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My Simple Wild

a motherhood & simple living blog

September 11, 2017 / Style, Travel

Montana Ranch Adventures + The Perfect Comfy Tee

*Thank you to PinkBlush for sending me this shirt! All opinions are my own. You can read my full disclaimer here.

 

So my in-laws bought a ranch in Montana… and you guys- I want to move there! Even though the smoke from the fires was really intense, we still had such a great time. We didn’t even really do anything but hang out on the giant front porch and play with the horses. And ya know what? It was exactly what we needed. Every trip and vacation we take is packed full of sight seeing and running around. This time we just relaxed and enjoyed each others company. BLISS.

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Liam loved this 14 month old horse!

montana ranch

 

montana ranch

Jen and Eric went from living in a tiny town an hour and a half from Chicago to a 244 acre ranch in Plains, Montana. (An hour from Missoula, where we flew in). I am so happy and proud of them for taking on this new adventure. It’s a bit scary but oh-so exciting. When we first got there we heard how bad the wolves and bears were in that area and were a little concerned. Then with the raging and spreading fires just 10-15 miles away from us our fear of wildlife was completely dissolved. There were times we were scared and stressed about the fires and other times we just were so use to the choking smoke around us that we merely forgot about it. I did not realize how bad the air was until we stepped off our plane in Denver and I was able to breathe fresh, clean air again. Whoa. It was like a weight lifted off my chest and breathing was so much easier. Crazy.

 

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montana ranch

 

montana ranch

 

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The “Lodge”

They have four horses they board there for the town vet as well as two skittish goats and one mean llama. Plus their three dogs of course, so they already have a petting zoo! They have 13 pregnant sheep and 3 cows coming their way soon! I can’t wait to go back to see them. Two giant houses, an adorable one bedroom cabin and a couple barns gives them their own little village.  The town of Plains was the exact opposite of Denver, but I loved it. I grew up in a tiny village myself and there was some similarities between the two. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. We did see some interesting characters at the fair in town and at the Walmart in Missoula.. but between my hometown, Chicago and Denver, I think I have seen enough to not be surprised by much.

 

montana ranch

 

 

 

montana ranch

Everything seemed to just slow down there. It could have been the smoke, honestly, as we were all exhausted the entire time we were there. Afternoon naps for everyone was a daily ritual. It was a different landscape from Colorado for sure. The mountains are much smaller, but still beautiful. Everything around us was dead, dried out and crunchy. There is no sneaking up on anyone there! You really have to watch your step for snakes as we saw a couple and some that had shed. It is SO quiet that at first it made me uneasy. The only noises were those of the occasional helicopter flying overhead to dump water on the fire and their dogs barking. I was unaware of the daily noises I hear near Denver. We don’t live downtown anymore, we live about 10-15 minutes north of the city. We do live right by a highway and I have never noticed how loud it was ! Plus all our neighbors mowing their lawns, all the dogs barking, people honking… I consider our neighborhood a quiet one until I came back from the ranch and heard every little thing.

 

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Liam hiking with Pappa

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Checking out the property
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Look at that sun and smoke!

 

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View from their rock quarry

 

I’ll be dreaming of the ranch over here for awhile, I’m sure. It would be a completely different lifestyle there, but the adventure would be so worth it. I am excited to see what they do with the place!

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Yep that’s our child running around shirtless at the town fair cracked out on cotton candy

 

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On the last day I wanted to wear something comfortable and flowy so I could snuggle up on the late plane ride home. I received this perfectly comfy and cute top from PinkBlush and was SO happy this is the one I wore.

I adore mixed prints but often have no clue how to achieve that look without looking like I just threw the first two things in my closet on. I love this shirt because it already has that mixed print I love without having to even think about it.

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Walking down to see the horses in the AM

I also love the long length of this one because it is perfect to wear with leggings. Which, in my opinion, are the best things to travel in. I am all about comfort when flying and what could be better than a soft tee and leggings?

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This shirt is just so soft… you have to feel it to know! I know I will be rocking this one all through Fall. You can pair it with your favorite sandals while it’s still warm, some cute converse or Vans as it gets a little cooler … and some cute high leather boots too! Add a chunky scarf and you are Fall ready.

 

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Hanging with my favorite horse I named Buttercup 😀

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The other night we went out to dinner with some friends and I threw this on because I wanted to be comfortable after a long day. (PLUS…it is extra roomy so my food baby I acquired after eating an entire sushi bowl was hidden. yay!). I just paired it with my favorite dark wash skinny jeans and bam I was ready to go . The material is so stretchy too, it would definitely work as a maternity top!

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Thanks for following along on our little Montana adventure!

Please keep Montana in your prayers, so many families have had to evacuate their homes from these fires!

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Comments

  1. Arwyn says

    September 11, 2017 at 3:28 am

    The ranch sounds so peaceful! What a lovely time.

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      September 11, 2017 at 3:30 am

      It was! You would love it Arwyn ! ❤️

      Reply
  2. Lavonia Goossens says

    September 11, 2017 at 11:59 am

    Your attention to detail is great

    Reply
  3. LeeAnn says

    October 27, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    As a young child, I lived in the country. My family moved us to the coast around middle school. Although I love the beach, I do miss the country life and have considered retiring to more of a country/ranch setting!

    Reply
  4. Magen Golden says

    October 28, 2017 at 1:23 am

    This place looks so beautiful and relaxing. I love outdoor activities with the family too. I am just jealous.

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      October 28, 2017 at 7:38 pm

      We are going back there for Christmas ! I can’t wait !

      Reply
  5. Stephanie Lee says

    November 2, 2017 at 7:10 am

    That is such a cute shirt! I love when stripes and florals are paired together like that. It looks like you had a wonderful visit to a beautiful place. What incredible views!

    Reply
    • Natalie Aubele says

      November 2, 2017 at 2:50 pm

      Thank you ! Me too ! And yes it’s gorgeous- we are going back there for Christmas , I am so excited ! 😁

      Reply

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Welcome! I’m Natalie. I am a western mountain mama who just recently relocated to the coast! Here I share all things motherhood, homemaking, homeschooling, and slow living. I hope you follow along as we share this next chapter of our lives. I am so glad you are here! Grab a cup of coffee and stay awhile

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Whew what a week ! Thank goodness for church and t Whew what a week ! Thank goodness for church and the good Word to renew and fill me with hope. Last week was a doozy and felt like it wouldn't ever end. Good & bad things happened, but more bad than I'd like. My grandma passed away and then we were in a stressful scramble for 2 days trying to figure out who could take care of our animals and dogs and garden & afford flights, a hotel and rental car to go to Chicago for the services(we ended up just having to book a flight for me & Liam and my husband and Theo will stay behind to hold down the homestead). We had a big playhouse we bought off FB marketplace delivered that Nate and Liam have been repairing and painting. It's turning out great ! I know many memories will be made in there, and I can't wait to share the before & afters. Though my poor husband has way too many projects going on at once again. 😬 
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The other day I went to the garden to find all the marigolds I planted next to my tomatoe plants died out of nowhere, and something is eating my pole beans. 🙃 
How I've been coping ? 
1. Finally cracking open a prayer journal I got for Christmas from my best friend and pouring my heart out. 
2. Spurts of intense deep cleaning that makes me utterly exhausted 
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Even though life has been busy and crazy and sad, I still just feel incredibly grateful and blessed for what the Lord has given me and my family. I'm ready to be home and hug my family and celebrate the beautiful life of my Grandma Alice.
Do you have plans to go camping with your kids thi Do you have plans to go camping with your kids this Summer ? I have a blog post from a few years ago that has a free printable kids packing list. This checklist gives kids an easy to follow list to be independent and responsible for their own pack for a weekend camping trip. 
I don't know if we'll get to camping before baby gets here in July, but we plan to camp this Autumn for just short weekend getaways. 
Now that Liam is 3 years older since creating that checklist, I may even add a couple more things. A tick remover to be added to his first aid kit would be helpful, and having his own bug spray. 
Head ro the blog (link in my bio) to see the list and let me know if you'd add anything to it ! 😊 
Tell me about your camping trips this Summer ! I'd love to know ⛺️
Yesterday Bowie brought home a limp baby bunny tha Yesterday Bowie brought home a limp baby bunny that I'm guessing was about 10 or so days old. His eyes were barely open. I had to scoop him up and push my dog out of the way who was super confused as to why I was so mad at him. I kept him warm and he snuggled into my arm and belly and fell asleep 😭 Liam searched and searched the thick brush at the edge of the forest, and deep into a thorn-covered bush, there was the little burrow with a few other little baby bunnies. He snuggled right back in next to them. 
Bowie got into their burrow again today ! 😩 Liam was devastated, but I think they're alright. 
Then we realized a finch made a beautiful nest with 3 little eggs in our shed, so we have to find a new home for the sweet nest as we're having our shed moved soon on our property to use as a chicken coop and to make way for building a garage. Any tips on how to safely move a bird's nest? 😬 
And before anyone comes at me for not wearing gloves to pick this little babe up, there was no time. And it's a myth that a mama rabbit will reject their young just because they smell weird. We've had baby bunnies before and I'm guessing mama just gave them a good bath.
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Even though she passed yesterday, I have been mourning my grandma for over a year. Dementia took hold of my sweet Grandma Alice and I couldn't call her on the phone anymore. When I saw her this April, she had no idea who I was or who my Dad, her own son, was. I couldn't call to tell her I was pregnant with my 3rd son. I couldn't call to tell her I moved from MT to VA and that we bought a homestead. My grandma has been gone for some time👇🏼

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