The cows were sleeping in this morning...

We have been having record-breaking COLD weather here in Central Utah...

The water troughs have been frozen solid. I've never seen such a thing this early in the year.

We have discussed putting up a barn for Clara and her calf, but we just haven't had to the time. We do have the possibility of moving them across the road to a stall in our horse barn, but it's not quite ideal.

Then, this record-breaking cold front moved in...



I know there are plenty of people whose animals weather through the winter just fine without a barn. I'm one of those people who like to have all my hair kids protected, indoors, out of the chill and rain and snow. And, I sleep better knowing they are nestled in their barns in deep, deep straw.

Clara and Billy aren't horribly affected by this cold front, they both have a good layer of winter fur, but when you put down a thick layer of straw and within a few minutes your cows are building a nest, throwing it around like elephants do with water in the Sahara Desert, you know they appreciate the sentiment and the warmth underneath them from the cold ground.
The fact that they're spoiled immediately shows...

Billy the little steer calf went to town immediately stirring his straw around. He was amazed by it. He didn't know whether to eat it, poop on it, or roll in it. Then, he watched his mom. Clara built a nest right in the middle of it and, that's where she sleeps through the night. And then so did he...

She's close enough to her calf that she can see him, touch him, lick him and love on him, but there's a hog panel between them so he can't steal my morning milk.

She's content in her nest...

She was slow to get up this morning and so was I, but she got right on her stanchion, she gave me no issues with anything and she gave me 1/2 gallon of beautiful Clara milk in quick time.

There were no issues with Clara except stomping her front foot when I would quit humming "Amazing Grace." The good thing is, I don't think that song ever gets old. And, what the hay... humming that song for 15 minutes every morning puts a smile on your face and definitely ensures a gentle morning...

Today is such a beautiful day~!