Archive: November 2014

Change and Thankfulness

Every rancher we know has a plan—that outlined picture of what the future holds. Some people have it typed and saved on a hard drive, others pencil it out on paper-—or scribble it on a napkin—and yet others sketch their plans in their mind map. Whatever the case, we are all aware of what we’d like the future to look like. If we are really honest, we often have two plans—the practical plan and the “whoa, I’m dreaming big, baby!” plan. Usually we file the first and tuck away the second in our underwear drawer so no one will see our outlandish thoughts.

Recently, something happened in our own little world that defied both plans and made us stop and think: “What do we do with this?”

It isn’t on the plan—not even the wild plan. It feels like it’ll really make things better or spiral us toward the polar opposite.

Will it be like the time I lost my rope or saved a calf?

Gathering the girls

Gathering the girls

 

Often things come into our lives that we aren’t sure what to do with—and somehow our uncertainty seems to make us think we’ve failed. There should always be a plan, whether it is the normal one or the big one, right? Plans have always helped us, but they just can’t always be concrete. Life is bound to change; surprises happen. Sometimes it isn’t exactly a cut and dry answer that’s needed (Unless it can be fixed with duct tape or baling twine), as much as it is a process.

One year we were surprised with twins—a red one and a black one!

One year we were surprised with twins—a red one and a black one!

Truly ranching is a process and one that I’m thankful for regularly. As we celebrated Thanksgiving this week, thankfulness is on my mind. I love how producers help each other and share information. I treasure how friendships can be formed easily. I’m thankful for fresh air and animals. I’m grateful that even though plans change or get flipped upside down, we still have ranching. I’m thankful for everyday ideas and “Whoa, baby” big plans—and for the people in my life who appreciate both. As producers, we have a lot to be thankful for—both in industry standards and in each other. Here’s to dreaming big and flexible plans!

I am thankful for cows!

I am thankful for cows!

~ Marci

Marci is a city girl gone country. She married her cowboy and never looked back. While life may be different than what she first imagined, it’s also better than she expected as well. She and her husband are raising their three kids on the ranch, and she has grown used to all the boots by the door.

Categories: Blogging, Idaho Cattlewomen, Ranch Life

Not Your Grandma’s Closet

Last week, the Idaho Cattle Association held their annual Convention in Sun Valley. Cattle raising men and women from across the state came to mingle with old friends and learn new information. This year’s theme was “Not Your Grandad’s Industry,” representing that things have progressed a long way since the days of our grandparents. As I walked around and chatted with my fellow ranch girl counterparts, one thing stood out in my mind—these cattlewomen are not taking cues from their grandma’s closet!

Ranch women are plagued with the stereotype of someone whose only outfit consists of a button up shirt, high-waist Wranglers, and a hair kerchief. However, in the two days I spent in Sun Valley, there was no plaid, no kerchiefs, and the Wranglers I saw had plenty of bling. Ok, that’s a bit of a lie. I wore plaid; but it had sequins. I’ll be the first to tell you, my Grandma Marie never wore sequins with her plaid, so I think I’m in the clear.

When it comes down to it, the cattlewomen of Idaho are a stylish group of ladies, and the rest of this post will do nothing but prove that fact. Unfortunately my phone was dead most of the day on Monday, so the only outfits I got a chance to document came from Tuesday. I missed a couple of great ones, including fellow ICW bloggers, Jayme Thompson, who wore the most beautiful braided scarf, accompanied by a gorgeous pair of Stetson boots, and Julie Kerner, who looked stunning in an Aztec print dress—with sequins. Enjoy!

 

ICA’s President-Elect, Laurie Lickley (left), paired her little black dress with a pair of blue tights, and topped with off with a chic feather print scarf. On the right, Heather Tiel-Nelson isn’t afraid of a little color, rocking a orange skirt with brown tights and floral embroidered boots. Her wide belt and buckle really tie it all together!

ICA’s President-Elect, Laurie Lickley (left), paired her little black dress with a pair of blue tights, and topped with off with a chic feather print scarf. On the right, Heather Tiel-Nelson isn’t afraid of a little color, rocking an orange skirt with brown tights and floral embroidered boots. Her wide belt and buckle really tie it all together!

 

I love this little Mother-In-Law, Daughter-In-Law duo, and neither one is afraid of color or a bold print!  Christie, left, had on the cutest color blocked sweater, dark wash denim, and Corral boots. I loved the front button detail of her sweater!  Her Mother-In-Law, Gwenna, opted for a basic long sleeve and bright pink vest. Both of these ladies looked fabulous!

I love this little Mother-In-Law, Daughter-In-Law duo, and neither one is afraid of color or a bold print!
Christie, left, had on the cutest color blocked sweater, dark wash denim, and Corral boots. I loved the front button detail of her sweater! Her Mother-In-Law, Gwenna, opted for a basic long sleeve and bright pink vest. Both of these ladies looked fabulous!

 

BYU-Idaho student Lindsay Loveland stole the show in her white dress, thin braided belt, cardigan and boot combo. I absolutely loved the fringe detail on her dress—it added the perfect touch of glam, without being over the top. Although I could be wrong, I believe she mentioned that it’s a piece from Ariat.

BYU-Idaho student Lindsay Loveland stole the show in her white dress, thin braided belt, cardigan and boot combo. I absolutely loved the fringe detail on her dress—it added the perfect touch of glam, without being over the top. Although I could be wrong, I believe she mentioned that it’s a piece from Ariat.

 

Maggie Malson, left, pulled off the “effortlessly fashionable” vibe that every woman wants, in a pair of dark wash denim trousers, snip toe boots, and high-low cardigan. I took the comfortable route, pairing a piko tunic with my favorite fur vest, denim leggings and Corral boots.

Maggie Malson, left, pulled off the “effortlessly fashionable” vibe that every woman wants, in a pair of dark wash denim trousers, snip toe boots, and high-low cardigan. I took the comfortable route, pairing a piko tunic with my favorite fur vest, denim leggings and Corral boots.

 

And last but not least, the Mother-Daughter team of Ramona Karas and Sierra Ridley. I see these two pretty often, and there is never a time when they aren’t dressed to the 9’s. Ramona styled a cute little black ensemble with short booties, while Sierra chose a pair of chevron print palazzo pants, and black top with some sheer detailing.

And last but not least, the Mother-Daughter team of Ramona Ridley-Karas and Sierra Ridley. I see these two pretty often, and there is never a time when they aren’t dressed to the 9’s. Ramona styled a cute little black ensemble with short booties, while Sierra chose a pair of chevron print palazzo pants, and black top with some sheer detailing.

~ J

Categories: Blogging, Idaho Cattlewomen, Lifestyle

Gettin’ the Heck Out of Dodge

I just returned home from an amazing three days in Sun Valley at the Idaho Cattle Association Convention. It had been more than ten years since our family had been to a Convention, so I was wondering how much had changed. Fortunately, only the venue from Sun Valley Lodge to Sun Valley Inn was different. The good people remain the same regardless of the years. The Convention’s theme was innovative. . .”Not your Grandad’s Industry.” That was an understatement with the current market conditions. The speakers and agenda were thought-provoking with some interesting trends. I kept thinking that it wasn’t Grandad’s industry, but it will be our children’s industry. The time away from the ranch and its demands gave me time to think and plan and question. The current topics and statistics were important to me as we strive to inform our consumers about our product.

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ICA Convention Materials & Notes for my report to the Weiser River Cattle Association meeting.

On the drive back home over the Camas Prairie, I realized that “getting the heck out of Dodge” is very necessary, especially in ranching. We’ve never really taken a “vacation” in 30 years of marriage. If we did get away for more than 24 hours, the event was generally tied to cattle or kids. But, that has been the interesting part; to travel to something or somewhere that rejuvenates your passion.

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The Trail Cook looks just like me when I wonder what we’ll have for supper. . .something with Beef, of course!

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Remington originals. . .Wow.

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The Ranch Life exhibit at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, which explains not only our past, but does an excellent job of showing what we do today.

On a recent college visitation trip to Kansas and Oklahoma, my daughter, Dana, and I took an afternoon to explore the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. What an amazing tribute to our industry, its heritage and art. I was thankful we took the extra time to visit it.

Although I have lots of laundry, a basketball game and cows to feed today, I feel ready to tackle the demands with a bit more energy. It was great “gettin’ out of Dodge,” but it’s really good to be home.

~ Julie

Julie and her family own a cow-calf, yearling operation and custom feedlot in southwest Idaho. She and her husband were raised on livestock ranches and their industry roots run deep. Their children have been very active and involved in the ranch and feedlot, and are developing their own herds of quality cattle.

Categories: Blogging, Idaho Cattlewomen, Ranch Life

Don’t Let Winter Get You Down

It’s probably no surprise to you when I say, “I absolutely love working outside.” Every day brings something different from the last, and always leaves me thinking about how blessed I really am. Everybody jokes that their ranch is God’s Country, but let me be the first to say, I am constantly blown away at the beauty of this place I get to call home.

Unfortunately when you’re outside 8+ hours a day, seven days a week, those elements can start to take a toll on your body—especially if you’re a woman. For a man, sunburns and cracked hands are just part of the job; but for me, those are things I try to stay away from. Just to make things clear, I don’t spend an hour before work putting on my makeup and making sure my hair has the perfect pouf. Very rarely is my hair styled in something other than a braid, and chapstick is surely all you’ll find on these lips. But at the end of the day, I want it to be extremely apparent that I am a Jessie, not a Jesse.

Because I know that women are always looking for new beauty products, I’ve taken the liberty to share a few of my favorites that help keep me feeling like a lady, even when I am out working with the guys. You can find links to all of the products I talk about within this post, but if you have any questions be sure to leave a comment so I can get back to you! Also, please know that this is not a sponsored post. I use all of these products on a daily basis, do not get paid for it (unfortunately, because wouldn’t that be nice), and wouldn’t suggest them to others if I didn’t believe in their quality.

It's only November 17, and its already setting in to be a cold winter! Hopefully a few of my favorite products will help keep you looking fresh throughout these chilling months!

It’s only November 17, and its already setting in to be a cold winter! Hopefully a few of my favorite products will help keep you looking fresh throughout these chilling months!

Body:  I will be the first to tell you, if you only put one thing on your body, be sure that is sunscreen. I would rather tell me dad that I wrecked my car, than tell my dermatologist that I don’t regularly wear sunscreen. This is not a lie. And she (my dermatologist) is right. Regardless of what month it is, sunscreen is a must. Melanoma (skin cancer) has been on the rise for the last 30 years, and it won’t be going away any time soon. Sunscreen is your best defense against this killer; and let me be the first to tell you, tan skin is not worth it. There are tons of faux tanners out there that will give you the perfect sun-kissed glow in no time, without the harsh effects of too much sun. My favorite facial sunscreen is a mineral stick that I brush on over my makeup. As for the rest of my skin, I use anything with an SPF of 45 or higher and a decent smell. This Hawaiian Tropic stuff is my favorite!

As much as I love Idaho, its dry climate is not a friend to skin—especially anytime November-March. Combine the cold with a 10-20mph breeze, and your skin really has something to complain about. When it comes to a general lotion, I live by Cetaphil products. They have a really great moisturizing lotion that’s perfect for all-over use. However, when things start getting really cold and dry I always add some Bio Oil in with my lotion. It adds in a lot of moisture without being extra greasy. Coconut oil also works great, except it stays solid above 72 degrees, so you have to put a little more work into getting it in oil form. I generally buy these products at Costco because that’s where I’ve found them to be cheapest.

Face:  My facial ritual is extremely simple. Morning and night, I moisturize with Cetaphil’s Moisturizing Cream. On those days when the wind is really howling, I mix equal parts hydrocortisone cream and Neosporin, applying it to my nose and cheeks. This mixture really helps to keep redness and wind burn at bay. As for lips, I always try to keep them protected with an SPF lip balm. ChapStick brand is a great go-to, but I also really like Eos’ Sphere Lip Balm. The shape makes it super easy to apply, although it’s not made to be put in one’s hind pocket.

Hands: More often than not, my hands take the worst hit from Mother Nature. I love getting a manicure just as much as every other girl, but unfortunately they just aren’t built to outlast ranch work. Instead, I will be forever plagued with hang nails, cracked knuckles, and jammed-so-often-they’re-crooked thumbs. Luckily enough, I’ve found a product that works just a good at keeping my hands looking as ladylike, as possible. This Just a Minute Hand Scrub from Bath and Body Works is something I absolutely swear by. It always manages to get rid of whatever grime I have underneath my fingernails, removes cuticle like a champ, and leaves my hands feeling oh-so soft. Afterwards, I use a combination of Bio Oil and Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (both linked above), to really lock in moisture.

Hair: In an effort to keep hat hair at bay, I’ve found a miracle product. Josie Maran Argan Hair Serum. Yes, it’s a mouthful—but never have I found something better at protecting my locks. One pump of this stuff, and I’m ready to take on the day! Now, when I say one pump I truly mean it—anymore than that and looking like you swam in a bacon fryer. I will be the first to warn you, at first glance this stuff is expensive. But it lasts forever and is absolutely worth it. I’m still working at a two-ounce bottle that I’ve had since last Christmas, which pencils out to $0.14/day.

So whether you work outside all day or are just looking for some new beauty products to pamper yourself this winter, I hope you check them out.

~ J

Jessie has returned to her roots on her family’s commercial Black Angus cattle ranch in southern Idaho after time away at college and working on behalf of the state’s cattle producers. She’s passionate about agriculture and the western way of life. When she isn’t doing ranch work or writing, Jessie enjoys baking, golfing and drinking coffee. As a newlywed, she’s also turning a little cabin on the ranch into a home.

Categories: Blogging, Idaho Cattlewomen, Lifestyle

Snow Days and Rustic Shortbread Apple Pie

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Looking outside, I could see a big black blob surrounded by white. Angus cows were huddled together to keep each other warm.

It’s looking a lot like old man winter around here. We had our first snowstorm of the year and I believe most of the state is under a blanket of white now. I have to admit—we weren’t quite ready for snow before Thanksgiving. The kids even got a snow day from school because of it. They may be bundled up and enjoying the snowy landscape outside, but there is still plenty of work that needs done around here. There are no “snow days” for a rancher.

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Yes, my son is wearing pink snow bibs. That’s what happens when you outgrow everything else and you have older sisters. Good thing he was more interested in staying warm while scooping snow off the patio than what color he was wearing. ;0)

The hubby was up early to check on the cows and calves. We had calves born this fall so we want to make sure they stay warm and dry so they don’t get sick. We’re also expecting more embryo transfer calves to be born soon, and this is not great weather for brand new babies, so the guys are getting those cows still needing to calve in by the barn so they can be watched more closely.

Daily chores include feeding animals by the barn and in the pens. These are our herd bulls, donor cows and weaned bulls and heifers for our upcoming shows and sales. We’re fortunate to have automatic waterers, but they need checked to make sure they don’t freeze in really cold weather. Because several inches of snow is covering the grass, the cattle in the pasture will start getting hay to supplement their nutritional needs. They will also have access to protein and mineral tubs as well. We’ll put out straw bedding for them to have a warm and dry place to lie down. Keeping them dry is important.

I thought on this cold November day I’d share a new recipe I created this fall. When it was warmer. And there was no snow.

I love fall—the turning of the leaves and pretty colors, and all the yummy smells like pumpkin and apple.

I miss fall. It seems to have gone from fall to winter overnight.

This a good recipe all season long, especially with holiday gatherings and get togethers coming up. It was inspired by a box of Honey Crisp apples I picked up from the local farmer’s market. We’re surrounded by orchards, so there is no lack of fresh and delicious fruit this time of year. I had never tried the Honey Crisp variety; we usually opt for Fuji or Gala, but I was reminded of fresh apple pie with my very first bite—crisp, fresh and sweet. Even though we eat several apples a day and could get through a 20-pound box with ease, I decided I would use some for an apple pie.

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Remember how I mentioned I like to experiment in the kitchen? Well, I know baking is more of a precise science, but the rebel in me likes to take risks there too. Instead of going with a typical pie crust recipe (which is not hard at all), I wondered if I could do more of a shortbread crust. I’ve made shortbread before and I knew it was easy—flour, sugar, butter. The first time I tried making a shortbread pie crust, I didn’t quite have the ratio of flour, sugar, butter right, so I did a search and found a crust that works well. I used it and modified the recipe as needed.

So glad I tried this; it turned out delicious. And because I thought it would be fun to try a smaller version, I put the crust and apples in a muffin tin to make mini pies. They are the perfect serving size and you can even eat them with your hands. Of course, you can use the crust for a traditionally-sized pie as well. I also must mention I call this Rustic Shortbread Apple Pie because you don’t roll the dough, it’s just pressed into the muffin or pie tin. There’s no fancy pinching of the edges making it perfectly pretty. But, I promise, it is super easy and delicious! Hope you enjoy!

Rustic Shortbread Apple Pie

Crust: 3/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 beaten egg yolks
Apple filling: 6-8 apples (I used Honey Crisp, but Granny Smith would be great too.)
1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 T flour, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
Peel, core, cut apples into small chunks. Add brown sugar, flour and spices then mix.

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Butter, sugar, flour and salt.

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Using a fork or pastry cutter, mix the dry ingredients and butter until it resembles fine crumbles. You could also pulse all the ingredients together in a food processor, but again I’m a little rustic and did it all by hand. Then stir in egg yolks until it forms a dough.

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For mini-pies: Press about a tablespoon of crust mixture into muffin tin, then add apple mixture. Top with another 1-2 tablespoons of crust crumbles.

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Bake for 15-20 minutes in 350 degree oven until golden brown.

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Because I made mini muffin-sized pies, I only had enough crust and apples for a mini pie pan. I just added a streusel topping of brown sugar, oats, flour and cinnamon to the top.

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Rustic Shortbread Apple Pie

I ended up trying this twice because my oldest decided to try her own little experiment of baked apples. She is her mother’s daughter and didn’t measure the cinnamon. I love cinnamon, but a little goes a long way. Needless to say, we had to add several more apples to her mixture—enough to make another apple pie!

Whatever your weather is where you are, stay warm!

~ Maggie

Maggie and her husband raise their four children and registered cattle on his family’s southwest Idaho ranch. As a family, they enjoy sports, showing cattle, 4-H, church and other activities when not working on the ranch. She likes to experiment with recipes in the kitchen, shares her love of sweets through baking with her children and has been known to start a DIY project every now and then. Sometimes she actually finishes one.

Categories: Blogging, Idaho Cattlewomen, Ranch Life, Recipes