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.

Always Kiss Me Goodnight

Posted on by Sariah 2 Comments

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I’m sure we’ve all seen a home decor sign with the saying, “Always kiss me goodnight.”

Do you say something like that to your spouse before bed or do you say something else, like –

“Good night, sleep tight, sweet dreams.”

Maybe you are more practical and say, “Don’t forget to charge your phone.”

What does a rancher’s wife say to her husband before she goes to bed?

I say, “What time do you need breakfast?” Isn’t that romantic? Let me explain.

Jeffrey usually has a plan for the work that needs to be done the next day on the ranch. Depending on what that plan is, we may have to eat breakfast anywhere from 4am to 7am.

Eating breakfast together is an important start to our day on the ranch. We eat together and then everyone is out the door at the same time to start the work for the day.

Breakfast is the one meal we always sit down and eat together. Not everyone is home for lunch and sometimes a few of us are still working when dinner time rolls around, especially in the summer. Breakfast is a good time to go over plans and visit as a family.

Quite often we will have guests at those early morning breakfasts. I do take a few minutes to put myself together and then cook breakfast. Even if it is only my family at breakfast, majority of the time I still get dressed and ready for the day before I cook breakfast. It is a good way to start the day.

PC: Sage

Instead of a sign that says, “Always kiss me goodnight,” I need one that says, “Always tell me what time you need breakfast.” Nah, it doesn’t quite have the same romantic ring.

Here is a link to a sign or a pillow cover that says – Always Kiss Me Goodnight.

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

Cowboys and White Shirts

Posted on by Sariah

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Cowboys and white shirts. They go together like Wranglers and boots. My husband and boys all like to wear white shirts when they are working. Maybe they are cooler to work in. Maybe they look cooler wearing them. I’d say it’s a cool cowboy thing.

Here is a poem for all the cowboys who like to wear a white shirt.

Cowboys-and-White-Shirts-2

Jeffrey is particular about his white shirts and how they fit. He is a big guy and he likes room in his shoulders and sleeves that don’t feel short. He gets his Wrangler white shirts with a subtle stripe from Amazon. The XXLT are a great fit for him and all the work he does every day on the ranch.