What Goes Up ....

.... Must Come Down. 

As I was making pancakes this morning

look what landed in our freshly cut pasture.

The mule and the horse were not too pleased with the invasion

but I'd have to say that they handled it with "flying colors"!

 

Maggie May was just as surprised as the rest of us

but she loves company

and became the self-appointed welcoming committee.

The Canadian balloon pilot graciously gave us

 a complimentary bottle of champagne

for providing such a soft green landing pad.

Totally unnecessary, but very thoughtful!

Gosh, you just never know 

who will be dropping in!

Then we finished the morning off with 

my long-awaited pancakes!

 

I guess you'd have to say that we all

had a very exciting and colorful morning.

Up, Up and Away

It's all about hot air. 

Hot Air Balloons that is!!

Here are a few photos 

taken early this morning at

the Annual

Mancos Valley

Hot Air Balloon Festival.

After watching the launch

we raced home 

to make sure 

that our animals were 

feeling sane and safe!

All was quiet back at the ranch ...

Even with BIG, colorful balloons

spewing flames and falling from the sky!!

Go figure?

Arenal, Costa Rica

 Arenal Volcano

This is ol' me on zip line number one in the Arenal Cloud Forest. There were a total of seven  lines on the descent.   Each got a bit longer.  I must say the first was the most difficult ...  After that there literally was "NO turning back", and it was "ALL downhill" from there!

Have you ever driven in Costa Rica?  Believe me when I say that this was probably the safest mode of transportation in the country.  Driving the Costa Rican highways, especially in and around San Jose was crazy.  Or, maybe I have just lived in the country too long.  Now, I can actually understand why we learn, at an early age, to form lines and wait our turn.

Day one and day seven were spent getting to and from airports and traveling.  Days two through six were overwhelmingly beautiful and filled with warmhearted and friendly Ticos!  

I will post a few more photos in another blog, but right now I'm neck deep in reentry tasks.  Mostly trying to catch up on  hugs and kisses from an old dog named Maggie May, who will not let us out of her sight and wants to make sure that we are really back!!!  

Really love to travel, always love to get home!

And Away We Go ...

Hubby and I will be off on an adventure this coming week.  

Here's a BIG clue ...

I think that the critters here at the old homestead are all set up with caregivers.  Caregivers who have long "what to dos" lists.  The lawn is mowed, arena harrowed,  the animal feed is bagged, the barn tidied, and the house is clean enough.  (Why is it that when we leave to go somewhere, we like to have a clean house while we're away?  Guess we don't want the caregivers to think that we are normally slobs?) 

Well, I have to go start packing.  Everything that we'll need will go into 2 small carry-on packs.  Never the less, I need to decide just what I can't live without for one week.  Too bad I can't pack Maggie May in the backpack, but customs would frown on that ... I'm sure!

See you in a few ...  Guess we're going on vacation.

Happy Trails Everybody!

It's a Good Day

 Some days are good.

Some days, not so good.

Today was a very good day!

"I'm ready mom, Fire it up"!

Do you mean the tractor Maggie?
 

Well no, but if you have to, then go ahead... 

Fire it up!

    

Well, that was a good mornings work, 

but not quite what I had in mind.

  

Can we go now mom?

I'm really ready!

   

Maggie and I felt good on our little walk this morning.

We picked up the paper.

Sniffed & peed on the mail box post.

We even got to say good morning

to the big napping bull up the street.

Sniffed and peed a lot more ...

 Then came home 

brought in the horse and mule

and gave them their morning feed.

 

I know that for most of us

there are more important things in life

than just sniffing and peeing.

But if that is what

"Fires You Up",

Then I say,

"Go For It"!

Today's a Good Day ... 

and now we're napping!

The Kitchen Stove

Although a rather boring subject for most of my followers, it has been a major step for the chief cook, and those for whom I cook, here at Mancos Mule .... The kitchen stove has found it's permanent resting place.  Now I get to put it to work!

Here's a little photo essay of the travels of my new stove.

Three years of moving from from spot to spot...

 sitting in the kitchen

covered up in the kitchen

top added & plugged in to see if it works

moved to living room

moved, but still in living room

hardwood floor installed  for stove

moving

still moving

The kitchen stove has landed ....