February Calving

The calves are dropping, blacks and whites, this year.  Gabe announced that a cow was birthing this afternoon, and sure enough, we could view from the window.  This mama cow showed how it is done.  Perfect Miraculous Instinct.

Here is Mama Cow.

Ooh.  Getting Uncomfortable.  "Probably worse than my worst leg ache,"  says Lydia.

Pushing Contraction

This was just the water sack that burst.

Later contractions, head appeared.

Just slipped out; just like that.

Still form on the ground.

Mama cow begins to lick.

There is movement!

Ahhh.  Baby lifts its head.

Newborn Baby Calf.

Nose to nose kiss.

First attempt to rise.

Bites the dust.

Mama Cow continues to encourage to try again.

Another nose kiss.

Mama Cow takes a rest but continues to lick and kiss from lying down.

Calf works to rise again.

On all fours!

Mama gets up as calf has found its legs.

Calf immediately gets into rooting position.

Mama continues to lick as calf works its way towards her udder.

Getting close with Mama Cow's gentle nudge.

That's the way!

Never seen calf up and nursing so quickly and without a dance.  This Mama Cow is a pro.

A Happy Valentine's Day

Lydia is off to Family School with her Valentines.

A Valentine box from a world away arrived at the door on this red letter day.  My marvelous husband knows my pleasure and addiction of collecting sea shells on the sea shore.  He knows my heart best.  He collects me shells as the months pass.  What a reminder of his constant, devoted love on such a day.  Oh, that he would know my love in return in such a way!

Beautiful shells collected for me!

Perfection

Every shell a thought for me.

Thank you, My Love, for such tokens of beauty.

Grains of white sand....

Arranging....

Valentine Bouquet

1 Corinthians 13 LOVE

Valentine Dinner

Two of My Favorite Valentines!

Blessed Mommy

Cookies and Berry Yogurt Smoothie

Mustaches from Dad!

Plethora of Love

I'm Loved!

Gabe is Loved!

Lydia is Loved!

Sweet tradition that is good for the heart!

Early February

Already that season for messy love.

While most the state is having a snow day, we are just having cold sunshine!  Gabe camo duct-taped a BB gun and resumed his favorite past time - target shooting.

I'm so thankful for wood heat.  Thankful for wood to burn and my son that packs it in everyday too.  Even though my forced-air is secondary in my preference, the furnace had burned through the propane on these below freezing days.  The gas truck came today, AND an excavator called me this evening to ask if I'd be interested in a truck load of fir logs at a good price that he is taking out in my neighborhood!  Super blessed with warm provision present and future.

Hens are Laying

10 eggs on this cold February day!  Note the special purple egg.

Lydia picked up the purple egg and ran with it to show Gabe.  "Hurry Gabe!  It's turning brown in my hand!"  That hen's protective shell coating has heat and moisture sensitive color changing technology!

Resuming to purple!  Lydia concludes it is her Maran, Mary, that lays her such a gift.

Such pretty eggs!  Gabe is doing a good job keeping the boxes clean, and dry weather produces beautiful unwashed eggs.

Culinary Stand By and New Experiment

Marin Joe Special - I was told that I stuffed myself with the authentic Marin Joe Special as a baby until it was coming back up.  Marin Joe's is a popular Italian owned restaurant in Marin County, CA, right off a freeway with valet parking only.  (Must park the cars bumper to bumper to pack them in the lot.)  My mom made up a recipe at home, and it was an easy "go to" dinner favorite.  Both my sister and I laughed to realize we both made it for our husband's first post honeymoon meal!  I was so surprised to find that Marshal came to me with a pre-bachelor 5 in 10 Cookbook with it's own Marin Joe rendition!  He was already prepped for the dish that I thought I had sole rights to!  The 5 mandatory ingredients are onion, fresh minced garlic, ground beef, spinach, and egg.  It's not complete though without the oregano, basil, freshly ground black pepper, sea salt, and plenty of fresh grated parmesan of course!

Breakfast Porridge - Soak 2 Tblsp chia seeds in 3/4 cup warm water for 5-10 minutes, 2 Tblsp ground flaxseed, 1 Tblsp coconut butter/cream, raw honey to taste.  We tripled it.  A bit of butter, pinch of sea salt,  dash of cinnamon and nutmeg were nice additions.  Ripe banana, wild blueberries, and my raw cultured cream on top were nice too!