Drilling for the foundation

While we were in Dallas last week, the geologist came out to take core samples to indicate exactly how deep and where the piers should be for our foundation. In Texas, this is a critical step for a long-lasting and crack-free slab. We were so excited to see the evidence of his visit!

We also set up the tripod for the camera with stakes so it won't move, enabling us to take a progression of pictures while the house goes up. Here is the first picture of the site with nothing on it yet.

Other than that, we sit and do some more waiting . . .the builder said he hopes to lay the foundation next week. Hmmmm waiting . . . :)

Chickens, dogs, gardens, trees, the new and improved plan for a permanent dock, all keep us busy. And with spring here, the wildflowers are prolific! More pics later.

Vaya con Dios amigos!

Nothing in the world matches seeing the grandsons riding in the back of Granddads truck - nothing!

They are in their element - with their parents - on the ranch - "blissin' out" with three dogs and two chickens - and food galore! Woohoooo!


There was a visit to the fishing hole - with some limited success (it was midday and the fish have an aversion to the hot sun). We gathered for a hasty family meal up under the pergola. Hasty is probably not the right word - as we are juggling two boys under 6 years old and a 3 month old granddaughter, sitting down and eating is a circus act with all the music and antics that are appropriate. And a lot of love and pictures thrown in.

After visiting the garden, (with windows open and no seat belts - big treat!) picking some fresh lettuce to take home and a "first pick" green onion, and checking out the peach trees, the grapes and various other garden produce (and picking and eating some fresh red strawberries), we headed back to the campfire to roast marshmallows.

This is a must when they visit the ranch. It can be the middle of the day, 80 degrees, but there must be a campfire and the proper sticks and marshmallows. We are serious here, folks. These are childhood memories happening!

Anyway, we come away exhausted and blissfully happy - they have departed happy -a two hour nap and we are sipping wine and watching the sunset and sooooo grateful to God to have this experience. Truly blessed and humble, we are signing off for the night.

PS. This week might (and I emphasize "might") be eventful. The geologist has promised to do the soil analysis on Tuesday or Wednesday. And the builder says foundation on the week of the fifth of May. (I am printing "May" and trying not to scream out loud) Patience, patience, patience. The cowboy church is working wonders.

Love to all - Vaya con Dios!

Things are looking peachy!

This is the first blossom on one of our nine peach trees. (Sorry it's a little fuzzy - the puppies were jumping up to my face while I bent down to take the pictures) Spring is absolutely beautiful here and just getting better. Everything is blooming! And the winter garden is lush. Lots of little strawberries and the rabbit is a regular visitor -

We've had lots of good rain - and a stronger storm yesterday that sent us down to one of our storage containers for shelter. It was a good thing too because the recorded winds were in excess of 70 miles an hour. The trailer held up well but the wind certainly blew things around. We were quite comfortable on our lawn chairs with the three dogs and the chickens (in a dog carrier). Skip lit a coleman lantern and we had to rope the door shut from the outside to the inside - but it held! We went down there about 3:30 am and came back to the trailer about 5 am when the rain stopped. Just another adventure!

Today we will probably try to dig the holes for our bigger and stronger poles for the blackberries and the grapes. We have a gas-powered auger that makes the digging much easier.

Our builder came two days ago with his wife and set the marks for the geologist to do the soil samples where the house will sit. He said he will be coming out to mark out the house shortly. Now that we have five straight days of "clear" on the weather station, we are hoping for lots of progress on the foundation. The builder put his sign out by the front gate so we know a lot of our friends will be looking for the big trucks to arrive soon. Especially the folks at church which is right across the street. This weekend we will be ordaining our cowboy church pastor. Very exciting! He is a very good and dear man and for a gift, we are giving him a cute sign that lists the ten commandments, Texas style. Like "Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff" - it will be perfect to hang up in the cowboy church.

More later - vaya con Dios!

Chickens come home to roost

The new and improved chicken house is finished! And Leonardo and Mona Lisa are happily scratching the pasture for bugs, grubs and worms. It's so good to have them back. We are still waiting for Mona to lay an egg. After the tumble they took, she stopped laying. It's been about 3 weeks. And Leonardo had stopped crowing, but I think I heard him this morning. So as soon as it's light enough, I will venture up to their spot (about 100 feet away from the trailer) and see how they're doing.