Great!

Today has been great, but not much to write about tonight. So, I will write more tomorrow.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Wildflours!

Today has been really great. Late this morning Tony and I went to the famous El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant, in Helotes, for a Christmas party with our dear friends-(retired) rescue ranch's dog-walking volunteers.

Omg, we had so much fun reuniting with our friends who used to come out every Friday morning to walk our dogs for us. Chris, Suzanne & Juan along with their daughter and adorable grandson, Eileen, Lisa, June, Ellen and Diane & Jim were there.

Before our delicious lunch was served, Eileen stood up and had us play her "rescue ranch" game with the top two winners winning prizes.

Eileen would ask rescue ranch questions that she had come up with, such as: "What year did the rescue ranch start in Utopia? (Answer: 1998) or What dog was adopted and went to live in New York state? (Answer: Alfie and Blackie) What dog pulled Suzanne into the creek—soaking her from head to toe? (Answer: George Clooney) What is the name of the woman, in Canada, who adopted several of the rescue ranch dogs? (Answer: Fay) Etc." Bottom   Line: Jim and Ellen won the sparkling prizes.

Of course, the food was delicious and Tony and I did not order the same thing which still puzzles me.
Anyway, Tony and I had a total blast getting to see everyone and I promise you that our table was the loudest, because of all of the non-stop laughter.

This afternoon when we got back home I decided to make this delicious cinnamon apple fritter recipe that Ronnie had sent to me a few days ago.

My sweet brother is a fabulous cook and baker and when he told me that this Wild Flour's Cottage Kitchen recipe was a very easy recipe to make, I promised him that I would give it a try.

I keep my promises. And here is a picture of the fritters right after I put them into the skillet.

And here is what they looked like before we sat down and ate one.

Ronnie was right about it being a delicious, easy to make recipe and Tony absolutely loves them. If you want this recipe just click on Wildflower's Cottage Kitchen. 

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

About Last Night!

Today has been great. Late this morning our dear friends Drew & Ellie came to see us and it was so much fun to say the least.

The minute Ellie & Drew got out of their vehicle, we hugged and then the conversation flowed and the laughter was non-stop.

I believe that you can always tell who your true friends are, because time and distant never matters at all. Maybe it has been weeks, months or years that have passed without any communication, but the minute that you are reunited—you pick right up where you left off and it is so easy, because you don't have to entertain or think of things to talk about.

Drew & Ellie's visit with us only lasted five hours or so and the time just flew by. After we caught up with each other's news we talked about everything: our dogs, travel, mutual friends, life, etc.

We were sad to adios Ellie & Drew when it was time for them to leave late this afternoon, because in the short amount of time the we spent with them they had filled our hearts with laughter, joy, hope and love. And that felt so good.

About last night's post about that beautiful rainbow ring around the sun that we witnessed and Tony luckily captured on his camera, my my dear friend Cindy did a little research for me and she sent me this information about the circular rainbow around the sun link and also this:

“The Whirling Rainbow – Prophecy

There will come a day when people of all races, colors, and creeds will put aside their differences. They will come together in love, joining hands in unification, to heal the Earth and all Her children. They will move over the Earth like a great Whirling Rainbow, bringing peace, understanding and healing everywhere they go. Many creatures thought to be extinct or mythical will resurface at this time; the great trees that perished will return almost overnight. All living things will flourish, drawing sustenance from the breast of our Mother, the Earth.

The great spiritual Teachers who walked the Earth and taught the basics of the truths of the Whirling Rainbow Prophecy will return and walk amongst us once more, sharing their power and understanding with all. We will learn how to see and hear in a sacred manner. Men and women will be equals in the way Creator intended them to be; all children will be safe anywhere they want to go. Elders will be respected and valued for their contributions to life. Their wisdom will be sought out. The whole Human race will be called The People and there will be no more war, sickness or hunger forever” ~Ancient American Indian Prophecy"

Before I finish writing this post tonight I realize that there doesn't seem to be anything funny to make you laugh or chuckle, so in hopes of at least making you crack a smile reading this—I told Drew & Ellie my dirty joke about the 90 year-old couple celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary—and they thought it was the funniest joke that they had ever heard.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Solar Lights!

Today was great and yes, I performed my new habit "Today is going to be great" the first thing this morning. And yes, our dogs wagged their tails as they watched me and that brought me love and joy.

This morning while I was drinking my second cup of delicious coffee, which by the way was not Donut Shop coffee that we've been enjoying drinking for many years, I came across this quote. I liked the message so much that I am going to share it with y'all. And if it helps just one person feel better out there—mission accomplished.

For those who cannot read Nigel Marsh's quote, it says:

"There are thousands and thousands of people out there living lives of quiet, screaming desperation who work long, hard hours at jobs they hate, to enable them to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't like."

And just so you'll know, about six months ago, we started drinking Taster's Choice coffee and we love it for four reasons.

      1. It is is absolutely delicious 

      2. It is a lot cheaper than buying K-Cups

      3. It is helping not pollute the environment

      4. We cannot believe it is instant coffee

Late this morning I was cleaning up the big room and I found an unopened Home Depot sack, behind a jacket and inside to my surprise was this box of solar, changing color/white LED light string that we purchased several months ago.

So after we decided where to string them, we strung them and I love them. Here are some pictures I took after we had put them up and set up the small solar panel, in our flower pot (bucket) next to the front yard gate.

This afternoon we went to Kerrville and ran a few errands that included buying a couple of Secret-Santa Christmas presents for our friends at Escondida, buying trash bags at Home Depot and picking up a few groceries.

When we got back home, as we were getting out of the truck, I looked up and the sun was starting to set behind The Cabin and there was this beautiful rainbow colored ring around it—something we've never seen.

So we grabbed our cameras and started taking pictures. None of my turned out good enough to show the beautiful ring and my best picture out of 20 shots is this one. And even though it does not show the rainbow ring it still is a pretty cool picture, because of all of the orbs floating around. 

I believe in orbs and I absolutely love them, because they bring positive energy and protections. So I guess you could say we're covered in that area. Here are a just four pictures that Tony caught of the rainbow ring around the sun. And they are beautiful.

After our unplanned solar photo shoot, I leashed up Roy and was going to take him for a short walk around Big Foot Ranch. Tony was raking up some leaves near by and a few piles of dog poop and when he saw us he asked us to please pose for him and this is the picture that he took of me and my faithful, loving companion. "I love you, Roy!" And please note that I am wearing my famous jacket that Jack wears in my favorite TV show—Heartland.

Well, it almost dark outside and time for me to post this, but before I finish writing I am going to step outside and take a picture of our solar lights, so you can see them in action. I'll be right back.

And here it is!

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Videos, Awards, Art, Music, Friends, Rocket Ships, Art-Again!

Today has been great and I'm thinking it is because of doing my new morning habit—"Today is going to be a great day!" Clap! Stomp! None the less—it is working and I love it.

This morning after Tony and I worked a few hours next door at Escondida we came back home with intentions of doing nothing but things that made us happy.

I chose to do a little more editing on this little video that Carol and I did, a few weeks ago, for some really cool, elementary school kids that I found out are big fans of my novellas. Talk about a feeling honored.

Anyway, that is all that I can say about it, except that after we made the video, I made these Cowgirl Sisterhood Official Ranch Hand awards to be handed out to the class, with their names on it, after they watch our Cowgirl Sisterhood video. Tony was the video-grapher for us and he did a great job. So, I want to do this shout out—"Thank You Sarah, Carol and Tony!"

After I cooked lunch for us and cleaned up the kitchen, I decided that I wanted to work on the cover painting for my third novella, so I filled every space in the kitchen with my paints, brushes, art supplies, etc. Then I took this picture of the painting so far.

Then I put on my music and began painting certain things that must be in this painting. With my music cranked high I was having a blast making the additions—then I heard a car horn honk.

I put down my brush, looked outside and their was this black car stopped at our gate. As I clicked the remote to open our gate, I half-hollered, "Tony, someone is at the gate." 

Henry barked first and then Little Debbie and Big Al(ice) chimed-in with their high-pitched yapping, as Tony went outside to see who was here, while I put Henry Standing Bear in the side yard.

Oh my goodness, it was our dear friends Ruth Buzzi and her husband Kent Perkins! After howdies, hugs and handshakes, Kent said, "We came down to see Kinky yesterday. We are on our way back to our ranch and we just had to stop to say hi and drink a cup of coffee with y'all."

Of course, we said yes and invited them inside The Cabin. But the bad news was the kitchen looked like an artistic -tornado had hit it, because my paints, brushes, etc. were scattered everywhere there was space. So I apologized for the mess, as I turned down my music's volume. Then I made us some coffee.  

Ruthie and Kent stayed for about an hour and it was non-stop laughter, as we caught up with each others latest news. And at one point during our fun conversation Ruthie was holding Little Debbie, so I picked up my camera, and asked, "May I take a picture of y'all with Little Debbie?"

When it was time for our dear friends to leave we walked outside and Ruthie told me that she loved our little outdoor bistro sitting area.

After hugging Ruthie and Kent, before they got into their car, Kent complimented us on all of the work and improvements that we've done at our Big Foot Ranch. And when Kent looked at my RV (The Mother Ship) Bob, the little green alien that I painted it's door, Kent said, "I think y'all should paint this, black, water cistern and make it look like a rocket ship landing or taking off." And we all laughed about it. 

I liked Kent's suggestion, but I think that I will do that when spring arrives and it will be much warmer outside. So here is a before picture of that unpainted water tank.

After we adios-ed our good friends we came back inside and I cranked up my music and did a little more work on my painting. This painting is still a work in progress, but I want to show you what I've done so far. But I am not going to tell you what I've added.

And as I finish writing this post, all of my art supplies are back inside the closet. The kitchen looks like it should. And Henry is snoring on the couch, while my music serenades me. And needless to say—it really has been another great day. 

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Habits! or Dressed Up!

Today has been great, because I knew it would be. Last week after watching several amazing videos, on YouTube, this motivational speaker grabbed my attention when he basically said, "Create your habits and your habits will create you. It's that easy....Every morning the first thing that I do is sit up on the side of the bed and say out loud, "Today is going to be a great day! Then I loudly clap my hands together and then jump out of bed making a very loud noise when my feet hit the floor...." So guess what I've started doing the first thing every morning?

The first morning when I did this—I immediately convinced all five of our dogs that I was borderline crazy, which they already knew and had proof of. Their reaction was hilarious and I wish that you could have seen the puzzled looks on their faces.

The second morning when I did this, our dogs were already prepared for what was fixin' to happen, but Tony wasn't, because I had not told him about my new habit.

Anyway, he was in the kitchen pouring himself a second cup of coffee when he heard me, in the bedroom, talking to myself, then loudly clap my hands together, followed by this loud thudding noise when my feet hit the floor. He hollered, "Nance! Are you okay in there?" Then he raced into the bedroom to see if I had fallen or needed help or something.

And yes, it was hilarious once again, to see the expressions on our dog's faces, as they stared up at Tony. They shot him this look, that probably was saying, "It's no big deal. It's just her new habit. You should try it."

Early this afternoon, Tony and I went to Kerrville to wash and dry a load of clothes and while that was happening, at the Country Clean Laundromat—we were walking around, the big H-E-B, stocking up on groceries.

When we got back home, after putting up the groceries and our cleaned clothes I cooked us lunch. And after lunch and cleaning up the kitchen, I indulged myself and cooked us our new, favorite, Mr. Food dessert recipe—Dressed Up Weenie Wellingtons.

You see, a few days ago, after watching Howard, in the Mr. Food test kitchen make these easy and delicious snacks/appetizers, I made them. And needless to say, Tony loved them and he could not believe that I'd actually made them.

Here is a picture that I took of them right after I pulled them out of the oven and had covered the pigs-in-a-blanket with the melted butter, walnuts, brown sugar and honey topping.

And here is the link to watch Mr. Food make Dressed Up Weenie Wellingtons. So you too can make this recipe for your family, while secretly gaining a few more unwanted, holiday pounds.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

A Swift Kick!

My last post was on November 17th. I haven't been blogging much this year because I've been depressed almost all of 2018 and only recently have I've actually become aware of it.

Basically, all of my life I've been a happy person and have had a wonderful life full of love and friends. Sure there were ups and downs and hills/mountains to climb or fall off of, but I always bounced back or better said, "Gotten right back in the saddle."But that was then and this is now.

I hesitate to write this post tonight, because I do not want it to be a downer or depressing to anyone, because that is not my style. I love life and I know that I am one of the lucky ones to have so much to be grateful for. And trust me—I am grateful everyday and I spend each and everyday counting my many blessings and saying prayers and thanking God for everything.

Around three weeks ago is when I finally realized that I have been depressed about several things. And that made me unhappy and that was scary, because I am not usually like that. I discovered that I've been deeply depressed about having to leave behind my old trailer that I loved so very much, because it never let me down in 24 years and it was the best home that I ever lived in. But I do admit that I am very thankful to be living in The Cabin.

I've also been depressed about not being able to rescue animals anymore and it haunts me daily. I've been depressed about dear, old friendships ending and being pushed aside. Dear friends passing away and leaving a void that can never be filled. I've been depressed about our sweet Belle going to the Rainbow Bridge and knowing that she is waiting there for me.

I've been saddened about this upside/down world that we are living in and how our country's politics has torn our nation apart. Where it seems or is said more common than not— "If you don't agree with my politics—you're stupid and you can go to he**! And we are no longer friends." Etc. This is sickening to me.

A few weeks ago, after discovering that I've been depressed I tried reaching out to a few close friends and after I admitted to them that I realized that I was fighting depression they casually blew me off and then changed the subject. Telling me not to worry and then they started talking about themselves. So I gave up—sort of.

I knew that I needed a swift kick-in-the-behind and that I needed to quit feeling sorry for myself. So I came to the conclusion that if I was going to quit being depressed I would have to be the one to do the kicking.

And kicking myself was not an easy task for someone my age. In fact, I almost threw my back out several weeks ago trying to kick the habit. But the good news is—I turned it around and laughed at myself for having this major poor-me-pity-party. And realizing that I was starting to get back on track and that made me feel happy and put a smile on my face.

Anyway, during the past month I had many conversations with several friends about feeling down, depressed, etc. and I soon discovered that they too had had a rough year and they were relieved to know they were not the only ones feeling "The blahs." And we all agreed that for the most part 2018 sucked and we were all looking forward to the new year.

Also, many of these friends admitted to me that for some reason they were "disconnecting." Meaning they no longer wanted to be so involved with their electronic devices such as computers, smart phones, the Internet, social media, etc. And that made me feel a whole lot better because I realized that I had unconsciously been doing the exact same thing they were doing.

With the exception of working outside on my soon-to-be-writing cabin/guest house, with Tony or spending quality time with friends and family or writing on my third novella—I no longer had the desire to waste any more of my time being on the Internet.

I mean I did feel guilty for not blogging and every evening when I would normally sit down and write something I found myself blowing it off, because I just wasn't feeling "up," because there just wasn't a whole lot of funny things going on in my life to write about. Poor me.

Part II

It's My (Pity) Party And I'll Cry If I Want to!

or

How I Stopped My Self-Imposed Pity-Party!

1. I re-read one of my favorite books Canyon of Remembering by Lesley Poling-Kempes.

2. I watched or re-watched some of my favorite movies or uplifting documentaries or television shows:

Movies

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!

It's A Wonderful Life

Chef

Documentaries

The Kindness Diaries: One Man's Quest to Ignite Goodwill and Transform Lives Around the World

Quincy

Walt: The Man Behind the Myth

Minimalism

Evan Carmichael's Believe Documentaries: 

Maya Angelou's Top 10 Rules For Success    

Oprah Winfrey's Top 10 Rules For Success, Volume 3

Steve Harvey Top 10 Rules For Success

Tyler Perry Top 10 Rules For Success

Television Series 

Cheers

Frasier

Heartland

Part III

The New Improved Happy Me!

Yes, I backed off the Internet and began disconnecting from the depressing news, etc. and I have spent many hours, as you can well see, being happy, laughing, learning new things and getting inspired. And I highly recommend this regimen for anyone feeling the blues, because it has worked miracles for me. 

As an example, after watching the awesome Minimalism documentary, I had Tony watch it with me and we have jumped on that bandwagon. We have now de-cluttered our cramped closet and have dropped off, 4 giant garbage sacks, at Good Will. And we've made several trips to the Kerrville dump to drop off useless, unneeded stuff, etc. And we plan to keep on doing it.

My sense of humor has finally returned, so I am once again inspired and writing the funniest novella that I have ever written and I am having a blast with it, even though it seems to be turning itself into a book instead of a novella. 

My New Year's resolution for 2019 is to do everything better, laugh more and to live my life to the fullest. And that includes blogging at least 3-4 times a week. (And this lengthy post proves it.) So life is once again good and thanks for being patient with my down-time. I have so much to be grateful for.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!