The Idaho Rancher's Wife

The Ranch From the Wife's Perspective

The Cenex Man

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We took a quick jaunt up to Montana to visit my folks before we all got too busy with the fall work.  It had been since Christmas that The Rancher was able to make it up there so thought it was time for a road trip.  We ended up going in the middle of the week, which doesn’t leave a lot of playing time since my parents both work.  No matter, the Rancher’s Wife is always up for a challenge! 

My dad works for CHS (Cenex Harvest States) delivering practically whatever his customers need.  He does any kind of feed, mineral, salt, gates, panels, fencing materials… whatever you need he can get (usually).  Currently The Cenex Man is working to get the materials for a group of ranches to build about 13 miles of fence through some of the most beautiful country.  On our way up to make the delivery I had to stop to take a few pictures because it was just beautiful.  These are my mountains and ranges.  Yes it is all covered with the same grass and sage brush but it has a special place in my heart.  Its home.

Made it to the Finals!

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After the summer of team penning and brandings (and sortings… I don’t know why we don’t ever mention that in the name…) the winners have a chance to come back at one final competition.  The Rancher made it on a team for the team sort.  The team wasn’t too competitive but The Rancher did good.  And more importantly he looked good doing it!

 The Rancher’s Sidekick even took some pictures on my phone.  Yes, kids are so tech savvy…

 Can you see all of the MUD in the arena?  We had a beautiful, wonderful rain storm the night before that soaked the arena.  Along the side of the grandstand was especially bad because there was runoff from the roof as well.  It made for a fun ride! 

My Favorite Kind of Day

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The ranching men were moving cows again and they did it in the best way.  They brought them in front of the house so we could easily grab some pictures and come along.  They initially were only moving one bunch but since they had the men and the time they moved another group.  It was really time that they did too because this darn bunch of cows were always getting out!  Funny how being without feed makes these cows get out…

The Super Rancher

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There is a lot that being a dad requires.  Probably more than what The Rancher ever thought he would have to do (you can imagine some of the icky things has been privileged to do).  But there are days the cool days when he is so much more than a dad.  Days when he gets to strap on his Super Hero cape and save the day!

Like Friday.  I opted to not do laundry and go on a rough romantic ride to help fix fence (read wrangle kids while The Rancher fixes fence).  This fence was by a water trough, that had a hole.  Which meant there was mud… everywhere.  That innate-boy-instinct to get in the mud got the best of The Rancher’s Sidekick and before long he was in the mud UP TO HIS KNEES.  This momma was so thankful he was in shorts and water boots (minus socks).  Ya, we have learned over time…

But when you are up to your knees in mud you need a little help.  A Super Hero to save the day!  Like The Super Rancher!  What a dad!

The Color Green

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The Ranch Boss, The Rancher’s grandpa, was looking over the hay fields and commented how he loved that color of green.  We looked out across with him at the new seeding that was just popping up through the dirt.  He turned to the other end of the field and commented with an air of satisfaction that the only color of green better is the rich color of the growing alfalfa hay.

He is right.  Nature’s shades of green are so beautiful, but especially these shades.  This color of green is more than a hue.  It shows the hard work, diligence and commitment these men have had to grow their crops, especially in the midst of a drought.  The straight continuous lines of sprouting grain give hope of a new harvest.  I think mostly this kind of green means success and satisfaction.

I guess we like to GO GREEN after all, just not the green most think of.

More Than a Milk Cow

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We have two milk cows on the ranch. One dear old cow has been around for 10+ years.  She is called Jersey, even though she is actually like a Brown Swiss not a Jersey.  She is more of a pet than anything else.  Kids all over the valley know Jersey because she has gone to school where they have learned all about a dairy cow.  The Rancher’s Sidekick always says that he will be the one to get her into the barn when milking time rolls around. 

We have had a few others but currently we have a Holstein that I like to call Millie.  You know, Millie the Milk Cow.  She is isn’t so pet like but still a pretty chill cow.  But poor thing, she doesn’t have a tail…

Jersey has mostly been used as a milk cow for the family but recently they have been used as nurse maids for the bum calves we get.  It is so much easier and cheaper to have a surrogate momma than to buy/mix/feed powdered milk.  It is amazing how many calves these cows milk for!  I actually feel bad for them a little.  Ow… Ya, that’s all I have to say… Ow.

 

Good News

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I am elated to say that I have terrific news… my camera is on its way home!  I have hated not having it around with me.  I guess I hadn’t realized how much I have grown to LOVE taking pictures.  Now I am going to go on photo overload and take pictures of EVERYTHING!  Maybe the rest of my life can slow down so that I can make more time for you.  Lets hope it all falls together. : )

At the County Fair

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Oh how we love fair week!  I thought I would drop a line to tell you I am still kicking, just busy playing at the fair.  I don’t have any pictures for you today… Sorry about that… But soon, very soon!

In fact, I don’t know if I have told you or not (I don’t remember very well) but I am having camera problems.  One afternoon I picked it up to take some pictures and I noticed the sensor had gone haywire.  I took it in praying it was a simple fix.  Of course it ended up being bad enough we had to send back into Nikon.  That was two weeks ago… I checked in on it and they haven’t even done the diagnosis yet.  I am beginning to feel IMPATIENT!!  Thankfully The Rancher’s mom has the same camera and will loan it out to me when she’s not using it.  But then I still need to grab pictures from her… I know, I am letting you down.

So lets talk about the fair instead, it is much happier to chat about.

Even though we don’t have any kids old enough to be in the fair, we still have been averaging about one trip a day and which are usually followed by LATE nights.  Starting with Monday, the Team Penning and Branding that besides The Rancher roping we also provided the heifers.  This is such a fun one to go because so many of our friends and neighbors come out to it.

After sleeping in the following morning (I’m not going to admit how late we slept) we began the work of prepping to go over once again.  Besides gathering dinner, jammies, blankets, and tractors every cowboy and cowgirl needs, I had a little extra work of getting together my pictures to enter into the fair.  Don’t worry, we made it amidst all of the craziness and all I forgot to do was my makeup, no biggie…  Besides entering my pictures the fair that night we took found a seat in stands for the free concert- Charley Jenkins!  He is an up and coming country singer from Utah.  His songs were so awesome- they were all about The Rancher, I swear!  

We weren’t terribly interested in the sheep show so we chose to stay home Wednesday.  Oh how I loved it!  I even swept and mopped my floor!  Of course you would never guess it at this point.  Living with a little boy that plays in the dirt and a big boy that work (plays) in the dirt all day means that this house doesn’t stay clean.

Thursday was our big day.  Cowboys Pete and E had their steer show- a must see!  And to know surprise they did a great job showing.  When the cattle are all done they do an open showmanship class that I borrowed Cowboy Pete’s steer.  We totally took first place!  I’ll have to see if anyone took a picture for proof.  The night ended with the Family Fun Rodeo.  This isn’t a typical rodeo, in fact when The Rancher did his team roping he was minus a horse.  That is what we call the poor man roping.  I can guarantee that if they don’t catch right out of the chute that they won’t chase that calf down the arena.

Now I am sitting in sweats in my nicely air conditioned house, debating if it is nap time or lunch time.  I think that this day calls for relaxing because tomorrow is more craziness.  Oh how we love fair week!

A Cool Summer Night

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We love the long summer evenings because there is just so much fun stuff to do around the ranch and around our little valley.  A favorite is always saddling up the horses and heading to the arena. 

One night The Rancher needed to practice roping with his partner for the upcoming rodeo (that has since come and gone… yep, I need to post them too… I know) so we made a family night of it.  With so many kids, horses, steers, and dogs, how could we NOT have a good time?! 

There are so many reasons I love being a rancher’s wife and having so much to enjoy from our lifestyle.  You want to come visit now, don’t you?  Well come on over!

At Jacobsen’s Field

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 These are more of the pictures from our trail down the road to Jacobsen’s field.  The cowboys waited there for a bit doctor the calves.  They also try to keep the cows gathered up long enough for them to get paired together.  At least we hope they will…

About Me

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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