Mar 1, 2013

I Want a Cow!


My nephew, Clay sent this one to me and yes it is cute!

I love cows and yes I want one! I need a pasture and it needs to be fenced in and yes I need a barn.. Cow owners out there what else do I need?
Please let me know....



Meet Beau Vine, the latest addition to MaryJane's Heritage Jersey herd!
 

Just adorable!




I have such fond memories of my Grandmama and Granddaddy's farm and of their farm animals.  They had a milk cow I don't know what breed although this little one of MaryJane's reminds me of how that cow looked.  Their cow's name was Sookie.  

We had an aunt named Fannie that lived with the Grandparents and she was such a blessing.  Grandmama would be in her kitchen cooking supper on her wood burning stove. 

The kitchen was on the other end of the house. This was a very old home and in the past not attached to the house. In the olden days the kitchen was not attached to the bedrooms...Oh no that was a fire hazard...in fact in that house the sitting room or the heater room (as they called it) was also in the section with the kitchen.. because the wood burning heater was a fire hazard too...it was so hot in that house your face would be red and chapped in a matter of minutes..:) (sorry got off subject for a few minutes..) 

Granddaddy

We would sit on their porch and watch the cow come home in the late evening and then go to the barn and watch Granddaddy milk her.  That was fun I can still hear the milk hitting the tin bucket..

 his barn


I don't have a picture of that cow...:(  She gave the best milk!  I remember Grandmama making the best tasting butter that I have ever eaten! It was so pretty too.  It was such fun to watch her churn it and then put it into the pretty wooden molds.  She sold some of course and I remember the people coming from all around to buy it and brag to her about how pretty and good it was. She would say yes Sookie does have lots of good milk and cream to make the butter with.

 Grandmama

butter mold similar to what she used..
vintage wooden butter mold press
(photo credit)


This couple are the reason I don't mind now living out in the country...they instilled a love of nature in we kids and that is a good thing.  If you want to read more about this couple go to this link...it is a fun post.: Daylight Savings Time in the Country .  The old blue truck and what became of it can be seen in this post: Goodson's Old Ford Truck.  Another post about fried chicken and memories  Sunday Memories and Fried Chicken

I hope you enjoy all of these posts and have a great weekend!
I would love any information about raising cows that any of you have to offer!



17 comments:

  1. I saw a Dexter is one of the smallest breeds and requires very little space plus the cows are long lived. They are an old breed.

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    1. Hi Kathy, I will have to check this Dexter out..sounds like it would be what I need. Thanks for the information..Have a great weekend!

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  2. We have friends who have a few cows and he adores each and every one of them (except the bull). He has issues with the bull for some reason.

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    1. Hi Heather,
      I don't think I'm up to a bull either...I want a milk cow so that I can have fresh milk and make butter...dreaming but maybe one day...Have a great weekend!

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  3. Dolly I have been researching cows myself lately and had considered Dexters because they are a dual purpose breed good for milk and meat, their small size and they can graise on grasses and require little grain when in milk, unlike their bigger sisters. Then I went to visit some and am have developed a few new concerns ie: They're so short I would have to milk them on a stancion like the goats and their dairy quality varies widely among herds. They have high mortality rate from birthing. They are very expensive 2-3x the price of other cows here IF you can even find them. Now I am researching Old World Jerseys. Smaller stature like a Dexter with much higher butter fat.

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    1. Hello Heidi,
      There seems to be a lot to learn so please share what else you learn along the way...I think that is what Sookie was a Jersey..but not sure...Have a great weekend!

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  4. I enjoyed reading about your Grandparents Dolly! It sounds a lot like my childhood...great memories! I want a cow too, but it will probably not happen on our 1 acre property.
    Have a great week!

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    1. Hey Lisa,
      Maybe one of those miniature cows? I don't know enough about how much they need to survive but guess it might be hard on an acre...Thank you so much for visiting with me today!

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    2. Hi Dolly! I've thought of those little cows and of pygmy goats too. Right now we are 600 miles from my hometown and parents. We go back to visit every year and I have to round up chicken sitters...I'm not sure they will want to care for cows or goats too! So I've been debating :)

      I would love to have you share this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop today!
      http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/03/the-creative-homeacre-hop-5.html

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  5. I love cows, too! I think they are just the cutest. I am obsessed with Highland cattle. They are so furry and cute!

    PS - How is your mom doing lately? I was just thinking of her and sent up a prayer :)

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    1. Hello Tammy,
      I do too! I'll have to do a search on the Highland Cattle and see how cute they are...
      It means so much to me your thoughts and prayers for Mama! The doctor said this past week that she has done better than he had expected and that in itself is a miracle...he doesn't know with the help of our Lord that little woman is a fighter...I pray that one day I'll be able to come on here and tell a story of a miracle. You know what each day is a miracle though isn't it? Love ya..Have a great weekend!

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  6. Oh, I love cows too Dolly... although I never had one and I still don't have room for one now... Good luck with your search and do keep us posted! Love your stories and photos...
    Deb

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    1. Hi Deb, It would be fun to own one I think...some work too I'm sure! Thank you will keep you posted!

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  7. I want a cow too Dolly!! I want a Dexter, they are a smaller breed. Already have her name picked out too!! Oh well dreaming is free!
    Enjoyed reading about the memories of your grandparents, they are similar to my own memories. I remember my Granny's butter, it was so good and so very pretty too! That milk was so good, nothing like store bought milk. Thanks for sharing the memories with us, they reminded me of my own sweet grandparents!!

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    1. Hi Melanie,
      I hope you get a cow too!
      Thank you it is fun to reminisce about the memories you have growing up and to find that others have some of the same. I wish I could taste some of my grandma's butter right now...Is is so good to hear from you. I hope you have a great weekend!



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  8. I loved this tender post! We usually pick up a couple of jersey bottle babies in the spring and bottle feed them until they are old enough to be on pasture. They are such beautiful babies! We primarily raise Hereford cows and breed them via A.I. for our calves. We have an 1880's barn that we still use to work them in but in Texas we don't house them in the barn, they're pastured. They have access to the barn when weather is bad but they never go there, they prefer to be under the trees. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post. (visiting from Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop)

    ~Taylor-Made Ranch~
    Wolfe City, Texas
    http://www.taylormaderanch.com/blog

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    1. Hello,
      Thank you for you sweet comments and for the cow information! It is fun to learn how things are done in different parts of the country...Texas wow I hope to go there one day! I'm so glad you visited and took the time to comment!
      Dolly

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