White Water Rafting

We went this last weekend! I didn't want to post anything until after we got back and everyone survived. We have found a wonderful babysitter and she and my Mom joined forces and managed to keep the kids alive and happy! This is the first weekend away I've had since becoming a Mom 11 years ago.
The friends we went with are wonderful and I feel like we all got to know each other even better.
My stomach hurt from laughing so much. I was afraid of falling out, not because I was afraid of dying but I was worried about some poor soul having to haul me back in again. Let's just say the wet suit didn't look quite as flattering on me as it does on those girls at Sea World. Oh well.
The cows were all a dither with the change in routine and it has been rough getting them sorted out again, but it was worth it. I am refreshed and ready for lots of summer fun! Took the kids swimming the last 2 days, and then got caught in a downpour walking the cows to the barn for milking. Zoie was with me and I said, " I really don't what to do if we get caught in bad lightning!"
Thankfully I didn't have to make a decision. There are so many bonus points to getting in shape, and outrunning the cows and lightning are just a few of them!

My Homage to Fromage ( Blanc that is...)

Raw Creamline Milk $5 per gallon, $3 per 1/2 gallon (plastic)

Raw Jersey Cream $4 per pint

Whole Milk Yogurt, Plain $3.25 per 16 oz glass jarOR$5.50 per glass quart

Flavored Yogurt $ 2.50 per 8 oz glass jar, $4 per 16 oz glass jar,OR$6 per glass quart
Flavors: Red Raspberry, Strawberry Fields, or Ginger Peach

Fromage Blanc, Plain $4 per 8 oz

Lemon Thyme Cheese Spread $5 per 8 oz

Basil and Purple Onion Cheese Spread $5 per 8 oz

Garlicky Chive Cheese Spread $5 per 8 oz

Fig and Honey Cheese Spread $6 per 8 oz

Thanks!Jessika, Family and Cows

I am now like a crazy catatonic cheesemaking fool! Today I spent the day being a good little homemaker, but will pay for that tonight. Good things are happening around the farm. Fields are looking good, calves are growing and surprisingly well-behaved. Garden is doing well, need to cover some plants there may be a frost tonight. I hope not! I'm thinking about raising some meat chickens again, and have an interesting proposition for a certain person in regards to that. Other than that I'm reading a stack of good books.
Food Inc.
Fast Food Nation
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Four Season Harvest by Elliot Coleman
Untold Story of Milk
Actually I've read all of them except House Rules SEVERAL TIMES. They are classics! I've also been invited to present at Career Day at the local school. If anyone has any ideas about what content and articles to display please give me ideas! I guess if all else fails I'll take some pics of the cows, maybe some cheese samples and just talk about what I do. Right? I'm rather distracted these days and can barely write let alone speak!
The kittens are almost 7 weeks old and I really dread trying to home some of them, we all love them so much! I really wish we could just promise to spay/neuter EVERYONE and keep all four.
Berretta is the last cow to calve. I had her due on 5/21 but I don't think she'll go that far. Wow, is her udder even bigger than last year! She is 6, and I'd say hitting prime production. She is one of the most trouble free cows I own. Such a pleasure to work with. I'm nervous because of Brie, but I need to have a good experience to put that last horrific one to rest. I think she's having a bull, that's okay. She gave me a heifer last year.

Cinco de Mayo Theme This Week

Happy Cinco de Mayo! I've been inspired this week to delve into traditional Mexican/ Latin American cheeses in honor of this celebration. I also included a recipe which nicely uses most of these cheeses as ingredients, calls for spices you probably already have on hand and calls for chicken.

Queso Jalapeno $5 per 8 oz
A smooth, soft cheese with bits of real Jalapeno pepper in it. Ideal for making quesadillas with a little extra zesty flavor or for anytime snacking.
Oaxaca $5 per 8 oz
A white, semi-hard cheese from Mexico, similar to unaged Monterey Jack but with a mozzarella-like string cheese texture.It is named after the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, where it was first made
Queso blanco $4 per 8 oz
A Latin American cheese. The name means white cheese.There are many variations of this cheese throughout Latin America. It is hard and rubbery, with a bland, sweet flavor. It is excellent for cooking, and has the unique property of not melting even if deep-fried.
Crema Agria ( Sour Cream ) $3 per 8 oz
A Mexican-style tangy sour cream.

Chicken Enchiladas
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Oaxaca cheese
2 cups (8 ounces) Queso Blanco cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
10 6-inch flour tortillas
1-1/2 cups enchilada sauce
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup minced green onion
Simple but oh, how delicious!
serves 6

Raw Creamline Milk$5 per gallon, $3 per half gallon (Plastic)
OR
$2.50 per 1/2 gallon in a Glass Ball Jar
Raw Jersey Cream $4 per pint
Creamtop Whole Milk Yogurt Plain,$3.25 per 16 oz glass jar,OR$5.50 per quart
Flavored Yogurt - Mexican Vanilla Bean!$2.50 per 8 oz, $4 per 16 oz, or $6 per quart

The cows are now on grass 24/7 have you noticed the vitamin rich yellow hue to the milk and cream? That's because Jersey cows don't use all the beta-carotene they consume in the green grass, a lot of it is passed along to you in their milk. Not all breeds of cows have this ability so enjoy your milk with an extra helping of vitamins!

Thanks!
Jessika and Family and Cows of Course!

Cow Pics

The herd grazing. Notice the babies learning how to be good graziers from their Moms. This is key if you want to be grass based.

Teeny. A fabulous cow, giving 5+gallons a year into lactation.

Happy and Henrietta. Happy has a bad knee, that got her kicked out of her former dairy, but she does pretty good here on grass.

Jules on babysit detail. The heifer calves are Juliette and Margot.

Baby Margot. Just the sweetest little thing EVER.

I took these pics today of the cows. My Mom said I was seriously slacking with my blog, so I hope to make up for it with some nice pics. I tried to upload one last pic but it quit on me. This was an embarassing pic of me after I got a little too cocky trying to jump the brook and fell in.

Muddy, and reflective I sloshed a 1/2 mile up hill back to the house. There is photographic evidence.....it just got lost in cyberspace somewhere.