Breakfast of Champions

I've been trying to eat healthier lately.  So this past week, I started each morning with an egg.  My kind of breakfast.

I also had rabbit, however he only lasted two mornings.  I usually go for the ears first. What body part is the first to go on your Easter rabbits? 

Thanks to Rob for the Easter care package and Adrienne if you're reading this, the egg did come with a side of apple...

Happy Easter!

It's official

I'm back! Don't worry, I'm not going to waste another post trying to explain why I have been absent from the blog world for so long. No excuses this time….well ok…to put it quite frankly, my wireless card and my computer were in the middle of an “it’s complicated” relationship. But it’s ok now, because my computer has found a new relationship with one whose initials are ATT.

So let’s go! In no particular order, here is a quick snapshot in photos of what’s been going on since Freezo-Rama!

My Goddaughter, Brooke turned 3

The Palladium, a new concert hall in Carmel opened up and we went to see free concerts.

Work party at JJ's Backyard BBQ

Home for Christmas...fresh snow on Christmas Morning

Traditional Christmas date nights with Grandmas. Here is my sister, grandma and I at the Mill in Jasper.

Holly's (bottom) bachelorette party in Nashville TN

New Years

Holly's Bridal shower. I love this hard core pic

Harlem Globetrotters

She's hitched

Valentine's Day Dinner

Belly dancing lessons

My first ever hockey game. Tampa Bay Lightning

Trip to Tampa, Fl for work

Bill Cosby

I fell on the ice and tore my ligament and chipped a bone. Had to wear this puppy for 6 wks

Rob's (middle blue) going away party.

Chicago view

I'm from Ireland, Indiana so I went home to celebrate. Always a great time

My boyfriend, Rob! He joined me at a banquet I helped plan through work.

Church group fun. So blessed

Children's Museum

Skiing date. One of the coolest dates, I must say.

Having fun with fresh snow at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. See Rob's snow angel next to mine?

Good friend, Erika's (next to me) Bachelorette wine tour party.

The loaner (2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Honda gave me while one of the four new transmissions was being installed in my Hybrid.

Ice skating double date

The Eagles that have made a home in my parents' tree

Adrienne's birthday party at the Ratheskeller

Game night with my family...one of my fondest memories of the winter. This one was EXCEPTIONALLY fun!

And the winner is...

...Ndysmom!   Ndysmom just won four free state fair tickets off my blog!  Congratulations! Please email me your name and address and I will mail them out to you tomorrow. hbrescher@yahoo.com  Thanks for participating and thanks again to Indiana Soybean Alliance for providing the state fair tickets. 

Stay tuned to read about my off the cuff adventures at the state fair!  As a preview:

The things you learn & RECEIVE at trade shows

I have been at an agricultural conference in Minneapolis the past couple days (have never traveled to Minnesoooota before - bucket list item -check!)  and have had a great time meeting people, eating good food, and listening to great presentations.  One cool part about attending conferences such as these is the tradeshows and the FREE stuff that comes along with them. As the economy has gotten worse, many companies are starting to cut many of the freebies given away at tradeshows, however you can still seek out some hidden treasures - not to mention some good information as well.  Did I mention - cute boys?

Well first...I arrived to my hotel room and found this on my bed. Lavendar pillow and sheet spray? Do people perfume their sheets now?  I'm guessing this helps one fall asleep but I think this may come in handy when I'm too lazy to do laundry.

 

I had to sign up for a model Case IH tractor to receive this beauty.  Not to mention, I talked to the very handsome booth attendant. Too bad I was too chicken to go back after the first encounter.  From now on, every time this flashlight helps light my path, his memory will bring a little light to my life. 

Everyone needs a good beef-temperature checker. 

  

A snack for later! Yum!  These chips are unique in that they are fried in a soybean oil that is high-oleic!  What the heck does this mean? Well it's basically a dream for consumers, farmers, and food companies.  It's oil with 0 trans fat and a long shelf life, which is important for food companies. Plus...the soybeans used for this oil are straight from our local soybean farmers! This mix doesn't occur very often in oils.  Interesting!

(Also note, you won't be able to buy this oil until 2011-2010. It's still in testing stages) http://www.plenish.com/

And...finally...this has got to be - by far - my favorite find of the day.  At first glance, I thought - what in the world can I do with a faux credit card looking plastic puzzle piece?? 

To my surprise, it was not a puzzle piece!  It was a jump drive - and it can fit in a billfold! Seriously - coolest thing ever.

2GB on this sucker. Upon opening up this jump drive, I learned a ton about agriculture.  Look at this myth/fact I found!

MYTH: Farming in the United States is controlled by large corporations that care about profits and not about animal welfare.

FACT: Of the 2.2 million farms in the United States, 87 percent are owned by an individual or a married couple responsible for operating the farm. If partnerships – typically a parent and one or more children or other close relatives – are added to this total, 97 percent of U.S. farms are family-owned and operated, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Even those farms that are legally corporations are generally family controlled, with USDA reporting only 7,000 non-family-controlled corporate farms in the United States. (source: animalag.org) 

 Oh the things you learn and find!

Now I know why he's called the tight end

Last Tuesday was an exciting day for this girl. Dallas Clark, tight end for the Indianapolis Colts, is a spokesperson for one of the programs we implement at work. Check it out...Hoosier Horsepower.  AND...He was to make an appearance at one of our events!  Many of my coworkers had already had the opportunity to meet him earlier in the year, but since I'm new to my job (7 months - can't believe it's already been that long) I still needed my chance.  I'm not one to become star struck and drool all over myself when I see a famous person.  But....this was different.  Let me explain what happened...

I was waiting at the photo area where Dallas would soon arrive. I waited. We all waited. It became quiet. Dallas walked in. All eyes were on him. We made eye contact. He escaped from his entourage and walked over. I looked at him. He looked at me. I floated on air. He swept me up in his arms.  Then we danced together. He was the best dancer. He whispered to me sweet nothings and took my hand in his. Then I grabbed his tight end.

(screeching record) ok ok...actually....As sweet as that may sound, this is how it really went down...

I was waiting at the photo area where Dallas would soon arrive. I waited. We all waited. Dallas walked in. All eyes were on him. A few walked up to him. I waited in the shadows. I inched closer, hoping he'd make eye contact. Not a chance. The photos were taken of Dallas and awestruck fans. I wrote down the fans' names. I ran up to get a picture. He said "yes, the one doing all the work has to have a picture too." I grabbed his waist. I smiled big. He laughed. The picture snapped. I shook his hand. He went on his way.

Needless to say, it was still pretty cool to meet the man who helped lead the Colts to an "almost" Superbowl win with his 100 catches this season.  Did I mention he farms? Could he get any better? or better looking?

I don't know how impressed they were with me grabbing both their waists - but I was fine with it.  Also pictured is retired U.S. General Wesley Clark. We danced too. He actually polka'd with me.

Super Bowl XLI champs!  Vince Lombardi Trophy

My coworker, Shelia and I ran onto the Colts practice field to do some pushups before leaving. She's a hoot!

Encouragement Needed

Alright peeps, I need help.  Since I've returned from Africa, I feel like nothing in my life is exciting enough to blog about! The same with pictures...I haven't gotten my camera out since! What is wrong with me? I need some motivation to start blogging again... HELP! Anyone? Someone?

Or maybe I just need a free evening to relax. The past two "off the cuff" weeks have been filled up once again. I'm going to document below, so I remember them down the road. If you don't read anything else (and I don't blame you), at least read the last sentence...  I received the best news tonight...


Friday June 4 - Thursday June 17
---------------------------------------------

Friday - Ratheskeller with Adrienne to see Blessid Union of Souls. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsovXU9OxVw .  Wore some sweet cowboy boots with a dress - totally Miley - and totally not like me to wear a dress to a bar. 

Saturday - Vintage Indiana - Wine Festival Downtown.  Discovered a great new spiced pumpkin wine from Winzerwald Winery down in Southern Indiana. Saturday night, I traveled to Danville to celebrate my "other Pudue half," Sammy's, graduation..a few Busch lights, mini weenies, and pieces of cake later...

Tuesday - Made African-style dinner for a new friend, Monica, from my church group.  We got to know each other and connected both personally and spiritually on so many levels -  Thankful for a new friend to share with.

Wednesday - Drinks with the Jasper gals downtown - from now until mid July (when my best bud Adrienne leaves for grad school) we'll be getting together at a unique venue downtown.  Two menu requirements: beer and fried pickles. So far - Scotty's, Slippery Noodle, Creations Cafe..wonder what Kasie is going to pick for next week?

Thursday - Haircut and Congressional Insight at the Statehouse.  First time in the House Chambers.  Good thing Katie works for Mitch Daniels! Our team got "re-elected!"

Friday thru Sunday - Haley came. Ran the Monon. Were drenched as we arrived at Ratheskeller with Nick, Holly, Creagger and Bart (Best Ratheskeller concoction - Woodchuck and Guiness - TRY IT!) Made an African lunch, although not quite the same as the real deal. Church. Went through videos. Shopping. Trader Joes. Aldis.   Great - relaxing weekend hanging with the sis.

Monday - Dinner and tennis with Mary and Linda.  Nope...it was too hot to play tennis, so we watched Bonanza, ate dinner, then watched the storms roll in with hopes of seeing a Tornado.  Although, I can't wait to finally swing the tennis racket this summer...hopefully soon.  Returned home and watched the four episodes of Desperate Housewives Aunt Mary taped for me...can we say 2 a.m.? OUCH! 

Tuesday - Lunch with Robin! The girl is so full of insight...a snipet of insight over lunch..."We all have a God hole, and we tend to fill that hole with things other than God in hopes they will fulfill us!"  Went to bible study on Tuesday night. Daiva and I danced, and we saw baby Emerson for the first time. Michael led the group, and we talked about angels...Do you believe there are angels among us? 

....Committed to a sand volleyball team...Another fun thing to add to my summer activities!

Wednesday - Haley had a job interview, so she came to Indy AGAIN. We ran on the Canal Downtown, and then joined Adrienne at Creations Cafe for Wed night drinks- If you haven't tried it, I would highly recommend it!  YUM!  We then came home and watched Dirty Dancing - on VHS, mind you.  Dreamed about Patrick....

Thursday - Lunch with Kristen - a good friend from Disney, Purdue, and now Indy -- found out she is 7 mo. pregnant - We DEF needed to catch up. Drinks with Jeremy (JJ) at Traders Mill Bar and Grill. So good to see him, catch up and receive his famous teddy bear hug. We had a nice talk about grain buying.  :) He buys soybeans for a large processing facility in Northern Indiana and sells soybean meal so our Indiana piggies and cows can eat. 

and the best news of the day....

EXCITING NEWS! HALEY GOT A JOB TEACHING IN INDIANAPOLIS AND WILL BE LIVING IN THE CITY - JUST LIKE ME!!!!!! EEEEKKKKKSKSSS! She had an interview yesterday and got the offer today- dang girl! Let the off-the-cuff adventures continue!

Meet Haley

Blonde Haired, blue-eyed, strong-willed, hyper-active, bumper and tripper over everything, high-energy, fun-loving, adventure-taking, sugar-craving, kitten-loving, stick-shift driving, daddy’s girl who can get anyone around her to feel energized.

Corn, kids, dirt and Bratwursts!

This Saturday was a real treat. 
Morning
Earth day was celebrated in Indianapolis and I had the fun opportunity to help out in the kids tent or "adults who wanted to be kids" tent. Our group taught kids the difference between sweet corn and field corn while helping them plant sweet corn into Cow Pots.

To kids: "Can you guess what these pots are made out of?"

Response: "Paper!?, seeds?! dirt?! woodchips?!"

Guess again kids - they're made out of cow manure! EWWW was the response heard over and over. We even had a few kids and adults throw down the pot and walk away appalled.  C'mon people -it's just reprocessed grass, hay and corn! Added bonus: no waste when replanting the seed. Just plant the whole pot and the manure acts as a natural fertilizer. Magic! 

Most people loved the poo and kept on planting!  Here are some commemorative poooo pictures!

Hey Indy Folks, look for single sweet corn stalks growing in a garden near you!

Evening

A shower was taken and fingernails cleaned - not that I minded. Any excuse to get dirty is fine by me (if you really call this dirty).  Guess you have to clean up to go out in Indy. Back home, you just show up and drink up. period. 

My good friend, Andrea, was in town for the night to celebrate her birthday - 25 big ones. Destination: Rathskeller 

Meet Andrea

Brown haired, brown eyed, independent, Dads-root-beer-owning, world-traveling, business-school-graduating, golf-playing, fast-shower-taking, home-owning, beer-drinking cat lady who moved back to Jasper to sell some Dad's!  How long have we been friends: 15 years. 

Meet Heather

Brown haired, hazel eyed, teeth-cleaning, spazzer-outer, money saving, book-reading, marathon-running, textbook-studying, wine drinking IUPUI dental student who I don't see as often as I should. We live 2 streets apart for crying out loud!

The Rathskeller downtown is one place we like to hang our hat in the summer time.  The outdoor Bier Garten and live polka music can't be beat..and neither can the Bratwursts!

Love at first sight

We had a great time taking all sorts of pictures

Laughing Pictures:

Awkward Pictures

...and Smiling Pictures (Good news! All of my friends do own normal facial expressions)

The Jasper buds are the best.  Been friends with these three for the past 15 years- Now who can say that?! So Blessed!