I'm still here...

...and taking photos - having computer problems - can't get my photos there! And the computer gurus that I have talked to, don't have a clue - GO FIGURE! So will keep trying.

Busy here - two overnight road trips, all the family in for the holiday, stomach bug on Turkey Day, several days just recouping, normal chores, some quilting and knitting, Christmas decor up (my favorite season!!!!) and today was my first day back working dogs.

I haven't been commenting, but have loved seeing every one of your photos! Blessings to all!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 320 - Silky Locks

2014 Photo Journal - Day 319 - Wintery Morn

2014 Photo Journal - Day 318 - Drive in the Pasture

2014 Photo Journal - Day 317 - Foggy Fall Morning

2014 Photo Journal - Day 316 - Fall Foliage

2014 Photo Journal - Day 315 - Lori's SAL

Go here and here for more info. This is my first SAL in a while and I always love Lori's. Quick, easy and fun!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 314 - Early B-day Gift

For my birthday (actually occurs next month) I asked for a new pair of dress boots. So I began perusing the internet for possible selections. Found these, ordered them, and voila - a perfect fit and I'm tickled pink - or is it turquoise and brown!!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 313 - Today's Gather

2014 Photo Journal - Day 312 - Evening Sky

I know, I know - another sky photo! but notice the two jet trails - one going each way!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 311 - Chore Girl

I missed her getting the calf through the gate - but she was celebrating her success!!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 310 - FMQ

A practice/test piece for a quilt. Which poinsettia do you like?

2014 Photo Journal - Day 309 - WhiteTail

Sorry, another so-so photo - but wanted to show you real life in Texas. The first whitetail buck harvested this hunting season. We don't hunt just to kill something. We are selective with our choices, and we use the meat - we don't just hunt for horns. This is a very nice buck and field dressed at about 140 pounds - pretty good size for a whitetail.

2014 Photo Journal - Day 308 - Feral Hog

Sorry for the gruesome picture - but it's what I saw on the day. Texas is over run with feral hogs and they are very destructive. This is a BIG one. He was dead by the side of the road.

2014 Photo Journal - Day 307 - Rainy Day

2014 Photo Journal - Day 306 - Quilt Finish

2014 Photo Journal - Day 305 - Little Baker

2014 Photo Journal - Day 304 - Sun Dog

2014 Photo Journal - Day 303 - Evening Sky

I know that I post a lot of "sky" photos - but I never tire of the beauty of the sky and clouds.

This one is interesting - looks like a sunset or sunrise. It is an evening sky, but the clouds are in the southeast and they are picking up the sun. Aren't they gorgeous?!!!!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 302 - First Sign of Autumn Color

The Mesquite Leaves Are Beginning To Turn

2014 Photo Journal - Day 301 - Mina

Our new female guardian dog. We don't want them to be pets, but we do want them to not be afraid of us. Mina is such a sweetie. The guardian dogs are now in the water lot with about 20 head of goats. I'll add some more goats tomorrow, so the dogs get used to being with a larger herd.

2014 Photo Journal - Day 300 - Cattle Work

Alas, no photo today, so I'm posting one that was taken by my DIL yesterday while we were working cattle. Since I was not the photographer, I'm in the photo! I'm  horseback and putting Pour-On (Cydectin) on the cows.

Can you believe that there is only 65 days left in the year 2014! 

Where has the time gone?!!!!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 299 - Rygh's Family

I must confess, this isn't a photo I've taken, but Rygh, Lyn and Tygh were here this weekend, so here's my yesterday's photo!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 298 - Morning Sunlight

2014 Photo Journal - Day 297 - Cedrick

Cedrick

One of our new dogs (we have 3 new guardian dogs). Cedrick is still a puppy - about 4 months old. Still very shy, but learning to trust us. Loves his food! And we bring it to him. He will soon be living full time with the goats or sheep. He's going to be a big fellow, and I think he will be a fine guardian dog! He is Pyrenees/Anatolian cross.

2014 Photo Journal - Day 296 - Brown Transferware

This one is for Tracey! Loved her flea market treasure!

This plate was in my Grandmother's things. It hangs in my kitchen.

2014 Photo Journal - Day 295 - GB#2

2014 Photo Journal - Day 294 - Sparkling Friendship Stars

Interesting facts about cotton:

A module produces about 13 bales of cotton

A bale of cotton weighs about 480 pounds

One bale of cotton can make:

215 Jeans
249 Bed Sheets
409 Men's Sport Shirts
690 Terry Bath Towels
765 Men's Dress Shirts
1,217 Men's T-Shirts
1,256 Pillowcases
2,104 Boxer Shorts
2,419 Men's Briefs
3,085 Diapers
4,321 Mid-Calf Socks
6,436 Women's Knit Briefs
21,960 Women's Handkerchiefs
313,600 $100 Bills

Source:What Can You Make From One Bale of Cotton

So using the above information, I've determined that it takes approximately 0.38 lbs (17.23 grams) of cotton (from the bale - not the module) to make one yard of fabric.

Other note: There are still several fields in the Lohn Valley that haven't been stripped. It has been a bumper crop for our cotton farmers!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 293 - Finished Field

2014 Photo Journal - Day 292 - Cotton Modules

Note: We are not cotton farmers. The photos that I have been posting are from the fields near our ranch.

2014 Photo Journal - Day 291 - The Module Maker

2014 Photo Journal - Day 290 - The Cotton Stripper

2014 Photo Journal - Day 289 - Ducks on the Tank

Not sure what kind - but loved the evening sun reflections. Always a treat to catch them on the tank - as they aren't really gentle.

2014 Photo Journal - Day 286-288 - Ranch Life

I've been having some computer issues, so I'm behind three photos. So here is some shots of our life, and I'll be caught up. Yeah!

Hauling Hay:

loading

unloading

My cowboy in a tractor - he prefers a horse!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 285 - Cotton

2014 Photo Journal - Day 284 - Ditto

See, just a "regular" candle holder and silk (fake) flowers/foliage! But it is pretty on my buffet!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 283 - More Fall Decor and Morning Light

2014 Photo Journal - Day 282 - Handwork

2014 Photo Journal - Day 281 - Cattle Egrets

2014 Photo Journal - Day 280 - Cobweb in the Sun

2014 Photo Journal - Day 279 - Bath Day

Jen, Whit, Bess, Val & Pete - aren't they purty!

2014 Photo Journal - Day 278 - Goats at the Sale Ring

2014 Photo Journal - Day 277 - Cosmos

2014 Photo Journal - Day 276 - Morning Glory

2014 Photo Journal - Day 275 - Morning Sunlight