Update on Miss Sunshine

Bessie's calf, Miss Sunshine, is just over one month old now. She is very independent and quiet - we've only heard her snuffle a couple of times. She's starting to graze, and likes to hang out with Howdy.
The herd hangs together and don't mix with the
sheep. When we take Bessie out for milking, Howdy
moos until her return. Miss Sunshine sleeps.

Look at them Taters!

Warm weather and the spring garden is taking off - and so are the weeds. Have a look at what's growing and on the table here at the Ranch.

There are artichokes, an Italian type called "Violette" - they are purple, small and tender - you can eat them choke and all.

We have a hedge of them along the garden path.

There are peas about ready for picking......

Rapini for pasta with garlic - yum!










Broccoli and potatoes (3 different varieties.)














And lots of poppies!

Beautiful rain

Rain for the past 2 days - at last!

Wind off the ocean drove the goldfinches and house finches out of the pasture up onto the eucalyptus tree trunks in search of a safe & dry hiding place. They looked like little jewels clinging to the tree bark.

Over an inch of rain fell - green grass and a happy garden for a little longer...


Goldfinches shelter out of the wind

A mighty herd of cows

The Stillwater Cove herd. Sunshine's Birthday.

On April 11th Bessie's new calf arrived. Miss Sunshine swells the herd to three Jersey cows. They all hang out as a family group together in the pasture. Bessie is cranking out milk for her baby, and for us too - 3 gallons a day!

Yesterday we made 2 lb. of sweet, cultured butter, 2 quarts of yoghurt and, today 3 gallons of clabber for the lucky chickens.

Go Bessie!

Miss Sunshine is 2 weeks old.

Home Sweet Home

This was the Big Boy's Bunkhouse. It was built in 1930 and has been renovated in 2008. It is made of local sandstone. It has a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean - and is a magnet for the marauding 17 peacocks who live on the property.


The Pacific Ocean