Do What You Love

Do what you love and love what you do. 

A concept that's stuck in my mind since the day I heard the phrase. 

Agriculture is not a job meant for everyone. 

A job for those who are passionate about the land and a job that raises a product we're proud to serve our own family. 

An industry that's complex with many risks but also great rewards. 

Agriculture is more than an industry, but a lifestyle. 

This lifestyle has given me passion. 

A passion for agriculture. 

Pigs, it's what we do on our family farm! 

Granny's Pumpkin Bars

Fall is my favorite time of the year! Not only is it harvest time, but it's also pumpkin season! Our family loves Granny's pumpkin bars, so I thought I'd share them! 

Makes: 30 bars 

Total Time: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20-30min

Ingredients: 

4 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

15oz Pumpkin
2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

2 cups powder sugar

6oz cream cheese

4 tsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

2 tsp milk

1.) In a bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until well blended. 

2.) Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 

3.) Gradually add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture. 

4.) Pour into an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. 

5.) Allow bars to cool. 

6.) For icing: Beat the cream cheese, powder sugar, butter and vanilla in a bowl. Add milk until consistency is even. 

7.) Spread icing over bars after they are completely cooled. 

Enjoy!!

Turning T-Shirts into Custom Creations!

Does this look familiar, a pile of t-shirts from high school, college, dance recitals? A sad pile of t-shirts waiting to be turned into something new, something unique and customizable!

Last summer I decided to finally put all of my t-shirts from high school into a quilt. After posting a picture of my finished quilt on Facebook I had people messaging me asking if I would make a custom t-shirt quilt for them! And just like that, Custom T-shirt Quilts By Ashley began! 

When it comes to ordering a custom quilt people always want to know three things: 

*Price

*Amount of shirts

*How long a quilt takes to make

1.) How much is it going to cost? 

Because each quilt is custom, it's hard to know exactly what the cost of each one is going to be! The cost of each quilt really depends on how many hours a quilt takes, the quilting cost, and what fabric the customer is wanting. 

Service Fee: $10 per hour

                                      Average hours for quilt sizes:

                   Throw: 10 hours

                      Queen Size: 10-12 Hours

                        King Size: 12-15 Hours

Quilting:

**Quilting is dependent on the design of the quilting, and the size of the quilt $90-120

Fabric Cost: $30 and up

**Fusible Fabric-Every quilt uses a fusible fabric that keeps the fabric from stretching. This fabric is around $15 for 6 yards on sale.

**Backing-If you choose not to use t-shirts on the back you will need a fabric for the backing. This can range dependent on styles. Softer fabrics, such as fleece and minky are often used for a “comfy” feel!

**Additional Fabric-Many people like columns and rows to separate the t-shirts.

2.) How many shirts makes a quilt? 

It truly depends on how big you want your t-shirt quilt to be! I usually recommend between 20-25 one-sided t-shirts for a queen quilt! 

3.) How long does it take? 

I like a period of about a month and a half for myself, and the quilter! 

**I can work around special dates, such as graduation if told ahead of time! 

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Here are a examples of quilts that I have made! I am currently on my 20th quilt since starting this journey a year ago! 

5 Reasons Why I Hate Iowa

The harsh winter, the ungodly humidity in the summer, and the fact that in Iowa there are more pigs than people inhabiting the state, what could be better!?

We all know the feeling, growing up wondering if there's anything else in the world besides endless fields of grain, small towns, and being confused as the potato state (Incase you're still wondering, that's Idaho). But, living in Iowa is hard to beat, and here's the top five reasons!

5.) Vast diversity

Even though 92% of Iowa's land is used for farming, there is more than just farming happening. Cities such as Des. Moines, Iowa City, Ames and many more have amazing shopping, museums, and so much more. There is also much diversity in the landscape of Iowa. From the flat land in northern Iowa, the hills of southern Iowa and the many rivers that flow throughout the state, there is always an opportunity to see something new. 

4.) Alluring beauty

Sure, Iowa does consist mostly of farmland, but have you ever watched the sun rise above a field of corn in September? Have you sat upon a hill and watched below as cattle graze on a spring morning? Or viewed the golden dome of the capital on a sun filled summer day? Take in all of Iowa's beauty one glimpse at a time. 

3.) Simplistic lifestyle

An appreciation of the little things in life, for the land that most Iowan's thrive off of. A simple life where families still sit around the table, and talk about the day at school, where kids are taught valuable life lessons about appreciating what they've worked for, and most of all appreciating everything that God has given them. 

2.) Its people will never stop amazing me

They say the people of Iowa are the nicest around. We offer a helping hand when times get tough, cheer for each other throughout times of happiness, and support each other within the community. 

1.) No place will ever compare

It speaks for itself, no place will ever compare to Iowa. Though Iowa isn't for everyone, those who love Iowa, love everything about it.

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Travel. Travel to places throughout the world where the beauty will amaze you, food will blow you away, and memories will form, but those who grew up in Iowa will never forget where they were raised. 

Love Iowa? Comment below, and share why you love Iowa!