We typically don’t send our kids to camp during the summer as they are pretty busy helping around the ranch and doing the normal kid things during the summer: riding horses, fishing, hiking, 4-H, etc. However, this year when I read about a five day culinary camp from Rudy’s, I had to check it out!  Rudy’s is a fantastic cooking store in Twin Falls, Idaho, that has every cooking utensil, piece of bakeware and gadget you can imagine, as well as selected fine wines and food. They also hold cooking classes with local chefs. Their website is www.cooksparadise.com.

The class description for the kid’s camp made me want to be 10, so that I could attend!  It was titled “Around the World – A Kid’s 5-day Culinary Camp” with Brian Peck.  The class was limited to 15 participants, age 8-13.  An excerpt about the camp reads, “During this fun and interactive hands-on cooking camp, campers will learn how to create dishes from around the world. The first four days we will explore the cuisine from different regions, including Asia, the Middle East, Italy, and Latin America. A sample of the dishes we will make includes sticky Thai chicken, Moroccan stew, handmade pasta, and chicken fajitas. Along the way, campers will also learn about food safety and nutrition, develop fundamental cooking skills, and increase their confidence in the kitchen. The last day will be a “kids’ choice” session where campers can revisit and refine their favorite recipes from the week.” At the end of the this final session, campers hosted a luncheon to share their creations with their parents.

Payson chops some carrots

Our kids had a wonderful time!  Every day after class they were enthusiastic and discussed whose dish was better.  I, of course, was thrilled to hear my kids so excited about the class and loved hearing them banter back and forth (my hummus was better than your hummus).  I also had an alternative motive for sending my kids to camp: I want them to know how to prepare their own tasty and healthy food, so that they continue to enjoy the art of cooking as they grow up.

Creating the meatballs – look at the focus in Bodie’s eyes

Just the other night, we used the kid’s skills in the kitchen, preparing Ketchum Grill’s Wild Rice and Lamb Meatballs.  It was a great time and a fun way to have the kids help out in the kitchen and use their new found skills. Now that I have two sous chefs working for me, the sky is the limit for our kitchen creations!

Fall is my favorite time of the year to ride horses.  The number one reason is, of course, the beautiful colors as the leaves change from green to the brilliant, unbelievable fall colors so prevalent in Idaho.  I have had some great rides in the past several weeks.  One particular ride I will remember for quite some time.  Last year, on my birthday, I asked my mom to go on a special ride with me.  After that ride we decided to make a birthday ride an annual commitment.  This year my niece, Elle, and my daughter, Payson, were able to join us.

We decided to ride up Iron Mine in the Fish Creek drainage, just west of the main Lava Lake Ranch.  The weather was incredible.  We have been experiencing an extended summer with nice warm temps during the day and cool, crisp evenings, and this day was no exception.

We reached the trailhead just as several hunters were coming out of Iron Mine, which is good, as we didn’t want to get in the middle of someone’s hunt.  Lava Lake allows hunters and others to access public lands through our property in a program called “Access Yes” administered by Idaho Fish and Game.  It is a great program as long as everyone follows the rules.  We do not allow motorized vehicles, so it is limited to hiking or horseback riding.  From the hunters I have talked to, they appreciate the fact that motorized vehicles are not allowed and believe it creates a better hunting experience.

We met two other hunters on the way up the trail and they, like the others, had not been successful.  I would imagine the warmer temperatures would make for a tougher hunt.  We didn’t see any other people or wildlife during the ride.  I’m sure we made plenty of noise with four horses and an equal number of dogs.

About halfway up the trail a great spring flows out of the shale rock.  Here, we stopped for a bite to eat in the shade.  After a nice break we continued on up to near the top of Iron Mine where an old cabin is situated on the side hill.  The roof is long gone, but it looked to be a good solid cabin at one time.  We took some photos and enjoyed stretching our legs.  As we were taking pictures my mom commented on our ages stretching from one decade through the sixth decade with almost twenty years between each of us, give or take a few….which will remain a secret to all but us!

We headed back toward the trailhead and truck and trailer.  The horses certainly knew they were heading home and picked up the pace accordingly.  We made it back to the ranch around 6:00 p.m. and decided to just have the angel food cake/strawberries my mom had made for my birthday instead of a “real dinner”.

A perfect way to spend my birthday!

It is summer time and in Idaho that means “4-H Time”.  For those of you who are not familiar with 4-H, it is a program that teaches children much more than just taking care of animals.  Participants learn about finances, formal meeting processes, keeping records, time management, showmanship, sportsmanship and animal husbandry, among other things.

I think the skills and lessons I learned while participating in 4-H and FFA for over 9 years helped me become the adult that I am today.  I showed horses, cows and pigs and participated in livestock judging events throughout the state.

Get Out and Lamb on the Ranch Steps

Our son, Bodie, has been participating in 4-H for three years showing lambs.  Payson, our daughter, will be showing a horse after only her first year.  Last year, Bodie’s lamb placed 1^st in his lamb’s weight class and 3^rd overall.  His lamb sold very well, and the buyer gave her back to him.  Bodie decided to keep her and breed with one of the ranch rams for a lamb this year.  His ewe, Get Out, had one baby this year.  Get Out and her baby hang out around the ranch house and help us keep the grass down.  It is not uncommon to find them both lying in front of our door, blocking our way.  Bodie has been working with his lamb already for the fair, so that he is gentle and easy to handle.

Both kids have been riding their horses twice a week for riding club and preparing for the events they will be showing their horses.  All 4-H projects are a big time commitment for the kids as well as the parents, but we feel that it is time well spent.

See ya’ll at the fair!

Lava Lake Ranch is home to many wildlife species.  We routinely see deer, elk, antelope, fox, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, porcupines, hawks, eagles, sandhill cranes, and many migratory birds.  We see evidence of many more animals, including bears, mountain lions and wolves, but don’t always get to see them.

Just the other day I was up Fish Creek and spotted a young moose wading in the wetlands.  This was a rare treat as they make an appearance only once or twice a year.

Moose at Lava Lake Ranch

We have been fortunate to have a great horned owl make its nest next to the ranch house for the past two years.  Not only do we get to hear their calls at night, but the mom and babies are in full sight for almost a month; something we never get tired of seeing.

Great Horned Owl

You would think that seeing wildlife so often would make it less exciting. . . (oh a moose, again).  I can speak for everyone on the ranch and our visitors, it is always fun and exciting to see our wild neighbors.  We are so fortunate and privileged to live and work in an area where these sighting can be an everyday event.

Since I’m behind the desk most of the day on the computer or phone, I don’t get the physical activity like the guys do here on the ranch. I make a point of trying to get out for some exercise three or four days a week.  I actually have a workout class, attended by some of the other ranch residents.  They are just a bunch of mutts really, but in much better shape than I.

First there is Big Dude, a Great Pyrenees, named so by my 8 year old daughter, because well, he is a big dude!  I call his exercise method Predator Patrol.  He specializes in strong, steady, and stealthy strides.

Next is Izzy, a Border Collie/Airedale cross.  You may wonder why anyone would ever cross those two breeds on purpose, but evidently some of the cowboys thought it would make a great aggressive stock dog for the stubborn cows.  Izzy is a very sweet dog, but she is definitely an alpha-femaleand has all of the huge guard dogs buffaloed on the ranch!  Her specialty is the 400 yard dash or really, anything that requires speed.  I have personally clocked her at 35 mph for over a mile and Melendez tells me he clocked her at 45 mph!  We have had some chuckles when Izzy spots a coyote on a nearby hill and they have a Wiley Coyote moment when they realize she really can make it up that hill in record time!

Then there is Belle, a Border Collie, who was given to our children for Christmas about five years ago.  She is a very sweet, quiet dog which is why she is probably on the bottom of the pecking order.  She loves to “help” when the guys are moving sheep on the ranch; however, help is a questionable term.  Her specialty is Spinning as she furiously runs around the sheep, then slows down, stalking, then bursts into the round up again.

Huck is our newest member to the class.  He is a Border Collie who was slated to be a competitor in dog trails, but alas, his quirky habits and shy behavior didn’t work well in a competition setting.  We are glad to have him and he is really enjoying learning how to be a ranch dog.  If I had to peg him for a class right now, it would certainly be Beginner’s Aerobics as he just runs around and tries to do what the other dogs are doing and is not particularly sure why.  And just when he thinks he knows what is going on, the other dogs burst off after something that he is totally unaware of.  He will get the hang of it I’m sure.

Last but not least is Max, a Border Collie cross we inherited when we moved to the ranch.  He is getting up there in age, but never misses a class.  Obviously, his best class is Sweating to the Oldies.  He has a slight limp from who knows what injury, but he keeps up just the same and is glad to get out.

The dogs are patient and rest as I climb all the way to the top of the hill.  They play as well as cool off in the remaining snow and look puzzled as if to ask what took you so long?

As you can see, it is a beautiful winter day with the hint of a much welcomed spring on its way.  We will probably still get some snowstorms before winter is truly over, and we need the moisture, but for the moment, I’m really enjoying this nice weather.  The views back toward the ranch, out of the lava fields and up the canyons are all equally beautiful.

Back at the ranch, the dogs prepare to take their afternoon naps and the cats seem to wonder what the big deal is.  They chase a couple of mice, do a few stretches and consider exercise overated.

We’re going to start a new segment on the blog, highlighting different staff member’s favorite cuts of lamb. We hope this gives you some ideas for recipes and inspires everyone to try out something new. We’ll start with Cheryl, sales manager/manager of two rowdy ranch kids.

photo by Glenn Oakley

My favorite cut is the ground lamb because it is versatile and easy to prepare.  My favorite recipe is the Wild Rice and Lamb Meatballs, by Scott Mason of Ketchum Grill.  It is my favorite because it is so easy to prepare.  I make up large batches of this recipe and freeze the meatballs, without browning, in serving sizes for my family.  They can be taken out the day of the meal, and quickly whipped into a delicious meal.  It also makes you look like a star when you have unannounced guests coming over.  I usually make spare wild rice and serve along with the meatballs.

- Cheryl