The Story of a Kelsay and Milk at the Indy 500

The end of May is fast approaching and that means people from around the world have travelled to Indianapolis for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”. For over 70 years the winners of the Indianapolis 500 have celebrated in Victory Circle with a hearty swig from an ice-cold bottle of milk – a ceremony recognized around the world as unique to the Indy 500. Only 17 people have ever handed over the traditional bottle of milk. Louie Meyer started this tradition when he was photographed with milk after one of his three 500-Mile victories. Meyer actually preferred buttermilk but today drivers get a choice of whole, 2%, or fat-free. The American Dairy Association of Indiana and its Indiana dairy farm families are responsible for ensuring that the Victory Circle tradition endures and prospers. In fact, Sports Illustrated magazine has recognized the bottle of milk given annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 as No. 1 among the "sports world's coolest prizes”.
In 2006 and 2007 a Kelsay had the honor of being part of this great tradition. In 2006 Merrill (the farther-in-law) was the “rookie” and in 2007 he passed the milk to winner Dario Franchitti.

There are many great drivers in this year’s field who are all eyeing that bottle of milk! Who will it be?



For more information about "The Drink of Milk in Victory Lane" visit Indiana Dairy

Our Cows are Ladies

It's true - our cows are ladies! They are thought of as ladies, referred to as ladies and treated like ladies. These 500 ladies are part of our extended family - they are who we are if you know what I mean!

Our lives revolve around the cows - literally! On our farm, we milk 3 times a day. So these ladies depend on us to get that job done - no matter what. Every single day! And it is a proven fact - the better you treat them, the better they treat you. Dairy cows must be healthy and well cared-for in order to produce pure, wholesome milk. Our cows receive regular medical care, including periodic check-ups, vaccinations and prompt treatment of illness. They have nutritious diets and clean healthy living conditions. Nothing but the best for our ladies!

I used to tease my hub for putting those ladies above HIS lady! I have numerous examples of when he changed plans at the last minute because the cows needed something. Whether it was mixing an extra batch of feed because they were running low late at night or hopping out of bed at 2:00 in the morning because something was broken in the milking parlor or even leaving family dinners to help a cow with calving, he always thinks of the cows first!

I laugh when I tell the story of my very first Thanksgiving dinner with my hub's family back when we were just dating. We had just sat down at the dining room table - everyone's plates were full of delicious food - candles burning - saying grace... And just before everyone had a chance to dig in -someone yelled out 'the cows are out!' Much to my surprise, everyone jumped up from the table and threw on boots and coats and ran out the door! Not knowing exactly what to do - I just decided to follow suit! I grabbed my boots and coat and headed out. After a good 45 min. of herding the ladies back in to their pen - we headed back in to our 'cold' Thanksgiving dinner! Thankfully a little zap in the micro and all was well. But - from that day forward - I knew where I stood with these ladies. They were top priority to this family!!!

And, I have to say - after officially being in this family now for 10 years - I am proud to call myself a 6th generation dairy farmer and certainly to be one of the 'ladies' on this farm!

 

Our First Awards!

A BIG THANK YOU to Beyer Beware, Gal in the Middle and Matt Schenk-n-Family for giving us our first awards! The Versatile Blogger Award!

Here are the rules of the award:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award on to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and think are fantastic.

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

7 things about Liz:

1. I am the 5th of 6th kids

2. I studied abroad in Brazil mainly because my mom did the same

3. Cinnamon rolls remind me of my grandmother

4. I wanted to be in the Air Force

5. My first car was a T Top Camaro

6. I have nicknames for all of my friends

7. I love 80’s music and am a rock star in my car

7 things about Amy:

1. I love popcorn

2. I started wearing contacts in 7th grade

3. I did a cheer number to “Stand by Me” in elementary school

4. I am named after both grandmas

5. I was the Indiana Pure Bred Pork Queen

6. I change my hair style and color every few months

7. I love freckles

Our 15 favs…

This first group of bloggers have already been recognized with this award but I couldn’t not mention them. It is very rare in life when you find people that share the same type of lifestyle as you especially when less than 2% of the population is involved in agriculture. So go check out some of their adventures!

FenceRow to FenceRow

GOODEness Gracious

Off the Cuff and INDYpendent

Life's a highway ...and mine is surrounded by corn

Alarm Clock Wars

Frugalista Farm Life

Going Jane

Hoosier Farm Babe Tell Tails

Here are our other fav's!

1. Gate to Plate by Michele Payn-Knoper – Michele inspired us to be active in social media.

2. A Dairyman’s Blog by Will Gillmer – Amy met Will through National Young Farmer and Ranchers.

3. Blue Ribbon Blog – Indiana State Fair – Both of us have spent a majority of our Augusts at the Indiana State Fair.

4. Winners Drink Milk - Representing the Indiana Dairy Industry!

5. Discover the Surprise Indiana Wines – Wine, yes please!

Chicken Saltimbocca

I don't know about you but sometimes it feels like I get in a rut and make the same old things for dinner week after week. Plus, by the time I get off work, change and go feed the moo moo and get back home I don't really feel like making a culinary masterpiece! Although I do love cooking. This recipe is great to make when you have company coming over because you can get the dirty work over with, cleaned up and actually enjoy your company! Thanks to Taste of Home for sharing it with me!

Ingredients


6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
6 thin slices deli ham
6 slices Swiss cheese
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth

Hot cooked rice

Directions

Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness.

Top each piece with a slice of ham and cheese. Roll up tightly; secure with toothpicks.

In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Roll chicken in flour mixture; refrigerate for 1 hour.

In a large skillet, brown roll-ups in oil on all sides; transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Combine the soup and wine or broth; pour over chicken.

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat is longer pink. Remove roll-ups and stir sauce. Discard toothpicks. Serve with rice. Yield: 6 servings.

Bubble Gum Medicine

Yes! In our house, we call it the bubble gum medicine. Yes, in our house, the kids actually love it. Yes, in our house we currently have not 1, or 2, or 3, but 4 of us on bubble gum medicine!!!! (Oh - you may be more familiar with it's proper name - Amoxicillin.)

So, as they say on the farm "when it rains, it dumps buckets" and that is what happened to us! Not only has it been raining outside for days now - it has also been 'raining' inside my house! It started with the Wild One last Tuesday, then the Little Man came down with it on Wednesday and to round off the week - Miss Bug and I caught the dreadful thing on Saturday. Strep Throat - yuck :(

This was a first for us. Of all the things we have had - we've never entered the world of strep. I have to say that if I look into another throat, I might just get sick again. Seriously - the human throat is an UGLY  UGLY thing!!

All in all, I guess it was a good week to be down. With the rain and colder weather - who wants to be up and at 'em- right?!? Looking for the silver lining here...

Anyway, we are all on the mend now. Toothbrushes are disinfected, blankets and sheets are washed and all cups have been scalded. So, until another ear infection invades our house - I can say bye bye to the bubble gum medicine for now!

Oh - sorry for the gross throat image! Here - let's end with this thought and image --- "And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.” (G.K. Chesterton)

11:40 AM - My favorite time of the day!

It's true! For the past 10 months I have looked forward to 11:40 AM!! This is the time of day that I pull up in front of the Elementary school and see 21 little toothless grins peeking around each other looking for their rides. And one of those little toothless grins is MINE!!!!

I just love to see her watching and smiling in anticipation as I pull up. You can almost see the sense of assuredness when she knows that I'm there - not to mention mine - as I am peeking around other mini vans to see my 'Miss Bug!'

I remember other moms telling me how quickly the school year flies by and boy were they right! I cannot believe that a few months ago I was sending this little one into the world in a big yellow ride!

I still cannot believe all of the things that I have seen Miss Bug learn this year - writing her name perfectly, making new friends, becoming much more independent, doing math problems, reading, attending school events, losing and gaining 4 teeth, caring about her hairstyle, and reminding ME of things! It's truly amazing to watch them grow but SO SO tough at the same time!!!!

As I smile at the thought of only 13 days left and then she's all mine again (for 10 weeks!), I am thankful for the teachers, staff and bus driver that have taken care of her for me.

And I'm sure before we know it - my bright-eyed little 6 year old will be stepping onto that big yellow ride again to start another adventure - 1st grade!!!