"Country Style" Wordless Wednesday

For some reason I have come to believe I am some sort of a photographer lately and have accumulated over 2,000 photos in the past few weeks, so thus, I give you.... PHOTO BOMB!

"Real" cowgirls have a kindergartener lead them around....

The Beef State

Nebraska is known as the Beef State because of its major role in producing beef to feed the world. Nebraska's farmers and ranchers have been raising cattle for many generations and take great pride in what they do. Each and every day we care for our livestock and the land, which is top priority when producing a safe and nutritious supply of beef for you to enjoy.

Today 97% of America's cattle farms and ranches are family operated and caring for animals is a family tradition handed down and improved upon from generation to generation. In Nebraska, our farms and ranches produce more beef per square mile than any other state, which makes sense, since there are more cattle in the great Cornhusker state than people.

In every state in America, you will find beef ranchers and farmers - hard working people who are dedicated to their land, their animals, and to providing America and the world with safe, wholesome and nutritious beef.

Many of us are more than just cattle farmers and ranchers.  We are active members of our communities and belong to organizations like local school boards, church councils and social clubs. Consistent care for animals and improvements to farms and ranches are vital to making sure America has the safest, most environmentally friendly beef supply in the world.

We love our land and what we do. We're committed to honesty, integrity and hard work, and we are proud to share details on how the beef you eat makes its way from our pastures to your plate.  

...that's what she said

Thanks Boys!

Thanksgiving is the biggest food holiday of the year. The prescription is simple: Eat massive amounts of turkey; or hopefully beef, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and top it off with pumpkin pie. If, after the feast has concluded, you can muster up the energy, you drag yourself to the couch to watch football and enjoy another of the time-tested Thanksgiving traditions, the nap.

The Thanksgiving meal is a modern marvel of sorts. Your dinner table will be filled with a cornucopia of foods with growing locations as diverse as their flavors. Many of our cranberries will come from Wisconsin; Minnesota is the state that produces more turkeys than any other, your yummy yams may have came from North Carolina, the sweet potato leader, and there is a good chance your great tasting beef came from Nebraska. Thanksgiving Day dinner is a meal that illustrates how efficient and economical American farmers and ranchers are as well as the entire American agriculture system.

The statistics of Thanksgiving Day dinner can be mind-boggling: Americans will eat over 45 million turkeys this Thursday and over 80 million pounds of cranberries will be consumed. In virtually every corner of our nation, supermarkets will have all the ingredients necessary to make an impressive meal. While the numbers are staggering, it’s simply amazing that our nation’s food system can grow, process, and transport all that food to many locations around the country that can’t support their own agriculture.

With a growing disconnect between farms and consumers, more and more people have no idea where their food comes from. They simply expect grocery stores and restaurants to have what they want, when they want it and at a reasonable price. Thanks to modern American agriculture, they usually do, which is truly amazing when you think about the many facets involved.

Less than 2% of Americans spend their days growing, raising and sharing the nutrients that will soon be eaten by consumers around the world. This is definitely something to thank the people at the beginning of the food chain for, our American farmers and ranchers. 

Due to some great technology, thanking a farmer or rancher can be an easy task. Use social media to thank our producers and to spread the word and encourage others to thank them as well. Are you on Twitter? Then, send out a message with #ThankAFarmer hashtag in it. Or, share links to U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance or other farm organizations on your Facebook wall and encourage others to do the same.  Add a pin to Pinterest about your appreciation for agriculture.  There are thousands of ways to show our farmers and ranchers we care, so I ask you to take a few minutes to do just one.  

As the last of the leaves fall off the trees, Americans across our country will gather with family and friends to celebrate a holiday with roots as deep as our country is old: Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving causes us to reflect on the many blessings of the past year. Let us also remember to thank the American farmers and ranchers who labored to provide the wonderful bounty we are about to enjoy. 

So I would like to take this moment to thank the following: Dustin (the brother from the same mother), Lyle (brother of the doughnut provider), John (aka Schurman), Duane (that funny guy), Kenny (that old guy that lives in the tractor), Brad (the cousin), Lyle (somedays I like to call him Dad), Grandpa Fred ("hey, who's that short little guy", sorry inside joke), Mike (the doughnut provider), Brett (the other brother from the same mother).

Thanks boys! You fill my belly with yummy-ness, and I sure do appreciate it!

...that's what she said

These Boots

So I'm back from Eric Church, and its was gosh-darn-bang-fantabulouly-awesome! or in other words, EPIC! But I guess when isn't Eric Church epic.

But there was one, well technically two if you count the no adult beverages rule, that was not so EPIC.

One of my greatest pet peeves is the apparel I see at concerts. So things such as "These Boots" kinda bug the bejeppers out of me!

(FYI if my brother sees this. Yes, you did tuck your pants into your boots for dramatic effect for part of the night)

So before I proceed let me say, Disclaimer-This is purely my opinion.

I would just like to share with you my overall rules of thumb for concert attire:

1. If you don't own a second pair of boots that are covered in mud or animal crap, you do NOT need to have a pair of boots to prance around in.

2. Please do not go purchase a new outfit from the, and I quote "Cowboy Store", just to go to a concert.

3. If you don't know what a longhorn is, please do not wear jewelry which have said animal on it.

4. If you have never shot a gun, please do not show up wearing camo.

5. Plaid. Nowhere on your ticket stub does it say, must wear plaid for admission, so just stop it.

So I probably seem a tad bitter about this but that is because for some, These Boots are almost sacred.  Some boots have seen a lot and have traveled many miles out in the fields or pastures.  Working long hours out in the heat and dead of winter working the land. So when I see people prancing around in "cowboy clothes" I take offense.  Not on my behalf, but on the behalf of those hard working men and women who wear those work boots everyday and work extremely hard for you and me.

So before you get dressed up in your next concert get-up and slip on your brand new pair of boots, think about the true meaning behind These Boots.

...that's what she said
Ashley