Happy Canada Day!

Yes we celebrate the birth of our country too. 

My favorite Christmas
present last year.

Today is Canada Day! We celebrate in many of the same ways that July 4th is celebrated. Parades, community events, grilling beef, there is always a rodeo to go to and you can't forget fireworks.

It sometimes surprises me how little Americans know about Canada, and I think it frustrates some of my Canadian friends. But the fact is you guys never learned much about us in school. When I was in school in Alberta we did a whole year in Social Studies on U.S. government and history. We even had to memorize all the states and their capitols. I will admit I have forgotten most of those capitol cities!

The U.S. wasn't the only area of focus we did world history, and also studied government systems in South America, Europe, China and Japan. My country is very diverse and multicultural so we place an emphasis on learning about those cultures. In 2009 558,105 people immigrated to Canada - canadafacts.com

We have 10 provinces and 3 territories. I grew up in Alberta (the one above Montana) and my family still lives there today. My parents have their own blog that talk about my family's farm www.highcountrycattle.blogspot.com and I have also posted some pictures of what our Canadian farms looks like:

The Calving Barn, Red Cows and Hoarfrost, a video I did of some friends of ours that also raise Simmental cattle in Alberta, and this is a post from a road trip I took in Southern Alberta.

The Five Best #Agblogs in Alberta, Canada

We are talking about agriculture and a few other things. 

Remember, the Summer Synergy project I was helping out with? Summer Synergy is a youth livestock show held in Alberta, Canada. This year the marketing project was participants had to create agriculture blogs. My partner Tiffany and I had a great time coaching the participants and in the end helping choose the top blogs.

If you want to add a few new great blogs to your list check these out:

First Place - http://absolutelyagriculture.blogspot.com/ 

Rosie, dived head first in blogging and social media. You can now find her Tweeting and using on of my favorite apps, Instagram, as well. Rosie let's you see an inside glimpse of life on her family's Hereford farms and the variety of agriculture organizations that she is involved in. She also has great style so look for cute cowboys to show up on her blog every now and then.

Second Place - http://redhotcowgirlboots.blogspot.com/

I just love the design of Carling's Red Hot Cowboy Boots Blog. She covered everything from Pigs (one of my favorite posts), the difference between cow/calf farmers, seedstock farmers and feedlots in this  post, and encourages others to participate in the Ag in the Classroom program. Plus, you have to check out her gorgeous prom/graduation dress.

Say tuned. I'll featured third through fifth later next week.

Home to Canada and Back to Midwest Home Again

Repack, unpack, repeat

In the the last 20 days I have been to six states and Alberta, Canada. I have been on eight flights. And I am about to do more traveling this weekend and next, so I apologize for a lack of blogging. Maybe next year I should instigate a vacation week from my blog. Just a little chance to catch up. Anybody do that before?

However, on my little break with my family I did manage to take a few photos.

This is Elle. She is one of my sister's and parent's Simmental cows. Last year they purchased her after I took a look at her at a sale in Kentucky. Elle's originally family are awesome new friends of ours. I love cattle, but I think I love the people in the cattle business even more. 

This is our family's Border Collie Bud. He is a working dog and helps up move our cattle. A good cattle dog is like having an additional man helping move cattle. Also, using a dog is a great stress free way to move cattle. That is something that is really important to our family. We want our cattle to always be treated in a low stress manner so they are more comfortable. I can't wait until the Boy and I have a good working dog one day. 

This was my view above Alberta. I love the patchwork of fields below. The bright yellow fields are Canola as in Canola oil. You don't see this crop often in the U.S., usually only in the northern states, but it  is common in Canada. 

This is what is looks like from the ground. I think Canola is one of the prettiest crops. I also try and show my love for Canada by always buying Canola Oil at the grocery store instead of Vegetable Oil. I know I'm a nerd. 

p.s. Remember that Canola is low in saturated fat, a source of omega-6 fat, high in omega-3 fat and cholestrol and trans fat-free. 

And finally maybe it was Canola Oil that were used for these French Fries. I love French Fries - I know not super healthy, but hey everything in moderation right. But do you know what I love even more than French Fries? French Fries and gravy. It is a Canadian thing, and for some reason has been hard to replicate south of the border. If they would have had it I would have order poutine, which is French Fries, Gravy and Mozzarella cheese!

Reminder all of these photos were taken on Instragram if you are on it let me know. I'm Crystal Cattle. 

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!

Happy Thanksgiving, no I'm not early

Pumpkin pie, turkey and a work visa

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada, and I have a lot to be thankful for. But first, let's talk about Canadian Thanksgiving because I get lots of questions about it. Yes, it is a lot earlier than American Thanksgiving. Why? I'm not sure, so I just tell people that our snow comes soon so the Native people had to hurry up and get the settlers fed. We eat all the same foods and I am truly thankful for many things this year. (Oh and I now I already have Christmas on my mind!)

I have a wonderful family and it keeps growing. Not only are many of my cousins getting married and having new babies, but I am adding lots more people to the list of family. Last year I had an amazing boyfriend, this year it's an amazing fiance and next year it will be a husband, and with him comes an awesome family.

Also, I am a Canadian working in the U.S. so that means I have to have a work visa. Each year I have to renew it, and this weekend it had to be renewed again because I am switching gears career wise. It is pretty nerve wracking to have a Border Control agent say yes or no to whether or not you can continue your career. However, all is good! And I can't wait to start my new adventure.

I know there are a lot of people in this world that have limits put on what they can do, how they can act and what they can say. I am very thankful that I travel and live between two countries that allow me to be me. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving whether you are celebrating today or in November. I'll have plenty of pictures posted soon!

Life on a Canadian Farm

Going back to my roots. 

I've been back home to my family's farm in Canada a couple times this fall. The Boy even traveled with me for the one trip. It wasn't the first time he met my family, but the first time he met my cows, almost equally as important. Since yesterday's post about Canadian Thanksgiving had no pictures in it. I thought I would load you up with lots today!

The blob of white and black above is actual a cow. Her name is Elle and my sister and parents own her together. Elle grew up in Kentucky, but now lives in Alberta! 

This is Bud our Border Collie. He is a big part of the family, but he is also like an extra employee on the farm for the amount of work he does helping us move cattle. 

I got to see quite a few awesome sunsets when I was home. 

This is what I ate on Thanksgiving Day since I was in the airport. I had the big tradition Canadian Thanksgiving meal with my family the day before. The best part of my meal above - the brown gravy. There is nothing better than Canadian brown gravy, hands down we win America.

No this is not how all Canadians dress, but I thought this hat was pretty funny. I mean if I am going to have to be out in Iowa winters feeding cattle then I mind as well look kind of cute. My budget made me leave this hat behind.

This was the most important show to see when the Boy was in Canada with me. This is Signature, she was the last show heifer that I showed, and she proved me with lots of opportunities. Income from her calves helped pay for college and the frozen embryos that I sold out of her paid for my trip to Australia. I have more embryos out of her that the Boy and I will put in surrogate mothers in Iowa to start a Simmental herd. She has a special place in my heart. 

And this is the Boy and I in front of my Alberta home. Mom did a good job of getting the Canadian flag in there. We can't wait to make some more trips home.

Canadian Comedian Rick Mercer visits a cattle show

Rick at Agribition

My fellow K-State Judging Team
member, Lance Leachman's farm.

Although I was unable to attend Agribition this year, via Twitter I was able to see quite the commotion Rick Mercer, Canadian comedian, when he attended one of Canada's leading agricultural events.

Rick's tour of the barns takes him through the grooming of a beef animal, learning how to auctioneer, and the process of buying a goat. All important things to know.

www.rickmercer.com

It is always fun to see what agriculture and livestock shows look like through the eyes of the consumer. Check out his adventure! 

And I would say that my cattle showing friends do pretty good in the spotlight of a camera.