Day to Remember
Memorial Day Commemoration 2008 (Photo credit: davidyuweb)
We call this day Memorial Day because we are meant to remember the people in our lives who have been lost to death. We deem remembering so important, in fact, that we have set aside a whole day, for thinking of the people in our lives who have crossed the threshold into eternity. The day seems to be spent, often with family and friends, cooking outdoors, sharing some pre-summer sun, perhaps working in the yard. All of those things are worth doing and we wish everyone safety and fun in their endeavors, but we wish everyone something else. If on this day you have a lost someone you are thinking of, we hope that your thoughts will be filled with joy, with memories of all they meant to you, with laughter for all the funny times that life throws our way, with tears for the days you wish you could talk to them just one more time, with contentment for knowing that you have loved someone enough to carry them in your heart always. Pine Country Feed wishes you a happy and memorable Memorial Day!
Then there is This
Warm weather is the call of the day – the time when faces turn to the sun and hearts to the carefree days of late spring. Coffee on the porch in the early morning, a mid afternoon venture through the back pasture astride the mare that always knows just how you feel, the first taste of quiet, breezy evenings when the sun seems reluctant to sink behind the hills. We are determined this year to experience the moments instead of the seasons, to relish the whispers and cling to the reminders that life is a fleeting fancy that should be treasured for its possibilities. We are blessed with the wealth of family and friends and the joy of today and we wish all of you the wonder and warmth of the late, sweet spring.
Chick Days
CHICK DAYS ARE HERE! Starting today and going through the weekend you can fill your coop with some of the fluffy stuff, and the amazing thing is – they all grow into egg laying hens! Choose from Araucaunas, California Whites, Buff Orphingtons, Rhode Island Reds & Plymouth Barred Rock, and we’ll even have a few ducks. This is a favorite time of year at Pine Country Feed, so stop in for the party!
Definition of a Hero
Today we are reminded that we live amongst people who sacrifice every day for our good. The Volunteer Firefighters of Elk Creek, Indian Hills, Inter Canyon, Platte Canyon and Evergreen have all joined the Volunteers from the North Fork Fire District in an effort to fight a bigger than average foe. Wild fire has come to Colorado and our mountain area volunteers will put in many exhausting hours in the days and nights ahead to do what they can stop the burn. Two people have lost their lives and thousands have been evacuated or are on evacuation alert from their homes and at this point there is no containment. We are praying today for the safety and comfort of these families, and the protection of our Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. We are indebted to them and thank them for their sacrifice. Heroes are people who do what they can whenever they’re needed regardless of the possible outcome.
Posterity
It isn’t that it gets great mileage, because it doesn’t, or that you’ve got some kind of hang up about the wheels you get around in. It’s that when you’re behind the wheel of the midnight blue, 1951 Ford Pick-up you feel like you belong, like the direction you’re going might actually lead to something. There is a comfort in knowing that your truck has been around longer than you have, and it still turns heads as it drives Main Street. Parked on the springy leather bench seat, windows down, stick shift waiting for your next command, makes it all seem real, like the things we commit ourselves to every day make a difference in the long run. Having a thing that has lasted through decades of change and the evolution of the truck into a monolith on wheels is reassuring, and it’s right to cherish something that has given over three hundred thousand miles and still purrs on idle. So turn on the radio and move on down the road. You and the Ford are going places today, and you may never come back.
Pine Country Christmas Joy
It is Christmas at Pine Country Feed and that means we are wrapped in the spirit of the holiday. Our shelves are stocked with the things you won’t find elsewhere to give to that person who has stolen your heart. Being in love at Christmas just triples the joy of the season and you can make the happiness last with a cowboy hat or duster or both for your favorite buckaroo. There a belts and hats and jackets and scarves and “to die for” jewelry for your cowgirl sweetheart, and don’t leave without checking out the saddles. Stop in and browse and remember why you love this time of year at Pine Country Feed, where it’s a little more festive and a lot warmer than the mall. Pine Country Feed hopes your days leading up to Christmas are filled with delight and a reminder of how much we all have to be thankful for.
Horse of My Heart
Horses are often called upon for a variety of therapeutic reasons, and one of the most inspiring is the Excelsior Youth Center in Aurora, Colorado that uses Equine therapy for girls who have suffered great rejection and abuse in their young lives. It hasn’t been defined scientifically, but there seems to be something in the horse that makes them know when they are dealing with a fragile damaged being who needs their gentle assurance. The horses develop relationships with their riders, making the girls feel worthwhile and yes, even loved. As the director puts it, having this great beast waiting for you, happy to have you back, acknowledging that they know you, gives these girls whose young lives have offered little security a chance to trust again. The teachers and counselors at the center are continually amazed at the healing that the work with the horses encourages in the girls, and the girls make it clear they have found a place with their four legged friend where they are safe. The Excelsior Youth Center houses and educates over 100 girls currently and their equine program is in jeopardy for lack of funds. There are those who can help. If you are one, we invite you to visit http://www.excelsioryc.org/ and invest in something that counts.
Made for Each Other
There is something about horses and kids that make for a great marriage. It is like the story of the gorilla who loved the kitten, the mammoth being, meekly deferring to the tiny one, the one that could be swept away with one aggressive snort. Yet they stand together, nose to nose, one in deference to the other, because the horse, in its four legged splendor seems to understand that this smaller than average two legged creature is precious in some way, a treasure of some kind, and their keeping is a tremendous responsibility. It is the gentle and wise heart of the horse and innocent nature of the child that makes the mixture ideal, even magical. See them together and you will feel a smile spread across your lips, a lift of happiness in your step. Their gift is the perfect combination of generosity and delight and they are meant to be together.
Pine Country Pleasure
When the days are as cold as they have suddenly turned the idea of running from store to store, getting in and out of your car, walking the 5.3 miles around the average mall, standing in lines at the big stores, can be daunting, painstaking, heart wrenching. The wonder of it all is that it doesn’t have to be that way. At Pine Country Feed you can find gifts, small and large, and in every price range. Pine Country has everything from spurs to sparkly jewelry and you can shop in the elegance and peace of a quiet country store where they’re happy you came in. You’ll love the selection of jeans that actually fit and boots that will allow you to really kick up your heels. And while you’re there pick up a set of “red neck wine goblets” for someone you’re especially fond of. At Pine Country Feed we love animals, horses and dogs, cats, hamsters, sheep and chickens and we love people, and at Christmas we love pulling them all together so you can not only enjoy giving the gifts, you can enjoy shopping for them.
Encircle Me With Christmas
The time has come for home adornment and nothing says Christmas any clearer than the wreath. They can be hung over the fireplace, on the front door, anywhere you want to add a touch of celebration. The wreath has long been a symbol of eternity since its shape has no beginning and no end, and when it is made of the traditional pine boughs it also represents life and survival. The evergreen branch has long been used in wreaths to represent the struggle for survival. In Roman times a natural wreath was given to warriors as they returned home from war, as recognition of their victory in the battle. At Christmas the pine wreath symbolizes eternal life, and celebrates the passage of the dark days of winter, and let’s be honest, it smells great! If you’re looking for something to hang from year to year, the choices are endless. At Pine Country Feed we have an array of all natural, dried wreaths as well as some blingy beaded choices that will get things started right. Wrap your home in Christmas this season with a wreath on every door and a hug in every heart.
Get Festive
Thanksgiving is past and we are staring Christmas in the face, the lights, the trees, the packages and all the excitement. There is nothing quite a like a mountain Christmas on the ranch with horse drawn carriages and dark pine forests. Don’t let the splendor stop at the front door, bring it in and settle it on the hearth, right next to the rocking chair draped in Grandma’s quilt. Pine Country Feed is addicted to Christmas and helping you make your home the joy center it is meant to be. Simple, chic, loaded with rustic outdoor charm, you’ll find just what your house needs to say Christmas done right. There are items for the tree, the table and something perfect to take you to those holiday parties in style. Start your Christmas with a trip to the place that puts you in the holiday spirit the minute you walk through the door – Christmas at Pine Country Feed!
Joyful Shopping
When you’re getting ready for the upcoming holidays don’t forget about the four-legged family members who give us so much joy throughout the year. Pine Country Feed, though known for their larger animal supplies, also cater to the house pets in your life. You’ll find favorite toys, bones for chewing, the best foods and treats, and Pine Country will help you put it all together in a snuggly bed for your furry friend. While you’re there be sure to take a trip upstairs to the cowgirl boutique where you’ll be delighted by the Christmas decorations and the myriad choices of gifts that you haven’t seen anywhere else. The great part is, you won’t have to go to the mall where you’ll look for parking and walk a good mile and a half to finally get to the store that carries your mom’s favorite hand cream. Be adventurous and skip the slippers for your sister. It’s time she had a blingy belt, or a turquoise encrusted pillow. The shopping you do at Pine Country Feed will leave you feeling refreshed instead of frazzled and the gifts you give will be one of a kind and from the heart!
As Far as the Eye Can See
There is a place in your house where nearly every person who enters your home will at least see, and many of them will spend some time, and that is the bathroom. Don’t let your bathroom be an afterthought in relationship to the rest of the rooms by filling it with nothing but towels and toilet paper. Let the theme of your household décor carry over to this probably smallest, but most important of rooms. Tie in your rustic chic with a wiry beaded garland over the mirror with rusted iron stars intermingled amongst the twists and turns. Switch plates, soap dishes, towel racks and hooks for jackets or bath robes 
come in a variety of themed fashions that can dress your room in everything from wrought iron twigs to horseshoes. Why not stuff a basket with fluffy towels and a fringed leather pillow, and don’t forget the lighting. Shades trimmed out in leather laces, or embedded with malachite and jet will bring the flair to the room that you’re looking for. Tooled leather, pounded tin, rough hewn wood – all textures that can serve as art on the walls and Pine Country Feed has it all.
The Worthy Pumpkin
Pumpkin Puppy
With Thanksgiving in view we feel we must give another nod to pumpkin – the magical food of autumn. It is good for so many things, and comes conveniently unfettered, already pureed in cans from the grocery store, making it simple to use even on the busiest cooking day of the year. Of course pumpkin pie will be on the menu for much of America next week, as well as pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cupcakes and pumpkin bread. Some interesting dishes that we have come across are pumpkin squash lasagna, and spicy pumpkin ravioli with a touch of habanera pepper (go to Martha Stewart online). Pumpkin brings high nutritional value to your table being high in vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and dietary fiber besides being low in calories, with only 83 in an entire cup. The biggest unexpected plus about pumpkin is what it does for your dog. If your four legged family member suffers from a sensitive tummy, causing picky eating or diarrhea, a tablespoon of pumpkin with their regular food can make a huge difference, and we speak from experience. Your dog will love the somewhat sweet taste and it is good for the coat, eyes and bones, not to mention, everyone’s disposition!
Perk, Drip, Press but Definitely Pour
If you don’t understand that many of life’s issues arise over want of a descent cup of coffee, it is time you learned. When you’re sipping a brew with just the right heady aroma, and that extra soul soothing richness that can be found only in superior blends of freshly roasted beans, it is impossible to be angry with the person sitting across from you, as long as they are sharing in the ritual cup. Sharing the luxury of artisan coffee, brewed to perfection puts things in perspective, makes a lot of pesky differences seem unimportant. Will our worry improve the economy by even the slightest measure? It will not. Will traffic decrease by as much as an automobile if we are angry about it? It will not. Will having a cup of exceptional coffee in the midst of a day that is over hectic and a world that is spinning out of control settle a mantle of peace over your soul and a sense of well-being in your heart? It will. At Pine Country Feed we believe in bringing an injection of positive into the everyday whenever possible. Look for your injection, arriving soon at Pine Country – coffee that will bring you joy!
Do it Right
The right pair of jeans is similar in importance to the right hair cut. They have to fit properly, and comfort is a must, and it is best if they have that little something extra that says “now that’s a pair of jeans”. Pine Country Feed gets the whole “jeans are my life” way of thinking and they carry a fabulous selection of just right, soft as butter denim duds that will put you on the cover of “got it goin’ on” magazine. There are only a few things in life that can actually turn your attitude around in an instant but slipping into that perfect fit, with just the right amount of flair is one of them. Pair your jeans with a perfectly feminine, astoundingly stylish cowgirl designer top and you will be ready to bring in the herd or go out on the town, or both. Get out to Pine Country and see if you don’t fall in love, over and over again.
Rope a Winner
So it’s your turn to host the clan for the Thanksgiving extravaganza and you’re trying to decide if there is a way to get the house in presentable “haven’t seen these people in a year” shape without tearing the whole place down and starting over. The key to your success is in the details. When you clean your house remove all of the current accent pieces, the ones you have had out since you moved into the house, and start fresh. Clear the pillows from the petrified sofa and the colorless vase from the mantle and begin your adventure into tasteful, always inviting, cowgirl chic. A pillow with leather fringe and a pounded metal, bling ridden receptacle for your mums will bring new life to the old walls, without the hours of work that you should spend making your pies. Dress your house for the holiday in a way that will have them stopping and smiling and thinking how truly clever you are. Pine Country Feed will set you up in a quick morning’s stop, and send you on your way with a treasure trove of wow!
Cowboy Stampede
Out on the range, when there’s nothing to answer but the call of the wild, and the only clock you have is shining overhead, things seem to make sense. The little things start to matter more and all the other stuff kind of gets lost in the dust.
A Stitch in Time
In 1873, immigrants David Jacobs and Levi Strauss, combined their talents and resources and came up with a new phenomenon, called Waist Overhalls, more commonly known as jeans. From this first creation of denim thread and metal rivets, the single most popular clothing item in the history the world has taken shape, and variations are endless. Brilliant because of their durability and style, practical because they last forever and get the job done, jeans are synonymous with hard work and high fashion all at the same time. When women finally started wearing “trousers” in the forties and then “slacks” in the fifties, a proper pair of women’s jeans weren’t far behind. Cowgirl Tough Jeans have taken the jean world by storm, doing their well-fitting best to make women’s legs look longer, behinds firmer, and all with a sense of wild west chic. Pine Country Feed has the good sense to carry a product that goes so far in making women’s fashion about comfort, style and ease of care. Proud to carry the Cowgirl Tough brand, Pine Country is the place you’ll find a treasure around every corner.
The Joy of the Brew
Whether you prefer your coffee prepared by a sock of grounds thrown into a boiling tin pot over an open flame, or delicately encouraged to the height of flavor in a fine French press, it is an undeniable truth that coffee is the perfect blend of piping hot remedy and sheer spiritual experience. A cup of coffee, brewed to perfection with just the right amount of thick cream can serve as the only solution to a day that has run amuck, working its magic in sips of aromatic assurance, quieting even the most annoying voices in your head. Served after an enjoyable meal it will begin the evening with the grace and elegance of a string quartet, spreading its peaceful presence through body and mind like the music of a bygone era. Whatever the occasion, there is a coffee to make it richer, which is why Pine Country
Feed is looking forward to the introduction of its own private label, mountain roasted blend with great anticipation. A coffee blended with our deserving customers in mind. Just one more way we are letting you know that you matter to us and we want you to be blissfully happy.
Make Hay While the Sun Shines
There is much concern over dwindling hay supplies and everyone is looking for alternatives. Equipride and Equilix are great products that provide digestive improvement from their unique blend of yeast, enzymes, prebiotics, vitamins and minerals that help maintain health while reducing costs because feed is digested more efficiently. Equipride and Equilix products are available at Pine Country Feed. Mention this post and receive $5 off 25lb bucket, $10 off 50lb bag, $5 off 50 lb lick tub and $10 off 125lb lick tub. Discount good thru 11-13-11 Here are some other really great benefits for your horse:
- Improved digestion
- Up to 25% less forage needed
- Helps combat digestive colicing
- A shiny and healthy hair coat
- Stronger, faster growing hooves
- Promotes blood flow to the lamina
- Better lubricity of joints
- Strength and endurance without getting hot or high
- Increased energy, vitality and stamina
- Improved temperament and calmness
- Hard Keepers gain weight
- Bright clear eyes
- Boosts the respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels
- Overall health improvement
Check out their website for more information www.sweetpro.com
If you are interested in this product for your sheep, goats or cattle… just ask - Pine Country can special order lick tubs for your specific needs.
Kick it Up
How about taking some of that Wild West ingenuity and spicing up the office – the place where the same work gets done every day and the brain begins to atrophy. We are told that the office requires professionalism and it does, but professional does not need to be synonymous with a “gee, I hope the parole board grants me an early release”. There is no place where the manifestation of your personality is more important than in your office, because remember, you weren’t hired to fill a chair, or because you were exactly like the person they just got rid of. They saw a spark in you, and you need to fan that ember into a nice warm fire that tells the people you work with that things are going to happen when you’re in the room, so they just better get ready. Hang cowboy hats on the coat rack, and wear one from time to time, put a painting of a horse in a full out run on the wall opposite your desk. It will remind you that there is life out there waiting for you. Hang spurs on the doorknob and throw an Indian blanket over the leather side chair. If someone questions whether or not you are behaving in a professional manner, explain that you absolutely are – a professional cowgirl.
Missing the Wild
So we have recently found the choices for big cinema entertainment wanting, and we have finally put our finger on the problem. The movies tend to parade leading men across the screen who obviously spend a good portion of their time in the gym, not necessarily bad. But we are bothered by the fact that only a small handful of the real leaders could manage a ride on a horse. They simply wouldn’t look right astride one of the glorious equines of the Hollywood 40s and 50s and we can’t even imagine most of them being able to get on the horse without major injury. Cowboy movies, the real westerns that put the country west of the Mississippi on the map, needed men to be rugged, not fit necessarily, but tough, and since the horse has been removed as one of Hollywood’s main characters, that element of grit, of rock solid, take no prisoners, don’t make me pull my six shooter persona has faded to black. There have been a few westerns in the past decade that have proven that there are a few of those boys left, but too few to our liking. Somehow being able to download the secrets of the defense department before the guy in the suit walks into the room just doesn’t give off the same aura as a man who can control his horse with the reigns in his teeth, riding at the speed of locomotion, while he wields both of his guns with the accuracy of a sharpshooter. Imagine.
