Last fall at the Cactus Creek Store we began to carry American Cowboy Coffee and our customers have fallen in love with it!! Since we began to carry the coffee, American Cowboy Coffee has a new owner, Julie Niles-Fry. I have been wanting to visit with Julie for a while to find out about how she got involved with American Cowboy Coffee, and also the plans she has for the business going forward.

CACTUS: How did American Cowboy Coffee start??
JULIE: Alain J Roy, Entrepreneur and Cattle Rancher along with Clint Corey, PRCA Hall of Famer and 3-times World Champion Bareback Rider, started the company in 2008 with a mission: Support the American grower, the American economy and the American consumer by providing a product from America that represents only the best. That is Kona coffee, which is the TOP 1% of all coffee in the world.

Mr. Roy got the idea of launching American Cowboy Coffee after he realized that his good friend, a successful entrepreneur, had recently acquired the renowned Koa Plantation in Kona, Hawaii. He immediately contacted Clint Corey with a plan to introduce American Cowboy Coffee thru the rodeo and bull riding industry. Mr. Roy created the logos and the handsome cowboy who really tells the story.

CACTUS: How did you get started with the company??
JULIE: I was going to open a coffee drive through here in Rogue River, Oregon called Cowboy Joe. I had chosen my coffee, and I started to design my logo.

My logo was going to be a really handsome cowboy and I had an image in my mind of what he was going to look like. I started looking at cowboy pictures on the internet… and up popped MY handsome cowboy! I couldn’t believe it! MY cowboy was taken, by another coffee company no less!

I had some samples sent to me and much to my surprise American Cowboy Coffee was HANDS DOWN the best coffee.

Since my background is in sales and marketing, I got to thinking about this whole adventure… the mission of American Cowboy Coffee really resonated with me. I decided that what I really wanted to do was sell this line to promote the mission.
I called Alain and Clint and asked them if I could sell their coffee exclusively. They said, “SURE”, and here I am!

CACTUS: How did you come to own American Cowboy Coffee??
JULIE: Alain called me in December and told me that he wanted me to take the company to the next level; I said, “well, heck yeah”!

Alain and Clint are still integral to the company, however. Alain’s great art graces every bag and Clint is still working with me on some things. I was blessed to have met these gentlemen; they are truly awesome.

CACTUS: What was it about American Cowboy Coffee that made you want to take the leap into owning your own business??
JULIE: For me there weren’t any leaps, just exciting steps! It’s not too often you come across something that just happens to fit who you are and what you believe in.

American Cowboy Coffee had my loves and values all tied into one: I LOVE coffee, the western way of life and supporting the American grower, economy and consumer.

I also own another company called Custom Imprinting, which I started 12 years ago. I brand/logo merchandise for companies and organizations all over the country.  So, look for more great American Cowboy Coffee products this year!

CACTUS: What separates American Cowboy Coffee from other coffee companies??
JULIE: First, most companies get started and then write a mission statement. American Cowboy Coffee began AS a mission ~ we exclusively support the American Grower, the American economy and the American consumer.

Second, we use the Top 1% of coffee: Kona!

CACTUS: What are kona coffee beans??
JULIE: Kona coffee beans are Coffea Arabica beans that are cultivated in the exclusive Kona District on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Kona District is just one mile wide by 30 miles long.

100% pure Kona Coffee is distinguished from all other coffees by its unique island microclimate and extra care taken by generation after generation of coffee farmers.

The end result is an extraordinary coffee, delicate yet with a rich flavor and aroma. There is no comparison between hand picked Kona and other, mass produced coffee beans that are harvested by machine.

CACTUS: How is the cowboy spirit infused into your coffees??
JULIE: Well, it all began with real cowboys!

(more…)

Hard to believe the weekend is here yet again… this weekend we are having the whole family in town + a BIG party for the Aquarius birthdays on both sides of the family.  Basically we will eat, drink & be merry as if it’s our last feast before winter.  All of this got me to thinking about FOOD & some of the gourmet goodies out there that lean toward the Rustic * Western side…

1. Spicy Dark Lime Tequila Cowgirl Chocolate from Cowgirl Chocolates

2. Wild West Spices from OutWest

3. American Cowboy Coffee

4. Cowboy BBQ Sauce

5. Jalapeno Pepper Jelly from Dillman Farm

6. Fresh Tamales from New Mexico Catalog

7. Roast from Double R Ranch

8. Gourmet Caramel Apples

9. Cowboy Jerky

10. Santa Fe Blend from Brianna’s

YUMMMMMM…. I’m off to eat. and drink. and be merry.  Happy weekend!!!  xo,fancy

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Meet Ross Sveback… If you don’t already know his name I think you will soon. He sent me a note not long ago about his new line of dishware & I was instantly hooked to his website ~ Kon-Tent.com ~ which is full of ideas about how to maximize your lifestyle ~ from tips on buying linens, to DELICIOUS recipes, to his own line of products, Ross has a completely interesting perspective on lifestyle that this world needs!!

So first is Ross’ line of dinnerware which is really wonderful… there are three patterns ~ Faux Bois, Danish Fern and also Tweed.  All three feature a rich chocolate brown & bright white palette which gives you the opportunity to mix and match the patterns creating your own unique tabletop.  You can go to his website and purchase the dinnerware directly from Ross ~ he is also working directly with retailers who are interested in selling his merchandise.

Ross also just released a new line of jewelry inspired by TRAVEL and the open road… it’s a  perfect reminder of those childhood vacations with Mom & Dad in the back of the station wagon, and even better reminder to make sure you also get your kiddos out onto the blacktop!!

In addition to all of his other enterprises Ross teaches cooking, and posts recipes that look truly DIVINE!!  Check out his Summer Corn Salad ~ he has instantly solved your dilemma about what to take to this weekend’s BBQ ~ enjoy!!

SUMMER CORN SALAD

8 ears corn, husked and kernels removed

4 tbsp butter

6 tbsp olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp thyme

1 bunch of green onions, chopped

1 pt. cherry tomatoes, halved

6 oz feta cheese, cubed or crumbled

4 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Salt & pepper to taste

In a large frying pan, heat butter and half the olive oil. Add garlic and thyme, sauté for one minute. Add green onions and corn, sauté for 3-4 minutes. Remove from stove, pour into a bowl and set aside.

In a separate bowl mix together the other half olive oil, tomatoes, feta and basil.

Once corn mixture has come to room temperature, add tomato mixture – season with salt and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings and serve.

Sounds wonderful!! Thanks, Ross, for all of your inspiration!!! xoxofancy

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Last week I received a box of Rosenbusch Foods SPICES & SAUCES from an old Houston school friend, Karl Rosenbusch. Funny how almost twenty years can separate two people but the friendship of junior high can trump all time.  So, re-connected, I was thrilled to find out Karl has started a new Texas based food company called Rosenbusch Foods, and even more excited when he sent me a note that a box of goodies was on it’s way to “The Cactus” as Karl calls it.

I dutifully photographed the yummy foods {I can’t wait to see Karl’s new Rosenbusch Food labels, coming soon!!} then husb and I set about cooking dinner. 

We used the Rancher’s Dry Rub to coat the steaks… described as “smokey earthy rub for all meats”, the Rancher’s Dry Rub gave the meat a divine kick.  I love good, hot spices… not the sissy salty stuff, and Rosenbusch Foods Rancher’s Dry Rub was perfection.

While the steaks were on the grill I broke out The Infamous Panson Salsa.  For those of you who pay attention around here I love salsa, pico, and any other food that involves tortilla chips.  I could actually live on nachos for the rest of my life ~ for real.  And The Infamous Panson salsa was again, really spicey, and reallllly awesome!!  Even better is Karl’s explanation that “Panson” is Mexican slang for fat-ass.  Tell it like it is, my friend…

Now we turn to the Farmhouse BBQ Sauce.  I’m no expert on this subject due to the fact that I don’t really like BBQ Sauce ~ considering that the only two places I’ve ever lived are Texas and Kansas City, this is a cryin’ shame.  That said, I ate my fair share of Rosenbusch Food’s Farmhouse BBQ Sauce tonight and, the ultimate seal of approval ~ hubs LOVED it and is already making plans for smoking ribs next weekend.

There was also the Dumb & Curious Sauce {don’t you love it already??} which was sweet and tangy.  I don’t believe meat should be sweet.  It should not be dipped in anything sweet, combined with any sugary taste, or even close to the desert plate. But that’ just me.  My husband could have bathed in the stuff he loved it so much.  Enough said about that.

What I love most about Karl’s Rosenbusch Food line is his commitment to using Texas grown foods, most of them local to his home town of San Felipe, Texas.  ** Support the mom & pop businesses like Karl’s and support small farmers **

Sooo… I’m hoping like heck that we have Rosenbusch Foods in the Cactus Creek STORE very soon… until then you can order Rosenbusch Foods online right HERE.

p.s. Did I mention the Spiced Pecans??  Slow roasted with pure maple syrup and rich Texas peppers… take me away.

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