Christian had been planning on attending our seminar. But when he was suddenly faced with a housing screw-up, we invited him to join us for however long he wished to stay. Will and I had been talking about the possibility of taking an apprentice for a few weeks during the summer but had not reached a decision; we don’t have time to babysit a person who doesn’t know how to work or want to bother to learn. But Will had previously shared an apartment with Christian while both worked out in teaching positions, so he knew him well and the decision was easily and quickly made. We’re so fortunate to have this energetic, pleasant young man here on the homestead. Today he and Will are hauling rotted manure onto our orchard where they are spreading it around all of the trees and bush cherries while I do less interesting but knee-healing appropriate stuff indoors. (Bah! Humbug!) The knee still hurts like crazy but is getting better every day. I can even sleep at night with little pain.
And I’m watching our cow, Lace, as she is building a huge bag prior to calving. I wonder if I could talk her into lying on her back to milk her? What a beautiful cow! We are so glad we finally got her bred! Hopefully next time won’t be so trying.
We’re wanting to get onions in the garden but the tiller broke down a couple days ago. The wheels turned but the tines wouldn’t and it seemed bound up. Will tore it apart. The gear and bearings that turn the tines were worn, shot, and torn up. Luckily, we found a place online that had parts (Partstree.com) and we quickly ordered them. They’re on the way so we’re waiting and doing other things while we wait. That’s homesteading! — Jackie
A milking shorthorn? Wow! We only have Jersey and Jersey crosses here. Now I’m really jealous (not that Jersey’s are a poor choice, they are just the only choice).
Beth,
Yes, Lace was in a dairy before we bought her for our wedding present to each other. Then we have milked her here on our homestead. I’m so sorry you had such a bad experience with your 12 year old girls! There are younger folks around who aren’t so disrespectful and truly wish to learn. Perhaps you could contact some homeschooling groups in your area. I know many older homeschoolers really want to learn homesteading skills and often come from homesteading families.
I know Christain from Washington state. Great person to have on the team, I know from our sustainabliity ideas on housing improvements that he is a great resource to have.
What a bag on that girl!! Is she already broke to milk? Dairy stock is so hard to find around here. Glad to hear about your intern… a win-win for everyone. Just had some serious spine surgery and will probably be out of the garden this summer. I love the idea of passing on our skill set to a younger generation, Jackie But can’t find any motivated young people around. I had 2 twelve year olds down last summer to show them how to make jam. When I got to the important stage of dipping the hot jam into the jars, these girls went off pilfering and I walked into my bedroom where they were holding loaded guns!! The only kind hubs keeps. They had been told not to go in there, but thought I couldn’t leave the stove. This is very discouraging. Beth
Northern Iowa,
I make tons of dairy products and give my friend, Jeri, milk, too. I make yogurt (several flavors), fresh soft cheeses, hard cheeses, mozzarella, cottage cheese and more. Plus I do can milk which is great for cooking during dry times when the critters aren’t milking. Then there’s butter, cultured buttermilk, ice cream and…..
Elizabeth,
Lace is a purebred Milking Shorthorn and she was bred to a Milking Shorthorn bull. We were hoping for a heifer desperately, but she just calved….another big bull calf. Bummer.
Glad you are getting along pretty good. What do you plan to do with all that milk you are going to get?:) I have two goats and get a 1 1/2 gallons a day and have more than I can process making cheese, butter and drinking. I have thought about canning it but unsure so that is why I wonder.
The garlic looks great!!
Glad you’re on the mend Jackie. That’s great that you’ll have Christian to help out!
As long as you can hold down the fort and let your knee heal and if Will and Christian can get the garden in and keep the live stock from stampeding, I think your summer has a pretty good chance of being OK, Jackie. :-)
Your cow looks beautiful! I am quite jealous as we have been looking for a milk cow for awhile. She looks Jersey-ish. Was she bred to a “milk” bull? Are you looking for a milking heifer?
Elizabeth
Oh my, that looks painful, good luck with your helper, what a blessing that will be. Glad your knee is better.
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