Thistle Hill Ranch's Barn & Corral Get A Facelift!

Our old barn, by some people's estimate, was built in the 1960's. The barn didn't have any water or electricity. We connected over 100 ft. of hose to get water back to the animals in the corral; not to mention, using lanterns and flashlights after dark. It was RIDICULOUS!

We finally got a water line and electricity to the barn months ago. While Glen was working, the boys and I painted the corral white. Partially to stop the rust, and also to freshen the old corral up, and give an element of "cuteness" to it.

Then, I wanted to somehow paint something on the side of the barn. I went to a local shop that makes vinyl letters for businesses. I decided to have a giant Charlolais cow, like ours, and the name of our ranch made and put on our barn. Thanks to the owner of The Skreen Shop and his extreme patience, here in Whitesboro, we have a a sign on our barn!

Then, I talked my husband into getting someone to build us an old "looking" cupola. The barn was strictly for hay storage and to run some cows through the corral once in a while for breeding, vaccinations, etc. it was strictly functional. It was an old metal barn, that had seen it's better days and was never cute!

I wanted to try and make it cute-ish. It was now for hay storage/workshop/ horse barn/ still able to run cows through it corral...All Purpose Barn.

I wanted it to look less metal building, more barn.

The cupola and barn sign, was my solution to the "more barn" look.

The cupola couldn't look new, and had to look like it had always been there. Luckily we had replaced some of the metal roofing on the barn and saved some of the old metal. We are happy with its shabbiness!

Finally it looks more like a barn and a happy barn at that! When Spring rolls around, the pasture will grow in around it and I'm hoping to figure out some bushes the cows, donkey, and horses won't eat, to finish it off...wish me luck!

Here are the BEFORE and AFTER pictures.

BEFORE

From far away, it was charming!

Up close...it scared me a little!

Ok...it scared me A Lot!

Come to find out, the corral was not only full of thorny bushes and trees; but also, copperhead snakes and bunnies coexisting...nature is very interesting.

So technically, I was right to be scared!

Then, the barn needed new metal roofing in places...it leaked, and new supports....the proverbial money pit!

AFTER

Our little barn got a little facelift, and I think our little barn is happy again.

Happy Decorating and stop by Thistle Hill Ranch again soon!

 

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Happy Christmas Eve From Thistle Hill Ranch!

Bonnie and Mr. Darby waiting...patiently, for SANTA!

Scarlet taking a Christmas Eve nap~

Our Chef Nutcracker serving up some Christmas goodies!

May Your Christmas Be Merry & Bright!

From,

Thistle Hill Ranch

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Christmas at Thistle Hill Ranch

I have been so excited to decorate for Christmas here at our new home. Even though the plan is to build a new home here in the next year, and my creative designing juices are flowing in several directions, I am thrilled to decorate with a woodland or "ranch-y flair".

I wanted it to be simple, slightly rustic; yet classy. I had thought I organized everything perfectly, when the movers unloaded us, where all my Christmas decorations were going. Yet, somehow I still found things missing. Some of the decorations must still be in semi-permanent storage. Now I had to balance homeschool, ranch projects, getting Christmas pictures and cards done; as well as getting the inside and outside decorated.

I was off to a frustrating start...

But, I always have fun decorating and I love a challenge. Unfortunately, outdoor lights on the house didn't happen. But, I got wreaths hung on each window, and candles inside of each as well. Then, I tried to add a bit of Christmas flair to the front porch, keeping in mind, the constant mud and dirt my boys track up there...it is a ranch after all. { I can't wait for the future mudroom}.

Notice the boots all lined up, Ha!

 

Notice the mud streaks...ugh!...I know, I know, it's a RANCH!

Then, we had to get a new tree. Our old 12 foot tree wouldn't quite fit, LOL! The new 7.5 foot tree we found was perfect. Because of my asthma, artificial trees are the only kind I can have. They really have come a long way! The trees are looking more and more real each year, and pre-lit is always a plus!

 

I used pheasant feather and an owl as the topper, and grapevine garland. I couldn't find my humongous owl for the topper, that lights up...oh well!

 

The formal dining room is where we homeschool, so I can't go crazy decorating it. I did decide to use the same burlap piece I've used before, one of our pheasants as part of the centerpiece display, moss covered conical trees, more grapevine garland, adding pinecones, winter berries, brown candle sticks, and my husband's trumpet from middle school.

 

I convinced my husband Glen to break out the camera yesterday, gather the horses on a dismal afternoon, with lots of mud from the 2 days of rain, and take Christmas pictures. I knew it was cold, muddy, cloudy, and horrible lighting, but...what choice did I have? Hellllllooooooo....Christmas is next week! He knew it and I knew it, this is a bad idea, but we have to...it's now or never. And thank goodness for Walgreens same day service on printing pictures!

I envisioned it snowing like last year and we'd get a great snowy picture at Thistle Hill, and that didn't happen. Then, I pictured our newly spruced up barn and snow, and THAT didn't happen. I was out of ideas and time!

I grabbed a huge wreath I had, tied some pinecones and bells on it, with a burlap bow. Then, I grabbed an old lantern, and plaid throw blanket ...threw them over the H-Brace we have by the pond, and crossed my fingers the photo would look cute, and not ridiculous!

Turns out...the picture turned out kinda cute. Well, not bad for a camera battery that was apparently no longer holding a charge, all of us knee deep in mud, (hence my awkward standing position), Glen setting the timer and feverishly running back into place. Then, hoping everyone had their eyes on the camera, horses looking normal, and NOBODY blink! Out of a gazillion pictures we got 1, LOL! Then took some quick pictures of the boys on their own and got some cute shots. I have SO much respect for professional photographers...it is NOT easy to get a good picture! This of course is evident, by all my blog photos from my phone camera, HA!

I can't wait for our 1st Christmas here at Thistle Hill! I hope your Christmas is Merry too!

Merry Christmas & Many Blessings from Thistle Hill Ranch!

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I'm Back!!!!

So...what happens when your iPad shatters and you're a "one way Charlie", and only like blogging on your iPad? Well, you don't Blog. I also had my boys trying to talk me into, {pressuring me}, to look at other devices other than my iPad. Then, I became overwhelmed with decisions on whether "To Fix or Not to Fix"!

I Fixed! It just took forever to get time and make the efforts fix it. I don't live exactly close to every store anymore. I was lazy and extremely busy with the ranch and homeschooling.

But, now I'm back!

Now,...where to start?

Do you want to hear about homeschooling 6th and 8th/11th grade in the country?, Or, our new "country life" and how it's going?, Or, maybe decorating tips and pics?

Well, how about a dash of all 3?

We love the country life! The boys have been in horseback riding lesson for 6 months now and look so comfortable, as if they've been riding forever. We bought another horse for Preston's 14th Birthday, that they both share for riding. It's a mare, (female horse), I'm learning the proper lingo. She is so sweet, and she bonded to our boys almost immediately. We brought her home after 2 months of training, last week. She is right at home here at Thistle Hill Ranch.

Preston named her Bailey.

These are pictures of her at Kyle Ranch, where the boys were getting lessons.

This one, is the day we surprised Preston with Bailey. He had NO clue...I couldn't believe we pulled that surprise off.

This is Landen riding her in the round pen.

Preston and Bailey at home at Thistle Hill Ranch. This horse is just so sweet! We are very thankful to Kyle Ranch for finding the perfect horse for our boys, and to Martin the most patient trainer.

We had to ween Duke, our colt, from Sandy, his mother, our other mare. I think that was harder on me than Sandy and Duke! But, now Sandy has a friend in Bailey. Sandy is due in a couple months with a new baby colt or filly. We can't wait! Our first baby, to be born at Thistle Hill Ranch!

Sandy is on the right and Bailey on the left, sharing alfalfa. They now have separate hay/ alfalfa buckets...Bailey turns out, doesn't really like sharing, Ha!

Here are a few other pictures to catch everyone up!

Thanksgiving at Thistle Hill Ranch with my sister and her family.

 

My boys, Preston and Landen

The cousins

Nosey Charolais heifers!

Thanksgiving table, complete with a pumpkin pilgrim.

Turkey leg goodie bag.

My handsome husband and brother-in-law, with Buster Bear, their golden-doodle.

Landen and Daisy

Glen moving the tractor in his work clothes, LOL! It was SO "Green Acres", I couldn't resist a picture.

Landen and Daisy...oh...and the cows. Landen shares his snacks, and it shows!

Harvest picnic table.

And...one of the nosey cows!

The swing I begged for, and EVERYONE in the family loves!

Come back soon! I'll be writing about homeschooling this school year, posting pictures of Christmas at Thistle Hill, and I have been working at sprucing up our barn. I will show before and after pictures very soon. It's almost done...I'm so excited. It's the small things.

Happy to be back blogging...y'all come back soon!

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