Tuesday, February 26, 2013

{Sale Day Fashion} Family Traditions Bull Sale





After a cold and rainy day last Thursday, the sun was shining for our sale on Saturday. Actually it was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine. Which always makes for a better sale day. Beautiful weather for people to look at bulls! 



Button Up: Talbots
Sweater: Talbots
Jeans: Lane Bryant 
 I have been struggling with this button up since I got it back in October. I loved it in the magazine, but have had a hard time pairing it with something for the perfect outfit. I was happy with how this turned out. The paisley print is bright and colorful, which I thought paired nicely with my bubble necklace. 


Have you invested in the bubble necklace? I'll be honest... when I find a trend that I like I buy a few different colors. So let's just say I have a nice color wheel of this necklace. 

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

{Sale Day Fashion} Dixie National


I have been to Jackson, Mississippi the last three years for the Dixie National Show & Rodeo, and every year the weather has been awful. You would think that heading south in February would bring warmer weather, but it is something about that show that brings the cold to the south. One year if even snowed, and they don't know how to handle that.

So I was VERY happy when the weather forecast showed some warmer temperatures this year for this event. It was still chilly when the wind was blowing, but no need to break out the winter gear. Sadly, after we left on Sunday they did have some flooding and tornadoes in the area. Thinking of those affected.

Here is a photo from our sale. This is the first lot in the sale. She was purchased for $3,000 and will now have a new home in Indiana. If you would like to know more about how the sale did you can learn more here.


And here is what I wore: (Again, end of the day) 

Jeans: Seven by Lane Bryant
Collared Shirt: Ralph Lauren
Vest: Tommy Hilfiger
Necklace: Premier Jewelry
Earrings: Nigro's Western Store

Of course, being in the south the only way to eat something is fried! And the Dixie National is just the place to get your fried food fix. 

Hello Chicken on a Stick!
Fried Chicken Nugget
Fried Onion
Fried Pickle
All on a stick! 

Until the next sale!



Friday, February 8, 2013

TGIF! High Five!



How has your week been?

1. I participated in a Valentine's Day blogging party. I got paired with Amelia over at Mellow Fellow. Check out my post about our gift exchange! 


2. Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did you see the awesome Dodge commercial during the 4th quarter promoting Agriculture. Here were my thoughts. 


 3. The corgis went to get groomed this week at PetsMart. When I picked them up they had put these adorable bows in Gabby Mae's hair. I loved it! She kept them in most of the day.


 4. We got a new restaurant which is a HUGE deal for us. We tried it out this week, and it was really good. Looking forward to having a place we can go to and not have to drive to Lexington. I had the Pesto Pizza. 


 5.  Last weekend, Drew and I were in Fort Worth. Check out this awesome furniture that was on special during the stock show. You could get everything for $3,500 which I thought was a really good deal. One day I'd love to have a big house that I could decorate in this type of decor. 


Hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Valentine's Day Blog Party!

Over the last few months I have tried really hard to be a better blogger. One of those ways I am trying is to broaden my blog reading. Back in January I stumbled upon a bloggers Valentine's Day Party hosted at From my Grey Desk Blog and a few other bloggers. By joining the party, they paired you with another blogger. You then checked out their blog, read a little about them, and then sent them a nice Valentine's Day surprise.



I was paired with The Mellow Fellow goes for a ride whose name is Amelia and from Oregon. I checked out her blog to see what things I could dig up about her and to inspire my gift.

I admire people who are creative enough to have an Etsy shop. And she does (check it out here)! And even better... today when my package arrived it had items from her shop, which of course, we Valentine's Day themed! She even included something for my Gabby Mae! Gabby will look awesome in her Valentine's Day scarf all the way from Oregon! She also included a homemade treat (chocolate not to be shared with dogs). You can find out about my chocolate treats on her blog.


Another thing you can learn from Amelia's blog is that she is a pug lover! We are both dog lovers! She actually commented about my sweet dogs when were exchanging information. So it was no surprise when I received an animal card!


Thanks for the awesome Valentine's Day goodies Amelia! Here is her post about what I sent her!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Does Fort Worth ever cross your mind?

Back in 2009 the Fort Worth Stock Show was one of the first event Drew travelled to with us for a DP Sales event. There is a very long story behind how the whole trip went down, but if you asked either one of us - it would be agreed upon that is where we "knew." In fact, I celebrated my birthday while we were there, and on my birthday he told me he loved me for the first time. 

Last week I was preparing some marketing tools for the 2014 National Simmental Sale we will be managing in Fort Worth. Drew and I were getting ready to travel to this years' stock show to visit, PR, and get things scheduled for next year. All the wonderful memories of 2009 were coming back. 

While looking for some pictures from the sale I stumbled upon this oldie but goodie. This was at Billy Bob's where we saw Cross Canadian Ragweed. 

Since we were there without cattle and without a sale to manage we got to mix business with pleasure. We ventured down to the Fort Worth Stockyards to dine at Lonesome Dove Western Bistro which Tim Love is the chef/owner. He was on the recent season of "The Next Iron Chef," and was unfortunately the first person kicked off. Who cares - we still enjoyed a great meal!

Top: Elk Sausage Slider, Seared Foie Gras, Blackberry Jam
Right: Blue Corn Lobster Hushpuppies
Bottom: House Smoked Salmon, Roasted Beet, Pickled Poblano
Left: Duck Confit Spring Rolls
Our meal started with some great appetizers. They have a ton of appetizers to choose from, but they actually have it individually priced (not on menu) so you can sample a few. They give you one of each of your choice so you can have a sampler! The Elk Sausage Slider was my favorite and Drew's was the  Duck Confit Spring Roll. The salmon was also very good, but I couldn't make myself eat the beet.


They serve things in courses, so for our second course Drew had the Green Chili which our waiter highly recommended, and Drew enjoyed thoroughly. He said it wasn't spicy, but I just wasn't believing it! I had the "house salad" which was butter lettuce, smoked bacon, and a chili buttermilk. The dressing had a slight kick to it at first, but it wasn't too spicy after that. The bacon was the best part (of course)! You can see jalapenos in the picture, but I left those be!


Hmm..by this time we don't have a lot of room left in our bellies, but our entree's are arriving! We both ordered the same thing. The Roasted Garlic Stuffed Beef Tenderloin is find of their speciality dish there at Lonesome Dove. The demi-glace over top of it was super rich, but super yummy. And of course there were family -style side items, which really are never a good idea. You never really eat them because you've had too much food already, but always order them anyways.


 On the right is a white truffle mac and cheese, which was just alright. I ALWAYS try to eat whatever has truffle in it because it is super fancy, but I think I have only really enjoyed it, maybe, twice. BUT - on the left is the fried spinach. Drew didn't love, but I thought it was delicious. It was super thin and crispy almost like a potato chip. Highly recommend.

Drew informed me half way through our entree that he would not be splitting a desert with me. I checked out the desert menu, but nothing spoke to me. It was probably better that way.

Overall, very yummy Texas-inspired restaurant, and one I am glad to have dined at. We already look forward to taking mom and dad there next year when we are in town. Go to Lonesome Dove and eat your spinach!


Monday, February 4, 2013

So God Made a Farmer



Paul Harvey's "So God Made a Farmer" has been instilled in the hearts and minds for many FFA members for years. He delivered this powerful poem at the 1978 National FFA Convention.

Fast forward to the 2000's when I, a Bourbon County FFA Member sat in the final session of the Kentucky FFA Convention. Starched white shirt, black skirt, black panty hoses, and the one of my most prized possessions which is made of heavy blue corduroy. At his voice begins to come over the convention haul. It's loud and powerful.  I was moved.

Again, in 2005, I sat in the same exact outfit heavy with emotions. I was running for the opportunity to serve the Kentucky FFA Association as a State FFA Officer. And that day, "So God Made a Farmer" was just a bit too much for me. The tears; they poured. For my nerves, for the future, for the past, for the many farmers who had helped me back it to that day.

A year later we were back at the Galt House preparing for our last session as State Officers. Our orders for an emotional morning were directed to us by Matt Chaliff. You don't go out into the hall before the session and you don't watch nor listen to "So God Made a Farmer." Did we listen to his orders? No. I ventured into the hall- big mistake...tears. I watched "So God Made a Farmer" - more tears.

I'll be honest after that day it is hard for me to listen to Paul Harvey's masterpiece. It brings back lots of emotions. So as I was watching the Super Bowl and the cheesy commercial, I was floored to see Dodge's commercial. I actually had to ask if it was So God Made a Farmer. It took a lot not to let the tears begin to flow, but I felt a new emotion. Pride. How awesome that Agriculture and the National FFA Organization; both two things I hold dearly in my heart, were showcased on one of the most widely viewed events of the year. I wonder how Paul Harvey would feel seeing his address to the convention hall in '78 rolling in the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl. It was a beautiful moment.

I'm sure most of you have seen it by now. If you have - watch it again.  Support our farmers, agriculture, and the National FFA Organization. 2013 has been named the Year of the Farmer. Let the celebration begin!