Brrr....

 A typical cold winters day in South Texas...If we can just get through these cold days by next weekend it is going to be back in the 70's...I can't wait!

Morning feed time!! 

My world lately....

I've been working on getting the animals and plants ready for winter. I knew it was coming and it's arrived...Arctic front pushed through yesterday and that North Wind is wicked! It was 45 degrees F. this morning and I can't get my feet warm, argh!

 I am surrounded by deer, you just never know where they are going to pop up!

 They are always watching me...

 I am glad they are enjoying the feed I give them, they look fat and healthy! The doe pictured above is this years fawn, she has a good winter coat on her.

 Michael and Grandma planted these Succulents in his animal garden this past spring. We noticed they were blooming Sunday, so unique and different. I know they are from Africa but have forgotten the name!

 Boy + Paint ball gun = Happy!

 While I was busy building the greenhouse Michael was busying building a target with the left-over scraps. He tore it all to pieces with paint balls and then proceeded to paint the burning barrel!

 I built this years Greenhouse differently. With a suggestion from my sister and husband I left a door on this one. Now I don't have to move it to let the plants get some air when it's warm and I can walk in to water too. I put an old beach towel over the door. Hopefully this will be the last year I cover my palm tree. Next year it should be big enough to survive the cold winters. 

 Fred put a few nails in the 2x4 and I hung some of the plants off it. This will keep the fire ants off of them. So far the greenhouse has withstood the horrible winds we are getting. Hopefully it will stay put for the winter and protect the plants. I only put about $30 into it and normally tear them down come spring. 

 We had a heavy fog move in the other morning and I love the spider webs when they are covered in water droplets, oh so pretty!

 I found a different chrysalis and wonder what it could be?

 She is always waiting for me...

 I see you!

Busy little Bee...

I am glad I got these photos. It's not to nice out right now but I know if I wait a few days it will be warm again (I hope)...

Y'all have a good week!

Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps!!

 Semper Fi

 Not sure if y'all are on facebook but if you copy and paste the link below there is a tribute to the Marine Corps by Madison Rising...

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=732602940163198

Grief

No rule book. 

No time frame. 

 No judgement. 

Grief is as individual as a fingerprint. 

Do what is right for your soul.

I am thankful for the people that are loving, sincere and patient with me and my sister. I am stunned and shocked though at how callous and selfish other people are and saw this photo above and thought this is so true...

Beautiful

I found this beautiful little rose bud peaking out from under the passion plant! 

A little bit of sunshine always makes my day bright!

Another project completed!

Whew!

There are several projects that I need to get done before winter weather hits here in South Texas. As I was watching the weather this past week and saw we are supposedly suppose to get a lot of rain (we haven't yet), I knew I had to get a shelter built for Julie. She has been out in the weather for the past 9+ years and I wanted her to have some place to go to get out of the bitter North wind and cold rain. And since we are now living on our own property I can build whatever I want, where I want, when I want! So I took stock of what we had in the way of supplies and got busy. I completed it in 1.5 days and boy is my body paying the price, ekk! Who knew digging holes and pounding nails could be such a work out? It isn't perfect but it will work!

 I plan on putting galvanized tin on the roof but for the moment the roofing felt will work. I did have to go buy plywood as Fred threw out my stock pile of plywood but working with new sheets of plywood was easier than piecing together scraps.

 Jenny helped, if you look closely you can see the paint on her nose!! She is always by my side and has a willing heart! She is always willing to eat cow poop when my back is turned too, eww!! No doggy kisses from Jenny, thank you!

 I had kept the calves penned up while I worked and they were so happy to get out when I finally finished. Here they are checking out my paint job, I think it met their approval? 

Fred laughed as he said it wasn't very tall but I had to work with what I had and I only had 8ft treated 4x4's...Julie can get in there if she wants, it will work! I won't be getting any draft horses anytime soon! Maybe I'll get some ponies though?

 Pepper was excited!! 

 Really excited!! She is so full of it at times!! She makes me laugh!

The calves seem to like it! 

I had friends ask if the calves will let Julie in there and yes they will. If Julie wants in there she will run the calves out, Julie rules the pasture and the calves know it! 

I am glad that is done and once I get the tin for the roof it shouldn't take me long to finish it completely. The next project is to build a temporary greenhouse and if I have time and materials maybe a wind break for the cattle pens. There is always something to do around here!!

She nailed it!!

I was taking care of the pool yesterday and walked up on the deck and spotted a Sulphur butterfly fluttering around when WHAM!! A praying mantis nailed her, Yikes!! 

 The praying mantis immediately ripped the butterflies head off and then proceeded to rip other body parts off it, Wow!

Nature can be Vicious and never ceases to amaze me!!