A cool breeze blows through the Aspen stand and up over the saddle where two cowboys cut and remove winter fence, in preparation for the coming summer months. Twilight has descended in the quiet valley that plays home to our beloved ranch, allowing the boys to fence without breaking a sweat. The smell of snow lingers on the breeze, as patches of white are ever present on the surrounding hillsides- but not here; here, the sage brush is exposed and the mud has begun to dry out, as if knowing that soon it will play host to our herd of 200 horses once again. It is difficult to remember to breath, sitting in the quiet serenity of this scene, knowing we get to call it home.

The cowboys stop for a moment to chuckle and review their work, also sneaking a peak at the Divide, glowing purple,pink and yellow with the setting sun; but a large gust of wind sends the winter fence flapping against its barbed wire base, bringing the cowboys focus back onto the task at hand. As the temperature cools, that once gentle breeze begins to grow in strength, setting the Aspen trees into a frenzy of “clacking” as they knock against one another- if this song would have a name, it would simply be called, “The West”. There is something in the air on spring nights such as this, a magic, that so often we forget about after growing up; but it’s difficult to miss out here, because it is all encompassing; it has the ability to calm the most turbulent spirit, relax the most occupied of minds.

I count myself lucky to get to live at the C Lazy U Ranch, as, I’m sure, do the boys that are out here with me; but we are equally fortunate to get to share this place, and all it’s magic, all it’s awe inspiring wonder, with our guest, old and new, each year.

See you at the ranch!

Often times Mother Nature feels the need to show us how lucky we are to live at the C Lazy U Ranch (as if we need the reminder!), but the way she provided that example today was a truly rare thing- now, we’ve seen the elk herd on the mesa an innumerable amount of times, but always in the warmer months, as elk and other animals head to forested areas during especially snowy winters, for shelter. Below is a set of photos showing off the view “outside our back door” this afternoon… I hope you all appreciate it- the snow drifts  to the mesa were at least 2 feet deep, and we all know that I’m only about 3 feet tall, so this was no small feat…can’t complain though, I feel I can justify an exceptionally large dinner tonight on the fact that I burned off WAY more calories than normal with that walk- YES!!!!

Lunch time!

The wind changes.

They smell me! Run!

Mass exodus

A safe distance.

So, Dick’s Sporting Goods came out to do a photo shoot at the ranch a few weeks ago for their new hunting line, and below are some of my favorite shots; they realized, like so may people do, what an amazing staff we have, so I’m pretty sure you’ll recognize the models. You’ll notice that once again I’m not in any of the pictures, but I have it on good authority that the pictures that they sent us to post here, and to our Facebook, are the ones that they aren’t using in their ad campaigns, which means that I should be the one that ends up on all the posters plastered in the Dick’s Sporting Goods stores (sorry to burst y’all’s bubbles, but nice pictures anyway!).

Carly in full camo with a bow, poses for the film and photo crew at Dick's.

Dustin sets out as the guide for "a hunt on horseback".

Parker sits in a tree stand, "calling in the big one" at the Dick's photo shoot.

Parker crosses the river "in search of a buck"

 

Paul poses in camo, binoculars ready, as snow falls around him.

YUCK! The ranch has been taken over by love this Valentine’s Day, and I for one am not for it! Take a look at what I’ve been having to deal with all day- all the classic symptoms of love have been exhibited by one or more of my comrades… really guys?!

Love sickness.

It’s enough to make this donkey lose his appetite! OK, well not that bad- nothing could be that bad; but the cases are pretty severe, and I can’t wait till it all ends!

Similar mannerisms.

Frolicking and loss of person style.

We love pow pow days here at the ranch- I personally love them because I enjoy  rolling around in the snow to cool myself off… because I’m hot. What? Do you have any idea how much fur a Sicilian Donkey has- it’s like being in a broiler all the time! Anyway, here are a couple of my favorite scenes from today’s fresh powder day:

And the weather was just perfect for snowshoeing and cross country skiing- oh no! not me! Don’t be silly! I spent most of the day napping-what? The wranglers really spread out the hay piles at breakfast this morning, so I had to wander around for my food more than usual.

Maybe some folks will be able to find me while they’re here over Presidents’ weekend though- after all, the Petey Paparazzi promotion is going to be going all the way through the summer! Check out our Facebook Page for more info on that.

Happy pow p

Well, Tim Tebow may have lost in Saturday’s game against the Patriots (it took everybody at the ranch a while to get over that one, admittedly, but I heard the menu below helped people eat their sorrows away), but we still love him around here (yes, yes, even me, though heaven only knows why… I Tebowed while saying that, by the way).  So, while everybody else talks about Tebow Time and last minute come from behind wins  in what was almost a Cinderella season, I’d like to take a look back at our Tebow Time here at the ranch… I can hear the screaming women now. The one thing I’d like to state is this- I seem to have been cut out of each of the pictures, as you’ll notice… I have a call in to my agent (who may not be my agent for much longer if this type of thing keeps happening).

But anyway, if you’re still feeling blue about the Bronco’s loss, or if you’re in need of a ranch style menu to give you a little bit of the C Lazy U at home (or to munch on while you salivate on the images below), here you have it:

Start With: Bruschetta

1. Preheat your oven to the broiler setting (yes, it has a purpose, at last!).
2. In a large bowl, combine roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes (make sure you buy them in oil if possible), garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
3. Cut a French baguette into 3/4-inch slices. On a baking sheet, arrange the baguette slices in a single layer. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly brown.
4. Divide the tomato mixture evenly over the baguette slices. Top the slices with mozzarella cheese (we like a combo of  fresh mozzarella in water, and bagged shredded mozzarella here!) .
5. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Main Course: Dijon Pork Chops with Corn Bread Stuffing and Ranch Style Green Beans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion, finely chopped, and 3 stalks of celery, also finely chopped; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add 1/3 cup of diced chicken liver to the veggies; cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes.
2. While browning the above, heat 3 cups of chicken broth on the stove, and coarsely crumbled 6 cups of cornbread in a large bowl (we realize that cornbread may not be around all the time in your house the way it is here- we live on a ranch, so it’s basically one of our 4 main food groups, so you can cheat and buy and make cornbread from a box)
3. When liver is browned, add that,  plus the heated chicken broth to the bowl of cornbread, and stir.
4. Finely, add 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped sage to the cornbread mixture, stir, and transfer contents of bowl into a shallow baking dish. Cook at 350 for 40-45 minutes (the more shallow your baking dish, the less time it will take)

1. In a bowl, combine plain breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
2. Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard onto entire por chop, and then roll each in the bread crumb mixture
3. Fry each chop in a skillet of HOT oil (be sure NOT to over cook- only 3-4 minutes per side if you’re serving  them right away, less if they’ll have to sit and be re-heated in the oven)

1. In a pan, heat a few tablespoons of oil, on low, and add onion slices (we like lot’s of onion here… much to the dismay of the ladies that work with us, I’ve heard), and later, when the onion is almost done (this is a SLOW, LOW process, in which you will be “caramelizing” the onions) bacon bits
2. Boil green beans in water until somewhat tender, drain, and combine with the onion/bacon mixture (getting the oil in with the combo is ok- it adds to the bacon flavor of  things… and we LOVE bacon!

With a menu like this and the following pictures, the only thing this donkey can say is: Enjoy!

Tim Tebow, poses, arms crossed, in one of the saddle rooms of the C Lazy U Ranch barn

Tim Tebow get's ready to throw a pass as the C Lazy U Ranch herd stampedes behind him.

And I’ve been told that I’ve saved the best for last:

Tim Tebow bares his chest for this pass play in the C Lazy U Ranch hay meadow.

But honestly, I don’t see what people see in him… what does he have that I don’t:

A very attractive donkey in the same meadow as Tim Tebow- where's my billboard?!

That’s right, eat your hearts out.

Thanks so much to everyone that came to stay at the ranch this holiday season- I call it the perfect storm because there really was just SO much going on (you were a very active, fun group!), but we love it that way and wouldn’t change a thing! We are so lucky and honored to have you all as part of our ranch family!

As an FYI for those people out there that weren’t able to make it this holiday season: we are already nearly full for Christmas 2012, and it looks that New Year’s will be following suit here pretty soon. If you are interested in the holidays, please make sure you call and put your name on the waiting list, and we’ll get you in as we can!

Lastly, please make sure to check out our Facebook page for a great picture account for each of the 2 major holidays this winter!

Happy New Year to everyone!

T”was the night before Christmas and all through the ranch

All the people were stirring, it looked like a dance.

The ornaments were hung on the Christmas Tree with care

And carols, sweet music, filled the air.

A ranch style Christmas ornament hangs from the main tree in the lodge living room.

Then what to the children’s eyes would appear,

but Santa, yes Santa, with his red suite and his beard.

Santa hops off his sleigh to be greeted by kids and adults alike.

Away to the sleigh they tore like a flash,

And on their heels, their parents, all looking quite unabashed!

His eyes they twinkled, his cheeks were so red

This really could be the real Santa, young and old all said.

The luminaries were lighting the path to the lodge

And one and all made their way up to watch.

Santa and Mrs. Clause make their way to the lodge

A bag full of presents did Santa produced,

And name after name he called, though no list did he use.

Santa and one of the many children on ranch pose for a picture

The children sat captivated, not looking away,

Waiting to hear the next name that he’d say.

A child sits, captivated, waiting for his name to be called by Santa

And then with a twinkle from his piercing blue eyes,

The bag was empty and it was time for goodbyes.

Cookies were given, hugs were abundant,

They knew they had to let go, but the children were reluctant.

Freddy Wacker hugs Santa goodbye

It’s times like this that it become apparent,

That our belief in magic really is inherent

On this night, for young and old the same,

Merriment and family, are the name of the game.

Marjorie Kade, long time guest, laughs with Santa

Tica and daughter Sophia enjoy the merriment of their first ranch Christmas.

There will always be next year, if you are good,

Santa will be back with a lot more loot.

So until until that time comes, may your holidays be bright,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Mrs. Clause sits on Santa's lap for a picture at the end of the evening.

The C Lazy U Ranch is proud to present to you our 12 Days of Christmas!

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS C LAZY U GAVE TO THEE:

12 Tubers Tubing

12 tubers get excited for their first run down our tubing hill.

11 horseshoe players

11 horseshoe players stand around a giant snowman made of flour in the indoor arena during the first annual Christmas Horseshoe Tournament

10 Elves a’workin’

the traditional display of the 10 ranch elves, preparing for Christmas in the Lodge Lounge.

9 Bowls of Candy

The candy spread in the Outfitter's Cabin of the Ranch

8 happy kids

8 Kids sit on a sleigh being pulled by a snowmobile, heading out to go downhill tubing!

7 Wreaths a’hangin’

7 wreaths adorn the front of the lodge

6 Sledders Racing

Bruce, Bill Hansen and others race sleds down the ranch driveway.

… and because this was such a rare opportunity, here are a few more shots from the sledding photoshoot:

Another shot of our amazxing sledders- thanks gentlemen!

the men pose before taking off on their sleds

… 5 Wranglers Riding

Head Wrangler Bill Fisher, And Wrangler Tyler Klees out for a ride with the first of the winter wranglers.

4 Hockey Players

4 C Lazy U Ranch boys play hockey at night, on the freshly zambonied pond

3 moose a’munchin’

3 bull moose graze the sage brush by Shorty's arena

2 mules a’mushing

Horus and Jasper, pulling the ranch sleigh

And a Sicilian donkey in a Santa hat!

Petey prepares for the holiday season with a Santa hat.

The countdown begins- only 6 days until Thanksgiving, which means only 5 days to book your Thanksgiving Ranch Vacation at the C Lazy U Ranch! With snowshoeing, and cross country skiing, not to mention skating, hockey, snowmobiling and private down hill skiing, I find myself asking, who wouldn’t want to come for a visit?! AND, on top of that- the food! oh man is the food here great (yea, yea, I know that I primarily eat hay, so you must be thinking, “what does he know” but a connoisseur is a connoisseur, and I am one of food. All food. Any food.)

The chefs have been preparing their menu now for days, weeks even (it seems like that’s all they’ve been talking about!). AND, thanks to this donkey, for all those of you that are not fortunate enough to join us for the holiday, I will be stealing a copy of the menu for Thanksgiving, and reproducing parts of it here, with recipes, so that you all can have a little bit of the ranch with you at your home over the holidays… of course it won’t be exactly the same, because you won’t have me there too, but not everyone can be quite that fortunate.