• About

Dairy Living

~ Creating our own reality on the farm.

Dairy Living

Category Archives: Dirty Work

Calling It Quits

25 Saturday Jan 2020

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work, Farm Girl Food

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

storytime-farm life-dairy farm-cows-farmers-barn cats-spoiled pup-strawberries-flowers-spring

     Alrighty….this is it. I’ve decided to end the story writing and move on to other things. I’m going to reach for other dreams and goals. I’ll send off with a few more dairy farm pictures. 032      This is our favorite barn cat. He’s always hogging the heater and parks himself right smack in the way. This is where we warm our cold “paws” when the weather gets to be wicked cold.033      Now that Michael is off to college during the week Marshall has had to step it up and help carry the heavy load. Sure is nice to have plenty of help. 144      Yours truly…..still milking those bossy bovines….morning and evening. It’s dirty work and the cold and mud makes everything miserable. I cannot wait until spring and warmer weather.010     Speaking of spring….check out my peonies. I have a few that are popping out of the ground. Now that is a beautiful sight to see!!058              And you know the rules for January…….dip strawberries in chocolate to keep your sanity. Yep….the madness has begun. One of my favorite treats. 019          We’ve been grazing the cows on wheat when the weather permits. The pasture is across the road. We string up a flimsy wire fence to give them a few guidelines and off they go. They usually head straight for the green grass unless you’re a naughty girl. Then you have to push the limits and see what you can get away with. 055       And then we have the “double trouble” duo. Matching sweaters?!?! Now I’ve seen it all! Haha That’s pretty much what we’ve been doing this month. Milking cows, feeding calves, scraping cow poop, plodding through all the deep mud, and keeping the little “Dixie chic” warm.

      Thank you so much for coming along with me and reading all my stories about farm life. It’s been a learning experience and fun to share our little corner of the world with you. I’m hoping for a great year of gardening and life on the farm. Life is good! Love to all………………………..Carol

 

A Dairy Farm Christmas

07 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work, Farm Girl Food

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

holiday-Christmas-dairy farm-family-food-memories

       We survived the holidays and we’re trying to get back into the groove of things. I cooked and baked like a domestic goddess the whole month of December. Basically I’m burned out. I’d like to tell the family to just please eat cereal for the whole month of January. Can you imagine?! Here are a few highlights of our downhome Christmas……………..174      One of those really cold and foggy mornings. So, does that mean 30 days later we are going to have inclement weather?!?! Help me if we do! This is our little farm house decked out for the holidays. 157

        I did my annual Santa hat photo shoot with the calves. It takes forever to get a decent picture. All they do is shake their head and the hat falls into the poop. They think it’s total nonsense and I think it’s totally cute. 031.jpg      My family came to visit and that made it special. We always feel left out because we can’t travel for the holidays. So, they come to us and we always have a great time. My brother comes from the big city so this is a big thing to get him out into the dirty barn. He borrowed some boots and a coat and helped Candace and Marshall feed calves. Yee haw! 028.jpg     My parents were also here. I wish they would come more often. My Mom loves to clean and you know my farm house is always dirty! What a lovely couple! 188.jpg     I made peanut butter balls. These were Marshall’s favorite. I baked more cookies than I did candy. My mouth is watering just looking at these……..003.jpg     Christmas eve was the best. I fixed mulled cider and we had a shrimp boil. We were sipping and feasting all night.021.jpg     I line the table with a plastic tablecloth and then lay down newspaper and just dump the whole mess right in the middle of the table. We eat with our hands or if you must….I’ll let you have a fork…..and of course lots of melted butter.148 ……..and then we all fell into a heavy food coma. We slept for hours and hours. Haha Only the “chic” is allowed to do that.033.jpg      Aside from all the food and fun, we continued to milk the bossy bovines morning and evening. They never take a holiday.  We are survivors. I’m still trying to get all decorations back into storage. I’m ready for spring………………………Carol

 

 

Star of Wonder

28 Saturday Dec 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

star-Christmas lights-silo-70 feet-shining bright-farm kids

     Well, the house is quiet again. Our family and friends have all gone home and now it’s back to the real world. It’s time to share all the holiday favorites that happened on the farm. You’ll never guess what we accomplished this year as far as decorations go……..090.jpg       This star is at the top of the silo……70 feet high. I’ve been dreaming of this for years. Michael built the star with scrap wood. Candace wrapped it with lights and here we are…..ready for the “lifting ceremony”. Can we do it?!?!092.jpg       Michael hooked a pulley at the top of the ladder and threaded a long rope through it and pulled it back down to the bottom.093.jpg      We took the rope and tied it to the star while Michael started pulling from the top. He tied the rope to his leg while slowly climbing down. Marshall and Candace held on to the star and started the slow climb up.100.jpg      When Michael and Candace met in the middle they switched gears. Candace tied the rope to her leg and Michael grabbed the star and followed it the rest of the way while Candace climbed down. 105.jpg       Slowly but surely the star reached the top. At this point Candace thought her leg was going to fall off and Marshall and I were trying to figure out how to tie the rope at the bottom.111.jpg     Candace was crying HELP! My leg! My leg! Tie the rope! Quick! My leg is going to fall off! Hurry! 113.jpg     Marshall wasn’t too alarmed. He had to get a good chuckle in first before he helped rescue “big sis”.124.jpg       Once we had the star at the top then it was time to stabilize it. Michael and Candace took zip-ties and tied everything down tight. Meanwhile at the bottom…….we have Marshall taking it easy. 128.jpg      This whole process took about 45 minutes. Michael was so glad to get back on solid ground he kissed the grass. He said he did ask himself while hanging on the top….is this star worth dying for? 145.jpg         We couldn’t wait until after chores that night to have our lighting ceremony. Marshall had a big empty 55 gallon drum he was beating on for the “drumroll”…. Michael was screaming out “Joy To The World” while holding the electrical cord ready to plug in…. Candace and I were recording and chanting. Yep, we get excited around here! 176.jpg     Christmas may be over but we aren’t going to take it down just yet. It took too much time and effort to get this monster to the top. It’s staying up for the month of January. 132.jpg        Michael and Candace stood and admired their hard work for awhile. I certainly don’t want to climb that silo. Yikes! So that’s the “star of the show” around here. Isn’t it awesome………………………..Carol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Survival of the Fittest

04 Monday Nov 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

October-rain-monsoon season-calving season-dirty work-mud-survival mode-dairy farm

      Good Riddance October! This month has been absolutely crazy! It gave us 20 inches of rain….I participated in a 3 family garage sale….and we are in the middle of calving season….sometimes 4 to 5 calves a day. When it rains…it pours! I’m not always sure where I’m at or what I’m doing……survival mode has kicked in. 125.jpg      Here we go……starting another season of baby calves. I’m still recovering from last year. How can this be happening so soon again?! It’s a muddy mess! I just want it to dry out and give us a break…..no rain until spring kind of break. 122.jpg       We’re setting out hutches every week to try and keep up with the count. And of course along with that comes all that bedding down to do. Piles like this are scattered along the row and we have to distribute it into all the hutches for the new calves. You do remember how to use a pitchfork….right?! We’re talking some serious cardio here. It keeps you warm on those freezing cold days. I’m trying to think of one good thing about winter………………???124.jpg     This is me on the farm with 20 inches of rain. I’m so tired of trudging through mud. It’s maddening! I was feeding calves…stepped backwards…tripped over a concrete cinder block…and fell flat into the mud! Splat! And I had just washed all my chore clothes the night before. Needless to say…I picked up that concrete cinder block and heaved it through the air along with a mighty war cry!! It’s amazing what you can do when the adrenaline starts pumping!! Haha I may have a few anger issues…maybe?! 115.jpg      Little tiger here wants to say Hello. I think they’re so cute when just newborn….but they require so much time and energy. It’s like starting a family all over again. Lord have mercy! Help me! They keep me super busy!127.jpg       And that’s not all. I was caught in a weak moment and bought the little “chic” a vest to wear when it gets freezing cold. I used to think that “pet clothes” were insane……now I’m joining the ranks. I give up! My survival tip is this…..I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…..I say this a thousand times a day….sometimes more. It’s amazing what I can get done in a day………………Carol

 

 

Another Year Older

22 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work, Farm Girl Food

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

celebrate-birthday cake-older-dairy farm-time slow down

      Today I’m going to tell you how I celebrate my birthday living on a dairy farm. First off…..having a birthday at my age is bittersweet. Bitter…because I do not want to be another year older…sweet….because it gives me an excuse to be lazy and not feel guilty. 012.jpg      On your birthday…you bound out of bed…grab a coffee to go…and race to the barn because you can’t wait to milk those bossy bovines! NOT! On second thought…you throw the alarm against the wall and go back to sleep! Wake up an hour later and quickly grab your “black” coffee before trudging out the door. I’m only smiling because it’s my birthday! 010.jpg    I looked everywhere for #49 but could not find her. I finally decided she’s dead (not a good sign) and instead I settled on #39. That’s going to be my age from now on. I’m not mentally prepared for the 50’s and that’s that! 009.jpg     I’m so sorry to my Facebook friends that you have to see this picture again. Candace and I got off the farm for a few hours and had a little girl fun. I bought myself a cake and have been enjoying every bite. 016.jpg        We had to be back for evening chores because the farmer was busy doing field work and the boys were off at school. So celebration time will continue until we all get our fill. I just want to get this week over with and “mooooove” on. Another year older…………………Carol

 

Long Days and Late Nights

13 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

farm work-dairy farm-hay bales-cows-kittens

     I have done a pathetic job of keeping you informed of all the dairy farm activities. I have a good excuse though, and I’ll let you decide if it’s lame or worthy of your time. Here’s my story………..036.jpg      Our middle child (Michael) left for college. This is move-in day. He is the work horse behind our operation. So now, we have to step up our game. ….and I thought I was already high-steppin’. Luckily, he comes home on weekends and he helps us get caught up. 003.jpg      We’ve also been doing a lot of “cattle work”. We had quite a few cows that were missing ear tags, and so we spent one day putting in brand new earrings…..as I like to call them. Fancy cows! We also did a preg-check. That’s when the vet comes out and we check all the cows to see who’s pregnant or open. That was a long day. Help me!070.jpg      Hay…..so much hay. We finally conquered the beast….but not without long days and late nights. Here we are just finishing up on the biggest field. Woo-hoo! Oh wait….we still need to haul it all home. Ugh!046.jpg       This was my view for days. Mowing hay….round and round. I sat in the tractor with my ear buds in and my big water jug. I shift into survival mode on days like this. 058.jpg      Very poor quality picture….but another view from another day. I can mow hay…rake hay…bale hay…haul hay! I admit that I suck at baling. The monitor is always screaming at me and telling me things I don’t understand. So, the big boys usually do that and I’ll stick with what I’m good at.074.jpg      Late night hauling. We had over 300 bales to haul in. The farm girls did the driving back and forth while Earl loaded the wagons for us. It was 1:30 before we wrapped up that project. Needless to say….I was pooped! 071.jpg      We’ve also been bombarded with kittens. Two litters have showed up at the barn. Look at those cat eyes. They’re saying….just shoot me now! haha We help her out and feed them warm cows milk.

023.jpg         And there you have it. When I’m not doing the dirty work I’m busy in the yard and flower gardens. I’ve got some monster pumpkins growing out there. Can’t wait to show you………………………….Carol

Stay Cool

19 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

summertime-cool cows-hot and humid-cold water-icecream-chill out

     We are officially in the “dog days” of summer. It’s August and the days are sultry and hot with the heat index well into the triple digits. That means the cows are very hot and they need a little more TLC. Here’s what we do for them………………..085.jpg     We have misters running throughout the lot area where the cows are waiting to be milked. They run off of well water and it is nice and cold. They love it!084.jpg             Doesn’t that look cool?! When the cows first come up to the barn in the afternoon, they are very hot. Cows don’t sweat….they pant! So, within 10 minutes of standing underneath the water, they’ll be chewing their cud. That means they’re feeling comfortable and content. 083.jpg      They hang out with their friends and do a little herd gossip while they cool off. Sometimes they talk trash about the “milkmaid”….other times they’re mad at Bubba (the bull)….then other times they have a battle between breeds. Jersey versus Holstein! Seriously, they are so much like humans. I can read them like a book………082.jpg     If you look closely the misters are connected to the PVC pipe above. I am the master of replacing misters. I go through packages of these little dudes every summer. The well water has sediment and they need to be replaced periodically. I stand on my tall step ladder and hope I don’t lose my balance. It is totally safe…..I know what I’m doing. I think?! 080.jpg        And then we have ice cream. Real ice cream. Made with cows milk. Do I need to say anything else? I believe this particular flavor was “coffee, almond and fudge. Now, go buy a gallon and chill out…..it’s hot! Your favorite Milkmaid………………Carol

 

Clear as Mud

16 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

muck boots-rain-muddy-farm life-rain or shine-hard work-dairy

     As a milkmaid, I also get to experience working in all weather conditions….rain or shine. For the last 6 months it’s been more rain than sunshine. I am now an expert at working in MUD! Let me give you a clear definition of what mud is all about…………  066.jpg     This is my life…..on the farm. When the mud gets this deep, a  person needs to be very careful. The mud will act as quick sand and suck you right down into the endless abyss and they’ll never find you again. Amen!  Thank God for muck boots!  065.jpg      Yea, I know. I should’ve known better, than to go through this mud hole. It is possible to get the 4-wheeler stuck. Especially when you get 10 inches of rain within a weeks time. Total madness! The farmer pulled me out with the tractor…..I just got a “look” from him….nothing else was said. Haha 097.jpgThis is what our pasture has looked like for most of the year….and this is the better part. As soon as it starts to dry up…..here comes another rain storm. Our pasture is so rutted up and rough right now. The tractor creates massive ruts and then with 100 plus cows marching through every day….it’s almost impossible to get around.098.jpg       We finally gave the 4-wheeler a rest and started using our trusty little tractor to go feed my calves. It has served us well over the years and has seen its better days, but still keeps on running. Nothing runs like a Deere……John Deere! I like that green! 095.jpg       We’re probably the driest right now than we have been in months. The weatherman says there’s more rain on the way. Help! I’ll take that sunshine any day. So will the “big girls”….they’re getting sassy……and so am I………………….Carol

 

National Dairy Month

02 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

June-Dairy Month-Drink Milk-Cows-Calves-Farm Life-Dairy Farmer

     Hello June. Welcome dairy month. You know what that means? Drink lots of milk! Eat cheese! Eat ice cream! Thank your local dairy farmer…they work hard. I can definitely vouch for that. Amen!      151.jpg       Here are a few random “dairy photos” to let you know what’s happening on the farm. This cute little stinker is only a few days old. We’ve had a handful of babies this last week. As soon as I get a batch weaned…here comes another group of new ones. My work is never done……     156.jpg        The “tween” group. They are very naughty….just like human tweens. There’s a lot of “trash talk” happening at the water hole. I know what they’re saying….and it’s not good. They create drama. They push their boundaries every day.   144.jpg      Big girl wants to give you a gentle reminder to drink milk! She works hard every day to help with supply and demand. She doesn’t care what flavor….white, strawberry, or chocolate. Just drink!   154.jpg     Our little preemie born just 2 days ago. It’s healthy and very aggressive. It sure is weenie, though. I’ll have to keep a close eye on it. Those little ones sometimes have a rough row to hoe. Alright then……here’s to dairy month. Who’s up for some milk and cookies……………………Carol

 

They Call Me Milkmaid

15 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

milkmaid-farmgirl-family-farm life-cows-calves-hard work-dairy-drink milk

    Milkmaids….we are a dying breed. Few and far between. The work is hard…the stress is real…just look at me. I am a “milkmaid”.     190.jpg     This is my basic milkmaid attire. Bad hair…don’t care. There is no makeup in the milk barn. I wear the same clothes day after day. They’re faded from being washed in hot water every night….but the smell still remains. I live in muck boots, and have to buy a new pair about every 6 months. Whenever my feet say “Ouch”.   017.jpg          Some of my best friends are in the form of “bovines”. So much of the herd is what I have raised from baby on up. They see me every morning and evening…7 days a week. We have bad days and good days. Sometimes we even fight, but we have to get along.   018.jpgThen there’s Miss Daisy. Very curious. At least her nose is clean. Have you ever watched a cow clean their nose? Wish I could do that! Especially in the winter time when it’s cold and I have to wipe my nose on my coat sleeve and just keep goin’. Yes, a true milkmaid will do that…….   021.jpg      I still have a handful of baby calves to feed, but nothing like last winter. Everything is so much easier when the weather warms up. We found this little tyke right after it was born. Mama was mighty proud! 061.jpg      I clean up once in a great while. At least for special occasions….like Mother’s Day. These are my little “peeps” all grown up now. I am now the smallest person in the family. “Little but mighty” is that what they say? I’m just trying to survive………………Carol

← Older posts

Categories

  • Dirty Work
  • Farm Girl Food
  • Farm Girl Gardening
  • Off The Farm
  • Uncategorized
Follow Dairy Living on WordPress.com

Archives

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×