Milking in the snow at Stringtown Rising actually meant milking in the snow. There were times I milked BP outside, anywhere I could, IN THE SNOW. The milking setup there was not ideal, and didn’t work well, and I would change around and milk her anywhere. I’d rather have snowflakes falling on my head than try to get to a milk stand mired in mud so thick, it sucked my boots off. There’s always mud on a farm in the winter, of course, but that was especially bad.
Yesterday, I woke up to a good cover of snow. My milking machine cart waited for me outside the back door.
I have a nice, dry milking parlor here, which I love. I do have to get through some mud to get there, though, and there’s not much way around it. When the ground is wet and animals tromp on it, it gets stirred up and swampy and boot-sucking. But a nice, dry parlor with electricity is waiting for me if I can get there.
I load up the cart.
Down the driveway. It’s not a long, steep driveway, but it’s got enough incline to it to make me watch it or the cart will take off.
My cow is waiting for me at the gate. And she’s impatient!
I have to get the cart, and the bucket of food, past her and get to the barn. Most days, this is no problem. With a fresh coat of snow and extra boot-sucking mud, it’s enough hardship to make me feel alive. Sometimes this farm is too easy! I might as well live in the suburbs! A little challenge gets my blood pumping and exercises my determination. Everybody else wishes I was coming to them with my bucket.
Donkeys are waiting for me in the barn.
They’re used to me coming with my cart now and mostly get out of the way. Dumplin is waiting for me in the milking parlor.
She’s glad to see me! I come with mommy! But…. She has to wait a few minutes. I get my things in there, transferred from one cart to another, and hook the machine up before mommy can come in. Glory Bee waits at the parlor door, eager, slightly irritated by the delay. I dump her bucket of food in her feed tray last thing and let her in.
I’m still just hooking her up to two lines. I let Dumplin do the rest. I get the front, she gets the back. I’m getting a regular 3/4 gallon a milking and that is more than enough for me. Might as well let Dumplin get fat. Though Dumplin keeps telling me she’s not going anywhere….. Yesterday, Glory Bee kicked off one line. Since I keep two turned off, I can always hook up a clean one if she gets one dirty. She’s still kicking quite a bit, but I don’t think she’s kicking because of the milking machine but rather because of Dumplin’s excitement. Dumplin bumps her hard, quite a bit, so anxious to get to mommy’s milk. Glory Bee gets annoyed and when Dumplin bumps her hard, Glory Bee kicks up.
If it becomes too much of a problem, I will have to kick Dumplin out. Eventually I won’t be able to let her milk at the same time I’m milking anyway. Calves get so rambunctious. She already tries to knock off my lines. I’m taking it one day at a time. When the time comes that I can’t let Dumplin be with us when I’m milking, I’ll run her out when I bring Glory Bee in, or move her to another stall if she proves too hard to run out. For now, she’s still so young that I let her share milking time with me. When it’s over, I get everybody out of the milking parlor.
Dumplin finishes the job outside.
I have to drag the even heavier cart back up the driveway to the house.
I clean everything up in the studio and skim the milk from the day before and set the new day’s milk.
It’s winter on the farm….. And I have milk! And on a cold snowy day when I don’t want to go to the store, I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Mandys says:
Aw that looks great 😀 I’m so glad it’s easier here on Sassafras Farm. It’s so sweet seeing GB waiting for you! So what do you say to Dumplin insisting that she isn’t going anywhere?
On December 31, 2012 at 1:55 am
morningstar says:
Lovely photos Suzanne. I am so pleased it is easier on you all. The milk looks beautful, makes me want to drink a glass full !!
On December 31, 2012 at 6:19 am
Diane in Upstate NY says:
Well, you have made me feel very pampered living in Upstate New York. We won’t see mud here again for three months. And I have little goats, so my milking equipment consists of two hands, a small metal pail and two pint Mason jars, which I carry to the barn in a cloth bag. The goat kids are long since weaned and sold to new homes. And, as you say, having fresh milk in the fridge on a snowy winter day is bliss! Happy New Year, Suzanne!
On December 31, 2012 at 10:22 am
joykenn says:
Fresh milk–can cheese be far behind.
On December 31, 2012 at 10:33 am
bumblebee says:
Awwwww Glory Bee has the most adorable face!!! I just LOVE her and the baby is a cutie as well! So sweet how they all wait for you…
You have such a nice place and I’m so happy for you that it’s much easier on you there. The milk looks so yummy!
Wish I was there visiting……
HUGS
On December 31, 2012 at 10:44 am
jeandf says:
Has she mellowed a bit more since she’s had a baby? Just wondering. What a perfect way to get fresh milk. No drive to the grocery, just throw on some boots, wear your grubbies, and milk away…
On December 31, 2012 at 10:52 am
Luann says:
Beautiful milk.
On December 31, 2012 at 10:53 am
CATRAY44 says:
You are blessed.
On December 31, 2012 at 11:34 am
brendaE says:
You need one of those ATVs then you could pull the cart with the ATV and wouldn’t get your feet in the mud. That milk looks so refreshing even though I’m allergic to milk it looks good enough to drink.
On December 31, 2012 at 12:58 pm
brookdale says:
Love the pic of the horses in the snow!
On December 31, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Vicki in So. CA says:
I remember those days of milking BP in the snow. This is soooo much better! Your photos are great, and really help this city girl visualize the whole procedure. My favorite pics are the animals, of course. BP is especially beautiful with her winter coat, Jack and Pokey are adorable, and Dumplin couldn’t be cuter!
Just curious. Are you going to halter Dumplin? Or do you not need to, considering her future. I’m remembering the harrowing halter episodes with the bad baby.
On December 31, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Dumbcatluvr says:
Glory Bee is such a beautiful cow.I feel stupid typing this. 😆
On December 31, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Cousin Sheryl says:
Happy New Year, Suzanne! (mud, milk and all!)
On December 31, 2012 at 9:31 pm
WvSky says:
Two Words: L-A-W-N T-R-A-C-T-O-R :yes:
On December 31, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Anita says:
I’ve been wondering about the halter, too, remembering the previous bad baby! And I think an ATV or lawn tractor is a great idea.
On January 1, 2013 at 9:30 pm
Diane says:
Pretty milk photo. I would suggest a lawn tractor or ATV also. My neighbors have sheep the kids have for 4H and dogs and I know the oldest gets on his ATV in the morning and loads it up with feed and takes care of the animals. You can get carts for them also. But I bet you can just stick a crate on the back and tie it down and you would be ready to go! But I have to say this is a wonderful improvement from the other farm. So glad you are there it looks so much safer for one and everyone looks warm as well and happy. 🙂
On January 2, 2013 at 5:46 am