New calf! She is less than a day old here ... resting off the birth.
Our second (and final) calf of the season was born this Saturday! Her mom, Poppy, was a first-timer, so we were relieved that the birth was easy-peasy. Just as with Spring, our calf born three weeks ago, we walked out to find a healthy calf in the paddock with the cows. That’s the best scenario for all of us.
We named this new calf Blossom, which is fitting for the season of her birth in general, but step outside her cozy shed and look up right now:
A seedling cherry growing tall above the shed!
And, then look at the grass below:
Cherry blossoms on the grass.
I must say: it is an amazingly beautiful season here on the farm right now. The time of spring is one of the highlights of the year. The cherry orchards to the north and south are both in full bloom, and when I look out the windows from our house right now I see a lush green grass field (with a moving paddock of sheep and lambs jumping around on it) and behind it a line of snow white cherry trees. And, behind the orchard, I see tall newly green Cottonwoods in the distance. Often, by some magic, the pasture and tress in the foreground are lit up with glowing sunlight, and in the distance the sky is dark with rain clouds, which frame it all with a hint of gorgeous drama. It’s a classic spring sight around here, and I like to think that we have a special little “sun bubble” over the island, but most likely I just notice the phenomenal beauty whenever the conditions line up just so (certainly, there must be times when it is rainy here and sunny elsewhere!). But, this is the exact sight I see right now, so I’m just going to enjoy our “magic sun bubble” for now.
The babies on the farm certainly contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the season too. Since we have chosen to bottle feed both calves, we are interacting with them several times a day. Nature sure has ensured that babies are well cared for by endowing them with such endearing features. We recently moved Spring (our older calf) from the protective shed to a very small fenced pasture because she wanted to romp in the sun, and oh boy does she romp! Her joy in being is so contagious. The lambs in the field fill us with delight as well. I watch them each evening as they have a pre-sleep “sproinging” session that often involves jumping on the backs of the larger ewes. It is ridiculous and makes me smile every time.
With a bit of chill in the air again, the kids and I are definitely spending more time inside than I prefer, so these little sights out the windows are cherished parts of my day. The pear tree outside our kitchen window is just finishing its bloom as well. Blossoms, blossoms, everywhere … including in our calf shed!
Enjoy this week’s vegetables!
Your farmers, Katie & Casey Kulla
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Tomato & pepper seedlings! It’s that time of year — we’ll be bringing our extra tomato and pepper seedlings for folks to “pot on” and take home for their own gardens. If you are interested in taking home some of these small plants, we’ll provide the potting mix, but please bring your own containers. This doesn’t count as one of your “items” — it’s just a freebie, for fun!
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Meet this week’s vegetables:
- Rapini mix
- Asian greens
- Broccoli
- Salad
- Collards with their rapini
- Potatoes
- Celery root
- Scallions
