Move Over Oscar, Leibster's Here!

Ready for the Red Carpet

While others were waiting to see who would be nominated for an Oscar from the Academy of Motion Pictures, I was already celebrating my own victory. Thanks to Ryan Bright I have been nominated to receive the Leibster Award. The Leibster Award is a way to help bloggers interact and increase their networks, readership and just have fun. The point of the Leibster Award is to encourage fellow bloggers and to build a larger social community. It is awarded to bloggers, by bloggers, with a following of fewer than 200 people. With that said, I have to tell you 11 random facts you may not know about me, answer Ryan's 11 questions and create 11 questions for the 11 bloggers I intend to nominate. 

So here are the 11 Random Facts about me that hopefully will not come back to haunt me some day...
1. Most of my blog posts are created after  11:00PM when my family is fast asleep.
2. I finally tasted my first PB&J sandwich last year. They aren't too bad.
3. My biggest pet peeves are poor grammar and bad speelling spelling.
4. I have a fierce fear of heights. Skydiving? No thank you!
5. My guilty pleasure is the TV show "Glee."
6. I don't know how to swim, even though we have a pool in our backyard.
7. I love dill pickles, the more sour, the better!
8. I'm happiest when I am with family (most of the time).
9. I graduated from Iowa State University, with a degree in Interior Design.
10. I frequently get told that my sister and I look alike, but I then correct them by saying I am the younger, prettier one.

Now on to the 11 Questions from Ryan Bright... 
1. If you were stranded on a desert island with only a solar powered refrigerator and you could choose an endless supply of only one dairy product, which one would it be? Milk, without a doubt!
2. If you were a farm animal you would want the farmer to...? Rub me behind my ears, since animals can't reach that spot.
3. What's your favorite app on your smartphone/tablet? Twitter
4. After blowing your first two wishes on a bowl of hot wings and something cold to wash it down with, what would you ask the genie for your third and final wish? A napkin. I never eat without one, seriously, never.
5. Because you're such an informed and influential blogger your Senator just called and asked if there were any laws you thought should be either repealed or amended. What do you tell them? In Minnesota it is illegal to tease skunks. Do we really need a law for that?
6. After being hired as a consultant on a new online reality blogger show your first task is to come up with a name for it and you tell them what? "The Big Blog Theory"
7. Where do you come up with your best blog ideas? Around the kitchen table during family meals.
8. Your favorite fictional or historical character is going to guest post on your blog. Who are they and what are they going to write about? Noah, from the Bible and I'd like him to write about keeping animals happy and healthy in confined quarters.
9. What's your favorite hobby? Reading, suspense and mystery.
10. If you didn't have (fill in the blank) you'd be lost. God in my life
11. What is your most useless talent? I like to think all me talents are useful.

Here are my 11 Questions for my nominees... 
1. What three words describe your personality?
2. Besides your family and your blog, what are you most proud of?
3. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
4. Someday I want to visit_____________
5. What is the one thing you bought that you wish you hadn't?
6. What drives you to write your blog?
7. If you had to change your occupation, what would you choose?
8. Swiss or cheddar?
9. What television show would you like to be on, and why?
10. What was the best gift you ever received?
11. Do you have a favorite quote? What is it? 

And now, the moment you have been waiting for. Check them out.
I nominate...
Spotted Cow Review 
The House Ag Built 
Tales of a Kansas Farmer
Heim Dairy 
Life on a Real California Dairy Farm 
Darin's Ramblings 
Days of the Weeks 
My Cows and Pigs 
Dairy Moos 
Gardens, Combines and Memories 
City Chic on a Farm 

Congratulations!  

Also thanks to Ryan Bright for nominating me and my barnyard!

Celebrate Milk!

Hooray for milk...from the cow! All "milks" are not the same.

"Milks" like soy, rice and almond beverages are really juices extracted from plants. They are fortified with some nutrients like calcium, but they don't compare to the complete nutrient package of cow's milk. Vitamin D, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium are all at much lower levels in these processed beverages, and even though these drinks are fortified with extra calcium, our bodies absorb 25% less of it from them than from natural cow's milk, according to a Creighton University study. 

As Dairy Farmers we are committed to providing a safe and healthy MILK for you. So raise a glass and celebrate!

Our First Arrival of 2013

Meet our newest member of the herd!
Born on January 4, 2013
Weight- 89 pounds
Height- 30 inches
Proud Parents and Grandparents welcome their little girl!

We are pleased to welcome our newest arrival to our herd. She will be treated like royalty so she can grow up big and strong. After all, she is the future of our herd, and will someday deliver high-quality milk for you. We are strongly committed to providing a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions to all our animals, from the first day they arrive!

Gone, But Not Forgotten

2012 may be gone, but it's not forgotten. Here are the

Top Ten Most Viewed Posts 

on My Barnyard View.

10. Santa Lives in Our Neighborhood (8/9/12)- The story of a wonderful neighbor that makes regular deliveries in the summer, and a recipe for the gift he delivers.

9. Moma Mia, It's Pizza (10/2/12)- "94% of Americans eat pizza at least once each month." Who knew?

8. I Want My Mummy! (10/31/12)- Mummy and the kids in the kitchen.

7. Food For Thought (11/17/12)- Will you be the big cheese at this Dairy Trivia?

6. Real Deal (11/4/12)- "I demand good tastings, good quality dairy foods. Don't you?"

5. Frostbite Fever (10/23/12)- I made this discovery in St. Louis while at a blogging conference.

4. Farming 101-1 Cow Milking (5/28/12)- Every morning and every evening, that's how we do it!

3. What's In A Name? (5/12/12)- I am proud to announce the birth of my blog!

2. Our Pat on the Back (6/7/12)- "Farming can be a rewarding, as well as challenging occupation."

1. Competition For Norman Rockwell (11/15/12)- We shared a meal, stories, and laughs. See what I shared in this post that got the MOST views.

Thanks for your support and comments on my inaugural year of My Barnyard View. What else would you like to learn about? Share your farm or dairy questions in the comments. I would be happy to address them.

I am blessed to work with my family, doing what we love. I'm loving life, on and off the farm! Happy New Year. Cheers!

To learn more about dairy farming go to Midwest Dairy. Check out the delicious dairy recipes too!

Rubbing Elbows

How does a dairy mom and dairy son get to rub elbows with the Minnesota Vikings football team? Be a super fan, of course. Son Michael was the grand prize winner of the Radisson-Vikings Super Fan contest and he asked me to go as his guest.

Friday- Off to Minneapolis in our chauffeured Town Car.

After checking in to the Radisson Hotel, exploring the skyways and shopping at Macy's we settled in at "The Shout House" for some dueling pianos.

Saturday- Arriving at Winter Park, the Vikings training facility, for a tour.

 

The practice field where the magic begins. We weren't allowed to take photos during the practice.

We got a private "meet and greet" with punter, Chris Kluwe.

 

Sunday- Game day against the Green Bay Packers. We got to be down on the field before the game to watch the warm-ups and take photos!

Kicker Blair Walsh and Punter Chris Kluwe in action during warm-ups.

In front of a packed stadium, the MN Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers, 37-34!

After the game we were invited to attend the press conference. We were the only fans allowed in, along with the press. What a treat! 

Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frasier

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson

Monday- It was time to head back to reality and back to the farm, but at least for a weekend we got to rub elbows with the pros!

PS- This may sound cheesy, but if you want to grow up healthy and strong like a pro football player, don't forget to eat 3 or more servings of dairy each day. I bet Adrian does!

Late Night Visitor

We had a late night visitor last night, just as we finished milking. One of our cows that had just had her calf earlier that day, was having signs of milk fever. She was having tremors in her muscles which eventually led to her laying down, and not able to get up. We never take the "wait and see" approach when it comes to our animals. The veterinarian was called, and within a short time Vet Dave was at our farm. 

Milk fever is caused by low blood calcium levels after a cow has calved. Milk and colostrum production drains the blood of calcium, and some cows are unable to replace the calcium quickly enough. Vet Dave injected a calcium solution into the cow to replenish the calcium she needs. She will not be milked for the next 24 hours, and then gradually increase her milking for the next 2-3 days.

We work closely with our veterinarians to keep our cows healthy and comfortable. Our commitment to providing high-quality milk begins with taking good care of our cows.

The Secret Ingredient

"My fudge recipe includes Velveeta Cheese," my friend Barb said. "I'll have to try that," I said. Who was she kidding? You don't put cheese in fudge. Who was I kidding? I had no intentions of trying a fudge recipe that included a cheese product. Well, never say never! My curiosity won out and I went to the Kraft Foods web site to seek out the recipe. My first batch was shared with family and coworkers, and my "secret ingredient fudge" was a hit. It is very smooth and creamy, and delicious. 

It's no secret that cheese is versatile, but using it as a fudge ingredient was a surprise. Click here for the Velveeta Fudge recipe.

PS- Santa emptied the milk in the refrigerator too. You've got good taste Santa!