Marketing the King Ranch Brand

Long known for its world-class stock horses and beef cattle, this historic American ranch has extended its iconic brand far beyond the fence line of the Lone Star State's largest outfit.

IN A CHICAGO HIGH-RISE, A DELIVERYMAN PUSHES A BRAND-NEW CHESTERFIELD LOVESEAT into place in front of a spacious, floor-to-ceiling window overlooking Lake Michigan. On a windswept Florida fairway, a groundskeeper meticulously inspects a load of turf grass about to be installed on a putting green designed by one of golf's greatest names. In the stop-and-go chaos of noonday Dallas traffic, a pickup accelerates around a slow-moving semi. In the Vermont woods, a wing shot shoulders a shotgun, blasting a sporting clay to smithereens.

A Vaquero's Horse

A legendary horseman speaks about the five most important things a horse must have to make the cut in the Californio culture.

4 Ways to Display Vintage Valentines

Part of the appeal of collecting valentines is to display them. Longtime Valentine collector and author Katherine Kreider offers the following display ideas:

• Place the Valentine on a pretty piece of fabric or lace and frame it. If it’s a valuable Valentine, be sure to have it framed using archival, acid-free materials and protective UV glass.

• Transfer images onto paper to make cards and stationary, or fabric to make purses, clothing and home accessories.

• Decoupage cards onto wood, dishes, tin containers, lampshades, photo frames, etc.

The Christmas Card Compromise

I’ve all but given up sending Christmas cards. I order them, and even go as far as hand-addressing each envelope. My major hold up is filling out the inside. As a writer, I obsess on coming up with a personalized sentiment to include in each card. I should just sign the cards and complete the task, but I can’t help but feel as though that cheats my friends and family out of what they really want when they open the envelope. I could create a form letter, but who wants to receive another impersonal, sappy stream of self-absorbed drivel? Furthermore, I just don’t have that much to write!

 

The Legendary Link

Using a traditional method of melding silver and steel, bit and spur maker Chuck Irwin connects contemporary cowboys to Californio-style craftsmanship.