Best Board Game for the Holidays

Gather the family.

Growing up my family loved board games. When my cousins and my sister and I would get together for holidays after supper was served, and the plates were cleared, we always broke out a board game.

One of my favorite games was Scattergories Junior. This Christmas I wanted to pick up the board game for the Boy's family and I to play at Christmas. However, everywhere I looked I could only find Scattergories Adult, which is fun but we are going to have some younger members of the family playing.

No big deal, I'll order on Amazon. I have wrote before how the UPS and Fedex men know our house pretty well with there not being a ton of major shopping areas right close to our farm.

Onto Amazon I went, searched for Scattergories Junior and there it was for $149.99. What?!?! This can't be possible. The Adult version in the store about about $20. After doing some investigating I realized they don't make Scattegories anymore and now it is a collectors item. Great. I really wanted this game. Second option buy it used for about $30. I bought it used.

Now, I patiently waiting for my collectors edition of Scattegories! What games does your family and friends play together.

p.s. What is this game even about?

1. You pick a category - say food
2. You roll a letter die
3. You set a time
4.  Now write down as many food items that start with that letter
5. At the end of the timer compare lists with your competitors. If you both write down the same word no one gets a point. You do however get points for all the words that no one else has.
6. Keep playing because you are having so much fun!

Setting your priotities

Being a grown-up means figuring things out. 

Best husband and friend ever.

Do you sometimes wonder how you are going balance or manage everything? To me things go God, family and then career. When I say or write it down it seems so clear. However, when you are living life things seem to get a little more jumbled.

God is truly number one. However, recently I had a conversation about the other two (family and career) with the Boy. The past three weeks there has been a lot going on. We are in the process of working on my residency. I'm a Canadian, and although I have been in the U.S. for nine years it has always been on student or work visas. Now that the Boy and I are married we are working on my residency. I really want to write a more in-depth post later on all about it. We also had the Boy's family's cattle dispersal. Which meant time in Oklahoma, a lot of hard work and lots of emotions both happy and sad. And then there has been three major work events in three weeks. Yes, it has been fun to see so many friends, support my family, watch new doors open and find success in my career but things are a little stressful at times, too.

Then add on top of it all my blog has suffered. I guess I'll just fall back on the rule to blogging that there are no rules. Therefore, the only pressure I have is the pressure on myself.

Exasperated, I told the Boy that whenever I seem to focus on family work suffers and when I focus on work it isn't fair to him or my family. Being the awesome person he is he simply said, "It's OK babe, I think these things take some time to figure out. I think you are doing an awesome job." Sigh of relief.

How to you manage all the balls up in the air, and how long does it take to figure these things out? Tough questions I guess. Good thing I got faith in the big guy at the top.

Happy Thanksgiving, nope I am not early

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow, October 8, is Canadian Thanksgiving. Back home my mom is preparing a big Thanksgiving meal for our family. Differences in Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving - not much. I like to tell people it got colder in Canada sooner so the English and French settlers needed the help of the Native people much sooner, thus Thanksgiving in October.

I looked back at last year's Thanksgiving post and I have a lot to be thankful for.

1. Family
Last year I had a fiancé, this year I have the most amazing husband and best friend ever. Today the Boy and I are celebrating our six month anniversary. (I'm going to post some more wedding pictures this week). Also, our family is growing. My sister is now engaged and will be married this time next year. More cousins are married. And I have a few new second cousins. I have a family both far and near that support me and love me.

2. Work
This coming week will mark my first year with the new company, and I couldn't be happier. I am mentored by an incredible lady, have awesome co-workers and I was given the opportunity to work from home. I can have the career I have always wanted while still living in rural America. I think that is awesome.

3. We have a farm
The Boy and I both have office jobs, but we are growing our farm. I think this fall it is really coming together. In this last year we bought a trailer, bought a herd bull, actually bid on cattle at sales, took home banners from the State Fair, started in to the freezer beef business and sold heifers that will be shown by juniors (kids) this coming year. Cattle are our passion and I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to fulfill our dreams.

So Happy Thanksgiving. Feel free to bake yourself a pumpkin pie and celebrate with us!

Turquoise Thursday: School Lunch Soapbox

I'm not quite ready to get down. 

I love this
floral reusable turquoise lunch sack
from KatieKouture on Etsy. 

This week there has been a lot of discussion about the new USDA changes to school lunch programs. What's all the commotion about? A reduction in protein served in school lunched. Children in Grade 9-12 will receive a 10-12 ounces of protein a week.

There has been a lot of discussion in this post of mine - Raising a Family Without Meat, and I would really encourage you to read this interview with Agriculture's Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding Meatless Monday and the new school lunch guidelines. It is kind of scary. I find it quite alarming.

I've learned a few things this week too from all the discussion:

Because of the new sodium guidelines the quality of protein should be much better. That a good thing. Also, more fruit and veggies are being included. Another good thing.

The USDA has created a one-size fits all program and that doesn't work.

There are WAY too many kids in this country going hungry. In Iowa it is 1 in 6 kids, and we are one of the lower states! Did you know according to Feeding America that more than 20% of the child population in America lived in food insure households in 2010. And research shows that hungry children do more poorly in school and have lower academic achievement because they can not concentrate. Katie Pinke's son is a growing high schooler, active on athletic teams and is definitely hungry with these new school lunch guidelines.

I would encourage you to join in on the discussion and contact those that can really help change things around.

Undersecretary of Food & Nutrition Services
Kevin Concannon
1400 Independence Ave, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250

Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack
1400 Independence Ave, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250

Finally, it is Turquoise Thursday so for those that have to pack your own lunch, or will now be packing your child's lunch here are some turquoise options.

I know it isn't very turquoisey (yeah I just made up a word) but how cute is this lunch sack made out of an old feed sack. 

I never even knew reusable sandwich sacks existed until I saw these from GetPersonalEtc.

If you want to stay involved int the school lunch discussion I would check out Sensible School Lunches on Facebook. It is a great page with lots of good resources for you and and your family.

Raising a family without meat

It's a scary world out there.

I'm not really sure how to write this post, but I feel strongly about this issue. So if I wander or babble here is my apology up front.

My supper last night. A 6 oz. steak
and wedge salad.

Recently, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has done some startling things. 1. Meatless Mondays (I choose to support Hunk of Meat Mondays) was suggested as a wise choice in the organization's company newsletter. I really don't think that the organization that is suppose to support farmers of all types should be supporting a day created by animal rights activities. 2. Even more recently has been USDA's changes to school lunch programs, and this is a what I really want to talk about.

The school lunch thing used to be a little foreign to me. In my elementary and high school we brought out own lunches. Mom usually packed them for us because we would get up early to do chores before we headed to school. However, I have talked to the boy and a lot of friends about school lunches and it was the norm in their lives. I also understand that there are a lot of families that don't have "quite enough" and the meals that their children get at school are very important. Maybe the only meals they get during the day.

Now back to USDA. USDA has made more changes to school lunch program nutritional guidelines. They include more fruits and veggies - that is awesome. They include less meat - not awesome. The new guidelines state that Grades 9-12 will get 10-12 ounces of meat a week, younger children even less. Let's put this into perspective. A four ounce serving of meat is roughly the size of a deck of cards. That means you get three deck of cards servings a week, at the maximum.

I remember when I was younger I could consume a foot-long Subway sandwich in a matter of minutes, I usually could eat two hamburgers, and my mom used to call me a grazer - I never quit eating. I was healthy, active, strong. I was on my volleyball team, danced in ballet and jazz classes wo night a week and was able to lift a 30 lbs. bucket of grain on each arm with ease. Protein was my fuel. My friend Katie Pinke has a growing, active high school son, and the new nutritional guidelines won't even meet his daily calorie needs.

Some may say well you still have the option to serve meat at home. True, but what about the families that can't afford protein options? In a 2010 survey done by Share our Strength No Kid Hungry it was reported that two-thirds of teachers said most or a lot of their students rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition, and around two-thirds of teaches also say there are children that regularly enter their classrooms hungry because they are not getting enough to eat at home.

The Boy and I definitely will have children one day, but sometimes it scares me because of the direction of society is headed in. I watch eight years olds with cell phones, I didn't have one until college. I watch the government making more and more choices for families. It is frustrating.

I would love to hear your opinions on this. Are you a mom that is concerned about the direction USDA is taking school lunches in or maybe you are on the other side of the fence and have a differing opinion. Or maybe you are like me kind of watching from the sidelines, but don't like what is going on.

Happy Thanksgiving, no I'm not early

Pumpkin pie, turkey and a work visa

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada, and I have a lot to be thankful for. But first, let's talk about Canadian Thanksgiving because I get lots of questions about it. Yes, it is a lot earlier than American Thanksgiving. Why? I'm not sure, so I just tell people that our snow comes soon so the Native people had to hurry up and get the settlers fed. We eat all the same foods and I am truly thankful for many things this year. (Oh and I now I already have Christmas on my mind!)

I have a wonderful family and it keeps growing. Not only are many of my cousins getting married and having new babies, but I am adding lots more people to the list of family. Last year I had an amazing boyfriend, this year it's an amazing fiance and next year it will be a husband, and with him comes an awesome family.

Also, I am a Canadian working in the U.S. so that means I have to have a work visa. Each year I have to renew it, and this weekend it had to be renewed again because I am switching gears career wise. It is pretty nerve wracking to have a Border Control agent say yes or no to whether or not you can continue your career. However, all is good! And I can't wait to start my new adventure.

I know there are a lot of people in this world that have limits put on what they can do, how they can act and what they can say. I am very thankful that I travel and live between two countries that allow me to be me. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving whether you are celebrating today or in November. I'll have plenty of pictures posted soon!

Headed to the beach Turquoise Thursday

Sun and sand

I am a sucker for finding the perfect gift. This quite often this means blowing my budget, but what is more fun than putting a huge smile on someone's face. Last weekend it was the future sister-in-law's bachelorette party. I couldn't make it due to a friend flying in and another bachelorette party, but I made sure I sent a great gift.

So what is in this perfect turquoise package?

(Wrapping paper from Target)

A honeymoon survival kit for the beach. 

One of my favorite beauty products ever. It is a tinted oil-free daily face protector with SPF 40. Love this stuff. 

Two lip balms, also with SPF in them, because if Jaci is anything like me I will have lost one before the plane even leaves the airport. 

Waterproof mascara for all that time she'll have in the pool. Another little hint of turquoise. 

Tarte Bronzer to help work on that "tan."

This is another favorite of my. I grew up on Body Shop products, as they are a Canadian company. This body butter not only smells amazing, but it is super-hydrating and has help smooth a few sunburns before. 

What are your favorite beauty products for the beach or the ones that you'll be using this fall?

And don't forget to sign up for my giveaway.

Perms and Simmental Cattle

Keep reading. Embarrassing photos are revealed.

It's interesting the tags that get placed on your as you move from point to point in your life. In my professional network many people know me as that Angus girl. And now there are some that refer to me as a Hereford girl due to my past internship with the American Hereford Association and now the Boy and I's engagement. The truth is I am actually a Simmental gal at heart!

My family has always had Simmental cattle and my sister and I were surrounded by Simmental cattle from the time we were born. My first cow, appropriately name Crystal Cow, was a big red and white spotted thing. Her first calf was name Stacy Cow, and appropriately given to my sister.

Today, I am very excited because I get to return to some of those Simmental roots. I'll be speaking to 55 engergitic (let's hope they are energetic and I don't put them asleep) young Simmental enthusiasts at their leadership conference, The Summit - Mark Your Spot.

Getting ready for the showring.

My family was extremely active in the Young Canada Junior Simmental program and I even attended to National Classics in the U.S. - one in For Collins, Colorado, and one in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was probably after my second National Classic that I really started thinking about attending school in the States. The people I had met through the American Junior Simmental program (the Hege, Parke, McDowell, Phillips and Harker families) were awesome people, I would have the opportunity to be apart of a Livestock Judging Team and Agricultural Communications was a degree only offered south of the border.

Hopefully, I'll inspire a few people today.

Myself (yes, that is a perm), Aleesa, Cody, Krista, not sure, Jake and Chris all the awards banquet at that Junior National in Kentucky. 

I was quite the karaoke star - I am pretty sure we are signing the Dixie Chick's Good Bye Earl here.

One of the last National Classic I attended in Canada.

Happy Canada Day!

Yes we celebrate the birth of our country too. 

My favorite Christmas
present last year.

Today is Canada Day! We celebrate in many of the same ways that July 4th is celebrated. Parades, community events, grilling beef, there is always a rodeo to go to and you can't forget fireworks.

It sometimes surprises me how little Americans know about Canada, and I think it frustrates some of my Canadian friends. But the fact is you guys never learned much about us in school. When I was in school in Alberta we did a whole year in Social Studies on U.S. government and history. We even had to memorize all the states and their capitols. I will admit I have forgotten most of those capitol cities!

The U.S. wasn't the only area of focus we did world history, and also studied government systems in South America, Europe, China and Japan. My country is very diverse and multicultural so we place an emphasis on learning about those cultures. In 2009 558,105 people immigrated to Canada - canadafacts.com

We have 10 provinces and 3 territories. I grew up in Alberta (the one above Montana) and my family still lives there today. My parents have their own blog that talk about my family's farm www.highcountrycattle.blogspot.com and I have also posted some pictures of what our Canadian farms looks like:

The Calving Barn, Red Cows and Hoarfrost, a video I did of some friends of ours that also raise Simmental cattle in Alberta, and this is a post from a road trip I took in Southern Alberta.

Cow Fart Juice

Because sometime you just need to laugh. 

Thanks to the future FIL for sending me this yesterday. Perhaps we could start bottling cow fart juice and selling it off of the Boy's farm.

Between You and The Moon Cow Fart Juice 

According to the website this herbal product MAY be helpful for rashes, athlete's foot, nail fungus and other various skin disorders. Oh, and if you think it may cure you, it only costs $60 for 1 oz. 

On another note my parents are flying down from Alberta, Canada, this weekend and they will be meeting the Boy's parents for the first time. Wish me good luck, not because I don't think they will get along, I have a haunch they are going to get along a little too well and all kinds of childhood embarrassing stories could be revealed. Good thing I already have that ring on my finger. 

Crystal Cattle is getting hitched

A life changing weekend.

This weekend the Boy once again proved that I am the luckiest girl in the world by proposing. After a year and week long relationship we have move from the dating zone to the engaged zone, and if it wasn't for all the wedding planning and sorting out life details I am pretty sure we would get married tomorrow.

Jon and I at his family's sale last weekend.

We've been fielding questions all weekend about the details of how all it all went down. So I present you with our story.

I have been patiently waiting for a ring for a little while now. Jon (by the way that is the Boy's real name) instructed me last fall to go and look at rings and decide on a style I liked. At the time he thought he might propose when we traveled back for Agribition a cattle show in Canada, it was also going to be the first time my parents and Jon met. However, as our departure date got closer Jon decided it wasn't quite the right time, and he would wait. (I did not know any of these facts until recently).

Christmas went by, a trip to Chicago for New Year's went by, the Denver Stock Show went by, Valentine's went by, my Birthday went by, Easter went by, and no ring. My parents wanted to make a trip to see Jon and I this summer so I had surrendered to the fact that he would wait and ask my dad in person. That summer trip is actually next weekend. In my brain I had constructed a timeline that Jon will wait and ask Dad next weekend, and then if he has a ring it might be then, otherwise it would be sometime in June or July. Little did I know he had other plans.

I arrived in Iowa late Friday night and we decided to go see Hangover 2 (definitely recommend it). Before the movie started I asked Jon what was up, he seemed uneasy and anxious. Jon quickly brushed it off as nerves about my parents coming next weekend. Although, I reassured him that everything was going to go great, I understood his nervousness. (After the proposal he told me that he wasn't at all nervous about my parents coming, but he needed an excuse to cover up his nerves about proposing.)

Fast forward to the next morning. Jon and I headed out to the farm to feed the show cattle. After bucket chores, we hoped on the four-wheeler to go look at the pairs in the pasture. I was excited to look through all the calves at it had been a few weeks since I had seen them, and at this age the calves change so much each week. As the last cow crosses the creek, I asked Jon which cow that was, as she was looking pretty good - in Jon's words this sealed the deal since it was one of his favorite.


Jon said "hey" and I turned around to find him on one knee the grass. And that's when I am pretty sure my heart stop. I was not expecting at all. And then in such a romantic way I say "Are you kidding me" and give him a little push. It was a good are you kidding me, like you completely surprised me, I had no idea that kind of kidding me. The next part is a little blurry, somewhere in there he said will be marry me, I said yes, I said you should probably put it on my finger, I definitely had tears in my eyes. Just like that we were engaged, out in the field with all those Hereford cows - and it was perfect!

We didn't leave the pasture before we started calling friends and family. My side is estastic to have Jon joining our family, and I can't wait to be apart of his. Not too many other details have been discussed, other than we can't wait to start our lives together, and are so happy that we have the support of our friends and family.

Toddlers and Beef

Beef - it runs in the family. 

My cousin Kim posted this on my Crystal Cattle facebook wall, and I had to share.

Funny Eat Beef Story Crystal... After a late night getting in, Tim went to the fridge to find some supper. I always take out some sort of meat in the morning for the evening meal. If Tim is late, he is usually left to fend for himself, so he pulled out the new york steak that was set aside for supper and started the inside BBQ. He was tired so was doing as little preparation as possible, what usually means steak on the bbq nothing else. As he was getting the steak unwrapped, Logan ( 25 months old) goes to the pantry and pulls out the kosher salt and brown sugar and takes it to Tim (this is what i use when i cook steak). I'm not sure if i should be proud that he can season a piece of beef BEFORE he can pee in a potty!

When I get teeth feed me beef. 

I love this bib from the Texas Southwest Cattle Raisers Association. 

Grandpa's Turquoise Belt Buckle

Exciting

Yesterday, was my birthday. And it was fabulous - so many phone calls, cards, texts and facebook messages (that's what we get instead of letters these days). I had a great supper with some friends last night and will be spending the weekend with the Boy and his cows. Perfect.

Although, I got many wonderful gift there is one in particular I wanted to share with you.

When I got home from work, there was a padded envelope on the kitchen counter. It was really tore up, and addressed from my Grandma and Grandpa G in Alberta. As I opened it there was a workout top from the Canadian brand LuLu Lemons. Awesome, but there was also a velvet drawstring bag.

To my surprise this was in that bag.

This was my Grandpa's old belt buckle. H.L.C. stands for Highwood Land and Cattle. I had no idea he even had it. 

I was overcome with excited and emotion, and quickly called Grandpa. He said had the belt buckle made in 1979 at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. There was an Indian man making belt buckles and Grandpa thought he would like one for himself. The man said they were $60, only took cash, didn't give receipts and needed a business card from Grandpa, and in six months he would receive his buckle. So the exchange happened. 

Grandpa said Grandma was furious, and told him that there was no way he would ever see that buckle or money again. However, a few months later a ringman attending a livestock sale, came up to Grandpa and said an Indian man told me to make sure Chuck got this, and there was his buckle. 

Grandpa said since his belly was too big now, and since I love turquoise so much it is mine. Thank-you Grandpa and Grandma, best birthday present ever!

Cow Cookies

I heart Beef

Now I know I already posted about my weekend full of cattle and flowers, but I had to share this. What would be almost as good as receiving a box of steaks delivered to your office? How about a herd of I Heart Beef cow cookies.

My mom had a box of these wonderful cookies delivered to my office today. Definitely gets the cool mom award. They were awesome. 

Things don't always go right

Hard and cold days.

If you haven't noticed it's been cold out, and snowy out, and I think most people are pretty tired of it. I really try not too hard to complain because I am inside typing this blog post while my family and the Boy are calving cows.

The majority of Canadian cattlemen and lot of U.S. cattlemen are all calving cows right now. You may wonder why in the world would you calve right now, as the mercury keeps on dropping, but there is some logic.

1. If you are a purebred cattlemen (cattle are only one breed, and have a registration paper) you are wanting to calve now so come next year the bull calves, that were born this year, will be big enough and mature enough to breed cows. Clear as mud?

2. Calving now allows your calves to grow more and be bigger at sale time during the fall. More pounds = more dollars. Also, these older calves will be able to go right into the feedlot.

3. Although, it is cold right now I would much rather calve in the snow than mud. Calves stay healthier in constant temperatures. In March, when you can have huge temperature swings calves can get sick quick.

Although we try and provide the best care possible things can go wrong.

My sister took this picture at our farm over the weekend.

This little guy was born at my parent's farm and he froze his ears. He'll be fine, he just won't have big fluffy ears like all his other buddies. This sometime happens when momma won't stop licking their ears, thus leaving them wet, when it gets extremely cold out or if there is a lot of humidity in the air.

I loved this picture from @purelymom. Becky is a ranch wife, like all farmers and ranchers, know that those that help provide income for the house, might also have to be brought inside it once in awhile. Sometimes if a calf has to be pulled it will take them a little while to be steady on their own, or sometimes because of the weather calves will get real cold and need to be brought into a warm area. 

Becky's little girl reminded me of my sister and I. We loved when a calf had to come inside. That meant we had easy access to pet and hang out with them as much as we wanted. 

p.s. You won't want to miss tomorrow's Turquoise Thursday

Losing part of the family

Have to say good-bye

Yesterday, my sister sent me message saying that tomorrow was going to be a sad day - Ruffles was going to have to go down the road. See Ruffles is my sister absolutely favorite cow, her best friend. Even though my dad and I have cursed her many times for running through gates, blocking the alley, really just being a spoiled pain, we love her.

However, as much as agriculture is my family's passion, it is also a business. Ruffles has been open (not in calf) for two years in a row now, and feeding open cows doesn't pay the bills so Stacy decided to send her to market.

My mom wrote a really good post about Ruffles and what she has meant to our farm and Stacy. Yeah, I cried when I read it.

Two summers ago I snapped this picture of Stacy and Ruffles. It is one of my favorites. 

Red Cows and Hoarfrost

It's Wintertime on the Farm 

Remembered when I promised that I would share with you a few more photos from my family's farm back in Alberta. As promised....

 I love hoarfrost, but it usually means two things 1. It's really cold out and 2. You were up early to see it before the wind knocks it all off. 

My family raises Simmental cattle. We have both red (brown) and black ones, and and lots of snow. 

Our cows are pretty big and round right now because it is calving time for my family's farm. You can read about our first baby calf born on my sister's blog. This momma is due in February. 

Whoever thought a cow's behind side could be so interesting. I guess you can take the farm girl out of me.

Such a pretty morning. 

To see more pictures from my family's farm visit my facebook page Crystal Cattle.

What I gave for Christmas - cows, books and handmade

The supreme gift giver

I like to think that I am a pretty good gift giver. I get a thrill out of finding that perfect something for friends and family. I did pretty good this year, having all of my gifts bought a couple weeks before Christmas. Gift Logistics can sometime be tricky, living in the States and celebrating Christmas in Canada means taking home an extra suitcase that just contained gifts.

So what were some of the highlights?

These customized ear tags were for my dad. We put a ear tag in each of our cows so we can I.D. them easily and keep more accurate records on them. It's like an I.D. earring. Although, I believe each cow has a distinct personality and look, when there is a pen full of solid black or solid red ones an ear tag makes it easier to identify them. On the ear tag each animal has their own number with a letter that corresponds to the year they were born, we also put their sire (dad) and dam (mother) on the tags. My dad will be the coolest farmer on the block with these new tags.

This wire cattle cross was given to a couple people this year. My mom received this version and the Boy's parents received one painted with a Hereford heifer. Jeana Hurlbut, a college friend of mine, makes them. You can read more about the wire crosses here.

My sister loves fashion so after I couple recommendations I got her Nina Garcia's book. (p.s. I love Project Runway!) What I learned from the book? Wear something new on New Years, it sets the tone for the year. If you borrow something you'll be borrowing all year, and if you lend you'll be lending all year. Oh and you're supposed to eat 12 grapes for good luck. Who knew!

This was another one of the gifts I gave my sister. I think the guy at Lowes was wondering what in the world this little blonde girl was going to do with a staple gun, wire cutters and chicken wire when I walked out of there. Hopefully, she'll hang a picture of me on it!

Finally, the Boys did pretty good this Christmas. His gift was the last one I bought, but when the idea came to me I knew it was right. On New Year's Eve we are going to a Bulls game in Chicago. We exchanged gifts when we were out in Telluride skiing last week (pictures to come soon). Before the gift exchange we went to supper with the Boy's family, him and I were seated by his grandparents. During dinner his Grandpa kept going on and on about how one time he bought Bulls tickets for his Grandma for Christmas because she really wanted to see Micheal Jordan. Throughout dinner he kept on mentioning what a great time it was and how cool Chicago, without anyone knowing I had tickets back at our house! The Boy has never seen his favorite team play, and I could sense a little bit of jealousy as it was brought up that another person had been to see the Bulls and he hadn't! Needless to say he was pretty dang excited when I handed over his own set of tickets.

My Simmental Cows - a sneak peak

Cows and snow

Since my other camera card is buried in one of my suitcases the what I gave and what I got Christmas post will have to wait. So instead I will leave you with a sneak peak of the pictures I took out at my family's pasture this morning. It was the perfect combination of cows and hoarfrost.

Firstdate one of our leading Simmental donor females. She was showed this fall, but now has her working clothes on. We'll bring her home a little closer to her calving due date.

A group of the Simmental yearlings. The future looks bright looking through these girls.

Also don't forget there are just a few more days to vote on the Best of the Barns awards. My suggestions are Star Lake Cattle Ranch's facebook page, Purple Banner Designs, The Show Text, I am Angus and of course Crystal Cattle!

Boxing Day - it's a Canadian thing

Another day of Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their family. I sure did. Way too much food, lots of laughs with family and Santa definitely spoiled all of us. Today, I will be celebrating Boxing Day with my family. No we are aren't going to pull out the gloves and go after each other, and no it's not the day that we pack up all of our Christmas decor.

Boxing Day is an English holiday, and is celebrated by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, and the United Kingdom. I've been told the the purpose for the holiday was a long time ago, landlords and the wealthy would fill boxes, that the peasants had placed outside of their homes, with food and gifts. Today, I am pretty sure not many people realize the true meaning behind Boxing Day, and do one of three things to celebrate:

1. Use it as a second day of Christmas (my family will be headed south to spend Boxing Day with my dad's side of the family. Christmas was spent with my mom's side of the family.)

2. Boxing Day is like the U.S.'s Black Friday. So I am sure there were hundreds of people lined up at stores this morning to score deals.

3. Hockey. The IIHF World Junior Hockey Tournament is currently taking place in Boston, New York. The Canadian team always has a game on Boxing Day. So as my family gathers around to eat our second Christmas Dinner we'll also be cheering on Team Canada as they take on Russia. (p.s. as a side note 66% of the all the tickets to the ENTIRE tournament have been sold to Canadians. I think the tournament should really just be held in Canada every year. Just saying.)

What will your family be doing today?