Notes From J-L
Come fish in the Fall
Would you rather fish Montana in the fall? For a limited time, any vacation at our Fishing Cabin during the month of October will get $150 off the total! Call us for more details today! Offer expires May 31st.
Thank you FWP
And the good news just keeps coming! In an effort to repopulate native Arctic Grayling, FWP has liberalized fishing regulations for nonnative Cutthroat in Red Rock Creek of the Upper Centennial Valley! Fishing will be closed May 15th- June 14th to protect spawning Grayling. Read the whole report for more information.
Ami Vitale's 2nd Photography Workshop
Riding by the River by Ami Vitale
Only 2 spots left for http://jbarl.com/content/big-sky-photo-expedition-ami-vitale " target="_self">Ami Vitale's Workshop at the ranch!!
Don't miss the chance to learn from our resident "photography master"!
Want to know more about this special week? Call Olivia today at 406.596.0600.
She's here!!
We're beyond the moon to announce the birth of "Baby Girl Anderson"! Congrats to Andrew, Hilary, Andy, and Elle on their tiny bundle of joy! More details to come. Welcome to the village, sweet girl!
Photo Sharing
Do you have photos from your visit that help you recall the happy times with us? We'd love to see them! And you could win one of our Organic Cotton t-shirts!!
The details... share your favorite photos from your time at the J Bar L on our Facebook page or email them to olivia@jbarl.com. Our team will vote for our favorite and the winner will find one of our tees in their mailbox!
The contest begins today and ends next Wednesday (the 13th)!!
We can't wait to relive the memories with you!
Eye Candy...
Have you been wondering about Ami Vitale's Photo Week projects? We'd love to share last year's work!
Check out all the videos here.
Now's your chance to sign up for this year's trip and work with Ami yourself! Call Olivia today!
one of Ami's beautiful photos
A glimpse at our week
More than once guests have asked me what we do during the winter. Though it often feels like my work life stops short once our guests leave for the season, in fact it means I get to spend more time working with the rest of the team.
This week we moved cows 4 miles down the highway to new pasture...
We celebrated Hilary's birthday with the world's most delicious cake from Missoula's Bernice's Bakery...
Today we'll squeeze in a meeting with our insurance partners, a staff meeting, and some team yoga (don't you wish I had pictures of that!). And it's only Wednesday! We'll still have two days to feed cows, ready the Fishing Cabin for our next guests, and answer countless emails. Hope you have a great week!
Photo Week 2013
The dates are set!! Ami Vitale will be hosting her second Photo Week with us June 23rd- June 30th. Did you miss it last year? Then here's your chance! http://jbarl.com/content/caturing-last-best-place-big-sky-photo-adventure.
photo courtesy of Ami Vitale
Team Winterfest 2013
Every year we take a day off to go play. Last year, we had a relaxing overnight at Chico Hot Springs. This year we decided to stick closer to home and save ourselves the longer drive.
The weather lately has been down right Spring like and Saturday did not dissapoint. We met for lunch and a soak at Norris Hot Springs and it felt so great to enjoy the sun, despite the rather vicious wind. After a few hours of swimming, we had a hot chocolate and cookie tailgate and piled all the kids in the back of Bryan and Libby's Suburban. It's amazing how relaxed/ exhausted you are after a day in the sun, so we went our seperate ways for naps and showers and met again for dinner. It's always a treat to have dinner at The Old Hotel in Twin Bridges, but it's so much better when you have great company! Thank you Peggy, Barry, and Bryan for a great day! We all had a blast and look forward to another great year!
a new year
Now is the time for reflection and resolutions. It's easy to get carried away with all the "I will's". Instead we'd like to say, thanks for a great 2012 and we're all looking forward to another wonderful year in 2013!
Some of our highlights from 2012...
We loved introducing ourselves to you.
A great time was had on our team retreat at Chico.
Andrew and Hilary tied the knot.
Chef Andrew shared some of his secrets.
Ami Vitale captured an entire year at the ranch.
photo by the endlessly talented Ami Vitale
The Happiness Project
Introducing "The Happiness Project"! Have you missed our Meet the Team Mondays? Beginning today, our team will share all the little things that make us happiest about our jobs, this place we live, and our quiet, simple daily lives!
"I'm lucky enough to work from home quite often, which means that gathering eggs from Bodhi (one of our six laying hens) is one of my first, and most leisure, chores every morning. It's a joy that's second only to sharing a box of multicolored eggs." - Olivia
We love a good party
A few weeks ago we hosted a gathering for our neighbors. With two batches of chilli, Barry playing DJ, kids running circles around the tables, and a delightfully full house, it was hard not to have a total blast and harder for me to remember to take pictures. One of the biggest hits of the night was a fully loaded hot beverage bar. Have you ever set one up at a party? We had hot apple cider, homemade and very rich hot chocolate, and locally roasted coffee with marshmellows, Irish cream, cinnamon, and candy cane sprinkles. By the end of the night the urns we pumped dry.
It was a great way to see all of our far flung friends, get together and celebrate the New Year. Thanks to everyone that made it so much fun and to Joy for making a batch of her delicious chili (formerly in the roaster scrapped clean).
Crossing
One of the challenges of winter, is anticipating the needs of our herds. Braden and Andrew spend months strategizing and often restrategizing our grazing plans. Considering which pastures will best feed the herd and which moves will best achieve our holistic goals, takes skill, time, patience, and an amazing understanding of landscape and cattle. Sitting in on their meetings always leaves this Guest Manager grateful that I handle the people portion of the operation!
Before Christmas the guys moved most of our cattle to new pasture, predicting colder weather and preconditioning needs. Bryan took this picture as they moved one herd across the river on a particularly warm day (low 20's).
Chrismukkah
Last night the whole gang went to Olivia and Chris's house for a Chrismukkah celebration. Well, mostly Christmas, but there were latkas and J Bar L brisket, so it was part Hanukkah... The kids made ornaments, watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the 1940's version), chased the dogs, colored, and everyone finished the night with the above (and more) assortment of homemade cookies. Always great for us all get together, and not surprising that with all the fun, not many pictures were taken to commemorate the evening. There may or may not be a photo of all the kids, and Andrew, pilled up on the sofa intently watching the movie. If it surfaces you bet I'll share it! Happy Holidays!
Spread Cheer...
Give the Gift of the J Bar L
Book before the end of 2012 and get this year's rate of $1900.00/ person (plus MT State lodging tax of $25.20 for the entire week)! As of 2013 our rates will be going up, so book your trip at our current lower rate. Call Olivia for more info and to reserve your spot today! (406) 596.0600. Fa la la la la...
