Cabbages and cows

Naomi is growing into a lovely big well fed  calf. Already she is chewing on grass and when she comes into the barn during the hotter hours of the day she also chews on cabbage leaves and grated apple and carrots. Such a well fed calf. This is the kind of foods my cows eat at milking time.  I am training her mother to eat green leaves at milking time but she is slow to agree. She is not like Daisy, who loved her vegetables. We have actual plantings of kale and cabbages and pumpkins specifically for the  milking cow and her handmaidens.

But she is a pretty well fed mother cow. She is not complaining.

Freya and Hazel are also growing beautifully. Their field is beginning to look a bit like a junk yard with all the odd play things that they are collecting.

Sheila does not like it to be hot neither does she like to play but she does like cabbages and ..

she LOVES her wallow. 

The kunekune wallow is a much more cultured affair. I did not get a shot but Tane was caught out in the rain yesterday and his long coat literally pinged up into masses of curls. We were twinnies.  With all this rain the whole farm is turning into a wallow.

Chive Blossom Vinegar.

Just cut as many chive blossoms as you can find, pack the jar full. Pour over white wine vinegar.  Use a good vinegar – it does make a difference.  Infuse for about two weeks, strain and it is wonderful in your favourite dressing.  Many people use the opened flower, but I like to use the tight buds. It gives a cleaner brighter taste.  And look at the colour after only one day.

We had piles of rain yesterday and last night and more on the way. So because we cannot get into the gardens Our John suggested that we might take Federico to see a Frank Lloyd Wright house that is close by. It has tours and I am taking camera house.  I have always loved his work so I am all in favour of taking a few hours off to go touring.

And then tomorrow Federico is going to make an Argentinian Sunday lunch for us. He has agreed to let me document it for you as it sounds delicious. Plus he is going to show us the gaucho chimichurri.  I love it when the farm guests take over the kitchen!  And we will all get the recipes!

Sometime this weekend i also hope to load up the Bobbies (beef steers) on the other side and bring them back to the Dairy Mistress Paddock. It is heaving with good fattening feed.  First though, this water needs to drain away. The Bobbies like cabbages too.

Have a lovely, lovely day.

Your friend on the farm

celi