Charleston & Port Tour

I’ve been traveling the last two weeks – so it’s nice to be home now for awhile. I was in Charleston for the U.S. Grains Council meetings – almost exactly a year from when I was last in Charleston.

I was in meetings for three days, but had an afternoon to walk around the town.

The Council took our group out to the Boone Hall Plantation for a tour, dinner and some entertainment.

The row of live oaks were planted in 1743 – an absolutely beautiful entry to the mansion.

Slave Street were a row of the living quarters of the skilled slaves. Each “house” contained a mini-museum exhibit about the role of slaves in the South specific to the plantation and the area.

We had dinner and entertainment in the “Cotton Dock” where we could shuck oysters and enjoy a great blue grass band with dinner. The location on the river in the evening was beautiful – and the rain subsided just enough for us to enjoy. With a large group of farmers, they were having a hard time not complaining at the rain – just wished they could take it home with them!

The next day following the conference, a group of farmers and staff from Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana put together some side meetings – one of which was with the South Carolina Port Authority and the Port of Charleston. They set up a tour of the port for us – on a tug boat! When I first heard tug boat I was thinking, “cramped and a little fish-smelling”. But this was the caddy of tug boats – I guess it has to be to bring in large container vessels to the port.

This is where the “pilot” commands the boat. He explained the the boat was like a versatile tractor – he knew he was talking to a group of farmers. :)

Sites on the shore.

There were even dolphins jumping around in the river around our boat. There is the fin of one – I got some video of them so will try to post that later.

This vessel was delivering fruit from South America – our world trade just amazes me.

It was a great experience and I can never get enough of Charleston – I think I’ll go back again next year!

Crafting time

I received a great birthday present. Yes, back in October. And I’ve been using it since then! Using it enough that I haven’t taken any pictures.

So here it is, my awesome crafting table that I received from my parents.

It is TrueCut Crafting Table from The Grace Company and is a multi-level, multi-sized table that can change heights, and both sides fold down. Most importantly, it is on wheels, so I can move it around my craft room, yet fold it down to conserve space in our small basement room.

I set it at mid-waist height so I would not have to bend over to do all of my cutting. And it has been a back saver! And the shelves are perfect to keep my fabric scrap baskets and spools of thread.

I also like where I have it positioned next to my sewing machine. I’m working on a large quilt right now, so I can easily lay the extra fabric on the table or the first shelf and it doesn’t drag down to the floor.

My sewing area isn’t glamorous, but it works great for me and I’m so grateful for this extra piece that adds so much to one of my favorite hobbies. Thanks again, Mom and Dad!!

“So God Made a Farmer”

I posted this over on my Ag on the Forefront blog, but I wanted to share with my little birdie readers, too. Please help by giving back and voting for this great Super Bowl commercial!

If you didn’t see or hear about the Dodge Ram “So God Made a Farmer” Super Bowl commercial, it is creating quite the conversation. The video features Paul Harvey’s voice sharing the poem with “tear-jerking with pride” images of the people across our country who raise our food. A great tribute to the “the farmer in all of us.”

When you watch the video on Ram’s website, the Ram Brand will make a donation to National FFA Organization (up to $1 million) and assist in local hunger and educational programs.

There is also a poll taking place over the next week for the best commercial, so vote it up on YouTube here.

If you are considering buying a Dodge vehicle, make sure your dealership knows that you appreciate their ad!

Please pass this along and God Bless farmers.

Stock Show trip to Denver

Over the long holiday weekend, Ronny and I had the opportunity to go with our friends, Matt & Lindsay Hastings, to Denver for the National Western Stock Show.

The weather was beautiful…we didn’t need our coats for most of the time. We even found some Nebraska signs to take our picture with.

While we were there, we enjoyed the cattle shows, horse jumping show and even the dog pull (did you know a 30 pound dog can pull 900 pounds!).

The highlights included walking around and reminiscing in the yards, seeing old friends, spending time with the Hastings, the cowboy church and the rodeo.

We were super impressed with the “One-Armed Bandit” at the rodeo.

Such a fun weekend! We also got to stop by my parents house on Friday evening and show the Hastings my family ranch. Always a great time to see my family and be home.

“beach balls” baby quilt

One of the quilts I took to the county fair I couldn’t blog about earlier because it was a gift for my niece, Maelle. And I forgot to get a good picture of it before I gave it to Ryan & Lindsay. Here is a little bit about the quilt that I made for her.

For the pattern, I used a Lazy Girl Littles pattern.

For the fabric, I used the Moda Pezzy print Charm Pack.

Here are a few pictures of the quilt.

Meeting Maelle.

We had a great weekend loving on our  new niece, Maelle Rose! Maelle was born December 31 to my brother and sister-in-law, Ryan & Lindsay.

She is absolutely perfect…I’m not biased at all! Ronny even held her for just a little bit.

Auntie Em came down for the weekend, too. It was fun to be together as siblings!

Welcome to our family, Little Miss!

Details 2013

I am a shoe person.

And when I say that, I mean I don’t like walking around barefoot – I wear shoes all the time.

It could be because my parents are shoe people and always wear shoes around the house, although I don’t believe my siblings do…(I’ll have to ask them). Or it could be because I have extremely high arches in my feet and it just hurts them to walk barefoot without my orthotics.

I preface my story with this because as I was putting on my house shoes (aka Crocs) this morning getting ready after I put my socks on, I felt like there was a large lint ball in my sock, but I figured it would move enough when I put my boots on later.

It didn’t. But I needed to get out the door so I just walked on it. Walked on it 4 blocks from parking to work. Walked on it around work in the morning and walked on it to a lunch meeting 4 blocks away and back.  I finally took the time to take my boot off to get the large lint ball. To my surprise, I found this pin. Yes, I was walking on that all day.

My first thought was to call myself an idiot. I was! That was an idiot move – why didn’t I take time to just figure out what the problem was this morning when it first bothered me. I didn’t take the time.

I wasn’t going to resolve to do anything this year (except drink more water – more of a health goal than anything), so I decided this was a good lesson that teaches me to pay attention to details – and take the time to get something done at the time it needs done.

I also want to do things that are meaningful to people I care about. I recently received a subscription to Taste of Home’s simple & delicious magazine from my friend Lori. She didn’t’ have to do this, but she did because she is such a great friend.

Lastly, I want to dig into to God’s Word and focus my heart on Him.

So here’s to 2013!