Farm Visit

This morning, John and I set out to visit a friend's farm about 20 miles away.  I was given directions from Tonya, wrote them out and read them to John.  John, on the other hand, needed to check the route online, and came to the car with his own set of driving directions.  We were to be there by 10:00 for the milking.  Well, his route got us lost!  We found ourselves on a logging road, I think....turning around, searching for signs.  *sigh* MEN!  We were so lost, I actually peed in the woods.  We went 10 miles our of our way, but finally arrived at 10:30, highly stressed.  Well, I was anyway.

The reason for our visit, was to meet the cow that Jerry and Tonya want us to "cow sit" for a couple of months in the Spring, while Jerry recovers from a hip replacement surgery.  He wants to bring the cow to our farm and let us "have" her until he heals up.  Before promising anything, I wanted to meet this cow.  This cow that stands there all by herself, and doesn't move a muscle while you easily milk 3 quarters, in no time!  She is about 7 years old and so absolutely sweet!  I am excited that I am considered for this honor by our friends. 

Our Cinnamon and Bambi are currently at another friend's farm "visiting" with their bull.  They have been there for two months now.  I'm missing my girls, so getting to milk this cow this morning was a real treat.  I also brought home some fresh milk to enjoy.

I love having such wonderful and caring friends.  Tonya and Jerry are always so ready to help, to answer questions and offer anything that you might need.  And, having self-sufficient homesteaders like them as friends, makes them even more special! 

So, in the Spring, I might share some photos of Josie, if I am lucky enough to get her for a while.

Peace

Garden Work in January!

Today, John decided that we needed to start the clearing out of a few trees near the garden plot that are preventing the sun from getting to the garden in the early part of the day.  So, we finished our morning work and set out to cut some wood.

We have a fairly large garden plot, approximately 1000 square feet, but before today, it only got the hotter evening sun.  So, knowing which of the trees needed to come out, John started cutting.  He's been cutting wood since he was old enough to say "tree", so he fell two right off the bat.  Put them right where he wanted them.  He cleaned up the wood and cut it into lengths perfect for our wood furnace.  Then, it was my turn to help!

We pulled the wood splitter (the greatest thing since sliced bread) right over to the wood and away we went!

We had that wood split in absolutely no time.  And, we could see immediately that the garden would benefit greatly from our labors.

Now, for the stumps.................. and that's another day.  But, for now, we have a nice supply of green wood to season for next Winter, a good feeling inside and a sore shoulder.  :)

I ended the work day with this.............

Peace