Bitter COLD!

Ugh!! We are being hit with some bitter cold temps today and tomorrow. Tonight's low is going to be around -7 and I think it lingered around -1 for the most part today. This weather is hard because Philip can't let the cows out of the barn or the barn will freeze up. The barn isn't heated, but he has it buttoned up real well and it stays a pretty comfortable temperature. I had to give him a few of the kids flat sheets we don't really use, to take to teh barn to hang over a couple drafts. Now the cows can enjoy looking at Batman, Sharks and Finding Nemo =)

Last night our neighbors horses got loose and enjoyed an engorging feast on our NICE 2nd cut haybales that we're in the yard. Hopefully they didn't get sick. That good of feed isn't great for horses and their sensitive tummies. They were having a grand ol' buffet though. Instead of opening one bale and eating from that, they opened about 7. Two of which will have to be fed right away so they don't spoil, and our neighbor did his best to repair the wrap on the others. For those of you that don't know, round bales are put in green and wrapped in plastic to cure. They get HOT in the center and keep. If any air gets in, they will mold and spoil and freeze this time of year. You can only imagine Philip's surprise when he pulled into the dark farmyard at 5 am to see about 7 HUGE animals. lol. I bet he was glad to know that they weren't his cows out though. The neighbor was pretty grateful to Philip for calling him, and was really sorry about the bales. Oh well. Our cows have done their fare share of damage. It sucks, but it's no ones fault. Animals tend to escape.

Garrett started winter sports with his class last week. They go Ice Skating at an indoor rink on Fridays for about half an hour. He had a fit last week because he didn't want to go. He went anyway. I told him he HAD to try it, and if he still hated it, then I would not make him go again. Guess what? He LOVED it and is so excited to go again tomorrow. Silly boy!

Sawyer officially started preschool yesterday at the Village Early Learning Center in Saxtons River. He had a blast. His teacher, Joy said he had one of the best first days she has ever seen, and was not happy to see me at noon, knowing I meant he had to go home. I was a little sad about that, but glad that he had fun. They have a big bunny named Freckles, and of course my little animal lover LOVED her.

I have been thinking about getting a job. I am really not sure where to even begin though. It's hard. I didn't think it would be this tough, but I haven't worked but a little here and there since I was pregnant with Garrett, over 6 years ago. With the price of childcare, and the few jobs available out there, the task is daunting, but personally I am ready. I need the people interaction I used to get, and my babies are getting older, and we could really use the extra income. It won't really be worth it though if it all goes to the cost of daycare.

Well that is enough rambling for now.....Philip just got home and I am sure he's hungry!! Thank goodness for Stouffers~ =)

Until next time.....

Calves!

We have a whole bunch of heifer calves right now. They are so cute. There is Sugar and Spice, who were just weaned off from the bottle. Sugar took right to the pail, but Spice was a little unimpressed. I had to try her a couple times, and she refused to do it for Philip. He ended up giving her a bottle. The next morning she was good for me, and drank with the first attempt. She has been weaned since. That was a few days ago.

Then there was Stevie and Sue, 2 sweet calves about a day or two apart, born about 3 weeks ago. They had been in the same pen since birth, and were too cute. A woman inquired to me about selling them a heifer and we really need some space, so we offered her Stevie and Sue, a small bargain for taking them both, as we were hoping they would go together. The woman and her family loved them, and took both of them. Philip was so happy after they left with them, because of the fact that they went together, and to a great home, with kids, and other animals and he just felt REALLY good about where they were going.

Well, good thing we made the room, because 2 days ago the FIRST CALF OF 2009 was born!! Joanne, one of our proven dams was bred to a proven sire, gave birth to a BEAUTIFUL heifer calf we named Tele...short for Teletha. She is absolutely the sweetest thing EVER. So pretty, so soft, and so lovey. Philip calls her "Princess".

Another heifer was born yesterday, Lydia had an adorable little girl we named Tonya. She has a white patch on her head, and white "stockings" on her legs. She is a good girl too.

Sydney, my little heifer calf from my birthday present, Paisley, was really sick for awhile. We had to treat her for both Pneumonia and Coccydia, and give her Deliver for a good while to clear up the runs. It was touch and go for awhile, and I was so worried about her. For about 3-4 days she couldn't get up without Philips help, but was still eating and drinking good, and she was getting pretty bloated which was scary. With lots of love, and TLC, and a few prayers... alongside Philips medicinal care, she pulled through and it was a great morning when I came clamboring down the steps of the milkhouse to see my baby girl had got up on her own and was bellering at me to feed her. I almost cried. YAY! My little Sydder-bidder as I call her lovingly... was back to her sassy little self again.

As you may have noticed in the paragraphs above, that we have switched from S names, to T names. With our naming method, we go by the alphabet, starting each new year with a new letter and use the same letter all year long. Every single heifer calf born in 2009 will have a T name. In 2010, however, we will start again at A. We don't use Q, U,V,W,X,Y, or Z.

Well that is about it on the calves for now. They are doing well and growing so fast!!

Last post of 2008!!

Well, Christmas came and went. Crazy, wild and exciting. It was awesome. The boys had a blast. They loved everything. I am glad to be moving on from all the hustle and bustle though. Tonight is New Years Eve, and we don't have anything planned. That is par for the course of being a farm family. Philip still has to get up at 4:30 am and milk. The girls could care less what day or year it is, or what is going on... These are the times I seem to feel it the most. I won't lie. It does bother me. Oh well. The boys had their first overnight with my mom since Sawyer was a tiny baby. It was nice to have the break. I still had to get up and do chores in the morning which sucked but atleast I didn't need to cart the boys down to the barn. They are going to stay again on Friday night and I won't have to do chores so that will be nice. Philip and I will be able to go and get breakfast and pick them up together. Philip's great aunt Caroline Ranney turned 100 yesterday. She is doing well. We went to see her and Donald and June and some others and had Cake and Ice cream. It was really nice. Caroline isn't talking too much, but she listens. She has in home care round the clock now, which is good. She has for only about the last 2 years or so. She is such a remarkable woman. Well I guess that is all for now. I got to get our pizza ordered. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe 2009!

Fudge, Fudge and MORE Fudge!!!

I have been making FUDGE all morning! Mmmmmmmm!!!!! I have made chocolate walnut fudge, plain chocolate fudge, chocolate coconut fudge, chocolate peppermint fudge!! I still need to make the Peanut Butter Fudge, which is our personal favorite!

I used the recipe on the back of the Nestles chocolate chip bag for Nestles Famous Fudge!

The recipe is...
1 1/2 Cups granulated sugar
2/3 Cups evaporated milk
2 tbsp butter or margerine
1/4 tsp salt
2 Cups mini marshmallows
1 1/2 Cups Semi Sweet chocolate chips (9oz)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Line 8 inch pan with foil or wax waper
Combine Sugar, evap milk, butter and salt into medium saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Do this about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Stir in chocolate and marshmallows at the same time, along with vanilla. Stir vigorously until melted. Pour into prepared pan, cool 2 hours until firm. Lift from pan and cut into peices.

This makes a great base fudge. Add in options-
crushed peppermint candy (on top)
walnuts
coconut

I will let you know how the peanut butter fudge comes out and post the recipe as well!! :)

Poking Hay...

I hate it. WHY do I hate it so much? Because the mother in me can't stand when each cow doesn't have the "same". LOL. Yes. It's true. It drives me crazy!! Most of the cows could care less, but every now and then I get one girl that looks at me as if she were saying..."They got MORE!" Silly I know. :)

Christmas is coming!

The goose is getting FAT!! lol. Just kidding. (About the goose anyway!) Life sure has been hectic around here preparing for the big day! We had Sawyers "Wemo Paaarty" (Nemo Party in sawyer-ese). It was great. We had pizza and wings and it was a pretty mellow gathering for the most part.

My christmas shopping is almost done. The boys pretty much are. Now if only I could stop seeing things I think they MUST have! I have a few extended family left to get for, and alot of baking to do next week :)

We got hit pretty hard Thursday night/early friday morning with rain/sleet/ice. We lost power for a short time here. About 2:30 am until about 4:15 am. I had been up with a sick Sawyer when it went out. and was up with a disgruntled farmer when it came back on... lucky me :) In all seriousness though, we were concerned about the barn, milking with the generator and Philip not getting oatmeal for breakfast!

Sure enough though, the barn was flooded. Big time. Poor Willie was standing in about 2 inches of water, and the girls in the last section near the end of the barn were totally flooded as well. Wet udders and all. Our little sump pump was NOT going to work. Philip milked, wading through rough waters, and after he was done, called around to find a pump that was bigger. We did, and it worked. Thank Goodness! We were able to get all the water out of the barn before the temperature dropped below freezing. We would of had a skating rink!

Every calf that could get loose that morning did, although it was quite cute, and their spunky little attitudes and total cuteness, entertained Philip and I, and kept us from losing our minds with all that had gone wrong.

There are still quite a few without power, and it really makes me think about how lucky we were this time around. And how blessed we are in general to have the things, luxeries really, that we have, and just how much we take them for granted. Farming is alot of hard work for sure, but it was alot harder back in the days when they did everything by hand or horse. Sometimes when everything seems to go wrong, it's easy to forget that things really could be worse. Alot worse.

So that is about all for now. I most likely won't get a chance to get back to update again before the holidays.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!! (and to all a GOOD NIGHT!)

My baby is turning 3!!!

I can't believe it. Sawyer will be 3 on Friday. (December 5th) It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home all bundled up in a snowstorm. Now he's a walking, talking maniac! He is such a fun little boy. He has a sweet, care free personality. He wants to go to school so bad. Earlier today, he walked up to me and says "I Wuh you mom." and as he walks away he says "I wuh you so much!" awwwww. I melted. I just can't get over how big he is.

Crazy Curious Babies!

The Belted Galloway Twins, Johnny and June, are getting so big and more and more curious by the day! lol. They are sooo funny. Philip has them, along with Leda (their mother) and Sable (their big sister) down behind the barn now. They keep sneaking under the fence and grazing ou ton the front lawn. It's super cute! So naughty! The tenants in the farmhouse haven't minded yet, aside from trying to shoo them back. (In which Johnny gave her an attitude and headed right back to where he was) The Putney Craft Tour was this weekend and Steven told Philip that more people stopped and go tout and took pictures of the twins being naughty than anything! We should have joined the tour and charged for photos! I will admit, they are VERY cute. And Silly. And naughty.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! While things are tight $$wise for us this year, we have SO much to be thankful for. Our handsome fellas, and just everything about them, our marriage which is wonderful, our cozy home, our furbabies, the cows, our health, and overall happiness, food in our tummies (and GOOD food too!) The list goes on and on. I am So thankful I got 3 extra days with my gram before she died a couple weeks ago, that I DID get to tell her how much I loved her that last time, and hear her tell me the same. Sometimes it is easy to forget these things. It gets hard to take the time to reflect. Worry and stress always seems to find us, yet the beautiful amazing things in our lives, we take for granted. We had a great Thanksgiving.

Getting ready for the Holidays.

The crazy, exciting, season. It's my favorite season. I love Christmas music and the whole feelign of it all. I love the hustle and bustle, good food, friends and family. I love seeing the kids eyes light up as they open their gifts. I love how they fall asleep in random places that night because they just can't stay awake any longer. I love Christmas cookies! This year we will be having our Holidays the night before since Our farm hand, Steven will want to be with his family. Philip will have to work those days. That is ok with us though. The Wednesday Night before Thanksgiving, we are having our friends and a few family over for dinner, Tim and Gelsy and their kids, Jon and Laura and their kids, Cora Skot and Erik, Harold and Joyce, Charles and Elaine (if Elaine is up to it) and Eloise and Larry. We will have a great time and great food. I know this because Tim is an AWESOME cook! (NO that isn't the only reason we invited him! Just a bonus :) Then on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, the boys and I are going to see my family at my Uncle Shawns house. We will come home around 4:30 to hel Daddy feed calves and do evening chores. Our Christmas plan are pretty much the same basic idea, but with less people. We will do our whole tree that evening, since Daddy milks every morning. We can't have him missing out on the gifts and the kids faces. We got our cards done, and I almost have them all ready to go out. I am hoping to hand most of them out as I see people over the next couple weeks to save on postage. We also had a cute one made for the farm to mail to all of our business contacts as well. They came out great. I am slowly getting my holiday shopping done. I have done alot of it on Ebay and Craigslist this year and have gotten some great "package deals". I hope everyone else is having lots of luck getting prepared, and finding those special gifts!