jenna and her german intern

by nebraskawheatie

I’ve been away for a little bit…

I’ve been extremely busier than normal with putting together a fairly large event for the U.S. Custom Harvesters. We’re celebrating our 31st annual convention and trade show in Wichita, KS on March 6 – 8.  It’s been a work in progress, that’s for sure. The biggest event I’ve ever done was Jamie and Curt’s wedding. That seems like a piece of cake. 🙂

Jenna, on the other hand, knows exactly what this is all about. She’s the trade show coordinator for CLAAS and travels the farm show circuit with the CLAAS equipment. She knows how hard it is to make things work and click and look good and deal with stress. So, for the past several days, I’ve talked to her about all of this because she knows and understands.

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a mama’s hurting heart

by nebraskawheatie

I woke up this morning with the realization that things would never be the same again around this household…Taylor has officially moved out. For the longest time, I denied the fact. I knew that when Jenna bought a house, Taylor’s intentions were to move in with her. The house was bought and updates have been in the process ever since. I just kept denying the fact that eventually Taylor would be leaving the nest.  It happened – yesterday. Maybe it was a good thing it happened yesterday. I was gone ALL DAY with a bus activity for the high school. I left home at 6:00 a.m. and returned at 8:30 p.m. The first clue that things would be different when I got home was the text I received from Taylor:

“All moved in! I just need somewhere to sleep now ha ha” and this picture

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christmas in the country!

by nebraskawheatie

As I mentioned in one of my last posts, I struggled with the Christmas spirit this year. I’m still not REAL sure what the reason was but I sort of think the fact that we started hearing about what we should purchase before Halloween had something to do with it.

The event that jumpstarted the ‘ole excitement of what Christmas is all about was a bloggers gift exchange spearheaded by none other than Jamie Rhoades of This Uncharted Rhoade and Laurie Link of Country LINKed. These two gals must have known I was having an issue and decided to fix it for me – and include a few others, as well. Thank you, Jamie and Laurie! 

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and so it continues with the next generation

by nebraskawheatie

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A wonderful thing happened today. Well, actually, two wonderful things happened today.

First wonderful thing – our entire family (including Curt’s family) sat together in church this morning. The reason? Well, that’s the other wonderful thing – Eli was baptized.

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the sights and sounds of a z crew Christmas

by nebraskawheatie

IMG_3313Taylor and I attended Brook and Jillian’s Christmas program at their church last Sunday. They did such a great job!! I was so proud of them.

It’s beginning to look – and feel – a little more like Christmas around here. FINALLY! I’ve struggled with the Christmas spirit this year. Normally, Christmas is my favorite time of year. I’ve thought and thought about why it was different this year and have finally put a finger on what it is that has been bothering me. This may not be anything new to you but it’s taken me this long to finally let it get me down…commercialism of Christmas.

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cold? you don’t know cold til you’ve experienced canadian cold!

by nebraskawheatie

IMG_3250So, this is what it looked like when we arrived in Calgary on December 3. It had been close to 60 degrees just the day before at home. I mentioned to someone that I had seen Lethbridge was expecting -27 degrees Farenheit for lows while we were there – they reassured me that was Celsius. They were wrong! The coldest it got was -45 degrees and that was most definitely Farenheit!

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nussecken

by nebraskawheatie

IMG_3240It takes two tables in our home – unless you want to be cramped.

Thanksgiving was just yesterday…right?

Honestly, where does the time go? Before you know it, it’ll be time to pack that dang cottage on wheels again and turn the trucks south. That’s ok, though.

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the salt of the earth (video)

by nebraskawheatie

One of the events that I have come to really enjoy being a part of is the Association of Canadian Custom Harvesters, Inc. convention. It isn’t the warmest location in the world to vacation in December BUT it certainly brings together a lot of great people. And…it shouldn’t surprise you. Custom harvesters (regardless of the country they call home) are a different breed of people – some of the best you’ll ever meet and good to surround yourself with. Jim and I left for Lethbridge, Alberta on Tuesday morning. I waited until the last-minute to pack (like I always seem to do) and Jim set the alarm for 3:00 a.m. The flight left at 6:00 a.m. I went to bed at 1:30. “Good, this will give me an hour and a half to catch some sleep”, or so I thought. I woke up at 2:00 and felt like I had been sleeping for hours. Who knows why I woke up – maybe I was afraid we were going to sleep through the alarm? Tuesday felt like it lasted an entire week. I would catch myself wondering, “did this really just happen this morning”? Continue reading →

this darn old oven!

by nebraskawheatie

IMG_4984The turkey is cooking. One pumpkin pie baked and another apple in the oven. Why not two in the oven? I’ll show you why:

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callie’s favorite – sweet & sour chicken

by Nebraska Wheatie

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Whenever the question comes up (which is quite often) – “What should we have for supper”? – Callie’s quick to say, “Sweet and sour chicken”.  I know it will never compare to some of her favorite Chinese food restaurants but it probably comes in a very close second. It wasn’t until this past summer that I came up with this “keeper”.  And, best of all, it’s not that hard to make. 

This recipe begins with cutting up chicken breasts into one inch chunks. I suppose you’re gonna ask, “how much chicken”? I usually make this by sight more than by recipe. So, I’m going to say three large breasts for the four of us. I put flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a large zip lock baggie and shake the chicken pieces until they’re covered.

IMG_3209I add Crisco to my cast iron skillet and preheat. When the oil is good and hot, fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and no pink center.

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