My First Attempt

Here is our first attempt at dressing up a goat!

The jacket didn't fit so we tied it around and he kept throwing the hat off.

Somebody needed a hug.  

I'm sure he'll do better with a better costume design and a little more practice.

Getting Ready for Breeding Season

As a new goat mom I have yet to experience goat milk, rut, pregnancy and kidding.  To tell the truth I'm kind of nervous about it.  But I have a great mentor to coach me through the process.  If all goes well, Miss Ginger will be a mama early next year.  

Though right now she's more interested in trying to get the chicken's food.

Miss Heidi is growing beautifully.  She has a bit more growing to do before she is ready to breed though.  Maybe late this fall.

Such a pretty girl.  They both are.

Here's the boys!  On the right is our herd wether, Burger.    On the left we have Doritos who is in tact and will be bred to Miss Heidi when the time is right.  I'm waiting for the wonderful experience of him going into rut.  Got to say I'm a bit nervous about that too.  God will get me, and the goats, through it all though.  Then He will reward me with wonderful goat milk and cheese and whatever else I can learn how to make.

Another goatie idea I have was inspired by this picture.  He's not mine, but he sure is cute.  I want one.  No, not the little goat, the outfit.  I've decided Burger needs an outfit and a gig.  Who wouldn't want pictures with the cute cowboy goat?  He can be a party entertainment too.  Hubby's not so sure though.  But maybe we should start by dressing him up and taking pictures with our own kids.  Anybody have a hat?  Hmm...maybe not a cowboy goat, maybe a military goat?  I think I could pull that off!  Then a Veteran's Day parade?  He's destined for stardom!  Goats are so much fun!

My Vegetable Garden

I was so excited about starting my first vegetable garden this year.  I have done very little vegetable growing in the past and had very little experience and knowledge when I started.  I have since learned a great many things.  For example, our soil lacks calcium enough to grow decent tomatoes.  Chickens love to eat tomatoes.   Mulching is non-negotiable.  Goats getting into your garden does more damage than just what they eat.  They walk all over everything and run from you because they like it there.  Gophers love potatoes and rabbits love everything.  We have a lot of both.  However, despite all of my lack of knowledge and experience we have had a small green bean harvest, had some great carrots, plenty of banana peppers and we are still growing stuff.  Maybe things will turn around?

Difficult Days...

I'm not going to lie.  Sometimes life is downright difficult.  The last two months have been especially so.  I have lost two people whom I loved very much.  My Papa Louis passed on May  18.  My Granny Jane (Louis' wife) passed July 1st.  My heart is aching right now.  They were such wonderful people.  Our loss is Heaven's gain though.  Here is a poem:

Heaven's Rest

At end of day I'm bowed and bent,

My secret shame to Heaven sent,

My yearning heart within me dwells

Calling Our Lord, Emmanuel.

Swift He flies with His return

A lump of coal, the sins to burn

My heart to mend, my head to bless,

His blood to wash my soul afresh,

And ere He left I held Him tight,

Pray one more thing before thy flight,

Please give me peace to rest this night.

My peace is thine, my daughter lie,

Sleep well til morning b ids thee rise

With joy my heart swelled in my breast,

'Twas then I entered Heaven's Rest.