Three Things I’ve Learned as a Rancher’s Wife

Posted on by Sariah

#1

I have to be ok with some dirt in my house

I understand I can’t eliminate every speck of dirt in our home because of the work we do and where we live.

When all our kids were home, I had 18 feet tracking in dirt, nine people’s work clothes being washed, nine people taking off dirty hats, coats, and gloves. Nine people tiptoeing through the house with dirty boots saying, “I just need to grab something.” (I’m guilty of this too.) That is a lot of dirt coming in that I can’t control.  

We sweep the floor in the morning and there’s dirt. We sweep again at night and there’s still dirt. I haven’t stopped sweeping, but I know I can’t get rid of the dirt 100% because of our lifestyle. And yes, sometimes a dusty, dirty cowboy will sit on a chair or a stool, but I can draw the line and not let them sit on the couch!

We do our best to eliminate as much of the dirt, dust, and hay bits from our home as we can. Although, I know some is always hiding somewhere in the house.

Five of our seven kids feeding during the winter of 2018

#2

I always have an idea for a quick meal and have extra on hand

I cook a lot and generally, I know recipes I can quickly prepare when time is short to get a meal ready.

One time my husband stopped by the house a little after 11 am and he asked, “Can you pack a lunch for five guys by noon?” I said, “What? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” My husband said, “We had a change in plans. So… can you have lunch ready?” I pause as my brain gets a plan together. Then I said, “Yes, I’ll have it ready.”

This doesn’t happen all the time, but I like to be prepared when it does. I know what’s in my pantry and I know what I can make quickly. Usually, it isn’t a possibility to stop at a store or restaurant to feed a crew. I fill that need with a stocked pantry and quick meal ideas.

#3

It helps if I have a flexible schedule

I like a schedule, but that doesn’t always work on the ranch, so I have learned to go with the flow.

Sometimes I get a call from my husband and he asks if I can bring another truck up on the mountain because they’ve had a change in plans. Another time one of my kids has called asking if I can pick them up because their four-wheeler has a flat tire. Once in a while, my husband needs a part picked up in town because he’ll be gone all day fixing fences or moving cows.

All of these examples have happened to me. Repeatedly. What if I wasn’t flexible? It makes more work for others if I can’t jump in and help. We all have to work together when plans change unexpectedly. It may require some sacrifice to be more accomodating, but it’s always for the best. As I think back, all the times I’ve had to be flexible were more memorable than anything I had on my schedule that day.

For all the Meals I’ve Cooked

Posted on by Sariah

Ranch wives cook a lot. I will have extra people at my table (besides my family) about three times a week, on average. Maybe someone stops in to talk and they stay for dinner. Maybe we have to start the day earlier than normal and Jeffrey invites another cowboy to join us for breakfast.

Cowboys who come and help another ranch for just the day are called day workers. The ranching tradition is to feed your day workers. I will usually do a lunch for them and sometimes dinner.

Meal planning for potential extra visitors and having a good idea of what you can whip up on short notice is helpful.

This poem is for the ladies who cook meals for crews and random ranch visitors. The ranch house kitchen is the diner, deli, and bakery.

You may not get a trophy for all the meals you cook, but this poem is dedicated to you.

For-all-the-meals-Ive-cooked