Little Prairie Baby

What's on Your Wall?

2012-01-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

For some time I've been looking for some coziness to hang on the walls. Children's fingerprints and cobwebs in the corner haven't been cutting it.

Gumbo Lily had suggested some Jon Crane, rural Albertan's can't seem to soak up enough Bernie Brown and I'm sporting a fine painting by a two year old. They say it's all about interpretation.

I'd love to quilt a scenic lil' homestead and put it in a barn board frame like I've spied down in Auntie Sue's basement. Doesn't that just sound snug as a bug, cozy? Also sitting high on my wish list would be a big ol, ancient of days, window frame to hang on the wall; maybe I'd punch some tin with our brand on it and frame it in that chipped up paint goodness.

Alas, I keep thinking about all these things that would be swell and don't get any of it done. I'm grateful though, for the windows in our house, because who needs Robert Riggs on the wall when you can look out and spy this.

Yes, and amen. At the close of the day, how about this for a good night kiss?

Can you see the Rockies in the distance? My kiddo loves to 'see the mountains.'
Now, shoo, go check out Gumbo Lily's blog-I love her. I think of her as a neighbour because she lives in the north like I---although, we refer to her 'north' as the 'south'...does that make sense?!

Cake in a Cup

2012-01-10T19:11:00.000-08:00

All the ladies in this house have been feeling a bit punky for awhile now. I'll spare you the details of all the nastiness of sick kids and cut to the chase.

Today was the celebratory day of my husband's birth. Up in this hood, birthday's are relaxed affairs. No over the top parties with ninety thousand children running a muck. Usually there is a cake and special meal, but that's where the train stops, right up in Boringville.

My poor husband didn't even get a lavish meal, really he'd be lucky to get some Kraft Dinner this year. Everyone I talked with today kept asking if we were doing something special and I repeatedly had to say no. I finally decided I wanted to whip something tasty together for dessert, but wanted it to be made in double time 'cause I'm slowly losing my ever loving mind with the sniffles a carryin' on in this pad.

Behold the cake in the cup. It did literally take less than two minutes to make (cooking time and all.) Although I sort of felt shame & skepticism putting a cake in the microwave-it's what happened. I blame it on the fever, ya'll.

Top it off with a pile of ice cream and you better believe it will make a happy birthday.

Recipe originally found here.

1 egg
1tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp cocoa
2 tbsp peanut butter
1/4 tsp baking powder
handful of chocolate chips
(I added oil, my first cup was fairly dry.)

Mix up with a wild kiddo by yer side and pour into a greased mug. Nuke for a minute and watch out, your mind will be blown at the easy, peasy, lemon squeeziness of this cake.

She ain't perty, but she does the trick. I double dog dare you to try this out quick before bed. For more great recipes go here.

Chorin'

2012-01-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

When I got married I received a few books on "handy household hints." I kid you not. What did people think I was? Some tom boy who wouldn't have the first clue about keeping house?

*insert crickets chirping*

Ahem.

I fancy looking through these books, nonetheless.I have one that is from the 1950's and I love reading about having company and throwing a proper party back in the day. Gelatin salads and color schemed crepe paper decorations? Why, yes pu-lease! Sometimes I think it would so nice to send a note in the mail and have 'weekend' company booked weeks in advance. Alas, reality for us is phoning the neighbours last minute and seeing if they want to whip over and share some slop. We'll toss the toys off the supper (no such thing as dinner around here) table and pitch another potato in the pot. Our company best are children with semi-clean faces and a momma who has her best ponytail holder in.

Didn't you know that a ponytail is the new shower for a mom?

Even when my house has been harassed by two untamed tigers, I love to have a sink that is clean and counters that are wiped down. Oh, there can be chaos from here to Timbuktu, but a shiny sink tricks me into feeling like my house is orderly. Isn't child rearing and housekeeping about trickery and deceit anyway?

All kidding aside, one of my favorite cleaning tips came from my auntie, which was passed down from her momma. A sprinkle of laundry detergent in the sink before you wash your dishes wipes out the crud, sparkles things up and keeps your dishrag smelling pretty as a spring rain. Just dump a teensy bit in, scrub it out good with your holy dishrag and rinse the sink out well before you do your dishes. Voila! You can send your thanks to Auntie Linda. The woman deserves a medal.

Laundry detergent in an old pail, with a china teacup makes it all the prettier to look at. Now if it would only magically do the laundry and clean the sink out itself.

2012

2012-01-06T12:51:00.000-08:00

I love this photo. The sun is shining so bright that she can't open up her eyes.

You southerners thought lawn chairs were for basking in the sun?

I think that's what trying new things out should look like, squinting into the excitement of what's going on around you. Whatever new venture you set out on 2012, be enthusiastic as a two year old skating on a wide open dam for the first time. I hope you step out into the excitement of something unfamiliar and scrunch up your baby blues looking into the sun.

I know as the fiery ball sets, tomorrow will be much of the same as today. As months flip on the calendar little hands will get bigger and I realize these routine days are growing wee girls. Even though my unchanging days of regular housework continue, I want each day to be a remarkable one. I try to slow down my moments by loving each and every one I'm in. Being ever grateful for the hand prints on the windows and crumbs under the high chair are what changes my day from being mundane to one where I have to squeeze my eyes together when I look into the future.

Although, might not every moment of my day be post worthy, I know that it's heart worthy and things I want to store in the recesses of my being. Memories I want to be etched into the core of who my children are.

So, here is to 2012; if you're not travelling the world to try new things, let each minute in your home be one that has the awe of newness.

Lest We Forget

2011-11-12T17:22:00.000-08:00

We need to remember what our forefather's sacrificed for our freedom. We need to be mindful of those that are serving today and their brother's in arms that have fallen to continue to make our nation what it is; a land of opportunity and choice.

It's stories like this one that really puts a face on Remembrance Day. It's stories that our generation is called to continue to tell as the days of our Grandparents' are being laid to rest. It's these legends that will stick in our minds; it's the faces, not the statistics.

My Grandpa Bill signed up to serve in the second world war, at the signature of his mom's hand as he was only seventeen years old. Grandpa was a prairie kid from central Alberta that hadn't known the water. He headed to Calgary to train with HMCS Tecumseh, leaving his younger brother Glen to run the farm; their dad had died a year earlier. The next year the farm was going to be left to a hired man when Uncle Glen would sign up.

Grandpa Bill was a gunner in the Navy, on the triangle run in the North Atlantic on a corvette. A ship that was only 100 feet long and there were 100 plus men on it. I wish he was still here so I could hear more about everyday life on that great creature that lived on the water.

I know Grandpa's very favorite meal on that ship was Red Lead & Bacon. Canned stewed tomatoes cooked up in bacon grease with little bits of bacon in it were a delicacy! Grandpa Bill also learned about rum in this time of his life. A big barrel of it sat on the ship. Grandpa had a bad cold, and never having had a drink before didn't know the appropriate amount of rum to take to finish that cold off, so filling his whole mug up, he woke up in the morning with the cold gone; but he could ring out the sheets he had slept on.

Grandpa made special friends in that time of his life, too. Ted Forshner would go on to guide with my Grandpa for Unlce Glen for years to come and we'd so often hear of dear Jonny Bonhamm. Our family never realized that his actual name was Jean Louise Bonhamm, as a man from Quebec's name would be, not Jonny. Jonny's family didn't know Grandpa's real name either, he was always talked about as cornflake.It was Jonny that relieved his fears in their biggest storm out on the Atlantic. As Grandpa sweat bullets each time the ocean swelled against the ship, and it leaned so far it threatened to topple over, Jonny came to the rescue. Jonny was a wise old man to Grandpa Bill's young seventeen year old mind, and so when the twenty five year old talked to Grandpa, he listened. Jonny assured him the ship wouldn't sink; it would act just like the clowns filled with air that children knock over, and no matter how hard they hit, they will always pop up. It wasn't until they were both old men, sitting around my grandparent's kitchen table that Grandpa learned that Jonny, in spite of his calm demeanor, was just as afraid, and told Grandpa the first thing he could think of to alleviate some fear.

For all the hardship and the lonesome days away from his family and farm on the flatlands, this was the highlight of my grandfather's life. Those were his glory years, he spoke of them with fondness and with pride in his voice. Every year, on Rememberance Day a cousin from Ontario would phone Grandpa to thank him for serving for our nation, for our people; now that Grandpa's gone, he phoned my mom and my auntie's. We are all still very proud of our Grandpa who served.

We need to keep these stories alive to keep it fresh in our mind what has been given to us. It's up to us to record these stories and to pass them along. Please join me this month, in a month of rememberance to write these things down. If you have a relative or friend who has served or is serving for our nations, whose story you'd like to share, please link up below. I'd love to feature someone's story for the next few weeks. Please click on the blue link button below to link up your post.

Lest we forget.

Sip a Little

2011-11-09T20:01:00.000-08:00

The days are getting shorter and the weather is brisk! It's time to curl up with a tasty, warm drink and relax by the fire.

Who am I kidding? It's time to wipe that snotty nose off your toddler (wipe the snot off, that is, not the nose off...), reach for the screaming baby, and pray for the sun to peak out just a tad so that you might remember you are not living in the far north. If you can find that warm drink that you made an hour ago, you can bet your bottom dollar it will be lukewarm. However, I have learned to appreciate lukewarm drinks now that I have two little one's to chase after; taking slow sips of cocoa doesn't have the same appeal when you have spit-up running down your arm, and your toddler is glancing at your paints and the family pet with a gleam in her eye. When your two year old's precocious nature is leading her to experiment with fur and paint, lukewarm drinks are definitely better, they go down quicker and don't keep you tied up for long.

Just don't fret, my pet, all us mother's here on the prairies need to unite. Remember that these winter months are fleeting. *insert awkward laughter* Soon enough the calves will be laying on the ground and the crocuses will be popping up. For now, try and embrace the living room forts, play dough you hope won't get eaten, and the Dr. Seuss marathon that will ensue. Cozy on up with your babes and cuddle their warm little bodies. Stare into their big, trusting eyes, and laugh at their antics. Know in your heart of hearts, that these are the good years. It might be chilly outside, but the sticky fingers on your clean windows, pointing at the snowflakes in wonder, are what will haul you through these long, Old Man Winter months.

If you are struggling with little sunlight, cyclical housework, and summer's opposite-remember we're all in this together. Find a neighbour mom to chat things over with or join a mom's group in town. You can always do what I do, lay back in that fort, and stare up at the stars on that crazy quilt's back and let your heart swell with the knowledge that you are exactly where you should be in life.

Now, wipe off your counter, make that warm drink and recollect the fact that there are only five or six months until we might see a break in the weather. That ain't nothin'...

Cavities in a cup

Hot Almond 'n' Cream Drink-please, be prepared to rot your teeth out.

1c butter or margarine
1c sugar
1c packed brown sugar
2c vanilla ice cream, softened
2tsp vanilla extract
Ground nutmeg

In a saucepan over low heat, cook & stir, butter and sugars for 10-12 minutes or until butter is melted. Pour into a mixing bowl; add ice cream and extract. Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes or until smooth, scraping the bowl often.

To make one serving: spoon 1/4c mixture into mug and 3/4c boiling water and stir well. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Mix can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to one week.

Home Again

2011-10-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

When I ask my mom about round up in days gone by from when she was young, she covers her eyes and shakes her head. Shows like Heartland might give you a romantic idea of what a round up in the mountains might look like; mercy, I tell ya, there are too many stories in the family that aren't suitable to immortalize on my blog.

The cows are home now and I'm happy my husband is back in cell reception. Things were quiet this year and went without a hitch. It was snowy and cold, that wet cold that get's down into your bones. When we popped in to see the neighbours, the girl that was riding with them out there had a mysteriously bright looking sunburn on her neck, with nary a ray of sun in the sky, you knew it was damp - the dye from her red scarf leaked onto her skin.

They're ba-ack!

My Dad and Uncle rode up to the 'top end' one year, in minus fourty degree weather and trailed strays back into corrals down at what we call the junction. They got back to the cabins around 10:00PM and when I gasp, "you could have froze to death," Dad just says they almost did. I'm glad the ugly weather this year pales in comparison to others. As much as we know a cold snap will help bring any of the cows left wandering the bush down, I'm quite content with our Indian summer.

I love the term Big Sky. It reminds me of who I am.

One of the boys I grew up with married a lovely lady from Calgary. She always gets such a crack out of things when I say my husband is out bringing home the bulls and that I'm on pins and needles waiting for him to be back in cell reception in case I go into labour. I know she pictures me out in a sod house with the wind a' howlin' and my babes round my ankles praying for Daddy to come home. That's fine, she can picture things like that because I picture her with her homeboys in the heart of the city, waiting for her man to bring her a latte from Starbucks.

Just so you know, Rebekah, if I had a clue how to run photoshop, I would put your picture right smack in the middle of the herd with a rope in your hand and poop on your boots and send it as a post card to the unit you work on .I am going to get you out here one day to help haul water and stoke the stove and maybe you could explain to me what a dishwasher and that thing they call the tee-vee is. I'll send an invite with the pony express on Monday and maybe we'll see you and the boys sometime early January.

Gracie & Wyatt's Flat

2011-10-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

My little girl is only two and is ready to move to a new pad. I thought this started when they were eighteen.

My Auntie Pat has the best play house this side of the Rockies. It's chalk full of childhood exhilaration and is the type of thing memories will be made of. Ya'll, this is the ticket; the ticket to being numero uno Grammy, Auntie, whatever title you are seeking after.

Now, be prepared because this fine prairie dwelling will make your heart a tad envious if you have the run of the mill, Canadian Tire version of a kid's fortress. If you think you can handle it, feel free to carry on.

Uncle Merle, being the man with a vision, saw this hundred year old bunkhouse, complete with the fact the pigeon's made this their home, and knew that the setup would make a fine place for imaginations to soar. With the original steel wheels still being able to turn, he hauled this bad boy back to their home place from the neighbours. Can you imagine transporting it from field to field with horses for harvest? Being the hired man who bunked in this beneath a starry sky?

A little before

After a thorough cleaning, new flooring laid down, a couple of windows and the inside being painted a cheerful yellow...the babes were allowed in! Auntie Pat has the sweetest little red play kitchen, table & chairs, and a fancy pants sock monkey tea set. It's settled the fact my girls don't want to go to Disneyland; they want to go to the end of the gravel road, to Uncle Merle's house.

Ain't she a beaut?

Times are a Changin'

2011-10-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa was one of the most well read, well traveled, intelligent men that I have ever known. He travelled the world with an international organization named C.U.S.O throughout the seventies and eighties to help local people in the second and third world countries improve farming practices. He was always open to learning and progressing as a person, and as an intellect... well almost always. He was also a Scotsman: a stubborn Scotsman.

While years passed and farming practices changed, my Grandpa liked to stick to the tried and true tested method. One year while painting the big shop on the home place, my Uncle hurried along with a huge roller brush. Looking over and seeing Grandpa methodically painting away with a little brush he commented, "Dad, why don't you get a roller like me? It goes way faster."

"This has worked well for me for the past twenty years."

Things did work well for Grandpa over the years and that's why we never argued with him while he continued to fork feed by hand daily to feed well over a hundred head of cows while the new front end loader sat in the yard.

As time passed and my Uncle began to farm with Grandpa, Uncle Ian decided it was time for a new combine. Keep in mind this isn't the early 1900's or anything, this was the time of big bangs, probably somewhere in the early 90's.

My Grandma loved to tell the story about Grandpa coming in to put his long red underwear on and crawl into his winter coat when the temperature was somewhere near thirty degrees Celsius (mid to high eighties Fahrenheit). Grandma must have thought the stress of harvest was really getting to him, because as much as a person loves heat, it's not exactly common practice to parade around in clothes like that with the warm prairie sun beating down.

My other Grandpa (Larry) farmed the neighboring quarter to Grandpa Bill and couldn't figure out why the combine was working the field with the door hanging open. After he was cornered, and an explanation of his strange behaviour was demanded, we heard something that we would laugh about for years to come. The long underwear and open door were desperate attempts to stay warm in the new combine, one with air conditioning a luxury Grandpa had never known and he didn't know how to shut it off, and was too stubborn to ask for help!

With harvest 2011 wrapping up for many farmers in the area, I wish you much luck with your air conditioners, not to mention the GPS systems. If you are having trouble, look up my Grandpa Larry, he'll come and help you shut it off and you don't have to be embarrassed by having to ask your son.

Living on the Funny Farm

2011-09-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

I thought life was a little on the cuh-razy side when we were attacking some reno's in this here abode while I was nine million months pregnant - until I stopped and realized what was actually coming out of my mouth today.

A little before. I have photos of the process, but I'll spare you the details.

Ripping apart this bedroom, to spray foam insulation in and finding a GIANT bird's nest in the ceiling, a table hockey game, multiple vintage board games and an old wallpaper sample book from the 40's was nothing.

Thanks to Alyssa Penner out of Drayton Valley, Alberta, for the photos. She took time out of her visit with her sister to come and take pictures of our wild prairie children. I don't know if we were more than she bargained for when she was led to the loft of the barn.

Pulling up the carpet- sanding, sanding, filling every single crack in the original hardwood, sanding, and sanding some more 'till I was praying the sander would blow up, was not crazy.

We put new dry wall up and painted the walls a very boring tan. I thought anything could go up on the walls to spruce the place up.

What was a little on the unbalanced side was when I actually said to my two year old, "Do not rope your sister," in a calm manner. I didn't realize that this is not your normal everyday conversation. Complete with blue ribbon out of my sewing cupboard, she looked up at me and said, "catch Momma?"

My favorite part of this room a few weeks ago was the floor. I think the sheer amount of effort that went into it, made me want to kiss it sometimes. Now my favorite part of the room is that baby in the crate. No, it is not her bed for the night.

Mercy law, send in the troops.

Just Hangin'

2011-09-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

I love the look of little old fashioned clothes hangers but couldn't find them anywhere when I had my first daughter. The closet in her room doesn't have any doors, so everything is exposed to the world-good or bad. I painted up a bunch of pink hangers so everything looks a little more uniform and tidy.

I also made a whole pile of vintage, western hangers to take to some Ag trade shows I sold my goodies at. I have a bunch of hangers left over and are in my stash that I sell from home. If you are local and need a baby gift and a trip to the city is out of the question, come on by, there are shelves full of unique gifts. If you are looking for old fashioned baby hangers-I'll hook you up.

Ish

2011-09-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

I'm posting photos that have nothing to do with this post because today is the kind of day I'm letting myself surrender to a 'whatever' sort of attitude.

Frightened?! Watch me!

If you were to walk into this humble abode, you would possibly find a momma in such a relaxed state of mind that you would want to just fall asleep in my presence. I have turned over a new leaf, ladies. I am conciously making the decision not to be too stressed over things. That wound up ball of, must get the floor vacuumed nine trillion times a day, has been chucked out the door.

I had company over last Wednesday and considered scrapping my list of to do things for the morning to prepare for these chiquitas coming over. That left me feeling a bit like a sandwhich without bread. I still made my list and when my husband saw it the night before, he laughed at my 'start cider-9:45 (ish.)'

I thought I should get a pat on the back for placing the 'ish' on the end.

The unfortunate part was the cider was prepped by 8:25 AM and I watched the clock and didn't turn the stove on until 9:46, just to be a person of calm.

I'd like to be the kind of mom who could possibly feed on demand, let their kids run willy nilly once in awhile, and for seuth not be irked when the house is run amuck. The sad side of things is for a personality like mine, you would expect things to be perfect in this home, but alas the kids are rangy tangy, things are a bit loony, and sometimes when I fold laundry there are more pairs of jammies than clothes. I'm just trying not be so worked up over it and am realizing you have to be flexible in this motherhood gig or you might be on the road to losing your marbles.

I can happily say the transition to two has been one of the smoothest and happiest times in my life. I would have enough kids to create my own sports team, if my husband and I weren't ancient of days and pregnancy wasn't just so plain nasty.

The key in it all is to be a cool cat and to just relax your bones. Somehow I am missing that key, because it wasn't labelled, organized and put away in the right spot. If you find it, let me know, otherwise you'll probably still hear my two year old following behind me scrubbing floors saying, "eew, sick," just like her momma.

Out on the Prairie

2011-09-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

It's Kids Day in Russia around here again.

The enthusiasm from every childhood Christmas is encompassed in a Fisher Price Kitchen that some dear friends have lent us for our little girls to play with. We chuckled over the fact that those little girls would shout out the plastic window above the sink, "whoo hoo, supper time!" Hoping this might encourage my daughter's domesitc skills and waiting for the day she might shout out the window, "come for supper," I was sadly mistaken.

Listening to this wild little prairie girl play happily at her kitchen first thing in the morning, I hear her shout out the window of that kitchen, "I SEE 'EM! I see coyotoes! Get 'em!" Biting my lip, I peaked out her window that faces directly against the wall, "I don't see anything." Seconds later she shouts out again, "It's a badger, get a gun!" Egads! Keep this kid away from fish and feathers. This little lady doesn't know a thing about a fancy zoo that has giraffes and elephants, but she'll gladly tell you about a red tailed hawk, deer, and yes ladies, a badger.

Relaying this story to my Momma, she commented how this little hungabee will be talking crazy talk on her first day of Kindergarten. I reminded her that I volunteered for a few years in our little local school's kindergarten and I had absolutely no concerns. Consistenly on the first day of school, there was some little boy who would pee out in the playpark during recess and we would have to explain that this isn't the farm and they needed to ask to go in to the bathroom.

Oh, livin out on the prairie...

The Rainbow

2011-08-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

The day we heard heart aching news about Auntie Patty Lou, the sky was painted with a brilliant picture. One that reminded me that He is mighty and reigns over the Heavens and Earth, but He also cares about our every whispered prayer and every cry in the night. He loves us personally.

Today she receives a 'new set of lungs' and her Jesus is welcoming her home, in His loving arms.

Our hearts are so, so sad, but in the middle of our weeping, we continue to have hope and remember His promises.

Familia

2011-08-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Saturday night, all the tiniest ladies will be wearing these fine skirts made by my talented Auntie Pat. My wild hungabee will wear the one on the far right.

Watch out! We're a family of four now and this weekend we are on the loose.

This weekend is a "celebration of rural Alberta roots" and my clan is a gatherin' in the badlands of Alberta. There will be plenty of wild, thick, curly hair, freckles and bright blue eyes. Tales will be told and "remembering big" will abound.

Cousins will fly in from as far across that big ol' blue ocean and enchant us with their Scottish accents. Folks from the West & East coast will be on hand too, to try and verify some of the stories that are told.

My heart is full to the brim to be able to arrive with my two little girls, one barely on this fine planet for two weeks.

It's going to be a blast, most likely a little crazy, but family is what makes life Beauty Full. Relationships are all we can take with us when leave this Earth and are the only thing worth investing in. When we are reminded of the fragility of life, relations are the first thing that rise to the surface of what matters.

A little bit of yeehaw is going to reign this weekend and I'll be happy to report back to ya'll to let you know how it went.

***Thank you for all the well wishes and congratulations on the birth of our second girl. The transition has been smooth and we are all doing well. Please continue to pray for a miracle in my Aunt's health; we know that our God is good.***

Country Roads Lead Me Home

2011-07-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

Walking down this country road, seven sunsets ago I stared up at the vault of Heaven. My heart streamed out feelings I can't put into words to God, staring at His handiwork in the sky. I didn't even know how to pray, my heart was so heavy thinking of an Auntie whose heart is beating softer, coming to a place where she will soon meet Jesus face to face.

I also knew that within hours I would be bringing another life into this world. A wee little girl who would feel the wind on her cheeks and the sun on her skin for the first time.

I was overwhelmed with the fact how I'm not in control. What was to happen in the next few days, weeks, months-my whole life-it's out of my hands. I can look up at that big lid of blue and remember that someone who loves me is in charge of it all. That our lives here are temporary and my children aren't my own. I can rest in that, take comfort in that, and know that the little soul that has come into this world will rest in the palm of His hand and that His voice is already speaking to her spirit. I can pray that my Aunt will feel the comfort of her God rocking her to sleep tonight and that she too will rest in the same hand. A hand of eternal love.

He is the one in control when we come into this world and when we take our last breath on Earth. I am grateful for a personal faith. A faith that I'm always reminded of when I walk down that dusty path, that will lead me home.

To Quiet the Storm

2011-04-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

I feel like life dumped a big ol bag of marbles out in front of me and gave me a push to start running. I've been running and running, getting no where. Some days I feel like I can hardly take a breath or even see where I'm trying to get to. There are the moments where I'm bankrupt of any emotions; I feel simply drained.

rest

We've had some heart achy things grasp hold of us in life; we've had surprises and challenges. There have been moments of overwhelming hilarity and happiness. This season for us is just full.

When I lay down my heart pounds in my ears and I beg for a moment of calm. I expect too much of people-to fill my heart up with that happy feeling. I exhaust myself even more trying to fit that patience into my day, like it's an awkward piece of a puzzle that wasn't cut right.

Last night my husband was out pulling a calf, my girl was asleep in bed and I had a moment. That Moment rained down on me. It's when I realized that we don't need to chase that quietness, we just have to simply Be Still. It's right there.

Jesus drops stuff in our laps all day long and we don't have to chase it like a wild animal.

There is sweet encouragement in the kindness of strangers.

There is tranquility in the sunset.

Laughter of a child is balm for any soul.

When I am still I'm overcome with gratitude for all these simple things. Oh, we all talk about the simple things, the simple life, but yes and amen, they are actually there. We just have to quiet the noise of life down and there they are.

If you just stop and take that breath, it's all right there, you don't have to find it. It's right there.

Hoping that in quietness you will find your strength today.

Muck Boots

2011-04-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Ladies, let's talk boots.

I bet you're enthused, sitting there with your cup of coffee, thinking I'm going to chat fashion with you. You're thinking about those Frye boots or a nice pair of Lucheese that you've been wanting. I'm here to tell you about a whole new realm in fashion.

Hollywood here thinks she would like to chat about boots. Do you see the reflection of white in her sun goggles? The fact that the goggles were busted out is proof that that white won't last too much longer.

You aren't from the prairies if you don't know mud. You probably didn't grow up here if you haven't had your gum boot fall off when you are trudging through that ooze and you keep on going in your sock feet because your feet are so cold in this springtime weather.

We still have feet of snow on the ground, but it won't be long 'till we are swimming in sludge. A big ol nasty mire of nothing but pure dirty that makes a grown man grin as he digs trenches in the lane. That huge ball of fire in the sky is packing heat on some of these afternoons and my little girl has discovered the joy of puddles. Trucks are filthy, the farmers in the coffee shop are grinning and gophers are running around on top of the snow. We are busting out the Muck boots.

I mentioned Muck boots in a previous post and I received an email from a lady thinking it was funny that us Albertan's call our gum boots Muck boots. Girls, we don't just call em Muck boots-they are an actual brand of insulated rubber boots here that are meant to keep your feet warm and dry all year long. They are a thing of beauty and pair them with a dirty ol Carhartt coat and you're Redneck stylin! I love these bad boys so much that I'm writing a whole post on these blessed chore boots.

Back in the day there weren't such luxuries as these treasures. Ranchers would wade out in the sludge to check calves and come in with stained socks much to their wive's dismay. I'm sure no one really minded that much; you're just thrilled Spring arrived here.

One of my favorite famed 'muddy' stories in the family took place right where my folks live now. It was my Great Grandpa's place many moons ago, the legendary hero we all called Pappa. Years ago, when Charolais bulls were relatively new to Canada, these big beasts got out and were heading to get in with the heifers. My dad was out with Pappa in the barnyard soup when Pappa started hollering to beat the band at my Uncle at the top of the pasture to cut the bulls off. With all the bellowing Pappa's teeth flew out of his mouth and landed right in the slop and manure. Losing his teeth paused the hollering, but Pappa just gave those teeth a quick wipe, popped them back in his mouth and commenced whooping. Only in Alberta- we don't let the mud and manure get in the way!

It's Really Coming? When?

2011-03-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

March came in with a mighty roar and left like a hormonal lioness, leaving her six inch paw prints in the snowdrifts. She twitched her tail and had a little sauce in her step.

I stuck my tongue out at her as she departed.

Like I mentioned, we hunkered down and battled our way through the winter. It's all warm and cozy until Christmas is over and January greets our unsheltered prairies with a cold hand shake and a snarl on her wind whipped face. March came along and we all breathed a little, hoping to see some sunshine.

It was a trick ya'll.

March madness, St. Patty's Day, the first day of Spring-nothing could really lift our spirits. We were left desolate and bleak, much like our landscape. I think it snowed everyday since the first day of Spring, without a break for a splash of sunshine.

My Canadian spirit of happily embracing the cold and getting excited over curling and hockey was rapidly diminishing. We bring entertainment indoors in Winter, but I was ready to boot this party outside.

Oh yes, it's a gala inside the house in the winter. Us Albertans, we install swings inside the house!

Who needs Disneyland? Take me to Oma Helga's!

We sit by the window and watch the tractors. You question why we don't have TV? You thought it was because we lived in the boondocks?

Tractor? Cows? Tractor? Moo?

We bring the run bike inside, folks. It's Kid's Day in Russia!

My poor kid isn't allowed to have a tricyle. She has a run bike, no pedals, ladies. Helps with balance (again, insert eye roll here.) Good thing she just learned to walk.

We sew and make so much stuff that the mounties are looking in the basement to see if we have a small sweat shop.

If you need some western baby stuff, send me a message!

We eat, we read, we get plumper-and we wait.

I LOVED this last book. Go read it. I might have to do a post dedicated to this book.

Some of us try to run away, even the hound, but when you're born on the prairies, you just really can't get away. They become a part of you.

Photos one, two and this last one were taken by good ol Jenny Keet. Picture taking extraordinaire and a girl with really nice feet.

The minute you think you're going to crack and think you see snow falling INSIDE the house (which it will drift inside the door in the entrance) you suspect you heard the weatherman muttered something about plus temperatures. Hoping the man hasn't lost his marbles through Winter and hasn't been drinking, you get your hopes up.

That's what Spring is all about anyway, isn't it? Being reminded of hope and remaining hopeful.

I hope Mother Nature remembers to be hopeful and whistles a little zip a dee doo da here in Alberta. I'm sure she'll do just fine as long as she's not hormonal like that young lioness...unless of course she's menopausal and is trying to battler her hot flashes with these cool temperatures. Sheesh!

Spring has Sprung

2011-03-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

Friends, you must forgive my absence. I have been digging my way out of the snow to try and find a computer.

Ya'll, it's the first day of Spring and this photo was taken today. Alberta is boasting piles of snow coming down. The temperature isn't -40 degrees Celsius, so it does feel balmy outside and we almost put on our flip flops.

I wanted to capture some photos for you, dear readers, but the fact of the matter is, the horizon runs together with our snow covered prairies making the photo of nothing but blind your eyeballs white.

Oh, I promise the crocuses will pop through, the gophers will start a runnin, and the calves are already making an appearance.

Once I've rattled this brain around to try and get it working after my long winter's nap, I'll be back to tell you folks about what we did to survive this winter. Yes, survive-we held onto deep freeze temperatures week after week and blizzard upon blizzard reigned down.

We saw eight foot snow drifts, ladies and gentlemen, and my daughter doesn't ask to go 'outside' she asks to go out to the 'cold.'

January I hid in the house for seventeen days straight, visited the neighbours, and hunkered down again. I'm not kidding when I say I need to get this brain a rollin' again!

Don't fear, the Muck boots are out, the stroller is ready to walk this lane and I'll let you in on a few secrets this prairie momma has up her sleeve.

I've missed you all, oh so much, and am looking forward to our springtime reunion. Can someone bring a space heater?

Boxing Day

2010-12-28T10:58:00.000-08:00

This kiddo was laughing her guts out. This is not a look of shock, nor a yawn, this is a pure belly laugh.

Recently a friend from the US asked about our Boxing Day. It made me think how far our culture has come from what Boxing Day was originally intended for. On December 26th commonwealth countries have Boxing Day marked on their calendars. Way back in the day, Alms Boxes (boxes for the poor) were placed on church doorsteps for people to put money in. It was a day that was marked as giving to the poor. Now it's turned into a similar day to the American Black Friday (or what I know of it.) People wake up at crazy hours, some at 3AM, to drive to the city to stand in line to wait for stores to open and get smokin deals on all sorts of things. We've never done anything like this, probably not just because of the insane amounts of people, but we were all laying around in our pajamas eating turkey buns.

Really I don't think we need a day marked on those little square boxes to remind us to think of those less fortunate than us. I believe it should be something imprinted on our hearts all year long, and something that is just a natural extension of who we are. Nothing to be shown off or consciously thought of, but it should be as customary as getting your breakfast in the morning.

This year was a beautiful day as a Chinook had blown in right before Christmas and to accompany our white landscape there were impressive warm temperatures. A pink Carhartt coat, yellow snowpants from when I was a kid, and a poor old Oiler's toque (the only one we could find) was tossed on and sleigh rides around the yard ensued. Who needs mittens? Kitty socks on the hands work just fine. A lucky little girl, who promptly could call the horse after she said Momma, got to go for a lil ride and sat up their like a big girl, clicking her tongue and laughing. What a day it was!

What did you all do the day after Christmas? Was it time to put the tree away and clean the house? Were you still at gatherings? I'd love to know.

*UPDATE* Another Canadian blogging friend made a wise comment about Boxing Day being the day post Christmas when servants got the day off. I looked it up and that is another part of Boxing Day--according to the article I read, people would send home with the servants, boxes of gifts, bonuses or food to go with them to visit their families. Again according to this article, it stated about Alms Boxes left on Church doorsteps. Who really knows...?

Breathe In, Breathe Out-It's Christmas

2010-12-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

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By the time I actually get this post finished, Winter solstice will have past, and us Albertan's will have experienced one short day. I poked my head outside for the few minutes of sunshine we had, and then raced back in to continue wrapping gifts...no, I raced back into grab the last gingersnap.

Really, that is neither here nor there; let's get down to business. If I'm truly finished writing this by the 23rd, that leaves us two days till Christmas. Count 'em- T-W-O. How are you feeling about this? Are you pacing and hyperventilating? Do you feel like you're on a runaway treadmill and can't find the off switch? Maybe you are sitting in your green chair with your feet up laughing at all the people making their last minute trips to town to buy more gifts - gomers. Your gifts have been wrapped for weeks, months maybe, packed away in alphabetical order, beside your freezer full of Christmas baking.

You didn't really want to hear about those green chair folks anyway, did you? They are the gomers after all?!?! Right...

Back to business. I am not the latter type, a super organized person with Christmas powers in my hands to have everything all in perfect shape. Yet, I can assure you that I'm not the former either. There is no wildness in this house, okay, not about Christmas anyway. Honestly, dear readers, I've said it a few times this week, Christmas comes and Christmas goes. What get's done, get's done, and what doesn't, doesn't. No one's going to be angry that there aren't gingersnaps on the table - except maybe your diabetic Uncle, but does he really need an extra four pounds of gingersnaps anyway? Do you really think your four year old will notice that his gift is wrapped in Loonie Store paper and looks kind of like he wrapped it himself, instead of with natural packing paper, hand stamped with homemade ribbon that took you four months to make? Nah. Your child will be in wonder with the twinkly lights on the tree, and mercy, if a tree didn't get put up, they will be enthused that you are enthused about the day. They will remember everyone was happy and excited, they will remember Daddy reading Luke 2, they will remember you teaching them to take baking to the neighbours and to remember to pray for those that don't have a Christmas meal that day. Let's not teach our kid's to be stressed, to be wild over preparation for an event that we've marked on the calendar and keep thinking, "EGADS, FOUR MORE DAYS LEFT, I HAVEN'T BAKED THE NINETIETH BATCH OF SUGAR COOKIES!"

"Johnny, go play, your Mommy will come up for air in twenty hours after she has scrubbed the walls for company coming, repainted the living room, cooked the hardest candy to make ever, all for Christmas, Johnny, all for Christmas!"

Slow down. Again, it will come and it will go. We'll all be a little fatter afterward, and hopefully we won't all be burnt right out, we'll have remembered what Christmas is truly all about.

Christmas Concern

2010-12-13T19:39:00.000-08:00

I kind of want to make this picture extra small. Camouflage gift wrap? Why is this stuff legal?!

Ladies, tonight I have a little concern floating through my mind. I talked to my friend today who let me know her husband was in Medicine Hat-Christmas shopping. Egads! Someone let this man go ALONE to the city to shop for his wife?

If I was the betting type, I would start some kind of pool on here with all your guesses of what this man will bring home.

I did write him a list of rules guidelines for him to peruse, but again, if I was the betting kind, I'd like to place a bet to see if that list is printed off and in his wallet.

Where do you think this man stopped first? Let's hope he ran out of gas and had to call his sister. What can we do to stop him, send a messenger pigeon?

If your brother, husband, father, son has trouble shopping for anyone, feel free to consult that guideline and paste it to their forehead. Oh, they'll learn and grow, trust me, it only makes me a little afraid to see that there is camouflage wrapping paper in with the Christmas wrap?! Is my husband hoping that my gift will blend in with the tree?

Mercy, if someday I have a boy, please pray for grace for me!

Here for Coffee-Cathryn-The Farmer's Trophy Wife

2010-12-10T06:06:00.000-08:00

On another cold and blustery day, us Albertan's are huddling in tight for another cup of coffee, here on the naked prairie's. Today, Cathryn from The Farmer's Trophy Wife is writing a guest post. Cathryn started her blog after her second babe was born, as a distraction from the mountains of diapers in her home. A tongue in cheek blog title of The Farmer's Trophy Wife was born and a blog about their ranching lifestyle, western home decor and her love of fashion has become a hit with so many readers. Her animated and good humored sense of writing can always cheer this Prairie Girl, even on the coldest winter day. Be sure to pop by her blog and check it out!

Cathryn-The Farmer's Trophy Wife

Hello Cheyenne and all you lovely readers out there in blog land!

Thanks so much for having me over for coffee (I like mine Irish...). I’m Cathryn and am a self-described Farmer’s Trophy Wife! I live with my husband and our two kids on our 3rd generation farm/ranching operation and are known around these parts as the woman with the perfectly arched eyebrows hidden under my toque in -30 degree weather and the one who wears designer sunglasses while mowing the lawn. I write about anything and everything that strikes my fancy and I hope you enjoy!

For fun, I’m going to share the top 5 things that I can’t get out of my brain these days...

1- A great gift for that hard to buy for man in your life! My husband is a hunter and last year for Christmas he was given a trail camera...this fancy gadget is designed to be hung on a tree or fence and take digital pictures of the animals you are hoping to find! My darling husband, eager to test it out, hung it in our yard....and we were amazed at what we saw! Every single vehicle that drove in and out of our yard, the neighbour’s dog visiting 20 times a day and even the vehicles going by the driveway! The pictures were clear as a bell and at night there was even a flash so we could see everything....we now hang this out regularly in our yard as alarm systems don’t work on farms (it would take the police an hour to find us!) and dogs aren’t always 100% reliable...ours has been known to bark at a bucket for an hour. A trail camera won’t deter criminals, but you will get a get shot of any vehicle and if positioned right, their licence plate...I’m not promising results, but its better than anything else we’ve got out here in the boonies!

2 Land's End Canvas I recently discovered this online store and ithas gorgeous clothes at fabulous prices!! I love everything in their online catalogue and there are more than a few items on my list for Santa!!

3- Bailey’s Irish Cream....

4- Nail polish....weird I know, but my 3 year old has formed an obsession with painting her nails, and while I prefer Piggy Paint for her...I have come to the conclusion that I have to actually invest money in my nail polish if I expect it to last more than 20 minutes...a poll on my Farmer’s Trophy Wife facebook page has lead me to OPI nail polish. It’s apparently the best and now the challenge is to actually find it...darn small town drugstores, don’t they know I need my nails to be painted “Chick Flick Cherry”?!

5- VEGAS BABY!! I head out to the NFR in a few days and I am over the moon excited! We plan to hit Cowboy Christmas and shop till we drop, and I am going to be having some great giveaways on my blog when I get back...So if you are feeling lucky, come visit me and enter to win whatever fabulous stuff I find while there!!

Thanks all for reading and thanks again to Cheyenne for inviting me over!!!

Cathryn ~ The Farmer’s Trophy Wife

Mrs. Claus

2010-12-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

"Yes, there is a Mrs. Claus. She's you-busy making visions of sugarplums come true. No gift is more welcome than goodies from your own kitchen." --Elizabeth Wood, Better Homes and Gardens magazine, December 1955

I do believe part of the merriment of Christmas is baked up in tiny little drops of enchantment-cookies. The smell, the taste, and the sparkle of Christmas cookies hold happy memories in my own heart of this time of year. I don't want to be so busy baking nine thousand batches of cookies that I forget about the relationships around me, but a few Christmas cookies with children in the house are a must.

The scent of cloves would fill the kitchen when my mom would bake her Gingersnaps and we would blissfully stuff our faces on the gallon sized pail of Sugar Cookies my Grandma sent down. She had been known to clean out her sink to mix up batches of cookies in with her grandchildren, because a lil ol bowl wouldn't do in the size of her batches. I believe I came by my love of baking cookies honestly.

I think, as a child, it was a bit bewitching to see the flour, sugar, and butter mixed together and have tasty treats form out of that; it still is.

I hope you all feel as we would expect Mrs. Claus would, brightly baking up treats in her kitchen. Try not to let the load of Christmastime weigh you down, but try and remember the joys in a good old fashioned cookie you enjoyed as a child.

Here's a treat we enjoy:

Almond Sweets

3 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
Almond Icing
Colored sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a cookie sheet; set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, granulated sugar, oil and vanilla with an electric mixer until combined. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can. Stir in any remaining flour mixture with a wooden spoon.
3. Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place balls 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool. when cookies are cool, spread with Almond Icing. Makes about 60.
Almond Icing: In a medium bowl stir together 1 cup sifted icing sugar (powdered sugar), 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (YUM!), and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to make an icing of spreading consistency.

Best of luck to you--I'd love to know if you gave these a shot.

I am linking up here.

Minus One Million

2010-11-23T17:57:00.000-08:00

This is for you, Baerg girls!

Folks, I know I just wrote a post about the delights of this Jack Frost time of year and law, I do enjoy the warmth of the inside of my house. Alas, girls, today it is so cold that when you walk outside goobers in your nose start to freeze your nostrils together. For you all who are telling me of living in states where it's in the 70'S! right now, I'd like to invite you up to the great white north. You'll enjoy your stay in a bleached land where we will submit you to a short lesson on surviving the cold and then we'll send you out to start our vehicle. Your lungs will smart as you walk, when you come in your legs will itch from the cold, and getting ready to go outside will be a 15 minute effort.

I heard a report today that Calgary (just over 60 miles away) registered as the coldest place on Earth, except for a lovely resort place in the Antarctic. Our thermometer was reading colder than Calgary! What?! It was -36 degrees Celsius, or for you cats south of the border that is -32.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Throw in some icy wind and you have a recipe for a hibernating momma.

I guess we're lucky here in Alberta, what is the need for Botox and all those other ways to look younger? Our faces simply freeze in place and our cheeks are nice and rosy preventing any need for blusher. Be wary not to make any rude faces or have a look of shock on that mug when you walk outside-that is what might be preserved forevah (or at least until Summer!)

I lumbered out the back door to snap a photo with my husband's boots on and realized the drifts were higher than the boots, which were up to my knees. I snapped the photo and wanted to wrap myself in a full body hot water bottle. I was envious of my daughter's fleece pajamas with the feet included and thought about looking for a pattern for myself.

It is no joke that we live somewhere where there have been students who have come to school on snowmobiles to take their diploma exams. They are infamous and dedicated students, it's too bad they failed, but we knew they couldn't see out of their balaclavas.

It's also a semi dangerous time of year, not for the frost bite or the bad roads, but for our marriages. Running to the back door to greet your husband with a kiss can be a hazardous task. Who can tell any of these rural Alberta men apart, they are bundled up so much? So, before you plant a wet one on the man who appears at the door, make sure it's not a neighbour who has had a break down.

Tonight, with the stove a blazing, I'm painting signs for the Little Prairie Baby shop, be warned though folks, I am not too sure how the outcome will be. Holding a paintbrush with your mittens on is proven difficult.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

2010-11-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

A glimpse out our living room window.

I love the when the busyness of the day is lulled to sleep by the shadows of the evening. In Alberta, our days are considerably shorter in the winter. My sister and I, when we were young, it would be dark out when we would trudge down the lane in our Sorel boots to get on the bus. In the evening, when we'd race back up the lane with the wind painting our cheeks red, it would be dark out again. It starts to get long by the end of January, but right now, I wrap myself in the coziness of slowing down.

I don't mind getting to bed early when the world already seems asleep, and it feels okay to hang up the apron after supper and sit down with a cup of tea. I love getting out projects that were stashed away for the busy summer months. I love warm drinks, wood stoves and looking outside to see the Evergreen trees weighed down with white. I enjoy seeing the cattle huddled together with snow on their backs and seeing the wind whirling in the yard light. Christmas baking, warm scented candles, and flannel sheets make Winter shorter for me. Most of all, a tiny marvel, with wisps of hair standing on end, pointing at the Christmas lights in glee at her Mammy's house, makes my heart full.

Hopefully, the hot chocolate from our lil giveaway will warm up Sheila's day! Congratulations Sheila, we'll be in touch. Sheila was randomly selected through here. To get me through MY Winter months, I wish this lady would start her own blog. I think the star of it would be her little boy. He is a hoot! My husband was in at her husband's shop when this little guy, maybe he is three or four years old? announced to my husband, "I know where you live and I'm going to come tear your yard up!" My husband thought this kid was about the funniest little guy he'd ever encountered and some days I would like to go pick him up and have him around the house for comic relief.

What helps you get through your Winter months?

Here for Coffee-Kristin of Faded Prairie

2010-11-16T06:38:00.000-08:00

With the sound of the wind wailing through my walls, as it busily creates bewitching snow drifts, I'll curl up in my chair with cowboy coffee brewing. I told you someone was "Coming for Coffee" and mercy, I do believe she would possibly freeze here today.

I'm excited to introduce my featured blogger for the month and am so excited she agreed to write a guest post. Kristin of Faded Prairie has stopped in to give us a glimpse of life in her part of the world. Every time I see a bovine framed, I think of this girl. She is such a creative soul and her blog is a feast for the eyes. Guaranteed if you stop by you will be encouraged, you will probably covet her home, and chuckle at her children's antics.

Grab your cup of coffee, curl up on the couch and grab a quilt-let's have a look at what this Prairie Girl has to share....

hello to cheyenne and all her wonderful readers...

i'm SO glad to be joining you for the day in canada...{although i could have picked a warmer season no?!?} ;0)

cheyenne *thank you* so much for asking this prairie girl to be here today, it means so much to me!

i'm a small town prairie girl who yearns for what once was...

my husband and i are raising three wild prairie children in the farming/ranching way of life...

while each day is a trial, thoughts of whether we will ever catch a break...

we wouldn't trade this life...

this life that enables us to be stewards of the land...

this life that will teach our kids the honor of hard work...

this life that whispers of the past...

Thanks for popping in, Kristin! I think she might be a lost sister, our signatures are eerily alike and Prairie is both rockin the title of our blogs.

Remember to enter my giveaway to celebrate the beginning of a new girl's morning in-"Here for Coffee." Head over to Kristin's blog for a chance to peek more into her world and enter another giveaway.

City Day and a Giveaway

2010-11-12T20:53:00.000-08:00

Sometimes a straight back and a smile on my face doesn't put the assurance in my step or the fortitude in my voice that I've been raised to own. Even though we were raised to be humble, we were taught to look anyone in the eye when we spoke to them.

Sometimes I just want to crawl down into my own shadow of Uncomfortable. A couple of days ago my husband and I rambled past spread out farms, along the grasslands towards the city. I had a doctor's appointment and we had plans to look for a couch afterwards. A couch that I have been looking for for years now. Everywhere I go, I take in what people are lounging on and file it away in my psyche. You think with years of this sort of research, I'd have a good idea what I'd want-not a chance.

source

Snaking our way through the maze of buildings and people, we found an exorbitant furniture shop deep in the south end of the city. My husband in his good Wranglers and I in my semi clean shirt, parked the farm truck around the side of the building. There was grass stuck in the tow hooks from jaunts out into the pasture to haul back a hunted deer-I'm pretty sure there was still blood in the box.

My palms started to fret when we were acknowledged with a quick up and down glance by a smart suit in the entrance. Minutes later when we were asked if we wanted bottled water and I prayed the blond haired man I was with wouldn't ask if it was free, I knew we should get out of there.

"Are you looking for a more traditional feel or contemporary style?"

"Country."

I knew my husband was weak kneed at the seventeen thousand dollar price tag on a couch. I was confused. Had someone made a mistake? Uh, folks, do you have a jiffy marker, this tag is mislabeled. You should really get new help.

A wool sweater three sizes two small was more comfortable than that shop. I am reminded to appreciate any soul, no matter what package it comes in. I want to appreciate and embrace our ethnically, culturally, and financially diverse country-I want to be able to beam sincerely at the salesman who smirked at us. Remind him that we are the people who make up our country.

Part of the reason I like blogging is I believe it gives us a better understanding of one another. I simply started to write to let others know about Little Prairie Baby, but now I see how blogging let's us be conscious of others. We see in each other similar feelings, whether good or bad, and the more exposure should breed more tolerance.

Once a month I'm going to have someone stop in here for 'coffee,' to let us have a little look into what their life is like in corner of this world. In celebration of this, I'd like to host a little giveaway before we have our first guest! I have a Norman Rockwell children's Christmas book, a Little Prairie Baby bib, and some yummy hot chocolate. You know the routine ladies and gentlemen-to enter leave a comment telling me who would wear this sweet bib if it showed up at your house. For additional chances to enter, become or let me know that you are a follower, blog about this contest, or grab my button. Please leave separate comments for each entry. Contest closes November 19th at 12:00PM. Best of luck to you!

Walk tall and live brave!

November 11

2010-11-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Evan, welcome home and God bless you.

"Freedom is not free."

To Give

2010-11-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

I feel as awkward writing this post as I did on my first day of Junior High, I'm just more comfortable that my Secret deodorant actually works.

Blogging isn't something that comes easily. Throwing myself out there for the world to read my thoughts gives me a little bit of the heeby jeebies, but it's good to record bits of life, isn't it? I have stacks of journals from years of thoughts needing to flow out onto paper, but mercy, throwing it out there for Phoenix and Manitoba to read is about as comfortable as seeing someone asked if they are pregnant when they aren't.

For the past week I've thought, "Tonight I'm going to blog!" The same old self doubt rolls around, that I don't have anything to say, gosh, we all know I'm not a photo lady, and why in hog city would anyone want to read what I have to say? I remembered no one is forced to read and for Friday night's sake, this is a blog, I'm not solving world peace.

I'm gonna (I mean going to, Auntie P) get my groove back, I've gotta get this blog on...and if ya'll have any suggestions of things you would like to hear about, let me know! I'm hoping if I can spit out some sort of post tonight, it's just going to come back to me. I've got the usual to share- projects, recipes, senseless drivel, and stories about my family-don't say I didn't warn ya.

For tonight, I want to direct your attention to an amazing couple from the East Coast. Allen and Violet Large won 11.2 million dollars and gave it away.

Please check out this video to hear about their generosity. These folks give my spirit a boost in so many ways. This couple renews my faith in the spirit of charity and reminds me that benevolence can make your own heart grin, helping your body to follow. Violet is undergoing chemotherapy and if you listen to the video Allen tells you it has reminded them of what is really important-relationships. They have one another. Violet tells us how good it feels to give.

We might not have 11.2 million dollars to give away, but friends, a giving heart is something we can all benefit from, it will give us joy and a calm.

Promised Land

2010-10-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

A tiny answered prayer, snuggled in purple pajamas with feet, is fast asleep in her cozy nest for the night. Echoes of an Irish Lullaby danced in the shadows of our home as I took steps around the creaks in the floor of the only room she's known.

Sitting down after The Little Poky Puppy and The Little Red Hen have been put to bed, my body starts to relax, my heart is full, and all is still.

I close my eyes and can feel the dust of harvest on my skin and can see the fields of gold that surrounded us tonight. I wonder if it's what Heaven will look like.

Does Jesus let the sunshine down on the honeyed fields to give us a little hope for Tomorrow?

Tonight, little chubby cheeks full of applesauce sitting on her Daddy's lap for supper in the outdoors, gave me hope. Hope that whispered prayers don't fall on deaf ears.

In the hush of that big ol' prairie sky, I'll crawl into my own nest, waiting for my husband to come in from the field, I'll say a prayer and drift off. I'm choosing to remember Hope. Those moments, even when they are day after day, and you feel like the skin on your hand is peeled right off from hanging onto that last knot on your rope, remember Hope. Hang onto that golden rope instead and remember there will be another day,take a breath in the knowledge of that fact.

I am linking up here.

Fall

2010-09-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

The sun shone today and I soaked up every moment of it. I turned my face towards the ball of heat and took a big breath. I rolled that sunshine up in my hand, placed it in my pocket near my heart, and will save it for a a bleak and snowy day.

The leaves crunched, the kiddo squealed, and I was happy.

A wise lady, who lives a hop, skip and a jump (in prairie distance) away from me talked about what Fall is in Alberta. Drop by her blog home and say howdy! Tell her I sent you...she gives you a good description of what Fall is like in our part of the world.

A Request

2010-09-20T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Laziness,

You are overwhelming me these days! I know it's cold outside, I know they are calling for snow, but why do you think you should curl up in my home? It seems you have sat in my comfy green chair, with a little hot chocolate and have settled in.

I have projects to finish, a house to clean, and someone needs to teach this kiddo to keep her tongue in her mouth. The poor kid wanders around with her nappy hanging out begging for a pair of suspenders or something, but gosh, Laziness, here you are trailing behind me, slowing my every step down.

I'm not sure what to do with you, but I'm getting awfully close to making pals with you. I'm thinking it maybe is time to head into hibernation mode. Maybe I could give you a nickname and share a bit of foreign chocolate with you.

Maybe I could call you Relax or Rest and then I'd feel more chummy. Do you think you could come back when everything is canned and all the Fall cleaning is done? There is a neighbour momma around here who seems to be able to do everything, could you go visit her?

Sincerely,

Cheyenne

PS-Do you know how hard it is to type with mittens on? Could you go visit someone in the south and haul some sunshine back up here? I know this is where you insert the eye roll. Thanks a lot, Laziness, I'm just going to call you Lazy from now on, 'cause that's what you deserve!

Road Trip!

2010-09-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Image found here

I've got one for your bucket list: Going To the Sun Highway in Montana.

What can I say? It is the most breathtaking road you will ever take. It is like something out of a National Geographic magazine, without a yellow border around the photos. Law, my eyeballs were almost bugging out of my head, and it wasn't because I was shocked at the fact you pay $15 for a lil bag of coffee at the beginning of the park. No sir, it's because the view of God's finest is comparable to your first dog- a rare beauty.

You do need to be prepared for wall to wall traffic, some construction, and a screaming baby. Oh wait, you don't have a screaming baby? My hard and fast rule was to never give my kiddo food in her carseat, but gosh, I would've given her the $15 coffee and a Big Mac if I needed too!

This road is only seasonally open, and I don't know if the Chilkoot packers would want to be caught up there in the winter. It cost $25 for entrance to Glacier National Park, but that's for the week, and if you are into fishing, you can fish your heart out in the park. Not bad, considering we pay something like that a day up here in Banff.

If you are anywhere near Montana, or heck, if you aren't anywhere near Montana, set your GPS for this road of wonders and experience it in your lifetime. You need to!

9-11-01

2010-09-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Remembered.

Looking Around

2010-08-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago we visited a dear friend who was working in a children's home, for abused and neglected kids in Gallup, New Mexico. We loaded up our car and traveled almost 23 hours to show love to little brown faces. These children have left tiny fingerprints on my heart.

Today when I was sorting through one of my drawers I came across a note from one of the sweet girls we met. Where is she today? Is she with her mama?

We often think we need to travel the world to make a difference in some child's life that is hurting, but right smack in the middle of the powerful and wealthy U.S. we saw poverty. When I helped in our own community's little school, there were kids who would show up without lunch-day after day.

My friend Jenn and a couple of the children, hiking through the rocks behind the home.

Look out your own back window, there is probably a child who could use a smile and a word of encouragement spoken into their little lives. A grin and a "good job" goes a long way!

Remembering Big

2010-08-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

Around 100 miles west of our home, across the prairies, into the foothills, and finally in the mountains is where family history runs deep and my heart lies. Our cows are taken out there in June and pushed up high in the hills to grow fat and sassy. They'll wander down in the fall when it starts to get cool, ready to come home.

The range has been in the family for years. My heart grins that my daughter will make her own memories there, and hear about the memories of her family's past.

Stories that are vividly remembered and told over and over because history is so important to us. Stories about when her great, great Uncle was riding along with his five year old Bobby, in the bush, they came across a creek and the little guy said, "Dad, what's the name of this creek?" A reply came, "Well, son, don't you know this is Bobby Creek!"


The same Uncle was guiding a televised moose hunt, when they came around a bend, onto a creek bed, and stumbled across a grizzly bear. Faster than you could spit, he was off his horse, rifle in hand, and a bear on the ground. When this hunt was shown on TV, it's the one time mom's family was allowed to stay home from church on Sunday and watch the hunt. To this day, these creeks are still named Bobby Creek and Grizzly Creek.

One creek crossing, that's referred to in the family as Wet Socks was aptly named after my Grandpa's  mishap. A hired man found him sitting by the creek, drying out his socks over a little fire, where he'd obviously fallen in while he was out checking cows.

One of the best stories of a trick to pull my Dad has passed along to my husband. After a good, heavy wet snow, give a tree a good boot while you're riding by, and the next guy get's covered in snow.

My mom grew up riding through the range at a very young age. While her love for these parts grew strong, so did her ability to ride a horse. I heard on a few occasions from my Grandpa how good at riding Mom was.

Mom tells stories of my Grandma, bringing five children out in the summer to play and make memories. She cooked huge meals in a little cabin, with no running water or electricity. She would bring her typewriter and sit and clunk away in the beauty of the wild, as there were no extra house chores to do, or people phoning or popping in.

Grandma had an ability to tell stories about life. She wrote for most national farm magazines,published several books, had stories that were heard over CBC and Drumheller radio, and many recall her hilarious weekly columns for the Red Deer advocate that would include stories about being 'Out West.' Grandma's stories were never exaggerated, our family simply remember's big! I'm blessed beyond belief to continue to pass down these stories, and am fiercely proud to be a part of this family.

Come on Over Boys!

2010-07-16T20:40:00.000-07:00

As the Calgary Stampede is nearing it's final days for the year, I've been thinking of some of our own family legends about this exciting time in Calgary. The stories that make me laugh the hardest are about my Grandpa and his friend Ralph heading into the big city for the rodeo. I mentioned before that the stories are legendary in my family, as all stories about my Grandpa are.

Every year Grandpa and his long time friend, Ralph Loosmore would head into Calgary during the Stampede for the Rangemen's Dinner (a supper put on by the railroad to celebrate all the old cattlemen.) Since travelling into Calgary was a big deal, and their days were full, they would book a room at The Shamrock. Ralph and Grandpa had a good friend who brought the wild horse stock to the rodeo, so they were lucky enough to enjoy the action from the infield. After a big day for these cowboys, they headed back to the Shamrock for the night.

Their room was booked on the ground floor and Grandpa shut the blinds to the big windows that faced out onto the street. This was probably somewhere around 8:00PM, because you better head to bed early when you're up at the crack of dawn. Well, Ralph came out of the bathroom and saw these blinds pulled shut and thought this would never do! Wandering over to the curtains he shouted at Grandpa, "Well, how will we know when it's daylight?" Opening the blinds up, Grandpa laid in bed, covers pulled up to his chin, as he always said, "giggling like a little school girl." The sight of Ralph, standing in his long, red underwear and cowboy boots with his back to a crowded sidewalk of Stampede goers all gawking in the window, guffawing at the real old cowboys in town!

The adventures didn't stop their for these two old timers. The next day they were headed back to the rodeo and decided to walk instead of driving Ralph's old horse bit up truck. These men boomed when they talked, and people listened. When it came time for them to use a crosswalk, both Grandpa and Ralph, not sure about pressing the buttons to cross and all these sorts of things, took matters into their own hands. When Ralph was explaining to everyone around him that a blinking hand on the sign was simply saying, "Well, boys, COME ON OVER!" He set out into the street, with a whole hoard of tourists and Stampeders following. How they survived their time, we're not sure, but we sure do love the stories in this family!

Often when I think of my Grandpa I get a big lump in my throat, as all his kids and grandkids do. I'm grateful for the stories that will remain alive for years and years to come.

Happy Stampeding!

Top photos of my Grandpa were from my Auntie P. and the last photo of Ralph was found at CowboyCountry.com

A Motley Group of Thoughts

2010-07-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

Since I tend to keep it a little random here on the prairies, I'll give you a bit of an update of the ~~craziness~~ nothingness that has been going on....in no particular order!

1) The gypsies called today, they are safe on a working farm near Rocky Mountain House and lost their precious cat en route. For all you nay sayers and non believers of the circus story of my life, they will be on CTV news at 6:00 tonight. Yes, we dined with near celebrities. Since we don't have TV, I will definitely be skulking out a house to watch the news. Watch out, I could be coming to your house, with a smelly baby in tow.

2) Yes, a smelly baby. Have you ever heard the quote by Roy Rogers, "Never kick a cow chip on a hot day?" You can quote me, never leave a fast baby, with curious hands anywhere near where cattle are run on a hot day. You'll be in for a treat! You might just come home and give the babe a scrub in the sink long before bedtime. Remember G, (and I don't mean G as in G-dawg, G-unit, just G) she let's her lil' girl wander around in the winter carrying horse, ahem, droppings. They are frozen, what's the harm? They don't go in her mouth (yes, things are a little different on those big ranches out east) but she assures me this same rule does not apply in the summer. Lesson learned.

3)I said goodbye to a dear friend today who will be moving to a land of swimming pools and fruit trees. I'm pretty sure I've never heard of such wonders. We live in a land where there are heat alerts (in Toronto) when the weather soars to 27 degrees Celsius and we have shelters at the ends of our lanes for the children to wait for the bus in. I am going to miss her piles and am expecting her to package up some sunshine and send it my way. I will be sure to package her some snow and wind to remind her of the prairies.

4)My cupboards are cleaned out! Hooray! I love taking things out of their original packaging and putting them in something 'cute.' Things like old jars for my muffin liners, a cute red enamelware bowl for my coffee filters, and a sweet, red and white vintage inspired snack bin. It feels good to have them cleaned, it won't stay that way long, if you want to come look at my cupboards, come today. Possibly you have until tomorrow-by the day after that they will be a disaster.

5)The greatest outdoor show on earth is on now in the big city. People come from all over the world to see the Calgary Stampede. We grew up going to a lot of rodeos. Innisfail, Olds, Three Hills, Airdrie...all these lil' towns I've visited and some I have possibly 'muttin' busted' at as a child. The big, old Calgary Stampede I've been to twice. Once when my husband and I were dating (the first time I had been there) the second time was last year. Someday I will write a post on my Grandpa and his friend Ralph Loosmore in good ol' cow town...the stories are legendary and you may have a little trouble believing them. If you knew my Grandpa-you would not, he was legendary.

6)I am roping my Dad into making some things for Little Prairie Baby. You heard it here first ladies and gentlemen, the Prairie Pirate himself will be handcrafting some stuff in the loft of the barn for your precious babe. If you would like to encourage him in his endeavor, feel free to contact me, I can give you his full contact information and the land location where my folks live. He loves visitors and phone calls after 9:00 at night.

For my Dad

2010-06-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

There were many great times spent with our Pop, and even more funny times! He is a very hilarious man, to say the least! I have three pages of jot notes written down of special and fun times spent with Dad. Seeing as I'm already a zillion days late writing a Father's Day post, I don't think I will actually get everything written out. Not sure if you want to read everything! Dad spent hours on end with my sister and I, every lesson taught to us was through time spent with us. Whether it be that work was important and something fun and to be enjoyed, or to walk with integrity, these lessons were taught with time spent with us.

My sister and I were often described when we were younger as stick-like skinny, and this was not used in the same way big, 300 lb. men are often called, "Tiny". WE WERE SMALL! Dad, however, sometimes missed the fact that we were little, or girls, or really just didn't care. He would have us out changing tires and oil on vehicles, just in case our future husbands didn't know how! He also enjoyed our company while he lifted weights, and would ask my sister or I to spot for him. Mom would absolutely have a bird as she would come downstairs to find one of us standing behind the bench, tiny hands on the middle of the bar, "just in case" Dad needed a hand with the 325 lbs. he was pressing! He would always calmly explain to Mom that if he ever needed help, it would just be about five pounds or so, and he already checked and made sure we could each press the fifty pound bar with ease....yeah right. The words, "I can't" were never in our vocabulary, we were raised to believe we could achieve anything.

Our Pop would teach us lessons by example of working hard, taking a stand for what you believe in and taking the day one step at a time. When he was just a young, twelve year old boy, he had his foot caught in a grain auger leading to years of severe pain, and eventually an amputation... and then a second amputation. In all the years we watched his face grimace with pain, he never complained. Instead, he would enjoy his prosthetics as a conversation piece, always ordering them in camoflauge, or even Bob the Builder print! We were on vacation with our family away in the land of warm, when a little boy saw Dad with his prosthetic leg walk by. The little tyke hopped up on a rock and shouted, "Arr, Arr Matey!" Much to the mother's embarrassment! Dad thought this was great fun and has set an example to all of us to embrace any kind of challenge that comes your way. Nothing ever stopped him from doing things he set out to do, even if he simply had to find a new way to do it.

The attitude to strive to do your very best at all times enveloped every aspect of Dad's life, and therefore ours also. At our ball games we could always hear him shouting, TWO, TWO, and we always knew that meant not to just steal one base, take two. Trying your best did not just mean to work really hard, it meant to stay calm in all situations. Whether it was shooting a gun or a basketball, we learned to breathe when shooting. When playing one-on-one he would chirp and chirp and chirp trying to get in our heads, because he knew his opinion held such weight with us, so if we could block that out while we played, no one could affect our game.

For a man born in the 60's his ideologies on gender could be seen as revolutionary. Raising two girls, he didn’t have to teach us that we were able to do anything as well as boys, and could be completely self-sufficient young women, even though we were that, young women, not men. There was always that expectation; of course you can, that was the attitude conveyed. It is not surprising though, that his philosophies have always been before his time, he is one of the smartest people I know. He’s extremely well-read, can talk to anyone about anything, simply because he knows a lot about many, many subjects! Often when my sister and I are discussing issues with our husbands trying to come up with a logical solution, our husbands think it would be a great idea to phone Dad, talk with him and get some feedback. I'm grateful both our husbands love our Dad and think as highly of him as we do.

With all of these wonderful attributes, he will always be known most for his joking and teasing... endless teasing! Before the days of caller ID, he would phone us, our cousins, or really anyone using different accents and voices referring to himself as one false alias or another. Only a few times did it end up back-firing, as we would hang up on important people while telling them, “Dad, that accent is terrible!” Luckily, most understood!

Along with the voices came nicknames, for everyone and everything, including all the barn cats that already had names! Little sayings permeated everyday life, and we had no idea that they were not common until we went to school and our father was the only one using them. It was also there we realized several of the sayings were not in English! Doesn't everyone say boots and saddles when it's time to go? Don't you say skin the bunny when taking off a little kids coat? No?

This list is getting rather lengthy, and I am just warming up! Really though, it was the time, the vast amount of time our dad spent with us growing up that has formed such a strong bond between us. I will be forever grateful for the time we spent making snow/tree forts and digging trenches in the spring. Whether we were riding horses, playing catch in the backyard, going for rides in his big truck, curling up on the couch in the “hole” (the crook of his legs) for a nap, we learned lessons from Dad. Whether shooting hoops off the side of the old barn or eating onions with dad because he called them begonias (we would never dream of eating onions - they were gross! Begonias - delicious!) or wearing one of his cowboy hats while working in the yard, we had fun. Many parents have trouble filling both roles so well, but my dad is truly my father, and my friend.

Happy belated Father’s Day Dad, I love you and am proud to be your daughter.

Something Smells-In a Good Way

2010-06-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my nose led me to be thankful three times.

When I was emptying a vase of roses, that I hung to dry, I was thankful for the beauty in flowers, even after they are 'through'. Later, squishing my face into warm, fresh out of the dryer baby laundry, my heart swelled with gratitude that I could have a baby. Before I went to bed yesterday, with my face poking out of the door after it had rained, I was so thankful I can smell.

Late for the Date!

2010-06-11T20:40:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I said I would draw a name for the candy bars yesterday and I didn't! Life is crazy sometimes. You understand, right? Hope you aren't gnawing on your arm, starving to death waiting on your chocolate bars!

Our Canadian winner is Carmen S. I know this chica personally and think she may rather a big, fat bag of caramels or a little turkey bacon (she is nuts, right?)

Our American winner is Kim at Bella Della Farm. A delightfully hilarious blog full of awesome pictures of her life on their little farm. You should cyber drive your way over there and laugh your brains out at her funny writing and drool over her vintage goodness.

I will get your treats in the mail. Don't blame me for gut rot!

Thanks to everyone for entering! You all make me grin.

Gypsy Rolls and Chocolate Giveaway

2010-06-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Remember how I told you if I had pictures to document my last story it would be so much better? My husband DID take some pictures. Hooray! Here are the gypsies and their little home. Okay, I should maybe stop referring to them as the gypsies. I will call the cinnamon buns they ate, Gypsy Rolls for the rest of my life. Hopefully my grandchildren will, too.

I've had a few people e-mail about the rolls recipe, so thought I would just write it on here. It's great if you are in a pinch, it is speedy because of the cake mix. My only warning is, these are knock your socks off sweet. You won't need to ice them because the sauce will be busy decaying your teeth without the icing.

Gypsy Rolls

1 white cake mix

3 tbsp yeast

2 1/2 cups hot water

4 1/2-5 cups flour

Sauce:

1 cup margarine

1/2 cup syrup

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup cream

Mix cake mix and yeast together. Add warm water and knead in flour. Let rise until double. Mix together sauce ingredients and heat until dissolved. Pour into a 9x13 or jelly roll pan (I always use the big pan.) Make rolls and put in pan. Let rise until top of pan or so. Bake at 350 until done. Serve with coffee and stories!

I wish I could make these rolls and sit and visit with you all in person. I can't, if I made them and sent them to you in the mail they would be sick by the time you got them! :) Instead I bought some chocolate bars to throw in the mail to celebrate getting my little blog up and running. I tried to buy bars that you can't buy in some places in the US. I may or may not have eaten the Big Turk out of this picture, but I will buy another one! There are some Smarties, Aero, and a few other treats too. To enter to win these tasty treats, simply leave a comment. If you are already a follower, tell me, and you will get two entries, or become a follower and tell me you did. I will draw one name from Canada and one from the US, so mark down where you are from. If you are from another country, let me know, I'll probably send you something because of my excitement of seeing you on here! I know this is all so shameless, leaving comments, becoming followers...ha! Once you get to know me, I just like to buy little presents and this is just another excuse to do so. I expect friends and family to enter too! JENNY! I'll draw a name this Thursday, June 10.

It's a Circus Around Here!

2010-06-03T21:07:00.000-07:00

Boy, do I have a story for you. Grab a cup of coffee!

If my nine month old daughter could talk, she would look up at her Mammy and say, " Today I saw gypsies and a clown!' Mammy would smile down and say, 'Sure, little girl, I bet it was a great day! Did you see a man on the moon, too?'

Heavens to grundo-SHE DID SEE GYPSIES AND A CLOWN! Out here in no-man's land, just passing through..

Well, yesterday we had visitors of the most shocking sort (in a place where we NEVER have visitors.) A youngish (okay, he's 34, I'm snoopy) man with an accent and a messy beard popped into my husband's shop asking if he could fix the axle on his caravan. Uh, caravan? A gypsy? We live in the heart of mennonite country, but there aren't any Amish around here. A man with an accent and a caravan...he could only be a gypsy!

This couple from France, flew over here to Alberta, very rural Alberta, and built a 'caravan' and wanted to travel across Canada! This is true! They lived on a farm around thirty miles from here for six months while he built their new home. They bought a Percheron/Quarter Horse cross from Olds College (holy moly bajoly!) hooked 'er up and went a travelin'. These fine folks do not have prior horse experience and live in the second largest city in France. Oh my glory!

So, me being snoopy old me, was baffled at the fact that there are GYPSIES in our part of the country. I had to go look at the caravan. When I wandered up I was startled to see a very pretty lady with a thick, long blond braid half way down her back, cute Nike sneakers, khaki pants and a sweater. Don't these people know that gypsy ladies wear babushka's and handmade shawls? Aren't gypsies notorious for stealing things, like babies!?!

The caravan was a two wheeled, covered wagon fashioned after the Red River cart. I would say it was the size of a double bed with a few feet on the end for a homemade wood stove around the size of your bread machine. Their bed which, was foam that could fold up into sort of a sofa, had a few old, wood smoke smelling blankets strewn over it with a black cat named Gypsy cuddled in. Fancy that, eh? My big question was where the heck did the cat go to the bathroom? There was even a big bag of cat chow in the cart. There were sacks on the side of the cart to store stuff in and they had a Rubbermaid container with all their possessions.

My husband worked on the axle and I threw some cinnamon rolls in the oven (now this recipe will be dubbed Gypsy rolls, they are super simple and take a cake mix to speed the process along) and had the folks in for a visit and to shower. I sent some pickles, jam, peaches, and salsa with them. I was hoping they would leave me some gypsy potions in return, but they didn't. Their stories made up for their lack of potions.

They are both architects in France that draw stick frame buildings, which are very rare in Europe. They were polite, nice-kind of granola crunchin' sort. I was fascinated with them and they were fascinated with our community's history and the area and land around here.

I don't think I can fully explain to you all how CRAZY this situation was.

When I was standing outside of my husband's shop with his brother, a van pulled up (strange again, people don't just pull up around here, we aren't on a major highway or anything) and I looked in the driver's seat and there is a man in FULL CLOWN COSTUME! I know you are most likely not believing this, but I wasn't the only one to experience this. This man, with a fully painted face, red hair, and a CLOWN suit, looks at me with a deadpan sober face and asks how to get to Beiseker. I pop Little Bear in the window and giggle to myself and we tell him he's going the wrong way. Again-is this really happening? There are gypsies in the yard, a clown pulled up in a van....when is the marching band coming? Do they think I'm the bearded lady? Can I start charging admission? Good gravy!

I phoned everyone and their dog I knew to tell them of my adventures and my Aunt asked if I would take pictures to put on blog. This is why I need to get over my non picture taking ways. Wouldn't pictures to this story be nothing but pure hilarity!?

If you see a horse and cart with people not looking too sure about what's going on, stop and say hi, they are great! If you had a function in Beiseker that required a clown the other day, I'm sorry, we did our best to give him good directions.

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

A Camera Failure Seeking Help

2010-05-31T20:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm a self proclaimed picture taking failure! I know digital camera's are supposed to make life easier, faster, and able to freeze your memories in a great way...but I sort of liked the old school way of taking pictures. You took a few, crossed your fingers, got them developed and threw them in an old brown leather album for your grand kids to look at and snort over what you were wearing. Now, you take somewhere around nine zillion photos at any given event, miss what's going on because you are busy trying to capture the moment, and never go through them on the computer or get them printed. Now, I'm not knocking picture takers, because I do love nice pictures, I like to look at them, I like to own them....but I just don't have the knack.

Nope, no knack.

I grew up in a family that didn't take pictures and I think Little Bear is going to grow up in the same kind of family. I know some of you are gasping and shouting at me...screeching EGADS and all sorts of crazy words, but this is how I roll. We didn't even have a camera at the hospital when she was born.

I like to write. I write my memories down in notebooks, scraps of paper-whatever. I do wish I had more nice pictures, but I don't know if I can ever break my bad photo ways. Not sure if I want to.

I did order a better camera so that I can get some proper photos of quilts and such lovelies to show all of you crazy bloggers! For now, my friend Jenny will have to settle for being the photographer. I talked with Jenny's dad about what kind of camera to order. I know if you talk to a Nikon guy, they say, "Nikon", and you talk to a Canon guy, they'll say, "Canon". Well, Jenny's dad told me that Canon's are girly little camera's and are for little girls (I know you Canon folks are gasping again and shouting curses at this fellow-contact me and I will give you his phone number, cell phone number, land location etc.) I think that Jenny's dad forgot that I am a girl, but it reminded me that all dad's of rural girls forget their daughters are girls from time to time. This is reminiscent of my dad shouting at me that I'm throwing like a girl...and me yelling back that I am a girl...(at least I don't throw 'like a girl' anymore, and I'm not ordering a 'girly' camera.)

Anyway, I'm going to show you a couple of pictures of quilts we have and need YOUR HELP in naming them. They are being referred to as the Cowboy Star Quilt and the Circle Quilt right now. Can you help me? Leave a comment and let me know what you think these quilts should be called...

Cowboy Star Quilt (Your name here!)

This quilt was inspired by the happy prairie cowboys that it showcases on the back. One big star in reds, blues, golds and a touch of black on a creamy soft muslin background is bordered by a fun red stripe and bound with a blue plaid.

Would look great in your babe's room, hanging on the wall of your cabin, on the back of a rocking chair, or again, tied around your kidlet's neck as a cape.

Circle Quilt:(Your new name here!)

This quilt is my favorite, FAVORITE quilt EVAH! I want to keep it and lie my head on it and dream of days gone by...or possibly wear it tied around my neck as a cape because it's BEAUTIFUL. I HAVE to break my bad camera ways soon and figure out how to capture it's beauty, because these picture's don't do it justice.

This quilt is reminiscent of the old-fashioned Dresden Plate quilts. It includes fun prints with old wagons, shoes, milk bottles, and more in muted shades of cream, brown, red and aqua. The circles have been stitched on with the raw-edge appliqué technique, which makes the edges of the circles fray slightly and give it a wonderful added texture. This quilt is backed with a golden colored fabric with tiny red stars, and is bound with a coordinating muted red. The entire quilts was dyed in a tea-dye look-a-like dye, and washed once to give it an extra aged patina and lovely texture.

Thanks to Miss A for explaining in her blog how to set up pictures. Now, Miss A can you teach me how to take pictures like yours?

Cuddles 'Til Mornin' Light

2010-05-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

We've got sweet little pillows to offer made out of vintage inspired fabrics your little one can cuddle with all night long. They can even hold your wee ones tooth until the Tooth Fairy arrives. The special little pocket on the front can hold all sorts of little mementos, so when your tot goes to Grandma's for the night, they can tuck something in the pocket to remind them of home. More to come....

For All the Men

2010-05-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Recently I read on Kristin's blog (fadedprairie.blogspot.com) about her little son giving her a wheelbarrow for Mother's Day. This did not shock me, he's a farm boy, and I have similar experiences with these types in my life. Lucky thing is, he's still a little boy and there is room for growth in his precious little life.

The first Christmas my husband and I spent together I unwrapped a gift to find a Mark's Work Warehouse box and laughed and said, 'Oh, good idea to put something in a box like this to trick me...' Nope, the gift was from Mark's Work Warehouse.

Today I called up a good friend of mine who lives on a ranch two hours east of us. I started off the phone conversation with something like this, 'Uh hey, G, would it be okay if I tossed Bud under the bus on my blog?' Her prompt reply, 'Oh yeah, go for it!' Okay, it wasn't exactly like that, but she did phone Bud and ask him if it was okay, and I asked her if Bud knew what a blog was...

Anyway, last year when my dear friend was pregnant with their second baby (a time our husbands come with us to a few doctor's appointments and talk with the doctors like this is no big deal because they have calved out a lot of cows) her husband showed up with a birthday gift for her. Bud bought her a PITCHFFORK and FENCING PLIERS. This was not a joke. I kept laughing because it was so outrageous...but Bud really thought it was nice, and thought she really would want her own pitchfork. REALLY?! I told her Bud was crazy-REALLY.

I promptly wrote up a little sheet for Bud to post on the fridge...a sort of guidelines if you will. I thought I would share it on here because after reading Kristen's post, I think this may be something many wives/mom's should print off and give to their husbands. Good luck to you all!

BUD'S GIFT GIVING GUIDELINES
-always consult guide before buying a gift
-NEVER disregard ANY rules in guide
-post somewhere you will never lose or forget about it

A)If you can write it off-do not even consider this an option.
B)DO NOT look in stores like Canadian Tire, Princess Auto, UFA, Peavy Mart, or Mark's Work Warehouse. If a store sells similar stuff as the above listed stores walk, no RUN away!
C)Consult with your mom or sisters until you have the hang of gift giving-if they say it's terrible-IT'S TERRIBLE-don't go ahead with the plan!
D)Listen for hints...some hints might not be intentional and they may not be direct at all. Listen for phrases like "Maybe I'll wait for January sales to buy that rusty star!" Take heed!
E)Wrap with care (or get your sister to.) Putting time and care into wrapping, and a card makes it more personal. It makes it look like more thought was placed into it, rather than just picking something up at Cactus Corner while you fueled up.
F)If it cleans up the yard, house, vehicle...helps a person cook...do laundry, etc, this is a STUPID idea. No matter what, a gift should not involve ANY work or be any kind of household appliance. Gifts should be some kind joy and luxury...not work. This is a KEY rule-tears or anger may result if ignored.
G)Gifts should be bought at girly shops that make you uncomfortable and makes you keep your hands to yourself, so you don't break anything!

Good luck Bud & G.....

Bud, be careful, or G might use the pitchfork on you!

Cozy

2010-05-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than wrapping your babe up and snuggling your little one to sleep. We are creating cozy quilts for your wee one to bundle in when they are a baby, to lay on the floor for a picnic with their teddy's, or to wear as a Superman cape. They are meant to be used and only get softer with washing. If you want a custom quilt made with specific fabric, or a name embroidered on it, feel free to contact me. We love vintage reproduction fabrics here at Little Prairie Baby and all things tea dyed to give an old fashioned look. I'm enthused to share with you the quilts we have for sale over the next few weeks.

Again, I have to thank everyone who have been e-mailing me different swatches, websites, or suggestions for creating different kinds of quilts. I love all your input! I am so blessed to have such fantastic friends and family.

My Horse is Faster Than Your Horse!

2010-05-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Teach your lil cowpoke to ride on one of these fine beasts. If worn with rubber boots a great galloping sound can be made! We had two foals this spring and they are waiting to be adopted into a loving home.

Eating in Style

2010-05-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

We all know babies drool...

a lot.

We also know that babies are masters at getting pureed carrots all over the place, right after you change them into a nice outfit to go out.

That's why we are going to sell bibs that look cute. You can leave it on your babe the whole time you are out, or snap it on while they are busy shaking their head back and forth trying to refuse canned meat, you can even turn it around so it lays on their back like cape...

These bibs are so cute, you are going to wish we had them in adult sizes to go along with rib night.

If you NEED A BIB NOW, let me know, I can get you one. Leave a comment, send a smoke signal, or even try a messenger pigeon...I would LOVE to get you a bib. We have several made up in vintage reproduction fabrics from the 40's/50's era. I'll try and leave a sampling of two pictures, but we do have tons more. Little Farm Friends, Papa Mitch's Prairie Pirates, Hazel's Dressup, and tons, tons more.

Want to save some cash on a shower gift? Write up a cute coupon letting the mom know when their babe rolls around to six months, you would gladly puree some carrots for them! Seriously, it would be so great to give the gift of your time to make homemade baby food. The Baby's Table book is a great resource, as well as wholesomebabyfood.com for finding tips on making your own baby food. With a little coupon, a couple of bibs from Little Prairie Baby, and some spoons thrown in you would have a shower gift any new mom would love to receive.

Here's a sample of our chenille backed bibs, our Little Paper Dolls bibs, as well as our Howdy Partner bibs.

Have a great May Long weekend everyone!

Springtime in Alberta

2010-05-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!" - Robin Williams

Last Thursday we branded and it officially sealed it that we are finally experiencing springtime in Alberta.

My favorite part of the day was pushing Little Bear in her stroller and coming across a group of little children, (I asked them how old they were-and they replied, with enthusiasm, that three of them were age five and two age six!!) Two little boys with their cowboy hats and three little girls running around on the green grass, with their colorful dresses flapping around their legs. Ki yi yiin' and yippin' away with sticks in their hands...I think they may have possibly been chasing a cat! After supper little ice cream cones were served to them and sticky hands and playing outside resumed. It gave me such a happy feeling, seeing them so happy! I am excited for when Little Bear is this age and able to run and play with her friends at events like these.

My sister and I recall local brandings in the area and the fond memories we have of them. From a kids perspective, a good branding is if you have plenty of kids your age to play with, if the weather is nice enough to roar around outside, but your momma isn't trying to put on too much sunscreen, and Freezies or a Popsicle never hurt. I remember one particular set of neighbour's branding I was always so excited to go to. This lady had tricycle's in the shop we could ride, she bought bubbles and new sets of coloring books for us! What a great woman to think of the children, I need to write her a note and tell her how awesome it was go come to her house when we were little...

As an adult I still love the sense of community and working together to get a job done and sitting around outside over a meal is a good feeling.

Mock Oreo's, Lil Debbies, and Chocolate Chip cookies with ice cream sandwhiched in between were served for dessert. I'll leave you with the recipe for Lil Debbie's---they are a sure hit. The icing has been tweaked because my recipe calls for raw eggs in it, and leaving cookies out in the heat with raw eggs in the icing gives me the heeby jeebys.

Lil Debbie Cookies
1/2 cup margarine
5 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sald
1 3/4 cups rolled oats

Filling:

1/2 cup cream
3 cups powdered sugar
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla (I like to do two!)
1 cup butter
1 cup crisco

Mix cookie ingredients together and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Do not grease the pan. Mix together filling ingredients and beat until smooth. Spread filling on one cookie and top with another. Serve to a group of hungry folks!

Thanks for taking the time to reminisce with me. What special memories do you have of springtime?

Humility

2010-05-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes. ~Edward Frederick Halifax

Humility is one of the qualities I find most admirable in people. It is a selfless quality. Humility helps us live in peace with others. It teaches us to take a sincere interest in not only our own lives, but also in those around us. Humility produces a soft spirit and is a trait found in many great leaders.

Being humble is not about putting your own self down. It is about taking a greater interest in others, than in yourself. It is being respectfully quiet about your own achievements and modest in actions, speech, and demeanor.

My mom epitomizes humility and it is something I appreciate and admire about her.

We grew up in a home that was hospitable, warm, and cozy. Others gravitated towards Mom's welcoming nature and it was always evident by the amount of people we had staying and visiting with us. Mom takes a keen interest in other people's lives and stories. She has no prejudice towards race, age, or sex, but loves all equally. She is sensitive to people's stories and is eager to hear what they have to say.

Mom is one of the most dynamic and interesting people I know and I'd like to tell you about some of her hidden abilities and qualities. Stories of her past are tucked away and aren't told, until we find trophies in the basement, hidden away. Mom is an expert shot, this is one thing we knew, but didn't know that she had been recognized for it until we found her hidden trophies, this is an example of Mom's humility. She even has shot wild pigs in Africa, something not many know.

She has a sense of adventure, she has skydived many times, rides a sport bike, dirtbikes, and loves traveling.

Mom's ability to run displays her athleticism and not many know about how good she is at running.

My mom's plants thrive and fill her house with a special coziness.

Mom is a critical thinker and tried to push us girls to be as well, she is well read, and has read books not many have dared to open.

She is involved in the community and invests in relationships with other people.

Her generosity is definitely something I am always boggled at. The things she has done for others, behind the scenes, trying to evade people knowing where something came from has been a great life lesson.

I heard my Grandpa speak a few times about how good my mom is at horseback riding. Not many people would know this, she can ride better than most folks around.

Mom can speak two languages.

Mom has accepted, loved, and nurtured her family wholeheartedly.

Her faith is her life jacket in times of trouble.

If my little daughter grows up to admire, love, and have the same want to be around me half as much as I feel these things for my mom...I will be blessed.

Growing up in a home where my mom didn't just teach me about being humble, but lived it day to day, was the greatest teaching I could receive.

I love you, Mom, and Happy Mother's Day!

"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

Cute Paper Products

2010-04-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited about all the neat paper products we'll be offering. There is a very talented lady working on making vintage birth announcements and pregnancy announcements. We'll also be carrying these sweet little flashcards and nursery calenders.

Thanks for all the encouraging e-mails and comments. I take every word to heart and appreciate it all so much. Again, I love any input and ideas on things you would love to see being offered.

Harvest Lullaby

2010-04-26T14:25:00.001-07:00

I loved nothing more than having a baby in September. The weather was still warm, the moon was bright, and during the night when I was up to feed my babe I could hear the combines running.

When I was little I looked forward to taking meals to the field. I thought it was so great how we could sit and eat supper on lawn chairs and have Heidi the dog run around us. What fun it was to ride in the combine and come back into the house and report to Mom that I had just been making bread (after my Uncle had just explained the whole process of why we plant crops.)

Those were good days. Simple times were full of happiness. I have the same longing as all mother's do, to provide a wholesome and happy environment for my child to grow up in and that when they look back on their childhood, warm feelings come to surface.

I think all mom's sing their own lullaby's full of wishes, dreams, and hopes for their children. I hope when Little Bear rocks her own baby to sleep someday, whatever season that may fall in, she will have special memories and sentiment towards that season.

I think that's why I have such a love for old things. Things that have an emotional attachment. They were created in a time when life was unhurried and everything that was created had meaning and purpose. If a baby quilt was made for someone, it was made specifically with them in mind, becoming a precious keepsake. When I knew Little Bear was coming to live with us, I started searching for old fashioned baby things for her room. Much to my dismay, there was a limited amount of yesteryear nursery decor. Many of my very favorite gifts were lovingly handmade, specifically for her. When I looked for bedding, I wanted to steer away from the cookie cutter big box store bedding and have something vintage. I couldn't find anything anywhere! I am thinking that there are probably other mom's out there, who would like something custom...a little vintage, a little country, and all old fashioned. I'm pleased to let you all know, dear friends and family, that is where the idea for Little Prairie Baby was born.

I'm working on setting up an online shop for old fashioned and custom baby gear and nursery decor. We will specialize in a lot of handmade things, lovingly made by a lot of local stay at home mom's and grandma's. People who love babies and children as much as I do. We will have bedding, clothing, all sorts of heirloom things for you and your baby. It will take a little time before it all comes together, but I wanted to let my friends and family know.

Please, feel free to become a follower of this blog, or leave me a comment as any input on this new adventure would be welcomed. I'll try to post some pictures of a few things we will be featuring, if you are interested in any of the items, drop me a note.

What are your lullaby wishes for your children?

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Cheyenne