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!

Happy Thanksgiving, nope I am not early

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow, October 8, is Canadian Thanksgiving. Back home my mom is preparing a big Thanksgiving meal for our family. Differences in Canadian Thanksgiving and American Thanksgiving - not much. I like to tell people it got colder in Canada sooner so the English and French settlers needed the help of the Native people much sooner, thus Thanksgiving in October.

I looked back at last year's Thanksgiving post and I have a lot to be thankful for.

1. Family
Last year I had a fiancé, this year I have the most amazing husband and best friend ever. Today the Boy and I are celebrating our six month anniversary. (I'm going to post some more wedding pictures this week). Also, our family is growing. My sister is now engaged and will be married this time next year. More cousins are married. And I have a few new second cousins. I have a family both far and near that support me and love me.

2. Work
This coming week will mark my first year with the new company, and I couldn't be happier. I am mentored by an incredible lady, have awesome co-workers and I was given the opportunity to work from home. I can have the career I have always wanted while still living in rural America. I think that is awesome.

3. We have a farm
The Boy and I both have office jobs, but we are growing our farm. I think this fall it is really coming together. In this last year we bought a trailer, bought a herd bull, actually bid on cattle at sales, took home banners from the State Fair, started in to the freezer beef business and sold heifers that will be shown by juniors (kids) this coming year. Cattle are our passion and I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to fulfill our dreams.

So Happy Thanksgiving. Feel free to bake yourself a pumpkin pie and celebrate with us!

The Fake Holiday I Used to Celebrate.

Have you heard of Fake Patty's Day? I have, and for many years it was the highlight of my spring. You see in Manhattan, KS the weekend before Spring Break/the real St. Patrick's Day there is holiday called Fake Patty's Day. It involves activities such as kegs and eggs, green beer, Louisville Slugger, Pita Pit, green togas, doing the KSU chant on table tops and all kinds of other shenanigans that can go down in a college town, and I was there to celebrate. It was really quite a clever idea that the Aggieville Bar Association put together to generate a little more business before everyone else for Spring Break.

The memories created from the weekend are some of my very favorite college memories. I made a return for a couple Fake Patty's Day post graduation. The funny thing was that during this time I thought every college town celebrated this glorious day. I was wrong. It was Manhattan's own little secret.

As Saturday approached I began to see the posts on Facebook, and sense an excitement in the air. And even though some of my alumni friends still took part my life is a little different now. 1. It's a 7.5 hour drive to Manhattan, 2. The Boy was at the state bowling tournament, so that meant I was chore girl this weekend, 3. we had a couple cows due to calve, and 4. I don't know if my body could handle such an event anymore.

So instead of feeling sad that I was missing Fake Patty's Day I looked back on the photos that we took, and prayed that our future children never hear the stories of that weekend. It made me very thankful that I try to live life to fullest and don't have any regrets. Yes, some bad decisions were made that weekend and probably college in general but they were learning lessons. I wouldn't exchange the memories and the fun for anything.

 Plus, the new baby calf we got this weekend is pretty darn cute.

Here she is all ooey and gooey. 

Valentine's Lucky Charms Chex Mix

I am not a huge over the top Valentine's Day person. However, I do find it fun to remind others both friends, family and significant others how much they mean to you. Since the Boy and I began dating we have spent either in a barn or at the Iowa Beef Expo (an auction where we sell cattle each year). The first year we were dating I got roses in the barn and last year I got brand new fitting mats (foam mats that you stand on when grooming cattle. They are a knee, feet, back lifesaver). If you have a meat lover in your house or find humor in cookies that say "Let's Pork" you might like this post from last year. 

I love making treats for Valentine's Day and this year I whipped up a new recipe. 

Valentine's Lucky Charms Chex Mix

Ingredients

5 cups Lucky Charms cereal (with marshmallows removed)

5 cups Chex Mix

2 bags of melting white chocolate

Valentine's themed sprinkles (one bottle will be more than enough)

1 1/2 cups of Lucky Charms marshmallows (pretty much all the marshmallows in the box. 

1. Begin by combining Lucky Charms and Chex Mix in a bowl and then spread onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper or parchment paper

2. Melt you chocolate. The easiest way I find to melt chocolate is to pour it into a large Ziploc bag. Then microwave in 30 second intervals in the microwave, massaging the chocolate in-between cycles. 

3. Pour melted chocolate over cereal mixture. Ensure all the cereal is coated. 

4. Cover cereal chocolate mixture with sprinkles. I like to use the tiny little balls because the sink down beyond the top layer. Let this mixture set until hardened. You can speed up the process by putting it in the fridge. 

5. Break up mixture in bowl and add Lucky Charm marshmallows. 

6. Quickly give away to all your family and friends before you consume it all yourself! 

I hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day!