Much Has Happened ~

So much has happened since we last spoke, I'm not quite sure where to begin. The majority of it was good though life will throw us curve balls every chance it can. Every now and then when we don't see them coming we get blindsided. Such has been things around here to the extent that I have felt a little off-balanced. Writing didn't seem to get to the top of the priority pile that often and when it did it was soon knocked down the list by an emergency. I hope someone else can relate and it's not just me struggling to keep up.

We've come to the conclusion that some changes are needed to help the farm flow more smoothly through the challenging times. At present we are working through some ideas to carve out more time for ourselves. When the time needed to care for the livestock takes up more than what one is extending on themselves. Well, it is time for some changes. We figured it is time to either decrease the number of dependent animals or scale back on the "pampering" they are getting. We are choosing both options. After selling most of our Spring kids, we are down to 2 buckling left, who need new homes. Once they are sold our goat care will be easier and our milk production will be up. We are having to lock up the kids at night, so we can milk the does in the morning. Some still insist on nursing, even at 5mths of age and their mothers still let them. We are only milking once a day for a couple of reasons. One being we can't possibly use all the milk they could produce and two it effort to keep our evenings free for personal pursuits or just plain o' sitting. So we don't begrudge them them what little they get during the day. But we DO want our share of the milk.

Progress has been made on Cedar Hill, the horse/goat pasture, named for the large Cedar that stands in the middle of it. Fencing is a daily chore we are trying to work at in this heat. Which isn't for long once the sun gets high in the sky. We've let the goats & horses out into the area a couple of times to munch on the buffet out there. But someone has figured out where a small section of fence is not completed at the edge of the woods and keeps leading everyone out. Of course they all make a bee-line to my loaded plum tree. The one I've been intently watching for the fruit to turn ripe. Last year I put up 12 or so pints of jelly from this tree, besides all the fresh eating we could handle. Guess they will have to be banned from the area till all is completed. Here I was trying to be nice and let them have some fun in a new pasture. All it took was for one to ruin the opportunity for the rest of them. Though they didn't have to play "follow the leader" and could have stayed out in the pasture longer. Had they not given into peer pressure or should I say herd instinct.

We have also sold a number of laying hens this Spring also. Along with a few chicks and biddies we hand raised. The egg production count was getting above my extra refrigerator space. So something had to give or go! So we sold a few and have been dishing up boiled eggs treat to the remaining hens in an effort to keep the eggs as fresh as possible for our paying customers. Lon even gave away all the extra roosters to a couple of new goat buyers. Now all we have left at present are the roos we plan to hang on to for breeding purposes of the specific breeds we have. He has been putting them up in Roo-ville, but somewhere in the pen is an escape hatch. So they keep helping themselves back out to freedom with the hens. Some of our hens are looked quite ragged so we are trying to give them a break from the Roo's attention for awhile. Hence the locking up, as fertilized eggs are not a needed item right now. I have even pulled about 5 out of the barnyard and placed them in the play-yard of the B&B for some needed healing time . I am confident they will soon grow new feathers to shade their backs. Lots of rest and extra feed should do the trick. I may even go so far as trying my hand at making coverlets for the hens in needed of protection from the sun and our ever watchful flock Rooster, Big Boy. Who still likes to romance them from time to time. That is when he isn't being a watch-dog for them.

The Freedom Ranger chicks we got back the first of March, are now getting to harvest size. They are a heritage breed that is being used as a good choice for broilers. Growing slower than the "franken-stein" ones you find in the grocery store. But the upside is that we know what is being converted into their meaty parts from their food. (NO JUNK) Plus they are suppose to be more flavorful, due to the longer growing out phase. Next week we will start harvesting 4-5 each week, till all of them are either on the table or in our freezer. Time for heating up the grill and trying out some new recipes.

Speaking of recipes, I've started back on my cheese making with good results. Encouraged by my success and the multitude of yummy recipes for hard cheeses I keep finding. I've decided to order a cheese press, so I can venture out beyond the soft goat cheese I've been making. Bread baking is also a regular part of my week too. Finding a couple of new recipes that produce consistent results is a blessing. One in particular that we like is an Oatmeal loaf that makes great toast with a sourdough taste and some mighty fine grilled cheese sandwiches. I made a loaf this morning, but before placing it to rise a second time. I sprinkle it with cinnamon and raisins, rolled it up and then placed it in my prepared loaf pan. My experiment at making Cinnamon Raisin Bread for toasting. It is residing on top of my car in the garage as I type. I've found this heat is good for one thing ~ it helps my breads to rise quickly. Now if I could only find a way to bake them without heating up the kitchen from the oven.

Our garden is fully planted and we have little green tomatoes on our vines. Waiting for that first garden fresh matter to eat is hard. Watering has become a chore that has to be done daily, as we haven't had any rain to help us out. I'm using a soaker hose and rotating it to each row in turn across the garden. The garden area is larger than last year's, as we cleared out the last section of rocks and added 5 more rows to it. That's a lot of space added, but even so we still managed to fill it up. We have growing ~ 3 varieties of onion, 2 of garlic, 7 types of tomatoes equalling 40+ plants, 2 crowder pea crops, 2 types of cabbage, green beans, both yellow squash and zucchini, cantaloupe, sweet corn, sweet and red potatoes, cucumbers, a small row of beets to try, butternut squash and the last of my lettuce patch. That's a lot of plants that need regular watering in order to produce well. Our plan is to raise as much of our food as possible for fresh eating. Then supplement with some locally grown produce for putting away in the freezer and in my empty waiting canning jars for our winter pantry.

There is so much more I could share, but I am sure your time is just as spoken for as mine. Know that I think about my blogger friends often and I will try harder to sit down and drop you a note every chance I get.

getting more organized,
Deborah

Washed Denim Skies

With Spring being about a month away our days are lenghtening as the sun climbs back toward the front of our house. Causing all kinds of changes in the view around us. Buds are beginning to swell on the fruit trees and spring flowering bushes. There is a twinge of green mingling in with the dry brown grass. The daffys are pushing up from their slumber and peeking above the still cold earth. I've seen bluebirds in the yard already, looking for those newly hatched bugs. We have even been getting a hint that warmer weather is on it's way. For our day temperatures are most pleasantly in the upper 50 -low 60.


Today was a nice day for porch sitting and since it was Sunday. There is no heavy work to be done outside of feeding chores. I have been trying to be sure I make use of every opportunity to sit a spell. Even if it means a lap quilt wrapped around me and a mug of tea to ward off the cool stubborn winds of Winter. But today I hadn't a need for any of those things, for it is in the high 60's. Sunny, with blue skies in every direction I looked. Not many will gaze upon the sky to see the subtle shading it offers throughout the year. Most glances upward are for checking out whether there are any clouds ~ is rain on the way, will it be sunny?



For as long as I can remember I've searched the skies, judging their color. Yes, I know it is blue for the most part, except for the gray colored skies of Winter. But it shows varying shades of blue throughout the year, giving us a full spectrum of blue. My husband doesn't always see the variations and shakes his head when I call out a specific name of blue for the day. But he's learning to "really see" the sky. When he takes the time to be still and open his eyes to take it in. Each phase of color will tell you something about the natural world around us, if we take the time to consider it's message.


Today, we were given what I term washed denim blue. It's a color seen in the changing skies from Winter to Spring. The blue gray of winter is softened with the higher latitude of sunlight. Giving a warm, sun drenched blue, soft in intensity, with a light scattering of see through clouds. Looking just like a favorite pair of comfy denim jeans, showing the wear in little patches of thin fabric. Regardless of how they look, we wear them because they feel good. Yep! that is what I had overhead as I lounged on the porch. A perfect time to spend reading and writing.


So I gathered up my favorite purple pen, paper and settled in. I have been sending notes of encouragement to my Mom, who is staying at a rehab facility while recovering from back surgery. She and daddy were in an automobile accident back in the middle of January. Where she received 2 critical spinal fractures. I spent 10 days by her bedside, while Lon held down the farm in my absence. Thank you, Baby! One would never plan for times such as those, but they happen none the less. Disappointment set in when she learned she would not be able to go home after surgery. Learning to walk and move safely around with a back brace on was needed first. She had been receiving cards during her hospital stay. So I thought something with more than just a quick greeting would give her the chance to escape mentally the boundaries set upon her. So, I decided to write about the happenings here on the farm. Trying to describe word pictures for her to see. Walking her through my week, day by day with little messages of love and encouragement mixed in. I've yet to send one with less than 7 pages tucked in the envelope. I'm not sure who benefits more, me or her. In the writing I am reminded of the blessings I have enjoyed and have the pleasure of sharing my corner of the world with my mom in an unhurried manner.


Hand written letters in years past were the norm, instead of the oddity they are today. As a society most have rushed into what is seen as a convenience of instant messaging through emails, texting, and voice mail. Even to the point of giving special occasion cards by hand, rather than putting a stamp on them and mailing. To me these are not a signal that I have been on any one's mind for very long. Yes, they get the information past to the recipient, but they are impersonal forms of communication. I love getting mail, especially personal mail. I'm not talking about the multitude of junk mail or bills we find waiting for us in the mailbox. I mean "this is just for you" mail. I have a friend who is the best at sending cards to everyone she knows that needs a little encouragement. Or a reminder that she loves them and is praying for them. I believe we all would be a lot happier if we received hand written tokens of love more frequently. Boxes of inexpensive cards can be found at the nearest discount store, a book of stamps has risen in price over the years, but the cost is still minimal. Taking the time to write a brief note instead of just signing your name carries such a wealth of love in it. I would challenge you to take the time to try it. It will brighten some one's day I can assure you. If you doubt me, send me your address and I'll drop you a line. Then you will be smiling when you reach into the mailbox instead of dreading what you will find. Writing to mom has inspired me to do more of it and to take the time to stick a stamp on a card and mail to my family and friends more often.

Amber ~ says "do I look slimer from this angle?"

On the farm front, we are still WAITING for babies. Can you tell I'm getting a little impatient? Having had 2 to give birth almost 6 weeks ago, has me ready for some more cuties to arrive. Our closes candidate is Amber, who gave birth on February 13th of last year. She has already bagged up in preparation for nursing little ones. But I have her due date down for latter in the month. I think it would be neat to have her do a repeat performance on the same date this year, though I'm not sure she agrees with me. Last year she birth twins as she had her previous 2 times. From the grandeur of her statue I'd say we could probably count on twins again this year.

Comfy in my denim blue day,

Deborah

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

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

Waiting Is a Hard Thing

It really is a fact of life, waiting that is. We all have to wait for one thing or another just about every day. Some are simple waits while others are more challenging. For instance, we wait for the coffee to make, wait in line at the store, wait for the red light to change, wait for the return of our family, wait for a favorite program on TV, wait for dinner to get ready, wait for a turn in the bathroom and a multitude of waits longer than I have time for. I am sure each of us have certain waits that are not a big deal to us and another list that will make us climb the wall or just go a little nutty. One that most moms can relate to is the 9 month wait we have gone through in order to hold our precious children in our arms. For the first time mom it goes by about the speed of molasses in the winter time. Those who have little ones already, the wait goes by way to fast to be ready for the next little blessing to arrive. Such is life. Much of it is a hurry up and wait game that is repeated over and over.

You would think that a 5 month pregnancy is nothing compared to a 9 month or even an 11 month one (that's another story). A "piece of cake", "in no time at all, really", "fly by before you know it" are some frequently used phrases we have either said ourselves or have had spoken to us at one time or another. Well, let me tell you waiting for my sons to be born was a piece of cake and flew by quickly, as I enjoyed both of my "waiting times" for them. On the other hand waiting these last 5 months for some baby goats would have turned my hair grey if it wasn't already so. It has been a struggle for me.

Anna' relaxed, so why aren't I?

Waiting on a mom who doesn't speak your language and does things her own way (not by the book) is an act of sheer frustration for this first time goat owner. Anna has been due to kid by our best guess since Christmas eve. Not knowing when she became pregnant left us at a disadvantage in knowing when she would actually deliver. By all accounts from the previous owners she was with "kid" when we bought her from them. WRONG! She has now surpassed those delivery dates and a few more. That was almost a month ago!

Amber & Sugar

Needless to say at the time she joined our family, we were more focused on the breeding of the two does we already had. So we didn't watch her as closely, after all she was already pregnant, right? Anna was the first to show off her new bulging figure, so she must be pregnant. Anna gave us some early signs of impending births; pelvic ligaments gone, belly dropping, losing the mucus plug (Jan 1st), hollowing out on her sides, udder filling and a few subtle ones I just happen to see. So she is really close. Right? Added all up it spoke of her being near her "time" and the waiting was over. Wrong again.

(Yes, that is my shadow in the picture, not to good at taking them, huh?)

Everyday since before Christmas we have been doing the maternity watch. Looking for signs of early labor contractions. I have been watching so closely, my eyes are tired from looking. We have family members calling every few days asking "do we have babies yet"? Nope! We were beginning to think maybe she really wasn't pregnant after all, just a little fat around the edges. We even put her in the kidding pen over 2 weeks ago, because she must be close. Look at all the signs the books and others have said to watch for. I just let her out this past Wednesday as there doesn't seem to be any indication that she will kid soon. Plus I needed to freshen it up for when she does go into labor. I keep telling every one that I think she has her legs crossed on purpose.

Her udder taking shape

I think she is toying with me, by giving a tiny sign here and another one there. Saying in earnest that even she doesn't know for sure when the kids will make their entrance. Like today, she has been acting weird like every other day, so I frequently look out the windows to check on her where abouts. Even through the binoculars I can tell she looks like she has a fuller udder and paws at the ground some (2nd day in a row). So I go down to check on her, maybe she is having the start of labor contractions. She stands there and looks back at me with a "So?". But as I watch, I see something I haven't seen in weeks, movement, small protrusions on her side, rolling against the skin. Babies, I see babies moving. So she is pregnant! Not that I really doubted it, just got tired of waiting. I marvel at the wonder of it all and think about their arrival some day soon (I hope). Then I think does she feel the movement within her and instinctively know that it's her babies moving? Or pardon my bluntness, does she just let the movement pass by and figure it was just gas. (No pun intended). We as humans can marvel at the life within us when we are pregnant, we long to hold that child that flutters under the surface of our bellies and our hearts, we feel a connection to our unborn. As I sat and watched her for a few minutes I realized it makes the waiting worthwhile, but oh so much harder. I have been following some other goat owner's blog of lately and get excited and dare I say a little jealous at their new arrivals. If you want to see some cute newborns go check out Granny's Best at http://grannysbest.blogspot.com/2010/01/kidding-myrtles-surprise.html. She has new, as in less than 24 hours old nubian babies. Hope ours are just as cute as Myrtle's are.

It is all in God's hands and nature follows a beat set by Him alone. So the waiting will continue and I will have to exercise patience in it.

Deborah

P.S. When putting the girls to bed for the night, I noticed Anna's udder is filling up more. Can now be seen protruding from behind her legs. Nothing like the picture above taken a couple of days ago. This means she is making lots of yummy milk to nurse her babies with. Soooooo, does this mean they will be here soon? Before morning? Tomorrow? This weekend? So much for waiting with patience.

It's Friday

Rain is falling with heavier showers to come. I let Anna and Sugar out of the kidding pens last night. Neither are looking like impending labor is near. I keep wondering about Anna especially. She is almost a month past her due date. She was looking closer to birthing 20 days ago. With all the research in books and online it is hard to know what to do. Questions and conflicting thoughts circle through my head daily. I hope it was not a mistake leaving them out for the night. Bad weather and a strong willed goat is not a good combination. Add to that labor and she would be very difficult to get back in the kidding pen. Guess I will find out when I go down to the barn.



I had to put up another Roo yesterday as there was fighting between 2 Welsummers. One was bloody and injured to the point, I don't know if he will make it. And it was the very one we were considering using as our breeder in the Spring, to add to our flock some more of these beautiful birds. I even had someone interested in trading me some hens for one of them. Now I will have to wait and see if I will even have one to trade. It appears from what I have been told we could possibly have some viral illness in our flock. But it only seems to be affecting the roosters, none of the hens are showing any signs. Which is good, we need all the lovely eggs that they are laying.

Life continues,

Deborah

Fire, Fur and Feathers

Yesterday was "Bon-fire" day down at the barn. Clean out is under way of the place! Previous owners left, "you won't believe me if I told you" junk. We have 7 weeks till the beginning of Anna's expected due dates. Not knowing when she was bred exactly, leaves us guessing a bit. Conversion of one of the two rooms is needed for a place to kid, holding pens and a future milking parlor or should I say milking corner. Feed and hay storage and assorted supplies will occupy the other side. We would love to have a bigger real barn but will have to work with what we have for now. Besides, what really constitutes a barn anyhow? Webster dictionary defines it as ~ a building for sheltering - harvested crops (hay), livestock (goats), machines, etc. Guess the old relic qualifies. It was a long day with 2 very tired bodies at the end of it. But the difference is amazing! Anything that could be burned was quickly made into a pile of ashes. The large brush pile we had made during the summer was used to feed the flames all day long, clearing out that area too.

We set up some nesting boxes in the old silo, since we have 4 hens who like to lay their eggs in there. The goats seem confused about loosing their tepee living quarters. But the goat shed is almost complete and is their new home. Now if we can only convince them of that.

I had a friend ask me yesterday if we had settled in the house yet. I had to confess that after being here for 4 months it is still a work in progress, like so much around here. The shear number of projects to be done, slows progress in any one area. As we are constantly having to refocus our attention as individual needs arise. One day it's the chickens, the next the goats or Sassie. Occasionally it is our needs at the house that come up in the rotation. One thing for sure it is never boring around here. There is simply no time for it!

A blessing I found in one of the rooms of "our barn" was a huge tub of fabric pieces. Some were mere scraps but others were yard cuts. Someone living here before us must have loved to sew or quilt. It is quite an assortment with some really old prints in the collection. It's a quilter's treasure chest of possibilities and I look forward to using them. Right now I am trying to wash them up to remove the musty-storage smell from them. Hoping that a little time out on the line flapping in the sunshine will help. Being such a large amount, it may take me all winter to process them.

The time change of last weekend has brought both a challenge and a help to our chore schedule. The mornings are easier, due to daylight arriving earlier around 6:30-7am. But the evening setting sun at 6pm leaves us to do chores in the dark. Flashlights are a must for now, next year I hope to get some power established down at the barn. We talked just last night about another added benefit of the earlier darkness. One being that we are eating our dinner earlier due to the movement of choring up in the evening hours. The other is we have more leisure hours before bedtime now. Though with the intensity of our work load of lately, our bedtime has moved up as well.

It is encouraging to see the Silver-lace Wyandotes and Isa Browns checking out the nesting boxes. Increases in egg production should be right around the corner once these girls get on board with laying. Will be just in time to off set the fall moult of the older hens.

Today is a solo day for me. Other than a few basic home chores the day is open to whatever I desire to do. The challenge it brings before me is I have so many desires. Choosing will be difficult. Inside or outside play? The weather this week has been warm, sunny with chilly nights thrown in, typical fall weather. Little color is left, as the trees have dropped a good portion of their leaves.

Such short lived splendor to enjoy,

Deborah

Fall Happenings

The weather has been typically Fall-ish in every way. I just love the warm days and cool sweater evenings. We have seen two groups of geese fly over yesterday signaling that colder weather is just around the corner. Today we saw 3 different groups flying in their trademark V formations.

We are still not ready for a fall garden, but Lon did manage to plant 2 kinds of cabbage and some collards we think, as the tag on the tray of seedlings were mixed up. I guess we will have to wait till spring to plant a garden in earnest. The best we can do this winter is to improve the soil with some natural amendments found around the barnyard. Then dream over the seed catalogs during the cold days when you don't dare stick your nose outside for long.

Curiosity got the best of us recently and we sat down to figure up the due dates for the girls. Not really knowing when Anna was bred posed a problem with her projected dates, but we just figured it from the week prior to her arrival here. The previous owner had said she and the buck had been seen together, so it is a safe bet that she came to us already bred. All three of the does have gone past their repeated heat cycle dates, so we feel sure they are all pregnant with our future herd mates. It was surprising to see how the due dates fell ~

Anna - due Dec. 24 - Jan. 2nd. (Holiday babies?)

Sugar - due Feb. 5th -Feb. 9th (her birthday is Feb. 9th)
This is one of her baby pictures from back in March. She has grown into a beautiful doe. Guess I need to take some new photos of her, huh?

Amber - due Feb. 12th - Feb. 16th ( Valentine babies?)

This will be our first kidding and we are excited about having baby kids running around the place. But a little nervous about any possible delivery problems we may encounter. I've helped deliver human babies before, but I have a sneaky suspicion that this will be way different. Reading up on the details will be one thing I can do as I wait for my injury to heal.

We now have the wood needed to put the roof on the new goat shelter we are building for their new living quarters. Hopefully it won't take too long to complete and they will have a dry place to wait out the winter weather sure to come. Plans are to also partition off a place in our "barn in progress"for a kidding area and holding pen. A big need that will be used sooner than I think we will be ready for. Here's hoping for some dry weather and well bodies to get the work done.

Lon put up a deer stand near his food plot behind the house, in hopes of getting us some venison for our freezer. We have seen signs of their presence on the property. The grasses and peas are coming up good in it and someone has been sampling the corn we left out in the woods. It is a wait and see game, that is played out each year about this time.

With all the time I've had to sit gingerly around the house, I was able to finish the quilted pumpkin I had been working on. I have several other fall craft projects I would like to get completed too if I am able. Some are leftovers from previous years and would be nice to finally see them finished. One is a small quilt that I started last fall during hunting season, from fabric bought many years before that. I have a wooden pumpkin that needs to be painted and some fabric acorns that would look great in a bowl with pine cones and other natural items if I could get "around to it."

Then there is this poncho I started knitting for myself that has been set aside for more pressing things. I am never at a lost for some sort of hand work to pass the time with. That is if I can ever find the time to pass. In an effort to get a jump on some Christmas craft items, I started back hand stitching some quilted pieces suitable to be used as coasters or ornaments for our tree. I think they would also make cute hostess gifts if we should get invited to some one's home this year. They are a pick-me-up kind of craft, one that can be easily set back in the basket by my reading chair if the need arises

As you can tell from my notes I am still not sitting or moving well. Lon is of the opinion that my tailbone is not broken or I would be in more pain than I am. I on the other hand is not so sure! I have had broken bones in the past and know what one feels like. Resting as best I can has been the order for the day and will continue for several more. Sleeping is beyond a comfort level that I can find right now. Lying on my back is impossible and trying to sleep on my side causes pain also. I am unable to sleep on my tummy, due to a previous injury to my cervical spine as a teenager. So that only leaves sleeping standing up or on my head. Don't think I want to risk another injury with that one!

Looking for some sleep,

Deborah

First Week of September

Pull up a chair, this is a long one. . . . been busy.

Tuesday 9/1 our plans were to finish the fencing. You will notice that I said were. An opportunity for an overtime shift ended those plans. Pushing everything off a day or two. I was so looking forward to turning the goats out by the weekend.

We are loosing some of our Welsummer pullets some how. I could only count 3 hens, having only 6 left out of the original 10 is not good. We have no idea where or why they have disappeared. Considering the fact that we had planned to only keep one of the three roosters out of the bunch. It narrows our breeding pool considerably. But I have a contact that wants to swap one of my roos for one of his chickens. So I may be able to gain another hen for egg laying after all. They are a calm bird with beautiful markings, that lay lovely chocolate eggs if we ever get any old enough to lay.

Tuesday's skies were overcast and a cool breeze blew. Looked like more rain. . . . again. Crickets were chirping, a sure sign of rain. May even speak of impending changes towards Autumn's arrival. With the cloudiness it made for a good day to work outside. Though it did nothing to help dry my load of whites. But inside chores called to me also, what is a girl to do on a day like that. It is hard to believe the first day of September has arrived. I am curious to see how the trees will change around the farm. We have lots of them and a variety too, so the fall color should be great. I have heard it said that a wet summer makes for a brilliant fall display. Guess we will have to wait and see won't we. We've had the rainfall, now bring on the fall leaves. A couple of trees need to come down before any bad weather arrives though. If my memory serves me right, I think last year this area saw a couple of snow storms that left everything white. This brings up a certain element that we need to think through in regards to caring for our livestock in such weather.

The air was cooled enough to think that a sweater would feel good to my arms while working outside. Fueling my mind with thoughts of quilts and crocheting warm blankets. I even wondered if a crocheted sweater vest would not make a warm covering for barn chores on chilly mornings. I will have to do a search of websites for free patterns that fit this idea. Not that I don't already have plenty of projects ready for my attention that I can work on.


Wednesday 9/2 brought a cool crispness to the air again, as Lon and I sat on the porch enjoying our cups of hot brews. Cool enough that sweatpants and sleeves were needed by me. Just enough chill to stir up the internal fires of fall in our blood. I love Autumn for that very reason, waning warmth of the sun, kissed with a crisp chill in the air. We had a funeral to attend on that day, which lefts us with only time for a leisurely breakfast before having to leave the house.

Jason once more made the trek out to the farm to help with the fencing, which with all three of us working together we finished it. YEA! ! ! We turned out the goats for their first taste of freedom about milking time that evening. It will be interesting to see how they put themselves to bed for a change. Or where they will be come mornings now.

We were appreciative of the coolness that hovered over the day and lingered into the evening. Leaving the windows open in the house to catch it is a pleasure I enjoy ever chance I get. May even make the covers feel good at night, as the pleasant coolness seeps in the moonlit windows.


Having extra covers on the bed against the chill of Wednesday's lows almost made me oversleep on Thursday 9/3 they felt so good. Several challenges faced me on this day as I had to figure out how to feed the chickens and turkeys without having the goats join them. Having an opening to the nesting area that Sugar can't fit through is another one to figure out too. The goat's freedom which we have been looking forward to is going to cause a few headaches I believe before everyone settles into their new homes. Hopefully we will see the two extra hours that we gain from their freedom and not having to take them out to browse each day. Things are improving around here. Each project that we have worked on has served to make the farm run more smoothly. Freeing up more leisurely living for us in the process.


Friday's 9/4 chores went better than they did the day before. Long story short the goats discovered all kinds of new things to hold their interest. Like scratching on the side of the biddy pen and collapsing it's walls, finding the chicken feeder and helping themselves, and multiple other pleasures that made my morning difficult yesterday. A tearful call to my son brought him out to help me reign in the wayward goats and bring some order to the farmyard again. With re-enforced fencing today was an easier day of choring.

A bonus to all the frustrations of yesterday is that I may have found a horse. Plans are to go see her and talk more with her owner to see if she is the one for me. I am excited and nervous since I do not know anything about the care of horses. But I didn't either about chickens, goats nor turkeys before I got them. Reading books, magazines and websites was the basis of learning how to care for them. So I guess a trip to the library is in order for Horse 101. I will have one safety net, as an retired fireman we know lives down the road a piece. He knows all about them and has offered to help me any way he can.


Our trip to check on the horse was an enjoyable trip for both of us. Sassie as she is called was apprehensive to start with. But with some gentle words and a bucket of grains tempting her, I was able to put my hands on her. All was going well until "Buckshot", her pasture companion interrupted our getting acquainted. From all appearances she has been bred by him and if all goes well she will produce a foal next July. Much discussion on the way home, led to a phone call to her owner to let her know we have decided to add her to our farm family. Plans were set to pick her up the first of next week. Wish I could have brought her home now instead.


Saturday 9/5 took us around the world on a journey to pick up some wooden fence posts I had found advertised at a good price. It was an all day trip requiring lots of riding and changing our plans to attend the "Founder's Day" celebration for the little hometown we have moved into. A generous offer from friends to come eat, spared me the job of cooking after such a long day. Good fellowship and meal helped to soothe our road-weary bodies. We haven't been out socializing since we started this farm back in April. It was good to get out for some fun since we had missed the festival and meet our neighbors down the street too.


The day looked promising on Sunday 9/6, with the gentle breeze caressing the air. The overcast skies may never clear as the forecast is for more rain. I love sitting on the porch in the early hours of the day. A needed reprise after Saturday's demands and a restless night of sleep. Anxious thoughts have invaded my dreams, stealing sleep from me in the early hours of the day. Centering mostly around bringing a horse into the mix of barnyard animals we have. Unknown variables fueled them I am sure. I would hate to cause injury to any of the goats from a horse frightened by her new surroundings. There is so much more we need to do just to secure winter housing for them, much less building a shelter for a horse too. Starting from the ground and building up a farm takes both time and money. All of which seems to be on short supply these days. The posts we picked up on Saturday will help secure fencing for another pasture to put Sassie in. But we will still need to purchase wire and the additional T-posts that will be needed to complete it. Then my thoughts wonder to how do I gain her trust, what do I feed and how much, and what type of hay will she need come Winter. Lots to consider, but I must take them one at a time or risk the chance of missing out on the fun of having a horse.

Live and learn they say. . . .I am certainly doing that. I knew there would be lessons to learn with farming and having livestock. Each day brings one or two for my daily workout. There will be many more to face, learn from and live through I am sure. As hard as it is sometimes, I am enjoying the process. You just can't beat sitting on the porch, sipping coffee, reflecting on life and thanking God for all He has blessed you with, as the sun rises higher towards a new day of possibilities.

Learning and Living the days I have been given,

Deborah

Start of a Busy Week

Jason, our son came out yesterday to help us with the pasture fencing. We would not be as far along without his help. It was a full day for all. Mine centered around piles of produce waiting to be processed. Along with the laundry, dishes, cooking and the ususal home chores. While the guys set posts, getting all ready to stretch the wire. Once done we can turn the goats out. While working outdoors we let them out to wander some. . . . they loved it. Though they still wanted to be where we were. While out Anna and Samson got into the grain sack in the barn and helped themsleves to a snack before being caught red-handed. I thought the gate was fixed so they could not get in. WRONG!

The cooler temperatures of the past two days still lingers around in the cool of the mornings and the shade of the evenings. Oh, how I have wished for an attic fan these past few days. After cooking dinner and processing produce I have had the house quite toasty on several evenings.

Today is my first day back milking after having several days off, due to a minor procedure. All was going well too until the 40+ yr old canvas stool I was using as I sat while the goats browsed this morning collapsed. Leaving me sitting in the hard gravel of the driveway. OUCH! ! ! The one good thing if there was one, was the fact that Amber came over to love on me while I was sitting at her level. Even Anna, our unsure one came by to push against me. In an effort to gain some attention and loving from me. A big step of trust on her part. The sky was a light blue with lots of cotton white clouds today. If the ground hadn't been so wet with dew. I would have laid back and just taken in the vast open space above me. While sitting at ground level I did notice a small vine of honeysuckle on the bank. It smelled deeply of the familiar fragrance of Summer. It was a sweet surprise to be found so late in the year.

The days are getting shorter and it is hard to believe that in a few more days Summer will be over. But the signs of Autumn are approaching every where I look. It is already later in the mornings before the sun rises and earlier in the evenings when it sets. Lon and I discussed the fact just this morning before he left for work. How very soon we will be milking in the dark, not only in the mornings but the evenings as well. A trusty lantern or light of some sort will be required for our twice daily commute to the barn for the animal chores.

Time is passing oh so quickly and soon we will find ourselves with more time spent indoors. Best make use of the fall like days coming to store up memories for pondering fireside this Winter.

Seasonal changes are here,

Deborah

Changes on the farm

Yesterday brought much needed changes to the temporary living quarters for the chickens. Lon and I worked all day cleaning and re-working the pens, fencing and roosts for our flock of 62. Can't believe the number has grown so fast. Should of known when we kept having to go to the feed store for more food! They definitely have more scratching room here on the farm than before. Increased bug hunting should help with the feed bill. The biddies, all 14 of them were added to the free-ranging girls. They have grown so fast and we needed their play area for the 27 babies, who had bulged the sides of their pen beyond endurance. This group of Isa Browns and White Lace Wyanadottes were quite happy to run around and stretch their iddy biddy wings for the first time in their short lives. You would have thought it recess time on the playground for a bunch of kindergartners. Funny the biddies had been standing and looking out of the fenced in area at the hens and roosters out in the wide open world. But yesterday they stood and looked into their once enclosed area that the babies now occupied puzzled.

The building now looks more like a barn than before and all seem quite happy with their arrangements. Making the switches helped to make things easier for us to lock them up at night for their safety. Letting them out and serving breakfast each morning is a breeze too. Thanks dear one for all your hard work yesterday. The girls and I love it!

Amber and Sugar have continued to adjust and are getting use to our new surroundings and routine. Although they were determined to be where we were yesterday and pushed over the gate to their pen. Sitting at the table for lunch we decided that Amber's voice was being to easily heard. Only to be surprised a moment later to see her and Sugar's face pop up in the glass of our back doors. They love to be where ever we are and seem to think that they should be allowed indoors too. (Note to selves, re-enforce gate to goat pen.) They have discovered the plum tree in our yard and have scarfed up all the fallen fruit. Which has had me to scramble a few times to get the ones still good for our snacking. This morning Amber discovered that if she looked up there was plenty more of her sweet treats still hanging on the tree. Now I will have to go check the tree each morning before milking to gather in what is ready. At present we are gathering on the carport for our daily milking times between 7 and 7:30. Rain showers are not a good companion to successful milking. Though since moving the milking stand to it's new location we haven't had a shower to speak of. Uhmmm? I enjoyed milking her down in the pasture area under the shade trees. But staying dry was important too and now refrigerating her milk is a lot easier being closer to the house. Sugar spends her time tethered to a nearby tree with a pail of her own grains to munch on till we are done. Then all of us are off for our twice a day stroll around the property looking for the tasty leaves that they enjoy topping off their meals on. With so much space they have lots to pick from and with time we will be able to cut back, clear and open up even more browsing space for them. I know once we can get some permanent fencing in place and turn them out into their own space to play and nibble to heart's content, they will really begin to live the goat's life they were born for.

We do not have much to show in the way of producing our own food crops yet. As we had not moved in before planting time for a Spring garden. But we did put out 6 heritage tomato plants called 'Beefsteak" and two grape tomato plants that are looking good and already have small round orbs hanging amongst the yellow blooms. Six pepper plants have joined them on that side of the garden. An area that was broken up by a fellow fireman who came to do the much needed work on our driveway. Which is now void of humps and holes and is smooth to drive on. He even used his tractor to opened up the area next to it where the creek crosses under it. It looks so inviting, Thanks Mike!

Hopefully over the next hundred years we can remove the rock garden that occupies the space at present where we plan to plant a Fall garden. One thing for sure the sweet potato plants are growing strong and Lon says that I planted enough for the whole community of Woodland. If all 18 plants produce, I just might have. ;) Though one of my newly met neighbors up the road has a large field of corn. Mr. Palmer has already said I could get some of it when it comes in and I don't know for sure, but I would bet he would love to trade for some sweet potatoes too. I wish I had been able to capture a picture of him plowing his fields. It is a sight to see, as you don't find many who still work them with a hand plow and horse/mule power any more. Traveling back and forth to work on the house before moving we often saw him in the early or late light of the day working one row after another. I will have to keep my camera in the car and start driving by from time to time and to see if I can catch him in the fields for a snapshot. It's a priceless sight.

My to-do list continues to grow instead of dwindling as new projects are discovered now that we are living here. It still does not seem quite real, with each day bringing a new sense of peace to our lives. Hard work is not lacking around here, but it is satisfying work. Helping to flesh out a dream into reality for us. So much adventure to be discovered on our place, times to be shared and memories to be made. It is a joy to experience.

I have missed posting about our activities and had so much I wanted to share about the renovations on the house, funny happenings, set-backs and the challenges we faced. But busyness coupled with fatigue kept me off the computer. To try to go back and get caught up would be a HUGE undertaking for me. As I can I may sneak some before and after shots of the process if I can get the pics transferred to a usable file. So instead I have decided to let history be just that and share what is fresh and new in our lives here at Heartland Farm. It is no longer a farm lived out in our hearts and minds, but has become a farm lived on the land that was birthed in our hearts.

Enjoy your day. . . . . . I am,

Deborah

Endings & Beginnings

March is over today. It was a quick month for me and slipped by while I was busy with other things. Spring is well under way here and signs of new life can be seen in every direction one chooses to look. I have only begun to enjoy my Spring favorites and with 12 more weeks to go, I am pretty sure I can find time for the rest. What has been your favorite thus far?

Mine came in a honey-almond package recently. No it was not candy for Easter! Though she is quite sweet,very loving and has milk-breath. We traveled to south Georgia to check out a lead on some Nubian goats for sale. We have been wanting some for over a year. Desiring to have fresh milk to drink and some for making cheeses and home-made soap. Seeing them at the Perry Fair last Fall made us want some even more. We knew that once we were able to acquire our farm they would surely be a part of it. Stepping out to get them now was a step in faith that one way or the other we would have a place for them in our lives.

Sugar ~ born Feb.9, 2009

We came home with a 2 yr. old Nubian doe and her 7 week old daughter. Amber was unsure of the trip to her new home and cried out every time the truck had to stop. Her daughter rode in a box behind the front seat and slept most of the way. We named her "Sugar" and she quickly stole our hearts. New to goat ownership will probably throw us many a challenge to face. I for one have never milked before. With only a quick lesson before leaving their previous owners, I am sure it will be a big learning curve for us.

New temporary home for Amber & Sugar

Amber ~ born March 19, 2007

Amber is in need of some extra conditioning as her weight is low and she is not giving out much milk at present. I feel sure with some extra nutrition, quality feed and TLC that we can bring her up to prime status. First step is to get the right feed and show her that I am her friend. Milking a nervous goat is can be hard for a seasoned milker, but for a newbie it is quite terrifying at times. All the milk we are getting at present goes into the bottle feedings for Sugar. Her owners chose to removed her from Amber at birth. Opting to bottle feed her with goat's milk from their herd instead. Sugar is down to 2 feedings a day now and will begin to eat solid foods and hay. In a few more weeks we will begin to decrease her milk feedings and introduce her to more foods in order to develop her "rumen" (first stomach). To become a good quality milker she needs to have a large one capable of lots of roughage, like hay and browse. Like deer they love to eat young trees, new leaves, vines and plants. Though is was alarming to learn that the azalea, rhododendron and mountain laurel dotted across our landscape is poisonous to them. We will have to be very careful when we have them out in the yard and woods for their munching pleasure each day.

It was a joy to see that Amber's birthday is 2 days after mine. It should be easy to remember and we can celebrate together each year. I guess I received a milk source after all for my birthday. Lon's card had said that she would be brown and give milk. I think Amber fits the description, except for the mooing part. It's more of a NAAAAAAA. :-D

Looking forward to spending time with the new girls in the family

Deborah