Traditions

As you know lambing was a very busy time of year for us. It's a relief that we only have eight pregnant ewes left. Yippee!

During lambing the herders work from sun up to sun down and often past that. They sometimes take a lunch break, never take a nap, probably forget to drink water and I know they just dread cooking dinner for themselves after a long, hard day.

My mother-in-law and I try and help here and there. She sends over fresh bread and other foods and I've gotten really good at sending over some warm pasta for them to eat.

Our dearest friends Kennie and Angie had a great idea earlier this year. Kennie's family are original homesteaders in the area and they know all about tradition. His grandmother cooked for a fellow sheep rancher's crew during lambing season for many years. After hearing about how tired and how hard they worked during lambing season she wanted to do something that would lift their spirits. Each year their workers looked forward to her meal.

Kennie and Angie wanted to do this for us and start a new tradition here at our ranch. We, of course loved the idea.

They came and made the most delicious beef tacos, rice, fresh lemonade and pie. All six of our workers thoroughly enjoyed it and went back for seconds and thirds. We didn't partake in all of the goodness, we wanted the workers to enjoy every bit of it. J and I did manage share a taco after everyone was done. Yummy!

It's great to have the support from our community and friends and I know our workers were very grateful for the nice meal.

This is just one example of all the love this small town gives. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
We are so blessed and very lucky to have many people like them in our lives.

With a little help from a friend...

I barely made the deadline to apply for a hunting license.

By barely, I mean 30 minutes before the clock struck midnight barely. My friend Kennie called and said, "Just calling to remind you today is the last day to apply for a license". Say WHAT?! I guess I figured I would be getting an email, phone call or I'd see it in the paper.

Apparently the DOW doesn't advertise things like that.

I have no idea what season I applied for but I do know I applied for an Elk tag because Kennie told me I did. :)

After I submitted the application J said, "Well, what will you shoot?" I replied, "My 22. The same gun I go prairie dog shooting with." He laughed. Apparently you need a bigger gun to kill an Elk.

Whatever.

Don't worry, I'm being honest with myself. The chances of getting picked in the draw are slim to none. If I do get lucky and actually get a license the chances of seeing an Elk are even more slim. Let's take this even further and say that even if I get a tag and see an Elk the likelihood of being able to actually pull the trigger.... you get the picture.

I figure if I do get lucky, but don't get see and catch shoot an Elk I'll get one heckuva workout hiking those mountains, it's a win-win!

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This post has been sitting as a DRAFT in my Blogger Dashboard for months. I don't know what I was waiting for to hit PUBLISH, but since writing the first half I've received the Draw Results.

Drumroll, please.

I was successful in the Big Game Limited License Draw Results! I have no idea what the hell that means, but I know I got an Elk tag! I also know it's a private land tag so this means I can sit in our "backyard" and wait for an Elk to come to me. Hopefully.

NO HIKING REQUIRED!

Ladies and gents, be sure to wear your hunter orange this season because this city girl is a-goin' huntin!

Still dreaming big...

You can read about my first steps before applying for an Elk tag by taking my Hunter Safety class  here and here. There is a gun wound involved. ;)

July 4th Fun in the Country.

How was your weekend?

My weekend began with food, fun and good company. The weekend ended with our town’s July 4th celebratory parade, Cornhole and fireworks. It was marvelous.

There were so many wonderful things about this past weekend, but one moment that I am particularly grateful for was hearing our national anthem at the parade. It’s so easy to get lost in the excitement of having friends in town, a three day weekend, food and fun, and to be reminded of what the holiday is really about can never be a bad thing. Our town honored our active military and those that have lost their lives fighting for our country and I’ll tell you…The Star Spangled Banner gets me every time and this weekend was no exception.

Throughout the weekend there was lots of girl time along with a little houseboat action on Saturday.

We barbecued, played Cornhole (game made by the ever so talented, Kennie).

Lisa and I had a morning filled with mimosas and SATC episodes while the boys were out shooting guns.

The boys were looking forward to this weekend for months. They planned out every minute and stocked up on ammo. They went out shooting every single day and came back having had lots of good laughs.

They also came back with an animal that is sitting in my freezer waiting for its date with the taxidermist.

Oh, I do not kid.

Monday, we partook in the local town pet parade. Jigs and her friends, Annie and Schrader were stars of the pet parade.

At least in my book they were.

Jigs was very festive in her red, white and blue skirt and American flag vest. I’d like to believe that she loved every minute of it.

The weekend winded down with a relaxing evening of yes, more Cornhole and of course fireworks. It was a lovely weekend with friends and a lot of memories were made.

Now, J and I get to unwind for 24 hours (and clean!) before we head to Mexico! He deserves a little vacation and well, I do too.

It’s hard work being a rancher’s wife. ;)

Oh, and before I go I want to show you more of J’s beard. You remember my Evolution of a Beard post? Well, I’ve added a picture because it got worse longer. You can see my addition here.

This weekend he sported a little Joe Dirt action,

but tonight in preparation for our trip - I finally got my husband back!
I'll post pics soon. Right now, I gotta finish packing and Jigs is not making this easy.