Announcing the winner of the contest “Who Imported the Most Brazilian Beef in November?” Survey says, “The UNITED STATES is your winner!!!” What do we get for playing along, Johnny?????

Here I am looking at a full-page picture of damage and destruction delivered by deadly tornadoes. Hog barns, grain elevators, family homes, churches, everything destroyed. Kentucky was hit the worst, but a number of other states were not spared. Our support and prayers must reach out to the suffering families.

Price Discovery Edition of the Hot Barn Report!

Heard ONLY on American radio stations across the nation and online at hotbarnreport.com!

Candy, fudge or cut out sugar cookies? Peanut clusters, no bake cookies or buckeyes? Chocolate crinkles or thumbprint cookies? Monster cookies or the good ole fashioned chocolate chip seem to always be crowd favorites! But, yesterday I broke a recipe I had not used in awhile and I don’t know why. I guess with my girls baking so much now, they tend to steer towards chocolate. So, I rarely have to bake cookies.

Did you actually think I would skate through this holiday season with out talking about Christmas cookies?!?! Is there anything more flattering than receiving something homemade by someone. I mean truly, in my world it is the ultimate gift to give and receive. My love language is totally “acts of service.”

The days are ticking and flying by. The holiday hustle and bustle has dust flying and wrapping paper rolling, or anyway that is what they tell me. I tend to keep it pretty simple. I look around at what is available to me in my rural area and make my gift giving lists based on what I can get locally.

BIG Monday Price Discovery Edition of the Hot Barn Report!

Heard ONLY on American radio stations across the nation and online at hotbarnreport.com!

I am in the middle of doing a little inventory around my mud room. You see, I have a STRONG philosophy about only buying Christmas gifts that are useful. Is that called being a “utilitarian”?

I was once again doing some traveling yesterday and my destination was another cattle market auction barn. Like, where else would I go? Once again, this sale barn is no doubt the economic driver of that area. I’m sure that on sale day the population of this community swells and there is more gas and diesel pumped and more groceries sold than any other day of the week.

I have had to do some traveling through a lot of small towns the last few weeks. I love slowing waaaaaay down as I cruise through these little town’s main streets. There are hidden gems all around us! If we want to keep these small businesses open in our communities, we have to support them.