Building a shelter for my new cattle
I thought it would be fun to show you some better photos of the miniature Herefords now that they’ve been settling in for the past week. They seem to be very content grazing in this grassy paddock. They especially enjoy munching on all the dandelions. They eat the plant right down to the root. Since it’s beginning to get warmer outdoors, we wanted to give the cute couple some shelter from the sun, (and also the rain) so we had this little rustic shade shack erected.
Here’s the crew hard at work.
The shack was made using 4 upright posts. Bales of straw, which they prefer not to eat, were wired securely together to form thick walls. 
This is the male with horns turned down – he looks a bit pensive.
This is the female with horns turned up – what a sweet face.
The shade shack is finished but the Herefords don’t seem too interested yet.
I think they’ll be happy once they find it. 
Help me name my new cattle by voting here!
My Dad raised cows but this is the first I've seen of your type of shelter. What a good idea. Your cows are very nice looking. I hope you enjoy them!
Posted by: Kathy | May 16th, 2008 at 12:11 am
They are truly cute! Does anyone know if it is characteristic of the breed that the male horns turn down and female's upward, or just this particular couple? Either way it's a cute thing.
I'm still pulling for STILTON & CHEDDAR, though I also like someone else's suggestion of Charles & Camilla.
It's fun to participate in this way, in a a little bit of Martha's everyday life. Thanks Martha and Martha's people.
Posted by: maurdel | May 16th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Hi Martha, Those cute miniature Herefords sure are lucky. Not only do they have a huge pasture to wonder around and eat all they want, but they now have a special shade shack to relax in and get out of the sun on a hot day. Have your donkeys and Francesca and Sharkey met them yet? I'll bet they will all have fun together. Have a great weekend with your wonderful menagerie. thanks again for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 16th, 2008 at 12:58 am
what a "cool" idea for the shelter!
i just love the cows, they look so huggable...
Posted by: liisamarja | May 16th, 2008 at 2:09 am
After looking at the new pictures, I'm thinking Harold and Maude. Good ole farm names. I hope you get to keep them. The look so good out there in the pasture.
Posted by: Evelyn Ackbarali | May 16th, 2008 at 2:29 am
Oh my gosh. That is, and they are, so adorable.
Posted by: Isle Dance | May 16th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Well come on you guys out with the new names ya know!!!!!! You have them down to "the male" & " the female"
Teasing us???
Or milking this topic for one more blog lol!
Show was fab today I am so jealous of Martha being with the dolphins- I love dolphins. Great show wish it went on and on so much more to see there. Martha you looked snazzy in your different outfits and I like when you cook on the show ALONE nice for a change. Did you go down the slide or pass?
Should have filmed a live Martha Show at Atlantis that would have been so cool!
Pam from California (It's 100 here I'd rather be in The Bahamas swimming with the dolphins)
Posted by: Pam from California | May 16th, 2008 at 4:32 am
The Herefords are my favorites, but only as equal as Sharkey, Francesca, Rufus, Billie, Clive, and your beautiful horses. They are all precious. Oh yea, can't leave out the chickens and your cats. Anyway, I'm proud to know, that because of you, they all have the best of care. Thanks for being so generous with us, to let us see how they are all doing. Nan
Posted by: Nan Ashby | May 16th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Hi, Martha,
Thanks for another glimpse at the miniature Herefords. Both the male and the female look content in their new home. I like their shade shack. Do Billie, Rufus, and Clive join the cattle? Have they tried out the shade shack? Thanks for the update. It reminded me of helping my Dad tend to our Herefords, Black Angus, and Brown Swiss when I was young. Thanks for the memories!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 16th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I guess with such a lush lawn surrounding this couple, there's no fear of them eating the shelter? Can't wait to learn what you'll name them.
http://the7msn.blogspot.com/
Posted by: carson | May 16th, 2008 at 9:13 am
You could put a mirror on one of the walls and they might go in if they see a 'third' Hereford or have your little herding dog Sharkey show them the way! So cute and when will you tell us their names? Trish
Posted by: Trish | May 16th, 2008 at 10:13 am
What a great idea for the Herefords...after grazing on dandelions they can rest in their new shelter. So cute! I have never seen such a shelter before.
Posted by: Sherey | May 16th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Martha,
Cows do like shade trees. When you showed us your property via helicopter it did seem you had strips of trees. Is it not possible to create a pasture with part of those trees for afternoon shade?
I am afraid cattle with horns do destructive things to bales of hay.
Posted by: Margie | May 16th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hi Martha!
With the addition of the Herefords, Cantitoe Corners is starting to look a little like Texas. Nothing is more beautiful than cattle grazing in a green, grassy meadow.
Have a wonderful weekend soaking up all that glorious springtime scenery on your farm.
Posted by: Jon | May 16th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Oh I love her sweet face! I love animals, but I've never seen a miniature Hereford up close. I think Napoleon and Josephine is perfect, it seems to suit there little faces!! Whatever you name them they will be happy in their new home.
Posted by: Melodie-Belle | May 16th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Such clever names for such beautiful creatures!!!
Happy Weekending, Miss Martha.
Posted by: Miz Booshay | May 16th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Good morning Martha: I am truly enjoying the pictures of your Herefords.What adorable faces. Would you consider naming them after the famous Borden cows? I think Elsie and Elmer would be great names. Thanks for your most interesting blogs each day.
Posted by: Roberta Hallin | May 16th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
What again? Still can't decide?
I know its not in your choice list, but I still like Wellington and Roulade!
Angela
Posted by: Angela Willis | May 16th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for the listing showing the voting, Martha.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | May 16th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
The cows are almost like big stuffed animals they look so soft. Hope they enjoy their new home.
Posted by: Emily | May 16th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
great minds think alike! i have a pair of lady gouldian finches named isabella and ferdinand!
Posted by: kelli | May 16th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Oh they are so cute!! I vote Napoleon and Josephine for their names. Very clever, as they are after all miniature Herefords!
Love the rustic shed idea for them as well.
Posted by: Cynthia S | May 16th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Hi Martha,
After you pick out a name for the
cattle, what will be the name of their baby whenever?
Joan, Mason, OH
Posted by: Joan Fluor Mason, OH | May 16th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Martha, Loved your show about Atlantis. You looked great and the pictures are really beautiful, plus we learned alot about the people who take care of the marine life and how much food they consume in a day. Also the coral is really interesting. Thanks again for your wonderful blog.
Joan, Mason, OH
p.s, I am in the Cincinnati viewing area so your TV program is a day late.
Posted by: Joan Fluor Mason, OH | May 16th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Greetings from the UK,just wondered why you chose Hereford cattle? although they are very very hardy beasts,and very cute as calfs. and i am sure they will be happy in there new shack,nice photographs bye the way..
best wishes
Nigel
Posted by: Nigel | May 16th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Thank you for the update on the bovines. Good job on the "green" shelter. I really love the views of your pastures. I really enjoyed the show on the Bahamas, it was great that you posted some of your trip earlier on your blog, it was like having a sneak peak. I think the inside tour of the foliage and fauna and how things were propagated was fascinating. Who knew some of the land was so rocky? The Hooly garden segment was great, again, green in more than one way. Thanks as always, you are a leader and a teacher.
Posted by: Robin Ball | May 16th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I like the "Jen and Ben" idea but would Jennifer Garner really being the namesake of your cattle... she is your biggest celebrity fan, after all. You should also name a cookie or cake recipe after her to soften the blow.
Posted by: Sasha Libby | May 17th, 2008 at 2:50 am
Hi Martha,
is very intresting for an italian like me seeing your reportage
best,
Silvia
Posted by: Silvia | May 17th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Hi Martha, I just decided to go to the web on coral as a result of your blog. And it is very interesting. I have learned so much from your wonderful blogs.
Everday we learn something different, which is good to keep our minds sharp. I love all the fine work that you do. Thanks again for inspiring us.
Joan, Mason, OH
Posted by: Joan Fluor Mason, OH | May 17th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Hi Martha, I watched the "Outdoor Living Special" on the Fine Living network today and it was great! Seeing the segments from your old show sure brought back pleasant memories. It was great seeing the Turkey Hill and Lily Pond gardens and seeing Paw Paw and Zu Zu again. Will this be a weekly program on FLN? I sure hope so. Have a wonderful weekend. It's finally spring here in the Seattle area. It was 84 degrees on Friday and is close to 90 today. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | May 17th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hi Martha, just wanted to stop by and tell you that you MUST run over and "meet" Ree, the Pioneer Woman blogger. She is amazingly talented and hysterically funny!
http://thepioneerwoman.com/
Those miniature Herefords (did I spell that right?) are just adorable. Never thought I'd say that about a bovine creature.
Posted by: Nan | May 17th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Cute cute cute. Hey if you guys need some mosquito protection for your barn. My cousin and I invented a mosquito trap just for animals, see skeeterbag.com. Drop us a line that you saw my blog and we will send some out to you free of charge. Keep up the good work. mark
Posted by: Mark Valentine | May 17th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Martha:)
The babies are so cute and the fact that they will not be getting any bigger is great. They will love the shelter once they find it, of course they may like a midnight snack and the bales of hay look so inviting.
The donkeys may like the shelter also. Rufus, Clive, and Billie are so very cute and that shade shack is just the right size for the 3 of them.
Linda Gail
Posted by: Linda Gail | May 17th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Cute cute cute. I think I just fell in love with your new cows. I have milked cows sinse I was little at my grandfathers farm up in New York, upstate. I asked my husband if he would give you guys some of his new mosquito traps he and his cousin invented for animals. He said that if you wrote in to skeeterbag.com about this blog he would send you some for free! Thank you guys so much for carring about those beautiful babies!!! All Gods creatures need us.
Posted by: Sarah Valentine | May 17th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Hi Martha- Did you choose names for the 2 cattle? I like your field trips. If you could, sometime, would you get some photos at sunset or sunrise of your farm? I want to see it in pretty light. One more request, would you or anyone reading this visit my website. Thanks if you can.
Posted by: Jennifer Fancher | May 18th, 2008 at 2:02 am
How lovely to see Herefords in America. I live in Herefordshire myself.
Today we have been constructing a pen for some Bantam chickens that we hope to get in a couple of months time. So far, it hasn't cost us a penny, we are recycling what we have already AND our kind neighbours have let us help ourselves to the wood offcuts left over from their new extension.
Posted by: Tanya | May 18th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Dear Martha,your cattle are adorable! They seem to have the look of the bovines in scottish Victoria-era paintings,so I'm suggesting Dougal and Moira for names.Cheers from the edge of the map,Karen Brown..New Zealand
Posted by: Karen Brown | May 19th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Dear Martha,
Those cows are such very beautiful animals. They are lucky to have you for a babysitter since I'm sure that you will take really good care of them. Thanks for showing us the pictures!
Posted by: John Dziak | May 19th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Martha, in southeastern Indiana our lilacs were in full bloom about two weeks ago.
Yours are beautiful. The colors are marvelous and I can smell them from here.
Keep up the great work, I saw you do the acupuncture thing this morning--pretty brave right on TV!
Posted by: Betty Klein | May 19th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
My grandmother had double french lilacs along her driveway, your line of them remind me so much of her home. Our lilacs have bloomed and are gone now. So sharing your picture of yours extended the season a little longer..
Posted by: roberta | May 19th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Wow, I did not know there were miniature Herefords, they are so sweet. How fun for you.I also really like the structure you are building. I could see using this for lots of different ideas. Thank you (as usual) for the inspiration. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | May 20th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
I like Annie and Frank... for Annie Oakley and Frank Butler.
Irving Berlin immortalized this most American of love stories with his 1946 musical "Annie Get Your Gun".
Posted by: Christine | May 27th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Those names just don't fit. I suggest Clarence and Annabelle!
Posted by: David | June 13th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Martha,
The shelter is adorable,...I have cattle. Herefords, and I can tell you that even with the beautiful grass to eat, this little shelter will be great fun for them to nibble, scratch their horns on, and generally make a mess with. It is still charming, but cows are distructive if given any opporunity at all. I am sure they will have a ball, and my husband is having a good laugh,,,Guys! Do they ever appreciate the charm???
Farm Girl
Posted by: Farm Girl | October 12th, 2008 at 6:49 pm