It rained, no snow but big slushy droopy mushy plops that looked like they had been hurled out from the murky clouds by a vast muddy shaking dog. And it was cold. Wet and cold.
A wintry day. By afternoon I decided to throw down some extra straw and let the animals into the barn.
Sheila and the piggies have access to their barn bedrooms all the time because of their exemplary toilet habits so they just got extra straw. Sheila was quick to cuddle into her bed.
Mama brought her girls right into the center of the barn where it is the warmest, she had had enough of the rain. It was very cold rain with a mean wind. So I let her talk me into it, she has pigs on two sides but she does not mind pigs. Mama is a senior so she gets special treatment. It is like when you are travelling with a senior citizen so you all get to board early. So Mama brought all her daughters in with her.
Hairy MacLairy was in a field with access to the rat house for shelter. I cannot lock him inside in the barn, as you know he head buts, yes RAMS, gates and doors and walls until he literally breaks out.
Daisy refused to come in to the barn, point blank. Put her foot down with a delicate stomp. John had come home from work and wandered into the barn and the only time she ever sees him in the barn and calling her in too, there is a needle involved. She hates injections as you know and has the memory of an elephant. So she would not come in until he had gone.
She made sure that the coast was clear before she came into the barn. She was very spooked. But watching Queenie eat all the hay proved too much for her. She is a most unusual cow very clever for a bovine but when it comes to food she is a pig.
The Big Dog did not even come off the verandah yesterday. Too cold. He stayed under his blankets. I need to find him another coat. He wore last years one right out. He likes to have his head covered with the blanket, but with an eye exposed. This is how he likes to be wrapped up. He won’t come inside. He hates the inside. He is very old, at least 14 now I think, he was here with John before I came back from London seven years ago. So he is allowed to do whatever he likes too.
But inside the house the big room was warm as newly popped toast. Lamb chops were cooking on the woodstove, the stock from yesterdays chicken was simmering, after dinner I would put my little shiny pot of fresh raw milk, from down the road, on the stove – break in a few lumps of chocolate and add a nice tot of dark rum and sit down to look at my photographs of the day. The thing with cooking on the woodstove is that it is going to take some time, so I can relax and let it all go slow. Winter is coming.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
92 responses to “Daisy puts her foot down”
That’s one clever cow. We used to have a dog that could spell – W-A-L-K and he’s fetch his lead. V-E-T and he would run away and hide. I shall miss our woodburner in the mew house – it’s all electric underfloor heating with over optimistic thermostats! We may have to buy a heater of some sort, as well as wearing all our clothes! it was 19 degrees, today it is about 10.
They have cut the maize field in front of the house – started about 11.30 and finished at 3.30 with more than an hour’s lunch break! We can see about 3 km further with some very nice trees visible.
How nice to be able to finally see what your winter view will be like.. and aren’t they fast with the harvests.. c
cutter/blower followed by 3 huge trailers in convoy on a continuous loop.
This was the best today! I certainly empathize with everybody on your farmy!!! I loved this – “It rained, no snow but big slushy droopy mushy plops that looked like they had been hurled out from the murky clouds by a vast muddy shaking dog.” Great visual!!!! 🙂
So cute poor Daisy…I don’t like needles either! Warily peeking around the corner! LOL I’d be under that straw too piggies!!!! 😉 I bought Maisy a lovely waterproof coat in a lovely green with her name on it! Was very flattering! LOL Now I have to order a new one for the baby who should be born soon! I buy all the girls’ pups new coats every Christmas! We are that kind of family…mushy and adore our children!!! Treats and catnip for the furbabies too! (catnip for kitties) 😉 Makes the winter more pleasant for everybody!
Big dog is adorable!!!! Everybody peeks out when it is cold…even us!!!
And Big Dog! And Mama! When I get old…older that is…Ha. I am going to do whatever I want too! I’m with ya buddies!!! All the way!
Nice wood stove! I am impressed that you cook on it too! Excellent! Sounds like you are compiling a lot of info and photos for a book! Can’t wait to read it if you are! 😀
We are considering a grain burning stove for the sun parlor. They throw off a lot of comfy heat too! Looking into them. We have a propane burning fireplace in the basement. Nice and warm and comfydown there in the winter where we spend lots of time. It actually heats the upstairs as well and we keep the programmed electric heat on 66 to 68.
We have a powerful generator for the house, so if we loose power we are all set.
I am sipping my hot chocolate as we speak!!! With one of my whipped cream rosettes gracing the top! I love how it looks when it melts! No rum this morning…although I do like a tad of Cherry Heering in it after moving snow! 😉
More pumpkin and squash work today. Kevin has a meeting this morning so I am goofing off a bit and enjoying starting my day with you!
Big…huge… 😀 Quick before I go…have to see what everyone else has to say! Interesting folks! Ta ta! (((hugs)))
you are definitely well heated! c
Yep! I can take heat, but c-o-l-d!!! Not so much! 30 this am…
Sorry about the typos…hurrying! 😉
no worries about typos, we all do that all the time! c
Back to work and off and running! Big muaaah on the cheek!!! Have a great day Ceci!!! 😀
Celi! Sorry! So busy and hate to miss your blog! I wish I could show you my eyes rolling! Uffda! LOL
Love the look on “boss’s” face !! She is my favorite !
Stay warm !!
Poor Daisy 🙂
Barn time again. It seems no time at all ago that they were emerging for summer.
It’s so good to see everyone is preparing their winter nests…did i just say the w word?? I’m still trying to get used to the f word!! 🙂 the photos of Daisy peeking around the corner and Big Dog all snuggled up are adorable! I love your woodstove…I can just feel the warmth looking at it!
C. off subject here but did you change your e-mail address? I’ve sent 3 or 4 but no replies from you which is very odd…anyway I know you’re super busy and maybe just don’t have time to check them but just once in awhile…oh no, I’m being a pest!
Oh I’m so glad to see Big Dog! Strangely, that was going to be my question for the day–how is he and is he wearing his darling jacket? Did he wear out the new one the Matriarch got him?
you take such good care of your animals.
*that* speaks volumes about you.
i used to adore cooking on a woodstove.
now i have fuel oil heat….and i miss that hot cast iron spilling out the heat….
What a wonderful barn full of animals. BUT…..where is the daily CUTENESS?
oops more cuteness tomorrow.. (laugh)..c
That shot of your wood stove looks warm and cozy.
Cold, maybe, but it looks lovely from here, Celi. I really like your wood stove too! So cozy!
I forget how late it really is in the year now, it has been so mild. 🙂
If I saw the ‘needle man’ go into the barn, I would not want to follow either! Your farmy family sure live in 5***** conditions!
Awww…you know I have a soft spot for the Big Dog… 🙂