Shirking My Kitchen Duties

Yesterday morning I just HAD to escape the heat of the kitchen. The boys were branding at North Camp and I rushed around like mad after feeding them breakfast at 4:30 in order to give myself a little time behind the camera. Dishes were washed. Queso was made. Salad was tossed. Enchiladas were assembled. Beans were simmered. And I had a date with my camera.

                             

My camera died a while back and I have a new Super zoom/Bridge camera. I've been wanting to try out  it's full zoom capabilities and I have to say that I am thrilled with the results.

The shots aren't professional quality, and that has more to do with the operator than the camera, but I was a long ways off and the shots are pretty clear at full i zoom. And there's more zooming at digital zoom, but I think the photos are of a lesser quality although truth be told, I still need to try it with this camera.

It could NOT have been a prettier morning!

I could hear the cattle bawling long before I spotted them.

The laughter of the crew drifted across the spring breezes and it always brings a smile to my face to see them having such a good time.

Its hard work, but they love it.

                             

Our girl is prepping for Finals, but on Tuesday afternoon she called. It was 4 and she said she was loaded up and headed this way. Its a 3 1/2 hr drive, but she needed some time in the saddle. 2 Finals were behind her, another was online, and the last one was next Wed. Home was her destination.


                                     

Crazy girl. Not many kids would chose 3 am wake up calls over dead day at college where kids celebrated their last bit of freedom before buckling down for Finals. But this child is her own self and its one of the many things I adore about her. And this is how she chooses to celebrate:

                                             
Last night she stayed up late while the old folks snoozed and tended to her online Ranch Management Final. I'm pretty sure Organic Chemistry is far from her mind today:

The help of good neighbors is always appreciated:

                              

I didn't get much time and it I got into quite an argument with myself about heading back to into the kitchen in order to finish things off for dinner.

                               

 I can be stubborn and apparently I don't take orders very well, but the sensible side of me finally won out and the boys did not have to go without.

                            

Well, maybe just one more shot:

Today they'll be at Adobe Pens. Its a good 30 minute drive and I'm going to do my best to get everything pulled together and sneak over there because I love it as much as they do.