Update: Mama Cow has moved on to my friend Rachel's farm. Rachel homeschools her children and with all the children still at home, they can certainly use and enjoy the fresh milk! I found that I just did not have time to milk Mama Cow and unfortunately I was the only one available to do so on a regular basis. I also discovered that I am just not a "large animal" person. I prefer the sheep and the milk goats. So we are adding a couple of new goats for our milking goat crew for soap and cheese making. Mama Cow is very much loved at her new home and we are happy we got to know her. I would like to invite you to check out Rachel's farm blog at Counting Sheep Farm.

Meet "Mama Cow" a purebred, registered short legged Dexter. Mama is gentle and sweet and absolutely the perfect family milk cow for our farm. I've wanted a cow for a long time so that we could produce our own milk, butter, cream and cheeses. After much research and contemplation of different breeds of cows, I had settled on American Milking Devons. However, their cost, as well as distance to travel to acquire one, proved to be prohibitive. Then, by chance, I discovered Mama Cow on craigslist and fell in love. I was very pleased with her owner, Sheril Peterson, of Lakeport Farms, who very patiently answered my seemingly endless questions. After a trip to meet their cattle and to walk around the beautiful orchard/pastures with cows peacefully following us, we decided to get Mama Cow and she came home to us on August 3rd, 2009. At middle right, you can see our Fiona on one side and Papa Willie on the other side, milking her out for the first time on our farm. The Dexter is a perfect dual-purpose family cow because of the "just right" amount of milk for a family and as you can see by Mama Cow's build, a great meat breed as well. And with my Irish heritage, the Dexter especially appealed to me, as they originated in Ireland. NOW AVAILABLE: Lavender Milk Soap made from Mama Cow's own milk! This rich, creamy soap is wonderful and obviously very unique! Just $5 per bar. Each bar of soap is made from olive oil, coconut oil, palm kernel oil and Mama Cow's fresh milk, as well as high quality pure essential oil of lavender. Email me at lavenderfleece@charter.net or phone 989-832-4908 to order.