Back to the rain

Well we have rain again. It doesn't rain just a little it rains a lot. Makes for little to do outside. Yesterday I did get some leaves mulched and picked up. I put them in for the pigs to rut around in and to compost. Last night we went to Jason's brother Josh and sister-in-law Emma's house for pizza and wings. Emma's mother Jenny and her partner Mark are visiting from England. It was a fun time.

Chores went fine this morning. Happy seems to not be feeling good again, so I put her in a pen by herself so she can rest. Happy was diagnosed with hardware in August and has a magnet in her to hold it in place (if that is what it is). Some days she seems fine and other days not. She can butt heads one day and then just lay or stand and moan. She did come in heat and I had her bred. This is where farming can be really tough. ?????

There are only a couple more milk pick-ups for cheese left for the season. The girls are getting ready to go dry for the year. The last few weeks of the milk will be used for the goat milk soap. Then it's rest time for the farm and get things ready for kidding season. February seems a long way a way and then boom!

Talk again soon,

John

Colder weather is here

It's been a busy week.  My dad and I were able to get all of the manure that was piled up from the big spring clean out and all that was piled from the summer spread on the hay field the last 3 days. Last year it took us weeks to do. This year went faster because my dad decided he needed some new "toys". He bought himself a new 50 horsepower Kabota and a bigger manure spreader. It made the work go so much faster.  Thank you dad.

Had a couple more goats bred. There are only 3 more of the milking girls to breed. Toby got to join the "keeper" girls on Sunday. So far Davisa has been bred.

I finished the scarf today!!!!!!!!  Now I have to put the measurements down for Jason to post. I even started another one today. I have one row done.

The new milking system seems to be working great. The milking season is extended til the end of the month for cheese making. Then November will be used for the soap. I also will make some farmers cheese for me and Jason. Jason's niece McKenzie likes it alot too.

Last night we went to a local cafe to hear a friend of Jason's sing and play guitar. Jason had taken a college class with him. The funny thing is I new his mother. We played in all-county concert band back in the early 80's. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Josh's parents Jackie and Dave arrived today. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They are such wonderful people. I enjoy their visits SO much.

Well that's all for now.

A few good days

It's been nice having a few good days to do some things outside. My Dad has been able to be here during the wekk now that Shirley's restaurant is closed for the season. We have done some barn cleaning.
Today we put more round bales in the barn for the girls to eat. Guess what it's suppose to rain for the next couple days. again. It's suppose to be heavy at times on Friday.

Last Saturday I had a new milking system put in on a trial basis. It is a co-pulsation system. It is suppose to be easier on the goats mammary system and improve the quality of the milk. We will see if it helps for the last few weeks or if it will make a bigger difference next year.

Only a few more af the milking does left to have bred. Next weekend I will put Toby in with the younger girls to begin his "work".

Almost done with the scarf!!

Later.

Is that the sun?

Well after 4 days of rain the sun has finally decide to show itself. The ground is saturated. Have had to keep an eye on the sump pump too.
Have had several more does bred in the last few days. Several of them have been repeats so that means not quite as many in February just more for March. Bucks during breeding season is still the most disgusting smelling time ever.

Still working on the scarf. I have about  four feet done. How many feet long is a scarf? 5? 6?

Time to go check on the goats and see if anyone else is in heat to move to their chosen buck. Then it's time to start the evening chores. My Dad won't be stopping in tonite, he and Mom are going to a church supper.

Later.

Rain Rain go away.....

I imagine most everyone on the Eastern coast are saying this to themselves. With it raining so much I only can do the daily indoor chores in the barn. Of course this gives me the opportunity to do things in the house that get put off because there is so much to do outside. When you look at what needs to be done it's very hard to get motivated. So I have done a few things.

I have also started crocheting again. I am using the yarn Phoebe gave me. Phoebe was an intern here at the farm over the summer. Hi Phoebe we miss you! I have decided I will try to make a few scarfs and put them in the store. I do a little bit while I am watching TV. When winter hits I'll try and get into making the blankets.

That's it for now. Going to go check on the girls and then run some errands.