Family Day

Now that we have less going on a the farm we can spend more time as a family on the weekends.  Yesterday was a full day at the farm, beginning with chores in the morning.  It was only about 35 or so out so we all bundled up and Bea helped me milk while Dan fed the pigs & chickens. I wish I had our camera. While I was milking, Bea was standing next to me warming up her cheeks on Patches' tummy - rubbing her face back and forth through her fur.  It was very sweet. Patches is so soft and smells so good, like hay and sunshine. (Please don't believe that cows are dirty & smelly.) Bea is starting to get the feel for milking and every time does a little bit more.  We've just gotten a glimpse of the cold mornings that are coming. Soon it will be too cold to have her at the farm early in the morning.  

We fed our own kitties and the family of barn cats their milk and brought the cows out to pasture.  And then on to our big project for the day - collecting leaves for compost.  We've put out signs for a leaf drop, so we'll see if anyone else adds to our pile.  Bea and Dan had a great time jumping in the big leaf pile.  

At the end of the day we hung out watching the cows eat (waiting for them to eat until contented  - if we try to bring them back to the barn before they've had their fill they can be naughty).  They were in the corner of the field where our neighbor store's his round bales, so a great time was had playing hide and seek and climbing  and jumping off of them.

We also had our first fire of the season last night, so it really felt like a day of ushering in the cold weather.  It is so nice to sit with Bea in front of the fire with the lights out right before bed time. 

New Info for Moms

I've come across a few things lately that I thought I would share. First there is a pretty interesting website & blog called Spinning Babies.  It is by a midwife in Minnesota about the importance of fetal positioning for an easier birth.  The blog has interesting entries about midwifery, doulas, etc. 

Whenever I see previews for films about birth I tend to get very emotional and even teary.  There is a new film coming out about fathers and their experiences in the birth process called The Other Side of the Glass.  Looks very eye opening, especially for first time dads.  The mission of this film is to empower fathers to be an involved participant and protector during the birth of their children. Check out the preview here.

 The Massachussettes Friends of Midwives has started monthly Birth Circles at the NOAH Center in Great Barrington.  The next is on November 2cnd at from 7 to 9.  Come to share info on prengancy, midwifery, parenting,  & hear positive birth stories in a supportive environment. 

For more info contact Sarah at www.berkshiredoulas.com.

Fall is off to a busy start. We're getting into a new rhythm with Bea now at nursery school 3 mornings a week. She is delighted with it and I am too. She's been spending chunks of time with Dan at the farm in the afternoon. It is so nice that fall is here. The weather is beautiful and the pace of the work at the farm allows for a calm, steady day. (compared to the frantic, scurried days of summer) Here she is watching Dan spread a load of compost.

We think that Patches is actually really pregnant now. Deborah came to breed her around Labor Day and so far, no heat signs. Coco has been frisky, though. So we'll have to keep an eye on her. And seriously think about whether we would want to milk 2 cows if we did breed her. On the other hand, we could just keep the calf with her. It looks like Dan is leaning towards baby beef next year. I have to say, we've been eating Moon in the Pond veal and it is tasty!

Our girls have been seriously spoiled lately. The quality of the pasture is not that great, but we do have great cover crops that have been really boosted with compost & minerals, so Dan has been bringing the cows out for the day with tethers. They eat to their hearts content and are usually more than happy to come right back to the barn. Yesterday, Patches decided to be naughty and snack on the broccoli on the way. The milk has been incredible and made this beautiful yellow butter.