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7 Arrow Ranch
Eat Chicken. Nourish Your Body. Restore the Land.
Boots and Roots Blog
Faith. Food. Farm wisdom.
Your exit ramp from life in the fast lane.
Welcome to Boots & Roots — your quiet place on the internet to breathe deep, slow down, and reconnect with what matters. Here you’ll find a blend of gentle devotionals, ranch stories, simple homegrown recipes, outdoor skills, and homestead-from-anywhere tips that make life feel a little less rushed and a lot more intentional.
Whether you’re here for the stories, the skills, or the spiritual encouragement, I’m so glad you found your way to my back porch.
Pour a cup of something warm. Or cold. Or boozy. Whatever floats your boat.
Kick off your shoes or dust off your boots.
Let’s grow something beautiful together.
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Welcome to the Boots & Roots Blog
If you’ve found your way here, chances are you’re craving something slower, simpler, and more meaningful than the fast-paced rhythm the world keeps trying to drag you into. Same here, friend. Boots & Roots was born on a dusty 20-acre tract of Texas dirt (couldn't even call it soil yet), a pair of well-worn hiking boots, and a longing for a life that actually felt like… life. In 2017, our family traded in suburbia’s schedules for something with a little more soul. We didn’t
7arrowranch
Nov 182 min read
The Feral Farm Kid
According to Merriam-Webster, "feral" is defined as "not domesticated or cultivated: wild." This term perfectly encapsulates my 11-year-old son, Noah. He embodies the spirit of untamed energy and raw determination, making him an indispensable part of our farm's daily life. Ok, all 3 of our youngest kiddos are feral. But...Noah takes the cake. As the oldest boy in our household, Noah naturally shoulders responsibilities that go beyond his years. He has an innate ability to pr
7arrowranch
Jun 243 min read
The Heartbeat of Our Farm
There’s a word that captures the essence of my 10-year-old daughter, Charlie: moxie . Charlie and Pluto According to Merriam-Webster, "moxie" means energy, pep, courage, and determination. Charlie embodies all these qualities and more. Born between two brothers, Charlie is the youngest girl in a family full of strong wills and opinions. She takes karate and horseback riding lessons, learning to assert herself and command respect. Watching her handle a 2,000-pound horse is a s
7arrowranch
May 312 min read
Legacy of Love: What My Parents Have Taught Me About Marriage
The Rancherita's parents I have a memory from my young adult years—probably when I was still in college—that’s stayed with me like it’s etched into my bones. My mom was sitting on the couch, her hand pressed to her forehead, trying to ride out a headache. I can’t remember if she asked for help or if he just noticed. But what I do remember is my dad coming into the room with a glass of water and some pain medicine. He didn’t just hand it to her from across the room or set it
7arrowranch
Apr 153 min read
I told my parents I wanted to be a carpenter...
I figured if it was good enough for Jesus, it was good enough for me! I used to work for the State, working with kids in foster care, their families, and with foster parents. I remember telling my parents at one point that I just wanted to quit, because the hours were awful, and I had a daughter that they were watching while I worked. I figured as a carpenter, I could put in my hours, do my job, and go home. No sweat worrying about kids being re-abused, no kids using anato
7arrowranch
Dec 2, 20213 min read
Progress--Not Perfection
52 Weeks of Homegrown and Handmade--week 11 We're gonna give this weekly update a different feel, since I'm 10 weeks behind!! My time, like everyone's time, is super limited, and I'm not the best manager of it. I'm a little scatterbrained. I make lots of lists, but I lose them. I put reminders in my phone--but I have so many that I tune out the reminders. I have sticky notes on my mirror. Lots of them. So now they get ignored. *Sigh* My progress--from trying to manage
7arrowranch
Jun 22, 202115 min read
Provision
We live in North Central Texas. It is not unusual for us to get snow, and sub-freezing temps in the wintertime. Even into low teens is not out of the realm of possibilities. My in-laws have enjoyed calling us each winter, asking us how we enjoy the "country cold". HA! Fun fact--I despise the cold. Like, with every fiber of my being. Truly, madly, deeply. The whole country is aware of--and affected by--winter storms Uri and Violet. And Texas, with our massive infrastruc
7arrowranch
Feb 19, 202113 min read
Training up the next generation
My whole family is involved with American Heritage Girls and Trail Life USA . We love these programs for our kiddos. We love that our kids are involved in these Christ-centered ministries where they get to grow in their faith, grow in fellowship with one another, and grow stronger relationships in their families. I love that Trail Life is an outdoor-focused program for my boys--one that connects the outdoors directly to the Creator. It also walks alongside the parents, a
7arrowranch
Nov 9, 20202 min read
What Pandemic??
Farm life/rural life doesn't pause for a pandemic.
7arrowranch
Jul 27, 20205 min read
Misadventures in Gardening
So, I have a black thumb, y'all. If it's not a desert plant that can survive droughts, floods, scorching heat, and snow, then I. Will. Kill. It. 🤦♀️ BUT, I have a dream of someday growing a garden full of fruits and vegetables that my family will eat. So, it doesn't have to be a big garden. When it comes to eating my veggies, I'm basically a 6 year old. Like this guy. My father in law gives us tomato starts, ready for transplanting, every year. Isn't he sweet?! Every
7arrowranch
Feb 15, 20203 min read
Lessons Learned
I grew up in suburbia, born to a dad with a green thumb, and a mom with a black thumb. I inherited the black thumb. In fact, I did a science experiment for science fair one year, in which I discovered which acids and bases killed plants the fastest. Needless to say, I killed all plants quite successfully! Yet I always dreamed of living on a ranch, and maybe having a garden. Here I am, as an adult, and I have successfully managed to kill every plant I’ve ever put in the ground
7arrowranch
Feb 5, 20205 min read
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