Sold another goat, milk, and Halloween cards

My 3rd day working with the animals. I did great... okay, not really, but better.  For some reason the turkeys followed me everywhere, the goofballs. 

We got Peppy milked and then she was sold this morning.  We still have other goats and a ram plus the horse, turkeys, chickens and guineas. 

I took time out to drained the milk.

Peppy said goodbye to her daughter , Mrs. Periwinkle. 

Then headed off to her new home where there are many other does.  It is very hard selling a mom. Everyone cries.  Mrs. Periwinkle has been crying all day and is horse from so much crying. Her mom is probably enjoying her stay at a new goat dairy. 

I came in before work and got started on a few Halloween cards.  Just grab some paper scraps and cutouts.  These are a Tim Holtz set already precut. I love that about them. 

That's about it. I did get jars ready for the weekend canning. Tomorrow I will only have time to do the morning feed then getting everything ready for the weekend. We have great homesteading friends who have come over offering help during this time. It is so important to gather your friends around when you need them, even if it is just for support.  I am happy our kids will be with us this weekend. 

peace

Felonious the goat goes to a new home, cleaning the greenhouse, and pup update.

Day 2 of doing the chores on my own... not really, Dude can't help but help me all the time. 

Felonious, our buck was heading to a new home.  He is such a good goat and will be so happy at his new home. He is going to a wonderful homestead where I can visit him every week.  Selling some of the animals will help me doing the chores and will  give us some money toward the medical bills. 

That and he is glorious with his spots. 

My ram and little buck decide it was now time to go at it and decide who is king of the plains. They are ramming each other. 

The geese didn't care as usual and just wanted hugs. Oh, and can you see? They are beginning to get their signature hump on their bill.

Next I headed to the greenhouse . Some of the plants partially froze Saturday night. I don't want to lose the produce.  I got it all picked and started tearing out some of the plants. 

These will become pepper jelly, strawberry pepper jelly and pickled peppers.  Oh goodness, my mouth is already watering. 

The zucchini looks so sad. 

But gorgeous picked and in a bowl. 

Two baskets full of sweet peppers.  Some will be dried, others pickled, some frozen with onions and others made and canned as pickled onion and pepper relish... oh so good on hot dogs. 

Bees are hanging in there. 

Norman, our lab pup, is growing.  He is now trained to go potty outside and is sleeping all night. He hates me being at the computer. He will bark at me to : " Get off , get off and play!".  So, I do. He keeps me grounded. He is not a chicken or bird chaser. He does not harass the goats.  He is Dude's constant companion and they love each other.  Dude trains him to come, sit, stay, and NO! for slinging cats.  He is doing well. Now, if he could just quit chewing on everything.  I can handle shoes being chewed beyond recognition and the like, but , when I found my glue gun demolished I had to draw the line!  He is a work in progress. 

You can tell he is thinking ..."I so want to sling that cat around. sigh." 

peace

Learning ...ALL.. the ropes

And today starts a new "challenge " for me.  By Friday this time Dude will have had back surgery.  This morning I began to learn how to do all the morning chores myself.   (remember I am afraid of horses... not terrified but afraid.... it's a  challenge.... they are like a big dinosaur.  Maybe soft to pet and cuddly to some but to me, they are like Barney... a big... freaky ... dinosaur!  anywhoo, I digress.)  I started with the birds... no big deal but with Dude on the sidelines watching , I had accidently let the dog follow me in.  I didn't notice until I went to hug the geese good morning

and saw them hissing.  Turned around and there's the dog eating the turkey food I just put in!

Then I watered all the birds and cleaned the pool.  Not the easiest thing to as it had all frozen over night but I managed.

Then over to the female goats.  

Okay, not so bad but the horses were in there waiting too...grumbling and pacing for their breakfast. I was fine until I realized Dude was not in the corral with me. I freaked yelling for him. He laughed saying, " just keep going, put their food in their bins.  Separate the horses, make sure one has her mask on.  Get the other in her stall." I was running around like a crazy fool.

Then over to the goats and ram. 

Felonious waves at me to say, "me first!"

Angelo wants a kiss, of course.

Billy Blue Eyes say not to forget him!

Now these are "my people" until Dude tells me, "not in the morning before they are fed. You'll need to go fast and put their food in their bins or they will trample you. They push each other for their food and they will push you" 

I was exhausted and thought I was finished and found out they each get a small slab of hay. I made it through the morning.  Dude wanted me to go with him to get hay and feed. I thought I would get some rest sitting in the truck so I tagged along.  I found out he wanted to make sure I could lift everything... ohman, another workout. (I am woman hear me roar)

I did get a reward, he took me to breakfast.  Grin.  It was a fun and festive café. 

While there my son called and wanted me to come over and see my grandson. I was tired and wanted to say no but I knew he would bring me to life.  Seeing any of my family always has a way of doing that.   I went and we danced and sang. Rejuvenated I decide to stop for a few groceries before heading home.

I made it home after 4pm.  Norman, our dog, greeted me with this big dried out friend.  Gross. Looks like he died choking on something.

Dinner needed to get in the oven. (sorry after a dried frog picture)   I finally get to use my celery salt  (just a hefty pinch) plus a bit of garlic, lemon pepper, and onion powder. 

One of our chickens. 

Now time to RELAX!  Maybe make some cards or hand sew?  Whatever it is I am not moving!

Today's reading : I know how to live in humble circumstances;
I know also how to live with abundance.
In every circumstance and in all things
I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry,
of living in abundance and of being in need.
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

                                                                  Peace