Tony Tortilla!

Today has been a great day. This morning after we ate breakfast, Tony went outside to check on the Golden Girls to see how their first night in The Egg Palace went and when he returned to The Cabin he was grinning ear-to-ear. "Got egg?" He joked, "Dorothy laid this one and it is green." So I grabbed my camera and shot it between Tone's finger and thumb.

Then I cleaned up the kitchen and then I did some paperwork the rest of the morning, while Tony and Aaron did the outside chores. 

Around noon, thirty minutes before the meatloaf and soon-to-be mashed potatoes would be ready I decided to make another batch of delicious flour tortillas to serve with our lunch, so Aaron could try them. But that didn't happen, because when I told T. that I was going to make some he asked if he could make them instead, "It will be good practice for me, Nance, because when I cook fajitas outside, I can also make the tortillas too." 

Watching Tony following the simple directions on how to make the tortillas was fun. His method of kneading the dough made me laugh, because he really ''punched it like a man." His hands on technique for rolling the dough into twelve individual balls was even funnier to watch, because he rolled them back and forth so fast, in his hands, like he was going for the "World's Fastest Dough Ball Maker" record. Then when he lightly dusted the pastry board, that 'Erb and Karen, gave to me a few years ago, using at least a half of a cup of tortilla flour, he had the flour flying all over the kitchen, as he tried to roll the balls of dough into round, flat tortillas. And that is when things got even funnier.

For some reason T., using all of the strength that he had in him, while silently suffering from a bad ankle sprain, from yesterday—he could not make his tortillas round. And the harder he tried to make them round the harder we laughed about it, as we watched each tortilla grow longer in length. 

After Tone had cooked up his twelve odd-looking shaped tortillas in the skillet, we split a small one and his tasted exactly like my tortillas had—totally delicious, but the true test was yet to come—"Would Arron like them?" and ten minutes later we found out.

Before Tony opened the oven door, to bring out the twelve warmed, wrapped in foil tortillas, we had already told Aaron about Tony making the flour tortillas for us to eat with our lunch, but we said nothing to him about their strange appearance. 

When Aaron opened up the foil and saw the distorted looking tortillas he said, "Omg, Tony. They aren't round, man. They look really weird. Nancy, aren't they supposed to be round?" Needless to say, "Tony and I burst out laughing."

"Yes, they are supposed to be round, Aaron, but T. decided to make his look different on purpose, so they would be recognizable, sort of like a new brand, so when you saw his flour tortillas—you'd know that Tony made them and that's why we are going to call them, "Tony Tortilla." Please, just try one. They're delicious. I promise." 

Aaron reluctantly sat his plate down on the kitchen table and then he took a bite. Then he took another bite and chewed on it. "It's delicious, but I don't know if people will buy these things..." So, I shot the rest of his remaining foreign matter.

Tonight, before I go, I received some sad news from our friend Lisa, one of our great Fab 4 volunteers. Her and Chuck's beautiful, very-old dog, Cass, stepped on a rainbow and her note about Cass' passing made me tear up, because I had met their lovely dog and I knew how much Lisa and Chuck had loved and cared for her. When I told Tony about Cass he was saddened too. "Cass, you were loved and will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace."

Y'all have a great evening!

The Egg Palace!

Today has been more than great. This morning after doing our outside chores we came inside and Carlton was flashing us on top of the breakfast bar, so I pushed his button and heard, "Hello, Nancy. This is Aaron. I'm leaving Baxter's place right now with four chickens for you, four chicks for Charlie and Ellen and I am taking the rooster and the other four chicks to my friend, in Bandera. I'll be there around 1:00. Bye."

To say the least, "Tony and I were thrilled! So, we went back outside to The Egg Palace, to tidy things up  before "The Golden Girls" arrived. After Tony had mounted the nesting boxes, above the ground for them to lay eggs in, he went to the barn to get some hay, but on his way back into the pigpen he stumbled and fell—holding an armful of hay in his arms. "Tony, are you okay?" I half-hollered, after hearing the loud thud.

There was silence for a few seconds, as he sat up and rubbed his ankle, "My ankle is either sprained or broken. Ouch." Then he slowly stood up, dusted himself off and then he picked up the scattered hay and limped into The Egg Palace to make the girl's beds, while I continued my landscaping (gathering and stacking rocks around the outside of the palace).

Five minutes later, the "Chicken Man cometh." "Hi, Aaron!" I said, as Tone approached him, doing his Frankenstein impersonation.

"Hey, man? What happened to your leg?" Aaron asked. After we had told him about Tony's swollen ankle, Aaron lifted a large crate out of the back of his truck and carried it into The Egg Palace. And when he carefully removed the sheet, covering the Golden Girls—we fell in love with "our girls."

As the pretty hens inspected the inside of their new digs, Tony and named them, while Aaron went back to his truck to get out Charlie and Ellen's crate of four, young chickens, so Ellen could pick them up later today. This is a picture I took of their first hen party here. Left to right are: Blanche, Rose, Sophia and Dorothy.

And this is a picture of The Egg Palace with Rose being the very first to roost on the branch inside and please note my lovely landscaping that I did around the bottom of the chicken castle.

After they had watered Charlie and Ellen's chickens, inside the crate, Aaron drove off to go deliver the remaining rooster and other four, young chickens to his friend, in Bandera. And not long after that, Ellen arrived to collect her and Charlie's "party of four." But before Ellen drove back home with her box of chickens, we had a fun visit with her, inside the pigpen. 

Late this afternoon when we came back inside The Cabin, Carlton was flashing us, so I pushed his button again, and the message we heard from the nice woman who had brought us Roscoe, this past Saturday, delighted us even more than our chickens arrival had. 

She had a friend, in Fredericksburg, who wanted to keep Roscoe for her indefinitely, until she could take him back to live with her and she said that they would be coming out on Saturday to pick him up and then she thanked us for helping her and Roscoe and then she asked us to please, "Not adopt him out, because I love Roscoe so much." 

We were so happy for Roscoe and her, Tony immediately picked up the phone and punched in the woman's phone number, so he could reassure her that we would not adopt her beautiful dog out, that we looked forward to Saturday and to tell her how happy we were for the both of them. 

And that is about it for tonight, except for one other thing that I left out—my homemade tortillas that I made, using H-E-B's Hill Country Tortilla flour, turned out perfect and were beyond delicious.

Y'all have a great evening!

Tortilla Flour!

Today has been a great day. Right before I fixed lunch for Tony, Aaron and me—we put away our tools, because we had finally finished building the new hen house. I love The Egg Palace and am so happy about it finally being ready to receive egg laying chickens. And, as soon as we get our chickens I will take a picture of it to show to y'all.

This afternoon while we were running errands, in Kerrville, we stopped by Wolfmueller's Books to visit with Sandy and Jon for a minute, and to also pick up a special book, that Sandy had just found and bought for me, the day before Levon Helm had died. The title of the book is, The Levon Helm Midnight Ramble, and it is filled with fabulous photographs taken by Paul Laraia and the foreword is by Levon Helm.

After paying them for the book and having a really fun visit with our dear friends we adios-ed them and went to H-E-B to buy our regular groceries and a special sack of Hill Country Tortilla Flour, that Elizabeth, a friend of mine had recommended to me, because she makes the best flour tortillas—in Texas.

On our way home I began reading The Levon Helm Midnight Ramble by Paul Laraia and I could not put it down long enough to backseat drive and by the time we had arrived home, I was over half-way through the book. "Omg, Tony. I love this book and you are going to love reading this book too. There are pictures of famous musician playing there, on every page with a comment they made. Like Steve Earle, Billy Bob Thornton, Phoebe Snow, Pinetop Perkins, Dr. John, Bruce Hornsby, Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, Larry Campbell, John Sebastian, Sam Bush, Garth Hudson, Delbert McClinton, Alison Krauss, Robert Plant, John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Rickie Lee Jones, etc. and it's totally amazing! And you are going to love the picture of Levon's dog—Muddy."

After we had put up our groceries I picked up the book and started reading it again and soon found that there are two pages of pictures of Kinky, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso performing at the Midnight Ramble and that Kinky wrote the blurb for the back jacket, so I called Kinky to ask him if I could come over to the Lodge.

Three minutes later, after telling Kinky about the fabulous Levon Helm book, I showed him the blurb that he had written on the back jacket, "There hasn't been this much musical talent on the same stage since Hank Williams opened for Mozart." And then I showed him the pictures of him, Little Jewford and Washington Ratso performing at the Midnight Ramble.

Then we thumbed through this awesome book. "I'll loan to you if you want to read it," I offered.

"Yes, I definitely want to read this book when I return to the ranch. I need an early wake up call in the morning, so I won't be late leaving in the morning..." Then we put the book down and went on a fun hike with The Friedmans and then I came back home.

When I finish writing this, I plan to open up my new sack of "miracle-tasting-tortilla" flour that I only have to add water to, which is sitting on the drainboard, and try to make up a batch of delicious homemade tortillas for breakfast tacos, in the morning, so please wish me luck tonight in the kitchen.

Y'all have a great evening!

I'm Burning Up!

Yesterday and today have been great days.

Saturday, while Tony, Aaron and I were eating lunch, inside The Cabin, the dogs started barking outside, so T. excused himself from the table and went outside to see what was going on and a few minutes later, while Aaron and I were eating H-E-B's delicious Pineapple Sherbet for dessert—Tone walks inside and says, "George Clooney just got adopted....but they can't pick him up until later this week." So, I quickly prepared George's adoption papers and they signed on the dotted line and made a donation.

Later that afternoon, while the three of us worked inside the pigpen, on our soon-to-be hen house, "The Egg Palace," a woman drove in with a dog sitting in her front seat, so Tony took off to greet her. And ten minutes later, Tony came over to us and told us that the woman was real upset. She was going through a divorce and she no longer could keep her/their dog. "What do you think we should do, Nance?" Tony asked. "He's a seven-year-old Chocolate Lab and he reminds me a lot of Roy Rogers."

"Let's take him," I said. "We just got George adopted and tomorrow a man and his wife are supposed to be coming out to possibly adopt Lois Lane..." When T. took off to go tell the distressed woman that we could take her dog, Roscoe, Aaron and I went back to hanging up the big roll of chicken wire and then hammering in the staples, so our chickens, which we haven't gotten yet, will be safe at night.

As I banged my thumb with a hammer, for the umpteenth time, (The thumb next to my cut index finger, which is  almost totally healed)—Aaron laughed at me as Tony took off in Kermit, with the woman and Roscoe following close behind him, in her car.

Ten minutes later, T. drove up and while the three of us finished putting up the chicken wire, he told us about what a nice dog Roscoe was and how brokenhearted Roscoe was. So, after putting up the tools, we went down to see him and I instantly fell in love with him and then I stood back and took this picture of him relaxing in his and Daisy's pen.

Yesterday evening, while Tony was watering our flowers and vegetables inside The Okay Corral I took these pictures of a Hummingbird feeding and some of our flowers in the garden, after Tony had watered them.

This afternoon, after lunch, when the dogs started barking outside, we went outside to greet the couple who had made an appointment to come out today, after they had gone to church. As we visited with Stacey and Brent about what kind of dog they were wanting to adopt, to be their seven-year-old dog's companion, they told us they wanted a dog about seven-years-old, so T. and I told them about several older dogs that we had and Roscoe's story. Then we gave the nice couple a tour of the rescue ranch, so they could meet our super dogs.

They really liked Roscoe and he liked them back, but when they met Gracie Allen—she smiled at them and stole their hearts. "Gracie is a wonderful dog and she's a smiler, when she gets excited..." 

When I had finally finished telling them about Gracie being a fine dog, they looked at each other and said, "We want her. She'd be perfect for B.J. and she's the same size as he is." 

Ten minutes later, after doing Gracie's adoption paperwork, I took this picture of Gracie with her new family and then we waved farewell to Stacey, Brent and one smiling, happy dog, sitting in the backseat of their car, anxious to leave this place forever, to go to her new loving home and to be B.J's running buddy.

Around 3:15, Tony adios-ed me and them jumped into Trigger and took off for the Home Depot, in Kerrville, but he didn't make it far. "Nance, pick up the phone. Trigger broke down and..."

"Hi, Tony. Where are y'all?"

"I'm pulled off to the side of the road, at the bottom of the pass on the Kerrville side. Come and get me now, because it is ninety degrees outside and I'm burning up." 

Seven miles later or fifteen minutes later, I pulled off of the road to rescue Tone and Trigger. Then Aaron, coming from Kerrville, pulls up to help us. "I called Aaron right after I called you," he explained, to me. Then he and Aaron checked out the engine to discover Trigger had blown some kind of a gasket, so they went to work.

One hour later, we were back home safely and talking about calling Jimmy Dixon of Dixon Automotive, because we know that Jimmy is the greatest mechanic in Texas, so we could get him to send out a tow truck in the morning, to haul Trigger to his garage and fix him, in Hondo. Then I pushed Carlton's button to listen to three new messages.

The first message was from Kinky, letting us know that he was back at the ranch and thanking us for baby sitting The Friedmans. The second message was from Aaron wanting to make sure that we were back home safely and the third message was the best one of all three. "Nancy and Tony, this is Stacey and I was calling to let you know that Gracie and B.J. have hit it off beautifully and they are now laying side-by-side in the fenced yard. We love her and so does B.J. and..."

Y'all have a great evening!

Happy Birthday Lori Graham!

Today is Lori Graham's birthday and Tony and I want to wish one of our favorite NoMads—the best birthday ever.

Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday Dear Lori. Happy Birthday to You. And many more...

The One Night Sand Saga! or Send Sand!

Tony and I had a super fun, "One Night Sand," on the private island in Port Aransas, with our dear friends Sandy & Jon Wolfmueller and Rick & Leisa. And not to brag—our laughter-filled, mini-adventure lasted for a full twenty-two hours and a couple of minutes, which explains why I missed our dogs so much.

Monday evening, Ben arrived at the ranch, so he could baby-sit our dogs and the rescue ranch for us and we had a fun visit with him, in The Okay Corral, before we had to adios him, so we could pack our bags and then go to bed early. 

Tuesday morning, Sandy & Jon picked us up, bright and early, at 6:45, which was before sunrise out here and our four-hour trip was a blast, because Tony rode shotgun, in the passenger front seat, while in the backseat Sandy relaxed and tried to keep me from worrying about how fast we were traveling and it worked, even though we got lost once, for a few miles.

When we arrived safely in Port A., around 11:00, we decided to stretch-our-legs and eat lunch at Fin's restaurant first, before calling Rick to come pick us up at the marina.

One hour later, after eating a delicious lunch—our fun party officially began on the privately owned island where Rick, "The Friendly Lighthouse Keeper" lives.

While we sat on the porch, of the Main House, relaxing and watching the ships coming and going, the beautiful dolphins playing in their wake, we took turns telling hilarious stories and because I was laughing so much—my back began to ache a little, but I didn't care, because it was well worth it—we were having FUN—until a few minutes later, when a couple of brightly, orange-colored helicopters and a matching orange-colored boat started doing fly-bys and boating-bys near the beautiful island! "What in the heck are they doing?" I jokingly asked Rick, before starting to laugh. "I feel like I am starring in a Mash rerun." Everyone started laughing, as we watched one of the choppers hovering above the boat.

"Oh, that's just the Coast Guard, Nance," Rick replied. "Every Tuesday afternoon they come out here and do their practice maneuvers. It's really no big deal. They'll go away soon enough..." And sure enough a few minutes later, just as Rick had predicted—they went away. Here is a picture that Tone took of them.

That evening, Leisa cooked us a delicious, fresh Flounder dinner and I know that I ate more than I should have, but I didn't really care, because I was on island time and I was having the best-of-times with some of our best friends—and to me— that is what life should be all about. 

Around 10:00, before we all said good night to each other before going to bed, because we are old and can't party like we used to, I promised Sandy that I would get up early to catch the sunrise with her and Jon and that I would also climb up to the top of the lighthouse with them and I am proud to say that I kept both of my promises to them.

The climb up the steep, narrow, winding stairs to reach the top of the lighthouse was more than exciting for me, because I had been a little nervous about doing it, but I am so glad that I made myself do it, because we could see for miles and miles.

Watching the sunrise slowly, above the ocean was one of the prettiest sunrises that I have ever witnessed. Here are two great photos that T. took of Sandy & Jon standing outside, on the lighthouse deck, with me standing inside, because I was too scared to come outside with them and here is a picture of that spectacular sunrise that I shall never ever forget.

Then we ate a delicious breakfast at Rick's house, on the island and then we jumped into the Boston Whaler, with all of our luggage, so Rick could take us back to Port Aransas, so we could go drink some coffee with our dear friend John Kemmerly, before we headed back to The Hill Country. I love this picture, that Tony took, of Leisa's adorable dog, Squirt—jumping up on Rick's motorcycle seat.

I am so glad that we got to see John! Catching up with his latest news, while drinking coffee, at the coolest Internet cafe, in Port A. was so much fun, because we love John and it has been way too long, since the four-of-us last saw our dear friend, who was once a former employee of both Wolfmueller's Books and our rescue ranch.

When we arrived safely, back home, we gave Sandy & Jon a brick of Miles of Chocolate, that Ben had brought down for them and after hugs they adios-ed Ben, Tony and me and then they took off to go home, in Kerrville.

After hugging and kissing all of our sweeter-than-sweet dogs, that were even more happier than me to be back home with them I made Ben, Tony and me some coffee.

While we drank coffee and visited with Ben I started scrubbing on my soon-to-be-pretty sea shells, that Tony and I had picked up on the island's beach. As I was telling Ben all about our super-fun vacation and thanking him for baby-sitting for us, I accidentally re-injured my cut index finger using the scrubber, because I can no longer multi-task anymore and I should have known better. 

As I laughed about not being able to talk and work at the same time, I tried to bandage up my finger, without the use of a real Band Aid and that's when Ben made a suggestion, "Nance, you should have brought back some island sand, too, so you could fill it first into the jar then fill with the shells—to remind you of y'all's fun trip to Port Aransas."

"Oh, my gosh, I should have. That's a great idea, Ben. I'll call them tomorrow and ask them to "Send Sand." And that's about it for tonight.

Y'all have a great evening!

Happy Birthday, Matt B.!

Tony and I want to be among the very first to wish our dear friend, Matt B. the happiest birthday that he has ever had, because we love him so much. So, even though I can't sing worth a darn, but Tone can, we want to sing to our dear friend the Happy Birthday Song, so here goes Matthew...

Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday Dear Matt. Happy Birthday to You Dear Matt. And please have many more, because we love you so much!

Matt, we hope this is one great day for you and we hope to see you, your friends, Lisa & Mississippi Mark, and Gail and Paul sooner than later. You take care. Because We LOVE YOU and miss you!