Friends and Family

Archived Posts from this Category

May 29, 2010

Remembering

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

– John McCrae

May 28, 2010

Right outside our kitchen window

Posted by Morning Bray under Birds, Friends and Family | Tags: Carson, hummingbird, nest |
[28] Comments

Right outside our kitchen window, a hummingbird sits in her nest. The nest is leftover from last year and was built on top of one of our porch swing chains. To give you some perspective, not much more than a quarter would fit easily into the nest.

I wish we could figure how to get a better picture without disturbing her or the nest. For now, we’ll stick to taking pictures through the window. In the meantime, you should check out this post from one of Carson’s visits to Morning Bray Farm last summer, when she took some amazing photos of our hummer babies.

May 26, 2010

Cookie monsters

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family, Recipes | Tags: burros, donkeys, recipe, treats |
[18] Comments

Last week, in an effort to help us connect with Nigel, C in WI was kind enough to share a recipe for Paco’s favorite treats. Paco is C’s shy, rescued Peruvian Paso. According to C, these treats bring Paco to his knees begging. Hmm. Would they have the same effect here at Morning Bray Farm?

First, here’s the recipe for Paco’s favorite treats:

1 c. bran cereal
1 c. grated carrots
1 c. molasses
1 1/2 c. flour.

Mix together. Put teaspoon full dough on greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork and sprinkle of sugar (like Peanut Butter cookies). 350 for 15 min.

We were fairly certain what the outcome of our baking experiment would be. Not surprisingly, we discovered we have four cookie monsters.

Bernard thought taking a picture of the treats was a ridiculous waste of time.

Ellsworth thought they were delish and immediately asked for a second.

Fergus thought he had died and gone to burro heaven. Keep in mind during all of this I was hollering at Don, “Wait, you all are going too fast. I need to take pictures!”

Oh, sweet Nigel. Would you like a cookie sweetheart?

Paco loves them, so you will too. Better hurry though, before Fergus gets it.

Oh dear! It fell on Ellsworth’s butt. (This place is a madhouse.)

Let’s chase that puppy down before Ellsworth runs off with it, okay?

Here you go, buddy. I then heard Nigel exclaim something about a par-tay in his mouth.

Meanwhile, I turned around to find Ellsworth still pleading with Don for a second cookie. As was Bernard’s, Ellsworth’s upper lip reach was quite impressive.

After everyone had their second cookie, Ellsworth got to lick the plate. I noticed something else going on then too. Look at Bernard’s mouth. He’s savoring that molasses goodness.

They all did it. Too cute, I tell ya.

Dear C in WI,

Thank you so much for sharing your recipe for Paco’s favorite treats with our mom. We loved them and think you and Paco ROCK. Hugs to you and Paco from all of us.

Love,

The Boys ♥

April 21, 2010

Just when we think we can’t possibly love them more

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Bernard, Carson, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, friends, love, Nigel, saddle, saddle pad, tack |
[17] Comments

When Carson came to meet Fergus and Nigel on Sunday morning, she brought an extra saddle for us to try on Ellsworth. While initially hesitant about the saddle pad, he was a gold star student once she got the saddle on him. Just look at this handsome boy!

You can call me clueless when it comes to tack, so having Carson here showing us the ropes was a blessing.

Bernard was present with Ellsworth for moral support. Because Bernard was continuously putting something in his mouth, trying to pull something off Ellsworth or stealing carrot coins from Aunt Linda, Don decided to give him a task of his own. Our young boy looked mighty proud strutting his stuff.

When Carson asked if I was ready to hop up on Ellsworth, I was beside myself with excitement. Ellsworth stood there like an old pro, then took a few gentle steps.

Thank you Ellsworth. I love you so much.

After a few more minutes of tack instruction, our first lesson was complete. Just when we think we can’t possibly love them more, the boys continue to give us new reasons. Every, single day.

April 17, 2010

For Carson

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: burros, Carson, donkeys, friends |
[10] Comments

April 6, 2010

Don’s starling and donkey laws

Posted by Morning Bray under Birds, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: bird, book, Don, Donkeys Can't Sleep in Bathtubs, laws, starling |
[10] Comments

Over the weekend, Don took what I think is a National Geographic quality photo of a starling sitting in a palm tree. If someone is doing an essay on starlings and needs a photo, they know where to look. 😉

While we were gone, a book I ordered from Amazon arrived. The title: Donkeys Can’t Sleep in Bathtubs. It’s a funny little book about laws that are real, but not enforced.

In Ohio, it is illegal to gallop your donkey.

In Brooklyn, New York, donkeys are not allowed to sleep in bathtubs.

You’re probably wondering the same thing I am. What are the stories behind these laws? Alas, it is a cutesy little book. The author does say, “I wish I could tell you more about all the zany laws in this book. But there is not the space…”

Do I sense a mission coming on?

April 4, 2010

Sunday Cinema – Machine gun birds

Posted by Morning Bray under Birds, Dogs, Friends and Family, Sunday Cinema | Tags: bird, bird calls, Bluie, dog, Easter, grackles, Phoenix |
[12] Comments

Happy Easter! We’re in Phoenix this weekend visiting my dad. This is his dog Bluie. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and is such a good girl.

One of the things I enjoy when visiting my dad is the grackles. They crack me up. I’ve always called them machine gun birds because of their unique call.