34 Comments

I love this newsletter, especially the great photos of animals, scenery and food. That peacock is amazing. Thanks for explaining what a badland is, I’ve always wondered why they are called that.

And that breakfast!! It always amuses me to see people eating sweet and savoury things together. We tend to keep them separated, except for putting fruit in salad. I had an aunt who used to eat bread and jam with her soup and we thought it was so weird.

I’ll be making the sweet and salty granola though!

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Thanks so much for your comments, Marg! It’s so interesting that it’s the custom to keep savory and sweet things separate in your world. Is that true in Australia generally? The salty/sweet thing has quite a long tradition here, especially at breakfast or brunch. The hearty breakfasts we had at the ranch probably had their roots in American pioneer traditions when people ate hearty because they needed the calories to fuel their hard labor. Sugar, salt and fat would have all been in high demand.

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We eat plenty of sweet things at breakfast time but they aren’t mixed together on the same plate. The first time I saw bacon with maple syrup was a revelation.

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Where’s the pie

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Strangely, I haven’t found it yet, Michael. Oh, but have no fear— before this trip is over, there will definitely be pie—and hopefully it will be good!

BTW, I hear birthday wishes are in order. Many happy returns!

🎂 🎉 😊

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Thx. If you don’t find any pie Barb will make one for you next time your in SD

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I’m sure I will, but that would provide a good excuse to visit you guys! 😘

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I’d be all over that granola!

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Me too! 🤗

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Ruth

I have never seen an albino peacock! Stunning. Plus, your adventures always give me a takeaway, and this time, it was the granola. Awesome! I happened to have all the ingredients. Thank you.

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I hadn’t either and when I asked I was told it wasn’t an albino but some variation in the species. Kind of odd. I’m glad I was able to share a recipe for the granola. Once we’re home, I’ll be making it for sure! Thanks for your comment, Sally! Please let me know how the granola turns out if you do make it!

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Victor, Idaho in the Tetons, eh ....

I'll have to try that granola recipe once we have a kitchen again. Another month should do it.

We might have stayed there as well, as we drove through the Badlands on the way from CA to NH. But we weren't super psyched to hang about - we wanted to get to our new home! The Badlands were pretty impressive, though. Definitely was worth taking the time to slowly drive through them and to walk the lava landscapes after our stay in Yellowstone.

Good to hear you use Diamond Crystal. It's really the only salt you need (and almost the only one I use). I just have fleur de sel on hand to be fancy shmancy at times!

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It must be tough to be without a kitchen. Are you remodeling or building one?

Diamond Crystal is my go-to salt unless I’m making a recipe that calls for something else.

The Badlands are worth a visit all on their own, and now we’re enjoying the Tetons too. Victor is a peaceful little town, but it requires a drive across a mountain pass to get to the park, and there can be traffic and construction issues. The pros are that it’s cheaper and there are some highly recommended eateries. Stay tuned for a more on that.

Thanks as always afor commenting, Crowden. I enjoy and value your input.

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Remodeling. And it goes on and on and onnnnnnnn .....

Want to know something that I consider carefully? How to write words like "onnnnnn". It truly makes me stop and think "Is it oooooon or oooonnnnnn or onnnnnnn?" I'll see people write "Get outtttttttt!" and it drives me nuts because a consonant sound like "t" can't be drawn out. It's definitionally a small fraction of a second in duration. Whereas the "o" and "n" in "on" can both be extended and so one needs to analyze which way best matches the actual sounds.

Yep. One doesn't just write - one writes "thoughtfully". ;-)

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Hmmmmmmmm, very thoughtful. I’d probably write it as “oooooooon,” except that then it might be read as “ooooo,“ as in “boo,” rather than “awwwwwwn.” Oh well. I fear linguistic deep dives may lead to incidental drowning. We can’t have thaaaaaaat!

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This is amazing, Ruth! The food, the photos, all of it! Thank you! Now craving eggs Benedict!

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Thanks so much, Jolene! Believe it or not, I’ve never made Eggs Benedict. Now I’m going to hunt down a recipe!

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So beautiful Ruth. And I recently wrote something along the lines of “memories from a place I lomg to visit but never have...” And I thought how strange. My readers might think I’m bonkers. After reading this I see that I’m not crazy. Thanks for the nostalgic journey.

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I think fantasy travel can be as inspiring as the real thing, especially in someone with an active imagination. I also think cooking the foods of another culture is a bit like fantasy travel too—via the tastebuds. Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful comments, Lerato! You’re definitely not bonkers.

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Thanks, Susan. I think you and Mark would really enjoy the ranch. And the Badlands are a beautiful, underrated national park.

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That breakfast menu and photo of blue skies are impressive indeed. The granola sounds delicious. Thanks so much for sharing your travels, Ruth.

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Thanks so much, Vicki! It’s a memorable trip-- and the granola is pretty terrific!

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Thank you Ruth for taking us on your adventures with you! What a fun and memorable time for you and Jeff! Wonderful food and travel notes you have shared!

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Thanks so much, Mindy! Always glad to have you along. Hope our travels will take us to Atlanta one of these days.

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Once again, Ruth, a good read! I look forward to these “postcards” every week. Your writing is so engrossing that I feel I’m traveling with you ( and how I wish I were!)

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I wish you were too, Donna! So glad you’re getting some vicarious pleasure from our adventures. Can’t wait to see you when we’re back in LA! 🥰

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You painted such a lovely picture, Ruth! I want to go there now! Plus the actual pictures- gorgeous!

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Stunning views! What an amazing trip.

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Thanks, Julia!

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The food sounds amazing, and I plan to make that granola! Great idea to stay in a small family-run place that provides full board in that lovely but sparsely-populated part of the wprld (especially at times when the taco truck isn't open for business!)

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Thanks for your comments, Annette. The food was pretty great, and it’s fascinating to learn a little of the ranch’s history and of the South Dakota badlands. I imagine you probably know more of the history of this area than I do!

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Think again, Ruth! Been to the area, but spent the time admiring buffalo, etc. I know practically nothing about the Dakotas! 😂

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Oh my gosh. Your trip sounds amazing. And some great food. Thanks for writing about it.

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Thanks, Judy!

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