BRRRRR! What Happened to Fall?

In my last post, I said that snow had greeted us on Thanksgiving... it was Halloween! 

Far too soon, Mother Nature! 

It greeted us again yesterday morning, the 11th. It was so cold and so miserable, I missed the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and parade in Leavenworth.  If you have never seen 

this parade, you are missing something. 

That's one of the two pork butts I cooked last week 

for the shelter.  My house smelled heavenly. 

Finished product (two separate pieces of meat, different colors). 

I took this and buns to the shelter on Thursday. 

(yes, I kept a little for me). 

I bought a second crockpot, my old one was too small. 

I have one six quart and one three quart, and the second butt would not fit in the smaller pot. 

I borrowed one from Judy at the Ag Hall, but then Thursday, 

I ran to Sam's and bought a programmable Crock Pot (brand) 

7 quart pot.  I got it home, put it on the kitchen table. 

Friday, I unboxed it and promptly dropped it on the floor and 

broke the crock into many pieces. 

I bought one from Penney's on Sunday, for half what I paid (on a 

Christmas special) and actually sent a rebate for half of it off this morning. 

We have had beautiful, beautiful days.  The maple has now, since I took this picture on the 6th, 

lost almost all its' leaves. 

The same day, the Smith Farmhouse at the Ag was surrounded by beautiful trees. 

Another gorgeous day here at Calamity Acres. 

Bittersweet is growing in my front fence line.  Some is coming in for 

Christmas. 

This is Fluffy, this afternoon. It was a year ago last week that the boarded sheep were sold and moved.  Fluffy lost her best friend, Freckles... they were very bonded.  Big Mama lost her 

lamb, Blackie, who was the other sheep with a black face. (They took the wrong black-faced sheep)   Mama grieved and went down, 

and died within three days, despite the care of the vet. 

I called a friend whom I knew had a few sheep... she referred me to a man 

in Basehor (five miles from me) who "had a lot".  I called him and went down 

there and found Flicka. 

I was loaned a big carrier (Thanks, Kansas Country Store) and a friend 

helped me catch and load Flicka and we brought her home. 

Fluffy, in a total surprise, because I had never seen her bred.... had Niblet in March. 

And Flicka, whom I was told was bred... 

And Flicka dropped Cookie (cookies and cream, you know) in February, and I had him neutered three weeks later, as the flock needs to remain small. 

Cookie is always in my face, looking for scritches, which is why he has such an 

extreme closeup. 

I have a heated bucket for them, and a good supply of hay... with more, if I need it. 

They have a good little barn which I had repaired in August, so we are good to go. 

I went to watch Paiton ride on Sunday. 

Ice's rear hooves were VERY dirty, she had to think hard about 

cleaning them, but in the end, she did. 

(she had forgotten her gloves). 

It's not all fun and games. 

And yes, her instructor made her take the sucker out of her mouth before they went into the arena. 

That was Sunday at 60 degrees, it was snowing and about ten degrees yesterday morning. 

The gorgeous maple tree at the foot of my pasture, 

across the Spehar's ponds.  I look for it every year. 

Our beautiful Ranger boy, gone now almost seven years next month. 

What a wonderful, wonderful boy he was! 

Here I must say that the program I have used to store pictures on the computer for many years has stopped initializing.  I re-installed it, but it will not accept my log in.  You see I was able to do the post, but I am having to learn a new way.  I also was able to add in pictures from my phone, but when I got a new charger, I lost that ability, too.  It will still post from the phone, but the pictures are almost a week old before they become available.  I may have to start carrying a small camera again, as I used to.  

Live and learn! 

Everyone stay warm!