Light in the Hay Barn

Israel

Male
Name: Israel (a name well chosen by my mother s 5th grade class)
Mother: New
Born: February 10, 2012

This is a picture of him about 30 seconds after he was born. I wanted to take a video or picture while he was being born for my mother`s class to see but my hands were covered in birth goo and stuck inside the cow, trying to attach a rope to its front legs. This is the first birth Alfie has ever experienced while the cow was standing up (generally they are laying down). It was my job to pull the calves head out and then catch it before it hit the floor, when the rest of its body slid out.

Iowa

Name: Iowa
Mother: Filigran
Born: February 7

Indiana

First of 12 calves to be born between now and the middle of May.

Name: Indiana
Born: February 4
Mother: Tiajuana

(And no, Alfie did not know the reputation of the aforementioned Mexican city before naming the cow. He just thought it was a pretty sounding name.)

Ice and Snow

So basically there is not a lot going on around here.
Here are some pictures of the ice in the water basin.
And one picture of the house.

Moulin a Huile

Yesterday we were invited by a man named Dumel to Entreveaux to help make olive oil. And by help I mean stand around with everyone else, eating pate, grilled bread with garlic dipped in fresh olive oil, drinking beer and wine and watching the Belgian man do all the work.


Oil Mill in Entreveaux.




Mill that crushes the olives.






Belgian man working.












Oil Press.









Dumel.

Planfoy

Yesterday we made a 6 hour drive to Planfoy to visit some of Freddie s cousins. They were extremely nice, and welcoming, and today we are back at home. Quick trip.