Mar. 17, 2009 - Pizza dough, sick cows and other news
Well, first of all, the pizza dough was EXCELLENT! I took it out the night before to thaw on the table.
In the morning it was ready so I put it in the frig til after Church. When I got home, I sprayed 2 huge pizza pans with non stick spray, and sprinkled some corn meal on it. I smooshed the dough and formed it in the pan to pizza shape. Then I put about 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce on top followed by lots of mozzarella cheese. For toppings we used: turkey pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, pineapple chunks, fresh tomatoes. Baked it at 425 for about 25 minutes. The crust was perfect and delicious!
So all you pizza lovers, go to Sam's Club and get your case of dough balls now. I give it 2 thumbs up!
Other things on the farm. My husband, 2 sons and some friends went to a livestock auction Friday night. We sold our billygoat Willy, 1 guinea, 7 male ducks and 6 roosters. (We really needed to decrease our male population!)
Noah wanted to buy a bottle fed calf to raise to sell next year, so he won a part Jersey week old calf.
Other than being somewhat skinny, she looked healthy. But, as happens with newborn calves that are bottle fed...it developed scours (diarrhea) which we treated with decreasing her cow "formula" and giving her Immodium. Once that was resolved, she started coughing and having a runny nose. (Pneumonia) So we started her on antibiotic shots. Last night she was very weak and couldn't stand and wouldn't eat. To save her, we had to try tube feeding her. That is essentially putting a tube about 2 feet down the throat the size of a garden hose. So with Chris straddling her mid section and holding her head and putting the tube down, Noah standing holding the milk replacer, me holding the funnel, and Aslan laying on her back end to keep her from trying to get up, we got about 1/2 the half gallon bottle in her when Noah says, "Uh dad, I think I'm going to pass out." (This is my boy that DID pass out in the ER last year watching his dad put stitches in a patient while he went with him to work to do rounds." So we do take HIM seriously.
He and Aslan did a quick switch. Noah pratically laying on the cow to keep from passing out...he was white as a ghost! We got most of the liquid in the girl. She wasn't looking too good though. We knew by morning she would either be perked up or possibly not alive.
We were thrilled this morning when she jumped to her feet and sucked the whole bottle on her own even butting Chris in the process to get more. Wagging her tail even! (I was especially thrilled cause Chris said that if she wouldn't take her bottle this morning, I'd have to GASP get out of bed early and help tube feed.) THis night person wasn't too thrilled with the thought of getting out of bed EARLY to stick a hose down a cows mouth.
Anyway, she seems to be out of the woods, but we will continue to treat her gently until she is back to full strength.
Noah had named her at first "Cocoa" cause that is her color, but after surviving last night, he decided to change it to "Mercy."
We had another calf born on the farm on Saturday morning...a cute black calf with a white face.
And another sheep was born the week before too!
Comments
Mar. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Eunice
Well I absolutely LOVE these farm details and was picturing the entire cow episode! What a great name for Mercy the cow.
BTW, my pizza turned out great too! Thanx for telling. We ended up putting it in the oven on low like you said. Gary's strong hands ended up pounding the rest of the frozen right out and....YUM....YUM. Honestly it felt like I was going undercover to buy the pizza though. I had to approach the gal at the cafe and she sent the other girl to the 'back' to get the unlabeled 'box' Funny..... .
Mar. 18, 2009 - Mercy the Cow
Posted by Anonymous
Oh my goodness that was the most hilarious story, I could just see the ER doc/vet in action.....and the boys, and you as assistants(nurses) LOL, I guess the old saying never look a gift horse(or cow) in the mouth applies.......Glad you have a wonderful hubby that can use a oral gastric tube......worse case he cold have rigged up his own feeding pump ( to leave you precious sleep alone!!!! ) LOVE your funny stories,,,,,you need to write a book!!!
Mar. 18, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
That was me (Char) above:)
