A taste of Ranch Life in Prairie City, Oregon

Howdy! 

I'd say it's time to dust the cobwebs off of this blog and reconnect...what better way to do that than with a post full of good old fashioned {amateur} cowboy photography? 

Over Easter weekend, my husband (Nick) and I loaded up the girls and headed East, to Prairie City, Oregon. My sister-in-law (Rhiannon) had settled into this quaint little town while fighting forest fires, and a visit was in order. When we arrived Friday evening, we headed to the Oxbow for dinner where we ran into some of Rhiannon’s close friends, and were invited out to their ranch the following day for branding. I was ecstatic! I kept trying to play it off like, “oh the girls would love it!” And while I knew they would, I was secretly screaming, “Yessss, I am so excited, I can hardly wait!”

The following morning we attended an Easter Egg Hunt in the neighboring town of John Day, Oregon, but the true fun came just after the hunt. We went back to Rhiannon’s, changed clothes and headed to the Jacobs’ Ranch. Stepping out of the Suburban into the sun and dust, the sound of bellering cows filled the air. From where we stood, we couldn’t see a soul, but the sounds alone sent anticipation through my blood. The girls quickly pulled themselves up the nearest gate to get a better view, as I drew my camera to ready position for a view of my own.

As the day passed, we were greeted with nothing but kindness from the families involved. They took us in, and treated us like their own. The girls would bounce back and forth between front row seats of a calf being roped, medicated, banded and branded to pony rides, snacks, and playing in the dirt. Nick decided to give calf wrestling a whirl, and I sat back, and soaked in the sight of my family enjoying a day in the good life. Here’s a little peak into our day at the ranch…

Reese soaks up the action.

"Smells like popcorn Mama!"

 Goooo Nick!

 Sweet Mandy

           

 "I mustache you a question"

Yes, that is the tip of a calves ear that he is holding to his face!

"Mama, can we pleeeeease get a pony?" 

Hangin' with the boys....er, men. 

Snack time...because riding ponies is tough work.

Thanks Jenny!

Cowgirls in training...

Happy Trails!

New mustache flasks...for MEN & a t-shirt in the works!

Ever since I came up with the idea for the Cowgirl Canteen,

the men in my life (husband, brothers, friends) have been bugging me to come up with a flask fit for a manly- man...alas, I have answered! 

So go ahead boys, 

Put a Little Hair on your Chest...or your flask!

These would also be perfect flasks for groomsmen gifts!

It's like killing two birds with one stone...gift/wedding photo prop.

And for the t-shirt...

Well, while it might be a bit on the crude side...

(in the words of Larry the Cable Guy)

I don't care who you are-that's funny!

*Mustache flasks will hit the online shop soon!

www.thefarriersdaughter.com

Old Truck Lovin'

I want a truck. Not just any truck, an old school, chippy paint, roll the windows down by hand truck. This isn’t some whim that will be gone when I wake up in the morning. It’s a dream, a wish, a desire that runs deep in my soul. When driving down the road, a certain song will play, and I find myself daydreaming of how awesome it would be to be in the same spot, listening to the same song in an old truck. I see myself alongside my two girls, windows down, country music playing, hair blowing and lots of singing at the top of our lungs. I see cowboy boots dangling of out the passenger window, and mason jars with ice- cold, sweet tea in the cup holders. I see my sister and I out junking, loading the bed with treasures. I see my husband and I parked on an old dirt road, truck bed packed with blankets and pillows, and a vintage cooler with our favorite longnecks inside. I see us snuggled up watching the sunset.

Not only does this truck already have a future, it reminds me of the past. It has that old-truck smell. You know the one. The one that for me, evokes loads of memories. It takes me back to when my parents would load my brothers and I up and head out for a long, summer camping trip. It reminds me of the road trip that I got sick and threw up all over “Old Blue” (yep, we named our truck), and the many mornings I would ride to school with my older brothers and Willie, Waylon, or Merle playing via cassette tape.

I recently passed by an old truck on the side of the road when road tripping with my sister. Had I been with my husband, it’s almost guaranteed that we would have kept driving, but I had my sister! She knows about my mad obsession, and probably knew before I even said a word that we would be making a brief stop. To look at trucks online is one thing, but to actually be standing in front of your dream is another. We did what any two normal gals would do, and took pictures with it. I mean, hey, a girl can dream right?!?! What’s even better is that it was unlocked…in we went…pictures inside too! Now I can literally taste smell it!

I don’t think that kind old man ever sold the truck. I see he has moved it from the road, to behind his business. Every time I pass it with my hubby, I spy it back there, and tease him that the old-timer is saving it for me!

 As a new year begins, and goals are made…one of mine just might have to be investing in a memory-maker, an old truck.

Whiskey Wednesday~Dirty Cowgirl

Howdy!

If you made it through the holiday weekend, crazy family dinners, and Black Friday shopping, then you are sure to be ready for this week's Whiskey Wednesday.

This one comes in shot form, so be sure and have a chaser ready if you are used to sipping.

Dirty Cowgirl

Ingredients:

Butterscotch schnapps  

Pendleton Whiskey

Fill your shot with glass 75% butterscotch schnapps.

Top off the remaining 25% with Pendleton Whiskey. 

Bottoms Up!

A lot of the recipes out there call for Irish cream in place of the Pendleton Whiskey, but lets face it, nothin' says cowgirl like Pendleton Whiskey!

This one starts warming you up as it goes down, so be prepared.

And please, please drink responsibly :-)

Whiskey Wednesday- Girly Drink Recipes for Women

As the holidays approach, I have a vision of the men sitting together in front of the fireplace sipping their whiskey from their short glasses, and the women huddled in the kitchen, drinking wine, and cooking up a storm. Why is it that this happens? Are we divided by our choice of alcohol? Of course not, the conversation had by the fireplace is just not one that is of interest to us ladies...well, not until the whiskey has kicked in anyhow! Or maybe it is because we know that if a bunch of men drinking whiskey were to prepare our family dinner, we would all go hungry :-) If this is you, you can relate to the situation, and you want to mix things up a bit this year...I say, avoid the wine, take a chance, and go for the whiskey! You never know, it may get you out of cooking! Here is a recipe that might help the transition to whiskey go a little smoother.

American Woman Ingredients 1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey 1/2 oz Creme de Noyaux 1/2 oz Cherry Liqueur 1 oz southern comfort® peach liqueur ice cubes add ice to drink shaker add Bourbon add Creme de Noyaux add Southern Comfort shake well until cold strain into a cocktail glass Wishing you all a very  Happy Thanksgiving!

Western Christmas~ Redmond, Oregon

This past weekend, we took part in a wonderful event in Redmond, Oregon! 

Western Christmas was a shopping experience not to be missed. 

Held just minutes from the Fairgrounds and the Columbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo, this show is what I like to think of as a smaller scale, Cowboy Christmas that is held in Las Vegas during the NFR. 

Vendors came from near and far to set up shop offering everything from fudge to cowgirl boots!

We opted for a "cabin in the woods" theme for our booth. 

The tin backdrop may look familiar. I've used it in past shows, but decided to chop it down a bit for this one. Would you believe me if I told you that we fit everything in the back of the Suburban?

I built the fireplace mantle out of some scrap wood we had left over from previous projects. 

The horseshoe hangers are courtesy of my father (thanks Dad). 

The plate on the side table ended up getting some cookies for Santa, and in place of the traditional milk, 

we opted for a flask! 

After all, Santa has a long night ahead of him ;-)

Who needs ornaments when you have Cowgirl Canteens on hand?

A few clothespins to hold things in place, and we had ourselves a very colorful tree.

TFD released a new line of women's flasks at this show.

One of my favorites is the Dream Catcher!

A simple background gives an earthy feel, and allows the hand-crochet doily to really stand out.

Metal findings that have been patina-ed and topped with some czech beads.

The hand-painted boot proved to be a hit with shoppers.

Another simple background, only this time, I hand-painted cowboy boots in a cheery turquoise and red.

An antique bronze metal piece has been hand stitched to resemble a spur!

One of the many perks of our booth placement was that we were situated right beside the Contestant Autograph/Voting for Parade of Ponies.

That meant, we got to meet a bunch of adorable little Rodeo Stars, like this gentleman, Grayson.

Shoppers were dressed to impress, literally from head to toe!

So many great fashion statements were made, and 

handbag envy was in full force.

There weren't many opportunities to sit down, but when she did, my sister and World's Best Helper came up with some awesome nail art! 

Haha! Yes, that heart was the bi-product of chipping polish.

Central Oregon was as beautiful as ever.

We stayed in Tumalo, Oregon with my brother and sister-in-law, and this is what they wake up to every morning. An absolutely gorgeous sunrise. A HUGE thank you to my awesome family for all the help and hospitality!

Part of the fun is always in the journey...

Especially when you road trip with your sister!

We found this beauty on the way out of town, and I was in LOVE.

Someday, I will make this dream of owning an old truck a reality, but for now I'll enjoy 

hopping in them when found on the side of the road for a photo opp :-)

Not the greatest representation, but in the new fall line, you will find these Western Shirt inspired flasks.

Keep an eye on the website, as they will be added very soon.

 If you are in the area, and didn't make it this year, you'll have to shoot for Western Christmas 2013.

An extremely well run show, that offered food, drinks, Santa, a fashion show, and Cowboy Church along with over 100 fantastic vendors! Thanks so much to all who had a part in putting such a great show!

Creatively Made Home E-Course

For those of us living in the Northwest, it's the time of year where we say good bye to many of our outdoor activities, and prepare to settle in for the long, rainy season ahead. To stay-at-home moms like me, it means many hours spent indoors. It means focusing on the interior of our humble homes, and making them as cozy, clean, and functional as possible. That said, what I am about to share with you couldn't have come at a better time!

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I received an email the other day from an amazingly talented friend, Kimberly Taylor, of Kimberly Taylor Images. She was sharing news with me, that she and four other creative ladies will be hosting an e-course designed to help you create the beautiful home you desire. 

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"This course isn’t just about “keeping up with the Jones’” which is a large part of the American culture these days.  It’s not about switching out your decor regularly.  It’s not about creating a home that is esthetically pretty but emotionally empty.  It’s about creating a home that is beautiful BECAUSE the people that live in it and the happiness it has within it’s walls."-Kimberly Taylor

Some things you can expect out of the course:

* Each week you will have amazing truthful videos from not only the five teachers but other creative women.

* Each week we will take a room from one of YOU and all five women will give their suggestions telling you how they would transform the room with their style.

* There will be 50+ project videos.

These will be incredible videos that include everything from gardening, cooking, gift giving and decorating.

* There will be written tips from each woman telling you how she starts a room, picks paint, fabrics, etc.  You will learn where to start when putting your own home together.

* Tons of beautiful house photos from each of the five women.

* Videos that truly reflect what life is like in each of their homes.  The stuff that life is really about.  Believe me it has nothing to do with the perfect table setting.

* Each woman will share their own truthful journey about how they started making their home a reflection of their hearts.

* Each person registered will get an easy entertaining e-book to download.

It will contain go to recipes for beautiful and easy entertaining (they do go together), photos of table settings that take the stress out of having people over, favorite drinks and so much more (and their funniest entertaining story).

* There will be a private Facebook group to connect with other class members.

* There will be a once a week live discussion with one of the teachers!

* You will get printables and pdfs to keep and use again and again.

This course is about loving your home, loving your family and blessing those around you….and having fun doing it.

To register, please visit Kimberly's website.

http://kimberlytaylorimages.com/creatively-made-home/