tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29615742621504375092024-03-05T20:13:55.262-08:00Dust In My CoffeeJoanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-63168608303233890902021-06-17T15:41:00.000-07:002021-06-17T15:41:41.769-07:00I'm Back<p>I'm back to Blogger but I'm not sure how soon I will be consistently blogging 😀</p><p>One of the reasons I started blogging was to share my story as a woman in agriculture, especially in regards to taking care of cattle in a feedlot setting. There are so many ways to connect with one another on social media and sometimes it has been easier to send brief messages via Twitter or a mini blog on Facebook instead of writing a blog post.</p><p>The posts I used on Word Press will be transferred over but will most likely all have the date of transfer versus the date they were written. There are some posts that are my favorites and I will share them more often because of that!</p><p>This past year has certainly brought many trials upon us. There are a variety of ways to cope with situations out of our control. Most of them are temporary solutions and can lead to other problems if they are used as an escape. I say this through my own personal experience.</p><p>There is one source of strength I have found to be reliable through the deepest sadness and darkest despair. That source is the power of prayer. Prayer relying on God's desire for our good and prayer through the community of believers who hold us up when we are weak. </p><p>From Jeremiah 29:11 we read “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for
good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.</p><p></p><p>“Almighty and everlasting God, You are strength to those who suffer and comfort to those who<br />
grieve. Let the prayers of your children who are in trouble rise to you.<br />
Hear our prayer.<br />
We claim your promises of wholeness as we pray for those who are ill or are suffering loss and<br />
long for your healing touch.<br />
Hear our prayer.<br />
Make the weak strong, the sick healthy, the broken whole, and confirm those who serve them as<br />
agents of your love.<br />
Hear our prayer.<br />
To everyone in distress, grant mercy, grant relief, grant refreshment.<br />
Hear our prayer.<br />
As we begin to rebuild, we commend our neighborhoods to your care. Give us strength of<br />
purpose and concern for others, that we may create a community where your will may be done.<br />
Hear our prayer.<br />
God of compassion, you watch our ways, and weave out of terrible happenings wonders of<br />
goodness and grace.<br />
Hear our prayer.<br />
Surround those who have been shaken by tragedy with a sense of your present love,<br />
and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted;<br />
Through Jesus Christ who lives and rules this world with you. Amen”. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ_Sl47jnWFTuGeQLXwcdhUKYZOvHna9_PW3z3Pm44yYDPl2XtjbgI_w57giZ_I0VCS5KwWExDHmJdfJk2dBPZ0XP9-8y62jf4Gojr-P0BHxwgEqczXCxS78lDMoSka72MI2wl4ELrTM/s1273/pond+by+GI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJ_Sl47jnWFTuGeQLXwcdhUKYZOvHna9_PW3z3Pm44yYDPl2XtjbgI_w57giZ_I0VCS5KwWExDHmJdfJk2dBPZ0XP9-8y62jf4Gojr-P0BHxwgEqczXCxS78lDMoSka72MI2wl4ELrTM/w622-h468/pond+by+GI.jpg" width="622" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-18301161894986906472017-10-30T11:54:00.004-07:002017-10-30T11:54:45.074-07:00I've MovedGreetings friends! I have moved my blog over to Wordpress. You can still get my old posts with all the links here. To read any new blogs you will need to go to my new site https://dustinmycoffee.net/<br />
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Thanks for joining me on my journey!<br />
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-44937422800712750302017-09-26T08:22:00.001-07:002017-09-26T19:41:26.180-07:00He had me at "I've Got a Horse"Who knew Steve's pick up line, "I've got a horse..." would be the catalyst leading to a relationship that has lasted nearly 37 years? It was early October in 1980 when Steve used that line on me at a wedding dance in Snyder. I sat across from him at a table full of alumni from a college in Curtis, NE. We were all sharing our stories about instructors, dorms and night life. During the conversation Steve learned I had a love for horses. He must have thought it was his chance to make a move when he commented, "I have a horse that can turn on a dime!"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_25ZOGpQf4yUBdKsymCUk3rZ1jO-ZhVeZNs1c0BbmrJ9ZwbxKuAW4sntYH6jfJCjB01nMHAJE4s0t7oLOW1G141gdRUfU9KSx2hAe7_R5FgW6fZk5xn1yqJW2M041SuT6hMJmQO0yD8/s1600/steve+working+1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="431" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_25ZOGpQf4yUBdKsymCUk3rZ1jO-ZhVeZNs1c0BbmrJ9ZwbxKuAW4sntYH6jfJCjB01nMHAJE4s0t7oLOW1G141gdRUfU9KSx2hAe7_R5FgW6fZk5xn1yqJW2M041SuT6hMJmQO0yD8/s400/steve+working+1987.JPG" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Throughout the course of the evening, whenever Steve had the chance he would go back to telling me about his horse named Duffy and his family's farm north of Snyder. I admit I enjoyed looking into Steve's blue eyes as he talked and before I knew it the dance was over. I couldn't remember Steve's name so when he stood up I looked at the back of his belt and saw "STEVE" imprinted on it. I had a first name and, yes, I was looking at his belt.<br />
<br />
The following morning I drove to Omaha to visit my aunt. Aunt Kathy was my mom's only sister and a favorite aunt of mine from childhood. Aunt Kathy was known to bring my siblings and I gifts for birthdays and Christmas's and she was a fun adult to be around. I sat down on a stool at her counter and told her all about a guy named Steve I had met the night before. She was the first person to hear about this guy with a great horse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Cl9eGEmKv97mjHpgAXlmkv9BJMbOJBJXu_AxGC_0yVHXsGwkuusVIH1hz8EfSkSts0IFlIq7wftIOG6bJ-dq0VNzu_80h2hDO72RG1Ym9oBdtojb918q_qdkTYi37X0qF4RBH1nE0D4/s1600/wizfamily1968+auntkathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="720" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Cl9eGEmKv97mjHpgAXlmkv9BJMbOJBJXu_AxGC_0yVHXsGwkuusVIH1hz8EfSkSts0IFlIq7wftIOG6bJ-dq0VNzu_80h2hDO72RG1Ym9oBdtojb918q_qdkTYi37X0qF4RBH1nE0D4/s400/wizfamily1968+auntkathy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my favorite pictures of my family with my Aunt Kathy in it. </td></tr>
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On Monday morning, two days after I met Steve, I was unlocking the vet clinic door where I worked. As I jiggled the key in the lock I heard the phone ringing and I rushed to get inside to answer what I thought was a large animal call for our veterinarian. It was Steve. He wanted to know if I would like to ride his horse sometime. I laughed and said yes. We made plans for me to drive to the farm that Saturday. <br />
<br />
I guess Steve couldn't wait for Saturday to arrive. He stopped in at the vet clinic on Thursday afternoon to see me. I needed to meet our vet on a nearby farm to treat a horse so Steve offered to take me. What a gentleman! <br />
<br />
Saturday arrived and I headed out to Steve's farm. When I arrived Steve met me at my car and we walked over to the horse pen. We caught the horse, saddled him up and off I went. I had plenty of space to ride. As I rode through the nearby fields I noticed how well kept their farm was. When I rode back up to the barn Steve was waiting and asked about riding along. Before I could say anything he was up in the saddle sitting behind me. We began our riding tour of the farm until the rest of his family had left for Saturday night mass. I don't think he was ready to have me meet the family yet!<br />
<br />
That first date kindled the spark that had been lit at the wedding dance. We continued to date, talk about our common interests and then plan for a wedding. <br />
<br />
As we searched for a place we could live Steve's uncle approached him and asked if we would consider living on the farm where Steve's grandfather had raised a family of thirteen children. The uncle, Roman Ruskamp, had retired, moved to town and married late in life. Steve took me to the farm located about eleven miles from his own family's farm. It was a bit rustic after having two bachelors living in the house for twenty years. Steve saw beyond the broken fences, weeds and run down house. His enthusiasm was contagious and I supported the decision to not only live on the farm but also buy the 40 acres the house and barns were on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtIXfdIfp1IlTln64hAdocl5mZKjBUTSxhfqiioxEGdOCAv4cZrs82ofcOTzSvBdIodh1cqceztBD_WrYHDq9a6ZlGdXMdNSR0lrfCb7yxGsomk-ng07RsErvL6E-qXMUl29C-UtJ3G0/s1600/Farm+1991+arial+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtIXfdIfp1IlTln64hAdocl5mZKjBUTSxhfqiioxEGdOCAv4cZrs82ofcOTzSvBdIodh1cqceztBD_WrYHDq9a6ZlGdXMdNSR0lrfCb7yxGsomk-ng07RsErvL6E-qXMUl29C-UtJ3G0/s320/Farm+1991+arial+view.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This aerial photo was taken in 1991. We had added some new<br />
cattle pens and lived right in the middle of all the activity. The <br />
highway shows up as dirt because it was worked on that year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A3JM6MmFPfVcmutpek5StjJWSn8DqPDe4tOItI4FsELHzGDXEjD6DOeicHrtEO_YKaBeaRhfy34UySYSCDIc4P7kibH8AMgLkv_ElRtXvb3SRewuXQRNxydg0t1UnXykUKEBSK63Ksc/s1600/IMGP5318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3A3JM6MmFPfVcmutpek5StjJWSn8DqPDe4tOItI4FsELHzGDXEjD6DOeicHrtEO_YKaBeaRhfy34UySYSCDIc4P7kibH8AMgLkv_ElRtXvb3SRewuXQRNxydg0t1UnXykUKEBSK63Ksc/s320/IMGP5318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This aerial photo was taken in 2007. We built a house in 1996<br />
to the west end of the feedlot when our old house was beyond<br />
repair. Another dream for Steve was to have a fish pond and<br />
that is located to the right of the house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The excitement about having our own farm dimmed when we learned my Uncle Melvin, was diagnosed with cancer. We made several visits to see him in the hospital in Omaha. On one late night visit the conversation was about our wedding. Steve wanted the wedding in Snyder since they had farm chores to work around. Uncle Melvin was very persuasive in telling Steve the wedding should be in the bride's hometown. On our way home Steve apologized to me for his lack of understanding and the wedding was moved from Snyder to Resurrection Catholic Church in Grand Island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZjW0yTjZPByN7OmIEy9TlD8f9DvbME1QE8axX1Z_wh5B79rssK4btppO9Cs6Y46gX8i9P6PBnUaTDpPHE9dsdhz91P3CWzSwIaILk6nG_4oruGRQ-9kuM6ka4zXLMUrFH7YB2vKdrrs/s1600/clem3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZjW0yTjZPByN7OmIEy9TlD8f9DvbME1QE8axX1Z_wh5B79rssK4btppO9Cs6Y46gX8i9P6PBnUaTDpPHE9dsdhz91P3CWzSwIaILk6nG_4oruGRQ-9kuM6ka4zXLMUrFH7YB2vKdrrs/s400/clem3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Melvin is the first one in the back row. He is standing next to my<br />
dad. This is my dad's family with Grandpa and Grandma seated in the middle.</td></tr>
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Another tragedy hit us when Steve's brother, Ed, died suddenly in a car accident. Ed was Steve's partner with the feedlot they built up. It was surreal for me to be sharing this grief with Steve and his family. I felt a little out of place since I wasn't really a part of the family yet. As I lay in a sleeping bag the night before the funeral Steve's mom came over to me, touched my shoulder and said, "I'm so glad you are here." I was family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaZcW67ZaUmiwdV2jV7QnY7fPNDoV5MIVFHcdGNNMbRfx8JHMpVJaAN3tDrYII2Dtvf5XGQ0MgITLm7a9sco0eL7cPz1e-Y1ukDe9o5bXNhb_MqifyHUOR4CX129GFowo_M0wZCDa_Mw/s1600/franbernfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="640" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaZcW67ZaUmiwdV2jV7QnY7fPNDoV5MIVFHcdGNNMbRfx8JHMpVJaAN3tDrYII2Dtvf5XGQ0MgITLm7a9sco0eL7cPz1e-Y1ukDe9o5bXNhb_MqifyHUOR4CX129GFowo_M0wZCDa_Mw/s400/franbernfamily.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve's family. Front row: Julie, Teri, Barb, Louise, Marguerite<br />
Back row: Steve, Jerry, Francis, Bernardine, Ed, Joe, Rosie</td></tr>
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We said goodbye to Ed in July. We said goodbye to my Uncle Melvin in August. <br />
<br />
In early September we took Steve's horse and a 3 year-old filly I bought over the summer to the Labor Day Parade in Omaha. We had joined the Dodge Saddle Club and one of the first events we attended was the parade. I was a little apprehensive about taking a young horse to a parade but I had been reassured the older horses would keep my horse in line. Our third traumatic experience before the wedding was about to unfold.<br />
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The horses were saddled and excited. We were in downtown Omaha with lots of people and unfamiliar sounds all around us. Our saddle club mounted up and started walking towards the parade route. While we waited for the parade to start, a high school band decided to warm up. I could feel my horse trembling inside as I kept a flag folded tight around the pole in my right hand. Suddenly she reared up and I felt the both of us go over backwards as she fell on the right side of my hip. In my mind all I could think about was getting my feet out of the stirrups and letting go of the flag. As she stood up I looked at my right hand and saw one of my fingers bleeding and then I tried to stand up. Pain immediately shot down my back, hip and legs. Steve jumped down to my side with a look of fear on his face. Someone called a rescue squad and soon we were whisked away to the hospital.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVL1p4Uhh36xpNFhzhhzIrAkoEhZEXL7Bk1ulIpO47Jbo0xahkRWcT5M4RwSUg5w1WM61xKz9_8rEcydRBbjU8uT-SaTq4uibPvftGMXkmsNnljjPZhNgVBUI8ZaHVR_7I6FqTQreE6Q/s1600/cocoa+pebbles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="415" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVL1p4Uhh36xpNFhzhhzIrAkoEhZEXL7Bk1ulIpO47Jbo0xahkRWcT5M4RwSUg5w1WM61xKz9_8rEcydRBbjU8uT-SaTq4uibPvftGMXkmsNnljjPZhNgVBUI8ZaHVR_7I6FqTQreE6Q/s320/cocoa+pebbles.JPG" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did not ride my mare in anymore parades and I did not<br />
sell her. She did produce some nice foals like this one!</td></tr>
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<br />
While Steve and I waited for the x-rays we talked about what we might be facing. My hip could be broken. I could feel pain so that was a good sign. My leg could be broken. We had a wedding in three weeks. What would we do? Was this a sign? If it was a sign, what did it mean?<br />
<br />
The doctor returned with good news. Nothing was broken. I was going to need crutches for awhile for the bruising that had occurred. We could handle that. If there was a sign, it was that someone special was watching out for us and we could go ahead with the wedding. I was fitted for some crutches and sent home to heal and get ready for the wedding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzd3EMiL3ve_o7ZvX5V6Ir1Tx73mYiIMzI7BNI72Z5XnL53i3Kgd46KFclEh7OXL1E3D8fvCw6V1zuvkJZKv3BmRifyjn7E03wGFt24vC9vKgt_T82jmZ-A7IEkyLEYSVu-JhjHn4U2Q/s1600/joanstevecheers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="850" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzd3EMiL3ve_o7ZvX5V6Ir1Tx73mYiIMzI7BNI72Z5XnL53i3Kgd46KFclEh7OXL1E3D8fvCw6V1zuvkJZKv3BmRifyjn7E03wGFt24vC9vKgt_T82jmZ-A7IEkyLEYSVu-JhjHn4U2Q/s320/joanstevecheers.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers! September 26, 1981</td></tr>
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<br />
From, "I've got a horse," to saying, "I do," Steve has kept his commitment to love me and honor me all the days of my life. We've shared 13,140 days together as husband and wife. Those 13,140 days have been filled with more blessings than burdens. I can only hope God blesses us with thousands more days together that start with Steve's daily greeting, "Goooooood Morning Joanie!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gYnw7XmuEFKSROmvHFnQlE29xShfdrW-RxTmTyytdeobHV1JNnSbTtknJ090nse0T08WEFn1mp-5LlPNYejcYKLp4oPMDoT9CzQoBZbvTG6G_2fXiBHj22ykZhJd-0R2udOTH-2zF9A/s1600/SteveJoanRuskamp15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gYnw7XmuEFKSROmvHFnQlE29xShfdrW-RxTmTyytdeobHV1JNnSbTtknJ090nse0T08WEFn1mp-5LlPNYejcYKLp4oPMDoT9CzQoBZbvTG6G_2fXiBHj22ykZhJd-0R2udOTH-2zF9A/s400/SteveJoanRuskamp15.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gift of faith has helped us weather the storms of married life. <br />
The Holy Spirit is truly the glue that keeps us together. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"All things work for good for those who love God, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguahnnfIvrD2zo7H2eN0hOv6DwQErs7RSnWWtk65VoNTmwtZUWzDHc9fBizGi5uJeOh_LfZeRTLAv9jJazXP4dsaKgVOsV_arFMJRUoAQc36J-hU_-DoSDZQgLoLjrJMXpmtG-tgHTlfU/s1600/Ruskamp+family+KimRichard+wedding+42917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguahnnfIvrD2zo7H2eN0hOv6DwQErs7RSnWWtk65VoNTmwtZUWzDHc9fBizGi5uJeOh_LfZeRTLAv9jJazXP4dsaKgVOsV_arFMJRUoAQc36J-hU_-DoSDZQgLoLjrJMXpmtG-tgHTlfU/s640/Ruskamp+family+KimRichard+wedding+42917.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two became one leading to a family of seven and now a family of fifteen!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall
eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it
shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within
your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.
"
Psalm 128:1-4</span></i><br />
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-49661801361489833192017-07-27T12:11:00.000-07:002017-07-28T13:49:31.899-07:00"Nature's cruel, but we don't have to be""Nature's cruel, but we don't have to be." is one of my favorite quotes from Temple Grandin. If you don't know who Temple Grandin is, I highly recommend watching the movie "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpkN0JdXRpM" target="_blank">Temple Grandin</a>" so you can learn more about her life with autism and how she has helped cattle producers like Steve and I do a better job of low stress cattle handling. Steve and I work with nature to try to minimize some of her harsher moments as we seek to give our cattle a comfortable environment to live in.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXl5gMM7GSlY0h-9yRTjw8Bo6wJcS-d0TWLtuSt2SkbyDj0WiPp7g-YnVUZxuOEFQNJKcd1jfZzlKyHi7qUppVTLP0KS17p9oWBeBGooTJ5LJQaMRAPSR3VihnTNYNaBksw07MBrIPpw/s1600/Joantemplegrandinjuly17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXl5gMM7GSlY0h-9yRTjw8Bo6wJcS-d0TWLtuSt2SkbyDj0WiPp7g-YnVUZxuOEFQNJKcd1jfZzlKyHi7qUppVTLP0KS17p9oWBeBGooTJ5LJQaMRAPSR3VihnTNYNaBksw07MBrIPpw/s400/Joantemplegrandinjuly17.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had the privilege of spending over an hour with Temple Grandin and other <br />
beef board friends at a convention in Denver. Temple chatted with us about giving<br />
presentations as she had observed several that day in need of some improvement.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On our farm we administer vaccinations and treat our cattle as needed using Temple Grandin's cattle handling design. The curves, solid panels and flow of the cattle is all calculated to enable to the cattle to walk in with the least amount of stress to the animal and to people. The old days of cowboys whooping and hollering are long gone. The hum of the hydraulic chute is the only noise we want to hear or an occasional "shshsh" sound to move a stubborn steer. The ability to know what cattle can see and how they respond to our movement goes beyond the barn and works just as well in the pen.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPRk4ut0PFLNbHTRE2W8-lR8driF3iDSzsvVCX0zn-DnYX662-9JQj836LADEgOpAyHQQGJH4nvicSDFcnXyKwXWPgQYIEvXx03o06DxUsUmEedL2BEXzNa6tgOLdf7MwkyGkaNRHw7g/s1600/SteveJoanATVcattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPRk4ut0PFLNbHTRE2W8-lR8driF3iDSzsvVCX0zn-DnYX662-9JQj836LADEgOpAyHQQGJH4nvicSDFcnXyKwXWPgQYIEvXx03o06DxUsUmEedL2BEXzNa6tgOLdf7MwkyGkaNRHw7g/s400/SteveJoanATVcattle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and I are bringing a group of cattle up to our barn. They walk through<br />
the curved alley and then enter the barn through two openings that eventually<br />
narrow down to one alleyway. We use ATV's to sort and move cattle on our<br />
farm. Some folks use horses. The key is to move the cattle with low stress.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In addition to using Temple's low stress cattle handling design we also believe firmly in the value cattle have to the environment. <a href="https://factsaboutbeef.com/2012/10/08/what-cattle-eat/" target="_blank">Cattle can eat</a> a variety of ingredients like grass, cornstalks and grain to make protein because they are ruminant animals. From almond hulls to potato starch to corn distiller's grain cattle convert unusable byproducts into great tasting beef. Temple has said “I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but
we've got to do it right. We've got to give those animals a decent life
and we've got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect.” Steve and I do our best to give the cattle a decent life in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuuJlyvEtbODV9BpdXdOAzpOG-Lz4iKXrZteOgwMb9Sn61PUICTR_yGYUfFAhP76g2I8EO5ofLwzUDCNmiZk2dOM22GAqwb_W0wFdlaigweBnzlsIaIfUW1oxsQYcRCOMKl-mdQ9LKjw/s1600/tree+shade+cattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuuJlyvEtbODV9BpdXdOAzpOG-Lz4iKXrZteOgwMb9Sn61PUICTR_yGYUfFAhP76g2I8EO5ofLwzUDCNmiZk2dOM22GAqwb_W0wFdlaigweBnzlsIaIfUW1oxsQYcRCOMKl-mdQ9LKjw/s400/tree+shade+cattle.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cattle are utilizing a shade tree made from steel and a canvas cover to help<br />
keep them cool on hot summer days. This year we added thirty more shades so<br />
we could use that as a primary way of keeping cattle comfortable in the heat and<br />
use the water only if needed like high temps and no wind type of days.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On our farm we work hard to provide a decent life for our cattle and for the wildlife that lives here, too. When our grandchildren visit we are quick to notice any new birds, frogs in the pond and many other wild animals that have made our farm their home. On a recent visit, our two granddaughters were able to watch three Robin eggs hatch and become three little baby birds. They didn't get to see the empty nest the next day due to a possible cat finding a late night snack. Someday I will share this quote from Temple with my granddaughters, “unfortunately, most people never observe the natural cycle of birth and
death. They do not realize that for one living thing to survive,
another living thing must die.”<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-5Qhepc_ePSANtE6UdLQ_sKDiSpGxtRfazfOhnzPR8Mm8KlpyJhzYrYG059_hvyHbmDayTi3aNRrCUE5zJGtZGi-vuEWbuPBk2_rnaMHIvXapg5Z2HCusUUTowaBzitMdYFyosI3xn8/s1600/babybirdiesinnest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-5Qhepc_ePSANtE6UdLQ_sKDiSpGxtRfazfOhnzPR8Mm8KlpyJhzYrYG059_hvyHbmDayTi3aNRrCUE5zJGtZGi-vuEWbuPBk2_rnaMHIvXapg5Z2HCusUUTowaBzitMdYFyosI3xn8/s400/babybirdiesinnest.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little birds were so cute with their little feathers. I'm not sure why the mother<br />
Robin chose to build her nest on top of a post and exposed to the elements. I<br />
would think the hot summer days would have been tough on the little family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Through continued research funded in part by the <a href="http://www.beefboard.org/about/faq_aboutcheckoff.asp" target="_blank">Beef Checkoff Program</a>, cattle producers like Steve and I can take our story from the farm to the fork with the nutritional value beef has as <a href="http://www.beefmagazine.com/blog/beef-best-first-food-babies" target="_blank">first food</a> and <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-blog/seniors-beef-it-up-to-prevent-muscle-loss/bgp-20136508" target="_blank">last food</a> for people including the latest research from the Beef WISE Study. The Beef WISE Study shows how lean beef can be used in a weight loss diet. You can read more about this study <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/osp4.118/full" target="_blank">here</a>. If you'd like a fact sheet on how to use the Beef Wise Study then click <a href="https://p.widencdn.net/bc3aah/Beef-WISE-What-to-Eat-Tip-Sheet" target="_blank">here</a>. The fact sheet explains the 16 week/three phase plan. WISE stands for weight improvement, satisfaction and energy. That's a pretty wise acronym!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTMkJzBXuWGU9HBF_9oHD-6rL1I1RxI9UZiHSW-9Wy2CddhPdqHHTrL9R-UjGnNc8ZnlC-4tQcv3cX0eT-QTtSCBMTR3yRauW78BjOsO1DSoL3brnUNXT7L8Osvng3D91xHrautzUEwk/s1600/grilled+beef+veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTMkJzBXuWGU9HBF_9oHD-6rL1I1RxI9UZiHSW-9Wy2CddhPdqHHTrL9R-UjGnNc8ZnlC-4tQcv3cX0eT-QTtSCBMTR3yRauW78BjOsO1DSoL3brnUNXT7L8Osvng3D91xHrautzUEwk/s400/grilled+beef+veggies.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can find the recipe for this grilled southwestern steak and vegetables<a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/recipe.aspx?id=1322" target="_blank"> here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is much wisdom to be found through research Temple has done on cattle handling and research the Beef Checkoff has done on beef nutrition. I am grateful for all Temple Grandin has done to help farmers and ranchers like Steve and I provide quality care for our cattle. I am also grateful for the research Steve and I help pay for through checkoff dollars to help us share the benefits of including beef in a healthy diet. Ongoing research helps us continually improve cattle care so we can give you quality beef.<br />
<br />
Here is another one of my favorite <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/1567.Temple_Grandin" target="_blank">quotes from Temple</a> “my favorite of Einstein's words on religion is '"Science without
religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."' I like this
because both science and religion are needed to answer life's great
questions.” <br />
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-33763495415563707642017-06-16T13:59:00.001-07:002017-06-16T13:59:37.926-07:00Camp RuskampOur farm becomes "Camp Ruskamp" each summer when nieces and nephews come to visit. This camp experience gives our extended family members a chance to learn about farm life and have camp style experiences. We recently hosted our nieces and nephew Tabitha, Maria and Elijah. Our granddaughters, Ella and Harper, joined us for added fun on one of the afternoons.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dNgWqv60wAUFuO5LC18fUzEYcWmE_pSG4fuXvY1RfMIczi0hgAyfrkxPVyqccgr6OoIeoKqHqRIT46lE4IU6CLGHfHnlBwNapHdG0xpvPEaeceygn0S0CPkBEbJ7eu4OtdEovv2dFpA/s1600/kids+on+bales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="640" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dNgWqv60wAUFuO5LC18fUzEYcWmE_pSG4fuXvY1RfMIczi0hgAyfrkxPVyqccgr6OoIeoKqHqRIT46lE4IU6CLGHfHnlBwNapHdG0xpvPEaeceygn0S0CPkBEbJ7eu4OtdEovv2dFpA/s400/kids+on+bales.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Climbing hay bales</u>-our hay is preserved in large, round bales rather than the <br />
small, square bales our children climbed on when they were young.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Maria and Elijah surprised me when they told me they had never been beyond our house and fish pond. We toured the feedlot via the Ranger to see how the cattle live. A load of <a href="http://www.adm.com/en-US/products/feed/corn-co/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Synergy</a> (modified wet distiller's grain) arrived as we drove around so we watched the product unload via a belt inside the trailer. The tour continued to the barn where we assess cattle that might need treating and the kids met Tonja, the barn cat. The kids learned how the cattle move through the low stress handling system as seen in this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5J0vVubKEg" target="_blank">interview</a>. We made plans to watch the movie "Temple Grandin" that evening with some of Steve's homemade popcorn.<br />
<br />
Here are some of the other farm/camp activities the kids participated in:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fRG78OQznSRPRVgdRKcnTXqt1j6kjOvCVOdWD9A96x7YqusrbzbRRcXj1Ga4OmaqianHwiKGoHNTNl39QLdZVpBumatpjsZDfkpVRBh6CKxfrh18ETmTv2JQEmKSGAtKUG-DsiVrcFA/s1600/fishing+group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fRG78OQznSRPRVgdRKcnTXqt1j6kjOvCVOdWD9A96x7YqusrbzbRRcXj1Ga4OmaqianHwiKGoHNTNl39QLdZVpBumatpjsZDfkpVRBh6CKxfrh18ETmTv2JQEmKSGAtKUG-DsiVrcFA/s400/fishing+group.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Fishing</u>-notice Elijah's fish in the bottom right corner.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TJHAMl52nLqEm7BBfu0L8CynC-yBXjVxzo0s4jztk8oVjsUsmb8K7jpn6LUUQucqylfgYhjG-YIIsYnZH9EvYOX8INCknJx76tpkBv0H8nXpTr9PXHZQMnZyBzoK5QoqC_gMkP_CKNA/s1600/tramp+hefties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TJHAMl52nLqEm7BBfu0L8CynC-yBXjVxzo0s4jztk8oVjsUsmb8K7jpn6LUUQucqylfgYhjG-YIIsYnZH9EvYOX8INCknJx76tpkBv0H8nXpTr9PXHZQMnZyBzoK5QoqC_gMkP_CKNA/s320/tramp+hefties.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Trampoline Jumping</u>-our granddaughters made an afternoon visit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBELZzkDygMVvGm3LOSIYePqbFlCnaZZZS-fSug2ac0DGhTiss23o23tL-dfaEJ1VGzI8QH7gUHJNl6CXLbenS7-yjIbTE2OHX6iuSyLMJGtyWahghkL0rnd_TN-57g5ANtYLodIDaNE/s1600/maria+in+tractor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="479" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBELZzkDygMVvGm3LOSIYePqbFlCnaZZZS-fSug2ac0DGhTiss23o23tL-dfaEJ1VGzI8QH7gUHJNl6CXLbenS7-yjIbTE2OHX6iuSyLMJGtyWahghkL0rnd_TN-57g5ANtYLodIDaNE/s320/maria+in+tractor.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Tractor rides</u>-Maria rode along with Steve to box scrape pens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUcQuCjsRrcfgf8d5dPaegtsMnQQTuDC3uZg1TrlyyK6HlvKCYG_i5ykBeLzCgb3bex5m6ZVcAnqSP5xX062V4xN-E9i4DeUR1-1wQS-qNY8S7W_AuJtTSQmKGNtD5C-XNq8513yPz0Y/s1600/river+walk+hefties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUcQuCjsRrcfgf8d5dPaegtsMnQQTuDC3uZg1TrlyyK6HlvKCYG_i5ykBeLzCgb3bex5m6ZVcAnqSP5xX062V4xN-E9i4DeUR1-1wQS-qNY8S7W_AuJtTSQmKGNtD5C-XNq8513yPz0Y/s320/river+walk+hefties.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Crop checks</u>-Steve checks the corn as the kids enjoy<br />
the stream running through the field.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirETqmdYPCY6NFDAQj6H7RqLv5SN4LjKFGP8GR-WykjTwDxIC9m5inAZx792_-jDdDJuDy-cqbq3fMDQWVMNqlSJ2XE28uKJSnZPJmC6aDCcfz4kxo5WWPx7F2W55hQqGoMkM734BsEc/s1600/steveelijahpuzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="636" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirETqmdYPCY6NFDAQj6H7RqLv5SN4LjKFGP8GR-WykjTwDxIC9m5inAZx792_-jDdDJuDy-cqbq3fMDQWVMNqlSJ2XE28uKJSnZPJmC6aDCcfz4kxo5WWPx7F2W55hQqGoMkM734BsEc/s320/steveelijahpuzzle.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elijah loves to put puzzles together and found a dolphin<br />puzzle to work on with Steve.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the reasons our nieces and nephew were with us was their parents were
enjoying some time away for their 25th wedding anniversary. The kids and I decided it would be fun to make a gift for their parents. We decided to make a flag using wooden pallets. My thought process led us to get four flags going using an assembly line process. Tabitha stayed on task while the younger two fought over sweeping the shop. This was a win/win project since Steve had his shop swept while we worked on the flags. I hope their parents are pleased with this
special gift!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgLgjZYVZO7Ihd6CLKcYGOzfO26k0EnF9p61NVtZVwhqvx6frw678eHsKN8QXDkqpUhxggUabRPA-mnlNi1uuDeKinmKoaudY1IiMBgEDLlRDJ48zRXmE0NFsLadEbeh8-jFU2hLT6iQ/s1600/hefties+flag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgLgjZYVZO7Ihd6CLKcYGOzfO26k0EnF9p61NVtZVwhqvx6frw678eHsKN8QXDkqpUhxggUabRPA-mnlNi1uuDeKinmKoaudY1IiMBgEDLlRDJ48zRXmE0NFsLadEbeh8-jFU2hLT6iQ/s320/hefties+flag.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids put on the final touches of paint and remove the tape!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Do you or your children have access to a farm to enjoy some of the experiences my extended family members have? If not, I would encourage you to find a way to connect your kids to those of us growing your food. If you have questions about how food is grown I would encourage you to talk to a farmer or rancher and using websites like <a href="http://www.findourcommonground.com/" target="_blank">CommonGround</a> or <a href="http://www.factsaboutbeef.com/" target="_blank">FactsAboutBeef</a> <br />
<br />
What is a farm/camp experience without animals to love on? We aim to please and had three little kittens for these three kids to love on while they were there. Yes, we will be looking for good homes for these kittens in the next month or so!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8tTkLMuUYMaue4uhCnWbMuXp4AUYSk1u_rmALuwyg5pukF19U4Nwg9SR4lLGEfPuosq9-hhuFHqgjKT_XTw-aZSLxF6pooDCJK8RfIa_Hdc_X4vpSTIMqyrbwqI7HjvcbysB3nI_zs8/s1600/hefties+kittens.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8tTkLMuUYMaue4uhCnWbMuXp4AUYSk1u_rmALuwyg5pukF19U4Nwg9SR4lLGEfPuosq9-hhuFHqgjKT_XTw-aZSLxF6pooDCJK8RfIa_Hdc_X4vpSTIMqyrbwqI7HjvcbysB3nI_zs8/s400/hefties+kittens.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go
outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens,
nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it
should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple
beauty of nature." Anne Frank</i>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-84652286609624501812017-05-31T05:50:00.002-07:002017-05-31T05:57:21.363-07:00For God and FamilyAs we near the end of "May is Beef Month" I would like to share with you another beef recipe from a woman who is a great cook and who places God and her family above all else. This woman is my sister-in-law, Julie Heftie. Julie is Steve's youngest sibling. She is married to Kelly and has four amazing kids. I would like to tell you more about Julie and share with you the beef recipe she has given me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn9ucYYUCTPnATjt37uv_QyimxxVFOTbqG392Xm-mha4IwlYsz5VAYYpatYV0WuR0BTrnDBRLpD_5knDqb2igfyCmjPupNxou0T9q0-Y8YFHlurAF6FPSlDVZH7EqXgO9Dcm_7KUB_Wc/s1600/Juliefamilyafterracecropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn9ucYYUCTPnATjt37uv_QyimxxVFOTbqG392Xm-mha4IwlYsz5VAYYpatYV0WuR0BTrnDBRLpD_5knDqb2igfyCmjPupNxou0T9q0-Y8YFHlurAF6FPSlDVZH7EqXgO9Dcm_7KUB_Wc/s400/Juliefamilyafterracecropped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Julie with her family. From left to right are Kelly, Tabitha, Julie<br />
Simon, Maria and Elijah. This photo was taken after Julie completed<br />
a marathon race in Lincoln.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I met Julie in 1980 when I started dating Steve. Julie was in high school at the time and was friendly to me right from the start. Julie cooked many of the meals I enjoyed when I visited Steve on the weekends. I only recently learned that Julie loved cooking with her ingredients measured out in many different bowls like the chef Julia Child used. In those days cooking shows were rare and only found on PBS! Julie continued to amaze me as she entered college and persevered through the required courses it took for her to become an Occupational Therapist.<br />
<br />
During Julie's college years she was also a doting aunt to our children. Julie loved to play games and eventually would host one of the kids at a time for weekend sleepovers. Julie also met a young man and fell in love. Julie and Kelly were married and started their life together in Lincoln. We were aware of the desire Julie and Kelly had to start their own family. They were both so very good to their nieces and nephews and it seemed they would be the perfect parents. Several years passed with our own children saying daily prayers for Julie and Kelly to have a baby. The love Julie and Kelly showed one another and extended family continued as they placed their trust in God.<br />
<br />
Prayers were answered when a family chose Julie and Kelly to be the adoptive parents of a little girl to be named Tabitha. Our entire family was elated when this beautiful little girl became part of the extended Ruskamp family. More prayers were answered as Julie gave birth to a son, Simon, daughter, Maria and son, Elijah. Each new baby brought more love, joy and laughter into their home and into all of our hearts. A new trial for the family came when little Elijah needed heart surgery. Prayers, trust and love were very evident as Julie put her baby in the hands of the doctors and nurses.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vm5jkd8h1w1HrdqzcbFCS6OyNkfPEu_PNcfMXwKSDL2xCz98WTCIFfej56EBUJD2mvPAQw0ZWfwLwmShbO0nRDiFbG3Xg1KL9qW5TIwNLoSjxMesP-1Ow-mTSSS3XACYM11Hs4j9I7U/s1600/elijah+beef+sandwich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vm5jkd8h1w1HrdqzcbFCS6OyNkfPEu_PNcfMXwKSDL2xCz98WTCIFfej56EBUJD2mvPAQw0ZWfwLwmShbO0nRDiFbG3Xg1KL9qW5TIwNLoSjxMesP-1Ow-mTSSS3XACYM11Hs4j9I7U/s400/elijah+beef+sandwich.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a photo of Elijah enjoying a roast beef sandwich at our house last fall. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Elijah came through the surgery very well and all four children continue to grow and thrive. We've had the oldest two, Tabitha and Simon, at the farm for "Camp Ruskamp". Tabitha has been a great assistant for some of our farm tours including a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e0IUiO4lhE" target="_blank">television interview</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4-KAX7lb3eazPu-h9v1SPrGs-hHphdfUHa3LaU4mPXi2TU7f3jut_a5NAR6xs2wbJbHRxvLnOR6ESrLl6E86UZrGLmcVNTcsFVKzRS7WppajVRz0i93qkPKm7TnkPnhnGnEno-wP1Vg/s1600/tabithafish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4-KAX7lb3eazPu-h9v1SPrGs-hHphdfUHa3LaU4mPXi2TU7f3jut_a5NAR6xs2wbJbHRxvLnOR6ESrLl6E86UZrGLmcVNTcsFVKzRS7WppajVRz0i93qkPKm7TnkPnhnGnEno-wP1Vg/s400/tabithafish.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the activities at "Camp Ruskamp" is fishing. This photo is from<br />
a few years ago. Tabitha is proudly holding up her fish while Simon<br />
and our son, Jeff, look on. The fish can be fried in an area just behind them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I know that new challenges will continue to face the Heftie family because that is how life is. Julie has shown me in so many ways that she embraces her womanhood and her faith. She is truly a woman after God's heart and she brings that into her home and into her workplace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf54BSlzjRP5XKLAod36aO0-lzufSsBnMZulcK9HXbAFywactKDrpw1cYkZnarcaYOuIAyyJ11gqHTAoYeKS4-H4j75dtdPYevOGG6HXX0b9tieAnmOJaPhctOwtzRmyIrnYPgYBwAgw/s1600/mariabaptism09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf54BSlzjRP5XKLAod36aO0-lzufSsBnMZulcK9HXbAFywactKDrpw1cYkZnarcaYOuIAyyJ11gqHTAoYeKS4-H4j75dtdPYevOGG6HXX0b9tieAnmOJaPhctOwtzRmyIrnYPgYBwAgw/s400/mariabaptism09.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria Heftie was baptised in 2009. Every family needs a Maria! This photo<br />
captures more than words can say about faith and family. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is a recipe she has shared with me that her family loves. I have proof of that because the recipe has "Yummy!" and a star by it!<br />
<br />
<u>Barbecue Meatballs</u><br />
Meatballs:<br />
3 lbs. ground beef 1/2 cup onion-chopped<br />
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk 1/2 t garlic powder<br />
1 cup oatmeal 2 t salt<br />
1 cup cracker crumbs 1/2 t pepper<br />
2 eggs-beaten 2 t chili powder<br />
<br />
Combine all meatball ingredients (mixture will be soft) and shape into walnut size balls. Place meatballs in a single layer on a wax paper cookie sheet. Freeze until solid. Store until ready to use or can be used right after you make them.<br />
<br />
Sauce:<br />
2 cups ketchup 1/2 t garlic powder<br />
1 cup brown sugar 1/4 t onion chopped<br />
1/2 t liquid smoke or to taste<br />
<br />
Combine sauce ingredients and stir until sugar is dissolved. Place meatballs in 9x13x2 baking pan and pour sauce over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. May take longer to bake if using frozen meatballs. Julie notes that she doubled this recipe for a church event and it made 191 meatballs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2JI1nRlYloLVWk2MXfA6rmd6nR2ZV_E_hz4u7IsyJBRpT_TyjJlIxOYghw8qLR96qdK8Nkx6Rbz9qUuOG_RtqLgUD8R9bWMs2fc2N-TcDF2ejJLYYkEqgKRQzWTE_w7LPhzQ3wqw84k/s1600/bbq+meatballs++julie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="947" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2JI1nRlYloLVWk2MXfA6rmd6nR2ZV_E_hz4u7IsyJBRpT_TyjJlIxOYghw8qLR96qdK8Nkx6Rbz9qUuOG_RtqLgUD8R9bWMs2fc2N-TcDF2ejJLYYkEqgKRQzWTE_w7LPhzQ3wqw84k/s400/bbq+meatballs++julie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come. When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction. She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her. Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises: 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!' Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise." Proverbs 31:25-30</i></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-10419072604606023932017-05-28T05:24:00.000-07:002017-05-28T08:44:56.654-07:00National Hamburger DayNational Hamburger Day falls right in the middle of the perfect holiday weekend for grilling. Matthew McConaughey says "<i>Man who invented the hamburger was smart; Man who invented the cheeseburger was a genius” </i>and I have to wholeheartedly agree!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzweHP87YQSBXEKCYUwvfILdnrJ05tTBzO7LWqTz-i-Icoeg7LQOy89FwyOsW9zIHc2KG-3r-J-YdKpDOKXffRZpKgVIuUt7UummZ7sx5Hsjaowv4tOSdie3ugjWTLIyy9oZa0o0c5XU/s1600/tabitha+Burger+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzweHP87YQSBXEKCYUwvfILdnrJ05tTBzO7LWqTz-i-Icoeg7LQOy89FwyOsW9zIHc2KG-3r-J-YdKpDOKXffRZpKgVIuUt7UummZ7sx5Hsjaowv4tOSdie3ugjWTLIyy9oZa0o0c5XU/s400/tabitha+Burger+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My niece, Tabitha, has been a great assistant for me in a variety of ways<br />
to support beef through farm tours and<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e0IUiO4lhE" target="_blank"> television interviews</a>.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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If you have plans to grill this Memorial Day Weekend I would like to encourage you to find the beef counter at your grocery store for a variety of items that will please your family and friends! When it comes to burgers beef has the "fake" burgers beat nutritionally besides taste.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM28YbFRSCLslXmafnAmYjHKS37RvgXtGzVxH5Ujch60ACERaeodYIYzpWNjWq77zIdeCHPePSZr5q7ixagLg1Ib3kYAk1Dppi1st3FTWAqfUEp-XjhyphenhyphenntqbfJwa56CyswgXtGXEuM_E/s1600/turkey+nutrients+compared+to+beef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="600" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM28YbFRSCLslXmafnAmYjHKS37RvgXtGzVxH5Ujch60ACERaeodYIYzpWNjWq77zIdeCHPePSZr5q7ixagLg1Ib3kYAk1Dppi1st3FTWAqfUEp-XjhyphenhyphenntqbfJwa56CyswgXtGXEuM_E/s400/turkey+nutrients+compared+to+beef.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes people substitute ground turkey for beef thinking it is a better<br />
option but this chart shows you that beef is the healthier choice!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hamburgers are a great choice for large groups with children. I have a recipe suggestion that offers topping choices called "Slider Sundaes". This recipe gives everyone an opportunity to build their own burger and by using slider sized burgers you can have two burgers with different toppings and stay right at that <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/mealideas.aspx" target="_blank">30 grams of protein</a>. Here is the recipe: <u> </u></div>
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<u>Sliders</u>:</div>
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1 pound lean hamburger or ground round (makes 8 sliders)</div>
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1 tsp Lawry’s Garlic Salt</div>
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1 Package Slider Buns</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpJ9FuGUDA-TaHuRSVTUrV2piY5fvhRHk_hPz23wM2ixCYsOe6jF2J66MReRsZdYnW4zJpaVY6r5IbaHWY_HXskpSx1_56f-HdjnF0hepjppyomGIQhUvo0uu7MP78A4iRbP43smiSFc/s1600/slider+grilling+patties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpJ9FuGUDA-TaHuRSVTUrV2piY5fvhRHk_hPz23wM2ixCYsOe6jF2J66MReRsZdYnW4zJpaVY6r5IbaHWY_HXskpSx1_56f-HdjnF0hepjppyomGIQhUvo0uu7MP78A4iRbP43smiSFc/s200/slider+grilling+patties.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div>
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Mix hamburger in ¼ cup sizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flatten to ½” thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Grill at medium high heat for 3 minutes on
each side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
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Grilling baskets work great
to easily grill several at a time.</div>
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<u> </u><br />
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<u>Sundae Toppings</u>:</div>
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<br /></div>
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Cherry Tomatoes (a tooth pick in one end allows tomato to
sit on top of the bun)</div>
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Fried Onions </div>
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Sautéed sliced mushrooms</div>
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Lettuce </div>
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Fried bacon strips cut in thirds</div>
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Pickles</div>
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Shredded cheddar cheese </div>
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Blue Cheese Butter*</div>
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Hamburger Sauce*</div>
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Peanut Butter-smooth</div>
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<u>Blue Cheese Butter</u>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix one stick softened butter, ¼ cup blue
cheese crumbles and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce</div>
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<u>Hamburger Sauce</u>: ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tsp ketchup,
1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp pickle juice, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder-mix
well</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIZXw3QtI-OYk6iOGiSVi7dXuBXKLw8A5O4fKObZTvo1HZ3eLp_hS5xDi7dD_DvN9nzzYUSfKaJNVrZSiMNi5Dgh6sQ5kWeOA_omld69Zj0Ejmluk4i-mtDorNOYqMUl3rUZJlYOCQgw/s1600/sliders+topped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="504" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIZXw3QtI-OYk6iOGiSVi7dXuBXKLw8A5O4fKObZTvo1HZ3eLp_hS5xDi7dD_DvN9nzzYUSfKaJNVrZSiMNi5Dgh6sQ5kWeOA_omld69Zj0Ejmluk4i-mtDorNOYqMUl3rUZJlYOCQgw/s320/sliders+topped.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Slider Sundaes make mealtime fun by letting every dress
up their own burger according to individual tastes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great way to cut food waste by
using smaller portion sizes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each slider
is about 15 grams of protein before the toppings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suggested combos include:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beef, Bacon, blue cheese butter and peanut
butter; Beef, Bacon, Cheese, Onions, Pickles and Hamburger Sauce; Beef,
lettuce, mushrooms, bacon and Hamburger Sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Make sure to top each bun with a cherry tomato!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kREWiVVS1-E10XMdRoFjEq8hadmFFzCGBby8wiwRtALoCM-i6RsHb3JPp-QAEueXeb7wRptgHMGcWokgJJH2slu_1I01YZCtx-9llJ1WFqj64yf09Rz57-3C2fAMNQFyBT2LUaOXuaQ/s1600/slider+sundae+tomatoe+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="466" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kREWiVVS1-E10XMdRoFjEq8hadmFFzCGBby8wiwRtALoCM-i6RsHb3JPp-QAEueXeb7wRptgHMGcWokgJJH2slu_1I01YZCtx-9llJ1WFqj64yf09Rz57-3C2fAMNQFyBT2LUaOXuaQ/s320/slider+sundae+tomatoe+top.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can also have Hawaiian or Mexican themes for your Slider Sundaes by adding other ingredients like sliced pineapple and brown sugar for one and black olives, salsa, sour cream, taco seasoning in the ground beef for the other. There is no limit to the creativity you can have with beef! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Nebraska we will have a beautiful weekend for<a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/recipecollection.aspx?id=10002" target="_blank"> grilling</a>. Even though we experience all four seasons, sometimes in one day, my husband can be found grilling all year 'round. If you need more information about grilling the perfect burger you can read this terrific blog post from a friend of mine <a href="http://faithfamilyandbeef.com/2017/05/cook-perfect-burger-gas-grill.html" target="_blank">here</a>. We like to use Lawry's Garlic Salt for seasoning or Mike's Seasoning (found at Graybeal's Grocery Store in West Point). </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoy this Memorial Day Weekend by grilling up some beef burgers today and make time to remember those that have died, especially our veterans. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1hvFtrLSC0jdYz9lHcn2TsNDFwiGQu4zzLim8Wpe5wjZk5ixDURt_DDhCKq2no5RZj4OEAn932laj4HlQNFT05o_XLCS7_jjWPGlMJWJGzcmD8Hm-pUYYYVSoO-dtDaj3u2SPi35VZA/s1600/francisclemharperborn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1hvFtrLSC0jdYz9lHcn2TsNDFwiGQu4zzLim8Wpe5wjZk5ixDURt_DDhCKq2no5RZj4OEAn932laj4HlQNFT05o_XLCS7_jjWPGlMJWJGzcmD8Hm-pUYYYVSoO-dtDaj3u2SPi35VZA/s320/francisclemharperborn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a picture of Steve's dad, Francis and my dad, Clem, <br />
who both served in the military and have both left this earthly<br />
life. Our hearts still grieve the loss of their love and laughter <br />
but our faith fills us with hope and joy of seeing them again.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> <i>“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Psalm 34:18 </b></i>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The Lord is ready to listen and help those who are brokenhearted </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and
He saves those who are broken in spirit. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It is a special hope to all who
have lost a loved one.</i></div>
<br />
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-35416199770585182982017-05-18T13:14:00.001-07:002017-05-19T04:58:27.468-07:00Where's My Beef?I enjoy having family gatherings and our home works well to host gatherings. We made plans to gather my mom from Grand Island, our newly married
daughter, Kim and her husband, Richard, from Lincoln, my sister and two
of her children from Gretna and Steve's mom from Snyder over for a steak dinner to
celebrate Mother's Day. I would like to share with you one of the salads we enjoyed eating that day as part of my "<a href="http://www.beefmagazine.com/blog/5-ways-celebrate-may-beef-month" target="_blank">May is Beef Month</a>" series of family beef recipes.<br />
<br />
My sister, Sharon, has a great Taco Salad recipe and had volunteered to bring this dish to our Mother's Day celebrations, as we were in the middle of planting corn. However, Sharon was delayed in arriving to our celebration because of some missing beef. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d0avMMKEbArguxPQvrs5-VH89fgK3bxPao6YLx4vIx_ErXe_AqLiYvCLQNFT9LhAY3OGlP9i_l7mlRVo65dWsq6U-2mSjTf1Oo_5lugZlehUSO39z-abD4LrQIB25vW6CcromSfVoDg/s1600/nicholethankyoucard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8d0avMMKEbArguxPQvrs5-VH89fgK3bxPao6YLx4vIx_ErXe_AqLiYvCLQNFT9LhAY3OGlP9i_l7mlRVo65dWsq6U-2mSjTf1Oo_5lugZlehUSO39z-abD4LrQIB25vW6CcromSfVoDg/s320/nicholethankyoucard.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">This thank you was sent to us from Sharon's daughter, <br />Nichole, several years ago after she spent some time<br />with us on our farm.</span><u><i><br /></i></u></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sharon is my younger sister and has five children. We have many stories between us that bring us laughter and tears as many sisters often do. I admire Sharon in the way she has encouraged her children to keep after their dreams. Sharon has never been one to accept defeat as she modeled the virtue of tenacity in making sure her kids had what they needed. Sharon is a single parent and is witnessing the fruits of her labor as the children graduate, go to college, get jobs, etc... All good parents struggle to provide the best care they can for their children and that includes meals that nourish and are easy to make.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveBfy4T_sGmA5ZWx1PBazuryXZ8jlGhJmX5DfcSO-PdWpehkf9elHZCZfI8igF6T7Ozvpyr7OnDRO475B3WBbnvS6Za4rHx5YZULQyTcvO0chZMsbAy8qfFbsWgsGKfVdQeCjZAAqOFE/s1600/sharonfamilyfeb17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveBfy4T_sGmA5ZWx1PBazuryXZ8jlGhJmX5DfcSO-PdWpehkf9elHZCZfI8igF6T7Ozvpyr7OnDRO475B3WBbnvS6Za4rHx5YZULQyTcvO0chZMsbAy8qfFbsWgsGKfVdQeCjZAAqOFE/s400/sharonfamilyfeb17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharon and her five children left to right: Oliver, Megan, Sharon, Anna,<br />
Nichole and Michael.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We came up with the idea of meeting at our house for Mother's Day because it seemed the easiest way to be together. I knew my time would be limited for house cleaning and food preparation. I was tied up in various farm tasks and asked for help with the food preparation. Sharon offered to bring a taco salad and a fruit salad. Sharon lives close to Omaha and has access to a grocery store 24/7. Sunday morning she shopped for her ingredients and went home to get the salad ready. When she looked for the ground beef there was none to be found. "Where's my beef?" she asked her children and then realized it must have been left at the grocery store. A quick call and return visit to the grocery store enabled one of the kids to bring her the ground beef so she could finish her recipe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12z90z2LR-ndcFaKGwqUq0hjURo818rGr6RjJfyhJfVzJ99QHlWulopc1icTYtEl2AeDIEH_p3KZ0fYpRqvgMpRY8tEEXXQdm2-KNbqGjFc6e0V-2QFCJaUYW7Ktr9yMIR52qZB4SNoA/s1600/Taco+Salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12z90z2LR-ndcFaKGwqUq0hjURo818rGr6RjJfyhJfVzJ99QHlWulopc1icTYtEl2AeDIEH_p3KZ0fYpRqvgMpRY8tEEXXQdm2-KNbqGjFc6e0V-2QFCJaUYW7Ktr9yMIR52qZB4SNoA/s400/Taco+Salad.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoy this salad as much as we did!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u>Taco Salad </u><br />
by Sharon McCoy<br />
<br />
<div>
<div dir="auto">
1 lb hamburger </div>
<div dir="auto">
1 taco seasoning</div>
<div dir="auto">
Cook hamburger, mix in seasoning. Remove from.pan, set aside to cool.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1-2 heads of lettuce, chopped or 1 large bag of lettuce mix</div>
<div>
(I'm all about making it easy so I just buy the mixed lettuce)</div>
<div>
2 avocados, chopped</div>
<div>
1 large tomato, chopped </div>
<div>
1 can of medium pitted black olives, sliced</div>
<div>
2 cups of cheddar cheese</div>
<div>
Mix together </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1 large bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos (some for salad and some to snack on)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Dorothy Lynch dressing </div>
<div>
Ranch dressing</div>
<div>
Salsa</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mix meat with salad. Add dressing (I do a couple swirls of each) and about 1/2 cup of salsa. Toss together. When ready to serve, crunch a few handfuls of chips, sprinkle on top and mix in.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
It's important for me
who is at the table with me; the moment when everyone speaks to each
other and everyone listens. If there's good food, it's much better.
Andrea Bocelli<br />
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/good_food.html</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"It's important for me who is at the table with me; the moment when everyone speaks to each other and everyone listens. If there's good food it's much better." <a href="http://www.andreabocelli.com/" target="_blank">Andrea Bocelli</a></i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
It's important for me
who is at the table with me; the moment when everyone speaks to each
other and everyone listens. If there's good food, it's much better.
Andrea Bocelli<br />
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/good_food.html</div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
It's important for me
who is at the table with me; the moment when everyone speaks to each
other and everyone listens. If there's good food, it's much better.
Andrea Bocelli<br />
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/good_food.html</div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnkmowG7ElbEzxLiNePD9e0-UasEnIoxeowNal59vmazDNtet4LwD0QWCuvcHfID_oqTd8T41V3M8ddZRoUWUW6dZ-RMyow4ncVkszMWgNSrO0ojXIFvkk4g7tEtyhGPbqmh8dcq0Qaw/s1600/joanmomsharonMDay17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnkmowG7ElbEzxLiNePD9e0-UasEnIoxeowNal59vmazDNtet4LwD0QWCuvcHfID_oqTd8T41V3M8ddZRoUWUW6dZ-RMyow4ncVkszMWgNSrO0ojXIFvkk4g7tEtyhGPbqmh8dcq0Qaw/s320/joanmomsharonMDay17.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, mom and Sharon on Mother's Day 2017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-24019593517022085402017-05-12T13:58:00.001-07:002017-05-12T14:30:01.765-07:00Mom's Beef Pot RoastMay is full of special moments including Mother's Day, Memorial Day, graduations and weddings. May is also <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/" target="_blank">Beef</a> Month which ties in very well to the food needed for those celebrations. During the remaining month of May I will be sharing several beef recipes from family members you may want to add to your celebrations. In this post I will highlight a beef pot roast beef recipe I learned as a child from my mom. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtfYIUKR6Sjl2BlEirz6V9ByOI_okvfAsp5-pgsPxYUwph2yGj5VK5trcdDrwTQr7TBlNi9Du0dpSmyQ7m5ROw2x7V76is0qbBE_QQddS6QWWkYRRMxHjWpDKnuJqVuCnUCl8DC9caY8/s1600/clembarbquilt9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtfYIUKR6Sjl2BlEirz6V9ByOI_okvfAsp5-pgsPxYUwph2yGj5VK5trcdDrwTQr7TBlNi9Du0dpSmyQ7m5ROw2x7V76is0qbBE_QQddS6QWWkYRRMxHjWpDKnuJqVuCnUCl8DC9caY8/s400/clembarbquilt9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a photo of my family from the 1960's. From left to right: My dad, <br />
Linda, Paul, me, Aunt Kathy, Sharon sitting on my mom's lap, Sandy in <br />
my mom's tummy and David with a big grin. This was probably taken on a<br />
Sunday and mom most likely made fried chicken for the main meal of the day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My mom was typical of many mom's of the 1960's. Mom made all of our meals from scratch including many meals with beef. I am the oldest child of six and I would often help with the job of peeling potatoes. When my youngest sibling started school my mom went to work full time. My cooking skills increased as mom started giving me instructions on how to start dinner so it would be ready by the time she and dad arrived home. One of my favorite meals to make was Pot Roast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W5pRL3v0Rg2ncdOZ8dShUMkF7LPeCv5_W4A4zAcKyBU3ERva-irACapZWL28p3okxLeXcHZdjurMf9VKJiWTKVbLgwF97TzbtdfhyphenhyphenkLGAKDwb3zjSSOsFDc6ugJK8fkDn5E1FPpd1H8/s1600/jeffeatingchair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_W5pRL3v0Rg2ncdOZ8dShUMkF7LPeCv5_W4A4zAcKyBU3ERva-irACapZWL28p3okxLeXcHZdjurMf9VKJiWTKVbLgwF97TzbtdfhyphenhyphenkLGAKDwb3zjSSOsFDc6ugJK8fkDn5E1FPpd1H8/s320/jeffeatingchair.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fourth child, Jeff, developed a habit of swinging his legs<br />
up on the back of the chair while we were eating meals. He<br />
would reach up to his plate and grab some food and bring it<br />
down to his mouth. Roast Beef and gravy is a little more<br />
challenging to eat that way than a sandwich!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mom taught me to brown the roast on both sides, put the roast in a baking pan (a 9 x 13 pan works well), add carrots and potatoes (peeled and cut), add onion slices, salt, a little bit of water, cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees. I didn't pay attention to how long it would bake as mom would be home by then! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgZ7Xechx_ft6EHV1lQbcp0ZcVdXqaNAupjImqzIMyq-NDELO3Sc_WG7vyZq4joEeOPScFZ1LxFepRhTsfzb3-IxO1xrGELO3XSQEssRnwMiapBJSYZNwuycqg4sdiVjZ44JEaXkRVvw/s1600/joan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgZ7Xechx_ft6EHV1lQbcp0ZcVdXqaNAupjImqzIMyq-NDELO3Sc_WG7vyZq4joEeOPScFZ1LxFepRhTsfzb3-IxO1xrGELO3XSQEssRnwMiapBJSYZNwuycqg4sdiVjZ44JEaXkRVvw/s320/joan3.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo from the archives! Here I am about<br />
the age I started cooking more meals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One of the key steps to that recipe is browning the beef. I have since learned that mom knew the secret to getting the best flavor from the roast by searing or browning as she called it. Emma Christensen says on her <a href="http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-sear-meat-47333" target="_blank">website</a> "Searing meat is 100% about building flavor. And oh, what flavor it is!
When that meat hits a scorching hot pan, the surface instantly begins
caramelizing. In your stew or braise or roast, this translates into the
kind of deep, savory flavor that we crave on an almost a cellular level.
This is the flavor that makes us want to lick our plates clean. No
sear, no plate-licking good times."<br />
<br />
For many families mom is the one doing most of the meal planning. I am fortunate to have a mom who taught me the basics of cooking and then assisted me during my 4-H baking days as I tried to get that perfect batch of corn bread for the county fair. My own children have learned as much from my husband, Steve, about cooking-even more when it comes to grilling-than they have from me. I am blessed to have a husband who enjoys making meals.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcLtPJSwtOFKBx646FHM-rhoe3OY7uFNDtwDXGp38Wi4e4y-VANnQ1arW2nqUUk2t309Bnil8e3VX6pNIZyS1W3X4xU50Qq2XCFWU_XCl2lWQ22DzLUE-gH6wxMQI-eI6mzn-6kDv2SE/s1600/steve+stirfry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcLtPJSwtOFKBx646FHM-rhoe3OY7uFNDtwDXGp38Wi4e4y-VANnQ1arW2nqUUk2t309Bnil8e3VX6pNIZyS1W3X4xU50Qq2XCFWU_XCl2lWQ22DzLUE-gH6wxMQI-eI6mzn-6kDv2SE/s320/steve+stirfry.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve is making a stir fry supper using Sirloin Steak. He loves tossing <br />
vegetables and finding different combinations to put with the<br />
beef. The sirloin is sliced very thin while still partially frozen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Through the years I have altered the pot roast recipe my mom handed down to me just a little bit. I learned about new seasonings that give the beef and gravy a better flavor and it has Steve's seal of approval. The new recipe goes like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u>Simply Delicious Roast Beef</u> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3 pounds Chuck Roast</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 package dry Italian salad dressing</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 package dry Ranch salad dressing</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 package dry Brown gravy mix</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 cups water</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Directions:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Turn oven to 325 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sear the roast (brown both sides).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Place roast in roasting dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Warm the 2 cups of water in pan used for searing and pour over the
roast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put seasoning packets in a bowl,
mix, pour over the roast and in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Add baby carrots and small red potatoes or cut and peeled potatoes.
</span>Cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bake 3.5 hours in oven or
bake in Crock Pot for eight hours on low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I am so grateful to have a mom that taught me how to cook a recipe that I would continue to use for my own children and now for my grandchildren. Happy Mother's Day to my mom and all the moms out there doing the very best they can for their families! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Do what your father tells you, my son, </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>and never forget what your mother taught you. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Keep their words with you always, locked in your heart. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Their teaching will lead you when you travel, protect you at night, </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>and advise you during the day." Proverbs 6:20-22</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-46109592587262638362017-04-20T15:28:00.003-07:002017-04-21T08:00:19.436-07:00Waste Not, Want Not: The FoodI don't like to waste food. I don't like to find containers in the refrigerator with fuzz growing on the contents. I don't like the fact that I am contributing to the statistic that says Americans throw away 20 pounds of food per person on a monthly basis. How did Americans like myself get to the point of throwing away enough food to feed 90,000 people each day? Is there something we can do to change our habits and keep some of that $2,500 that is going into the landfill as food waste? Yes, there are several things we can do and I would like to share with you a few tips and resources of how we can join together to reduce food waste. We can increase the sustainability of food production by looking at how we buy, prepare and eat our meals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfYZ4cSlTeOFwvkMVzi6Bm-3FmrEoh4bWc1nppnLP7eGHORHoefvU8eGo3JlS4qHDqGC1D9wcCSDJCDmVNgj82EqL4n56xSEkO1u3cJnG2BZh07OcpvXC571yxhrQyQTQlkUKLlo6GfY/s1600/kimjeffporch2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfYZ4cSlTeOFwvkMVzi6Bm-3FmrEoh4bWc1nppnLP7eGHORHoefvU8eGo3JlS4qHDqGC1D9wcCSDJCDmVNgj82EqL4n56xSEkO1u3cJnG2BZh07OcpvXC571yxhrQyQTQlkUKLlo6GfY/s400/kimjeffporch2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One way to cut waste is to share your food. In the photo above, our son, Jeff,<br />
is sharing hissandwich with younger sister, Kim. Steve and I have learned from<br />
experience some restaurant portion sizes are large enough for us to share a meal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Did you know that 40% of the food brought home in America goes uneaten? In our home we are only a family of two so the issue of making sure we eat what we buy is more challenging then when we were a family of seven. My husband, Steve, is very intentional about minimizing waste so we are careful about the amounts, sizes and perishability of the foods we buy. Rather than buying fresh vegetables we use more frozen vegetables. When we buy fresh food we only buy an amount we can eat. Sometimes we buy fruit from the local FFA Chapter at Christmastime which is more than we can eat. We will usually bake some of the apples to avoid having them rot. Most of the time we buy items in sizes that give us the best value per serving. We are learning an item, like milk, is better purchased in the smaller size which we can consume before spoilage. Making food purchases that follow meal planning can also help us eliminate food waste.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglJhrS9a1-q8saiq-kuj4EmGWJLLOIHQ7ZVHTGErGTMPJoTg-LZfAayMpBnwS2QKL_Cufq4Og_Kt17PwGeTJ0VpAB_qwssfjGNdxFoPLG0ZlLZ3U36BOK260MbZz_VR_9fSqj4emldaY/s1600/apples3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglJhrS9a1-q8saiq-kuj4EmGWJLLOIHQ7ZVHTGErGTMPJoTg-LZfAayMpBnwS2QKL_Cufq4Og_Kt17PwGeTJ0VpAB_qwssfjGNdxFoPLG0ZlLZ3U36BOK260MbZz_VR_9fSqj4emldaY/s320/apples3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This slow cooker apple and oatmeal <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/218929/slow-cooker-oats/" target="_blank">recipe</a> is a tasty way<br />
to use up apples before they rot. This is a breakfast treat<br />
that also makes the house smell good as it bakes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For many of us, "what's for dinner?" is a challenging question each and every day. When we had our children all home I would often think of several <a href="https://p.widencdn.net/yuxe21/30-Day-Food-Waste-Weekly-Meal-Plan" target="_blank">meals for the week</a> instead of going day to day. It was also important to know the school activity schedule to accommodate for meals eaten away from home. One of my biggest challenges was trying to avoid concession food for meals. As a mom and a cattle farmer I had little energy left to come up with creative meal solutions. Families today have many advantages to help with meal planning. We can use our phones to search for recipes as we shop so we know which ingredients to buy, some of us can receive home delivery of groceries allowing more time to think about what we need and there are meal services that will deliver meals with the ingredients and recipes right to your door. If you can utilize services that help you with meal planning then you will find it easier to design meals you will eat rather than waste. We can also find creative ways to use <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/foodwastechallenge.aspx" target="_blank">leftovers</a>. You can find a variety of ways to use beef leftovers <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/recipecollection.aspx?id=10033" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DKodqd4vlYIz-DD7uN0bqsQs0MIPeAfuI9B61cuTtcxezQ-5YnTA0fukEH33xBF3O86PervFK7PBAr4z2Bkw_pKifrXTy7TvgkgsU6Cl11YYoMV-_mMghQQPT_ZGMPCrEmsgHG60vqM/s1600/thanksgvng9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DKodqd4vlYIz-DD7uN0bqsQs0MIPeAfuI9B61cuTtcxezQ-5YnTA0fukEH33xBF3O86PervFK7PBAr4z2Bkw_pKifrXTy7TvgkgsU6Cl11YYoMV-_mMghQQPT_ZGMPCrEmsgHG60vqM/s400/thanksgvng9.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff, the cute little boy in the first photo, is now in his 20's and his grandma <br />
likes to make sure we all get plenty to eat at Thanksgiving. When families<br />
celebrate holidays we tend to make more than enough food to eat. It will help<br />
us manage food waste if we can get creative at using up all of those left-overs.</td></tr>
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When I was in high school I worked for a restaurant called "Bonanza". People loved the "all-you-can-eat" salad bar that was provided with every adult entree. Over the years buffet style eating and super-sized portions have become the norm while American waist lines continue to expand. Conversations about what we should and shouldn't eat seem more focused on removing food groups rather than looking at serving sizes. I hear even fewer voices discussing the nutrient density per calorie of what we are eating. If we are truly concerned about cutting food waste perhaps we need to cut portion sizes and seek to get the best nutrients in the smallest amounts needed. I have come to appreciate the nutritional value beef has to offer. Beef is also one of the least food items wasted at 20% versus 30-40% of other products. The beef community believes we can do better than 20% so we have done <a href="http://www.beefboard.org/news/files/FY2015/SustainabilityExecutiveSummaryWeb1.pdf" target="_blank">studies</a> and have a <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/foodwastechallenge.aspx" target="_blank">program</a> to help us all reduce food waste. The "<a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/foodwastechallenge.aspx" target="_blank">30 Day Food Waste Challenge</a>" is a great place to start if you want to cut food waste.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVV6dHqnRJiMyfDK8yp53wEB6-6j50D0-wcI90HW9FOWXQrAXg52mvNpvqc9c2fDKNwjZlhLdEdQxdiI4rosrSh1V7j_T6QtI6XQLcSQEysofbkLTj81mqi5pO4EZkmyyCSR9yjNXVhg/s1600/beef+impact+food+waste+infograph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVV6dHqnRJiMyfDK8yp53wEB6-6j50D0-wcI90HW9FOWXQrAXg52mvNpvqc9c2fDKNwjZlhLdEdQxdiI4rosrSh1V7j_T6QtI6XQLcSQEysofbkLTj81mqi5pO4EZkmyyCSR9yjNXVhg/s1600/beef+impact+food+waste+infograph.jpg" /></a></div>
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When I was growing up my five siblings and I were fortunate to share many
suppers together with meals prepared by my mom including meat, potatoes
and a vegetable. I can recall hearing numerous times "eat everything on
your plate because there are kids starving in Africa". There was
little food waste in our family because we were taught to appreciate the
food we were served, we came to the table hungry and there were rarely
any leftovers. There are still people in the world that don't get enough to eat. Farmers and ranchers are ready and willing to meet the challenge of feeding an increasing population using less resources. One way we can each help is to cut food waste in our own lives. Are you ready to make some changes? Do you have some great ideas on cutting food waste? Please share in the comments below so we can help one another fight food waste!Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-22094945086814605362017-04-18T12:39:00.001-07:002017-06-27T14:58:26.582-07:00Waste Not, Want Not: The FeedWhen my husband Steve and I bought our farm we were able to store our cattle feed ingredients in structures that allowed for as little waste as possible. Those initial structures were put into place by Steve's grandfather and uncles as they sought ways to cut down on feed waste with better storage and proper handling. We utilized those bins, bunkers and wooden fence line bunks to continue a tradition in agriculture that seeks to responsibly use resources in a way that allows for little or no waste.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7hoVJIvbBhQsm7OoyL4xky2no7IMhR-vx-1liFuTSgwTm1MYbFmB90Vbj0kIclPO7mgHOl0lW2BpsmzwIIR8c5uYyqer2R_5Qv3sJbfC0P2tJ8eZURF5qZiX8mtTQ2bJpOudnpzoD6E/s1600/ScannedImage-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7hoVJIvbBhQsm7OoyL4xky2no7IMhR-vx-1liFuTSgwTm1MYbFmB90Vbj0kIclPO7mgHOl0lW2BpsmzwIIR8c5uYyqer2R_5Qv3sJbfC0P2tJ8eZURF5qZiX8mtTQ2bJpOudnpzoD6E/s400/ScannedImage-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo shows how Steve's grandfather fed the cattle hay in the 1950's. He did<br />
save some feed by keeping the hay on the outside of the pen but, we've come a long<br />
way with nutritional research, genetics and better pen design to help cattle thrive.</td></tr>
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I was a brand new farmer in the early 1980's with much to learn. Growing up in the middle of the heartland with cornfields all around was not enough to fully understand the spirit of the American farmer. I was drawn to the farm to utilize my experience as a veterinary technician to help with the health care for our cattle. However, I lacked an understanding of growing, storing and utilizing the crops we would grow. I would like to share with you a few things I have learned in regards to reducing as much waste as possible from the corn crop we produce each year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFy2yMvvyQq5JVpXfg9BgchfZhfLK0awkMyd85Lkq0Zo8BqZWD_qhCduvDvi7ydQTm4tDAk4toGJ4yynWs-U9Wl2nF6rWy0jBNzJKYcXVa54QPM1Dp5tXUNEt9Oth2_Z3W4LaU__YIGE/s1600/house+east+side+1988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFy2yMvvyQq5JVpXfg9BgchfZhfLK0awkMyd85Lkq0Zo8BqZWD_qhCduvDvi7ydQTm4tDAk4toGJ4yynWs-U9Wl2nF6rWy0jBNzJKYcXVa54QPM1Dp5tXUNEt9Oth2_Z3W4LaU__YIGE/s400/house+east+side+1988.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the early years on our farm I learned how to be a mom, too! Our son,<br />
Scott, is swinging in front of the house Steve's dad grew up in. This was our<br />
home for many years until the structure needed to be replaced for safety reasons.</td></tr>
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Every late April thru the month of May planting season hits northeast Nebraska. Fields are prepared using less tillage, fertilized (with our feedlot manure), and seeds are carefully chosen to thrive in their designated fields. The soil type, climate and topography allow farmers, like Steve and I, to grow corn well as partners with Mother Nature's natural resources. On our farm we hold all of the water from the feedlot in a holding pond so those nutrients can be used on our growing corn instead of going into streams. The humid summers of Nebraska help those corn plants thrive as they seemingly grow overnight. When football season arrives we begin our corn harvest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKqBcRVQAsTCGXHhBlxaHSeac8XNf8yFsN3Vd632-0L13lghylf6QoJM5QfaATLQOO9S8VlHZJb9gwsJKIDytjCvWfkFLUnn63gR20D023Z8PgYDtePD8gt1W2kkxRczUJZkXKZ765lQ/s1600/Irrigating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKqBcRVQAsTCGXHhBlxaHSeac8XNf8yFsN3Vd632-0L13lghylf6QoJM5QfaATLQOO9S8VlHZJb9gwsJKIDytjCvWfkFLUnn63gR20D023Z8PgYDtePD8gt1W2kkxRczUJZkXKZ765lQ/s400/Irrigating.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pivot is taking water from our holding pond that has nutrients like<br />
nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus as well as many micro-nutrients and<br />
giving it to the corn plants to thrive on.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Some of our corn is chopped when the moisture of the corn is around 25%. We can chop the whole plant with the ear and make corn silage. We can also chop only the ear with the cob and leaves to make earlage. When we choose to make earlage we are allowing more of the plant to remain in the soil to help build up organic material. Our crop consultant helps us decide between silage and earlage by taking soil samples so we can monitor the soil health. As the corn is chopped it is delivered to a cement bunker for storage. The material is packed, covered with plastic and sealed down with tires. By carefully storing the silage in this manner we are able to maintain consistent quality with very little waste.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7JYyRRLQg6XpESXro7E5bGDLeJ2GVhikKJKIr1UbbIfdtrzpKI3LPfVSpwQ2frReUxZDKQ0JnSfpFfUGVySQv2UxzAkD1fHYvY870Sz_LHOPFqePMHgHKNKjQOOPLP4AZXu_XSAvUuI/s1600/silageandtruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7JYyRRLQg6XpESXro7E5bGDLeJ2GVhikKJKIr1UbbIfdtrzpKI3LPfVSpwQ2frReUxZDKQ0JnSfpFfUGVySQv2UxzAkD1fHYvY870Sz_LHOPFqePMHgHKNKjQOOPLP4AZXu_XSAvUuI/s320/silageandtruck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chopper blowing silage into a truck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj5QGzyd8UvfnRqESS-ZvfsambMUnScTIyqDQh4bF7ILxm24gDj8J-noDAkynP-tgcEzovQkGfiQ9CJn70eh831X1iNkidDKVdRZ7Nsq28t6hJ9NuLDxzMkawnTJtQOZVrelnk0ZNGkc/s1600/silagedumping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj5QGzyd8UvfnRqESS-ZvfsambMUnScTIyqDQh4bF7ILxm24gDj8J-noDAkynP-tgcEzovQkGfiQ9CJn70eh831X1iNkidDKVdRZ7Nsq28t6hJ9NuLDxzMkawnTJtQOZVrelnk0ZNGkc/s320/silagedumping.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The truck dumps a load for Steve to spread and pack.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWR3rwFa9LrNoR6Ds5Q3IGfU9UusveeNHkYt_tvvs-wrqkV3AQpZqZBsIcF9lNbMFwPgmn9jydEegJMe6qMRV8mQDSFv95RPEzCigO3J4fBFwBF3OBVFtCSkfkVifVlUdP86oS-DQEuM/s1600/IMG_9890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWR3rwFa9LrNoR6Ds5Q3IGfU9UusveeNHkYt_tvvs-wrqkV3AQpZqZBsIcF9lNbMFwPgmn9jydEegJMe6qMRV8mQDSFv95RPEzCigO3J4fBFwBF3OBVFtCSkfkVifVlUdP86oS-DQEuM/s320/IMG_9890.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A covered silage pile eliminates spoilage by keeping the rain <br />
and snow out. Raccoons can tear holes so sometimes you will<br />
see duct taped patches as winter turns to spring!</td></tr>
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The rest of our corn is harvested with a combine. Generally farmers wait until the moisture in the corn is under 16% so it stores well in metal bins. We also have dryers in some of the bins if the corn needs to be dried down. It is important to the farmers we buy corn from to prevent waste by monitoring the corn in the bins for moisture throughout the storage period. On our farm the bins storing the corn are located near the rest of our feed storage area for efficiency and waste prevention.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSih5rWxyVEkFRaVd76r4cgcX5s08UNeqAeBYipCMs7AiWE4Pt72YTpJc3_59u0XbYzmnHsyN7erR2LHtxIilVhNqAJ0BJzPU2E5BW3yb2lC2QXK350nCu5sxaMbyFtR7TGqENuWq3oU/s1600/steve+feeding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSih5rWxyVEkFRaVd76r4cgcX5s08UNeqAeBYipCMs7AiWE4Pt72YTpJc3_59u0XbYzmnHsyN7erR2LHtxIilVhNqAJ0BJzPU2E5BW3yb2lC2QXK350nCu5sxaMbyFtR7TGqENuWq3oU/s400/steve+feeding.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We use a payloader to put different ingredients on the feed truck. The rolled<br />
corn is to the left, our distiller's grain are next and then ground hay is<br />
next to that. We keep our ingredients out of the rain and snow to manage waste.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Storing our corn and other feed ingredients properly helps us show respect for the environment by reducing waste. Utilizing cement structures like bunkers and fence line feed bunks allow us to store, mix and deliver quality feed to our cattle so those cattle can provide quality protein for us to eat. Those cattle also give us numerous by-products including manure that can be used to nurture future corn plants for feed.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQZNEx39EdhvDoi5iMuM81whb3I6QCXXplpO0cNC9-S4EChAAVFsUdj7shzDapHIEqvV1x0O0zrWWa-KBaFlylYpFkRT6LXfoyHENuA1QYCPzvIjC3QyRQm02fB9NmqvvIFRiFSnnjyA/s1600/IMG_9512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQZNEx39EdhvDoi5iMuM81whb3I6QCXXplpO0cNC9-S4EChAAVFsUdj7shzDapHIEqvV1x0O0zrWWa-KBaFlylYpFkRT6LXfoyHENuA1QYCPzvIjC3QyRQm02fB9NmqvvIFRiFSnnjyA/s400/IMG_9512.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a sharp contrast to the photo at the top! We have cement bunks to provide<br />
nutritionally balanced rations for the cattle to eat. They also have a cement<br />
pad on the inside of the pen to keep the eating area free from mud. A scale on<br />
the feed truck makes sure each pen gets an exact amount so every speck is eaten.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My experiences as a farmer continue to grow as innovative ideas help us take better care of the land, the water and the cattle. A very important piece of that innovation is reducing waste while maintaining quality allowing us to be more sustainable in the use of resources for food. In my next blog I will talk about reducing waste on the consumer side and how we can all participate in responsibly using our resources for food production.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a Peruvian roast beef recipe that our daughter, Emily, has made for us.<br />
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Emily was a missionary in Chimbote, Peru. When we visited her we saw more<br />
beef heart on the menu then a dish like this. I would highly recommend the<br />
"Estofado de Res" (Stewed Beef) versus anticucho (beef heart). The ability to<br />
export products like the beef heart, tongue and stomach improve our sustainability.</div>
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<br />
<u>Estofado de Res (Stewed Beef)</u><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Ingredients:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 2.5 lbs beef (chuck roast),
cut in about 2” pieces</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Salt, pepper, and cumin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Vegetable or olive oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2 onions, peeled and chopped finely</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 T. chopped garlic</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3 carrots, cut in small cubes or
slices</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and
chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3 T. tomato paste</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 tsp. sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">¾ c. cooking wine</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 c. peas</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3-4 potatoes, peeled and cut in
halves</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3 bay leaves</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Heat
oil in a pan. Season beef with salt, pepper, and cumin. Place in oil and fry
over medium heat until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the same pan, cook onion until
soft. Add garlic and carrots. Cook 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste,
sugar, bay leaves, and wine. Mix and bring to simmer. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Add meat. Cover and cook about 1 ½
hours.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Add potatoes and peas. Simmer until
vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 7.0pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Remove bay leaves. Serve with white
rice.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Enjoy! Let me know what you think of this recipe. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>"Peruvian food is so simple yet amazingly flavored with their traditional spices" L'Wren Scott </i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
ad more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/lwrenscot441140.html</div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
ad more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/lwrenscot441140.html</div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
Peruvian food is so simple yet amazingly flavored with their traditional spices.
L'Wren Scott<br />
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/lwrenscot441140.ht</div>
</div>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-84512692771232828922017-04-08T05:55:00.000-07:002017-04-08T12:27:07.515-07:00Beef and BroccoliWhen our family gets together you can be certain beef is
on the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beef was nearly a food
group of its’ own when our kids were growing up since it was such a big part of
their diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raising healthy kids was
important to my husband and I so it pleases me to know how many nutrients they
were getting with each savory bite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Getting kids to eat beef was easy while getting them to eat a variety of vegetables was a bit more challenging. Steve's "Broccoli and Beef" <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/the-best-easy-beef-and-broccoli-stir-fry-99476" target="_blank">recipe</a> in his hand-hammered wok was one of our family favorites. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CpYlKwCMHJ8j1X-8iif1XII0QjFqRvTdLnHjdfcTCunshNZzGiHNY63z91M4Uvz3oPUsHOgGYkYJ6CnLKbRXaC54tiS8xgPLKfvc_ar6mPCbImTipnSWUoNqaYX6ueb-6fNSgJKf6EY/s1600/beefbrocisaiah.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CpYlKwCMHJ8j1X-8iif1XII0QjFqRvTdLnHjdfcTCunshNZzGiHNY63z91M4Uvz3oPUsHOgGYkYJ6CnLKbRXaC54tiS8xgPLKfvc_ar6mPCbImTipnSWUoNqaYX6ueb-6fNSgJKf6EY/s400/beefbrocisaiah.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our grandson reaches for a piece of steak as his bowl with broccoli sits nearby. </td></tr>
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When our children were starting to eat solid food one of
the first things they were exposed to were very small pieces of hamburger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their tiny little fingers wanted to master
the art of bringing food to the mouth. We found hamburger to be an easy,
<a href="https://p.widencdn.net/tqvwhr/Smart-Start_1-11-17" target="_blank">healthy item</a> for them to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Steve
would often refer to their hands as little grapple forks trying to grasp at
food and bring it up to a wide-open mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We knew the beef was giving them ZIP-zinc, iron and protein-but we didn't realize those little pieces of beef were
putting important nutrients into their bodies like B12, Selenium, B6 and Phosphorus. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT137VcjJ2CTEZP39DBVLwEwX7iWy-pouinlRwSUcWScZDq2z_ZSXkkv8XhGUeNQxdFETgGWJcR6kxxc2Y7j4j2rCIrNneApOXimOfE7P3fnmP15lUnGjJOnffz07ZU14f1nJVeeu7A4/s1600/beef+nutritional+values+3+oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigT137VcjJ2CTEZP39DBVLwEwX7iWy-pouinlRwSUcWScZDq2z_ZSXkkv8XhGUeNQxdFETgGWJcR6kxxc2Y7j4j2rCIrNneApOXimOfE7P3fnmP15lUnGjJOnffz07ZU14f1nJVeeu7A4/s640/beef+nutritional+values+3+oz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's important to me to have research showing the benefits of beef in the diet. Many studies since the 1970's have encouraged a diet lower in red meat. When I was taking aerobic dance classes in the 1980's I heard fitness experts promoting diets low in red meat. Moving on into the 1990's I saw firsthand the health benefits of a diet including red meat. Our children were rarely sick, they did very well in school and we all maintained very busy schedules. As a beef producer I am very proud of the <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/proteinsbenefits.aspx" target="_blank">research</a> our own checkoff dollars have done to show how beef can be part of a healthy diet. If you would like to see for yourself the benefits of beef in your diet you can take the 30 day protein challenge found <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/proteinchallenge.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77ZBP_JXdqsZYGVwAvs425X2ZSanQvVh_Ly-xXKBK-_VjeR6iCeLfUsEcG4zoy6nMiZ28bCJTAli6ZYxE7PGUjt3-ZpjnFjp7H6focGbrxltWpJT-dS7w7_BoHL375Zw1I3qGROoeJ38/s1600/BeefsBig10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77ZBP_JXdqsZYGVwAvs425X2ZSanQvVh_Ly-xXKBK-_VjeR6iCeLfUsEcG4zoy6nMiZ28bCJTAli6ZYxE7PGUjt3-ZpjnFjp7H6focGbrxltWpJT-dS7w7_BoHL375Zw1I3qGROoeJ38/s640/BeefsBig10.jpg" width="491" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">How many reasons do you need to make sure beef is part of your <a href="http://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2016-11-10/red-meat-and-your-heart-health-can-you-have-your-steak-and-eat-it-too" target="_blank">healthy diet</a>? Beef is good for your muscles, your immune system, your nervous system, your bones and teeth, your blood, and your brains. Not only does beef fuel your brain with vitamins B6 and B12 there is also an <a href="http://www.npr.org/2010/08/02/128849908/food-for-thought-meat-based-diet-made-us-smarter" target="_blank">article</a> that talks about the importance of meat and human development. The article "Food For Thought: Meat-Based Diet Made Us Smarter" states</span> "<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As we began to shy away from eating primarily fruit, leaves and nuts and began eating meat, our brains grew." Anthropologist </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Leslie Aiello states </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">"Sorry, vegetarians, but eating meat apparently made our ancestors
smarter — smart enough to make better tools, which in turn led to other
changes".</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNYD1qlBP-gOkoRiCx2XF5VXKW21yh4r5g4jFKAFq62ZUFMsm9UWkc502cV3CnUNYLiXT9fTRPAqmXtgH16F-6WYFm7J9zSl9-U0UBJP610Bl0-ogAz5M6XGxKixL5IoeifwfBvEleiI/s1600/proteincomparison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNYD1qlBP-gOkoRiCx2XF5VXKW21yh4r5g4jFKAFq62ZUFMsm9UWkc502cV3CnUNYLiXT9fTRPAqmXtgH16F-6WYFm7J9zSl9-U0UBJP610Bl0-ogAz5M6XGxKixL5IoeifwfBvEleiI/s640/proteincomparison.jpg" width="411" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you are counting calories and protein this chart<br />
can help you see how beef compares to other sources.</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Steve and I are part of a community of beef producers that are committed to producing high quality beef for you and your family. We join families around the world that seek ways to raise healthy and successful children. It is very important to note that it only takes 3 ounces to get 25 grams of protein. That size is about the size of a deck of cards!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As you seek ways to help your family thrive I encourage you to include beef with plenty of vegetables. Beef and broccoli are just one of many combinations we enjoy and you can find more ideas on the "Beef It's Whats For Dinner" <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/recipes.aspx" target="_blank">website. </a></span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Be smart. Eat beef!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-GWe_iOMpGiXQZhowzHxO6xzfqaGXJcrKW37ZP7XhpetJZzCkEPBqZi9-QUtxsVrHXqIKVuDoPNbhUTRlLK28ioppyFoR6vPgCw9vKPklZOQd_or5SCupTG668xGy4-0GMLomZh51iI/s1600/harperbeefsand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-GWe_iOMpGiXQZhowzHxO6xzfqaGXJcrKW37ZP7XhpetJZzCkEPBqZi9-QUtxsVrHXqIKVuDoPNbhUTRlLK28ioppyFoR6vPgCw9vKPklZOQd_or5SCupTG668xGy4-0GMLomZh51iI/s400/harperbeefsand.JPG" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This granddaughter digs in for the better part-the beef!</td></tr>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-50169374872359198292017-03-20T20:16:00.000-07:002017-03-21T19:51:56.828-07:00Ag Day: The WomenToday is <a href="http://www.agday.org/" target="_blank">National Ag Day</a>, a day set apart to celebrate agriculture in our country. National Ag Day began forty-four years ago as a way to spotlight all the great work farmers and ranchers do to feed and clothe the United States and the world. I am privileged to be part of 2% of the population, each of us responsible for feeding roughly 168 people in the US and abroad. I am also privileged to know many farmers and ranchers across the country and in this blog I would like to put the spotlight on women in agriculture. I will focus on these farm women in three arenas that have impacted me the most. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKCkApAkGFW3kNuNwWN7vqnmEp2cFR3AqknYttEGD8nBePyfH20no_5GkbWEdK1x5_jXUZUfynsf_RirzcKwad0RWYCmg4Nuh0Qc3iD5Dr4PNfxCfkSnKjb5o5oJpqUJFXuw0SVx3u2E/s1600/agday+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKCkApAkGFW3kNuNwWN7vqnmEp2cFR3AqknYttEGD8nBePyfH20no_5GkbWEdK1x5_jXUZUfynsf_RirzcKwad0RWYCmg4Nuh0Qc3iD5Dr4PNfxCfkSnKjb5o5oJpqUJFXuw0SVx3u2E/s320/agday+logo.JPG" width="252" /></a></div>
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<br />
<u>Ag-Ceptional Women's Committee </u><br />
<br />
Ten years ago I was invited to meet with a group of women from northeast Nebraska to discuss the idea of having a one-day conference for women in agriculture. Thanks to the vision of Bonnie Schulz our brainstorming session led to a <a href="http://northeast.edu/agceptional/" target="_blank">conference</a> that has been filled to capacity for the last eight years. Our committee has changed but the passion of the women on the committee has not. We have been dedicated to offering quality key note speakers, educational break out sessions as well as very cool swag gifts for each lady attending. Each woman on the committee brings unique gifts that I believe have been the key to the success of the conference. We've spent hours outside of the monthly meeting preparing table decorations, assembling binders, stuffing bags and soliciting sponsors. We've laughed and cried with one another as weddings are held, babies are born and loved ones that have died are mourned. We are truly a committee that seeks to educate, motivate and celebrate women in agriculture!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbpXL3zFh6A1q-GExjR1oKt4OHU0bmWGSZkpcseVxpqb8mxBOl66xXCTeiiKQ86ITzPSpXhpTbfvKvaenFJYbHwfhyphenhyphen8DOv00F5fnBCochhUEklUz00TFQz9jfrOv6ME1QeW7KlLY3bJM/s1600/ag+ceptional+2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbpXL3zFh6A1q-GExjR1oKt4OHU0bmWGSZkpcseVxpqb8mxBOl66xXCTeiiKQ86ITzPSpXhpTbfvKvaenFJYbHwfhyphenhyphen8DOv00F5fnBCochhUEklUz00TFQz9jfrOv6ME1QeW7KlLY3bJM/s400/ag+ceptional+2015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Ag-Ceptional Committee of 2015. I do not know why my mouth<br />
is open so far unless my Ag-Ceptional friend, Karen Grant, just poked me!!</td></tr>
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<u>CommonGround</u><br />
<br />
Seven years ago I attended a session to train women in agriculture about having conversations with consumers about how food is raised. CommonGround volunteers are women in agriculture with a passion for sharing a positive story that is personal, credible and very real. The beauty of CommonGround is that we are encouraged to share our own story that is based on lived experiences and facts versus rumor and fear. When I have conversations with consumers I can answer concerns about cattle in the feedlot and using GMO crops. Other volunteers talk about areas of expertise on their farms that include dairy, pork, poultry and organic farming. As volunteers we also learn from one another about the work we do to increase our own understanding of how food is raised. We are blessed with an incredible staff of people that find opportunities for us to engage in conversations with consumers and continually challenge us to grow in our communication skills. I encourage you to meet the women of CommonGround by visiting the <a href="http://www.findourcommonground.com/" target="_blank">national</a> and/or <a href="http://www.commongroundnebraska.com/" target="_blank">state</a> websites. These women in agriculture would love to reach out to you on Ag Day and every day to connect you to their farms via their stories and your questions. I consider myself very blessed to be a part of the CommonGround family and the impact we are having on helping consumers base their food buying decisions on facts, not fear.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSCT1g1AfQyR43p82OvB_1Wi0vLddwWhYlgVp0TK43n-K7f1JW3E5ACgAjI4G8v411kdonCwI9pyevadIPBUzheoKIlhtu1whMzXPZA0942GwyFk3byZNxL3KQMJsSYRsUYu_bFIqUlo/s1600/CommonGroundNE+group12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSCT1g1AfQyR43p82OvB_1Wi0vLddwWhYlgVp0TK43n-K7f1JW3E5ACgAjI4G8v411kdonCwI9pyevadIPBUzheoKIlhtu1whMzXPZA0942GwyFk3byZNxL3KQMJsSYRsUYu_bFIqUlo/s400/CommonGroundNE+group12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are some of my Nebraska CommonGround friends including Hilary <br />
Maricle, Dawn Caldwell, me, Diane Becker, Chandra Horky and Linda <br />
Schwarz. If you have a passion for agriculture and a desire to connect <br />
with consumers please consider joining us.</td></tr>
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<br />
<u>Cattleman's Beef Board</u><br />
<br />
Four years ago I was appointed to the <a href="http://www.beefboard.org/" target="_blank">Cattleman's Beef Board</a>. I am one of about one hundred board members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee the collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in
the U.S. and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef
products. Previous to this appointment I had not been involved in leadership at the state or national level for the beef community. Little did I know that I was about to meet some of the finest women in agriculture. A rancher from Oklahoma, Terry Wyatt, took me under her wing right away and has continued to be a respected mentor and friend. A rancher from Florida, Sarah Childs, has given many laughs over her alligator catching stories. I learned much about co-chairing a meeting by working with rancher Dianne Kirkbride, from Wyoming. I have watched women like Kim Brackett from Idaho and Anne Anderson from Texas lead the board as dedicated chairwomen. Anne is especially dear to me because it was she that asked me to consider running for an officer position. There are many more women that I have met through my time serving on the beef board that I will treasure forever. These women all share a love for the beef community, dedication to continuous improvement and sincerity that builds lasting bonds between friends. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH0KAryaaVxHwMYJE8N8Xtaze5ksaVmjtL3exqaFHvmjCo515wy75AHfmn4ziTCwbfKixjUa4PgUc7irvvAtqqEfphQnxaZ9JcfT2YncspCwFF7mZ5K4pNLOJxlLvTCnhof-8ysc56Zk/s1600/Joan+Dianne+Kirkbride+15.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH0KAryaaVxHwMYJE8N8Xtaze5ksaVmjtL3exqaFHvmjCo515wy75AHfmn4ziTCwbfKixjUa4PgUc7irvvAtqqEfphQnxaZ9JcfT2YncspCwFF7mZ5K4pNLOJxlLvTCnhof-8ysc56Zk/s320/Joan+Dianne+Kirkbride+15.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dianne and I took some time at the convention in San Antonio<br />
to meet the vendors and gain some new product insights <br />
as well as spend time visiting about our families.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
National Ag Day is a great opportunity to focus on what is really good about agriculture in our country. We have hard working men and women dedicated to raising wholesome food for your family that you can learn more facts about <a href="http://www.fb.org/newsroom/fast-facts" target="_blank">here</a>. The often unrecognized contributions of women to food and fiber production are changing as more young women seek careers in agriculture. As a woman in agriculture I salute my fellow ag women on this National Ag Day!<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">“She sets her mind on a field, then she buys
it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard. </span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"></a></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"> She
puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">She knows that her affairs are going well;
her lamp does not go out at night.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">She sets her hands to the distaff, her
fingers grasp the spindle.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="20"></a></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens
her arms to the needy.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="21"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="22"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="24"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="25"></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">She is clothed in strength and dignity, she
can laugh at the day to come.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26"></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely;
on her tongue is kindly instruction.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">She keeps good watch on the conduct of her
household, no bread of idleness for her.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="28"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="30"></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif";">Charm is
deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman fears Yahweh is the one to praise.”</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , "serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Proverbs 31</span> </span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-73537101530613097512017-03-08T17:30:00.003-08:002017-03-09T05:55:36.082-08:00Made For More<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->Today is International <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Women’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>According to some internet searching this annual celebration on March 8<sup>th</sup>
goes back to 1908 and the struggle for women to get shorter work hours, better
pay and the right to vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
grateful that I have the right to vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do believe women were made for more than protests encouraging women
not to show up for work on March 8<sup>th</sup> to highlight the IWD
movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe women were made for more by the character developed versus the job they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would like to take this day to highlight a few women that have shown me in a variety of ways what it means to be a woman that is made for more.<br />
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<br /></div>
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Barbara Dukat Wieczorek</div>
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<br /></div>
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Barbara was born in 1938 as a twin and the youngest of
five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barbara would grow up a city girl
with summers spent on a ranch in Valentine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She met a tall, handsome man, that she would marry and raise six
children with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barb, as she was known by
friends and family, moved with her husband to Washington State while he
finished his military service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She became
pregnant with her first child and about half way through the pregnancy received
word that her mother had died suddenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The couple borrowed money to get back to Nebraska for the funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would only be several years later when her
father would die suddenly, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barb would continue to experience more grief as she lost each sibling one by one and then most recently her husband. I am amazed at the amount of sorrow she has endured and recently learned her birthday is also the feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows. Aside from the difficult times Barb also encouraged her children to get involved in Brownies,
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and 4-H.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barb
taught religious education and sold toys for Brandeis to the delight of her
children who liked to see what other kids were getting for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birthdays were special days in the family
and each child was blessed with a decorated cake decorated by Barb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barb was also known for her fried chicken and
sewing skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Christmas she made
her daughters numerous Barbie outfits during the night hours so the girls would
not see what she was making.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barb
nourished her family first with the gift of life and second in countless ways
of showing how much she cared for each one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Barb is known for making sure you are fed well when visiting! </span>Barb is my mom and I am so very grateful
that she chose life for me and my five younger siblings as well as modeling her virtue of generosity.<br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyPn_W3fV8wLqhDucHZiklpY5Mqw8DuSwXOY6mTA6NcLvgdQQtIwuzSTApHl50iRR5BkWiRcP_oB0KDMlWM4Qic0IUixUvnrOw_NWioxS7foSbiK2O6l3DgZ6lI4X5NlrIyc1VA4TED0/s1600/barbpic14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyPn_W3fV8wLqhDucHZiklpY5Mqw8DuSwXOY6mTA6NcLvgdQQtIwuzSTApHl50iRR5BkWiRcP_oB0KDMlWM4Qic0IUixUvnrOw_NWioxS7foSbiK2O6l3DgZ6lI4X5NlrIyc1VA4TED0/s400/barbpic14.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom holding my brother, Dave, as I <br />
sit on the floor in front of her-1961</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Kathleen Dukat</div>
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<br /></div>
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Kathleen, also known as Aunt Kathy, was a very dear aunt
to numerous nieces and nephews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunt
Kathy loved to bring gifts, bake lots of food and spend time with extended
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunt Kathy and her long time
boyfriend, Gene, took me to see Mary Poppins in the theater when I was about
six years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunt Kathy hosted numerous family gatherings including a Christmas party where I remember many of the girls receiving a
Mary Poppins doll and each child received a special bank that had a $1.00 bill
in it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunt Kathy was the first person
to hear about my encounter with Steve at a wedding dance in Snyder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunt Kathy nourished family and friends with
her laughter, her love and her ability to make you feel welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very grateful to have had an aunt as
precious as my Aunt Kathy.<br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQR_KF8dVbDw2WvmNU-tXQ-h0WdOwdNkxGC2qECcAmLhissYEcgBrxgIObYyjcJD5IWiK0-jT450ZcTB-0uZwGJlAmSJ-f7TtuAgkzdPwixVVYJekVgN9joWJngZIkP7O-KaYkrKzWxM/s1600/clembarbquilt10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQR_KF8dVbDw2WvmNU-tXQ-h0WdOwdNkxGC2qECcAmLhissYEcgBrxgIObYyjcJD5IWiK0-jT450ZcTB-0uZwGJlAmSJ-f7TtuAgkzdPwixVVYJekVgN9joWJngZIkP7O-KaYkrKzWxM/s400/clembarbquilt10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Kathy is surrounded by my siblings and I-late 1960's. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
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Juanita Nozicka</div>
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<br /></div>
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Juanita, also known as Aunt Juanita, remains a very dear
aunt and friend of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Juanita was
married to my dad’s youngest brother, Melvin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Juanita has a voice that oozes kindness and love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was going through some rebellious
teenage years Juanita was there to give me her comforting smile and a place to
be loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my uncle was diagnosed
with cancer our families went through a difficult time. Juanita has continued to be a close friend for my mom and our family<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with her soft, warm, kind and loving voice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very grateful to have Aunt Juanita as an
example of accepting each person as they are with great love.<br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdAFOQyMZe8nnb6kVoe8p9rPeAk1aP5CqkAff_vKiUQVhZ781z55Y5j62y9yeZrttgxYgn5De-S049-rqPAWzOJqnoamWx64g2uTmnR39vNm0hVLn6w16foBPfBSnLXb3-smRAiMakyQ/s1600/paul+and+juanita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdAFOQyMZe8nnb6kVoe8p9rPeAk1aP5CqkAff_vKiUQVhZ781z55Y5j62y9yeZrttgxYgn5De-S049-rqPAWzOJqnoamWx64g2uTmnR39vNm0hVLn6w16foBPfBSnLXb3-smRAiMakyQ/s400/paul+and+juanita.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juanita and her husband, Paul, sharing an Easter with us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Bernardine Ruskamp</div>
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<br /></div>
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Bernardine, also known as mom to my husband, is the
oldest of eight children and the mother of ten children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met Bernardine on my first visit to see
Steve when I followed up on his invitation to come out to the farm to ride his
amazing horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found Bernardine to
incredibly gifted at sewing, baking, gardening and listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bernardine has always been very good at
paying attention to details which makes one very good at making quilts, baking
bread, canning tomatoes and building life-long friendships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bernardine also loved reading to our children
when they were young and making them special pajamas and pillow cases to match
their interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bernardine has been an
incredible mentor of loving each and every life God gives you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bernardine has nourished family and friends
with her numerous apple pies and loaves of homemade bread as well as countless
baby quilts made for Project Linus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been blessed to have a mother-in-law I can look up to and admire.<br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCc-YVEbEyx_ufTUEMD5PnqYMzuJMBw67_vWeNwlB2opf97YRhtK1LINiJEzJs5H0TMvH9dW-sJ80iUtQuy3HLKdNGwVU8T4ryO2a0S9FGs8XNYUEBW6tdLwTWrilalaZDXn3C_BUQJY/s1600/FranBern+Emily+Wedd+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCc-YVEbEyx_ufTUEMD5PnqYMzuJMBw67_vWeNwlB2opf97YRhtK1LINiJEzJs5H0TMvH9dW-sJ80iUtQuy3HLKdNGwVU8T4ryO2a0S9FGs8XNYUEBW6tdLwTWrilalaZDXn3C_BUQJY/s320/FranBern+Emily+Wedd+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bernardine and Francis at Emily's wedding in 2014.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
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My Sisters</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Linda, Sharon and Sandy are my sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have fond memories of playing Barbies, building
snow tunnels and going roller skating when we were kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As we grew we each found our own gifts and talents, married, faced
different struggles and three of us had children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I admire about my three sisters is the
grit they have maintained through a variety of times of suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each one of them has nourished me through
their witness of the virtues of courage, forgiveness, generosity and kindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
very grateful for my sisters, Linda, Sharon and Sandy and the many ways they
continue to bless me with their friendship.</div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzpUfaDFNkopY43rGVAD7ecczETG0_2kQWB01X29PCQDVo3HFulmDK-AGFpvccUa1naTkr70laUEWnrRGzjWRAomdHlafuWy9YMR1Tv4zZnsqiMSqHKaK9QXlXfbn4I0XwIIumeZ-iC0/s1600/scan0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzpUfaDFNkopY43rGVAD7ecczETG0_2kQWB01X29PCQDVo3HFulmDK-AGFpvccUa1naTkr70laUEWnrRGzjWRAomdHlafuWy9YMR1Tv4zZnsqiMSqHKaK9QXlXfbn4I0XwIIumeZ-iC0/s400/scan0110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sisters-Sandy, Sharon, Linda and me in the early 2000's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My Daughters</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Steve and I have five children that include three
girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ginger, Emily and Kim are each
five years apart and spent their childhoods playing in trees near the house,
climbing hay bales in the barn and taking care of 4-H animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of the girls found a love for raising
rabbits after Ginger brought home her first Dutch rabbit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could write endless stories from the
memories I fondly treasure of each of them as a little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I find myself thinking about more these
days is how incredible each of them are as adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ginger and Emily are both amazing mother’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All three of the girls are dedicated to jobs
that involve teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My three daughter’s
nourish me with kind words written in special cards, phone calls at random
times just to talk and the virtues of love and generosity they give to family
and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been extremely
blessed to have three daughters that love me, encourage me and support me in my
own new adventures.<br />
<br /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9uu44j1ybO4dH8lrq89pBqAfI9IxfG1THZlVcYGAO8WS_bwZ9YfQaEjT9QB81KHilC_8AlU1fFxNcnL_IEzqQrP6mVPfvXi7xqRCLGqU1jwWBCrOottP0i2eHkZ5b6XB8UMzMNckBds/s1600/KimGIngerEmilyJoanElla.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9uu44j1ybO4dH8lrq89pBqAfI9IxfG1THZlVcYGAO8WS_bwZ9YfQaEjT9QB81KHilC_8AlU1fFxNcnL_IEzqQrP6mVPfvXi7xqRCLGqU1jwWBCrOottP0i2eHkZ5b6XB8UMzMNckBds/s320/KimGIngerEmilyJoanElla.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim, Ginger, Emily, me and Ella at Emily's wedding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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My Friends</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have been blessed to have so many incredible people in
my life to call friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are my
childhood friends, cousins that became friends, high school and college
friends, friends I met when I moved from one town to another eventually settling
in Dodge and friends I continue to make through volunteer opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have recently been blessed with an
overwhelming amount of love from many friends since the passing of my father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do have one friend I would like to mention
because she was also a mentor that taught me a lot about being a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her name is Joyce Kreiekemeier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met Joyce through church activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over several years of time I watched and
learned from Joyce about servant leadership, poise, commitment, dedication and
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joyce treated me like an equal
even though she had many years of experience and knowledge beyond mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joyce also encouraged by example, taught
through teamwork and lived joyfully from a faith was from deep within her
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I spent time with Joyce I
learned to treasure traits like modesty, integrity, perseverance, respect, acceptance
and forgiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so grateful to have had Joyce as a mentor
and friend early in my life as a mother to learn the importance of continually
growing in faith.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fZDMrYNZSpleidVxK5XpeQu9KdAHqJs8-_FzdGdvAzWHcKByg-NWXAgSsDQYW0dUNW0IU7JcaZPXqZbRwajr9Rj-qyrisZ9fRa3x5LEdfa3jznRmy2xkdf0gvf9TtgDHQIsKTLAp2VI/s1600/commonground+group+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fZDMrYNZSpleidVxK5XpeQu9KdAHqJs8-_FzdGdvAzWHcKByg-NWXAgSsDQYW0dUNW0IU7JcaZPXqZbRwajr9Rj-qyrisZ9fRa3x5LEdfa3jznRmy2xkdf0gvf9TtgDHQIsKTLAp2VI/s320/commonground+group+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are some of my friends I have made since becoming a<br />
volunteer for CommonGround.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As you can see I have been blessed with many
women in my life that have nurtured me, encouraged me and loved me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> These wom<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">en have taught me that I was made for more tha<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">n the job I hold. </span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who
are the women in your life that have blessed you with their friendship and
ability to help you become a better person?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe women were made for the
ability to bring life into the world not only through the birthing process but also
in the way we can nurture others through our words, our actions and our
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protest if you must but remember
there are those of us who chose instead to give life today by feeding the hungry, giving
words of encouragement to our neighbor, treating a patient, caring for our animals, building a home,
putting out a fire, hugging a child, nursing a baby, flying a plane and most of
all teaching the young <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">our </span>commitment to their well-being.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT38DIY-hCD5hTpiplFNiNQQoRIMH_GjuyoXruNjZbUPEl8koNHPTF9faAZexgrdUYtFl_uo9RaPZBEzn4AXc9_GoDHFtr25M5T7b7qlxNjEuhKBqtUSIkriPXWnTgA9ISFxFoqH08BjU/s1600/stevejoangrandkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT38DIY-hCD5hTpiplFNiNQQoRIMH_GjuyoXruNjZbUPEl8koNHPTF9faAZexgrdUYtFl_uo9RaPZBEzn4AXc9_GoDHFtr25M5T7b7qlxNjEuhKBqtUSIkriPXWnTgA9ISFxFoqH08BjU/s400/stevejoangrandkids.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was made for more! I am more than a farmer, wife, mom, <br />
sister, daughter, grandmother, friend...I am a child of God!</td></tr>
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-61149636196991876762017-02-14T11:43:00.002-08:002017-02-14T14:42:21.370-08:00 From the Heart: A Valentine's Day Tribute In Memory of My Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a very special Valentine's Day tribute for my dad, a man that lived a simple, quiet life with great love in his heart for God and family. For nearly eighty three years my dad developed the ability to love deeply and care intently for his family, friends and God. Dad endured many trials during his life with his final trial enabling what was perhaps the greatest outpouring of love a family could receive. On this Valentine's Day I would like to share how my dad's strong heart was able to facilitate an outpouring of love in my family.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXueiYBMRVCX2kTcYylO2jqBU6in9OSQ_OkCu8Sly9MJ96VZU2GxsusMTv9l1OYZzas7ZH1BO6MC65B2IKXiqYs-9SR6P5M151rR9pBHM-Ki9BNb58UMVn8SAT-B07UyoU5RrM_bcMM0/s1600/DadMomNov14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXueiYBMRVCX2kTcYylO2jqBU6in9OSQ_OkCu8Sly9MJ96VZU2GxsusMTv9l1OYZzas7ZH1BO6MC65B2IKXiqYs-9SR6P5M151rR9pBHM-Ki9BNb58UMVn8SAT-B07UyoU5RrM_bcMM0/s320/DadMomNov14.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and dad in their kitchen just over a year ago.</td></tr>
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My dad was in skilled care for his Alzheimer's. I wrote a post about the disease and the impact it had on our family that you can read about <a href="http://dustinmycoffee.blogspot.com/2016/09/dont-you-know-who-you-are-alzheimers.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Mom made regular visits to see dad and my siblings and I made visits as often as we could. My last visit to dad found him somewhat hunched over in his wheelchair and sleepy. Mom and I started talking to him and wheeling him over to a table. A meal was about to be served so we continued to talk about this great meal including a hamburger was going to taste. I was able to give dad a small bite of his hamburger that he chewed very slowly. At one point he dropped his head down. I bent down real low to make eye contact with him and as he saw me he followed me back up with a little smile on his face. That smile warmed my heart and was the last time I would receive that gift of love from my dad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfAMePlcTR5FJ-hB81047-K7HdA9bYNkSt8bmiuH0zZPbGR7jQooa5bGEJLWJxqq_yd9Y9F1c6w7YRBD1WAEBNi4IYzD9K0NEp13uUtQ_Ghks_Twt3ikO3BHnKma2CiRCuwUfQdXkWmY/s1600/clemgoodsamfam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfAMePlcTR5FJ-hB81047-K7HdA9bYNkSt8bmiuH0zZPbGR7jQooa5bGEJLWJxqq_yd9Y9F1c6w7YRBD1WAEBNi4IYzD9K0NEp13uUtQ_Ghks_Twt3ikO3BHnKma2CiRCuwUfQdXkWmY/s400/clemgoodsamfam.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majority of our family made a visit to see dad over the Christmas holiday.<br />
In this photo are two of my sisters, a niece and our daughter, Ginger's, family.</td></tr>
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The group text message came at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31st. "Dad is not doing very well, he's unresponsive and they're taking him to the ER in Grand Island". I was my hotel room in Nashville going over my schedule of meetings for the Cattleman's Beef Board. First there was shock. My siblings and I were also at least two hours or two flights away. My sister-in-law stepped right in and assisted my mom as they met the rescue squad at the hospital. Text messages continued to fly as the six of us tried to learn more details. I sent a message to the CBB officer team with my news and immediate reply of heart-felt support to do what I needed to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVthNEjihW0xode07d7PzLp37Dag0lBomSpZbXBz0151qg-If6llwOnC7c8PZCDWoVQnM9tnKjtJ6KVNkJdZk22Qy1CRM-1Hg7LExfR_KYrTFx2MEucUn5qap4WmQ1u3EiDhYRapUXOQ/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVthNEjihW0xode07d7PzLp37Dag0lBomSpZbXBz0151qg-If6llwOnC7c8PZCDWoVQnM9tnKjtJ6KVNkJdZk22Qy1CRM-1Hg7LExfR_KYrTFx2MEucUn5qap4WmQ1u3EiDhYRapUXOQ/s320/IMG_0958.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did manage to get a photo with these three lovely ladies<br />
that serve with me on the CBB. We had just finished supper<br />
after a day of interviews and/or flying in to Nashville.</td></tr>
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One by one my siblings and other relatives started to journey towards Grand Island to be with my dad and mom. My sister, Sharon, arrived first to feed us the latest updates on dad's status. One by one each of us arrived to be with one another and my parents. We took shifts staying the night in the hospital and continued to send social media requests out for prayers. The staff at St. Francis provided a cart of coffee, water and snacks to take care of us as well as my dad. On Thursday morning dad's teary eyed doctor gave us news that involved the decision to place dad in hospice care. A prayer was answered when we learned there was an opening at the VA Hospital in Grand Island. We were told it would be a short stay.<br />
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The VA Hospital in Grand Island was not unfamiliar to my family. My mom, siblings and I had many numerous trips to the hospital with dad to visit a variety of doctors over many years. We walked the familiar path past the accordion player in the lobby, the check-in desk, the pharmacy and then to the elevators. Our new destination was the third floor, unfamiliar to us at the time but soon to become our second home.<br />
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Upon arrival at the VA our new doctor concurred with doctors at St. Francis that my dad was very sick and had anywhere from 6-18 hours to live, through Sunday if we were lucky. We sent the word out to extended family members, grandchildren, friends and the parish priest. I was even blessed with the opportunity to talk to Bishop Hanefeldt over the phone to receive his love and prayers. The outpouring of love and prayers also continued through family and friends via social media updates.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S-URdMrlpxzduZzz0xdw2fjdjGDNsASz4amjWWpd5cBy3ezl8auWA3mJbg9XgtlPZMMVshIGpZdvnV41Y5zjpMNLSyclpjirm7CMXxUEiKyQnynO36NnpdlivfUYs1RXHwS7EnKDVLQ/s1600/barbinchairva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S-URdMrlpxzduZzz0xdw2fjdjGDNsASz4amjWWpd5cBy3ezl8auWA3mJbg9XgtlPZMMVshIGpZdvnV41Y5zjpMNLSyclpjirm7CMXxUEiKyQnynO36NnpdlivfUYs1RXHwS7EnKDVLQ/s320/barbinchairva.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom is wrapped up in blankets in the chair used<br />
also as a bed when needed. The nurses were great<br />
at getting us warm blankets to snuggle up in.</td></tr>
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What I would like to share next are the many experiences that unfolded during dad's hospice stay. My mom, siblings and I pretty much moved in to dad's room. The staff introduced themselves and gave us another room with a fold out bed in it. We continued praying rosaries, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, singing praise songs and old familiar songs, crying and laughing over stories from our childhood. Grandchildren came with their own love and support for their grandparents and each other. Our granddaughter, Ella, drew a picture for her great-grandpa that has been saved by her great-grandma. We brought in food, more food and still more food as my dad's steady and strong heartbeat continued to take him through the weekend and through one weekday after another. The excellent nurse care made sure dad was comfortable to the point of having him on an air controlled mattress that we named "the cloud". Dad's two sisters were able to spend hours with us sharing stories from their childhood. My siblings, mom and I continued our round-the-clock presence with dad with several near death episodes that were draining everyone emotionally. We continued prayers, the Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, songs, stories and more meals together with the bonds of love growing between us with each passing day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOamSFU9G11bAvNAWh7sFO1TCBLebILpxk84bc-3EQDixpuvZysiCxIRgECz4E7XErqJvipafrdunq7ynq1RDp4_lQQzcno30LBxzrbWQ_7Q1NCyRG6VZc21x3ATyUQn-k3ekiSct8XOs/s1600/clem+go+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOamSFU9G11bAvNAWh7sFO1TCBLebILpxk84bc-3EQDixpuvZysiCxIRgECz4E7XErqJvipafrdunq7ynq1RDp4_lQQzcno30LBxzrbWQ_7Q1NCyRG6VZc21x3ATyUQn-k3ekiSct8XOs/s400/clem+go+cart.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Aunt Stella had this picture in her purse and shared<br />
with us the story about my dad (sitting) and his friend<br />
converting my grandma's lawn mower into a go cart.</td></tr>
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Some of our significant moments included my dad opening his eyes long enough for my sister, Sandy, to get that one last look into what she called his baby blues. One morning my dad gave us a few second of a lift of his head with eyes open and a big smile. That would be the last physical response I would see. One of the nurses came into the room at the close of her shift and saluted dad from the foot of his bed. That was a very powerful moment. Dad defied all predictions of time with that very strong heart of his until on Thursday, February 9th he took his final breath.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRQz1ozHQPcAfnhK86Lel0rKerntnm2uMNNhLgB54v9elD9DYCDyC8VhsWZtPkRGuLE5TES-E7tKAPymADjpAhSrZZl3VxP67k6IF-R9K6Cqx9NWrdG6uehrwki88Gf8nw9KCpYrTVi4/s1600/clemfuneralsunshine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRQz1ozHQPcAfnhK86Lel0rKerntnm2uMNNhLgB54v9elD9DYCDyC8VhsWZtPkRGuLE5TES-E7tKAPymADjpAhSrZZl3VxP67k6IF-R9K6Cqx9NWrdG6uehrwki88Gf8nw9KCpYrTVi4/s400/clemfuneralsunshine.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a beautiful slide show for the services showing dad in a variety of <br />
situations including camera man. The painting by my niece, Megan McCoy,<br />
was the response to our request for the painting to honor the many times we<br />
sang "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcnNb7Pnmok" target="_blank">You Are My Sunshine</a>" to my dad with our own memory verses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvr3I-qP3rdjV3KHpvv_L9JzljpB4Zx7NJXurP5Nd5AT5vglMrHspTG08WtgXZ3SuA_2ruN5lemdqGOw0efRiY4RaF3a9akZDm3W9EuKG5MrmidDq8VfS3neK1tclmjrWtkAEYYltohc/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvr3I-qP3rdjV3KHpvv_L9JzljpB4Zx7NJXurP5Nd5AT5vglMrHspTG08WtgXZ3SuA_2ruN5lemdqGOw0efRiY4RaF3a9akZDm3W9EuKG5MrmidDq8VfS3neK1tclmjrWtkAEYYltohc/s320/IMG_1039.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several of the grandchildren pooled their creative<br />
minds together to create this memory tree using some<br />
of dad's tools, ink hand prints and memory leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Though many tears continue to fall we have so much to rejoice in from the love, support and prayers we have received. The rosary and funeral brought the majority of the family home to share final thoughts, prayers, reflections, art from several grandchildren and an ice cream salute. My dad's funeral was on the <a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/our-lady-of-lourdes/" target="_blank">Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes</a>, a very special day for my parents as they had made a pilgrimage to the shrine in France many years ago. My dad left us with an experience of such profound love and the mystery of faith that no amount chocolate or flowers on this Valentine's Day could ever match.<br />
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Here is the poem written by our daughter, Ginger Eikmeier, that she read for the rosary and funeral mass communion reflection:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Grandpa, you didn’t remember me.<br /> Alzheimer’s had a firm grip on your mind,<br /> crowding out most of those you knew and loved.<br /> But it’s okay, Grandpa, because I still remember you.</i></b></div>
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<b><i> I remember your shop out back,<br /> shiny silver tools filling the drawers,<br /> the smell of grease permeating the air<br /> as we made our way back to the workbench to greet you.<br /> I remember your trips to Ace Hardware,<br /> usually resulting in a special present<br /> for the lucky grandchild who got to go along,<br /> like my prized white Barbie Ferarri.<br /> I remember your fifty-cent-piece collection<br /> and how excited we were to come across one of those coins <br /> because you’d trade us three quarters for that one piece.<br /> I remember your clunky rectangular video camera <br /> perched on your shoulder as you chased us grandkids around,<br /> never staying a silent cameraman<br /> but always adding your own colorful commentary.<br /> I remember your chair at the end of the table,<br /> the bottom spring stretched past its limit <br /> from years of leaning back during kitchen conversations.<br /> I remember your metal canes,<br /> whose primary purpose was to help your hips <br /> move like they couldn’t move any more <br /> but whose secondary purpose was a comedy prop,<br /> ready to draw the attention of a great-grandchild. <br /> I remember your conversation with me just over a year ago <br /> when, in a moment of clarity, you asked if I still liked teaching,<br /> and as you watched me play with my six-month-old,<br /> you said you didn’t understand how anyone could ever hurt a baby.<br /> I remember your black beaded rosary <br /> used in prayer on so many occasions,<br /> a symbol of the deep faith you developed.<br /> I remember your quiet chuckle,<br /> sometimes in response to a funny story,<br /> more often in response to some private joke.</i></b><br />
<b><i> I remember your generosity, your playfulness,<br /> your love for God and Grandma, <br /> for your kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.<br /> Your own memories may have been taken away,<br /> but these are the things I will remember,<br /> long after God has called you home.</i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMVNjpeppXB-ZW_Ra_KLgcSeWVKc5-lPEiDgy2ZDRE68mCHgt8HDvKBCogbHWwYDBw69zm-CsTR9o38R-ie8fL0f6U3WA3Nc2gIFx93ahyNdJ1qZAw5gNLngt0yvUDBDG4Qb8tiNO2y0/s1600/sunrise+cross.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMVNjpeppXB-ZW_Ra_KLgcSeWVKc5-lPEiDgy2ZDRE68mCHgt8HDvKBCogbHWwYDBw69zm-CsTR9o38R-ie8fL0f6U3WA3Nc2gIFx93ahyNdJ1qZAw5gNLngt0yvUDBDG4Qb8tiNO2y0/s640/sunrise+cross.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs of God's presence are all around us if we look. This sunrise on the Monday morning following dad's funeral gave<br />
me more than the beauty of color, it gave me the beauty of a gold cross to remind me of the beauty of the resurrection.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuLuyQ_xpMKKzMDs0n86SdyROPEcsMily5Dl-zXPATfajehqEb5ByJeyaaBYyGzGMQV2HrdcUgIQcmkXzvRd5MzYqS6fvjkPI1ic_uxunS741ycfrrhM9fj9NZFpCkX7LzCG9L4x58dA/s1600/clem+funeral+program.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuLuyQ_xpMKKzMDs0n86SdyROPEcsMily5Dl-zXPATfajehqEb5ByJeyaaBYyGzGMQV2HrdcUgIQcmkXzvRd5MzYqS6fvjkPI1ic_uxunS741ycfrrhM9fj9NZFpCkX7LzCG9L4x58dA/s400/clem+funeral+program.JPG" width="258" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can read more about my dad<a href="http://www.theindependent.com/obituaries/clemence-wieczorek/article_63d0baa6-efe7-11e6-ad34-6fd351b78615.html" target="_blank"> here.</a></td></tr>
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<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-83315155800276493152017-01-31T04:57:00.000-08:002017-01-31T11:38:36.927-08:00Fencing in the Dark<div style="text-align: center;">
"You and me going fencing in the dark,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stretching wire out and tamping in posts </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where the cool winds blow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finishing the fence with the pickup lights</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll be eating our supper late into the night</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's no movin' slow!"</div>
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My parody on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBMJZHp8tLY" target="_blank">Fishin' in the Dark</a>" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band could be compared to some of the parodies the Peterson Farm Brothers have created. The fencing parody came out of a recent experience I had with Steve in getting some projects done before winter set in. I was reminded of that experience as I started thinking about all the hard working cattlemen and women I will see this week in Nashville for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Convention. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUi7cwSfl1rszsm0x51AF5GOw9amoVlJHdL2fuqOb7uHEM5DqouHkFORaM7m2ZAx5QLuL1o_0BmmniReFCvFw060c8-3FwFbl5655_PaeDZ-zJetACx4uFltz4rg06IwhQ3DdMSs6nxc/s1600/steve+fencing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUi7cwSfl1rszsm0x51AF5GOw9amoVlJHdL2fuqOb7uHEM5DqouHkFORaM7m2ZAx5QLuL1o_0BmmniReFCvFw060c8-3FwFbl5655_PaeDZ-zJetACx4uFltz4rg06IwhQ3DdMSs6nxc/s400/steve+fencing.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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This post, no pun intended, is a salute to those hard working men and women that come from a variety of farms and ranches across America with the common goal of putting beef on your table. I have enjoyed hearing numerous stories from friends I have made from Florida to Idaho and many places in between. At one event a few of us spent about 15 minutes going up and down an elevator at Embassy Suites as we listened to stories from a friend in Oklahoma. Even though our farms and ranches are a diverse as our personalities are we share a common love for our families, the land and for our cattle.<br />
<br />
<br />
During the convention we will hear the winner of a contest sing the "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5gkkBtRK_U" target="_blank">Star Spangled Banner</a>" with such gusto that the hair will stand up on our arms. There is no lack of love for the United States of America among this group as we make sure to recite the <a href="http://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm" target="_blank">Pledge of Allegiance</a> at the beginning of our board meeting and show our appreciation to all who work to defend our <a href="http://constitutionus.com/" target="_blank">constitutional </a>rights. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbPv6dC8jEPScJqPzZDJlafXvHHrOtztr4VXtVxinhznM9o_X_MDe5wiYE6axI9rh9ePxeddjBLPkIq8LesIyd-pFQUOrU-QpBiQArirpsimApD_WQlqzjrDdtiepzc-6AwXh8fW0irQ/s1600/flag+amazing+jan17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbPv6dC8jEPScJqPzZDJlafXvHHrOtztr4VXtVxinhznM9o_X_MDe5wiYE6axI9rh9ePxeddjBLPkIq8LesIyd-pFQUOrU-QpBiQArirpsimApD_WQlqzjrDdtiepzc-6AwXh8fW0irQ/s320/flag+amazing+jan17.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a recent photo of the flag on our farm taken<br />
early in the morning that has become one of my favorites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I will spend most of my time in meetings for the CBB or the Cattlemen's Beef Board. I join approximately one hundred other men and women from across the United States to work specifically on Beef Checkoff work. The Beef Checkoff is a program that collects $1.00/head of every beef animal that is sold and pools that money for research, education, information and promotion about beef. I won't give you all the nitty gritty details so if you want to learn more about the checkoff you can go <a href="http://www.beefboard.org/" target="_blank">here</a>. What I can tell you is that I get to work side by side with some very dedicated people this week that will be focusing on you, the consumer, and how we can give you the best eating experience every time you eat beef.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I met up with long time friend, Becky Kreiekemeier,<br />
for supper right after arriving in Nashville. We <br />
joked about having to travel so far to see each other <br />
when we only live about 50 miles apart!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The dedication of farmers and ranchers at the volunteer level flows naturally from the dedication they have at home to their farms and ranches. The saying "hard work builds character" is not one to mock. There are numerous sources that site the value of working and how it builds <a href="http://www.virtuesforlife.com/what-are-virtues/" target="_blank">virtues</a>. I, myself, have learned many virtues by working on the farm (I will save those for another blog). <br />
<br />
My dad and mom were the first models of the value of hard work. They passed down virtues like responsibility, dedication and commitment to my five siblings and I. Their work ethic and the virtues we were taught can be seen in my siblings, in their children and in my children. When I met Steve I could see the same hard work ethic and similar virtues that were evident in his family.<br />
<br />
We, as farmers and ranchers, join each one of you in the day to day struggle of working hard at jobs that feed our families and allow us to grow in virtue. Together, we bring the virtues we gain by working into our family and communities to make the world a better place!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You and me going fencing in the dark,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Working each day at an important job</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where the virtues grow </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cattlemen and women join you in the fight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Putting supper on the table for the children each night</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's no movin' slow!"</div>
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<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-65875795045034030652017-01-26T17:51:00.000-08:002017-01-26T17:51:25.275-08:00The VFD and YOU<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is VFD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know anything about the VFD?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should first clarify that the VFD is not
the Volunteer Fire Department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
google “what is the VFD” you will find the top ten responses having to do with
variable frequency drive-that is not the VFD I am talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about a little quiz to familiarize
yourself with what the VFD is and what it has to do with YOU?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgovwgyfravSacIUgV4lHHjXypi2rLb3AZS6XgPeLnUTWa5YHapKpgWsBziyE1_kyVIo2fO80SL6x8bst2KElGzswR6vxYsnzQLSAKn9xOWXsMS4ruzX0_AscHUuPm4eCnhZk5CPD3RQQ/s1600/steer+superman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgovwgyfravSacIUgV4lHHjXypi2rLb3AZS6XgPeLnUTWa5YHapKpgWsBziyE1_kyVIo2fO80SL6x8bst2KElGzswR6vxYsnzQLSAKn9xOWXsMS4ruzX0_AscHUuPm4eCnhZk5CPD3RQQ/s320/steer+superman.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a clue. I have something to do with the VFD and YOU!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<br />
True or False<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1. The
<a href="http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/ucm071807.htm" target="_blank">VFD</a> stands for Veterinary Feed Directive and falls under Guidance Document</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
213. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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True or False<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2. The VFD was created to make more money for
veterinarians.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True or False<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3. The VFD falls under the regulations of the
FDA according to the <a href="http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/ActsRulesRegulations/ucm105940.htm" target="_blank">ADAA</a> requiring<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>veterinarians to issue all VFD’s in the
context of a valid VCPR. </div>
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<br /></div>
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True or False<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4. The
VFD was developed to make it illegal to use medically important antibiotics <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> for</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>production
purposes, and animal producers will need to obtain authorization<br />
</div>
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from a licensed veterinarian to use them for prevention, control or treatment of a<br />
</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>specifically identified disease.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
True or False<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>5. The VFD reassures consumers that
veterinarians and farmers are working together</div>
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to make sure antibiotics are used correctly in the feed.</div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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True or False<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>6. Meetings were held throughout 2016 to prepare
farmers and ranchers for the </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: -1.0in;">
January 1, 2017 implementation.</div>
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<br /></div>
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True or False<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>7. The VFD is just another government
acronym designed to give farmers a </div>
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headache.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, let’s see how you did and then we will discuss the
answers:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>1. True<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2.
False<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3. True<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4. True<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>5. True<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6. True<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7. False</div>
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<br /></div>
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1. The VFD, Veterinary Feed Directive, aims to accomplish
three goals with these changes: promote judicious use of <a href="https://agricultureproud.com/2016/02/24/antibiotics-in-livestock-and-veterinary-feed-directives/" target="_blank">antibiotics</a>, protect
public health and help limit the development of antimicrobial resistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you see where <u>you</u> fit into this
conversation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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2. Veterinarians are very busy people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They now carry a paperwork burden of making
sure we have the document needed for shared class antibiotics used in the feed
for control, treatment and prevention of disease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our veterinarians had to increase personnel
to make sure all of the paperwork is completed for each one of their
clients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pay a small fee to help
cover the cost of the paperwork and computerized documentation.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jXYbW7VjVZnguncz3YHBKkPTpKSX9LiqimnX15qM5Nik1EP7TrIM_taNQKOW_VlgphZ8fLSVnsPV3fNe4ItsKYH7Cfc3fgvqfxVgLybeKu4uavYz-Nm4i1ho4gPbxX1qEB_5uuFRtqI/s1600/steve+vet+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jXYbW7VjVZnguncz3YHBKkPTpKSX9LiqimnX15qM5Nik1EP7TrIM_taNQKOW_VlgphZ8fLSVnsPV3fNe4ItsKYH7Cfc3fgvqfxVgLybeKu4uavYz-Nm4i1ho4gPbxX1qEB_5uuFRtqI/s400/steve+vet+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Dan Woodbury, one of our veterinarians, visits with my husband, Steve, about<br /> the VFD. Dr. Woodbury says "The Veterinary Feed Directive has opened dialogue <br />among
producers and their veterinarian. That is not a bad thing. In some cases, we
have <br />been able to help producers maximize the return on investment from a
health and, ultimately, <br />financial standpoint through timely feed grade
antibiotic uses. We strive to help our clients<br /> maintain long term financial
stability. The Veterinary Feed Directive, in some cases, has helped <br />strengthen
the producer and veterinarian relationship; which helps to secure our
agricultural community.”</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
3 & 4. Yes, the VFD is about increasing veterinarian-client-patient-relationships
(VCPR) so that you and I, the consumers, can be reassured about how antibiotics
are used in food animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For most of us
the VCPR has already been an important part of how we take care of our
cattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spend time with our
veterinarians developing vaccination protocols as well as treatment
protocols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The FDA, Food and Drug Administration, regulates
antibiotic use in food animals. The ADAA, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Animal Drug Availability Act, provides flexibility
to the way FDA regulates new animal drugs and medicated feeds.</div>
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<br /></div>
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5. The VFD provides the documentation for cattle farmers
like my husband and I to makes sure we are using antibiotics responsibly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a veterinary technician responsible for
administering antibiotics when our cattle get sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also a consumer and I have children and
grandchildren that purchase beef in the grocery store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The VFD further strengthens the commitment of
people like my husband and I to provide the safest and healthiest beef we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkicpJGBee54HSNh5drV7bMNcAMZW3pEbeC3IyAT9pFtOGFWGdlBLG4dLNwaQ_ASsaIqv7NlRMtmpp_Mhmb8H3HwEaXPy8IJoANcs_x6Ua_noaG_EEqOigrGIluee80AmyRHslfQNF7g/s1600/cattle+bedding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkicpJGBee54HSNh5drV7bMNcAMZW3pEbeC3IyAT9pFtOGFWGdlBLG4dLNwaQ_ASsaIqv7NlRMtmpp_Mhmb8H3HwEaXPy8IJoANcs_x6Ua_noaG_EEqOigrGIluee80AmyRHslfQNF7g/s400/cattle+bedding.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We live in Nebraska where we experience all four seasons. When we have wet<br />
spells in the form of snow or rain we utilize our cement pads and bedding to provide<br />
the cattle a comfortable place to lay down. Our dedication to animal welfare and the<br />
guidance from our nutritionist and veterinarians help us to provide optimal care. That<br />commitment to care leads to a lower incidence of disease and reduced use of antibiotics.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband and I
attended two meetings about the VFD in addition to one-on-one conversations
with our veterinarians and reading numerous articles in farm magazines about
the implementation of the VFD.</div>
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<br /></div>
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7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Farmers are used
to acronyms like the FSA, NRD, NRCS, CRP, LDP, BQA, LRP and everyone’s
favorite, the IRS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s one more
acronym to remember?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’d like to
see a list of acronyms from the USDA you can go <a href="https://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=glossary" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
There is a new sheriff in town and he’s making sure things
run smoothly from the farm to the fork so consumers, like you, can have
confidence in the beef you eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The presence
of the VFD reassures farmers like us that we are continually monitoring
antibiotic usage so that your family and mine will eat well and live well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our goal is for our cattle to thrive so you
can thrive and we’ll do that through the VCPR from the VFD thanks to the FDA
and USDA in the hope to make the CDC and YOU smile! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<![endif]-->Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-12836018214943073292017-01-11T10:02:00.000-08:002017-01-11T10:02:11.935-08:00A Few of my Favorite ThingsIf you've ever watched "The Sound of Music" then you know there is a suggested technique of thinking of your favorite things to chase away fear. The technique was mentioned by Fraulein Maria in the song "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_KfL71yf2Y" target="_blank">My Favorite Things</a>" as she consoled the von Trapp children during a thunderstorm. I believe Fraulein Maria was onto something by teaching the children to focus on good things so they would replace their fear with joy.<br />
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I have learned that focusing on my favorite things can fill me with gratitude. Looking at a drawing that our daughter, Emily, drew of our family when she was in kindergarten makes me smile as I think back to a time when our five children were all under the age of ten. The smell of chili powder takes me to a pantry in my aunt's house that I loved to visit when I was a child. Watching the sun come up fills me with awe as I think about God's love and power.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v5YUAR5raR-anASRnpfq_x7BF9eXjhFO7sTjKYpYIKlUaoAUWW-L-tdJVMYy1uxz4Qg3GDnQJ3xr1xAtsIq5gniOSqNj-Cv2J6TSD6fDuEOmuFnmPzmJPA_nFz3ndJUbqOSHyRI3unk/s1600/sunrise+winter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v5YUAR5raR-anASRnpfq_x7BF9eXjhFO7sTjKYpYIKlUaoAUWW-L-tdJVMYy1uxz4Qg3GDnQJ3xr1xAtsIq5gniOSqNj-Cv2J6TSD6fDuEOmuFnmPzmJPA_nFz3ndJUbqOSHyRI3unk/s400/sunrise+winter.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are blessed with wide open spaces and the ability to see the sunrise and the <br />sunset. The colors in this sunrise seem to add warmth to the cold winter day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When the toil of farm work starts to get me I can be quickly changed as I drive by a pen of cattle and observe one steer licking himself, another steer rubbing his head on the water tank and another steer chewing contently. Yes, one of my favorite things is seeing our cattle content with their life here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSjfxEMqanu6VRst6EXsJRYnczcwLK3pQ4eflcmTAJp4dFxWoXT0x6rgd8vg9MA9eHFZSXqbZbbVHZVDzYK5pcYoClQl4eFGWP0Gw0PYWkzBJclqMMIVDSH7Gfxsaea6088OhLFqODI4/s1600/cattle+pen+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSjfxEMqanu6VRst6EXsJRYnczcwLK3pQ4eflcmTAJp4dFxWoXT0x6rgd8vg9MA9eHFZSXqbZbbVHZVDzYK5pcYoClQl4eFGWP0Gw0PYWkzBJclqMMIVDSH7Gfxsaea6088OhLFqODI4/s400/cattle+pen+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a view of part of our feedlot looking towards the northeast. You can<br />see one steer licking his hip and many others laying around. We strive to<br />provide pen conditions like this so cattle always have a place to lay down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Smelling an alfalfa field after it has been cut or the feedtruck as it drives by are more of my favorite things. There are definitely farm smells that are not my favorite things, too! <br />
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Listening to the birds sing is another one of my favorite things. We are blessed to have a variety of bird sounds including the migration of geese in the spring and fall. When I am walking pens in the summer I get to listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o0FC7aqg94" target="_blank">Meadowlarks</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fieT7tz7eU4" target="_blank">Cardinals</a> that seem to move around with me so I can hear them singing all over the farm. <br />
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Eating a juicy hamburger, steak or slice of eye of round hot off the grill is definitely one of my favorite things. The taste of <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/" target="_blank">beef</a> has always been a favorite of mine and I am blessed to have a husband that loves to grill. Sharing beef meals with family and friends continues to be a favorite activity of mine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNgNtDzSKwc1dWCB8v2bgmDph4keqhbCJpBdAXWKkSNT15mOdUnPRrHxjfUiud15j5mj-JzluD6p3ppUzP1P155dK4t2NX-iWFzv7PTrI8Y7D80d6qVjoxo5SdaTJwufx-91316M9lNM/s1600/steve+ella+burgers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNgNtDzSKwc1dWCB8v2bgmDph4keqhbCJpBdAXWKkSNT15mOdUnPRrHxjfUiud15j5mj-JzluD6p3ppUzP1P155dK4t2NX-iWFzv7PTrI8Y7D80d6qVjoxo5SdaTJwufx-91316M9lNM/s320/steve+ella+burgers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve has a tray of hamburgers ready to be eaten. Our <br />granddaughter is waiting to have one placed on her plate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Memories of my dad have become another one of my favorite things. I did not appreciate the value memories can bring to a relationship until Alzheimer's hit my dad. I have many favorite memories of my dad including a childhood Christmas many years ago. <br />
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It was Christmas Eve and my dad came home carrying several wrapped gifts with no name tags. My five siblings and I could barely contain our excitement as we discussed who the presents were for. On Christmas morning my mom was handed each of the gifts one by one. I can only remember two of the gifts. One gift was a large, fuzzy, orange rug and the other was a ceramic canister set. I remember sharing in the joy as mom opened them one by one. Somehow the gifts were even more special because they were all for mom. That Christmas is a favorite memory of mine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYaWTjy-ulbR4aX3ChprUeQOdbssBbZEMLCtXIlyRgeT40pCIc7LQ6Ae7mnNSs49sKkadcTAi4RRRSLkw_UKmXj5unVdbM81IPqkbupTeGOOCrC1npOsEy40vp_NRaLYLS5q2vGXbqnk/s1600/merrymushroomcanisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYaWTjy-ulbR4aX3ChprUeQOdbssBbZEMLCtXIlyRgeT40pCIc7LQ6Ae7mnNSs49sKkadcTAi4RRRSLkw_UKmXj5unVdbM81IPqkbupTeGOOCrC1npOsEy40vp_NRaLYLS5q2vGXbqnk/s320/merrymushroomcanisters.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Merry Mushroom Canister set that dad bought for <br />mom! She used those in her kitchen counter for many years.</td></tr>
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Did you notice that many of my favorite things include all of the senses and are more than just things? Maybe thinking of our favorite things lifts us up because they tap into our senses of taste, sight, smell, touch and hearing as well as our emotions. What are some of your favorite things? Try naming them and see if they lift your spirits, especially in times of trial. Remember what Frauline Maria said, "I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad"!Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-40803143527518664802016-11-07T05:52:00.001-08:002016-11-07T05:53:36.126-08:00Dialogue<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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As we enter the final days of the 2016 Presidential
Election campaign we continue to see discussions take place on major news
channels, social media, at the supper table and wherever two are gathered to
dialogue about the candidates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One concern I have is how the dialogue
between candidates, the news channels and folks wanting to express their
perspective has become more tense and personal than ever before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Even though political campaigns use a strategy of putting the opponent down, I don't believe we have to do that in our conversations about divisive topics. As a farmer I have had many opportunities to engage in divisive conversations about how food is grown.
</span>There are some techniques I have learned through <a href="http://www.findourcommonground.com/" target="_blank">CommonGround</a> that I believe would be very helpful in discussions we have with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These four tools can be the basis for a conversation that leaves room for respect and another person's point of view. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be Positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we are positive we allow room for other opinions, other ideas, other
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can seek to find common
ground by first focusing on just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a mom I can often find common ground with other moms when I talk
about how much I care about my children and grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can talk about how my family drinks the
water on our farm and we eat food produced not only on our farm but we buy it
in grocery stores just like they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we seek to find something in common with another person we can
separate the problem from the relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We can share our ideas about a problem and even if we disagree on the
solution at least we can keep a level of respect for one another.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmZj6C3E7cJsWsm4XDHaWuWQtHQ4ux_s6CHWZSeMjZgBWQpqzx-wRRNmUgd-ZNlfuYGmxKiCC-I1bagEqvNZZt2gNhnTDkaV-82RVJyJGQhW-FMHsXplREUNAzB5pk4RtmVGV_LQJteA/s1600/scott+joanemilychloe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmZj6C3E7cJsWsm4XDHaWuWQtHQ4ux_s6CHWZSeMjZgBWQpqzx-wRRNmUgd-ZNlfuYGmxKiCC-I1bagEqvNZZt2gNhnTDkaV-82RVJyJGQhW-FMHsXplREUNAzB5pk4RtmVGV_LQJteA/s320/scott+joanemilychloe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband and I have five children. This picture was taken in <br />
around 1990. Two of my children and a niece are sitting on my<br />
lap. Our children are all adults now but I will forever be their<br />
mom and will always care about their welfare.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be Inclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
agriculture we are often pitted against one another by outside forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Big farms are often portrayed as impersonal
while small farms are put on a pedestal as the only way to produce food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a farmer I choose to join the both/and
crowd in recognizing the need for both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need modern tools that allow us to develop seed technology that will
survive the threats of drought, floods, insects and other natural attacks a
seed faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also need farmers that
will produce food in a way that allow consumers to have the choice to buy food
right from the farmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we build on
the initial respect for one another we can find ways to be inclusive to more
than one way of doing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of
the time we can find a both/and solution versus either/or.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times when we will not reach an agreement and when that happens we can agree to disagree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be Credible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
able to look for information so quickly now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes an infographic or blog can influence people to believe an idea
that has no basis in science or fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One example is of a discussion I had with a radio host about sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She saw a picture on Facebook of a liver
wrapped in netting and the writing below it said that if you eat high fructose
corn syrup your liver would look like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I went through the steps of explaining how an Iowa State researcher had
proof that the body does not recognize sugar by the source it came from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she had sugar from beets, cane or corn it
would all act similarly in the body and none of them result in netting around
the liver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I had credible
information this person had trouble getting that visual out of her head and
still struggled with believing me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding the right
sources to get credible information can be a struggle for many people and
that is why we have many farmers reaching out to consumers to talk about how we
produce food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We base our decisions on
science and research so that we can build trust with consumers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFCimP2whwl62HueAKo4iQdp7QZK5vkAgjUuTLN_OqNoRcUgfraATCeqfpPNvi0jIq6SsExIjSAuB8uTwfBEvMUmVmnxkIjLUWuXeQxD-trSwyh11oq-RrLny9O5LPQ_cIj1_bMJL-G4/s1600/Joan+CG+HyveeFort+Aug13++2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFCimP2whwl62HueAKo4iQdp7QZK5vkAgjUuTLN_OqNoRcUgfraATCeqfpPNvi0jIq6SsExIjSAuB8uTwfBEvMUmVmnxkIjLUWuXeQxD-trSwyh11oq-RrLny9O5LPQ_cIj1_bMJL-G4/s320/Joan+CG+HyveeFort+Aug13++2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One way for me to visit with consumers about how food is<br />
grown is through an invitation to have a conversation by<br />
spending time in supermarkets for CommonGround.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Be Real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are who
you are because of your lived experiences, education, beliefs and choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a farmer that works with our cattle I can
share the experiences I have of caring
for cattle in a feedlot setting because I live it each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My values from my faith flow over into the
way I care for our land and our animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My education gives me the foundation of how and when to administer
antibiotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit I do not have all
the answers and so I depend on other professionals like our veterinarians,
nutritionist, nutrient manager and crop consultant to help us make the best
decisions we can to be responsible, sustainable and successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> When I travel I utilize photos from our farm to help in conversations that happen in places like the airport. Once,</span> I was sitting next to a gentleman from Miami on a flight
from Chicago to Omaha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was telling me
about his condo and the beautiful view he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shared some information about my farm and the beauty I see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got his phone out and started showing me
pictures of that beautiful view he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I asked him if he would like to see photos of my farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first picture I pulled up included grain
bins, cattle, fields, etc…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He burst out
“you have a REAL farm” with such enthusiasm that I nearly fell out of my
chair!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what fake farms are
but I do know that there are a variety of ways to show people our real side.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bVcBcvh9X-L0qEw1vssAc9zeb4V2vRUVjGSr6Gps7ffntgddCYMbrSsg2oBs1-CGtL699mVCuNgjYMqBkcovnrNXp08XahOfUP36bKBp-mvbfuCsZsM2FbKGS06y7NfC9Hq-tYJScZI/s1600/cattleinpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bVcBcvh9X-L0qEw1vssAc9zeb4V2vRUVjGSr6Gps7ffntgddCYMbrSsg2oBs1-CGtL699mVCuNgjYMqBkcovnrNXp08XahOfUP36bKBp-mvbfuCsZsM2FbKGS06y7NfC9Hq-tYJScZI/s320/cattleinpen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I share this photo of our feedlot many people are <br />
surprised at how much room the cattle have to move around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Using the CommonGround approach to being positive,
inclusive, credible and real in our conversations with one another can help us
keep our relationships strong and provide room for the exchange of ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to share with you this
quote from Pope Francis about dialogue.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dialogue is born from an attitude of respect for the other
person, from a conviction that the other person has something good to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It assumes that there is room in the heart
for the person’s point of view, opinion and proposal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To dialogue entails a cordial reception, not
a prior condemnation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to
dialogue, it is necessary to know how to lower the defenses, open the doors of
the house, and offer human warmth.”</div>
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<![endif]-->Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-67696787091655027542016-10-04T16:31:00.000-07:002016-10-06T05:24:23.665-07:00When it Rains it Pours<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The old
adage, “When it rains, it pours,” often applies more to life experiences than
the weather. In our area, it’s both. Rain has almost become one of the
forbidden “four-letter-words.” Normally we are praying for rain this time
of year to finish filling out the corn kernels and soybean pods. Rarely, though,
does rain fall in the exact amount that the soil can handle. <a href="http://cropwatch.unl.edu/tillage" target="_blank">Tillage methods</a> and <a href="https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/NE/PS2(Terraces).pdf" target="_blank">terracing</a> can help, but don’t stop all the water
flow. So what happens to the extra rain?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">On our
farm we control water flow with narrow based terraces and two ponds. Our west pond is a<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> </span>freshwater pond
that pond keeps water from entering the feedlot. We’ve made the
fresh water pond a benefit to man and nature by stocking it with fish, building
a dock, a bridge and an island, planting trees and creating a space to BBQ. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWgKW5cj5guJOaerJWvbzr2ymDQgknwYMkSUWzNxc14-p6UIbMzlt4WrEWba16S1aYboOIhCvcLM6I8k-hLzJjDwORc3SrYwZkgXO5YXjhublXEQcTyV9JIMrYQ7zDTyJVuwZE0JcEbc/s1600/fishpond2010b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWgKW5cj5guJOaerJWvbzr2ymDQgknwYMkSUWzNxc14-p6UIbMzlt4WrEWba16S1aYboOIhCvcLM6I8k-hLzJjDwORc3SrYwZkgXO5YXjhublXEQcTyV9JIMrYQ7zDTyJVuwZE0JcEbc/s400/fishpond2010b.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our fresh waster pond reached an all time high during the spring <br />
of 2010 when the water nearly covered the dock. The high level <br />
didn't stop family members from enjoying time to fish. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Our
east pond is a holding pond for our feedlot. The pond is about six acres
in size which is close to the size of six football fields. That pond was
built with a clay liner to prevent any leakage. We inspect the pond to
make sure no trees or shrubs are growing along the sides. We have monitoring
wells above and below the pond that are tested twice a year for nutrient levels
to make sure we are protecting the quality of water to the best of our ability.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgSHjVOve61zuaYYKTdw1OYm6RnMs_Z5wdFXGNWAr9t4YH_qbzaWdddZq_lPrQ0rP9efeMDR4DQp__E4sj43AksmBHAWIi1YKt7SZrU9qz8QxLWaPtNBqaQqvygO6r6oiOdTnuPa3e3Q/s1600/feedlot08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgSHjVOve61zuaYYKTdw1OYm6RnMs_Z5wdFXGNWAr9t4YH_qbzaWdddZq_lPrQ0rP9efeMDR4DQp__E4sj43AksmBHAWIi1YKt7SZrU9qz8QxLWaPtNBqaQqvygO6r6oiOdTnuPa3e3Q/s400/feedlot08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our farm with the fresh water pond on the bottom of the photo or west<br />
side of our farm. The feedlot is in the middle and the holding pond is at the<br />
top of the photo on the east end of our feedlot and farm. We hold water that <br />
falls on our farm and water that runs into our farm from the north and west.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nebraska Department of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) issue regulations for us to follow. Thorough
records have to be kept that include daily rainfall and how we use the water in
the holding pond. We have consultants that keep up with regulation
changes and help us manage the nutrients in the pond for use on crop ground as
fertilizer. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It is
often a challenge for farmers to make sure that common sense prevails in the
development of these regulations, as regulations made with good intentions
don’t always turn out to be so. Many farmers do not end up holding the EPA in
positive regard. Farmers are often held to standards that municipalities as recently seen in <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-sewage-overflows-20161003-story.html" target="_blank">Baltimore. </a> I will share some of our experience with regulations to give you <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">a better understanding of the</span> farmer <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">perspective</span>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In the
early 1990’s we built a sediment basin to keep soil and manure from leaving our
farm. A large perforated thick plastic tube allowed water to slowly
trickle out, leaving us the sediment to use on crop ground. The
regulations about holding all the water were going through continual changes
and by the early 2000’s they were getting closer to being finalized. We
hired a consultant to help us design of what we would need to hold
our water and trusted that the design had been <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">completed and </span>submitted to the Nebraska DEQ by
the deadline. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">A few
days before Christmas that same year we received two letters. The first
letter was to let us know of attorney help if needed. The second letter
was from the EPA telling us we had an illegal discharge and were being fined.
Our hearts were not as joy-filled as they normally are for Christmas
knowing we had quite a situation on our hands.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We
slowly learned what exactly had gone wrong. The design was submitted without
the stamp of an engineer, was sent to an engineer for that stamp and was lost
on the desk of the engineer. A deadline was missed and we were considered
the responsible party. Hard to believe, since we thought we had<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> done</span> everything we were
supposed to. <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">One comparison would be that of</span></span> hiring an accountant to do your taxes.
Let’s say you turned everything in, signed what needed to be signed, paid
your bill and then received a notice from the IRS saying your tax return was
never filed and you owed a huge fine because of it. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Our
discussions with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and Region 7 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowed us to meet people with and without an understanding of agriculture. We were
told we needed to immediately stop the flow of water from the sediment basin,
so my husband and an employee wrapped the tube with thick black plastic.
It was winter so they were able to work on the mostly frozen sediment to
get that plastic around the tube and down as low as they could.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">As
spring came with rains the sediment basin started to fill up with water. During
the last week of June something happened to the plastic causing it to allow
water to leave the sediment basin. Calls were made to the NDEQ and the
EPA. Engineers came out with their suggestions and a variety of ideas
were tried. Eventually, my husband had to crawl out above the water on 2
x 4’s bolted together to drop sandbags down the middle of the tube and the outside of the
tube to stop the water. The danger he put himself in was at that time
irrelevant to those telling us we needed to stop the flow of water. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqPcziuTm9PPOluCY5TTy19h_oBviGd5gqPvYz5RLLiI_9qnszFfO_InlDGz2_XgBUIoX9sxOxrvBbus-RcNS_YEuSZmNa0SVq9i70Rt7jv0JaXBqkIzGJQBhZk88PCvUQKGMF7YvSlw/s1600/holdingpond.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqPcziuTm9PPOluCY5TTy19h_oBviGd5gqPvYz5RLLiI_9qnszFfO_InlDGz2_XgBUIoX9sxOxrvBbus-RcNS_YEuSZmNa0SVq9i70Rt7jv0JaXBqkIzGJQBhZk88PCvUQKGMF7YvSlw/s640/holdingpond.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">This photo was taken <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">after a recent rain that dumped 3.5" in a very short time. The amount of water that<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> goes into the holding pond va<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ries<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">. <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">When we receive large amounts of rain in a short time the rati<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">o is 8:1 of</span><br /><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">inches added/inch of rainfall. If the ground is dry in the fields that will<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> ratio will drop due<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> to less</span></span> runoff <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">entering our farm.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> We will remove the s<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ediment when it <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">dries a<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">nd apply it to area crop ground.</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
holding pond was built later in the summer with as much regard to public notice, zoning laws and
regulations as we knew of and what we trusted our paid consultant to make sure
was done correctly. In the end we did have to pay a fine and were asked
to share our story with the Region 7 EPA employees. The EPA paid our
expenses to make a trip to Kansas City for that presentation. Ironically,
months later while still waiting for re<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">imbursement </span>we learned that the check issued for our expenses had gotten lost
on someone’s desk at the EPA.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">It is important to us that we do what is right for the env<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ironment and<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> our n<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ei<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ghbors. We are able to protect the rive<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">rs and streams from receiving a<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ny unwanted nutrients. W<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">e are able to control water and sediment from wreaking havoc on <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">fields and homes downstream. <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">W</span>e strive to be responsible stewards and considerate n<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">eighbors by</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> minimiz<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">i<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ng</span></span> the smell <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">of the pond</span> and working with cons<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ultants</span> to apply the nutrients to our crops using best
management practices. <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">We rely on our</span> consulting service<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> to give us t<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">hat extra layer of e<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">xpertise</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> </span>to make sure we are complying with changing regulations.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IO07UUcms_H64p6i1OA423SVxU9SYdMU1yHWLLFhTJvN_XHElsAyS6bb-7SyJJhpSWO-mcxc9c7VHvHinokrXor9-bkKGGDq9ItUtD5T3HZEVYfrKow-xITTM17pTrzT2n1vqdVlD-8/s1600/Irrigating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IO07UUcms_H64p6i1OA423SVxU9SYdMU1yHWLLFhTJvN_XHElsAyS6bb-7SyJJhpSWO-mcxc9c7VHvHinokrXor9-bkKGGDq9ItUtD5T3HZEVYfrKow-xITTM17pTrzT2n1vqdVlD-8/s400/Irrigating.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we use the holding pond water to irrigate we are required to keep <br />
records that show the start and stop times, the high and low temperatures of the<br />
day before, day of and day after we apply as well as the wind speed and direction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Normally
we have our holding pond at three- to five-foot levels this time of year.
We have used the pond for irrigating corn throughout the summer and came
very close to <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">a five feet level</span> about three weeks ago. Since then we have had
small rains and two large rain events that have added at least five feet to our
holding pond. We are obligated by regulation to have our pond under five
feet by winter and that is not going to be an easy task.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When it
rains my husband gets uneasy now. The forecast for a quarter inch has
often been turned into three to six inches and even nine inches in nearby
areas. Sometimes when it rains, it pours! Do you think we are ready for a
dry spell? Ouch, a dry spell is not something any farmer dares to pray
for as it often leads to prayers for more rain!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvqaOlA0x7WiVoksuJ7laPIjp0DtuJ-OHyiivU2bRNtud70kFNJYz6nVcyBMgT-dDCfRWvIstGgnvaSjVd9i_7e3Wbt-MeRcYWQIqsn9wDIwM1kJN523Snuxme2CONIYomjhhmUpNDS0/s1600/stevewithfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvqaOlA0x7WiVoksuJ7laPIjp0DtuJ-OHyiivU2bRNtud70kFNJYz6nVcyBMgT-dDCfRWvIstGgnvaSjVd9i_7e3Wbt-MeRcYWQIqsn9wDIwM1kJN523Snuxme2CONIYomjhhmUpNDS0/s400/stevewithfish.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve always dreamed of having his own fish pond near his <br />
home and now he does! Here is showing a Catfish he caught<br />
in the pond while our dog hopes he will drop it right in her mouth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It would be insensitive of me not to ac<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">knowledge the <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">suffering many <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">people go through each y<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ear due to flo<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">oding from storms<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">. <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Nothing compares to the</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> loss of life and property <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">people have endured over the centur<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">ies due to acts of nature. </span></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Even with the <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">weather forecast capa<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">bilities we have now we know<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">the amount of rain<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">fall in<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";"> any given storm can vary greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those suffering from the <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">recent flooding in Louisiana and those going through <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">H</span>urrican<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">e <span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif";">Matthew.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-46888472642024486982016-09-19T10:10:00.004-07:002016-09-19T10:10:35.152-07:00Fit HappensWhat does it mean to you to be fit? Is it an exercise program or a combination of diet and exercise? The focus on fitness began in the early 1980's for me. Fitness for me was more about exercising and looking good versus improving overall health. After college I joined a YMCA to take a <a href="http://www.jazzercise.com/" target="_blank">Jazzercise</a> class that sounded like much more fun than running. I was sold quickly on the music with exercise routines and advanced to the more rigorous aerobic dance classes. When I moved to Dodge my husband encouraged me to start classes in the area. I became a certified instructor and taught aerobic dance classes in Snyder, Dodge and Howells. I have many fond memories of the fit that was happening in those exercise classes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNiShTKbwNDKwxKchjP4pBDEwNnWA8-fZtWJP_SAfjp0kL7YDbPyP1sX6DCUaAgW3EEEMXTemPmV1cNHlOcXiagICS506oA0A2yUcRuIol4RIVEM3JXyACY-z83hcjXUoaySaINysDwc/s1600/joankimstepup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNiShTKbwNDKwxKchjP4pBDEwNnWA8-fZtWJP_SAfjp0kL7YDbPyP1sX6DCUaAgW3EEEMXTemPmV1cNHlOcXiagICS506oA0A2yUcRuIol4RIVEM3JXyACY-z83hcjXUoaySaINysDwc/s320/joankimstepup.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our fifth child, Kim, was born I used a step exercise<br />program. The step was collapsable so I could use it anywhere.<br />As you can see here the kids also enjoyed using the step!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fast forward forty years and I am no longer dancing my way to fitness by telling students to kick that leg higher, pull in the stomach or to keep breathing. I am still concerned about the exercise portion of being fit and have found a variety of ways to make that happen. While some of my exercise is planned, the majority of my exercise is related to my daily work on our feedlot where more than just fit happens. I am privileged to have a job that allows me to move throughout the day. I have also learned, though, that a bit of time on the treadmill early in the morning gives me more energy for the day. Yes, it's an odd sort of consequence that exercising will give you more energy, but it's true! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl2tkpltimv4OgNb6TdH8YT6IP83SzBPo9M-s1eMuZ03hTd5nxXOSoKvtvCld2NxiJy8oeKsjJdP0o6HOr4nGSp-ZN633X3TAdG3bpTIZX55asXKbC8hemsTjHKJcfSDLFka34h0aSWk/s1600/jeffvacuum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl2tkpltimv4OgNb6TdH8YT6IP83SzBPo9M-s1eMuZ03hTd5nxXOSoKvtvCld2NxiJy8oeKsjJdP0o6HOr4nGSp-ZN633X3TAdG3bpTIZX55asXKbC8hemsTjHKJcfSDLFka34h0aSWk/s320/jeffvacuum.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you know household cleaning can burn 170 calories per<br />hour? There was a time when our son, Jeff, loved to ride<br />the vacuum adding a increased weight training.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While exercise has been the majority of my focus on fitness over the years my overall well-being has taught me that exercise alone is not enough. I can no longer freely nibble on M&M's (my favorite stress food) or eat as much as I want whenever I want. Another bad habit I had-skipping breakfast- was a major culprit to eating snacks later in the day. To keep fit happening I needed to address my eating habits. <br />
<br />
I have found my cravings for snacks start to disappear when I eat 20-30
grams of protein for breakfast. I know that protein has power when it comes to <a href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/82/1/1.full" target="_blank">weight management.</a> Several <a href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2011/12/13/ajcn.111.016261.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">studies</a> show the importance of eating enough protein throughout the day, not just at one meal. Consuming 30 grams three times a day is recommended. There are a variety of ways to have protein for breakfast including eggs, beef and protein bars that use soy-based protein. I can get the same amount of protein from this easy recipe for a <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/recipe.aspx?id=6039" target="_blank">beef and egg breakfast mug</a> as I can in 5 protein bars--and with fewer calories--as seen in this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommonGroundNebraska/videos/vb.204526836275150/961887253872434/?type=2&theater" target="_blank">video</a>.<br />
<br />
Some of you might be using devices like the <a href="http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/fitness/fitbit.htm">FitBit</a> to track your physical activity. There is a great program that can help you track the protein you eat called 30 Day <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/proteinchallenge.aspx" target="_blank">Protein Challenge</a>. If you have a handle on your exercise routine then this protein challenge could be the next step to increasing your overall well-being. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmsQFGO9kf-ugV3pi_sAaH0hfFcVU89fH1dW8SxqUHuIbnxsVG2xxOOV7c9JZh96f_I7mEPy7QQo8wKC_mBTOOzTdl1eRHIRfy9RXkputfMCZ_lk8nf5ntTbfGwpzqDC_mIA_SKjPLfs/s1600/beefpromobagsave09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmsQFGO9kf-ugV3pi_sAaH0hfFcVU89fH1dW8SxqUHuIbnxsVG2xxOOV7c9JZh96f_I7mEPy7QQo8wKC_mBTOOzTdl1eRHIRfy9RXkputfMCZ_lk8nf5ntTbfGwpzqDC_mIA_SKjPLfs/s320/beefpromobagsave09.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love to promote beef as a source of protein. Here is a photo<br />from an in-store demo of rib eye steak. I had one customer so<br />unsure of what the cut was that she had me to over to the meat<br />counter and point exactly to the rib eye steaks. You can learn<br />all about beef cuts and preparation methods <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/butchercounter.aspx#start" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Making fit happen has been an ongoing learning experience. There is not a one size fits all when it comes to incorporating exercise, diet and rest to obtain optimal health. If you are looking for increased energy and/or weight loss I would encourage you to first find an exercise program that is flexible to your schedule and incorporate more protein in your diet.<br />
<br />
I would love to know what you do to make fit happen in your own life. If you have suggestions, tips or ideas that have worked for you please share them in the comments below. Now, go make fit happen in your life!Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-59492697356208847722016-09-05T10:15:00.000-07:002016-09-07T14:07:18.453-07:00Don't You Know Who You Are: Alzheimer'sA couple of months ago I was sitting across the kitchen table from my dad on his last night in the home he has known for almost 50 years. Dad was going to be placed the following day in a memory care home for adults with <a href="http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp">Alzheimer's</a>. This was not a sudden decision but rather the agony of many months of discussion that culminated when my mom was diagnosed with cancer and started her chemo treatments.<br />
<br />
I was working on getting some photos developed at Walmart for the room he would have. As I finished up I heard my mom say something to Dad about Joan.<br />
<br />
I looked up from my laptop and asked Dad "Who is Joan?"<br />
<br />
He looked at me and said matter-of-factly, "Don't you know who you are?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfOXjeErWFKpjkBvgjFf0tjs87Z9d2G7CMyef7n3u2H7oCOem17n1HriD7Jdszsp6YD7u2EKdkdIY4U85yOXmTa7wEDh1cXx0CewEoyz1tpPo7VO1gjGS12j5ueWugSSbRblXMpv1x8U/s1600/IMG_9223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfOXjeErWFKpjkBvgjFf0tjs87Z9d2G7CMyef7n3u2H7oCOem17n1HriD7Jdszsp6YD7u2EKdkdIY4U85yOXmTa7wEDh1cXx0CewEoyz1tpPo7VO1gjGS12j5ueWugSSbRblXMpv1x8U/s320/IMG_9223.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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Oh, the heartache of Alzheimer's! As dad posed the question to me, I melted inside, wondering if we were doing the right thing. Was Dad really sick? He seems so normal at times.<br />
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I looked at Mom with her scarf on, hiding her now bald head due to the affects of chemo. Yes, we had to move Dad, so Mom could heal. I shut my laptop and went to Walmart to get the photos, some frames and other supplies dad would need. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0AdEW4Ihwb76YmCbfimsDO-WWy_e-enrkKv3BHV_wRL-EcNwUaOYDwMtPUxcR5EYtdr9ybl6Hidz7cb1beI2EF-QdTY7-ea6a2yz_B_5S4Q7jb6NmdjqsM1Cgjguas5IAd5kVQCXNkA/s1600/IMG_9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0AdEW4Ihwb76YmCbfimsDO-WWy_e-enrkKv3BHV_wRL-EcNwUaOYDwMtPUxcR5EYtdr9ybl6Hidz7cb1beI2EF-QdTY7-ea6a2yz_B_5S4Q7jb6NmdjqsM1Cgjguas5IAd5kVQCXNkA/s400/IMG_9049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> My dad's family. Front Row: Verna, Michael and Mary, Stella. <br />
Back Row: Melvin, Clem, Helen, Leo, Joe</td></tr>
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When I returned Mom and I moved Dad into the living room to pray a <a href="http://www.catholic.com/tracts/the-rosary">rosary</a>. The rosary has been a great source of strength for my parents and for Steve and I. I'm not sure how well dad can reflect on the mysteries of Jesus' life, but I do know it is one activity his brain continues to know how to do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuVPuo683xQ68UfKsrTUn6tKy4Yz2P9D5U6cx7dTfZqslicaRSKL88rc1wqAj4AQJtN2JwAQHjEZ95Y1C_sU856NQhKk390D3RYkKyyUzsLPTOSdJEOT53-rQZHEHtn3nCdR9Otagw9E/s1600/IMG_9056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuVPuo683xQ68UfKsrTUn6tKy4Yz2P9D5U6cx7dTfZqslicaRSKL88rc1wqAj4AQJtN2JwAQHjEZ95Y1C_sU856NQhKk390D3RYkKyyUzsLPTOSdJEOT53-rQZHEHtn3nCdR9Otagw9E/s320/IMG_9056.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One activity my dad still remembers very well is<br />
praying his rosary. This was a nightly routine and now<br />
we pray it with him when we visit. Even though Dad<br />
doesn't always hold a rosary, his hands act like one is there.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I then encouraged mom to get ready for bed so we could hopefully transition my now drowsy dad into bed as well. Bedtime has been the most challenging time of the day for my mom in getting my dad to go to bed. That night I was feeling very grateful because Dad was in his bed by eleven.<br />
<br />
My bedroom was just down the hall and adjoined the bedroom he was in. About 2 a.m. I heard the sound of a power tool. I got up and walked down the hall to peek into his bedroom. Dad was kneeling on the floor next to his bed with a power tool in one hand and his other hand just laying nearby like he was trying to figure out what to do next. I felt so sad that this man who had modeled hard work by repairing cars, tractors, trucks and drywall tools could no longer figure how what he was suppose to do with the tool.<br />
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I turned and went back to my room. I didn't know what else Dad had hidden under his bed, so I just laid down in my bed just listening to him. At some point I dozed off and was awakened by noise coming from the kitchen. I got up and went to the kitchen to find Dad in a kitchen chair with a cookie jar lid on the floor. I spoke to Dad about going back to bed and decided to try pulling him to his room while he sat on the rolling chair. I did get dad back to his room and back in his bed. It was about 4 a.m.<br />
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The morning came quickly with much to do to make sure the transition would go as smoothly as possible. My dad could walk with two canes but spent most of his time sitting in his wheel chair. When he was in bed it took a lot of time and patience to get him going and he was known for resisting efforts to get him up and moving. We had extra help that morning to take care of Mom and keep Dad occupied outside, so I could transfer his bed and a desk to his new home without him seeing what was going on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSqcGAzjc8bshGrYaUp5Ix7qzPzSaW1Fo031U9BYvR99aZEUcjh6DvcFjI_fqYuxQzG9fAxN_Bn3x7exzURfHRmahTRcUNMzF8VveytKcqg8WF79QYcWblKxkRbl4k5IShJ_rJl2PU6E/s1600/deckparty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSqcGAzjc8bshGrYaUp5Ix7qzPzSaW1Fo031U9BYvR99aZEUcjh6DvcFjI_fqYuxQzG9fAxN_Bn3x7exzURfHRmahTRcUNMzF8VveytKcqg8WF79QYcWblKxkRbl4k5IShJ_rJl2PU6E/s400/deckparty.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and dad have a deck on the south side of their house. During the fall <br />
of 2010 my siblings and I worked together with dad to build this deck. It was<br />
during those work sessions that we first noticed dad was having memory issues. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
My uncle helped me get Dad's bed and desk unloaded and put together. We put on the newly washed bedding, put the pictures around the room, and I put his Bible, the Diary of St. Faustina and some of his prayer cards on his desk with a crucifix nearby.<br />
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The home Dad would be living in was only about five minutes from where he and Mom raised six children. We felt the proximity would be very helpful to Mom and the daily visits she would make. Our original intent was to hope a place would be available in the Veterans Home. Dad was on a waiting list that could take up to a year for a spot to be available for him. <br />
<br />
Back at home we only had to get dad in my car and load up his wheel chair. His clothes and personal items were all waiting for him at his new home. My aunt and uncle were going to meet us there to help get dad inside. He was not one to be tricked.<br />
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We stopped at the Dairy Queen, my dad's favorite place to stop, and proceeded with ice cream to the new home. Dad was feeling drowsy and wasn't able to eat all of his ice cream before we arrived. My uncle greeted us at the car as I unloaded the wheel chair. My aunt was inside and opened the door for us and greeted dad with a hearty hello. Dad responded with his own hearty reply and we went inside.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBiMcAIcA2YVZyJ-gJXhJROMy395GKEpdTzZDQmOjMddKHV_eGfacHBdIEd4xumz2nULjIv41YGAaq9g0fnLkmYacbsPAbHqsDOAeHoOBEEQloXmkahr8rWvG1244PeWd9rlKTFxiZrQ/s1600/clembarbstellajuanitapaul13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBiMcAIcA2YVZyJ-gJXhJROMy395GKEpdTzZDQmOjMddKHV_eGfacHBdIEd4xumz2nULjIv41YGAaq9g0fnLkmYacbsPAbHqsDOAeHoOBEEQloXmkahr8rWvG1244PeWd9rlKTFxiZrQ/s400/clembarbstellajuanitapaul13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family is so very important during times of trial. Here is my dad, mom,<br />
Aunt Stella, Aunt Juanita and Uncle Paul. Juanita and Paul have been<br />
great friends as well as family support for me, my parents and my family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My heart was feeling relief and a heavy sadness at the same time. Dad would never go home again. This was his new home. This was where he would spend the rest of his days. I looked at mom with her scarf wrapped around her head and remembered the many questions dad had recently asked me like "Where is my wife?" and "Where is everybody?" He had been saying each night "I want to go home." I knew this was not the home he was looking for and I hoped the photos of his parents and the one of his siblings would bring him some comfort.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMBDSJw86953KkRGXfhMzRh-HpgXd3noEf-ysXTTXBrHNwA7REBsAZQEYe7NaWRR1ta7noPXEgxTa13T8ObU9tYy0DveeM-0rpTfJxDiThoviAgYoiJ-rLXS6M7FnUSn5gzPYTacUvyA/s1600/clemstellabook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMBDSJw86953KkRGXfhMzRh-HpgXd3noEf-ysXTTXBrHNwA7REBsAZQEYe7NaWRR1ta7noPXEgxTa13T8ObU9tYy0DveeM-0rpTfJxDiThoviAgYoiJ-rLXS6M7FnUSn5gzPYTacUvyA/s320/clemstellabook.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My siblings helped me put together a book for dad for his<br />
80th birthday that included photos from his youth to the <br />
present day. He is looking at it with his sister, Stella.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were told not to spend much time with dad so the staff could start interacting with him and start to settle him in. As my mom gave him a kiss I again felt the stab of sadness that one feels during many life moments--dropping a child off at camp, leaving a child at college, giving a hug to a child that is going overseas and now saying good-bye to the life dad had with my mom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUPcgTM_TlbujPmrs-eTvSX_2mDUObzf6V2jlsckLKxj1YsDLMAdjvQtiBM7tFcCByqhVs0TzlMZRd5BdGU81Et-sMOcFkNrfJknCgfo0djWxvUkffe7IKstjExrthF10OGqLr3ML7-o/s1600/clembarbgoodsam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUPcgTM_TlbujPmrs-eTvSX_2mDUObzf6V2jlsckLKxj1YsDLMAdjvQtiBM7tFcCByqhVs0TzlMZRd5BdGU81Et-sMOcFkNrfJknCgfo0djWxvUkffe7IKstjExrthF10OGqLr3ML7-o/s320/clembarbgoodsam.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom comforts my dad with a warm blanket. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Alzheimer's is a cruel disease. During my visits to see dad I met other Alzheimer patients that were funny, angry, silent or at moments very sane. Dad seems to maintain some of his sense of humor with the help of medication to keep him calm. "Don't you know who you are?" has come back to me many times since that last night of his at home and I can only hope that even though he may not know who he is I will never forget that he is my dad and he deserves all my love and the best possible care until he goes to his final home.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-nL5_KlgNPSUdfdm91qFL74r0HDckoIf7XVD0vxrToE33mOlLY2tik5LpHEYoCJy0osD0bBIgt0QL71ml8OakmAbOqrnGFZVBEgESb2MhhcL87Huv0Ob2qVVx3CghOCdw2wQQkcji0k/s1600/IMG_9182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-nL5_KlgNPSUdfdm91qFL74r0HDckoIf7XVD0vxrToE33mOlLY2tik5LpHEYoCJy0osD0bBIgt0QL71ml8OakmAbOqrnGFZVBEgESb2MhhcL87Huv0Ob2qVVx3CghOCdw2wQQkcji0k/s320/IMG_9182.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad has always loved playing with the little kids and his <br />
face lit up when he saw the two great-granddaughters. Jeff<br />also had a chance to visit his grandpa while home from Peru.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-41452682742998962052016-05-29T08:41:00.003-07:002016-05-30T13:35:13.673-07:00In MemoryWho are you honoring this <a href="http://www.usmemorialday.org/?page_id=2">Memorial Day</a>? The holiday holds many traditions including honoring our fallen soldiers, decorating graves and spending time with family and friends. When I was growing up we would make a trip to Omaha to decorate the graves of my grandparents and other family members on my mom's side. I remember cemeteries covered with flowers and flags, hanging out with my cousins and, dare I say it, eating barbequed chicken. This Memorial Day I would like to remember a few people that have given much to me and many others.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7xn_wKTfhuU8sC7vUvB6FzCTywn-KbPqA9R5VD4UysTTeUU8o1tizf45C1GqL8vX5SeTLlh4zJLsmnHmuxBAbt2d3RYVU8y5lNS52yj5WWqAD9q9MwjZgQRrPcDriPJ1XhDEU7ljyVo/s1600/memorialdaymass16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7xn_wKTfhuU8sC7vUvB6FzCTywn-KbPqA9R5VD4UysTTeUU8o1tizf45C1GqL8vX5SeTLlh4zJLsmnHmuxBAbt2d3RYVU8y5lNS52yj5WWqAD9q9MwjZgQRrPcDriPJ1XhDEU7ljyVo/s400/memorialdaymass16.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every year a mass is held at Sacred Heart Church to honor those<br />
that gave their lives in service to our country. It is a beautiful<br />
tribute to our men and women of the military!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The first person I would like you to meet is my dad, Clemence Wieczorek. My dad was born in Boelus, Nebraska and raised on a farm long enough to remember milking cows by hand. Dad is the fifth of seven children. The family moved to Grand Island when dad was still young. His love for the farm never left him and he passed that love on to me. Dad served in the Army, became a mechanic and settled in Grand Island with my mom to raise six children. Dad had an <a href="http://www.inc.com/matt-ehrlichman/5-characteristics-of-entrepreneurial-spirit.html">e</a><span class="_Tgc"><a href="http://www.inc.com/matt-ehrlichman/5-characteristics-of-entrepreneurial-spirit.html">ntrepreneurial spirit.</a> He had his own business and liked to draw out his ideas at the kitchen table. Dad still likes to have a notebook and pen handy. Yes, dad is not physically gone but in many ways he has left us. You see my dad has <a href="http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp">Alzheimer's Disease</a> and we lose a little more him with each passing day.</span> I would like to honor my dad for serving our country, doing the best he could to take care of my mom and raise six kids, for passing on his faith that included scripture study and praying the rosary, and for passing on his entrepreneurial spirit to me and my family.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBC-8ETMqZiqyBK7b0-SGNZ1KJgV2TGQi6963KKzP2UrUzKilF2PD_2vC-8OZqxXkfOv9_k2wzij9XalK_3X2o_q2KzafaTNM68GanwkPyATibYbAbbYtaxSoUowlQc9NK6c2WiAE2yn4/s1600/clempic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBC-8ETMqZiqyBK7b0-SGNZ1KJgV2TGQi6963KKzP2UrUzKilF2PD_2vC-8OZqxXkfOv9_k2wzij9XalK_3X2o_q2KzafaTNM68GanwkPyATibYbAbbYtaxSoUowlQc9NK6c2WiAE2yn4/s320/clempic1.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clemence Wieczorek, U. S. Army</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The next person I would like you to meet is my father-in-law, Francis Ruskamp. I met Francis on my first unofficial date with Steve at their farm. As I rode Oscar, the horse Steve enticed me with when we met, around the farm I couldn't help but notice how well managed the farm was. It was easy to see that great care was taken for the land and the cattle. As time went on I would learn how much Francis loved to farm, garden, sing with his whole heart, pray, play with his grandchildren, read everything he could get his hands on, watch baseball, visit with people and I would witness how much he loved his country. Our children had the opportunity to see Francis pretty often since his farm was only eleven miles from ours. We farmed with Francis until the fall of 2015 when an illness got the best of him. Francis was cleaning the garden, mowing and cutting down an old tree right up to the day he went into the hospital. While in the hospital Francis greeted each visitor with a big smile, hello and outstretched hands with all he could muster. In those final days we were blessed to witness the great love he had for his wife and family and the trust he had in God. I would like to honor Francis for his service to our country, his dedication to his family, his passion for his faith and his love of farming. <br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiOtAx-8LQdgFqXxfI36J08cVescij8JRcMC77o_cSoLFceL7lQt8795OvkrotiLFWJQ1oWdRPqk3XkTFIpxpiT3YQW_2R7nsB4r-sXtF5V0E-Yq7NDH4PtO8x9mYtQ02Rx3Xn7n3Omc/s1600/FrancisArmyPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiOtAx-8LQdgFqXxfI36J08cVescij8JRcMC77o_cSoLFceL7lQt8795OvkrotiLFWJQ1oWdRPqk3XkTFIpxpiT3YQW_2R7nsB4r-sXtF5V0E-Yq7NDH4PtO8x9mYtQ02Rx3Xn7n3Omc/s320/FrancisArmyPhoto.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francis Ruskamp, U.S. Marines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My aunt, Kathleen Dukat, is the third person I would like you to meet. Aunt Kathy was my mom's only sister and like a second mother to me, my siblings and my cousins. Aunt Kathy was the first person to hear about the wedding dance I met Steve at. It was to her home, in Omaha, we went after my horse accident at the Memorial Day parade in 1981. She modeled many works of mercy because she had a servant's heart. She was single her entire life with a Jewish boyfriend, Gene, that loved to tease all the kids. We always referred to them as a couple, Aunt Kathy and Gene, when we talked about visiting them or seeing them. A sudden heart attack took Gene away and any chance of a marriage in their later years. Aunt Kathy loved to cook and give gifts. She opened her open to anyone in need especially family members. I was one of those family members. I spent a month living with my aunt while looking for an apartment in Fremont after college. Even though Aunt Kathy did not serve in the military she served her country by serving those around her with great love. She's been gone for eighteen years and yet the memories we have burn as bright as the sun. I would like to honor Aunt Kathy for the love and service she poured out on her family and friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MFjEWyRzPokHpOqvZegyDDM8ODpk4aIBHt2-0OHBwNG1gdKV1dpTZ44-dHqb7Ywu_uMi2QO51hOTMZc1BrIatJubKvoO_viq7kOoTfk0Wboy3YKF_Hz8rsEaBwm6uojfsvKN_lD_3yM/s1600/clembarbquilt10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9MFjEWyRzPokHpOqvZegyDDM8ODpk4aIBHt2-0OHBwNG1gdKV1dpTZ44-dHqb7Ywu_uMi2QO51hOTMZc1BrIatJubKvoO_viq7kOoTfk0Wboy3YKF_Hz8rsEaBwm6uojfsvKN_lD_3yM/s400/clembarbquilt10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Kathy with all but one of my siblings. She is holding my sister, Linda,<br />
with David and Paul to her right. I am on her left holding younger <br />
sister, Sharon, and my Mrs. Beasley doll. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you go about your holiday weekend I hope you pause to think about the people you would like to honor for their love and service. We are all asked to pause at <a href="http://www.usmemorialday.org/Speeches/President/dec2800.txt">3:00 p.m</a>. on Memorial Day to honor the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace. God bless them, their families, you and your families and may <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LSarhZpnMs">God Bless America!</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LSarhZpnMs"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXy1Md_oK-HZuTfHmZLqW-TNH87nXOM4XkX56MKiwlJPmX0bKEpCTM5mxO9THVptbFmX_roPktUisXYafODgIk7_Qwc2djCYdK_UHEEvxNJr0C9HIH95HHSKiNujdF5U-Qm7zOgZcHVU/s1600/flagandrainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXy1Md_oK-HZuTfHmZLqW-TNH87nXOM4XkX56MKiwlJPmX0bKEpCTM5mxO9THVptbFmX_roPktUisXYafODgIk7_Qwc2djCYdK_UHEEvxNJr0C9HIH95HHSKiNujdF5U-Qm7zOgZcHVU/s400/flagandrainbow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite photo of our flag. There is a sense of hope, endurance<br />
and promise with a flag and a rainbow together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-77031510390420745932016-05-01T17:22:00.000-07:002016-05-01T17:22:47.255-07:00My GuyMy guy is my husband, my best friend, my business partner and one of the toughest people I know. My guy has the character traits of honesty, perseverance, integrity, faithfulness and trustworthiness that we would hope to find in any person we meet. My guy has those traits and many more so deep within that I sometimes think it is just part of his DNA. I have witnessed those qualities in a variety of circumstances that include the highs and lows of life experiences within our family and on our farm. I would like to share a few of those moments about my guy, Steve.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb_XNpcZSoYZwDW51_kx3RchgS13ORPLbPS2iwr5by93q0XjkZkyaYyFo1yQZBsF36TPmQ62FrHDlojE72FJYGPztW0jTl73MQ_sDFxKS-t0NuwoU3HHu_uRJ2nmPz887h8lrHT_jNS0/s1600/joansteveCGphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb_XNpcZSoYZwDW51_kx3RchgS13ORPLbPS2iwr5by93q0XjkZkyaYyFo1yQZBsF36TPmQ62FrHDlojE72FJYGPztW0jTl73MQ_sDFxKS-t0NuwoU3HHu_uRJ2nmPz887h8lrHT_jNS0/s320/joansteveCGphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guy and me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Steve and I met over thirty-six years ago. We were brought together because of a wedding dance in the nearby town of Snyder. I was working for a veterinarian in Fremont at the time and was invited by a friend to go to the wedding. I did not know anyone at the wedding except for the person I was with. When we arrived at the reception there was a group of people sitting around a table that we joined. One of them was a brother to the person I was with. I happened to sit across the table from Steve. I soon learned that Steve and several others in the group had attended the same college I had recently graduated from, the University of Nebraska at Curtis. We shared numerous stories and similar adventures of college days. Steve learned of my interest in horses and began to tell me about this horse he had that could turn on a dime and about the feedlot his family had. As the night drew to a close he gave me an invitation to visit his farm and ride this amazing horse of his. I couldn't remember his name but noticed when he stood up and turned away that he had the name "Steve" imprinted on his belt.<br />
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The next day I was visiting with my aunt in Omaha and telling her about this guy, Steve. I couldn't get his blue eyes and our conversational ease out of my mind. I didn't need to worry about contacting him because as I unlocked the vet clinic door on Monday morning the phone was ringing with Steve on the other end asking if I'd like to go horseback riding. I said yes and that began our dating relationship leading to our engagement. We were married in September of 1981.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGuxKfzwCM6Z-zFfPUafckb_v87iInnWRBNfQAhUKhac45d5WucS9BAYXPNOWtAOszdt5zX2EGA2Lt_mS4msek8umONYr4dvUb0lJuxidL4gmpZrkya1LnkYSwj12p5i1bW0KvEdx2UU/s1600/stevejoanweddingbuggy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGuxKfzwCM6Z-zFfPUafckb_v87iInnWRBNfQAhUKhac45d5WucS9BAYXPNOWtAOszdt5zX2EGA2Lt_mS4msek8umONYr4dvUb0lJuxidL4gmpZrkya1LnkYSwj12p5i1bW0KvEdx2UU/s320/stevejoanweddingbuggy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and I had a horse and buggy ride from the church to the<br />
reception. We endured a few trials before the wedding including<br />
the loss of Steve's brother in a car accident, the loss of my uncle<br />
to cancer and a horse injury to me that had me on crutches.</td></tr>
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Our adventure as a married couple began on a vacant farm place that we filled with dedication and love. Steve gave me free reign to wallpaper and decorate our old farmhouse to make it a home for the five children that would eventually fill it. We started making plans for Steve's vision of what our farm could be. Then the farm crisis hit. It was during those years that I saw how committed Steve was to our family and to our farm. Steve's work ethic kicked into overdrive as he placed feeder pigs in every empty farm building he could lease. Steve drew up cash flow plans to gain the trust of the bank loan officer. We survived the 80's and changed course from feeding pigs to expansion of the feedlot. Steve was a cattle feeder down to his core and worked on his vision of putting into place the potential our farm had to be a feedlot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFpiczv9OIYwRTCA4Ors4tiViy1p6KBt7fSJMiJcnAO8hiFnkGsb_Za8nKgiKt2Yu54WshJpBS7Ey39J4TWPyA1hyLg4ox6gLk3xO5OzS7xAw3UlPT7ei3D6Ro5EAnT9CrwAiOpic0Kk/s1600/steve+water+lines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFpiczv9OIYwRTCA4Ors4tiViy1p6KBt7fSJMiJcnAO8hiFnkGsb_Za8nKgiKt2Yu54WshJpBS7Ey39J4TWPyA1hyLg4ox6gLk3xO5OzS7xAw3UlPT7ei3D6Ro5EAnT9CrwAiOpic0Kk/s320/steve+water+lines.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve, like many farmers, is very good at finding solutions<br />
to problems. His grandfather had patents that were <br />
developed on our farm. Here Steve is putting up water lines <br />
he designed to mist water out over the cattle in hot weather.</td></tr>
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The feedlot was able to grow because we had customers. We had people that would own the cattle and then pay us to feed and care for them. It was very important to Steve to always be very honest in pricing the feed and caring for the cattle. While Steve enjoyed the friendships gained through those customers, it was his dream to own all of the cattle. The work ethic, drive to succeed, openness to using the future's market to manage risk and a whole lot of prayer has allowed Steve's dream to come true.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkjWcWJFMMYPCO99fMJSxgdrbYakxmphMplhXgL1JMj_lyrP4J_yg1IpWs8YkkKN8qbTl9zSpUcyr-Q-FM7kBHhqrYFw5iNaCFQjpdVueaderSSt8po71amw650794JsQmuHY04UZcqo/s1600/SteveJoanATVcattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkjWcWJFMMYPCO99fMJSxgdrbYakxmphMplhXgL1JMj_lyrP4J_yg1IpWs8YkkKN8qbTl9zSpUcyr-Q-FM7kBHhqrYFw5iNaCFQjpdVueaderSSt8po71amw650794JsQmuHY04UZcqo/s320/SteveJoanATVcattle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve continues to look for ways to improve our cattle handling<br />
skills including using low stress techniques. Here Steve and I<br />
are bringing cattle up to the barn for further examination.</td></tr>
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Today Steve continues to work as hard as he did forty years ago. He is up at 5 a.m. and packs more in a day than some folks do in a week. It is not because Steve is a superman. Steve is passionate about what he does and he has the determination to work through all types of weather to make sure the cattle get the best care he can give them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsKowfjVAuE7_IXt0T1YpEbxgowtjfSzanSbY0SrjCq6r0CySAA_zFxNFvoKkLpzV8wsRonuykBxSec53wc2Z5xYoI9bA1HyurYrHBnIDSks8m5iLs7r8J5khVl8CeNctI_wni1zsv1M/s1600/Steve+atv+fence+fixing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsKowfjVAuE7_IXt0T1YpEbxgowtjfSzanSbY0SrjCq6r0CySAA_zFxNFvoKkLpzV8wsRonuykBxSec53wc2Z5xYoI9bA1HyurYrHBnIDSks8m5iLs7r8J5khVl8CeNctI_wni1zsv1M/s320/Steve+atv+fence+fixing.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve has his fence fixing supplies ready to go.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slr2lGtb2eI">My guy</a> has a lot of passion for his job, and yet it pales to the affection he has for his family. Steve welcomed each of our children with great joy and enthusiasm. He is known for sharing his breakfast in the mornings, grilling new meals with beef at supper and tales of covered wagon stories at bedtime. He also wrote many Christmas poems that combined a unique message with a special gift for each member of the family. Now Steve is taking great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren whenever he can.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuRczJgVrD5OjH0lDq2T8mhyphenhyphenWnJXX05FJARr-hKTQLnOhBQ0PEvAMkp6TQ9tt7UB9IyO0zfY1tQmJnxlCP-FQ1yonM8tlgEksx2AUAAQP_dh92XzSnf47BylwgkHpKPHmghak4EmrUZU/s1600/SteveGingergrandkids15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuRczJgVrD5OjH0lDq2T8mhyphenhyphenWnJXX05FJARr-hKTQLnOhBQ0PEvAMkp6TQ9tt7UB9IyO0zfY1tQmJnxlCP-FQ1yonM8tlgEksx2AUAAQP_dh92XzSnf47BylwgkHpKPHmghak4EmrUZU/s320/SteveGingergrandkids15.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our three grandchildren are gathered around Steve with our<br />
oldest daughter Ginger standing in the background.</td></tr>
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The foundation of all of this passion, dedication, determination, affection, trustworthiness, loyalty, tenacity and love is his faith. Steve continues to grow in his desire to be a holy man of God. Much of that growth has come through prayer and reading. Steve is known for the many books he has going at one time and many of those have to do with spiritual growth. Steve would love to pass on our farm to one of our children or grandchildren. Even more important to him would be the passing on of the faith he has received from his father.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDqA2weQkllOD2MSIjMGAMElsIAcgky73UA3MK6AzCauQvQ2NLGo-ICF5Ou0ASJ4MAN6bejp_CfBgfqpp1bZBqCc0VVhz3EJyJmaNNKjbpMifl0h8NVD9_l2NMxIS7SE4XiYxyY9yfQQ/s1600/IMG_6273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDqA2weQkllOD2MSIjMGAMElsIAcgky73UA3MK6AzCauQvQ2NLGo-ICF5Ou0ASJ4MAN6bejp_CfBgfqpp1bZBqCc0VVhz3EJyJmaNNKjbpMifl0h8NVD9_l2NMxIS7SE4XiYxyY9yfQQ/s320/IMG_6273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve learned to farm and feed cattle from his dad, Francis. Last <br />
fall Francis became suddenly sick spending the last few days<br />
of his life in the hospital. The night before Francis died Steve<br />
gave his dad as much comfort and love as he could.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<i>"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13: 34-35</i>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961574262150437509.post-53204141163095258082016-04-21T21:54:00.001-07:002016-04-22T08:01:22.135-07:00Trees, Trees, Those Marvelous TreesThe world celebrates <a href="http://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/">Earth Day</a> on April 22nd with this year's theme "Trees for the Earth". This annual event dates back to 1970 and originated in the United States. I believe this year's theme about trees is one that farmers and activists can find common ground on. After all, who doesn't like trees? Trees help us with some of our basic needs like food and shelter. How many of us enjoy a nice home because of trees? How many fruits and nuts do we enjoy because of trees? Yes, trees play an important role in our lives. We could say that trees fill up our senses with their seasonal beauty, swaying branches, sweet flavors, soft breezes and shade for our picnics. On our farm trees also play a practical role of helping us care for our cattle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg540x6kphWXMSAvUsSAWlhf3BTOKUHLwhl-fuHh2cUHHk75LjOGZ5H4XiUvvKcAtB-uAbHSJwsSmFoM3aUMxl2OD8RLy5y76LexbL8g83oA82Fb31FShS_92DkQcrS7EdhDtZfDdus_EA/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg540x6kphWXMSAvUsSAWlhf3BTOKUHLwhl-fuHh2cUHHk75LjOGZ5H4XiUvvKcAtB-uAbHSJwsSmFoM3aUMxl2OD8RLy5y76LexbL8g83oA82Fb31FShS_92DkQcrS7EdhDtZfDdus_EA/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees add beauty no matter what season we are in! The cattle on the south<br />
side of this windbreak are spared the impact from our harsh winter winds.</td></tr>
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As a Nebraskan I am proud to say our state takes tree planting very seriously. In fact, April 22nd used to be the annual <a href="https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/history.cfm">Arbor Day</a>
celebration until it was moved to the last Friday of April. The
early pioneers that settled in Nebraska missed their trees in our mostly treeless state. The Nebraska landscape changed when Julius
Sterling Morton, a journalist, advocated for setting aside one day a
year for planting trees. In response to J. Sterling Morton's request the State Board of Agriculture declared to have one day set aside
to plant trees. Nebraskans planted over one million trees that first Arbor Day. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mTmU1bIqST0Ru3qz8Hl_X1so-PFBmGD8gbwZo7-IE5PnGJx-67NrcxECKCi8YSom-42h9p1goIwuFEfeaJlfaZMQQ2NB2nBLzPEGVOtuPpJq4GScnDPpSZTWzsQmHv2CrwmH4zMhPj4/s1600/jeffslideplygd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4mTmU1bIqST0Ru3qz8Hl_X1so-PFBmGD8gbwZo7-IE5PnGJx-67NrcxECKCi8YSom-42h9p1goIwuFEfeaJlfaZMQQ2NB2nBLzPEGVOtuPpJq4GScnDPpSZTWzsQmHv2CrwmH4zMhPj4/s320/jeffslideplygd.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trees provide shade for numerous parks and playgrounds. We<br />
had many large trees to provide shade for our own playground.</td></tr>
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Steve and I have joined the tree planting tradition put into place by the previous generations of Nebraska farmers. Nearly every farmstead has trees planted on the north and west side of the house and barns for winter protection. When Steve and I bought our farm in the early 1980's we had some established trees right around the house and barns. Many of those trees are still standing. With dreams of our own to expand the cattle feeding capability on our farm we first chose to plant more trees as <a href="http://nac.unl.edu/practices/windbreaks.htm">windbreaks</a>. Over the past 35 years Steve and I have planted several thousand trees and shrubs on our farm. The trees protect cattle from blustery winter winds, they hold snow keeping moisture where it is needed and the trees provide great habitat for wildlife.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKOl9qMZ-6mUMoieNc9P8wUP6giCCkIMAwEy0_WrT3vG2aQf6Jl0MN6D5MOqdoqF-fZ1Wxt21_3b68DthdesOyS8nCyBZXtUw53onfr7kArnfqSrPKaPlfa17oZ8mn31V818yOyUaNJ0/s1600/feedlot08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKOl9qMZ-6mUMoieNc9P8wUP6giCCkIMAwEy0_WrT3vG2aQf6Jl0MN6D5MOqdoqF-fZ1Wxt21_3b68DthdesOyS8nCyBZXtUw53onfr7kArnfqSrPKaPlfa17oZ8mn31V818yOyUaNJ0/s320/feedlot08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our farm. The majority of the trees on our farm have <br />
been planted by Steve and I. A few of the trees in the <br />
middle of the photo were planted by Steve's grandparents.</td></tr>
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The first trees we purchased were from our local NRD (Natural Resources District). The trees were about a foot tall with a little bit of root and resembled a stick with hair. Steve would drive along with a tractor and post hole digger making holes for the trees. I would follow with my bundle of trees planting them one at a time. Every spring we continue to plant more trees.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh5sjMJ1q5BUuEDxSoyhPU6ldehFGxL9am5eLj_T_dzJLLMlXTXxNnEvH4GcQucRp1ijJBOq339NJh8eNQpmkv-QFJJ_XPrIOakjAdQ_LNycAgXsxi_mQQMvdsvD45pHfPGHQ6E-eei8/s1600/emilytreebirdeggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh5sjMJ1q5BUuEDxSoyhPU6ldehFGxL9am5eLj_T_dzJLLMlXTXxNnEvH4GcQucRp1ijJBOq339NJh8eNQpmkv-QFJJ_XPrIOakjAdQ_LNycAgXsxi_mQQMvdsvD45pHfPGHQ6E-eei8/s400/emilytreebirdeggs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This nest was in Emily's tree one spring. Yes, birds love trees, too and <br />
we are blessed to hear numerous species of birds singing on our farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We found that the key to growing good trees was to make sure they were watered throughout the summer months. Since the majority of the trees were too far from the house to use a garden hose we had to make a plan that was easy, efficient and effective. We put a 400 gallon plastic tank on the back of a pickup and filled it with water from the well. We had a 2" hose that was 20 feet long with a shut-off valve on the end. I would drive the pickup and Steve would walk behind watering the trees.<br />
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I wasn't alone in our pickup! Our kids were very little when we started the majority of our trees so they went with us when we needed to water them. Since it was often very warm and a little boring I created an activity to help pass the time. I made up math equations using toys the children were most interested in. For our son, Scott, it was Monster Trucks. For our daughters, Ginger and Emily, it was Barbie dolls. I would say something like this "You had five monster trucks and you left two at grandma's, now how many do you have? Then you had a birthday and received three more, now how many do you have?" I just had to keep coming up with situations of gaining and losing the toys and before you knew it we were at the end of the row of trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKAlDQsoYEwkHwKwQxuGwaKzWKLRgsl35Mzvz_7kMjpnKTeG2VZKfI43tcLrmX6OUTbX6gxpF8bVe-UvGJ-DpgkpKmK5Y77GKowhqYqzwVXxGnwN5bbEqEXMQDX4Whr0H1Di14Okh9V0/s1600/stevescottwesttrees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKAlDQsoYEwkHwKwQxuGwaKzWKLRgsl35Mzvz_7kMjpnKTeG2VZKfI43tcLrmX6OUTbX6gxpF8bVe-UvGJ-DpgkpKmK5Y77GKowhqYqzwVXxGnwN5bbEqEXMQDX4Whr0H1Di14Okh9V0/s400/stevescottwesttrees.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve and our son, Scott, walking through some Ash and Willow Trees <br />
that we watered along with two rows of Cedar Trees. Scott is now 30!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Steve and I continue to plant trees every year with nieces and nephews now getting the opportunity to help water them. We dig up Cedar trees that grow in nearby road ditches that are about 3-4 years old. By using those Cedar trees we keep the road ditches maintained and we have trees that are six feet tall in just a few years. Most of the Cedar trees are used to fill in where other trees have died. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8cDL98_HUIB7uDx3R_-YZGM-WHY8JOd2cOxbWDvBZQ4_056XwymnX8LjK0o2PJWjuA7K2KgZ5BpnyW2K_Bu4cH9sv9ibbECJO7iMq-VIht7AnKvny963S3VJJg_iMMbUjpY3YxyECrg/s1600/IMG_1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8cDL98_HUIB7uDx3R_-YZGM-WHY8JOd2cOxbWDvBZQ4_056XwymnX8LjK0o2PJWjuA7K2KgZ5BpnyW2K_Bu4cH9sv9ibbECJO7iMq-VIht7AnKvny963S3VJJg_iMMbUjpY3YxyECrg/s320/IMG_1356.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve is carrying one more tree to the pickup.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcNCyUsVa7wowPuD82neaktsURItLQmLujUTSihh2J8jLRIEkVYjAmV7BYPCA9rCjuIwk-JWH0Qn6qA1AYnaYku1bSmJbIjHqy3lBltRUiPJnXzqBNdDPx_kVBwyIaLn8ao1OaRAMbUw/s1600/IMG_1358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcNCyUsVa7wowPuD82neaktsURItLQmLujUTSihh2J8jLRIEkVYjAmV7BYPCA9rCjuIwk-JWH0Qn6qA1AYnaYku1bSmJbIjHqy3lBltRUiPJnXzqBNdDPx_kVBwyIaLn8ao1OaRAMbUw/s320/IMG_1358.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve's job it to dig the holes. My job is to <br />
plant and water them. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We also plant trees around our home for shade and visual enjoyment. My in-laws started a neat tradition to help us get more varieties of trees around our home. Our oldest daughter received the gift of a tree from her paternal grandparents as an eighth grade graduation gift. That started the tradition for each of our five children when they graduated from eighth grade. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqizgAobqnKPtlZvC7b6SiazFvkEjcAPYUsQXGdpZRzxbCczZvRITol1iO3BLpUf6eraGVouSWA1VIKIJc33CIiFcI1DqdWWJmi0DoUtL1iYr_FGeAfVXvor_mvBphS30j4X0nC0ro8sg/s1600/IMGP5201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqizgAobqnKPtlZvC7b6SiazFvkEjcAPYUsQXGdpZRzxbCczZvRITol1iO3BLpUf6eraGVouSWA1VIKIJc33CIiFcI1DqdWWJmi0DoUtL1iYr_FGeAfVXvor_mvBphS30j4X0nC0ro8sg/s400/IMGP5201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our youngest daughter, Kim, is planting her tree with Steve. She chose<br />
an Ornamental Pear for her tree. I have added two more since we <br />
planted that one and they have gorgeous white flowers in the spring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLESKQk9zUEib6nRoCOLZAbt_EjL-T22i7MsslKhkpwN5Ndcrtbvamm4ChGY5HHJPy8CN1rybWPfmEsDsGwhHEwzzc9NZN-R9ONuiS2PInhX1J7NymPWBvnazwgqgzr_8x9G3TZfRETz4/s1600/IMGP7175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLESKQk9zUEib6nRoCOLZAbt_EjL-T22i7MsslKhkpwN5Ndcrtbvamm4ChGY5HHJPy8CN1rybWPfmEsDsGwhHEwzzc9NZN-R9ONuiS2PInhX1J7NymPWBvnazwgqgzr_8x9G3TZfRETz4/s320/IMGP7175.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim with her tree the following spring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I encourage you to join me in celebrating Earth Day. Let's plant more trees and enjoy the many benefits they give us. Join the farming community in recognizing that caring for the earth is a way of life, not just an event once a year. As we move through spring and into the hot summer months I hope you find plenty of time to sit in the shade under a beautiful, marvelous tree!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbgF04g5_W7Go1TZ4dbDvrzIudLTH_4g0dnap_t83iTDvt9NwD3epXO_qtSDwsMHnyy8UNowDLWeidFnzpbJBoWfzJSi10RpLYn5assxbN0Pp2PEytG1NlkMw-wZ_v0poF_nMWmHj9QE/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbgF04g5_W7Go1TZ4dbDvrzIudLTH_4g0dnap_t83iTDvt9NwD3epXO_qtSDwsMHnyy8UNowDLWeidFnzpbJBoWfzJSi10RpLYn5assxbN0Pp2PEytG1NlkMw-wZ_v0poF_nMWmHj9QE/s320/IMG_1547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My granddaughter loves flowers and thanks to the trees we <br />
have she can pick them in the cool of the shade with my<br />
nieces. I have these daylilies planted all over our farm!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you would like to know more about Earth Day you can watch an interview I had with Pure Nebraska <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/shro5b5q1fikmpn/Pure%20NE%20-%20Joan%20Earth%20Day.m4v?dl=0">here</a>. I also made a very tasty bacon wrapped meatloaf in another segment of the show that you can watch <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/st2ius84yvthbfw/Pure%20NE%20-%20Joan%20Bacon%20Meatloaf.m4v?dl=0">here</a>. I have the recipe below if you'd like to try making it! Remember that one serving of <a href="http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/beefsbig10.aspx">beef </a>is loaded with 10 essential nutrients including 25 grams of protein for only 150 calories!!<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<u>Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf</u></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By Joan Ruskamp</div>
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<br /></div>
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Ingredients for Meatloaf:</div>
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1 lb ground beef</div>
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1 slice bread</div>
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1 egg-beaten</div>
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¼ cup milk</div>
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¼ cup sweet onion finely chopped</div>
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2 tbsp ketchup</div>
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1 tsp salt</div>
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¼ tsp pepper</div>
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<br /></div>
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6 slices uncooked bacon</div>
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¼ cup brown sugar</div>
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<br /></div>
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Soak the bread with the milk in the bottom of a mixing
bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the egg, onion, ketchup, salt and pepper
to the mix. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add the beef and mix well. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Tear a sheet of aluminum foil that is at least a foot
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lay six slices of bacon on the
foil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take the meatloaf mixture and form
into a loaf shape and lay it along the bottom of the strips of bacon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sprinkle the brown sugar across the top of
the meatloaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roll the beef mixture
until the bacon completely surrounds the loaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Place the meatloaf in the middle of the foil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wrap up and seal all the ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove meatloaf and open the top of the
foil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place back into the oven for
another 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remove from the
oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carefully drain the juice by
opening one end of the foil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slice the
meatloaf and serve with sides or on a bun.</div>
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</div>
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</div>
<br />Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10023521791278504375noreply@blogger.com0