One Year Ago Today . . . .

. . started our journey into the world of dairy goats. It was then that we purchased our very first 2 Nubian girls. A Mother - daughter duo that has given us many days of joy, wonderment, confusion at times, laughter and a few hair pulling session (ours, not theirs). We have learned a good deal in the past year, but am far from knowing all that we need to know. Reading books and talking to other owners has helped to teach us how to live with dairy goats. Amber, now 3 was our first milker and had to learn patience with us as we learned how to milk. She has become our sweetheart in many ways over the past year. Being two when we brought her home, helped as she had a little experience already under her udder.

Amber, age 2 (March 2009)

Sugar was just a 7 week old baby and our first learning curve test. She is just as sweet as sugar too. We have found joy in seeing her grow up this past year, reaching her second birthday on February 9th.

Then, age 7 weeks ( March 2009)

Anna & Samson joined us last Fall, with Anna being a seasoned doe and Samson just a strapping young buck. They brought with them attitudes learned from their previous owners, but quickly learned to be a part of a larger family group of 4.

Anna, our Alpha doe ( September 2009)

Samson, age 6 months (August 2009)

This past February we were blessed with 5 healthy kids born over a holiday weekend. Pepper, Cinnamon, Glory, Buckshot and Annabelle all join their place in the herd and our hearts. Pictures of their births and growth can be seen here , here and here.

Lessons are an ongoing assignment when you raise goats. Caring for their needs is fairly simple, knowing what is best for them requires a lesson in deciphering the recommendations offered from the many resources available. Goats are pretty resilient for the most part, eating what is good for them from the browse when given the chance. Picking out those tidbits that will give them the vitamins and minerals they need.

We have come full circle in the seasons of goats. Starting with the milking in the Spring 2009, helping them to stay healthy and happy during the Summer. Breeding them in the Fall, only to watch them carry their kids through the Winter. Bringing us back to kidding in the Spring 2010. Each season has it's highlights and joys.

We've made mistakes along the way, while learning what to avoid in the future. We have faced some things new to us in their care and then being victorious in them. I guess the biggest thing we have learned over all is that each herd is different, with it's own set of dynamics. What works for one goat owner is not always the best thing for your goats. It is a matter of gleaming ideas from those who have walked the road before you and then implementing what will will work for you herd. I am glad we have a year under our "goat belt" because it gives us more confidence in ourselves, in regards to their well being. It has been a year of ups and downs for sure, but full of satisfaction for both of us. I think Lon will agree that we couldn't imagine our lives without them.

There are many benefits to owning dairy goats, to numerous to list, but having fresh milk is at the top of our list. But there can be challenges as well that can make it difficult at times. Like having to go out in sub-freezing temperatures to feed and check on them, busting frozen water buckets so they can have fresh water to drink, trimming hooves on feet that don't want to be touched, midnight labor checks on pregnant does, trying to figure out what is making one appear sick, milking with aging backs and hands, just to name a few. But don't let this discourage you from trying them out yourself. They are much easier to handle that cows, don't weigh as much ~ which is good if one ever steps on your foot, are better at converting feed into healthy nutrition, they learn their names and simple commands fairly quickly, are loving, and will wrap their place securely around your heart before you know it.

After adding 5 new kids this year it will be a challenge of our wills over our hearts to decide who will stay and who will find new homes. But we can't keep them all and I know that this time next year, will bring a whole new set of faces to be joyful over. Our plans are to put together a good herd of milkers to meet our personal needs here and give us enough excess to pursue some new interest. There is a multitude of things that can be done with their milk.

It's been a good year and we look forward to the future we our goat family in the years to come.

Wouldn't have traded it for nothing!

Deborah

Family Fun

We had the family come spend the weekend with us. Jason, Brian, Crystal and Leah all join us on Friday afternoon late with suitcases in tow. It was great having everyone together under the roof again, but this time they were sleeping here too! Having a place for everyone to lay their heads was a bit of a challenge, but we made it. Jason brought out the toddler bed that we had used with Leah after she graduated out of the crib. It had to be set up in Nana & Papa's bedroom. I wasn't a surprise, but she did sleep in it both nights. Allowing us to have room in our own bed. Brian & Crystal took the guest room, leaving Jason to pile up on the comfy sofa in the family room. Having only one bath was a game of who's turn is it next, but doable.

Someone missed us during morning chores and found a good sleeping spot with Unkle J.

The weather was windy, but warmed nicely on Saturday. The boys helped Lon with the milking and feeding chores each day. Everyone joined in on feeding the baby goats. I cooked family favorites, with each one getting to pick theirs for a meal. We worked in the garden, planting cabbage and onion transplants. Moving tons of rocks and tilling the rows in section of the garden. Jason cut brush down by the creek for us to better see if from the driveway. Crystal, my "non-outside" girl seemed to enjoyed herself with helping dig holes, holding & loving on Cinnamon, rocking & reading on the porch and putting Sassie out to graze for me.

Late Saturday afternoon we took the goats for a walk down to the creek.

Leah learning to skip rocks

Brian creekside

Crystal and Cinnamon on the trail

Leah was her usual self jumping all over the place from one activity to another like a frog. So excited to be outside and have everyone she loves within arms reach.

Getting up on Sunday for church and a country breakfast almost made us late. Even with some Saturday nite preps done, it was a sight to see, all of us getting ready the next morning (one bathroom, remember). The church was filled because of the revival services going on and we had to split up into 2 pews in order to sit. It was a wonderful blessing to have them all at church with Lon and I. It has been a long time, as it used to be quite frequently, that is until we moved.

Sunday after lunch, there was plenty of porch sitting, napping and outside enjoyment. The four-wheeler was pulled out of it's Winter storage and ridden. Leah was the queen of command, asking first one then another to take her for a ride. Which was easy, considering everyone wanted to jump on and take it out across the pasture, up the driveway and down the dirt road. I even rode her around for several trips, my first time on it since I fell last fall. It was a perfect day for it too, warm and sunny with a gentle Spring breeze.

That evening after they had packed up and left to go back to home. Lon and I attended the last revival service at the little country church we are growing to love. It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend! In the style we are becoming used to, the service lasted for 2 hours. There was some guest singing besides the blessing of the message preached by the evangelist. We fell into bed tired but happy. Had a great time, guys. Can't wait till your next visit,

Family, such a wonderful blessing to me,

Deborah

I am still looking for 2 more people to join me in the Pay-It-Forward. Here is the link to the original post.

Ready to Roll, Right After the Rocks

Rain is due back in today. A direct contrast to the warm, sunny 70's we enjoyed yesterday. Our plans had been to get the small patch of garden we have cleared of rocks tilled yesterday. Only to find no gas for the tiller. Argggh! So, guess what is at the top of our to-do list for this morning. Gas. But it looks like the rain might get here earlier than predicted. So we will need to get a move on. We really need to get the garden prepped, so we can plant as soon as possible. Having a large garden requires a lot of work, especially when it has not been plowed in years. The abundance of rocks in it is amazing! But we are encouraged to push forward by the two short rows of over-wintering kale that keeps nodding theirs leaves at us. They are showing some spring growth and looks like progress to us. So much so that after hauling multiple buckets of rocks out of the garden. Tired as we were, we discussed running to the feed store to buy some seed or a few transplants. Just so we could plant a few rows. We are ready to get going. As we know the hot days of Summer will be upon us sooner than we will be ready for. Our thoughts are to raise most if not all of our vegetables our selves this year. Canning and putting up the bounty we hope to harvest from it. Though there are plenty of items here still in need of a hole dug for them. A few fruit trees and several plants we have dug up to transplant from the other house. Spring is here and with the warmer temperatures every thing is waking up and showing some type of Spring growth. A good indication that now is the time to transplant any of our dormant plants before they start a new root system.

I am having better luck with the seeds I started back a couple of weeks ago. Several baggies of peat pots have little green sprouts showing for my efforts. Yea! Could have had more started, but ran out of the little peat disc. They remind me of the tiny compressed toys we used to get as a child. When placed in water they would swell up to 3 times their size. Some of them were made out of shaped sponges. It always amazed me how they got the reconstituted item into such a tiny capsule.
The first person to joined me in the pay-it-forward game is Laura over at Laura's Homestead Adventures. If you haven't checked her blog out, stop by and tell her Deborah sent you. She writes an easy enjoyable one. Plus she is a nurse too, a foundation for kindred hearts. Laura I need you to email me your home address so I can mail you your surprise package. I still need two more individuals to complete the trio for my tier of the game. So who will be next? If you are unfamiliar with Pay It Forward, you check out this post for the details and instructions.

What are you up too on these sunny spring days?

Deborah

Spring Activities

Enjoying the Spring time requires being outside in order to capture all the goodness it has to offer. If you are like me, most of you have been itching to get outside and do a few gardening chores, soaking up the sunshine in the process. I have made use of the pretty days lately to do a few of my favorites things too. Like . . .

Putting up an old bird feeder by the garden. It is one that I brought from our old house that stood in a flower bed. You may not can tell from the picture but it has been nibbled on by the squirrels that often tried to raid it. My daddy built it and despite it worn appearance I could never part with it. So I filled it with sunflower seeds and will wait for the birds to find them. It is situated so I can see it from both the front porch and my bedroom window.

Cleaning out a flowerbed or two. There are a couple that I have started since moving here. All of which have new weedy growth popping up in them from the abundance rain and now warming temperatures. The broken birdbath came with the place and I plan to replace it with one I already have. The hosta I planted last year is showing emerging furls of new leaves.

I cut out a spring bunny from a panel found in the treasure chest in the barn. The "treasure chest" I am referring to is the huge plastic tote I found when we cleaned out the house that we are making into a barn. It was stuffed full of fabric scraps and yards of fabric. I pulled out all of the cotton fabric to wash and line dry. It is stacked in my craft closet for future use as what ever my mind can dream up. Among the pieces was a craft panel for a "Spring Bunny". I am thinking it would make a great gift for Leah. I may even try to cut one out for our porch decor too. Isn't she cute?

Cut brush along the creek bank. While the goats browsed this evening I trimmed the brush, small trees and BRIERS away from a section of the creek bank near the driveway. I love hearing the tinkling sound of the water as it flows over rocks towards some unknown destination. Clearing out the rubble will make it easier to see and enjoy. Besides what else can you do while watching goats eat?

Ate dinner outside on the porch. Lon and I have always enjoyed eating outside on the porch. At our old house we had two tables set up. One sitting on the back of the house was large enough for family to gather around and near the grill. The table and chairs we inheirted when his Mother died. It has been fondly used every since. The round one on the front porch was set with just 2 chairs instead of the 4 that came with it. That is where Lon and I ate intimate meals for just the two of us. It was a quite place facing the lake that was in front of our house. Here we have a small front porch that allows us to eat while rocking if so desired. Plans are to build a back deck off from the dinning room that will be big enough to house one of the outside tables. Not sure right now what I will do with the other one. Maybe tuck it under a shady grove of trees for some truly alfresco dinning.

Gotta love the outside ~ it is nature's sedative,

Deborah

Spring is Here!

The first day of Spring has finally arrived. . . sunny and warm, with a light breeze. That tickles the wind chimes outside my window in a chorus of praise! I am feeling quite hopeful today, the weather makes one feel like tackling the world. The dose of sunshine we had yesterday, grilling out for the first time this year last night, coupled with the promises of today help to cause my heart to soar! Which reminds me I need to buy a couple of kites for these Spring breezes. Now that we have some open space it will be fun to revisit an activity I used to do with the boys, when they were little every Spring.

There is so much I want to do outside today, it makes it hard to choose. But it is already after 1pm and I need to get started soon. Morning chores and a trip to the "Piggly Wiggly" took up the morning. I only needed a few things and found a couple of great buys which made the trip enjoyable. I love the small town feel of the store. What it lacks in variety and prices it makes up in friendliness and personal service. You don't find that in the bigger chain grocers. I had avoided the store before because of the prices on a few things. But I realized that when I add in the cost of fuel and time to drive to a larger store. I am probably not saving much if any for the items I buy. We have bought several meat specials since moving here and have not been disappointed yet. When they put on a sale, it is REALLY a sale, not just hype to get you into the store. I may start shopping there more often, as it is the closes grocery store to the farm. Plus the little town has a couple of other shops I want to stop at when I can find some extra time in my schedule. Do you really have extra free time on a farm?

Lon dug the holes for the apple trees for me yesterday. Getting them settled in and water took very little time and effort today. We had purchased a McIntosh, Green Crab apple (my personal choice) and a Fuji at the feed store. I look forward to the beauty of the blossoms this Spring and yummy apples possibly this fall. It will take a couple of years before they will give a full crop. But watch out, there will be lots for fresh eating, pie making, cobblers and jelly to be had then. Maybe even a small batch of homemade apple cider.

Nearby where the apples were planted in the edge of the woods stands a Persimmon tree. It was all tangled up with the south's aggravating but wonderfully smelling honeysuckle. It is the third tree we have found on the property so far. Not many people have every tasted the sweetness of a ripe persimmon fresh from the tree. It has a fruit you have to wait on to get ready before eating, no sneaking a bite till then. Or you will get bit back. They are extremely sour with a turn your mouth inside out if not ripe. Anyone who has ever had the experience of eating a green one will tell you. DON'T! It takes a heavy frost in the Fall to change the tartness to sweetness. Many a person has been fooled into taking a bite as the fruit is a pleasant orange color at all times, not an indication of ripeness. I cut back the vines as far as I could reach up and will need a ladder to get the vine hat out of the top of the tree. It is close enough to the garden and house that we can monitor it progress and hopefully keep the deer from eating the fruit. I'm looking forward to tasting a treat that I enjoyed often in my childhood.

I was surprised last Spring when we were working on the house to look out and see a beautiful blooming bush in the edge of the woods and yard. My first thoughts were that we had some type of a wild azalea on the property. But the blooms were huge upon getting a closer look. Brilliant scarlet blooms on a small tree instead of a bush.

After calling my daddy and describing the tree and flowers, he told me I had buckeyes. A tree that produces large pods from the blooms that hold a smooth cocoa brown seed inside.

Legend has it they will bring you luck if you carry one around in your pocket. I've always loved the feel of one in my hands, rubbing in over and over till the shell would shine. A bowl of them on the coffee table never ceases to start a conversation about them either. Hiking through the woods has revealed a multitude of these trees. Looks like I will have plenty to share if anyone would like to have their own "lucky" buckeye. You could plant it to grow your own if you like. Or just set it where you can see it, rubbing your hands over it and enjoying the legend. The seeds won't be ready till about September or October. Let me know if you would like one and I will mail it to you.

We have had warm, sunny and breezy weather for 2 days in a row. It has been wonderful! The temperatures have soared to the 70's. Mine you it is a Spring 70, unlike the hot 70's of Summer. All of the livestock has responded like I have to this heat wave, loving it and quite joyful. You may wonder how a goat, horse or even a chicken displays joyful. You can see it in their activity. Increased movement is the best way; a quicken step chasing after a bug, ranging farther from the barn, kicking up their heels, prancing around and running circles in the pasture. It is a treat for me to see the adult goats back to playing like kids, jumping up in play, gentle head butting and kicking up their feet in glee. With the iweather is so nice we decided to let the babies out for their first encounter with the pasture. They loved the wide open spaces and did just what a child would do on a playground ~ they played. I love watching them in their discovery of the world around them. The interaction with the adults went great. I am sure when it is time to put them back up, we will see some gloomy faces. But they sure are cute right now . . . .

Spring what a wonderful feeling,

Deborah

"Pay It Forward" Fun

"Paying it back" is an obligation.

"Paying it forward" is to give because you want to.

Finding this opportunity on a friend's blog was so neat this morning. As I was discussing the movie by the very same title with my Dad just last night. Now tell me that it was a coincidence. NOT! Several blogs that I follow have posted opportunities to share with other women on their blogs over the past few months. Being as busy as I am most of the time, I can't keep up date with my reading of them and miss out on the challenges, drawings, games, etc. Not so today, I slipped into the number 3 spot at Sunny's place . (I hope my link works as it is the first one I have tried to do.)

Here is what "Pay it Forward" is all about. I If you want to join in the fun, just leave a comment saying you'd like to be included. The first three people to do so will receive a gift from me sometime during the next year. In turn, they will post a Pay It Forward post on their blog and send a gift to three people who agree to participate. You never know when the gift will arrive in the mail. It could be next week or next year. It promises to be a lot of fun trying to find out what people like so you can send an appropriate Pay It Forward gift. It can be bought or handmade and doesn't need to be expensive at all. I am sure that if I follow my heart, your gift will arrive on just the day that you need a dose of fun and encouragement. So who is up for it?

Just:

1. be one of the first three names to post a comment on this page

2. then post the guidlines of how to play & the "pay it forward" button on your blog
3. commit to choose 3 to gift within ONE YEAR (now don't forget!)

4. sit back and wait for your smile to come in the mail.

Easy!

I can't wait to see who will be the 3 to take part in this fun friendship game. If we keep paying it forward there is no limit to how far this can reach in the lives of women around the world.

Deborah

Another Birthday

It has been proven over and over that they come around every year. Birthdays. There seems to be mixed emotions from those who have them about their worth. Although it seems silly considering the alternative. Most women and a few men will not even let you know their age for no amount of money or bribing. I think they are afraid that people will think less of them some how. Don't see how they figure this to be true. Or are they just afraid to let you know exactly how old they are under the disguises that they wear? I believe birthdays should be celebrated, each and every one of them. It is a special gift that was given to you and your parents upon your birth. And one we should honor each year as our birthdays come across the calender pages. I have never been shy about telling my age and I am not about to start now. Today I celebrated living 54 years. I pray I will have many more, but if not ~ I am not going to waste this one, hiding it. One more year and I will be "double nickels". A bonifided senior citizen and able to collect some of the discounts offered. Although the government keeps changing the age for benefits, so I may have to wait a few more years for the paying ones. I have decided that when you reach the magical years of Senior Citizenship, you need to claim all the rights you can. After living these many years you've earned the right to all the bonuses you can get! It is neat to have your birthday on a lesser holiday ~ St. Patricks Day. There are many who want to celebrate the day and you can kinda pretend that it is because it is your birthday. Lon is having to work today. Which is what prompted Mom & Dad to come down. They didn't want me to spend it by myself.

Jason & Leah came out yesterday to surprise me for my birthday and to let Meme & Grandaddy see their one and only great grandchild. We were even more surprised when they stayed for dinner and Brian drove out to join us. It was nice having the table surrounded with family. Though my daughter-n-law wasn't too pleased to be on call at the hospital and missing all the fun.

Daddy and I hiked our woods this morning after chores. I took him down by the creek and up over the ridge. We saw lots of new growth on the different trees, revealing that Spring is just around the corner. We spotted several deer trails and a place where two had been sleeping just hours before. It started to sprinkle on us as we walked for over an hour. Mom became a little concerned about us, as we had no idea that we had been gone that long. Neither of us had a watch on and it was easy to get lost in the adventure. Walking with my daddy in the woods was a great birthday treat for me. I have always loved walking the woods with him, ever since I was a little girl. Daddy never had any sons, just my sister and me. Guess you could say I was a tomboy of sorts and as close as he got to one. I remember following in his footsteps along unknown paths, as he called out the names of different trees and such. Still today he will question me from time to time about the name of something. I am always proud if I can remember the names, by looking at the bark or leaves. I have hiked many a trail with him and Lon over the years as they deer hunt. I wouldn't trade the times for any gift of any amount.

We spent the afternoon in a nearby town doing a little shopping. Mom wanted to take me out to eat for my birthday, so I wouldn't have to cook on it. So we opted for an early dinner at O'Charlies. We each enjoyed our meals and was stuffed, before being treated by the restaurant with a birthday dessert. They have added a Caramel pie to the menu and our waitress brought us one out instead of the usual birthday treat. My, my, my it was wonderful! Yummy goodness and way to much for one person. Glad I had my parents there to share it with me. ;o)

I have started some seeds again, using a fellow blogger ~ mmpaints baggie idea. I had started some back in the middle of February with not much luck in sprouting. So this time I tried putting a tv tray in front of guest window (it gets a southern exposure and bright morning sunlight.)Then adding a heating pad on low under the baggies to add bottom heat also. I am hoping the combination will yield some good results and give us a head start on our garden this year. The seeds I have my fingers crossed over were . . . .

peppers - jalapeno, sweet banana
leeks - "American Flag"
pumpkins - a small sugar pie variety
butternut squash - "Waltham"
salvia - "Bonfire" red
basil - "Genovese", for making pesto
lavender - a perennial for my future herb garden
marigolds - petite, mixed colors

Enjoying my day!

Deborah

Surprises

My parents drove down from North Georgia yesterday to spend a few days with us. They wanted to be here for my birthday tomorrow. It has been cool and a little rainy so far and I hope the weather will clear so we can spend some time rocking on the front porch. Daddy has been helping Lon with the chores and Mom helped feed the babies today.

The main project he and daddy are working on is trying to fix a washout on our driveway at the creek. The large amounts of rain we have been having is causing a gully of sorts to be cut across the drive. It seems the pipe under it has been stopped up and diverting the creek water to flow over instead of under. After digging out the mud and muck, they have hauled large rocks from different areas of the property to edge each side of the pipe area. Then brought extra gravel from off the drive to build up the top. It looks great and we are praying it will stop the problem from continuing. With the excess brush cut away from the area, I can envision lots of woodland flowers along the bank to add some color and make the creek sparkle all the more.

Lon brought in the eggs this evening and perched on top of the basket full was a mini egg. He asked me if I had sneaked in some doves or pigeons when he wasn't looking. It is the tiniest egg we have ever collected in the 2 years we have been raising chickens. I am puzzled by the size, not knowing if it came from a young pullet just starting to lay or what. All of last years babies should have been laying good size eggs by now. Or it could have come from one in too big of a hurry to let it develop into a normal size egg. Although when the food bucket comes out, they all scramble like crazy to get their share. The other surprise today was we collected 32 eggs and the second day in a row! I do believe the increasing daylight and the return of "buggie snacks" is making a difference. At this rate we may see 3 dozen a day this week. WOW!

Abounding in eggs, both big and small,

Deborah

SATURDAY Happenings

The babies are growing so fast, it's hard to believe they are now 1 month old. My how the time has flown. With all the new changes in our chores due to the darlings it has passed ever so quickly in a blur of milking and bottle feedings. We finally came to a decision on what to do with all of them. Lon's nephew, Dwight had previously stated he wanted to get a baby from us even before they were born. After talking it over and looking at them with an eye towards milk production and building a future herd stock. We decided to keep all three of the doelings at least through their first year or so and sell the two bucklings. Dwight came out today for a look to decide which of the bucks he wanted. As I was giving him first pick and planned to advertise in the paper for the other. Well, after seeing the two spotted boys, he decided to take both. Yea! Makes things easy on all concerned, I don't have to find a home for the other, they get to stay together as herd mates, and he gets two munching machines for his property. A win-win situation.

Being low on chicken feed sent us off to the feed store today and to meet a man we had bought hay from before. The large pasture roll is all gone and everyone is looking at us with a "where's the hay" face. LOL! We almost waited to long, as Mr. Edwards had just about sold out of all he had put up this past year. While at the feed store, I couldn't resist getting another fruit tree. It jumped right out at me and basically said take me home! Honest! So I just had to get one to go with the other apple trees already waiting to be planted back at the house. I don't know many people who love crab apples like I do. So, I guess the only ones I will have to fight off of the tasty treats are the deer.

Our other chore of the day was to muck out the kid pens and put in fresh straw. It was semi~nice enough to put them out in the play area despite the heavy moisture in the air. They were thrilled with all the space to run and jump around in. Just like little kids on a playground would do, playing chase, kicking up heels, bouncing off of the side of the barn, doing flips, etc. Dwight had just arrived and was able to see them in all of their hyper activity. I got the impression he didn't really want to leave his boys when it was time to go home. I suspect we will see him again soon before they are ready to leave us in another month.

In many ways happy for a fruitful day,

Deborah

Nope not ME!

The past couple of days have gone smoothly despite the challenges we have faced. Yesterday was a test of wills. Not mine and Lon's, but of goats and humans. We had separated Sugar (mom) and Glory (baby) the day before. In an effort to get her on a bottle. We have tried several times to get her to take one. NOPE is all she has to say on the subject. Bringing her to the house to get her to eat was fruitless. Thinking if she can't see and smell mom maybe she would be more willing. After she had been 24 hours without eating, of her own choice. We decided the stress on her and us was not worth it. Before the today was out she was back with mom.

I guess you could say her will was stronger than mine. But in placing her back on mom to nurse it will ease up the milking chores for us for now. As I am afraid she learned her stubborn streak from her mom, who has been a dancing goat on the milk stand. All in all I think it will be a win/win situation for all involved. We decided the two would be our experiment pair between the two styles of raising babies in the world of goats. We had read that you needed to remove them from their moms in order to raise kids that were people friendly. There are others who believe it is a necessary thing in order to keep diseases out of their herd. Before we started raising goats we have always believe to let nature take it course in animals. We had also been told that if you spend time with them, even if they are raised by the moms they will be friendly. Time will be the judge and tell us which of the beliefs is true. I suppose it is best to do what is right for your herd and falls in line with your beliefs. Instead of being persuaded by what others are or are not doing.

Lon did all the evening chores last night. Giving me my first free evening in almost 4 weeks. I have been down at the barn every day and night since the babies were born. It was nice to be able to just focus on dinner, which we were able to eat before 8pm! A rare thing of lately, but definitely something that needs to change. We didn't quite know what to do with the extra free time before bed ~ it's been so rare. Usually we fall into bed right after dinner and dishes after a long day. By 9pm we were tucked in the bed for a good night's sleep under the sound of rain on the roof.

Watching nature take care of it's own,

Deborah

Rise in my Temperature

No, I am not sick, at least I don't think you can get sick from Spring Fever. Though at times it seems like more of a aliment rather than a craving. I don't know about you, but I MUST have sunshine in my life. The rainy weather we have been having for most of this Winter has kept the skies in a state of variable greys. I am so ready for some color. The warming trend we have been experiencing the past few days has definitely caused a rise in my temperature. The only cure I know of is to feed it with lots of time out doors, digging in the dirt, planting seeds, flowers or both. I know that officially the start of Spring is still several days off, but you just can't ignore a fever when you have one. So what's a girl to do? Something Fun!

Eating breakfast on the porch was a treat this morning. Putting me outside with my sweetie and causing us to linger over a cup of warmth. Watching the day unfold and savoring the rising temperature of yet another beautiful day (Hmmm, contentment). They don't come around very often right now warm days, not speaking of contentment. This one looks to be sandwiched between the rain showers predicted yet again for tomorrow. But for now the sun is shinning, with a little breeze since the early morning clouds have rolled past. I hope it doesn't hamper our cutting down of the old diseased sweet gum tree in the back yard. It is one of quite a number of outside projects planned for today. We need to get a few done before the wet weather at the end of the week arrives.

Let's see ~

1. Turn over the garden, prep for planting

2. Harvest rest of chickens

3. Cut down Sweetgum tree

4. Get roll of hay for pasture

5. Plant fruit trees and vines
6. Trim old pear trees in pasture

7. Cut back Fox grape vines

8. Burn brush pile

Wonder how many will actually get marked off the list?

Mom and Dad are coming down for my birthday next week. They want to help me move some of my flowers & plants from the dville house. I would love to get some color added around here, establishing the gardens, both food and flower. To get truly established here would be such a burden off of our hearts. But would bring a load of boxes that would need some place to be stored, which we do not have at the present. It will come with time, I know. So we have to take each day patiently one at a time towards the final goal. . . of being totally moved and settled in. :o)

I was stuck the other day, the first warm one of the year at 71*, between sitting on the porch and playing in the dirt. Bet you can guess which one won out on such a warm day. Yep! digging in the dirt and the difference I see is encouraging. Makes me want to get some flowers for the beds that are all cleaned out. But I know I will have to wait till some warmer weather is here to stay first. I wish I was better at sprouting seeds, so I could start the bedding plants I want for the yard. It would be so much cheaper than buying transplants. Plus I could have tons more with the money I would save. COLOR, Color, color everywhere! I shared my latest idea with Lon about converting the old well house into a new one that would also house a small greenhouse on one end. He liked the idea, YEA! So now I need to keep my eyes open for some good tips on building one and start gathering the supplies for the makeover. I've wanted one for many years and look forward to having a place where maybe seeding sprouting will be successful.

Waiting for color,

Deborah

Knew This Day Would Come. . . . . .

D-day arrived today. Not an invasion from a foreign country but an intervention of sorts. For those who have raised dairy goats before this will be old hat for them. For us and all of you that haven't a clue what I am talking about, let me share d-day; aka ~ debudding day with you.

We knew it was coming, had gathered the necessary items for the procedure, pulled up our confidence straps and went to the barn to gather the first unsuspecting baby. The process of debudding (removing the horns) is not something that is pleasant task to do. The goats aren't too thrilled about it either and loudly sound their distress over having it done. But in having milk goats comes the responsibility of keeping them safe and living happily in a herd. Goats grow horns naturally as a means of protection and for intimidation. They have been known to get them caught in fencing which can cause a nasty injury or death. They sometimes choose to use them as motivators when others in the herd don't heed their demands. Or on unsuspecitn owners if not properly trained. In the wild, they will use them to ward off predators from making a meal off them. But. . . . living here in a protected fenced environment, where there meals are catered in and everyone is expected to act nice, they are simply not needed. I have not experienced a damaged or torn udder from a horn injury, because of an over zealous herd mate before. Like others have had to do and I do not want to start now. When we purchased Amber and her daughter last year they had already been debudded. As were Samson and Anna last August when they joined the beginnings of our little herd of milk goats. So naturally we knew that any babies born this year would need to be hornless too.

Hence it brings us up to today's new learning curve. We had spent time reading and had studied pictures on the web, in books and emails of the steps to do this correctly and safely. But nothing prepares you for the actually burning off of the horn buds on the tops of the sweet little faces of baby goats. They are so trusting right up to the point we placed them in the debudding box that Lon had built this morning. We had decided earlier that we would play the "bad cop / good cop" game. He was the mean bad guy with the hot iron and I was the loving good guy with the warm bottle of milk and soothing words. One by one they left the barn, only to return in a few minutes sporting new hair cuts and the results of the procedure. I will spare you the details, for those who rather not know. But after the first two were done, we were all of a sudden hit with a "did we do it right?" fear. And began searching for more info and someone who had done it before to talk to. Only knowing of two contacts we could call. One who doesn't do hers we found out and the other was not at home when we called. Chris, had helped me out last year when we first got our goats and had given sound advice. So I was hoping to gain some more today but with no luck. That left us with no course but to proceed on. After the last little doe was done, we knew we had passed a milestone for us and was quite glad in was over at least for a year. Only time will tell if we did it right. All but one bounced right back into their carefree play. Cinnamon, the smallest doe in the group needed some extra loving and holding which I didn't mind doing at all. Hopefully by tomorrow all will be forgiven and forgotten.

Sue, one of my faithful egg customers drove out today to see us. We had a nice visit and showed her around our growing farm. Pointing out the changes that had been made and our dreams for the place. She and her husband hope to raise some chickens once they too get moved to their own retirement home in north Georgia. I promised to let her know when we get some hatch out and ready to sale. She and I actually met off an ad that I had placed in the Farmers Market Bulletin last year, in an effort to move some of the growing egg production that we were experiencing. Every week she would stop by to get her eggs and we would share information on some of our common interests; eating naturally, frugal home tips, goat's milk soap, etc. Since we have moved, Lon takes her eggs back to Dville for her to pick up. I have missed our weekly visits and enjoyed the time we had together today. Stop by anytime Sue and be sure to come back when things aren't so muddy.

Glad d-day is behind us,

Deborah