Royal Ranch's Breakfast Bread/Muffins

This is the bread/muffins that I make for the Royal Roost. Depending on how many guests are coming, and for how many days they are staying determines whether I will send a loaf of bread or muffins. Our B&B is a little different, as we try to keep things very private for our guests. Since it is not located here on the ranch, I leave the breakfasts up at the cabin upon check in so that guests can just reheat and eat whenever the hunger strikes them. I have already given you the recipe to my breakfast burritos, a favorite of our guests, and now I would like to share my bread recipe. It is one that I created myself as a breakfast dessert. Don't all meals deserve a little dessert?

For three loaves or 36 muffins you will need:

4 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2tsp. baking powder

1tsp.salt

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1-2 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

fruit (1 can; save the juice, or frozen, or fresh diced, I have tried a lot of flavors, but the kids' fav is peach! I think the guests like pineapple best.)

chocolate, about 2 cups (whatever is cheap, diced if large pieces, I buy choc chips when on sale)

1 cup milk (add this at the end for consistency only if you don't have juice from fruit)

I will start this recipe out with an apology, because I am not one to cook much with recipes, but this one is worth tweaking a bit in your own kitchen to your own tastes. Mix the dry ingredients and set aside. In a mixing bowl cream together sugars with butter and add vanilla to taste. Add eggs, one at a time until well blended and slowly start adding dry mixture. Add the fruit and chocolate, this is where your sixth "baking sense" comes in, if it is still pretty thick, add some milk a little at a time until it is the consistency that you like. Spoon into three greased bread pans or muffin tins and sprinkle with a cinnamon/sugar/brown sugar mix. The breads should take about 40-45 minutes and the muffins 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees. These freeze beautifully and are a great gift for neighbors and friends who are needing a pick-em-up too!

Royal Ranch Royalty

You know when Sunday rolls around and you think it is still Friday, you're weeks are a little hectic! I really didn't mean to delay on my weekly introduction to one of the animals here at the Royal Ranch. This week Thunderboy has really earned the honor as he has worked very hard this hunting season without one complaint. He really enjoys his hikes, which makes our hikes all that much more enjoyable!

Thunderboy is not exactly a rescue, more of a precious gift is what I would consider him. My very dear friend and mentor, Bobra Goldsmith gave him to me. Bobra is the lead gal when it comes to llamas and I was fortunate enough to meet her years ago when I was first researching llamas. She gives classes, has a llama equipment line that she has produced herself, and back in the day, she used to breed Champions. I started out with taking her llama training course, which was really funny because everyone else at the class brought their own llamas to train and I was aiming to train myself. Bobra, of course, was kind enough to loan me a llama to "play" with for the day!

Anyway, we became friends and stayed in touch over the years, so when she was boarding a packing llama that had sort of been abandoned, she knew where to send it! That was the great news, he was in wonderful condition when we got him, because of her wise care, I didn't have to bring him back to health. He was ready to go to work, and happily so! I think he's in just about every picture that includes llamas in this blog, because he just keeps going and going and going and going....

Tragedy at Platte Canyon High School

Emily's Ride 2006. This is what our parking lot looked like.

This is looking West.
This is looking East.

I can't believe it has been three years tomorrow since our strong little community was taken hostage by an armed gunman. I say our community because it was not only those six beautiful girls, but their families, their friends, and the rest of us as well.

It is still very difficult to talk about, my hands are shaking and I have a very large lump in my throat, but to share some of the things that have come from this tragedy are very important as well. So, I will start at the beginning. I was at my mom's that day, when my husband called and said that the high school and middle school (which are one building separated by a common cafeteria called the Canyon Room, also used for meetings, it is the large glass portion you saw in the news clips) were locked down due to a bomb threat or something. My mom lives about 30 minutes from downtown Bailey, and I made it in about half that time. I was not the only one, there were MANY cars speeding on the highway that day. Luckily I was one of the first 50 or so cars into downtown Bailey, so did not have far to go to get to where they were giving parents information. It was not long before we learned that our middle school kids were safe, thank God.

I'll never forget standing there with this pit in my stomach as one emergency vehicle after another would pass by, then the bomb tanker, then an FBI truck, it just kept getting scarier. I will also never forget the fact that even our bus drivers put themselves in danger to line up on the "Bailey back road" to wait for clearance to rush in to get any and all kids that they could. The panic in the crowd of parents was physically palpable, it was almost more than one person could handle, I guess that's why we all needed to be together at that time. Many of us had been friends since those kids had been in diapers together, so we drew strength from one another.

For those of us parents that were blessed enough to have our children cleared, we were told to go to the elementary school to pick up our kids. We all raced up Crow Hill, both with dread in our hearts and lead in our feet, praying that our kids would be on that bus, and wondering whose kids weren't. A car couldn't even fit on the road, people had just stopped where they were, and just started running to try and find their kids. Thankfully for me, I put it in four, and got off the road, and just blindly ran.

I've mentioned before the blank looks on the kids faces, but there really are no words to describe the looks that those kids had. There were literally over a hundred kids on each bus, and the crowd just started screaming and cheering when we saw the buses coming, I have never been more emotional in my life, not even the day they were born. Parents were running next to the buses pounding on them, begging to make sure that their son or daughter was on there. People were yelling into their cell phones "I see him/her!" The scene was utter chaos, and to the school districts' credit, they kept pretty good control.

This is a story of tragedy and triumph. The tragedy is a story that could be told again and again, and it deserves to be. But the triumph is almost, if not more amazing. To be honest, those next few days are a little blurry, but I think it was just two days later when a bike club pulled together a ride. I decided to take the kids down to the end of the road to check it out. I've got to tell you, that was almost as emotional as the day that it was in remembrance of. To see thousands and thousands of big, bad burly bikers all dressed in pink (Emily's favorite color) roaring by on their nasty Harley's was almost more than our broken hearts could handle! The loud, proud bikes literally went on for miles, there were still bikes leaving Columbine High School, by the time the first ones were arriving at our high school over an hour later, it was simply awe inspiring. As the tears poured down my cheeks (as they are right now) I just kept hugging my kids and telling them how much people loved and supported them. It was a sight we will all never forget. Emily's Mom, Ellen Keyes, was on the lead bike driven by our wonderful Sheriff, Fred Wegener, followed by all of our local Park County bikers, my emotional husband being one of them.

It was a very proud time for all of us, the fourth annual Emily Ride is today and this year a 5k run will be added. It was created in conjunction with the I Luv U Guys Foundation (based on Emily's last text message) that is working on school safety and provides some local scholarships. Yesterday was kindness day at the high school; the kids prepared for the ride, by folding the handkerchiefs for the bikers, or some worked on a house for Habitat for Humanity. Yes, this tragedy changed our lives forever, but we are blessed to say, that we live in a community that took the best from the worst and we are looking forward from here. WE love you guys, Bailey!

Preparing for Old Man Winter

Good Morning! This morning I woke up to the sounds of the crackling fire, my very favorite! Although it means winter is on it's way, I love to sit by a warm fire, even if it is just for a short time before the sun comes up. Tom knows that Isabella and I sit in front of our wood stove for our morning chat, and that we miss it terribly when he doesn't start one, so as soon as the temperature drops in the fall, I wake up to the smells and sounds of a soul warming fire.


With the first days of fall came the first snow storms. Monday (the last day of summer, mind you) we got over six inches of snow here at the ranch. We were supposed to get 6-12 inches overnight on Tuesday, but it didn't happen, just an inch or so. The kids were really disappointed, they were hoping for the earliest snow day ever!


With this reminder that freezing temps are not in the all too distant future, I need to make a list of the things I must do to prepare the Royal Ranch to have a "greener" winter. I want to share some ideas and tips that I use here, on a small ranch at a very high altitude, but many things that we do, even people in urban areas can adjust to their own needs.

• Check and replace timers. This is one of my favorite green tips, timers. I use timers on our favorite lamp, various small animal waterers, and I will use it on the chickens "day light", but the big difference has been on the large llama water trough. I have found that if the water heater is on for only 4-6 hours during the coldest times of the night (midnight to 4 or so), the water will not freeze. The savings are huge. Be careful to always get the right kind of timer, for example, get one especially made for outdoors if that is what you are using it for.
• Shop for textiles at Goodwill. In an old house, you'd be amazed at the odd places that drafts come through. I take old towels, tablecloths, blankets and sheets that I find at low prices and staple them up at the backs of cupboards, in the barn for the barn cats, in the garage windows (where no one can see them), and in the attic.
• Get the sewing machine out. Every winter I pick an area that really needs attention and sew for that room. Again, I will take textiles that I have purchased second hand and turn them into curtains. Actually my favorite curtains are family treasures, like old tablecloths that had stains on them that can be repurposed into a new usable family treasure! This doesn't work with every one's style though, so look for good sales on fleece, it makes great warm window coverings in just a few quick hems and comes in amazing pattern choices.
• Firewood, firewood, firewood!
• Check with other ranchers to see if they have old water troughs that I can turn into feeders. We add feet, drill holes in the bottom for drainage, and presto changeo, we have a new llama feeder from someone else's trash!
• Scour garage sales for winter supplies like plug in watering dishes, textiles and timers. These things cost pennies on the dollar at private sales and are very easily found.
• Bring in any plants from outside that I will be able to winter over in the house. It might be a little late, since the snow snuck up on me, but I will get my geraniums and maybe some violas, don't make the same mistake!

Well, I wish you luck with your winter preparations, but the best advice I can give you is to be well prepared. It is coming whether we are ready and prepared or not!

New Tricks for an Old Dog

Yes, I know I am not "an Old Dog" (I'll be 39 in November, BTW), but it has been a really long time since I went to school. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I am taking a class in stained glass, and I'm a little nervous.

It all started last year when I decided I wanted to make over my front door. By now you know that I do not buy anything new, I just give it a make over! So anyway, I decided that to learn how to do leaded glass, I would do some simple projects as Christmas gifts for my family. Well, here it is almost time to be thinking of Christmas gifts again, and I still hadn't finished last years! Stained glass is definitely an acquired skill and I had gotten frustrated and put it away, just for a little bit. A new innovative product, two websites and a new blog later, I'm back on track, but this time, thanks to gift certificates from my wonderful hubby and parents, I'm taking a class to learn the proper techniques.

I didn't get off to that smooth of a start though. When I called they said that since I knew how to cut glass to go ahead and start in the Intermediate class. I showed up exactly when they told me to, chose my pattern and started picking out glass. That was when the instructor told me I needed to blow the pattern up, so I jump in my truck and head over to Kinko's. All to find out that the pattern was still too small, a second trip to Kinko's. The class was half over by the time I had purchased enough glass for the second time!

I finally got the nerve up to ask if he wouldn't mind putting me in the Beginning class, and a wave of relief washed across his face! I really almost had to laugh, I could tell he didn't want to hurt my feelings, but I am absolutely not Intermediate! So, I'll try again today, with homework in hand, all glass at a ready, and hope I can be teachers pet after that first impression!

Have a miracle of a day!

Homecoming, Small Town USA

This weekend was homecoming in our quaint little town. It was kicked off Saturday morning with a parade, a massive community garage sale all day, and the football game in the afternoon. Of course, the teens were all smiles, excited for the big dance.

My son, Nathan, is in the Platte Canyon High School Marching Band (which is a big deal for an eight grader!) and this was his first year to march in the parade. I was a little disappointed about the attendance of the parade, but will do something about that! The football game was almost a shut out (they got 6 points, right before the buzzer!), and the boys did great, even with a lightening delay.

For the first time in a long time, I put mascara on. Knowing that we'd run into every person in town is half the fun of it! The Sheriff calls the game and the ambulances and fire trucks blare their enthusiasm of each touch down. The stands were packed with families huddling under blankies during the cold spells. The booster club had sold out of burgers by half time, great money coming into our schools, even the old folks grabbed a hot chocolate on such a crisp fall day.

I must say, the half time show was best, we have a superb marching band. Our young, enthusiastic band teacher has pulled together his marching band from nothing, and our little band has become quite impressive. Nathan plays quad toms and he too, is quite good. The kids stay excited about band because the band teacher picks great music and demands a tolerant learning environment. Even though it is early in the year, the kiddos did a great job!

Royal Ranch Royalty

Good Sunday morning all.

Well, today is the day I introduce you all to one of my critters here at the Royal Ranch. I wanted to share a story that was published in the Mile High Great Pyrenees Club newsletter many years ago. Marilyn is my beloved Pyr that I lost almost a year ago now due to esophageal cancer. My friend and mentor Jean, knew how much we loved our Marilyn Monroe and asked me to write this:

Marilyn Monroe Goes Country

I had been waiting for the call from Jean Pero for what seemed like forever, when it finally came. A match had been made and Marilyn was on her way! My family and I could barely wait. Aside from myself and my husband, we have two growing energetic redheaded boys, and a four year old blond beauty. We had many house pets, cats, dogs, a turtle, all that we loved dearly, but this was the summer that I had waited my whole life for! The llamas had started coming a few weeks earlier and I hoped that Marilyn was going to love her new home in the mountains.

The plan was to take Marilyn Monroe, the most beautiful city Pyr, who had never been around other animals let alone livestock, and slowly train her to guard my llamas from the predators in our mountainous area. I knew that this was quite a challenge and would take some time, but I really wanted a rescue dog instead of buying a puppy. I was in the process of building my llama packing business, and felt that Marilyn was going to be an integral part of it.

My first red flag was when the guy got out of his Dodge Diesel with a large horse rope wrapped multiple times around his wrist and the other end attached to the most beautiful dog I had ever seen. The funny thing is, the red flag was to hurry up and get rid of the guy! She had the saddest eyes, it appeared as if she were pleading with me. He told us many times to not let her go as she would definitely run away, didn’t like kids much, and that she preferred to be outside. He promptly asked for some Tums and took off. The kids and I took Marilyn Monroe into her new home, and tried to get her settled. Marilyn is anything but settled indoors.

Within about three hours of her arrival, to my horror the kids accidentally let Marilyn out the front door without the Horse Rope on. She was moving very slowly so I decided just to follow her and see what happened. It was like the dog was on a mission. She went to our property line and she walked the entire thing, it was as if she knew her territory. There was absolutely no running away, Marilyn Monroe was home and she was checking out her new terrain. She immediately chose a spot between the house and the llama pen where she could keep an eye on her humans and her llamas. It was amazing, she was not aggressive with any of the house animals, loved the llamas and kids, remember, this is a dog that had never been around any of these things.

There were a couple of concerns with our wonderful Marilyn. The first being that she was terrified of my husband and the second was that she HATED being indoors. I’ll go back to the husband thing later. Anyway, not long after Marilyn got here she started chasing Dodge Diesel pick-up trucks (you do recall that was the get away vehicle) unless we had her very securely put away, and she was very hard to secure. I had even tried to put her in the house one time when I left and she had jumped out a second story window that she had pushed open. She would have nothing to do with a crate, and of course I knew that the long process of training her to live with my llamas was not complete.

She couldn't have been here more than a week, when despite her dislike of the indoors, she was not leaving the side of my son who had a pretty high fever. You know how Moms are we worry to worry. It wasn’t until I woke up in my chair at 2:00 in the morning and realized that Marilyn had not woken me up to go out, that I got myself in a panic. She had been laying by his side for more than 18 hours, and had not been freaking out to go outside like normal. I took him to the doctor first thing in the morning and he had a very serious infection that they were able to treat with antibiotics, I could not believe that Marilyn had known how sick he was.

We were at a loss as to how to keep Marilyn safe, she hated the pick-ups! My only option was to put her in with the llamas. Well, she showed me, she took to her job like a pro. There was absolutely no training needed by me, it was simply her instinct to guard the llamas. Her dedication has continued to amaze us. This past summer one of our beloved rescue llamas passed away and Marilyn guarded him until we were able to get him buried. We were unable to get a tractor in until morning so I covered T- bone right away and Marilyn kept uncovering his face, it was as if she hoped he’d breathe again. I’ll never forget it, the loss of the llama was tragic enough, but I was so concerned that a bear was going to come for the body and Marilyn would fight for it. Throughout the night I would check on them, she would take a quick potty break, but only when I came up to keep an eye on her llama for her. She just lay by him, all night long and into the morning.

Back to my poor husband, he tried so hard with Marilyn, and she was still terrified of him a year later. I had stayed in touch with Jean Pero over the year and she had been a fantastic mentor and Pyr expert. I had absolutely fallen in love with the breed, and she felt another Pyr might help Marilyn like Tom better, so I decided to look for another working dog. Sure enough another city dog came along and I thought I’d try again since this guy was so young, only 1 year old. He wasn’t near as smart or as intuitive as Marilyn, but we fell in love with Samson right away! He has been fantastic for Tom, too. He too, had a sad story and was raised in a tiny yard and had never had any room to exercise. To move to a ranch in the mountains was great for him, and my adventurous husband loved to take him along. Jean was right, as soon as Marilyn saw how Samson adored Tom she slowly started building a trusting relationship with him.

We still do not get Marilyn inside as much as we would like, but at least when she does come in she enjoys herself and is a little more relaxed, then wants to get right back to her herd. She was the one who handled all of Samson’s llama training, keeping him in line when he got over excited about the llama antics. To see pictures of Marilyn and Samson and their herd please visit our website at http://www.royalranch.net/ they are very proud to be hard working dogs! Both of them are parts of our family and an important part of our business and have been a wonderful life changing experience!

Marilyn's life changed many of those around her, but her death was an experience that I will never forget. At the time, my vet was a good friend of mine, so when we had to put Marilyn down she had brought her 14 month old daughter with her. My kids were inside the house with her and my friend and I were dealing with Marilyn. As soon as she gave the shot, the baby started crying so her mommy brought her out. I was sitting next to Marilyn just bawling my eyes out when I looked up and saw the baby waving into the sky, she very quietly said "Bye, bye doggy." Needless to say her mommy and I were absolutely shocked, this dog could even touch our souls after she was gone! Marilyn is buried above my garden where I can see her out my kitchen window. I don't think there has been an animal that has come across my path that I feel more blessed to have known.