The South Dakota Cowgirl

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Attention Travelers: Plan Ahead

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This is going to be a really crazy fun week for us. We’re going to spend the better part of Tuesday in a vehicle traveling to Texas to spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with my family. Which means that even though I had all the laundry done a couple days ago, I probably have at least one load to do before we go. I’ll have to spend tomorrow packing; and making the pumpkin bread I promised. Which I am looking forward to doing. I love making the house smell fun for the holidays.

christmas tree, horses 017Speaking of The Holidays- I have always gotten a live tree- I just love how they make the house smell, but this year, I’m thinking about going with an artificial tree only because I like putting the tree up right after Thanksgiving. I mean, right after. This year the earliest I could put it up would be Sunday; but then I’m only here for a week before we head out to go to Las Vegas, NV for the Inter-tribal Ag Council (Zach sits on the board of directors). And it is just our luck that they plan that conference to coincide with the National Finals Rodeo, also known as the NFR and affectionately called *The Finals* among the rodeo crowd; which includes yours truly.  So I’ll get to see lots of my friends and shop Cowboy Christmas. Oh, how I love Cowboy Christmas. We went to Vegas last year for the conference. It was my first time in Vegas and I had so much fun.

I’ve totally gone off -topic.

Back to trees. So you can see my dilemma. If I get a real tree, I have to find someone to water it, as well as feed the cats and take care of the chickens for a week while we’re gone to Vegas. It’s possible I could be pushing my luck. I could wait until December 12th when we get back from Vegas to get it, but then I only have 2 weeks to enjoy it before Christmas and that just doesn’t seem like a lot of fun to me.  So if I decide to get an artificial tree while we are in Texas, what kind do I get? I think I want to get a pre-lit one, but I am so terrified that I’ll spend a lot of money on a pre-lit tree (because I will want a gorgeous tree) and then the lights will have a come-apart and fizzle out on me, and then I’ll be out of luck. Maybe I’m over-reacting. I’m sure I’ve never done that before.

On a fun note- here is a video of Bam Bam‘s mamma, Shuttle, from last fall. I found this video while doing the computer reorganization.  This is her typical self when she’s not nursing baby. She is just certain she is a wild mustang and should be free to roam wild, on the prairies.

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And since I’ll be busy packing and then I’ll be on the road all day Tuesday, I’m going to do some photo blogs and post some video for the next couple days, so you’re not without contact from me. Because no one wants that, right?

In the meantime, all y’all have a super Sunday night!

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

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Comments

  1. The Wife says

    We used to buy real trees too. Love them! But now that I live in a itty bitty house, I bought a skinny fake tree. I can’t help ya with the prelit ones. Never had one myself. I’ve heard others say they love them.

    I’ve always wanted to go to Cowboy Christmas. I’m so jealous!

    Have a safe trip down here. I’m sure you’re family will be happy to spend the holiday with ya!

    Reply

  3. Robyn says

    Oh! I love the decorations on your Christmas tree Jennifer!! Have an amazing Thanksgiving celebration and a BLAST in Vegas! I’m very envious, however look forward to your posts about your finds.

    Reply

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