Shout out to Daddy...

Good morning everyone on this beautiful Sunday day! I'm nestled up on the couch with a cup of coffee and watching the Glee Project on TV. I have a feeling this day is going to be one relaxing day, which I'm not going to complain because yesterday the house got cleaned.

But today, I want to take this time to honor my papa! It's Father's Day today and it's a day to recognize the love that fathers give to their family. My father is extraordinary! For the past 24 years of my life, my dad has been there to pick me up when I have fallen, has instilled values and beliefs into me, and most important has always said to be yourself and not change for someone.

How does the saying go? You're always daddy's little girl? I believe that I'm daddy's little girl regardless that I can mom all the time! I remember the many times working cattle and sure I never knew where to be half the time, but dad would place me a spot and tell me not to move. Also, the many times we halter broke calves. I think that was the moment when I became tough because you can only get kicked a few times, head butted by a calf or endure many rope burns.


There have been a few disappoints throughout life, like running the the 3-wheeler into a group of pallets in the middle of the driveway and flipping it or that time that I have backed many vehicles into well-established buildings or grain wagons.

But throughout my life, I believe that I have been the best daughter my papa has asked for. And, I couldn't ask for a more amazing, loving, caring, supportive, unselfish, hardworking, and nurturing father to walk me down the aisle on Saturday to give me away to my best friend and to his new son-in-law. But, I always remain daddy's little girl!

So, Happy Father's Day daddy! You deserve a day to relax because this days is about you! See you Wednesday! Love you!


Happy 'Chocolate' Friday...

That's right...I'm blogging for the second day in a row! Very unusual, I know, so don't get use to it! I had to blog because it's Friday and I had to end this week on a good note...especially if there is chocolate involved!

I just have to say it: Dove Chocolate, I love you too! Thank you for writing thoughtful messages in your wrappers. I just want to keep eating chocolate to find out what advice you are going to give me next, but that would hurt my waistline!

These are my two personal favorites:

Yes chocolate brings good things to life, so therefore you're allowed to do nothing! What perfect pair!

Have a wonderful weekend! And remember, regardless of your busy schedule, you're allowed to do nothing because Dove Chocolate told you so!

Uffda...

Oh man, I can't believe where the days have gone! Time is catching up with us here in Philip. In a mere two weeks, I will be a married woman. A time that I have been waiting for a long time, well since the past two years!

We have been so busy with traveling, cleaning, getting last minute details figured out. All I can say is Uffda! This past year has been so memorable with our families and friends. I know I have touched on our bridal shower before but now after going through the many wonderful gifts receive and swapping old items for new, my heart sinks with happiness all over again. With the many gifts I received, let's just say these ladies know me very well. I call it "Must Haves for a Future Bride's Kitchen" and here a just a few of my favorites!

1. Pioneer Women's Cookbook. The famous Ree Drummond lived the city life for quite sometime and while home visiting she fell in love with a cowboy. Her website offers readers what is going on the ranch, new recipes, photography lessons, and much more! She published a cookbook with her favorite recipes! For a cooking lover like me, I'm thrilled to try each recipe. I just might have a challenge! The next book on my list from her is about her basset hound Charlie!


2. Lefse board and rolling pin. Ever since I was born, my grandma and grandpa would make numerous packages of lefse! So, it's only appropriate to follow in their Norwegian roots and start making some of our own, down the road. We love making pastries right now and the item is versatile for make pie crust, breads, and more!


3. More cookbooks. A woman can never have too many cookbooks! I remember my mom having a large cabinet drawer in the kitchen filled with cookbooks. Many are passed down by generations and some are built around family traditions. These fun cookbooks that I received will be put to go use!


This past weekend, we were away from home to celebrate our last time as single people. Dustin when to went to Kansas City for the races and came back a red cherry tomato. On the other hand, my girlfriends threw a party for me in Willmar and we went to a winery! While we were away, Jet stayed in Philip with his "girlfriend" Bella, the neighbor's dog. Here are a few pose from him before we left:


Also, before we left we watered our plants very good and we have produce! That's right, you heard me correctly!



Well I better get back to my to-do list! I just wanted to stop by and say that I'm still alive! I hope to blog a few times before our wedding!

Setting goals...

Good morning everyone on this rainy day! I have mixed emotions about this weather because I don't know if today is going to be a productive day or wishing was I was home snuggling up on the coach watching another comedy movie, which I did the last rainy day! Either way...I will make the most of it!

So, have you been watching this season's Biggest Loser? I have been from time to time but most recently, at 7 p.m. I'm glued to the TV. Sorry Glee! Last night was such an emotional night. I think I cry at every reality TV show there is. But, the Biggest Loser is such a magical story for some of the contestants. Watching what they look like from when they first walked onto the ranch to now, the finale, is just amazing! The only couple left, a sister duo, has made it to the finale together for the first time.

But the reason why I talk about this, is because during their time on the ranch where there's 6 contestants left. At that time, they got makeovers. And, I fell in love with Olivia Ward's hairstyle that I'm setting a goal...to keep growing my hair out to donate to Lock of Love and then chop it to look like this!

Courtesy of: NBC/Trae Patton

I have been tossing up the idea to keep my hair long after our wedding but hair is always going to grow back, right? I have always wanted to donate something more than money or clothes, and I just remember the time my soon to be sister-in-law, Emily, chopped her hair for Lock of Love. It inspired me to donate to youth who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss. So my goal is by July 11th my hair will be over 10 inches! We mocked measured last night and I'm at 9 inches already!

I'm going to continue to watch the Biggest Loser and keep getting encouraged to feel good as a person! My family have been a wonderful inspiration on losing weight since they have lost a lot themselves so I'm jumping on the bandwagon. Wish me the best of luck on this journey that I'm taking!

Spring is my best friend...

Today is Friday! In all honesty, I was trying to post yesterday but something happened...but whatever it was, I'm glad to be back on here! Yesterday it rained all day. While staring out my office window, I became very droopy eyed because rain just makes me want to stay in bed and watch a comedy movie! However, rain provides free care to my plants!

Yes, that's right, plants! Last weekend, Dustin and I purchased our gardening plants. This year we are going a different route.

No tilling, no weed pulling, hopefully no major grasshopper infestation.

We are planting all of our goodies into pots, thanks to the inspiration of my wise grandpa! I had all hopes to plant a flower bed, but you see last year I had the trusty guidance of my grandma and this year I had none! I became very distraught at Lowes that this girl didn't purchase any flowers, just only herbs and vegetables. Oh and wait for it, a cantaloupe and strawberry plants as well!

A mix of a Geranium, strawberry, cantaloupe, and tomato plants that still need to be planted!

Our "Big Bertha" pepper plant!

One of our herb gardens! We still have to plant the other.

Our Geranium plant by the sidewalk!

I'm very excited about this summer's gardening. I just hope Philip doesn't have extremely hot temperatures while we are getting hitched and sailing around Alaska on our honeymoon!

Well I better mention something about Jet, because we all know that's the reason why you come on here! I'm only kidding!

Jet is doing very well and only growing every minute. I keep telling him that he's put on weight, but Dustin stands up for him all the time and tells me what I'm hurting his feelings! He gets sick of being cooped up in his kennel during the day that Jet begs us to take him for a walk...only if weather is cooperating!

A funny story pertaining to Jet. We took him with us to Rapid City, poor guy! Anyways, we stopped at a restaurant for supper before heading home. And to remind you, this was Mother's Day.

Well, our waitress wishes me "Happy Mother's Day!"
I reply back, "Oh no, I'm not a mother."
Dustin chimes in, "well we do have a dog!"
Waitress: "Well that makes you a mother!"

My thoughts about this whole situation, I guess I am a mother to our furry child named Jet. So that would make my parents grandparents and my grandparents, great grandparents! I hope this what you always imagined our first child would be!

Enough with Jet since he gets talked about all the time! I've wanted to share this recipe that we tried a couple weeks back. It was so delicious only because it came from Paula Deen's magazine!

Crispy Chicken with Creamy Orange Sauce
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup panko (Jampanese bread crumbs)
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
1 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
3 tablespoons orange marmalade

Directions:
1. In 3 separate shallow bows, place flour, egg, and panko. Sprinkle chicken with 1 teaspoon salt. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in beaten egg, and dredge in panko.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and cook for 3 minutes per side or until chicken is done. Remove chicken from skillet; set aside and keep warm. Wipe skillet clean.
3. Add cream, thyme, an remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to skillet; bring to boil. Cook, stirring frequently, for 7 minutes or until mixture is thickened. Stir in marmalade. Serve sauce over chicken.

Well I better leave and check if Jet has attempted to eat our flowers again, that little rascal! I wish you a wonderful weekend! I'll keep busy as usual!

Beefy Thoughts...

I'm a day off wishing you a Happy May is Beef Month, but I will settle for May 2! I can't believe that its already May. Where did January through March go? It also means that Dustin and I are under two months away from tying the know. It's crazy how time flies!

Speaking of how time flies, I still remember being crowned the 2005 Minnesota Simmental Queen and going into our local radio station to inform listeners about beef during May is Beef Month. That was only six years ago! Man, I feel ancient!

My mugshot!

I'm very passionate about the beef industry. At the age of 8 or 9, lets just say a long time ago, I was showing my first beef calf. I also remember the first time my parents and brother went to a cattle sale to purchase a heifer for our outfit. I stayed back with my grandparents and when my parents arrive, they told me they got a heifer and it was named after me–Sarah–even though she had an "h", I was still thrilled!

My parents were very encouraging for my brother and I to be involved in agricultural activities–4-H, FFA, American Junior Simmental Association–but still let us take part in sporting activities through school. Let's just say my brother and I found our niche at a young age–being in the cattle barn, halter breaking our calves, and traveling around the nation to participate in the AJSA classics.

My brother and I showing at our local county fair!

Another showing pictures, always waiting to enter our class!

Funny thought that I just remembered: My brother and I thought we would conquer haltering breaking calves without the assistance of our folks. Needless to say, we could of used their help. We are running around with the lasso, tripping over fence line, and getting stuck in sloppy manure and I think we only managed to catch one calf. We need like 3 or 4 calves to be halter broken!

Enough with my reminscing, beef will continue to be a key nutrient in my diet. This day is also a fine day to thank those cattle farmers and ranchers who raise high quality, nutritious beef for consumers to implement into their body systems. However, its just not only the cattle producers, but we need to give credit to feed manufactures to equipment dealerships, and feed marketers to assist in bringing beef to the dinner plates of consumers.

My hats off to everyone involved! This is very sentimental for me as well because my family for the past several years have been to sell beef from the farm to consumer around our area. It's a wonderful feeling knowing we produced that meat, as well as the enjoyment our consumers receive while eating tasty, nutritious home raised beef.

On that note, over the last couple months, I have known my parents were selling all our cattle. Let me tell you, I have never been filled with so much emotion. Cattle has been my livelihood since I was young. But I understand their reasoning, it is going to be a benefit my parents since my brother resides about an hour away and I'm 8 hours away in a different state. The best part of this, all our cattle went to one of our amazing cattle friends who has been with us since we first started. Even though next May, we won't have beef on our farm–May is Beef Month will always remain with me!

"Beef, It's What's for Dinner!" (The last line of my MN Simmental Queen candidate speech before being crowned!)

Time is evil...

It's been two weeks since I last blogged and I know my Grandma checks this everyday, but time is evil! At this rate, we have two months left for wedding planning and daily work just keeps piling up. Honestly, I still have clothes sitting in the laundry basket that has yet been nicely put away for about two weeks. So we have a lot to catch up on!

Before I start with my two week recap, I just want to give you an insight on my day. There is 24 hours in a day and here is a breakdown of what a day looks like for me.

10 hours of restless sleep
1 hour to get ready for work
8 hours of work
1 hour to walk Jet, sometimes 2 because he's a social butterfly
4 hours to spend with Dustin, conquer wedding plans, try to blog or clean the house
Total: 24 hours of exhaustion

Well, I better not waste one more minutes thinking about exhaustion, and start sharing about my recent happenings! The last time I posted I was getting ready to head home for a weekend of fun. I'm pleased to announce Jet loves traveling and Minnesota.

But, the main reason why we journeyed home was because there was a bridal shower for me. I was completely shocked by the love people gave me. I was just beside myself for how many people showed up. It was truly humbling since I haven't seen some people who came for a couple years!

My wonderful hostess!

My amazing mother!

My lovely sister-in-law, how's practically a sister to me!

The women of my family! My mom, sister-in-law, grandma and I!

Also, we checked one large thing off our wedding list. We got all the invitations assembled in a mere 4 hours with a powerhouse of a crew. It was so much fun, well some what but my dear friend Rachael came and helped even though she has her own invitation to assemble for her wedding on July 9th! Have I mentioned that I'm stoked for this summer? Well I am!

Since being home in SD, I have been my busy usual self. I think when we got home, Jet was in a state of shock because he now has to listen where as he was outside most of the time in MN. He is still in his chewing on things stage but has quickly learned a few things such as 'kennel' and 'no', which is used a lot in the house! He has a new chewing object this week. Remember those cloth chore gloves, yep, you guessed it!

(Note: Sorry for the blur - camera can't capture Jet's lighting bolt moves all the time!)

Also, I have been able to bake one thing since being home. Most of our nights are spent eating boxed dinners, but healthy ones. I made a breakfast casserole and it was really good that I'm currently gorging on leftovers!
Scramble Egg Casserole
Ingredients:
Cheese Sauce:
2 tbsp. butter
2 1/2 tbps. flour
2 cups milk
1 cup Velveeta cheese-shredded
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
Eggs:
2 cups cubed ham
2 tbsp. melted butter
1 dozen eggs, beaten
4 oz. slice mushrooms
Topping:
1/4 cup melted butter
2 1/4 cups soft bread crumbs

Directions:
To make cheese sauce, melt butter, blend in flour and cook for one minute. Gradually stir in milk; cook until thick. Add salt, pepper, and cheese; stir until cheese melts. Set aside.
Saute ham in 3 tbsp. butter. Add eggs and cook over medium heat until eggs are set; stir in mushrooms and the cheese sauce. Spoon eggs into greased 9x13 baking dish.
Combine topping ingredients; spread evenly over egg mixture. Cover; chill overnight.
Uncover, bake at 350ยบ for 30 minutes.


I hope you enjoy this recipe! It will be a nice thing to have for a Sunday brunch! Well I better move onto other things on my list. Remember time is evil! This weekend is Easter! I hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend!

Until next time, I sure hope Mother Nature brings sunshine into your life!