Chuck Wagon at the Cowboy Gathering

Donning boots, jeans and camera, this past week end I headed over to the 3-day event, "Cowboy Gathering"

I would like to first clarify Cowboy Gathering. Cowgirls are also included. It is an opportunity for the western community to get together and enjoy music, food and horse training clinics. There were also western artists selling their artwork, trick rope demonstrations, and a big BBQ Cook Off.

What impressed me the most was the Chuck Wagon, and invention attributed to Charles Goodnight, a Texas rancher who introduced the concept in 1866.

Goodnight added a "chuck box" to the back of the wagon, to hold supplies. (like a kitchen cupboard) The term chuck is a slang word for food, not a nickname for  Charles.

The canvas cover provided protection, from the sun or rain, for the "Cookie" on the long cattle drives from Texas to New Mexico.

The chuck wagon became part of history throughout the United States and Canada. If you are interested in reading more, click HERE. And click HERE, to read about the adventurous life of Charles Goodnight. Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Lonesome Dove is a fictionalized account of Goodnight and Loving's third cattle drive.

You can see the chuck box on the back of the uncovered wagon.

No air inflated tires to cushion this ride.

Part of the chuck wagon display was a demonstration of dutch oven cooking with an open fire.

It is amazing how they can cook everything from stew, to biscuits and pies, in the large cast iron covered pot.

I think I will continue to make coffee in my electric coffee pot......






Meggie Mac

First Wildflowers on the Prairie

Seeing a pasture covered in Wild Red Phlox, was just too exciting to wait for my Monday's Country Back Roads post.

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To tell you the truth, it was the first time I have seen so many growing in one spot.

The butterflies were enjoying a feast of nectar. Their wings were in a constant flutter, reminding me of a humming bird.

Looking closer, I saw very small blue flowers dotting the same pasture.

Yes, you would be correct, if you thought this looked like a seasoned American Southwest Cow Pie....flowers growing all around it.

Meggie Mac

Thursday and a Garden Show and Tell

When I moved from the farm, I brought very little of the flower gardens. I just couldn't part with my adorable cherub.

 Many years ago, a friend was re-designing his garden. I was only too happy to take away the discarded statue. I have lugged the 3 foot cherub from several homes, as I have moved.

Looking around at other cherubs, I've yet to see this particular one. If you click on the photo, you can see the exquisite details, like the hollow in the throat. (Suprasternal Notch)

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I also brought one of my water lilies, in a small black container. The sun was just right to get the beautiful reflection of the cherub.

You can see the hibernating water lily under the surface of the water. The wood rail is also a reflection of the deck above.

For the most part, the new flower gardens are just an idea on paper.

 I've planted a few blue delphiniums for spring flowering.

The lilac colored flowers, of the Society Garlic, will continue to bloom through-out the warmer summer.

It looks like I might have several pears on the recently planted fruit trees...that is, if we don't have a late freeze.

Meggie Mac

Please check out Gerda @ Number 11....She has written a lovely post for Thursday's Show and Tell.

Monday's Country Back Roads

  I have found where Cinderella left her carriage. Are you ready to go for a ride?

  Driving the back roads, of this place I call home, continue to surprise and please me.

Meggie Mac

Friday's Fences

 

The simple fence surrounds the drilling operation. In Texas we call it a Horse Head Pump. If you click on the link, you can read about other nicknames for the oil well pump.

 

It is not unusual to see a herd of cattle in the same pasture.

 

Meggie Mac

I'm joining with Jan n' Jer Friday's Fences

 

 

 

 

Show and Tell Thursday

Large letters, spelling Papa, dominate the side of the vintage lustreware coffee cup.

When I pass this on to my daughters, it will have been in our family for 5 generations.

As you can see, some of the gold has rubbed off the raised letters. Taken the fact that it was probably made somewhere in the late 1800's, I'd say it looks good.

The "Made in Germany" mark is still very clear.










My maternal great-grandparents were born about 1871, in Germany, immigrating later to Texas.

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I wish I had an interesting story as to how the cup and saucer traveled to Texas. What I think about is the number of times, my great-grandmother, my grandmother, and my own mother may have washed and dried this very cup.

There is not much dollar value with these two stemmed goblets. But, they are very special to my heart.  I remember sitting at my grandmother's kitchen table, with iced tea filling the glasses.

Meggie Mac

I want to thank my dearest friend, Elaine, at Pear Tree Log, who is joining me today, by posting a "Show and Tell".

Click Here to read what treasure she has to show us.

Starting Over with a New Garden

Does this remind you of a tulip? Look a little closer...it is a bud on a compact size magnolia tree.

I couldn't resist buying the "Jane Magnolia" for my new garden at Das Kleine Haus.








For many years, I worked on the gardens at the Farm. Most of you followed me all last year as I recorded everything from the spring planting of seeds, in the greenhouse, to the hot days in summer with all the daylilies and roses in bloom.

Now, I have a chance to start over with new garden plans and a blank slate.  It is hard work, removing grass and digging new beds.

Benjamin preparing a hole for the Palm Tree

I still have my trusty handyman, Benjamin, who has worked for me over 15 years or so. He arrives every Friday morning to work 3 hours with the very heavy chores, like moving a palm tree.

Daylilies, I brought from the farm, are already peeking through the mulch.

Sugar snap peas, trailing along the fence,  are blooming...



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and small pea pods are beginning to form.

You may find it difficult to believe, but these are tiny early tomatoes. They are growing in my cold frame. With my night-time temperatures dropping in the high 30's this week, I will simply close the top of the cold frame to protect them.

For cool weather blooms, you can always count on Dianthus. You may know them as Sweet Williams or Pinks.

Meggie Mac