One of the first things Moe did after we moved onto the ranch was design a belt buckle. Why? Because every proper ranch deserves its own identity stamp—especially when the locals around here wear theirs like heirlooms. And honestly, Rancho Los Venados isn’t exactly a hobby plot. She’s a full-bodied, high-maintenance beauty who demands fence mending, equipment tinkering, and a herd of Texas longhorns kept healthy and happy.
The longhorns, by the way, are elite grazers—nature’s own fire-prevention crew. They probably see us as the interlopers, wandering around their hills with our power tools and coffee mugs, but I do think they know we’re looking after them.
Incorporating slow living on a ranch into our daily routines has transformed our approach to life here.
Rancho Los Venados means Ranch of the Deer, and the name is no exaggeration—there are hundreds around here. My dad designed our cattle brand, RLV, and most of the herd wears it proudly. Do Moe and I know how to use the branding iron ourselves? Hell no. But since we occasionally get rogue, visiting bulls who leave our poor heifers in a family way, we absolutely should. So far, three out of four calves have been male, which means we’ve had to send them on their way. We already have three enormous steers lumbering around like retired linebackers—no need for more.
But when the next calf arrives, and we finally host a real branding party? Oh, that will be a Twenty Nickels adventure worth recording—dust, denim, coffee, cowbell, the whole scene.
For the buckle, we chose 1996 as our established date—the year my parents first bought these incredible 98 acres that we’re lucky enough to call home. Moe designed it with two gold deer, a frame of flowers, and little blue gems around the border. Our names are engraved on the back, like a small secret between us.
We worked with Montana Silversmiths, who gave us a beautiful Western base and endless customization options, including the engraving.
One day, I fully intend to have my own buckle—something sparkly and unapologetically urban cowgirl—for those special occasions when you want to mix a little LA shimmer with a whole lot of dusty ranch soul.
