This kind of beautiful clear day …
… always has to be paid for.
(Do you see the shape of the Coupe’s roofline developing in the framing here?)
There was a lot of sun for warmth gathering yesterday. 
And I know why now. 
It is 5.30 am and 5 degrees F outside. Yes, that is MINUS 15 in celcius.
I am dressing in as many layers as I can before I go out to milk.
Good morning. At least it is not blowing. We can survive most temperatures as long as there is no wind and the early mornings are often calm. I will wear tights, track pants, two pairs of socks, a singlet, two long sleeved T shirts, a long sleeved thermal and a big heavy teenage boys hoodie and then my clown suit, my big work jacket and thermal boots. Then two pairs of gloves and my scarf and hattie. I will waddle as I walk. But I wish I was a sheep this morning with their heavy wool cladding.
I think I am going to invest in some long underwear this year but I have no idea what would be good.
The worst part is when I have to take off my gloves to wash Daisy’s udder and put the cups on. Then my hands are wet, and they freeze very quickly – this is bad. She is still milking out unevenly so it is not a fast process either.
But she is still giving way too much milk to even think about drying her up even if I wanted to which I don’t. So we will design protocols to deal with the cold. They did it in the old days on these little farms. I can do it now. I just have to work out how. Though I can see why in Europe they built the cow shed onto the house!
Good morning. Have a lovely day. When the sun comes out it will be lovely here too.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
106 responses to “Onwards and Upwards at 5F (-15C)”
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post a pic of you in the getup for milking 🙂
that would certainly be good for as laugh!!
You poor dear. I hadn’t thought about how cold your hands must get trying to clean up Daisy before her milking. I hope you find a good solution from one of your readers — and soon. Winter is just beginning to gather steam. We’ve a while before the crocuses bloom.
Have a great day, Celi!
You are so right john.. two or even three more months of it and it will get even colder.. but I am ready.. it is an excellent challenge.. c
How beautiful with the sun and snow 🙂
I used to wear thermal underwear when i drove a motorbike. I preferred cotton to nylon, but I bet silk is the best.
everyone is voting for the silk I guess, I do hate nylon as well.. morning mad! c
Morning Celi, hot and humid 32 deg C (90d F) here today, Hoping for some rain this evening to cool us down 🙂 Love the pictures of the snow and beautiful clear day, too cold – wish I had some snow here! Surgical Gloves (are they made from Neoprene?) would keep your hands dry and still allow some feeling when milking. Silk is great, but thermal underwear (usually from camping outfitters) is thin and very warm – if you are looking for ‘cuddly’ warmth. Laura
yes, the big milkers wear these gloves I think, and I could slide my wooly gloves on and off them.. good thinking laura! c
it was the coldest night here this year. five. tonight a bit better, 10. is spring here yet? LOL
Not yet.. poor us! c
You can quickly warm your hands between the cow’s leg and her udder, a very toasty spot and close by. Works well against the pain (I used to do this in Germany where we had it quite cold at times). If you have warm gloves, but not the finger type, you can stick one of these hand warmers in each. There are various makes, some work with a stick you have to burn in a case and some which work with a gel which heats up.
OF course! why didn’t i think of that. Get Daisy to warm my fingers before I put my gloves back on! Perfect. Thank you..
You might have to keep the anti-kicking device close by 🙂 Laura
(laughter!).. c
Wow, and here we are in the 50’s down here, and thinking we may not see any snow this new year. That has to be such a harsh contrast for you after being in the summer of NZ for the better part of last month. What great ideas these folks have about heating your hands up while milking. and I’m sure Daisy is happy to help! Stay warm.
morning betsy, That is if daisy is happy for me to stick my frigid hand in her arm pit!! c
True enough…she may give you the hairy eyeball! 🙂
Silk underwear? Google Damart. But failing that, I’ve always found a pair of loose wynceyette pyjama bottoms warmer than anything else – being loose, they keep a layer of your own warm air trapped. I’d forgotten I’d planned to make you a pair of gloves with a removable finger flap attached at the back. I’ll need to get a pair of fleece gloves, cut of the tops of the fingers, and sew the fmitten-shaped lap on the back. Is that a go-er? I’m also working on a pattern (for me) for a fleece-lined fleece hat with ear flaps. Watch this space!
I am always watching your space Viv, as well as a great seamstress you have a wild imagination!! c
Your description of layers and layers of clothing has me picturing you like us as wee ones, so bound up we could barely waddle. You are resourceful so are sure you will come up with some way to heat the milking spa for time you need it. Love the answer from Goatsnroses. Makes such sense.
We will manage it is only for a couple of months really! morning chris.. c
I think a photo of you in 17 layers is definitely in order!
One other suggestion for hands and feet is ‘hotties’ – my dad has raynaud’s syndrome and we buy them by the case. There are disposable ones and ones you can boil and reuse. My son also used them for early morning crew practice. Also found at amazon.
Cheers … Wendy
I said to John this morning that we needed to bring out the hot water bottle!! Wise minds think alike!! c
Yes please.a photo with layers.!!! Here in NZ Merino is so popular, and not far from where I live, is Levana Textiles, they sell Merino fabric, lots of colours and different weights, I have made..singlets. hats, neck warmers, scarves and long johns. it has enought stretch to fit snugly. And also there are hand warmers, gel that heats fast when you activate it, and can be re-used. There are sizes for body and small ones for hands. Cheers from Jean, lower North Island, New Zealand.
Next time I go to NZ I shall find Levana textiles, I would like to make a long skirt.. nothing to do with milking of course! actually maybe they are online, I shall look. Thank you Jean!! c
Its wonderful that you have a blog.. I love your posts!
Thank you, I love having such cool readers too! c
They connect the houses to the barns here in New Hampshire too. I think it makes a lot of sense!
My favorite thermals are made from merino wool. Wool stays warm even if you get it wet. Cotton will kill you in this kind of cold if it gets wet (unless you make a hasty retreat to the indoors).
I love wool, if I ever see any I will get them, but the silk seems to be the next best thing! I must pop over to your place and see what is happening, you certainly know about the outdoors! c
I’m reading this at work, Celi, and it’s probably not a great idea for me to laugh outloud! But I did! You don’t have long underwear? I DO…and look where I live! Now I really feel like a wimp. The other day I wrote about experiencing 9 degrees (F) at an ice sculpture event, and I was so cold I was worried about my hands (with gloves). But I was wearing silk thermal underwear, and it really helped keep my body warm. I have been known to wear it indoors on cold days. So now that we’ve established I’m a bit pitiful, I’ll just say that those gorgeous shots of the daily view tell me that you might really benefit from the slight investment! You amaze me! oxo
I am just a bit slow at these things.. But now I know.. c