We've been working on this little animal shelter for a few weeks now, with enormous help from friends and family, and of course so many little carpenter hands. Shed? Barn? Shelter? Yeah...we can't quite determine what to call it yet. Anyway. It was - and is - intended for the sheep and goats, with stalls inside especially for lambing and kidding time. But somewhere along the way this fall, we decided it also needed to serve one more purpose - a little corner of it anyway - as a milking parlor. Like all good projects, this one kept along at a steady pace, building in intensity until the deadline loomed...and then it got a little crazy. Which is why this weekend was a building marathon if ever there was one, all hands on deck, let's get it done kind of a time - working by headlamp well into the evening, eating popcorn and carrot sticks for lunch and ordering out pizza for dinner. As the clock ticked closer, some things found themselves getting cut from the essential priority list (oh, siding, we're almost done with you!). Right up until the very minute last night (drills still in hand) that a trailer pulled into the drive, to make the livestock delivery we've all been waiting for.
Peach is her name. And well suited to it, she is. A lovely little Jersey who is here not forever but for an extended vacation while her true farmers, our friends (and gentle nudgers of homestead support) at Broadturn Farm, take a little break of their own. It feels a very good start and trial for us in so many ways, and we're very glad she's here. We are nervous (just like her), but so happy (like I hope she is too).
I've waxed on and on, likely ad naseum, about our desire for a dairy cow - both here, and there and most definitely in person. And I dare say my family cow waxing has just begun. But for now? I think I'm still in a little bit of shock that there's a cow in my backyard. And...most definitely ready for a nap. And then...it'll be time to milk Peach.
