We all have either seen the Hollywood version of a cowboy (or cowgirl) or can imagine in our heads what a cowboy looks like, right? According to these images, a cowboy has to have a cowboy hat, blue jeans, cowboy boots, spurs that jingle jangle, a pearl snap button-up long-sleeve shirt and maybe even a wild rag scarf to blow in the desert wind. Can you hear the yodeling buckaroo music in the background? Although I have learned there is a time and a place for all of the original cowpoke attire, you may be surprised to know that sometimes ranchers wear non-ranch-ish clothing on the job. And the feed truck radio station may get swapped from the local country station to other varieties of music! (gasp)

On our place, February through March is what we call calving season. All the momma cows are due to have their babies, which can mean a big increase in the time spent with the cows. Often ranchers will check on the herd at all hours of the day and night in effort to make sure all is going smooth for the mommas and babies. Cattle are fairly non-judgmental when it comes to fashion. They don’t mind if your wranglers are not starched. During the day usually normal dress code applies, but when it comes to midnight and 3 a.m.—or anytime in between—many versions of suitable clothing can be acceptable for herd checks. If it’s chilly out, bibs (heavy overalls) are pulled on over pajamas (no one ever will know). If it happens to be a real nice temperature out, that might cause one to overheat with insulated bibs, so in this case pajamas can be easily tucked into mud boots and you’re out the door to take care of the new babies! If you haven’t ever seen a rancher in pink p.j.s , here is one.

*Author’s note: For the purposes of this demonstration, it had to be daylight. And for the record, I may wear pajamas to check the cows, but never to go get groceries. :0)

~ Diana

Diana and her husband grew up farming and ranching. Now they own a crop and rangeland spraying business, and their own herd of cattle. Diana is a busy ranch wife and mom to a two-year-old little girl. When not helping with their spraying or cattle, she travels throughout north Idaho discussing feed programs with ranchers as a full-time feed consultant.

With March Madness in full force and girls’ basketball finished, I reflected on Dana’s final year in high school basketball. Basketball has been Dana’s sport passion. Her senior year was a bit up and down, as the team dealt with many injuries. But, they finished in the state play-offs. The larger life lesson is not the win/loss record, but the friendships built through practices, team bonding, school bus rides, and team meals.

Each player’s mother provided a meal for the Varsity players before each home game. Of course, when my turn came up BEEF was the main ingredient. The girls had no idea the menu choice was based on science and the athlete’s need for protein in training and competition. BEEF is an excellent source of protein, iron, B vitamins and zinc. This is a great additional resource for more info on beef nutrition. http://www.beefnutrition.org/toolsresources.aspx

Plus, as this chart illustrates, beef is lower in calories compared to other protein sources.

I chose a casserole recipe I’ve used countless times for ranch crew meals. One of my favorite cookbooks was a thank you gift for purchasing a bull from a production sale.

 

 

 

Chinese Hamburger Recipe ~ Oregon Country Beef Family Ranch Cookbook

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 onions, chopped
1 cup celery, sliced
3 T. butter
1/2 cup rice, uncooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 can bean sprouts

Sauté onions and celery in butter until tender, remove from pan and set aside. Brown hamburger and rice until cooked through and remove from pan. In 2-quart dish, mix cream soups, water, soy sauce and black pepper. Blend in meat, rice and vegetables. Fold in bean sprouts last. Cook in 350 degree oven covered for 30 minutes. Cook another 30 minutes uncovered. Serve noodles with individual servings.

You can be confident that when you fix BEEF, you a providing a nutritious, protein-packed fuel for your family!

~ 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.

I’m sure I’m no different than most women involved in the ranching business, but last summer I realized how versatile we women are. We wear many hats—or sit in many seats to help get the job done.

One day during the summer we were haying and finished baling in one field, then moved the equipment to another field. I had been baling, then when we moved fields, I drove the baler, the pickup, a hay-hauling truck I call Mary Kay—because its kind of a pink color—and the Telehandler.

I came home and took the grandkids on a four wheeler ride, mowed part of the yard, fixed dinner and collapsed into the recliner. Hey, it’s a seat too.

I don’t think for a minute that I am any different than any other cattlewoman; I’m just proud of the fact that we are a versatile group.

Whether we are haying, working cows, planting crops, branding or assisting in those activities, or working in town, helping with homework, upgrading the house, cooking for the crew or sneaking away to golf, we are an independent bunch.

I think women in general have to be very versatile just to keep up with busy families and lives, but I’m proud of how we step up to fill in, learn how, take over or step back and watch if that’s what’s needed. Maybe that’s why we’re never bored—because things change daily and seasonally for us.

Now we are starting into calving season and that brings another set of skills including the ability to know how to layer on warm clothes. I prepare taxes also at this time of year, which makes for a packed schedule for 3 months.

What hats do you wear or seats do you sit in everyday that keeps you busy? We’d love to hear!

~ Robin

Robin and her husband raise Angus cattle in the Lemhi Valley. They both grew up in ranching and farming families, and love the lifestyle. They raised three children and are enjoying being grandparents now too. Robin, like many Idaho cattlewomen, helps whenever and wherever needed on the ranch.

What does calving season have to do with slow cooker meals? Well, seeing as 2 to 3 baby calves are coming each day, having a slow cooker meal ready for dinner makes at least one part of the day a little easier.

Not only is my hubby busy checking for baby calves each day and night, but we’re also still feeding cows as the grass is getting greener, but not yet tall enough to provide all the nutrition the cows need right now. Our bull sale is a little over a month away. Many other ranchers who produce seedstock or purebred cattle, are also prepping for the bull sale season. This is when commercial producers purchase their bulls to use for the next breeding season. We’ve been gathering the pedigree information and taking photos for the catalog, putting together advertising, and going through the checklist of must-dos before sale day.

Kids’ activities keep us on the go as we have one playing basketball and one in wrestling right now. Not to mention homework sessions each night. Our busy days and evenings give me reason enough to keep the Crock-Pot® filled. Dinner is much easier when I plan ahead and spend a few minutes prepping in the morning while cleaning up breakfast dishes. I love slow cooker meals because they are little mess and provide a healthy, hearty meal for my family at the end of the day. I guess the only downside for me is smelling the yummy goodness all day long and it makes me hungry, ha!

I tried several new beef recipes during the holidays and this new year, so I’ll be sharing them with you here. This one isn’t a new one, but actually a tried and true recipe from my mom—it always reminds me of home. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s become one of my kids’ favorite meals too. I’ve included some helpful hints as well.

Hamburger Stew

1-2 pounds lean ground beef (Brown and cook thoroughly. Drain and rinse with water if necessary to remove extra fat if not using lean ground beef.) *Helpful Hint: Buy ground beef in bulk and brown all at once, divide into 2-4 cup servings, and place in freezer gallon bags. It makes it super easy to prepare a slow cooker meal or a quick dish when some of the prep is already done.

1-2 cans diced or stewed tomatoes (I use one can per pound of beef.)

*Helpful Hint: I fill the empty tomato can with water to add liquid to the stew. You can also use one can of beef or vegetable broth.

1 small can tomato sauce (I use no salt added as I like to be in charge of my seasonings.)

Vegetables (This is where you can get creative and use what you have on hand.)
-Cubed potatoes (You can peel or leave peel on, whichever your family prefers.)
-Diced carrots, celery, bell peppers, onions (I cut up in 1 inch pieces.)
-Frozen, fresh or canned corn and green beans (I use frozen as that’s what I keep on hand. They are just as nutritious as fresh, and great during cold months when fresh aren’t in season. I usually put them in during the last 30 minutes to hour of cooking.)

-Salt and pepper to season (I used fresh ground pepper and Lawry’s Garlic Salt as my go-to seasonings of choice. Mrs. Dash is also a great choice of seasoning if you want a salt-free spice blend. I usually season at the beginning of cooking, then taste before serving and add a little more if needed.)

Put all the ingredients in slow cooker and cook on high 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours. I love to serve with Beer Bread or crusty rolls to sop up some of the broth, but truly it’s excellent all by itself.

*Helpful Hint: This recipe is easily doubled or tripled, depending on how many you need to feed. It also freezes well, and makes a great meal to take to neighbors or friends.

For all those busy nights when you don’t want to worry about dinner, I hope you consider this easy, hearty and healthy hamburger, ground beef stew!

~ M

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Crock-Pot®, Lawry’s or Mrs. Dash, but we wanted to give credit to these brands as they were mentioned in the post.

I have been dabbling in the art of sewing…. like with a machine.

I had hand stitched a few things in my youth, but that needle pounding up and down at lightning speed is a whole different basket of fruit! I am starting out super simple and as I continue to keep my fingers, I plan to advance.

My grandma gave me a really nice sewing machine so I had her show me a little about how it worked. From then on I have been blazing my own sewing trail. I started with some rice heated pads, then I sewed some shapes onto towels. I am rating these as the most fun so far. The latest project that caused me the greatest amount of grief was a small blanket/quilt for my daughter Mesa’s dollies—although I think she has claimed it for herself.

Sewing was all fun and games until the quilt! I picked out the cutest, softest plaid flannel for the back…..big mistake. It squandered around and bunched up so bad while feeding through the machine that it had me in a fluster. Based off the words I was muttering and the flying fabric, the ordeal probably wasn’t a PG experience. I learned I need a whole lot more practice at cutting, measuring, choosing fabric, sewing…..well about everything. For now, I am doing what any prideful person would do and blame it on the material.

Have you tried to learn anything new lately? How did it go?

~ Diana

Diana and her husband grew up farming and ranching. Now they own a crop and rangeland spraying business, and their own herd of cattle. Diana is a busy ranch wife and mom to a two-year-old little girl. When not helping with their spraying or cattle, she travels throughout north Idaho discussing feed programs with ranchers as a full-time feed consultant.