Oreo Cookie Cows

My neighbors, Doug and Loren at Malabar Farm, raise Oreo cookie cows. I've wanted to catch a picture of them for weeks, but either I didn't have my camera or they weren't in sight when I'd drive past the farm. This morning a few of them were out by the fence. They're actually called Belted Galloways, but I think Oreo cookie suits them just fine, don't you? They look very striking against their brilliantly green spring pasture. Here's what the guys say about their cattle:

Malabar's foundation animals are Green Arpents, known for correct type, hardiness and purity. All of our registered animals are fullblood. We are committed to sustainable agriculture, using limited grain and minimal facilities. We have high standards for herd selection. Our goal is to produce cows which calve easily, are good mothers, and raise their calves efficiently on grass. Bulls are selected for productivity, purity of bloodlines, and conformation. Although the unique appearance is what attracts people to Belted Galloways, the final test is in the efficient production of a high quality meat product. We also have a small herd of commercial, crossbred Belties.

 I'm sure the meat is great. I know the breed withstands the cold Iowa winters well. But I'm intrigued because they just look so cool.

Shy Birthday Boy

Today is Walt's birthday. I've stopped keeping track of how many candles should be on his cake. Since he's my 'baby' brother, however old he is just makes me 7 years older. Let's agree to ignore numbers, okay? Walt's young at heart anyway...loves his restored '57 Chevy and his motorcycle; loves his girls...Debbie, Elaine and Emily even more. He's one of the good guys.

Walt's the brother in the striped bow tie.

Bathing Beauty and Water Boy

 

Becky's posted new photos on Shutterfly, so of course, I have to share! We are all water-lovers in my family....looks like that's been passed on to our newest members as well.

Signs of Spring

My friend, Laury, has been blogging the past few days about signs of spring in Cadrieu...blossoms, dandelions, rushing water from the lavoir. She's inspired me to share a few signs of spring from Red Bell Farm. The canopy of trees along the south side of my house lets sunlight dapple the deck. It's so pretty, and in another week, it will change to pure shade as the big trees become fully leafed out. While the lacy-ness of spring will be gone, the shade of summer will help keep the house cool during the hot months ahead. I, too, have delegations of dandelions marching across my lawn. Clumps of wild phlox dot the sunny places in the timber and violets edge the lawn. The wild plum thickets are profuse with blossoms right now and a few branches grace my kitchen table, fragrancing the whole room. A few delicate columbine nod their pretty heads under the bedroom window.

One Last Peek at Wichita

We left Wichita by way of a topless bar. Whoa, back the truck up...a topless bar? Well, we didn't go in! As you can see, the gates were securely padlocked. Here's the story: Edith wanted to show me some of old downtown Wichita (which is quite lovely, BTW), so we drove around the area on Sunday morning before we went out to the Arb. There were many photo ops, but this one along a deserted alley was the best. When Edith lived here last year, this was NOT a topless bar; how quickly things change. The bar is housed in a very old brick building that has a courtyard area protected by a two-story brick wall with high windows in it...perhaps part of the original building in earlier times? You can look up through the windows to see colorful graffiti-like paintings on the building's wall. The 'art' just begged to be photographed! If you want to see more, you'll have to wait  until they open the gates. I guarantee that as fun as these paintings are you won't find me inside...my topless bar days are long over!

More from the Arb

During last weekend's visit to Bartlett Arboretum, I took some audio/video clips of the Wichita Caledonian Pipes & Drums hoping to give you a taste of their wonderful bagpipes. After fiddling with Blogger most of yesterday trying to get it to upload, I finally was convinced that all those folks who have complained about not being able to upload videoes on their blogs since the first of the year were right; I could not get anything to upload! So...here are some other memories from my magical weekend. I really didn't want this couple on the bridge, but clicked this just as they shared a quick kiss. I think it's much more interesting than the one I took with the bridge empty. Note to self: people in a photo aren't always a bad thing. In fact, I should include people more in my photos!

This lovely little tree is called a 'Weeping Peach.' I've never seen one before. It has beautiful blossoms.

And of course....the tulips were beautiful! Robin commented several times during the weekend how unusual it is for everything to come into bloom at once. Because of the winter's weather weirdness, the tulips, daffodils, dogwoods, redbuds and lilacs were all blooming at the same time. Her thought is they all got together and discussed their 100th birthday celebration and decided they all needed to be in their Sunday best for it! And just  in case you're tired of all that pink...here's a jolt of blue!

Happy 100th Birthday!

Yes, I've been 'away' for awhile, but for a very good reason. I spent the past weekend at one of my favorite places, the Bartlett Arboretum. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you'll remember that I traveled to Belle Plaine, KS last year to help my friend, Edith at Art at the Arb. This year it was a special event as the Arboretum celebrated its 100th birthday! We spent two full days with fun people, wonderful music, and glorious weather. What better way to celebrate 100 years of beautiful, blooming tulips, lilacs, daffodils, pansies, redbuds, dogwoods and the most magnificent loblolly pines?

Somebody Has a Birthday!

The Glad Game

Nothing is blooming yet at Red Bell Farm, but I know it's spring. The irises are up. I've heard red wing blackbirds, and frogs are croaking in the creek. This morning I heard a mourning dove calling. There was a tiny snake slithering across the road when I took Lucie for a walk. I could actually smell dirt last night when I opened the slider onto the deck. On Tuesday, the temperatures hit the low 70's in Des Moines, the warmest in 6 months! The forecast for today is 81 degrees. While it might still snow in April, I've taken a chance and hung the snow shovel back in the barn. I am so glad it's spring. Glad the birds are calling and nesting. Glad the frogs survived the winter to croak once again. Glad that flowers are on the way. Glad to smell the rich Iowa soil after a frozen winter. I'm even glad for slithering snakes. I feel like Pollyanna playing the Glad Game.

What makes you glad about spring?