Randomness

It's been so long since I've done a post on random things, so I thought it was high time.  Alas, if you can follow my brain (or my life!), here are some of the random happenings around these parts:

1.  Alberta Sunsets.  Or sunrises.  Whichever, it doesn't really matter....all I know is that I like 'em!

2.  4H Public Speaking.  This took up a LOT of our weekends towards the end of winter.  Hannah had done a speech, and she won the club and district level, so she moved on to regionals.  For being incredibly shy, and her first year as a senior, she did great!  We were really proud of her, and she grew a lot in her confidence with public speaking.  Abby and Molly did a presentation, and they also won at the club and district level, and ended up moving on and placing 2nd at the regional level.  We were really proud of them also, especially considering they competed as intermediates, and Molly was only a junior.  The really (not) great thing about them choosing presentations and speeches was that they were never on the same weekend, so we had got to go to either presentations OR speeches on a variety of weekends.  Alas, it was a great learning experience, and they did great.

3.  Cows.  I love em'!  We have one lonely cow left to calf, (and another one in the summer, but that's another story), so we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our last calf.  If only Lucy would cooperate!  I've really loved this calving season, as the first on our ranch.  It's been really exciting and we've learned lots.  I mentioned to the Girls today that what I've enjoyed most about having cows is all that I'm learning.  It's good to know that my brain still works....sometimes....

4.  George the Giant.  He really is a giant.  We think he weighs about 120 lbs., and he's only 8 months old.  This crazy lug thinks he a lap dog, and he'll try and climb onto our lap when we sitting outside on the chairs in the yard.  The Girls love to snuggle with him, and since he loves to be touched, he's a-ok with that!

George also loves the water.  He hasn't shed out his second coat yet, so as the days get warmer, we'll often find him sitting in ice-cold puddles.  The other day he had a splashing contest with my horse....while I was riding!  Guess who ended up winning?!

5.  We love being outside, exploring.  And that includes crossing sketchy looking beaver dams... yikes!

6.  BBQ Season has officially arrived.  And I am over the moon excited, because that means that instead of eggs being my go-to dinner, burgers have now taken the lead.  I think that burgers are a bit more filling than eggs, and somehow, bbqing them make me feel like I've actually thought ahead about dinner... so I feel like a superstar in that department.  Yay me!  (And hooray for Lulu, the steer we butchered last spring.  He's delish!) 

7.  Again with the 4H.... Last weekend we hosted our spring supper and sale.  I was in charge of decorating the hall again, and I've gotta say, I think we nailed it!  I bought vintage sheets (which reminded my of my grandma's dresses when I was a child) from Value Village, which we used for tablecloths, and we strung banners all over from the ceiling.  Topped off with the candle holders which Art made last year for centerpieces, as well as pussy willows and pots of fresh herbs, I think the hall ended up looking quite spring-like.

We threw some barn doors and old picket fences up on the stage to dress that up a bit as well, and it was a great night.  I think we had about 300 people come through for dinner, so it was a very exhausting and long day, but also a lot of fun.

8.  Bananas.  This girl is making me bananas?  Oh wait, no.... she bought a LOT of bananas.  Like 120 lbs. a lot of bananas.  For those that may not know, Abby has a little baking business.  She has a couple of regular customers who buy banana bread every week from her.  My SIL had a contact of someone who buys and sells fruit, and when she told him about Abby, he said if he ever had an excess of bananas, he'd let her know.  That was about a year ago.  Last week, he called and said that he had 3 boxes of over ripe bananas, and asked if we wanted them.  Of course, since they get frozen at our house, we took them all.... and let me tell you, my house smelt like bananas for a few days, and I no longer have any room in any of my freezers.... but it's all good.  I'm continually thankful for the kindness many people have shown us in their own way, and this was one of them.