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Peterson Place: Our Desert, Our Branding Day

April 22, 2026 by Allison Leave a Comment

Peterson Place branding day always feels a little different. It’s our desert ground, but this year it felt more like our place than ever before.

We went into the day expecting cold temperatures and high winds, but it turned out just about perfect. Good weather, good help, and a crew that made the work go as it should. It was a mix of old hands and new ones, with plenty of kids jumping in wherever they could—learning as they went and not afraid to get right in the middle of it.

Some of the best parts of the day were getting to rope alongside my kids, especially my ten-year-old who has really started to throw himself into the work. And somewhere along the way, after being part of this crew for more than a dozen years, it felt like I truly found my place in it.

Between the work, the laughs, and even the boys gathered around the fire cooking up their castrated snacks, it was one of those days that reminds you why these brandings matter.

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Filed Under: Ranch Photography, Ranch Stories Tagged With: Branding, Cattle Ranching

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Hello! I'm Allison, The Rancher's Wife! There's nothing I love more than being out on the ranch with my husband and kids. Join me for a look at what goes on here at the ranch and the life being a rancher's wife!

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Hello! I'm Allison, The Rancher's Wife! There's nothing I love more than being out on the ranch with my husband and kids. Join me for a look at what goes on here at the ranch and the life being a rancher's wife!

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theidahorancherswife

Idaho ranch wife + mama 🐮🤠
Living on cattle, cocoa & kids running wild.
Daily ranch life, western style all with a side of dirt.

Growing up I knew I always wanted to be a mom, to Growing up I knew I always wanted to be a mom, to raise a family like I had. I had visions of working together on the ranch and quiet nights watching the sunset together. Ya know, the perfect ranch family. 

But as life goes, it certainly hasn’t been that easy.

In fact there were parts of motherhood that I absolutely struggled with. It wasn’t the late nights or all the diaper changes. I could handle messes and the tantrums. 

The hardest part for me was that I felt… stuck. 

I loved the nap time snuggles, the chubby hands in mine, and the shadow that followed everywhere I went. But still I felt untapped, like I needed to be doing more, contributing to life in a meaningful way. 

I told myself “this IS meaningful work!” and “seasons change.” But there were so many hard days. 

Time went on, kids grew and our seasons changed. And motherhood has never been so meaningful and fulfilling as it is now. 

I love watching my kids struggle and then succeed. I love talking through the good days of school and love when they need a hug after the bad. Teaching and walking them through first experiences brings me pride and joy I can’t explain. 

All those hard days were worth it. 

I don’t know if motherhood was meant to be enjoyed everyday or in every season. But I can tell you the hard days of being a mom have made the good days that much sweeter and that much more fulfilling. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. I hope you are finding joy and fulfillment in every season of motherhood. But if you aren’t right now, I promise it will come. 

#motherhood
#ranchmom
#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#raisingcowkids
When you see a handsome cowboy in a pair of chaps, When you see a handsome cowboy in a pair of chaps, did you ever wonder why he’s wearing them? Yes, because they look dang cool but there’s a few other reasons. 

Here’s why I throw on mine:
1. Chaps help keep me warm on those cool days. That extra layer is just enough to keep the chill from getting to me. 

2. Leather chaps are (mostly) waterproof and help the rain off. Of course, if there’s a ton of rain it will seep through but, let’s be honest, I’d be happy for the problem. 

3. When you kneel in the dirt over and over, maybe even in a little poop or blood, chaps help keep you jeans a little cleaner. 

4. Chaps keep my pants from a little less wear and tear, especially when I’m ripping. The first place my jeans wear out of I don’t wear chaps is in the place my rope slides across my leg. 

And, yes, I do think they look cool and I really want to look like a REAL cowgirl so chaps are a bit of a fashion statement 😉🤣. 

Chinks, wooleys, shotgun chaps… ALL the kind of chaps 🥰

* #chaps
* #ranchgear
* #womeninagriculture
* #marriedtoarancher
* #lifeonacattleranch
It’s my birthday today… so indulge me a moment. It’s my birthday today… so indulge me a moment. 

I LOVE my birthday!  Not in a get-me-lots-of-gifts-and-make-it-all-about me kind of way. I just love celebrating another year of living.

Over the last year I have made so many memories. I have made new connections and enriched old ones. There have been hard learned lessons I never want to go through again but wouldn’t trade them for anything. I love being a wife and mom but also being a coach, a leader, and a rancher. I love having pretty nails but also building strong muscles. 

I love all of this life I get to live!

And I hope you do too. 

From one hopeful, happy, struggling, anxiety ridden cowgirl to another and everyone else out there- work every day to build a life that is meaningful to you. And then celebrate it!

PS- no need for birthday wishes here, I’m not here looking for them, just sharing my heart.
“I just want to make my mark.” (Please tell me you “I just want to make my mark.” (Please tell me you are “How to Train Your Dragon” fans with us!)

And depending on how the day goes…
we either do just that…

or make a few marks in all the wrong places.

Branding season keeps you humble 😅

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#ranchlife
#brandingseason
#cowboylife
The thing about this kind of work is—it takes a te The thing about this kind of work is—it takes a team.

There are no tryouts. No cuts. But you better believe there are expectations.

They’re not measured in stats or accomplishments. More like attitude, work ethic, and whether you show up when it matters.

Our team has kids and experience alike.
It has energy and wisdom.
Cowboys and cowgirls.
Boots on the ground and boots working behind the scenes.

The lineup changes from time to time… but I’d say we’ve got a pretty solid crew.

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#ranchlife
#brandingseason
#cowboylife
He probably hasn’t roped this few of calves in the He probably hasn’t roped this few of calves in the branding pen in years. Not because he isn’t out there working, but because he is giving others the chance. 

He points out pairs for me, our son, our other son, or even his cousin to chase and rope. 

At the end of the day his pride isn’t in the number he drug in, the fancy loops he threw or how many minutes he spent spinning his rope. 

Success for him was when someone he helped strung up two heels instead of him. 

He’s one of the good ones. 

#RanchLife
#BrandingDay
#CowboyHusband
#lifeonacattleranch 
#marriedtoarancher
Rocky Mountain Oysters… The delicacy of branding Rocky Mountain Oysters… 

The delicacy of branding day that no one partakes in, usually. 

There’s always a few castrated bits grilling on the top of the branding box and, I’ll admit that they smell delicious. In order to feel like a true cowgirl, I once indulged and it wasn’t bad. But I just can’t really wrap my brain around eating more than just a taste. 

Tell me, would eat them? Have you? I want to know!

#lifeonacattleranch 
#marriedtoarancher 
#brandingday 
#rockymountainoysters 
#outontherange
I’m playing catchup on the website but photos from I’m playing catchup on the website but photos from branding over the last weekend have started dropping! 

Let’s just say keeping up with the actual work, the laundry it makes, feeding my people after, and chasing the other activities makes editing and posting photos challenging sometimes 🤪🤣. 

Stay tuned to TheIdahoRanchersWife.com this week for daily photo drops. You won’t want to miss anything from the ropers dragging calves in to the kids adding a little extra chaos. 
#lifeonacattleranch 
#marriedtoarancher
#daysofbranding 
#outontherange
#branding26
What a crew! This posse willingly signed up for th What a crew! This posse willingly signed up for the cold, dust, wind, bruises and hard work all for a chance to rope and a full belly. 

If we would have told them there was 100 more they would have happily gotten back to work. In this day and age are, that kind of attitude feels a little rare. 

We would never be able to do this work without them. And the best part is that these friends make it feel more like play than work. 

Peterson Place 2026 branding in the books. Thank you, to everyone that saddled up, dished up, and chatted it up.  See you next year!

#Brandingontherange
#lifeonacattleranch 
#marriedtoarancher 
#branding2026 
#cowboysatwork
Dust? What dust? 🤣 If there is one thing you can Dust? What dust? 🤣

If there is one thing you can guarantee out here on the range is plenty of dust. We keep praying for rain and have had little bits here and there, but not really much to amount to. 

Until the rains come we will keep doing our work the best we know how, which will mean eating a little more dust. 

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#cattleontherange 
#dustandmoredust
#cowboylife
I’ve loved ranching for as long as I can remember— I’ve loved ranching for as long as I can remember—though marrying my husband proved I still had a lot to learn about their way of doing things.

It’s been about 10 years since I got serious about roping, and only in the last 5 that it’s really started to click. And now I’m hooked!

Still learning, still improving—but fair warning: if I don’t get to rope, I will absolutely be in a mood about it… but I’ll do my best to keep it to myself.

#marriedtoarancher 
#lifeonacattleranch 
#BrandingDay 
#RanchLife 
#WomenWhoRope
Did you know we have been running cattle on this r Did you know we have been running cattle on this range for over 100 years? Even before these public lands were claimed as BLM, my husband’s great-great-grandpa raised cattle through these same hills. In fact, this large herd of cows still carries some of those same genetics. Of course there have changes through the years, but we try to do the same they did five generations ago- raise great cattle. 

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher 
#branding
#cattle
#ontherange
Rancher’s wife tip- consult calendar dates for any Rancher’s wife tip- consult calendar dates for any and ALL possible events, including your child’s birth day. 

On this day 16 years ago, my husband left our little college-town home to drive the 3 hours down to the family desert piece to brand. I instead went to my OB appointment where I was told to go directly to the hospital to deliver my baby. 

Nothing scary or concerning- both baby and I were perfectly healthy. But of course it had to happen on branding day.  I heard the sorted calves loud and clear in the background. And if I remember right, there was a small hesitation where I’m sure he considered staying to brand the first set of calves before coming to the hospital. 

Moral of the story- don’t have babies in branding season. It’s best to consult his calendar. On the other hand, birthing little cowboys into such chaos might be the key to them growing into strong, kind, and capable young men. 

Tell me I’m not the only one who has to plan life around ranch work

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#ranchlife
#brandingseason
#cowboylife
Photos from our first of many brandings are coming Photos from our first of many brandings are coming off the camera and hopping on my website. There are too many fun moments captured to claim a favorite, but here are a few. 

Check out the rest on TheIdahoRanchersWife.com. Direct link can be found in my stories and profile Linktree 

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#brandingontherange
#westernphotography
#cowboysandcowgirls
Headed down to the desert this morning and had the Headed down to the desert this morning and had the best day branding. 

Sunshine ✔️
Roping✔️
Great food✔️
NO wind ✔️
The best people ✔️

We kicked off branding season in the best way and I can’t wait for next week. 

Be ready for a photo dump and stories to come!! (Also, I had a chance to pull out my new telephoto lens for some fun photos today 📸)

#lifeonacattleranch 
#marriedtoarancher
#brandingseason
#brandingontherange
#cownoysandcowgirls
“Hello, Ladies,” said in a low, sultry voice. The “Hello, Ladies,” said in a low, sultry voice. The most subtle pick up line from the Old Spice commercials, of all places. 

We may be in the middle of dropping this years’ calves but that doesn’t mean we aren’t prepping for next year already. 

Bull turnout will be here before we know out which means we need to have enough herd bulls heathy, strong, and range ready to breed cows all summer long. 

For months we have been testing, doctoring, and buying bulls ready. With the last of them being delivered any day now, we will get everything branded, tagged and ready for their final inspection. 

There’s still a little time before turnout, but everything is lining up. Bulls getting ready, cows getting close…
And somewhere in the back of your mind, you can already hear it—
“Hello, ladies.”

#lifeonacattleranch 
#marriedtoarancher 
#bullsofinstagram 
#helloladies 
#ranchlife
You ever feel like you’re being watched while you You ever feel like you’re being watched while you work… ?😅
We had a full panel of judges today, watching every move we made, and I’m sure they were thinking things like “we’re watching you,” “why are you doing that” and “don’t mess this up!”

And honestly… they’re not wrong.

Because whether it’s giving a calf the little extra boost it needs, or raising a boy to step in, work hard, and figure things out—this stuff matters. It’s not always smooth, and we don’t always get it perfect, but it’s worth getting right.

The herd might have a lot more eyes on me, but it’s the eyes from my husband, my kids and the others that are counting on me. Good thing for a lot of love and grace!

Today I’m pretty sure we passed inspection, though. Jury’s still out. 🐄👀

•	#lifeonacattleranch
•	#marriedtoarancher
•	#ranchlife
•	#ranchkids
•	#judgedbycows
Dear Mother Nature, I’ve been skeptical of the we Dear Mother Nature, 
I’ve been skeptical of the weather and your intentions for months now. Could life really be this sunny and warm? 🥰🤔

But now that the calendar has actually flipped to spring, I’m feeling more confident and hopeful that this is here to last. 🥹

Now, that doesn’t mean you should drop snow on us just because I’m relaxing into it, although that still would be part of an Idaho spring. 🤪🤣

We could use a touch rain. The moisture we have had has done so much good but it won’t last long. 🙏🏻

As ranchers we put a lot of faith and trust in you to take care of us. Don’t let us down. Not there’s a lot we can do in revenge or anything 🫩😮‍💨🤣. 

Sincerely, 
A ranch wife pulling out the short sleeves and officially putting away the snow clothes. 

Ps- it seems like you always struggle to know how much wind to share our way. Please error on the side of too little. 

#lifeonacattleranch 
#marriedtoarancher 
#DearMotherNature 
#RanchLife 
#SpringVibes
Please tell me not the only one… I’m starting to Please tell me not the only one… 

I’m starting to realize I live in a constant state of being in the wrong place… while also being exactly where I’m supposed to be.

At a basketball game? Thinking about what’s happening on the ranch.
Out on the ranch? Thinking about the laundry, the schedule, or where I’m supposed to be next.

Turns out nothing on a ranch waits for you. Not the cows, not the weather, not the work.

And unfortunately, the rest of life doesn’t either.

I used to think if I just planned things better, I could keep up with all of it.

Now I’m realizing that was wildly… optimistic. 🤣🤪

So these days I just do my best to show up where I am, try not to think too hard about what I’m missing somewhere else, and trust it’ll all still be there when I get back.

(Some days I’m better at that than others.)

Give me an AMEN IF you’ve ever felt like you’re supposed to be in two places at once 

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#ranchlife
#womeninagriculture
#momlife
“Are you coming out?” Those have to be some of my “Are you coming out?”

Those have to be some of my favorite words.
Around here, they translate to I love you, for sure.

In this busy season of life, I feel pulled in so many directions—kids’ activities, service opportunities, community involvement, my dreams, housework… the list never really ends.

I’ll admit, I struggle with the balance of what I should do and what I want to do.
And most days, what I want is to be out ranching.

But because it’s a “want,” it can feel selfish.

But if he wants me out there working alongside him, then that becomes my priority.

He’s making space and time for me…
and I’m not about to overlook that.

#lifeonacattleranch
#marriedtoarancher
#ranchlife
#womeninagriculture
#ranchwife
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  • Final Range Branding: Deep Creek Cleanup
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  • Cedar Hill Branding Take Two: Cleanup Day
  • Peterson Place: Our Desert, Our Branding Day

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