Silent Sunday…(in a stock show barn)

Brooke and her 4H "Jamie's Coconut Cake"

My 10 year old friend Brooke simply amazes me.  We've been good friends since she was 1 1/2 years old.  She works alongside me as my photography assistant, and takes every picture I take on a scheduled shoot. She's won statewide awards in 4H with her photos.  Already.  I LOVE this kid.  And she's not (yet) too big to play in the mud.

This is the end of her first year to raise, work, and show lambs, and she is rockin' Texas.  She just won her 1st Junior Showmanship Buckle in the Texas Best Sheep Show Series.  And now,  we are currently in the middle of our Midland County Livestock Show, and she won some major awards yesterday. (See video!)


While attending school, AND getting her animals ready for the show, 3 days ago, Brooke began the process of baking her cake for her Culinary Arts 4H submission. (During this time, her mom had to go to San Antonio to be with Brooke's grandfather for his surgery.) And at 10 p.m. last night, I arrived with the cake board and doily and watched as Brooke put together the icing ingredients for her cake entry.  Everything had to be made from scratch.  And people, that was some GOOD icing.


Did I tell you that this child has compiled a cookbook that is currently in it's fourth printing?  Read about it here.


She's 10, people.  Ten.  1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10.


Meet my friend Brooke.  She's funny, smart, and has a heart of gold.  I love this child.  Oh, wait.  I said that already.

Stock Show Pictures and Fun

Yesterday found me at the Midland County Livestock Show.  One of my little friends, Brooke, placed with her lamb.  It was her first year to show, so of course, we were very proud of her.

Brooke's getting Ethyl ready to show in this shot. 

 I don't know if Ethyl licked her, or what, but I love Brooke's expression!

Here’s her little brother, Cash, practicing for his turn with "Lucy"...his turn will come in some 5 years. He’s already got it faded.

.

Elder Son showed steers from age 9 to 18, so when I walked into our county barns, lots of memories came rolling back.  The smells.  The people.  The kids, all blinged out, ready to bring their animals into the sale ring.  The smiling, supportive families and community.  The buyers - they’re awesome, as well.  Here's Brooke with her buyer, Mr. Zachary.

Stock showing, through the local 4H and FFA programs,  is a good thing.  It teaches the kiddos responsibility, diligence, and integrity.  It is definitely a character building activity.

Hey, do y’all know what happens when a prize-winning lamb eats duct tape?  I don’t either.  But I guess we’ll see!

Please - if you have a chance - support your local youth through 4H, and FFA.  The entire country will be the better for it!