Creative Living Archives | Golden Country Cowgirl

Am I Really a Cowgirl?

I’ve wondered more than once whether I have any business calling myself a cowgirl. I’ve owned horses for much of my life—a lot of horses over the years, in fact. I’ve ridden countless miles, cared for them, worried over them, learned from them and built a good part of my life around them. But I’ve never been what most people probably picture when they hear the word cowgirl. I’ve never worked cattle for a living. I’ve never been a rodeo cowgirl. I’ve never shown horses. I’ve sorted cattle on rare occasions, but nobody was ever going to mistake me for someone who spent her days horseback on a working ranch. So why Golden Country Cowgirl? Somewhere along the way, I decided that cowgirl didn’t have…

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A Cozy Solo Thanksgiving Feast (With Keto-Friendly Options!)

Braised beef short ribs on a bed of mashed cauliflower - the star of a keto friendly solo Thanksgiving feast

Sometimes the most memorable holidays are the quiet ones. If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving solo this year—or you just want to treat yourself to something cozy and delicious—you absolutely can create a meal that feels special, intentional, and totally indulgent without going overboard. Here’s my plan for this year’s solo Thanksgiving feast. I’m not a turkey girl (never have been!), and with beef prices sky-high this year I briefly thought I’d have to rethink my usual plan. But then I remembered one of my all-time favorite comfort foods: braised short ribs. Rich, tender, deeply flavorful, and perfect for a smaller holiday table. This year’s menu is simple, comforting, and festive… with both a regular and keto/low-carb version of each dish so you can choose what fits…

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Easy Summer Entertaining for Seniors: Hosting Without the Hassle

A small group of senior women enjoying a cozy summer evening on a porch with glasses of wine and simple snacks, highlighting easy summer entertaining for seniors.

When the summer sun starts heating up, the last thing most of us want to do is spend hours cooking in a hot kitchen or prepping a fancy gathering. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a little summertime magic—especially when it comes to sharing food, wine, and good conversation. As we get older, we start to realize that entertaining doesn’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful. In fact, some of the most memorable get-togethers I’ve had were the simplest: a friend on the porch, a glass of wine in hand, a light breeze cutting the heat. Whether you’re planning a casual evening for two or just want to treat yourself, summer is the perfect time to slow down and savor. Here’s how to…

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St. Patrick’s Day: History, Traditions and a Delicious Feast to Celebrate

A traditional St. Patrick's Day feast with text that says How Will You Celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

St. Patrick’s Day is more than just wearing green and attending parades—it’s a celebration of Irish culture and heritage that has evolved over centuries. From its origins as a religious feast to its modern-day festivities, this holiday is embraced worldwide. In this guide, you’ll learn about St. Patrick’s Day history, how it’s celebrated today, and how to prepare a traditional Irish feast to mark the occasion. The History of St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders and enslaved in Ireland as a teenager. He eventually escaped, but later returned as a Christian missionary to convert the Irish people.…

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Best Wine Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

Smart and Stylish Storage Ideas for Wine Lovers If you love wine but live in a small space, finding the perfect storage solution can be a challenge. I’ve lived in spaces from a four bedroom 2800 square foot house to a 21 foot travel trailer so I’ve faced lots of different challenges. Whether you have small living quarters or simply have limited kitchen space, keeping your bottles organized and properly stored is essential for preserving their flavor and quality. Over the years, I’ve used lots of different storage methods so I have some recommendations for the best wine storage solutions for small spaces. The good news? You don’t need a full wine cellar to enjoy and care for your collection. From compact wine fridges to…

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6 Travel-Inspired Home Decor Ideas

Bring Your Adventures to Life! Imagine walking into your home and feeling like you’ve been transported to your favorite travel destination. Whether it’s the serene beaches of the Caribbean, the bustling streets of Paris or the earthy charm of the Southwest, your home can capture the essence of these places with the right decor. If you love to travel and want to bring those adventures into your everyday life, these travel-inspired home decor ideas will help you create a space that’s both personal and inviting. From thoughtful souvenirs to globally inspired colors and textures, decorating with a travel theme is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating an environment that tells your unique story. Whether you’re reminiscing about past trips or dreaming of new destinations,…

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Ideas for a Solo Christmas

How to Enjoy a Festive Feast on Your Own Spending Christmas alone doesn’t mean missing out on the joy and magic of the season. In fact, it’s an opportunity to create a celebration that’s uniquely yours—filled with all the things you love, from cozy decorations to a personalized feast. If you’re searching for ideas for a solo Christmas, start with a festive meal tailored just for you. As a single person, I’ve spent many holidays solo but I always made them special. They weren’t always a big production but just unique in some way. Here’s how to make your solo holiday special, delicious, and memorable. 1. Set the Scene A solo Christmas feast is more than just food; it’s about creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.…

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Fall RV Trip Update — The Art of Resiliency and Flexibility

Is it just me or have we had to be super resilient and flexible for the past couple of years? Barely a month ago I wrote a blog post about my fall RV trip plans which included a conference in El Paso, Texas. Due to changes, some beyond my control, I have had to make several modifications and update my fall RV trip plans. Conference Update I debated with myself for weeks about whether or not to attend this conference. It wasn’t a concern about illness. I felt the conference would not live up to the one I had attended in the past due to the restrictions and safety measures in place. The purpose of the conference is to showcase the El Paso food scene.…

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Electric Bike and the Solo Senior Female Traveler Saga

Electric bike with text overlay: Electric Bike and the Solo Senior Female Traveler Does the saga have a happy ending?

Back in 2019, when I was planning my RV trip, I saw lots of YouTube videos about electric bikes. One brand in particular, Lectric eBikes, caught my attention. Lots of nomads that I follow reviewed their bikes and just raved about them. I thought an electric bike would be a really fun way to get around campgrounds and other places I stayed on my trip. Lectric eBikes was selling their bikes through a Kickstarter at an amazing price so I decided to jump on it. Electric Bike Purchase in 2019 I had to wait several months for the bike to be shipped. It finally arrived, just in time for my trip. Unboxing it was exciting and relatively easy! You can see from the video that…

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Fall Travel Plans – A Conference and an RV Trip

Oh, my gosh. It has been so long since I wrote a blog post I’m not sure I remember how! I just couldn’t muster up the motivation to “find” things to write about when I couldn’t travel or even go out to most restaurants. However, I have some exciting news that has gotten me extremely motivated. You may have already seen some of the news on my social media channels or in my newsletter, but I want to share with you in more detail my fall travel plans. My cats and I will be hitting the trail in October as soon as I return from the International Food Blogger Conference! Sadly, they have to stay home with a pet sitter while I attend the conference.…

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