The coldest nights sometimes yield the most beautiful blessings!  Amy, came to us on one of the most frigid evenings this winter.

Newborn heifer gets a nice warm bottle of colostrum.

Luckily Maggie walked into the barn to milk just after she was born.  It was fortunate for all of us because she was soaking wet in very dangerous weather conditions.  Dad and Mario carried her in the house and Mario’s coveralls were soaked through!

We bought in a bunch of Jersey calves during the cold weather and it has been difficult keeping them alive in such hazardous temperatures.   They are in the barn under make-shift straw huts.  Below are some photos.

Two baby calves live under and behind these bales in separate quarters.

Warm milk served to a very sweet calf. I know he really appreciates it!

Fred and Mario don’t like working in this bitter cold either but if the grinder doesn’t work properly the pigs may go hungry!

Rowdy was so cold his teeth were chattering loudly today and I let him in the house!! Old faithful dog, loved so dearly.

The pigs have to be loaded under bitter conditions as well. Can you see the red faces?

The weather jumped from severe cold to a mild 40 degrees for several days and then dropped very quickly again.  That is hard on the livestock.   The good news is that the cold does not affect the flavor of these Organic Prairie porkers!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Better late than never.

Christmas Day 2017.

Mass at St. Leo, a full house again!

Life is good by golly and hopefully the cold won’t last long!  As I am about to post this, Fred has gone to pick up more baby calves. Oh dear, the forecast is for more cold!!  Farmers are forever optimistic!