So now we are holding our breaths for sun. For the moment it is out of my hands so this morning Fede and I are catching the train and going HERE. And on Wednesday I will get out my rake and turn the hay gently into more of that drying sun but for the moment the green hay will rest in the sun while we go to the city. 
The hay is cut, Poppy and Tima are quietly gestating ( with all fingers and toes crossed). The gardens are weeded (mostly) the lawns are mowed. The cows are laying about in the grass and the goats are (for the moment) behind their fences.
The windblown sweetcorn and sunflowers grow all by themselves softly taking over the Maize fields even while we are not watching.
The hay is cut. That most important ad terrifying decision. All mine. So we are taking the day off. We will be back tonight for the milking. (Last night I tried to start milking without John and OH MY the carry on. Luckily he arrived just in time). All is well.
Love your friend on the farm,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
33 responses to “The hay is Down”
You and John make a great team. Enjoy your day in the city. I hope the hay dries; meaning no rain.
$ PRICY there on Ohio street!
That looks a fab place to eat in. Have a great time, and I hope the rain holds off for you. It’s horrid here very windy and wet. June huh! X
Oh how I know that terrible decision and the long, long wait for the grass/alfalfa to dry turn into hay, get baled and stacked withOUT any rain! Fingers crossed for good luck!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
Wowzers! What a fab day out, c. Bon appétit!
Beautiful here in Chicago so I he you have a wonderful day. I’ve heard good things about Eatialy.
Eataly! I will think of you…and feel very close indeed. Let me know your favorite things. Travel safely and happily. x
What a wonderful eating experience Eataly sounds like…. but how in the world do you make a decision about what to eat? It all sounds rather fabulous!
Here’s another stupid City-Girl question: Why not lift the hay and bale it while you know it’s dry and the weather is good, rather than to go away for a day and worry the whole time that it may rain? No one else seems the slightest concerned about this so it probably is a really dumb question… lol
Well, regardless of the hay, I hope your day away is filled with loads of fun and good eats! ~ Mame 🙂
While the grasses/alfalfa etc. are dry when they are cut the plants themselves are still filled with moisture. If you bale as soon as you cut you end up with moldy hay which can be toxic to the animals who eat it. The moisture inside the hay has to dry before it’s baled and that happens best when laying on the field where the sun and breeze can gently dehydrate it. Usually it’s necessary to turn the hay, as Celi has said tomorrow she’ll rake it, so it will dry evenly. Don’t ever think a question is dumb (only ones I can think of are the ones asked when the person already knows the answer and is just being a brat). If you don’t know and don’t ask, how do you learn? I’m city raised and living yet (to my sorrow), but farming and so forth are in my family background and I asked questions, listened to the stories around the table and did some research. Don’t stop asking questions.
I’m glad Celi and Fede had a nice day to tramp around Chicago and that they had a marvelous time and great food.
Ahhh, thanks so much, Aquila! Wonderful explanation that makes good sense once absorbed 🙂
Wonderful photos ..so much green. That’s a lot of corn Celi! 😊
You’ve done all you can. Like a story, or artwork best to leave it, take yourself off and look at it again with fresh eyes. Eataly looks wonderful.
I hope you get sun! I love the smell of fresh cut hay–and even more, alfalfa!
Hope you and Fede had a great day in Chicagoland . . . bought stuff you cannot possibly raise or grow and perchance even be lucky to meet local friends . . . best of British with the first cut of hay 🙂 !!
Well, you have been working hard!
Looking forward to pics from Chicago…
Stunning photo of withered poppy – beautiful!
That sounds like a wonderful place to go! Whatever would you do without John, the cow whisperer?