Cookie Quandary

Sometimes the husband really makes me laugh. Today was one of those days. Let me give you some background information first. The husband loves snickerdoodles. They are his favorite cookie. And he especially likes the ones from a restaurant called Braums. I just so happen to drive past a Braums on my way home from Dallas on Friday. I thought what a good treat that would be for him. So I stopped and picked up two dozen snickerdoodles. I brought them home and laid them on the kitchen counter. That evening he came in and his eyes lit up when he said, "Hey, You got me snickerdoodles. And they're from BRAUMS!" Now it has been a year or so since we've gotten them because there aren't any Braums around here. I told him it looked like the cookies were different then they were in the past. They were also packaged differently. He tested them out that night and said they were a little different but still good.

Then this morning on our way to church, the husband says out of nowhere, "Yesterday at lunch, I had a chance to really examine those snickerdoodles."

"What? Examine the cookies?" I said.

"Yes," he said. "I think I have figured out what they have done differently."

"Really...so what do you think?" I ask.

"They added molasses. It tastes kinda like a cross between a gingersnap and a snickerdoodle," he explained. "Plus, they are a darker brown. So that's what I have determined."

I never thought I would hear my husband give me a breakdown of a cookie. But apparently he had a lot of time during his lunch break at work to really put some thought into it.

So this evening, I opened up the pack and took a whiff of the snickerdoodles. You know what....they do kinda smell like gingersnaps! I believe I have a cookie connoisseur on my hands!

Happy Father's Day!

We both were blessed with great dads. They have always been there for us and no doubt will be there in the future. We thank them for playing a part in who we've become. We hope we make you proud because we are proud to call you our old farts!

Love you bunches!

The Man

I've felt like I have neglected our first born. He's barely appeared on the blog and I think he's a little upset. Today I was taking pictures of the other children and he started barking at me. Guess it is his turn. So today's post is dedicated to Harley, our oldest child. I told the husband that I was going to blog about him today because he hasn't been on the blog at all. The husband said, "Oh yes he has. He was on the very first picture." Oh, I forgot he was in bed with the husband. But the husband just advised me that there are no self portraits of him on the blog. So we are going to make it right with the world today.

He's been with us for almost 11 years. Just had a disagreement with the husband about his age. I had to produce the birth certificate. I was right. HELLO! Anyhow, Harley-man is known throughout our family and friends. My parents call him the granddog. Pops calls him his fishin' buddy. Harley even went with us to church recently. So now the whole congregation knows him. He laid on his little pillow and slept thru the sermon. Don't think it hurt the preacher man's feelings too much. He pretty much runs the house and bosses all the other dogs around. Size is not an issue in his eyes. He used to be an awesome cowdog too until a longhorn squished him into the ground. Luckily, it was muddy and no real damage was done. He thinks twice now before jumping into the pen. But we still have to watch him.

This evening he got his sheep out to play. As you can tell, he tears it up.

Got him by the head! Take no prisoners! Going for the suffocation technique.

Death to the sheep! Victory shall be his!!

Harley poses proudly with his kill.

Grandma's Party

After the graduation party, we headed over to the aunt and uncle's "garage" for grandma's party. And I use that word "garage" loosely! They have remodeled the place and it is very nice. My pictures do not do it justice. Hung out with the family and had some yummy spaghetti. Even drank water from a wine glass. Felt so sophisticated. Thanks Aunt J. for allowing this country girl to experience the ways of the well mannered and polished. Which I ain't...

The husband with the party honoree-Grandma.

I'm like a bug, attracted to neon lights. There just so daggum pretty.

What else is pretty. A whole bunch of shiny bikes. Just makes you want to get on one.

I told you. Just makes you want to get on. Couldn't help myself. It will probably be the only time I will ever have an opportunity to sit on a Harley. Had the jacket to pull it off too. I think I have a little biker chick in me. So you think if you can ride a horse, you can ride a bike?

Family Faces

I love to capture people when they are not expecting their picture to be taken. Love the honesty of the photo. So here are some of the pictures I took while at the graduation party. Most are "unposed" but some aren't. Enjoy.

That was some good cake!

Can you tell his dad was in the army?

Who could resist that face?

This kid was acting camera shy.....she's never been shy a day in her life!

Love the highlights, J. No matter what the others said.

Peace out, Uncle F.

Just her and her thoughts. Yeah, you're related to all the people. I know, huh!

And I had to end on a cute kid.

Quick Trip

Just got back home from our world wind trip. Made it to Seattle late Thursday night. Guess what, it was rainin'. Got up Friday morning, guess what, it was rainin'. Drove over the pass to Wenatchee that morning, guess what....it was SNOWIN'!


Thirty something degrees. Little chilly coming from the high 90s! Got over the pass and to Wenatchee, the sun was shining. Thank the Lord! But don't be fooled, it was still jacket wearin' weather.

The nephew got graduated. Again, thank the Lord!

That's his momma giving him his diploma. Sorry, bad picture takin' there. Celebrated his graduation the next afternoon with a party. Great party. Family came out of the woodwork. Saw people I had never seen before and some I hadn't seen in 10+ years. Will have those pictures coming this week.

Headed back to Seattle Saturday nite and caught an early flight home. Arrived back in Texas to 90+ degree weather. Sweatin' as I type actually. All the kids were happy to see us.They busted into the car when the door was opened. Just couldn't wait for some lovin'. Sure is good to be home.

Heading West....

We are headin' west to Washington State today. Going to see our nephew graduate high school. It will be a quick trip but it'll be nice to get away and see some fam.

You think they were tellin' him to look like a Cavin Klein model or something?

Well, gotta go finish packing. The husband is usin' up more of the suitcase then I am. What's up with that? I need to go wrangle him in! Talk to ya in a few......

Old Stuff

I am really getting into this photography stuff. With the wildflowers dying off, I moved on to old barns and stuff. I stopped along the road near the house and took a few pictures. My co-worker says I sure like to take pictures of "things" and not people. I told her there aren't a lot of people out here. So I take what's around. Plus the husband reminds me that I am not a people person and do much better with inanimate objects.

I don't know why I liked this gate but I did and took a picture of it. I am trying to adjust color, light, etc on my pics. Wanted to spruce them up a little. I'm thinkin' about getting a photoshop program. It's not like I know what I am doing anyways. I'll start with a beginner program and see how it goes.

The husband is positive we are going to win the lotto. I told him we would buy a big ranch and I would spend my days riding around checking cattle and taking pictures. That would be the ultimate! I could get all kinds of neat photography stuff then. Just hope he keeps buying those tickets cause I never do.

What is that I feel?

A cool breeze......We installed a window unit in the house yesterday. Our central A/C went out last year and we haven't been able to get it fixed. Last summer, we put a small A/C unit in our bedroom. That was all the air conditionin' we had until yesterday. I am so happy, I had to take a picture of the beautiful cold air blowing machine.

It was so nice to come in from work to a semi-cool house instead of a blazin' inferno. I enjoyed sittin' in my recliner and watching tv without sweatin'. Life is good.

And the Winner Is.......

Not us! But we did come in second. Yeah! We won two of the four events, branding and wild donkey riding. I am very proud of my team. They all did great. We're a rough looking bunch of women, huh!

The husband was in charge of taking video of the event for you. He tried his hardest. He found it hard to yell and watch what he was doing at the same time. But here are some of the videos he took. I couldn't get them all to work but the two events we won are here. Try not to get motion sickness!

This was our branding. It seemed like we were moving lots faster during the actual event. I think the video is on slow speed or something. Hey, we won this event! Don't matter.

This was our wild donkey riding. The rules stated you had to be on the donkey when it crossed the line at the opposite side of the arena. Well, all the other teams wussed out and ran their donkeys down the arena, then someone would jump on it just to cross the line. My team got on the donkey and rode it all the way. No wusses here. Plus the donkeys didn't seem that wild. I had a strategy though. I brought donkey treats and while our's was still in the chute, I feed 'em.

This was the team getting our prizes for 2nd place. Sure would have liked those buckles, but I got a bucket full of stuff. Better than a poke in the eye!

Well, that's my story about the ranch rodeo. Didn't get mangled or broken. I did, however, get the skin of my forearm caught in the seatbelt clasp on the way home. Took off some skin and pinched me pretty good. The husband said I had to put that on the blog. Managed to compete in an entire ranch rodeo without a scratch but on the ride home got hurt. What can I say, I'm talented like that.

My co-worker was there taking pictures too. She is going to have them on her blog later today. You can click on her blog under my favorite links and see what she took if you're interested.