School Performance - Sophia

Awhile back (I forgot when), big sister had a school performance.  It was way early for a school play so the Gigi couldn't make it. But I was glad daddy could join the fun.
4th grade sang songs about self-responsibility.  It was so great I cried.

Twinzers

Can you believe this doll is only 9?



Nate Turned 8

Back in September our Buddy, Big Guy, Nathan, turned 8! We celebrated with a sloppy cake and a wonderful visit from Grandma & Grandpa (all the way from California).

Lots of nature walks and snuggling occured during this visit.

Rain

We finally got some rain yesterday. Not enough. But we were grateful for the bit of respite from the heat.

The whole state of Texas is suffering from a drought.
Growing up in southern California we were always in a drought. But it meant nothing to me. Actually, I did feel guilty when leaving the hose water to run down the driveway.
Here in farm country drought is real and gravely effects everyone. My neighbors haven't been able to grow food for their animals. And around here, animals are income. For the last few weeks hay has been trucked in from Colorado, doubling the average price. Horses are being given away because they're too expensive to feed. At the livestock auction last week they were auctioning-off over 3,000 head of cattle.
My neighbor had to sell over 200 of their herd.
The ground is crispy under our feet. Throughout my pasture the earth has cracked open; begging for water.
We are thankful for an afternoon thunderstorm. But we need so much more.

There's a fella at the farmer's market who is earning money to buy a washing machine.
He paints buckets.

I think I know the girl painted on that bucket.
We've outfitted the pots with handles to use as egg collecting pails.

Drake the Duck is new to the farm. He was given to us by the plumber.
The rest of Drake's flock had been abducted by coyotes.
He is happily recovering with us. He fits right in.



These are my girls, Nigerian Dwarfs Misty and Sally.
I'm searching for a suitor buck to knock them up.



Have you ever heard the phrase, "we do what we do, ese".
No?
Maybe that's a California thing.

I bet you wonder what I do all day out here in the country. Honestly, I have no idea because the days are all the same. The heat varies on levels of intensity, the kids run around yelling and making messes, I clean up the messes, and I cook and cook and cook...forever and ever. And then I clean up the kitchen and cook again. seriously.
And I wear the same thing every day



I'll even admit that everything is from Walmart.
wow.

Today I served:
breakfast - Pear cake (pears from our trees)
lunch - cheesy pasta
choco chip cookies for our friendly guests (David has friends...I don't)
dinner- eggs, refried beans, and veggie bacon strips
*a note about the dinner- we eat eggs so much that I promise my kids will despise them when they're grown. Someone will offer them eggs and they'll be like, NO, please!
And about the refried beans - going to the market is no longer convenient. One must plan ahead and be most prepared. I do neither. Therefore I've cracked open my emergency food storage.