I haven't had goats since last year, but I still get calls from people who need help with their goats. Some questions I can help them with. Some I refer them to other more knowledgeable goat friends.
This morning, about 9, got a call from a friend up the road who's doe was about to give birth. He was a little anxious. He saw feet and didn't really know what to do. So I was there in about 5 minutes to help. This is Ada, who he had gotten from me several years ago. I had her and another of his does here last year to milk for awhile. So I was trying to figure out how old Ada is and I'm thinking about 7 or 8. I didn't think she should have had any more kids. She's not the healthiest doe. But she did.
So we got the little shed all cozy for her, with some hay and water. Blocked it off from the 2 nosy wethers and Ada's daughter from last year. We waited. And waited. Then we went back to the garage because it started raining a little. Went back up and she was laying down. Got back up. Layed down. Pushed a little. Got back up. For those of you who have goats, and have waited for kids, you know what I'm talking about. She'll push. You'll see feet. She'll get up and the feed go back in.
This went on a few hours. So I decided next time I see enough feet, I'm grabbing them and helping her get it out. And we did it! She had a little cute white buckling with black slots. Cute elf ears. And I think she's done. It took about 5 minutes to get her up. And I tried to get the kid to nurse. But we decided to leave to alone so they can figure it out. She's done this before. I have bottles, so if they need one I can run it up there in a few minutes. But he looked good.
Yeah, that was fun and exciting. But I don't miss it. And I didn't take my camera.
And, the phone guy had to hook me up in my studio. So finally, I have my computer over here. Now for a little day bed.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
We have water!
The plumbers showed up early yesterday morning. Lots of trucks and guys. And a very loud ditch digging tractor. They started at the water meter at the road. The worked their way back to the house. At least 650'. I was so worried about my bees. You can see how close they had to get to the hive. So I got my bee suit and hats and gloves, in case anyone got nervous about the bees. I stood out there with the bees while he got closer and closer. And right when he got beside the hive, he took a break. Geeze.
But ti all worked out. The bees were all out and about, busy as could be. And not paying any attention to loud tractors and strange guys at all. So again, I worried for nothing.
I did go ahead and add another hive box on top. I haven't really had time to do a thorough check on the whole hive, but have taken the top off. I can see where they are building comb and are all up in that 2nd box. So decided to give them more room to grow. They are going across the road to the Bradford pear trees, in full bloom, and bringing back white pollen. So cool! I love to just sit out there and watch them work.
This is my new garden faucet. I am more happy about this than the whole water line. I have wanted a faucet out there in the garden since we moved here. I have been hauling hundreds of feet of water hose all over from the studio to water everything. I hate it! So this will help so much. Really happy about this.
It is mess out there now. It was so wet that they blew a hose on the tractor while filling the trench. So they had to stop and came back this morning. They had another job they had to get to so will come back with a smaller tractor to finish all this mess up. I want it leveled and all the huge rocks moved.
And now we have more reliable water. Having to go out and flip breakers every few hours was getting old fast.
But ti all worked out. The bees were all out and about, busy as could be. And not paying any attention to loud tractors and strange guys at all. So again, I worried for nothing.
I did go ahead and add another hive box on top. I haven't really had time to do a thorough check on the whole hive, but have taken the top off. I can see where they are building comb and are all up in that 2nd box. So decided to give them more room to grow. They are going across the road to the Bradford pear trees, in full bloom, and bringing back white pollen. So cool! I love to just sit out there and watch them work.
This is my new garden faucet. I am more happy about this than the whole water line. I have wanted a faucet out there in the garden since we moved here. I have been hauling hundreds of feet of water hose all over from the studio to water everything. I hate it! So this will help so much. Really happy about this.
It is mess out there now. It was so wet that they blew a hose on the tractor while filling the trench. So they had to stop and came back this morning. They had another job they had to get to so will come back with a smaller tractor to finish all this mess up. I want it leveled and all the huge rocks moved.
And now we have more reliable water. Having to go out and flip breakers every few hours was getting old fast.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Around the farm today.
This is the most beautiful day! Nearly 80. I was sitting on my studio porch, spinning some Romney wool, and it sounds like spring. I was trying to think of how winter sounds. Rain drops. Squishy mud. Sheep bawling. Not too much noise. But spring sounds like new life! Birds chirping and hopping around, looking for fat juice worms. Looking for the best nests. Flying all over the place. Bees buzzing, gathering all the pollen off the trees. Sheep munching grass and hay. Slurping water. Wool growing like crazy! Chickens singing the egg laying song. Or Black Bart, calling the girls to come get some bugs. Spring just sounds different.
So I started walking around the yard, seeing all the new life popping up around me.
This little red maple I planted like 5 years ago. It has pretty red leaf buds. It's a really slow growing tree, compared to just silver maples. But I love them in the Fall.
This is my biggest of 2 Red Bud trees. I do believe we will have the pretty purple flowers this year on this tree! This is my favorite tree.
The day lillies are popping up all over. This bed needs some work and clean up.
And we have 3 really old apple trees in the yard where my studio is. And the sheep are in this yard a lot. And they seem to like apple tree bark. I really need to get some kind of wound spray before we lose them. This is the old Yates apple tree. My favorite apple. There is a really old variety that my mother-in-law called an early June transparent apple. It's really good cooked with the peel on. That's about all they're good for. But we love them and were so happy to find out that's what this tree is.
Here are some apple blossoms starts on the old Granny Smith apple tree!! The bees will be all over these trees when they are in bloom! We also have 6 more younger apple trees and 3 pears down in the lower garden. They are all looking good too.
And this poor ole Clematis vine. It just keeps on growing, despite the fact my husband's weed whacked it down way too many times to count. And the sheep and goats have eaten it to the ground a few times too. But it's a persistent vine and keeps coming back every year. It's beautiful when it's in bloom.
Sp lots of new life all around these days. I love spring. But it just doesn't seem to stick around very long any more. We might get a few good weeks of nice weather where we can open all the windows. But them BOOM, it's 100 degrees and the AC comes on.
I am down 10 pounds since Sunday. I won't weigh again til Saturday. I am doing way better than I thought I would. I am eating real food now. I feel SO much better. Not all crappy like I did before after I'd eat. I hope I can keep this up.
I did 6 more dreads this morning for a total of 14 so far. They really look bad and probably will for awhile, til they get to where they are supposed to be. And they are underneath so I can hide them if I don't feel like showing them to the world yet.
So y'all have a great week! I hope it's like this where you are.
So I started walking around the yard, seeing all the new life popping up around me.
This little red maple I planted like 5 years ago. It has pretty red leaf buds. It's a really slow growing tree, compared to just silver maples. But I love them in the Fall.
This is my biggest of 2 Red Bud trees. I do believe we will have the pretty purple flowers this year on this tree! This is my favorite tree.
The day lillies are popping up all over. This bed needs some work and clean up.
And we have 3 really old apple trees in the yard where my studio is. And the sheep are in this yard a lot. And they seem to like apple tree bark. I really need to get some kind of wound spray before we lose them. This is the old Yates apple tree. My favorite apple. There is a really old variety that my mother-in-law called an early June transparent apple. It's really good cooked with the peel on. That's about all they're good for. But we love them and were so happy to find out that's what this tree is.
Here are some apple blossoms starts on the old Granny Smith apple tree!! The bees will be all over these trees when they are in bloom! We also have 6 more younger apple trees and 3 pears down in the lower garden. They are all looking good too.
And this poor ole Clematis vine. It just keeps on growing, despite the fact my husband's weed whacked it down way too many times to count. And the sheep and goats have eaten it to the ground a few times too. But it's a persistent vine and keeps coming back every year. It's beautiful when it's in bloom.
Sp lots of new life all around these days. I love spring. But it just doesn't seem to stick around very long any more. We might get a few good weeks of nice weather where we can open all the windows. But them BOOM, it's 100 degrees and the AC comes on.
I am down 10 pounds since Sunday. I won't weigh again til Saturday. I am doing way better than I thought I would. I am eating real food now. I feel SO much better. Not all crappy like I did before after I'd eat. I hope I can keep this up.
I did 6 more dreads this morning for a total of 14 so far. They really look bad and probably will for awhile, til they get to where they are supposed to be. And they are underneath so I can hide them if I don't feel like showing them to the world yet.
So y'all have a great week! I hope it's like this where you are.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Losing.
I have lost 5 pounds already since this past Saturday! I feel so good too. My hands feel lots better. And I haven't had to drink any soda water because I feel so bloated.
I decided I need to lose weight and eat better. So I have stopped eating sugar and anything with flour. Basically just eating fruits, veggies and meat. And kombucha. No coffee because I had to have a lot of Natural Bliss creamer. It's SO good but has sugar. I've been drinking dandelion tea with my friend's honey. (I hope to have my own honey soon!) And of course cheese and eggs too. And fresh raw cow's milk.
I really do feel so much better. And down 5 pounds already!!!! I haven't even craved any sweets either.
I'll be getting into the garden soon, when we dry out. So I'll be more active then. Can't wait to get started again. I have all kinds of plans. Just need to have some dryer ground.
So y'all please send some good thoughts my way so I can continue this way. I would so appreciate it.
So in the water situation, we have none. I am so bummed about this. We were using the well water. It's never been used this much, ever. I've only used it to water the gardens some. And the animals. So, it's been flipping breakers. Like a LOT. A friend came today and seems to think it's the well motor thing. And that's about $500. As much as I like the thought of using well water (it's free) we will just go ahead and get the plumbers here and get the new water line done. Plus, I'll get a faucet in the garden too! That is something I have wanted for years. Can't wait to get that. So, in the meantime, we have no water in this house. I am thankful for the rain, which is in several buckets now. And a 50 gallon barrel out back that catches rain water. That's our toilet flushing water.
And we should be getting all this amazing wool sheared off this month! Can hardly wait. But would like it a lot dryer please.
I decided I need to lose weight and eat better. So I have stopped eating sugar and anything with flour. Basically just eating fruits, veggies and meat. And kombucha. No coffee because I had to have a lot of Natural Bliss creamer. It's SO good but has sugar. I've been drinking dandelion tea with my friend's honey. (I hope to have my own honey soon!) And of course cheese and eggs too. And fresh raw cow's milk.
I really do feel so much better. And down 5 pounds already!!!! I haven't even craved any sweets either.
I'll be getting into the garden soon, when we dry out. So I'll be more active then. Can't wait to get started again. I have all kinds of plans. Just need to have some dryer ground.
So y'all please send some good thoughts my way so I can continue this way. I would so appreciate it.
So in the water situation, we have none. I am so bummed about this. We were using the well water. It's never been used this much, ever. I've only used it to water the gardens some. And the animals. So, it's been flipping breakers. Like a LOT. A friend came today and seems to think it's the well motor thing. And that's about $500. As much as I like the thought of using well water (it's free) we will just go ahead and get the plumbers here and get the new water line done. Plus, I'll get a faucet in the garden too! That is something I have wanted for years. Can't wait to get that. So, in the meantime, we have no water in this house. I am thankful for the rain, which is in several buckets now. And a 50 gallon barrel out back that catches rain water. That's our toilet flushing water.
And we should be getting all this amazing wool sheared off this month! Can hardly wait. But would like it a lot dryer please.
Monday, March 9, 2015
This guy...
He's the best rooster we have ever had. Black Bart. I think he's a Black Giant? His girls are a mix of the same and Black Sex Link. I had 10 hens, but 3 died back in Nov. Not sure why. So 7 are left. By the way, got 7 eggs yesterday! I love my hens.
So yesterday was beautiful. Warm and sunny. Just perfect. We had our oldest and youngest grand daughters with us. Chloe, the oldest, had some popcorn. I told her to throw some down and see what happens. She did. Black Bart was right there. The hens were scattered all over the yard. He starts making his clucking sounds, calling the girls to the food he found. He's amazing. All the girls come running and he backs up and lets them eat. Never ate a single piece.
Chloe threw more down and the same thing. He clucks, the hens come, he steps back and lets them eat.
I told the girls, this is the kind of guy you want to find. Someone who will give you space, but is always there to protect you, no matter what. He'll give you the last bite of food. He won't be jealous, but let you have your time. He will fight for you. He will always be watching for trouble. And will love you til he has no more breath in him. That's the kind of man you want to look for.
He's also never ever tried to hurt anyone. Never even made a move like he would either. Such a gentle giant.
He's the best, Black Bart.
#7 is always off doing her own thing. A loner. Marches to the beat of her own drum. She doesn't need any help I guess.
So yesterday was beautiful. Warm and sunny. Just perfect. We had our oldest and youngest grand daughters with us. Chloe, the oldest, had some popcorn. I told her to throw some down and see what happens. She did. Black Bart was right there. The hens were scattered all over the yard. He starts making his clucking sounds, calling the girls to the food he found. He's amazing. All the girls come running and he backs up and lets them eat. Never ate a single piece.
Chloe threw more down and the same thing. He clucks, the hens come, he steps back and lets them eat.
I told the girls, this is the kind of guy you want to find. Someone who will give you space, but is always there to protect you, no matter what. He'll give you the last bite of food. He won't be jealous, but let you have your time. He will fight for you. He will always be watching for trouble. And will love you til he has no more breath in him. That's the kind of man you want to look for.
He's also never ever tried to hurt anyone. Never even made a move like he would either. Such a gentle giant.
He's the best, Black Bart.
#7 is always off doing her own thing. A loner. Marches to the beat of her own drum. She doesn't need any help I guess.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Are we done yet?
I am hoping after Friday, we are in for a bit of a dry spell. That's what Paul said, anyway. As much as I don't really believe the weather forecasters, I want to believe this time. Going down to the 20's tonight (Thursday) and cold Friday, but on the uphill climb after this. I am ready.
8 dreads now!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Feels like Spring today.
But just for today. We have windows open because it's SO hot in the house. But we need to keep the fire going because tonight, after a day in the high 60's, it will be down in the low 30's with a pretty good chance of snow and crud. Schools will be closed probably. But today is really nice.
The girls are out in full force, gathering all the pollen they can get on their little tiny legs. Can you see all those beautiful colors they're wearing? Busy bees today!
And the daffodils finally decided to go ahead and bloom. The ones out back had just a few little blooms so I didn't get any of them.
And the wood pile grew! Our good friend Kidd and his son CW came by yesterday and had a truckload of wood. Kidd was worried we'd run out. He's such a good friend. This is where most of our wood has come from the past few years. He has 20 acres up on the mountain and goes through and cuts all the dead trees for us. So thankful for good friends.
Yesterday was my day with mom. We went to the new Hobby Lobby. They had the cutest bandannas for just .99. She got a few for her little dog so I decided Bubba and Stella needed their own. They looked so cute with them on. Of course I couldn't get a good pic of Stella. But this one's good of Bubba. He's so sweet.
Sure wish I could get out in the garden. But it's a mud pit for awhile. Some friends are already getting veggie starts going in green houses. So jealous. One day, we will get out there.
And I have 6 dreads now! I've been washing my hair with home made shampoo bar a friend makes. No conditioner. So it's like a big frizz ball with this wonky weather. I haven't been brushing it either. So I have several strands of hair that just want to be together, so I'll twist and rip them. So now I have 6! It's so fun. But going to be a long slow process, doing it myself. I only want the bottom done, so I can sort of hide them if I want to. People are so strange and judgmental, if people look different than they do. I have always been a little bit different. I never liked to go the same way as everyone else. I like to do my own thing. So this is something I have thought about doing for years now and it's just the right time to do this. For me. Not anyone else. And I am really liking it. I will get a good picture soon. But right now, my head is a frizzy mess!
I hope you all are having a great 4th day of march! It's hump day y'all!
The girls are out in full force, gathering all the pollen they can get on their little tiny legs. Can you see all those beautiful colors they're wearing? Busy bees today!
And the daffodils finally decided to go ahead and bloom. The ones out back had just a few little blooms so I didn't get any of them.
And the wood pile grew! Our good friend Kidd and his son CW came by yesterday and had a truckload of wood. Kidd was worried we'd run out. He's such a good friend. This is where most of our wood has come from the past few years. He has 20 acres up on the mountain and goes through and cuts all the dead trees for us. So thankful for good friends.
Yesterday was my day with mom. We went to the new Hobby Lobby. They had the cutest bandannas for just .99. She got a few for her little dog so I decided Bubba and Stella needed their own. They looked so cute with them on. Of course I couldn't get a good pic of Stella. But this one's good of Bubba. He's so sweet.
Sure wish I could get out in the garden. But it's a mud pit for awhile. Some friends are already getting veggie starts going in green houses. So jealous. One day, we will get out there.
And I have 6 dreads now! I've been washing my hair with home made shampoo bar a friend makes. No conditioner. So it's like a big frizz ball with this wonky weather. I haven't been brushing it either. So I have several strands of hair that just want to be together, so I'll twist and rip them. So now I have 6! It's so fun. But going to be a long slow process, doing it myself. I only want the bottom done, so I can sort of hide them if I want to. People are so strange and judgmental, if people look different than they do. I have always been a little bit different. I never liked to go the same way as everyone else. I like to do my own thing. So this is something I have thought about doing for years now and it's just the right time to do this. For me. Not anyone else. And I am really liking it. I will get a good picture soon. But right now, my head is a frizzy mess!
I hope you all are having a great 4th day of march! It's hump day y'all!
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