The End to a Thanksgiving Holiday

Yum, yummmm....


I hope that everyone had a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. I did manage to get my pecan pie baked and indulged in a slice and it was wonderful. There's nothing better than homemade fresh pecan pie. Well, okay, there's homemade vanilla ice cream or a 1 lb box of Whitman Samplers. Now who doesn't like chocolate?

It's been a busy four days going back and forth between Caldwell and San Antonio so will leave y'all with some pictures.

Harley, the one on the right, seems to have a daily vigil watching the sun come up. This morning I had to catch a picture of her out the window. Jasper is trying to get her to come play but she is steadfast on her vigil.

I am thrilled that so many of you from around the world have stopped by to visit my blog. I thought I'd take a few pictures out my truck window as I was driving today and share with you some pictures of this great state of Texas.

Happy Trails...

Happy Thanksgiving
from RiverBend Farm

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good and his mercy endureth forever. Psalm 136:1

Sweet Baby Girl

Here's a better picture of our sweet baby girl. Is there anything more precious than a sleeping baby? They are a true gift from God..a little person given to us while on this earth to guide, guard and direct toward the love of our Lord and Saviour. God bless the little children.

Happy Trails...

Give - Away Day

As my family and friends know, I love to sew and quilt and make handcrafted items. I am in the works of opening an online store and will kick it off with participating in the Sew, Mama, Sew! Blog Give-Away Day. I invite you to stop back by on December 3 to leave a comment for a chance to win something handmade. I haven't yet decided what it will be so I'll put on my thinking cap.
Check out Sew, Mama, Sew! at http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=647. It's a great way to check out other's blog and maybe even win something!


Happy Trails...

Happy Birthday, Jule

Juliet made her big arrival yesterday at 12:52 pm, weighing in at 8 lbs, 1 oz, and 20 1/2 inches long. God has blessed this family with a beautiful little pink girl. Everyone is doing well. What a special Thanksgiving this family is having.

This is not the best picture but it's taken through the nursery window as they're giving her a first bath.

Jacob and Zach are thrilled to finally have their little sister to hold.

A New Gadget

I came across this kinetic pecan cracker last year but have been waiting to get it til this season. I broke down, ordered it and we tried it out this afternoon. It's great! Much better than trying to crack them one at a time. This thing can crack more than 1500 pecans an hour. It took a few minutes to get the hang of it but I love it.

Aren't they pretty? I can almost taste that
pecan pie...





Happy Trails...

Beauty Day

Wednesday morning started off with a fresh pedicure for the girls. Then it seems like I've been off and running and haven't stopped yet. The past couple days have been super busy meeting with contractors so I can get bids on building the house. Then with that, I've been looking at windows, doors, fixtures, etc. so that they're bidding "apples to apples". I'm trying to get all this done before I leave next week for the arrival of my new granddaughter. I can't believe it's been nine months since the grandboys called to tell me they were expecting a "new visitor". Well, I think she'll be staying awhile. After two boys, my son and daughter-in-law are being blessed with a little girl. I know God has big plans for this little one. I can't wait to see her and hold her. I love my grandbabies! This will make #6 and I love them all. My cup truly runs over.

Happy Trails...

Birthday Celebration

May you truly know today
The love of Jesus Christ
And know He's smiling down on you
For you are His delight
The Lord joyfully celebrates
This special day with you
And as you grow up year by year
He's with you as you do

© By M.S.Lowndes

Happy 1st Birthday, Angel Baby
Nana loves you.

New Fence

The fence around the yard is now complete. The guys got here early yesterday morning and worked until after dark using headlights on the tractor to hammer in the last nails. This morning I went out just before sun-up to introduce the horses to it. They were just so happy to get out of the catch pen. Anyway, we're very impressed with the work on the fence. It looks awesome! These are views of the side that will run along the master bedroom windows.

I just had to go out yesterday and take a picture of the guys putting up the brace for my walk-thru gate. I'm sure they thought I was crazy for taking their picture but each and every little bit of progress out here is exciting to me. I thank my Lord all the time for all His blessings. We have big plans for this place.

Here's the finished walk-thru gate going back to the barn. Don't you just love this tree? All this will be out back off the porch.

And here's the drive-thru gate. The road you see that turns off to the left of the gate will eventually be moved once the house is built. The road will go straight through the gate back to the barn.

Yippee!! I just got a call from the draftsman that the final houseplans are ready. I'm outa here to go pick them up. Stay tuned...I've got some exciting things I'm working on for my blog.

Happy Trails...

Full Wheel Deal

Finally..pecans! Last Friday I finally had a chance to go out with my wheel and gather up some pecans. A norther with strong winds blew in last Saturday night and sent the pecans and the leaves falling. Most of the trees have absolutely no pecans but then there are some that have quite a few. Don't get me wrong.. I wouldn't exactly call this a harvest this year but we are getting more than a few pecans. Between the coyotes and the squirrels, it's slim pickin's. I think this is the first year we've really had a problem with the squirrels. I go to pick up pecans and find that a squirrel has eaten the end off! They're cute but they can sure be a nuisance in a pecan orchard. I'm not real crazy about going on a squirrel hunt. I think I'd rather put out a live trap and relocate them. Now, come on.... what's my choice? Squirrels or pecan pie? Or... pecans or squirrel pie? I'll go with the pecan pie.





We're in the process of fencing in what will be the yard around the house. It will not only keep the coyotes out of the yard but also the horses. Keep in mind that we are living in the 5th wheel RV while the house is being built and sometimes when I go to open the door, the horses are standing right there! The fence man should be back tomorrow to finish. I'll post pictures when he's done.


Several people have asked what kind of pecans we have here. To give a little background about the orchard, a prominent businessman and a professor and extension horticulturist from Texas A&M University started this orchard about 25-30 years ago. It has been told to us that one of them wanted to leave something that would keep on going long after he's gone. From what we understand, they planted a variety of pecans out here. We get all kinds including Choctaw, Wichita and natives to name a few. They are sized like a small sweet potato to a small pumpkin shape to the size of a peanut and also long and skinny like a bullet. We are continuing to learn everything we can about the orchard and hope that we will make Ol' Army Lou proud.

These days I don't go out without my little pecan wheel so I don't miss picking up a pecan. I love picking up pecans! It's so relaxing; it's my quiet time to walk through the leaves and do some serious thinking. I tend to get in a bad habit of walking around with my head down constantly looking for pecans. This time of year we end up with pecans everywhere. There's usually a few in my pockets or in my truck or on the kitchen table. I even see pecans in my sleep.





I'll leave you with a tip about storing pecans -
Place shelled pecans in an airtight container or plastic zip-top freezer bag. Label with date of purchase. Store in refrigerator for 6-9 months or preferably in the freezer for up to 2 years. Pecans can be thawed and refrozen and not lose their quality.


Happy Trails...

Behold, A Wish Come True

For all of you out there that have some sort of crazy life-long dream that you might not want to admit to, listen up. Mine finally came true. Throughout my childhood into my adult life, I have always been mesmerized my big 18-wheeler trucks and could only imagine how cool it would be to ride in one and sit up high, looking out over the road and countryside. It might sound weird to some who know me but then again, to some who know me well would not at all be surprised. Last week I finally got to ride in my cousin's truck when hauling the dozer. What a blast! First of all, I about wet my pants climbing up in the seat. The 'ol gray mare ain't what she used to be. Wow! But big mama made it, mission accomplished and off we went. How cool is this?! I have to admit riding in the air seat, bouncing with every bump in the road felt like trying to stay in the saddle of some wayward horse. With every huge wide turn that Buddy took, I felt like I was on some sort of amusement ride...I felt like we were going to hit the ditch every time but he knew what he was doing.



I took some amazing pictures along the way but most of them didn't turn out. I've put a request into Santa for a new camera for Christmas. That'll give me a good reason to go for a ride again.

I had to put in this picture of an old barn
of my cousin's. I love old barns and this
one was begging me to take it's picture.


So for all you that have some sort of dream or wish list to do in your lifetime, don't give up. It can still happen.


Happy Trails...

God Bless Our Veterans

Thank you to all the men and women who have served and are serving this great country in which we live. Thank you for your committment and your time. Thank you to the families of our service men and women for sacrificing your loved ones to be away defending our rights and freedoms. And a very special thank you to those families who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their beloved family members. God Bless America.

Drive-By's and Onlookers

I'm not meaning "shoot 'em ups" when I say drive-by's but I mean people slowing down in front of your house or property and just looking. What are they looking at? Is there something that interesting or funny going on here that I'm not aware of? But then I got to thinking about it and found that I'm guilty of doing the same thing! Have you ever done that? I have found myself getting slower and slower in front of someone's place to admire a picket fence or some clever decoration on a front porch. Our beloved Howard, the basset hound, recently walked off from home and never returned. The first time he walked off, I found him the next day 2 1/2 miles from the house. He then left three days later and came back the next day. This time he has not returned and we miss him. But back to my story, I am always looking for him in someone's yard or on their front porch. I do tend to drive-by very slowly. It just got me to wondering when so many drive down our county backroad and stop to look. Have they too lost a beloved pet or are they just out for a leisurely drive in the country? This farmland and countryside are absolutely beautiful this time of year so I pray that everyone is out enjoying the lower gas prices and spending time with the family by taking an afternoon drive.

Happy Trails...

Gorgeous Fall Weekend

It was a beautiful weekend here. The weather couldn't have been any more perfect. The wind was blowing the leaves off the trees like falling rain. I wish I could somehow capture it in film to show everyone. It is so calming. Buddy had the dozer again to work on the house site. It's amazing what he can do with a bulldozer. I took so many pictures of him at work so will leave you with a few. The horses have each taken their turn with their curiosity. This time it was Jess's turn. She was fascinated with the fresh dirt and the bulldozer.

I failed to get a picture of the finished project. We're expecting some rain tomorrow so not sure if I'll be able to get it. It's been so long since we've had rain so it'll be a welcome sight. I did manage to get out and gather up more pecans. It's mighty slim pickin's. But we count our blessings every day. We have much to be thankful for.

Happy Trails...

Expecting Update

My little chicks that were expected to arrive on November 24th have been delayed until Dec 17th because we're expecting a much bigger delivery....our newest granddaughter is scheduled to make her entrance on Nov 25th. Won't that be a week of Thanksgiving? The Good Lord keeps blessing us with beautiful additions to our family tree.


Happy Trails...

Busy Day in the Barn

Today proved to be a very productive day in the barn working on the stalls. Buddy worked hard getting two of them to near completion. These two stalls are designated for Jess and Bridget. Of course, Prissy has ranked the privilege of being across the alley by herself.

Here's Prissy peaking around the corner... "Can I come in yet?"

And Jasper just enjoys being here...life is good.

Looking good...just a few finishing touches. Then we start on Prissy's stall. The dirt in here is so hard it's like chipping into concrete. After a few buckets of water and some time, it's mission accomplished. Once complete, we'll haul in a sandy mix and shavings.

And here she comes back again.. "Now can I come in?"

The day was great. There was always a breeze today which helped shake out some more pecans. It seemed everytime we passed some trees, there were more on the ground. I did manage to get a few more picked up today. It's certainly not any kind of harvest but it's fun finding them. It brings back those feelings as a kid when hunting Easter eggs.

Happy Trails...

We're Expecting

Aha! Did I get your attention? We are indeed expecting delivery of 24 newly hatched day old chicks on Nov 24th. That will give me several weeks to get my brooder ready for my little peeps. I can hardly wait!
These are what they will look like when they arrive. We're also designing a chicken tractor for when they're ready to go out in the big world. They will be free range chickens.
We've been fortunate to be able to buy fresh free range eggs locally but are looking forward to having our own chickens. I ordered four different varieties; one of them being Ameracaunas to lay colored eggs. Jacob thought it was pretty cool this past summer to cook with green eggs.
I'll update with their arrival.


Happy Trails...