Babysitting Bessie

Hello Readers!

While our 1st cutting of hay gets rinsed off (again....and yes, today is June 20th) we are freed up a bit to catch up on some other things...like the blog!  I could go on and on about some of the challenges we have been facing, but the fact of the matter is that we have done all that we can do, and things such as the weather are out of our control.   So while we wait and prepare to finish the hay, haul the compost barn out, and start 2nd cutting, we keep busy with some other things....


Monday I picked up 4 flats of berries.  I started at 10am, and by 5:30pm I had 61 jars of jam-enough for almost 2 years and some for gifts.  7.5 hours every-other-summer is SO worth it!  They recommend consuming home canned goods within a year, but I have not had a problem with the product into the 2nd summer.  I've also found that doing all of the berry prep first, then the jam making, is much more time- efficient.

 

Tuesday we managed to get what we had baled hauled home and wrapped!  Now we just have the 2 fields and pasture to get baled and wrapped, then its on to hauling compost and starting 2nd-already!



We paid the wrapper off this week! Only one month early, we saved about $2.00 on the interest.  This picture is from the day that we bought it, almost 3 years ago. :) Happy Day-both of them!



Today, since it is raining, Rick and the boys are taking a load of scrap to the junkyard.  It's a win-win for us...the farm stays cleaned up, and we get paid to recycle!

FINALLY...the best part of this past week.  This is "Bessie". She is actually cow number 486.  See that red collar she wears?  It holds what is called a "responder"-an electronic device that robotic milkers use to identify cows that go into the robots to be milked.  No, we didn't get robots.  My dad called and said he had a cow that was just recently fresh.  She gives 80lbs milk/day.  The issue is that her recent calving has caused some udder edema (swelling), making her udder a tad too low for the robot to milk her.  He asked if we were interested in her staying with us for awhile.  I said "sure!"

Bessie has been so much fun.  At home, she gets to go to the barn to get milked and eat grain whenever she likes.  Here, she is on a much more structured schedule, and she doesn't care for it too much.  She waits at the paddock gate and hollers.  She moos continuously in the holding pen.   She complains on her way down to the paddock.  Dad said she was a little bit of a pet, but I think he forgot an "s" in between the "e" and "t".  She likes to be petted, and is in no hurry, ever.  Bessie had been milked in my dad's parlor before he and Mom got the robots, so she comes into the parlor well.  Bessie puts our milking herd numbers to 120, with 6 left to freshen yet. 

May God bless you this week, and if you need rain, may God send it your way.....

-Terri

Taco Seasoning...without MSG!

I told a friend the other night I would get this recipe to her, and then I thought you might enjoy it, too.  I buy all the seasonings in bulk, then mix about 2 cups worth and store in an airtight container.  I do not care for the cumin in the recipe, so I do not include it.

For about 3 Tbs., or the equivalent of a .25 oz package from the store:

1 Tbs. Chili Powder
1 tsp. Onion powder
1 tsp. Cumin
1 tsp. Garlic powder (I've also used salt)
1 tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. Oregano
1 tsp. Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt

Mix together in bowl...and you're done!  Just like the packets from the store, you may want to add a small amount of water to your meat with this mix.

In terms of healthy eating, one small change at a time can make a difference-in your wallet, too!

The Cube

This morning we were greeted by Grace and her new calf, a bull.  Is it a coincidence that Grace calved on a Sunday morning? Maybe. Probably not.

Our new calf pens are 90% finished!  Here is "the cube"

In front of the new barn, we made three new pens.  Each pen has a super-hutch, a 10-bar Braden milk bar feeder, and 10 calves.

Under each feeder are two cement slabs out of an old hog barn.  They are slated so water drain through, yet they protect the feeding area from becoming a mud hole.  This also helps the calves be at the correct height for the feeder.  This pen is being weaned this week. They get milk in the morning only, for one week.  They have grain and water available all the time.

This pen was weaned last week. In the morning they get water in their feeder, to satisfy the suckling need that calves have.  Eventually they will tire of the feeder and stop going to it.  They will get water in the morning for no more than one week.  They also have grain and fresh pasture available.

This pen was weaned a couple of weeks ago.  While the feeder is still on their gate, they do not get milk or water in it.  They get a pail of grain each morning and pasture.  The feeder will be left on their gate until we see that they no longer show interest in it.  By leaving it in there, they will suckle the feeder and not the other calves, which may cause udder health issues when the calves are older.

This year I took all the milk I needed to the new pens using a wagon.  It was nice to only make one trip.  Water is available from the new barn, and the calf pens are on their own electric fence system, so we can unplug it right there at the pens, keeping the rest of the farm's fence hot.  I've also noticed that the calves have not been spooked so much since they are not by the road.

We also got to bring home these guys recently!  We start them in a hutch until they're eating well and have adjusted, then we move them to a larger pen on pasture.  The pigs are always fun.  Taste great, too!

We're trying to finish up planting.  Its taking a bit longer since the drill broke down, but that is nothing more than a mere bump in the road.  The alfalfa is not quite to bud stage, so we should still be on time for first cutting.  Its hard not to feel rushed as you see the other farmers getting their hay done.  It reminds me that we cannot get caught up in comparing ourselves to others.  We need to do what is right for us, which is getting the planting done first, then the hay.

We had two sermons this weekend on discipleship.  It was interesting how they differed so much in delivery, tone, and presentation of the gospel-yet at the end they were both the same. We are to go, follow Christ, and make disciples.  This looks different for everyone.  Some may be called to actually go to far off places and converse with people.  Some may be called to go to the neighbors...or their own dining table.  The key is to listen to what God is trying to tell you, have faith-then GO.

-Terri

Country Cousins

A couple of weeks ago Rick was in need of an unscheduled appointment at the doctor's office, and I needed to be there. My sister called up and enthusiastically offered to watch the kids.  It was a beautiful day outside, and it sounded like she already had planned activities for the 11 kids she would have before she even called me. It was a great help!

When I picked up the kids later that evening, I asked how their day was. They said:

"Oh man, we had a blast!"
"It was like, the best day EVER!"
"Yeah Mom, I can't wait until we get to go back!"

I could relate.  Growing up, we had many cousins. Some of them I got to know better than others, although they're all great.  Some of my best memories  involve two cousins we were the closest to.  Because I don't like to use names without permission, we'll call them Red and Blonde.

Red and Blonde's parents had a neat place "up north".  On the weekends they would go up north, mostly because my uncle has an unmatched passion for fishing.  Sometimes they would pick me up on the way.  For me, this was "the best day ever!".  When I was little we did not go away very often, and it was a real treat.  At least once per trip my uncle would take us out on the lake to go swimming or tubing.  It was much better than jumping off the dock where the muck was plentiful, but we did that, too.  Often we would take the pedal boat out and go up and down the channel.  We'd ride our bikes down to the little store (now closed) and spend every last dime we had on penny candy.

One weekend the three of us acquired 24 cans of red pop.  I have no idea how we got that case...but it didn't take us long to figure out that we each got 8 cans.  While Blonde and I were a little more strategic in our consumption, Red enjoyed most all of hers the first day.  That night we went to bed in the little hallway type bedroom, which had bunk beds.  It was quiet for a little while. Then it was noisy as Red got sick from all that Red Pop...and my aunt made sure we all knew the lesson about drinking too much Red Pop. I have not had one can since!

Another trip they picked me up in their bluish Buick car.  There was a recliner in the backseat, flipped over so the back part layed on top of the bench seat.  It took up half the seat, leaving the other half for the three of us.  I still don't know how we fit back there, but man it was worth it!

It was a blast at their house, too. In the winter we would ride their snowmobiles around the yard, singing old Alabama songs, for what seemed like forever.  In the Summer we would swim in the horse tank (no kidding), play on the custom Merry-go-Round my uncle made, and hang up LOADS of laundry.  When I think about their house, I can hear the Detroit Tigers playing on the T.V. and I can almost smell my aunt's suppers cooking.  Occasionally my uncle would let us split a Mountain Dew, which came in the tall green glass bottle.

My mom took Red, Blonde and I to cedar point one time. We camped at a campground overnight then promptly left mom as soon as we entered the park.  I think mom thought the 4 of us were going to spend the day together...sorry 'bout that, mom!




I searched through all my photo books, only to learn I have no pictures from about 1st grade through 8th grade.  They must be at Mom's.  This is Red and Blonde at a concert we all went to together, which I'm sure we had a blast at.  We saw The Tractors, David Ball, and Brooks & Dunn...all of which are no longer together. Great memories with even better cousins.  Love you guys!

As we grew older there were fewer sleep-overs and trips up north, but we filled in with cousin campouts and graduation open houses.  As adults we may only see each other a couple times per year,  but I think of Red and Blonde often-including every time I see a can of Red Pop or a commemorative glass bottle of Mountain Dew.
Cousins are special people-they're friends and family all rolled into one.  My sister may have been doing us a favor that day, but really she helped create life long memories for my kids, for which I am grateful for. Thank you!

-Terri

Buying Impulse



All in the farmer's week....



Monday, Rick and I went to Otsego to pick up our Alfalfa seed from friends who own Newland Seed & Supply.  We purchased it last fall at the early discounted price, and Craig stores it for us until we're ready.  Our sitter watched the kids, so...

We also picked up this guy. His name is Impulse.  He is a pure Jersey bull, that we will use to breed the 2 yr. olds this summer.  Our Jersey bulls come from a farmer that specializes in raising bulls, and all of them have been tested.

Craig & his wife treated us to lunch!  The bull hollered from the trailer the whole time.  Guess he wanted some, too.

***

We also started working on our new calf lots this week.  These will be in the grass lot in front of the new barn.  Here, Rick is showing our son where to nail in the insulators on the corner post.



We borrowed a post pounder from a friend, and got most all of the post driven in an afternoon.

I created a plan that involves 3 pens, with a "feeding center" in the middle, or "the cube" as we call it.  I'll share pictures of that when we get it done.

In preparation for our son's birthday, I made some ice cream.  It takes two batches in the Cuisinart, so I have to make it ahead of time.  In reality, it is actually must faster for me to whip up ice cream at home than pick it up at the store.  We have all the ingredients on hand, too-eggs, milk, cream, sugar and vanilla.  I'm not sure why we don't make it more often!

We had a great time celebrating his birthday. We did only the minimals outside, then played in the park, had pizza, and his birthday party with Grandma and Grandpa.  His birthday was the last time I ever had a day off in April (11 years ago)!  Its takes a special kind of crazy to love seasonal calving!

Our Spring days are filled mostly with outside tasks.  After school in the morning, we have lunch together then head outside to gather up new calves, work on projects (calf pens, fence,), clean up around the farm, and do daily chores.

I've noticed that others have already tilled their garden once, mulched around their plants, and even mowed their lawn.  I know we'll eventually get to those things too....as soon as Cutting Edge Lawn Care shows up!

Have a great day!
-Terri 

Half Way There!

Today, we had 6 cows freshen (give birth), putting us over the half-way done mark!
Here's today's newborns:

Its a girl! Her mom is Holly.

Its a girl! Her mom is Verbena

Its a boy x2, from Ava and Tye.

Its a boy! His mom is Orva (not pictured).  Taffy, the cow here, claims this calf...do you see the foot?  After milking, she had a bull calf. We had to call the vet, it's head was bent back and we were unable to maneuver it into position on our own, but both cow and calf are doing good.

The rest of the ladies in waiting...

 

The barn is currently divided in the middle, milk cows on the west end and dry cows on the east end.  The dry cows are always trying to slip past us as we sort cows.  Isn't funny how even cows always want to be on the other side of the fence???



 

I also got to recline back with my feet up for about an hour....at the dentist.  Aside from the protruding objects in my mouth, it was great!

 

God is Great!  We may get tired, but when you look back the days are full of blessings- new calves, access to great Dr.'s (for people & animals), the ability to work, the list could go on and on.

 

Take whatever challenges you've had recently and see them for what they are-blessings....and then remind me in the morning when I'm bottle feeding all these new babies! :)

 

Happy Spring!

-Terri

 

 

 

 



Go For Greek!

If you're a yogurt consumer, I'm sure you've noticed the changes in your store's dairy department lately.   There's a new yogurt in town, and everyone is talking about it....Greek!

For consumers, greek yogurt is known for its high protein content, often twice that of regular yogurt.  For dairy producers, greek yogurt is known as the latest product that requires large amounts of milk...yeah, we're good with that!  Fluid milk consumption may be down, but greek yogurt consumption is up.

I do enjoy greek yogurt.  I find that it fills me up, without having to eat anything else.  It's often creamier than traditional yogurt, and the new flavors taste great.

However, just like anything else, not all greek yogurt is created equally.  The companies making the yogurt are constantly trying to find what varieties will easily part you with your money.  Some have lower calories, some have higher protein, some have flavors that nature cannot provide.

Its important to me to not compromise quality.  We do our best around here to not consume artificial colors, flavors, or sugars.  And guess what? I've found these things in greek yogurt!

For fun (yes, I do these things for FUN), I did a little comparison on 12 different yogurts found at my local grocer.  Having all the information on a chart makes my decision at the store much easier.  All but 2 of these 12 were on sale for 1.00 each (still pretty high-but the price of milk is up, and when that goes up, so does everything else).  For easy comparison I picked vanilla whenever possible, because vanilla can be flavored naturally, and most brands have a "vanilla" choice.

Here are my findings:

The biggest disappointment here is that Kroger's regular greek yogurt has artificial coloring in it.  Otherwise that would be my top pick, given that it has a whopping 16 grams of protein.  However, since we are trying to avoid those additives, our next best choice would be Stonyfield Organic, which has 13 grams of protein for 140 calories, and you are guaranteed there will no additives, ever.

So what will you choose?  Is saving 20-40 calories worth putting artificials in your body?  Don't let this deter you from purchasing a very healthy, tasty, and filling meal or snack.  Just remember to always check your labels, even on products you've been buying for a long time.  Every time you make a purchase, you cast a vote for the next type of product companies will create. Vote for Real. Vote for Healthy.  Vote for Greek! (Okay, so that last one was to encourage milk sales....I can't help it!).

-Terri