1. Protect your house from the spring mud.  My smart friend Tara at @lonesomedoveranch is not only the best range ninja I know (and a hilariously relatable follow), but the master of ranch home hacks. One of her ingenious ideas is to use towels sandwiched between denim as “boot slippers” when you need to cross the house mid-chores but you don't want to take off your boots. Make yourself a pair, leave them by the door & save yourself some swearing. Pure farmwife gold. 
I've also implemented a “no boots” line with painter's tape. Any kid or husband that dares cross that line with boots gets all the night checks. Jury is still out if its going to help. 
 
2. Commodity Classic. This one is for the crop farmers- book your calendar for next March 3-5, 2027 in New Orleans. Commodity Classic is one of the biggest conventional crop trade shows in the US and is the whose who of agronomy- and yes, there is a ton of value for Canadians, too. Each year I leave feeling invigorated with new innovations, great network connections and the latest crop science/tech to put to use on my farm. PLUS, its a warm vacation in February- and its a write off. Everyone wins. 
 
3. Immersion Blender for Milk Replacer. By far one of my favorite tricks taught to me by my mother-in-law is to use your kitchen immersion blender to mix up powdered colostrum or milk replacer. It works like a charm. Also, here's your reminder to get a new kitchen thermometer because we all know we lost ours. Colostrum should be warmed to 38C in a warm water bath (don't microwave). Note to self: buy new electric kettle for warming convenience, too. 
 
4. Inspirational insta accounts. I know that sounds lame, but I have really been enjoying @everydaywithmandy's daily “girl to girl” reels. They're short, but inspiring. Send one to a friend who needs to hear she's killing it. Or send it to yourself. Because you deserve it! 

1. Yak Wool Socks. From a Canadian rancher who is ALWAYS cold, these bad boys are a must. They are velvety soft, keep your toes toasty, but best of all- the wool is moisture wicking. Apparently yak wool is 10-40x warmer than merino wool! I skied with my 4 year old (read: I held up a 4 year old on skis for 8 hours) and not once did I think about hot or cold or sweaty or icicle toes! While I was gifted a pair this Christmas from my mama, I found an Alberta yak farm @westgimletfarms where you can get a pair (or wool to make your own!), or you can get the exact pair I have on Etsy (*made in Mongolia, not Alberta*). FUN FACT: My husband had a yak growing up and we have 50% custody of the coolest yak hide rug! ha! 
 
2. Kids Livestock ID Activity. Its February and we're back in the swing of all things kids activities at our house. If you missed it, I am a 4-H cleaver leader and each month we do an agricultural learning activity while the older kids conduct their meeting. If its good, I share it.  This month involved understanding how and why livestock are identified in Canada and it was a big hit! You can download the activity sheets and my leaders notes here. Ironically, I had this activity planned before the proposed livestock traceability amendments were a hot topic in Canada- keep it factual and educational. 
 
3. Speaking of the kids. Get your Valentine's cards, farm-style. For my American friends, have you seen Hungry Canyon's farm & cow kid valentines?! They are the cutest, funniest and most punny-est you can get- and they're crafted by an Iowa farm mom.*Melissa is having trouble shipping to Canada, so if the checkout isn't working for you I also found these online digital cowkid/rodeo PRINTABLE options (which is great for when you forgot to order something and its the night before your kids class party! ahhh!) 
 
4. Fake Lashes. Hear me out. We may occasionally be elbow deep in a cows cervix, but sometimes a girl just wants to feel a little girly. I have been getting false lashes monthly for the last year and I must say- BIG fan! You certainly don't need them, but if you want to feel a little dolled up without the effort, here's your sign to make an appointment with your local esthetician. BONUS- it takes about an hour. One glorious hour with your eyes closed. Throw some airpods in and enjoy a guilty pleasure podcast, uninterrupted. Hallelujah. And if you don't have an esthetician in your small town (I am lucky I do!), it sounds like a great excuse in the city when you go for that monthly grocery run. (I'm really just here to enable you and give you allllll the excuses to spend a little time on yourself!).

1. Cook those Jack-o-lanterns down! It's as easy as slicing them up (in half if small, or strips if huge) and baking them in the oven at 425F until tender (45 minutes-ish). Let cool. Peel off the outer skin, and then puree in a blender or food processor (my fave is linked here). I bag mine in 2 cup portions, freeze flat and use in baking all year long (hello branding pies!).

2. Are you a 4-H leader looking for a cleaver activity? Or a mom looking to teach your kids about their food (or maybe just keep them entertained for a while!?). Download my Operation Curious Cookie activity + worksheets I created for our last Cleaver meeting. You can make it as simple or complex as you like. Think of this PDF as inspiration!

3. Airtags + Kids. Hear me out. On our last tropical vacation I put Airtags in waterproof keychains and stuck them in my kids pockets. (Can't take the credit, my beautiful friend Gabrielle told me to do this!). And now I do it everywhere; at ag tradeshows, at rodeos, the rink, anywhere. Gives me that extra peace of mind, especially the older kids who like to go off and play with their friends.

​4. Artisan Beeswax Floral Candles, from my farm to yours (shameless plug!). With beeswax and flower petals all grown right here on my farm, add your piece of the prairies to your next celebration. This is a soft launch to test the waters and you are the ONLY ones I have told (eeek!). Respond to this newsletter, contact me over on my farm website, DM me or send a carrier pigeon. I have so many dried floral options, and I custom make each order. $10 per candle + shipping. Tell your friends!

1. Cowgirl fashion inspo from Kayla Bell @kx_diamond on Insta. This YYC girlie comes up with the best fits, often using local Canadian brands (my heart!) or even thrifted gems. Her videos on styling Twilly's and her CFR night-by-night recommendations are worth a follow for sure!

2. Renee Gould Art. I am OBSESSED with her artwork and the fact that she's an inspiring, local Alberta bada** woman in ag. Give her a follow @renee.egould.art on Insta, buy her buckin' horse sheet set, order a print & tie  a twilly 'round your neck! I grabbed the “Held by Tradition” print in her latest sale. LOVE.

3. Knockoff Pendleton towels from Boot Barn. I've been dreaming of Pendleton towels for a while now (ahem, husband, they've been on my Christmas wish list for 2 years now!). He probably thought the same as me- we can't have nice things because #kids. I picked up these Boot Barn knockoffs while in Tennessee but I see now that they are available online in Canada (and are $49 vs $97, sorry Pendleton, I really do love you, but ya girl is on a budget!)

4. DJI Mini 2 SE Drone. I bought Clay (read: me) a small drone for the farm a  few years ago and I LOVE it. If you're looking for an older model (ie more affordable) that works great, doesn't need any special license to operate & is super user-friendly, pick this one up. I fly all of our fields with this, have checked cows, dugouts & even used it to find the neighbours bulls that escaped into our corn. But of course my favorite thing to do with it is capture family & farm memories.