Garden harvest, milking, canning and Italian Burgers for dinner

Our little pup started the day helping in the garden. 

He was reluctant to go out and help me milk.  He was so afraid of the goats. 

Peppy was so full she put herself in on the milking stand. 

My geese buddies wanted to help milk. 

After I got things set up Dude held Peppy's leg so she wouldn't kick. 

Almost a gallon today. Perfect for us. 

Not sure if you can see this but the smoke is so thick from the fires in California, Oregon, Washington and Montana.  I had to limit my time outside.  There is an ozone alert out. It caused me congestion and burning red eyes. 

Just an adorable pup picture. 

I pickled peppers and got them canned.  My son came over and I gave them a basket of tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers. 

Perfect.

The turkeys got used to my son being here all week and did not want him to go. 

(see the smoke in the air?)

After he left they figured they could move in .... not!

My daughter-in-law was down in the San Luis Valley this week and brought home some goodies for us.  A nice trade. 

We put it to good use with our garden crop. 

Italian burgers for dinner.  Combined sausage and beef with garlic, salt, pepper, homegrown parsley mixed it all good. 

Topped with our goat cheese, homegrown onions and our pickled peppers... perfect.  Added mayo and Dijon mustard.

Ended the evening with a very red fiery sun. 

I didn't get to craft today but there is always tomorrow morning before work. 

peace 

Monday update ! Milk machine dies and what does my Dad tell me by the 3rd day...

We celebrated a July birthday on our Sunday Funday.  I love getting together with my family. We love to laugh! 

So, the last three nights my Dad has visited me in my dreams. He died in 1989 but he loved the idea of living off the land.  Each night I asked him the same question, " Dad, what should I do? I need to know what I should be doing?" His answer the first night? "Clean off your dining room table." hahahaha. So I cleaned it off. 

The next night I asked the same thing and he said, "have you seen the dust in your bedroom?"  Well, Dad, I try not to.... He told me to go dust my room. 

Last night when I asked,  his answer was ...."finish what you started." 

So, here I am and I have a lot of stuff to finish. 

Monday. Whoa, I had a lot of catching up to do. 

First off the milk pump died on Dude and he had to milk by hand.  He had critics watching him. 

Beets need to be pulled but they will need to wait until tomorrow. 

Collards were picked. 

Peppers are ready too. 

Onions, man, I don't want to talk about the onions. 

Okay, well, they were picked. 

Collards were washed ...

and dried. They will be parboiled and frozen. 

Then a quick check on everyone before heading to work. 

peace

Milking again, jarring honey and working on the home's addition

I thought the day (the part before I commute to work) would be to do laundry and clean the bathrooms.  Well, I got the bathrooms cleaned and then it all broke loose from there.  Dude wanted to get Peppy milked. Her bag was full and for some reason her kids weren't eating. He got the milking machine ready. 

 He looked all over for the milking jar and then I realized we used it last year to put the leftover honey in.  So I needed to get the honey jarred up.  It had gotten hard so I had to heat it up.  I got set up, put the burner on low and headed outside to help. 

When I got out there Peppy was screaming from the trailer.... "I want to be fed NOW." We hold their feed until we are ready to milk, hoping they will just eat calmly while we milk. 

Angelo wanted to watch but he was told... not today partner. 

Peppy was led to the milking stall with babies close behind. 

Poor thing her bag was very full. 

Kids played and chased each other. 

Mommy didn't make it easier for us to milk her but once she began to get relief she relaxed. She bucked, kicked, tried to sit on me and unhooked the head latch with her horns but settled down once she knew what was going on. Her mom was way different when we had her...she was a mellow goat. 

...And babies were fed and all were happy. 

Back in the house to jar up the honey so we can use the milking machine tomorrow instead of milking by hand. The honey is jarred up and looking good. 

Our granddaughter made sure the geese got in a good swim before I left for work.

Dude and Son set to work on the new addition. 

Here's where they got to before quitting.  I didn't get home until after 10pm so this is the best picture for now. Tomorrow the light will show the work they did.

peace