We are headed to our first branding this morning. We are hoping calves are dry enough and we don't get rained out. Safe to say kids and wrestlers will be mud from head to toe!
Good Times. Good Times.
Did I mention we are headed to Iversons & Dick brews his own beer?
Good Times. Good Times.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
BHS or Bust!!!!
The weather maybe rainy and dreary and snowing all around us, but there is a wonderful bright spot at the end of the tunnel. This time next week I will be headed to the World Famous Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City!
Whoop! Whoop!
Man, I am getting all giddy just thinking about it. Bucking Horse Sale, a sign that summer is on its way. A place to catch up with friends you haven't seen all winter. A weekend to run into people you haven't seen in years. A time to meet new people from all kinds of cool places. Wild Horse Racing. A parade that just plain rocks. The 7th Calvary Band, wow. The BagPipers, wow. The BagPipers and the 7th Calvary Band together, in the Bison Bar. I get goosebumps thinking about it! Cold Beer. Betting on the horses. Match Bronc Ride. Watching those horses buck. Man, I could go on forever.
Man....I Heart Bucking Horse Sale.
The crazy thing about it; I will have T and my 85 year old Grandpa Bob tagging along, and I am still super excited! Grandpa said he couldn't remember the last time he was at a bucking horse sale, and really wanted to go. So, I am taking him. This will be the third Bucking Horse Sale I have taken T too, and she will just be 4 next fall. There are lots of kids to play in the dirt with and she enjoys watching the horses. Besides, she really really likes her Grandpa Bob, and he really really likes her, so it will be good as long as those two don't gang up on me!
The last couple of years we have had the team and wagon in the Bucking Horse Parade, for the Bison Bar. It is still up in the air if we are this year, but will know shortly.
Awwww.... Bucking Horse Sale. Did I mention how excited I am?
I shall have to look for some photos of years past to share with you.
Whoop! Whoop!
Man, I am getting all giddy just thinking about it. Bucking Horse Sale, a sign that summer is on its way. A place to catch up with friends you haven't seen all winter. A weekend to run into people you haven't seen in years. A time to meet new people from all kinds of cool places. Wild Horse Racing. A parade that just plain rocks. The 7th Calvary Band, wow. The BagPipers, wow. The BagPipers and the 7th Calvary Band together, in the Bison Bar. I get goosebumps thinking about it! Cold Beer. Betting on the horses. Match Bronc Ride. Watching those horses buck. Man, I could go on forever.
Man....I Heart Bucking Horse Sale.
The crazy thing about it; I will have T and my 85 year old Grandpa Bob tagging along, and I am still super excited! Grandpa said he couldn't remember the last time he was at a bucking horse sale, and really wanted to go. So, I am taking him. This will be the third Bucking Horse Sale I have taken T too, and she will just be 4 next fall. There are lots of kids to play in the dirt with and she enjoys watching the horses. Besides, she really really likes her Grandpa Bob, and he really really likes her, so it will be good as long as those two don't gang up on me!
The last couple of years we have had the team and wagon in the Bucking Horse Parade, for the Bison Bar. It is still up in the air if we are this year, but will know shortly.
Awwww.... Bucking Horse Sale. Did I mention how excited I am?
I shall have to look for some photos of years past to share with you.
Get your Grill On!
Ready? Set. GRILL!
Even with our unpredictable, ever changing Montana weather, Big D and I use our grill pretty much year round. Yes, our winter grilling is not as frequent as our summer grilling, but it still gets used. I tell ya, I have shoveled snow off of sidewalk and from around our grill in order to get to it and use it in cold and icky weather? Some may call me crazy, you may agree. But you just can't beat a home grown grilled steak, in my opinion.
Now, I am no expert and we like to experiment on the grill. Here is a link to some guide lines I found on the Montana Beef Council webpage. This handy dandy little chart gives you grill times for different cuts of meat depending on if you use charcoal grill or gas grill. It contains some cool grilling tips such as marinating tips, cooking temperatures, seasoning tips, and much more. It also gives you some tips on how to determin doneness.
I wish I would have found this a long time ago. I have already learned a thing or two!
Even with our unpredictable, ever changing Montana weather, Big D and I use our grill pretty much year round. Yes, our winter grilling is not as frequent as our summer grilling, but it still gets used. I tell ya, I have shoveled snow off of sidewalk and from around our grill in order to get to it and use it in cold and icky weather? Some may call me crazy, you may agree. But you just can't beat a home grown grilled steak, in my opinion.
Now, I am no expert and we like to experiment on the grill. Here is a link to some guide lines I found on the Montana Beef Council webpage. This handy dandy little chart gives you grill times for different cuts of meat depending on if you use charcoal grill or gas grill. It contains some cool grilling tips such as marinating tips, cooking temperatures, seasoning tips, and much more. It also gives you some tips on how to determin doneness.
I wish I would have found this a long time ago. I have already learned a thing or two!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Very Merry Month of May
May typically is a busy month around here. Spring is thinking about arriving, calving is going full swing or about over. People are thinking about branding, and going around fences in summer pasture. School graduations, track meets, anticipation of backyard barbeques and summer fun and the Kentucky Derby. But did you know that May is also:
*National Beef Month
*National Hamburger Month
*National Barbeque Month
*National Asparagus Month
So, in honor of all that above below is some of my favorite ways to beef and aparagus using my grill. *note to reader, I am a simple cook, so don't be expecting anything to over the top, but do expect over the top flavor and goodness*
*Ribs Take 1*
Take ribs and rub yellow mustard or spicey brown mustard on both sides of ribs.
Take and sprinkle choice of seasoning onto mustard covered ribs. I enjoy Johnny's Season Salt or Lawry's Season Salt. Big D leans more towards Slap Yo' Mama seasoning.
Place ribs on preheated grill, on low. The trick (we have found) is to cook them low and slow.
*Ribs Take 2*
Take ribs and rub choice of seasoning on both sides of ribs.
Place ribs on preheated grill and cook on low.
Pour apple juice, apple cider or apple vinegar into spray bottle. Every half hour or so, spray the ribs generously to keep them from drying out. Remember, low and slow.
*My Kinda Steak*
I prefer my steak grilled to medium rare. Yummo! Take your choice of steak and if you so choose, sprinkle seasoning onto steak. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. Just depends on my mood (according to Big D)! Place beautiful steak on grill and cook 5-6 minutes on first side. Then flip and cook 3-4 minutes. Of course the cooking times all depends on how you prefer your steak to be cooked. If you are not sure how hot or fast your grill is cooking, start with shorter times, and increase until desired doneness is acheived.
*Grilled Asparagus*
Snap off ends of aparagus and wash. Coat asparagus in olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place right onto grill or into grilling basket. 3-4 minutes and asapragus should be done. It cooks really fast, so don't allow it to burn, unless you like burnt asparagus.
Like I mentioned above, I am just a simple cook, that likes to experiment. Ribs have been at the top of our experimenting list, and are trying all sorts of new techniques and seasoning methods. Any tips you would like to share?
*National Beef Month
*National Hamburger Month
*National Barbeque Month
*National Asparagus Month
So, in honor of all that above below is some of my favorite ways to beef and aparagus using my grill. *note to reader, I am a simple cook, so don't be expecting anything to over the top, but do expect over the top flavor and goodness*
*Ribs Take 1*
Take ribs and rub yellow mustard or spicey brown mustard on both sides of ribs.
Take and sprinkle choice of seasoning onto mustard covered ribs. I enjoy Johnny's Season Salt or Lawry's Season Salt. Big D leans more towards Slap Yo' Mama seasoning.
Place ribs on preheated grill, on low. The trick (we have found) is to cook them low and slow.
*Ribs Take 2*
Take ribs and rub choice of seasoning on both sides of ribs.
Place ribs on preheated grill and cook on low.
Pour apple juice, apple cider or apple vinegar into spray bottle. Every half hour or so, spray the ribs generously to keep them from drying out. Remember, low and slow.
*My Kinda Steak*
I prefer my steak grilled to medium rare. Yummo! Take your choice of steak and if you so choose, sprinkle seasoning onto steak. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't. Just depends on my mood (according to Big D)! Place beautiful steak on grill and cook 5-6 minutes on first side. Then flip and cook 3-4 minutes. Of course the cooking times all depends on how you prefer your steak to be cooked. If you are not sure how hot or fast your grill is cooking, start with shorter times, and increase until desired doneness is acheived.
*Grilled Asparagus*
Snap off ends of aparagus and wash. Coat asparagus in olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place right onto grill or into grilling basket. 3-4 minutes and asapragus should be done. It cooks really fast, so don't allow it to burn, unless you like burnt asparagus.
Like I mentioned above, I am just a simple cook, that likes to experiment. Ribs have been at the top of our experimenting list, and are trying all sorts of new techniques and seasoning methods. Any tips you would like to share?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wolves Wolves Wolves
According to an article in the paper this morning, there has been a confirmed wolf killing of a calf near Roscoe Montana. In the past couple of weeks, there has been two other calves found dead on the same ranch, but are not confirmed wolf kills. After finding the newest dead calf, FWP personnel attemped to call the wolf back in to the kill site in hopes to shoot the responsible animal. The calling did not work, so a trap will be set and the wolf caught will be outfitted in a radio collar.
Coggins Test
Yesterday I braved the horrible winds and took some horses to the vet to get their blood drawn for a coggins test and to get their shots. The other day I mentioned how a horse in Montana tested positive for EIA. Well I read an article in the Billings Gazette this morning that stated that 2 horses have now tested positive.
From Billings Gazette:
BOZEMAN — The state Department of Livestock has confirmed that two horses in Gallatin County have a rare and contagious disease.
The horses tested positive for equine infectious anemia. Horses that contract the virus must be quarantined for life or euthanized.
Livestock Department spokesman Steve Merritt says investigators believe the horses contracted the disease at a recent out-of-state event. State law requires that all horses crossing into Montana be tested for the disease. One of the horses tested positive upon returning.
The Livestock Department has identified about 35 horses that may have pastured within 200 yards of the infected horses.
Merritt says he does not believe Gallatin County will have a widespread outbreak.
My friend Sara rode with yesterday and while were visiting about the purpose of our trip we both were asking the same question, and never came up with the answer. Just why is the test for EIA (swamp fever) called the Coggins test? Was the man who invented the test name Coggins? We pondered this for quite sometime. Anyone have an answer for that?
From Billings Gazette:
BOZEMAN — The state Department of Livestock has confirmed that two horses in Gallatin County have a rare and contagious disease.
The horses tested positive for equine infectious anemia. Horses that contract the virus must be quarantined for life or euthanized.
Livestock Department spokesman Steve Merritt says investigators believe the horses contracted the disease at a recent out-of-state event. State law requires that all horses crossing into Montana be tested for the disease. One of the horses tested positive upon returning.
The Livestock Department has identified about 35 horses that may have pastured within 200 yards of the infected horses.
Merritt says he does not believe Gallatin County will have a widespread outbreak.
My friend Sara rode with yesterday and while were visiting about the purpose of our trip we both were asking the same question, and never came up with the answer. Just why is the test for EIA (swamp fever) called the Coggins test? Was the man who invented the test name Coggins? We pondered this for quite sometime. Anyone have an answer for that?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Meatshop101
I was reading the TSLN this morning and came across an article about a retired butcher who has developed a website whose goal is to provide a method for anyone wanting to learn their meat cuts, where they come from, what to do with them, creative ways to cook them and more. Eric Turner (the retired butcher) said he wanted his website, Meatshop101, to provide accurat information that is enjoyable and easy to learn.
Genius I say, pure genius!!
I decided to check out Meatshop101 and see just what is was all about and what kind of information he was providing. My conclusion: what a great website! It has information on cuts of meat, nutritional info and cooking ideas on Beef, Pork and Poultry, with Lamb and Shellfish coming soon. He provides interactive pictures with along with videos where he breaks down each different cut on each animal. For example when you click on the beef, and select Chuck Cuts, he has a video showing how to trim up the cut, shopping tips, recipes and more.
I think this website will be great for the American consumer, but also a great teaching tool for 4-H lessons, FFA kids, demonstrations and more.
Take a moment to check it out. You won't be sorry!
Genius I say, pure genius!!
I decided to check out Meatshop101 and see just what is was all about and what kind of information he was providing. My conclusion: what a great website! It has information on cuts of meat, nutritional info and cooking ideas on Beef, Pork and Poultry, with Lamb and Shellfish coming soon. He provides interactive pictures with along with videos where he breaks down each different cut on each animal. For example when you click on the beef, and select Chuck Cuts, he has a video showing how to trim up the cut, shopping tips, recipes and more.
I think this website will be great for the American consumer, but also a great teaching tool for 4-H lessons, FFA kids, demonstrations and more.
Take a moment to check it out. You won't be sorry!
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