And all the hay is in the barn and all of us went to bed early last night. Kevin was kitchen Mama yesterday making an Argentinian meat pie and banana cream pie.What a relief it was NOT to have to cook after loading 156 bales of hay. As you know one of the hardest parts of being a female farmer is having to cook and run a house at the same time. This crew I am weaving together now is incredible at sharing all the work! 
Today has dawned fine and clear – I am drinking coffee number one, laundry in the basket, all the lists are on the board, work will commence shortly so I had better go out and get the cow in. Victoria will be up soon to help she is one of my volunteers is milking with me now so she is getting up earlier- she is on track to be a vet and so she is going to slowly get closer and closer to Lady until she can milk her by herself. The experience alone is enormous for us. I have never let a volunteer help milk before and am really impressed with the results. And Lady is being a star.
Here are the pictures from yesterday. I will talk to you in the comments today. So ask any questions. But for now I had better stroll out and bring the cows in. 
Good morning!
Here is an interesting thing. This is Lady Astor’s second season being milked and she is used to being brought up by Ton and I. I call to her wave my blue stick around as a signal and Ton just trots along behind her as she comes up to the barn, she ignores him and they both go to where they are going without any fuss. But this summer I am bringing up Del as well. And BOO has taken to trotting quietly behind Aunty Del as she walks up to the barn exactly like Ton. So I have two cows being followed by two dogs and me with my blue shepherds stick walking with them all, calling “Up the the barn, cows! Up to the barn.”
Sometimes this farm has a mind of its own!
Have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
59 responses to “156 Bales”
Stories of co-operation, both humans and animals. This farm breathes the co-operative spirit. What a change from when I first came to this blog and it was just you and a few animals. I admire the way you have expanded, in all ways, over the past few years. I love the picture of two cows, two dogs, and you, all coming in to the milking shed where an apprentice milker awaits. Beautiful. (Maybe you could write a post that charts the expansion?)
Oh, and congratulations on bringing in the hay. That’s a great pic.
Yes, I was thinking this today too – how much I love having the young people here and how it has given me much needed direction.
Yes, I bet it keeps you focussed and organised! I love being around young people; it allows for great intergenerational energy exchanges to take place. I’m so happy for you. This is sustainable living!
One hundred & fifty six bales of hay, Wow! May it be the first of many trips to the hay loft before the end of summer. I am ready to hit the hay here and wander off to dreamland with the the line of cows & dogs playing follow the leader back to the barn.
Two lots of hay in early June: must make you feel more comfortable!! And these clouds I DO like 🙂 ! Saying ‘hello’ thru’ quite some difficulty this morning: our last weekend’s floods, including those surrounding my area, still seem to lead to multiple outages – but, hmm., how come five minutes after threatening to cut my service [alongside thousands of others!] . . . suddenly Illinois was available!! OK – largest Oz firm, fifth outage in a couple of months . . . frustrating with the huge morning mail . . .
M.L..Kappa’s comment and subsequent encouragement and ability to read her fabulous post ‘Letters from Athens’ seems to have disappeared since I first had the ability to read a few hours back! May I suggest to each and every reader here that they should visit: some matters in life are fun, some educational . . . some absolutely vital . . . . her ‘cry’ for help foremost methinks . . .
Do you mean a comment has disappeared from my Lounge? I have not deleted it. And have not seen it here. c
Just disappeared since I first read it at about 10am our time. It was the FIRST one on the list. Not ‘the’ verbiage of her current blog, just her content re today’s post/ Sorry dearHeart if I won’t be on again – my email still seems to be utterly inundated by the floods. They have promised 7pm tonight – I’ll hold my breath!!!
I’m still trying, after a year of receiving this most wonderful blog (whatever ‘blog’ stands for), to be able to make a comment. Thought I’d try this avenue!
Hi sunny, Esther here; this blog lowers blood pressure; and you get virtual warm spots for your hot; not quite like having your favorite dog or kitty licking your toes, but darn close to it. hugs; a blog is simply chatting with something of interest; hopefully reasonably said; you know how it goes; sort of a hows by you column to the universe; mine (sorrygnat@wordpress.com) lapsed after Bill died; but will get back to it soon; you are much in my heart’s thoughts and wishes.
Wonderful summer images Miss C. And 156 bales of hay .. well done!
How many bales do you need per head for a winter?
Loved the underground pig shelter! I’ve never seen that before!