimG1F5HCt9HUsV_twiDRWapSlP1P7qi14Jsw63f-BXTpVQtEOdF2DrKd/s200/IMG_0453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377232005352548002" /></a><br />Yesterday Tom and I sold a processed beef to five individuals. Three came to my house in San Antonio to pick up their beef and we delivered to two customers. Our house is being sold now and Tom & I will be moving to the ranch in January. One thing we have not resolved is how our LT Beef business would continue operating in San Antonio without a home as our home base.<div><br /></div><div>I hope I have an answer: The Pearl Farmer's Market that is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. I am seeking information about having a booth monthly where we can arrange customer pick up of our beef and maybe even sell some of our pasture-raised eggs. And this could be the final motivation to get me making some goat-milk soap products, also to sell.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, thank you to our new and returning customers and we will keep you posted on future developments.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-19704474300140740472009-08-04T08:10:00.004-05:002009-08-04T08:34:12.344-05:00My Mom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMMFMOODcvMwHO2ekAws51F3R5tQmREO6d2CYCkAY4TLG2Sl7pvYiNsA0bb22RuR3uGs0-ZUh_wBeSrkK1q_2_gjXz25Bbsy1SzMs7lpP4WvLkju3T1oKR9TkXEtyILR_mcOBwwfC5U0T/s1600-h/IMG_0203.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMMFMOODcvMwHO2ekAws51F3R5tQmREO6d2CYCkAY4TLG2Sl7pvYiNsA0bb22RuR3uGs0-ZUh_wBeSrkK1q_2_gjXz25Bbsy1SzMs7lpP4WvLkju3T1oKR9TkXEtyILR_mcOBwwfC5U0T/s200/IMG_0203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366095753350588146" /></a>My mother passed away July 29, 2009, after having been bed-ridden for a year as the result of a stroke in 2006 or so. This picture is from 2008, right before she went into the nursing home. I spent the last three days of my mom's life, along with my sisters and her husband, at her side.<div><br /></div><div>I won't go into the all the profound thoughts about the mysteries of life and death this event has evoked in me. I will say that I am grateful for the kindness and compassion shown to me by friends, family, the LT Beef customers I was working with at the time of her death, and even strangers. This is still a tender time for me and my family, but I hope and intend that one outcome be my increased compassion for others who are suffering from any cause.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-48890780102174568912009-07-26T13:09:00.004-05:002009-07-26T13:25:14.263-05:00Local Beef?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhRrQHlLygBeR282ZmHMoRh1Bjh8uBlc1gbtPUhkIXyKAyw9FpCpWHlpnbK5fJTg94Ggx0gbvG5d3XwnRBBBYEbgJpxLK5YyameERu_KwNR65updVCqOuxjn5meAAEGm8qSypiyZDDX1f/s1600-h/IMG_0226.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhRrQHlLygBeR282ZmHMoRh1Bjh8uBlc1gbtPUhkIXyKAyw9FpCpWHlpnbK5fJTg94Ggx0gbvG5d3XwnRBBBYEbgJpxLK5YyameERu_KwNR65updVCqOuxjn5meAAEGm8qSypiyZDDX1f/s320/IMG_0226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362835575078175602" /></a><br />About seven years ago I answered an ad in the local Cuero paper about free kittens. When I called, the cat owner told me he and his family would be out of town that day but come by and pick out a cat. He gave me directions and I drove to a beautiful ranch property, pipe fence galore, big in-ground swimming pool, and a bunch of friendly dogs. I picked out our cat now known as Mousemaster and have always appreciated this man's trust in strangers and the obvious good care he took of the livestock and pets in his charge.<div><br /></div><div>This family recently opened a restaurant and meat market about twelve miles from us. Tom and I made it over for lunch today and the atmosphere was pleasant and the food the usual fare in small towns, all off the Benny ? truck that supplies all the ready to heat and serve food products. I thought that maybe their steaks would be good since they had found a market to sell their own beef.</div><div><br /></div><div>That is not to be the case, however, as when we visited the meat market next door we were told that all the meat came from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBP,_Inc.">IBP</a> . Which means my somewhat-distant neighbor sells his beef at a local auction, the animals are probably shipped hundreds of miles to a feed lot, and then on to IBP. So I guess its possible that some of the beef in the case is off his own ranch, but highly improbable. Like the man running the meat market told us, there are just no local processors around anymore, and even though one is rumored to have re-opened 50 miles away, getting organized to get it set up to sell their own local beef will take some doing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't I know that!</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-3631681880381442562009-06-27T08:26:00.004-05:002009-06-27T12:16:01.885-05:00Snake Wrangling 101This morning, before coffee, I saw the wren nest that had been in a cubby on my porch on the ground, empty of its two young, still unfeathered, inhabitants. My two cats, waiting to be fed, were my first suspects as to the cause of the loss. Then I saw a snake wrapped around my hats, beneath the cubby. No more mystery of the nestlings' fate; however, the parent wrens were quite noisy and dive bombing at me, as if I was the cause of the tragedy in their lives.<div><br /></div><div>Not to miss an opportunity for excitement, I video taped my part in the matter (after milking the goats and feeding the chickens, of course.)</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a five-minute video but does have an interesting ending!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DwAnRH1S0nE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DwAnRH1S0nE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Will have a post soon on my new goat management practices and its harmonic convergence with all things organic. Check back soon!</div><div><br /></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-90710434833566981742009-06-17T10:54:00.006-05:002009-06-17T11:17:14.670-05:00Black Bull Exercise Program<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HOF-LC1Gb2HHtVwz8XajfFxszYu86IiaLeZWbX0H4rLJURb8D3QyqhZkmLS96X35s9JHXPPNwz1oLT72oVzy6eK4LEiN3x8T-VffU4CKMqI7T10VLf0SETk2PhmN35jNUPpq8tCCzfGM/s1600-h/IMG_0565.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HOF-LC1Gb2HHtVwz8XajfFxszYu86IiaLeZWbX0H4rLJURb8D3QyqhZkmLS96X35s9JHXPPNwz1oLT72oVzy6eK4LEiN3x8T-VffU4CKMqI7T10VLf0SETk2PhmN35jNUPpq8tCCzfGM/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348326178153734050" /></a><br />Ariel is spending a week with me at the ranch while Joseph is doing a short summer semester at A & M Corpus Christi. After completing morning chores (milking the goats, releasing the chickens, feeding the dogs, etc.) we were enjoying a cup of coffee and looking at some photos from our trip to Europe last month.<div><br /></div><div>My next-door neighbor, an 83-year-old widow, called me to let me know our bull was in her pasture. This neighbor, similar to all our other older neighbors, can be hell on cattle. She takes no mercy on them, chasing them into the pens, letting them know in no uncertain terms that they will behave while under her command. While all this is well and good, I have this pre-conceived notion that little old ladies (80ish) should not be climbing fences to dodge charging bulls. So, when Trula told me she would pen my bull for me, Ariel and I got up, hooked the trailer to the truck and headed over.</div><div><br /></div><div>She indeed did have the bull penned and Ariel and I were able to load him within a matter of minutes. Trula let me in the chute with him to load him, so maybe she is slowing down a bit. Anyway, Poindexter III is back home now. </div> <img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNAr-WLA9urV8mzu4mi2cmRVijs-3EymN70KJocz0TeE06YNz0TS9vj96ZYx6mvJhqvPxfR0DTNq3AyUdjy_DhuFgqxLVr5h90VkQGRLV3l6I7MUFQ6i4sAXDVpemmBSUNJJI-0WLw19_/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348327924626939682" /><div>This is a good example of enforced exercise and lifestyle choice. No doubt I would have been content to enjoy my coffee and browse the computer, do a little gardening later in the morning and do my goat work after I was "well rested." But I got an extra hour of exercise today, which included fence climbing and being generally active, exercise that I would not have gotten had I had my old desk job or even had my 3-day-a-week gym membership.<br /><br /></div><div>If I can keep at this, maybe one day I'll be an 80-ish little old lady capable of putting these bulls in their proper place.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-88930866052032735212009-06-12T13:18:00.009-05:002009-07-10T12:25:57.809-05:00So you wanna be organic?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrgFcU_mDkzocBwwaqSazjgBAReUk07x0pDjfcu2NXwS-NbDLlbjflOHIpbN41Vk0eumkPlcV2__DzKfvYkPw4vYF11ui7gu1COTa3_pbAcotGzDdVfvlWWWkXWSFxPASnX8ioWev-mKx/s1600-h/IMG_0561.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrgFcU_mDkzocBwwaqSazjgBAReUk07x0pDjfcu2NXwS-NbDLlbjflOHIpbN41Vk0eumkPlcV2__DzKfvYkPw4vYF11ui7gu1COTa3_pbAcotGzDdVfvlWWWkXWSFxPASnX8ioWev-mKx/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346522289053368098" /></a><br />This morning, right before the temperature hit 90 degrees, I spent an hour organically dealing with sand burrs. Also known as "goat heads" to cyclists, who are familiar with these burrs from changing the flat tires caused by them, and as "stickers" to children growing up in the Gulf Coast region of Texas.<br /><br />A pasture full of sand burs, or even just a few plants at each and every gate, with the burrs ready to latch on to dog or cow or person, then hitchhike a ride to a new pasture, is more than a nuisance. Their presence is annoying enough to make a person want to go into mosquito hobby farming just to enjoy the relative pleasure of mosquitoes.<br /><br />So how does one organically deal with sand burrs? With a hoe or similar instrument, thick gloves and a sincere, if impractical, belief that one can make a difference pulling them out plant by plant. And then burning them. No chance taken on composting these babies and hoping they won't reproduce a year later.<br /><br />There are two chemicals I know of that are formulated to kill these plants -- one is a pre-emergent (usually these plants don't let me know where they'll be coming up so you have to spray a whole pasture) and a new one just being advertised this spring that will kill them after they have sprouted and grown horns. I haven't bothered looking into the "side effects" of these chemicals and reading the hazards associated with using them. I am easily resisting all temptation to look to this "cure."<br /><br />Before WW II and the heavy use of chemicals in agriculture, I would guess that sand burrs were taken care of the "organic" way. But those farmers, and earlier, slaves, didn't have air conditioning and digital media calling them hither from the scorching and windy fields. And many of those folks actually tried to make a living or at least feed their family from the direct work of their back. Me, I'm an aging boomer who has chosen a laborious lifestyle to maintain health, and who believes that in the end Nature has the best ideas for the continuation of life on this planet. Maybe not solely for human life, but for life in general.<br /><br />But I must say that I hope others join me in this organic move to rid this place of sand burrs. Sand burrs must be cruel to the mouths of cows, calves and goats. And I know they can put the toughest dog out of action when buried deep in a paw. To the younger kids and the aging hippies, and to intelligent life forms everywhere, to anyone who believes strongly and fervently in all things organic and sustainable, or if you just really dislike being pricked, please make sure you never pass a sand burr again without putting an end to its existence!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-2775028799106958832009-06-06T12:02:00.005-05:002009-06-06T12:33:55.055-05:00Cattle Work - more than you want to know?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7g3qiw3jdr1K0x8BriLbcLFmpXoJzW87Ohi5VkyEppgIZ9OX7NoxwCX-rGG1kdaoWbtrXIFkaINxQuEMyfbBI3JU45XHN_EFZXCYZG23gAfnH3NQ94B11Gj9lvoaFfX_PN_AiV0YAb_W/s1600-h/IMG_0559.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7g3qiw3jdr1K0x8BriLbcLFmpXoJzW87Ohi5VkyEppgIZ9OX7NoxwCX-rGG1kdaoWbtrXIFkaINxQuEMyfbBI3JU45XHN_EFZXCYZG23gAfnH3NQ94B11Gj9lvoaFfX_PN_AiV0YAb_W/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344268768037761778" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>While Tom and I were gone we had two bull calves born; one to a heifer and one to an older cow. The calf of the older cow, No. 6, appeared to have an umbilical hernia so that needed to be checked, plus they could get their little steer-making procedure.<div><br /></div><div>Before we went on vacation we had tried a new "steer-making" procedure on one of the bull calves, using an emasculator, aka Burdizzo, an instrument purchased from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.premier1supplies.com">Premier Supply</a> for use in making wethers of our buck goats. We tried it on a young steer calf and today, three weeks later, examined the results. The procedure appears to have worked and testicle growth was stopped. The procedure was much less stressful on the calf and on the operators (Tom and me) and because it is bloodless, less chance of infection.<div><br /></div><div>Fortunately, the bull calf who appeared to have a hernia did not and was released, as a steer, to his mother. So we now have two new steer calves.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition, we had some 600 lb. calves that needed to be weaned and one smaller calf who was still on the heifer/young cow. So we have six calves in the pen now for weaning.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is my opinion that people, me included, who choose to eat and enjoy the benefits of meat, should also be aware of the actual cost of the meat to the animal and to the environment. I don't believe the bulk meat in the typical grocery store covers the actual cost of the work required by the initial rancher and encourages less humane treatment of the animals and of the environment, especially feed lots. The large meat packers and the large Agri-businesses make the most profit from the animals.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do concern myself with the concept of "Do no harm" and feel that my partaking of meat does cause harm (of course, just existing as a human does "harm" to some resources of this planet.) However, I am doing my best to cause less harm when I choose to enjoy the nutritional and flavor benefits of beef.</div><div><br /></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-50480946325670623362009-06-03T10:36:00.002-05:002009-06-03T10:41:14.126-05:00Great to be back home!Tom and I have returned from our vacation and we were welcomed back by healthy, well-tended cows, goats, dogs, cats and chickens and a clean house!<div><br /></div><div>Also, some full honey frames which Torrin helped me finish extracting while I was recovering from jet lag. I'll finish bottling the honey today and will have at least enough to bake my bread for the next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>The grass is still green and growing, there's hay that needs to be cut and overall what looked like a dismal, drought-filled year has turned into the abundance that only nature can provide.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-8677920645317605922009-05-30T12:15:00.004-05:002009-06-08T18:02:56.279-05:00Country Mile<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Joe and I are finishing up at the ranch today, were giving everything a good cleaning and organizing so it will be nice and fresh when Lauren arrives. Joe will be out here for one more day before he begins his summer term at A&M Corpus Christi. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yesterday, we took the doelings to the vet for thier debudding. So far there's been no problems, and they are acting compeletly normal. <br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>While we were here Joe also pulled a super off the hives, that had about 50 pounds of honey on it. He replaced that super, and added another to a hive which didn't have one.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I wanted to be really eloquent in this post, to honor the amazing week we had. But I'll just leave that to the band Camera Obscura.<br /></div><div>see you soon!</div><div>~Ariel</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-92209935894944552162009-05-28T10:20:00.003-05:002009-05-28T10:45:04.548-05:00Updatehey this is Ariel.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Joe and I took over at the ranch on sunday. Our friend Torrin from Austin met us out here. Torrin has been working on an organic farm in Buda, he just recently relocated to San Antonio, and is going to be helping us at the ranch.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The first thing I did on sunday night was open up Lauren's excellent cookbook Roasting by Barbara Kafka. I have had Lauren's roast chicken in the past and I was really excited to try it myself. We used Lauren's rooster. Joe, Torrin and I all chased it around the yard and finally got it. When we roasted the chicken I threw in some zucchini and onion from the garden. It was one of the best meals I'd have all week.<br /></div><div>Were all now looking forward to eating the rooster from our flock out in the front pasture. We made plans to fatten it up beforehand.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Early Tuesday morning Joe and I had to leave, so I could work in the restaurant Tuesday and Wednesday. Torrin stayed behind to look after the animals.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>While we were gone Nathan, co-owner of the pasture chickens, and Heidi came up for the day. They had an LT beef chuck stew, and Heidi got to see the ranch for the first time.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Wednesday night Joe and I headed back out to the ranch with our friend Jon. When we arrived we decided to visit the cows in the pasture, one was acting strangely and separating itself from the herd. shortly after it calfed! <br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Now it's Thursday morning. Jon, Torrin, and I started off the day with an omelet courtesy of the chickens. Then me and Jon cleaned out the dairy barn and threw fresh hay down for the goats. Then I gave Greta, Shadow, and Joe and I's dog Savannah a good brushing.<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It's been a relaxing week of feeding Princess, watching the doelings and Bubba Gruff climb trees like crazy and eating good food. <br /></div><div>Lauren if your reading this: hope your having a great time!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-65269685871427873552009-05-22T22:00:00.007-05:002009-05-22T22:38:04.705-05:00Wow, its Friday already?!<div style="text-align: justify;">The week has flown by! We've had so much fun! Its mostly been all of us being lazy and lying around and/or eating! We've still had tremendous troubles keeping the goats out of the chicken feed! They are sneaky creat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwF0WjGNEVzHIxns2Ss5KOz8p6QE3aZTx9pSl98knr9hY_n8lDb0luuAp2tE0CK3TO1JtFAj-IUSTwdt0LIv7icSnHJ-ACX-QXNDBzH7vLQq-WfTKHixKgpFslynMczL78gNVBUIR2N4/s1600-h/05_22_09_2+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwF0WjGNEVzHIxns2Ss5KOz8p6QE3aZTx9pSl98knr9hY_n8lDb0luuAp2tE0CK3TO1JtFAj-IUSTwdt0LIv7icSnHJ-ACX-QXNDBzH7vLQq-WfTKHixKgpFslynMczL78gNVBUIR2N4/s320/05_22_09_2+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338854819628152418" border="0" /></a>ures! Unfortunately, I think Spice has gained some weight, unless she's just bigger than Ginger. So, the "snacks" we provide to motivate feeding Princess have become smaller! On a good note, a little one raisin bribe after the feeding is done seems to be working! Tonight while on the milkstand Spice let Princess feed a few minutes without getting fussy! We're making progress.<br />Wednesday was fish day. We went to the DeWitt coop and picked up the fishies! There was a really long line, but fortunately it was in the shade and we got to meet some really interesting people! But 2 hours later, we were st<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhmup2jXCDfvTFCjBs_XngSc05FCw7wRiVJUiOzi0Kz9-q0OeRxLBpwK5CU0Fegltkcfphc-tKf-soEhcq_S-xEAtydO9YMYkY7naUA1Ob6ZFbSbJ9Z6FqEdrd61pAXb8i5u4bufKhk4/s1600-h/05_22_09+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhmup2jXCDfvTFCjBs_XngSc05FCw7wRiVJUiOzi0Kz9-q0OeRxLBpwK5CU0Fegltkcfphc-tKf-soEhcq_S-xEAtydO9YMYkY7naUA1Ob6ZFbSbJ9Z6FqEdrd61pAXb8i5u4bufKhk4/s320/05_22_09+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338855940863456594" border="0" /></a>ocking the tank with bass, blue gill, and minnows! Josh went back to check on them later in the afternoon and saw a snake where we deposited them (they didn't all make it), so the snake was cleaning up the leftovers.<br />We had a great Friday! Josh made a brisket (yes, its LT Beef) and we LOVED it, one of the best briskets we've ever had. It was our first smoking (we usually rely on the parents to cook it!) and it turned out great. While out in the yard today we saw a snake. The goats and chickens in the vicinity all leaped about 3 feet in the air! Josh went to inspect, very carefully, and it stayed very still. Using the LT Beef encyclopedia collection, we were able to identify<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5sJoG1DfKyg3kPIelHz0Yx-gi8c2RR8IcNWDm611VuZtnaUBaMQA84-OqLPMMHGupkcIcUJsIEs-Y9uQYvJth6ALKzbN60Tto37-tFROJnQ3zpxy43Ix1GM30cJOqC5AqcIKJCtACNo/s1600-h/05_22_09+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5sJoG1DfKyg3kPIelHz0Yx-gi8c2RR8IcNWDm611VuZtnaUBaMQA84-OqLPMMHGupkcIcUJsIEs-Y9uQYvJth6ALKzbN60Tto37-tFROJnQ3zpxy43Ix1GM30cJOqC5AqcIKJCtACNo/s320/05_22_09+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338856949237586354" border="0" /></a> it as a Texas rat snake. Once content with its surroundings (and we were content it wasn't any real threat), the snake climbed the tree! Yes, climbed! It was amazing to watch. One potentially unfortunate thing is that the tree he climbed is one we think might house a family of whistling ducks. Hopefully they moved out, or weren't eggs unattended!<br />The weather has warmed up again (back to the 90's), so we weren't as active outdoors today. Although I did plant a lemon tree and the goats and I ran around a bit in the front pastures near the chickens. Speaking of, Joseph has at least one rooster and he's a cutie. This morning he attempted to crow--it was quite a cacophony, but a cute effort nonetheless. We are also staying busy spoiling the mutts--Shadow loves a good brushing and Greta loves to chase her rope toy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_8Zw3yKepNBP2M94Yob3FU_DrgLBmUSbyfopyRfcR3QDeD-juht0BYJj7FFNRGH4peCQGtu8gonjtTrHNwHycIQ_6lqb6eAJP9Ad4e_P0dJ_dRs2aGd65EhvhgYQzD_Ye3jt1oE4cWc/s1600-h/05_22_09_2+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_8Zw3yKepNBP2M94Yob3FU_DrgLBmUSbyfopyRfcR3QDeD-juht0BYJj7FFNRGH4peCQGtu8gonjtTrHNwHycIQ_6lqb6eAJP9Ad4e_P0dJ_dRs2aGd65EhvhgYQzD_Ye3jt1oE4cWc/s320/05_22_09_2+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338858183032832994" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-29859864072762842842009-05-18T20:15:00.008-05:002009-05-20T18:54:37.164-05:00Worming the Kids, etc.Today was a good day, eventful, but good. After a good morning of fun, Bubba's horn buds bled (he was recently disbudded). Josh and I cleaned him up and treated him with antiseptic and we're keeping an eye on them. We think they must be itchy because he keeps scratching them. If he bleeds again, I'll call the vet and see about getting a cone!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The big event of the day was worming the kids. I started out with one yummy treat ball of delight, but none of the kids even looked at it. I made them all taste it and, nope, nothing. I was however, followed everywhere by Ginger the hungry goat! Since the treat balls didn't work, I went to work on the drenching. Mixed up just enough water to put the mixture in the syringe. Worked good, except for wh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OZp2G4zfunNPD9OxAfCqgowAeIbnrxGdPStAoPlUOrTpbKCADFTS6t0BizuS-V44DkjhPYoHEsueep7DfVTk3Erxc_yx20xiwUKuiKZcm476uiuBO2D92J9IWOGzqGFKIEkj4F4AygA/s1600-h/05_18_09+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OZp2G4zfunNPD9OxAfCqgowAeIbnrxGdPStAoPlUOrTpbKCADFTS6t0BizuS-V44DkjhPYoHEsueep7DfVTk3Erxc_yx20xiwUKuiKZcm476uiuBO2D92J9IWOGzqGFKIEkj4F4AygA/s320/05_18_09+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337344872234782594" border="0" /></a>en the herbs clogged the syringe! This was only after I had spent a good 30 minutes trying to figure out how to put the nozzle on the drencher...no luck I think a piece is missing. Poor Princess had to endure so much as my guinea pig! So I decided to milk the goats and bottle feed this mixture to the babes.<br />Milking went OK--Spice was a little low on goods, or was more difficult to milk, so I went on to Ginger. She had a lot of milk, so I borrowed some for all the babes. I was able to find a glass bottle in the house which fit the nipple, and mixed the herbs with the milk. I tried out poor Princess again, but she just<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNlFN7yJbhoHPfNydGmiZsjAU4swMqI5VTscYmNGoNp-XPR_pQtyV-f-OHFFq64GNI-ixBBWwFKGg0vY60tEpW44usp70rQCZ18dtujyKSkZxZ4TI-qazE9ZSObtbQCAuL9sJzkU1okA/s1600-h/05_18_09+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNlFN7yJbhoHPfNydGmiZsjAU4swMqI5VTscYmNGoNp-XPR_pQtyV-f-OHFFq64GNI-ixBBWwFKGg0vY60tEpW44usp70rQCZ18dtujyKSkZxZ4TI-qazE9ZSObtbQCAuL9sJzkU1okA/s320/05_18_09+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337343619282443826" border="0" /></a> wouldn't have it. So I worked on Bubba and Rainbow, who were very reluctant, but it went down with great ease. Later on in the day I retried Princess--still very reluctant, but I think I managed to get a good part of it down. I was wearing some of it too...and did I mention Ginger loves the stuff! She found great interest in my clothes and all of the babies mouths. Despite the wrestling, the kids are wormed!<br />This morning I rinsed out the pasture chickens' water, so early afternoon Josh and I went to check to make sure it was filling properly, when we noticed that the new bull calf was on the wrong side of the fence--in the North windmill pasture, while mommy was in the South! Fortunately it was by the gate and after a good 30 minutes of scheming we got him through the gate back to his herd. The big bull didn't appreciate Josh's presence one bit!<br />Greta was in her predator state today and Ginger was in her gluttonous state, so it was basically a day of babysitting. "Greta don't get too excited, Ginger don't eat the chicken feed, Greta calm down, Ginger don't eat the catfood, good girl Greta, Ginger don't eat Greta's food!" All in a day's work.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-6360576025810573522009-05-17T16:02:00.014-05:002009-05-17T18:50:18.714-05:00Rain and Cool Weather!<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Saturday was the first day Josh and I watched the ranch. It rained most of the day (yay), so we all stayed indoors enjoying the cool weather (low 70s!).<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nothing too eventful, except Greta attacked Shadow, causing his neck to bleed a bit. Also, one of Joesph's chickens escaped their pasture sometime after the rain, but was easily returned. Everything is fine now!<br /><br />Today, Sunday, the weather is absolutely beautiful! We (all of us: the goats, chickens, dogs, and humans) are really enjoying it!<br /><br />It is so peaceful out here and we are really catching up on some much needed relaxing!<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLJVsf_P2_1qWMAJuCaLVSTnZst5vXsrJP3DindXGdsYnd_eI0mAUMVK1_HxxrCrc4L6WgUQjm0UU8YMEFBIgtjpCgFGqWPK83grCklnLa0YAOS5RK0ULOOrVM_PQBR4saitUNf1x_eg/s1600-h/05_17_09+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLJVsf_P2_1qWMAJuCaLVSTnZst5vXsrJP3DindXGdsYnd_eI0mAUMVK1_HxxrCrc4L6WgUQjm0UU8YMEFBIgtjpCgFGqWPK83grCklnLa0YAOS5RK0ULOOrVM_PQBR4saitUNf1x_eg/s320/05_17_09+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336901916901016834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvW1G_YWg4y8o9v0Fc6dcnsnrp7ymBQN6GqxlPsyj0ZY2mb6TEd5B-jmNzlCIJq_PchtxigoicocnrfII6seAj95xQBEYl0dqAqcMKkGfAaE2i0heQIVGSUXYUsrH_LJWCym_MjsglHk/s1600-h/05_17_09+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvW1G_YWg4y8o9v0Fc6dcnsnrp7ymBQN6GqxlPsyj0ZY2mb6TEd5B-jmNzlCIJq_PchtxigoicocnrfII6seAj95xQBEYl0dqAqcMKkGfAaE2i0heQIVGSUXYUsrH_LJWCym_MjsglHk/s320/05_17_09+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336904798705274274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIAHo49Gp-7Rqkh0Lz2X_yiWVFIK9xD7ytasZK6QAjM8Ryrk4kR1NabeyqrGrP2VHns4_Q7TDHYYudsdoLydJRRoB4NEcQcPOqrEXHNb7YtqiRla1cbnUz6hi5WTJdZx1QIaon5frEUo/s1600-h/05_17_09+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIAHo49Gp-7Rqkh0Lz2X_yiWVFIK9xD7ytasZK6QAjM8Ryrk4kR1NabeyqrGrP2VHns4_Q7TDHYYudsdoLydJRRoB4NEcQcPOqrEXHNb7YtqiRla1cbnUz6hi5WTJdZx1QIaon5frEUo/s320/05_17_09+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336906022023060802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-NWlLchS9hsagqxmMq3CQjRGx8-g7Vy5Rp2MtYLJni05SHWcWes51LGt1r-85x5CuKiM9PAodFaVIXnJnmEgE8hYTqJRrhPhl0gVaPR0uZ9PNNOeCRM24VZA67x_uqb6WZ02mtHWd-8/s1600-h/05_17_09_3+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-NWlLchS9hsagqxmMq3CQjRGx8-g7Vy5Rp2MtYLJni05SHWcWes51LGt1r-85x5CuKiM9PAodFaVIXnJnmEgE8hYTqJRrhPhl0gVaPR0uZ9PNNOeCRM24VZA67x_uqb6WZ02mtHWd-8/s320/05_17_09_3+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336906944230095506" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-15941169859391357712009-05-15T07:26:00.005-05:002009-05-15T08:10:41.944-05:00Calves, Goats and Buen ViajeTom and I will be visiting Tony & Yvonne for a week in Amsterdam. Tony was an exchange student at Tom's high school and Tom spent a summer in The Netherlands with Tony's family after high school. Natalie and Josh will be running things for a week and then Joseph and Ariel will take over.<div><br /></div><div>I disbudded Bubba Gruff; the doelings will be disbudded by the vet next week. I have mainly been getting ready for this trip but have made a couple of quick videos.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are two new calves; one from a heifer and one from a 3-year-old:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxAIhqtWcx5YKE4Pjejo6pqjxvR6p2zqEEw4I3fwgnY-vXCz25qfPbHRKKxr4LiA9VI3dXo2gNyGBV2GQR6Wg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>And of course I can't resist another goat video:</div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxximSyJjqfSfLJ836dvb3hhZixEWOhcv4ZF0DLXnkxC9wGjfOJp5Mt38AD-QspwWhXpIdowYcfFGmnbZiKiQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>I may blog some from Europe and Natalie & Josh, Ariel & Joseph are welcome to post ranch updates.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-67779598356655109372009-05-11T08:01:00.005-05:002009-05-11T08:01:00.307-05:00Fun with the Goat Kids!The Goat Kids are a week old now and finally being allowed out to roam. Natalie and Josh from San Antonio came to visit this weekend. Natalie has experience with goats and she encouraged me to let the kids play outside. Here are the results of her advice!<div><div><br /></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIwa-Cs7AD8mzbf13DA2I6oXU77CLwpOoyaBUpwze6SdFhP6itODiUX4JaF9iWeWylNjOksICuDGr93RAnxw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4243554670203066004.post-58439041626702577322009-05-05T09:03:00.015-05:002009-05-05T09:48:04.496-05:00Bubba Gruff & other goat news<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTugn9BPQaOkspL407V4uI7N4pQD60-yaKQcs94wq9xDwYxKWFqVtgQtnKeUNCupxC1sF2AX7EtGHmAV0o7NFBaX6wSuPtrbCp6GT3Nv2ilajvF3V4_PBXwxGw2v3QJuZCo4W58T2OOUF/s1600-h/IMG_0494.JPG"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uvCqKWAp12RwRT_60YzkOkPf4WoFedKHmEFyUnm9GkCgKnmXHbG1AHc7edwr0ejc8LCjzlgVFnjOoP9CwFNFaaXnBh96KdCZ6GggzdC_ztV3IDWN-uVWEtx-pGNx8aD8j8InzwOwlVFi/s1600-h/IMG_0495.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uvCqKWAp12RwRT_60YzkOkPf4WoFedKHmEFyUnm9GkCgKnmXHbG1AHc7edwr0ejc8LCjzlgVFnjOoP9CwFNFaaXnBh96KdCZ6GggzdC_ztV3IDWN-uVWEtx-pGNx8aD8j8InzwOwlVFi/s320/IMG_0495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332347746915163122" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span><span>We had two doelings born Saturday, May 2, and a buckling born Monday, May 4. The doelings were born without problem while the buckling needed some human help to come into this world. His dam, Ginger, is smaller than Spice yet the buckling, Bubba Gruff, was about the size of the two doelings combined.</span></span></span></a><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYCSlgsWrp8ezKabt4LjPn7cErqbE94JR5CT_tcdh5TB-wW0ZH6x4OE9TLvcj7575utgBXGG67gQXxcwcDIzCF0vxGqqfdh4jEEjS7r3A-eZnuLhnpV7aa0p8eEBO3B61kKkuao4OEyAv/s1600-h/IMG_0485.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYCSlgsWrp8ezKabt4LjPn7cErqbE94JR5CT_tcdh5TB-wW0ZH6x4OE9TLvcj7575utgBXGG67gQXxcwcDIzCF0vxGqqfdh4jEEjS7r3A-eZnuLhnpV7aa0p8eEBO3B61kKkuao4OEyAv/s320/IMG_0485.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332349368958735970" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139);">I slept </span> in the bunk house next to the goats Sunday night but now the initial anxiety and excitement over the first kidding are over. I was hoping for a buck from each doe so I could keep them and use them for later breedings and freshenings. The two doelings are for sale and would make good family dairy goats. All these goats are from excellent dairy lines but I don't want to go into the breeding business so I am not registering the animals or selling them for top dollar. I want my two does, Ginger and Spice, for our family dairy needs and they need to have babies every year or so only to keep them in milk.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We will see about getting Bubba Gruff a companion as I would like to keep two high quality bucklings. All the babies are now "kidding around," with their hops and climbs and reverse directions. Very cute to watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>C'mon Bubba, we're waiting!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc45m6FBJce9zWY8NqesLuwNwPyHUeHye9K2zEgjB9GUH4NKUBK4j73reaqFaMbZfWJTsj4PMGVnUhUlpZgnVRXWPe5fDRyG7rBEIjTtu1IIoWuB4s2aHnZDpILXEC4rKqd1Arsn3l3eZ/s1600-h/IMG_0487.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibc45m6FBJce9zWY8NqesLuwNwPyHUeHye9K2zEgjB9GUH4NKUBK4j73reaqFaMbZfWJTsj4PMGVnUhUlpZgnVRXWPe5fDRyG7rBEIjTtu1IIoWuB4s2aHnZDpILXEC4rKqd1Arsn3l3eZ/s320/IMG_0487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332342830585709986" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div>And waiting!</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHjiqC-Sa0uZi3U3WVPjnOKEkLs0LYO-eDMtgqn_zBJkOwGwd5IDMXLstU6aJjJe0Jl7D9KMkjjGKt9miqzlJAxURjGpXAA46ynwc8OnL0r8zy39Rk_oTZV3jMgl1GwapKiVaDvKumQS8/s1600-h/IMG_0490.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHjiqC-Sa0uZi3U3WVPjnOKEkLs0LYO-eDMtgqn_zBJkOwGwd5IDMXLstU6aJjJe0Jl7D9KMkjjGKt9miqzlJAxURjGpXAA46ynwc8OnL0r8zy39Rk_oTZV3jMgl1GwapKiVaDvKumQS8/s320/IMG_0490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332343210817677346" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a>Finally Bubba arrived, after much inconvenience to his mother, Ginger but he was worth waiting for!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTugn9BPQaOkspL407V4uI7N4pQD60-yaKQcs94wq9xDwYxKWFqVtgQtnKeUNCupxC1sF2AX7EtGHmAV0o7NFBaX6wSuPtrbCp6GT3Nv2ilajvF3V4_PBXwxGw2v3QJuZCo4W58T2OOUF/s1600-h/IMG_0494.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTugn9BPQaOkspL407V4uI7N4pQD60-yaKQcs94wq9xDwYxKWFqVtgQtnKeUNCupxC1sF2AX7EtGHmAV0o7NFBaX6wSuPtrbCp6GT3Nv2ilajvF3V4_PBXwxGw2v3QJuZCo4W58T2OOUF/s320/IMG_0494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332350254090010834" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div></div></div></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10975493849986519152noreply@blogger.com2