Ranch Raised

Candy, fudge or cut out sugar cookies? Peanut clusters, no bake cookies or buckeyes? Chocolate crinkles or thumbprint cookies? Monster cookies or the good ole fashioned chocolate chip seem to always be crowd favorites! But, yesterday I broke a recipe I had not used in awhile and I don’t know why. I guess with my girls baking so much now, they tend to steer towards chocolate. So, I rarely have to bake cookies.

Did you actually think I would skate through this holiday season with out talking about Christmas cookies?!?! Is there anything more flattering than receiving something homemade by someone. I mean truly, in my world it is the ultimate gift to give and receive. My love language is totally “acts of service.”

The days are ticking and flying by. The holiday hustle and bustle has dust flying and wrapping paper rolling, or anyway that is what they tell me. I tend to keep it pretty simple. I look around at what is available to me in my rural area and make my gift giving lists based on what I can get locally.

I am in the middle of doing a little inventory around my mud room. You see, I have a STRONG philosophy about only buying Christmas gifts that are useful. Is that called being a “utilitarian”?

I was once again doing some traveling yesterday and my destination was another cattle market auction barn. Like, where else would I go? Once again, this sale barn is no doubt the economic driver of that area. I’m sure that on sale day the population of this community swells and there is more gas and diesel pumped and more groceries sold than any other day of the week.

I have had to do some traveling through a lot of small towns the last few weeks. I love slowing waaaaaay down as I cruise through these little town’s main streets. There are hidden gems all around us! If we want to keep these small businesses open in our communities, we have to support them.

It is so exciting to watch men and women with roots in the ranching community go on and chase their dreams at the highest levels. No one is cheering louder than little wranglers sitting back here in the heartland watching their idols and heros on the big screen.

During this busy season I think it is important to remember that kids really do not need a lot. It reminds me of a few years back when our school principal stood in front of the audience at the little school Christmas program and said, “Your presence is the best gift you can give your child!”

I see the best of rural America every day, but it is right now during the holiday season where small town America shines the brightest! The people of our small towns truly extend themselves in effort and time to creating magic and spirit at every turn, if you look for it!