tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65425609647997934842024-03-05T13:40:37.801-08:00Ramblings from a Ranch WifeThe day to day life of a cowboy's mom!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-49256586809496594062018-06-06T09:59:00.001-07:002018-06-06T09:59:07.229-07:00Flank Steak
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;">The flank steak is a beef steak cut from the abdominal
muscles or lower chest of the cow.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
cut is common in South America.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;">A relatively long and flat cut, flank steak is used in a
variety of dishes including London broil and as an alternative to the
traditional skirt steak in <i>fajitas</i>. It can be grilled, pan-fried,
broiled, or braised for increased tenderness. Grain (meat fiber) is very
apparent in flank steaks, and many chefs cut across the grain to make the meat
more tender.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Flank steak is popular
because it is affordable, flavorful, and works in a wide range of dishes.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tejzk-isRqDeBkgk-IHvCdgGqxkWmPhI2fYq2IRL9JaNZ21lnfGVeuL03X2moJ2ju_cxJScSHtwsH8GcE6PSW9vllkOkcoZozvUyxQ-uBNeKp58oGM_SVuFq0uzRLxwfmB5TyVMN3RU/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tejzk-isRqDeBkgk-IHvCdgGqxkWmPhI2fYq2IRL9JaNZ21lnfGVeuL03X2moJ2ju_cxJScSHtwsH8GcE6PSW9vllkOkcoZozvUyxQ-uBNeKp58oGM_SVuFq0uzRLxwfmB5TyVMN3RU/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 10px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Flank steak gets
its flavor and satisfying chew from its location on the animal’s body.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It lays across the belly of the cow, in
between the ribs and hind legs in an area that is very well exercised.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because these muscles are stronger, they are
also chewier.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because they get more
blood flow, they are also more flavorful.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;">Flank steak is best
when it has a bright red color. Because it comes from a strong, well-exercised
part of the cow, it is best sliced against the grain before serving, to
maximize tenderness. It is frequently used in Asian cuisine, often sold in
Chinese markets as "stir-fry beef".</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;">In the heat of July, cooking a dinner for family
inside isn’t very appealing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Cooking
outside is relaxing, and keeps your house cooler.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Grilled Fajita Steak Salad with Avocado
Cilantro Dressing makes delicious and healthy dinner for any night of the week.
Spicy marinated flank steak on a bed of greens and loaded with the perfect dressing;
it’s sure to be a hit around the dinner table!<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This recipe is best prepared will all fresh ingredients.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q1LGRl6dWFNumC8TJ1STqZQXfVTs-ZjFtVIJzAkH8SBNu0i9zBbEY6lHe3YcmwrFy8P0UkFkPdnrtotVE1V2ZXa8f0LoTi2Uy4SmNXnAdLIfuiRG5EN0lirU80L_9UJ3_xvhETxzfSY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-q1LGRl6dWFNumC8TJ1STqZQXfVTs-ZjFtVIJzAkH8SBNu0i9zBbEY6lHe3YcmwrFy8P0UkFkPdnrtotVE1V2ZXa8f0LoTi2Uy4SmNXnAdLIfuiRG5EN0lirU80L_9UJ3_xvhETxzfSY/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 10px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Flank steak can be
tough if it isn’t prepared properly.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To
avoid toughness, try marinating.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
acid and salt in a marinade will help break up muscle fibers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Marinate for at least 2 hours, never more
than 24 hours as they acid will begin to “cook” the meat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You can also ask our butcher to tenderize your
steak, or do it yourself.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Cook it
quickly at high heat to a nice medium rare.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Let your steak rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting to seal in its
juices.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Always slice it against the
grain!</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 106%; margin: 0px;">Grilled Fajita Steak
Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Ingredients<b></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px -14px; text-indent: 28.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">For the
steak: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">2lb flank steak</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1.5 tbsp. chili powder</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">2 tsp ground cumin</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 tsp paprika</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 tsp ground coriander</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 tsp chipotle powder</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">¼ cup lime juice</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">½ cup olive oil</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">¼ cup soy sauce</span></li>
</ul>
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<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">For the salad:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">6 cups loose greens </span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">2 poblano peppers</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 red bell pepper</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 medium white onion</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">½ pepitas (pumpkin seeds)</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">chopped fresh tomatoes</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">For the dressing: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 avocado</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">2 cloves garlic</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">¼ cup lime juice</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 tsp salt</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">½ cup olive oil</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">1 tsp ground cumin</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">¼ pepitas</span></li>
<li style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">½
cup water</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Instructions</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The day before, make the marinade
for the steak. Mix together spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together lime
juice, vinegar, oil, and soy sauce. Add spices to create a sauce. Place steak
in large dish or ziploc bag, and pour marinade over the steak. Marinate for at
least 24 hours for best results.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The next day, heat up your grill.
Grill steak for 5-10 minutes per side depending on thickness and preference for
doneness. Brush peppers and onions with oil, and grill 5 minutes per side.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 30px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">While steak and vegetables are
grilling, prepare your salad dressing. Place all ingredients into a food
processor or blender. Pulse until smooth adding additional water if needed.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10.66px 30px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Prepare your salad. Line individual
bowls or one large bowl with greens. Top with vegetables, steak, tomatoes,
steak, extra pepitas, and dressing. Toss to combine.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-20659605058264975742017-10-29T16:21:00.002-07:002017-10-29T16:21:21.163-07:00Beef Tri Tip<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihvqzOj0FTn_O73KcRI5XSrRWEPTGk2PbN6YiblZjujS2p0-pK2HYn_dzlD9IXcYYj7jOQSC1yiYa_JzSJlQWbYatn2WFGTQ0UHmXBOFlSm4BPQ42RqYEQNwU6ORD-TwygdAEhjzYvV4/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihvqzOj0FTn_O73KcRI5XSrRWEPTGk2PbN6YiblZjujS2p0-pK2HYn_dzlD9IXcYYj7jOQSC1yiYa_JzSJlQWbYatn2WFGTQ0UHmXBOFlSm4BPQ42RqYEQNwU6ORD-TwygdAEhjzYvV4/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The eight primal cuts of beef are: chuck, rib, loin,
round, flank, short plate, brisket, and shank.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Tri Tip roast hales from the sub primal bottom sirloin, which is a
sub primal of the loin.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">For years, the beef Tri Tip found itself ground into
hamburger or cut into cubes and sold as stew meat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This often-overlooked cut of meat is
relatively inexpensive and very flavorful.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Also known as a Bottom Sirloin Roast or a Triangle Roast, Tri Tip is a
popular crescent shaped cut of beef.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It
comes from the Bottom Sirloin sub primal cut.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The Tri Tip has a good amount of marbling throughout but is quite
lean.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Tri Tip roasts are popular because
of its full flavor, lower fat content, and comparatively lower costs.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is a juicy, tender, and versatile roast
that offers a rich beef flavor.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">History</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Tri Tip became a local specialty in Santa Maria in the
late 1950’s.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The roast is quite popular
in the Central Coast of California, and gaining popularity in the western
states.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Tri Tip is to the west, what
the Brisket is to the south.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Cooking Methods</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and other seasonings
and grill to a medium rare doneness.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Roast whole on a rotisserie, smoke in a pit, bake in an oven, or braise
after searing on a grill.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It is a
fantastic roast that should be grilled indirectly for 30-40 minutes.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You can also cut the Tri Tip into 1” thick
steaks that grill up in about 8 minutes.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Always let your steak or roast rest for 5-10 minutes before carving and
serving.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This allows the juices to
redistribute and evens out the heat.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Because
Tri Tip is lean, be careful not to overcook.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Medium is as far as you should go with this cut to avoid drying out.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RdG2ONPUtuUhuH63w86NAhEm7q05LpjC6Mrus9ye_w8v4CuDTfvIYrPf8DehP7bUxzd788hMw8uYCIfejR5bQyR0rzr8yvvgZANaMKC00ipM9KHx4cBtzNLmFKt8loI-Wis9N1pQeBw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RdG2ONPUtuUhuH63w86NAhEm7q05LpjC6Mrus9ye_w8v4CuDTfvIYrPf8DehP7bUxzd788hMw8uYCIfejR5bQyR0rzr8yvvgZANaMKC00ipM9KHx4cBtzNLmFKt8loI-Wis9N1pQeBw/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Also known as a Bottom Sirloin Roast or a Triangle
Roast, Tri Tip is a popular crescent shaped cut of beef.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It comes from the Bottom Sirloin sub primal
cut.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Within the Tri Tip cut, two different grain directions
intersect:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>approximately half of the
steak contains fibers running vertically and the other half contains long
muscle fibers coming in at an angle.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This makes slicing it correctly slightly more difficult than other
meats.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The tenderness of Tri Tip is in a
large part reliant on how it is sliced post cooking.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Incorrectly slicing meat can make a Tri Tip steak
tough and chewy. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">To correctly slice, first allow to rest at least 5 minutes
before slicing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Next locate where the
two grains intersect and cut vertically, splitting the roast roughly in
half.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>One side should be longer than the
other.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Inspect the grain of each piece
of the severed roast, slice perpendicular to the grain of each half.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Enjoy!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Nutrition</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Each 3-ounce cooked serving contains 158 calories, 7 g
fat, 23 g protein, .5 mg vitamin B6, 1.2 mcg vitamin B12, 1.5 mg iron, and 4.2
zinc.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Recipe</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Santa Maria Style Tri Tip</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Prep Time:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>30
minutes</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Cook Time:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>60
minutes</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Serves: 6</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">3-pound Tri Tip roast, fat trimmed</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Dry Rub-(1/2 cup)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1/8 c. paprika</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 T. chili powder</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 tsp. cayenne pepper</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 T. cumin</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 T. dark brown sugar</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 ½ tsp. granulated sugar</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 tsp. garlic powder</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 tsp. onion powder</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1 T. salt</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">2 tsp. ground black pepper</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Instructions:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Combine
all dry rub ingredients in a small container and set aside.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Trim
fat from the Tri Tip roast.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Place Tri
Trip on a sheet of plastic wrap.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Generously
coat the Tri Tip with 4 T. of dry rub, 2 T. on each side.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Store dry rub in an airtight container for
later use.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Tightly
wrap the seasoned Tri Tip and refrigerate until ready to use.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Allow the rub to settle into the meat for at
least 3 hours, up to 3 days.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">When
ready to grill, remove the seasoned Tri Tip from the refrigerator and allow to
come to room temperature, about 1 hour.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Heat
the grill to medium-high heat if using a gas grill.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Place the meat on the grill, searing one side
for 10 minutes with the lid open.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Turn
Tri Tip over and sear for another 10 minutes.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Turn heat down to medium and close the lid.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Allow the meat to cook for about 15-25
minutes, checking temperature until the thickest part of the meat reaches 135*F
for medium rare to medium doneness.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
meat will continue to cook after being removed from the heat, so stop cooking
at a temperature a few degrees lower than the desired doneness.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Remove
the Tri-Tip from the grill and allow to rest wrapped loosely in foil for at
least 15 minutes before slicing.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
foil will catch any juices from the meat, which can be added back to the meat
after slicing for more flavor.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Thinly
slice the Tri Tip against the grain.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Serve!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL8ShfrVY4dek1D2IWak_8_kb2QPRdI6ul3HOHV8WbS5FCAce947hOj0TsA0HxwSQd3ozPm8F0FYVtERuuWCYdq73NR8qgYMvpggS42WHeqNjBwTBap0SyfszJvT3I2mkKIfLFYBxkhI/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL8ShfrVY4dek1D2IWak_8_kb2QPRdI6ul3HOHV8WbS5FCAce947hOj0TsA0HxwSQd3ozPm8F0FYVtERuuWCYdq73NR8qgYMvpggS42WHeqNjBwTBap0SyfszJvT3I2mkKIfLFYBxkhI/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The Tri Tip is a juicy, tender, and versatile roast
that offers a rich beef flavor.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-11958707147680555882016-05-07T08:10:00.000-07:002016-05-07T08:12:09.598-07:00The Best Mom Ever<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNoTytu3VcrO93CbsTSQlYhiV2GLfyiec0wmqCnts6iX1VqpbY1xYgLMyZhB_an09LUEERhODInOo6xYwmDMBe2q3lZKSI3wyOxqlXbDeddc7lgBZXkEmmnfgrxzJxZQbydPpYObACZw/s1600/May+Ramblings.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNoTytu3VcrO93CbsTSQlYhiV2GLfyiec0wmqCnts6iX1VqpbY1xYgLMyZhB_an09LUEERhODInOo6xYwmDMBe2q3lZKSI3wyOxqlXbDeddc7lgBZXkEmmnfgrxzJxZQbydPpYObACZw/s400/May+Ramblings.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Whenever I do something spectacular, like pack their
favorite lunches or remember to pick up ice cream at the grocery store, I ask
my boys “Who’s the best mom ever?!”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">They
promptly reply “You are mom!</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You are the
best mom ever!”</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This only works because
my boys are young and they haven’t figured out that I am not the best mom
ever.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I can’t be the best mom ever
because that title belongs to my mom.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My
mom is the best mom ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do I call when I’ve had a hard day?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do I call when I’ve had a good day?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do I text “What did I do wrong?” with a picture of
my latest culinary fail?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who bakes the CowBoss carrot cake for his birthday?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do I email when I have an article due yesterday
and I can’t get it quite right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do I call when my little darlings do something
clever?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do I can when my little monsters do something
particularly un-clever?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who tells me what I need to hear, not what I want to
hear?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who do I want to be like when I grow up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who loves me even when I don’t deserve it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Who is the best mom ever?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My mom!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Truth be told, I am the mom I am today because of the
great mom I have. Without her love,
support, and advice, I wouldn’t be the person I am. My hope for my boys is that they feel the
same love and respect for me that I have for my mom when they are all grown
up. Then I will know that I have
successfully raised two wonderful men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy Mother’s Day to all of those moms out there who
truly are the Best Moms Ever!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-91205134417789951092015-11-17T19:18:00.004-08:002015-11-17T19:18:39.458-08:00There's Nothing Romantic or Poetic About Being a CowboygirlThere's nothing romantic or poetic about doctoring calves in a foot of snow. When it's cold, and slick. And you have to keep the vaccine bottle in your bra so it stays warm enough you can actually draw vaccine out of the bottle when you need it.<br />
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There's nothing romantic or poetic (or even cool poems about....) processing yearlings in the rain. In mud up to your knees. With wet gloves.<br />
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There's nothing romantic or poetic about classing calves in the alley. In 6 inches of oozy, sticky, gummy mud. Buried under 8 inches of snow. One hour before the truck shows up.<br />
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There's nothing romantic or poetic about trailing cows down the highway in subzero temperatures. Leading your horse because you can't feel your feet. When you can see your breath.<br />
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There's nothing romantic or poetic about calving out 1500 heifers. In 4 weeks. Twelve hour days. Each black heifer looks exactly like the black heifer you just rode past. In January. By week 2 you won't remember your own name.<br />
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But....<br />
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It is kind of cool to watch the sun come up over the canyon rim as you trot out of camp in the morning.<br />
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There is definitely some poetry in a perfect heel loop that scoops up two feet, or a bridle horse working a cow in a gate.<br />
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I'll admit, it is romantic, holding hands with your CowBoss while driving home from the sale after selling a trailer load of your own calves.<br />
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I guess drinking Carlo Rossi out of a tin coffee cup by gaslight after a long day doing cowboy stuff is rather romantic and poetic!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-42032989874661142962015-05-25T18:44:00.001-07:002015-05-25T18:44:36.241-07:00Branding at the Neighbors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The best indicator of a good day branding is how dirty
the boys are at the end of it, and how long it takes them to fall asleep on the
drive home. I used to judge my day on
how many calves I roped, how my horse handled, or how good the company
was. Now I can miss every loop, have my
horse’s nose straight up in the air, or fall off in the branding trap (that
hasn’t happened yet!) and it won’t bother me too much, as long as the boys have
a good time. It has been so much fun
watching them grow in our ranching community.
Funny how your perspective changes as you grow up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">During Spring Break we went to one of the best
brandings that the Cow Boss and I have been to in a long time. We helped Kevin and Kristi Tomera brand a few
calves. The thing that made this
branding so much fun? The ground crew
and half the ropers were all kids. They
ranged in age from 5 to about 16 years old and they worked hard! The older kids
took turns roping, and the rest of them raced each other to wrassle the
calves. I thought a fight was going to
break out a time or two over who got to the calf first and got to sit on it. It was chaos.
It was loud. It was windy. It was wonderful!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">TR worked his tail off. He held the feet on a few calves on QT’s
trusty stead “Knothead.” He got in some
good practice dallying and keeping the rope tight. These old ranch horses are worth their weight
in gold. “Knothead” took pretty good
care of TR, and kept him out of a couple of wrecks. TR carried the nut bucket for a while, and hustled
between calves, calling out “heifer!” or “bull!” to keep the castrator on
task. He even wrassled a couple of
little calves by himself. He did good! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">QT. QT kept
track of the girls. He’s quite the
ladies’ man these days. If you can’t
find him, just look for some girls, and there is a pretty good chance he isn’t
too far away. They keep a pretty good
eye on him, which was good because mom stole his horse to rope on. When I told him I would be keeping “Knothead”
for myself and he would need to find a different horse to ride he informed me
“You can’t have Knothead! I love that
horse!” I think we all do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m not really sure how the Cow Boss did, or how many
calves I roped. I was too busy watching
all of the kids work. It was a long,
windy, dusty day, and we were exhausted when we got home. The boys were almost asleep when we got to
the ranch, and yes, they were filthy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-87606381207185507802015-03-24T17:09:00.000-07:002015-03-24T17:09:09.022-07:00The Day the Leppy Went to School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have a Charolais leppy bull calf, and he is kind of
a big deal. His uncle was the Grand
Champion Charolais Bull at the American Royal this past November. “Taylor” as the boys call him has some pretty
big shoes to fill. He comes from Small
Charolais of Mountain City, where he would still be if he wasn’t an
orphan. His mom died shortly after he
was born, and where my sister commutes from Boise on the weekends, we inherited
him to feed for the time being.
Apparently home owners associations around Boise frown on cattle in your
yard, no matter how big your yard is!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Truth be told, we are suckers for strays and
leppies. Taylor the Charolais has taken
some getting used to. The horses and
dogs just don’t know what to think of him, he’s the wrong color. I hate to
admit it, but he has kind of grown on me.
While his white hair will never compare to the eye appeal of a Black
Angus, he definitely has personality. I
know we aren’t supposed to make him too gentle, but it is pretty hard not to
when you are hand feeding him a couple of times a day. From playing with the boys to putting his
nose low enough for the puppy to lick the crumbs off his face, he has
character.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now that the boys are in school, I do a little
cowboy/ranching presentation for 3<sup>rd</sup> graders during the National
Cowboy Poetry Gathering every January.
The schools go all out during the week.
From guest speakers to roping lessons to dress up days, students are
encouraged to wear bandanas, jeans, western shirts, and cowboy hats, or what we
like to call “our ordinary, everyday clothes.”
They do a really good job with it, and I am happy to report that their
students have a pretty good grasp of agriculture and where their food comes
from. This year I took Taylor and made
arrangements with TR’s teacher for him to bring his class out to meet his
leppy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My neighbor Rachel helped me.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She borrowed the Beef Byproducts presentation
from the Elko County Cattlewomen so we could show students where beef comes
from and how the whole cow is used.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I
started out showing students Taylor, and explaining what a leppy is, what breed
he is, and what he is used for.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Rachel
finished up by explaining how when we slaughter a beef animal we use nearly the
entire animal, and how each part of a cow is utilized.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a really good presentation, we spoke
to nearly 125 eight year olds and answered a lot of questions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After the last group of 3<sup>rd</sup> graders, it was
time for TR and his class. I had tried
to prep him ahead of time so he (and I!) knew what he would tell his class
about Taylor. Granted he is only 7 years
old, I thought he was well prepared and I wouldn’t have to say too much, or do
too much damage control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I wish we would have filmed him. TR marched his class to the horse trailer
like a little drill sergeant and lined them up around the door so they could
all see the calf. He hopped up in the
trailer, leaned against the wall, cocked a hind leg, and put his thumbs in his belt
loops. Then he watched his
classmates. Finally after a couple of
minutes he said “I’m not going to tell you guys anything until you get quiet
and listen to ME!” You could have heard
a pin drop. He had everyone’s attention
and then he started his talk.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">TR was in his element.
While we need to work a little on his delivery and PR skills, he did
pretty well. Mom had to prompt him a few
times, and cringed when he was a little too enthusiastic in explaining Taylor’s
“mother was DEAD!” and that we would be eating him someday. He spoke loudly, and clearly, and willingly
answered 3 questions, additional questions were answered under duress. All in all it was a good afternoon, the
afternoon Taylor went to school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-80649622197218803262015-01-13T17:12:00.000-08:002015-01-13T17:12:28.365-08:00Winter Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The boys went back to school on Monday after a good
winter break. TR was ready to go back,
QT was reluctant, and I was definitely not ready for my boys to go back to
school! TR is our social butterfly, he
lives for recess and being with his friends.
I worry about QT. As excited as
he was for kindergarten, formal school hasn’t been his thing so far. Most days moving cows in a blizzard sounds
like a better idea to him than going to school.
As for me, I prefer having my boys’ home with me. I spend most of my afternoon counting down the
minutes until they come home. It is
pretty quiet around our house without my wild little boys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That first day back, QT and I were waiting outside the
school for his teacher to come and collect him and his classmates. I felt like we had done a pretty good job
keeping up with where his teacher left off for the break, and really wasn’t too
worried about him forgetting anything he had learned in school up until
now. I was listening to other parents
talk with each other about what school work they did with their kids over the
break. Those parents were busy! They
were working on their letters, numbers, and coloring all break long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Other than bedtime stories, we never cracked a book
all vacation. While QT’s classmates were
watching cartoons, he was sledding behind the feed wagon. While other </span><span style="line-height: 17.1199989318848px;">kindergartners </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">were practicing writing
their numbers to 30, QT was counting cows to 50 on the feed ground. While they were practicing their letters and
sounds, QT was recognizing his cow’s name on her ear tag and reading animal
tracks, or looking for “M” words like muskrat, mountain, and mud. We hunted coyotes, set traps, shot our bb
guns, and explored a good part of our big backyard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">QT may write his 3’s backwards, or not always color
inside the lines and we need to work on that, but he can find his way home from
anywhere within a 5 mile radius of the house, can tell the difference between
most of our cows and tell you their names (better than I can anyway!), and tell
you the difference between a coyote’s and raccoon’s tracks. Listening to these parents made me think
about my teaching choices over the break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Should I have spent more time working on more
traditional school type activities? Maybe,
but at this point I feel that having a son who is aware of his surroundings and
has the tools to navigate this world is just as important as being able to color
inside the lines. Education is
important, but I want him to experience life from the outside, not based on
what he sees on a video game or reads about in a book about someone else’s
experiences. I want him to know how to
work, get outside, get dirty, and play.
Let’s face it. He’s only going to
be little once, and he will have plenty of time later to write a book for
someone else to read about growing up on a cattle ranch in northern Nevada.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-30233401489828399862015-01-04T18:22:00.000-08:002015-01-04T18:22:03.269-08:00Frosty Cows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever take a really cool picture, then get it home and realize there is one of the Cowboss's friend's stupid Corriente cows right in the middle? Yeah, it sucks. But I am slightly jaded because the Corrientes make me crazy. If there is an open gate, or wrong direction to go, they will do it, and it is usually when you are trying to get the tractor through the gate and keep the Corrientes in and you are by yourself. You will spend an hour getting out of the tractor, chasing the Corrientes off, opening the gate, running back to the tractor, get almost though the gate before the Corrientes get to it, have to jump out, run them off and try again. It is a vicious cycle. Hopefully a neighbor driving by will take pity on you and watch the gate as you drive through. Most likely, it will be on a day you are hurrying to make it to an appointment in town. You will be late. True story.</div>
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-90605236866749945432015-01-01T15:10:00.000-08:002015-01-01T15:10:38.756-08:00Out With the Old, in With the New<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Where did 2014 go? It feels like just last week I was sitting down to write my 2014 resolutions and making a plan for the coming year. Now here we are and it is 2015 and I am trying to figure out where I am and what I want to do for the next year. I think there will be some big changes for me, and I'm not sure where I want to start.<br />
<br />
2014 won't go down as my best year ever. In March I lost my best horse. (Yeah, I know it was just a horse and if it doesn't get any closer than the barn, we're alright). It was a partnership developed over 13 years and I really expected him to be the horse to teach my boys how to rope. It hurt. In May, the Cowboss, QT, a couple of cowboys, and I along with a trailer load of horses were in a frightening car accident that we are so blessed (horses included) to have all walked away from. (Yes, I believe in guardian angels). Both QT and I can scratch riding in an ambulance off our bucket lists! Not to be out done, in July we had a 4th ER trip with TR to get stitches in his armpit. For a bit it felt like we weren't going to catch a break!<br />
<br />
Along with the not so great, a lot of great things happened in 2014. We survived first grade. That was huge. At this time last year, we weren't really sure we were going to make it! QT started Kindergarten and my world didn't end. Both boys had horses buck with them and they rode them. I got bucked off, but got back on. We saw amazing cattle prices and were able to pay off all of our cows. I got a new dog. I'm still working on finding the horse that fits me.<br />
<br />
As 2014 ends I am happy to report that we survived! We have made some new friends along the way, learned many lessons (some the hard way!), and are anxious to see what 2015 throws our way because I'm pretty sure we can handle it! My goals for 2015 are to focus more on myself. Selfish I know, but I want to be the best wife, mom, and person I can be. I want to be healthier and happier, so I can be the best person I can.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year! Hope 2015 brings you great things!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-26328925103666973192014-11-17T11:47:00.000-08:002014-11-17T11:47:08.379-08:00Nothing Good Can Come From This…..
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">One of the things I enjoy the most about my boys is
how easily entertained they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t
need any fancy toys because chances are they will rather play with the box the
toys came in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m bored” is not a
phrase they use often because if you give them a few rocks, a stick, and their
imaginations, the next thing you know, they will be fighting dragons to rescue
a princess, in a war with some bad guys, or catapulting rocks at a target (or
more likely each other!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phrase “What
one doesn’t think up the other will” rings true at our house, and you never
know what is going to happen next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
day is a new adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If you have spent much time around us, you’ve probably
heard me say “they may look like me, but they act just like their dad” a time
or two, because looking at my boys is like looking in a mirror for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is where the similarities end
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are brave, outgoing,
adventurous, and thoughtful, just like their dad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Or so I thought….. Sunday, I got undeniable proof that
they may possibly, maybe some days, kind of act like their mom, but just a
little bit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We went to Mountain City to visit and brand a few
calves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TR and QT scattered, taking
their cousin PJ with them just as soon as the car came to a stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were out of sight, but in ear shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before too long they were entertaining
themselves and us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had found a hill
and a red Radio Flyer wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two would
climb into the wagon and then rock it till it would start rolling down the
hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TR took charge as pilot and would
steer with the wagon handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you see
where this is going?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost told them
that riding the wagon down the hill wasn’t a good idea…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It reminded me of a summer a few years back and a couple
days spent in Charleston with my sister and Cousins Becky and Kyla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our new brother had just arrived and we were
letting things settle at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being
ranch kids, ages 4-8 we didn’t watch much TV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had 100’s of acres to explore, a lot of mischief to find, and not as
much supervision as we probably should have had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Our adventures led us to the barn and the milk cow’s
calves one afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided our
time and energy would best be served by teaching the calves to pull a
wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls and I got busy
gathering supplies, which included a couple old lass ropes, a can of grain, and
you guessed it, a red Radio Flyer wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What we lacked in experience training calves to pull carts, we more than
made up in enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was going to
be epic!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In our infinite calf training wisdom we determined
that the biggest calf would most likely be the best at pulling a wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to work chumming him into the round
pen with the bucket of grain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Toro” would be the best for pulling a wagon
full of girls around the pen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once he
got pulling the cart mastered, we would drive him up to the house to prove to
Auntie how handy we were. Catching Toro was the easy part. Leppies will do
anything for grain we learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting
him to stand in place long enough to be tied to the wagon, and actually tying
him to the wagon was the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had to make a second trip for more grain, but we got it done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">All 4 of us girls climbed into the wagon, got set, and
Becky being the oldest assumed driving duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She clucked to Toro just like we’d seen our dad’s do to the work horses
in the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally after clucking some more and whacking
Toro with the end of the line, all hell broke loose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Toro lunged ahead and the clatter of the wagon and shrieking
of girls must have spooked him pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was off like a rocket and Becky and I baled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cara and Kyla made it about 2 feet before the
wagon rolled and spilled them as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Poor Toro made about half a lap around the pen before he finally came
clear of the wagon, but had to drag his ropes until chore time came and some
adult came to turn him loose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We had some tears, bumps, bruises, and a few scrapes
to bandage, but we survived!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also
learned a valuable lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milk calves
are not good at pulling wagons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
pretty much unteachable!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s a good thing Aunt Cara doesn’t have a pen of milk
calves at her house, and Becky and Kyla’s boys are so far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s genetic for these wild little ranch kids
(on their mother’s sides of course!) to get into mischief with red Radio Flyer
wagons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, as long as TR did the
driving, things went pretty well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
kept the wagon balance, upright, and was able to turn the wagon before running
into the big mud puddle or hitting the loading chute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Letting QT drive was what got them into
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned too sharp, too soon, spilling
himself and PJ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some tears,
bumps, bruises, and scrapes to bandage, but to quote TR “We survived!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jury is still out on what lesson was
learned, other than not to let QT drive!</span></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-12852343437168428622014-10-26T18:54:00.001-07:002014-10-26T18:54:48.714-07:00Good Help is Hard to Come By
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Good
Help is Hard to Come By<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Why is it fall feels like it is so much busier than
the rest of the year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it is
because you have to work around other people’s schedules more than any other
part of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to preg your
cows when the vet can be there and ship your calves when the trucker can haul
them and it is convenient for the buyer to receive them, all while working
around helping neighbors and school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the summer, if you can’t spray weeds because the wind is blowing, or you don’t
get through the heifers in the Red field, you can probably do it the next day
and not worry about scheduling conflicts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have more flexibility during the winter, spring, and summer months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I feel like I have been running since fair time and
haven’t stopped to catch my breath yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Between getting the boys to and from school, my college class, and
working for the Cowboss I haven’t had much opportunity to get into any
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the upside, all 3 of my boys
have been too busy to get into trouble as well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>QT has been busy helping the Cowboss and me in the mornings before
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">QT and I had a really hard day last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we got TR on the bus and off to school,
we caught our horses to help the Cowboss and Russ move a bunch of yearlings from
the Barn field to the Ryegrass field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After we got them moved, QT and I were to go back for the pickup and
trailer, then meet the Cowboss and Russ at the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right off the bat we found a yearling that we
had missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got around her and got
her put where she belonged, and headed on our way to the pickup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were given very specific directions to
load our horses, then drive through the pairs in the field next to the Barn
field, checking to be sure no heifers had crawled in with the cows and calves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After driving through the pairs we needed to
hurry home and get QT fed and ready for school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We got our horses and dog loaded and drove through the
pairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t notice any yearlings
and were ready to go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
noticed 1 hot cow and 13 yearlings in the field we just came out of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked QT what he thought we should do, let
dad get them later, or unload our horses and put them away ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pretty sure we better get them for
dad, so we parked the trailer a little closer to the gate we would push them
through and unloaded our horses and dog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The cows were pretty wound up, and took off in a long
trot in the wrong direction when we got on our horses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We trotted off to get around them and QT did
a really good job keeping up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we
chased those cows all over that field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If there was a wrong way to go or a chance to scatter, the cows took
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like we were trying to herd
cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran back and forth across a
boggy creek 3 times before the cows bee lined it for the willows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got QT back across the creek and told him
to sit right where he was and I would chase them through the willows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a good 15 minutes up, down, and
across the boggy creek in the willows, a few tears and a lot of swear words
before I finally got them out of the willows and headed somewhat in the right
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let out a holler for QT to
catch up, and he and old “Knothead” made good time trotting across the field to
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I told him that if we could get the cows past the barn
at the Oglvie and could keep them on the fence we would be in the clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If he could keep them coming, I would stay on
the side and keep them together and going the same direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to lie, I had my doubts we were
going to get all of them past the barn and to the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between my 5 year old cowboy, 6 month old
puppy, and colt, things were not going well and I was ready to cut my losses
and let the Cowboss get them another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every time I looked back though, my little man was whooping and
hollering, working back and forth pushing those cows for all he was worth,
never slowing from a trot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got them
past the barn and QT held them up in the corner while I got the gate opened,
then he brought them to me and I turned them in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how we did it, but we finally
got them through the gate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Riding back to the trailer I told QT that I was very
proud of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said he did a good job,
I was so glad he was there to help me, and that I didn’t think I would have
ever got those cows on my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked
up at me just as serious as could be and told me “I know mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go home so I can go to school.” He’s
good help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll take him over most people any
day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-80871859841375630022014-10-15T16:22:00.000-07:002014-10-15T16:22:32.876-07:00Things I Love....I love watching the Cowboss with my boys. There is nothing sexier in my opinion than a dad that spends time with his kids. I am so thankful that we live in a lifestyle where we are expected and encouraged to take our boys to work with us daily.<br />
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<br />
I love early morning cuddles with my little manly men. I have to get used to the idea that my babies are growing up and don't need mom like they used to. Most days they prefer fist bumps to hugs and kisses. I live for early mornings where one of my boys will crawl into bed with me and just snuggle for a few minutes, forgetting that it isn't cool to hug mom.<br />
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<br />
I love the exuberance and enthusiasm my dog greets me with when I get home. Whether I have been gone for 3 days, or just stepped out the back door and came in through the front door, she lets me know that I was missed. She meets me at the door, jumping up and down, and the minute she can touch me, she is jumping up on my leg greeting me. Makes me feel good to know something cares about me and is happy to see me!<br />
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<br />
I love fresh horses on brisk mornings. Isn't it excited to put on a wool sweater, felt hat, and chinks, then step aboard a fresh young horse and have them take a little hop or two on a cool morning? You get warmed up quickly. It is a thrilling way to start your day! Tight horses on brisk mornings make me smile, as long as I can cover them. If I get frapped, I know it is going to be a bad day!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-59178869056923502912014-10-10T13:52:00.001-07:002014-10-10T13:54:42.481-07:00Flash Back to the End of September<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Can you imagine anything better than a crisp autumn morning in Mountain City? It's cool enough for a wool sweater and wild rag. The sun is shinning with the promise of a warm day, as you trail just weaned mama cows back to their field before you ship off their babies? The scent of damp sage fills your nose (making me sneeze, so glad for Benadryl!), and birds chirp as you ride along. This is my idea of heaven.<br />
<br />
I really like where we are living right now. Lamoille is beautiful year round, but it isn't home. I don't get homesick for Lamoille. I get homesick for Mountain City and Merit Mountain, especially in the fall. Cool mornings, wool sweaters, felt hats, and cotton gloves. Bring on fall!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-79662053778941320442014-07-31T20:25:00.000-07:002014-07-31T20:25:32.125-07:00CricketThe Cowboss and I roped together in a branding contest one saturday in March. I used my favorite horse Cricket, and he did awesome. I felt like I could rope bridleless and he would put me where I needed to be. He was wonderful. He has been my sidekick for years. The horse I depended on to take care of me when I put myself in a bad place, bring me in for a heel shot when I can't think, ride, and rope all at the same time, gave me the courage to do what I didn't think possible, and wings, so I could fly.<br />
<br />
Then on that following Tuesday Cricket colicked, and I held my breath.<br />
<br />
Wednesday he was better, and I let out a huge sigh of relief.<br />
<br />
Thursday I put him down, and I cried.<br />
<br />
I keep telling myself how fortunate I am to have had him for 13 years and how lucky we were to have one last great ride, doing what we both loved together. Honestly though, it hurts. I feel like I've lost my best friend and can't get over it. He was the one constant horse in my life. I rode him through both of my pregnancies and gave he gave both of my boys their first rides. When I needed to get something done or didn't feel my best, he was my go to guy. I just knew he would be the horse to teach both the boys to rope.<br />
<br />
When given the option of surgery or putting him down, I made the choice to put him down over the 5 hour trailer ride for surgery when the odds weren't in our favor. He was in so much pain and kept looking to me to make him feel better.<br />
<br />
I loaded him in our trailer and I drove him home. I unloaded him in the drive way, and lead him just as slowly as he wanted to walk down in the pasture where he would have shade and a beautiful view of the Rubies. Then I held his head and scratched the spot I knew he liked the most while the vet gave him the shot that took all of his pain away forever. And I cried. A lot.<br />
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I really hope he is with a girl in heaven who needed a good horse. Who can appreciate him for what he is. Look past his quirks and love him like I did, because he deserves that much. Maybe someday I will find another horse just like him, who challenges me when I need it and takes care of me on the days I can't. Until then I know I will have some hard days.<br />
<br />
Saturday I rope in the first branding contest I've entered since I lost him. I feel lost. I feel like I can't rope, and I just really want to stay home and pretend that he is down in the field with his ears pinned back, glaring at any other horse who gets too close. I could really use my copilot for one more ride.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Heidi Stevens</td></tr>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-65123925880518141802014-04-30T07:06:00.000-07:002014-04-30T07:06:15.550-07:00My Sister Can Rope!<br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-18181982089356784632014-04-24T19:36:00.001-07:002014-04-24T19:36:54.865-07:005 Things Every CowboyGirl Should Have1. A Good Bridle Horse. <br />
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Everyone has that neighbor, or friend, or friend of a friend who is a wreck waiting to happen. Sooner or later you will have to work around them horse back. It is comforting to know you have something to ride who can take that stress without having a come apart.<br />
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Case in point: We helped some family brand this spring. Whether it was the neighbor kid running under my horse's head to get to the calf we just heeled and were headed to the fire at a high trot, or the drunk idiot stumbling through the middle of the branding pen you had to watch out for, there was always some kind of chaos afoot. Knowing the potential I took "Natty," my bridle horse the Cowboss made for me (who I am still trying to get used to after losing Cricket). She was doing pretty good. Then I pantyhosed a big calf. Instead of dallying, I went with the calf, bucking across the branding trap (calf, not Natty), hoping the rope would slide off it's flanks and I could get dallied before slipping a foot. When that didn't work, I went to turn the calf off the fence. I was thinking I could reach down and slip the rope down. Just as soon as I got close enough to reach down and move the rope, someone decided to help me. They came running at me, spooking both Natty and the calf. The calf darted behind my horse still roped. We were a tangled up mess. Instead of panicking with the rope around her feet, Natty held her breath and waited for the dust to settle. In case you are wondering, I lost the calf. Natty didn't have a come apart. She didn't lose her head. She stood there and waited for a cue from me.<br />
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You should always have a horse that can keep it's head when things come tight. Not just for your safety, but for everyone around you.<br />
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2. Pretty Boot Tops. They are like expensive lingerie. Nobody has to see them, but you still feel sexy. Feeling sexy makes you confident. When you are confident, you rope better.<br />
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3. Pretty Silver Earrings. They make you feel good and like you are put together. You are more confident when you look and feel your best.<br />
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4. Painted Nails. Either finger nails or toenails. Just because I work with a bunch of men doesn't mean I need to act like one. Painted nails are a good reminder that I am a girl and should always act like a lady.<br />
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5. A Good Cinch, and not just because I tie and sell them! I feel a cinch is one of the most important pieces of tack a person should have. It keeps your saddle on your horse. You need to keep it clean and check it often for broken strands. There is nothing worse than soring your horse or roping a soggy yearling and having your saddle come right off your horse! Your horse will perform better when they are more comfortable.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of the Fabulous Heidi Stevens!</td></tr>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-19916851770373165282014-04-23T06:36:00.000-07:002014-04-23T06:36:36.583-07:00My Brother Can Rope!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-49135615345838983932014-04-21T17:24:00.001-07:002014-04-21T17:24:26.552-07:00Naming CowsDo you name your cows? Apparently we do. I guess you could say it's been a long winter feeding here because now the majority of our cow herd (and some of the corrientes too) all have names. Of course it falls on mom to remember all of the names and who each name goes to. When there were only 3 cows and calves, it wasn't this hard!<br />
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I do take full responsibility. I encouraged the boys to name the twin heifers their grandpa gave them a couple of years ago. QT named his "Rosie," and TR had "Juliet" and her calf "Gnomeo" (who is now our herd bull). Our other bull is named "Tybalt" to go with the Gnomeo and Juliet theme. Some names are pretty unimaginative. We have a "Blackie" (she's black), "Red" (she's red), "Baldy" (who has a white face), and "Roanie" (you guessed it, she's roan). Then there is a "Vindicator," our muley herford heifer and "Ely the Second" (Ely the first belongs to the ranch and resides at Red House). Some names are really off the wall. We have a black calf named "Sunshine," a red cow fondly known as "Mustard Sandwich," (because QT likes mustard on his sandwiches), and a black and white corriente known as "Snowflake." <br />
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I have vetoed a few names. We just can't have a bull named "Sprinkles." I wouldn't let them name the cow that got me down last winter "Fighter Attack" either. We need some more color in our cow herd because the color black is about exhausted!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-47741937129508012472014-04-18T14:02:00.001-07:002014-04-18T14:02:29.977-07:005 Things Every Cowgirl Needs in the KitchenWhen the Cowboss and I were first married, we had a camp job. I spent 9 months of the year in remote cow camps, and it was heaven. Some months we lived in cabins, but a lot of the time we lived in a camper. Not a very nice camper, but camp was way better than the company house we had to live in. I could put my arms out and touch both walls, but I didn't complain. <br />
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Since we moved about 8 times a year, we packed pretty light. Not having electricity and packing water, we didn't have much use for a lot of kitchen gadgets either. This is my list of 5 kitchen items I think every cowgirl needs. They are the 5 I couldn't live without.<br />
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1. Cast Iron Skillet.<br />
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Cast iron is awesome! You can use it on the stove, in the oven, or even the campfire. It is easy to clean and helps prevent anemia. You can use a skillet to fry and egg, bake biscuits, cook a steak, or bake a cake. It is super versatile. Have I mentioned they make a great tool for self defense? Or attitude adjustments?*</div>
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2. Cast Iron Dutch Oven.</div>
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Like a cast iron skillet, it can be used anywhere. I used mine much as a crockpot. I can adapt any crockpot recipe to cook in a dutch oven in my oven. The biggest obstacle I had was getting it to fit in a camper oven!</div>
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3. Mixing Bowl.</div>
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Mixing up biscuits, pancake batter, or scrambling eggs is definitely easier if you have a decent bowl to do it in.</div>
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4. Wooden Spoon.</div>
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You have to have something to stir with. The nice thing about a wooden spoon is it won't melt, so it can be used on the stove top, and if you don't have a potholder, you can use it to lift the lid off a dutch oven. They are also pretty cheap, so you can replace them very easily.</div>
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5. Spatula.</div>
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Comes in handy flipping pancakes and eggs, or serving dinner.</div>
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What are 5 kitchen tools you can't live without?</div>
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*The Rambling Ranch Wife does not condone adjusting spouse's attitude with a cast iron skillet. The threat alone of using said skillet should do the trick! ;)</div>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-33901041647340651622014-04-16T07:57:00.001-07:002014-04-16T07:57:48.534-07:00It's Branding Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-31610009069057327582014-04-14T07:46:00.001-07:002014-04-14T07:46:29.301-07:00WorkI just completed 3 months of U.S. Census phone surveys. One of the questions I was routinely asked was "How many hours did you work last week at your primary job? How many hours did your husband work at his primary job?" WE live on a ranch. I am a cowgirl. The Cowboss is a cowboy. Do you think they would believe me if I responded with "Well, there are 7 days in a week and 24 hours in a day, so I guess 168 hours?" <br />
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While we may not have been physically working on the ranch, we were on call that entire time. For me this is a very hard question to answer. Do I just account for the hours of physical labor? What about the bookkeeping aspect of it, or even just the hours I spend thinking about my ranch job? Things like figuring how much to feed each cow or horse, and how much hay we need to get through the winter, or what vaccines we need to give and how many doses we need to purchase, or even what jobs I need to complete here on the ranch. <br />
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Ranching isn't a 9 to 5 Monday through Friday job with a 40 hour work week. We don't get a time card to punch when we get to and leave work. We don't have weekends off or vacations. If we take a trip away from the ranch we spend that time worrying about what is going on at the ranch.<br />
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Why do it? I have a college degree and can have a job anywhere with better hours and better pay. The Cowboss could get a job at the mine, work 15 days a month and make significantly more money. We could both drive brand new vehicles and have a brand new horse trailer. We could go home a the end of the day and not think about our jobs.<br />
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On the other hand, we wouldn't be able to take our boys to work with us whenever it strikes our fancy. We wouldn't have the teaching opportunities to teach things that are important to us, like work ethic, compassion, or the cycle of life that ranch living grants us. We wouldn't be able to stop in the middle of work to watch a cow calve, cranes dance, baby geese swimming, or even a coyote hunting mice in a ditch. I really don't know why people would want to work anywhere else!<br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-41395411641352584782014-04-09T08:28:00.001-07:002014-04-09T08:28:48.906-07:00The Only Snow We Got All Winter Came in March...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-70563249847049063012014-04-07T16:10:00.000-07:002014-04-07T16:15:37.128-07:00Menu MondayToday started off with me working on my weekly menu plan. That fell by the wayside as the day happened and after working on taxes, sales and use tax, some bills and a trip to Hunter. I am just now finishing up my menu.<br />
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Weekly Menu. I get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest, so <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/jen5103/weekly-menu/" target="_blank">here</a> is a link to my Weekly Menu Board where I have pinned a few recipes that I want to try this week.<br />
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Monday:<br />
Leftovers (I kind of forgot I had a meeting tonight, and didn't get anything in the crockpot before I left this morning).<br />
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Tuesday: <br />
Italian Drip Beef<br />
Cabbage Salad<br />
Sourdough Biscuits<br />
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Wednesday:<br />
French Dip Sandwiches<br />
Butternut Squash<br />
Green Salad<br />
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Thursday:<br />
Crock Pot Meatloaf<br />
Garlic Mashed Potatoes<br />
Jello Salad<br />
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Friday and Saturday:<br />
Branding Calves in Mountain City<br />
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Sunday:<br />
Grilled Balsamic Flank Steak<br />
Ranch Potatoes<br />
Sourdough Biscuits.<br />
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If you haven't noticed, there are 2 things my family likes. Meat and Sourdough Biscuits. It has taken me a year, but I have finally mastered sourdough biscuits.<br />
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Today's Meat Eater Monday Recipe:<br />
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Tri Tip. One of my absolute favorite cuts of beef. I found this recipe on Pinterest awhile back for <a href="http://www.fabhousewife.com/santa-maria-tri-tip-roast/" target="_blank">Santa Maria Tri Tip Roast</a> and thought it sounded good. This is my spin on it.<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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1 Tri Tip Roast<br />
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Dry Rub<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 teaspoons salt<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/2 tablespoon paprika<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 teaspoon garlic powder<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper</div>
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1/4 cup brown sugar</div>
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Basting Sauce<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp dry mustard<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/3 cup red wine vinegar<o:p></o:p></div>
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1/3 cup vegetable oil</div>
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4 cloves crushed garlic<o:p></o:p></div>
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Directions:</div>
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Preheat broiler to high. Combine all dry rub ingredients and rub on beef. Add basting sauce ingredients to remaining rub. Place meat on a broiler pan and bake for 25-30 minutes,
turning then basting every 3-4 minutes, until center of meat reaches your
desired doneness.</div>
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Very easy and very good!</div>
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-76151981691482753882014-04-04T19:11:00.000-07:002014-04-04T19:11:09.322-07:00Sometimes A Mom.....just needs a long hot shower without someone pounding on the door every 2 minutes or flushing the toilet!<br />
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to take the outside circle on a long trot with a green horse, and maybe her dog. NO ONE ELSE!<br />
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an hour without the question why?<br />
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an hour where "Because I said so" is sufficient.<br />
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a nap!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542560964799793484.post-53020530333050635532014-04-02T14:05:00.001-07:002014-04-02T14:05:05.840-07:00So Glad March is Over!I don't know about you, but I hated the month of March. I am so glad it is over. It was a pretty hard month here. I had to put my favorite horse down (more on that on a later post, I'm still getting over that), the boy's dog ate Ivermec horse wormer and tried to die, we lost a calf, and the list goes on and on. I might also mention, in going out like a lion we got more snow the last week of March than we did all winter. I've been discouraged, in a funk, and not wanting to do much of anything. But life must go on and what doesn't kill us makes us stronger, so it's time to get my act together!<br />
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I've started trying to meal plan. I'm going on week two now and I think I am getting the hang of it, somewhat! My biggest problem is I never know where we will be or how the day will go, so there have been a few days that the plan has had to change last minute. Since I can't see into the future, I can't determine which days work will go long. The biggest benefit I have seen though is when it comes to grocery shopping. If I have my weekly menu planned out before I go grocery shopping, I am guaranteed to have the ingredients I need to make what I want, and not being at the last minute scrambling to figure out what to make for dinner and not having anything to cook with. Nothing frustrates me more than to know what I want to cook, then find out I am out of a key ingredient.<br />
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I am also trying to utilize my crockpot more on the days I know I won't have time to actually cook a meal. I teach class 2 nights a week, so I know those nights I can't cook a meal. Having a plan seems to be making a big difference for me. It also takes away some of the anxiety I have with cooking a meal for a family.<br />
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This morning I made strawberry scones. They aren't the prettiest scones I've seen, but they aren't half bad. The nice thing, is you can do most of the prep the night before. If your stove is anything like mine, you will have plenty of time to throw these together while your oven preheats.<br />
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Jennifer's Strawberry Scones</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 1/3 c. Flour</div>
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3 T. Sugar</div>
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1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder</div>
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1/4 tsp. Salt</div>
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1 c. Heavy Cream</div>
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1/2 c. chopped Strawberries</div>
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Coarse Sugar for Sprinkling</div>
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Directions</div>
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1. Preheat oven to 400*.</div>
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2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add strawberries and cream. Stir until dough comes together.</div>
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3. Drop by large spoonful onto a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse sugar.</div>
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4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or golden.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10755040043994064601noreply@blogger.com2