Colorado winds

The wind in Colorado can be grand and a bit dramatic.  Against the mountains it can take a warm day and make it cold by blowing the snow off the peaks and down across the foothills.

Out on the plains it can be destructive. Wind gust can be brutal and today was one such blustery wicked winded day! It brings the dangers of fire and erodes the land. 

Wind coming off the mountains.

Winds coming off the mountains with clouds and snow. My carriage to the foothills is a Prius and it gets toss around like a crumpled newspaper in the wind. 

We have had winds so high and microbursts so hardy that we have seen one of our hens, Beatrice, be picked up and blown across three farms. I remember looking out the kitchen window and seeing her being swept up end to end, carried away with no recourse to stay put. Poor thing, I thought she was long gone but three days later here she came walking back across the field looking a bit worse for the wear.  She fully recovered but whenever the winds would pick up the old girl would run to the coop for safety.

Another time the ground blew and eroded so much that on a goat prayer walk I found a cannon ball.  It was just sticking up out the ground.  For those who read Centennial you  know about Colorado’s history and the northeastern plains. It is not a time to be proud of -  In the late 1800 Colorado Territory Militia fought wars and battles in Julesburg against the Cheyenne, Arapahoe and Lakota Sioux; in Sterling against the Cheyenne and the Sioux, and in Yuma again against the Arapahoe, Cheyenne and Sioux.  Those are only a few of the battles fought in Colorado…and in southeastern Colorado I am sure you have heard of the Sand Creek Massacre. We have heard of many people finding arrowheads on their land out here but never cannon balls. We can definitely feel the history out here on the plains and it is very sad to think of what might have happened .  

A delegation of Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Arapaho chiefs at Denver, Colorado on September 28, 1864.

By Charles William Carter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The importance of like-minded friends

One of the most important part of living out on the prairie is finding like mind people to help support you, your vision, gain new ideas and most importantly ...friendship.

Every Monday about five of us "farmgirls" or as we like to be known as "Ya Ya Farmgirls" meet.  Last Monday we met, talked of family and how everyone was doing and to plan our gardens for the year. Our lists were long.  We love our gardens.

I started planning with my "kitchen" herb garden. This garden is right outside my back door. I grow basil, mint, cilantro chives, parsley, dill, rosemary, lavender , roses and thyme. Adding borage this year. My mom grows outstanding oregano and sage, so I trade with her.   Spring is coming and it is an exciting time of year.  March 17, St Patrick's day is always a queue for me to plant lettuces, spinach, cabbage, collards, radishes, carrots, peas and beans.  It is all just the beginning.

Last year we lost most of our gardens due to hail .  I hope Mother Nature is gentle with us this year.

Another subject was more laying hens.  We always can use more hens.  One Ya Ya found a deal on Blue Ameraucanas. Another sister would pick them up and I had an incubator that could be used. 

We all work together to help each and make each other stronger.  I love their positive attitudes, laughter and unbelievable support.

Our day and peeps

Our morning begins fairly early at 7am. Remember I work evenings and we don't get to bed until 11pm -12am.   Coffee and tea are made. Animals first is the rule of the house.  Dude heads out to the goats and I head to the chickens.  Food and water and when necessary, cleaning their homes.

Next up is breakfast. Now, I know this breakfast is not for everyone but I love it. Sautéed cabbage, onions and peppers with sesame oil and hot pepper flakes plus a dash of rice wine vinegar topped with an egg.

Lunch will be on the road... apple, peanut butter, with carrots.  Snack pepitas(pumpkin seeds) and raisins.

Dinner tonight is from the pantry.  Tamales and pintos.

Heat them up. Served over a bed of chopped lettuce, tomato and onions. Ymmm

Every year we have an Easter Eggcellent Eggstravaganza for our family. We have an egg toss competition, spoon and egg races and .... Peep-o-rama competition. Everyone makes a diorama from peeps.  Here are some from past years.

Wonder what everyone will make this year?

Short post today so I can start sewing some new pants before heading to work. 

Hope you day is wonderful.