Confidence

Hawaiian Sweet Roll Ham Sammies

I found this recipe over at Beyer Beware. I made it the night after Thanksgiving when we still had company around. I used leftover ham and not as much butter. I try to be healthy when I can :)

Support Small Business Saturday

Yes, I  know its Sunday, however I think that Support Small Business Saturday might be one of those made up Holidays worth partaking in.

 I wanted to share a  couple pictures of 2Chick Couture's booth at a local craft fair yesterday. In the near future, I am hoping to take this booth and make it into a store. I will keep ya'll posted on that process.

Being raised in the country my family has always supported local small towns near us. We think it is important to support local small business.Many times the owner of these businesses are family members, neighbors, and friends.This is what keeps small towns alive. Those towns are what makes the USA what it is, the values of small rural America are important and should be supported and encouraged.

  Just because Saturday is over, don't stop.....everyday should be "Support Small Business Day."

Country Wedding Ideas

I wanted to share a few cute ideas for a country wedding.  This was at my good friend Casie's.

 I think that this arrangement would be great for any event or home decor. The pheasant feathers are a unique and beautiful touch.

                                                                              Raffia!

Thrifty Chicken

I love this little bucket I got at that auction months ago. I bought it in a $1 pile, so I'm sure its portion was about 5cents worth!!!

I decided to do a little research on this item. I found an ad in a Farm Journal from 1900 for this product! Maybe this is a start to an  educational poultry post?!

Greatness

Ruby Slippers Reception

At the American Agri-Women Conference there was a presidents reception for our outgoing president that is from Kansas. My mom and all her genius event planning wisdom, executed beautiful and fun decorations to, "Welcome Chris Home"

Hopefully, you gather some inspiration.

AAW uses Rosie the Riveter for many promos. So we were super excited when we ran onto this at a thrift store!

We had been gathering red shoes for a year. Oh, the ones you can find at thrift stores!

Floating sunflower candle(KS state flower)

Post Cowboy Gathering

I'm a little slow at getting this up, but better late than never.
Here is a glimpse of my booth.

This was hosted at the Wabanusee HS. It was a great place with plenty of break-out rooms, large auditorium, and cafeteria.

Other artists or participants included:
Please check out links to their websites.

Harry Whitney-Photography Art

Don Dane-Artist

Sue Krehbiel-Artist

Lady Luck Iron Works-vendor

Ron Wilson-Cowboy Poet  Lariat

Cowboy Way Ranch & Vacations- Vendor & Sponsor

3 Trails West- Saturday's concert

Holiday Bazaar

Come Shop

1st Annual Flint Hills Holiday Bazaar

Today, Nov 19 9am-2pm

1440 Pearl, Junction City, KS

Santa will be there noon-2pm

Game Day Kicks

I spotted a pair of OSU cowboy boots in Stillwater 2 years ago. They were awesome, great tops, nice detailing, and the perfect toe, yes it seems the south is always ahead of the game. Then I started seeing posts on Pinterest, websites, and finally saw a post on Cowboys & Indians. I'm not sure why they can't make some awesome K-State ones, but in my opinion they are failing. I would like a nice square toe,(not needle point) with some flashy purple and silver tops.....is this too much to ask?! I think not.

K-State by Nocona

Gameday  Boots is one company that makes boots for certain schools. However, they don't have K-State they have that other school down the road, ugh. Not sure why they don't have the school in Kansas that actually has a rodeo team and is a land grant university?!? (Not that my ranting and raving will make them start producing K-State ones)
Here is the only decent pair they have:

I might have to resort to buying men's boots, check these out:

Getting closer........................

Wedding Present Tutorial

I wanted to share a wedding present I made for a friend. (Casie, realize the cost of this gift is in no way a reflection of how much you mean to me!)

I'm not to good at slowing down and taking step by step pictures AND I think most of you are smart enough to follow.

I first started with an old picture I got in a $1 pile at an auction. So... the cost of this was probably 2cents.

I painted over the picture in tan. Paint cost= free.


Then I took an old certificate frame that had the glass broken out. I believe this was $1 at the Dollar Tree.

I took the cardboard back out as well as the staples to hold the glass in place.

Next I bought a paper mache "N" for their last name- Cost $2.50 at Hobby Lobby.
Painted it Chrome-Paint=free

Then rubbed brown craft paint on the "N" to look worn. Paint= 25cents

Finally, I stacked it all, glued with hot glue and painted their name and date.

Ta-Da!

Normal?!

I was featured..........

I just got back from Wichita for the American Agri-Women National Convention. It was great seeing old friends, making new ones, and finally putting a face with some of my social media friends. I meet up with Crystal Cattle and Celsete at Couture Cowgirl Communications , she did a post about my booth at convention.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! 
I really appreciate the support from Celeste and can't wait till the next AAW event.

Oven-Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato “Chips”

These remind me of the "Buffalo Chips" at Buffalo Wild Wings. Quick & Simple

A hit with everyone the evening I made these!

• 3 russet potatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons light olive oil
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
• garlic salt
• fresh ground pepper
• chopped Italian parsley (for garnish)
Clean the potatoes. Roughly peel strips of the skin from each potato, leaving a few strips of the skin intact. Using a crimped knife (or a regular will work just brilliantly, as well), slice the potatoes into 1/4″ pieces.
Place all of the sliced potatoes in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes, then stir to evenly coat. Add the panko, parmesan, garlic salt, and pepper. Stir again, making sure each of the potato slices has a kiss of oil, panko, and parmesan. Spread the potatoes onto a large parchment covered baking sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 450 degrees for 18-25 minutes, or until the cheese and panko is golden brown and your desired crispiness is achieved.
Sprinkle with a pinch of fresh parmesan and chopped parsely. Serve immediately alongside your favorite burgers, steak, or barbecued chicken. Enjoy the indulgence!

Perfect for us Aggies

Italian Corn Salsa

1 (11oz) can corn, drained
1 tomato, diced
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (4oz) can black olives (optional)
1 cup Italian dressing

Alternative: Use a can of diced Italian tomatoes if you don't have fresh on hand. My mom likes that version best.

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours up to overnight. Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos.

Reckless- The Marine Horse

I wanted to share a video with you that I received via email. I'm not sure if you are familiar with this story or not. I love history and especially when it ties closely to agriculture.  Enjoy.

Best of the Barns

There is a little contest ya'll should check out. This is the second year they have had this friendly little competition. I know a couple people who are up for nominations. First head over to Crystal Cattle for a fun little give away and then  head to Best of the Barns and vote.

Oh someday for me to be in that league.

The Little Things

2011 AAW Convention Highlights

My longest post EVER, but definetly worth the read. Come to Wichita!!!

When you arrive in Kansas, follow the Yellow Brick Road.  There will be Yellow Bricks to lead you to the Registration Desk and the meeting rooms.  It will be easy to find your way around OZ!

Each day will have a theme reflecting “America’s Harvest”.  On Thursday, the Meat, Greet & Wheat theme will be carried out with donated and sponsored meat products (jerky).  You will greet all your AAW colleagues and get to take home a gift of genuine, authentic Kansas wheat!

Friday will be carried out with Food, Fuel & Flight.  As you fly in to Wichita, known for its contribution to the flight industry (no. 1 *****), you will be welcomed by Kansas farmers who feed 128 other people and you (we have signs to prove it).  In addition to using fuel to tour several great places in Kansas, attendees will fuel themselves from the items contained in an up-cycled feed bag (food for livestock) that serves as a centerpiece at each table.   You’ll want one of these to “carry” the theme throughout the convention.

Saturday will culminate with the place where all bountiful harvests are shown off…the County Fair!  Everyone will be a Blue Ribbon Winner at this event.  Each attendee will take home their own prized canned goods and an apron to use as they prepare their entries for next year’s fair.  No County Fair is complete without a style review and grandstand entertainment.  We’ve got both of them!  Don’t forget to enter your up-cycled garment for the Style Review.  

Multiple opportunities will be provided for your very own photo moment.  Whether you choose to join the cast of the Wizard of Oz, appear on the cover of “Progressive Agriculture”, or gather your friends in a Kansas wheat field, you will have plenty of backdrops for your picture to be taken – all inside, in one place.

Scrapbookers and stamping folks don’t have to stop their hobby while they are at convention.  There will be a Make-it and Take-it Center in the Hospitality Room.  This cubicle will be set up with stamping supplies throughout the convention.  If you would like to design a handmade card(s) and send it home to friends and loved ones, we will provide the stamp!  Just come to the Hospitality Room and be creative!

To increase the enthusiasm for the up-cycled items donated to the silent auction,  there will be an Up-Cycled Viewer’s Choice Award.  Each attendee will be provided one ticket and may vote by depositing their ticket in the container beside each donated up-cycled item.  The item with the most tickets in the container will be the winner.

As professionals, we know communication is critical.  There will three tools to help participants communicate with one another:

Ø A geographic map will be displayed for each person to pinpoint their home town .  When registering, be sure to get your marker so you can identify your place on the map.

Ø A Message Board will be up at all times.  If you need to post a message for another attendee, pass on information, or simply pick up a Daily Newsletter, you can do it at this site.

Ø A Ride Board will be up throughout the convention.  If someone needs a ride to /from the airport or to/from a shopping spot, you can make the connection on the board. 

There will be a Daily Newsletter to keep all attendees updated and informed.  Important contact information will be listed on every newsletter for quick reference if a participant needs to contact a convention coordinator or has an immediate question.  There will be a section devoted to schedule details and brief bios on each speaker for the day.  Another helpful section will be a summary of the activities from the previous day’s agenda.  Participants that may arrive late or have to miss a portion of the agenda, will not feel like they have completely miss out if they read the newsletter each morning – they will feel informed and connected.  Additionally, there will be a fun, educational section for attendees to learn Kansas facts and trivial information about agriculture.  Finally, there will be a lost and found section where items can be listed and easily recovered.

The Hospitality Room is just that…a place for Hospitality!  The Wizard of Oz will be showing, there will be tornados-in-a-jar, you can join in a game of Twister, or put your name in the raffle for a Land of Oz souvenir.  Daily themes will be carried out with lots of good food, good beverages, and good fellowship...especially on Thursday evening when everyone can warm up and “exchange on the range”.  There will be a Hot Cocoa Bar and an exchange of mugs and t-shirts.  You  won’t go home with what you came with!  You will exchange what you brought, with someone else.  To participate, you need to bring a mug, or for collegiate members a t-shirt, that depicts your home state or some aspect of agriculture.

The Kansas version of Chippendales will be serving you at the President’s Reception.  Kansas’ “John Dears” will be Farmers-In-The-Dale  and happy to serve your champagne.  Bring your money ladies, the guys will have their garters on!