Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We couldn't have asked for better hay baling weather this past week.
It was hot and dry and the last bale was rolled up before the rain shower.

Harvesting hay requires planning that includes the time needed for cutting,
raking and baling. Watching the weather forecast is part of that planning
but sometimes even the best plan can be surprised by the pop-up shower.
We're still looking for that perfect app for weather predicting!


I'm thankful for the harvest of this dry hay that will 
provide our dairy and beef  cows with the nutrition 
needed this fall and winter.


Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Farming is dangerous business.
It seems especially dangerous when moving large,wide
equipment from field to field when it requires moving on
 narrow country roads or entering a highway that is full of 
vehicles that are not too happy to share the road with 
a slower moving tractor.

One of my jobs this last week was to follow the tractor
 and planter as we moved to the next field. I held my breath
 a few times on the dirt road when we met a car or truck
 but my fits of anxiety were worth it just getting to
 enjoy the canopy of trees that shaded
 this old country road. 


I'm thankful for these moments of inspiration
provided by the beauty around us,


for the farmer that loves to plant a crop for his cows to enjoy,
and

                                          for the curiosity of heifers when you open the gate
                                                                 to the field next door!

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday


Monday was 'test' day down on the dairy farm .
It wasn't a pass or fail test like you might have in school but rather 
a fact gathering test to give us information about the production of
each cow being milked on the farm.

Greg, our Mid-South Dairy Records technician, arrived 
before milking time to set up his meters and prepare to 
take a sample of milk from each cow.

All of the information gathered about each cow's milk is transferred into
a computer program that is part of our herd's record keeping system.


I'm thankful for the dedicated service Greg provides 
for our farm to assure we produce high-quality milk,
and for the years of friendship that make us more like family. 

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Just as we do everyday, we're starting our July 4th celebration with feeding our calves
and getting the cows milked.  It's what we do everyday of the year but
that's not to say we won't be having fun later!

July 4th is a very special remembrance of the freedom we have 
to farm and do what we love.
I am thankful for the life we enjoy everyday on the farm and
to be involved in an occupation that provides nutritious milk
 for your family and mine.

I hope you have a very happy and safe July 4th!


                                                                         Happy July 4th!

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Key Lime Pound Cake

 A  few weeks ago, I found this delicious Key Lime Pound Cake while scrolling on Facebook.
Many thanks to the author of The Irreverent Kitchen for sharing this dairy packed recipe!

From the reviews of family and friends, I'm adding this to my cake recipe collection!


Key Lime Pound Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
4 sticks butter, room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs, room temperature                                                         
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup fresh key lime juice
1/4 cup evaporated milk
4 teaspoons key lime zest,minced
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Cover inside of 10 inch tube pan with non-stick spray.
Beat butter with stand-up or electric hand-held mixer until light in color and fluffy.
One at a time, add the eggs and beat only until yellow disappears.
Stir juice, milk,zest and vanilla together.
Now mixing by hand, gradually add flour to the butter egg mixture alternating with the key lime juice
and milk mixture. Begin and end with flour. Mix well but just enough to incorporate all ingredients.
Pour evenly into the tube pan and tap pan on the counter to loosen any air bubbles.
Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
cool on a cooling rack for 20-25 minutes in the pan then transfer from pan to cooling rack and allow to cool another hour or until completely cool.

Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
3-4 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 cups confectioner's sugar,sifted
1/2 cup freshly squeezed key lime juice
2-3 teaspoons key lime zest
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until well mixed.
Add confectioner's sugar  and beat well until completely smooth and fluffy.
Add key lime juice, zest, and vanilla and mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
Ice cake.
The excess icing was used to fill the middle hole of the cake and when the cake is served, icing can
be dolloped next to the side of a slice of cake.

                                     
                                               Don't forget your dips of vanilla ice cream!

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday


To cut or not to cut? 
That has been the question most discussed 
during this season of rain not only down on the dairy farm
but by farmers across  Benton County and many parts of Arkansas.
Hay is an important crop for all livestock farmers and growing
it is an important part of  our farm's  sustainability.

Many fields are still too wet to cut but after much discussion
it was decided to take our chances and start with the small field 
next to the house so it can be fertilized for the next cutting.

Too much rain has created the need for more creative planning and
adjusting our usual work schedules but
I'm thankful for the rain because without it,
nothing grows.


Too much or too little of anything, reminds us who is in control.
Even the lilies know that! 


Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

I come from a long line of homemade ice cream eaters.
When I was small child, it was my delight to fight with the 
visiting cousin on who would sit on the ice cream freezer 
while our Papa (our Grandpa)  turned the crank.

The next best memory was helping to clean the paddle 
that was full of creamy ice cream.
Our electric ice cream freezer has changed the work 
that goes into making the ice cream, but our 
 memory making continues with the next generation.

As you can see, this was serious business for my Mother
and my granddaughter Hattie!

                                                   
                                          I'm thankful for the holidays that bring us together
                                              as a family and  these special milk memories
                                                         made down on the dairy farm!