You would think since I am in between assignments, I would have time for more posts. Despite my lack of an office job, the chores list on my other jobs around the "farmette" just keeps getting longer and longer.
Nonetheless, Cocoa is so sweet that Sean now calls her the Love Goat. Here she is lounging in the defunct water trough.
Ginger was sleeping and Brie was lazing while Cocoa enjoyed her sanctuary.
The garden is turning out well as we move into hot weather and the winter plantings wither. We tried beets this year thinking we would feed them to the goats. Small wonders though. Sean and I have decided we like beets. I made my first ever batch of beet pickled eggs which were not bad. And last night we tried roasted beets flanked with the greens sauteed in butter with onions, garlic and apple cider vinegar. It was quite good.
I have included pictures we took of our beets and the garden.
Outside of the photo we also have potatoes, corn, beans, peppers and tomatoes.
I would say at least 80% of the seeds we planted this year are heirlooms. There is increasing interest in heirlooms and we are part of the growing (pun intended) movement. This year we ordered most our seeds from Baker Creek. If interested take a look at the sight http://rareseeds.com/. It is a fantastic site simply to browse.
The goats generally now wake me up. Sean says they are worse than roosters. They stand at the gate and scream until I feed them. From the last time I wrote, we have now observed that 2 of the 3 goats were bred rather than 1. Ginger started getting wider and is developing an udder. I thought it was strange that she did not get bred--she and Odie paraded around like girlfriend and boyfriend at times. If they had hands, they would have strolled around holding them. They both developed a real affinity for each other.
Cocoa on the other hand really did not like Odie. She would push him around sometimes taking aim at his "family jewels." Oh well. She is a bit of a runt so it is probably good that she did not get bred.
Nonetheless, Cocoa is so sweet that Sean now calls her the Love Goat. Here she is lounging in the defunct water trough.
While we are not milking our does yet, I had my first opportunity to milk a Spanish goat in quarantine. Initially it was difficult, but I have to say I eventually managed a rhythm. It takes longer than I thought it would, but we also did not have a milk stand for her either.
The garden is turning out well as we move into hot weather and the winter plantings wither. We tried beets this year thinking we would feed them to the goats. Small wonders though. Sean and I have decided we like beets. I made my first ever batch of beet pickled eggs which were not bad. And last night we tried roasted beets flanked with the greens sauteed in butter with onions, garlic and apple cider vinegar. It was quite good.I have included pictures we took of our beets and the garden.
Outside of the photo we also have potatoes, corn, beans, peppers and tomatoes.I would say at least 80% of the seeds we planted this year are heirlooms. There is increasing interest in heirlooms and we are part of the growing (pun intended) movement. This year we ordered most our seeds from Baker Creek. If interested take a look at the sight http://rareseeds.com/. It is a fantastic site simply to browse.
In other animal news, there is a new addition to the llama herd. Another boy named Thunder. Here is he with Sean. I hope the goats can give us some girls. All boys so far with the llamas. 
