I think this year I have a thing for eggnog. Last year was "cutie" tangerines, the year before was pumpkin butter. So one recipe is my revision, one I stole from the Today Show. Maybe my love for eggnog is because it goes so well with Rum, I mean the Holidays...yeah yeah...that's it, the Holidays! Eggnog Pancakes... This is not rocket science. Whatever your pancake recipe is (scratch or bisquick), instead of milk use eggnog. I've learned though that add a spash or two more, or else the batter will be a bit too thick. Throw in a dash of... Continue reading

When I look out my bedroom window from the cradle of my pillow, I see mountains, sideways. Sometimes I see stars above the jagged outline of these mountains when my son awakes in the night. A few days ago I woke up to a silhouette that seemed to mimmick the edges of the mountain tops. The rises and falls, the shadows of my husband’s face were illuminated by the early morning light. He slept unaware of my comparison. His profile has the same quiet strength. The way the light shines on both so as to highlight the harsh outer parts... Continue reading

After a stern conversation from my husband, I'm back to writing, more specifically working on the book. I've been neglecting writing all together and I didn't realize how much I missed it. I was having a hard time in my mind how to sew together some of my stories, but then I just sat down and started to write. Here's a little gem that was a result of it. I stood next to my new husband and stared at the computer screen. He had found a help wanted ad for a ranch about 2 hours away and informed me we... Continue reading

Hello, I am The Ranch Wife, and I'm addicted to my photography. This is why I've been so absent from this page I call a blog. There is good reason however! As some of you know, I was recently accepted into a local gallery. Well since I was accepted so late in the year, I took the offer with the terms of not being able to be a featured artist this year. As luck would have it, one of the other artists took pity on me. She made it possible so I can share the feature spot light with her... Continue reading

...there would be days like these…. That is what my Momma told me after I told her about my day. Everyone has them now and then. I’m not standing in line for a pity party or anything, I just wanted to remind all the mothers or any woman for that matter (because estrogen is the equivalent of super powers in my humble opinion) that some days are better than others and we all have bad ones, so chin up. My “day” started at 8pm the night before when I had my first round of being covered in puke. Yup, one... Continue reading

Surprise, I know. Lately, it has been hitting me like a ton of bricks; we aren't on a ranch anymore. Good thing all these moments were over the course of several days, or else I'd start to think I was a hormonal basket case! The Cowboy was home and we were headed out for a bite to eat. It was the closest thing we could get to a date with the kids in tow. We just went down the road to a little local cafe. While we were driving, we had to stop for traffic. Someone with a flag up... Continue reading

As most of you know, the Cowboy took a job in the booming oilfields as a means to and end. The end being owning our own place. So now we are separated for weeks at a time in order to fulfill our dream of ownership. Needless to say my duties of ranch wife have changed a bit. We now live on more of a "ranchette" than a ranch (although everyone in this little "neighborhood" has a sign out front of their drive alerting the tourists not to trespass on the "XYZ Ranch" that consists of no more than 40 acres).... Continue reading

In a more than slightly frantic voice the Cowboy said to me, "You come back to me, ok? Promise?" I replied a groggy, "I promise" and forced a smile as everything went dark. Writing has always been therapeutic for me. I think that might be part of the reason why it's taken me so long to write this post. I know many of you were waiting to hear about the arrival of our new son and I'm sorry for the delay. I think it was just hard for me to put it all into words...yes, that's a first for me.... Continue reading

The act of being thankful is sometimes more of an art form than happening naturally. With the past few weeks going the way that they have and the terrible luck that has seemed to be gracing us with it's presence, it's been hard to be thankful. Now as I sit at this computer, stuffed to the gills with my Momma's good cooking, I'm finding a bit easier to see the silver lining. I've been able to rest and relax this week unlike those few that have gone by. It helps tremendously when you have family to step in and help... Continue reading

I'm pretty sure that at this point in my pregnancy, 8 months and counting, the only thing that I should really be worrying about is what's the best way to decorate a nursery. Nesting is a wonderful thing that has been programmed into most people and animals to welcome that bouncing bundle of joy. I think my nesting instinct was broken with the munchkin. I never really got into preparing a nursery. I made her bedding for her crib a few months after she was born. I knitted a blanket for her when she was 2. This time however, I've... Continue reading

Here's a quick look at some of the festivities that have been keeping the munchkin happy lately. =) Picking out pumpkins is serious business. She gets the same look when she follows Daddy around at an auction. She was bound and determined to pull that wagon herself! Too serious to smile for Momma. Then came the much anticipated Trick or Treating! She would barely hold still long enough to snap a picture! Can't forget the long-john's though, it was a bit chilly. =) Then Daddy got a picture of Momma's costume too. He wasn't real thrilled, but I thought it... Continue reading

It’s already fall, the cows are home from the mountain, calves are being weaned, and the leaves are falling. I keep having the urge to break out the crock pot just about every other day. We’ve even built a fire a few days. Seems like just yesterday we were gearing up for branding day. How time flies! It feels like I’ve barely blinked since I saw the positive pregnancy test and now I’m looking down at a giant belly with my son rolling around in it. I’ve never been much of a “plan ahead” kind of person, this is nothing... Continue reading

I’ve sat at my computer trying to get a story out of my head for almost 3 days now. Obviously, it hasn’t worked out for me. It’s a not so happy one, and too fresh to deal with I think. So I’m putting it on the shelf and going to share some other things that have been happening around the ranch at this busy time of year. The seasons are changing for sure now. The smell of fall is swirling all around. The temperature is finally starting to stay down…thank-you God. Cattle trucks are rumbling down the road much more... Continue reading

I watched the Cowboy ride away on the 4 wheeler and wondered how long it would be till I saw him again. My 3 year old munchkin was pointing out how messy the old cabin was as she stood in her blue and white socks that looked like ballerina slippers. Of all days to forget a pair of shoes, it just had to be today. We were cold and alone, now what? We left the house that morning at about 6 am. It was still dark outside and only a bit nippy. I went to grab my coat and the... Continue reading

"Lucy!!! You have some esssplaining to do!" That was the thought that woke me up this morning. I've had a cloud of guilt circling over my head for the past few days, well at least a week, for not posting sooner. I've got all these posts under lock and key in my little pea brain, and haven't been able to get them out for some reason. Maybe it's just the rush of the end of summer, yeah let's go with that. I'm enjoying the temperature now. There are things that need to be done around the house and ranch before... Continue reading

Since our anniversary is coming up this weekend, I thought I'd share some of my Cowboy's quotes throughout the years. Last year I revisited our wedding, so that got me to thinking about all the things in between. Here's some of my favorite jewels of wisdom from my Cowboy. "Don't fall in love with me, I'll only break your heart. I'm only here for the summer." I remember those words that my Cowboy spoke as if it was yesterday. I nodded, made light of the conversation and moved past the subject, knowing full well he felt differently...even if he didn't... Continue reading

"Poor Chickens", my 3 year old munchkin said looking down at the freshly butchered chicken. The Cowboy and I were divided on how to introduce our daughter to the "life and death" part of ranching. If you remember, one of my first memories (at about the same age as her), was of a headless chicken chasing me down the driveway. I was of a mind of, "go play somewhere else". He was of the mind of, "she needs to learn where our food comes from". He was right and I knew it, so she stayed. It wasn't as nearly as... Continue reading

I promised you some pictures of the Teamsters that I took, but first I have to tell you about it. Maybe then you can appreciate how I felt as I took these pictures. After all, isn't that the goal of a good photo? Capturing not only the moment, but the feeling? I first saw them cutting a field right next to the main road while I was on my way back from town. This was one of the only times I didn't have my camera, so I ran home, and came back to snap a few. I got to talking... Continue reading

So I have some updating to do before I get to share my thoughts on a recent matter that has been plaguing my thoughts. I'd like to thank everyone for helping me chose a picture to put in the art show. Unfortunately, I was notified that it has been canceled due to lack of sponsorship. So after I cried in my chips and salsa for a while, I've moved on. Now I'll just have to find another one to get accepted into and go with that one! Thanks again for your help though! This is the thought that has been... Continue reading

So I have a problem and I need some help. Who better to help than complete strangers that I pour my soul out to from time to time, right? Right. So as some of you might remember, this year I had a Bucket List of sorts. You know, things to accomplish in 2011. Well it's time to check another one off, and then I need your expert advice. I was accepted into the Heart of the West Invitational Art Show. So that means that my pictures will hang in a real-life, where people go to see this stuff on purpose,... Continue reading

Recently, I've been busy trying to keep up. It hasn't been working out all that well for me. I'm starting to get some energy back, but it's still not coming quickly enough for me. I'd like to report that my house is spotless, the laundry is clean and put away, the yard is smelling of fabulous flowers that greet the sun each morning with smiles, my thoughts of a porch remodel are becoming a reality, I ride every day with the Cowboy checking cows, but alas, none of that is happening. Not really even close. I'm hoping for another wave... Continue reading

A picture journey....(so it might take a minute to load) This is where we unloaded the cows and calves on the mountain. They can wander about as far as the eye can see, but this was the starting point. The first truck was unloaded with a ramp, but the last few cows broke it, so like all good Cowboys, there was improvising going on for the rest of the trucks... move the truck so they didn't have to jump as far... Meanwhile, the guys were holding the herd to make sure the mommas found the right babies. If you don't... Continue reading

I really believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In the same sense, (haha pun intended) the term "gourmet" is in the taste of the taster's buds. I say this for a couple reasons. As most of you know by now, I'm pregnant, and yes, with that comes cravings. Last week I spoke of nesting, but I'm soooo over that...for now anyway. This train of thought started with hot dogs and ramen noodles. I promise, it will all come together, just follow along with a hormone crazed pregnant woman and you'll see. lol The Cowboy and "J"... Continue reading

I'm a terrible blogger! It seems like it's been years since I sat down and actually wrote something out. Ok so it's only been a couple weeks, but still, I've missed all of you! I think I can safely blame my absence on fatigue. I don't remember being this tired while carrying the Munchkin, course I wasn't chasing her around then either. She's been so good about me being so tired though. She's content to snuggle up on the couch with me, her blankie, blue bear, some milk, and "tartoons". I've also been treasuring these moments, even if I am... Continue reading

I looked at the clock; it was 4:30 in the morning. I had just put the munchkin back to bed. I guess potty-training is going better than I thought. Not only is she not having any accidents during the day, but now she wakes me up to go at night. My reasoning doesn't really work at these small hours of the morning, so I can never seem to understand why she can't just utilize the diaper I put on her for the expressed purpose of not getting up at 4:30 in the morning. When I tuck her back into bed,... Continue reading