Ranch Date

Mr. H. and I have a favorite tradition during the summer to take one night for a ranch date

during the week that our kids are away at church camp.

No one had been out to our ranch since all the Texas rains and flooding had occurred in May. 

We weren't sure what we'd find.  

First up, was a fallen tree across the road that we use on our neighbors property to get to our gate.

We had to off road it a bit through the pasture,

but we made it to the gate. 

We hadn't seen the grass so tall and green in many years.

We were anxious to feed the cows and then get down to the pond and see how it looked.

The cows sure didn't seem as eager as they usually are to get at their sweet feed.

They all looked fat and happy.  I guess from all that green grass that is so prevalent right now!

The pond looked so great!  It looked bigger than it has in 20 years!

Parts that hadn't held water in years, were now full.

When our kids were little, they called this area 

"Camp Camo."  Camp has some water in it now. :-)

Part of the road to the shooting range area of the ranch had eroded away due to all the water.

After we did a lot of looking around, 

we enjoyed being serenaded by the frogs and the crickets,

and just enjoying the peacefulness of sitting out by the pond. 

When we got home and I looked at my pictures, these two of the pond confused me

until I looked closer at the time I took them.

I realized that the last picture I had taken Friday evening was at 8:07 pm,

and the first picture I had taken on Saturday morning,

was at 8:07 am.  And I was standing in the exact same spot by the pond!  

On our way home, I told Mr. H. that I wanted to figure out what all the red wildflowers were on the side of the road that I had been seeing the last few weeks. 

Turns out they're just Indian Blankets,

but without much yellow on the edge like they usually have.

From the road they look completely red.

So pretty!

Ranch Day

Mr. H. and I headed out to the ranch back in March 

and I took lots of pictures of the cows.  

Because I love the cows. :-)

These two babies are so sweet.

I think this one stuck his tongue out at me!

Mr. H. named this one Domino. ;-)

This momma decided to do a little tailgating...

Ha!

A quick walk down to the pond.

And then some shooting before we had to leave.

Mr. H. had me shoot one of his AR's.  

Wish everyday was a ranch day!

Date Night at the Ranch

I was so, so happy to get to go out to the ranch for a date night with Mr. H. this past weekend.

The kids had plans, the cows needed to be fed, and Mr. H. needed to get his deer feeder set up for deer season.  So, Friday after work, we headed out to the ranch!

It was already dark after we fed the cows, but no worries.  

I used a flashlight and the tailgate to put together some hobo meals for our supper.

Mr. H. got a fire started and some great coals going.

It was nice to sit and visit while we waited for our tasty dinner to cook.

It always amazes me how such simple ingredients tossed into some foil

ends up tasting SO good!

We enjoyed the campfire, the many stars,

and, of course, a s'more or two!

The next morning we drove out to set up the deer feeder.

Mr. H. got it set up and filled,

and then was messing with the timer.

He accidentally set it off while he was standing under it!  

It was quite funny. :-)

We took a couple of pictures in a pretty spot by the pond,

and then did some target practice.

Like my custom, hand made holsters?  They're courtesy of Mr. H. :-)

Far too soon it was time to pack up and head home.

Just past the gate there was a tree down on the county road 

that wasn't there the night before!

Mr. H. quickly got it out of the way with his chainsaw that he usually carries with him!

We made it in plenty of time to enjoy some lunch at Snow's on the way home!

They're only open on Saturday's and when they sell out,

they sell out!

Best brisket in Texas!  Trust me. :-)

Date nights at the ranch.  Sure wish they could happen more often.

But, I guess if they did, they wouldn't feel as special.