Today was butter day! Well, it was actually Tuesday, but since I have to dry off Flossie in another month I have been trying to save as much milk as I can to at least make yummy butter! If you have never made butter, then maybe this post will be a little interesting! I know it never ceases to amaze me when the cream suddenly turns into yummy yellow butter!
First, you need one of these. Well, maybe not your very own, but at least what one can give you which is cream. For me, cream comes from Flossie.
For Flossie to make delicious milk with lots of cream she needs plenty of food, such as this green grass. She will munch and munch all day long.
Yet another tractor! Mmm green green grass!
The grass is cut, dried and rolled for her and the rest of the animals to have during the winter when the pasture is all brown and dead! Flossie gets all the hay and grass she can eat and also mixed feed twice a day.
Pud'nins trusty tractor and a nice roll of hay!
All hooked up and my goodness, look at that baby bump!
Twice a day when she has her breakfast and her supper I clean her up till she is squeaky clean, disinfect her little milk faucets and hook the milker up so it can do it's job.
Flossie gave all three gallons one warm summer morning!
The milk goes into the house, gets strained and put into jars where it will get chilled and the cream rises to the top. Then I scoop it off, and into a bowl it goes. Well, in this case it goes into a kitchen Aid mixer bowl.
Mix Mix Mix
Butter breaking, or forming, is the coolest thing. Watch the video very carefully and you will see exactly when it goes from being cream to butter!
THEN, after you actually have butter the fun is not over. Now you have to pour off the buttermilk, which is great in pancakes and biscuits. Then take your butter and add cold water. Stir and mash the butter under the water, changing frequently. When you stir the butter, and the water stays clear, it is washed enough.
Now you keep mashing, and the water will work its way out of the butter. Time to add a little salt, stir well, and then store in the refrigerator. Yummy!!
This is the butter that I keep in my fridge. Not the prettiest picture as we well, use it in cooking and since I didn't have a new bowl I just snapped a picture of the one I am using! This stuff is delicious! Spread it on one of the fluffy homemade rolls and you will be hooked for life on fresh butter!
Fluffy, yeasty, toasty and yes, buttery rolls! Yummo!
I didn't get any pictures of the washing and pressing as it is hard to take pictures of yourself, lol One day I will try to corral some of the kids to take a picture of that process as well. The main thing I was hoping to show was the moment your cream turns to butter, which I find so fascinating! Hopefully this was at least a tiny bit interesting and if you have any questions or comments please, really, leave a comment below!
Nothing awesome and interesting happening around the farm these days. Been one of those hum drum spells, with the normal just trudging along all normal like..Cows are still cows, pigs are still pigs. horses are still horses and on down the line. So, that being said, this post will probably be totally boring!
Blu taking root!
Horses having supper
There was also a cool Blood Moon! I sat out with Austin and watched until it was to light for him to take pictures. It was alot of fun, I really enjoy spending time with my kiddos, they are just awesome people.
Picture compliments of Austin Mathis
We are also awaiting calves from two of our girls. Flossie and ClaraBelle are both expecting. Flossie in January February and ClaraBelle we are not so sure. We were thinking October, but so far nothing! I am a bit worried that she is not preggo, but her tummy looks like something is doing somersaults! So cross your fingers!
Mmmmm! Water!
Scratch my neck pleeeeease!
Clara Belle looking all cute!
Is this my good side?!
Eleanor is also growing like crazy! She is almost as tall as her Mama!
Ellie having breakfast
We will also, possibly have little oinkers in February. Wilbur decided that he could not be apart from his honey for one second longer so he broke into Charlottes pen and they had a little couples time! We went ahead and moved her in with him, but alas, his first attempts were for naught, as last week she came back in and well...We shall see! I will say, Piggy courtship is a bit unsettling as the boar makes a really deep rumble that the sows may find appealing, but it just kinda gives me the willies!
Ignore the wind in the video, it was crazy that day!
There will be more really awesome things happening in the near future, but I just can't share yet! Stealing thunder is just not cool. So I will wait for the Ok to share the news! I will say, so I don't have a million people thinking I am getting more grandbabies, that is NOT it..YET! Although I am always open to anyone who wants to grace us with more grandbabies...
Now I am off to go check on the cast iron I have in the oven, if you like the post, or just want to say hey, feel free to comment below.
Fall on the farm is almost as busy as summer. We have to get all the animals settled and make sure they will have what they need for the cooler temperatures. Not to mention getting things squared away for the people here on the Backwards Homestead! As busy as it can be I will say, Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. The temperatures are much milder and the colors of all the leaves are just amazing!
Fall Sunset
This Fall we have two expectant mamas. Flossie is due in January/February and ClaraBelle is due anywhere from October to, well, we aren't too sure, lol Both girls are getting all round and although Flossie is not due for a while she looks massive!
Little herd of girlies!
Flossie having breakfast
ClaraBelle getting a little nibble of hay
We did manage to get the roof on the side shed off the barn, but still have to get the end boxed in for the expectant girls so they can stay warm and dry when the weather gets nasty. When you have animals it seems the winter preparation is never completely finished. There is always something that needs attention. Like hay, which Pud'nin has been baling like crazy!
Trusty Tractor
Square baler and yet another trusty tractor
The little piggies are growing like crazy. We only have two left that we will be saving for ourselves. The rest have gone on to their new homes and from what I hear they are getting fat and sassy. Charlotte is enjoying the smaller crowd and in November will go back in with Wilbur for a little couples time, lol
Wilbur
Charlotte and babies
Baby piggies having breakfast
Hard to believe that before we know it snow will be blowing and we will be looking for the coveralls. I know that it is coming, and I sure am hoping that it will not be as icy as last year! But no matter what the weather, we will be out and about making sure the Backwards Homestead is running smoothly!
