Mesquite smoked duck breast from Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar
Mesquite smoked duck breast from Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar

Bits & Bites: NRHA Derby

My expectations were fairly high going to Oklahoma City for the first time, because I’m usually able to hunt down a killer restaurant in a big city. When my research led me to Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar, a farm-to-kitchen establishment in the inner city, I was immediately excited. My love for “from scratch only” restaurants started when I ate at Farmer Fishers Bakers in Georgetown, D.C., with my brother Cody a few years back, and I haven’t found a place that matched it since.
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Piles of Grass Clippings Are No Treat for Your Horse

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Are you tempted to cut your grass, then rake it into soft, fragrant, tasty piles of clippings for your horse to nibble? According to equine nutrition expert Dr. Juliet Getty, this should be the last thing you encourage your horse to eat. It has to do with that extra step: raking.

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An Unlikely Artist

Could you imagine finding your life’s calling on the battlefields of a world war? I know I couldn’t. The loud noises alone would send me into a crumpled heap, let alone the bloodshed and having to make the split-second decision to save lives or end them. But one man was able to find his talent and calling during the Italian and North African invasions of World War II.
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Little Roper

There are a few bronze statues throughout the Cowboy Publishing Group office. One of my favorites is this 1977 piece by Vel Miller. I call him “Little Roper” in my head, because there’s no distinguishing title on the piece and it was the first thing that popped into my head when I first saw the little guy. The entire gesture in this statue is nothing short of whimsical and fun. You can almost hear him hollering out as he slings his rope toward his aim!
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Headin for Shelter (166/300)

There’s a matted and framed print that hangs in a funny corner of the office, right near the ladies room. It’s a beautiful vertically sized, detailed pencil drawing of a cattle drive. Now, it’s not unusual to find artwork near or in public restrooms, but you don’t usually see pieces that are as engaging and extraordinary as this particular piece happens to be. I remember when it came to live in that little corner; I chuckled to myself thinking such a remarkable piece should be anywhere but near the bathroom. Pieces like this are usually found in grand homes or museums. This print, titled “Headin’ for Shelter,” was one of the first on my list of pieces I wanted to research more when I decided to write these blog posts.
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Wagon Boss

You’d never think it to look at, but the Cowboy Publishing Group office, perched on Montgomery Street overlooking the Fort Worth, Texas, skyline, has an amazing collection of Western art gracing its hallways and offices.
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A Visit to Cannon Quarter Horses

WEB LilLenaLongLegs KPGetting to meet Lil Lena Long Legs was one of the highlights of my visit to Cannon Quarter Horses.When Billy and Michelle Cannon, of Cannon Quarter Horses, hosted an open house at their new facility in Waxahachie, Texas, I was happy to be the Quarter Horse News (QHN) team member to attend. It was a chance to see the Cannons’ National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity Sales consignments and ogle at the broodmares that produce their great performance horses. And let’s be serious – there were refreshments. Who doesn’t jump at the opportunity for free food?

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Sale Fever

Kelsey Steve 2011Steve Worman and I paused our stallion conversation for a quick selfie at the 2011 NRHA Futurity.As everyone buzzes about the upcoming sale season, I can’t help but get excited. I am approaching my four-year anniversary with Quarter Horse News (QHN) and I’m more involved in this amazing industry than ever before.

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This Is How We Luau

1 LuauGirlsAs usual, the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Summer Spectacular was a blast in Fort Worth, Texas. The NCHA’s draw parties are always fun, but this year’s Platinum Performance Open Draw Party tops the rest. A luau, complete with barbeque pig and Hawaiian dancers, made it a night to remember – all we were missing was the beach. Check out these fun photos from the great event.

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Branding

Livestock branding has been a practice for Texas cattlemen since the late 1800s. My in-laws have branded their cattle for five generations. Currently we run an “E” brand, which stands for my mother-in-law’s name, Eugenia. Several times a year we round up new calves and run them through the squeeze shoot/calf table. The calf table makes the process less stressful on all of us, especially because it’s usually just two of us doing the work. That and a good set of sorting pens to separate the calves from their mamas and we rarely have much trouble.