Where in the world is Crystal Cattle

Did you think I fell off the face of the Earth? Shipped back to Canada? Swallowed by one of the mud holes in our pasture? Nope, I just disappeared from the blog a little because things have been busy!

A made a little 13 day trip to Oklahoma City for the World's Largest Youth Livestock Show. More than 14,000 of lambs, pigs, goats and cows were there being showing by 4-H and FFA members. And no I did not wear these shoes to the barn. However, in-between all that fun at the livestock show I did do go shopping! I can't wait to show you all my finds including these Jessica Simpson Snake-Print Heels. My fashionista friend, Catie and I had to build a whole outfit around these heels! 

While in Oklahoma I also celebrated my 28th birthday. I have some amazing girls friends in Oklahoma that treated me to a birthday night of fun. However, when I got back the boy surprised me and we headed to Dubuque, Iowa, for an overnight trip at Hotel Julien. It was fantastic. I mean when they give you a little banana bread to go after supper I say winning! But that wasn't the end of all the fun. The Boy also had a complete spa morning book for me at Potosa Spa. Best facial I have ever had.

My mom and dad sent this awesome bulb garden from www.proplant.com as an Easter/early anniversary gift. I have always wanted to plant some tulips, and this is getting me off the the right start. When the planter arrived the sprouts were just above the dirt. They are now huge, and trust me my thumb is not that green. 

Things have also been busy on the farm. This straw used to contain frozen bull semen, before it was used to artificially inseminate (A.I.) one of our cows named Teardrop (mother of Parker). We are super ovulating the cow to produce multiple eggs. Then the eggs are fertilized by A.I., and on Monday we will flush those eggs out of her ovaries. This is all done by a veterinarian. Those eggs can then be frozen and implanted into other cows. Very similar to when a women who can't get pregnant has some one else carry her baby. Except in our case we are doing these to propagate more desirable genetics from the donor cow. Clear as mud?

Finally, I snuck away last night when the boy was at bowling to buy some fabric for a secret project. I'll show you the finished results later on. I did learn a couple things. 1. I love fabric! 2. It is expensive. I can only image how much is cost to make a quilt. 

I hope you are all doing fantastic. Even though I haven't been blogging I have still been trying to read some of your posts and keep my Facebook and Instagram feeds going. 

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A week of Instagram: The Game of Life

I think we are due for another Crystal Cattle Instagram update. I got to travel a little bit the middle of February but this weekend will make the third weekend in a row that I am home. I have no idea when the last time was that happened, but it has been great. 

You've got to check out this Bed Head Thickening Spray called Superstar Queen for a Day. It is kind of like a mousse, except it sprays more like a hairspray. I used this stuff all the time in college and kind of forgot how much I like it. It give my fine hair great volume without weighing it down. Love it. 

My travel took me to San Antonio for a couple days so I made sure that I made a trip over to the Riverwalk. Here's a couple questions. How do they make their margaritas so darn good? And how can I grow an avocado tree in Iowa without a greenhouse. I am working a few ideas because I think I am getting addicted to avocados.

Look how big Parker the bull calf is getting. He has even started to eat some grain. It always amazes me how like calves are smart enough to discover things like grain. This weekend we gave his mom, Teardrop a hair cut. She looks like a whole new women! We have had a couple new calves so I'll be sure to post those pictures soon. 

The other night I surprised the Boy by bringing home the Game of Life. As a kid my family used to play it all the time, and he said him and his sister played it a ton. He beat me, but I figured being a Lawyer with an Executive Cape House and retiring with 1.5 million isn't too shabby!

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A week of Instagram: Boots, Blueberries, and Babies

It's been a busy few days around the farm and in the office. Not only did we finally get our first calf, but we have been preparing to take a trip to Denver for the National Western Stock Show, and I can't wait to get there! Our plane is leaving tonight and I am ready to see some friends and cows. Yes, I get excited to see cows. To see all my Instagram photos follow @crystalcattle.

Check out this rainbow. I have been going to an early morning yoga/pilates class and on my way home this rainbow caught my eye. I had to look twice because there was no moisture and it was a full rainbow. I think a little sign that it is going to be a great day. 

Although, my Frye boots are definitely prettier these boots are the warmest, most practical pair I own. They are Columbia's and I got them probably seven years ago. 

Not a good morning when your curling iron breaks. Oh well I guess I don't have to buy one of those curling wave sticks now. 

There have been a ton of blueberries in the grocery store and I have been stocking up. This blueberry, banana and honey concoction is the perfect snack. 

And finally a picture of our new baby bull (boy) calf. He was only minutes old in the picture. I'll be sharing a little more about him next week!

Hope you all have a wonderful day, and the rest of the week brings lots of fun. 

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Week of Instagram: Beef Charts and Grilled Cheese

Variety is the spice of life.

There is quite a mix of Instagram pictures from this past week. In seven days I managed to be four states and one province which allows you to see a lot of different things along the way.

This was the giant beef chart that I found at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. I was there working at a cattle show. Wouldn't it be cool to have this one your wall! Your beef cooking instructions would be right there. For some smaller versions check out this post I did on beef charts awhile ago. 

Our small town doesn't have a Panera so while traveling I decided to stop in and enjoy some soup. I love soup! However the Big Kid Grilled Cheese caught my eye. If you are anywhere close to a Panera run there right now and order this because it is amazing. It also has bacon on it. Perfection. 

I mentioned that I was in a province this week, that's because I made a quick trip home to Alberta to surprise my sister on her wedding dress shopping weekend. I can't show any pictures of the dress so I figured a picture of one of her cows was the next best thing. This cow's name is Elle. She originated from Kentucky but I think she likes her Alberta home now. Currently, Iowa is completely brown but it is about to look a lot more like this picture. They are calling for 8-12 inches of snow tonight!

And now for a big thank you! I reached 1,300 followers on my instagram account! There has been a lot of controversy about instagram's terms of use, but I am not going anywhere as of right now. So look CrystalCattle up and let me know your username. 

Now for the part you have been waiting for, the winner of the Boot Barn Shopping Spree. 

Janet, you are our winner! Please email me (you'll find my info under the contact tab) and I will get you all the details of your prize!

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A week of Instagram: Very Thankful

It's a thankful time of year. 

It's another two weeks of Instagram photos. I've been seeing a lot of Facebook statuses of things people are thankful for this year and I think the pictures below are a good representation of things I am grateful this week and all year long.

Flying over Iowa

I've been traveling again. This time Missouri, Oklahoma, and Indiana. When I look down on all that farmland I am thankful that I have a really cool job, raising food for other families. I am all thankful for all the other people out there that also choose farming as their occupation. If you are on Twitter consider using the hashtag #foodthanks to show your thanks to farmers through the holiday season.

Fried pickles

Sometimes it is the little things you are thankful for like your favorite food. These fried pickles from the So Long Saloon in Manhattan are probably in my top five. In the middle is their cream cheese ranch. To. Die. For.  

Symphony on top and Celeste on the bottom

I am thankful for these heifers. 1. Because working on cattle means spending time with the Boy. 2. cattle are my passion, and make me happy. 3. They will provide income for us when we sell them in February, and that income means buying a farm next summer!

I am thankful for to be recognized by my peers. The Crystal Cattle blog was nominated again this year as a Top Cattle Blog in the Best of the Barns Awards. You can help me clinch the title by voting for me   in Category 11.

The Boy and I on our way to our immigration interview.

I am grateful to have an awesome husband. I posted on my Facebook page that Monday was our immigration interview for my residency, and it went awesome! I sent in a couple more documents when we got home and now we are really close. I promise I will share all the details as soon as I have that green card in my hand. The Boy has been by me every step of the way. Couldn't find a better reason than him for wanting to live in the U.S.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends, and have just as much or more to be thankful for this year.

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Gift Guide: Instagram Magnets

It's time to start shopping!

Who is excited about Christmas? This girl. I have started to pick up a couple little gifts here and there, and have been working on my own Christmas list. With Pinterest I was able to create a Crystal's Wish List board that family and friends can pull ideas off of. Does anyone else do this?

One of the gifts I gave last year were Instagram Magnets from Stickygram. Stickygram is an awesome way to turn your Instagram pictures into magnets.

A couple of the magnets on our fridge.

The process is quite simple.
1. Visit www.stickygram.com
2. It'll ask you to login into you Instagram account
3. Pick you favorite photos. You pay $14.99 for each sheet, and the shipping is free.

You get to pick out nine different photos, or you can choose multiples of the same photo.

4. Pay, and then anxiously await for your magnets.

And as an added bonus I have two coupon codes that you can use. Use FRIEND26CL to receive $2 off your order or use STICKYYAM to get a buy two get a third free deal (this one expires on Friday). Ready to do some shopping?!

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A week of Instagram: Starbuck, Cows, and FFA

More like weeks. 

Yes, I haven't been blogging. Lots has been going on and I hope to fill you in on it soon. However, in the meantime here is a snapshot of those weeks.

Three things that describe me: Starbucks, MAC Lipstick and Hereford Cattle.

This picture was the beginning of my absence from the blog. My husband's family is from Iowa, and that's where we all live, but they also had a Hereford Ranch in Oklahoma. However, the decision was made to disperse the cattle and sell ranch this fall. There were lots of mixed emotions: a celebration of lots of years of hard work and success and a little sad to know that everyone will be headed in different directions. The Boy and I will still be raising our own Hereford in cattle in Iowa under the name JJB Cattle Co., and we are excited to continue on part of the legacy that Jon's family started. 

From Oklahoma it was off to Indianapolis for National FFA Convention. More than 55,000 youth descended on Indy for a week of leadership and fellowship. It was a blast having so many of my Instagram, blogging and Twitter friends stop by the booth to say hello. Some were even sent to the booth by their mom or dad. @erinlars and @theperfectdaughter were two of the girls I met. It is always exciting to meet other young ladies or women that have passion and drive.

Hanging out in Indy, with a shopping mall attached to our hotel was meant it only made sense to take a trip to H&M. They had all kind of winter jackets that I could have easily taken home. However, I held back and instead picture up a new scarf. Image that another scarf. 

A day home and then it was out to California for a work trip. After a few meetings around the board table we headed out to a couple farms that raise pigs. These two pigs will likely be sold to a 4-H or FFA member and then shown. You'll notice the plastic boots that I am wearing, these are for biosecurity reasons. Pigs are more susceptible to diseases than our cattle. So when we were on the farm we had to wear these plastic boots over our shoes. On each farm we would put on a new pair of plastic boots. 

What does your week in photos look like? Let me know if you are on instagram and be sure to look me up! Username @crystalcattle

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A week of Instagram: A lot of pumpkin and drive time

Another week has flown by. 

Actually it has been two weeks since my last Instagram update, but some fun things have happened in the last week.

Look how handsome my guy is. We attended a banquet that was honoring the Boy's dad. It was fun to get dressed up and see a bunch of the Boy's family that live out of state. We are approaching our six month anniversary. Might be time to share some more of those wedding photos? 

In the past 10 days I have spent more than 60 hours on the road, and have covered the states of Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas. Luckily I have been listening to my Tina Fey Boossypants audio book. Anyone else out there read audiobooks or have some suggestions. 

The bracelet was a Christmas gift last year from my mom and is Banana Republic. 

You need to run to your closest Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and pick up some Pumpkin Fudge right now. This stuff was amazing, and made for the perfect thank you gift for a friend of mine. Luckily, she was willing to share. 

I told you there was a lot of pumpkin in this post. I blogged about these pumpkin cupcakes I made earlier in the week, but I am pretty proud of 1. how tasty they were and 2. how pretty they turned out. 

This past Sunday I finally got to spend it at home. While the Boy was in the tractor participating in corn harvest I took the opportunity to spend some time with the show heifers. I wash and clipped (gave them a hair cut) two of our heifers. This heifer (girl) we call Symphony. She is for sale and we are hoping that a junior (young cattlemen) will buy he and continue to show her perhaps as a 4-H or FFA project.

I reached a milestone this week. 1,500 followers on the Crystal Cattle page. Thank you so much to everyone that has been following along. Sometimes I don't blog as much as I would like, but I always try to post once a day on the Facebook page. If you haven't liked me yet head on over to Crystal Cattle right now! 

How have your week been? And what are you looking forward to this week? My would include the K-State vs KU game. Those Jayhawks are going down. 

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