Summer is Almost Here at Thistle Hill Ranch!

I can't believe it's taken me so long to post on my Blog!

Rushing to finish up with school so they don't go to far into June, rains putting a damper on every ranch duty, {Pun Intended}, and technical difficulties.

I had issues with storage on my phone, uploaded photos to my laptop and apparently didn't know that would delete them from my blog! Who knew???? I have no clue how to correct the issue, so if you see random missing photos in previous blog posts, well...now you know why! So bizarre. Sometimes I hate technology, and my lack of knowledge in the field. UGH!

Moving on...

Our Homeschool year 2014-15 is coming to a long close! This has been the LONGEST year Evvvvveeeeer!

We learned we do not like the math program we chose for this year...it's not enough practice, (so we supplemented), yet, too many lessons for a normal school year, so Double YUK! You live and you learn, and thank god for a knowledgable tutor.

We finished the entire book of Mythology, that covered Greek, Roman, and Norse gods, "Mythology", by Edith Hamilton. We loved learning all the gods and goddesses, for me it was a slight repeat of a High School; although, I'm pretty sure we didn't read the WHOLE book. We read this while learning Ancient History, Greek, and Roman History at the same time. I found that the boys were coming to me bringing examples of Greek and Roman influences in society, architecture, art, and even modern advertisements.

We had a very busy year of homeschooling and ranching, but somehow we managed it. While coming to a close in our school year, I stumbled on an ad for music lessons. They are an amazing family, that I'm lucky enough to get to visit with, while the dad/husband teaches my boys guitar.

They live in an amazing home that they've built all on their own. They keep telling me all they want to do with it, and looking around you see it is technically in various stages of renovation or construction. Yet to me, it's perfect! It's so welcoming and cpmfortable. It could be the beautiful spirit of the family. I feel very lucky to have stumbled on them to teach my boys. The boys feel lucky too!

Here is their darling momma cat with her babies.

This is the head of the family, Mr. Grubb, who has made guitar so much fun, that the boys practice without reminders. Thanks to Mr. Grubb, we may have campfire songs after all.

Back to ranching!

The prep/clean-up for Summer begins!

And here we are in FULL Thistle Hill Ranch Bloom! Purple Thistles Galore!

The rain in our area has been relentless, as I'm sure most of you have heard...Texas is a swamp!

The rain has held us back from a lot of ranch duties. This just means twice the amount of work, which means I stress out and freak out!

Last week, we had a few hours to get up the temporary fencing of chicken wire, to start training the ducks and geese to swim and come back to the coop.

Guess who did the fencing? Oh My GOSH...it was ME! I swore I would never put my pinky toenail in water I couldn't see my toe in...well, I guess sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

My hair went into a bun, and into the pond I went! I won't lie, it was so slimy and disgusting. Not to mention, any person who has ever watched the movie "Lonesome Dove", has that fear of going in any Texas water after a rain..."WATER MOCCASIN!" Is all I could hear in my head for the first few minutes.

 

But, I got the job done and the ducks and geese LOVE it!

 

For those of you that don't already know, we call our weekend the days my husband has off. He's off Wednesday and Thursday. So today being Wednesday, it's the beginning of our weekend. We finally have some sunshine, and at 6AM, we got up and got the day going before the storms roll in this afternoon.

First we dropped off Momma Sandy and baby at our vets for Sandy to be bred. Hopefully if all goes well, we'll get her at the end of the week. Her buddies Bailey and Classy had a hard time watching her leave. It was so sad...

Baby Koa wanted to be right by Mom, and Momma Sandy was happy to be able to see his face.

See you soon Sandy and baby Koa!

Then we returned to inspect fences after the storm and get started on projects.

Here is a picture of our normally dry creek bed overflowing this week, and moving water into the real creek.

When the rain receded, we discovered rock formations that have been revealed after all the dirt and sedement has washed away. The creek looks new to me again, almost unrecognizable.

Wildflowers are everywhere...I never tire of them!

Finding critter prints along the creek makes me smile. So much we don't see, that's happening here at the ranch.

While finishing things at the barn, Daisy called to us to let her in the back pasture with her girls. I guess she was ready to be a Nanny again to her girls, after a two week vacation with the horses in the front pasture.

Today the main focus was on Duck Mahal. It was so disgusting, I had a hard time even standing by it! "Gagging"!

But, luckily my guys helped out and we got it all done! Hopefully we'll get some nice days next week, so I can get my shelves up and the outside plantings around the duck coop finished.

Have I mentioned how much I hate pending projects?

HAAAATE Them!

But....I wait!

Luckily today we have a little sunshine before the afternoon storms. But the clouds are already closing in.

Below is what I call the Hobbit Tree. The previous owners stacked fence posts around the base of the tree, and I won't let anyone move them. They make the tree look like something in the Shire.

But, hard work and rummaging in ponds and around the woods does have it's dangers. I'm not afraid of bugs, but there is something about them in my hair that makes squeal like I'm 5!

I was so itchy and shaky after pulling it out of my scalp, I couldn't even take a good picture!

 

So, off to the Doctor I go. This was a week ago, but a few "iffy" symptoms warrant a check. So pray it's not Lyme. So gross, so gross, so gross!

Preston got it last Summer, and after antibiotics is Lyme free. Hats, Deep Woods Off spray, and you can still get critters on ya! So always check yourself and loved ones...have I mentioned it itches and it's gross? What do you do? Check for ticks and if you get one get checked out.

Lots to do, but somehow it never gets old and we always love the rewards! Thistle Hill Ranch is a true example of a labor of love.

Do what you love, love what you do, and SNAP the jobs a game...wait...I'm pretty sure I mixed Mary Poppins and Confucious, LOL!

I will leave you now with pictures of baby birds about to leave the nest, snuggling before the rains come in; and our beautiful sunset here last night.

Have a Great Week!

 

 

 

 

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