DDid you guess what I was doing in the photo I posted yesterday? 🐟 Now that is from ranch to table! 🌾 I love fresh fried fish and shared a recipe our Louisiana friend Craig Hitt shared with me in AQHA Magazine. He passed this December. I’ll always think of him every time I fry fish. That’s what recipes too. They connect you. I’m also sharing my dad’s catfish stew recipe. If you don’t have catfish or another white fish just use 2 cans of drained salmon (take the bones out)! It’s so delicious!! Thanks Wyatt McSpadden for the photos! #ranchlife #fishing #cooking #recipes

Guesses on what I’m doing here? 🫢

Here’s a story for y’all. This past spring the family was driving to town and we passed a picnic roadside rest stop one mile down the road from our ranch. The rest stop backs directly up to Indian Creek. I saw one car with the hatch open backed up in a spot by the creek. A young guy and girl were standing there. Ty was driving and his jaw tightened as we passed the rest stop and he made a u-turn. I asked “what are you doing?” “Those people just dumped trash into the creek.” He said as he pulled into the road side stop. He’s much more observant than I am. I hate confrontation and my heart started to race. “We can just call and report it.” I said. Knowing nothing would come of it but I was trying to think of another solution, rather than face to face confrontation. Ty got out of the truck and said “Hey, what are you guys doing.” I can’t remember what they said but they like they had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. I smiled because, like I said, I had uncomfortable situations. Ty pointed with this big finger outstretched and tilted his cowboy hat down as if looking around his hand. “I saw you dump a bucket of trash into that creek.” “No we didn’t.” They said. Oh great, I thought, he was mistaken and now it’s super uncomfortable and awkward. The kids and I stayed in the truck out of it. “Don’t lie to me. I saw you. Go down and pick it back up.” The young couple with wide eyes walked down the ditch. To my surprise they walked back up with a bunch of cans in their hands. “Thank you,” Ty said. “This creek runs into my ranch. My cows and horses drink out of it. It fills the lakes.” The couple lowered their heads “Yes sir. Sorry.” Ty got back in the truck and I smiled and said “Have a good day!” Still scares me that he did this because you never know what type of person you’ll encounter. It’s not like the old days, but I also think it’s super cool of Ty to stand up for what is right. These photos are from a shoot with Wyatt McFadden we took this spring for my article in the @officialaqha . Thought the ranch looked beautiful! #ranchlife #texas #cowboy

This barn behind us was once a house. About 20 years ago, and old lady drove into the ranch and asked to take a picture of this “house.” Ty said “you mean that barn.” She replied “No, that house. My brother was born in that house.” I saw this photo online of a coal miner and his family in 1938 West Virginia. It made me think of the family who grew up in our barn. It’s a life I can’t even imagine and I’m fascinated. How tough our ancestors were! Why do (or don’t) you think it’s important to pass down your family history to your children?

It’s so funny that Thumbs wants to come on all our hikes because he’s grouchy to all of us 😹! He’s Mr. Misunderstood but we love him just how he is! The characters in #rosieswildride are true to character. #cat #grouchycat #funnyfarm #childrensbook #ranchlife

He has a point ! 🤠 It’s definitely a Wild Ride! #rosieswildride

And people wonder why I don’t have another child 😂 She’s like raising 10! Standing in solidarity of all you mama’s with strong-willed, wild in the best way, kids! ❤️

Yes my baby girl! Yes! 🤣❤️

Happy New Year ✨ This year I hope you wonder What If You Can! My heart is set on a new writing project and am I starting to feel discouraged and doubting my capabilities and so this morning I took Oakley’s own positive mindset that inspired “Rosie’s Wild Ride!” What is it you want to accomplish this year? 🐴 Finally the big day arrived! As they entered the arena, Rosie watched the other horses gallop through the grand entry parade. Rosie felt big and clumsy. She was so different from the other horses. Thumbs’s words echoed in Rosie’s ear: “You’ll never be a rodeo horse.” What if I can’t do it? Rosie thought. Oakley could feel Rosie hesitating and whispered, “Rosie, what if we can?”