Our Branding is Over!!!

Boy I sure like that our branding is done.  I much prefer to go to other people's brandings than our own, much more relaxing and enjoyable.  But it went well and a fun time was had.

I never did end up rounding  up because all the sudden we had a whole bunch of people who wanted to help and so I just took pics of them coming in.  Then they did about 120 and took a beer break.  We had a second bunch in a separate pasture close by and after they let the done calves out, they rounded up the second bunch and then did them.  I left to go back to the house and finish up the meal at the beer break.  I try to get all my food ahead of time so I don't have to cook all day.

We had roast beef I cook and cut up with my slicer and reheat it in its juices, a ham that I cooked on the BBQ, hashbrown casserole, a pasta salad, corn, buns and donuts for desert.

(this calf escaped while we were cutting out cows

 so he got roped and dragged back in)

Ever since Neil's Mom and Dad moved to town 15 or so years ago they been bringing out Tim Horton's donuts and so we don't have to bake.  This year they were up at Handhills Rodeo for the weekend so just stopped here on Sunday night on the way home so no donuts.

 (smoke from the branding fire)

So since Susan wasn't coming with buns either, I headed to town yesterday morning and bought a few groceries and the donuts of course and headed home.  On the way home I saw 3 elk on the side of the road, so I stopped to get a picture of them.  They are around in this country, but we sure don't see them very often.  Reminds me why I take my camera everywhere.

 (Andy riding the horse they are selling raffle tickets on)

(Our other roper, Grant)

We had lots of help and it all went well and the last people left about quarter to 11, so all in all it was a good day.  Now today is a recovery day then branding Wed and Thurs again.  Both evening branding too, which is kinda nice so we can get stuff done during the day before we go.  We also do evening, roundup around 3 and brand at 5, so we eat about 8.  Seems to work really well.

(the second bunch comin in, with Linda's

 phone in cause she was takin pics too)