Item of the Week #15

I have been featuring some items that I found at my local Welsh's store in Edmonton for Item of the Week. My final amazing piece that I found there was this bar....

It was amazing. I love the rustic worn look of it, and really who would not want a bar in their house. The only thing I did not like was the price. At $1800+ it was a little out of my price range. But hey a girl can dream can't she!

Big Mamma

Although we are in the beginning stages or calving, we still have some cows out on swaths at the pasture a few miles from home.

This is a picture Crystal took of one of my cows while she was at home. 

She is a Red Label out of my old Ruffles cow. This cow will stay at the pasture for a few more weeks as she will not be calving until the middle of February.

Christmas 2010

This year was probably one of the best Christmas holidays I have had in a while. It was nice to stay home some, and it just did not seem as busy as other years which was nice.

Crystal was up for a short trip as well. It is nice to see her for a few days when it is not at a show or when we are running around trying to get things done.

Dad also had a few days off work which was nice. We got some things done around the farm, we even were hauling cows home from swath grazing on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Ever we always go to my mom's side of the family for a big feast. This year was small with about 50 people and kids there. It is always a fun time to catch up with everyone and eat some great food!

My Uncle Dean made this awesome Gingerbread House from scratch!

Kim & Tim have this huge 15' Christmas Tree. It takes 5 hrs to decorate!

On Boxing day, we headed to Red Deer to my Aunt and Uncle's house. It was nice to be able to see everyone there as well. We are an ever growing family with lots of little Great Grandkids running around now!

My grandma was also able to get out of the hospital for a few hours as well.

And of course our annual family Christmas picture!

Cold Day At The Farm

After New Year's Eve I headed out to the farm. It was beautiful when I left the city, and by the time I got to the farm it was COLD! The wind was blowing, the roads were ice, and it was just not a nice day.

Being a farmer, just because it is cold out does not mean you get a day off. There are still animals to feed and bed (put clean straw down to keep them warm). Plus we just started to calf, so there were a few babies like this thinking that he was born at the wrong time!

Our first Revolution bull calf at High Country

The other one that thought that she was brought to the wrong place was Elle. I can just picture her saying take me back to Kentucky now!

Poor girl

Even the cats thought that it was cold out. They high jacked our old dog Kurt's bed when they were not looking.

Happy 2011

Well the holidays are now officially over. I hope that all of you had a great break whether it be from work or school.

I had a great holiday season, probably one of the best in recent years. I have some posts coming up this week about some of my Christmas gifts, as well as all the new happenings around the farm as we have started calving season!

In the mean time, I thought that a 101 in 1001 update was in store.

#3- Read a book every month.
My reading had been on a hiatus for a bit, but I have kept with reading at least one book a month. My current read is How To Make Love Like A Pornstar. It is an autobiography by Jenna Jameson. I have to say it is one of the best books that I have read in a long time! It is funny, and raw, and she really does not hold anything back. It is a big read, but definetly one that I would suggest.

#18- See a movie every month
The last movie that we see, Black Swan, you can read my review here.

This month we are going to go see Country Strong. I have been waiting to see this movie for a long time now. I really hope that it lives up to my expectations. Here is the trailer below!

 

#64- Own 10 cows

Well I did it! In 2010, this summer actually I owned 10 cows of my own. Since that time I have cut back after selling a bred heifer at Checkers, and a couple of my cows being open. My next goal is to cut it down to about 5. I have some good cows now, but time to get some great ones!

As of January 1st, I have completed 36 items, and have 13 that I have started or am working on. Just about 50%!

Good Bye 2010

Well the time has come to say good-bye to 2010 and hello to 2011!

I have to say that 201 has been one of my best years to date. It has been filled with lots of great friends and memories.

This year the blog was viewed in 103 countries. The highest views came from:
1. Canada
2. United States
3. United Kingdom
4. Australia
5. Philippines 

We also hit a record 1100 views a month on the blog! Thank-you to all of my followers and readers.

Here are my top 10 favorite blogs of the year.

10. Ice on Whyte
Can't wait to go back to this again this year.

9. Harvie Ranching
I was thrilled to be asked to write this piece about our good friends at Harvie Ranching

8. Olympics in Pictures
These images capture so many great memories. Enjoy the photos here and here and here and here

7. A Little Inspiration
We all need one of these!

6. Ruffles
She will always be my #1 girl!

5. Welcome to Snobwood
A great way to spend all of our birthdays!

4. New York
This was an amazing trip. You can read all about it here and here and here and here

3. Animal Cruelty or Animal Instinct
The truth behind chuckwagon racing

2. 2010 Farmfair Supreme Show
Such a great experience, and it was awesome to come in 2nd and win the trailer!

1. Agribition.
Yet another steller show! You can read about it here and here and here and here and here

Hope you all have a great new year!

Hotel Tour: Red Deer Lodge

I figured that with working in the hotel industry, and for as many hotels as I stay in throughout the year, I should start a Hotel Tour!

I have seen it done on both the Pioneer Woman and most recently on The Farmer's Trophy Wife

My first stop will be the Red Deer Lodge. We stayed there on the weekend for the Checkers Sale.

Door to my room. Love the lit up door number!

The rooms were bright and clean

I had a room with 2 Queens as mom and dad were also staying

 

My problem came with the bathrooms...

Not a ton of light, and need some some major renos

Overall the room was decent. I would not pay the $150.00 that the rooms usually are, however, a hotel with lots of potential!