Earthquake?!?!

Yup.


I wasn't exactly planning on posting about this today, but a 5.9 earthquake just hit in Virginia about an hour ago and the quake was felt as far north as New York and as far south as South Carolina. This is the only good video I can find of the news coverage:

I was outside washing my dog and while I was getting the shampoo he started growling and jumping around, but I didn't think much of it. And about 30 seconds later I felt the ground start shaking while I was scrubbing him and I almost fell down because it caught me off guard. My other dog was laying in the yard and started barking while it happened.

After it was over I went to check on all the steers and they were laying down in their pen but got up while the ground shook I'm assuming. They say that aftershocks are soon to come so I guess I will be tuning into my dogs.

Check my twitter for updates.

Your FREAKED OUT Marylander,

Taylor

Maryland Monday–Maryland State Fair

This Thursday I will be leaving for the Maryland State Fair with my cattle. So, I figured that for todays Maryland Monday I would share some info about our state fair.

The Maryland State Fair is small but pretty mighty! The great thing about our fair is that we feature A LOT of agriculture. The barns where all the animals are is a big feature that everyone loves. It’s awesome to know that so many people are interested in the shows and how we take care of our cattle.

If you are anywhere near Maryland or live in Maryland, be sure to visit the State Fair! It’s truly something you don’t want to miss. It is like the whole state of Maryland, the culture, the traditions, all wrapped up in one fairgrounds. It’s Maryland Monday every day there! ;)

I am leaving Thursday morning for the fair and I show Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday is Steers and Heifers, Saturday is Showmanship, and Sunday is the Open Class shows. We leave Sunday night and then (cue the horror music) school starts back up on Monday.

I am trying to figure out how to get my posts to post automatically so that you guys won’t be left hanging while I am at the fair. By the way, ALL of these pics are of the MSF, not just random fairs.

Your Marylander,

Taylor

p.s- Check out the Maryland State Fair website and see what we’ve got :)

I’m Sensing A Trend Here…

So I’m starting to think that Sundays will be my ‘day off’ from blogging. I wasn’t going to post today since it is so late, but I decided to just let yall know that you may not see a post every Sunday from now on ;)

But, nevertheless, this is a post, so I must share something right?

 

 

This necklace, I love.

Turquoise = #winning!

 

 

I also love this bracelet. The diamond is the same type on my belt, the colored cut diamond. And it’s zebra print. I’d say that’s a win win situation!

 

These two items are both from Cowgirl Creations! Check out their stuff, you’ll love it!

Your Marylander,

Taylor

Oh Paula…

I don’t know about you, but my family LOVES Paula Dean. My Mom has a few of her cookbooks and loves all of them.

One of my favorite recipes of hers is her Baked French Toast Casserole. I love breakfast, and French Toast is my favorite breakfast meal. So this dish is of course my favorite! You can have it for breakfast or dinner because it is so good. Click here to get the recipe.

Another variation of this is made with blueberries and this recipe is by Giada Di Laurentiis, my go to person for amazing Italian recipes. This dish is great for those of you who love fruit (like me). It also a little more healthier than Paula Dean’s ;)

Try these recipes, you won’t regret it!

Your Marylander,

Taylor

Favorite Things Friday -- Scentsy

This Friday may be something that a few of you know about, or a few of you don’t. Scentsy!

I (and my whole family) am in love with Scentsy Wickless Candles. We have at least one in every room of the house, whether it is a full size warmer, mid size warmer or a plug in, we have it.

Scentsy is a great alternative to burning candles, and are safer than normal candle warmers. You can leave them on in your house while your gone all day without having a worry in the world. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the SCENTS! My favorite part. They have a ton of scents to choose from, and all are so strong and so close to what they are supposed to resemble. For example, their “Hazelnut Latte” scent from the Corner Café collection can transform your house into a café in seconds. You can create any mood you want with their scents.

My sister just recently became a consultant, and I encourage you to check out her consultant page and order something from her if you’re interested! Also, for any of you MD, PA, VA, or WV readers out there, if you are interested in hosting a party and don’t know a consultant near you, contact my sister and she’d be glad to come do one for you. She attends West Virginia University so if you are near the Morgantown area she can do parties for you on the weekends.

This is one product that I could rave about all day! Try it, I promise that you will be pleased!

Your Marylander Scentsy Lover,

Taylor

Why Is Leaving So Hard?

Leaving my animals for a whole week is something that I struggle with. I usually am only gone from my animals for a week every summer when I go to Ocean City, MD for vacation. But this summer, I also went to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. We were there for a week and it kills me every time I leave!

They were in good hands, though. My cousin who used to show cattle in 4-H and FFA  stayed at our house all week. I am always afraid though that while I’m gone, my animals will forget about me for some reason. Like, I will get back from my trip and they’ll be crazy. I think I’M the crazy one.

Usually all my families “vacations” are considered cattle shows, and my buddies get to travel with me, but not this time! I only wish I could bring cows to the beach. Wouldn't that be a sight?

Speaking of not seeing my four legged friends for a while, Matt (my show puppy) was gone since July 31st to August 14th . He was gone for 2 weeks traveling to shows with his breeder. He went to some Virginia shows, and then traveled to Pennsylvania for a show cluster. We picked him up Sunday at his show in Harrisburg, PA. Yes—where NJAS was this year! There are dog shows there all the time. He didn't win anything major, but he won his class at all his shows.

But all was well when we came, now we are just waiting on a cow to calve. She was the due the 15th….

Your Marylander,

Taylor

P.S- Thought I’d leave you with a quick quote ;)

“Four leggers are always more honest than two leggers.” –Ann Lettis

Antler Dogs

Yes, it does exist.

I recently learned about this awesome activity from a dog magazine that I subscribe to. They featured an article about it and I was really intrigued. Intrigued enough that I may consider getting a hunting bred puppy just so I can do it!

What you do is train your puppy from the start to love antlers. Antlers are to be their best friends, so that they’re adapted to it and will look for them. As they get older, you train them more seriously for hunting, using the usual training tactics that you would with a normal hunting dog except you teach them to hunt for antlers. You can make some serious coin doing it, because more and more outfitters are wanting antlers to make chandeliers, like this one..

Antlers are also becoming a popular chew toy for dogs, and the more natural the better. Full and intact sheds are even more valued as hunting stores, restaurants, and even regular homeowners are looking for some nice decorations. Countries like India will also pay a lot for antlers because they ground them up and use them for medicines, but there are a lot of laws for exportation.

If you want to learn more about this cool way to have fun with your dog as well as earn some coin, visit some of these links.

Antler Dogs Training

Shed Hunting 101

Your Marylander,

Taylor

Confessions of a Classic Rock Junkie

Like my dad always tells me, I am a born-again 60s-80s child.

I love rock n roll. If it comes from the 60s, 70s, or 80s, I’m listening to it. I am a huge, huge, huge Aerosmith fan. How can you resist Steven Tyler’s lyrical genius-ness with the combination of Joe Perry’s amazing skills on the guitar and good looks? You can’t, in my opinion.

Another favorite combination of mine would have to be cattle shows and classic rock. Nothing gets you pumped up for a cattle show like a good Van Halen song or AC/DC. Whenever I hear someone’s stereo blasting any good classic rock song I will slowly gravitate toward their stall. Here’s a pic of my dream stereo system to have at a cattle show:

It’s sad to say, but I listen to the local (York, PA…) classic rock station more than I do the country station. Our country station just has way too many commercial breaks, and they overplay all the new cookie cutter stuff that is way too common. I am also a classic country fan – Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton… you get it. I could listen to Johnny Cash all day. When I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, it reminded me once again of why I love old time country music. It can’t be beat by any of the new stuff, no matter what you say. When I was in Nashville I had already made up my mind that I wanted to live there one day. I loved the town, and adding in the fact that the town was classic honky-tonk down to the roots, I had to be there.

But for now, I’ll keep rocking out here in little ol’ Maryland.

Your Marylander 70s child,

Taylor

Maryland Monday–Maryland Crab Soup

One tradition that is a must in Maryland is Maryland Crab Soup. I don’t like it as much as I do Cream of Crab Soup, but it is a great Maryland tradition that I believe should be shared. You can’t go to any local, family owned restaurant in MD without coming across this on the Menu.

 

Everyone has their own spin on this classic, but here is a simple and delicious recipe for it from the great makers of Old Bay.

Maryland Crab Soup Recipe

Your Marylander Soup Lover,

Taylor

Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse

Please send your thoughts and prayers to the families affected by this. If you have not head about it, just as Sugarland was about to come on, high winds caused the stage to blow down as seen above. 5 people were killed and 45 were taken to the hospital. Such a tragedy. I hope no one that I know from showing cattle were hurt.

I’m HOME

Finally, after a long week in the Outer Banks, I am back to the homestead. Long story short, it wasn't the best vacation I’ve ever had, but it was a vacation nonetheless.

I was told that our house would have Wi-Fi, but obviously, it didn't. I am so sorry that I have missed a whole week of blogging. I missed Maryland Monday AND Favorite Things Friday.

I promise that since the past week you have ha nothing to read, this week will be packed full of great posts.

Stay tuned!

Your Marylander,

Taylor

Vacation Time

Just letting everyone know that posts may be a little limited this week because I am leaving tomorrow morning for Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina!

I have a few posts typed up and ready to post so all I have to do is find time to post them while I'm there.

But don't forget to watch RFD-TV at 8 PM on Monday, for coverage of the National Junior Angus Show. I'm not missing it :)

Your Marylander,
Taylor

Don't Forget....

Don't forget to tune in to RFD-TV on August 8th! If you won't be home, record it!

Texas Women (Or Maryland Women...)

One of my new favorite shows on TV would definitely have to be “Texas Women” on CMT. It’s such an entertaining show following four friends who work hard (Except Hannah) and party harder. One of my favorite blogs, Rawhide & Velvet, posts hilarious recaps of the show after every episode. She basically speaks what I don’t have the balls to say! Love her.

But anyways, watching all these shows about women in certain states (Real Housewives…) makes me realize how seriously unappealing Maryland is to everyone! The day a reality show takes place in Maryland (NOT D.C… that doesn’t count) is the day that pigs will fly. Washington D.C basically overshadows any publicity chance Maryland will ever have. At least we have a few good sports teams. My dream would be to have a show like Texas Women come to Maryland, and showcase the agriculture side of our state. To be perfectly honest, Maryland actually has a lot of agriculture. I think Baltimore is the only town or city that you can drive through without seeing some kind of farm.

Okay, I admit, I watch a Real Housewives series. I watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey. It’s the only one I watch faithfully because it is REAL. I love the families on there. Being familiar with the style of the show, I do believe that CMT needs to create one similar to it, except it be titled “The Real Cattlewomen of Maryland”. Now THAT’S a winner. Oh, don’t worry… I’m sure there would be other states included too. I could see Texas, Kansas, or Missouri being featured first.

But for now, I’ll keep on dreamin’. (Anyone hear a Journey song coming on?)

Your Marylander,

Taylor

Braunvieh?

Maybe you’ve heard of them, maybe you haven’t. But either way, keep reading.

When I was 8 years old, starting out in 4-H, my mom handed me a brochure for a sale that a farm where we had gotten Angus from before were having. They were having a Braunvieh sale. We researched Braunvieh, read about them, but I had already decided that I wanted one. As an 8 year old, their color and the fact that they were different than anything else, made me want one. Now, I still have the same reasons today, as well as a few others :)  In my mind, I don’t see why more cattlemen don’t get involved in this great breed. They are known for their gentle dispositions, mothering abilities, and their hardiness.

One question that I (and everyone else with one) always get asked is what they are crossed with, or the ever famous “That’s a brown swiss, right?”. Wrong! Braunvieh’s are a pure breed, originating in Switzerland. The reason they are built so hardy and are able to withstand such extreme conditions is because the first Braunvieh's  lived in the Swiss Alps. It is believed that the Brown Swiss actually originated from Braunvieh.

Braunvieh is german for “Brown Cow”… aptly named, eh? The reason many people think that it is a cross is because its name is familiar to other purebreds that are a little more popular, such as the Brahman or the Gelbvieh. “Vieh” is german for Cattle, or cow, so many European beef breeds have that in their name.

I encourage you to check out these articles below that will go into more extent of this amazing breed. I have always purchased steers to show, but this year I decided to buy a heifer so I can start my own small Braunvieh herd, because I love the breed so much.

This is one of the common colors of the Braunvieh -- A mouse gray. Notice the amazing udder on this cow... Braunvieh cow's are known for having great udders.

Braunvieh.com Article

Why Braunvieh?

What can brown do for you?

Braunvieh Gather Feeder Praise and Packer Premiums

Great Western Beef Expo Research

Braunvieh Efficiency Study

Your Marylander Braunvieh Lover,

Taylor

Exciting News!!

September 5th can't get here fast enough! 

And don't forget to tune in on August 8th to RFD-TV to watch a recap of the National Junior Angus Show. Premieres at 8 PM eastern time.

Maryland Monday -- Horse Country

Happy Maryland Monday!!

One of my favorite drives is the drive through Reisterstown, MD. We often take this drive wile on the way to Timonium, MD… where we often go for shows, whether it’s the Atlantic National or our State Fair- I love the drive everytime.

This is the heart of Maryland’s Horse country. It feels like you are driving through Lexington, KY. Your head is constantly turning and marveling at the huge mansions, empty pastures that were built for horses that are too good to go outside, and the ‘old time’ equestrians who have older fences, and jumps in the middle of the field.

This is also the drive where you see Cal Ripken’s home front gate and security cameras. If anyone doesn’t know who I’m talking about, Cal Ripken Jr. played for the Baltimore Orioles and is one of their greatest players. Go #8!

Here is a pic of his house before he surrounded it with trees. His front gate is to the right.

So maybe next time you are in Maryland, you’ll take a little detour and visit this nostalgic area.

Your Marylander,

Taylor