At La Sonrisa we have welcomed a new filly to our cast of characters. She was born to our horse Penny, seen in the video, and at the time of filming she was just 5 days old.

This is a look at her very first run on top of her very long legs. She seems to be quite athletic indeed, though I think our wrangler-slash-camera lady, Lisa, was showing more athleticism than the baby as she must have been doing acrobatics while filming…freaking amazing.

Top Chef's Western Adventure

Well howdy y’all!  I just wanted to let you in on the top secret location for this week’s episode of Top Chef.  Drum roll (er, cow bell) please…it’s no other than our very own Sandy Valley Ranch (a.k.a La Sonrisa).  Be sure to tune in Wednesday, September 16th at 10/9c on the Bravo Network to watch what happened when our cowboys welcomed the remaining Top Chefs to our fabulously rustic ranch.  Let’s just say, some chefs don’t know the meaning of “cowboy up“.

I’ve been sworn to secrecy and under penalty of hanging can’t let too much of the behind the scenes gossip leak out, but I can say this – I’m sure our episode will be one to remember.  Put twelve City chefs to work in the middle of the desert over an open fire pit in 112 degree heat.  Add dusty desert wind and a pack of coyotes circling the campsite throughout the night, and it’s sure to make for some good T.V.

Being a food competition, the real story here is how our rough ridin’ challenges impacted the creativity and flavors of the plates served by this season’s most talented chefs.  Though I’m salivating to tell you, you’ll have to watch the show to find out.

Of course I’m having my own viewing party and inviting some of our friends who were able to join as tasters for the big event.  I had thought about serving ceviche and tuna steak sandwiches but figured that those dishes were a better fit for the Big City.  So, out of respect for the western theme of the episode, and as an homage to the Top Chef production team that proved they have large enough Cohones to pull off a complicated and elaborate show, I’ll be serving a more appropriate meal of blue cheese burgers and pollo asado.  And of course, we’ll be toasting everyone involved with a Michelada (or three).

45 Minutes and 100 Years from Las Vegas…

…stands my mother’s magnificent ranch.  She appropriately named it La Sonrisa, which means “smile” in Spanish, and the place certainly lives up to its moniker with an extraordinary flair for putting a grin on your face.  At La Sonrisa, everyone is welcome, and most of the time, the odder the better.

Gublette getting a belly scratch

Rawhide getting an ear scratch

Character, and characters, run rampant at this little oasis in the Mojave desert.  In the chicken coop lives Giblette, the world’s friendliest turkey, and a three legged pig named Tripod.  Sometimes you’ll find Rawhide (the calf we saved after he fell off a moving trailer and was dragged along a gravel road) buddying up to the goats, pigs and humans instead of hanging with the other cows.

Movies, television shows and music videos have filmed there.  Fashion shoots have used the ranch as their backdrop.  People come from overseas to get married under the expansive western sky.  They celebrate their anniversaries, and some celebrate their divorces.  We’ve hosted bachelor parties, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, Mexican rodeos, Western reenactments, roping contests, and Halloween howls.  The ranch has seen it all.

Rusty and me penning cattle in the arena

At La Sonrisa people come out of their shells.  There is no judgment.  They try things they have always been afraid to try.  They do things they have always been too chicken (pun intended) to do.  They laugh, cry, dance, discuss and unwind.  I guess it’s fair to say that the ranch is a veritable therapist, helping you to think more clearly, relax into a peaceful pace, and let go of silly inhibitions.

I vividly remember the day I got my first horse.  I was 12.  She was a leggy black Morgan named Onyx, and she was gorgeous.  Quickly, our vacant stables began to fill up with the addition of a rescue burro that we fittingly named Burrito and another Morgan named Beauty.

The ranch and our horses have influenced my personality.  They have taught me important lessons, and have inspired an inner confidence that encourages me to dream big.  It was on the back of my horse that I decided to move to NYC to become a fashion designer.  It is through horses that I’ve met some incredible people.  Horses have made me more patient and understanding and have always reciprocated my love and respect.

my brother Gray on the tarzan swing

Knowing that this post has gotten semi sentimental, let me bring it down a bit and just say – La Sonrisa freakin’ rocks.  Take a poll of any of my friends who have survived raging parties, skeet shooting, horseback races, the Tarzan swing, and bottomless bottles of whiskey and I would bet my Stetson that they agree.

So, to my beautiful Mumzy, thank you for filling my life with unique adventures and joyful smiles.

xx laura

the Boss Lady and me all dudded up