Christmas in the Country Reveal

I admit it:  I love mail. I realize in this fast-paced world, people are much more inclined to Tweet or SnapChat their friends instead of putting stamps on an envelope or box and sending their greetings via snail mail.

So it was a real pleasure to participate for the first time in Christmas in the Country. Four country-based bloggers coordinated the 2nd annual holiday event. Robyn Goddard (The Ranch Wife Chronicles), Jamie Rhoades (This Uncharted Rhoade), Laurie Link (COUNTRY LINKed) and Erin Mullins (Diaries from the Dirt Road) were the hosts for 70 participants. 

I got a little love in a box from MaryBeth Schwartz from Conway, Washington, who blogs at Small City Scenes of Stanwood. I didn't know MaryBeth until I received her box of goodies and letter. But, ironically, her daughter Cheri, who blogs at My Ranch Life from Ritzville, Wash., and I were already blog friends across the miles. It is, indeed, a small world that MaryBeth ended up being my Secret Santa.

MaryBeth's rural landscape is far different from mine in South Central Kansas, where grain and beef cattle are the predominant agricultural products. In her area, dairy farms dot the countryside, along with small vegetable farms and large potato operations. In the past, the area was known for logging, but that has transitioned to fishing, farming and ranching.

I loved seeing a glimpse of her area through her beautiful handmade cards that feature Washington scenery.

MaryBeth also sent me several products from Washington, including this Snow Day coffee and raspberry-chocolate spread. The Snow Day blend proved to be especially apt, since we've been in deep-freeze mode for weeks now. A cup of coffee paired with toast and preserves was a great winter morning breakfast. (She also sent me a few Christmas tree sugar cookies. Yes, I admit they got eaten before I took a photo of them. I wasn't the only one to blame though!)

She also sent some lavender soap made in the area, along with holiday cards/tags she made herself, which she sells at a little shop in Conway. I also got a keyring and a personalized cloth bag that tucks into a little package and fits inside your purse. (It's perfect for someone who never remembers her "green" shopping bags!)

Since I'd revealed that blue is my favorite color, she had her sister-in-law make a stocking cap especially for me. I wore it yesterday when we moved cattle on a day that didn't even crack the freezing mark.

I discovered that MaryBeth has quite a sense of humor, as evidenced by this homemade weather forecaster. (Click on the photo so that you can read the whole thing.)

She also made me smile with this magnet ...

... and this cowboy bubble bath.

My Christmas in the Country box went to Lindsay Chichester-Medahunsi in Lincoln, Nebraska, who blogs at Agricultural with Dr. Lindsay. She was raised on a cattle and sheep ranch in northern California and has since transplanted to the Plains. She has a background in microbiology, meat science and food safety and loves all things ag. How could I not like her already!? She has been blogging for a year now and is a great ag-vocate. Be sure and visit her blog and become a follower. Or connect on these other social media platforms:
Website (http://food.unl.edu/ag-and-food)
– Twitter/Instagram (agwithdrlindsay)
– Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/agwithdrlindsay)
– Pinterest (Lindsay Chichester-Medahunsi)

I didn't take any photos of the things I sent Lindsay, so she bailed me out when she posted photos for her Christmas in the Country link-up. I've now been following her blog, and it's fun to make another rural connection.

The Christmas in the Country was a way to meet some new blogging friends. Other bloggers participating can be found here at this link-up. Now that the holidays are over, I need to spend a little more time clicking on those links, and I invite you to do the same.