Homestead 73

Evening milking delay was brought to you by workplace safety concerns.

Hetty refused to come into milk which is completely out of character for her.

Turns out she had REASON. Girl was distraught.

The rabbits ate my tulips.

I ate the rabbits.

Nature is healing.

Shredded wild rabbit tacos:
• Rabbit
• 1 jar salsa
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Chili powder
• Salt & pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder

Slow cook 5 hours until tender and serve with utter satisfaction.

We got the truck stuck in the pasture for these blackberries.

Worth it.

Sheep milk yogurt and wild blackberries are an unmatched combination.

“AI is coming for your job.”

Cool. I’d love to see AI give a shot through a teat or***ce barely visible to the human eye.

The hot wet weather has been both a blessing and a curse. The grass is thriving, but the mud has been RELENTLESS. Even with the dairy girls on pasture, there’s only so much I can do before it catches up.

Hetty tested positive for mastitis the other day. Thankfully, we caught it very early. No dramatic symptoms. No swelling. No obvious pain or distress. Just suddenly no milk from one side and a positive test. We started treatment immediately and have been working closely with our vet from the start to make sure she has the best chance at a full recovery.

While I was busy spiraling and blaming myself, as one does, my vet reminded me that even the strictest facilities deal with mastitis and catching it quickly and responding fast put her in a really good position.

What a season, guys. Between the back-to-back storms, mud, rain, and the constant “what now?” moments, I am more than ready for this new milk barn to become reality.

Send a little love our way. I am currently in a season of “are you freaking kidding me.”

At least something is thriving after this nonstop rain.

Hetty is well past peak lactation and still giving around 30 ounces per milking. Right at half a gallon a day from a first freshener. To say I’m pleased with her is an UNDERSTATEMENT.

If you remember, at peak lactation she was giving around 45–55 ounces per milking, so she’s earned the right to coast a little.

The goal is to dry her off this fall just in time for breeding season. The schedules never stop and my brain is always working three seasons ahead.

Until then, I’m appreciating our routine together and the work she’s putting in.

Brb. On a mission to make sure homemaking skills never die.

Mental health update: watched a baby rabbit munch on clover. Healed.