Keeping it Real

Folks, I have some updates. I meant to get this written yesterday for some miscellany Monday but a random Tuesday list will have to do!

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We have made it to 32 weeks! Do I sound triumphant? That's because I am :) Not last weekend, but the one before I had a wonderful weekend stay at the hospital. Basically, my placenta got a little rowdy but all got calmed down and we were released Sunday night. Baby is healthy and growing strong but we must take it easy. My doctor didn't put me on bed rest officially but she did say, "Get someone to clean your house, don't host Thanksgiving but you can make yourself a sandwich." Direct quote people. So instead of sharing with you last week about a lovely baby shower I was thrown I just worked from home and took LOTS of breaks and chilled with family on Turkey day. My husband is a complete and utter saint. He pretty much wants me to rest all day every day and has been super helpful. I came back to work yesterday but leave a little early to get home and lie down for an hour or so before dinner since I don't elevate my feet otherwise during the day very much. I can assure you all I am taking it easy!

In preparation for my little bambino's arrival - especially if it's early - I have washed all baby clothes and have begun to throw down on my registry with gift cards and such to try and be prepared for him to come if decides he wants to be a 2011 baby instead of 2012. I also have my hospital bag packed. {It actually was a nice "test run" being in the hospital to see what I think I may or may not need.} I'm hoping it will be like when you pack an umbrella or slicker it never rains, I have my bag ready so he will wait until January!

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Actually, the day this all went down I had made this awesome new recipe for my mom and grandma since they were staying with me prior to my baby shower. This Sticky Bun Ring I found on pinterest but that is the blog it is originally from. I used the regular pillsbury biscuits and did use pecans. My hubbs isn't a big fan of nuts so I think when I make this again I will put nuts only on half of it.

Source: stamps4fun.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

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In other random current event news. I love Tim Tebow. I have loved him ever since he was a young guy at Florida and Chris Leak was the star of the Gator football team. {My sister went to grad school there so I kind of became a fan via her.} Here is the latest reason why I love this grounded, classy and Christian guy:

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Anna on Pinterest

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Oh! We got our entertainment center last week! I will plan to take a picture soon and share!

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Hope you all have a fabulous week!

What's Your Beef Friday :: Mike Rowe

I cannot begin to list the reasons why I love Mike Rowe so much but in a nutshell he appreciates where his food and fiber come from. This is an older article but it was published in the most recent issue of RANGE Magazine so it reminded me of how much I appreciate what he does.

You can read the entire article here, but below are some of my favorite quotes.

On Dirty Jobs, I’m no expert, and I’m even less of one here. But I have a theory, and it goes like this – all jobs rely on one of two industries – mining and agriculture. Every tangible thing our society needs is either pulled from the ground, or grown from the ground. Without these fundamental industries there would be no jobs of any kind. There would be no economy. Civilization begins with miners and farmers, and polite society is only possible when skilled workers transform those raw materials into something useful or edible.

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Our collective definition of a “good job” has evolved into something that no longer resembles Work, and that has detached us from a great many things, including our food, and the people who provide it.

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I auditioned the other day for the voiceover on a TV commercial about the American Farmer. (Yeah, I still audition.) I don’t recall the whole thing, but it started out like this – “Every year we demand more and more from our farmers. More food from less land. More food from less energy. More food from less labor. And every year our farmers deliver.”

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That last line, "And every year our farmers deliver," gives me the chills. I cannot tell you how true that statement rings and how appreciative I am that I live in America with the freedom to eat organic or grass fed and know that year round I can go to the store to buy onions and potatoes.

We are truly blessed with an abundant, safe and affordable food supply. Thank you American Farmers and Ranchers for all you do to feed me and my family.

Weird Wednesday

So a couple weeks ago I got all internet happy. Internet happy for me means a variety of things but on this day in particular I found myself wandering to a variety of sites, searching things, googling etc. This day I wound up on ebay. When I go to ebay typically I search for a couple of things: Jan Barboglio, Double D and most recently Frye Jane Boots. 

I found a pair in my size and bid on them. It said it was from a store in New Jersey, brand new in box, never worn. These retail for a pretty penny and the starting bid was $199. I put my max bid in at $200...I mean it's ebay I'm trying to get a deal :) I figured I wouldn't win them and wouldn't you know it I was outbid about five minutes before the auction ended. Honestly, I figured the store owner didn't want to sell them for that cheap so a ghost bidder came in and won.

Fast forward to this week. After seeing my SIL in her Jane boots on Saturday my love for them was refreshed and I thought I would give ebay another shot. BOOM. Same store, same boots, same starting bid. This time my max bid $210. Okay, none of this seems weird because it isn't...yet.

This is the weird part. PW put up a giveaway in Home & Garden yesterday. None other than Frye Jane Boots.

How weird is that? Creepy crazy I say.

So I'm trying my luck to win them for free or win them at auction. Who knows I may lose both...but how weird would it be if I won both?!

Reply to All

I just have one thing to say today...

9 out of 10 times you should NOT hit reply to all. Out of a courtesy to everyone on the email always think twice before you just hit reply or reply to all.

Please and thank you.

My first baby shower!

I was blessed with my very first baby shower on Saturday. My SIL's + cousin-in-law were gracious hosts. Thank you AnnaMarie, Rachel, Carmella and Regina!!

Here was the shower invite:

The drink stand. We love our Pottery Barn drink dispensers.

The gorgeous and delicious cake! {My favorite part!} Regina loves this bakery called Honey Moon Sweets in Tempe. It had a delicious strawberry filling and those chocolate curls/shavings were divine!

In typical pregnant girl fashion I did not get a picture of the food because I was so busy running to grab a plate! We snacked on AM's famous stuffed jalapenos and chips and salsa/guac and for lunch we had delicious slow roasted pork with tortillas {GIANT tortillas from Carolina's}, a pasta salad and a tossed spicy ranch green salad with bell peppers and corn. 

Cute little cowboy blanket from my mama.

Mi hermanas. I'm the one with the big bump. But my sister in pink is also prego and my SIL in red is also prego! We're a fertile family :)

My lovely hostesses!

My hubby's lovely great-aunt {left} and grandmother.

I posed this shot on the stairs {yes, I know I'm a nerd}. Don't you just love that little handsome fella in the middle?! I can't get enough of him!!

Thank you to all who came and generously showered me, I love you very much!

Steaks for Troops

On this Veterans Day Friday what better way to thank our troops and share a little about beef than to share with you the All American Beef Battalion.

About the AABB: The All American Beef Battalion is the vision of Bill Broadie of Ashland, KS. Bill is a 4th generation cattle man in KS who served with the 3rd Marine division in Vietnam in 1967.

Our vision is to support the troops fighting the war on terror while promoting American Beef. We can do this as an industry by having steak feeds for deploying troops and at their homecoming. As we advance into this mission we hope to take the cookouts directly to the combat zones wherever they may be.

As our experience grows we believe there are many avenues we can take to support the troops and promote American Beef. There are many ways we can help the troops, not only by feeding them but also by helping their families or by helping the families of those killed in combat. To do this we have a dream... its a mission bigger than any individual, but not bigger than our industry.

We ask for your help to support these young men and women who offer so much for all of us.

So we ask you now who wouldn’t buy a soldier a steak?

Some of my fellow cattlewomen in my state have gone over to Texas to help on some feeds. Also, the Santa Cruz County Cowbelles hosted their own Steaks for Troops in June of this year.

L-R: Tiffany Hayes {Arizona Beef Council}, Specialist Aaron Christensen, Major Bill Cherkauskas and Lauren Scheller {Arizona Beef Council}

The Arizona Beef Council donated the beef and the Santa Cruz Cowbelles came out in full force with their husbands to grill and serve a juicy steak to the soldiers and their families.

Thank you to all of our veterans who have graciously and generously served our country. May God bless you and your families.

To donate to the AABB head over to their website.

Turquoise Thursday - the latest from the KR Saddle Shop

I just browsed through the latest King Ranch Saddle Shop catalog and as usual I fell in love with some of their items. Mostly jewelry but that really shouldn't surprise anyone.

Turquoise or coral earrings. I adore these.

Cross pin. The one in the magazine was actually round but I couldn't find it online. And I will be honest I would never wear this on a hat I was thinking more as a brooch - but to each their own :)

Found it! In a photo at least...cute top just not for me.

These leather chairs may or may not have been shown on here before but I love them too much to not share again. I heart them. They just scream, "Sit on me Anna!" Seriously, I heard them say it.

And in closing, I will never rock these but I would give mad props to someone who did. Authentic Python died turquoise.

I watched the CMA's last night and was overjoyed a couple times and sick to my stomach more than once. Too much glitter on the men and too many hooker dancers...BUT in other news Blake and Miranda won Male and Female Vocalist of the Year again and that made me ecstatic!!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Now listen to me folks when I say I take one holiday at a time. Honest, I do. However, I do not like to wait until December 1st to start my Christmas shopping. I enjoy having a majority done by Thanksgiving. For a couple of reasons, one-I like to spread the purchases out over several pay periods, two-I don't want to rush a purchase, I like to think things through and really get something I feel is special and unique. So with that here are some gift ideas that I think have been successful...

Cake Pans - Have you heard of the cake pan lady? The perfect gift for that special baker in your life. I got these for my sister/mom/SIL one year.

Cuff Links - the hubbs doesn't wear cuff links very often but there are those occasions where he must get dressed to the nines for something and he has personalized silver cuff links with his initials on them. I just ordered mine from an online store.

Boot Jack - this is one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. One it's custom made, two it's one-of-a-kind and three I wouldn't be able to get my boots off pregnant with out it in our life :) In college I contacted a woodworker and explained to him what I wanted. He whipped this up out of mesquite and I branded it with the hubby's family brand and then oiled it. Perfect for all those cowboy boot wearing folks in your life and to be honest with you it was super reasonable in price - it's been several years but I think I only paid $40 or something.

Magazine Subscriptions - A friend of mine lives in another state and she is from here so I got her a subscription to Arizona Highways. A wonderful magazine even if you don't live here! Cowboys & Indians is my favorite magazine and I have gifted that before as well. My mom used to get us girls Everyday Food Magazine and I loved it, there is a plethora of other food/recipe magazines that would be a big hit for a gift subscription!

Coffee Mugs - Last year or the year before my SIL Gretchen got all the men these amazing Contigo Autoseal Thermal Mugs and let me warn you people they keep the coffee HOT. I don't drink coffee so I don't know from experience but my hubby and dad say it will keep coffee hot ALL day long...you can find at a variety of places, Costco, Amazon, etc.

Activity - memories are priceless so schedule a cooking class or cake decorating class to share with a loved one. Plays or musicals are always a hit. {My hubby's mom's family always goes to a musical with his grandmother each year} There are a variety of options out there, maybe your more outdoorsy so plan a hike or rock climbing, rappelling adventure or get some white water rafting in! My sister and I try and go on a weekend trip each year so sometimes we gift the other one the hotel stay or some part of it for a Christmas or birthday gift.

Monogrammed - There are plenty of options out there in the world of customization but when it comes to the men in your life a nice long sleeve white shirt with his initials or monogram is just perfect! My MIL stocks up the men in our family with these every year or every other as needed. She sticks with Lands End for our guys but there are plenty of retailers that do this! {Side note - my hubby prefers his initials on the cuff, he thinks it's a little more low key but he also has them on the pocket. I too prefer the cuff but love custom either way!}

Edible - Edible is always a winner in my book. There are a variety of options out there especially when it comes to monthly packages. Some winners I've experienced have been, cheese of the month, salsa of the month and jelly of the month. Also, BACON. Bacon is life, remember. My MIL got this for my hubbs grandpa a few years back but instead of getting the monthly deal it was cheaper to get all 12 kinds at once. I did this for my dad a couple years ago {I love copying ideas from one side of the family to use on the other side!} and it was a huge hit. Two years ago I gave my brother a package set of meats from Omaha Steaks. He loved it.

Calendars - A couple of options on this, you can go a generic route from the store or custom make one on shutterfly or another online photo place. My SIL Gretchen does this every year and it's always fun to look at the photos of the kids and have custom birthdays already on it. Also, my friend Heather over at Double H Photography is selling beautiful calendars for 2012 an Outdoors in Wyoming and a Cattle one, check them out!

Collector Jewelry - By this I mean any type of jewelry that is to be collected: charms on a bracelet, stacking bracelets, earrings, etc. I personally love Brevard Earrings. They are unique and are sold one at a time, meant to mix and match with one another. I currently own four earrings but it would be okay if I had five because they are meant to be collected and switched out with one another! Another popular "collector" is Pandora bracelets. What's nice about gifts like this is it gives you options for the future, if you and your siblings go in on the bracelet and some charms for your mom then come her birthday or mother's day you can get her another charm if you want!

Stamps - Custom stamps that is. Return address stamps from Expressionary are perfect for the newlywed or newly moved person in your life. Or perhaps a nice set of custom notecards with their name and address on them is what you're looking for. Either way, people usually have to mail something at one point or another so this is thoughtful and functional.

Happy shopping! Good luck and be safe out there in the madness :) Also, please feel free to leave ideas or suggestions in the comment box...I need your help because currently I have NO clue what I'm getting my husband for Christmas!

Miscellany Monday

Link up with Carissa at lowercase letters!

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Twenty nine weeks today

Funny story: In Tucson on Saturday morning at my college burrito breakfast for Homecoming I was waiting in line to check out with the basket of UA goodies I bought in the silent auction for my little bambino. A female professor I know asked me when I was due. I said, "January, almost 29 weeks now." And she said, "Wow, counting it down huh?" Umm, excuse me?! Wouldn't I be crazy and half stupid if I didn't know how many weeks I was?! Granted, she's never had kids so I'll cut her some slack on that but come on. If I asked a pregnant woman how far a long she was and she didn't know, I would have some serious concerns. How can you not know how many weeks/months you are?

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Grill Grand Master

That's my husband. Seriously folks, I don't want to brag but I will - he is the best. He whipped up his secret family recipe for marinade {he really calls it that}and chopped up a couple bell peppers, an onion and these monster shrimp we bought at Frys.

Phenomenal. And how do you feel about our kabob wires? My sister gave to us for Christmas or something and we finally busted out with making some kabobs. I guess they're called Fire Wire and are flexible stainless steel and they were super easy to use. I found some on Amazon here if you're looking for some Christmas ideas. Which, I will be posting some holiday shopping ideas tomorrow!

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Model home sale

I bought a "grown up" desk on Saturday. Went to my first model home sale with my SIL and it was a success! Now, I just need to tackle the office, get it organized and ready to move the pieces in from the garage. I will post pictures after I get it settled!

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Grandma

My wonderful and lovely grandmother whom I adore will be flying in next Friday for 3 months! I cannot wait for her arrival. I can't wait to take her on some excursions around the state. We had so much fun on my trip to see her in August in Montana, I'm looking forward to more quality time with her. {Also, I'm so glad she won't have to endure another Montana winter...those things seem brutal!}

Have a wonderful week and be sure to check in tomorrow for my Christmas gift idea post!

What's Your Beef Friday :: Food Think

I wanted to introduce you to my friend in the cattle industry Cassie Payne. She has a blog titled Food Think!

She is incredibly talented and smart and best of all is what I like to call a convert to the ag industry. Here's a little about her:

I graduated (M.S., whoop!) from Texas A&M University with a background very different from traditional Animal Science students. An urban childhood, education at Vanderbilt University and overseas, and experiences and personal interactions while living and teaching in New York City helped develop my perspective. My paradigm changed from media-misinformed to those which are scientifically and pragmatically ascertained. My passion for stewardship of resources and provision of wholesome food products remains unchanged.

I highly recommend you check out her posts. Especially the most recent one about meat and cancer. I also really enjoy this one about Feedlot, Rediscovered.

If you remember one thing, I can assure you that the American rancher strives to produce you and your family beef they are proud to feed their own family - safe, wholesome and nutritious.

Happy Friday, have a blessed and safe weekend!

Turquoise Thursday

Today I'm rocking a new bracelet I got on clearance at good ole Tarjay. I love it, it's not a cuff it has a little spring and opens up so I don't have to try and slide it over my big hands :)

I've paired my $7 find with my favorite watch, also from Tarjay {$12.99} this is the third one I've owned of this Merona watch with my go-to Tiffany Venetian Bracelet. I wear this bracelet with my watch almost everyday.

Crystal at Crystal Cattle highlights a little thing she calls #armparties feel free to check out her last week TT post on #armparties.

Speaking of #armparties + #turquoise this bracelet defines both:

Source: etsy.com via Anna on Pinterest

In other turquoise news I went ahead and bought this lovely ring after seeing it on my "Everything Turquoise" emails I get and blogged about here.

There are still some left and can be found here. I can't wait to rock this new piece!

Hope you have a fabulous Turquoise Thursday!

Indian Tacos

Last night I whipped some Indian Tacos using the frybread recipe from PW.

I thought well, only four ingredients {five if you count the oil you fry it in} let's give it a shot. {The frybread that is since I obviously was not counting the taco toppings} I whipped up the dough and since she recommends it sit for 45 minutes I ran to the grocery store for my items I needed and came home and cooked up some ground beef with a jalapeno+garlic salt+S&P. As that was done cooking I heated up vegetable oil because I don't keep lard on hand...and once it was hot fried me up some dough :)

I regret not making some refried beans because I feel like they are the "glue" of any good indian taco but I topped mine with beef, cheese, lettuce, onions and salsa. 

This picture doesn't really do the food justice but I did want to provide proof :)

The batch made about six or seven "tacos"  but I threw out the first one since I don't think my oil was hot enough. Tonight I may just skip the "taco" and have a beefy salad like I used to do in college.

In UNRELATED to food topics: I passed my glucose test the second time! Yay for not having gestational diabetes!

Next up for new recipes this week I will be trying out this delicious appetizer {Yes, I already know it will be delish because there is bacon involved!} A twist on jalapeno poppers. Can't wait to share how it goes!