Recapping June 2019

A long winter helps us to look for hope in the smallest of things.

...such as, hope that June will bring an end to the bitter cold, snow and winter weather.

nope.  Still winter temperatures.  The fire was rekindled in the stove and the propane heater used to keep away the early morning chills. 

After weeks of scraping shoes, and walking on strategically placed planks, we began to have more days of dry driveway instead of mud swamp.  The board walk was still useful far too often. 

Miles adjusted to new employment.  Crazy hours and all.

We made a trip to Utah for Dr. appointments and to pick up some supplies, attend a concert and visit friends and pick up Grandma. 

Cub Scout camp

Emerson was eager to be included.

Grandma's visit shared a love of pyro tendencies.

Spring Clean up... Finally.. on those days we could deem Spring.

Brothers

Sweet moments throughout life.

Antelope

Our newest obsession.  

Always on the lookout.

Trek

(neglectfully... no photos.)

Stone house

(for some this view is nostalgic and tranquil.  Other fools see it is a dump)

Still others found it an encouraging building to pass as each day brought us closer to the completion of two Stonehouse books...  one now published!!  and the other still in progress.

Archery tournament

Three boys were able to attend. 

Mission papers were submitted... only to have a few ... weeks worth of waiting hang ups... still no word....

Summer lunch

Emerson learned about hives

Projects and Progress

Many were tackled.  Nice weather cooperated on most days and we accomplished a great deal.

All in all a very busy and productive month.... only 6 cups of hot cocoa consumed. 

Goosey, goosey, gander

Down in the gulch between our 'yard' and Gopher Hill, water collects after a looooong winter and spring rains.  

The geese discovered water play.

The boys loved taking them for a walk to the water. 

I followed them one morning and was delighted to watch them frolicking in the water.

I knew they needed a pond, post haste!

I also knew I wanted to be able to see said pond from the house.

We attempted to fill a small kiddie pool and interest them in it.  

Just not quite the same.

So project pond began.

While I did not personally dig the pond, I spent much time in contemplation on its location and angle.  I directed the project.

All the boys assisted, although Duncan really ought to have the credit for sticking with it the most. It has a gradual entrance into a deeper section for diving and general water frolicking.

They are so appreciative. 

Now I'd like to surround it with some plants, trees, a bench... maybe a gazebo...

Lunch Ladies

Over the years there has been summer lunch programs.  They've been an interesting experience. 

Some are held at parks, others in school cafeterias.

Our general impressions have been;

not what we would normally eat but the kids really enjoyed having a chnce to eat out of the house in the summer, and to have foods that we never have at home. 

Some of the lunch rooms are noisy and impersonal.  Some of the lunch ladies were strict disciplinarians when it came to what you had on your tray, if you could return for more catsup, and definitely you could NOT remove so much as an apple from the facility.  It would be better to throw away perfectly good food than take it with you.

At other locations, the ladies recognized us, greeted us and saved moving boxes for us as we prepared to move.  They often gave Duncan extra helpings for being so polite.  They sent us home with many packages of craisins that summer also.

We hadn't intended to look for a summer lunch program here, it happened quite by accident.  While I was at the clinic with Miles for his mission physical we had dropped Duncan and the boys off at the park for a summer library reading activity.  When it was over they walked up the road to the library.  The librarian mentioned that there was lunch being served across the street if they wanted to go.

So Duncan told us to pick them up there.

I was pleasantly surprised at the difference in atmosphere and experience. 

The community church activity center had tables with cloth tablecloths, vases of fresh cut flowers, actual dishes.  They encouraged good table manners and the lunch ladies themselves were very friendly.  The meal had obviously been prepared from scratch that morning and they offered seconds and options on side dishes.  There were also very few other diners so they visited with each group of children as they dined.  As we cleared our dishes and prepared to leave they offered fresh fruit and cookies to take with us for our afternoon and invited us to return again.

We are only in town once a week at best over the summer and not always during lunch hour but the few times that we have been the lunch ladies always seem so glad we returned.  They insisted that Grandma and I sit and eat as well, happy to create a meal that fit her dietary needs.

Yet another lovely perk of a small town.

The Hive Map

When you live far away from ... everything, and a mysterious hive rash begins to appear on your stomach... what better way to pass the time while you determine if it is a growing rash that needs attention or just a minor rash that will take care of itself. 

Why mark them of course.

When you begin to look like a treasure map of islands in the south pacific you know it's a good day and you should definitely take photos!

Then a few hours later, a different colour ink should be used to mark the continued growth.  And perhaps some allergy medicine and a nice nap.  

Still unsure what brought on the hives... the only thing we came up with was that he'd been climbing around inside a fiberglass doghouse with the chicks.  Perhaps the dry powder that was flaking off of the dog house was the issue... but... unless we send him and the chicks back in to recreate it then we may never know.

Winter is in the air

June is not always what it ought to be.  

We dreamed of warm days and outdoor fun.  

We were greeted in the mornings by below freezing temperatures, frost on the vehicles and icy geese ponds.  

But the sunrises were lovely!

Plus hot chocolate could be enjoyed without much guilt!

Trek

A photo shy event... I forgot to take pics when I had the chance!!

Duncan and Miles attended the Pioneer trek re-enactment with the stake.

The theme was,  'hear the music'.

Miles was asked to learn the theme song on his guitar and play songs throughout the trek.



Duncan was asked to participate in a special musical number for one of the evening firesides.
I caught a recording at one of the few practices.

They had a great time.   It was cold and windy but they definitely heard the music.  There were many musical numbers and musicians accompanying the trek.

Their outfits were fabulous, but I didn't get photos.  I snapped this one while they waited for a planning activity before trek.

Stone House

When we first looked for a house in Wyoming we came upon a beautiful one.  Patrick and I do not agree.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 

I did agree that we could not move in to this one anytime soon.. also it wasn't for sale.

We drive pass it each time we head to town or back home again.  We've ridden our bikes to it, just to visit.

It can not be explained this pull to this house.

When Grandma came to visit, the pull increased.

She immediately saw it and said, 'we need to come back and look at it more closely.'

Is it just that mum's maiden name is Stonehouse and this is a lovely stone house?

Is it because we've both been working on books about our ancestors on the Stonehouse side and we feel inexplicably drawn to anything that connects us?

Is the house just plain awesome?!

The house is abandoned.  I spoke with a nearby neighbour who told us that when they moved in 25 years ago, it looked just as it does now.  

That actually impressed us even more.  

This house is sturdy!.. no leaks.  and such character.

We took a closer look and are even more in love.

And we're not alone in our love of the stone house...

...apparently the 'squatter/tenant/caretaker' living in the basement really likes it also!

He wasn't home when we came to call.

Grandma took to waving at the house and calling out a greeting each time we passed.  Our Great.g.g.g.g. grandfather Henry Stonehouse may have lived in just such a dwelling.... she began saying, 'Good morning Henry', 'Good evening Henry'.  

Now that Grandma has returned home, the boys have begun saying.  "Hi Henry!"

Archery

There have been new activities to be involved in living in a small rural community.  For Whittaker, joining the 4-H Archery group was a new experience.

He's learned to focus more and be patient.

He's also learned that he enjoys archery.

He has participated in two tournaments now.  The second was an outdoor tournament and all the boys were able to participate.  Emerson is typically too young... size does not make up for age... but not this time.  I wasn't too excited that the targets were actual fake animals.. what's wrong with painted circles?!  They did not win in the traditional sense, but they survived a very long day with a lot of walking and finished the course.

Wyoming Grandma

Adventurous.

4-wheel rides, walks among the waving grasses, cloud watching, moving trucks out of sight, herding chicks and geese... and so much more

Imparting pyro wisdom to another generation.

After adventures and pyro days... exhaustion set in.  An opportunity for Whittaker to practice knot tying skills.

Canadian celebrating.

Poutine without cheese curd or proper gravy.

It was all consumed.

Miles made fabulous onion rings.

Antelope spotting.  I had bragged that we seemed to be in an antelope migratory pathway.  Last year we had dozens of them every day.

We began announcing the sightings... even if it was only one in the distant.  

The joy of watching a newborn through binoculars, we ordered an antelope call and a salt lick to attract them.

We stopped whenever they crossed our paths along the road.

The babies were delightful to watch.

As the end of July arrived and we officially lived here one year... the dozens per day returned.

We also stopped when cows crossed our paths!

In an effort to stay warm... 

Unfortunately it came at a price!

She was named Grandma Palpatine... a reference she did not understand!

Bundled up for a warm day at the beach.  A Wyoming beach.  

After weeks of exhausting projects, it was time to test out the guest house/ annex/ bunkhouse/  rec room??...

Still yet unnamed, it was ready for visitors.  With a set of bunkbeds, 6 hammocks and 2 air mattresses we could house a small army.

Now we just need climate control.  At times it is stuffy and hot and others it's too chilly to get out of the covers.

But it has great fun lighting and games galore.

After weeks of editing and rewriting and fact checking and more editing, the nailbiting work was completed... Now just a few days of learning curve to know how to publish.

The Stonehouse historical book was completed.

Now to finish the Stonehouse historical fiction book.

It was a busy six weeks.  We packed a lot in; projects, activities, outings, visitors... We also enjoyed some very peaceful moments.  

Spring Cleaning

Wood to stack

Weeds and junk to burn

Junk piles to cart off for garbage day

Thistles to pull

Geese to follow us everywhere and keep us company

While some tasks for spring cleaning aren't as exciting to help with as others... such as stacking the never ending wood pile.  We had to make it an hourly load and then it became a competition... who could put the most logs in the wagon.  The one job that was far more fun and games than work was smoothing out the driveway.  After digging dirt and filling in the potholes, the four wheeler dragged the tires and any willing riders over the road to smooth out the dirt.

If only all the tasks and projects were as much fun.

Cub Camp

Cub Camp this year was only one day.

Emerson was excited to be allowed to attend.

A fun day of hiking, slingshots, and outdoor adventures.

We made tin can drums.

At the end of the day as we were waiting for the closing activities before heading home, the boys sat around drumming.  We suggested that the boys may wish to try dancing to the beat of their new drums.  The cubs did not agree.  I was unsure if they were more eager to be beating the drums or just not interested in dancing.  Emerson however felt no shyness and hopped up. 

He dances to the beat of their drums just fine!

Symphonic adventure

Early in June, we left Winterland and headed south for Summerville!  We only stayed the weekend.  But we always pack in as much as possible. 

We enjoyed a few short visits with Sarah for her TWENTIETH birthday!!!  Our lives are so odd now that we are the ones coming to town to visit our children instead of the other way around.  Daddy took Sarah for a birthday breakfast and then Sarah joined Grandma, the little boys and I at Jim's for some birthday cake and singing.  

We attended a phenomenal concert at the end of Elowen's week long Symphony camp.  We watched the youngest cellist play, and enjoyed an outdoor orchestral playing of the William Tell overture, with full cannon display!

We spent a quick visit to Manti to play games in a favourite alcove and enjoyed the views of the renovating of an old house with much character.  

Whittaker had his quarterly dr. appointment and received a new mouth guard appliance.  

We did LOTS of shopping and stocking up.

We picked up Grandma and returned to Winterland once again.

Mud

With cold Summer/Winter weather and sometimes Spring rains... (three seasons each day became confusing... especially knowing how to dress for the day!), mud became the norm.

Getting around in the mud became annoying.. after the first day of mud!

Rudimentary paths to traverse less muckily were quickly erected.

Our pallet boardwalk was greatly used.

Gravel was ordered, but put on hold because, the trucks couldn't deliver... because there was too much mud.

I became cranky towards anyone who tracked in mud.  I swept and vacuumed incessantly.  I posted ultimatums.  

Mud and the efforts to circumvent it did not aid in making our place look presentable.

Then... 

one day.. 

it dried up.

It still rains and pretends to be winter in summer or spring, but the below freezing temps became less frequent.  

We filled in potholes, tidied up and dreamed of a never ending Spring/Summer... even though we know it's only a dream.  Rock will be delivered at the end of the summer so that hopefully next spring/winter/summer will be less muddy.

Reclaimed barn wood

Last summer, the ranch took on a large project

The original barn needed the roof rebuilt.  After one hundred years it was due an update.

Many hours of work and some cute raccoon babies in the rafters later, the barn was rebuilt and ready for the next century.  Christmas nativities will continue to be held, and calves will be assisted on frigid winter nights.

The old barn wood was stacked up and saved for another use. 

Barn wood is a common and popular commodity these days.  People use it to make their brand new homes have character.  This however is real, extremely weathered authentic barn wood.  With all it's rough texture and moss grown glory. 

A new project in the hundred year old house made use of the original barn wood.  The bathroom was renovated. (much needed repairs and updates were done... and the laundry room was brought upstairs!!  hooray for Tina's knees!!)

Some ancestral barn heritage is now preserved in the bathroom of the old ranch house.

The new shower is twice the size and the room is serene.

Little welded touches were added to complete the look.

It's not an elaborate space but it's all it needs to be.

Enough can not be said about having a laundry room on the main floor.  It may not be a grand space by size, but it's fantastic, well located and even gained a great laundry tub sink!

It has made washing up from many a mucky outside ranch task a delightful experience and has kept the line up at the kitchen sink to a minimum.

The weathered and aged wood has been witness to a century of ranching out in the barn.  It has seen the miracle of life, the encouraging of young cowboys, the re-enactment of the birth of Christ.  It is ready to embrace the laundering of well worn out jeans from hard days labor, the potty training of grandchildren, the rinsing of injuries and the cleansing of bodies to tackle yet another day of ranch life.