Vote with your dollar

Forget about Chipotle

A couple weeks ago, I read a great BEEF Daily post that hit the nail on the head. A lot of us have been up in arms about Chipotle's stand on animal agriculture and our feathers were ruffled even more with their recent ad campaign, Farmed and Dangerous. So much of our attention was focused on Chipotle, not the good kind, that we forgot about the good other companies do. It actually made me feel bad for companies like Culver's. They have invested a lot into supporting our industry and have basically been overshadowed and placed on the back burner with media due to Chipotle's stand.

Vote with your dollar is a key take away in this post. After reading this post I needed a pick-me-up-- so off to Culver's I went with my coworkers to support an company that supports us. I love seeing the Thank you, Farmers billboard as I drive down the highway. It makes me proud of where I've come from and what I do. And let's not forget about last summer when Culver's donated a dollar to the National FFA Organization for every thank you note sent to dairy and beef producers who help raise the food Culver's serves.

My family's been an avid supporter of Culver's since the get-go. They originated in Wisconsin ya know, so there is one in just about every town. Sometimes Culver's is the only place we can all be in agreement on when we're in the car headed to a .....cattle show, cattle sale, wedding, Fleet Farm, Tractor parts store, Mall, Panache, feed mill, graduation/anniversary/birthday party, random meeting...well you name it, with my family we could be headed anywhere! My dad's favorite part of Culver's is the flavor of the day. So much so that he picks up the Flavor Forecast calendars at his usual "Culver's stops" across the state so he can plan his sales calls accordingly. Oh, the perks of being a traveling salesman, hitting up multiple Culver's for your favorite flavors of custard. Yes, flavor forecasts can be accessed from your phone, Dad just hasn't quite updated to that "type" of phone!
N.Starr   

High Five for Spring

This post was actually intended to be a High Five for February post. But, since I've been MIA and busy it obviously didn't happen but the five things are too good not to share. So here are five things worth a shout out.

1. Introducing Miss Charlotte Starr Johnson
   I have a new niece born February 10. I couldn't be happier about having a girl to spoil. All along Isaac insisted he was going to have a sister, and called her baby ham). We're happy he was right, otherwise my mom and dad would had to be the bearer of bad news to explain he had to live with a brother. Forever. Now out of the blue, Isaac has started calling her 'Charlotte Baby Ham O'Johnson'. Poor thing, she's going to have to put up with a crazy brother.
2. Wisconsin Hereford Association-- Hall of Fame
   A week before Charlotte was born, my parents were inducted into the WHA Hall of Fame. It was so nice of them to honor my parents. A surprise to my parents, Lindsay and I did the introduction of them. We decided a roast would be the best route. Like any cattle family, we have a lot of good stories, that are just too good not to share. Thanks again, Wisconsin Hereford Assoc. for honoring my parents.
    
3. Winter, yes it's still here.
   Will it ever go away? It's March and still no signs of spring. It's been long enough, we're ready for the temperature to rise. At least there are nice people my work who surprise you by cleaning off the snow on your vehicle. Yes, a mystery. It was such a nice gesture that I immediately paid it forward and helped the person next to me brush off the 6+ inches we were so lucky to receive.

    

4. Escaping from the winter
   Luckily I got to get away from the cold and spend a week in California for World Ag Expo. A good tradeshow, tasty wine and comfortably being outside without a jacket is a win in my book.
5. Back in shape
   And now that things are calming down, working out has made its way into my routine. And here's to sticking! Bader Rutter Boot Camp is back and I've also joined the Sweat Shop at SnapFitness. On a side note, my mom has started doing personal training through a Snap Fitness and LOVES it!

N.Starr

At least the wine is delightful

We're freezing. Actually we're beyond freezing. Polar Vortex, arctic blast, the deep freeze. Whatever you want to call it; it's here. In full force! But we're not alone, everyone is in the same situation. Sending warm thoughts to everyone that has to work outside and care for the livestock.
Is there anyone that can relate to this wine glass? I only had to walk to my car after work and even that was enough for me to pour a glass of wine when I got home to warm up! Perhaps you're warming up with something stronger...
Needless to say I haven't gotten too far away from my holiday workout routine.

N.Starr

Holiday Beauty Swap

Tonight I'm linking up with Crystal Cattle for the Holiday Beauty Swap Link Up (while of course, cheering on the Packers in the play offs!). This was my first time participating in any swap and so glad I did. I was paired up with Lacey Jo from Arizona of Calamity Lace. It was fun to be introduced to a new blogger; come to find out we have a lot in common so I'm looking forward to adding another blog to my reading. Now on to the beauty products.
I've been on the hunt for a good lipstick-- essential for completing the look you're going for. Plus I need something that lasts through my 3+ cups of coffee at work. So I was thrilled when I opened the package and found two lip products that I haven't tried yet. First was a Trate lip product that reminded me of the Clinique chubby sticks. It goes on so easily and that it feels like I'm also moisturizing my lips. A must for this frigid Wisconsin weather! The second product was a Christian Dior lip gloss called Dior Addict. A nice gloss that can be worn over a lipstick or by itself. Both products work great with my fair skin tone. THANK YOU, Lacey!! Both were perfect. And I loved the cowboy boot card, perfect for my cowboy boot love affair! Check out Lacey's post to see what she got from me.

 

N.Starr

Oh Christmas Tree

It's the day after Christmas, some of who are already back at work (over-achievers) and some of you are like me... still in your PJs ignoring all the empty boxes and wrapping by sipping on your second cup of coffee. The thought has crossed my mind to workout but I think I'll settle on another of my Dad's homemade chocolates and hit the new year hard. This Christmas was a blast and I can't wait to share more with you. But first, I want to show you the Christmas trees that Mom and I slaved over the whole month. You remember reading about blinking barn lights and untangling extension cords, right? Well, here's the final result. Complete with trees, garland and old-fashion bulbs. It was worth freezing off fingers and all the swear words.

Believe it or not, our indoor tree was less work than the barn trees! How long do you keep your tree up? This tree is pretty dry so I have a feeling it will be coming down soon. I once heard that you'll have bad luck in the upcoming year if you take your tree down before January 1.

Does anyone hide a pickle ornament on their tree? My family just started doing this a few years ago. The old tradition is whoever finds the hidden pickle ornament gets an extra present. I was the lucky one who found it.

N.Starr

 

 

The Things Farm Girls Do...

On Black Friday

It was a low key Thanksgiving weekend at the Starr House. You see, we celebrated the weekend prior when both my sisters were home. That meant spending Thanksgiving Day resting up and energizing for the Black Friday door busters. We aren't your typical hard-core shoppers. For us it meant getting up 9am and eating pumpkin pie & ice cream for breakfast. Because why not, it's still technically a holiday. Splurge one last time and have dessert for breakfast. Such rebels! We were fairly certain our Black Friday deal would still be there when we got to town. Where at? Wal-Mart. Best Buy. Target. None of the above. Stine's Garden and Gifts was where it was at for the Starr ladies and where we would brag about the best deal we got on...

Yep! $15 dollars a piece and the high school boy even loaded them in the bed of the truck. A STEAL! Why so many? Well, get this: None are the Starr Family Christmas Tree. These didn't make the cut to be "the one" in which we put presents under or sit by while watching Hallmark movies (FYI-- we don't really do that! :))

Once again putting the cows before ourselves. These trees are for in front of the barn. This wasn't all glitz and glamour. Only half the strand of lights were working and the second string was blinking. We had more extension cords out than what you'd need on show day. And of course they were found at the bottom of the show box in a tangle mess, completely stiff from the cold. COLD! Yes, we were cold, fuses were being blown, our lives were risked being electrocuted from changing out so many bulbs. Finally we removed ourselves from the situation and blamed it on the fact that maybe we were pulling too much power with the dryer going on the corn. Turning the corn dryer off wasn't an option, can you imagine how thrilled my Dad would have been the next time he went to check the moisture?! But hey-- we get so many complements from friends when the barn is decorated for the holidays. The thought crossed our mind to get the generator out. But that's where it ended. With blinking lights. Until the corn is dry.

 

It'll get done. Because when it is its' picture is going straight to Pinterest and everyone will think 'well why didn't I think of that'. And everyone will be running to Stine's for the Christmas tree deal, but wait oh.... that's right it was a Black Friday special and they'll all be paying full price! Totally joking.
Want to know the real reason we're the crazy people in BFE who decorate their barn? Because it make a perfect Christmas photo-opp for our Red Healer.

 What was the Black Friday door buster you bragged about today?
N.Starr

It's Sale Day

Bidding is now open for the Johnson Family Cattle Co. on Breeders' World. Here's your opportunity to purchase cattle the have the style and balance needed for the showring but then can turn out in the pasture and be highly productive & profitable. Plus the people selling them are pretty great too!
Cheers to my sister and her family on a great sale! They're excited about this year's offering. Sale closes at 7pm CST.

Pretty pumped about this photo I took of the reds at the open house last weekend.

Tune in later this week. I'm sharing a cookie recipe that is an absolute must for any cattle event. Trust me, it was a crowd pleaser at the open house.

Happy Monday!
N.Starr

American's speaking Enliglish...Differently

Isn't funny when you travel or maybe just move to a different state how the lingo is totally different. How can the same things be called different things just because we're in another part of the country? When at cattle shows my sisters and I get picked on for our nasally Wisconsin accent. And I'll admit I think it would fun to have that southern drawl, but for now I'm stuck saying I'm from WisKONNNsin. Yesterday my sister, Danielle posted this news article that showed how Americans speak English in several ways. I've picked out my favorites, hopefully this is a good Friday laugh.

All I have to say to this one is...Why don't we have more of these....

 This one I don't agree on, I say pop. But supposedly SW Wisconsin people are soda drinkers.

And for the grand finale! I'm sure you'll think I'm a crazy cheesehead. But I drink out of a bubbler!

What crazy things do you say that turns heads from outa towners?

N.Starr

May Recap: Month of Celebration

Happy 25th Birthday to me!

I love birthdays. So much so that when I was younger I had multiple. A year. Yep, a birthday complete with cake, candles and presents (that I had wrapped). But what completed the party was the dress.. white with red polka-dots and ruffles..I mean, what else would it be? I'm glad I've stayed consistent with my fashions! As an adult (yikes that sounds so old... and responsible) I've continued with my love for birthdays. Instead of just celebrating one day I dedicate the whole month to birthday celebrating. Here's how I welcomed in year 25:

Kicking off the birthday month was a trip to Kansas City to see my sister and celebrate the Kentucky Derby. The derby is KC? Yep, that's right! Watched the big race at the Power & Light District and sipped on my first mint julep, which went down fairly smoothly. Some year we'll be sitting at Church Hill Downs, but the direct flight was much cheaper this year. Plus I finally got to see Danielle's apartment.

Sipping mint juleps, watching the Derby and a little shopping at Good Ju Ju. A fun girls weekend.

Next up was the real deal... Happy 25th to me! Supposedly the age where you should have your "shit" together. I'd say I'm doing pretty good. Thankful for getting up and going to a job I love with amazing coworkers and clients. Also thankful that they support my love for birthdays. It was a fun day!

But what's best about getting older is that now I get to share my birthday with my nephew. Now I don't share birthday with just anyone; I guess that shows how much I love Isaac. We have fun together. Isaac turned 2 on May 16. And turns out, he likes birthdays too! I wonder where he gets it from? A new work bench, garden tool set and pens to keep his animals contained with the highlights of a 2nd birthday.

Does it look like he already has a dip of chew in his mouth and he's heading out to check cows?

Last minute a friend from work, Amanda, had an extra ticket to the Kenny Chesney concert. Before she was finished explaining the details I had my checkbook out to pay for the ticket. It was a no brainer.... Kenny, Eric Church and Eli Young Band at Miller Park...Sign me up! We even got to tailgate before the game! Thanks again for letting me be part of the fun!

Memorial Day weekend concluded the month long partying...however I like to say it went out with a bang. Two weekends in a row at Miller Park. This time to watch the Brewers take on ..... um... OK I forgot who they played, I wasn't that in tune with the game. HOWEVER, I did get on the field so that counts for something right!? Not everyone gets to go on the field and get a behind the scene tour.

Michael and I grew up showing cattle together. Now he's the ground manager t Miller Park.
 Funny where how we all end up. Pretty cool to see some Hereford pictures in his office

 And lastly for a little farm action. We had our last calf and now it's breeding time to get our cows bred back. The corn is planted and just last weekend it was starting to sprout up. Here's to a better summer for the crops than we all had last year.

This little heifer was so little when she was born. Cutie-pa-tootie.

 N.Starr

What are Buck Nuts?

You know you're from a one-horse town when....

Walking into the fine dining establishment Buck Nuts is written on the board as a special.

This place has the best food in town and spares no expense at giving you the true feel for the town's northern Wisconsin character. 1) You walk in and everyone turns their bar stool to see who it is. If you see someone you know, your party of 5 could easily become a party of 10 or 15. They could have communal seating. 2)  Admiring dead animals on the wall, starring at horny light fixtures while ease dropping in on the town's gossip.
These are all true, accurate descriptions. But it's who the town is and most importantly the town that raised me, my sisters, my mom and my grandpa.
So Buck Nuts, what are they? I had never heard of them and was opting for a safer bet...a cheeseburger. Until the bartender told us they were jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, shredded cheese, an Oscar weeny and wrapped in bacon. Delic, my ears perked up, I was in. Especially since it'd been since Christmas since I indulged in these delicious bites of amazingness. In the words of the Pioneer Woman..."If you rub your eyes or scratch ANYTHING after handling, you'll be cursing the ground you walk on for days." Glad I took extra precaution when I made these and wore calving sleeves that went up to my arm pits.
The Buck Nut review...Loved every one those bucks and it went down great with a cold beer. But I must say, PW's Bacon-wrapped jalapeno things recipe is better, however they'll forever be referred to as Buck Nuts!

Yummy! It's wrapped in bacon, how can it NOT be amazing.
 

Going out and eating these is much easier than making them at home. Nothing says there's a farm girl in the kitchen like putting on the ruffly apron and calving sleeves! 

N.Starr

Irish Birthday Celebrations

Hurley Family Reunion -- St. Patrick's Day Style

Last Friday I cut out of work early for an Irish family reunion and wouldn't have missed it for the word. You see, my GREAT Aunt Sally and cousin Kathleen were visiting from Virginia. So a reunion was in order and we just so happened to celebrate a few birthdays. My Great Aunt Sally will be 88 on St. Patrick's (how lucky, I know!) and Great Uncle Ralph just turned 90. The birthdays in combination with family home called for a big party. The basement of my mom's cousin house was packed with people (most whom I didn't even know their names), but it didn't matter we knew we were related in some way, shape or form. Since the Hurley Family loves St. Patrick's Day we decided to get a head start on celebrating our Irish heritage.

You know you're Irish when..... you pack your flashing shamrock jewelry
just in case there's a party when you're coming home to Wisconsin. Aunt Sally,
my pen pal since before I could write, and Uncle Ralph are siblings. And remember my
Aunt Jo who makes jam? She's also their sister.   

I hope their good Irish genes are passed down to me! Over and over Aunt Sally (who is turning 88)
said, "Wow, I mean Ralph (her brother) really looks and gets around good for being 90 and all!" 
Talk about calling the kettle black.

 

I've always known (and been proud at the fact) that I am 50 percent Irish. But it didn't occur

to me just how true these genes were (and how lucky I am) until we were all gathered

around in our best Irish attire; telling stories, laughing ourselves silly, drinking beer and

SINGING. Enjoy the grand this grand finale! 

 

 

Battle of Cell Phone Carriers

First encounter with Sirri

This Facebook post describes the start of what I thought was a good, solid, entertaining relationship with a potential cell phone company. I was seconds away to being the owner of an iPhone (finally).Until things went south at check out when we began the process of porting my number from the old to the new carrier........

Sirri had the balls to tell me my current number was not transferable due to a Verizon/US Cellular agreement. After going into detail about it being a federal offense, he started "searching" for my soon-to-be new phone number- Just like that, like it was no big deal. Apparently Sirri didn't know that a cell phone number now days is considered a form of identification. In my opinion, it carries just as much weight as your social security number. I didn't hold back, I let him know what I thought. And from the blank look on his face, he was wishing he wouldn't have drawn the short straw in having to serve me. Now I don't know if they actually drew straw, but by the looks on their faces when I entered the store in my post workout wardrobe, they wanted to pass me off to the lowest guy on the totem pole. I may or may not have thrown a temper tantrum in the store and I may or may not have called my Dad to talk to Sirri and inform him that I MUST keep my current number. One thing for sure is, I walked out without the iPhone. I'm standing my ground on this one. Stay tuned to hear who wins this battle.
I'm off to the next cell phone store tonight. Here's to meeting another Sirri and not throwing a temper tantrum two nights in a row!

N.Starr

Take me back to summer 2012

Escaping the winter blues

Yesterday was a very special person's birthday, my great Aunt Jo. My Aunt Jo is quite the lady and we're very lucky to have her in our lives. In terms of the family tree, she is my Grandma Lindsay's (my mom's mom) sister. Did you get all that? I consider myself lucky because not a lot of people are close with their great aunts, uncles, second cousins etc. However, I am close with these people. And when the we get together we love every minute of it whether it be... to talk, laugh, cook or shop. God bless the men currently in and yet to come into our lives that have to put up with all these women! Anyways, my Aunt Jo is something else. Remember when we went to the National Western Stock Show? Well she traveled with us and spent the trip in Denver to see her son and daughter in-law. She was a good travel companion and made the long direct flight to Denver more entertaining.

Since Wisconsin is in a winter storm warning, I'd give anything for warm weather. So yesterday during the winter blizzard I drifted off to the summer of 2012 and recalled a weekend that Aunt Jo spent with us. She let me in on one of her talents. She passed down the tradition of making strawberry jam to the next generation. Me being the next generation:) It was a blast and boy is that strawberry jam a treat to enjoy year round. If you missed the post, you should really check it out. And if I remember right it was my Aunt Jo that convinced me to go car shopping and she also cheered  me on at Lambeau Field during the Packer 5K run. We packed a lot in just 48 hours.

Since I won't be taking a spring break or tropical island vacation to escape winter, I'll settle for the good summer memories made with family and friends when the weather was warm. And to be honest, I don't need to escape anywhere when everything I need is right here.  

Happy Birthday to Aunt Jo!

Jamin' with Aunt Jo.
Learning to make strawberry jam from a pro!
I've never had to follow directions so exact.
Timing is everything with jam making:)

 N.Starr

Raven's or 49er's?

Who's it going to be?

Even though Green Bay isn't in the Super Bowl, I'm still wearing my Packers sweatshirt today. Kick off will still go on with or without the Packers playing. Another thing that will still go on is the food and thank god for that. Love my Packers, but let's get real, the food is really why we love getting together on Sundays to watch the big game. If you're headed to a party tonight and still looking for a dish to pass, I thought I'd share my favorite game-time app courtesy of no other than the Pioneer Women. Jalapeno Poppers, yes my favorite, so much so that I could make a meal out of just them! Visit the PW website for the recipe. 
This recipe comes with a warning...

Jalapenos are HOT and Dangerous, take caution when handling! At Christmas time when making the poppers for a get together I got resourceful. For those that don't know what these are they're big plastic gloves used to artificially inseminate cows or use to help cows when calving. And they also serve a purpose in the kitchen when working with hot objects. Mark my word you DON'T want to handle a jalapeno and then scratch your eye, you'll be cursing the ground you walk on for days!

N.Starr

Dustin' off the Skis

Cross Country style

One Christmas morning, back when we were all fairly young, we walked down the stairs to find that Santa had left us cross country skis. Even my parents. Hmm I thought, besides the few school trips to Nordic "Mountain" we as a family are not skiers. What are we going to do with these? I remember using them a few times, I also remember falling A LOT and getting ticked because my two sisters were cross country ski naturals. We used them a few times around the drive way, to this day I still haven't seen my Dad up on ski's (water, downhill or cross country for that matter). The boots were put away into a closet and the skis found a new home in the garage. And there they sat to collect dust.
I was home this past weekend to see the family, spend time with Isaac and work on a bull we're consigning to an upcoming Hereford sale in March. My friend Brenda came to our place too and helped out. The bull was tied up chewing his cud and there wasn't much left to do, but it was soo sunny and nice out. One of those winter days were the fresh air was too good to be spending the afternoon in the house. Huh... what to do.... hey why not cross country ski? Yes! Let's go... but wait which closet in the house did we decide was a "good", "obvious" place to store the boots? Standstill moment, till we were on the mad search of tearing apart the house. We found them and thank god there were at least two sizes that fit us. Pretty sure I've been the same shoe size since the 6th grade. Boots on... Boots clicked into skis...(This one took me a couple tries) and poles in hand... After a few practice laps around the drive away we were off. To the cross country trails? Of course not! Down the road to the lane my Dad takes with the tractor to get into the fields.

Like a pro!

Carhartts so fashionable.... I'm kidding...
Working in the barn to cross country skiing.

Skiing down the lane and then to my grandpa's house, all without any injuries! Falling down?? Well, maybe just a couple times. But I can't wait to go again (hopefully next weekend), I love it and what great exercise. Do you have a favorite winter outside activity?

Back to Reality

So close to Friday

It's always hard coming off a fun trip to a cattle show, getting caught up on work and on top of that dealing with the Denver crud. Yes, it's hit me and by the looks of my newsfeed I'm not alone. Most everyone that was in Denver is dealing with the annual January crud.
The weather has been MISERABLY COLD. So cold your checks turn cherry red and you just want to cry (I'm a baby). You also know it's cold when you get excited to see 30* in the 5-day forecast. Yes, I don't appreciate dealing with dry skin and having to bundle up but during the week the weather doesn't inconvenience me. I start my car 15 minutes before heading to work, sit in an office (which may be a bit chilly for me), start my car again to warm up before driving home to a warm house. If this is you then you're probably not aware of how the cold affects farmers and ranchers.
It was back to reality this week at the Starr Farm as well. I was talking to my mom one evening earlier this week; they had just gotten in the house from unthawing a waterer. Because of the below freezing temperatures it had froze up, so the cows couldn't get anything to drink. Just like people it's important they stay hydrated. It just so happens this one is the only water source for two of the pastures, located near the grand buffet. So mom and dad bundled up in their Carhartts and unthawed the "water fountain". 


A cow version of a drinking fountain.

So case in point, the next time you're complaining about how cold and miserable it is, is it really that big of an inconvenience? Think of all the people going out in the cold to feed wagons of hay or milk their cows, bed down huts with straw for warmth and get up in MULTIPLE times in the night to see if there are any cows calving that need help.  Have you thanked a farmer today? 


Happy New Year!

Yes, I back! The hustle and bustle of the crazy holidays is finally over and we've been greeted with a new year! I can't wait to share with you the fun things I did over break, Christmas with the family and what the new year has in store.
Most of the blogs I follow have shared new years resolutions and top posts of 2012. All neat ideas and what I was planning on doing until... BAM! I woke up on Wednesday to red, watery eyes. HUH? That's strange it must have been my contacts etc. didn't think much of it. Guess it was going to be a glasses kind of day for my first work day of 2013. Thank god my outfit could accommodate a last minute switch to wearing my glasses. But then as the day went on, the redness became worse and I kept thinking 'uhh I can't wait for 5 O'clock so I can just go home and shut my eyes'. Since it wasn't getting better I decided a trip to the urgent care was in order. My baby blues aren't something to mess around with.
After filling out all the dreaded paper work and sitting in the waiting room, only to I'm sure catch my next illness, the nurse finally called me back. After the usual questions, blood pressure and heart beat SHE had the NERVE to ask me to step on the SCALE. Come on lady, we're only a week past Christmas, couldn't she have given me a pass?! But no I had to step on the scale only for the number to confirm that I did in fact eat too many of my dad's homemade, delicious chocolates. Oh you haven't heard.... yes, he'll be putting Godiva gotta business someday.
Back to my eyes.... the doctor wasn't even in the room, took once quick glance and announced a confirmed case of PINK EYE! Gross, yuck. Where did I get that? In my opinion there are only two classes of mammals that get pink... little kids and Hereford cattle. (I know certain readers who will get a kick out of that comment, my brother in-law included!) I don't fit into either one of those.
So here I sit for a couple day in isolation, applying drops ever 3 hours and disinfecting everything in sight. Operation Sanitation is my current motto. The lovely nurse also informed me that pink eye is no way to start the new year, she was a real piece of work.
Expect the unexpected. Go with what life throws at you. This is minor, I'm confident 2013 will be a year for the record books. I'll be living each day to the fullest in no time....that is once I'm able to put my contacts in and have made a trip to the MAC counter for new makeup and brushes (yes, had to throw all that out).
Cheers to a crazy, hectic one-of-kind New Year!
N.Starr

Let's have a party - Thanksgiving style

Hostess&Mostest

We're a few days out from the day where it's perfectly acceptable to consume thousands upon thousands of calories, so why not have a party. That's what we're planning on doing at the Starr house. We're doing something new this year: It's just going to be us, the immediate family, for Thanksgiving. This won't be like most years when we host a bunch of people or when we spend it at my Grandma's with lots of cousin, aunts, uncles etc. This year it won't matter what time we eat or what we're wearing. Just a low-key, relaxing day with my parents, two sisters, brother in-law and nephew. We're each making a little something, hopefully I can pull through on the family recipe. Stay tuned.

Feeling overwhelmed with all the Christmas commercials? It's OK, I get annoyed with the rush to Christmas too. Thought I share the most uplifting, make-you-wanna-throw-a-turkey-in-the-oven-whip-up-some-mashed-potatoes-and-have-a-party Thanksgiving commercial. It's my favorite and I hope it gets you in the spirit.

There are so many fun Thanksgiving words that go together, which were your favorite?

Mine were New & Tradition, Hostest & Mostest being second.

N.Starr

Going once, going twice, SOLD

It's sale time!

An exciting time of  year. While not as much fun as cattle shows, the sales are a pretty fun time too. Anytime I'm around good cattle and good friends, I can't complain. Sales have a thrilling, get the blood pumping, big money type atmosphere. And to me, nothing means real business than the sound of an autioners' voice. 
Yesterday my parents picked me up and we headed to East Troy, WI to support our friends in the Badger Select Sale.

The first thing you do at a sale in grab a catalog and head out to the pens to
 get a good, up-close look at what's being sold. We ended up being just bidders and buyers.

Each animal is brought into this small ring and auctioned off one at a time. Before the sale starts there are a few announcements and acknowledgements and usually there's the playing of the Star Spangle Banner. These were very close-knit families that put on the sale who have kids involved. To include them in the sale, each held a small flag while they lead the national anthem. The crowd sang along. It was a great reminder that kids play a large role in this industry and are the future. Way to go Jones and Kegley kids!

It was cold. I had to bundle up. Thank god scarves are popular, otherwise I would have looked like just another plain Jane northern'er! And being the cowgirl boot addict I am, I have to showcase my Ferrini boots. Never heard of this brand until recently. Fairly comfortable, reasonably priced. But what I like most are the cream decorative tops. It's not often you see this.  

 N.Starr

Baby Shower & Cattle Shows

They go together, right?

We like our cows. We like going to shows. But we are also regular ladies that like to ooh and awe over cute baby things. Why not combine the two? Last weekend at the World Beef Expo in Milwaukee we had a fun girls afternoon at the end of the barn and set up a baby shower. A bunch of ladies drinking wine (except for the mom-to-be) and looking at cute baby girl clothes. If you were there and wondering who all the clacking women were, yes, that was us:) It's hard to get everyone together, so we figured a baby shower at a cattle show (where we all already were) would be a fine place.

Future Aunt Jamie, Soon-to-be Momma Lesley, and the excited Grandma Holly.
Wine bottles in a pink water bucket fit the theme:)

A sleeper with an embroidered Hereford and the family's farm name. Aunt Jamie went all out.
This future showman will be the best dressed before she's old enough to hit the ring.

Not the best picture, but I had to post. Instead of regular cake, cake pops were served. Fun cake balls on a stick and my oh my, soo good. If you're needing some in the Milwaukee area, I recommend Haute Pops by Kate. She was great to work with and even delivered to the Wisconsin State Fair grounds. Now that's service!

A baby shower at a show may sound odd to most, but to us was perfectly normal. We were with some of our best friends, young and old, who have either helped raise us or we've grown up together.

N.Starr