The Women Chance Land and Livestock

Chance Land and Livestock was founded in 2000 by Robin and Chris Niederhauser in Clements, California. For the last 14 years, the couple and their 2 children, Brooke and Seth, have lived on and worked the land. Ranching is a family way of life, after all.

“We always had our kids with us. They came along as often as they could when we worked cattle or doing the daily chores. We are blessed that they have always enjoyed it. They learned early on the responsibility it takes to have cattle and horses. A lot of school vacations and holidays are spent caring for the cattle. Flexibility is very important when it comes to taking care of livestock.” -Robin Niederhauser

Brooke recently graduated from Cal Poly and is now a first year veterinary student at Colorado State to become a large animal veterinarian. Due to her upbringing, Brooke has been able to spend countless hours dedicated to her passions: the ranching industry, caring for animals, western heritage, and health. Becoming a vet is a perfect combinations of those interests.

“Growing up on a ranch definitely gave me a unique perspective on life, and taught me hard work and commitment. It also taught me to appreciate the beauty in everything, as it was a great place to live and grow up.” -Brooke Niederhauser (pictured below)

Both Robin and Brooke have been riding horses for as long as they can remember. Robin learned from her father, and she and Chris passed the same knowledge down to their children. Brooke now competes regularly in rodeos, and has been since age five.

“I barrel race, breakaway rope, and team rope and competed in both high school and college rodeo. I was a part of the Cal Poly Rodeo Team and helped put together Poly Royal Rodeo. This past year, I also won the West Hills College Rodeo in barrel racing, and got to ride an amazing horse. I love the team and the memories I made there, and the sense of team work that always persisted. I train my own horses, and love when all the pieces come together for a successful run.” -Brooke Niederhauser

“I wish people knew that ranching is not just a job but a way of life for all of us. We love the land and we love our livestock. We do the best we can to care for it all.” -Robin Niederhauser (pictured below)

In the spirit of the holiday season, when we’re all feeling a little extra thankful, it’s fitting to look to our parents and mentors remind them what they mean to us.

“I am extremely thankful for my mom. She taught me about hard work and the importance of family. Most importantly, she taught me how to always be there when someone needs me. She is such a hard worker, as she takes care of the majority of the office work regarding the ranch, and still finds time to exercise horses and keep everyone fed and happy. Even if she’s been working all day and is exhausted, she still makes sure that she finishes everything she expected to do that day when she woke up. I hope that I’m as good at balancing out my life as she is someday, and that I can always be counted on as well. She is a constant source of support, and I’m grateful that I can call her at any time for advice or encouragement.” -Brooke Niederhauser

Who taught you the value of a good work ethic? Perhaps this is the perfect time to say thank you.

DIY Pumpkin Pie Bites

Get ready for the simplest and tiniest pumpkin pie recipe you ever did see. Not only is it quick, but you get the perfect ratio of pastry crust to pumpkin filling in each bite.

You’ll need:

• pre-made seamless pastry dough sheets
• a mini cupcake tray
• 1 cup of pure canned pumpkin
• 8 oz of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons of melted butter
• 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice extract
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• and a can of whipped cream

First, roll out your pastry dough on a flat surface. Use a shot glass to stamp out each individual pie crust.

Grease the pan and place each circle of dough into the mini cupcake tray.

Use a mixer (or a blender if you must) and combine the following: 1 cup of pure pumpkin, 2 eggs, 8 oz of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice extract, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Spoon out the mixture into each of the pie crusts. Be careful not to over fill. The pumpkin filling with rise with cooking.

Bake at the sheet at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Let the mini pies cool and then serve them up with a dollop of whipped cream.

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DIY Pumpkin Pie Garland

This pumpkin pie garland is a great addition to your holiday festivities and it looks good enough to eat! You’ll need: air dry clay, paint, twine, a knife, and 10 or so metal hoops (you can find these in the jewelry section of your local craft store).

Step 1: Roll out a ball of clay. This will eventually be the base of your pie. Roll out two skinny pieces of clay. The larger one will be the pie crust and the smaller one will be the dollop of whipped cream.

Step 2: Flatten the ball of clay with the palm of your hand, the slice off two sides of the circle of clay to create a triangle with one rounded edge.

Step 3: With the tip of your finger or the blunt edge of a knife, waffle the top edge of the larger skinny piece of clay. Remember, this will be the pie crust. Attach it to the rounded end of the pumpkin pie base. It helps if you use a little water to adhere one surface to the other.

Step 4: Swirl the skinniest piece of clay into a circle to look like a dollop of whipped cream. Attach it to the top of the pumpkin pie base.

Step 5: Slide one of the metal hoops into the back side of the pumpkin pie. You’ll attach the garland string to it later on.

Step 6: After the clay has dried a little, paint the crust brown, paint the pumpkin part orange, and the dollop of whipped cream white.

Step 7: After the paint and clay have entirely dried, tie the garland string onto the hoop of each pumpkin pie you’ve created. Now you’re ready to give thanks in style!

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DIY: A Plate of Thankfulness

Taking a moment with your family to be thankful together is the sweetest part of the holidays. Although pumpkin pie runs a close second. Make it even more fun for everyone this year by bringing the two together. With food coloring markers, you can write what you’re grateful for on your plate, and then enjoy the quality time and dessert, all at the same time. The food coloring is safe to eat and washes right off the plate. Now who’s ready for pie?!

In All Things, Big or Small, Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving from the tiniest of Carhartt fans.
Like Joe’s outfit? Take a look at it here.

(if you have a Carhartt fan photo you’d like to share, submit it to craftedincarhartt@carhartt.com)

Things to Consider About Your Food This Holiday Season

The Knapp family farm, Cobblestone Valley, has been passed down 4 generations. To preserve, conserve, and rebuild is the driving force behind this beautifully maintained estate in Preble, New York. The Knapps see it as their mission to treat land, animals, and people well.

This certified organic farm specializes in dairy. That in turn fuels the other enterprises that thrive there: such as poultry, beef, pork, strawberries, and compost. Maureen Knapp introduced me to their gang of turkeys. With the holidays right around the corner, it’s a good time of year to consider where your food comes from.

Local and organic products are the building blocks of a more sustainable food structure. To quote the mindful family, “In organic farming we use nature as our teacher and we believe that all health begins with the soil. As such our soils are our most precious resource. Healthy soils grow healthy plants, which produce healthy animals and, in turn, healthy people.” With all the feasting that happens with loved ones during this season, wouldn’t it be nice to spread the consideration that you are what you eat? Challenge your household to eat local and organic products this year, and support farmer owned organizations.

Maureen is wearing: Carhartt Women’s Clarksburg Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt, Cascade Jacket, & Relaxed-Fit Denim Jasper Jean.

Carhartt Deals and Where to Buy

Turkey Day has come and past. I hope you all had a great day full of family and tasty food. As everyone knows, it’s Black Friday. Carhartt has some online shopping deals for those who’d like to shop from the comfort of their home. If you’re heart is set on getting out of the house, you can look for our retailers here. You might be lucky and located near one of our very own Carhartt Company Stores. We have locations in Albany, Bloomington, Chicago, Dedham, Huntington, Lynnfield, Murray, Portland, Seattle, Syracuse, and Woodbridge. The pictures above are from a few of our locations. Each store has its own theme, suited to the city it’s located in. For example, the Boston store is covered in boat parts and even has a few boats that float overhead. Albany is decked out in old railroad equipment and other interesting odds an ends. Whatever you decide to do with your lovely day, have fun and be safe!

The Parade Company in Detroit

Thanksgiving in Detroit is synonymous with The Parade Company. Jessica is one of a team of more than 100 artists, painters, sculptors, and set builders creating, building, and restoring the parade floats and costumes for more than 1500 volunteers that will wonder down Woodward Avenue on Thanksgiving. Working  year around behind the scenes in the Parade Company Studio, Jessica finds it easy to get lost in the 110,000 square feet world of fantasy and floats. She spends her days working on the paper mache heads, repairing the older ones and creating new ones. Life sure is a journey, and Jessica for one never dreamed she’d be working in a real dream world.

Clarkston Cami Tank, Women’s Traverse Hoodie, Women’s Boyne Jacket, & Women’s Straight-Fit Slim Jean

DIY: Apple Votive

Thanksgiving is almost here! Are you looking for some last minute decorating ideas but don’t have time to go to the store? Give these apple votives a try. You most likely have all the supplies at home already. It adds a great touch of fall to any centerpiece. While you’re getting festive, the Carhartt Women’s Monatou Sweater is one of my favorite fall items! So warm and snuggly!

my fall outfit: Carhartt Women’s Monatou Sweater & Straight Fit Jeans 

DIY: Pumpkin Bowls

Are you looking for fall decorating ideas? Pumpkin bowls are quick and simple. They’re great for serving snacks on Thanksgiving Day before the big meal. They also make inexpensive but elegant centerpieces. Native Americans once used dried pumpkin shells to store grain, beans, and seeds. It’s always cool to pull something historical into your celebrations.

Take a look at my crafting outfit: Carhartt Women’s Rowlesburg Sweatshirt, Clarkston Cami, Slim-Fit Jeans, & Wellington Boots. The Rowlesburg Sweatshirt is one of my favorites. It’s cozy with a thermal lining you can wear around the house or for indoor work. The material is made with Rain Defender™ technology that’s both durable and water repellant, so it transitions to your outdoor jobs as well.

(Save the pumpkin seeds for a trail mix I’ll be posting the recipe for tomorrow!)