Candy Corn For Calves

It's corn threshing time on the farm and the calves in the feedlot couldn't be happier. We have a feedlot in which we feed 2,000 head of calves every winter. We raise all of the feed on the farm for the feedlot and corn is one of the crops necessary for the success of the calves weight gain. The feedlot takes a huge amount of time each day from Matt, Will and Jay. The care and concern that goes into these calves is "priceless"!! The pens are walked daily, to check for sick calves, if sick ones are found they are pulled and put in another pen and doctored, watched over and taken care of. Of course the entire 2,000 head of calves has to be fed everyday and between checking and feeding the entire feedlot it takes around 5 hours. Now, when the weather gets really cold, which it does every year, this is even a bigger task. The automatic water troughs, the starting of all the machinery to feed the calves, the calves, you name it, every element involved becomes a chore in itself when is gets extremely cold. The cold can turn to this 5 hour job into an all day job, when the day ends you wake up and start doing the same exact thing all over again!!! Soooo, next time you're sitting in a restaurant enjoying a "to die for" black Angus steak, just think for a minute where it came from, the time, energy and care that went into it and be thankful for American Agriculture!!

Last week I was able to take some pictures of the corn being threshed. It's such an interesting process!! Modern technology is certainly a blessing and a boost in the farming world. Mother Nature, of course, is the ultimate factor in our world and last week She gave us some amazing weather to enjoy!! Too bad that didn't happen in October, then all of the beet farmers wouldn't be "stressed to the max" right now!!! Sad, sad, sad!!!! That's all I have to say about that!!! :-(

Back to the corn...Enjoy our view...

November VT

It's been a good day!! It's always a good day when I get to go visiting teaching. I truly enjoy getting to see, visit and check-in on "my" wonderful ladies!! It's really too bad that society in general doesn't take the time to visit with their neighbors anymore. You know, "like back in the day" when you sat on your porches and visited!!! ;-) Seriously, we should slow down a little and "enjoy this journey of life" we're all on!! Okay, I'll step down off my soap box now!!

This is the item we gave for their 72 hours kits this month...























Water boxes that have a five year shelf-life and hard candy. After all they are life savers!! :-)

Of course we wanted to give them a little Thanksgiving treat!! You can't go wrong with a Marie Callender's pie, easy and good!! A little candle light is a "good thing" too!!!...























I had the privilege of picking a talk from the October 2009 General Conference talks for our lesson. It was a tough choice, as they were all so good. I decided on Elder Bednar's talk, which you can read here!! Here is the handout that I made to go with it...














































This talk was excellent. Elder Bednar gave us such sound practical advice in being "more diligent and concerned at home". Make sure you take the time to read his talk, it's well worth your time!

I hope your month is a Happy one and continues to be so as we all try to be "More Diligent and Concerned at Home"!!!

Turkey Time!

As I sit here at my computer typing away, I can hear the crows cawing out my window and am reminded once again how quickly time flies!! As Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, I'm trying to mentally be prepared for the holidays and at my house decorations help!! The Halloween decorations have been swapped out for the Thanksgiving decor. As you know, I mainly decorate for Fall and then add a few key pieces for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

I certainly understand there is much more to Thanksgiving than turkey and decorations!! I have much to be thankful for in my life, but that is for another post.

Sharing views of my Thanksgiving decor...























The mantel...





































































The dining room table...


















Grandma' dresser...









































































Coffee table...












A little holiday humor for the kitchen counter...

Creatures of Habit!

That would be Matt & I, creatures of habit!!

Look at the following picture, there is something really wrong about it!!!...


















You can see my Tahoe sitting in the driveway, and you can also see our newly finished garage. If you look really close in the upper right hand corner of the picture you can also see the back door that we walk into all of the time. I'm sure you're all thinking why is her Tahoe sitting in the driveway when she has a garage to park it in??!!! I kid you not, I'm asking myself the same question!! We are such creatures of habit that after almost 26 years of pulling into the driveway, no matter how I plan and prepare my mind to pull into the garage when I get home...I never do!!!

Now take a look at this picture...


















Notice the distance from the garage door on the right, to the back door of the house on the left. It's a much shorter distance than the walk from the driveway to the door that I mentioned in the first photo!!! Too FUNNY!!! I have a goal!!! Tonight the Tahoe will be parked in the garage, even if I have to go back out after we get home and actually pull it in the garage!!!! :-) I promise, I don't really have blond hair!!!



















Okay, enough about my stupidity!!...The outside of the garage is basically done. We are waiting for the cupolas, which are finally "done". We will pick them up Monday and then I hope it won't be too long before they are installed. The inside of the garage isn't done, but we can park in it!!

Wish me, my memory and habits LUCK!!!

Lovin' The Weather!!

This makes me smile...























The sun is shining, it's a wonderful thing!! We've been having the most gorgeous weather for November and I've been taking advantage of it. Blogging has been put on hold as I spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons outside cleaning my yard!! One of my favorite things is raking and burning!! I know, I'm a little strange. In all reality, I really do love working in my yard and I love being outside on nice days soaking up some vitamin D. Today however, I'm taking a break and giving my back a rest. I'm seriously thinking about just sitting outside in the sun...doing nothing. MAYBE...

I suggested to Matt since the weather is so nice that we should put up our Christmas lights so we're not doing it in the cold. I'm pretty sure he wasn't as excited about that brilliant idea as I was!! ;-) It's hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner and even harder to believe that I'm not at all ready for it. That's not normal for me. Give me another week and maybe I'll kick into gear, I hope!!

It's pretty hard to think about Christmas when your trees think it's Spring!!! Check out the following photo...
















What's wrong with this picture? I'm pretty sure those are buds!! I know, very strange!!

Get outside and take advantage of the wonderful weather!! Sooner or later we will have Winter upon us!! {{sigh}}!!

Little Miss McKenna!

Yesterday I had the privilege to take pictures for McKenna's upcoming baptism. What a little sweetheart she is. Now, I do not profess to be a photographer in any sense of the word. I do like to take pictures, but I don't even have a really good camera. This didn't stop Jaime, McKenna's mom, from asking me to do this. I took pictures of McKenna's older sister when she was baptized, so I guess maybe it's tradition.

Here is a sneak peek for Jaime and McKenna...
(click on them to view close-up!)


















































































































































































































































































McKenna is such a pretty little girl, I had a hard time choosing which pictures to share, so I shared a lot!!! Oh how I wish I had a really good camera, the pictures would be so much clearer and crisp!!

One last picture to remember the day by...the wind...


















Jaime, I will be getting a CD to you within the week. Have fun picking which pictures you would like me to use on the program!! :-)

"Spooktacular" Evening!

Ghosts and goblins were out in full force at our Ward Trunk or Treat last night!! Considering the cold weather and storms all around us, we couldn't have asked for a better night!! It was a bright sunny day, which set the tone for a "spooktacular" evening! I noticed we were missing some families due to the flu that's going around. We missed them, but are happy they stayed home and didn't share with the rest of us!! Now, that's what I consider a real "treat"!!























It was a true tailgate party. Chili, scones(fry bread), hot chocolate and hot cider were on the menu and the ghosts and goblins weren't "frightened" to eat in the parking lot!! Following the not so frightful feast, the trunk or treating began. It was another fun activity, supported by what I would now call our "party goin' ward members"!!



















































































































Of course this kind of event can not happen without the help of many kind individuals. I'll have you know, I have the kindest individuals in my ward!! The absolute best!! People who are willing to share their time and talents!! Now I think that's more of a "treat" than a "trick"!! ...





































































One of my fabulous helpers, was showing me her "tricks" by escaping the camera all night(you know who you are!!), but this is what she was fryin'...
















Last, but not least, a good witch with her brewing pot...























I think this calling is beginning to grow on me!! It's a lot of work, but it happens because of our excellent ward members!! Thanks for a "spooktacular" evening!!!...

Recipe Revisited

I'm sharing a cookie recipe that I've already posted. This is one of my favorite cookie recipes and it is so easy. This time I made it, I switched out the chocolate chips for Reese's Pieces!! Who doesn't love peanut butter and chocolate?! The added plus, Reese's Pieces are in Fall colors!! (meaning they are naturally already Fall colors) Happy Day!!

German Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 German chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 cup Reese's Pieces
1/2 cup oats

Mix all together and drop from cookie dropper onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.

















I always double this recipe when I make it!! Of course you can use any kind of chocolate cake mix. Get creative!!

Go ahead, made a fun Fall treat today!!!

A Warm Drink

The storm is rolling in along with the stress of the upcoming holiday season!! I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling the "storm" settle in!! ;-) I have just what the Doctor ordered to calm your stress and warm you from the inside out...crock-pot mulled cider!


















Crockpot Mulled Cider
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 quarts cider
1 tsp. allspice, whole
1 1/2 tsp. cloves, whole
2 sticks cinnamon
Orange slices

Directions:
Put all ingredients in crock-pot. If desired, tie whole spices in cheesecloth or put in tea strainer. (if you look in the above picture, you can see I used a tea strainer.) If spices are added loose, strain before serving. Cover; cook on low 2-8 hours. Serve from the crock-pot with a ladle.

Relax and ENJOY!!!!

Oh Baby!!

I arrived home Friday(10.23.09) from playing the Grandma role. It was a wonderful two weeks, but I must say I'm also glad to be home. I told Dani there is a reason you're young when you have children, it takes a lot of energy and it's really a HUGE adjustment at first. Can I just honestly say, this Grandma was out of energy with a very tired back!!!! Enough said!!! It's so sad to me that motherhood has to be so overwhelming at first, because those first 6 weeks are the most precious and are meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over and wished away. It would be so much easier if we all lived closer together, then we could help out more.

Katie is on her way down today to help out Dani, Bob and the baby. I'm grateful for daughters that love each other and are willing to help when needed. I'm even more grateful for son-in-laws that are willing to let their wives leave home for a short period to help!!! I'll be relieved when I hear Katie has arrived safely and once again when she arrives safely back home at the end of the week. The worries of a mother and now grandma never end...


















The birth of Addie was indeed a miracle. Ten percent of babies are born alive when a mother has a condition like Dani's. Even more amazing was the fact that Addie was a full term baby, this is not even heard of with this kind of condition...very rare!!! Every Doctor and ultra sound technician that saw Dani and Addie are just in awe!! Our family has most definitely understood that our Heavenly Father has been aware of us, answered our prayers and showered us with His tender mercies!!




















This entire "Grandma experience" has been so surreal!! It seems just like yesterday that I was having babies, my friends were having babies and we were giving each other baby showers. Now as I look around our children our all grown and having their own babies. How did that happen?!!! I still feel the same in my mind...most days!! I do have to admit, my body does not feel as young as it once did!!! :-( The circle of life is an interesting concept!! One that most days I take for granted, but the birth of our first grandchild has given me cause to stop and think. Addie was born on October 14, 2009 and the following day October 15th marked the 7th year that we have been without my Mom. Once again, how does that happen??!! Time is most definitely marching on, our lives are changing, individuals are born and die and I hope that through it all I'm becoming a better person and changing too...for the better!!























I'm thankful for this little miracle named Addie that has come into our family. I'm excited to watch her grow, to watch her parents grow along with her and to watch the growth that comes into our lives as grandparents.