We support the Settlement Home for Children

The Red Corral Ranch is very honored and happy to continue our support for the Settlement Home for Children in Austin, Texas.  As part of our support, we want to mention the annual charity garage sale, going on at the Palmer Events Center of Austin, from November 6-8, 2009.

The Settlement Home opened its doors in 1916, and has been helping girls and boys for many, many decades with Foster programs, Adoption programs, therapeutic programs and more.  It is a wonderful organization with many fantastic people helping children in need.

The garage sale is one of the Settlement Home’s fundraisers, and you have to see this to believe it.  The saying is true in this case – “Everything is bigger in Texas.”  This is the biggest garage sale I have ever seen anywhere.   It fills the Palmer Events Center and with items beyond your imagination.  It can easily be said that it has something for everyone, so don’t hesitate to attend.  You’ll definitely find that item you’ve been looking for all this time, unless someone else gets it before you do.  All the information and location is at the Settlement Home’s website or call (512)836-2150.

As big as this garage sale is, the hearts of the people that work and volunteer with this organization are even bigger.

Jodie, one of the Settlement Home for Children supporters

Review of Red Corral Ranch, 2

We get comments from many sources and via many avenues.  A mother of the groom sent us a card saying,

“Just a short note to say thank you for letting [my son and daughter-in-law] have a wonderful and beautiful wedding at your gorgeous place.  It was a great time.  We had perfect weather and a wonderful place…The staff was wonderful and helpful in anything we needed, and very pleasant and kind to all involved.  God bless.”

Thank you for the wonderful words and may God bless your son and his new bride, also.

Jodie, the innkeeper

Red Corral Ranch on TV

Timmeron Culinary of Wimberley, Texas, with Chef Christopher Cristof has been picked for several cooking shows for one of the Television networks, (I don’t know which one, yet, but hopefully we’ll find out soon.)  They used the Cookhouse at the Red Corral Ranch as the kitchen setting for one of the shows.  Christopher is very familiar with the Cookhouse kitchen here at Red Corral Ranch, having given many cooking classes, and catered many weddings here in the past.  We look forward to watching the show; after all, we got to eat some of what he cooked during the show.

Preparing the Meal

Yes, it was very good.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

The Big Tree

How do you take something great and make it better?  We came up with a way.

We took the big tree that **WAS** lit with so many twinkle lights that it lit up the whole area – that so many people thought was wonderful – that helped couples make the choice to pick Red Corral Ranch for their wedding – that helped to make Red Corral Ranch the #1 Outdoor Wedding Venue in Texas in “The Knot” magazine – and ….

And… we changed the twinkle lights to LED lights.  It looks even better than it did before!  Plus, we’re walking the walk – living the green way – cutting back on the electricity use, and ….

basking in the light.  I’ll post a picture as soon as I get one.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

Wedding Magic

When present during the setup in the afternoons right before the wedding ceremonies, an unsuspecting person might think that the event scene has work people freaking out like chickens with their heads cut off- what with people walking (or running) fast in all different directions at once.  However, it only looks like a herd of cats escaping their captors.  An untrained observer will see people who appear to be in panic mode.  They will also see a few standing around seemingly doing nothing.

But, all of these people who seemingly are in a state of chaos, in fact, are all fully aware of what they need to do, where to go, and how to get things done.  A trained observer will see a 3-ring circus of worker bees all following a well-practiced path of accomplishing all the things that need to be accomplished. Inside the chaotic look is a well-thought out order called a “Wedding”.

The ones watching may ask “How is it that it always works out?”  To the unsuspecting observer, it’s wedding magic.  And just between you and me, we’ll let them think that way – especially here at Red Corral Ranch, since it may actually be just that – magic – the magic of a ceremony celebrating love.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

Summer and Winter

I’m going out on a limb here and saying that this coming winter it will be cooler than this summer has been.  So, if you’re wanting a venue for anything, we still have a few weekends and other availabilities during December, January and February.  I’ll risk it, and say ‘I guarantee the winter won’t be scorching heat like this summer.’  

Jodie, the Innkeeper

Happy Birthday at Red Corral Ranch

It was happy birthday time at Red Corral Ranch for one of the members of the couple that owns the ranch, James, and one of the staff members, Felipe, Jr.  It was also a special July celebration, because we just wanted it to be.  We spent a day at our very own Big Red Barn, playing horseshoes and washers.  (I won my horseshoe match in the last nail-biting play where it was her or me.)   We also had a piñata for the kids.  And yes, they were successful at having the fun task of getting the candy from the piñata.  For lunch, we were served some of the best fried catfish cooked right on site at the barn by Bob Riley and crew of Riley’s BBQ out of Blanco, Texas.

The whole day was fun and relaxing.  The people were great to be with, the games were enjoyable, and Riley’s food was fantastic.   (Although, their BBQ turkey is still my favorite.) It was a wonderful combination.  Even the sun cooperated and didn’t burn us out of the place.  We used Dripping Springs Party Rentals’ giant outdoor coolers that have been lifesavers at many weddings.  The only downside – … hmmm, let me think…  hmmm, I’m still thinking…. still thinking.  I’ll have to let you know.

Oh, I know – I brought two jars of my home-made pickled okra, and they were so good that they were gobbled up by everyone. There was almost none left at the end of the party for later.  I guess the old axiom is true, you can’t have your pickled okra and eat it, too.

At the next staff meeting, I’m going to recommend we have an owner’s birthday once a month.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

Texas size heat

Everything is bigger in Texas – including the numbers on the temperature gauge.  It’s hot!  Everyone in the Texas Hill Country knows it.  The peacocks are thinking the same thing.  They’re trying to cool off in any way they can.   The temperature was down in the high 90’s a few days ago, and everyone was commenting on how cool it had gotten – even the peacocks.  It reminds me of how gas prices are thought of.  Either way, it’s hot.  I even heard a request for prayer and visualization help for all of Texas put to George Noory and his audience on the “Coast to Coast AM” radio show on Wednesday night (KLBJ here in Wimberley).

On a related side note about “hot” and “gasoline”, if you didn’t know this, it’s always a good idea not to fill up in the middle of the day with heat like this, if you can help it.  It’s also a good idea not to top off the tank when we have heat like this.  The reason why?

When gasoline is in the ground, it is cooled because underground tanks are a lower temperature from being deeper underground.  The temperature underground is always cooler than the heat-filled air of above ground.  When the gasoline is pumped into the vehicle, it then heats up and expands to fill more volume.   It needs a little extra space (usually automatically provided in gas tanks by anticipating vehicle engineers).  Topping off the tank defeats the purpose of the extra space in the tank.  When the gasoline expands, if there’s no room to expand, it runs out of the tank through the filler neck and onto the ground creating a dangerous situation.  I’ve seen this happen to people who don’t know this and top off in the heat.

This expansion factor is also why a vehicle will get better gas mileage in the summer.  The volume of gas expands to be greater after it is pumped and the vehicle then goes further on a tank of gas.  The opposite of this is why a vehicle’s gas mileage can get worse in the winter.

You didn’t know you could learn so much just by reading the Red Corral Ranch blog, did you.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

Red Corral Ranch as a midwife

Helping provide a venue for weddings is like helping give birth to a new “couple”.  We can say that we have helped give birth to many married couples.  It certainly is a real birth of a kind – it is the birth of two people creating a new life together – not as two individuals together (only), but as a “married couple.”  This is a birth as we know it.  There are many amazing things about being a part of this.  One amazing thing that I’ve noticed is just how many of these births require BBQ to come into this world.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

Reviews of Red Corral Ranch

I want to truly thank so many for their very nice comments that they leave on the comment sheets.  I also want to thank guests for what they say to me personally, too.  For instance, one of our Spring, 2009 grooms was kind enough to let me know at the end of Saturday night before they left the next morning – “We fell in love with this place when we first saw it, and we love it even more now.”

All I can say is – thank you for those wonderful words.

Jodie, The Innkeeper

Longhorns on the Move

I could say the title of this article refers to the Longhorn baseball team, but no.  The longhorn cattle we had at Red Corral Ranch have checked out and moved on to greener pastures – in a very real sense.  They gave their compliments, enjoyed the stay, and said, “Thanks for all the grass.  It’s time to moooooove on.”   (Their words, not mine. )

Their impact is noticeable because so much of the dead grass is gone, and we’ve had green grass growing.  The longhorns took care of the dead grass, and the rains helped the new grass to grow quickly.

So, now, bring on the rain.  .  .  . The Rain!

I said, “CUE THE RAIN!!”

(No rain, no rainbows.)

Get me ‘Special Effects’ on the phone.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

Best Outdoor Wedding Sites in Texas

The wedding magazine, The Knot (Texas), had an article entitled “Best Outdoor Sites: The 10 best places to wed and party under the Texas Sky.  By Jayme Klock” in their Fall/Winter 2009 issue,  on page 26.  Red Corral Ranch has been listed as the #1 outdoor wedding site in Texas! Are we excited?  YES!  Are we happy?  YES!!  Are we grateful to THE KNOT-TEXAS and all those that decided that we were #1?  YES!!!

I’m sitting here stunned and ecstatic, trying to write something that’s interesting to read.

Nope.  I got nothin’.

Stunned and ecstatic – that’s all that comes.

I attribute it to a lot of hard work by some wonderful and exceptional angels we call staff members, fantastic wedding coordinators, amazing catering, helpful vendors of many kinds, beautiful Texas landscaping and wildlife, a beautiful well-lit oak tree, sometimes fortuitous weather, caring family and friends, and the owners of the Red Corral Ranch, James and Colleen, who care deeply that the Red Corral Ranch help provide each bride & groom and guest the best we have to offer to make for them the most wonderful experience that their wedding can be.

And ‘Thank You’ goes out to Briana Fuchs of Sullivan Street Caterers for seeing the article, then calling and telling us about it, so that we could jump up and down with excitement.

Okay, so that’s a little bit of writing.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

P.S.  I love my job!!

Blanco Lavender Days

Each June, central Texas and especially Blanco, Texas hosts a fantastic event – the Blanco Lavender Days.  Blanco Lavender Days are a great time to tour many of the local lavender farms in the area.  Of course, many of these are our friends, like Heron’s Nest Herb Farm and Wimberley Lavender Farm.  So, we are going to let people know that this is happening.  Plus, they are just right down the road from Red Corral Ranch.  But, it’s also a great time.  To get more information, go to Blanco Lavender Festival and Blanco Lavender Days.

In 2009, the events, including touring some of the lavender farms for free, start on June 6, 2009.  The festival is the weekend of June 12-14, 2009.   The lavender farm tours continue on to June 27th.

Take it from me, if you like relaxing days and a relaxing pace, when you take in the lavender festival or visit the lavender farms, you will enjoy yourself.

Jodie, the Red Corral Ranch Innkeeper

Comments from our Guests

When hard work is noticed and appreciated, it feels wonderful.  A few of our guests here at Red Corral Ranch have passed these words on to us.

From a bride and groom:  “We cannot thank you enough for hosting our families for our wedding weekend.  Everything ran so smoothly and we attribute that to the kind staff.  Everyone there was so friendly, caring and accommodating.  We especially appreciate the extra care you took…  We would not hesitate to recommend the ranch as our experience from start to finish was wonderful.  Thank you so much and may God bless!”  J. & T. S.

And from B&B guests:  “We were fortunate enough to stay at your property with some friends this weekend (Deerview Cottage) and ABSOLUTELY fell in love with your ranch!  Thank you so much for the hospitality, the baked goods, oj, milk, eggs, delicious jams, etc and ALL of the little touches (fully stocked kitchen) that made our stay so very enjoyable!  We had an amazing stay   I especially love the trails around the ranch – I was able to get in some great runs and hikes this weekend! … We can’t wait to come back out “  Allison

And finally, one more from wedding guests:  “I wanted to let you know how wonderful everything was.  Our friends and family had a wonderful time and thought the ranch was amazing.  Kim and Katie did a great job decorating and organizing everything despite the storm that went through.  They assured me everything would work out and it was beyond what I had expected.  I will be sure to forward you pictures when we receive them.  It was an amazing wedding and [the bride] and [the groom] were so happy and pleased with everything.  Thank you for sharing your ranch with us.”  L.K.

You’re welcome.  Thank you for sharing your wonderful events with us, also.

And thank you for these wonderful comments.

Jodie, the Innkeeper

“How do I Love Thee?”

A big “Thank You” goes out to the San Marcos Public Library staff in San Marcos, Texas.  A bride and groom having their wedding here at the Red Corral Ranch, asked for a copy of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s sonnet that starts “How do I love thee?”.  Our internet was down, and I called the San Marcos Public Library.  A staff member retrieved the book and recited the sonnet to me over the phone.  With the library’s help, we were able to get the poem to the bride and groom in time for them to recite it in their ceremony.  It is a beautiful sonnet and very worthy of this event.  And how does this famous sonnet go?

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach,

When feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle light.

I love thee freely,
As men strive for Right;

I love thee purely,
As they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs,
And with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, – I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! – and,

If God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

By Elizabeth Barrett Browning

(Also, thank you, Elizabeth.
Jodie, the Innkeeper)