I See The Moon

I long to capture the moon as I see it out here and my camera just doesn't seem to do what I want it to. I'm still trying to figure out what all the buttons mean and how to play with lighting. But the following are a few pictures of the moon that actually weren't blurry or too bright. A clear, dark night sky is truly incredible out here! Without all the big city lights to dull the light show above, the stars seem only miles away and the moon larger than normal. I love to just throw my head back on nights like this and take in the wonder and beauty of God's amazing creation. I apologize the pictures aren't any better, but maybe some day I'll figure out this high tech camera and all the potential it holds. (This next picture is one of my favorites...I like the softness around the moon, makes it seem even more inviting.)

Did WE do that?!?

I don't write about them much, but they are part of our life out here and we so enjoy having them around. I'm talking about our 2 dogs. They are adjusting to their new home and enjoy all the room to run. I feel bad because they spend some of their days couped up in their tiny pen, so when we can we let them out to run. They usually stick close to the house and on this particular evening I forgot I had put a bag of garbage on the porch with the intention to take it to the burn bin as soon as I had the time. (No, we don't get garbage pick-up out here, are you kidding me?!) So when I stepped outside to do something I found this...

...and these 2 were right in the middle of it, looking as guilty as ever! Errr....bad dogs!!!

My next words were, "What did you 2 do?!?" Bruiser came over, tail between his legs, ears back, and looking very guilty. Bryn on the other hand, had her tail wagging as if to say, "Look at what I did...isn't it neat?!" I just shake my head. I never realized how much personality some animals have until we got Bruiser and Bryn.

Bruiser is very mellow and prefers to sit on the porch smelling the breeze. He rarely barks.

Bryn barks at everything and she is always running around finding trouble somewhere. She probably has like the coolest puppy adventures...at least in her mind. We went for a walk after the rain this week and the minute she sees a puddle she goes hopping over to it and jumps in...literally, she doesn't ever test the water first, she's all about getting dirty and getting dirty fast. Gotta love 'em! They are good pups most of the time and they do listen well, so I can't complain. I'd rather them go through the garbage than chew on furniture.

Two Adorable Brothers For Sale....Any Takers?

For Sale

by: Shel Silverstein

One sister for sale!

One sister for sale!

One crying and spying young sister for sale!

I’m really not kidding,

So who’ll start the bidding?

Do I hear the dollar?

A nickel?

A penny?

Oh, isn’t there, isn’t there, isn’t there any

One kid that will buy this old sister for sale,

This crying and spying young sister for sale?

This loving poem was a favorite of my younger brother, Jason...better known as Digger. I used to hate this poem cause he would literally shout it out and they both got quite a kick out of it, as if life was so bad with me that they really did want to sell me. (Probably wanted some dumb ol' puppy or a set of lego's in my place) My older brother, Mike....better known as long haired hippy dude, also liked to chime in when he could and add to the banter. So for years of enduring countless hours of torture and suffering from the 2 of them, I'm now getting pay backs and isn't it great, you 2?!? And for anyone in the market for 2 adorable brothers, feel free to peruse through the following pictures, taken by the 2 adorable, loving creatures themselves on the day of my wedding. Yep, that's right, we didn't find these masterpieces until after the wedding was over and we realized they went around to almost every table, ensuring their spot as the first on the disposable cameras we had placed around the tables. (Sometimes I find it hard to believe we are actually brother and sister...20 million sperm and they were the fastest?!?)

These last 2 are my personal favorites. Check out the expressions....I just shake my head.

Wedding gown....$800, tuxedo's.....$1,000, 20 disposable camera's.....$30, photos that will last a lifetime.....priceless!

Isaac, The 7930 & The Great Corn Harvest!

Well, your patience has paid off...you are now about to see more adventures of Isaac and the 7930! You'd better hold on tight, cause this one is a real winner of an adventure, complete with a corn thrower and more raw footage of the 7930 in action!

Following the Great Stick Harvest, the raw horsepower of the 7930 had finally been unleashed and the possibilities for it's use seemed virtually endless to Isaac. The storm that also provided all the sticks for the Great Stick Harvest, also made the corn grow and soon after the Great Stick Harvest, it became apparent to Isaac that they would once again need to unleash the power of the 7930 for the Great Corn Harvest. In order to prepare for this grand event, the 7930 needed to be in top working order. This harvest was to be a bountiful harvest and they couldn't afford to have any delays! So Isaac hunkered down and did a full inspection of the tractor.

How's that engine look? Think she needs more fluid, Isaac? Be sure to check those gauges!

How 'bout those pedals? Are they in top working condition? Wouldn't want to slip a gear.

Finally, the 7930 was given a passing inspection by our talented mechanic. Oh, the excitement was high, as Isaac, the 7930, the Corn Thrower, and their cameraman prepared to bring in their bountiful harvest. And so, the harvest began...the cameraman stayed at a distance as the Corn Thrower began her duties and Isaac stood by, ready to scoop up the corn and begin to fill the 7930. (I believe this raw shot captures the Corn Thrower calling out a warning as she is ready to pitch some ears.)

Whoa, Isaac, step back! That was a close one, buddy! Whew...I think that Corn Thrower needs to go into the shop for a little maintainence. Her aim seems to be a bit off...but good thing Isaac is quick on his feet and he was able to move away before that ear got him! (Impressive Corn Thrower, though, check out that arm and her technique...now if they could just get her aim on....)

The Great Corn Harvest is off to a fantastic start! All appears to be going well so far, as the Corn Thrower and Isaac stop to appease the cameraman for a superb shot. (Check out those smiles!)

This is also an impressive shot by the gifted cameraman! This is one highly talented group of people, folks...you may want to keep them in mind if your ever planning a Great Corn Harvest, I hear Isaac and the 7930 may be thinking about hiring out...this economy has everyone worried.

Well, it looks as though the harvest WAS bountiful and the 7930 is just about full....

....so Isaac climbs aboard the 7930...

...checks to be sure all connections are secure (it would be a shame to loose such a bountiful harvest, but with Isaac at the wheel, have no fear, she will get there safe and secure!)...

...and starts 'er up!

Listen to that diesel purrr....VVVVRRRROOOMMM!!! (Looks like our trusty cameraman stepped away from his post and allowed the Corn Thrower to take over)

And last but not least, the cameraman and Isaac are sorting through their Great Corn Harvest to share with their friends....funny I don't remember receiving any corn. Think you could get the Corn Thrower to throw some our way next time???

Well, there you have it folks, Isaac and the 7930 have once again proved their exceptional talents along with the Corn Thrower and the cameraman. I hope you have enjoyed Isaac's adventure. Stayed tuned, you never know when another adventure will take place!

A Stare Down!

My travels to and from the field to bring meals to the guys sometimes presents some great photo ops. This was one of those moments. One my way out to the field, I came upon this big fella and I had slowed down to wait for him to move aside. Being that I'm the bigger one on the road, you think they would get the hint and move over (I'm no big person, so when someone bigger than me is in the way...I move aside). Apparently in cow land, this is not the case. He came snorting onto the road as if he owned it and stood there stubbornly munching his weeds, all the while throwing me his best intimidating look. It didn't work...I honked the horn, scared the willies outta him and he quickly vacated the road. Ha, take that ya big weenie!

So on my way back home, I couldn't wait to see if he'd decide to take me on again. (I secretly hoped he would...I love using the horn!) He was right there by the road waiting for me again and I decided to defy all his menacing ways and get a few pictures. He looked at me with a very bored look at first, again chewing his weeds...

...I drove closer and snapped another picture...

...closer yet...

...I dare you, big fella, come on out and join me...

...Chicken! He didn't even have the guts to meet me on the road this time but he sure did give me some black looks. (Hey, I thought I was queen of those!)

(He is rather big and intimidating, though isn't he?! Please don't tell him, I'd rather him think I referred to him as big weenie.)

A Rainbow Promise

Since the flood, rainbows have represented a promise. Out here in the Big Sky we are often given a spectacular and indescribable display of God's creation and His promises to us. This week in particular has been somewhat tough for Jamie and I. We've been stretched and I must admit, I've not stepped up to the challenge all that well. I've wanted to throw in the towel so many times and I spent the beginning of the week in a rut of depression. But through God's grace and mercy He often shows us a rainbow during the thunderstorm. I am humbly reminded of God's love and faithfulness through the blessing of family. My family has been my comfort in the midst of chaos and difficulty. They remind me many times that life many not be what I expected or desired at the moment, but through it all God is there for me and it is during these times that our faith can heal wounds disappointment leaves behind. These are the important moments when God promises that He will be there....through rain or shine, He will be a constant....He promises a rainbow, a magnificent display of color in a seeming less bland situation. So today, I thank God for the blessing of a promise to always provide and through that promise, providing me with a family who has never given up on me, even when I've been impossible.

This particular rainbow appeared this week after a welcome rain shower...I welcome the rain because it means some unexpected time with my husband, who I don't get to spend enough time with lately. To those of you who have prayed for us, we are deeply grateful and ask that you continue to ask the Lord to lead and guide us. He has a plan for us and although I may not understand it right now, our prayer is that we may continue to follow His leading and direction.

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8

Dust Trail

I peeked out the back door last night and this is what I saw. I quick ran to get the camera hoping it would pick up the dust trail Jamie was leaving behind with the 4 wheeler and IT DID! You can often tell where they are working on these hot, dry days due to the dust that gets kicked up from the vehicles. The sunset in the background was quite impressive too. Everything the sun shines on turns a fiery, orange...it's absolutely beautiful and one of the favorite parts of my day.

A Close Encounter!!

The snow snakes are once again on the prowl, but this time I fear it is the blue-eyed snow snakes that are making a grand appearance. Yes, that's right....BLUE-EYED...the deadliest of them all!!!! I was fortunate enough to get away from this creature before he attacked!! But, I fear, my interaction with him has completely scarred me for life. It was a close call and for a moment a thought I was a goner, but I think I was able to scare him off at the very last minute. I haven't seen any since my earlier encounter with this stunning creature in the beginning of the week. The following is some rare footage I was able to capture before he rund-oft...in fact, this may be the best footage on file, they are very hard to capture on film, so I hear. But I warn you...be on the lookout...I hear they are everywhere these days! One cannot be too careful! I hear you can buy blue-eyed snow snake repellent, but I have been unsuccessful at securing myself some of that marvelous, potent formula. So, rest assured for now, I have taken all precautions and I am on constant alert....he won't be coming near me any time soon...I skert him away fur shur!

~This post is dedicated with love to Papa Smurf and Mudder Smucker~

A Peek into Harvesting

I'm always looking for creative ways to capture the pictures I see. Tonight I took dinner out to my hunk of a husband who was running the second combine (finally...the poor guy has been working hard all week to get it running). He was harvesting Camelina, it's a grain that is most often made into an oil. (Please, don't ask me any more questions about it, I'll tell you more once I've done the research.) Jamie's boss had mentioned that it might be a good idea to go and get pictures of him combining for possible web use. So armed with my camera and some food, I found my way out to the field (I'll be honest, I got some much needed directions from one of the guys). After Jamie polished off his plate of food, it was time to get back at it again. And here are the images I saw as I stood by watching my hunk of a husband work...

Through a hole in the trailer...the hole is about the size of a nickel.... ...through the engine of a tractor... ...through a crack in the trailer....

...through the wooden slats of the trailer...

...and this was the image I saw in my mirror as I drove away.

I hope you've enjoyed this little "peek" into harvesting here at the ranch.

Field Work

I have become the jack of all trades, master of none. Back when I had visions of my life as a grown-up, I can't say I visualized this. A year ago when I imagined my life out here on the ranch, I can't say I visualized this. I never dreamed that I would hang my nurse's cap to the side to trade it for marketing organic grain. But here I am, the nurse with no marketing experience attempting my hand at it. As part of the many new job title's I've taken on lately, I've attempted to get some decent pictures of the product we plan on selling so we can use them on the website we will eventually have. (PS I'd appreciate any feedback...I'm new at this...are these website worthy?)

Monday evening had me taking dinner out to the guys in the field and then running to another field so I could grab pictures while the light was still good. So while the rest of them are doing real field work, I'm was doing some field work of my own. And, just in case you think I went home and put my feet up, I didn't. There was the very messy kitchen that needed my attention, the floor covered with mud that also needed my attention and the huge pile of laundry that's been calling my name since....uhhh, goodness it's been calling for quite some time now and I've just simply ignored it...so long that I believe it's actually time to do more laundry....*sigh* (another one of my many "talents" as of lately...housewife). Oh well, taking pictures is one of my outlets. Who knows, I probably stink at it, but hey, at least I'm having fun and that's all that counts. So here is just another glance into my new world. I hope you enjoy my version of "field work". (I do...it requires much less sweating, dust and grime!)

I think I'm going to go make some apple pies now...I'm all out of "sweets" for the guys. I made some monkey bread this week...gone! I made rice krispies just yesterday....gone! Like chocolate in a room full of women...it's gone! And for those who may be wondering, I am simply loving life as a wife, ranch cook, cleaning lady, laundress, marketing rep, nurse (ok, besides putting a few bandaids on myself, I haven't been doing much of that lately), photographer...this has now become my life....you name it and I dare you to tell me I can't!!