A Peak at the Beginnings of Summer 2011 at Sexton Ranches

Ernest - Our 16 year old Retired McNab - Watches the crew setting up the free range chicken pasture

Sami Helping to setup the Free Range Hen pasture - can you find Lefty, our dog?  The grass is TALL! And, as you can see by Sami's attire... it was still cold!

Whole Lotta Grass in the yard  (my nemesis) and Sheep in the background

A closer look at the sheep (the same field where the kids go explore Warm Springs Creek)

Free Range Hens 2011 - In their grassy digs!

Closer View of the Hens  (surrounded by hot wire - with open access to grass and fresh air 24/7)

The Back yard and our Blooming Apple Tree - Signs of Spring!!!

Me..  Wondering why the grass is always taller in the yard!

Rotational Grazing - showing our grass-fed and grass-finished market cattle, that get moved 2x a day

Grass Line Comparison - New grass on the left - Old on the right (one strand of hot wire separates them) (See the pasture poultry pens on the left? They are currently vacant  - the first and second batch of pasture poultry are 'growing' under heat lamps!)

Good Morning happy cattle!  Nothing beats good grass and sunshine

You lookin' at me????

 Last week I was in South Dakota for the Western Organization of Resource Council's Board and Staff meeting.  While I was gone, two very significant things happened: #1:  SPRING finally arrived, and #2: The kids celebrated their last week of school (this is the first year I missed their last day of school!!!).  I also came home to trees blooming, leaves bursting, kids and their dad staying up late (9:30pm or 10:00 pm seems to be their new schedule) and about a foot of grass in the yard.

May and June are big 'grass chasing months'.  I chase the yard grass on a John Deere Riding Mower, between rain storms, and Dick and the kids chase grass either by irrigating or moving animals.


And that is what our summers are all about.  Growing Grass. Harvesting Grass.  Selling Grass fed and grass finished meats (eggs from free range hens, pasture poultry, grass-fed lamb, grass-fed beef). 

And, here is a typical summer day:
The crew gets woken up at 6:30 am, fed, and off to work they go.  Mej?  Up about 5am. 

7:30 am Sami feeds the free-range hens, and then goes on 'guard duty' (watching for the egg eaters)
Jake goes with his dad to irrigate and move the market beef
Noon: Lunch and nap time.
1:30pm Egg gathering, washing and boxing time
4:30pm Move the market beef- again
5:00 pm Feed the free range hens (again)
7:00 pm Feed the crew- if the world spun just right that day then all will be fed and snuggled in for the evening.

On Fridays?  It's get ready for the Portland Market - After loading up, checking any pre-orders, and packing for the weekend, Dick will take one of the kids, and they return Saturday night.  Whom ever is left behind does all the chores... 

And, let me tell you.  Every single time Dick leaves the ranch, something goes wrong!  This weekend Sami and I were the 'home crew'.  Four of the market steers had escaped their grassy digs during Friday night and we had to round them up and find the source of the escape.  Turned out one of the border fences was NOT hot!  We are lucky the gate to the field was closed.  There is nothing worse than having livestock on a highway, let alone trying to round them up!

Needless to say, we had a busy 'unplanned' morning! 

 In about two or three weeks things will get real hectic.  We then start hauling chickens/lambs/beef to the processors, and alternate with going to the storage to either get meat or store it, and of course, bring product back.  The processor is about 150 miles away.  Whomever gets to drive, has to hit the road at 6am - which means, being out about 5am to load the critters! 

Yes,  Spring and Summer have arrived.  It truly is the BEST time of the year, especially when the kids are out of school.  Today's adventure?  The kids packed up their own lunch, and left about 11am to go explore at the creek where they try to catch baby trout and take siestas in the sun.  They said they would be back about 1:30 pm.  They did have an adventure!  Their mud boots were full of water, clothes were soaking wet, and Sami shared a story about one boot almost getting away! Both had nice long naps when they got home!

How lucky are they to explore - so freely?  Just like their father did on the ranch he grew up on, and his father and so on  - six generations worth! 

And that.. is summer... here at Sexton Ranches!  

p.s.  Don't forget Father's Day is next weekend!  And, June Deliveries are this Friday in Eastern Oregon, and Friday the 24th in Boise.  Please email Andi by Wednesday if you have an order!  


 

Revisiting Sunshine's Duckings - March 2011 Potland Market starts This Saturday!

Remember these little ducklings?  Back in September?

Sami put duck eggs under this Chicken Mama - Sunshine, 

who in turn, hatched them, and became their mama!

She's a Good mama!  Looking out for predators! Look at her little apprentice!

Here is one of those Ducklings! 

Fast Forward to February!  The ducklings love to get on the deck and 'surf' down the stairs!  Just kidding.. but they do love the deck!

More recent... As in this last weekend.  Another Chicken with the ducklings eating popcorn!

And Sunshine is actually over on the left side - not far from the ducklings who are now bigger than her!

 ***********************

Today is March 17th - Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The sun is out showing all it's glory today  - between the forecasted snow and rain storms (for the next 10 days) - with the promise of Spring!  And speaking of Spring, tomorrow starts 'our' Spring Break!  Yes!  The kids and I are taking a road trip to California to be with 'my people'!  I grew up with a great group of friends and we are getting together to celebrate the 50th birthday of one of our own!!!!  Watch Out Chico, California!!!!!  Yes.. 50's.  Mine isn't until next year... oh boy...

And,  at the same time, Dick starts the Portland PSU Market this Saturday!  The Markets are starting back up!  Crazy...

He will be there every single Saturday he will be in Portland (the plan, as of today).

Our next winter deliveries and EASTER deliveries are scheduled for April 11th (Eastern Oregon) and April 15th (Boise Area).

Be sure to reserve your Easter lamb!

And Happy 'kiss of the Irish and Spring' to all of you!

March 2011: In Like a Lion ... Super Windy or a Tornado???

Our missing Chicken House - see the green one in the distance?  That is how far it traveled!

Not sure how it managed to land straight up!  Did it roll?  Fly? 

See that other one out there?  This is in 'the back 40' East of the back yard.  The missing chicken house was found north of the yard! 

Can you see it?  Peek behind the brown building!

Another View of the landing spot! 

Holy guacamole.  This morning about 6:15 am Jake announced to all of us that 'hey, one of the chicken houses is missing'!

Sure enough... Out in back 40 (as I call it), one of the portable chicken houses that we use during the grass season for the free range hens, was missing!

The wind had been blowing super duper hard during the night.  Super duper hard.

And, here is the evidence!

No chickens were hurt.  They are all wintering in the big 'yellow shed' (aka previous owners RV garage) - that you see in the first photo!

I wonder... did that chicken house just tumble and tumble or did a tornado hit and carry it?

A mystery... but at least nothing was hurt in the process!

New Lambs in the Barn! Um.. Not Planned.. No Sir. Nodda.

Mama on the left making sure that's her baby! Same with the one on the right

Nope!  You can't get out little cuteness!  Too darn cold out there!

Sami on the Right.  Trying to say 'hi' to the new babies!

Are you my mommy?

Hello Itty Bitty Babe!

Normally, we do not lamb until May.  Mid May.  Right about Mother's Day and my birthday.  That's when the sunshine is nice and warm (kinda), and the grass is green, and the days are nice and long and above freezing (for the most part).

Something is so wrong with this picture!  Well, these pictures, you might say.

We are experiencing the 'oops' factor.  The buck lambs (young boys) decided to visit some young girls (and Sami's lambs from 2 years ago) and uh, we are having some unexpected babies.  Not sure on the total head count right now!  (I sure hope this means we are having an early Spring!).

But, because we are still having freezing temperatures, and storms on the horizon (and coyotes watching at arms length) - the mamas and babies are being brought into a nice, cozy warm barn until the weather turns. 

Sami is excited.  She keeps wanting to go down to the barn at the headquarters to see the babies.  I took her on Friday. 

That is one girl that loves her baby lambs!  She now is the proud 'mama' or, 'grandma' of 2!!

Happy Spring! 

Welcome 2011! Winter Delivery Schedule

The Feed Line - Winter at the Ranch

Stuck on I84 - After Making Deliveries to Boise

One of the Rare Sunny Days During Winter!

Sami's Snowman

Hello everyone!
Happy New Year!  We are up to our eyes in Winter.  We have had lots of below zero temps and low digit temps.  Today, our high was 25, one of the highest over the last two weeks, and now it is now snowing!  


And, with Winter, are our Winter Deliveries (road conditions permitting).


Below is the winter delivery schedule through April. I also put in suggested themes for each month.
If you need any price lists, please email me at andisexton at cascadeaccess dot com!  

January:  Get Ready for the Super Bowl!!  Chili, nachos, or stew! 

Fighting a cold?  Whole Chicken in a soup  does the trick!

Eastern Oregon:  Jan. 14th. Friday.  Orders due:  Jan. 12th

 10am.  Baker.  Behind Barley Brown's. 

Noon in LG empty lot my Mamacitas;

1:30 pm in Pendleton, parking lot across the street from Chamber.

Boise:  Jan. 28th, Friday. 1pm.  Downtown - Recycling Center at State & 16th (Albertsons) Orders Due: Jan. 26th

Portland:  Jan. 15th

 

February:  Valentine's Day!  Racks of Lamb, Ribeyes, Tenderloins

Eastern Oregon:  Feb. 11th, Friday.  Orders Due Feb. 9th

 10 am.  Baker.  Behind Barley Browns;

Noon in LG - empty lot by Mamacitas,

1:30 pm in Pendleton, parking lot across from Chamber

Boise:  Feb. 25h Friday:  1pm.  Downtown - Recycling Center at State & 16th (Albertsons) Orders due:  Feb. 23rd

Portland:  Feb. 12th

 

March: St. Patricks Day!  YES!  We have brisquet!  (cure your own). 

Eastern Oregon:  March 11th, Friday (same times locations as above) Orders Due: March 9th

Boise:  March 25th, Friday.  Same times locations as above!  Orders Due: March March 23rd

Portland:  Market starts March 19th

 

April:  Easter is April 24th !  Leg of Lamb, Lamb Kabobs, and, we have whole lambs cut and wrapped, in storage - processed in November.

Eastern Oregon:  Friday, April 8th  Orders Due April 6th

Boise:  First Market!!!!  April 16th  Market Preorders Due April 14th

Portland Market - every Saturday!

 

Hope you are all staying warm and cozy!

"You Must Be Here for the Livestock!"...a Thanksgiving Eve Story

 Chick Route On Monday

On Monday, of Thanksgiving week, 100 freshly hatched Rhode Island Red chicks were born in Mt. Healthy, Ohio, and shipped, to us, live.  That would be 2,069.99 miles away - according to Map Quest (click on link above). 

Question, you ask?  Why in the throws of winter would we want baby chicks? 
Answer: Because it takes 4-6 months to get to 'egg laying' production and we need more eggs for our markets that start in late March!   And, Rhode Island Red chickens are one of our favorites!!!  They make nice hens.  They are friendly.  They are fun to talk to and watch.  The roosters however, are mean nasty things (The  King Rooster that terrorized Jake shall live in infamy!). 

Back to the story:  The baby chicks were to arrive on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.  Our mail does not get delivered to our mailbox, at the end of our lane until sometime after 2:30 pm (we are the last on the route), so when 'live chicks' get delivered to our Post Office, on the 7am morning truck (the only delivery truck of the day) the Post Office calls us, and we get to go pick them up, in Haines, 7 miles away.

Quick!  Who remembers what happened the last time I went to pick up chicks?  Anyone?  Why, yes, I did lock them in my car, with my keys, and keyless entry code!  Oh yes.  That was a memorable event:).  

Again.. back to the story:  It usually takes 2 days for chicks to get to us if all things go 'smoothly' and as planned.

On Monday, however, the phone did not ring at 7:30 am. The roads were icy, and we were still recovering from 'the frigid temps' that braced our region earlier in the week.  I called the Post Office and the line was continuously busy.  So, I warmed up the car, put on my Eskimo gear, and went to 'pick up chicks'...as they say.

Result? No chicks in Haines.  Next step?  Tracking them down.

Dick called the hatchery in Ohio.

The hatchery said the first truck broke down, and they moved them to an 'Express Truck' and they were to arrive that afternoon.  Unfortunately, as I said earlier, we don't get shipments at our Post Office in the afternoon.  Instead, they wait in Pendleton (the nearest hub) and are held until the next morning's truck ships.  And, since the 'next day' was going to be Thanksgiving, the truck would not be coming until Friday.

Our 2day shipment was becoming 5 days.    .

Long story short?  The chicks were still en-route 'somewhere' in Oregon and would not arrive in Haines until Friday.  And, by that time, they would probably be itty bitty popsicles.

Chick Route on Wednesday

I have to say, our Haines Post Office lady stepped it into high gear.  She called Pendleton and they said 'nope, no chicks here'.  So, I got the Pendleton number from her to find out all the truck schedules to see if we could intercept the chicks.  My first call was not very successful.  I was informed by a grumpy person (it was about 8:30 am) that there would be three 'express' deliveries, one at 10:30 am, one at 8 pm and one at 10pm... She took my number and was to call me to let me know if our chicks made the 0:30 am delivery.

She never called.  At 11:00 am I called again, and a very nice helpful and concerned man said the chicks did not make the 10:30am delivery.  He was more sympathetic to my story that we live 90 miles away, and that the chicks had not arrived, and we were somewhat under a 'life and dealth' situation with 100 baby chicks.  HE took my number and called back within 10 minutes.  He tracked down the chicks!  He found them in Portland.. and found out they would be arriving that evening in Pendleton at 10:30 pm.  He said they were still alive!  Yeah!  So... this very nice USPS civil servant took it upon himself to alert the night crew that we would be driving, from 90 miles away, over two mountain passes, to come get our chicks (he might not have said all of that..but that is what it took!).

With this kind man's help, we arranged to meet the truck at the loading dock at 10:30 pm.   Dick and Sami were the rescue team.

At 9:15 pm, and after a short nap, the crew hit the road - with extreme weather gear just in case they got stuck, and with leftover Halloween Candy to keep them awake!

Rescue Team's Midnight Run Route

Now.. the rumor is the driving assistant ate a ton of candy, and 30 miles into the trip, she fell asleep - after asking her daddy if he could make the drive without her 'trying to keep him awake' - and he did.  (He also said he was surprised she could fall asleep after that much sugar!).  Sami did wake once they arrived in Pendleton.

And, they got to the back door, saw two trucks and got the loading crew's attention.. to which one said ...

"You must be here for the livestock!"

The drivers from Portland were dialed into the situation and kept the baby chicks up front with them to keep them warm (so sweet!!!! ). 

After thank yous and stories were exchanged, my crew called me at 11pm to let me know they were on their way home.  They arrived at 12:30 am.. Thanksgiving morning...

Sami went directly to bed and Dick got the chicks setup in their new cozy home - under a heat lamp, with a blanket blocking airflow, in the brown shed, and with Ernest, our 15 year old dog, as their official night sitter (Ernest had been sleeping outside, shivering on the front step area, during our 'below zero' temps, and he now has his own special bed 'inside' the brown shed as well)...

Note:  Our brown shed is actually a three car garage - converted to 'a shed'.  And it is brown.  Hence.  Brown Shed.
Update:  Every single one of the baby chicks are alive and well.  Sami takes care of them daily, with Ernest making sure no intruders enter the brown shed (because last year, one of our kitties developed an appetite for baby chicks and she slaughtered quite a few..that kitty was moved to the hay barn 2 miles down the road - where she now has a thriving career keeping the mouse population at bay).

And, so.. on our Thanksgiving Day we were thankful for safe roads with a waning moon to guide the way,  left over Halloween Candy, sweet and sympathetic Postal Employees who go the extra mile, and 100 new baby chicks!

And, naps.

Winter Photos and Thanksgiving Thoughts

Jake - Doing chores Monday morning - hauling food.  I haul the water

Can you see the sheep in the back?  Snow covered - or frost.

And here he comes out to the field - I love the moon! 

Jake wondering what I am up to so early with my camera at 6:45 am!

Last Friday - I caught a glimpse of the waxing moon and the Eagle Caps

I love the full moon!  Of course, right here it still has 2 more nights to go! 

Back to Monday's Chores - Ernest our 15 year old dog in front, Lefty further back.

Apples!

My drive to Boise Monday morning.  I left at 8am with frozen windshield wipers!

The Opera Singer Tree - On our place, 2 miles down from home

It's beginning to feel and look a lot like Winter!! (sung to your favorite Christmas tune!)....

It's been snowing off and on since Sunday.  Then when it's not snowing, it's bitter cold!
Yesterday we woke to 10 degrees.  This morning?  Ten below!

We are hauling water out to the free-range chickens - they have not been moved yet to their winter 'cozy' housing, so, alas, they are at our mercy and frequent water checks!  The water is freezing up every 3 hours or so.  I had Jake gather eggs at 10am - I'm afraid they will freeze if we leave them out too long!

And speaking of chickens, our next batch of future egg layers, 100 of them, were supposed to arrive this morning at the Haines Post Office, but they were MIA when I drove to town.  The shipper forgot to call and inform us that they are coming express mail.  After some research we found out they are in Portland, and don't get to their next stop  - a later shipment - until 10:30 pm tonight, in Pendleton.  What were they thinking doing this during Thanksgiving week?  So, Dick and the kids are driving tonight, 1.5 hours away, to get them and come back.  They are meeting the truck.  The Post Office will not be open. And, there are no deliveries tomorrow, after-all.   They would be dead if they had to wait until Friday.  So much for Express. 

Ernest, our 15 year old dog got to sleep in the house night before last.  I was afraid for him.  He was sleeping out in the cold on the front step, refusing to be in his spot.  So, I brought him in and covered him with blankies on the hall carpet.  Did I mention he is 15 years old?  Oh my gosh... I am starting to cry as I write this!  I love this dog.. He was given to us as a puppy as a wedding gift. He was a fat, rolly polly little guy and Dick named him Ernest Tubbs (after the CW singer, of course!).   And that little puppy was at the mercy of a very green ranch wife!  I was given the job to go do something with an electric fence one day, and he came with me.  This was at our ranch in CA - in the foothills west of Artois/Willows.  Way out at the end of a 7 mile dirt road.  Anyway, Ernest and I were on a quad, on a good sloped hill, and poof!  He tumbled off!

I have photos of this dog kissing our first born when she came home from the hospital.


He grew up being 'the mean dog'.  Very protective of all things around the house.  I worried that he would snap at the kids.  He snapped at everyone else!  They were and are his babies...  He walks them to the school bus when his bones aren't bothering him.

He's retired.  He sits out and watches Dick and the younger dogs as they drive around on the ranch - his 'flying nun' ears perked out at the sides of his head.

Wow.. I didn't mean for this to be about Ernest!  But he has been on my mind a lot. 

Where am I going with all of 'this' on this Thanksgiving Eve?

1. I'm Thankful.  I'm thankful for a warm house on a bitter cold day - and that the wood that heats our entire house comes off our ranch.
2. I'm Thankful that 100 chicks are still alive, and that three of us see tonight's trip as a Grand Adventure..with the moon to guide them across two mountain passes, and it will be the only clear night this week. (Thank you God for holding the storms at bay).
3.  Sami is thankful that she did not move her 'babies' (bummer lambs from May) into the far field with the other sheep - where two other lambs got killed - one each, these  last two nights during the full moon. 
4.  I'm thankful that all those sheep are now safe here, by the house, where we can keep an eye on them:)
5.  I'm thankful to you, our customers who buy our products and tell us you love what we are doing, and that you are amazingly.. thankful for the lifestyle we have chosen.  My heart goes out to all of you.

Thank you, for helping us put good healthy and local foods on our own table.  Because of our customers, we are in places we would never venture - Dick goes to Portland every Saturday!  This is a man who would rather stay on the ranch than ever go to town.  And look!  Each week he drives to the city, and meets people!  My gosh how he has changed! 

And you, our customers, have given us the opportunity to meet other amazingly wonderful vendors that are also raising beautiful healthy products. 

Tomorrow our Thanksgiving Table will have:  Leg of lamb - ours; Brussels sprouts (still on the stalk right now) from a Portland vendor; purple artichokes from another Portland Vendor, potatoes in our garlic mashed potatoes from North Powder and garlic from a La Grande vendor - Arrowleaf Farms, eggs in the desserts from our chickens, and apples from our trees in our apple pie, and a beautiful bottle of red wine, from Cove. 

Thank you all, for this bounty. And thank you for your friendships.
We are truly Grateful!