Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Although our days on the dairy farm are busy and filled with

 a variety of challenges, 

I'm thankful for the smiles that come with these two tractor drivers

 and the opportunity we have to watch the fifth generation

 embrace life on the farm.

                                         
                                                 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

As I turned into the driveway late this afternoon, 

I saw this group of pregnant cows resting in the shade.

It was a perfect picture for the word content.

                                                     
                                   It was obvious the cows are enjoying the lower temperature
                                            and humidity for the first two days of August.
                                 
                                  Although I know these cooler temperatures are just a pause in
                                         our usual summer heat, I'm thankful for the comfort
                                                  provided for the cows and the farmers.

Dairy Farm Magic

As I was watching the hay mowing cutter go across the field yesterday, 

I thought back to late last fall when Hattie and I were watching the 

manure spreader go in a similar pattern spreading  liquid cow manure.

From brown to green...a little dairy farm manure  magic!

 Cow manure is a nutrient used to fertilize fields that are 

part of our dairy farm's nutrient management plan.

Utilizing our  cows' manure is  an important part of our farm's

 sustainability because it adds organic material to the soil, 

increases the water holding capacity of the land and

decreases the amount of commercial fertilizer that is purchased.

                                             A perfect picture of a farmer working his magic!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

There's nothing unusual about experiencing hot and humid

 weather in Northwest Arkansas during  July.

When we start the early morning at 81 degrees, 

I am thankful for the cloudy, overcast sky that offers a little relief 

for the dairy  cows while they are eating from the feed wagons

and

 the weed pullers in the garden!

Arkansas Cake and Ice Cream

One of the benefits of being a Carrol Electric customer is the free subscription to the cooperative's  monthly   magazine Arkansas Living. Recipes from great Arkansas cooks is one of my favorite magazine features. I love collecting these recipes and will be adding  Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake.  This delicious cake recipe was submitted by Doris Houser of Lockesburg and featured in the March 2017 issue.  Many thanks to Doris for sharing this delicious dessert recipe.


This turned out to be a perfect and quick recipe for an impromptu get together with family and friends.
Of course, you must add that huge dip of vanilla
ice cream  for the perfect topping!





Blueberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 yellow butter cake mix
1 3-ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs,beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups blueberries,fresh or frozen

Preheat oven 325 degrees F. Lightly spray 9-inch tube or Bundt pan with cooking spray and dust with flour.

Combine cream cheese and oil in medium bowl. Beat with mixer until smooth and creamy. Add cake mix,pudding mix, eggs and vanilla. Beat at medium speed until blended. Fold in berries (batter will be thick).Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool cake in pan on wire rack 20 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool completely on a wire rack

Topping,optional:
Sprinkle powdered sugar on top or make a glaze using 3/4-cup powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon grape juice (or more for desired consistency).

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

                                                 
                                        Feeding calves is one of my everyday jobs on the farm.
                                 Even though I've fed more than a few bottles, I still think it's fun!

                                  Each calf receives a two quart bottle of milk twice a day for the
                                  first three days to make sure they receive all of their mother's
                                    colostrum. At three days we teach them to drink from a bucket
                                       and  continue to feed milk and add grain to their daily diet.

                                          We monitor and observe each calf closely for any
                                         problems and make sure they receive good nutrition.
 
                 

                                        I'm thankful for my job of caring for these new babies
                                              that are the future of our family dairy farm.

                             It's a fact: Calves grow up to become the cows that produce milk,
                                so farmers make it a priority to get them off to a healthy start.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Our cows enjoy a balanced nutritious diet every day. 

It's one of the most important ways we take care of our dairy cows 

everyday and in return, they provide us with nutritious milk.

This was one of the messages I shared during this past week 

with a small group of children making their first visit to a dairy farm.

Touring the feed barn and watching the cows eat is one 

of my favorite stops on the tour.

I consider it a privilege  to be able to share with children and adults 

 how we care for our dairy cattle  everyday

 during  a farm tour.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to provide 

the perfect show and tell for all ages!