How nice of you to share a moment with Evelyn and her calf. I am sure that not all farmgirls at heart have milked a cow. Merry Christmas. Bonnie

Thanks, Bonnie! What I REALLY wish is that you all could come and milk with me IN PERSON! Oh, well…next best thing, I guess! xoxo, Libbie

I swear by bag balm- after cleaning the udders after milking- I liberally apply bag balm to them. It keeps them soft, and helps sanitize them. I find this keeps down infections. Bleach tends to dry out udders- so this would be really good for you to use.
We lived across the street from a dairy farm and I milked a cow every morning for our personal milk. The owner/neighbor believed in me learning the old fashioned way as a kid- and I learned to love it. I use bag balm on goats as well- and even my own hands. I always keep a tin of it on my farm. Good luck with your new girl!

I have used Bag Balm – and I just love it, too. I hadn’t thought of the anti-infection part of it, though! Now it’s on my next shopping list… Thank you! xoxo, Libbie  

I don’t know that I could milk a cow like I did grpwing up on the farm now. We milked about 10 cows by hand and had quite a bit of milk. We strained it and put it in gallon jugs. When the cream rose to the top it was removed and we churned it to make butter. The buttermilk was used for made from scratch biscuits. As a family of seven children and our parents we made two large cookie sheets of biscuits for breakfast. I would use the sifter and sift Martha White self rising flour into a big dishpan. Then I would hollow out the center and pour in about four cups of buttermilk and a about cup of melted butter. I would use a spoon to begin with stirring the milk and butter while scraping a bit of flour from the sides. When it reached a workable consistency, I used my hands and pan kneaded it til it was just right for biscuits. Light and fluffy. I would take a handful and roll it around and then place it on the greased cookie sheets. When I ran out of dough I flattened them til they all touched. Then they were baked in a preheated to 400 degree oven. They rose and filled the pans while baking. They amelled heavenly and went well with the rest of the meal. Often when we came in from school and changed our clothes to go to the fields to work we would poke a hole in a left over biscuit and pour cane syrup we had made in and let it soak up and repeat til we had what we wanted of the syrup in the biscuit. On the way to the field we would eat those syrup filled biscuits and be ready to pump the water from the hand pump so we could all get a drink of water before starting to work. And if you really want a treat make biscuit pudding out of left over biscuits. It is like the bread pudding people made out of bread but we didn’t have light bread so we used biscuits. Yummy.

Oh Alice! Those biscuits sound WONDERFUL!!! Thank YOU for making them "with" me. xoxo – Libbie

Hi! I so want a cow, but we haven’t ventured down that path yet. Do you milk once or twice a day? What do you do with all the milk? do you drink a gallon a day? I haven’t gotten a handle on how we would handle all that milk if we did get one. Here is Texas iwth the drought I am glad I don’t have one right now. enjoyed the article!
Thanks,

I miss life on the farm. I live in the city now, but dream of a small farm someday soon.(we have the land, need to build the house) I grew up with milk goats. The process is very much the same.

Now, you have to do this two times a day, right?

Nice story- thanks for sharing. The note from the boys was a definite hug. It’s been many a year since I tried to milk a cow, but I remember Grandpa Lloyd milking Jers and Old Gerns at our farm in Ohio when I was a kid. Mamma and Grandma Grace would make caramels out of the cream and sell them for a dollar a pound ( this was in the ’50s). My job was to cut the squares of waxed paper to twist them in. Your boys will have such memories, too.

I grew up in the 4-H program, we showed and milked dairy cows, Jersey. My school teacher lived on a big dairy farm that I spent time on each summer with my dad. He put up silage with her hubby, and I kept her youngest son company, riding his pony which wouldn’t behave for him, we would do clean up after dinner, and go out to pick goose berries for her for pies,on the creek, take out lemmon aide and cookies to the guys, and get everything ready for the evening milking. They did 100 or more twice a day. Galen and I would get all the feed ready, and bring in the gang when it was time. We would make sure the wash water was always clean and hot, and that the milk was running through the tubs, and not getting plugged going into the tanks. and let the girls back out again. It sure didn’t seem like work, we enjoyed it, and each other. We were pals, and we learned alot together. Then Dadand I would go home and milk our 2. the only problem I had was one of our cats jumped off of something, landed on my cow, Star, while I was milking her, clawed her as she slid down her side, Star freeked out, jumped forward, and stuck her foot in the milk pail and messed up the milk which had to be thrown out. So my suggesstion would be to keep the cats out.

We are contemplating farm life and a cow would be fun. I have never been around farm animals and am a little apprehensive. It looks like a fairly simple thing to do. I am reading everything I can get from the library.

hopefully soon, down on the farm.

I am currently milking 2 nubian goats. For nyone who cant do the commitment of a cow gots are great. the cream doesnt rise to the top though like cows milk. That is becuse goats milk is naturally homoginized. So if you want cream for butter or other things you will need a cream seperator. I also milk from the left but this is because of how my milking stand is set up. When I strain my milk I use a big milking funnel (available from Hoeggerfarmyard.com) and it fits on a mason jar. I dont use the paper filters though. I use butter muslem (like cheese cloth but finer, available from cheese making supply houses) and I fold it in 4 and strain my milk through that. i wash it out after each use and hang it to dry. Also the jars I store my milk in are place in the freezer before I go to milk. The milk cools a little faster then i put the milk in the fridge. i milk twice a day. Happy milking!!!

WOW how amazing, Our Dexter calved on Dec 1st and we just started milking her in much the same way, sharing the milk with her calf. Brought me back 20 years to my first homestead milking experience in Pennsylvania (when I would nurse my baby while milking!)
Thank you for sharing such a sweet story.
Not too many folks know someone who can milk in our neck of the woods!
Happy HOlidays, love the note from your boys too!

Oh I just love this! Thank you thank you! I am a suburban girl who now lives in Kansas country and love the farm life, even tho i dont do a lot of it, i live next to it. I have always wanted to milk cows and have chickens but until I get the nerve I live vicariously thru people like you! THis was wonderful!

I am so glad to hear that living a "farmy" life is interesting to you – I was a suburban girl who moved to the country, too, and let me tell you – there’s no going back for me! Go right ahead and get the chickens – you’ll love them. Then you can move on to a cow from there! Thanks so much…..xoxo, Libbie

We milked 2 cows and my brother raced – hated it when I won. We would pour the grain in a trough in the yard and have to be finished before she walked away. It’s funny how careful you are about washing Evelyn’s bag. I don’t remember anything more than brushing off the straw and big pieces. The milk was strained and separated (we had an electric) and the skimmed milk went to feed the calves while the cream went downstairs into the cream can for sale. Our milk was kept in gallon jars in the fridge, whole milk before it was separated, and I loved skimming the cream off the top. Took it for granted, really, fresh cream for baking and coffee and porridge. Those 40 below prairie winters (I grew up in Saskatchewan) seem so far away, now — I have been living in Hong Kong since ’92. Thanks for the memories.

This brings back memories for me! I loved going down to the barn and milking our one Jersey, Mikki. She was so adorable and very old, but she gave 4 gallons of milk a day, minus one bad teet!! The mornings and evenings with her, the smell of the old hundred year barn, the quietness of the open fields beyond, bring a sigh to me right now. I loved those times and the cats loved it too!
The saddest day was when we took Mikki to auction because she was getting so old. I couldn’t stand it! My husband took me back out to the auction yard to try and see her, but she was gone. I always figured she ran away and is out there in a beautiful green field somewhere, at least I like to think she wasn’t made into glue. If you see her let her know that I still love her for all the great milk she fed our family over the years. Bless you!

I love your stantion set up in the picture. I want to do the milk cow thing and have done it a few years back but I run my ranch myself and I bartend so the hours of that are not condusive. Plus if i have to go anywhere there is no one to take my place. Must tell the story a few years ago when I did try the milk cow thing. I answered an ad in the paper for a holstien named Oreo, who had had one calf. the owners had raised her from a calf as a pet and low and behold found that their kids just didn’t want to do all that milking. (surprise). She had never been tied up, just lured around with left over vegetables from the grocery store from where the owner worked. (cute) She was very tame. I bred her to my beef bull. I put a colar on her and when she was ready to calve put her in the barn with nice fresh hay. I watched her calve and even took pictures. that went well and then I new I had to milk that 10 gallon udder by hand or I thought she would soon explode! I tied her to the wall by her collar but she kept kicking at me to I tied her back legs together and that helped. and i spent the next 3 hours trying to get her milked out. It just kept coming and coming. Even though I let the calf (cookie) suck on her all the time too. somehow I preservered and went out to milk her every day twice a day. the milk was wonderful but I was bartending so I Would milk her in the afternoon and then after work at 2 am in the morning. I thought I must be a crazy person. If anyone in the bar knew what a did when i got home at night! After a few weeks my arms started to go knumb in the middle of the day when I wasn’t even milking and plus they were getting very big ungirl like muscles. So I bought a portable milking machine ($1,000). that worked pretty good and saved me from carpel tunnel syndrome, but there is a lot more cleanup of equipment involved. but the milk stayed fresher longer because I could get it cooled faster.
I am very proud of myself for that endeavor and plan to do it again but here is what I learned
1. First of all i like your idea of just milking the back 2 teats and letting the calf milk the others. Brilliant.
2. If you only milk your cow once a day or only milk a certain amount out of her,her milk supply will adjust to that. just do things gradually. Beef cows do that naturally.
3. Its better to use a cow with less milk production and more butterfat, like a jersey or something.
4. Half gallon canning jars are perfect for keeping milk in your fridge. the milk cools faster in the smaller container and you can pour right out of it like a pitcher without spilling.
5. milking by hand is simpler as long as you don’t have a 10 gallon cow.
6. It would be so great to have a house husband who could do all the cooking while i did all the taking care of the animals and gardening. Plus who was a great electrician, plumber and mechanic and had lots of money to buy tractors and equipment and stuff. Lol! We can dream

We all have so much to be thankful for at this time of year and we all need to remember that. I’m so thankful for my family, for having a home, food to eat and the ability to cope with my daily medical problems. Life is good.

Barbara, I agree. Life IS good. xoxo, Libbie

A lovely list of "to be thankfor fors".
I have so many things that I can’t list them all, but never-the-less I know what they are and I am so thankful!
Good on you for all of your wonderfulness.

Thank you so very much! Many hugs and much love, xoxo, Libbie

Happy Thanksgiving, Libbie. I especially thankful for my good health and the wonderful place I have to live, for my husband of over 30 years, my children and their children, for good friends without whom my life would be dull. I’m thankful for my sister and her children and their children. Mostly I’m thankful for my Heavenly Father and His Son.

God Bless you and yours.

Esther, thank you for sharing your "list" with me. Blessings to you, and much love, xoxo, Libbie

Libbie: Beautiful post and thank you for sharing. Truly enjoyed the pictures as well. There are so many small and simple things to be grateful for hiding amongst the crack and crevices of our lives. May we be fortune enough to sit quietly and observe for a moment the many blessings we have to be grateful for. And may we do this frequently. You know it has been shown that a grateful heart creates a happier person. Any one working on a badge? This would be the perfect time to start that gratitude journal. Sending you warm wishes and lots of love. Justine

Justine, after reading your lovely words, I’ve started that gratitude journal with my long list. And I’m keeping it going – for the Sisterhood badge AND for myself. Sending those warm wishes and love right back at ya’! xoxo, Libbie 

Loved your post Libbie! I sure miss you!
Evelyn sure turned out pretty. Doesn’t really look much like Mona at all..isn’t that weird..but they are both such pretty cows. We are lucky farmgirls!
Your boys are growing up so much!
You have a great week.
Love, Jenny

Oh, Jenny – I sure miss you too. How can it be that we live so close and still see each other so very little? We’ll have to change that, huh? It’s way interesting that Evie and Mona look so different – and you’re right – they’re both just darling!!! Much love, xoxo, Libbie

Hi Libbie, I too am a farm girl raised in central Utah on a small farm. I have had many almoster projects too. My husband and I have used a method of breaking jobs into smaller goals and smaller disappointments to get things done. It has helped keep things going and eventually get-er done moments. We haven’t got it all figured out but enjoy our little piece of paradise.
We have a large garden and greenhouse, two ford Jublie tractors. We like to be on the go so no animals right now. We love to build and create homespun furniture, quilts, etc.
I love the dark night sky with the stars twinkling and the falling stars, the deer that slip into to the yard at dusk. I love the one minute drive to work(if I have to wait at the stop sign). I love our homey place built with our own hands and that of our family on a couple of acres of my parents farm. We work hard to survive here, but it is all worth it to live the county life.

Obsessions: Husband Chris, Children, Grand children, Gardening, hot coco and the Warmth of fire, hearth and quilt. Quiet.
Current projects: Piecing and Quilting, planting spring bulbs, and making gifts and decorations for Christmas. Cleaning up garden and the leaves one more time.

Favorite home spun projects: Sticky Pine gum salve, Soap making.

Messiest projects: Sticky Pine gum salve, Soap making.
( I think I see a pattern here)!

Favortie farm girl memory: Riding along on the fender of the tractor( dad or husband).

Happy Farm Girl Fall
Deann

Hi, fellow Utah farmgirl! I’m excited to "meet" you – what a cool thing! You know, breaking big jobs down into little ones is a great step. And if I can actually DO the things (is that the smaller disappointments part?) that would really help things get underway. Thanks so much, Deann, for your thoughts and for "introducing" yourself! XOXO, Libbie

Oh Gosh Libbie….I am a born Almoster..and I am alot older than you. You are awesome!!
We need to get together sometime soon. One of those things I almost do is call you!!!
Have a wonderful weekend!~

He he! I’ve almost called you so very many times!!!!! Okay, so here’s to the call I’m going to make to you over the next week! xoxo, Libbie

Welcome back sweet Libbie! Please know that you are COMPLETLEY loved by all of us at the farm. Good to have you back in the saddle again …

…the difference between the rural farmgirl and the almost rural farmgirl is the difference between osculate and oscitant.

Okay, MaryJane! You had me running for the dictionary at "osculate" So, here’s what I’ve found: osculate: to kiss; and oscitant: to yawn… Yep. It’s true – you DO do both of them with the mouth, but there’s just a WORLD of difference, no? Much love to you and ALL of the folks at the farm. xoxo, Libbie

I needed this today, thank you…
Another almoster, yet always striving to finish more:)

Amy, somehow it IS reassuring to be in good company, isn’t it? 🙂 xoxo, Libbie

You’re just a baby at 40 Libbie,however I do feel that at least once a year you should take stock of where you want to be in the next 12 month and break those task done into attainable goals.Your most important project at this time is the raising of your family and focusing on them probably takes more out of you than you think.List of course play an important part in my life. I have a steno pad that I write on everyday and when the day is done I tear that page off and prioritize for the next day. The important thing is to keep putting one foot in front of the other EVERY day and not spend too much time wondering why you can’t get more done.Didn’t you know "a woman’s work is never done"?

The steno pad is a GREAT idea! The annual "life review" idea is one that I can really resonate with. I’m a real "list" person, too, and tearing "that day’s" page off sounds so darn satisfying!!!! xoxo, Libbie

Great ideal about breaking it into small jobs. My husband and I do that all the time, but I must say he is a pusher and will push to finish something. My personal jobs, I write down or at the least keep it in my heard till I can’t stand it any longer and I just do it. I know enough not to take on more that I can do. If it doesn’t seem like a lot of jobs done, you can take pride in the fact that, what was started at least got finished. Each year I try to improve on the garden, and there are always disappointments, I make it smaller until I can control it. Making quilts is an on going project. But at least work on it once a week. Read a little every night until that book you are reading gets finished and you can go on to the next. Stack the wood 10 pieces at a time until it is all stacked. If you didn’t get all your flowers planted in the pots,don’t buy so many next year. Did you ever notice the little plants that come up on their own each year because you didn’t have time to deadhead? Sometimes it not such a bad thing to not get something finished!Always take the time to reward your self, for finishing those little jobs,to set on the porch and have a pop-cycle with the kids.Good luck.

You know, there really IS something to be said sometimes for lowering the bar… or maybe even changing "bars" entirely! xoxo, Libbie

I thik you are being way too hard on yourself. I too read Ms. Hooles’ book a long time ago, and it gave me a complex I still haven’t gotten over. I know I will never be good enough to meet the expectations of those perfect people around me. I just try to do my best every day, and thats all I can do.. I too live on a farm in rural Utah, and life gets pretty hectic and hard out here. Those pansys are alright. Its those two beautiful children that really matter. And I bet your are the best mom they could ever have. Hugs and happiness to you…

Another Utah farmgirl!!! YAY! That made me laugh about the "Hoole complex!" Maybe I should just stop reading about how other folks do it all and just experiment with what *I* can do to be satisfied and pleased with what I do and how I go about doing it. Sound advice!!! (and I’m still chuckling about the "complex!"). xoxo, Libbie

Ohhh this really hit home L O L……I work a great deal…evrn more then "full time" and spend my off time playing and training my Doberman…..so ummmm my house is..lets say livable…..my den is also my office at home…..crafts (yarn…I seem to be a hoarder!) I have an "incredible sweater machine" that I haven’t even put together yet…because I needed the perfect table, found the perfect table…..ummm it’s still sitting in its box in my foyer……..sorry…..life always happens and I’d much rather be outside working in yards (we live in the pinelands…and I believe in "all natural v b g") or taking my dobe to obedience matches etc. each day you’re supposed to do small things…..well yes it makes a difference…but you know what…the house will always be here……clean or not up to Martha Stewart’s standards…..I "have" to work to make a living……but my doberman is certainly more important….V B G

I did get a sewing machine, good intentions……..I like to use the knitty kniter…have everything the company makes, I think.

It sounds like you have one lucky dog, so to speak! It’s true – it’s all in the priorities, isn’t it? xoxo, Libbie

Libbie:
I too am an almoster. Especially during the holidays, I pore over patterns and ideas for handmade gifts, and every year I find myself working my fool head off the night before Christmas trying to finish something up. I am looking forward to hearing suggestions from some of your other readers. I drive myself crazy!(Or actually walk there, crazy is pretty close)

Hee hee! I think that I can walk to crazy from here, as well! As I read the suggestions, I am so inspired – and I’m guessing you will be too. Much love! xoxo, Libbie.

Hi Libbie! Sure is nice hearing from you girl! I was beginning to worry.
I really like this quote “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences” ~Eleanor Roosevelt~ However…..If you are like me I want to see and do it ALL! Sometimes I come home from a trip and am exhausted because I tried to see and do it all.
I do not always do this …….. but I think the answer is to give yourself a pat on the back for all those things you complete and do well(I know there are a lot of them). I want to photograph, cook, can, garden, paint, hike, blog, write, sew, volunteer, and quilt (plus be a good wife, mother, daughter and friend). Wheeeew….. BUT I no longer try to "measure up" I work at being a true, authentic and sometimes "unique" person.
I retired this summer and won’t be driving around to see what is growing in your fields anymore. I still might stop by for a cup of tea sometime. Hugs to you.
Life is an adventure.
Barb

Thank you, Barb! I LOVE that quote, so much so that it’s now printed out on my refrigerator. YAY on your retirement, too – you know, now you’ll have time perhaps to come by and stay for a while, although I will miss you coming by to "check" on me!!! xoxo, Libbie

Happy Autumn Sunday to you, dear~

Truth, be told, I do believe there are more of us gals like you than not. Nearly sixty years of trying to get-er done moments have taught me to savor the process these days.

Projects, hopes, dreams, schemes can be monumental. It appears that multi-tasking should not be in my own personal life’s path. Nope, doesn’t mean that I can’t. Means I choose not to anymore.

As I watch the pink whisper of morning’s hello, my feet on a cold concrete floor, my steaming hot coffee next to me, a hubby softly snoring in the front room, two grandbabes slumbering and two old doggies up for their morning fortitude of kibble, I sigh thankfully for this quiet moment and hope to accomplish almost farmgirl stuffs today. 🙂

We live on a very small footprint of dirt, hence, the hydroponic gardens. We have two "older" barred rock hens, and eight newbies that hopefully, we still laying their beautiful soft brown eggs right around Christmas tide.

Three assorted kitties keep the mice and snakes at bay. Shoot, we live in West Central Florida; these critters were here long before us~ 🙂

We still can our garden surplus, bake bread, make our own laundry soap and try very diligently to eat locally if not all organic.

Adore your posts, thank you for sharing~

Happy Thanksgiving, dear!

God Bless you BIG!

Grandma/Mama T over @
Tindel Den Cottage

Theresa, it’s been so long since someone called me ‘dear!’ Thank you so very much. It’s early in the morning for me right now, as well, and I wish I were sitting with you sharing the coffee and sunrise. How peaceful. The vision is wondeful – and many, many blessings to you, as well! xoxo, Libbie

I, like you, have many almost finished projects. I am 59 and probably used that same homemaking book in high school, since I graduated in 1970. But I don’t know that we should measure ourselves by what is not finished.

I have a beautiful woven shawl I am cross-stitching in dragonflies and butterflies for a little girl’s birth. I think she turned 6 this year (and yes, I gave her another gift at the showe. It is almost finished. Her grandmother, my best friend of 45 years, asks about it occassionally. I assure her I will finish it before her wedding day. But I did transfer my grandson’s message to his father, teach him to embroidery over the letters, helped him machine-sew a fancy frame around it, sew it together on the machine, stuff it and turn it into a pillow for father’s day in just four days.

I have cooked with three of my grandchildren and those projects were completed with much joy and a sense of accomplishment for them, including an apple pie made from scratch and our homemade pizza crust that someone decided complete with a cheese-stuffed crust when the dough was too big for the pan.

And there have been those little disasters that won’t change lives like when we were making the Veteran’s Day meal for the vets in our house last week. We latticed the cherry pie and I grabbed the cinnamon-sugar marked shaker for the crust, not remembering that I had replaced it with cocoa when making tiramisu, and gave it to the grandson. You guessed it, over half of the pie was chocolate. We just added the cinnamon and sugar and ignored all the questions about it being burned.

What I am saying is, the unfinished, embroidered Christmas table runner, tucked neatly in the sewing box, hasn’t kept us from having wonderful family gatherings and making beautiful memories. The table leaf that hasn’t yet been stripped to match the refinished table doesn’t keep if from holding our plates at a meal. And someday a guest will enjoy the antique tables I stripped but haven’t yet painted and they will never know I left them unattended for several years while I played with the grands.

I send my husband out the door with breatfast at 6 and I have supper on the table when he gets home at 7:30. Inbetween those times, who knows what will get started and what will be completed. But there is a lot of love inside these walls and that is what matters most.

Now that the canning jarss have been washed for the second time, and since I have had the food processor on the counter for a week, perhaps I should make the pear butter from this year’s harvest.

Oh, Jeanie! I am learning so much from all of the comments to this post – it’s true, isn’t it about  the truth that "things" shouldn’t stand in the way of "folks" and definitely not in the way of love. "But there is a lot of love inside these walls and that is what matters most." That’s beautiful. Thank you. xoxo, Libbie

 

Hey Libbie,
I turned 65 on November 2 and I’m a Farmgirl thru and thru. I grew up on a small farm in Central Wyoming and went to business college in SLC. I make lists for each week and sometimes have to carryover things I didn’t complete the week before, but I find having a tangible list makes it easier for me to complete my tasks. I’m retired but still have things on the burner. My present project that is hanging over my head is a quilt for my newest Great-Grandchild which I need to have completed by the middle of Dec.

Good Luck and hang in there. "One step at a time"

Bytheway, the web site is my husband’s he writes historical novels, check it out.

Yes, Esther, lists are a farmgirl’s friend, indeed! I really like the idea of a weekly list — then there wouldn’t be so much re-writing involved. Yup. The "one-step-at-a-time" thing is my new mantra! xoxo, Libbie

Hi Libby,

When I was reading your post, it was like I was reading about me. I have a house full of things to finish and I am so tired of living that way. I don’t know why we do this to ourselves…I just can’t believe that another year is finishing and that my house is not what I want it to be, I haven’t lost the pounds I intended to lose this year, the sweaters I started to knit a couple of years ago still aren’t finished, etc. etc.

I really don’t know what it will take to get things under control but, after reading Deann’s comment, I’m going to
start with baby steps and maybe a timer, and I’m starting right now.

Have a nice day!

Kathleen

Kathleen – isn’t is wonderful how we all inspire each other to live the lives that we hold in our hearts? I, too, am tired of "almost-ing" along, and you know what? I’m starting right now, too.  xoxo, Libbie

Libbie:
I think that anyone who knits or otherwise crafts is required to be an "almoster". The objective is, after all, to acquire a stash you could never use up in a lifetime! As a wife, mother, minister, and grad student looking for a job, I can completely understand that things don’t always get done the way we would like them to. I think the question we have to ask ourselves is this: does anyone else even notice? If not, then is it important enough for us to worry about, or can we set it to rights some other time, after the kids have been played with and snuggled? My house never looks the way I would like it to, but it runs, and my family is usually pretty happy. Is my congregation as "seen to" as I would like them to feel? Never, but I am only one person. Part of the challenge is to help people to tend to themselves and each other, but not to forget how to love. Thank you for reminding us that we are not alone in our "almost-ness". Since the work is never done, we’ll always have some growing and enjoying the process to do! Be well, be happy, and rest assured that what you do matters to the people who love you!

Kathy, that is so inspiring to me. And your words are very vivid. AND, yes, I think I also needed to be reminded of the actual objective of yarn shopping is – it made me truly laugh…as I went out of town this last weekend and came back with two lovely hanks of yarn…that I have no plans for…yet…I think… xoxo, Libbie 

Libbie, what a relief to know there are a lot of almosters out there. I do have an idea that one of my friends at church came up with: Once a month she wants to have a UFO (unfinished object) party at the church in the evening. Everyone would bring an unfinished craft and work on it. Doesn’t that sound like like a great idea?

Barb, LOVE the UFO night! I might have to create a personal weekly UFO night here at home where I take a project that needs to be finished up and, as the popular slogan goes, JUST DO IT. What a cool idea! Thank you! xoxo, Libbie

Hello, Dear Neighbor! Libbie, I am so happy to see your posting! I’ve always so enjoyed your blog. You have a gift for words and writing. And, although living nearby I know much of what is happening on the Farm, I do so enjoy reading about it through your evocative writing style. Yours is one of my "happy" reads and favorite blogs!

Oh, Gail – thank you so very much for the vote of confidence – especially from a great blogger/writer yourself! Much love, xoxo – Libbie

I could not resist commenting on your insightful post as I am a part-time member of the "Almoster Club". Part of the time my projects get finished, part of the time my house is clean and tidy, part of the time my garden/beds get tended to…you get the idea. I always looked at this trait as a personality flaw; something I should work on and change or recover from. Until this past January, that is. My oldest son (12) was admitted to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh with severe pain in his left hip. For 2 wks prior we went back and forth with local docs trying to figure out what was going on – 3 different docs – 3 different answers. 1 kid in severe pain – 2 very scared and angry parents. Hence the whirlwind ambulance ride to Children’s. 4 nights on a hospital room couch, 30 docs(not exaggerating), lots of antibiotics, very strong pain meds, a radiographic hip aspiration later – we took home a smiling, happy, healthy kid. A miracle! Diagnosis: Severe pain left hip secondary to a viral infection – yep, new one to me, too. Fast forward to May. I came down with what I thought was the flu. With 2 kids in grade school it’s a regular event. 3 days in I could tell I wasn’t thinking clearly and hubby took me to the ER. Long story short, I had a serious bacterial infection due to a tic bite on the back of my right leg that developed into a serious case of cellulitis -probably acquired while working in my beloved herb garden. Left untreated for much longer and the bacterial infection would have killed me. 4 weeks of very strong antibiotics later I was healthy again. To me, another miracle!
My point in giving you these personal details? Perspective. When you put unfinished projects up against a very sick child and almost lossing your life over a bug bite, you are suddenly VERY HAPPY to have unfinished projects smiling back at you. Now I tackle them one at a time, when I have time between normal every day stuff, telling my guys I love them every chance I get, and thanking my lucky stars that I’m still around to start more projects and get half of them finished!

I chuckle to see your bag of Dandelions because my husband has been attacking them like crazy this year. Digging, digging and more digging because we are having a wedding in our back yard this summer. Our youngest daughter is getting married July 30th and the dandelions can take over our lawn in a matter of days. Yellow is not really the color she is aiming for. Now I am sure jelly would be a much better way to use them. Sorry about the sad times you have had but you are right just need to find something to keep us busy during those times.

Libbie here: Years ago my grandmother came over to visit from Hawaii. She really hadn’t left the islands very often at all, and our lawn had dandelions ALL over it. She wondered how everyone grew those pretty little yellow flowers in their lawns! Greatest wishes on the wedding – I just KNOW it’ll be wonderful…

Hello dear Libbie!
So nice to have you back in this space! I’ve yet to make dandelion jelly, but certainly have had enough of them around to try it…I’m sorry for your little guy and the loss of his best buddy, but that sweet face on your new puppy will make the hurt go away a bit faster maybe? Spring in your corner of the world looks sunny and bright… Best wishes for more sunshine!
Deb ( Beach farmgirl)

Dear Libbie, I so enjoyed every detail in your blog…the owlets(!!!), the puppy, the nest, dandelion jelly (??) etc. Recipe?? I’m so sorry about the loss of your son’s old friend. I know what it is to lose horses … as a child, an adult and a breeder. It *never* gets any easier. Someone once said to me that a person can avoid such losses by not having horses (or other animals for that matter). Maybe that is true, but you would also be missing so much love and added meaning in life. I would rather have all the extra love in life that pets offer and then lose them than to not have such love at all. Ideally, there is a lot of love in a person’s life, but with it comes loss. Absolutely unavoidable for us all. Learning to cope with loss is such an important skill. The acceptance of harsh losses never hurts less; it is the moving on skill that is so important and you never get any better at it if you don’t learn how breathe, let go and move on. Just my 2 cents worth. I’m 55 and still learning :o)
Shery

Hi Libbie, I am new to your blog, and I just love it! I am in awe at your home and all the love you have apparently put into what your family has built. My sympathy to you at the loss of your loved ones, It is always hard to let go of those we hold so dear to us, however we alway’s have their words of wisdom and fond memories. I am wonderring about your dandilion jelly, I have never heard of such a thing… would you be interested in sharing the recipie? I have been trying to rid my lawn of the pesky things, however if I can find another use for them, I am always willing to try a new venue! Thank you in advance, from a "northern" farmgirl! Sharon

I am a rural farmgirl too, but yet, I have so much to learn about the farm life and it is nice to pick up "tips" from you about this life. I LOVE dandelions! I love to see a field or yard full of them! I don’t feel they are a weed at all! They make the yard look so lovely!

This is our second season of lambies, as the kids call them. We have one ram and two ewes. Now both mommas have two sweet babies (4 all together). It is so much fun watching them jump and play! Our first season only saw one survivor, but this spring is going to be wild out there with all the running around! I love to watch the babies chase the chickens. Enjoy!!

Here in Texas spring to me is Bluebonnets and Thunderstorms. We have not had much rain this year so far, but April is usually wild. Spring is warm sunny days and cool nights perfect weather for getting out and camping.

March is going out like a lion here in Va.- we had 80 degrees early last week and it has been 40 and rainy here for the last three days! Welcome April- lets see if you can do a little better than March!
We brought home our first two lambs for my daughter to raise and show last weekend. Our farm used to have sheep up until the late 70’s and has been straight cattle ever since. So these two girls (Dixie and Belle) are reviving a tradition. Our Ram will arrive in May when he is old enough to be weaned. I have never had sheep myself so this is quite a lot of fun! They are awesome.

Congratulations! This brings back memories. When my daughter was a student at Hampshire College in MA we helped "birth" some lambs one year. It was a great experience. Some of the little ones looked like real life-sized Steiff stuffed animals! I’ve never had sheep myself, nor did my parents on their farm, so it was fun to read about yours. Here’s hoping all the rest of your babies make it through and thrive!

Love the pictures! Their little faces are so sweet! The babies are just precious! What a great way to welcome Spring. Farmgirl hugs! -Nicole, Suburban Farmgirl Blogger

What a wonderful "event"! I live in the mountains of NC and we have a small "farm" with 25 chickens and 2 horses. We also tend lots of gardens for flowers, veggies and herbs. I sell my extra eggs to a few neighbors, and 4 dozen a week go to a small catering company for which I work 3 days a week. Having spent my middle life in the city in Florida, I love our retirement in the country. Enjoy reading your blogs every month, and wish I had the time, land & energy to really get into farming!

Wow, you sure shear your sheep early! We don`t do ours until June here in the Salt Lake Valley, and that is well past lambing season (which is just about over here). Still waiting for my friend`s Tunis sheep to lamb, any day now. We had lots of twins this year, no triplets like last year. Now you must tell the readers about banding the tails and about Little Boy Blue, the nursery rhyme “leaving their tails behind them” (originally) vs. “wagging” or “bringing their tails behind them (modern version). Hugs, Cathy K in Murray, UT

Thanks so much for all the great pictures. I love sheep. I am getting my front pasture ready for some sheep. My friend has Suffolk ewes about ready to lamb. I will get some for meat. Then another friend has Shetland-Cheviot that I want for the wool. I hope to be getting some in the next few months. I can hardly wait.

My heifer just had her 1st calf, a bull, a few days ago. That was very exciting. Glad it’s over and she had a nice healthy calf. I also have 2 does due in a few weeks. Also getting lots of chicken and turkey eggs now.

And a few pigs getting ready to go to market middle of April.

So busy days here at Outback Farm in North Georgia. I am loving all the new babies!

hi very interesting how your sheep get sheared! i as a kid did 300 + sheep at easter time i sheared by hand the old way! hard work but i was a dummy–my dadsfriend from canada showed my dad how to shear sheep he was a old russian man so me being curoious i thought i should do this too–well it turned out the russian taught me very well and i was stuck shearing all the sheep every year during easter break growing up! :]

Thanks for the shearing story – been a long time since last I was ‘there’. We are still having a bit of Winter so not much happening here on the mid-eastern plains of Colorado. Oh by the way I live in a ‘burb’ but my sons family lives on a 5 acreage just up the hill so I still get to enjoy his ‘farm’ – 4 horses, a flock of chickens, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 of the most of the most grandchildren. For me I do my ‘farm girling’ in my back yard with a windmill, watering tank (which I use for tomatoes) and dream that I’m on a ‘real farm’. Keep up the good work on those boys – ah God’s blessings are many.

I have just begun breeding German Angoras for hand spnining and I would like to learn more. I have a new litter of kits, a buck and a doe. I am harvesting a humongous ammout of wool just from these two! I am interested in atending a shearing party. Will there be any near Minnesota in the near future? I have several friends who would also be very interested as well.

What awesome birds of prey! We do have bald eagles in our area in Michigan but I have only seen one ever. We do have very large hawks that fly over often and turkey vultures so I have to keep the chickens in the run unless I am out and about. Thanks for sharing!

How wonderful Libbie! I love the symbolism of the Eagle and family guarding your home! Very powerful indeed…We haven’t had any out of the ordinary nature sightings near or around our home lately… but we’ve been enjoying the birds coming to the feeder that hangs right out in front of my kitchen window. We’ve had so much snow in New England and the birds even come to the feeder when the flurries are flying! Yesterday we took a long warm walk by the Cape Cod Canal.. It was heaven… the smell of the ocean, sea birds all about, and the warm ( 40 degree) sun shining down on calm waters was all we needed to recharge our batteries from a little too much inside time!
Take good care of all of yours inside and out!
Beach Blessings,
Deb

Hello Libbie!
What a wonderful experience to see such a magnificent bird in your own tree! I saw a bald eagle a couple of months ago near our farm here in Kansas…my husband has never seen one in the wild here before. I’m from British Columbia and we have many of them. One spring in BC the radio station reported that people were phoning in reporting that there were over 20 bald eagles hanging around an opening in the ice near the road so we drove over to take a look. By the time we got there there was only one but he was in a tree just above us. He spread his wings and flew off and we were all amazed at how HUGE he was! You just don’t realize what majestic creatures they are until you see them up close. You certainly got a double dose of excitement with seeing the two owls in the evening…what a great day you had! I hope you have a wonderful day…keep warm and stay safe.
Maura 🙂

It’s unusual to sight an eagle here in Western Pa, I would love to see one in my backyard. But, unbelievably, as I opened the basement door a few weeks ago something flew past my legs. I thought it was another starling that got into the house somehow. I walked to the kitchen and there sitting on an old ladder hanging from the ceiling was an American Screech Owl! After getting pics(so people would believe me!) I chased him down and caught him and released him outside. Amazing.

I have a pair of owls that hunt in my neighborhood. Yep, neighborhood. Huntsville AL in the ‘burbs and we have owls, hawks, turkey vultures and lots of other birds. They make me amazed at how well nature can adapt to any situation.

Isn’t it wonderful! we saw our first local eagles last fall. they are about 10 minutes from where we live in Akron, OH. Mom & Dad eagles with two young. a boy & a girl. we just drove over there this weekend to see if we could spot them working on their nest. it is my understanding they come back to the same nest each year. Ohio’s eagle population is growing. So happy for you to have both eagles and owls. Keep us posted. It’s a wonderful thing to see something so majestic and pure and i love hearing (and seeing) other peoples encounters…Janet

You are so lucky! I just love to see those "big guys" out and about.
Just keep your lamby babes under cover & I don’t think you’ll have to worry. Good Luck!

Libbie,
Thanks for sharing the photos and your observations. Isn’t it a wonderful thing to have such beautiful birds as residents? Here in central PA we are also blessed to have eagles, horned owl, that sound so neat chordling back and forth on these frigid nights, as well as falcons and ospreys. We live out just far enough and fairly close to a river that they all visit all year. How blessed I feel when I can watch and listen to them. The family of hawks live in the top of a dead tree on the fence row and the chicken fuss every time they fly over. I love it!

We live in Southern California but are blessed to live in the outer most part of Los Angeles, in a little town between Palmdale and Santa Clarita for any of you that know this area. I drive A LOT, as anyone in SoCal does. I have a favorite sighting on my drive to school and back of a family of red tailed hawks, flying and circling and diving. It always lifts my spirits when ever I see them which is just about daily. Also, I see Gray Fox and Coyotes because I have to watch for them so I don’t hit them. They dash in front of the car, in front of me, just at an easy, comfortable clip as though they have no worries. We too are minus the mice we usually see. Thank you, wild animals, for keeping the rodents in check! We heard an Owl on our fireplace in our bedroom late at night, it is such a wonderful sound and always makes us share a smile when we hear them. But the most amazing thing our family has seen in SoCal is a bobcat. He sat on a low wall outside in the garden which was just past our sliding door from our kitchen table. We were eating dinner and I think, maybe what we were having, must have caught his attention, because he sat and watch us the entire meal, though I don’t remember eating much. It spurred a lively discussing and we just watched him watching us. It was great for young children to see that, up close and personal, and still be safe. Wish we have thought to grab the camera but no one wanted to move.

I would love to see eagles at our home here in Texas. We do have beautiful redtail hawks here. We have plans to put up an owl house for next year.

Eagle medicine is powerful, I’m sure you know that. The Lakota believe that seeing an eagle with it’s mate is a message from an ancestor. Which one of your ancestors would want to send you a bit of love, protection and positive power? More than one, I’d bet!
Love and light to you
My-more-than-sister
Missing you so so much
Kate

how great is it that so many like-minded women have a place to share an experience like yours.i suppose there are some who would consider all the oohing and aahing over such simple things as "birds" kinda silly..NOT ME! i totally get it.there is a mating pair of pileated woodpeckers living on our place here in northern lower michigan.they are frequent visitors to the suet feeders in the winter and they,too,are magnificent birds.thanks everyone for sharing!

Loved your eagles! I always like to sit in the morning and watch the birds at our birdfeeders ….. in the Spring we always see different ones passing by and over the years I am sure they just know a good stop for breakfast! I also look forward to the first glimps of pelicans in the pond by our home. Love to you and your family.

Hello Libby!
Thank you for the invite from one farm to another! It’s chilly here in "sunny" Florida. Shouldn’t complain, I know, after seeing the Northeast these past few weeks, but it’s a TAD cool for my bones here too! January always brings up thoughts of getting my seeds sorted, bought and finally planted in pots. Will be time soon (end of January) to plant taters. Can’t wait, as that means it won’t be long til warmth comes back! Thank you for sharing and for the opportunity to visit. Come on over to the cottonfieldfarm for a visit when you have time. So nice to visit over the fence. God bless. Regina cottonfieldfarm.blogspot.com

My prayers are with you and your son. I know a little of what you’re going through as my son’s best friend since birth had heart problems too – not the same type as you’re sons. He is now 19 years old and has had to go through 5 major surgeries so far with one more possible by the time he’s 35. He is a wonderful young man and like my own son. It is amazing what doctors can do – and how quickly children can recover from all they have to go through. Things are improving all the time and what we thought of as miricles just a few years ago are now common operations. May God bless you and hold your son in the palm of his hand.

HI! The kettle is on and there is a loaf of fresh baked bread just waiting to be sliced. After years of working to just to survive and not enough time for visiting, I can now say " Come on over for a cup of tea and some goodies.". There is something about the sound of ladies when they are together laughing,sharing,just being women that is a healing balm to the soul. So come sit a spell and lets share life!

Thanks for the invite and the cup of herbal tea, I like a bit of honey in mine please. You will have to stop by my place in Michigan some time!
I don’t know how you felt when hearing about your son needing surgery, but when I was a child at the age of 11 yrs old, I had to have surgery for scoliosis, years ago(over 30 yrs ago) and I know its important to have "strong" brave parents for we are scared, we don’t understand why, but as long as we feel your love it helps. I hope you don’t get offended by this, but I just remember how scared I was being left in a hospital at night it was the loneliness and scariest times.

Hi Libby I have been reading this site for awhile but as yesterday I am a certified farmgirl of the sisterhood. Thanks for the invite and I love both coffee and tea. I love the pictures you posted. I live on about 50 acres but horses,dogs,cats are all I have now. I have started planning our garden I can all I can. Anyway enough about me sounds like you are busy all year too. And as a mother of grown boys you are right they are the most important thing. Sorry to hear about William but what ever has to be done I am sure he will have a loving family around him to help and the doctors hands are blessed with prayers to guild him. Thanks again for the visit and I hope many more I am excitied to be a new member of Farmgirl Connections

Hi Libby,

I can relate to much of what you have said here….I do love to "visit" too. Your description of a visit fits me to a T! I’ll take a blanket, and take my shoes off, and sit on the couch with you…wood stove sounds lovely, too.
We had several horses when I was growing up. I was afraid of them, but helped with their care anyway. My older sister rode them. For a time we also had a bull, and cow. One day, when I was in high school, I was walking home, and saw all the neighbors gathered around our yard (7 acres, all fenced in ). I ran to see what they were watching. Well, my mother -at age 40 was being chased up the hill by the bull. It seems that she had gone and waved her apron at the bull, when she saw he’d gotten out the pasture and tried to get him back in.He was determined to tromp her good! I never knew my mother could run so fast! The men finally got him corraled before he could harm her, tho.
I will say some prayers for your little William, too. My daughter was born with a major heart defect (she’s now 37)that can’t be fixed. She has 2 little ones, during which her labors she had to wear a heart monitor, to make sure she did not have a heart attack. They have also said that she should not have any more. I worry she may need a transplant some day, but try not to think about it often. She just wants to live long enough to see them grown. I pray for that too. We know that organs are not always available when the need is there.
I see you posted a month ago….I believe that others have not responded, with the holidays’ "busyness" abounding. It is now Jan. 21, and I only just recieved your blog alert. As most folks I have been extremely busy too -we have just had our 3rd snowstorm since Christmas, and are due for another big one next Tues.
Let us know how things are with little William….we do care!

It is so difficult when our children get ill, even when they are in their adulthood. As you take care of him please take special care of yourself! Will keep you in my prayers.

How I enjoyed the "visit" with you just now! I have to have those same kind of "visits" with my beloved Jenny in Utah but we are sister just the same!

I am glad to that you shared about your son. You will all be on my prayer list from this day forward….I often say my prayers as I am feeding and watering my chickens, ducks, goats, bunnies, cats,and dog in the early mornings….somehow I just feel so close to God at that time…And you will be mentioned by name every morning and believe me, the power of prayer can see you through ANYTHING, no matter what is your "religious" views!

I’ll be glad when you get Evelyn back at home….I so love hearing about Jenny’s sweet cow and her little steer friend Stewie! We’ll be hoping that Evelyn has a beautiful little heifer just like her and Mona! a/k/a bamasuzy

Hi Libby,
What a wonderful visit! My heart hurts for you. I think we can stand whatever happens to ourselves, but let our child be under threat and our hearts spasm with fear. I will be praying for him and strength for you. I know you have the courage it takes.
Genny(in very frigid PA)

Hello Libby!
Thank you for the wonderful visit! You are a gracious hostess and your tea was fabulous! There’s nothing like a good old fashioned visit " farmgirl to farmgirl" to share what’s on our minds and in our hearts… I love your farmhouse and the cozy feeling you have created there for your family. You will all be in our prayers as you go steadily forward with treatment for your son.
Sending prayers and a big farmgirl hug!
Beach Blessings
Deb

My first time "visiting" with you and it felt wonderful. Inspired me to make that extra effort to "visit" with others without having a reason that makes me stop other than to enjoy each other’s company.
I have added William to my prayers.

Chilly in Virginia as well 😉
Emily

Hi Libby,

It is balmy, in the 40’s here on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Hubby is off, and we are going to prune our fruit trees today, and my parents’ tomorrow. No rain, but it is still damp and cloudy. I’m going to make my favorite blender soup for lunch(cook up potato, onion, kale, broccoli and blender up!) My prayers go out to you and your son’s doctors and nurses; be strong, and try not to worry. Take care

OK- first- research ask questions and write down lots of notes. Be an advocate for your son. It will help keep it all straight. Having lived through a few of these scary kids/family things. I find it helps to be on the prepared side of the medical conversations.

Horse- i know the whole OLD feeling. We buried out old pony a year ago. But being 39, he had a very amazing happy life. We also were happy everyday that he was there to great us with a little whiny. And he wld watch us through the back windows.

Rescue- we rescued our, hmm 3rd, this past Mother’s Day. She is a thoroughbred rescue. Sweet, smallish mare. She never pulled on the bit, ran away or bolted. BUT she did LAY DOWN when we were riding her. We found that her teeth were very bad (open sores in her mouth even). AN equine dentist and a chiropractor and she is doing much better. With all the snow and ice in our part of the country, she is enjoying some good- be a horse time. Maybe talk to your friends and get an equine dentist to look at your rescue.

I will keep you, your family and horse in my thoughts.

Thank you soo much for your invitation, my prayers are with you and your family, may the lord bless you and keep in his arms. The eagles and owls are good luck and prosperity and good health, There is a lot of blessing and prayer give to you and your family at this time, keep the faith and give thanks to GOD. He loves you and your wonderful family. love a simple lady. I don’t know what is to have or live in a farm so I truly enjoy your life. thank you:D

Hi Libbie, Enjoy reading your Blogs. Prayers from Texas sent your way for Williams complete recovery.

Thank you so much, Sadye! xoxo, Libbie

What a pleasure to enjoy a dream I have always had through your articles. You are a blessing and I pray that you and your family have a blessed Christmas. Thanks again for taking the time to share you experiences with us.

Merry Christmas Libbie to you and yours!!!

I so enjoy your blog. We to have our Christmas traditions.
This year we also added to our list a 4 generation picture, you see our first grandchild was born October 21st. My mom is 86 yrs old, so we took a picture with her, my daughter, new granddaughter (Morgan Jane) and me. Such a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

Great post Libbie! I can indentify- we live in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mtns. of Va. and I cant imagine living anywhere else. After travelling to the midwest this past summer I realized this- boy, its flat out there! Lovely, but flat! I hope your family has a wonderful holiday and thanks for sharing your adventures with the rest of us farmgirls!

Thanks for a thought provoking post! One of the things that you said…"If you can let go of the need to "get somewhere," it turns out that the speed of a child is always the right one. Just slow enough to really feel the magic…" is an awesome thought! That really makes ones’ "country" so meaningful. Blessings, Reba

I really enjoyed your pictures. The one line that struck me is how the red rock sandstone is in your blood. It helps me understand how I was so different from my siblings. I alsways wanted to be away from the city, farming. I could not understand why. My father was the same way. Then, I went back to Mexico when I was a teenager to stay for a few months with family. My family farmed and ranched. I felt so at home, like a peace that you get when you are where you are supposed to be in life. It was then I made up my mind that I was not going to live in the city, but find my calling and find some land. Though I may only be on one acre, I love it. I get to garden and do what I love, to sew and enjoy the land I am on. It is funny how something can be in your blood like that, but it is true and it is so satisfying.
I enjoy seeing your pictures and that you share your family with us. Farm girl sisterhood at its best.
Carolina