Farming- Part 6

Another week has went by and the crops are coming along nicely. The hay crops are finally getting wrapped up, and now the next focus is the cereal crops and canola.

Some of the cereal crops have been taken off as silage, and the rest will become grain used for either animal feed, human consumption, or seed for the next years crops. 

Just another week or so and this crop will be ready

This canola crop will need a bit of time

Because it was so wet, there are lots of weeds in the crops

 

What to Wear: Day at the Beach

We all have those days that we head to the beach or the lake. You want to look great, but need a practical outfit. I love this sailor/nautical look. Would be great for a friends birthday, or just a night out with the friends.

Sailor Look by slycattle featuring valentino shoes

H M flared dress, £13
Valentino shoes, $295
ASOS fold over clutch, $27
KidViskous anchor necklace, $50
Borsalino sailor hat, $160
Retro style sunglasses, £69

Time For A Party

Everyone loves a good party. And there is no better reason to get people together than to celebrate an upcoming marriage and welcoming someone new into the family.

When Crystal and Jon got engaged the 2 questions that I got asked the most were: 1) how did he propose, and 2) what is he like?

With Jon and Crystal both living so far away, not many of our family members have actually been able to meet him before. With the exception of a few cousins that were at Agribition this past year when Jon came up to meet us, our extended family has just heard stories and seen a few pictures.

When the 2 of them got engaged we knew it was the perfect time to through a party and let everyone see what Crystal knew a long time ago... what a great guy Jon is!

Now every family likes to through parties. You may celebrate Christmas, a birthday, Mother's Day, the standard holidays. Being a Groeneveld, we don't just through parties, we have the best, more outrageous, extravagant, over the top parties. I am not sure of to many other families who will completely turn a calving barn into a Halloween wonderland, or that will have 75 people over for Christmas Eve, just so that we can all get together. Let's just say that things are never simple or boring.

The best ones at planning the family parties are definitely Heather and Kim. These ladies have so much creativity and style sense that whatever they work on turns out great. That is why I was not shocked at all when this little package showed up in the mail for Crystal and Jon's party!

I can only imagine what the rest will look like. Regardless, it's going to be a great time with family, friends, and a few cocktails!

The Passing of a Legend

Yesterday the cattle industry lost a great friend in Walk Browarny.

Our family got to know Walt as he was always the go to photographer for any cattle events we attended. You would always run into him at the picture backdrop after your class, or walking through the barn at the Calgary Stampede.

Over the years I have heard countless stories of Walt. I will always remember him as a extremely talented photographer, a true friend to the cattle industry, and a man that would sometimes be a bit grumpy but had a heart of gold underneath his tough skin.

Both Crystal and I had the opportunity to work with the Browarny crew at shows. I always enjoyed being able to work alongside Walt and learn. I can remember helping at 4-H on Parade one year. I had never photographed anything other then beef cattle, but we would get me to help with the horses, sheep, and dairy cattle, just so I could get the experience and learn. He was always patient and there to answer any questions I had.

Walt has taken thousands of beautiful photographs over the years. However, there are 2 that will always stick out in my mind. They may be old now, but they are just as meaningful and beautiful as they were when he took them.

Parisien, the first Simmental bull in Canada

An icon Walt Browarny photo of ranching in Alberta

This January I Am Angus did a feature video on Walt and his involvement at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. It really does capture Walt at his finest and doing what he loved the most.

Top 5 Looks- Victoria Beckham

5. Professional Soccer Wife

 

4.  Fashion Icon

3. Coats & Jackets

2. DVB Jeans

1. Victoria Beckham Collection

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Hat Parade- Canadian Derby Style

What to Wear: First Day of Work

We all have those days. It is your first day of work, and you have looked for the perfect outfit for a week straight. You want to come across professional, but still be approachable and be ready to work.

Try this outfit or something similar to it next time. I think it just might be what you are looking for!

What to Wear: First Day of Work by slycattle featuring tote hand bags

Burberry silk crepe dress, £248
Marc jacobs coat, $369
Christian Louboutin pointed toe pumps, $695
Balenciaga tote hand bag, $1,445
Freshwater pearl jewelry, $200
Tahitian pearl jewelry, $85

Canadian Derby 2011

The girls and I decided to head out to Northland Park and watch the Canadian Derby. I had went with the family a long time ago and we had a great time. So it was time to pick out a hat and go again.

We are a little slacking in the hat department, but Brett and Quinn picked these up just that morning! Not bad for some last minute shopping!

There was a huge crowd and some great hats, more on that later this week though. Although it is not quite the same caliber of horses and fashion that you see at the Kentucky Derby, it was still really fun to go and see it all.

I even did a little betting on the races. I won a whole $2.25 on the day, but it beats losing money!

Derby day 2011 was a success for sure. We are already planning on shopping for hats earlier this year and making a big splash next year!

#43- See Taylor Swift in Concert

Well last night I was able to cross of another item in my 101 in 1001 list! I have always wanted to see Taylor Swift in concert. I really like her music, and find her to be such a great performer and entertainer. There were some pretty high expectations for the concert last night, and boy she sure did not disappoint!

In most concerts there are a few costume changes, a light show, and that is about it, especially when it comes to country music. Last night there was all of that and so much more. Taylor did easily 5-10 costume changes, had multiple set changes, 2 stages, fireworks, a light show, aerial dancers, and regular dancers as well. Oh and she also flew overhead.

She is a true entertainer with the night being full of her telling her stories. It was very dramatic and theatrical, at some points in the night it looked like she was going to cry in a sad song, or was playing several characters during the show.

I would highly suggest going to see her. The place was filled with some any different types of people. Everyone from you little girls, to grandma and grandpa's. Taylor is a true singer and entertainer, and reminds me of a young Reba in her hay day!

Oh and did I mention that I got to touch her? Not bad for a Thursday night out...

Farming- Part 5

Well it is time for the latest version of the Prairie Farm Report, or my version anyways.

Things here in Alberta are kicked into high gear now! Many farmers are sitting in their combines, tractors, and trucks right now doing the silage for this year. Silage is when grain is cut before it is fully ripe, and chopped up. Instead of laying it down on the ground, it is put into large trucks and hauled to a pit. The silage that comes in in not a dry feed, so when it makes it to the pit it must be packed to be air tight so it will not mold. The feed is then stored until the winter months and fed to the livestock, mainly cattle. This can be used as a replacement for hay or instead of supplementing with grain.

Anyways, back to the crops! Here are the latest pictures of my two fields I have been watching since spring.

The canola crop looked like this 3 weeks ago. It was in full bloom and had such pretty yellow flowers. Those flowers have now all fallen off as the crop ripens. Soon it will be cut and let lay there to ripen and let the seeds in the pods turn from a green to a black color.

This barley crop is also coming along nicely. It is starting to turn a golden yellow color, and lose the green color. This crop could go for silage and be cut early, or it will be let to fully ripen and dry and be a really nice golden yellow color when it is ready to be harvested. I will keep an eye on it and see what happens!

Wordless Wednesday: The Rest Of NYC