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This August has found me at the Wild Idea office on more of a fulltime bases. I have really enjoyed working with the plant crew (more on that in September’s newsletter), but it has also made me really appreciate my weekends.

I try to get out in the buffalo at least once on the weekend. Sitting amongst them, centers me and also gives an occasional opportunity to capture “the photo”. I didn’t capture it this month, but here are a few that I thought were worthy of sharing. The growing calves are really playful and fun to watch, and seem so big compared to the new late calves.

Dan is enjoying his new falcon “Clarence”. He is flying free and has had some successful hunts.  We are looking forward to the shared duck, grouse & pheasant meals!

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We currently have a smokin’ hot special on our Wild Idea Ground Buffalo sampler. So when I received a call from “ a soccer mom / football mom” who is on a tight budget, asking what I would recommend when feeding a bunch of hungry 11 year olds and teenagers, I gave her my recipe for “Buffalo Sloppy Joe’s”.  To confirm it would satisfy, I made a batch for the crew at Wild Idea. It was a hit and fed 12.

Wild Idea Buffalo Sloppy Joe’s (Serves 12)

Ingredients:
2 tsp. olive oil
1 onion, diced fine
2 lbs. Ground Wild Idea Buffalo
2 tsp. each: black pepper, cumin, mustard
1 tsp. each: salt, chili powder
2 Tb. brown sugar
1 Tb. garlic, chopped
¾ cup ketchup
¾ cup water
12 hamburger buns

Instructions:

In heavy skillet over medium high heat, heat oil. Add chopped onion and sauté for 4 minutes. Crumble ground buffalo into pan, stirring together and breaking into smaller pieces. Add spices while meat is browning and stir in. When meat is browned, add ketchup and water, stir to incorporate and let come to full heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve on hamburger buns or smaller slider size buns for smaller kids. Great for casual dinner, after the game or tailgate parties!

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I’ve had a couple of requests for updates on the puppies, and since it is the dog days of summer it seems only appropriate. Below are brother’s (the famous Henry Dog’s children) – Shiner, and Huckleberry, taking a break from their fierce battle that I interrupted. And Fargo, who is in training for this year’s hunting season.

Then there are the birds, which are starting to gather and slowly vacate, leaving the ranch a little quieter with each passing day. I caught two songbirds at the bird feeder the other day sharing a meal; a baby Chickadee and Gold Finch. I remain obsessed with photographing Jilian and Colton’s chickens and guinea’s. They are such characters and their colors are so intense!

While driving around in the cottonwood pasture and along the river, I started noticing wooden animals everywhere. Here are a few of my favorites – named in what I feel is obviously appropriate. Do you see anything else? Would love to hear your thoughts.

As we start to say goodbye to summer, we are taking in as much of the outdoors as possible and are really looking forward to the Labor Day weekend. We plan to take in a PowWow on the Cheyenne River Reservation. A couple of the Wild Idea guys have their children participating in dance competitions and they are also going to be setting up a food stand, selling delicious Wild Idea Buffalo Burgers! Definitely not to be missed! Have a great weekend everyone! Jill