And so it ends

Another year in Paradise has drawn to a close and happily many families and cattle buyers have picked up their new purchases and are making plans for the coming year. It is always exciting to see where the calves go and follow what the new owners are doing with them. We had so many people visiting Paradise this year from all over the U.S. and Canada. We had buyers represented from coast to coast and several from two provinces in Canada. Texas, New Mexico and Montana were also represented as well as many states in between. I think that just goes to show that Club Calf Paradise has something to offer for everyone's needs.

In a nutshell I would have to say that this was one of the most relaxing years for our sale and I would have to attribute that to the wonderful support from all of our consignors and hired help. I will be posting some pictures because you have to see the incredible fire ring that the Bate's family hauled from Montana as a gift. It is the inside of a rock crusher and it is fascinating to say the least. What was really the icing on the gift was that they also hauled a load of giant rocks...BEAUTIFUL rocks...to stack around the ring and to also serve as seating. The entire gift was breathtaking and the gesture touched my heart. I will cherish it forever.

And what about the food?! I am officially starting a diet on Monday which will include a healthy exercise plan. I have NEVER eaten so well during a sale in my LIFE...with the exception of the Doug Steele sale feeding frenzies. It confounds me how Barry and Susie Maass manage to stay so tiny when they obviously enjoy feeding people so much. I am going to have to watch them for eating disorders! Susie's ham balls were a huge hit as well as her cranberry spread. OMG...they were KILLER!Karen Anderson showed up several times out of the blue to bring food for the "gang". And even if you hate blueberry muffins you would cross over for Karen's! They were incredible and the bag seemed to remain bottomless. Chris and Kareen...all I can say is that your "apple pie" warmed the cockles of my heart. Nothing like a belly full of apple pie to make one sleep like a baby! PLEASE please remember me when you make THAT again. Also love the Postal Express cookies. They don't call it Snail Mail for nothing!

Ryan Gotto...my husband will completely support me when I say that I love you! Please make your vacation plans for next year the same as this year. You are now in my will and we are officially working on the adoption papers which include your lovely wife (yeah, we really thought you were kidding) and your son. Don't EVER use me as a reference. I will LIE LIE LIE so nobody else can have you! I would trust you with the care of my cows and my dog ANY TIME. That is saying something. You will always have a place at Paradise.

So I will stop rambling for the moment. I am taking a brief sobatical (sp) with my kids and will be back with pictures and stories very soon. Keep in touch! Luv ya'll!

There is always help in Paradise

I can't believe how helpful everyone has been this year. Many of my consignors have turned out to lend a hand. I am blinded from time to time by the work and being focused so much on the job that I forget how much fun we really have during the sale. It shouldn't be hard to understand that everyone wants to be part of it. I caught my father at the end of our driveway today staking up our Club Calf Paradise sign which marks the entrance to the farm. I was happy to see that he liked chipping in as well.

The problem is that I am enjoying the company so much that I don't know what it's going to be like when the sale is over. I guess that is why I am always just a little melancholy when things come to a close at Paradise.In the meantime we will just soak up the fun and look forward with anticipation to seeing all of our old friends and meeting the new faces.

THANKS EVERYONE!!

Today in Paradise

The front finally pushed through and the weather has taken a turn for the FABULOUS! Cam S. and Ryan G. are busy rinsing the calves and getting them in their fancy pants for the weekend. Knock on wood but everyone has been very happy and healthy in the calf pens.

Bidding is off to a great start. Most of the calves are started already which is really exciting. I guess when the quality runs as deep as this set of calves it is not a surprise to see that people are happy and willing to get the bids rolling. I hope that if anyone has any questions you will feel free to give me a call. I would love to talk about the calves with you. There is nothing like a chat to help get yourself centered on what you would like to bid on.

Some people have asked about registration papers on some of the calves. Most of them can be registered but we didn't list them as a breed unless we had the application or actual papers in our hands. We thought that would eliminate any issues.

Hope you are all making plans to join us this weekend. We are anxious to see everyone.

Darby showing his stuff

I snapped this with my phone the other night while the Smith girls were having some fun with Darby. He was feeling a little left out being surrounded by all of these purple ribbon calves! I think this really made him feel better!

This is a picture of Lot #52 consigned by the Braun family. She is an HAA Sheriff daughter (Maine Tainer) and is the sweetest acting heifer on the place...and that is saying a LOT! This is a shot of her in front of the banner at the Iowa State Fair as a division winner. I can't believe how much she has come on even since this picture. The calves are truly enjoying the great weather and looking radical! Hope to see you all soon at Club Calf Paradise!!

All about the kids!

Oh, I know I sound like an old book but every year I am reminded that all of the hard work and effort is for the love of the kids. Maybe it's taken the passage of years and the wisdom or simply raising my own kids to finally get the "big picture" and to appreciate the picture as a piece of art. Whatever it is I just can't explain what a satisfying feeling I get seeing the families and the kids stop by to look for new calves. It is amazing to see the kids sort through the cattle and mark the ones they want to have for projects next year. Every kid is motivated by something different it seems.

I really felt all warm and fuzzy last night when the Smith family stopped by and the two smallest girls begged me to let them wash one of the calves. Seriously!? Two little squirts whining and begging me to rinse a calf! How do you say no to cute?

So parents, just a little thought to keep in your mind when you are at your first show next spring and stressed out of your minds because your kids are not listening to every word you say or sticking the calf quite the way you think it should be done...CHILL OUT!!!! Remember what this is all about...FAMILY, EDUCATION, and above all KIDS!!!

Oh...I couldn't stand it...here's a few more.