The Salt Ranch Adventures

I love to write! I kept a journal my entire life -  until we moved to Salt Ranch.  I guess the creation of this blog is the outlet that has replaced that habit - I’ve been documenting everything since we moved in!

I’m a mother and wife, business owner, sister and daughter on a daily basis… our cozy compound consists of eight of us including my husband, two children, my parents, brother and Manny (not pictured !) I have a small business in California, so I switch between those roles all day. It’s exhilarating! (and sometimes stressful, and overwhelming, and exhausting, but never mind that!)

Salt Ranch - a.k.a “The compound” - is a frenzy of ongoing activity. We have a lot of animals, a sizable garden, wood shop, metal shop and visitors all the time (we love to entertain.) We are not a Homestead. We don’t strive to live off grid or be self sufficient (although it’s kind of comforting to know that you could if you had to.) Our first goal is to create a magical environment for our family. Our second goal is to have the compound bring in just enough money to support its growing operational cost. To this end we dabble in all sorts of things. We sell eggs, we breed animals, raise food, and make craftsman level products. 

This blog is just a by-product of my need to chronicle our adventures, to share the research that I do, and the insistence of our friends that enough of you will be interested to experience it along with us! 

Enjoy!!

Welcome 2025!!!
Andrea Varnai Andrea Varnai

Welcome 2025!!!

The goals of Salt Ranch for 2025 - just here for accountability!

Read More
Tornado!?
Andrea Varnai Andrea Varnai

Tornado!?

The tornado siren and 80mph winds were the alarm clock on the ranch on Tuesday. Friends and family pulled together and everyone came out the other side unharmed. Check out the damage at Salt Ranch.

Read More
Preparing for a Freeze
Andrea Varnai Andrea Varnai

Preparing for a Freeze

It doesn’t dip below freezing much in Dallas, Texas. Nothing is really well set up for those temperatures, so when we get them, there is some prep to do.

Read More