Merry Dairy Traditions

Our Christmas tree is full of ornaments that have been lovingly

 received as gifts from friends and family over the last thirty-two years.

Placing these special ornaments on the tree each year is 

an important part of our family tradition, a celebration of friendships

 and a thankfulness for the relationships of those who are no longer with us.

These two ornaments always bring a smile to this  dairy farmer!

Christmas Day on the dairy farm will be busy as usual  as we 

 milk the cows, make sure all the cows and calves are fed 

 and add the usual fun family Christmas traditions

 of eating a lot and opening presents.

A merry  day on the dairy  indeed!

From down on the dairy farm...

Merry Christmas!

           

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

It seemed like the calves were celebrating the first day of 

winter with a moooving song  while waiting on their morning milk.

Since it's just a few days before Christmas, 

they may have been singing their version of Jingle Bells

 or letting us know how they appreciated a warmer

 morning with bright sunshine.

Although we don't like to dwell on the type of winter weather we may face,

I'm thankful for the warm sunlight and the promise of longer daylight hours.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

On a cold,damp dreary day, 

                                      I'm thankful for the blessing of new life that brightens
                                          the day and warms the heart of the dairy farmer.

Cafe-Au-Lait Kind of Day

                                       Although winter won't begin until December 21st,
                                    Sunday afternoon calf feeding chores  must have been
                                     a trial run just to see how many layers of clothes we can
                                                               get on under the rain suit.

Midwest Dairy's Hazelnut Cafe-Au-Lait was a perfect beverage

 choice after feeding calves on a damp and chilly Sunday afternoon. 

                            

Hazelnut Cafe-Au-Lait                           


Ingredients:

3 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 cups brewed coffee
3 tablespoons hazelnut-cocoa spread*
Dash ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons whipped cream


Directions:

Microwave milk,coffee and hazelnut spread in a large,heat proof glass bowl on high for 2 minutes or until mixture is hot,not boiling. Whip with a hand mixer or whisk until frothy. Pour into 3 serving cups. Top with whipped cream and dust with cinnamon.


Yield: 3 servings


Helpful Tips:

*Nutella was used for this recipe
To save time, use a can of pressurized whipped cream to top the drink.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

The Arkansas Farm Bureau 82nd Annual Convention was held

 in Hot Springs last week. 

It's always great to connect with other Arkansas farmers and ranchers

  to share information and celebrate the activities

 that have occurred during the year. 

The conference theme "Our Common Ground" was a perfect fit.

I'm thankful for the many Farm Bureau  contests like Sew With Cotton 

that  highlight commodities raised in Arkansas and provide

 opportunities for competition and learning for 4-H members,

                                     
                         for the grassroots policy developed by the members of Farm Bureau,

and

 for the many volunteer opportunities allowing me to contribute

 and work with others to  benefit our  communities across Arkansas. 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Having no internet service for a period of time does create a lot of issues 

and inconveniences when we rely on internet access for doing business 

but 

I'm thankful that internet access isn't required 

for caring for our dairy calves and cows

or

                                                                 playing with Hattie!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your blessings;

See what God hath done.

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your many  blessings;

See what God hath done.

                           ---J. Oatman,Jr. 1856-1922

                     
                                                     I'm thankful for the blessings of life--
                                                         faith, family, farming and friends.

                                                    Happy Thanksgiving!