Stacking Hay

A good stack of hay heading into winter is like having a shed full of firewood, you feel confident to handle whatever nature throws your way. I've had hay for the horses gathered for a while, just waiting for a good day to stack it. Well, Saturday afternoon was the day. Beautiful out and had some good help. 

Last week over the Holy Day we picked up some grass from Jim Oster on Beaver Creek. Good guy, nice hay. 

This load of alfalfa came from Dad's place in Worland. The combo should make for a good source of feed. 

Jared offered to lend a hand so I gladly accepted. 

Take your time and you can cover some ground. 

Giddy up. 

I have yet to out grow my love for little square bales. Sure it's work, but it's also fun. While you're throwing bales you get to catch up with your buddy, chew the fat of life and crack a joke or two. Good times. Let the snow fly. We're ready. 

Tri Tip

After a guy gets a few years of cutting behind him, he can start to go after more exotic cuts. It takes getting into a lot of cows before you begin to get the lay of the land. Once you are familiar with the different muscle groups, then you're able to go on YouTube and watch professionals direct you to new cuts on a carcass, such as the Tri Tip steak. 

Known as the California Cut, Tri Tips aren't very popular any where else. Probably because they're hard to find!

The Tri Tip steak is part of the Bottom Sirloin muscle group of a cow, which is located just above her flank.

A cut like this takes the finesse of cutting the seams between muscles. Here, we are just starting to peal it away from the Bottom Round. 

Once on the table you can start to see it take shape. 

It is basically called a Tri Tip because of its triangle shape. 

Let's eat. 

This cut goes to my buddy Dcn. Joe, the California Cowboy. I can cut it, but he's got to cook it. Not sure how it's served, but I bet it's hard to go wrong. The Tri Tip is just one example of many hidden cuts on a cow. Give it time and we'll find the rest! 

All Souls

May all the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace!

           https://youtu.be/QYwWQDNfsuE         

 

All Saints

The saints in Heaven can intercede for us and inspire us. 

             https://youtu.be/H16UY_qWAsQ           

Build the Church

Bless the nation.

           https://youtu.be/caFqxY7qmGo         

Love of God

Love of neighbor comes from love of God.

           https://youtu.be/GrRawV80uoA         

Winter Farm Sale

Winter was bound to show up, just happened to be on the day we ran to Montana to pick up some new old equipment. 

Farm auctions are mostly online these days. Which is nice because you can watch sales from all over the country. Musser Bros. is mainly based out of Billings MT and hosts sales all over the Rocky Mountain west.

Two things caught my eye on their last sale. This hydraulic post hole digger. 

And this old spray tank. Bidding online is a trick. You can place bids for about 30 days before the close of the sale. Anymore, I like to wait until the last day, put in my highest bid, and walk away hoping for the best. This time it worked out and we got a decent deal on both of these ranch additions. 

So we blew out early Friday morning, just after a nice little storm rolled through the area. Down on the Powder River, it was chilly, 

The farm was located just outside of Lavina MT, about an hour north of Billings. All the roads were fairly snowpacked, but passable. 

There they be.

Skidstears make light work of things. 

I'd rather haul a load than pull it, especially when the weather is bad. 

Looks good. This unit will just clamp onto the bucket of a farmhand and run off the tractor's hydraulics instead of the PTO. 

This guy has much potential to become a spray unit for weeds around the place. 

One man's junk is another man's treasure. Online auctions have taken away the social aspect of farm sales, but they've opened the door to sales you'd never go to before. Looks like winter is beginning. No doubt it'll warm up here and there, but for the most part, you better have your water tank heaters plugged in. Bring it. 

Fired Up

Following Jesus is the greatest adventure in life, but it's not safe.

           https://youtu.be/uTkQXzItXro         

Purgatory

God has revealed Himself to us through both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.

           https://youtu.be/ahAT5WkfTNQ         

Greed

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.

           https://youtu.be/7o6ZdOKMt-M         

Dried Apples

Fall is all about getting ready for winter. I'm not into canning, but I do like to dry things.  Drying is a wonderful way to persevere fruit long into the future. I've tried bananas, peaches, and other fruit, but I find that nothing tastes as good as dried apples. 

Of course, the right apples make a difference. These came off the Circle J Ranch at the bottom of the Big Horns, just inside Ten Sleep Canyon. 

Apples are super simple to work with. However you go about it, just core them and slice them. These slices are plenty thick, but they dry down fine in the long run. 

I don't put anything on them. In the past I've tried cinnamon, but it just doesn't seem worth the effort and mess to me.  All you have to do is put them on the dehydrator racks...

And turn them on. 

These were on for 24 hours. I don't think you can over dry them. 

I like to get them to the point that they break like chips. Good for nibbling. 

Money.

Drying food is fun and simple, especially apples. Not sure what their nutritional value is, but they sure do taste good. I love the changing of the seasons. Whether you are gathering up hay for the cows or preserving food in the pantry, winter is something you want to be ready for. If you are, sit back and enjoy the ride. If not, hang on. It might be a long four months. 

World Mission Sunday

Help support the Church's mission to evangelize.

           https://youtu.be/NiAl4h2KgZ8