There have been a lot of comings and goings in the family of late. I thought I’d give a brief update:
A few weeks ago we welcomed our new house cow into the family. 🙂 Her name is Missy – short for Miss Buttercup. She’s a Friesian/jersey cross. It’s hard to pick a quiet cow when they’re in a herd of 200. I asked Milly if she was ready for a struggle, and she told me ‘that’s the best bit!” However, Milly picked a good one this time! She’s been so good, other than a bit hard to get her into the bail. But once she’s there, she is as solid as a rock. Chris made a milking bail by the house. It’s even got a roof so we don’t get wet when it’s raining. Pure luxury.
I have been swamped with milk!! 10 litres a day and it just keeps on coming. I spend up to an hour a day just dealing with it! I make heaps of butter, mozzarella cheese, ricotta, yoghurt. It’s delicious. Milly has also been earning good money by selling milk to four different families. Two other people saw me with a bucket of milk at church and asked if they could buy the raw milk too. We could have quite an industry going if we wanted! Actually Chris sent me the link to a newpaper article about raw milk today. Makes a very interesting read. here’s the link for those of you who may be interested. http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/7131704/Dairy-farmers-go-back-to-basics/
My garden continues to provide us with plenty of produce. I’m enjoying looking after it although I must confess to being a bit slack with the weeding at times. We’ve planted one of the four gardens in lupins for winter.
Chard, kale, chinese cabbage (delicious) bok choy, lettuce…
Another coming has been the arrival of a sweet white-faced calf called Little Red. He’s a Hereford/fresian/jersey cross, two days old.
We needed to get a calf for Missy to feed so she stays in milk while we’re away. She was very interested in this strange little thing that kept trying to suckle from her. We put her in the bail and he enjoyed a good long drink.
Josiah is now right in the thick of things at the Sonshine Camp in Washington D.C and loving it. Today was his first proper day of camp with campers. Last week was training. He has made a lot of friends – Scottish, Irish, American, Aussie, Navaho Indian…
It’s fun to skype him. I miss him arriving home each night from work at Homewood Stoves with his black face.
Kate is counting the days till Chris, Sam and I arrive in Cambodia. Only eleven more sleeps! We can’t wait. She’s organised all sorts of things for us to do over there – concerts, devotions, building work for Sam and Chris in a slum, elephant rides, and of course all sorts of exploring and sight seeing. We are also spending three days in Vietnam before leaving to come home in time for Milly’s 16th birthday! Milly, Ellie and Jacob are going to be the only three of the family in New Zealand for those two weeks! They’re looking forward to some fun with the cousins while we’re away.
Here’s a verse we’ve been memorising:
“The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and your going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121
More when we return from our adventures!
Rosie 21 June 2012