Ranches, Horses, Boots and Kicks!

I recently have come across some poorly written books.
(Like two years worth!)
As part of my New Years "Promise," I have told myself that I am reading.
I am going to read books that do not compromise my personal integrity.
Books that entertain and enlighten.
Books that are fun.
Books that spark imagination.
Books that I can see myself in.

I have one personal rule in book reading:

1. If you read the first 50 pages and you are
*bored
*grossly offended
*reading slower than a 3rd grader
*are already flipping to the last 3 pages
Then:
Ditch it.

Easy enough.

At Christmas time Paul and I found ourselves on a "date."
We also found ourselves at Wal-mart.
Aimlessly wandering to find gifts for children.
I always stop at the book section, because I can relax there!
I spend WAY too much time at Wal-marts, and the book section "set's me free!"

I knew what my resolution would be....and so I gambled.
I grabbed this book off the shelf without reading the inside, back, or middle!
It looked good!
What's a few bucks for a book anyways.
Shirts and shoes are far pricier.
Especially if you don't like how they fit when you get them home!

Well, I began reading the night of December 23rd.....I COULD NOT put it down!

It's a LOVE!
Here's why:
1. Ranching
2. Horses
3. Spit-fire woman
4.Back talking
5. True---sort of.
6. I could see myself in it.

(Disclaimer to this book: It has some comments about "Mormons" and some interactions with them in the AZ area. While I am LDS, I was not offended by the story and found some good humor in it. )

Now, in the meantime, my Mom had come for a visit and turned me onto this blog:
The Pioneer Woman
(If you know my Mom---she does not blog--not even to check on mine!! Really!)
So I had to check it out!

I love it!
Ree Drummond is living the life that I saw myself in while cutting a rug with those Cowboys at Utah State!

For Christmas my Mother-in-Law gave me this book!
It's all the things "City" girls don't eat....but love to oogle the photos.
(OK---we DO cook it and we secretly LOVE it.)
It's a LOVE.

Did I mention the Pictures?
I mean...look at the cover for Goodness Sakes!
Cast Iron Dutch oven--LOVE.
In the color Green--LOVE.
Kids in the Background--LOVE.
Fabulous Kitchen--LOVE.

After all this Dabbling in Cowgirl Style, I even pulled out these babies:

Funny. No laughing.


Insight into me...
The night before my 6th birthday my Mother came into my room and asked me what I wanted for my birthday?
"A horse." I replied.
Silence.
"Honey, where would you put a horse?" Mother retorted.
"In the yard, Mother. I could tie it to the garage!"
"Yes, honey. We'll have to see about that."

When I was 11 a friend and I began taking Equestrian Horse lessons.
We could tack up faster than any other girl at the farm.
We spent the next 3 years jumping fences.
Scooping poop.
Cleaning hooves.
Washing and brushing horses.
Hanging with ranch hands.
It was a good time.

Needless to say, as a young girl, I thought I would marry a cowboy.
Live on a ranch.
Own lots of horses.
Have lots of kids.
So it's been good to spend the last 4 weeks reliving my childhood dreams!


Take a look at these two books!
You might find yourself in them too!