Field Trip to Willis Creek Ranch

Last Monday afternoon we hosted a field trip to Willis Creek Ranch for the local homeschool association.  We had a watchful eye on the weather forecast because storms were predicted to begin mid-afternoon.  From the time we woke up the humidity was oppressive - in the 80 percent range.  Marvin came back in the house mid-morning after getting the horses up and ready and had to change clothes because of the hot, muggy conditions.  But, thankfully, by the early afternoon a breeze had come up and the humidity had gone down (at least some).  We switched our planned order of events around to try to outsmart the rain, but even that turned out to be a non-issue.  We got through the entire afternoon without a drop, even though areas around us were getting wet.

We had about 75 - 80 people show up.  I regret that I never got a photograph of the entire group.  Throughout the afternoon we were scattered around doing different activities and I just didn't think of trying to corral everyone in a group.  Ah well... I got a good number of folks photographed over the course of the afternoon.  

We had several different experiences for our guests to participate in - riding on the wagon pulled by the Haflinger team, watching Marvin demonstrate some basic training techniques in the round pen inside the horse barn, roasting marshmallows and making s'mores at the fire pit, and for the smaller guests, riding on Governor's back around the octagonal pen outside.  In addition, the play set and even the big round hay bales served as wonderful distractions for the kids.  I think (at least I hope) that we got everyone who wanted to participate in a specific activity the chance to do so.  

It was such a fun afternoon and the time just flew by.  I so enjoyed visiting with friends old and new and especially loved seeing the faces of the kids enjoying the horses.  

Fun snippets from the afternoon...

Marvin had decided to go ahead and take a chance with Bella by bringing her into the round pen for a training demonstration.  That was a somewhat brave move because, as a yearling, she had actually only been worked out in the round pen 2 times prior.  So, we explained beforehand that we didn't really know what we were going to get - that she could do beautifully or Marvin could spend quite a bit of time chasing her around the pen.  :)  Bella clearly is a show-girl and she strutted in that round pen and proceeded to behave like a trained horse!  She followed every cue perfectly and even tucked her head down and followed Marvin across the round pen.  It was actually pretty funny to us.  I doubt if anyone watching had any idea how surprised we were!   :)

Daddy got a chuckle when he was visiting with one lady who questioned if anyone had ever told him that he 'looked a lot like Jack Magruder'.  :)  They both had a good laugh when he told her that was because he WAS! 

While Daddy had the kids on the wagon he would talk to them about how to drive a team of draft horses.  He told the kids that the Haflingers turn with verbal commands.  To make them turn right you call out 'Gee' and to make them turn left you call out 'Hah'.   (side note... I just discovered that in England the terms are reversed... interesting!)   He had the kids call out the command and sure enough, the horses would follow.  He said that on more than one ride the horses got to turn in full circles because of the enthusiastic calling of 'Gee' or 'Hah'!   :)  Daddy loved seeing those kids pick up on it all so quickly and jumping right into full participation.  I knew he was a true hit when one cute little girl proudly told me that 'that man said I am a great steerer of the horses!!'

During the individual rides on Governor for the younger set, we got such a kick out of the faces of the kids and their innate courage!  More than once the next child in line was halfway up the saddle by the time Jackson or Marvin got turned around!  There were a few little ones who waited patiently for their turn in line, rode around the outdoor pen, then got right back in line to do it again.  I think we recognized some future horsemen and horsewomen that day, for sure!

Here are some photos of the day, but you can see an entire album of photos by clicking here.  

Runner getting a bath before the guests arrive.   :)

I just thought this was pretty...

Visiting with Runner in the outside arena.

the hay bales were a hit!

Marvin showing Bella in the round pen.

Fall at Willis Creek Ranch

Fall has been quite pretty around here - even as it has seemed to be speeding by.  Here are a few random photos of what we have been up to.

Marvin planted a couple new trees to replace some that had died.  Here's hoping they make it!

I like this photo Daddy took at his house.

Incredibly cute (and incredibly tasty!) dessert served by Collette at a luncheon.
Individual apple crisp with fresh whipping cream and topped with an adorable apple cookie.  

Collette's 'Welcome' sign for Jackson, who came to photograph some of her desserts
(or as I call them, edible art!) for her business, Dressed Up Desserts.

Jackson at Collette's

Don't Collette's cupcakes look incredible?  

Jackson has been taking Megan's Senior photos - I just love this girl!

Our old sliding glass door has been such a pain for at least a year.  It got so bad that at times I literally could not open or close it even when putting my whole weight against it.  Plus, there would be random times when it simply wouldn't lock.  Nice.  We replaced it this month and I am so happy with the new door!  The day of the replacement came and I took this photo just before they popped the whole thing out, leaving a gaping hole in our house.

This was the shot of our old sliding glass door the day they came to replace it.  

It was just after that when Marvin heard them say, "whoops".  Not a good thing.  Luckily, they hadn't done anything to the house, but they HAD just discovered that they had the wrong door to install!  They called back to the store and asked for the correct door to be delivered.  Meanwhile, we had a huge hole in our house for a few hours which all the flies in the county apparently heard about and decided to come and visit us, inside!  Ugh.  They did finally get the new door delivered (after Marvin talked the guy in from the highway... mile by mile...)  I LOVE my new door!!  It opens and it closes and it locks!!     :)  We still don't have the screen that goes with it.  That was discovered to be damaged when they pulled it out of the box.  :(  Hoping to get that installed before the first snowfall...

Here is our nice, new, weather-tight, fully locking sliding glass door!
And I can open and close it with one hand!!

This photo cracks me up.  Jackson with his safety goggles, his ear bud in his ear,
his camo hat and video game shirt working on his Chemistry Lab.  :)

There ARE pluses to Chem Lab!  He likes reactions!

The day following Homecoming all the fellas got the Haflingers and wagon out for a work out.  It was still lovely weather and everything out here just looked so pretty and fall-like.  I love looking out and seeing the horses and my boys.   :)  And my Daddy!   :)

They were preparing the horses for a field trip visit the next day (which I'll get to in another post).

Jonathan getting his turn to drive the team.

And now, Grandpa.

Jackson's turn to drive the team.

Truman State Homecoming

Just before Mama and Daddy left for Vermont, they discovered they had been named the Alumnus of the Year for Truman State University's Homecoming festivities.  It was a great honor and, of course, meant so much to them to because of their deep love of the university.  However, it was also ironic because they had just decided they probably wouldn't be back in town in time to attend ANY of the homecoming festivities this year.... that they would instead still be galavanting around the northeast!  :)  However, they gladly changed their plans and arrived home in plenty of time.

The weekend began with the Alumni Banquet on Friday night.  For some reason every single one of us had the starting time wrong!!  We all thought the banquet began and 7:00 pm, but it actually began at 6:00!!  Daddy called us frantically at 6:00 pm saying 'you had better get up here ASAP!  This thing is beginning!!'  Now, I have to tell you that I think it is pretty incredible that we were able to get to the university by 6:15 - and all of us fully dressed!!  Imagine!  I thought I had till 7:00 and still made it work!  Pretty impressive, if I do say so myself!   :)  We sheepishly walked in late, traversing the entire banquet room to get to our table.  Nothing like a grand entrance!

Jackson invited his friend, Bridget, to join us.  Cousin Jane arrived on her way to Iowa to visit Aunt Carolyn.  Heinz and Mary Lou were also with us, as dear friends of Daddy and Mama.  We enjoyed the conversation at our tables and seeing lots of old friends.  It was nice to see Daddy and Mama honored by the university that they both love so much.  (as we all do)  We had a large group photo taken afterward that I hope to get a copy of at some point.  It will prove that I was actually at the banquet!   :)  But, for now, here are photos that I took of others.

Marvin and Jonathan

Heinz and Mary Lou

Mama and Daddy

Matthew and Anna

Julie and Jane

Bridget, Jackson and Jonathan

Saturday morning we rose bright and early for the Homecoming Parade.  For the first time in many years, Daddy was not sitting with his buddies in front of Patty's bookstore, but was back IN the parade. However, he still took the opportunity to flash his sweatshirt!  I'll let Daddy's own words tell the backstory on this...

KSTC was never the actual name for Truman.  It was at that time officially 

Northeast Missouri State Teachers College.  KSTC was used in the cheers 

for the team and K's were given as letters for athletic teams.  Many of my 

dear friends think they graduated from KSTC.  No one graduated from KSTC 

and many are surprised when they check the diploma!  I took this shirt to 

the parade in honor of those great athletes from the 1940s and 1950s.  Not 

many persons saw this except in the place where those persons were seated. 

They are there every year and are very special Truman alumni.

We love to see President Troy and Kelly literally running through the parade every year - they are just wonderful, joy-filled people.  Truman is in good hands.   :)

I love this photo of Daddy and Mama!

Later in the afternoon we attended the football game.  Since Daddy and Mama were Alumnus of the Year we found ourselves back in the reserved Presidential seats at the stadium.  That was a blast from the past!  I was especially glad for Jonathan who was too young to remember sitting up there in the past.  He has always felt a bit sad that he couldn't share in the cousins memories of free popcorn, hotdogs and drinks up in the 'special seats'.  He fully enjoyed every minute of it!

Troy and Kelly Paino, Daddy and Mama

During halftime Mama and Daddy were honored out on the field.  I really regret that I chose to take photos instead of video.  It was pretty cute to hear the reaction of the crowd when their story was being told.  Although many who were there already know their history, you could tell that some of the current students were hearing things for the first time.  As the story was told about their meeting in registration line right there on campus there was an audible 'Awwwww....' that came from the crowd.  Followed immediately by an 'Ohhhhhhh!!!!' when it was said that they then married 8 weeks later!   :D ha!  I really do wish I had gotten that on video/audio.  Oh well.  Great memory.

Our bulldogs lost, but they didn't get creamed even though they were playing a nationally ranked team.  And, as Daddy points out, every single one of our football players will graduate!!   :D  It was a perfect day for football - sunshine and crisp fall air.  A surprise highlight for me was running into an old friend of mine, Cynthia.  She and I were inseparable from 1st grade through 6th grade.  She is an integral part of my childhood memories.  I had not seen her for about 20 years and SO enjoyed our brief opportunity to catch up.

Cynthia and Laura

Homecoming weekend is always something we look forward to and enjoy, but it was truly special this year to celebrate with Mama and Daddy.  Everything sort of came full circle again.  Very nice.

Here is a link to an entire album of photos from the weekend.

Roasted Veggies with pasta and beans

Oh my goodness... this is my new favorite thing!  Good thing, too, since I am the only one in my house who will eat it.  :)  Marvin did at least try it and said something vague about 'if only it had some chicken in it he might be able to do it'.   :)  ha!  No, I think this is all mine.  But, hopefully some of you will have households more open to yumminess like this!!

I found the original recipe here.  My version (just a few tweaks) is below.

Roasted Veggies with pasta and beans

1 box whole wheat penne pasta

1 bag frozen cauliflower florets  (cut up the larger pieces)

1 bag frozen brussels sprouts (trim the ends and slice in two)

1/2 white onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. Rosemary Herb seasoning (or seasoning of your choice)

1 tsp. onion powder

salt and pepper to taste (about 1/2 tsp. each)

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1 can garbonzo beans, drained

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Cook the pasta according to package directions.  (Reserve the pasta water to use later to moisten the dish.)  

Toss the cauliflower, brussels sprouts, onion and garlic with the olive oil and seasonings.  Spread onto baking sheets, making sure they are spread out and not touching (so they will roast better).  Turn them about halfway through roasting time if needed.  Roast them for 15 to 20 minutes or until they look golden and are tender.  

Mix the drained pasta and the roasted veggies together.  Then toss in the parmesan cheese and the garbonzo beans.  Add as much of the pasta water as you like for consistency.  

Yum!!!!

I first made this recipe minus the beans.  But, after eating it I really wanted a little something more so added the can of garbonzo beans.  That made it just perfect!  I think I'll go have some more right now... :)

First version - no beans.  Served with some toasted Asiago cheese bread.

2nd version - the WINNER!  The addition of the garbonzo beans is perfect!

Baked Pork Chop

This was tasty and easy.  I'll have to post the nutritional content later... (running out of time today).

Baked Pork Chop

4 lean center cut pork chops

1 egg white

1 cup evaporated milk (I used the 2% version)

1 cup Panko crumbs

1 Tbsp. paprika

1 Tbsp. Rosemary Herb seasoning (or a mix of oregano and rosemary)

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. Mediterranean herb seasoning

1/2 tsp. pepper

Beat egg white with evaporated milk.  Place chops in milk mixture and let stand for at least 5 minutes.  (I put them all in a ziplock bag and walked away for about an hour.)   :)   Be sure to turn chops at least once while soaking.

Mix together the panko crumbs and seasonings.  You can use any kind of crumbs and seasoning you like.  (i.e. - bread crumbs, cornflake crumbs, chili powder, dry mustard, cayenne....)   

Spray 9 x 13 inch pan with nonstick spray coating.  Remove chops from milk mixture and coat thoroughly with crumb mixture on both sides.  

Place chops in pan and bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Turn chops and bake another 15 to 20 minutes or until no pink remains.  (should reach an internal temperature of 150 to 160 degrees.)

Nutritional Info

• Servings Per Recipe: 4
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 304.2

• Total Fat: 11.9 g
• Cholesterol: 59.5 mg
• Sodium: 632.0 mg
• Total Carbs: 21.2 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g
• Protein: 28.5 g