Ranch Wife's Slant

Cowboys, kids, and ranch life

Author: Amy

  • Beef Recipes from A to Z

    One of the things I love about cooking with beef is the many different ways I can enjoy it. I do a lot of experimental cooking mostly with roasts and steaks; sometimes hamburger, to discover new flavors and new favorite dishes. I’ve never been brave enough to try cooking a prime rib but I’ve always…

  • Deals Worth Waiting For

    I’m a frugal junkie. I love being thrifty and getting what I want for a lot less money. At the beginning of each new year I make a goal list of big ticket items I want. For starters, writing it down first gives me adequate waiting time to consider whether I really want or need the…

  • Mary Jane’s Farm Magazine Makes Waiting for Tanks to Fill Enjoyable

    Recently, my girlfriend Sadonna recycled her Mary Jane’s Farm magazines by passing them on to me. She gave me three issues and I haven’t been able to part with them yet to pass onto someone else because they’re so good! For any of you guys out there who might be reading, Mary Jane’s Farm magazine…

  • My Inspiration File

    I am constantly on the lookout for new column topic ideas. I have a special folder dedicated to newspaper clippings, ideas, notes and observations I’ve jotted down that could inspire or trigger a column topic.   Periodically I get stuck on what to write about and peruse through my inspiration file. It contains mostly articles…

  • Dr. Val Farmer: A Professional Who Knows

    Many people think living on a farm or ranch sounds romantic but there are stresses that are unique to the farming and ranching lifestyle that families commonly struggle with. I have always been a Val Farmer fan because he specializes in rural mental health issues that families in agriculture commonly experience. He shares his insights and…

  • It’s Rhubarb Season!

      One of my favorite summer treats is having rhubarb. For those who have never experienced tasting rhubarb, it’s very tart, and like chokecherries, it’s consumed after it’s been cooked with sugar. Rhubarb is an easy to grow perennial plant that’s popular in our area and freezes really well. It has a very distinct, unforgettable…

  • Prairie Berry Winery: A Black Hills Attraction for Adults

    I’m more of a steak and beer chick but if there’s an opportunity to sample and learn about other varieties of alcohol for free I’m no dummy, I’m going to call up a friend or two, enjoy a little wine tasting, and eat lunch there. A frugal knows a good deal when she finds one….

  • Signs of Summer

    After a long Black Hills South Dakota winter, the thought of spring seems like a dream and summer an illusion. Too many times we’ve been fooled by wonderful spring weather only to get clobbered by a late spring snowstorm to remind us that Mother Nature’s in charge of when it’s spring and summer. That’s why…

  • Our Annual Family Picnic

    When we move our cows to summer range every June, I pack a picnic lunch for our family to enjoy afterwards. It’s made the annual cow-moving trek a family tradition. Sadly, we rarely have picnics, which I need to change. When our kids were younger, the thought of food (mostly a can of pop and…

  • What I’ve Learned About My Husband

    My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary. After sixteen years, I’ve discovered a few things about him and marriage in general. Namely, that I started out married to a perfect stranger. The following are ten things I’ve learned about my spouse in sixteen years. Do not, under any circumstances, wake him up even…