That's a lot of turquoise

Bam

Remember this summer when I was helping out with the Summer Synergy Blogs? Well as a sweet thank you they got me a gift card to Junk Gypsy. (Official thank you letter has not been sent because I wanted to wait and tell you what I spent my Junk Bunks on).

When I got that gift certificate I knew exactly what I would be purchasing.

It is a-maz-ing!

Junk Gypsy thank you for all your amazing turquoise jewelry. You make Turquoise Thursdays rock. 

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I have an addiction to Pinterest

So what I like bulletin boards.

So I really like bulletin boards. I have two in my office, a couple in my bedroom and if I wasn't a renter there would probably be more. And came along this thing called Pinterest. I've talked about it before, but the skinny is that is it a virtual pin board in which you pin ideas or pictures to categorized boards. You can also look through other people's boards and repin the items they have found.

Not only is it an amazing way to get creative inspiration, items for supper and is helping me plan my wedding, but the best part is when you pin something you can go back to the pin and click on the link in the upper right hand corner.

Turquoise necklace found here 

That will then take you back to the website or blog that the item was originally found on. Genius. No more bookmarking a million websites. 

In the next couple weeks I thought I would start to feature some of my favorite pins from my favorite board. Let's start with Burlap! The Boy and I are using Burlap as one of our wedding colors, so I have been finding all kinds of goodies. 

Source: jillruth.com via Crystal on Pinterest

This dry erase board is really cute. 

Source: todaysfabulousfinds.blogspot.com via Crystal on Pinterest

You'll find all kinds of tutorials and DIY projects on Pinterest. 

Source: None via Crystal on Pinterest

Of course I would love the burlap bulletin board.

Source: kasiascrafts.blogspot.com via Crystal on Pinterest

Would be so easy to make. Gotta have a touch of turquoise in there. 

Source: vivaterra.com via Crystal on Pinterest

Way out of my budget, but definitely on my dream wish list.

Are you on Pinterst? If so let me know. 

You have read this article decorations / social media with the title September 2011. You can bookmark this page URL https://miavamp22.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-have-addiction-to-pinterest.html. Thanks!

It's Harvest Time - Corn Report

Handfuls of Gold

See the dents in the
kernels? One sign the corn
is ready for harvest. 

I always think corn looks like gold. Which maybe is a little true because those kernels are worth a pretty penny. As I made my trip northeast this weekend it was fun to see which fields had been harvested and which were a long ways away.

The Boy's family is one of those that aren't quite in full swing. Remember when we talked about the milk line? Well right now there is still too much moisture in the corn. So there are two options 1. Wait for the corn to mature more and dry on the stalk - downfall is that some family's have contracts they have to fill so they need to get the corn harvested or 2. Harvest the corn and then use dryers and fans to bring the moisture down - this can be expensive because of the cost to fuel needed for the dryers.

I learned all this hanging out at the elevator this weekend.

I also am now an expert at moisture testing corn. You could easily become an expert, too. 

First the trucks haul the corn from the field to the elevator. The trucks weight in when they arrive and when they leave to help calculate the bushels of corn. 

The truck then drives into this covered shed. I forgot to ask the technical term so we are going with open ended covered shed.

The corn is then dumped in this hole (more technical terms). From here the corn will move to the dryer or to storage.

Then in one quick scoop you stick a coffee can in that stream of corn to collect a sample. 

This is the corn moisture testing machine. A sample of corn is placed in the holder. Then you press the button that says A. I'm a pro at this part. 

And boom it gives you a number. This corn is at 26.1% moisture, which is way too high for storage, so they'll have to dry this corn. We want the corn to be dried down to 15% moisture. That way it won't mold.

That big truck that came in had about 860 bushels on corn in it, and when that corn is dried down we'll be left with about 710 bushels. The future father in law did some math for me and with corn being worth about $6 right now the corn in that truck is worth about $5,000! 

And since yesterday we talked about what fashion apparel you where to a cattle sale, this is what you where at the elevator. Purple Polo hat because K-State is awesome and they beat Miami, a warm jacket because it is getting cold - yeah for fall, my new favorite scarf from Southern Jewlz, and my favorite accessory - the Boy! Happy harvesting.

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Going once, going twice, sold for $17,500

It's a cattle sale. 

On Friday, I jumped in my car and headed south to a cattle sale. Sales are one of my favorite things to go to. There are lots of friends to be seen, good cattle and the excitement of the sale. Plus, you got to look good!

This was my going to a cattle sale outfit. I love this new scarf from Southern Jewlz, I'm wearing a Banana Republic collared shirt, jeans, and a combination of MAC and Mary Kay make-up. I have more pictures posted of the accessories on my facebook page. 

Now this sale was different than the cattle sales that happen everyday at your local auction barn or market. Eby Ranch has purebred cattle, just like a purebred dog. Their cattle have a registration paper and are worth more money because we use purebred cattle for breeding stock.

The sale was called the Friday Night Lights sale, and they sold Angus and Simmental cattle. The two heifers (girls) above are February babies.

The also sold a bunch of cows with their babies. Aren't these guys cute!

This sale was a little unique as they didn't bring the cattle into a ring to be sold. Instead the cattle stayed outside and they showed videos of the cattle as they were being sold. 

At this sale people could call in their bid, bid in person and even bid over the Internet. 

One heifer even sold for $17,500! She was definitely the exception and the whole sale averaged just over $3,000. A lot of money, but raising purebred cattle isn't cheap. Not only is there the day to day cost of feed, land, employees, but there are also extra costs for marketing and registering the cattle. 

Here is a video of the $17,500 heifer selling. At first the "block man" gives a spiel about how good she is, and then the auctioneer starts. Towards the end of the video the ringman (person taking bids) is taking bids from two different people that are in the same area. 

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A Southern Jewlz Turquoise Giveaway

Heads up girls, you'll have to act fast. 

My friends at Southern Jewlz not only have great style, but they also have a great blog. And today they have an awesome giveaway on their blog aka these Turquoise earrings.

Turquoise Earrings by Sookie Sookie Jewelry

All you have to do to enter is visit their blog, comment on any of their posts and they will draw a winner tonight at 7PM. Simple as that. 

You can also shop through all the Sookie Sookie Jewelry pieces at their online store. 

Isn't that big turquoise heart necklace with the key hole great! 

I am also a big fan of this turquoise cross ring. 

And if you have a few more dollars to throw down this piece is amazing. I don't think I have ever seen a turquoise necklace so unique. Happy shopping and good luck!

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Harvest time in Alberta

Fall is in the air. 

Sorry for the lack in blogging the past few days. The Boy and I were in Alberta over the weekend and although it was a super quick trip I still feel a little bit in vacation blogging mode. 

It was a perfect time to be home. The leaves were just starting to change. Fall is a quick season in Alberta. The leaves usually change yellow one day and not too long after they have fallen off the trees. That is one of my favorite parts of the Midwest is the gorgeous Falls with brilliant colors. 

Harvest was in full swing when we where home. In July when I made another quick trip this is what the fields looked like. 

A view from the sky above. The bright yellow fields are canola. As in canola oil. 

And this is what the crop looked like from the ground. However fast forward a month and a half and...

This is what that yellow field now looks like. The crop has been cut. The next step will be for it to go through a combine. 

Those long skinny pods contain seeds in them. When the material goes through a the combine (huge piece of farm equipment) those seeds will be collected. Canola seed contain 40-43 percent oil.

Image via

This is what the seed looks like. According to the Canola Council of Canada there are more than 52,000 Canadian farmers that grow canola, and producer 20 percent of the world's canola. Thanks farmers!

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Fall Equals Pumpkins

They are everywhere

Last week the pumpkins arrived at Wal-Mart (yup I am a Wal-Mart shopper), and although Wal-Mart is usually a couple months ahead of every season (expect Christmas decor soon) I am ready for Fall.

I figure what way is better to celebrate fall than pumpkins! Yes, I know other would say harvest, corn stalks or scarf weather, but this year I am really excited about pumpkins.

Like pumpkins like these. You can read the pumpkin tutorial here, but basically this requires washing the pumpkin, spray paint and stick on numbers. Done. Check our Twig and Thistle for all kinds of cool decorating tips.

Did you know the top producing pumpkin states are Illinois, Ohio, Pennslyvania and California.

There are so many carveless pumpkin DIY ideas out there. You can read the tutorial here, but it involves white acrylic paint and black paint markers. You could do all kinds of designs. Maybe a polka dot pumpkin?

Did you know that pumpkins are 90% water.

I also love thumb tack pumplins, and this monogram one is great. Amy from All in a Day actually used a foam pumpkin, so this one will last forever. She has a really clever trick, so definitely check out her thumb tack pumpkin tutorial.

I love these nailhead pumpkins! I think they are amazing, and I'm adding these to my DIY Fall project. You can find the Nailhead Pumpkin tutorial here.

If you are traditional and need some pumpkin carving inspiration check out this pumpkin carving post of mine from last year. You could also just make a pumpkin burger! 

From the latest Food Network Magazine.

I hope you have an awesome weekend. The Boy and I are headed home to Canada for an engagement party. Should be a great time with lots of friends and family. 

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365 days ago I went to Australia

Across the Ocean 
I was a year ago today I flew from Kansas City to Minneapolis to Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia, for a 30 day trip of a life time. I shared a few Australia posts yesterday and today I've got a couple more posted to share with my mates (get it).

Yes, that really is the Sydney Opera House - definitely one of the most exciting moments for me on my trip. There I was thousands of miles away from home, in a city where I knew no one, standing there looking at the Opera House. Going to Australia was always a dream and goal of mine and seeing the Opera House made it all seem real.

Mary had a little lamb - Yup there are lots of sheep in Australia. That was the one thing I brought back for myself was an Australian sheepskin. And it is so soft. Lamb is one of the things I miss the most about Australia. We ate it, like I eat beef here, and so far I have been too afraid to cook it here. I need to import one of my Aussie friends so they can do some cooking for me.

My Million Dollar Aussie Ideas - yes when I was in Australia I figured out how to make my millions. Now, I haven't found an investor to start on this little project, so if you are interested let me know. It involves possums and hair straightens. No animals were hurt in this blog post.

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A Turquoise Wedding

Here comes the bride.

My shower gift to Jaci.
We hung her wedding dress on
it for pictures. 

No, we aren't talking about my wedding, rather my future sister-in-law's wedding. Over Labor Day weekend Jaci and Jason got hitched. It was a beautiful wedding with a beautiful bride, and the groom looked good too.  Plus, she choose turquoise/Tiffany blue/pool as her wedding color. Every company has a different name for the color. I thought it would be only fitting that I feature her wonderful wedding in a Turquoise Thursday.

Our first mission. Get the bride into her dress. 

The dresses Jaci picked were in a color called Pool. Not only did they look great, but they were super comfortable. The sandals came from Aldo. 

The happy new family

Jaci and Jason with their bulldog Grover

This is where the meal was served. We snuck in before they brought the flowers in.

The wedding was held at Heartland Acres Agribition Center. I've talked about Heartland before, home of the World's Largest Tractor - Big Bud, and an agriculture leaning center. However, they also have an events center. I highly recommend it for anyone in Eastern Iowa looking for an events center. 

Cocktail hour was hosted here, and then the room was switched over for the dance.

But make sure you call early because it books up fast. So fast that the Boy and I weren't able to get a date there for our wedding!

My handsome date

The Boy's family loves fireworks. So what would a wedding be without a spectacular display? Sorry no firework pictures. Just use your imagination. 

It was great to see some old Hereford friends. 

This is my favorite picture of Jaci and her Maid of Honor.

And then we danced the night away.

I think it is safe to say we had a pretty good time. This is the Boy's Aunt (his family is awesome) and I am wearing Jon's future Best Man's tie. A nice fashion accessory to the turquoise dress. 

And the next morning I wrapped up the Boy's cousin and we have him to Jaci and Jason as a wedding present. 

Congrats, Jaci and Jason. All the happiness in the world. 

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