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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Tiger Lily the Mustang went home after a 12-day ride-out at High Plains.  Tiger Lily is a small horse with a big heart and will serve her young master well if he follows up with consistent riding.  Tiger Lily's future includes 4-H, roping goats, or pulling a wagon.   

Later in the afternoon, we cooked the most delicious Bear Meat Chili over our fire in the tipi.  A friend hunted the bear close to a youth camp in Rye, Colo., earlier this fall with bow and arrow.  Several families selected parts of the bear to take home; we took a hindleg.  Ray cut the meat into thick steaks.  We are thankful to the bear for the meat it provided us.  It is lean, mild, and tasty.  Ray hasn't hunted for many years but hopes to hunt bear next year during the black powder season. 

Bear Meat Chili:

Meat cut into 3/4" cubes

Canola Oil - Salt - Pepper - Garlic Powder

Can of pork and beans

1/2 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies

Habanero sauce to taste 

Brown meat in Dutch Oven with oil and spices.  Add remaining ingredients and simmer. 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

On Thursday, we found in our mailbox a package from North Carolina containing 5 samples of material to assay for gold and silver.  That's the longest distance to-date from which we have received a sample; up until now, all our samples came from Colorado and Arizona, so that package was exciting!  Ray conducted his assays and emailed the results to North Carolina yesterday.   

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Star arrived after dark.  Star's owner, Dianna, trailered her all the way from Grand Junction, Colorado, for a full breaking at High Plains.  Star is a registered 10-year old Arabian mare that is friendly and easy to handle but has never been broke to ride.  Star and Dianna have a good relationship and Dianna hopes they can begin many years of riding together.   

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Trading Post Update:  The arctic weather of last week wasn't helpful to Star's training but activity at High Plains continued.  Ray fashioned a magnesium firestarter with a pristine elk cap for its handle (total length 6") and heavy leather sheath to prevent a fire starting in your bag.  $30.  He also crafted a beautiful bear jawbone knife and fitted leather sheath.  The blade is 4 3/4" long and the handle is 5 1/2 " long.  The sheath can hang from your belt.  We're both right-handed but the handle also felt good in our left hands.  $65.  SOLD.

Contact Us if you're interested in either of these items or have an idea for a similar item you'd like to commission.

  

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The cold weather a couple of weeks ago took its toll at High Plains.  Ray is spending today cleaning stalls that have finally thawed down to the ground.  Our 1948 Farmall H tractor and ground-driven manure spreader make the job much easier.  Lyle is on Day 6 of antibiotics and we started the chickens on antibiotics today.  Lyle is 18 years old and although he still looks and acts like a youngster, we think he developed an upper respiratory infection. 

Jane and Charmin would be warmer with more sisters to share their coop but our plan is to wait until spring to adopt more girls.  I can't wait.  Jane and Charmin came through their molt this fall sporting pretty new feathers but with winter upon us now, I don't expect any eggs.  During their molt, I caught Charmin pulling feathers out of Jane's chest.  I bought some generic Vick's vapor rub and rubbed some on Jane's chest and back.  The strong scent on Jane put an immediate stop to Charmin's abuse.  We applied the Vick's every couple of days about three times and since then have just been monitoring Jane's feathers and Charmin's behavior.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

We're not very automated here at High Plains.  The house has electricity and water service but we haul water to all the critters, trees, bushes, flowers, and veggies and use lanterns and headlamps when we need to do something outside at night.  We've talked about installing a light by the barns but wouldn't that disturb everyone's good night's sleep?    

We did purchase a spinning wheel today.  It's a vintage Ashford Traditional that will "automate" spinning our alpaca fiber into yarn.  The drop spindle works well and is so portable but production is slow.  The spinning wheel will increase production and offers new applications.  We won't hesitate to take it to the farmer's market or a living history engagement.  I am going to wipe it down with oil soap and post a photo as soon as I can.  

Saturday, February 8, 2014

Ray envisioned himself spinning alpaca fleece, too.  Another, newer Ashford Traditional appeared for sale on the local market.  Pictured here are High Plains' two most recent leaps into the mechanized world.  The alpacas in the background are unconcerned with our recent acquisitions and busily eat their hay and grow fleece.  We are looking  into spinning lessons with a local experienced spinner or classes about an hour's drive away.  At any rate, I can't wait to begin spinning seriously!

Already we are coordinating alpaca shearing day.  One opportunity for shearing in June availed but our temperatures are already in the 90's by then, too warm for our alpacas to still be in full fleece.  A more promising arrangement around Memorial Day has come up so we are working to secure that prospect.  

Trading Post Update:  We have expanded our line of all-natural fertilizer.  Joining the original bean form is the new powder form for light and easy, instant mixing and composting and small direct applications.  Joining the original bulk quantities is the new 2-plant envelope for your houseplants, indoor herb garden, starter plants, and plants in need of special TLC.  The new powder form is also available in our smaller bulk quantities.  

Fun Fact:  The elevation at High Plains, Colorado, is 5,220 feet above sea level. 

Saturday,March22,2014

Trading Post Update:  Thank you for your calls about our smudge sticks.  Our smudge sticks burn for 2 to 3 hours, unlike the longer, fatter sticks that burn for 6 hours unless you snuff them out sooner which for me, anyway, is frustrating and messy.  The earthy, peaceful aroma of our Fringed Mountain Sage lingers in the house for a couple of days.  Order your smudge sticks now because any inventory we have left in July will go with us to the Farmers' Market.   

A Short Dissertation on Goats 

Bubba and Fifi are High Plains' 5-year old Pygmy goat residents.  They are half-siblings.  Bubba is a wether and Fifi has never been bred.  Bubba and Fifi's initial job description read merely Enjoyment Augmentation but they have surpassed that expectation.  First, they walk with the horses to and from the arena and wander around them in their stalls; now the horses ignore harmless things on the ground moving around them (trash, rabbits, birds, weeds, ropes, you name it).  Bubba is Hidalgo's special friend and Fifi is Gypsy's special friend.  Old-timers have told us that a goat will take a cold away from a horse.  Secondly, Ray has become an expert pen builder.  We have learned first-hand that goats are destructive to their fencing because they stand on it, butt it, and lean against it and walk the length to scratch and rub.  After refencing their pen two or three times already, Ray tore down the latest wire fencing and 2"x6" barnwood boards and hung small-livestock panels from T-posts around the perimeter. 

Visit High Plains' Blog again soon to learn about our efforts to control Jane and Charmin's recent egg-eating behavior. 

Sunday, May 11, 2014

A spring snowstorm is hammering High Plains today.  Despite the wind and snow, we know spring is here because of brisk paca poo sales to gardeners and homeowners and requests for assays from prospectors.  We received a package from Washington State and of the six samples inside, three assayed with tremendous potential for gold.  Another sample from Teller County, Colorado, assayed at about 1/3 ounce of gold per ton - pretty fair for material from last September's flood that dumped in a driveway.

We are thrilled to share that we have conquered Jane and Charmin's egg-eating.  Fake eggs and other tricks hadn't worked.  After viewing a promising YouTube video, Ray constructed a roll-out insert for the girls' nesting box in about twenty minutes.  The girls can't break an egg that rolls backwards and disappears under a shelf as soon as they stand up.  Search for YouTube videos with the phrase "roll out nesting box" or "roll away nesting box".  Ray used scrap plywood and carpet to make our roll-out insert.  Eggs accumulate so quickly now that we've decided to delay our plans to add two new girls to the flock. 

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Shearing Day was May 23 and fleece processing is in full swing. After skirting and re-sorting the fleece into blanket, belly, and leg/neck bags, we'll meticulously hand-prepare our fleece. Spinners and felters can visit the Trading Post to purchase the same hand-prepared fleece ready to spin and felt that we use ourselves.

Star's Mom and Dad came May 26 to pick up Star  after her training at High Plains. Instead of returning to Grand Junction, Star went to Gillette, Wyoming so Dad John can continue to ride her out. John said the wind in Gillette will be a good lesson for Star!  Star's stall was noticeably empty for several days after she left.

We are excited to announce High Plains' new Lease-A-Fleece Program.  Visit the Trading Post to learn about this innovative program; we don't know of another like it.  Alpaca fiber artists who want to experience the full journey of the fiber you love to work will embrace this opportunity to connect with the living fleece before it's harvested - and High Plains supplies the alpaca.        

Thursday, July 17, 2014 

Meet Chumlee, High Plains' real work horse.  Chumlee is a 1948 Farmall M with a factory-original front loader that breaks into a blade and another blade in the rear that we added.  The front loader lifts to 26 feet.  Chumlee is indispensible at High Plains and even stepped in to unload the 375- pound pellet stove we recently purchased.     

Trading Post Update: Our new copper bracelets are classic summer bling.  Layer on several for a fun look, they're still light and chic. The first two bracelets we sold were to a gentleman seeking relief from joint discomfort. We wish you well!   

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Rains that arrived at the end of July and continued through much of August turned semi-arid High Plains lush and green.  Unfortunately, most of the green was Russian Thistle, young tumbleweeds, and kochia and not the buffalo grass and fescues that signal healthier plains.  One afternoon in mid-August, we discovered little red worms in our water tanks.  A quick Google search informed us that these "worms" were mosquito larvae and not harmful until they developed into adult mosquitoes that can carry West Niles Virus.  We also learned about Mosquito Dunks and vowed to pick them up at our local farm and ranch supply store during our next trip to town.

Mosquito Dunks are little crumbly donuts that float in your water tanks for up to 30 days and effectively and safely discourage adult mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water.  The Dunks are  inexpensive, easy to use, and work almost instantly.  Mosquitoes hadn't been a problem at High Plains until the larvae appeared but we purchased enough Mosquito Dunks to last this fall and begin next year's wet season because we were so happy with them.   

Sunday, November 16, 2014  

Over two months without a blog entry means High Plains enjoyed a beautiful fall - too nice to work on the computer indoors!  Last week, however, winter appeared early and there was time for indoor activities like blogs.   

Ray does such nice beadwork that I can't help but show off this commissioned piece.  Our customer bought his first Buck knife and wanted a functional and attractive sheath worthy of the knife.  You can see how beautiful and sturdy the sheath is and our customer was thrilled.  The rectangular piece of leather behind the handle of the knife allows a men's belt to slide through and securely support sheath and knife.   

In October, we expanded the workspace for our blossoming alpaca fleece and fiber production.  We're thrilled to introduce Studio West and Studio East!  Ray will wire the Studios for lights and electricity as soon as the weather improves but already last weekend I began skirting Pogo's blanket in Studio East.  A few aesthetic touches to add character and anchors for stability against the prairie wind will prepare the Studios for full fiber production.  (How do you like that amazing stormy sky in the background?)      

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Alpaca boys Tennyson and Pogo turned 2 years old in September, 2013 - the age when male alpacas can be gelded.  However, Pogo is our late-bloomer so we waited to geld him and Tennyson at the same time.  Yesterday was the day! 

Since High Plains Alpaca Ranch, LLC is a fiber operation - and not a breeding operation - we raise only male alpacas ("fiber boys") which eliminates the need for both genders.   Gelding the males maintains their fleece as long as possible and creates a calmer herd, even if they aren't breeding or being distracted by females in the next pasture.

January is a good month to geld because it is fly-free and the chill may keep down the swelling.  Tennyson and Pogo are doing well - visit them at our Meet Our Alpacas Page.   

Saturday, May 23, 2015

High Plains hasn't seen the sun more than 4 days in as many weeks.  Rain is the predominent weather event, accompanied by chilly temps - ideal for growing alpaca fleece!  Shearing Day at High Plains is June 11 this year; I hope we are drier by then.

Trading Post Updates:  Recognizing the demand for fluffy, ready-to-spin, -felt, and -dye alpaca fiber, we donned our DIY gloves and assembled our own carding and blending boards.   We are excited to use these intriguing new tools to produce ready-to-use alpaca fiber rolags, rologs, and batts (depending on your particular fiber dialect).  Visit the Trading Post to beef up your fiber inventory with hand-prepared alpaca fiber from High Plains.

                                                                          See what happens to the alpaca fleece that falls to the floor:  it gets a second chance as nesting material for your feathered friends.  Hang our basket of alpaca fleece where birds can pull the fleece and use it to line their nests.  Made entirely of re-purposed materials - our low price covers labor and Band-Aids for scratches from the chicken wire.  Visit the Trading Post  to welcome more birds to your backyard oasis. 

Monday, November 30, 2015 

In Loving Memory of Bonnie and Clyde 

Arrived at High Plains September 17, 2003 

Departed for Final Rendezvous 

August 29 and September 2, 2015

Tuesday, January 2, 2017

Losing Bonnie and Clyde knocked the air out of High Plains for a long time.  In exchange, we were blessed with Harley and Sadie.  I had never adopted puppies before and they required a lot more work than older dogs.  The first six months involved hours of care, training, and interaction every week.  Now, the four of us know each other well and our pack is growing ever stronger.  See Harley and Sadie in action in our Photo Album.

One day in August, we lost our little pygmy goat Fifi.  It was the same day that a rattlesnake bit Richard, our black/brown alpaca.  Ray and I were so involved caring for Richard that we didn't notice Fifi had bloated.  Given in time, a dose of mineral oil would have probably saved her.  However, we didn't notice her condition until we fed that evening and she died as we were gathering the mineral oil.  Ray and I re-learned a valuable lesson that day:  make sure all your critters are up and eating at meal time.  If someone isn't eating, find out why immediately. 

Fifi's death was hard on Bubba.  He was very distant; they were half-siblings and had been together all of their 7 1/2 years.  We considered rehoming him to a farm with other goats but Bubba is High Plains' Barnyard Ambassador and greets visitors during ranch visits.  Ray and I put out the call and found Annie and Buckwheat, two Nigerian dwarf youngsters ready for their new home.  I think Bubba still misses Fifi but his new little wards keep him engaged and High Plains still has our Barnyard Ambassador.  We'll remember Fifi for her fiesty attitude and love for our horses.  See the cuteness of Annie and Buckwheat in our Photo Album. 

Alpacas come in over twenty natural colors and I can understand an owner wanting at least one of every color.  However, Ray and I were content to add two more colors to our alpaca rainbow and were excited to find Huacayas Cocoa (dark brown) and Pepe (white).  Both boys are well less than two years old - just big crias, really - and will be gelded next winter.  They have blended well with their older brothers and share the excitement of Crumbles Day.  Meet Cocoa and Pepe at High Plains Alpaca Ranch, LLC.      

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Operations at High Plains keep both of us busy and when one of us is out of town, the other has to really hop.  Such is my situation this weekend as Ray tends to family matters.  I haven't had to feed by myself for some time and this morning's feeding took me 45 minutes.  The rest of my outdoor day includes cleaning stalls, picking the horses' feet, turning out horses into the arena, watering (critters and trees), vacuuming dog hair from the back seat of my truck, and the evening feeding.  Now I need to check my list to see what I've forgotten.  Oh, yes.  Flies seem to be bothering the horses, so I need to spray them with fly spray before I pick their feet.  Today's temperature is supposed to be close to 100, so I need to be careful and organize my chores - after I clean the ceiling fans for summer duty.

Ray and I make a good team, we have to for High Plains to function successfully.  I appreciate his commitment every day and am so happy we can share our life together at High Plains. 

Saturday, December 30, 2017

High Plains came close to having a very sad Christmas.

Ray and I are experienced dog owners, we thought.  Harley, our 2-year old Australian Cattle Dog, would get an occasional stomachache that a couple of doses of Pepto-Bismol seemed to cure.

Harley's stomachache on December 6 was different.  His pain was intense and he vomited a clear froth every time he drank water.  At 8:30 that evening, our regular vet referred us to a Colorado Springs vet for an ultrasound.  That vet declined to order the ultrasound, so we returned home.

Harley's pain worsened to the point that he could hardly walk.  Ray took Harley back to our vet the morning of December 8 and Harley had surgery that night for intussusception.  In Harley's case, a portion of his intestine had telescoped back over itself, the blood supply was cut off, and a portion of his intestine had died.  Harley was also very dehydrated but as sick as he was, IV fluids perked him up even before the surgery.

Harley is recovering well but the shock to us is that we had never heard of this condition and it's not uncommon!  Harley is an active dog and he wolfs down his food, two traits that can cause intussusception.  Instead of 2 meals a day, now we feed Harley 4 smaller meals.  We're trying to control his wrestling matches with sister Sadie and fence-running with the barncat.  To support Harley's bowel activity, we give him a drop of an essential oil blend every day.     

Our vet thinks Harley will recover fully.  We have since heard from other dog owners whose miracle dogs are on special diets and exercise programs but are thrilled that their dogs survived.  I encourage dog owners to research "intussusception", "twisted intestine", "bloat", and to talk to your vet, especially if you have an active, medium-to-large dog.  

Saturday, January 5, 2019

In Memory of Coyote

Arrived at High Plains December 20, 1998

Freed from Pain May 15, 2018 

The Empty Stall

His feet were freshly trimmed

His breakfast was eaten

He led to a quiet place and we said good-bye

The shots eased him down to his side 

We swaddled him to be gently laid at his final resting place

His feet were freshly trimmed 

In addition to caring for our critters, Ray and I have to care for ourselves.  That includes trying to eat well, exercise, and stay healthy.  The job gets more involved as we age but we found a great tool:  essential  oils.

Ray and I have been using essential oils for over a year and what a difference they have made.  Ray will tell you he feels ten years younger, has more energy, and feels more balanced.  I have more energy, my complexion has improved, I feel more balanced, and I sleep better.  We have reduced drastically our use of OTC and prescription medications.    

We mix DIY fly sprays made with essential oils for the horses, alpacas, dogs, and ourselves.  Our fly spray is safe, effective, and cheaper than commercial sprays.  The horses like the EO fly spray because it doesn't irritate and perhaps because it smells good.  We apply EO's to the dogs as needed for stress, restlessness, allergies, and digestive support.

Essential oils aren't exotic perfumes for random use.  Essential oils are the life force of plants distilled into highly concentrated, powerful extracts that can be applied topically, diffused, and taken internally to support physical and emotional wellness.  Visit the Trading Post or follow this link

https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=12659388&enrollerid=12659388&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member to begin your journey to improved wellness under your own command.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Happy Retirement, Lyle!

Perhaps you've met Lyle in person or on our Visit High Plains Page.  Lyle still looks for Coyote, who we lost in May, but enjoys playing and riding with Hidalgo.  Lyle is 24 years old now and was our ideal riding lesson horse for years.  Lyle told us he was tired of so much arena riding and we decided to retire Lyle from lessons.  Lyle is still excited for brushing, hugs,  kisses, and treats and looks forward to more rides across the prairie.  Happy Trails, Lyle.     

Saturday, July 6, 2019

The first day we fed Pepe his alpaca crumbles, he gobbled them like he was starving.  He didn't chew them, he just collected them in his mouth until he tried to swallow.  Then he choked, his throat gurgled up and down, and he spewed brown slime down his chin and onto the ground, getting little nutrition from the crumbles.  We tried different crumble and pellet products, laid rocks in the feeder, laid rocks and hay in the feeder, and sprinkled the crumbles little by little into the feeder, which took an hour.  Nothing worked.  Fortunately, Pepe eats his hay fine but daily crumble time was a nightmare for both Pepe and Ray.  We needed a way to slow down Pepe's crumble gobbling and began to talk about the Kong dog toys we have for Harley and Sadie. 

We considered making a Kong-type feeder ourselves but found the Kong Wobbler at our local farm and ranch store on sale for $13.49.  This Kong toy is large and has sand in the bottom to keep it upright until the dog - or alpaca - gives it a solid hit.  We duck-taped the hole to about 1/2 its original size, loaded the Kong with Pepe's serving of crumbles, and held our breath while Pepe poked it with his nose.  Score!  Pepe hasn't choked once since meeting his crumble-loaded Kong at the end of May.  He noses it around his feeder until all the crumbles trickle out and and he's eaten them.  We've removed the duck-tape and no longer worry while Pepe and his brothers eat their crumbles.   

Sunday, February 16, 2020

With so much snow on the ground, it's a stretch to remember warm weather.  I think about the warmth of Thanksgiving weekend and our venture with the new reflector oven.

I have fond memories as a Girl Scout cooking outdoors with reflector ovens.  We constructed them ourselves from boxes and aluminum foil.  They were efficient, fun, and easy to use.  I had the recent fortune to purchase a manufactured reflector oven ready for years of outdoor cooking.

The concept is pretty straight-forward:  direct the front of the reflector oven towards your open fire and cook.  You may have to prop up the reflector oven with rocks.  First we baked two chocolate chip cookies.  Then we baked two more.  Feeling confident, we baked lasagna and garlic bread.  Not a traditional Thanksgiving meal but we had a lot fun and expanded our outdoor cooking experience.

The one secret we discovered is to pre-heat the reflector oven before adding our food.  We also lined the bottom of the oven with foil to make clean-up easier.

Of course, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without cooking in our beloved tipi.  

Saturday, April 25, 2020

My Plunge into Essential Oils

Revisit my Blog entry dated January 5, 2019, and then come back!

Essential oils have been a godsend in our new COVID lifestyle.  One of the many benefits of eo's is their anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and other anti-bad stuff properties.  We add eo's to our DIY cleaning products and hand sanitizer, apply them topically when we return from shopping or a medical appointment, ingest them to boost our immunity, and diffuse them to reduce stress.  I'm excited to share our favorite essential oil line, Young Living.  You can access their website at https://www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/new-start?sponsorid=12659388&enrollerid=12659388&isocountrycode=US&culture=en-US&type=member.

If you're new to essential oils, I'll share my first recipe and its history.  Years ago, I would spray commercial air freshener in my small bathroom and continue to move about through the mist.  I told myself, "This can't be good for me."  I remembered that conversation when I received my starter kit from Young Living in 2017 and vowed that air freshener would be my first trade out from a chemical-laden commercial product to a safer alternative.  The recipe:  1 cup of water and 15 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle, preferably glass, shake well.  So simple and I've never looked back!  The bottle should be colored or stored out of the light.  I like to use lemongrass essential oil or any of Young Living's cleansing blends such as Purification or Melrose.   

I try to trade out a commercial product about once a month.  I research recipes and compare them to my resources:  budget, time, and ingredient availability.  To-date, I make our shampoo, hair conditioners, bath soap, mouthwash, toothpaste, laundry detergent, skin treatments, air freshener, household cleaners, hand sanitizer, and disposable wipes.  There may be more. 

My current inventory of ingredients includes essential oils, distilled and tap water, coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, coconut milk, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, white distilled vinegar, baking soda, and Dr. Bronner's liquid castile soap.  I try to purchase organic, non-GMO, and unrefined products.  I don't consider recipes with beeswax because I know I won't spend the time with a double boiler to melt it and I don't purchase shea butter or jojoba oil because I do well without them!     

My next trade out will be deodorant.  The ingredients are pretty straight forward, generally baking soda, cornstarch or arrowroot, coconut oil, and essential oils.  I'll visit our local health food store to purchase non-GMO cornstarch.

I can ramble on forever about essential oils and our move to a more chemical-free life.  My one regret is that I didn't learn about essential oils years ago.  I hope I helped you down that path today.  Let me know!  

 Sunday, December 13, 2020

After three days of off-and-on snowfall, gray skies, and chilly temps, today seemed a good day to discuss our Sun Oven.

Today is sunny with a small breeze, temps in the 30's, and snow on the ground, yet we could have cooked in our Sun Oven.  Always on the look-out for new ways to cook our food, we purchased our Sun Oven this summer because of its convenience, cleanliness, easy supervision, and versatility.  How can you go wrong cooking your food with the sun?  We were unprepared for the rich taste and texture of the meat and vegetables that have come out of the Sun Oven so far.  I look forward to dehydrating fruit and vegetables and baking. 

Our All American Sun Oven is pre-fabricated and wasn't inexpensive but I've seen instructions on-line for DIY sun ovens that range from household items to less than $100.  The concept is easy:  the sun's rays are reflected into the compartment holding the food, creating an oven that easily reaches 350 degrees.  Food stays moist and doesn't burn.  Stirring is unnecessary but for best results, you may want to turn the oven a few times to follow the moving sun.  Cooking times are a bit longer than a conventional oven, especially if you open the compartment to check your food and the inside temp drops.  Our Sun Oven is built really well and we expect it to last a very long time.  I hope to roast a hen with all the fixings for Christmas, one (Sun) oven, one pot, one clean kitchen, and two happy pioneers.     

Monday, May 31, 2021

When Life Gives Us Lemons . . . . Make Yarn!

The COVID-19 restrictions of 2020 eliminated all our in-person alpaca and fiber events which are our best marketing venue.  Enter implementation of an idea we’ve considered for awhile:  sending our fleece to a mill for commercial processing into yarn.  Ray loves to spin and stockpiles balls of homespun yarn in various colors, sizes, and quantities but not in the amounts large-scale fiber artists request.  We've skirted our 2020 blankets and they await shipping to the mill, none too soon because we sheared last week and the studio is full!  We’re excited to soon offer professionally milled yarn in addition to our own home-grown fleece, fiber, and yarn.  Check back at the Trading Post or contact us to see when our yarn becomes available.        

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Bubba

Arrived at High Plains Spring, 2009

Walked Again November 14, 2021

Bubba was larger than life.  He loved people and thought he was a dog.  He drank out of the hose, walked on a lead, and took care of Buckwheat and Annie. 

On November 4, Bubba couldn’t stand up.  Our vet treated him but we didn’t know why Bubba couldn’t stand.  Ray and I fed and watered him, administered his meds, moved him in and out of his barn, and looked for improvement.  Then, we helped Bubba along.

I’m crying as I write this.  I have missed Bubba deeply the past 3 weeks.  My heart broke as Buckwheat and Annie looked for Bubba.  I still have trouble walking into the barnyard, there’s an emptiness to the left that used to be Bubba.  He’s still on the property, which Ray insisted on.     

Our critters come to High Plains because someone doesn’t want them.  Ray and I embrace the joy of living with them and we endure the sadness of losing them.  But they were born before coming to High Plains and we love and take care of them until they die rather than someone who doesn’t cherish them.  So I feel better with that understanding.  But Bubba is still gone.       

Sunday, August 14, 2022

9 Ways We Cook at High Plains

(Not in any particular order)

1.  Open Fire

2.  Smoker

3.  Reflector Oven

4.  Brazier

5.  Twig Stove

6.  Rocket Stove

7.  Hunting Stove

8.  Sun Oven

9.  George Foreman Grill 

The stovetop, oven, and microwave, all in the house, are our last resorts!