Life on a Canadian Farm

Going back to my roots. 

I've been back home to my family's farm in Canada a couple times this fall. The Boy even traveled with me for the one trip. It wasn't the first time he met my family, but the first time he met my cows, almost equally as important. Since yesterday's post about Canadian Thanksgiving had no pictures in it. I thought I would load you up with lots today!

The blob of white and black above is actual a cow. Her name is Elle and my sister and parents own her together. Elle grew up in Kentucky, but now lives in Alberta! 

This is Bud our Border Collie. He is a big part of the family, but he is also like an extra employee on the farm for the amount of work he does helping us move cattle. 

I got to see quite a few awesome sunsets when I was home. 

This is what I ate on Thanksgiving Day since I was in the airport. I had the big tradition Canadian Thanksgiving meal with my family the day before. The best part of my meal above - the brown gravy. There is nothing better than Canadian brown gravy, hands down we win America.

No this is not how all Canadians dress, but I thought this hat was pretty funny. I mean if I am going to have to be out in Iowa winters feeding cattle then I mind as well look kind of cute. My budget made me leave this hat behind.

This was the most important show to see when the Boy was in Canada with me. This is Signature, she was the last show heifer that I showed, and she proved me with lots of opportunities. Income from her calves helped pay for college and the frozen embryos that I sold out of her paid for my trip to Australia. I have more embryos out of her that the Boy and I will put in surrogate mothers in Iowa to start a Simmental herd. She has a special place in my heart. 

And this is the Boy and I in front of my Alberta home. Mom did a good job of getting the Canadian flag in there. We can't wait to make some more trips home.

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!