young cowboys

 The Herd boys are country to the core.  Although they occasionally mix it up, put on their shorts and head to town, most of their sunny days are spent in Wrangler jeans, t-shirts and on horseback.

Well "ponyback" seems more fitting.

They 

ride ponies for others..

ride ponies to the creek to cool off...do you see the floaty?

ride ponies with friends

ride ponies to break ponies

ride ponies to the neighbors

ride ponies with Pop

ride ponies to check crops

ride ponies to move cows

ride ponies fast more often then they ride slow

ride ponies for some "thinkin" time

ride ponies for independence

ride ponies for fun

ride ponies because it's who they are, young cowboys.

Brussel Sprouts Please

Because of this delicious recipe I will have to say brussel sprouts are my latest must have. And, the boys like them too...although I eat them so fast they don't get many.

.whoops. 

First, get ya some of the tasty little green heads.  

grow'em, pick'em, buy'em..steal'em from the neighbors.

Whatever, just get some.  

Then peel off and discard the outer leaves, trim ends.  Next quarter the scrumptious little burgers.

Toss them with 3 TB olive oil, 1 t. kosher salt, 1/2 t. black pepper.

I did mine in a bowl but you could drop them in a baggie, dance around your kitchen and shake your little heart out.

Ya know...get your groove on with the mean green things.

.Anyhoo.

Pour them out onto a baking sheet & place into your preheated 400* oven.

Roast 30-45 minutes.

Shake the pan every 7ish minutes, or move them around with a spatula. 

Brussel sprouts are done when dark brown.

ENJOY 

pollution

Earlier today while traveling down the county highway middle cowpoke let one rip...ya know, a stink bomb. Immediately following, before I could grunt and moan and sigh and r-o-l-l down my window, he most seriously asked the question,

"Mom, is passing gas pollution?"

To which I MOST SERIOUSLY replied,

 " Absolutely!  Pollution is the any contamination of harmful substance(s) into the air.....and from the difficulty the 3 of us are having to breath normally

YOU HAVE CONTAMINATED/POLLUTED OUR AIR!"

End of story.

rodeo beatings

The pour tough oldest cowpoke has taken his share of rodeo beatings lately.

The cowboy life is rough.

In the last 2 weeks he has:

• slid his arm into a calves mouth and wears a 4" long scar from the sharp teeth.
• been kicked and has a shin knot to prove it.
• eaten sand/dirt/??? and is now wormy....  Just kiddin' city folk ;) About the wormy part.
• been whipped like a rock from a sling shot...occasionally this happens when you rope a 130lb baby calf and your rope is tied onto a calf ropin' horse.

Who wants to rodeo?

squeaky clean

A quick note to inform you that the Davis Herd has been struck by the "puke bug". 

Never any fun.

It began Saturday night with the oldest cowpoke. 

Sunday night with middle man.

Lil' cowpoke has thus far been spared the "bug".  And, he is fighting fiercely! 
Currently, a sign hangs on his bedroom door that reads loud and clear:
DO NOT ENTER in big bold red letters!
He's also given new meaning to "good hygiene" with 2 showers in a 24 hour period.

At his request of another morning shower(less than 12 hours since his last shower) I told him he's liable to wash his hide right from his bones........

but

I do temporarily have a squeaky clean lil' cowpoke.

on my mind

Introducing you to the fun of thrifting and what I've been doing while away....from the Davis Herd blog.

The "bee dilemma". Informing you that I experienced a mild anaphylatic bee sting reaction and I may be playing with fire:(

Energy drinks. Ranting about why I feel they're SO terrible! And how the death of a 14 year old girl after consuming one proves my point.

Making you laugh with a tale on Lil' cowpoke and his "good-luck mo-hawk"on the basketball court.

Sharing about my upcoming trip west to visit my sis and bro.  The last time I visited out there I was prego....been awhile.

and

Posting Ole' Cowpoke's adorable growing Nubian goat herd.  17 new kids.

Ice Cream **MAGIC**

The Davis Herd frequently indulges in ice cream. Preferably vanilla topped off with a few more calories, goodies.    I've listed a few of our favorite toppings below.     

Hershey's Syrup

Sprinkles

Peanut Butter

Honey

Crushed Cookies

Dry Cereal

and Magic Shell.

We may use them alone... but often have a combination of atleast two.

Oh how we love ice cream! 

I'm blogging to inform you of a recipe for homemade Magic Shell.  And if you  your kiddos enjoy the hard shell magic it's more than worth it to concoct your own!  

First, hunt down a jar of Coconut Oil. 

Now, this isn't available at my small town grocery store so I had to put this on my "big town" grocery list.  I found it in the Organic section of the grocery store, it was a bit pricey, but I reminded myself of some of the crazy money we spend on other things and decided to go with it. 

 Also, I was surprised to see Coconut "Oil" is a solid.
 It looks like Crisco in a glass bottle. 
I just thought you should no that so you're not confused...or you think it's bad or something.

Anyhoo....

Next, grab a bag of Nestle Semi-Sweet chocolate chips.  For melting purposes I decided not to buy the generic brand this time. 

Head home....You're ready!

In a glass mixing bowl place 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips and 1/2 cup Coconut Oil (measured when solid).  Place in microwave for 1 minute(depending on your microwave).  When the oil has completely liquefied, stir.  The oil will melt your chocolate chips.  Stir until smooth. It will be runny!

Poor into a glass bottle/jar(I used a honey jar) as you will reheat in microwave as need.

 

In our case....nightly.  

Store in refrigerator.

HIS.....nearly half-a-gallon topped with homemade hard shell *magic*!

HERS.....the little dab left in the corner of the container!

MEANIE!!!!!!!!!!

Check it out!

I have some new favorite blogs...on top of an addiction to Pinterest.  But this...THIS

 I just had to share. 

GENIUS!!   

Check out the tutorial here: 

  http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html


And, she didn't stop at shoes....she transformed a belt too. 
I can't wait to try this!    

Confusion

Have you heard about the mysterious Iowa Powerball winner?  The individual who waited a year to show the ticket and claim his/her winnings....millions of dollars?  At the supper table the other night hubbs made mention that the latest speculation is that the winner may be an illegal alien?  Perhaps?  But at the mention of the word alien six beady eyes pierced us as my 13 year old said...
What?  Aliens? You think an alien from outter space bought a ticket? 
Haha....we had to clarify.

The same night I sat at my sewing machine finishing up a baby shower gift.  My 11 year old was shooting hoops on his Nerf hoop and chatting away.  He asked when I was going to be giving my homemade gifts.  I explained Saturday at the shower. 
Shower, he questioned? Why is it called a shower? 
So much confusion with the English language.

I understand their confusion....in my mind a blackberry will always grow on a bush! teehee

Pockets

Of course if I had pics I would be almost as fabulous as Pioneer Woman...but I don't.
Trust me..their quick, easy and delicious.

3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 TB melted butter
1 can shredded chicken(of course you could cook and shred your own, about 2 cups)
2 TB milk
chopped onion, if your heart desires(I cook EVERYTHING with onion)
salt & pepper
1 pkg. crescent rolls

Cream together all ingredients minus the rolls. Divide the rolls into four rectangles.  Press perforations together and put about 1/2 cup mixture along one long edge of the crescent roll rectangle. Fold the other half of dough over the chicken and crimp edges with a fork.  They should look very similar to the frozen Hot Pockets.  That's why I called'em: POCKETS!  Brush your pocket with additional melted butter and top with crushed croutons.

Bake 350* for 20-25 minutes

I came up with this recipe Saturday when I was in need of feeding 6 hungry mouths.  It was quick, hot and satisfied their growling tummies.

ENJOY!

FOREVER

So, my blog remake has been FOREVER in the making. 

My lack of techno knowledge sets me back...costs me mucho time...and leaves me screaming for the help of my wise young teen. 

I would like to take the credit for the new header BUT....

I can't. 

It's his fancy work...

not mine.

And, the rest of the blog?

Well, it's a change.

I'm just not sure it's me? Or us?

So it may not last.  

TIME

It's TIME

WINTERJAM 2012

Google it for the WHO, WHAT & WHERE

SET a date

with your KIDDOS, with your SISTAS, with you OTHER HALF

CO-2 MUSHING

The family before our mushing adventure; sleigh behind Dex and a stout dog beside DW.

Our guide, Val (if ya ever go, request her) introducing us to the dog team. 
Ask the boys the dogs' names...they remember each dog, can share with you their unique markings, bog or girl, Siberian or Alaskan Eskimo and have their favorite. 
I was lucky to remember the guides name.....

Dan preparing to mush and JX in the sleigh.   Val's giving the musher a few last minute pointers on running the team.
These "dudes", the 4 legged guys in the back of the 6 dog team are the stout athletic ones, the jocks of the team.
I do remember that! 

Here is JX mushing and Dan sledding.  The guide was so good about knowing when to let the kids drive, typically up a hill.  We toured through the woods around the Swan River. It was beautiful! Tremendously fun!  A must-do-again adventure!!  We highly recommend it!  You can not imagine how fast these dogs can run...and give  them the advantage of a downhill you best be holding on!
Weeeeeeeeeeeee

CO-1

Dan and I looking much more fierce and professional then we actually are. Do you see the tall brown grass behind us? At times I felt like a back country skier.



The ski school group.  Dennis really made them pros.  If ever you decide to take up the sport, invest in a lesson.  It teaches you how to ski safe.  The kids ALL loved skiing the mountains and were discussing when/if we can make this an annual trip.
I'm pretty sure Disney is now out as a vacation spot for the Davis Herd.

The view as we head up the mountain. That's Dan & JX up ahead.  Our group hit the slopes early. Notice there are no skiers below yet, that allows for some fast skiing.

That's JX at the bottom after skiing down.  He was all about speed and worked the least on technique...imagine?  One time I challenged him to be the last one down...caboose.  Geez Mom...B-O-R-I-N-G!   

5 Question Friday

1. What's the oldest piece of clothing in your closet?

Really? The very oldest....I may have to run and look.  My wardrobe is PATHETIC!!! 

Wow..I see 2 things...and they are old!  Like 1995 old!!!  How do I know, you ask?  I bought those items with my hard earned nanny cash back in the days of living on Long Island.
And I...um..still wear one out.  As in outside of the house;to church, to the movies NOT "out on the town" as in prowling, whoopin' it up.  Just to clarify in case you were confused? 
   


Would you be surprise to learn they're both for my upper half?   

I know,  SURPRISE...not really. 
That's what child bearing did to me..oh and chip mint ice cream....and dark chocolate....and aging. 
So is life, I'm not losing sleep over it.

2. How many random blog readers have you met?

I tend to stalk more than comment.  BUT on occasion, when I read a post I can truly relate with, I throw out a comment.

      

3. Do you let your kids stay up till midnight on New Years Eve? (Or, if you don't have kiddos yet, did you get to stay up until midnight as a child?)

We have let the kiddos stay up until midnight the last couple of years.  Read here on how our New Year's celebrations have changed.

http://davisherd.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years.html

4. What are the gas prices where you live?

$3.03. 

5. What is one resolution that you know you should do but are too afraid to try?

Nothing crazy....but I would like to be a non soda drinker and give up most sweets. I just CAN'T give up that one can of pop a day!  But maybe I will try again?  

GIFTS

This time of year it's all too easy to become wrapped up in the did I spend enough or what I want part of the Christmas holiday. As a mother of 3 children I've struggled with if it is best for them to each have the same number of gifts to open or more fair to have the same amount of total money spent on them; regardless, of the number of packages?

As I've done my best to teach my boys it's better to give than to receive and the reason for the season I've also decided to not solely focus on the gifts under the tree but the gifts from the heart that we often look over.

Honestly, I can recall very few of the gifts I have opened over the years. When I think back to Christmas' past I see the most heartwarming gifts were not wrapped packages at all. The things that bring true joy to my heart are the Christmas Day hugs from a brother or sister, the laughter of an aging parent/grandparent and the wondrous expressions/giggles of the children.

Here is to hoping you receive an abundance of heartwarming gifts this holiday season!

5 Question Friday

1. What's the best Christmas present you've ever received?

Dad decided one BIG gift was the way to do Christmas approximately five years ago.  BIG it was! He flew my family of 5 and my siblings along with their fams to Miami where we boarded a big ole' cruise ship. Cruise we did.....what a blast!! My kids STILL talk about it!!   

2. Worst/Funniest White Elephant gift ever receive

Surprisingly I have never been part of a White Elephant gift exchange but I do remember being a teen and unwrapping a festive Scottish Terrier sweater vest from my grandma.  I'm pretty sure I didn't sound legit with my, "Thank you, Grandma. I LOVE IT!"  

**Sweater vests really didn't "rock it" with my banana clips........     

3. Is your Christmas tree plain and simple (white lights and matching ornaments) or is it wild and crazy (colored lights with lots of ornaments collected over the years)?

 Wild, crazy and this year leaning forward.  We're just hoping it doesn't crash before the BIG day. 

4. "How" do you iron your clothes? The old fashioned iron/ironing board way, the shower, back in the dryer, etc.

 Simple!

I DO NOT iron!

5. How much baking do you do for Christmas and what are your "must make" items? (I'm looking for recipes here, peeps...)

 Party mix, sugar cookies, peppermint bark, caramels, fudge, pretzels dipped in white chocolate and decorated with sprinkles, swedish oatmeal cookies and every Christmas morning......monkey bread.

Table Talk

Another round of table talk.

Last night Lil' Cowpoke told the story of how he saved his friend from being kissed by a girl at recess.

Really, I thought.  You're in second grade!

Me: What were your teachers doing?

Lil' Cowpoke: Looking the other way.
"Girlfriend" was pushing "smoochy girl" toward "friend" and I slid my hand in like this(handshake form).....just in time to save him from being kissed!

Me: So, did "smoochy girl" kiss your hand then?

Lil' Cowpoke: Yep, NO! NO! My GLOVE, my GLOVE!  I had my gloves on!

Laughter........much laughter!

I love Columbia!

Over the past couple of weeks I've been digging for winter coats, gloves, and hats.  It's that time of year again in the heartland. Besides the tough Carhartt coat that is needed for the daily chore routine here on the farm I've chosen to invest in the Columbia coat for my cowpoke as school coats (life off the farm coats) because of their warmth and durability. I've justified spending a little more moo-lah on the quality item because with 3 cowpoke I can often pass them on down the line getting the goody out of the sweet investment.
Last year Dexter's not so old Columbia(1.5 years) coat blew the zipper.  He was beginning to out grow the coat and it was the dead of winter.  A new Columbia coat was purchased for him and the broken one was thrown into storage.  When I came across the broken zippered parka this year I considered pitching it, or attempting to put a new zipper in....the coat was in perfect condition otherwise.  The job appeared to be above my sewing abilities so before tossing it I decided to send Columbia an email. 

• On a Friday night I sent Columbia an email.
• Columbia responded Monday.
• I mailed the coat and all parts(detachable hood) off for inspection....no receipt.
• Sat back to wait...could possibly take four weeks.
• They had the coat back to me within 2 weeks-new zipper in place!  It's like a brand new coat!

I LOVE COLUMBIA!

I love Columbia because they stand behind their products.
I love Columbia because they are made in Portland, Oregon-USA!

5 Question Friday

1. Do you have a go to song that always puts you in a good mood?

I have a few... I LOVE Francessca Battistelli I'm Letting Go or Toby Mac Get Back Up or Brandon Heath Give Me Your Eyes or the all time favorite.....Bryan Adams Summer of 69.

2. Are you a real Christmas tree kinda person or do you go with a real fake one?

I'm ALL about a fake one.  Only because that is all I know. Honestly, I do not remember ever having a real tree? But I do buy a real Christmas wreath.  Does that count?      

3. What are you thankful for?

Everyday. Faith. Family. Friends. Health. Shelter. Freedom.  This list could go forever......

4. Which fashion fad from the past do you wish you could wear today?

I used to LOVE my banana clips....such an effortless hairdo.
   

5. Do you wait until the "low fuel" light comes on before you fill up the gas tank?

Everytime!  It TOTALLY frustrates me hubby.  So sorry.  But I like to make the trip worth it. Do you buy a half a bottle of pop?  Exactly! 

I did scare myself the other day, however.  I didn't even realize the "low fuel light" was on. It's SO the "NORM" for me. When I DID happen to NOTICE the little orange light my little screen read: DTE 9 miles.  Luckily I was less than 3 miles from the gas station.  I've driven many miles watching that thing count down....so far I've always made it to the station before the dreaded DTE O miles! Whew.....CrAzY I Know!