When we built our barn we included a viewing room that has a full kitchen, dining table, sitting area, fireplace and bar. The idea was that we could host all kinds of events with the horses in their stalls right across the aisle. We’ve had Christmas parties, family and business dinners, holiday meals, and cocktail hours a plenty, but the one thing we had yet to host was a poker night. We had been dreaming of using the full bar as a place to gather, cut loose and play a little Texas Hold ‘Em since it’s completion, but hadn’t yet made it happen. I finally decided this weekend was the perfect time to break in our poker chips and do a little friendly gambling at Badlands.Continue Reading
My youngest daughter turned four on April 3rd and when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she said she wanted to be there, and have a yellow cake. I assured her she would certainly be invited to her own birthday and I would happily make her a yellow cake!
I know Grey’s Anatomy fans love the idea of me being a baker like my character Izzie Stevens, but it’s never really been my forte. I’ve struggled to get the consistency of my batters right, my cakes baked to a nice golden brown, or my breads to rise, and all that struggle was at sea level in Los Angeles. Once I moved to Utah, the altitude proved too hard for me to conquer! I gave up completely after making a birthday cake for Josh that came out as dense and heavy as a rock! So though I assured my baby girl I’d make her a cake, I couldn’t help but think I better purchase a back up from the store just in case!Continue Reading
Utah is playing a trick on all of us who live here. The weather is high 50’s, sunny, beautiful and the snow has almost all melted. It feels like Spring has arrived, but I will not be fooled. The forecast is already predicting snow and lots of it over the next couple of weeks so I will savor these warm golden days now and use them as inspiration to start planning our Easter celebration. Next week when we’re knee deep in the cold stuff it will be hard to think about tulips, Easter egg hunts, and fresh spring salads. So today I plan, next week I surrender!Continue Reading
I have a ranch up in Utah that is my little piece of heaven. We have 20 acres of perfect pasture land that is home to our nine horses, two donkeys, two goats, two mini horses, one pig, 5 cats and ten chickens.
When the dream to build the ranch began percolating, my mother (who is also my producing partner, business partner and best friend) and I talked endlessly about all our hopes for the land and what kind of ranch and lifestyle we wanted to create. We built a greenhouse and an organic garden, learned the art of bee keeping and read up on caring for chickens. Badlands Ranch (named after one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs that seemed inappropriately appropriate) is quite literally a dream come true.
But the truth is, you don’t need a ranch, farm, or even much land at all, to live life to the fullest. All you need is a little imagination, some inspiration and a desire to make the most out of as many moments as possible. I’ve found that the best way to be in the moment, instead of overwhelmed by it, is to have as many tips, tricks and hacks up your sleeve as possible! Here are just a few of my favorite time savers!Continue Reading
