My mornings...

For the past month, I've been getting up at 6 am and milking goats. I have 4 of my own. Then I go down the road to New Dawn Farm and milk 2 of their does. But that will be changing today because I brought one home this morning and the other will come tonight. Their kids are 2 1/2 months old and are really doing a number on their poor udders.

I park down the hill and walk up to the gate. I love this old house. My friend's family owns all this land here. This was her grand parent's home place.

The does are usually waiting here at the chicken coop where we milk at the top. Jessie is first. She has horns and she knows how to use them!

Then it's Ada's turn. Then we go up the hill some more to let the kids out of the little shelter stall. They are always excited to see their mommas! Some mornings I have a few helpers, but mostly just Jennie. This particular morning, we had to spray kid heads, where they'd been a little rough with the head butting and their heads were quite nasty.

Then it's back home to bottle feed the 3 lambs with the warm milk I just got from these goats.

                                                           And feed the hungry masses!

Then it's inside to fix breakfast for me and the husband. Then do it all over again the end of the day. It's a never ending cycle, here on the farm. I did get to finally make some feta yesterday, because I'm going to once a day bottles for the lambs! Yay! Still feeding the doe kid 3 times a day though, but she just gets a baby bottle still. I hope to be selling most of the kids. I'll be keeping 4 doe kids this year. I'll probably take them to New Dawn Farm when they are ready to wean. They have a summer camp full of kids that love the baby goats. They'll be just weaned when camp starts. Then all the kids will be down there and I'll have all the mommas here. Making lots of cheese I hope!

Practice pictures from new camera...

This past weekend was the Springamajig at the main St. Farmer's Market in downtown Chattanooga. I got to bring my 3 bottle lambs. They were a huge hit with everyone, young and old. After awhile, I started letting a few kids at a time inside the little cage with the lambs. They got plenty of clover and loving from all of them. But poor girls were just worn slap out after a few hours and ready to go back to our peaceful farm.

I brought the camera with me to Mrs. T's Friday. Sat in her tv room with her, snapping photos of her. I got several really good pics of her hands. I love her hands. For 96, nearly 100, that woman has nice hands. She used to make the most beautiful pottery with those hands. And painted as well.

Some pics of Mrs. T's yard and sun room/ Just playing with the new camera.

Yesterday, my friend Julie and her grand daughter, came to shear some sheeps. This is Darla, the first to get sheared. She was SO happy to have all that heavy hot wool taken off. She was so good. Then we got Adele up on the stand and only got half her back sheared. Her wool was so think and full of lanolin, the machine kept clogging up. So we had to stop with her halfway sheared.

 

Last night, I went out back and took night time pics. Got some really good ones here.

Then awhile ago, went outside with the goats.  This is Aslan on the rock, with her sister Jewel and I think that's Woody. You can really see Sandy's ribs here.

So finally got the camera installed in the computer, so I can get pictures on my blog and my FB page. I think I like this camera, but really would rather have a small, not so intricate, confusing camera, just to take quick shots and be able to carry it in my pocket. But so far, it's a good camera. I would love to find a class some time to learn more. I learn more by doing, rather than reading.

Hope y'all are having a great Sunday! It's beautiful here. Making some feta cheese with goat's milk! I'm going to once a day feedings with the lambs, so now have extra milk to drink and make cheese. And for a few customers!

New camera and farmer's markets.

I found a camera. A Canon Rebel. I do not know how to use it though. Good grief, I'll have to take photography classes again! So bear with me as I learn how to take a picture.

Today was the official grand opening of the Main St. farmer's market. I took my 3 lambs with me. They were a huge hit with everyone who came by. And they got lots and lots of clover to eat! But oh goodness, were they 3 tired little girls by the end of market. First trip to the city and I think they were ready to get back to their farm. And this Saturday is the opening of the Brainerd market. They'll be going to that one as well. It's so good to be going back to the farmer's markets again. And I have actual produce to sell! Although I will have to replant green beans, squash, zucchini and sunflowers. I should know not to plant these things in April by now. All the rain we got a few nights ago washed so much away.

I will be back in a few days when things settle down here. I hope you all have a great week and weekend too!