If you travel down a cow trail in the Nebraska Sandhills, you might find me, Tiffany. A transplant from the Pacific Northwest to the Nebraska Prairie. Wife to a 5th generation rancher, & mommy to the 6th generation.
5 Generations of Cattlemen
We raise registered Black Angus cattle (and my small herd of Jerseys) all out on our beautiful rolling Sandhill pastures and meadows. My husband’s family established this ranch in 1885 – and they’ve lived and ranched here ever since. Passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. My husband is passionate about his cattle. It’s in his blood. He is very dedicated to our cattle and our family. Ranchers are the toughest people out there. Snow storm, hail storm, sweltering heat, they are out in it. That’s real grit. I’m very proud of my husband and thankful I get to stand beside him through it all.
My New Home
I fell in love with a Sandhills rancher, got married, and moved to the prairie. Our home is nestled down a cow trail or two between several big hill pastures. Surrounded by a small forest of cottonwoods, ash, and other species, we have our own little micro-climate and better soil than some of the surrounding “sand”. I’m so thankful for this, as I LOVE to be out in the garden and am continually adding new garden beds to our landscape.
We live 25 miles from our “hometown” – population 1,200. It’s a sweet little town where people know you by name, and I’m pretty sure EVERYONE is related. Everyone.
The Pacific Northwest
Growing up, my parents always empowered us to learn how to create things on our own. They were DIY before it was cool. They remodeled my Grandparent’s 1910 farmhouse into a beautiful home. It took them 10 years, but they did most of it by themselves and valued quality over speed. My parents homeschooled myself and my two sisters. That is something I have always been thankful for. We will be homeschooling our own children out here on the prairie.
My husband grew up going to a country school only about 4 miles away from the ranch. It’s closed down now, so that wouldn’t be an option for us anyhow. I’ve always known I wanted to homeschool our children and I’m so glad I have such a great environment to do so now.
Where Credit is due
My parents also instilled in me a deep faith, and the importance of walking in that faith and sharing it with others. You will find that same faith laced throughout my posts, and it is the foundation to my whole story. Afterall, God is the author of every story you will find here. He deserves the credit.
At the age of 16 I attended a community college (that I later came back to teach at for a short time) and then went on to graduate from Washington State University with a B.A. in interior design. I only use it now for my own home, or for helping friends out on design decisions. It did lead me to graphic design, which I use quite frequently now.
Contentment
Now living in the sandhills, being so far away from family and all that I knew as home, I have found my new home and it is the sweetest feeling. I know that I will never move. This is where my grandchildren will come to visit me, on my front porch sitting on my porch swing. I know that my children will grow up to be the 6th generation and continue the legacy their great-great-great-grandparents began with their homesteads. I have had my moments of finding contentment in solitude, learning to do with what I have, and trying to think of ways to improve our lives. As the old adage goes, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” I say that to myself from time to time.
My desire is to live a healthy and clean life (although I occasionally have a sugared up latte in town!). I have developed so many good friendships here. Lasting friendships. We all try to keep each other accountable. And I’m thankful for that.
I’m also thankful to have you along for this journey down a cow trail!
Happy Trails!
Tiffany
