Merry Cowboy Christmas!

Being a graduate of Oklahoma State University made me like this even a little more. This is wonderful, its perfect, couldn't do it better myself,  reminds me of home!

Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you!!!

Cowboys & Indians Magazine

I'm not sure how many of you receive the magazine Cowboys & Indians, or if you have even heard of it. My family has been getting this for years. Its a little more classy than country. Most of the ads for western wear I couldn't begin to afford to buy. Then again, there are some really cool, down to earth, and local...attainable you might say.
I have proof.....Let me do a little bragging my uncle won the photo contest for the Portrait division.

Bandy by: Harry Whitney
He is actually a Kansas boy!

This is in the current issue, along with the other photo divisons, which have some amazing pictures.  Check out the magazine, you might enjoy it.

Post Cowboy Gathering

I'm a little slow at getting this up, but better late than never.
Here is a glimpse of my booth.

This was hosted at the Wabanusee HS. It was a great place with plenty of break-out rooms, large auditorium, and cafeteria.

Other artists or participants included:
Please check out links to their websites.

Harry Whitney-Photography Art

Don Dane-Artist

Sue Krehbiel-Artist

Lady Luck Iron Works-vendor

Ron Wilson-Cowboy Poet  Lariat

Cowboy Way Ranch & Vacations- Vendor & Sponsor

3 Trails West- Saturday's concert

Game Day Kicks

I spotted a pair of OSU cowboy boots in Stillwater 2 years ago. They were awesome, great tops, nice detailing, and the perfect toe, yes it seems the south is always ahead of the game. Then I started seeing posts on Pinterest, websites, and finally saw a post on Cowboys & Indians. I'm not sure why they can't make some awesome K-State ones, but in my opinion they are failing. I would like a nice square toe,(not needle point) with some flashy purple and silver tops.....is this too much to ask?! I think not.

K-State by Nocona

Gameday  Boots is one company that makes boots for certain schools. However, they don't have K-State they have that other school down the road, ugh. Not sure why they don't have the school in Kansas that actually has a rodeo team and is a land grant university?!? (Not that my ranting and raving will make them start producing K-State ones)
Here is the only decent pair they have:

I might have to resort to buying men's boots, check these out:

Getting closer........................

Cowboy Gathering

With a title like that how can you go wrong?!

A week from today I am attending the 1st annual Flint Hills Cowboy Gathering. Friday will consist of a concert and Saturday will be a fun filled day with poetry, music, and vendors. Laurel Hill & 2Chick Couture will be one of those vendors :) I'm really excited to finally set up with a place that focuses on the western lifestyle. Chunky jewelry and blinged-out caps should be a hit.

I feed the World....What's Your Superpower?

Last night I was fortunate enough to be invited to speak to.....well more like "with" a group of young ladies with a passion and interest for agriculture. The group was diverse in their backgrounds and  current involvement with agriculture. An added bonus was that America's Heartland a a weekly series that airs on PBS stations around the country and on RFD-TV had sent a man to video tape the evening. The show is featuring 2 farmers from McPherson county. I will keep you posted on that!

My personal goal for the evening :
1)Leave them with a confidence that no matter your profession or age you can always be an advocate for Agriculture

2) Encourage them to educate themselves to better be able to deal with a variety of situation regarding the rural lifestyle

3) Have them teach me something new

I really hope I succeeded! I know that #3 can be checked off.
When we talked about the frustrations of being in Ag production one that really seemed to stand out was the late hours for their husband. Understandable, however those husbands are out there working hard to get a field planted or harvested or...... Then it came to me. "Your husband is out there producing not only to support your family but also to support families across the world." So the saying came, "He's out feeding the world"  One of the ladies said, "I guess I can take care and feed the 2 kids at the house, cause HE'S OUT FEEDING THE WORLD."

I believe we each should look at the positive we are not only doing for ourselves and family but for the world.

More posts on this great experience of mine.

Wedding attire?!

I wish this was a simple post saying what to traditionally wear to a wedding. I received an invitation to a wedding reception. I was totally confused on what to wear. It had been 90 degrees and then all of the sudden it was 45. I thought this wedding is outside. How do you dress for that. Then I think about the couple. I have been friends with the groom for years and more recently met the bride and we get along great. He is a cowboy through and through. She is spunky and fashionable. So do I wear boots jeans and a fun shirt? Do I wear a skirt and boots, do I wear a dress? I didn't know. Then to add to the complicated mess it started raining the night before the wedding. I wasn't sure, so I called up my best friend Abby that was going as well and we made a strategy. This way we both looked "the same" and if we were too hot, too cold, of felt out of place we would be in it together.
Plan of action:
Cute nice jeans (I wore trouser jeans)
Fun going out sleeveless top (incase it was 90)
Dressy Cardigan (incase it was 45)
Anderson Bean boots (for dancing)
Lots of great jewelry and a good hairdo


Well turns out we were perfect, some of the cuter gals there, if I do say so myself. A showed up late (but he apologize 100times) he had been shipping cattle, getting panels,...you know the drill. We definitely made up for it by dancing almost non-stop. The 2 of us ended up being the last couple off the dance floor and walked out with the DJ.


Wanted to share my wedding gift I made. It matched their rustic chic wedding motif.

The bride told me she got quite a few of her wedding reception decor ideas from Pinterest. After Abby heard this, she joined that night!  The reception was held at a B&B. They moved it into the barn because of the cold weather. Take a look.

Stocktanks held the beverages.

                                                    CONGRATS to the newly married Oleens!

I have an obsession.....

Anderson Bean Boots!

I can't stop looking at them or wanting to buy another pair. It all started one fall in Stillwater OK. I found my first pair of square toe ABs. (This was before square toes were cool) The tops were denim with an embroidered Texas star. So it started. Naturally, black was needed next. The wonderful guy in my life at the time searched 1/2 of TX to find women's black AB square toes...(again, difficult since square was not all the rage) He succeeded and so the collection began.  I believe others should be cool and fashionable too so I have since bought my mom a pair. My grandpa will be getting a pair for Christmas ...ssshhhh!

ABs are all the A will wear now. Except his have to be tall stovepipes. [See below.] Again, boys and their fashion ;)

Old and New

I had a couple of round toed, a black and an elephant hide pair. My mom got those. I wore them for awhile, but they were just too big and I sold them on ebay. I do have one round toe pair left. They are more of a recent purchase, because I love wild and different shoes & boots.Here is my total "collection" Check 'em out..............

Honestly, I'm kinda embarrassed of the condition they are in. No matter the foot-gear or their purpose, I still try to take care of them. I'm definitely polishing these 5 after seeing this picture.

I'm hoping to get a pair of Rios of Mercedes to round out my collection. RoM are a close cousin or like  GMC is to Chevy. So, if any of you are looking for me last minute birthday gift, *wink, wink*

Cowtown Days!

Last weekend I ventured west to Ellsworth again for Cowtown Days and the El-Kan Rodeo. It was a great weekend, meeting new people, catching up with others, and enjoying the western lifestyle.

Friday night I went to the rodeo, it started storming and then had a down pour. The show went on but I started to fade. All the pictures of the rodeo I took didn't turn out...A would be glad, I don't think he wanted to think about how his ride went. Justin one of S's friends ended up getting a 75 and winning  Saddle Bronc.

Saturday was the parade and an amazing one at that. They throw out some of the best things. We joked that we got, food, jewelry, and purses. Ok, the real story is tootsie rolls, Mardi Gras beads, and reusable grocery totes. However, I've never been to parade that gave out so many other things besides candy.

Then we went to the reinactment of the shooting of Sherriff Whitney. A and his brother were gamblers in the saloon for the "play" and carried off Whitney after he was shot.

It was an interesting story so also an educational weekend. More can be found about the event here.

The afternoon had vendors, food, mechanical bulls, games, kids rides, and much more. I thought one of the funnest things for the kiddos was the large pile of sand where the bank barries quarters. This kept the kids entertained for hours,not sure the parents loved the mess though.

That night was the final rodeo performance.

A & John as the official scorekeepers and judges of the Muttin Bustin.

Much better than the night before with the storms. There were some great rides and runs. Although, one of A's friends that I know got bucked off. He was knocked out, they called the paramedics into the areana, he didn't move for about 5min. One of the scarier moments I've had lately.  Clint ended up being "ok."  The guys said he was a little out of it for the rest of the night. Because of that A ended up running the chutes, which made him have a few close calls too.

It was a fun weekend. I took tons of pictures over the weekend most of them had A's niece and nephews in them. Not sure if the fam wants them out there for the world to see, but I HAVE to share my favorite with you!

Dressed like Uncle A, oh his parents will have their hands full!

The Original Rodeo

Ranch Rodeos!

 Ranch Rodeo is an event that was re-created a number of years ago to return to the roots of rodeo when the first event was established in 1882. The event widely hailed as the first rodeo was held in North Platte, Nebraska and was produced by William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill). Buffalo Bill incorporated trick riding and a number of other entertaining additions to the rodeo.

The competition was about the ranches and who could be awarded the prize of being the best ranch in the rodeo. Ranch-versus-ranch contests gradually sprang up, and events were created that simulated what the ranch cowboys did for work each day on the ranch.

These rodeos were a gathering of ranch families and became a social function that was not only a competition but a time of visiting with each other and sharing their lives. As time went on rodeo evolved and became a showcase of each individual cowboy rather than the team concept or ranch-verses ranch competitions that were originally held. Modern day Ranch Rodeo is a return to those times of sharing and friendly competition.

To learn a little more visit: www.wrca.org

The events will vary from rodeo to rodeo, a few are: Ranch Bronc Riding, Wild Cow Milking, Team Doctoring, Team Sorting, and Team Branding.

Last night I went and watched A and his team compete. My best friend and grandpa went along.I also got to see my good friend that I made the burp clothes for.  It was a blast. The rodeo its self is fun to watch and the people I was with made it even better.

Team Sorting

A gettin ready

The chute opens

No sure who this is, but thought it was a good action pic

My T-Shirt. It has all of the ranches that are competing along with their brands. You could choose the shirt color and the screen printing color as well. Made right in front of you.-what a great idea.

My mom was jealous when I told her about this so after the wedding tonight we might try to make part of tonight's performance!

Boots, Chaps, & Cowboy Hats

So last weekend as I sat with the guys at lunch and after branding, during the "cool down period" I listened to what they discussed. If I had my eyes closed I would have thought they were a bunch of ladies. All they talked about was fashion, who had on what brand of boots, where they got their spurs, how sturdy their jeans were...........I brought this up to A and told him that you guys would have made fun of a bunch of ladies sitting around talking about fashion, but they can get away with it? His response, " We just recognize and appreciate good tack." There you have it ladies, your rebuttal when a guy gives you a hard time about talking about shoes, jewelry, clothing, and accessories........ "I just recognize AND appreciate good tack"

I'd love to go into the history of boots, chaps, cowboy hats, spurs, wild rags, and all of that cowboy "tack" that can make some of us girls swoon. However, I'm going to keep it simple and just give you a few pictures. Detail and history on another Friday!

Spurs, Boots (Anderson Beans, my fav), Chaps

Hat, Wild Rag, Chaps

SWEET BOOTS, another guy had the same pair, but in lime green

Branding in Action

Pictures of  "my crew" (yep Im claiming them) branding. What they don't know won't hurt them.

These are at the barn/pens so not a picturesque as Saturday's out in the pasture

Now onto Saturday's Branding--------------------------------

                                                                                       ~250 calves were worked.

J & A waiting on Monte....most likely

3 going at once really speed up the process.

         

THE WHOLE CREW-minus me taking the picture

I wish I had taken more but its hard to vaccinate and take pictures at the same time.

Branding Menu-Cowboy Beans

Last Friday I cooked for a dozen cowboys. I was living the life.
The menu was:
Cheesy Potatoes
Cowboy Beans
BBQ Jumbo Meatballs
Hot & Spicy Jumbo Meatballs
Biscuits
Peach Crisp
Apple Crisp
Maple Cream Sauce (for the crisps)

The aftermath, minimal resources at a bachelors house. Oh the stories I have

Here is recipe for the Cowboy Beans
1 large can baked beans
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can kidney beans
1 can chili beans
1 can butter beans, drained
1/2 -1 pound bacon, cut up
1/2 onion, chopped
1 c. ketchup
3/4 c. molasses
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp chili powder
Tabasco sauce to taste

Fry  bacon until crisp, add onions and cook. Add ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, chili powder, and Tabasco and cook until sugar is dissolved. Add all the beans. Place in covered casserole dish or crock pot and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

The guys ate a ton of these- I agree, there weren't too shabby.