Rancho de Vida

06/12/2024

Some ranch 🐐 goodness for your day. This Summer and Fall, we have some visitors from a nearby ranch—six cute female kids goats are staying in the barn pasture so they can be separated from the herd’s billy goat until they are old enough to be nanny goats. 🐦 🐝 Meet Hilda, Chloe, Latte, Mocha, Velvet and Tillie and their owner, Brenda Stone, the GOAT 🐐 farmer. Brenda actually grew up on the ranch and has great stories about the place and its history. She now lives over yonder with her herd. If you see her feeding her kids at the ranch, she’ll let you experience goat goodness, too.

06/03/2024

The ranch had some very special guests this weekend—Girl Scout Troop #9695 from Corpus Christi. They kicked off their summer there, gathering with their moms. Girls will surely change the world and we salute this fine group of young women.

05/03/2024

Did someone say pickleball? We've got your court. Play in the day, play in the shade. Paddle at night, it's got lights. Paddles up p-ballers!

04/22/2024

It’s Earth Day. There’s no sappy card, no anthem to sing, just a longing to hear our collective heartbeats in its rhythm with momma earth, loving her back. 📷 Wes Taylor

04/17/2024

Ode to the Outdoor Shower

There are showers we take that are routine,
Just a thing we do to keep us clean.
But showering outside,
With the breeze on our hide,
Whistling a tune, taking in the moon,
Leaves our souls refreshed, too.

Thanks to Lawrence Nourzad, Angela Hontas and Darrell King for creating this cool gabion (rock-filled cage) wall outdoor shower at the ranch. Using cow panel, metal 4 x 4s, and rocks from the ranch's creeks it's a clean treat for our guests.

04/03/2024

Meet the newest ranch improvement, the Solarium (sounds like a room from the board game Clue, but nothing will vanquish here except your stress). We enclosed the breezeway to add another indoor lounging area. Put your feet up and catch a movie or game on the big screen TV while still in nature’s hammock. It’s got a bar and dining area, and lots of space for hanging out. Big thanks to our neighbor Myron Uecker who made the beautiful pecan slab dining bar. Myron actually grew up in the farmhouse, lives nearby now, and makes sigh-worthy custom wood furniture. And, mil gracias to for the great millennial Loteria art piece! Booking now for summer at www.ranchodevida.com. 🤠

03/04/2024

We tackled some ranch improvement projects these last three months. First up to share is the kitchen makeover. We bumped out the kitchen space and…guitar strum, please…added a dishwasher, finally joining this century in labor- (and water-) saving devices. New cabinets, bigger stove and new fridge and microwave, and the dining room area got its own facelift. This 1906 baby is loving its refresh. Up next—an outdoor shower redo that will have you rolling in some barnyard leftovers just to try it. 🤠🐮

01/04/2024

Fire pits have a way of bringing people together. This was not posed. No really. 🤠 But somehow looks like it’s ripped from an REI catalogue. Our New Year’s resolution is to have more starry nights with friends and family.

12/12/2023

We love us some eggs from Diane: Three Sisters Ranch TX. Thanks neighbor!

12/06/2023

Santa sez here’s a gift for someone who made great memories at the ranch. Give them a Rancho de Vida print by artist Robbin Robertson. Two to choose from below, they are matted and measure 11” x 14” and are $40 each which includes shipping. Orders yours today by emailing Robbin: [email protected] 🤠 Giddy up!Robbin Robertson

11/21/2023

Well looky here...Johnson City is the now the new, cooler Fred. We've always thunk that.

From wine tasting to exploring art galleries, museums, breweries and restaurants, here's how to spend an awesome weekend in Johnson City.

11/18/2023

When Shelby called about having her wedding at the ranch, we chatted about her plans and then, with some hesitancy in her voice, she asked if we were open to hosting a same s*x wedding. That she had to ask and was nervous about the answer made us sad. But love is always love and the answer here is always “yes.” She recently shared these beautiful photos by from she and Shea’lyn’s March 2022 wedding. Much happiness to them! *xweddings

11/11/2023

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Ochoa who tied the knot in October at the ranch. A beautiful, intimate wedding captured by Mitchell Bahr Photography. We are so happy for you Richard & Dallas!

10/25/2023

We're remodeling our kitchen and dining area (finally adding a dishwasher!) and parting with our much loved round ranch table and six chairs, plus a one-of-a-kind lazy Susan (why she gets a bad rap for making access to ranch dressing easy is lost on us). Lots of memories made around this table. Ready for creating your own? Measures 5 ft/60" in diameter. Solid wood. $350 for table, chairs & L Susan. Text or call 512-775-9227. (Dog not included)

10/06/2023

So long summer? Hello faux fall. We see you and we’re on to you. But we’ll play along.

08/16/2023

Our sweet Jay, the brown alpaca of Stu and Jay, died yesterday. 😥 Lawrence Nourzad and Angie Hontas gave him a beautiful resting place near a grove of trees on the ranch. (Long live the underbite). And, found a new home on an alpaca farm for his buddy Stu. We think Stu will fare better with new friends and round the clock humans to help them manage this extreme heat. They have been a big part of the Rancho de Vida family for 7 years and they will be very missed. Thanks to all who knew and loved them. ❤️‍🩹

07/31/2023

Hello Rancho de Vida folks. We are hosting our third annual Soul Reset women's retreat at the ranch on Saturday, October 21st. We have a wonderful group of women speaking and performing (theme is AWE) that day.

Experiencing awe and wonder calms our nervous system and releases oxytocin, the "love" hormone. But with busy schedules, daily stressors, and a society that keeps us counting and measuring instead of delighting in life---awe can escape us.

This daylong retreat will immerse you art, nature, shared movement, poetry, and music, feeding your mind and connecting you more deeply to yourself, and others. The conversation will be inspiring; laughter and connection are included. You will leave nurtured, lighter, and expanded with a new friend, or many. More details and tickets are in the link below. Hope you can join us!

https://us20.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=17342248

02/01/2023

Ranch amiga, Melissa Cox Ladd, is hosting a wonderful mind, body, spirit women's retreat at the ranch Saturday, April 1st. She has subject matter experts to explore and renew the 5 senses, plus 1. It's going to be pretty darn amazing. Learn more and register at the link below. https://mailchi.mp/f130329bc6c5/melissa-ladd-please-join-us-five-one-a-sensory-retreat?e=3ca2e160cb

Get ready to love your day at RANCHO de Vida near Johnson City.  The 5 Senses plus One,  will  guide you in unique ways to get in touch with, shed light on the miracles and RICHNESS of SEE, TASTE, TOUCH, HEAR and SMELL. Six wonderful, insightful, expert presenters will share subject matter a...

12/12/2022

Want a great small-town holiday light experience? Point your sled to Johnson City and make it a night or overnight destination. Before or after the light selfies, visit some of our favorite places for cocktails, wine and yummy eats! Stop at Nice N Easy for their Marfa-esque vibe and craft cocktails. Great Aperol spritzes, 'ritas enjoyed through candy cane paper straws. Tell Matt the owner hi and pick up some fun swag, too. Then Pecan Street Brewing for pizza, salads, burgers, and award-winning craft beer. Say howdy to Chrystal (owner), Sam and Brenda M Stone (neighbor who grew up at the ranch) while you're there. Jonesing for some Texas wine and impressive charcuterie boards and robust sandwiches? Visit Amy Crowson at her wonderful new eaterie , (Crowson) and nab a glass or bottle of Crowson Wines to sip while walking through the lights. Ho! And if you need a place to spend the night, we have special weeknight rates at the ranch through the holidays!

12/04/2022

Plenty of great holiday shopping, lights, vino and eats in Johnson City. Rancho de Vida is your cozy Christmas base for all of it. Just had a Christmas week cancellation—book your holiday stay now at www.ranchodevida.com.

11/14/2022

Had a nice visit with the wonderful FA at the Johnson City Texas Chamber of Commerce recently. She shared that between Johnson City and Fredericksburg, there are now 68 (and counting), wineries. Rancho de Vida is located in the middle of all this goodness and makes a great home base for hill country vino quaffing. Still have some openings in December AND visitors can experience the amazing Lights Spectacular TX - Hill Country Style in JC.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=656077942667089&id=100047946680702

Texas Hill Country wineries have become a top destination for wine aficionados thanks to its stunning vistas and delicious varietals. Drive...

08/08/2022

This video from a recent bachelorette party weekend at the ranch made us smile and tap our feet! ❤️ Congrats Miekala! We love your video making chops!

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRUp9o5G/?k=1

Bachelorette Weekend in a nutshell 💫

08/03/2022

Want to escape the city this weekend? Last-minute cancellation for the ranch August 5-7. Grab your family, your friends, dogs, and swimsuits and come enjoy the Texas Hill Country. Squeeze some last great memories out of this summer! Book directly here for the best rates: www.ranchodevida.com

07/17/2022

In 2008, we bought the place from a large, lovely family...the Whittens out of San Antonio. They had loved on the place big time since they purchased in 1980...nearly 30 years! This weekend, the Whitten clan returned to celebrate JeniseJohn Shaver (a Whitten) on her birthday. We love these pics from their gathering, plus some from the ranch days when they owned the place. We are just stewards of the land from one family to the next and feel lucky to be a part of this place's history with such fine people. Happy birthday Jenise!

06/11/2022

Allyson and Justin are some of Austin's most creative souls. Naturally, they wanted to create a unique and wonderful wedding celebration. On the ranch's blank hill country canvas, they held a modern-day version of the ancient Gaelic Beltane festival with vows...and a maypole on May 1st. Allyson's dress? Pure Celtic goddess. The incomparable Angeliska of Sister Temperance Tarot presided. They wove magic that day surrounded by loving family and friends. Stephanie Rogers Photography captured it all so beautifully. Here's to many more happy years Allyson and Justin!
Coco Coquette Stephanie Rogers Photography

05/27/2022

Genevieve and Joshua met at a bar in San Antonio. She was out with some friends and walked up to him. "I like your shirt," she opened with. He replied, "I like your hair." (She was rocking the Princess Leia side buns). And, they both say, that was that. Compliments for the win as conversation openers! They got engaged at Wedding Rock in Trinidad, California this year and are tying the knot at the ranch this October. They are a busy couple—both work in healthcare while going to college. Such a special, happy couple, and we can't wait to host their wedding at Rancho de Vida!

05/10/2022

Thank you Cameron at The Petal Artist (www.thepetalartist.com) for these beautiful flowers! So enjoyed our visit. The Petal Artist does beautiful, sustainable flowers for Texas Hill Country weddings. Cameron said sage and terracotta are the most requested color themes this year. Guess brides are channeling their inner earth mamas in 2022.

04/07/2022

Finally---the ranch-a-rita has a website. Took us a while to realize AOL dial-up has workarounds...hah!
For vacations, events and weddings, you can visit this website, book directly and save the vacation rental website (AirBNB & VRBO) service fees: www.ranchodevida.com

02/23/2022

Coming soon to the ranch, a wedding and event Quonset hut. Completed, it will measure 40' x 50' and will be great for weddings, retreats and roller skating! Max approves and has his disco skates on order. Ready for events late summer/early fall. For booking information, email [email protected].

02/08/2022

Springtime at Rancho de Vida in the Texas Hill Country is magical. Just an hour south of Austin and 60 minutes north of San Antonio. Lots to explore on these 67 acres, plus 50 wineries within 20 minutes. We love dogs and they love ranch life! We have some openings for spring break stays. Book directly and save: [email protected].