Ranch Roots

I have lived in the city for the last 20 years. During this time I have adapted to city life-- the ease of shopping, going out to eat, dealing with traffic and neighbors. Working on a college campus around young adults, I am aware of the current fashions, trends and issues. Yet, even surrounded by these influences, my foundational outlook on life harks back to being raised on a Wyoming ranch during my growing up years and our experiences with my husband's ranching family since my marriage.

The living room decor in our city home clearly reflects this ranch heritage.  Above the fireplace is a trio of pictures: three Hereford calves sunning themselves; a rider on horseback navigating a rocky path in the canyon; a mare and her colt. These were drawn by an artist we knew as a high school student just playing with his talent.  Now he is a professional and these pencil drawings clearly illustrate his talent for depicting ranch life. Flanking the fireplace are a horse collar, stirrups from my husband's saddles as a child and young man, a bit, and an old tin replica of a Stetson hat box filled with rattles our son collected from the rattlesnakes he killed as a teenager.   Propped against the wall is ladder with decorative throws from Wyoming and Colorado Cowbelles edged with brands of local ranches, including our families' brands.  On the lower rungs we have hung a horseshoe, hay hook, foot nippers, a bit, and part of a horse harness.  On another wall we have pictures of our fathers both on horseback, my grandfather on a horse he sold to the US Calvary, my mother-in-law with her horse she roped calves from as a young woman, and our son holding his six-week-old son on his favorite horse.  A deer antler from the ranch holds a Mexican riata our son gave my husband one Christmas and a spur. Pictures of our three grandsons in their cowboy hats sit on the bookshelf.  Lamps made of gnarled tree roots found on the ranch sit on the end tables. Our son and daughter found the wood and made the lamps when they were in junior high shop class. A basket fashioned out of a lariat holds an African violet on the coffee table and an Indian blanket is draped over the back of the couch.  Ranch memorabilia abounds throughout the house, but these are just surface indicators of the impact this way of life has had on me. 

Life on the ranch grounded me in reality because life is lived so close to the natural rhythms of life.  Animals are born, thrive and multiply, but they also get sick or hurt or die.  The first thing our six-year-old grandson asks when a new calf is born is, "Is it alive?" because he realizes that is the first and most important factor.  The snow and rain come and the grass grows to feed the cattle, or drought stunts the grass and animals must be sold or extra money invested to buy feed.  You realize that you are not in control, you cannot make it rain. There is no set paycheck coming each month and unexpected expenses are common--a vet call, a broken-down piece of machinery, a flat tire.  These realities cause me to look to the one who created all of this, including me and to trust him for the outcome.  This is equally true in the city or on the ranch, but in the city it is easier to forget how dependent we are on God's gracious provision.


 

Crabapples

To most people when you mention crabapple trees, the image that comes to mind is the beautiful flowering trees in the spring. Fewer people are conscious of the little fruit on the trees in the fall, which are a messy nuisance for the most part.  However, on the family ranch there are old crabapple trees that not only have beautiful spring blossoms, their red fruit reaches much larger proportions which makes them worthy of canning. This last week while we were at the ranch, we went to check the trees to see if crabapples were ripe yet.  This early spring with no frost brought on all sorts of fruit earlier-- apricots, chokecherries and the crabs.  When we got to the garden, the red fruits peeked between the leaves in abundance and littered the ground as well.  We were not the first to check out the fruit as it was evident that deer and bears had already feasted on the bounty of the season.  Thankfully on this morning we were alone to harvest some of the prolific crop.  As we gathered the fruits into buckets and a large cooler, apples pelted us as they fell to the ground, ripe and ready for consumption.  The sweet fruity fragrance wafting in the air prompted thoughts of  fall.

 Crabapple jelly used to be the end product of apple picking, but what I enjoy the most now is making applesauce from these tart gems.  The Victorio Strainer squeezes every usable portion of the apple out producing a tantalizingly rich colored sauce into one bowl and pushing the seeds and peel out into another. This bold flavored and colored sauce makes a vivid contrast to the bland pale commercial sauce.  I freeze the sauce and add it later to the regular applesauce I make from Jonathan apples in the fall.  This mixture makes a beautiful rosy red sauce with an extra zing that my family loves. A by-product of making crabapple sauce is the extra juice drained from the cooked apples before putting them through the strainer.   This deep vibrant red juice with a sharp tang makes for beautiful flavor-packed jelly.

 With gallons of crabapple sauce tucked in the freezer for future use and jars of sparkling jelly on the counter cooling, I felt the satisfaction of making good use of the fruits and providing enjoyment for my family.  Although I was weary from the work of making the applesauce and jelly, I made biscuits for supper that night so we could taste the fruits of our labor--delicious!

Backyard Sanctuary

Over the years we have been able to create a backyard atmosphere of serenity and seclusion.  The fences are covered with a vine that adds height to the fence and added privacy.  The deep greenery cools the air and keeps the city noises at bay.  In addition to the two original trees planted seventy plus years ago along the edges of the yard, we have added trees for shade.  The biggest tree in the middle of the yard, a  volunteer sapling which had to come out, was growing up between the house and the air conditioner. So my husband determinded to dig it up, but it came with no root ball.  Although we were not optomistic about the tree's survival, we planted it in the middle of the yard.  It has thrived and now provides abundant shade throughout the yard offering a shady spot to settle in any time of the day.

 The focal point of the yeard, a small fish pond nestles under the shade of this tree edged with flagstone, planted with water lilies, water hyacinth and a water grass.  Gold fish in varying sizes and colors ranging from pure white to liquid gold dart among the floating greenery.  A watering can with a begonia and a tipped bucket spilling out impatiens brighten the edges of the pond. Large red bolders tumble in groups of two and three for additional accents at three curves of the pond.  At the water's edge a ceramic cat lounges, dipping its paw into the water.  A small table with a luxurious Boston fern and white Andrionack chair sit by the pond inviting a moment of repose. 

Flower beds fill the edges of this shady retreat with color, a feast for the eyes.  Watering cans of various sizes decorate the yard.  One can hangs for a shepherd's crook overflowing with pink and burgandy impatiens.  Others sit amongst  flowers ready to supply a refreshing drink to the flowers at any time. I located one in my mother-in-law's garage, long out of service and showing years of use.  We have found others at antique stores for a total of six.  White iron plant stands of different sizes and shapes hold flower pots up above the greenery to increase impact. Driftwood from the ranch provides a change of pace from the rocks and foliage. Two windmills, one a wooden dutch replica and one a minature ranch windmill signal the changing breezes.  An Indian Trail of Tears weathervane anchors the west end of the pond,  An old red barn birdhouse hangs from a large arch in the corner of the flowerbeds.  A victorian house birdhouse sits sedately on a white iron stand near the hydrangea and an old barnwood bird house hangs near the back door. The steps into the kitchen through French doors from the back yard are loaded with pots of flowers and house plants bringing the beauty of the backyard  right to the kitchen as well.

All of these points of interest and beauty offer a refreshing spot for daily lunches in the yard or for time to unwind at the end of the day while watching the fish in their evening feeding frenzy.  In the quiet of an afternoon, reading is a perfect activity. The beauty, coolness and quite of this space provide so much enjoyment.

Not Flawless but Perfect

We celebrated our daughter's wedding Saturday. She had waited patiently for God's best for her and when they met, it was quickly apparent to both of them that his blessing was on their relationship.  Two months after their engagement, they are husband and wife.  Two months to make wedding arrangements is a rather short amount of time, but with God, nothing is impossible.  I think he has delighted in lavishing his blessings on them.  The charter school where she has taught since its inception held its first graduation in a beautiful chapel on a Bible school campus with a spectacular view out to the Colorado mountains.  At the time she commented that this would be an awesome place for a wedding.  It was available only one weekend all summer and that was this last Saturday. Originally, the chapel was not available Friday night for the rehearsal, so we anticipated practicing at her former school; however, several weeks prior to the wedding, we found out that arrangements had been made so we could have the chapel for the rehearsal and the wedding.

 We shopped for a wedding dress and found one in a bridal shop.  An hour and a half after we walked in the door, we had purchased a dress  that made her feel beautiful-- and she is.  We met with the lady at the bakery, the sister of a woman our daughter works with, and decided on delectable cake tiers, each a  different flavor with different fillings and a classic design that was simple yet elegant.  The flower shop woman put together sample bouquets of deep pink roses accented with lavender roses, royal blue delphinium, white orchids and star gazer lilies to match the royal blue and hot pink wedding colors.  These flowers would also decorate the four-tiered cake.  Our daughter found royal blue bridesmaids dresses in the right sizes for her petite matron of honor sister-in-law and tall elegant redheaded best friend.  Her townhouse was rented out a month before the wedding to a new teacher at her former school.  A teaching position in her small new community opened up, and she signed a contract to begin teaching one month after her wedding. God's blessings have been evident each step of the way, and the culminating delight was the ceremony on Saturday.

The wedding day was a beautiful with a crisp clear Colorado sky decorated with billowy clouds.  The reception area was ready for guests. Tables covered with blue and topped with lace table cloths from grandmothers and great grandmothers held the food. Silver candelabras, pink candles, bows, and tulle decorated the tables.  The cake turned out beautifully with blue scrolls flourishing on the sides topped with abundant fresh flowers.  Heart-shaped sugar cookies baked by a friend and rose cream cheese mints (a favorite of the bride) made by grandma and cousins indicated the love that went into the preparations.

 The guests arrived from one end of the country to the other. College friends whom she had not seen since they graduated came from Seattle, Idaho, Kansas and Washington DC.  Family from California, Florida, Wyoming, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado joined in the celebration.  Community members and colleagues of both the bride and groom offered their support as well.  Everyone dressed in their wedding attire: the groom and groomsmen in their tuxes with royal blue vests and ties, bridesmaids in slim knee-length royal blue dresses, flower girls twirling in their white dresses, hot pink bows streaming down the back, and three ring bearers in classic button-down light blue shirts and black Wranglers with their cowboy boots and belts.  The bride was glowing with happiness and an inner beauty in her elegant white gown that fit her perfectly.

The chapel was full; the ring bearers dutifully held their ring pillows and walked solemnly to the front; the little flower girls were coaxed to walk the aisle and toss flower petals along the way.  The bridal march signaled the bride's entry on the arm of her father.  Her dad, moved with emotion and joy, determined to keep a smile on his face as he walked his daughter to the front and gladly responded to "Who gives this woman to be married?" responded, "Her mother and I," and took his seat next to me.   We listened with reverence as a trio of her friends sang "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" a capella, filling the vast reaches of the chapel with rich vibrant melody.They exchanged very traditional vows to " love honor and cherish till death do us part."  As they exchanged rings and repeated their lines, she mistakenly tried to put the ring on his right hand. Laughing at the "ring malfunction" and forgetting what she should say next, she asked if they could start that part again.  Enjoying every moment of the ceremony, they continued, rings on the correct hand; their delight in each other radiated.  After they kissed and were introduced as husband and wife, the guests errupted with applause and cheers. The bride and groom wanted a reception line so they could be sure to talk to each guest who came to support them. Everyone mulled around visiting and enjoying the time and refreshments.  This wedding was about the people, not the party.  The day was filled with joy and celebration of two lives joined in marriage.

At the hotel the next day, my sister-in-law said that everything at the wedding was flawless.  I responded that it was not flawless, but it was perfect.  It was a perfectly wonderful and appropriate celebration of their new life together. God is so good!

Abundant Fruits

I walk all around the neighborhood either to and from work or just for daily exercise when I am not in the office.  We live in an older estabilshed area with tree-lined streets and no two houses alike. Landscaping varies so much from one yard to another that each day's walk provides many things to observe and comment on.  This year spring came early with no late frost destroying the blossoms, so all the plants are ahead of their usual schedule for blooming and producing. I enjoy making jelly and jam as well as putting up produce from the garden, so when I see a tree with fruit that no one is using, I can envision jars of sparkling jelly on the counter.  Last year my friend and I noticed an heavily laden cherry tree on our walk to work, and we were able to determine who lived there and ask if they might let us pick cherries.  The homeowners readily agreed and even picked with us on a warm summer evening. I made two batches of cherry jam, my son's new favorite.  Unfortunately this year because if a heavy October snow storm this tree lost at least half of its branches.  With the diminished produce, we did not ask to pick the cherries that we passed each day on the way to work. 

Wishing for cherries for jam this year, I noticed several options.  Surprisingly, there are cherry trees lining the entry way into a local shopping area.  No one is using the fruit, but I had no idea where to even start to ask permission to pick.  I did pick crabapples in a hotel parking lot one year, but all that I had to do then was walk inside the lobby to talk to the manager.  I also noticed two cherry trees in the front yard of a house I frequently pass on my morning walk.  Because I walk early to beat the heat of the day, I have not seen anyone out in the yard, nor do I want to knock on the door so early.  Last week there were even several branches loaded with cherries that had been cut down, and I  thought sadly that here was a bountiful rich crop of cherries that would be wasted.

  This morning, on the Fourth of July, I was a little later on my rounds of the neighborhood because I had been on the phone with family.  As I passed the house, a man was just coming out to get into his car.  I decided to be brave and ask if he would consider letting me pick cherries.  He was very gracious and told me to help  myself and that I could use the ladder just inside the back gate right by the garage.  When I got home, I called my friend and told her that I had found cherries to pick.  Emboldened with the success of that request, I called another neighborhood owner who has an apricot tree so laden with fruit that the branches are touching the ground and nearly breaking.  He also agreed to let us pick fruit in his yard.  We loaded up my ladder in her SUV and went to pick.  We both came away with plenty of cherries to make several batches of jam and a bucket of apricots as well.  As I spent several hours this afternoon pitting cherries, I realize again that not many people want to make the effort it takes to use these fruits, but I appreciate that they are willing to let me pick in their yards.  Canning is time consuming, but the rewards are so sweet.  One batch of deep ruby red cherry jam sits on the counter waiting to share with family, friends and the neighbors who shared with me!

Perennials Part Two

 In addition to perennials given to me are the ones that I have chosen to add to the beds. As I start to think through what inhabits my gardens, I am amazed that the wide variety present.  One wonderful characteristic of perennials is that they spread their roots and fill in the empty spaces providing a cozy neighborhood for new residents.  In the back garden, a profusion of deep orange tiger lilies stand high above the gentle swoops of the garden borders. Diminutive Asiatic lilies in delicate pinks peek between the deep green background of the tiger lilies' foliage.  A dramatic Star Gazer lily demands the viewer's gaze, and a pure white Easter lily demurely nods in recognition. In the front yard, lilies of  deep mauve, peach and light pink sparkle in bright star bursts of color in multiple spots.  Quirky blossoms of deep red bee balm provide exclamation points of color throughout to attract butterflies and bees. Though the name is not attractive, dead nettle's silvery leaves and pink or purple blooms spread throughout filling every empty space and the illusion of light in the shade of the large trees. Another shade lover, lily of the valley, tucks its blossoms shyly amid the emerald green wide-leafed foliage. Bleeding hearts' sweetheart flowers drip from their arching stems.  A small astilbe courageously determines to establish itself among all the other plants in the shady space of the back yard along with several hostas.The showiest blossoms of all belong to the hydrangeas.  Several different years my co-workers have given me a beautiful deep pink hydrangea from the florist for my birthday.  These have grown into sturdy  bushes heavy with large colorful clusters of flowers.  Fascinated with these blooms, I also picked up a slightly sad looking blue hydrangea on sale late in the season last year.  To my delight this spring its striking pale blue flowers add a refreshing touch of cool color.

Years ago to deal with the dry grass bordering our sloping sidewalk-less front lawn, we joined with our neighbors to make berm along the front or our property and theirs.  The berm mounds up between the street and the undulating border of the lawn. We choose to plant all perennials, ranging in varying shades of purple, pink and blue. Pincushion plants' bluish-green feather-like foliage provides a mound to support the delicate blossoms on spindly stems some pink, some purple.  Lavender asters sings the early song in spring while the orchid colored chrysanthemums carry the tune into the fall.  Fuchsia ice plant spreads a radiant carpet of vivid blossoms.  Purple cone flowers boldly claim territory in multiple locations with hardy greenery and long-lasting petals around a prickly rust center.  Soothing lavender plants provide stems of purple blossoms for fragrant potpourri to tuck into drawers later in the fall.  The Jupiter's Beard sends fireworks of red blossoms at the tops of the flowers. Fascinated with Russian Sage, we planted several and quickly realized their aggressive habit which leads to sprouts all over the place.  Russian sage bushes hum with bees happily indulging in a feeding frenzy and waft their  pungent fragrance along the berm. Phlox add their fragrant columns of rich purple blossoms to the mix.   Delicate blue delphiniums add a distinctive color contrast to all of the purple blossoms around.  The succulent sedum's deep burgundy blossoms is the final fall entry.  Two deep green low spreading junipers anchor each side of the berm accented with a dwarf burning bush and a delicate white potentialla bush. 

These hardy perennials keep the garden beautiful with little effort beyond the original planting.  As they spread and fill in the empty spaces, I have the joy of sharing plants with friends and family so they can enjoy the beauty of God's wonderful creations as well.

Garden Adventures: Perennials

Perennials are foundational in my garden, in part because there is not additional cost every year and many of them were given to me as others divided their plants. The first flower bed in the back yard was a result of taking out grass that was dying under the elderly pine tree.  My mother-in-law gave me day lilies and iris.  A sister-in-law shared shasta daisies and columbines.  The columbines bloom  early before other flowers get started.  The columbines come in a variety of colors:  yellow and burgandy, blue and white and straight yellow. The blooms stand up above the scalloped grayish green leaves  brightening the shady area under the tree.  The seed pods dry into twisted spirals that fling the tiny black seeds abroad, so soon there were columbines all throughout the flower beds.  The aspen tree in front is kept company by several large self-seeded columbines that recognize their proper place next to the mountain tree.  One spectacular purple and white columbine caught my attention in a nursery, so I bought it to add to the homegrown varieties.  The stately regal blossoms stand out in the front beds in the early spring.  I have saved the seeds and stragetically scattered them throughout the garden to enjoy their beauty in multiple spots. 

The iris come in a variety of colors as well standing high above their flat pointed foliage.  Bi-colored lavender and deep purple, yellow with white, burgandy and russet and solid lavender provide variety throughout the garden.  The spicy fragrance and showy blossoms make these a favorite to bring in to place in a vase on the counter.  Enticed by the seed catalog claims, I ordered re-blooming iris in a variety of colors, looking forward to adding a blue, a pink and a peach iris to my collection.  The blue and the pink iris did not survive, so I am left with a white, a yellow and white and a peach.  These are each very large and spectacular blossoms, but  I have had the plants over five years and have never had them re-bloom, much to my dissapointment. Several years ago at the farmer's market I bought a pink rhizome and was delighted this year to see the clear pink blooms lighting up the deep green background of the virginia creeper.

Shasta daisies follow the early bird columbines and iris.  They crowd together in joyful celebration waving their white-fringed faces with bright yellow centers. They multiply as well, asking their friends to join them in a happy group hug.  One of my favorite photos is of my two-year-old grandson grasping the stem of a daisy in the flower bed, gently touching the center in wonder.  The daylilies also like to congretate together with arching graceful slender leaves  that repeat the curving lines in the orange blossoms dancing high above the light green foliage. Their here-today-and-gone-tomorrow fragile beauty is followed one blossom after another making them seem long-lasting.

These perennials spark rememberance of the people who have shared them with me. The plants fill large areas of the flower gardens providing the spring's first and most welcome blooms after the drab colorless winter.  They are the hearlds of a new season of hope and excitement, growth and renewal.