A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine suggested that a good start on posting more regularly would be every three months... I just looked at the date of my last post and realized that I'm pushing that time frame! I have serious doubts as if I will ever be an every-week kind of blogger, but perhaps I can attempt more regularity at the very least.
Anyhow, things are humming along here at the Batzer Homestead and Twin Mountain Saddlery. We just enjoyed the Fredonia Homecoming festivities. JP and I were on the Cub Scout float in the parade and I had a booth for TMS on the square afterwards. It was an enjoyable (albeit exhausting) day!
And now we're heading full steam into my favorite time of the the year... Fall (or Autumn, depending on what mood one is in). What's not to love about Autumn? Cooler weather, colorful leaves, and a crispness in the air make for a wonderful season. And who can forget Thanksgiving? My taste buds are already salivating!
Well, I suppose that's enough rambling for now. Next time I'll fill you in on dairy cows, saddle repairs and my new nephew in Oregon. Until then, happy trails, and have a blessed day!
~ David
II Cor. 4:18
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Friday, July 29, 2016
The Return (?) of the Saddlemaker
Well, well, well... it's seems like ages since I've "blogged". To be exact it's been 28 months, and a lifetime of events has happened in those two years. I started and "finished" a new job/career, and now I'm back to saddle-making and training horses. Jess is doing great with her job at the Wilson County Appraiser's office. JP is going to be in 1st grade this year, and he excelled in kindergarten (Really, what parent wouldn't say that? In this case it's very true... he already reads at a 3rd grade level!) Zeke has turned into a very independent 4 year old who will sooner than later be bigger than his big brother.
More important than any other event in the past two years (not to diminish any other events, but this truly was the "capstone" event).... Jessica and I had our third beautiful baby boy, Malachi Tiberius Batzer, on March 11th, 2015!!! He is our little bundle of joy (even if he is 16 months old and almost 22 lbs)! Still holding out hope for a little girl... :)
I really need to get back to doing this on a weekly basis. Consider this the first step in a bigger journey. I know this post is short and sweet, but that's all that time allows for at the moment. God bless and happy trails! See ya soon!
David
Romans 1:17
More important than any other event in the past two years (not to diminish any other events, but this truly was the "capstone" event).... Jessica and I had our third beautiful baby boy, Malachi Tiberius Batzer, on March 11th, 2015!!! He is our little bundle of joy (even if he is 16 months old and almost 22 lbs)! Still holding out hope for a little girl... :)
I really need to get back to doing this on a weekly basis. Consider this the first step in a bigger journey. I know this post is short and sweet, but that's all that time allows for at the moment. God bless and happy trails! See ya soon!
David
Romans 1:17
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Transition...
(otherwise know as: it seems like we just moved to Fredonia and now we're looking to move again)
Ok, we're not moving far... in fact, we're staying in the Fredonia area. Just looking to move out into the country. The house we're renting is for sale and they are constantly showing it to potential buyers. As you may imagine this is getting slightly stressful as we have no idea when or if it may sell.
Anyhow, there are a couple of really nice places we have looked at and will probably make a decision this week. I'll keep y'all posted with what we decide to do, and if anyone wants to help us move (lol)...
God is constantly blessing us and I know He'll continue to do so. It is all in His hands and with that in mind I have complete faith we will end up in the best possible place for us to be!!!
Well, gotta run... have a blessed day, y'all! :)
~David
1 John 3:16 (not to be confused with John 3:16)
Ok, we're not moving far... in fact, we're staying in the Fredonia area. Just looking to move out into the country. The house we're renting is for sale and they are constantly showing it to potential buyers. As you may imagine this is getting slightly stressful as we have no idea when or if it may sell.
Anyhow, there are a couple of really nice places we have looked at and will probably make a decision this week. I'll keep y'all posted with what we decide to do, and if anyone wants to help us move (lol)...
God is constantly blessing us and I know He'll continue to do so. It is all in His hands and with that in mind I have complete faith we will end up in the best possible place for us to be!!!
Well, gotta run... have a blessed day, y'all! :)
~David
1 John 3:16 (not to be confused with John 3:16)
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Back in Kansas!
Well folks... I'm home from Dale Moore's Montana Horseman Saddle Building School! Now it's time to hit the floor running :) It's great to be home. I arrived in time to spend Valentine's Day with Jess, and even have a date night (childcare provided at the church) on Saturday. I'm glad I'm back with my wife and kids!
Things are moving along with setting up the saddle shop. Lots of happenings... just are few are:
Adios for now... God Bless and Happy Trails!
~ David
Psalm 32:1-5
Things are moving along with setting up the saddle shop. Lots of happenings... just are few are:
- new website - www.twinmountainsaddlery.com
- possible storefront (trust in the Lord and He will provide what we need)
- a couple of small orders
- blessings from the Lord!!!
Adios for now... God Bless and Happy Trails!
~ David
Psalm 32:1-5
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
There and back again...
...otherwise known as "it's the last few days of Saddle School and I'm heading home on Saturday"! I should be arriving in Fredonia on the 13th of February, just in time for Valentine's Day. Anyhow, back to the present. Saddle School with Dale Moore has been fantastic. I am almost 100% done with my very first saddle flying solo. I'll put up some pictures sometime this weekend. I hope to put together a step-by-step in the next few weeks to walk all of y'all thru how a custom saddle is built. Very interesting stuff!
I do feel extremely blessed to have been able to spend the past 5 weeks in Belgrade, MT. I got to visit a friend I hadn't seen in nearly 12 years (great seeing ya, Ryan... next time dinner is on me), I've made some new friends (Dale, Norma, Doug, Stuart and Shawn), and somewhere along the way I learned a new trade. God has been very good to me and my family!
I guess that's about all for this very condensed post. Lots to do and a short time to do it! Adios for now...
God Bless and Happy Trails!
David
Phil 4:13
I do feel extremely blessed to have been able to spend the past 5 weeks in Belgrade, MT. I got to visit a friend I hadn't seen in nearly 12 years (great seeing ya, Ryan... next time dinner is on me), I've made some new friends (Dale, Norma, Doug, Stuart and Shawn), and somewhere along the way I learned a new trade. God has been very good to me and my family!
I guess that's about all for this very condensed post. Lots to do and a short time to do it! Adios for now...
God Bless and Happy Trails!
David
Phil 4:13
Monday, January 27, 2014
I promised pics...
...and here they are! My first saddle, one made under the watchful eye of master saddle maker Dale Moore, was on a 15 1/2 inch Association tree. It features a 3/4 padded seat, Cheyenne roll, and an arrow-basket stamp design throughout the saddle. "Lambert" (named for the customer who ordered it) took just over a week and a half to build. I am definitely excited to be a saddle-maker!
I also helped build a Wade tree saddle that is waiting in Dale's saddle shop for someone to buy it. It has a rough-out seat with a beautiful padded inlay!
Anyhow, I'd better hit the hay so I can get back to work bright and early in the morning. I'm already working on my next saddle, so expect new pics sometime soon.
Adios and happy trails...
David
Hebrews 12:2
 | |
| Me and "Lambert" |
 |
| "Cliff" and "Lambert" |
I also helped build a Wade tree saddle that is waiting in Dale's saddle shop for someone to buy it. It has a rough-out seat with a beautiful padded inlay!
Anyhow, I'd better hit the hay so I can get back to work bright and early in the morning. I'm already working on my next saddle, so expect new pics sometime soon.
Adios and happy trails...
David
Hebrews 12:2
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Saddle School Week 2
Howdy Y'all!
Ok, so I haven't posted as much as I thought I would. Class runs from 8-4 every day, and then I end up working here in the shop with the other guys in class until it's time to go to bed. No complaints though... on the contrary, I'm really having a great time and learning more than I thought possible in the short amount of time I've been here.
Dale Moore, our instructor, is a retired teacher and principal. He is a great guy! He is super knowledgeable about saddles, horses, packing & outfitting, as he grew up with horses and has been riding all of his life. I couldn't imagine learning from a better person.
We are in two teams to two working on "demo" saddle for Dale's shop. The saddle Stu and I are working on... well, perhaps I should introduce my classmates first: Stu is our resident Canadian. He was on the ark with Noah (really he's in his 50's). Doug is the closest to being a local-yokal. He lives in Idaho just a couple of hours away. Shawn came the furthest to be here. He is from Mississippi. Both Doug and Shawn are military... Doug is recently retired and Shawn just got out.
Anyhow, our saddle is already sold so it's been a bit stressful at times knowing we are making a product someone has already partially paid for! So far so good. We should be done by Saturday, and then I'll post some pics. On Monday we start our own saddles and tack!
Anyhow, God Bless to all of y'all. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, and if any of you want a custom hand-made saddle I'll be up and running sometime next month! Adios for now...
David
Col 1:1-12
Ok, so I haven't posted as much as I thought I would. Class runs from 8-4 every day, and then I end up working here in the shop with the other guys in class until it's time to go to bed. No complaints though... on the contrary, I'm really having a great time and learning more than I thought possible in the short amount of time I've been here.
Dale Moore, our instructor, is a retired teacher and principal. He is a great guy! He is super knowledgeable about saddles, horses, packing & outfitting, as he grew up with horses and has been riding all of his life. I couldn't imagine learning from a better person.
We are in two teams to two working on "demo" saddle for Dale's shop. The saddle Stu and I are working on... well, perhaps I should introduce my classmates first: Stu is our resident Canadian. He was on the ark with Noah (really he's in his 50's). Doug is the closest to being a local-yokal. He lives in Idaho just a couple of hours away. Shawn came the furthest to be here. He is from Mississippi. Both Doug and Shawn are military... Doug is recently retired and Shawn just got out.
Anyhow, our saddle is already sold so it's been a bit stressful at times knowing we are making a product someone has already partially paid for! So far so good. We should be done by Saturday, and then I'll post some pics. On Monday we start our own saddles and tack!
Anyhow, God Bless to all of y'all. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, and if any of you want a custom hand-made saddle I'll be up and running sometime next month! Adios for now...
David
Col 1:1-12
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Welcom to the New Year
Wow... time really does fly. I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. I didn't even get around to doing a Merry Christmas post. Soooo.... Merry Christmas! May the blessings of Jesus Christ abound with you and yours this coming year and for all eternity :)
Christmas really was a busy time at our household. We went to Colorado to spend 10 days with my family in the San Luis Valley. It was a lot of fun. The boys got to go on their first sledding excursion! On Christmas day we were back in Kansas and spent time with Jess's folks. It was a wonderful time with family.
The holiday season was a whirlwind, but it was a lot of fun and very rewarding. God has been so good to us, and now He has enabled me to embark on a new and exciting adventure. I am currently in a motel room in Sheridan, WY (where it is -5 outside) getting ready to start up the truck and head on to Belgrade, MT. I know you are wondering why in the world I would be going to Belgrade, MT... without my family... for 5 weeks... in the middle of winter (that's a whole lot of wondering, by the way).
It just so happens that I am attending Dale Moore's Montana Horseman Saddle Building School. Some of you know that I have been into leather working for quite a while now, and it just seemed like the time was right to take it a step further and get into the business. When I return I will be opening a saddle shop in Fredonia, KS. Jess and I are both excited for this awesome opportunity. Actually, JP may be more excited than both of us. I have already been instructed to send pictures of my teachers, new friends, and all the saddles. He also says that when I get home he will be going to his very own saddle school. :) I am so lucky to have such a great family to love and cherish.
In the coming days (I have evenings free) I will update y'all on what's going on with the school, as well as future plans that the Lord has blessed me and my family with. I know I will post at least once a week, and perhaps more depending on the time...
For now, Merry Christmas (again... can't say it enough) and Happy New Year. May your days be filled with blessing and the hope of Jesus Christ!
Adios and Happy Trails...
~David
Ephesians 1:3-12
Christmas really was a busy time at our household. We went to Colorado to spend 10 days with my family in the San Luis Valley. It was a lot of fun. The boys got to go on their first sledding excursion! On Christmas day we were back in Kansas and spent time with Jess's folks. It was a wonderful time with family.
The holiday season was a whirlwind, but it was a lot of fun and very rewarding. God has been so good to us, and now He has enabled me to embark on a new and exciting adventure. I am currently in a motel room in Sheridan, WY (where it is -5 outside) getting ready to start up the truck and head on to Belgrade, MT. I know you are wondering why in the world I would be going to Belgrade, MT... without my family... for 5 weeks... in the middle of winter (that's a whole lot of wondering, by the way).
It just so happens that I am attending Dale Moore's Montana Horseman Saddle Building School. Some of you know that I have been into leather working for quite a while now, and it just seemed like the time was right to take it a step further and get into the business. When I return I will be opening a saddle shop in Fredonia, KS. Jess and I are both excited for this awesome opportunity. Actually, JP may be more excited than both of us. I have already been instructed to send pictures of my teachers, new friends, and all the saddles. He also says that when I get home he will be going to his very own saddle school. :) I am so lucky to have such a great family to love and cherish.
In the coming days (I have evenings free) I will update y'all on what's going on with the school, as well as future plans that the Lord has blessed me and my family with. I know I will post at least once a week, and perhaps more depending on the time...
For now, Merry Christmas (again... can't say it enough) and Happy New Year. May your days be filled with blessing and the hope of Jesus Christ!
Adios and Happy Trails...
~David
Ephesians 1:3-12
Monday, December 2, 2013
Post #3... Clear Creek Ranch (there and back again)
Last Tuesday was my third week to work the sale barn here in Fredonia. I've been stepped on and smashed by angry heifers, slammed in between gates, and hooked in the leg with a horn... and that was just the first two sales. Tuesday was uneventful. It was cold and we only ran about 400 head thru the auction. I suppose if two months ago you would have told me that I would go from being Barn Manager at a prestigious dude ranch to part-time help at a local sale barn, I wouldn't have really jumped with joy at the idea. But God works in mysterious ways...
Three years ago we took a chance on Clear Creek Ranch, and they took a chance on us. It worked out better than I could have ever hoped. It really shows that no matter how crazy something sounds, if God is opening the door it's always going to work out how He wants it to!
We met some amazing people at CCR. Rex and Aileen, the owners, were very good to us and the boys. I know we'll keep in touch and see them again down the road. From wranglers to workampers, we made some special friends while we were in NC. And there were also some very special guests of the ranch that will always be in our hearts. It would take pages to acknowledge everyone that I should, so I'll just say thank you for everything. I love each each and every one of you, and consider myself blessed for knowing you. :)
God moved us to NC and now He has moved us to KS. From the very moment I decided we were going to make the move it just felt like God was opening the door... and now more than ever I know that is the case! We are following God's plan, and that road only leads to greener pastures. I am really looking forward to what next year brings for me and my family.
And speaking of the family, please check out the new "all about the Batzers" page!
As always, God Bless and Happy Trails!
~David
John 10:27 - 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Last Tuesday was my third week to work the sale barn here in Fredonia. I've been stepped on and smashed by angry heifers, slammed in between gates, and hooked in the leg with a horn... and that was just the first two sales. Tuesday was uneventful. It was cold and we only ran about 400 head thru the auction. I suppose if two months ago you would have told me that I would go from being Barn Manager at a prestigious dude ranch to part-time help at a local sale barn, I wouldn't have really jumped with joy at the idea. But God works in mysterious ways...
Three years ago we took a chance on Clear Creek Ranch, and they took a chance on us. It worked out better than I could have ever hoped. It really shows that no matter how crazy something sounds, if God is opening the door it's always going to work out how He wants it to!
We met some amazing people at CCR. Rex and Aileen, the owners, were very good to us and the boys. I know we'll keep in touch and see them again down the road. From wranglers to workampers, we made some special friends while we were in NC. And there were also some very special guests of the ranch that will always be in our hearts. It would take pages to acknowledge everyone that I should, so I'll just say thank you for everything. I love each each and every one of you, and consider myself blessed for knowing you. :)
God moved us to NC and now He has moved us to KS. From the very moment I decided we were going to make the move it just felt like God was opening the door... and now more than ever I know that is the case! We are following God's plan, and that road only leads to greener pastures. I am really looking forward to what next year brings for me and my family.
And speaking of the family, please check out the new "all about the Batzers" page!
As always, God Bless and Happy Trails!
~David
John 10:27 - 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Post #2... Thanksgiving Edition
Happy Thanksgiving!!! I'll keep this short and sweet since I've got another post in the brewing. More than anything else I thank God for all the blessings in my life. My wife, my kids, my family and friends... they are all gifts from God. And I am most thankful for Jesus Christ and all He did and gave for me!
Thank you Jess, my loving wife... I am so blessed to have you as my bride :)
Thank you to everyone else I should be thanking.
God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
John 3:16 - give thanks for the greatest gift of all :)
Happy Thanksgiving!!! I'll keep this short and sweet since I've got another post in the brewing. More than anything else I thank God for all the blessings in my life. My wife, my kids, my family and friends... they are all gifts from God. And I am most thankful for Jesus Christ and all He did and gave for me!
Thank you Jess, my loving wife... I am so blessed to have you as my bride :)
Thank you to everyone else I should be thanking.
God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!!!
John 3:16 - give thanks for the greatest gift of all :)
Monday, November 25, 2013
Post #1... New Beginnings (otherwise known as "Blessed be Your Name")
Change... lately we've undergone a lot of change. By "we" I mean me and my family, and I promise I'll get to an introduction for all of us very soon. First, however, I really want to talk about the change. For us, the biggest and most recent change was the 1000 mile move from Burnsville, NC to Fredonia, KS. It's already been three weeks...
...but it seems like only yesterday that we were piling the kids in the car on our way to spend one last Sunday with our friends and family at South Estatoe Baptist Church. Well, yesterday was Sunday... three weeks removed from our last Sunday service at SEBC.
Change can be a good thing, especially when God is using it to grow us a individuals and ministers of His Word. With that in mind, we went to a church that wasn't SEBC for the first time in three years. I love the Lord and love worshiping Jesus with other believers, so no matter how much reservation I had about going to a new Church, I'm glad we went. It was a blessing!
No, it's not the same... Jeff wasn't in the pulpit, Jimmy's family wasn't to our left, and Michael's family wasn't in front of us. But God is good!!! The first worship song we sang was "Blessed be Your Name" (Matt Redman). For me, one verse stood out above all the others...
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
God gave us our church family at SEBC, and seemingly overnight He took it away. Just as we were beginning to grow awesome friendships, we up and moved away from our friends. But to tell you the truth, we've always been a part of the family at SEBC, we just hadn't met our relatives yet. And those new and awesome friendships will continue to grow and become stronger. Our Christian "network" has grown by leaps and bounds in the past three years, and with God's blessings, it will keep on growing.
SEBC has and always will be a blessing to me and my family. Thanks to all of you who helped us out with the move, whether it was packing up or helping with food. And a very special thanks for those that helped with the kids! :) A day will not go by when I won't reflect on our family at South Estatoe. You are in our prayers daily, and will always have a place to stay should you ever be passing thru KS!
So for now we're trying to get to know our new home, all while keeping in our hearts everyone and everything we love back in the mountains of western North Carolina. It's a transition to say the least... as the days progress I'll regale all of you with tales of valor and heroism... ok, more than likely it will be stories of moving hay on the farm or chasing kids down the slide at ABC park.
And one last thing... I'm new to blogging and sharing my life with the world via the web, but I feel like it's something God has put on my heart to do. It will be a way to stay in touch with NC and all the other places we have friends and family, and to share the name of Jesus with any and all who will hear it. I plan on posting quite a bit in the following days just to get all of y'all up to speed that want to be. After that it will probably be weekly updates unless there is just something I can't wait to share.
A look ahead... in the next post I will reflect on Clear Creek Ranch and the friends/family we spent the past three years working with. I'll also introduce my wife and kids, and maybe even Sage the dog.
Until next time, Happy Trails and God Bless!!!
David
Phil 4:13
Change... lately we've undergone a lot of change. By "we" I mean me and my family, and I promise I'll get to an introduction for all of us very soon. First, however, I really want to talk about the change. For us, the biggest and most recent change was the 1000 mile move from Burnsville, NC to Fredonia, KS. It's already been three weeks...
...but it seems like only yesterday that we were piling the kids in the car on our way to spend one last Sunday with our friends and family at South Estatoe Baptist Church. Well, yesterday was Sunday... three weeks removed from our last Sunday service at SEBC.
Change can be a good thing, especially when God is using it to grow us a individuals and ministers of His Word. With that in mind, we went to a church that wasn't SEBC for the first time in three years. I love the Lord and love worshiping Jesus with other believers, so no matter how much reservation I had about going to a new Church, I'm glad we went. It was a blessing!
No, it's not the same... Jeff wasn't in the pulpit, Jimmy's family wasn't to our left, and Michael's family wasn't in front of us. But God is good!!! The first worship song we sang was "Blessed be Your Name" (Matt Redman). For me, one verse stood out above all the others...
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
God gave us our church family at SEBC, and seemingly overnight He took it away. Just as we were beginning to grow awesome friendships, we up and moved away from our friends. But to tell you the truth, we've always been a part of the family at SEBC, we just hadn't met our relatives yet. And those new and awesome friendships will continue to grow and become stronger. Our Christian "network" has grown by leaps and bounds in the past three years, and with God's blessings, it will keep on growing.
SEBC has and always will be a blessing to me and my family. Thanks to all of you who helped us out with the move, whether it was packing up or helping with food. And a very special thanks for those that helped with the kids! :) A day will not go by when I won't reflect on our family at South Estatoe. You are in our prayers daily, and will always have a place to stay should you ever be passing thru KS!
So for now we're trying to get to know our new home, all while keeping in our hearts everyone and everything we love back in the mountains of western North Carolina. It's a transition to say the least... as the days progress I'll regale all of you with tales of valor and heroism... ok, more than likely it will be stories of moving hay on the farm or chasing kids down the slide at ABC park.
And one last thing... I'm new to blogging and sharing my life with the world via the web, but I feel like it's something God has put on my heart to do. It will be a way to stay in touch with NC and all the other places we have friends and family, and to share the name of Jesus with any and all who will hear it. I plan on posting quite a bit in the following days just to get all of y'all up to speed that want to be. After that it will probably be weekly updates unless there is just something I can't wait to share.
A look ahead... in the next post I will reflect on Clear Creek Ranch and the friends/family we spent the past three years working with. I'll also introduce my wife and kids, and maybe even Sage the dog.
Until next time, Happy Trails and God Bless!!!
David
Phil 4:13
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