Rain Showers

We had several rain showers come through today, they didn't amount to all that much but they were enough to get you wet if you were out in them. It is also kinda cool, (low 50's) so if you did get wet, you would really be kinda cold. I guess the cows thought that same thing, cause this is where they went to stand, when there was a shower. Didn't bother going back to their pasture and into their shed, through the open gate, but just stood under this tree by the goats shelter...I think they still avoid their pasture, for fear they won't be able to get back out and enjoy the nice green grass! *giggle*

I thought it was funny, when I saw them running for the tree during the first shower this morning. I knew the goats hated to get wet, but didn't know the cows would be the same way. Maybe it just depends on the cow...or how cool it is, I don't know, but our two Jerseys sure headed for shelter today, when it showered.

I didn't get any LO's done today, to busy making butter and a couple kinds of cheese. Mabel has picked up on how much milk she is giving us, now that she is on better grass...it's still not fantastic, but since she is only milking out of one quarter I guess it's probably pretty good. We have gotten a gallon a day for the last two or three days, where it was taking two days to get that for the last month or so. Needless to say, I'm happier with that amount, cause it doesn't take so long to get enough for butter and cheese this way!

One of the cheeses I made today (I actually started yesterday and finished it this morning) was a new recipe for Mozzarella I had heard talked about. I like this one better than the others I've tried for at least two reasons...one, it turned out better (always a good thing LOL) and two, it didn't use so many supplies that I have to order online. The only thing I have to buy special (and usually have now since I've been making cheese) is Rennet...and it calls for Junket Rennet, which I don't usually have as it's not as good for cheese, so I used some of the better that I had, and it worked fine.

The cultured buttermilk and yogurt the recipe calls for, is something I've been trying to keep made, so I can use some of the old, to make new...which cuts down on buying the cultures to make them with, and makes it cheaper. I had to order more Rennet today, as I used the last of what I had, but what I ordered will last a while, even if I make some other kinds of cheese, so thankfully my cheese making isn't costing me all that much,(If you don't count the cost of the cows! *giggle*) and the satisfaction I'm getting counts for something too I would think. Not sure why I love making butter and cheese so much...but I don't guess it matters as long as I'm having fun and it's saving us some money. :)

I've been reading about using any extra milk and whey (mixed with water) on the grass (or other plants) and how it helps the grass and plants so I'm wanting to try it this summer and see if it seems to work. I watered my poor pathetic houseplants today with the whey from my cheese making...there is still whey left, so tomorrow I want to do my roses I think...or maybe the fruit trees, not sure which will get it first. I'm hoping they really love it, and will do better for me, since usually they don't like me well enough to grow to well. LOL I had tried some whey on a couple of my African violets a couple weeks ago, and I think it did help, one of them is blooming up a storm, and the other is starting to bloom, when it hadn't for a little while...course maybe that's just cause it was ready to, I don't know. We will see how everything is doing by the end of the summer, after getting several drinks of milk and/or whey. I think we will have to do at least a test swath in the hay field too if I can give up enough milk to try it. :)

Other than that, nothing much new here. I was busy, and it was cool, so I didn't get out much, except to help herd the cows back in, since they were being stubborn. For not having all that much new and exciting happen, I sure chatted a lot here huh...been that way lately I've noticed. One of these days I'll get back to a shorter post....maybe. LOL