Goodbye to Summer... the miniature horse...and Octoberfest!

We delivered our beautiful buckskin miniature mare, Indian Summer, to her new home near Taylor, Texas this afternoon. Thanks, Nina, for choosing her, we hope you will enjoy her!

Here she is taking a look at her new home, at least she is accustomed to llamas, but the miniature donkeys were something new and she was watching them.

After getting Summer settled in, we drove back by way of Walburg, Texas which hosts a great German restaurant. And since it was October 1st, Octoberfest was underway. 

Luckily we arrived early enough to get a table, we found out they do reservations on Fridays and Saturdays during October! We had a yummy German buffet that included some of the best schnitzel I have ever eaten. By the time we left, there was a line at the door and the parking lot was overflowing.

Read more about the place at http://www.walburgrestaurant.com/

Click to View a Great Video - You Go Girl!

Tamara Lowe at Christ Fellowship

A "wow!" sermon in 1 minute and 41 seconds!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUQYJ77qa50

Snow's melting...

It's a bright sunny day out there and the snow is going away... but here is how it looked at our office yesterday at the peak.

Snowing... again!?

Wow! Two times in one year! That's unusual for the heart of Texas!

It started snowing when I got to work at 8 this morning. Schools are closing and we aren't sure if we should stay or go home early.

Click on the screen to see a short video...

Five Finger Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a ‘sweet duty.'

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively

Flu vs Cold?

Have you ever wondered what it is that has you feeling bad?
Here's a handy little chart to show the differences in flu and cold symptoms:

....................................FLU....................COLD
Headache……………..Always…………...Sometimes
Aches, fatigue……....Always….….….….Usually
Fever….….….….…….Always….….….….Sometimes
Cough….….….….……Usually….….….…Sometimes
Runny nose….…..…..Sometimes….…..Usually
Sore throat….….……Rarely….….….….Usually

Fishing tips

I came across this information on the best times for fishing. It's from the Old Farmers Almanac. We will have to remember this when the weather gets a little better. We need to transfer some bass from our established pond to the new one.

• One hour before and one hour after high tides, and one hour before and one hour after low tides. Inland, the times for high tides correspond with the times when the Moon is due south. Low tides are halfway between high tides.
• During the "morning rise" (after sunup for a spell) and the "evening rise" (just before sundown and the hour or so after).
• When the barometer is steady or on the rise. (But even during stormy periods, the fish aren't going to give up feeding. The smart fisherman will find just the right bait.)
• When there is a hatch of flies—caddis flies or mayflies, commonly. (The fisherman will have to match his fly with the hatching flies or go fishless.)
• When the breeze is from a westerly quarter rather than from the north or east.
• When the water is still or rippled, rather than during a wind.

Cool Recipe! 5 Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT ! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).
And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

I'm back...

Since I found Facebook, I have been neglecting the blog. I will try to do better, since a lot of my family and friends still haven't taken the step to Facebook. It can be addictive but very enjoyable.

When I joined FB I thought I wouldn't play any games. Then someone sent me a Hatchling egg and that started me collecting the eggs. Cute little egg graphics that "hatch" into little critters. Then you have to "feed" them. That led to needing to add friends who also played Hatchlings and had "baskets" where I could look for more eggs.

Then my new friends started sending me "gifts" and request to join other games. Like Mafia Wars, Farmtown, Castle Age, Street Racing, Vampires, Yoville, Poker, Cafe World, MyZoo, Farmville and on and on and on. I don't play them all, there isn't enough time in the day. But I do play several with the help of Bob now. ;-) I've met lots of new friends and keep in touch with old friends. Get to see photos of faraway cousins and their kids and grandkids. So that part is GREAT!

And that is why the blog has gone "stale"...

I will try to revive it!

Good info to know...Wasp spray as protection

Thought this was interesting and might be of use.

A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.

The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection.

Fly Control

We tried the Spalding Fly Predators this year and we have seen a remarkable drop in the flies around the barn. Fly Predators by Spalding Labs

I came across this info too, worth a try:
REPEL FLIES WITH PLASTIC BAG, PENNIES, & WATER
Many people swear that a zip-lock bag filled half-way with water and attached over entry-ways will repel flies. No one yet knows how or why it works, but there is speculation that it has something to do with the way the moving water refracts light.

Holy Alphabet

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of " Camp Complaining "
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but . . .
Zion waits in glory . . . where none are ever sad!

Bumper sticker of the day...

As we start to receive the bills for Bob's surgery, I came across an appropriate "bumper sticker":

Donkey Show Today

We visited friends today at a donkey and mule show in Belton, Texas, about 4o miles south of us.

We enjoyed walking around and taking some photos. There were some beautiful long ears there.

But that braying! That must take some getting used to!

Busy week on the farm

Bob and I have been steadily working on getting the flock sheared. Two more to go and they'll all be naked! All the sheep got their annual shots and were wormed a couple of weeks ago. We still lack getting their hooves trimmed. I meant to do that when I sheared them, but got half way through the flock and realized I hadn't done any.

All of the miniature horses had their hooves trimmed (by a friend of ours who is a farrier). They also received a tetanus booster after our tragic loss of Trooper to tetanus.

Even Bob went in for a check-up yesterday and got a booster. I'll get one next time I go to the doc, I wish Bob could just give me one of the horse vaccines. ;-)

We've had pleasant weather and with the longer days it is nice to be able to get some chores done outside.

What little time I've had on the computer I've been playing on Facebook. They have a cute little game called Hatchlings where you search for eggs and they hatch into little critters. Mindless and time-consuming but a nice break. Lots of my cat show friends are on it and we have lots of fun sharing photos and stories. If you haven't joined Facebook already, I recommend it as a great social network.

To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below:http://www.facebook.com/r.php

Be sure to invite me to be your friend at my yahoo email (texastunis).

A New Look to the Blog

After three years, it was time for a "face-lift" for the blog. I found this cute background at the cutestblog site.

Great sheep video!

They aren't Tunis sheep, but this is very entertaining!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I didn't know that... at age 16 (around A.D. 400), Patrick was kidnapped from his home on the west coast of England and carried off to Ireland. After 6 years, he escaped; upon returning home, he received his call (in a dream) to preach the Gospel. He spent the next 15 or so years in a monastery, preparing for his missionary work. It was Patrick who spread Christianity throughout the land and brought an organized church into existence.



The shamrock is a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day because Patrick used its three leaves to explain the Trinity.

More Beautiful Gypsy Horses

Bob had a really neat photo shoot last week (that I missed). He was invited to be the photographer of some more beautiful Gypsy Horses at the Texas Agri Summit on March 5th. The Houston Stock Show invited international VIPs to the historic George Ranch in Richmond, Texas. The event drew 300-400 international visitors from Latin and South America as well as throughout Europe. Attendees were invited to learn about Texas cattle and how to select the best and perhaps expand or improve their herds with Texas bloodlines.

Additionally, the attendees were entertained and educated about horses too. Linda Brown of A Wizards Spell Ranch and others presented Gypsy horses to the visitors and to the management of the Houston Stock Show. They are hopeful the breed will be invited to show at next year's Stock Show.

Daylight Savings Time - Yeah!

Cute email....


Wise old Indian reflects on Daylight Savings Time

"Only white man would believe you could cut off top of blanket, sew it to bottom of blanket, and have longer blanket."


I still prefer it though...