So we thanked God that Liz had Saturday off and we all pitched in and cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. Because I am Queen of the Pressure Washer (having worked on a dairy where I washed the whole parlor down with one every day) I did the milkhouse. Everyone else moved things and swept them and put them in the truck for the landfill. Although it was hard work, most of the job was done by Saturday night, so we were free to share the celebration of Easter yesterday with the dear folks who are giving Lizzie her internship position.
Last night it came down to getting calves out of the manger. We had a couple of them tied in front of loving new mamas who were not exactly happy to see them moved. However, calves in the manger is a major no-no, so they had to go to new locations. Holsteins are usually led on a halter.. Jerseys don't need to be. There are other ways of moving Jersey calves.
Put me down! I want to run up and down the alleyThen last night we came in to enjoy leftovers from Easter that we brought home from dinner with us. I looked up at nine to realize that Alan had not come in from the barn yet. He is often last one in as he feeds out the last hay and fills the stove nights. Still nine was too late so I booted up...my feet that is...and went out to see what was going on.
He was just turning off the lights when I got there. He had scraped and re-swept every bit of the barn walkways and spread a coating of lime on every inch...on his own...without being asked.
It looks terrific and I am grateful. And it is time to head over and milk and clean up whatever messes the cows and cats managed to make last night......
Everyone's an art critic.
I love you, mama
I love you, mama
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15 comments:
Awww! What big beautiful eyes on that sweet baby!
And they just have to choose to visit during the wettest, muddiest time of the year?? How nice of them.
You all work so hard. I think it's wonderful that your family all works together. That's so rare anymore. Good luck on your inspection. I'm sure it will go just fine.
Does a milk tester come to your farm to sample your milk? I remember a man doing that on my Uncle's big dairy farm in upstate VT.
Great photos!! Thanks for sharing them.
Have a great day...
Good luck with the inspection, TC.
Me thinks things should be ok given that you are so particular about things. A little worry helps, a lot of worry doesn't.
Fantabulous pics.
I'm sure you will pass with flying colors - your children have learned diligence from you, you must be swelling with pride! Great pics! Your pics were good before but now their really good. That twine collar on the calf looks familiar - calves these days hardly know about baling wire!
Do I have this straight? You had to get the inside "in-law clean" and now the outside "federal inspector clean"?
Just beautiful. Everything. The family co-operation. The smiles.
(I just read Jan's comment. That's a hoot:0)
That calf is soooooooooo cute!
Yes I agree! Baling twine definitely has a mind of it's own.
Cute calf and so lovingly held.
You guys passed my inspection.
Cute Calf and hope your inspection goes well! Lets hope you didn't do all that cleaning for nothing! Glad easter went good!
Rurality, she is as sweet as she is cute too. Liz really didn't need to carry her as she trots right along side her like a show dog at Westminster
STacy, they always pick bad times. the last two times have been when it was -20 and everyone had the flu and right at the start of spring planting. It is mostly stupid too. Whitewashed barn floors do not clean milk make. lol
Deb, thanks, we need all the luck we can get...and yes, we are on test with Vermont DHIA in fact and the tester will probably be here this week.
Steve, thanks on all counts. We are hoping they were here yesterday although not sure. I thought some things were moved in the milk house, but it could have been aggressive gravity....having SO much fun taking pictures. I have a post planned with some fun ones, but it will have to wait...tanker day, drive Becky to school day..the cows are calling
Nita, thanks, we actually buy little plastic coated nylon doggie collars for the little babies like Honeysuckle, but she just doesn't have one yet. Thanks for your kind words on photos
Jan, the two are identical except for locale and you are so perceptive for noticing. I have to say though, that given cleaning house or cleaning barn, I like the latter better...and visitors can surely tell. lol
Cathy, thanks we need them...they know we do..and usually they come through better than we ask
WR, they bought a new kind last year and it is springy...will not hang on a nail, so we have to stuff it in bags. It doesn't stuff well.
FC, thanks, I would much prefer to pass yours than theirs!
MOn@rch, thank you. I am really enjoying your spring bird checklists and hoping to see some of those exciting ones myself!
My baby is SO cute!!! She should live in the house!
*Paintsmh* Yeah, I agree 150% but when she gets bigger, who gets the top bunk?
I love jersey calves, they have to be some of the cutest! I think it should become a house pest too! Are you game Mom?
Steve, calves in the house are okay except when they trot around in the big metal dog crate we keep them in...all night. lol When it is 20 below there isn't much choice with the little Jerseys, but....
You can't imagine what hooves sound like on the tray of a crate, no matter how much newspaper you put down.
Linda, voting no for now, but hoping that it doesn't get any colder....lol
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