Calves, bottles & food out of boxes

Last week was a busy one at Lowfields Farm. We had 14 births with 3 of the calves being in permanent bottle feeding.  That means about 12 bottles a day! When we aren't cleaning bottles, preparing bottles or feeding the calves, the Amigos are checking on the pregnant cows. They check twice during the day and once during the night, when the majority of births take place.   

We are all exhausted - last night I slept on a pile of clean laundry that I had thrown on the bed to fold but never got to it.  We have only eaten food out of boxes, not anything fun like our typical Saturday Night Suppers.   
Looking forward to a visit today from friends Kelli & Eliza - I hope they bring some real food.  It will be a much needed break! 

Lowfields Emma Woodhouse - one hour old!
*Notice all cows are named after characters in Jane Austen novels

The twins escaped from the barn and were waiting for me this morning! 

The cow kitchen in the Milking Parlour - where we spend most of our time! 

Bottles, Bottles, Bottles

The twins being fed 

Charles' Office

Since we have a lot more space with the changes made to Cold Comfort, we now have room for an office for Charles.   It's in the lower level of Cold Comfort Hall and it's a perfect space for him to take care of all the farm business as well as provide extra sleeping space for guests.  There is a grand office area, a full bathroom and 2 sleeping "cubbies" so it makes for quite a useful space!  

Main office area

Additional view of main office area

One of two sleeping "cubbies" for guests

Saturday Night Supper

After a week of hard work and lots of calves being born at Lowfields, I wanted to make something easy but delicious for our Saturday Night Supper.  I have seen chicken cooked this way before and have always wanted to try it.    Especially since we hadn't had proper suppers all week due to being so exhausted.   Don't be alarmed at the title of the recipe - it in no way includes frog legs!  

Frog Leg Chicken (named this way because if it was true frog legs, this is a typical way to cook them)

Take boneless skinless chicken thighs and dust with flour.  

In a cast iron skillet, melt butter and add floured chicken.  

Cook on both sides until cooked through and golden brown.    

Frog Leg Chicken in cast iron skillet

Sauce

While you are cooking the chicken, roast one head of garlic in the oven.  Once done, mash the garlic out into some olive oil.  Add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and a bunch of fresh thyme.   

We had the chicken and sauce over pasta but it would also be delicious over rice or mashed potatoes! 

Our Saturday Night Supper was accompanied by one of our favorite salads - it may sound like a weird combo but it really is great!   All it includes are grapefruit sections, sliced avocado, lemon juice and a little pepper.  

Our Saturday Night Supper - a lovely way to end the week!  

Special Project: Operation Trumeau Mirrors

I do love a special project.  As if there wasn't enough to do at the farm this past week with all the calves being born and having to bottle feed, etc.  I decided to make good use of some inside time on one of the afternoons when it was sweltering outside.    Let Operation Trumeau Mirror commence!  


I found some great old trumeau mirrors for the living room and they were so large that we had to take them apart in Raleigh to allow for safe transport to the farm.  Of course, nothing is easy, these mirrors weigh a TON so I had the help of my treasured Amigos for the installation.  I am replacing two smaller mirrors with these lovely ones next to the large clock face by the wood-burning stove.  

The Amigos helping assemble the mirrors after transport

Let the installation begin...
(notice one of the 2 old mirrors that I am replacing on the right)

I am quite pleased with the finished product.  They make the room look a lot bigger and give it a depth that the previous mirrors did not!  

Operation Trumeau Mirror Complete and looking lovely!