Family Farm Friday # 79: Just a Cow

There has been a photo floating around Facebook lately and I just love it. It says the following:

Just a Cow

From time to time, people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a cow."  Or, "That's a lot of money for just a cow."  They don't know the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a cow."  Some of my proudest moments have come with "just a cow."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a cow," but I did not once feel slighted.  Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a cow" and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a cow" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a cow" then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."  "Just a cow" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure, unbridled joy.  "Just a cow" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.  Because of "just a cow," I will rise early, stay in the barn for hours and look longingly into the future.  So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a cow" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure enjoyment of the moment.  "Just a cow" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a cow," but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time that you hear the phrase, "just a cow," just smile...because they clearly just don't understand.

Man.....that hits pretty darn close to home.  I've got lots of "city friends" who completely do not understand our way of life.  They think it's crazy we get up early to do chores, or that every vacation we took for about 20 years involved a trailer and a stock show.  They don't understand the bull semen catalogs I have laying around my house and think it's nuts that I go home on weekends to sort through lambs that other people will show. 

But for those of us who do understand, the "just a cow" quote above makes perfect sense.  Be it the first cow I bought from our neighbor when I was 8 years old, or the horse that my dad bought me before I could walk, or the show lamb that we spent more time (and maybe money!) with than most people spend on a child....I promise you that they are more than "just a cow."  As I explained recently, those animals helped to raise me and that is something that until you have experienced it, you probably won't ever understand. I couldn't be more thankful for all of the "just a cows" in my life.  I thought I'd share pictures of a few of them.



Brent - First State Fair class winner we raised

Baldy - Horse my dad got me when I was 6 months old

Brosic - First Grand Champion

Hoss - Graduation present from Wade

Princess - First County Fair Grand Champion we raised

Lily - My favorite flop eared pig.

Walter - First sale slot and blue ribbon at Roswell

Jake - grouchy guard dog

Lester - Drank prune juice from the can

Harley - Very first banner

The European Birthday Adventure Plan

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts."  Mark Twain

As you all know, I'm turning the big 3-0 this year, and for years it's been on my bucket list to take an amazing 30th birthday trip.  Last year about this time, I decided that Eastern Europe was going to be my destination.  And now, after lots of planning, analysis, figuring, finding travel buddies, and saving money, the European Birthday Adventure is in place.

I've convinced Miss Canada and Cousin Swiss Mister to join in on the fun. 

We're now working on my friend King of Capitol Hill.  Why he needs more convincing than the pictures below and my charming personality is beyond me.  But apparently he does, so everyone tell him to come in a comment below.

King of Capitol Hill thought I had no picturs of him..think again!

Anyway, we're trying to leave things pretty open to just sort of do and see whatever comes along.  We'll have about 3 days in each stop, and I plan on squeezing in as much fun as I can during that time.

Now, here is where you come in.....if you have any pointers, advice, etc. on any of these locations, PLEASE comment below!  I'll be extremely grateful and you'll likely get a shout out on my blog when I return and was saved by your great advice!

With that, here is the plan!

First Stop:  Prague, Czech Republic

Main points of interest:  Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, Old Town Square.

Second Stop:  Vienna, Austria

Main points of interest:  St. Stephen Cathedral, Mozarthaus, Schonbrunn Palace.

Third Stop:  Budapest, Hungary

Main points of interest:  Castle Hill, Heroes Square, Hungarian Parliament Building. 

Fourth Stop:  Krakow, Poland

Main points of interest:  Wawel Castle, Krakow Market Square, St. Mary's Church.

Fifth Stop:  Auschwitz Concentration Camp, Poland

Main points of interest:  Auschwitz, Birkenau, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. 

Final Stop:  Warsaw, Poland

Main points of interest:  Victory Square, St. John's Cathedral, Gestapo Headquareters Museum.

I'm honestly beyond excited.  I can't think of a more fun way to celebrate turning 30 than a trip like this.  It's amazing is to think that not that long ago...in my own lifetime, these countries were under communist rule and I would not have been able to visit them at all.  I absolutely can't wait to share the trip with all of you guys!  Oh, and to eat lots of pastries and gelato, because based on my last trip, that's what Europe is all about!

My Dream Dinner Party List

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.” ~ Edmund Lee 

I've been working on a Dream Dinner Party List for a while now.  This shouldn't surprise anyone.  You already know I love lists....bucket lists, 30 by 30 lists....you name it.  So I heard about this idea that you make a list of the 10 people who you would invite to your dream dinner party.  You know that I couldn't pass this one up.  Here they are, in random order.  I may have gone over the number limit.....whatever, it's my dream dinner party!

Cardinal Timothy Dolan.  This was the name that I revealed last week in a Friday Letter.  I love Cardinal Dolan.  ND Friend has met him in person, and when I think about what I would do if that happened, I honestly believe I would either faint or throw up on his shoes I would be so nervous and excited.  I absolutely love the way that he represents Christianity and Jesus and at the same time seems genuinely happy and funny and full of joy. 

My grandfathers.  Both of my grandfathers died before I was born.  But I can only imagine the kind of men that they must have been based on the children they raised--my parents, aunts and uncles. 

Both sets of grandparents on their wedding days

George Strait.  Pretty sure he's on the list of every girl who has ever ridden a horse or listened to country music.  I can only hope that he would be awesome enough to say, "Sure is good" just like he did on Pure Country, while eating a piece of bacon.  My life would be complete.

Bob Goff.  You guys have read before about how much I love this guy.  He's someone who is out there doing the good that needs to be done in the world.  He's crazy enough to believe that he can make a difference, and he does it.  I think he's the perfect dinner party guest.

Pope John Paul II.  My love for Pope John Paul II started when I was in high school "helping" one of the Hepburns with his book report on the Pope.   I remember being really upset and felling like I knew him when he passed away, and the amazing site that it was seeing his tomb at St. Peter's Bascilica in Rome. He just seemed to be so kind and caring and generous and such a great example of loving others.

Michael Jordan.  I know he's a has-been, but listen here, my 10 year old self will always love MJ and the rest of the Chicago Bulls.  He's a legend, and anyone who wants to try and and compare him wiht Kobe or LeBron can just jump in a lake.

Coach Gundy.  So I could ask him for a job.  Obviously.  Plus, he's super hot.  And he's a man.  He's 40.

 Gran and Mr. Franklin.  I was talking last week about how along with my parents, these two people had the biggest influence on my life.  I miss them every single day and think all the time about how I wish I could tell them one more thing or as them one more question.  Add to that that they were two of my favorite people in the entire world, and it is clear they were going to make the list.

Michael Phelps.   Yea yea, I know that he takes stupid pictures and apparently has a bit of a drug problem and I'm sure he's not much of a gentleman when it comes to his love life, but he's the most decorated Olympian ever. That gets you a seat at my party.

Mr. Right.  Apparently me finding this dude in real life is more complicated than I ever thought it would be, but if he showed up at my Dream Dinner Party, I would then be aware of his identity and could go track him down the next day!

Little Cowboy.  Because seriously, I think he's the funniest kid that has ever lived and the thought of seeing him go toe to toe with Bob Goff or Cardinal Dolan pretty much makes my day.

Now it's your turn.....who is on YOUR Dream Dinner Party List?

What's Going on in Your World....

“We all have the same 24/7. What we do with our time becomes our priority. Choose what you do with your time and do not lead a life by default.”  ~Patt Hollinger Pickett

...it sure is lonesome in mine.

Not really.  I'm just gearing up for the Cowboy Rides Away George Strait concert that I'm hitting up in just over a month and that title worked for this blog.  Never too early to be excited about seeing George Strait in concert!!

Things have been a bit crazy lately, so I thought I'd fill you in on what is going on in my world.

*  I have finally let go of all my objections and have joined Pinterest.  Just what I need....another way to kill hours of my time on the internet. I blame peer pressure and my excitement of getting to decorate a new house in Texas!  Follow me here if ya want to see lots of cute house stuff, fun travel stuff, and (of course) OSU football stuff!

* Speaking of a new house in Texas, I have been house shopping.  Zero fun sir.  I do not like shopping, I do not like spending money, and I do not like decisions.  Ergo, house shopping is pretty much my mortal enemy.  But thanks to my sweet friend Mrs. BFF who I drug along with me into every house for sale in Texas, I have managed to get a super cute house in a great neighborhood.  Here are a few photographs.

*  I have been planning paint colors.  Well this combines the first two items on the list, because I've got big plans for how to paint the walls in my new abode.  I'm thinking some light turquoise, mint green, pale yellow.  Here are some examples.  I'm seriously beyond excited.

* I have been "staging" my condo in order to sell that baby. My realtor actually said that my house was in "pretty good shape" and that he liked a lot of my decor. But, alas, there were a couple of speeches about Grand Champion banners hanging on the wall and clutter on a bookshelf, and dirty dishes in the sink, that made clear I did not pass inspection.

*  I have been bachelorette party planning.  In April I have College Roomie's bachelorette weekend that will be taking place here in NM.  She was involved in some of the planning and knows that we will be headed to Santa Fe to do some shopping, a progressive dinner, and some dancing.  But because she can't know everything, the other girls and I have a few surprises up our sleeves that I'm quite excited about.

* I have been bachelorette party planning again.  Nope, I didn't accidentally repeat myself.  I'm also working on a bachelorette party plan for Cousin Whitney.  We're doing this sort of in two parts.   When she gets out of school in May she and I are headed for a little weekend getaway in Texas.  San Antonio, to be exact.  Then, the night before her wedding I'm throwing a little champagne and dessert party at her house for all of her girlfriends.

*  I have been a little trip to a place called Europe.  That's right, friends, the 30th birthday extravaganza has been booked.  I'm looking at 14 days in Europe and I could not be more excited.  I'll have another blog soon about exactly what's on top for this major adventure.

* After reminessing thanks to this blog, I have convinced my parents we need to go back to San Francisco for a little vacay.  We've got a trip planned for three days in May and we plan on filling it up with a night tour of Alcatraz, lots of yummy food, and the Farmer's Market.  Cannot wait!

Family Farm Friday #78: Happy National FFA Week!

"Her daddy was a farmer, like his daddy was before...."  ~Josh Abott Band, Small Town Family Dream

It's National FFA Week!  I have really been enjoying all of the flashback pictures on facebook that people have posted of their FFA days.  You know I had to join in the fun.

Our first State Championship.

My first purple banner.

I suppose that FFA was in my blood, as evidenced below.

My Dad was in FFA in the 1970s.

My Granddad was an FFA member in the 1940s.

I've been involved in lots of different activities from sports teams to legal clubs to honor society to church groups, and I can say without a doubt in my mind that none have had a bigger impact on my life than my experience in FFA.  From countless sets of reasons in a hotel room, to Mr. Franklin beating the steering wheel and yelling at us for being idiots the year we won State Livestock, to green chile cheeseburgers at Dicks, to "The Speech" behind the suburbans at Hobbs, to ass kicking peanuts in the suburban if you missed a question, to State Fair street dances, to learning the difference between a sink hole and a gully, to hugging my dad after winning the county fair the third year in a row, to Mr. Franklin crying anytime we won...some of my favorite memories involve FFA.

I feel that no matter how many blogs I write about things like puking my way across Kentucky or remembering the State Fair or our first show lamb sale, or looking back on the speeches given, or trips to National FFA Convention, or my first set of reasons, I still can't put into words how much I appreciate this organization and the memories that it gave me.  I count the chance to have been a part of the FFA as one of my biggest blessings.  Happy National FFA Week!

Traveling to San Francisco (Part 2): Where to Eat

"Every man should be allowed to love two cities, his own and San Francisco."   ~Gene Fowler

Remember 6 months ago when I began my series on traveling to San Francisco with a post on what to do?  Yea.....kinda dropped the ball on the rest of the series.  I'm a disaster.  But, luckily for me, my friend Almost Gypsy Soul is headed to San Francisco in a couple of months and asked me for recommendations, which triggered my memory to finish this blog!

So today, I'm sharing with you my favorite restaurants in one of my favorite cities.  It's funny that I'm writing a blog about this, given my prior confession about my fear that eating in San Francisco might get me fired.  By the end of the summer, that fear was over and I was just happy as a lark eating my way through the city.  I'm telling y'all, some of the best food in the world is in San Francisco. I gained 10 pounds the summer I worked there. Between the food, the wine, and the Specialties cookies that I continually shoved down my throat, it's amazing I didn't gain 100!

With that, here are my go-to spots.

Breakfast

I swear that there is no place in the world that loves their breakfast like they do in San Francisco.  Hands down my favorite meal of the day in that city.  I loved getting up early when it was still chilly and maybe foggy and heading out to one of these cafes to sit on the sidewalk and watch the hustle and bustle begin.  

1.  Hollywood Cafe.  This one I sort of stumbled onto by accident.  It's not ins a fancy building, it doesn't have a fancy name, but I'm telling  you if you want the best breakfast of your life, go to the Hollywood.  My friend Nomad even brought tour groups here for his job.  That's how good it is.  You get breakfast sandwiches on amazing fresh croissants and served with a side of fruit that I swear must be hand picked the night before.  Location wise it's great because it's walking distance from Fisherman's Wharf and not even up any hills!  Everyone who came to visit me when I lived in SF ate here!

2.  Crepevine.  This restaurant is my go-to spot after running a race in San Francisco.  Crepes and/or pancakes and Mimosas.  We've made this a tradition after going there following Bay to Breakers and the SF Half Marathon.  It's go several locations around town that makes it even more convenient.

Post-Half Marathon pumpkin pancakes and mimosa at Crepevine

3.  La Boulangerie.  If I were to be given a last meal, I would have to at least consider the homemade granola and greek yogurt with fresh fruit from La Boulangerie.  There are no words.  Just trust me.  It's like heaven in a big ol' bowl.  Plus it's a great atmosphere--a cute little French bakery with wicker furniture, a cute blue and white striped awning and an amazing pastry selection.  Again, there are lots of locations around town, but I'm pretty partial to the one in North Beach just off of Washington Square Park.

4.  Mama's.  This one is a must do because, to me, it's classic San Francisco.  I found this place when my Dad and I went to look at apartments.  It's right int he corner of Washington Square Park and there is usually a line out the door if you don't get there early.  I honestly don't remember what I've ordered when I have been there, but I remember that the food is good.  It's second to the atmosphere though---a long line where you can see them making your meal, tiny tables in a corner with fresh flowers on them, an old two story building a bit reminiscent of the Full House house.  It's an experience that you need when you visit San Francisco.

Lunch/Dinner

1.  Trattoria Pinocchio.  I think that if I had to pick my favorite type of food, I'd pick Italian (sorry to my Mexican ancestry there...) and this is my favorite Italian restaurant.  It's right in the heart of North Beach, as it should be since that's the main Italian neighborhood in San Francisco.  They have the most fun drink menu, all fresh, homemade pastas, and a great atmosphere.  You can reserve yourself a table outside, which I always like to do unless the fog is rolling in and it looks like it will be cold.  I highly recommend the homemade gnocci.  To.Die.For.

2.  Chioppinos.  This restaurant is located close to Peir 47 right across from The Cannery.  I love the location--close to the beach, the trolley and Fisherman's Wharf.  It's a great blend of Italian and seafood.  My parents loved the seafood there.  I don't eat fish, but I would probably kick a puppy for a bowl of their minestrone soup.  (I wouldn't actually ever kick a puppy, obviously!)  Plus they have a great outdoor seating area and always have really fun music playing in the background.

Chioppinos sidewalk seating area

3.  House of Hunan.  I think everyone wants to eat in Chinatown while they are in San Francisco.  My favorite place to do that is House of Hunan.  The only problem is that it's everyone's favorite place to eat, so if you go at normal times there is a line.  If, however, you can plan your day to go at an off time--say right when the open or at like 3:00 you can get right in.  They serve food family style and it is all seriously amazing.   My favorite is the sesame chicken.  Order that.   You'll thank me.

Other

1.  O'Reilly's Irish Pub.  I'm partial to this pub for lots of reasons.  My Irish heritage and love for Notre Dame probably draws me to Irish pubs.  This one is awesome---old wooden floors, a huge old wooden bar, and usually a bartender who is from Ireland and speaks with an accent.  You can't beat it.  Plus they have great bar food snacks as well.  It's tucked around a quiet corner in North Beach.  I frequented this joint a time or two, but my favorite time was when College Roomie, Cousin Whitney and the Oklahoma Girls were in town for Fourth of July. We all ventured down to O'Reilly's for a little drink and when we walked in, it was a madhouse full of people dressed in white with red scarves just like the Running of the Bulls in Spain.  Turns out, they were having a "Running of the Bars" where they all dress up, make a list of like 5 bars, go to the first one for an hour, then all go out in the street and run (by run I sort of mean walk/stumble while screaming) to the next one.  It was awesome.

2.  Tony Niks Bar.  This bar is also in North Beach (can you tell that was both close to my apartment and my favorite neighborhood?) just off of the park.  It's usually pretty low key, they have an awesome drink menu, and comfy couches for sitting.  Highly recommended if you just want to relax and grab a drink.

Drinks at Tony Nik's the night we all got job offers.

3.  Specialties.  Remember that 10 pound weight gain I mentioned?  My guess is that 9.5 of those pounds came from the semi-sweet chocolate chip cookies at Specialties.  You guys do not even understand.  They are the best cookies ever in life, especially when they are all warm and fresh and gooey.  The bakery even sends out text messages if you sign up to let you know when an order comes out of the oven so you can run over and get 'em while they're hot.  (I could lie and say I wouldn't know about  that, but we all know I'm a fatty and LOVE cookies.)  This place, too, has locations all over the city but they are usually closed on weekends, so go during the week.  (That's at least true for the downtown locations, it might be different at the others, I don't know.)

So there ya go.....a little San Francisco eating advice!  I'd love to hear your favorite SF restaurants....I need a good excuse for another trip to my favorite city!