Monday, November 30, 2009

Thank a Farmer

I think we do pretty good stuff. 

Recently, I heard a radio spot on the pop radio station I listen to, as I drove to work in the morning. 1. I thought, jeez this is really great to hear someone spreading the other side of the story, 2. this is great that people that aren't familiar with agriculture are hearing our story, but 3. this is sponsored by Monsanto, hmm.

Monsanto name has been brought up negatively in the news more times than positively, but I believe that without some of the scientific advancements they have made would we be able to feed the world? Probably not. Their new website provides some great stories and videos. I especially liked this one.




We need farmers, because your garden in your backyard unfortunately won't feed the world.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Western Canadian Agribition

Getting a little taste of Canada again.

So I realize that it has been a slow week for me on the blog, but that is because I have been on the north side of the border. This time of year I head back home for Western Canadian Agribition. I love this little vacation for me because I get to wear jeans to a cattle show again, have a comb in my back pocket, and blower in my hand.

Unfortunately, for you on my vacation I was so relaxed that I didn't take a single picture! But I do have a little video for you.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving - southside

So much to be thankful for.

So first of all I really feel like Thanksgiving is over. In Canada Thanksgiving is in October, so I missed out on that one, and now that I am in Canada for Agribition over American Thanksgiving, there is definitely a lack of turkey and pumpkin pie in my life.

Luckily, I took things into my own hands and made these mini pumpkin pies. Yes, I can bake/cook I know it may surprise some of you that I do have domestic skills.

I think I have lots of be thankful for and give gratitude to. The biggest being my family. My family is pretty normal, and you might think well that isn't very exciting, but sometime normalacy can be a good thing. Illness, seperation, family members not speaking to each other, etc. are all things that haven't really affected me or my family. Sure we all have bumps in the road, but they are pretty insignificant. As I talk to friends a lot of them have had to go through much more than I have, and sometimes it has brought them a lot of heartache. I am grateful that somehow my family has managed to avoid many of these events, and I don't really have any advice on how we have done it. I guess just lots of love. So I am thankful for things being the way they are.

Enjoy spending time with your friends and family this Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I Believe - Part VII

It's I Believe Tuesday!


I Believe -
that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, that passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place. 


I Believe -
that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you at all. 

I guess this weeks theme has to do with love. To read all of the I Believe posts, search I Believe in the search bar at the top of my blog.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

And it all comes to an end

Maybe my weekends will be a little more productive now.

This weekend I headed to Lincoln, Nebraska for the K-State football game, and with a loss, it means the end of the season. No bowl game this year. I will have to say that once again K-State football gave me another set of great memories. It is hard to describe what college football is like until you get to experience it yourself.

I have always said that K-State fans are some of the best fans in the Big 12 maybe the country (yes I am slightly bias), but I was more than impressed with Nebraska. Those fans are serious, I am pretty sure if you aren't a Nebraska fan, they don't let you live in the state. When the 81,067 seat stadium is full (which they have filled it more than 300 times in a row - that's a NCAA record) the stadium itself becomes the 3rd largest city in Nebraska.

When Nebraska scores their first touchdown people let these red balloons go. It's pretty neat to watch them fill the sky. The stadium is also loud. Everyone cheers, everyone chants, they have awesome fans. Would definitely go back to Memorial Stadium, hopefully next time it will be a stronger team through, and we'll walk away with the win!


Katie and I enjoying the awesome weather.


Lauren and Tawnya - go State!

I am Angus - Blackbird Farm

The second one has arrived!

During the Association's annual meeting in Louisville we showed our second I am Angus presentation.




 Watch for additional segments to be added soon. 

Saturday, November 21, 2009

101 in 1001 goal update

Trying to keep on going


As you may have noticed that list on the right side of my blog is slowly (actually very closely) turning white. White is good - that mean's things are getting scratched off the list.

1. I ate at another new restaurant - Vincenzo's Italian Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. After spending a week in Louisville eating barn food I was ready for something good. We had heard that Vincenzo's was one of the best places to eat in town, and I guess we were right, as they have been hosts to Steven Spielberg, Sylvester Stallone, Mike Tyson, among others.

2. I am going to my first away K-State game. Yes, I will be sitting in the sea of red on Saturday, being a spec of purple, as I cheer on my Wildcats against Nebraska.

3. I also have been on our treadmill a lot (or at least when I am home) so that scratches off walk five times in one week.

Yup that's about it. One goal at a time right. Hopefully, I will finish my book one my flight back home to Agribition!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Back from the land of the Derby

... well not quite, more like the cattle barns

The North American International Livestock Exposition, NAILE, Louisville - that is where I have been for the past week, and therefore there was a slight lack of posts. I mentioned how much I enjoy the American Royal, but Louisville is a pretty darn good time too. And this is what happened:
A complete lack of sleep, a presentation on video and new media at the Livestock Publications Council's regional workshop, getting to walk through the Simmental barns, finding a one of the best heifers I have seen in awhile, meeting new people, attending the Livestock Judging banquet, showed our second I am Angus video, participating in the Association's annual meeting, getting to hang out with the junior board, rooming with Ms. Bewitching, turning a few heads, taking lots of pictures, laughing a lot and pretty much just having a great time.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Something for the Big 12 Cowgirl and others! - Christmas Wish List

It is almost here...

In the coming weeks I hope to share with you a few ideas to be added to your Christmas lists, to buy for those on your nice list, or if you want to send me something in the mail, please feel free to select from these items!

Thanks to my great friend Robyn, over at Copper West (an awesome new western lifestyle website) I discovered these metal cutout pendents from Whiskey Creek Designs. These pendents are really reasonably priced and they have lots of cute necklaces, shirts and handbags on their site as well. 

Of course I would love the powercat design! I need to see if they have them in the dark metal.

And for all my Oklahoma State girls, a little Pistol Pete to add to your necklaces.

And for those that just love the western lifestyle!

Giving Gratitude... to the livestock judging gods

Livestock Judging once was my life...


A lot of people wonder how I got from Canada to south of the border. There was probably two reasons 1. I could purse an Agricultural Communications degree, which wasn't available back home, and 2. Livestock Judging. Two of my good friends, Robyn and Laura, had both traveled south to compete on college judging teams, and told me that is where I needed to be. They were right.

I ended up at Butler Community College in Kansas. Where I was on a team with 11 other kids, and none of us were from Kansas. Those other 11 people, and my coach, quickly became my family. We did everything together, traveled the country, had family meals, spent holidays together. After two years at Butler I made the move to Kansas State. I really couldn't see myself going anywhere else. Here my team was made up of four of my old judging teammates and seven other individuals who used to be the competition. Again, these people became my best friends. I have learned more life lessons in a judging van or from evaluating a set of hogs, sheep or cattle than from anything else.

This past week was the National Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville. It was fun to talk to some of my friends that were wrapping up their college judging careers. They knew their lives would be changing, because when they woke up on Tuesday things would be different. There would be no more practices, no more van rides, no more contests. There would be no reason for their teams to get together, unless they made the effort. And their would only be one national champion. Everything that I, and now they had dedicated themselves to for the past four years would be over. You feel lost.

At the banquet, I was there as a sponsor from the Association. Looking out across the room, and knowing that all those kids went through the same blood, sweet and tears to be seated their that morning is pretty empowering. We are all connected in some sense.

It boils down to this - I am grateful I was on a livestock judging team.

Giving gratitude is part of my 101 in 1001 list. I find out more about the 101 in 1001 challenge click here. 

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I Believe - Part VI

I Believe Tuesdays has moved to Wednesday this week!

Sorry for the delay. I feel bad especially with all my new followers and my faithful readers! This past week I have been in Louisville for the NAILE - lots of details on that to come.

I believe...
That the people you care about the most in life are taken from you too soon.


I recently found out a very good friend of my family's passed away. Jim Miller was an awesome man, and had an awesome family. When I was born he wrote me this letter. Encouraging me as a future business women to become involved with his horses, and that I would make a fine jockette. However, it would require a strict diet of Angus beef. I would have to insist that parents feed me Angus beef, which is funny because 1. my family raised Simmental cattle, and 2. I actually work for the Angus Association now. Good people are taken from each day, but they leave many lessons and memories behind!

(You can click on the letter to read it yourself.)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Giving gratitude... 101 in 1001

A great day to do it...

When you think about this month there are lots of things to be thankful for. Today, Remembrance Day (Canada) or Veterans Day (U.S.), we'll think about the people that have fought us in the past, and those that are continuing to fight for us. In Canada it is common to wear a poppy, to signify remembrance, thankfulness, and to remind people of the fighting that took place in Flander's Field.

Even though Canadian Thanksgiving has passed, American Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Giving us a chance to reflect back and be thankful for what the year has brought us. I will have to see if someone can find me some pumpkin pie while I am on the north side of the border for Agribition. 

Also, I have great friends and family that are always there to support me. At times things get a little stressful, but I have a pretty awesome life. I try to be gracious for the gifts that have been given to me.

And finally, we should thank those that provide for us everyday - farmers and ranchers. We help provide for you and your families everyday. So thank you to the people that help put clothes on my back and food in my belly!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The countdown is on - NFR baby

Only 30 more days...

I really like rodeo, and I admit I really like shopping, and I really thought Vegas was awesome this summer when my sister and friends went. So, what would be cooler than all those things combined in an NFR Experience!

The roommate and I will be headed their for the first weekend. I'll admit it is kind of a random trip, just the two of us going, but we are really excited. Last year, I tried to get a big group to go, but with no luck. So this year, very sneakily R3 and I planned a trip.

Now we don't have rodeo tickets yet, we are hoping to buy some their or stumble on some before then. We are also planning on making Cowboy Christmas a big part of our weekend, however the pocket book might limit that.

I am really hoping to stop by Classic Leather Designs and pick me up a hair-on belt similar to this. I think I want something that is more black and white patches.

So if you have any suggestions as to what we should do, wear we should go, or if your attending to, hit me up.

p.s. You can search Vegas in the search bar at the top to read about all of our stories.

I Believe - Part V

It's I Believe Tuesday Again...


I Believe
- that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.


I Believe - 
that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.



Two good ones to think about today. 


I believe is based on a poster I found in Jimmy Johns. 

Monday, November 9, 2009

Christmas is around the corner!

It's official...

This weekend I was doing a little Christmas shopping and the Christmas music was in full force. The thing is, I have been thinking about Christmas since the middle of October - it's a Canadian thing.

About a month ago a stumbled into this wonderful home decor store called Nell Hill's. My friend Robyn had mentioned the line, and the wonderful job they do on something called tablescapes. The store looked like Christmas had pretty much explored, but in the most classy and beautiful way.


There were room and rooms of Christmas decoration. Each one had a different theme or color palette. From floor to ceiling it was all about Christmas.


These are napkins, and then these snowball looking things served as napkin rings. I love the hounds-tooth pattern.


Love this bed set! Especially the buttons on the comforter.



It may be a little odd, but black is my favorite color, so I thought this ribbon and garland combo was great. The awesome thing was that this greenery is all fake. Who could tell? Which means you don't have to worry about it drying out and it can be reused every year.

I definitely walked away with some decorations of my own. But you'll have to stay tuned to see them. (Yes, they have already been up for a couple weeks now...)

All the single ladies...

Love that dance...

I have been thinking about this. Me and two of my good girlfriends, Miss Classy and Ms. Bewitching and I (they got to pick their code names) were enjoying our weekend at the Royal. now let me set this up - I’m not being arrogant - but I think we make quite an impression, three good looking blondes, know a thing or two about cattle, are making something out of our lives and climbing the ranks in our chosen professions, I am pretty sure we turned more than one head that weekend. One thing though - we are all single. I mean like really single, like we are so sure that their may never be a commitment from a boy that we are thinking that building a house in Indiana (on a hill of course) for all the other single, career drive, good looking friends out there, so we can all live together, would be a really good idea. Ok maybe that is a joke! 

Now don’t get me wrong its not like we haven’t had relationships or offers, just nothing ever quite pans out. I mean we all had a college long-term boyfriend, who at one point we thought we were probably going to marry. For different reasons we all went our separate ways, and I think everyone is happy about it. It was probably the best thing. We have been played, done the playing, but after awhile the whole juggling act gets a little tiresome. We have all had legitimate offers too, from really nice, awesome guys, but for some reason they just weren’t everything we needed them to be.

And then there are the guys that I am pretty sure are just scared of girls like us. Actually, we know they are scared – they have told us. I seems like when they see a girl who doesn’t mind pulling her weight when working calves, knows how to move up the ranks, will charm any one else she is introduced to, and can B.S. with the best of them, simply put has her act together, BUT still can let her hair down and get a little crazy once in awhile, while looking great good doing it they just don’t know how to react.

Now don’t get me wrong I do not need/want a husband right now. None of us do, that is for much later down the road. We all agree we are still too independent for that, we all really love our lives and where we are going. It’s not what I am looking for at this point. It’s just us three girls, and trust me there are countless others that just like us, are a little confused. We have worked really hard to get where we are and at the end of the day, we are missing something.

But, I will have to say I still have hope. I am actually a pretty positive person. A friend of mine, Miss Fabulous, just got engaged. Really her and her beau they haven’t been dating super long, a year can change so much. She has told me about him, and I see pictures of them together, and you can just tell that they are in love. So hey who knows what next year, or even next week might bring.



Now put your hands up, up in the club...

I am sure this will all stir up some discussion! Can’t wait to see you Miss Classy and Ms. Bewitching again!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Social Media consumes my life

Well almost...

A little while ago I wrote about the original social network, but this video is a great example of where things are going and why we need to be plugged in. Hard to believe that six years ago Myspace, Facebook and Twitter didn't even exist. Yes, I went through my first two years of college without Facebook, how did I ever survive?!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

This is why I love K-State Football

Go State!

This weekend we have a huge game - we are playing our arch rivals KU (Kansas). This game (well actually most K-State games) can turn sweet innocent girls into swearing sailors, and this one will be no exception. I guess you could say we have passion.


Out on I-70 there is this huge billboard the has a big ugly Jayhawk (KU's mascot) on it. Now I am all letting people advertise, but common on this Jayhawk/KU billboard is clearly in Wildcat country. And because of that this is what usually happens...

Cgood sent me this picture on Tuesday. Now I do not believe in destruction of property, but I'm a pretty proud alumna too. EMAW stands for Every Man A Wildcat. I can't even count how many times this has happened, may those Jayhawks will get the message, and take their billboard back to Lawrence. We are coming for a fight this weekend boys. What can I say I bleed purple!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

A little shopping at the Royal - Part 2

More like window shopping...

While most of my time at the American Royal was spent hanging out with friends, watching cattle shows, attending the LPC Gala and dressing up for Halloween, I also had a little bit of time to do some shopping. And did I ever find some great stuff!

This year I was impressed with the booths at the Royal, especially a booth called Ann's Turquoise. However I am pretty sure I am going to have to win the lottery or find a really rich guy that likes to buy me gifts, before I will be owning much out of this store! On their website there are lots of other cool jackets and jewerly. Some of the stuff I posted on here isn't on the website but they are attending a variety of shows this fall.


I thought this was a really neat idea, and this was in my price range. You buy these bracelets or necklace chains ($18-25) and then you buy the charms to clip on ($8 each). You can layer on as many or as little as you would like. Was very tempted to buy.



I love this belt! If anyone wants to treat me you should buy me this. And if you could find it in black that would be even more wonderful! Hint. Hint.


One day when I am a big high roller I am going to walk around in beautiful jackets like this that are covered in turquoise and studs. Definitely way out of my price range, but really fun to look at.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A Royal Weekend - Part 1

Well after waiting what seemed like an eternity the American Royal finally arrived!

I swear last week it mine of well had of been Christmas coming, that is how excited everyone was. The American Royal is such a great time, and then add Halloween on top of it and some birthdays, who knew what could happen.

Thursday - Em was my house guest, and a great one at the day. She took my car to get the oil changed, we ate lunch at the Japanese steak house, and then she made her famous lasagna for supper and bought wine. I don't think I had enjoyed any of her delicious lasagna since college, and back then it use to be a staple in my diet! Shortly after dinner Miss Former Junior Board Member friend arived, with cheese and wine from Wisconsin. Jeez I love company. We settled in for a night of Grey's, and me packing last minute! Yes, Emilie likes to where wigs when she cooks.

Friday - official first day at the American Royal. Very early morning, but that's what you do when you work for those Angus people! The junior show started off the morning, followed by the open female show, and then the bull show. I have videos coming so stay tuned. Then it was time for the PLC Gala! I mentioned last weekend I was in search of a hat. Well here it is...


Emilie was my awesome date. I had the Derby look and she was gangster. I would say we good pretty darn good! It was so fun getting dresses up in hats, but I will admit your vision does get a little blocked when wearing them. You have to do this tilt your head back thing to look someone in the eye, or for people to recognize who you are. I guess that's just the price you pay for looking gorgeous.

There were so many great hats there. Lots of very creative looks.



And this was our table. I would say we are definitely the up and comers in the livestock communications world!


And this is what happens when your friends steal your camera. Payback is fun girls! The night may or may not of ended with us doing the train. Sorry no pictures of that. I would say the night was off to a real good start.


Next week headed to the Power and Light District PBR Bar, which could have been called the place where you will have more fun than you ever could imagine. I think everyone was rather concerned that our normal hangout place, during the Royal - Connies, was shut down. However, PBR bar worked just find. A combination of Michael Jackson, a live Texas Country Band, and a little Vanilla Ice kept us dancing all night long. I even got told that if I could just improve one thing about me, I would be a perfect ten. I think I am going to take this statement as a compliment! Day 1 an overwhelming success.

Stay tuned Part two coming soon, and it involves shopping...

Halloween in my town...

Before I unveil my KC Halloween experience...

Now the town I live in likes Halloween, I mean really likes Halloween. I am pretty sure the Halloween decorations were going up in September. I am really lucky that my drive to work in the morning takes me onto two of the town's most famous and historic roads. And it seems no matter what the season they are the prettiest/most dressed up places in town. So since I was going to be in KC for Halloween I wanted to snap up a few pictures.


These little ghost children were my favorite!

I thought this house would look pretty spooky on Halloween night. Also, like the ghosts in the trees.

Same house. Cute way to decorate your house number.

There were actually two houses on this street that had these giant blow up spiders. I like the scare man on the porch too. 

Kansas City/Royal Halloween stories to come soon!

I Believe - Part IV

We have made it week four!

I Believe-
that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

This is true because although the weekend was crazy busy, sitting on the coach watching Grey's was almost as good as the rest.

(These were taken from a Jimmy John's poster, search I Believe to see the rest in the series)

Monday, November 2, 2009

Headed North!

Doing what I love to do!

This morning I got a great phone call. It just made my day because 1. this morning I was thinking about the post I wrote tonight about networking and this phone call fits right in there with it, 2. I want to be known for my talents and beliefs, and now some one wants me to share them with others, and 3. I am going to be making an extra trip home this summer!

Today, I got asked to be one of the workshop speakers at the Tiffin Conference in Lethbridge, Alberta. There are two conferences a year, that all deal with agriculture issues.  I will be speaking at the Spring Conference, and have been asked to share my knowledge on agriculture putting its face forward online.

Now, how does this all tie into my networking post? Well one of the people involved with the conference knows me two ways - 1. she came across our YouTube site, through an email that I had sent to Kit Pharo, and he took my email and posted the link in his newsletter, and 2. both my family and her's were involved in 4-H and Junior programs together, and that is how she recognized my name so quickly on the YouTube channel. Got to love networking. I am so excited to be able to go home and share my stories on helping agriculture tell their story. Wish me luck!

The Best Social Network out there revealed!

... I am letting the cat out of the bag.
Well the Royal is over. And once again it  proved to me that it really is one of my favorite shows. When I was leaving the grounds on Sunday afternoon, I had just spent three days with some of my best friends, met some amazing people, got to watch champions be selected, feel the excitement in the air, watch a great Simmental show, see some awesome heifer prospects, it was 70 degrees, the sun was shining and I am one lucky girl because I don't think I could have had a better weekend.

It was funny because right before I left for the Royal I came across an awesome article in The Showtimes magazine, called "Original Social Network," by Kassi Bauman. Kassi makes a great point in her story - that like so many of us on an average day she can be found, "Facebooking, Tweeting, texting, streaming Netflix movies, emailing and Googling or any combination thereof..." but, "I’ve found that nothing’s better than connecting with the original social network--my Charolais family--every summer at Junior Nationals."

Her article goes on to stress the benefits of being involved in competition and the friendship we make on the show road. It is really true that some of my best friends are the people that I might only see a couple times a year. They get me, they get my passions, and even though they may live in another state or another country for that matter, if I ever needed anything they would be the first people there.

I am working on all the stories and getting all the pictures rounded up from this weekend, and although I will share them through my blog and on Facebook, that make up area, backdrop and sitting on the tack box will still always be number one!


--Thanks to Kassi, and Brian Reif at The Showtimes, for letting me use part of the article. If you wish to read the full story you can find it online, in the Summer 2009 Edition. Definitely a magazine worth checking out.
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