So That's Where it Comes From

In case you missed it yesterday, in all those other pictures, we got some milk from Mama!

She will only tolerate it for so long, before kicking at my husband. I am not so good with the teat pulling. I could feel it going back up. She has one rather large teat, we were worried about Mastitis, but the people we bought her from were dairy farmers for 20 years, before retiring and doing beef. They didn't act like there was a problem, only that it was too big for the calf. When we pulled on it and saw milk, we were relived, none of the milk symptoms of mastitis was present. Mama doesn't act like it hurts when you grab it, it doesn't feel swollen. We were told to call them if we have any questions, or problems and when the calf is born. It turns out that these people are friends with my husband's grandmother, so we are trusting them.

A Day in the Life of This Homesteader.

Yesterday I realized that you only get an edited version of life here. So I took my camera with me and photographed my day.

Morning starts at 620 am. After coffee and computer time.
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***Lunch***

Morning is over.

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Worked on those planters all afternoon.

Then after diner.

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oh look, the interview with me is now up. (you'll have to scroll down to read it)

off to bed. (of course there was some editing involved, TMI ya know)

Potato Boobs

It's that time of year once again ladies and gentlemen. If you live in my zone (and don't ask me which zone because 3 different sources have me in 3 different zones. But I think it is now 6) to start digging up the ground. Potato time is here.

I can hear your excitement.

We have a problem here that consists of a man, a tractor and taking away the top soil. We have been working the ground, attempting to get it back to it's once glorious farm roots. The tiller will not go deep enough, so now we are out doing it all by hand. And I have to keep reminding myself that I chose to live this way, get over it.

Tools needed for this: a potato fork

And some good boots attached to the husband.

Then dig and flip, dig and flip, until you 1200 square feet of potato beds are complete. And you only have 2 weeks to do it in. Did I mention that some mornings you will get up and the ground is frozen? Just wait until the afternoon and it will thaw. And don't forget that peas, onions and your cabbages need to be going in soon as well. (I am so sore this morning)

I touched a boob!

Yes, I am once again talking about cows. Edie was in the stanchion yesterday morning and I was allowed to, let's call it caress just so google can list me in the naughty pages, her udder. No complaints. In case you missed their background, the ladies come from a beef herd, so they have never really been dealt with like this. I thought it would take more time, but with Edie, things are going quicker then expected.

There is an interesting article here, about the Australian version of NAIS.