Etsy Item! 1940's Inspired Floral Dress and Bing Crosby Swinging on A Star

Another item from my closet! Loved this dress! To see the listing on etsy go here.

Etsy Item! 1950's Inspired Polka Dot Tank-Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny

 

 

Howdy gals! Here's one of my new items in the etsy shop, I was going through my closet and deciding what all I can bare to part with to make room for new vintage/vintage inspired and western clothing. So this was one of them. I've had it for years, and now its time for new stuff! You can see the etsy link here.

 

 

Old Time-Old Fashioned County Fair

I need help!!!

  I have been trying to find info on country/county fairs, festivals, summer fun in the country from the good ol'days, etc. And I can't find anything!

  I would love it if any of you gals out there could help me? I just feel like we should be participating with our neighbors and friends more. I remember there being all kinds of things that the farmers and ranchers organized when I was little in Fowler, Colorado and that area, but I just can't seem to find anything that is still running....and I can't find any idea for recipes, games, etc.

  If any of you have anything to share please let me know. I know that what I am asking might be pretty vague, but any help would be appreciated :) Even pictures or videos would be most welcome!

  I remember all kinds of food goodies in Fowler, CO. for their Missouri Days, blue grass bands, two-step and country swing dancing, a parade where the firemen threw candy out at the kids, games like the bean bag toss and the one where you fish over a cardboard wall. Bake sales, and the farm ladies with their cute little gingham and flowered baking accessories (like the pie covers, etc.), BBQ, and so much more that I wish I remembered! It seemed like a little piece of heaven that has now vanished along with events in other towns and states.

  So please, any ideas that you can give me would be so very sweet of you. Thank you again, and I hope that y'all have a beautiful and blessed day!

Adios,
Jessie Lou

 

 

The Cowgirl Compost

The Cowgirl Compost

  One of the things that I've been teaching in my beginners riding classes includes composting and manure's part in that. I want the kids to know all facets of horses, being a cowboy/cowgirl, and what work goes into owning animals and land. Too often children and adults are taught that they can simply hop on a horse and go! Ride like the wind, hi-yo Silver and all of that jazz. When in reality it takes a lot of work, patience, care, and simple old sweat and elbow grease to get a horse to where you would like them to be; and also to plain take care of and feed a large animal.

  I believe this is why so many people end up buying horses or other livestock and then after a short amount of time end up getting rid of them. The horse is neglected, fat, irritable, bucks, bites, kicks, etc. by the time they are sold or given to another owner. To eliminate this problem I always teach kids the responsibility of owning a large animal and creating a relationship with that animal prior to realizing the un-imaginable joys of being atop of that horse.

  Creating a relationship on the ground with a horse will help ease your worry as well as the horses worry when you finally climb into that saddle. Your relationship with your horse while astride will be a million times better if you create a grounded relationship with them first.

  Anywhoo....I could write about this all day ;) my original intention for this blog post was to post a link about manure and composting. This link will help you build a composting system and fully understand how it works. I believe that it is invaluable to anyone who has a garden or might be planning on having one. Especially if your soil needs to be amended as it does here in North Texas. Plus just think of all of the horse, cow, goat, chicken, or rabbit poo that you can get rid of! Manure is an amazing thing when it comes to gardening, plus cleaning up your yard will keep down the flies, disease, smell, etc. Follow this link http://www.piercecountycd.org/tip_compmanure_p.html to read more. Hope that you enjoy it! Don't forget to comment, I love reading and answering them. Also you can find me on twitter, facebook, pinterest, and etsy! Hope that y'all have a good day!

Adios,
Jessie Lou

Texas Women and Makeup

  Got to love Texas women! I've been astonished at how well they apply their makeup, how they do their hair, and their wardrobes are amazing! They really have a unique and stunningly gorgeous style.

  Living else where I always heard that Texas Women had freaky big hair and creepy makeup. Funny to find out that it is completely the opposite. These women are very beautiful and in a class of their own. So how did this bad rap of a rumor get started? Who knows? Probably from a jealous someone. I loved this article on this same subject, it's actually what made me decide to write a post and to share the link.





http://makeup101.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/texas-women-know-how-to-makeup/


  I believe that Ali Dee is a good example, but hardly the only one or the best. I was really trying to find some more "picture" examples but I couldn't find any.

Update On My Life and The Goings On Here at The Ranch

  I hope that everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! I did for sure. Lots of good friends, family, swimming, dancing, cowboy singing, amazing summer food, and of course the Lone Ranger movie! I loved it, I just have to say. I seriously can't believe why the reviews are so awful, idk maybe my opinion isn't worth much but I found it a really entertaining and funny movie. I also thought that it had some mind blowing action scenes, which is pretty rare in the western realm. Hopefully it will spark the interest of those that have not grown up watching westerns, I so wish that there were more westerns in the movie theaters these days. If you want a good laugh (it was a little bizarre at times, so be aware of that) and you love Johnny Depp....btw Army Hammer was pretty awesome himself....then please watch this! You just might enjoy it. Definitely don't listen to the critics.

  I will be starting to teach beginner riding lessons if anyone is interested as well :) Just shoot me an email at thevintagecowgirl90@gmail.com if you are interested in having your littles taught, and I will give you all of the info.

  My Cowgirl Garden has been coming along really nicely, and everything is growing very well. I've started some Mexican beans, sunflower seeds, sweet basil, and oregano on my window sills. I transplanted the first round of sunflower seeds in larger pots out on the front porch in the sun, can't believe how good they look! The second round is starting to pop up out of the dirt, I will be transplanting those here soon as well. The sweet basil needs to be transplanted to larger containers tomorrow as well. So happy :)

  I bought an antique old fashioned ice cream maker at an antique store when my cousin was visiting. I have been looking for one of these forever! My dad and I have been dreaming of making homemade ice cream for years, since he remembers it and misses it a lot! I will be looking for any good recipes or instructions, do any of y'all have any that you would be willing to share?

  Well enough of the writing jazz, here are some pics of one of my brothers and I riding/grooming/washing/and roping off of our horses.

 

 

Adios,
Jessie Lou

The Woman On The Ranch

Thought this was awful funny, and so true in lots of ways!

This is oh so TRUE....

 If you are going to be the woman on the ranch, here are the top 10 "facts" you need to know!

 

 1. Always load your horse last in the trailer so it is the first one unloaded. By the time he's got his horse unloaded, you will have your cinch pulled and be mounted up ready to go - lessening the chance of him riding off without you with your horse trying to follow while you are still trying to get your foot in the stirrup.

 

 2. Never - and I repeat never - ever believe the phrase "We'll be right back," when he has asked you to help him do something out on the ranch. The echoing words, "this will only take a little while" have filtered through generations of ranch wives and still today should invoke sincere distrust in the woman who hears them.

 

 3. Always know there is NO romantic intention when he pleadingly asks you to take a ride in the pickup with him around the ranch while he checks waters and looks at cattle. What that sweet request really means is he wants someone to open and close the gates.

 

 4. He will always expect you to quickly be able to find one stray in a four-section brush-covered pasture, but he will never be able to find the mayonnaise jar in four-square feet of refrigerator.

 

 5. Count every head of everything you see - cattle especially, but sometimes horses, deer, quail or whatever moves. Count it in the gate, out the gate or on the horizon. The first time you don't count is when he will have expected that you did. That blank eyelash-batting look you give him when he asks "How many?" will not be acceptable.

 

 6. Know that you will never be able to ride a horse or drive a pickup to suit him. Given the choice of jobs, choose throwing the feed off the back of the pickup. If he is on the back and you are driving, the opportunity for constant criticism of speed, ability and your eyesight will be utilized to the full extent. "How in the *@*# could you NOT see that hole?"

 

 7. Never let yourself be on foot in the alley when he is sorting cattle horseback. When he has shoved 20 head of running, bucking, kicking yearlings at you and then hollers "Hold 'em, hold 'em" at the top of his lungs, don't think that you really can do it without loss of life or limb. Contrary to what he will lead you to believe, walking back to the house is always an option that has been used throughout time.

 

 8. Don't expect him to correctly close the snap-on tops on the plastic refrigerator containers, but know he will expect you to always close every gate. His reasoning, the cows will get out; the food will not.

 

 9. Always praise him when he helps in the kitchen - the very same way he does when you help with the ranch work - or not.

 

 10. Know that when you step out of the house you move from the "wife" department to "hired hand" status. Although the word "hired" indicates there will be a paycheck that you will never see, rest assured you will have job security. The price is just right. And most of the time you will be "the best help he has" even if it is because you are the ONLY help he has.