Things that make you go hmmmmm.....

I woke up at around 3 am to the sound of a barking dog.  I lay in bed for a bit listening to an odd thumping noise coming from downstairs.  After a bit, I head to the bathroom still hearing the thumping noise below.  At this point I was curious, figuring it was just the dogs rough housing in the family room, I decided to head down and investigate.  As I rounded the corner from  the stairs into the hallway, my eyes beheld a bewildering sight, there was a small pile of sheet rock on the floor and a gaping hole in my wall.  My darling dog Pearl had gnawed a roughly 8" by 14" hole in the hall wall.  After recovering from my disbelief, I neaded upstairs for the broom and dust pan.  I could at least clean up the mess on the floor.  Nate wandered downstairs and began laughing, you really had to in this situation.  Now that the dust has settled, literally, Nate had the brilliant idea that we put a cat door in the wall since it leads to the basement.  That way we can keep all of the litter boxes downstairs.  So our crazy, late night disaster has turned into a blessing in disguise!!

Welcome to the Dollhouse

Please do not take offense to the above music video.  I find that Melanie Martinez's song "Dollhouse" to be very poignant.  We may not be facing children on drugs, alcoholism, or adultery, but we are all hiding things behind closed doors.  I am tired of this way of life!  No, I do not want to air all of my dirty laundry for the world to see, but I also want to stop hiding behind the happy life facade.  I am a broken person.  I've made poor decisions, hurt those around me, done and said stupid things.  In making this realization, I have freed myself, I'm getting my mind right, I'm getting my life back in order.  I've hidden behind the picture perfect image for too long.  I'm opening the doors to the dollhouse, to be more authentic, to live in the here and now.

Clean Slate

The past few months have been fraught with challenges; things I can't control, things I should have controlled, things so old I'm surprised they are popping up now.  It's just par for the course it seems.  It's not just in my house either but in the lives of the people I love as well.  I've been drawn to my Bible more, to quiet time with the Lord.  He alone has been my strength.  More and more I see his work in the difficulties I face, little glimpses of the changes coming and the personal changes I need to make.  Verses from the Bible pop into my head out of nowhere, odd thoughts creep in, I know they are not from my own mind.  I was running errands yesterday and received yet another odd phone call.  All I could think was, "why now, I've got enough on my plate, I don't think I can handle more."  Then a simple phrase drifted into my mind, "clean slate."  Normally, my mind whirls into a panic, but I began to think maybe many of my past mistakes are coming to light so 2016 will produce a clean slate.  I see lots of good in the bad, glimmers of how life can be.  There are things at work that I can't see.  I know the next few months will not be easy as I begin to deal with things I've ignored and put off.  I'm going into 2016 with a new mindset, new goals, new plans.  The winding, rocky path I am on will soon be smooth and clear.  I need to make the heart and mind shift now, so my family's future will be bright!

Saving Pearl

Fifi Jo and Pearl.

I have to admit, I am not always the most observant person.  When you feed critters in the dark, morning and night, things get missed.  How I missed this, I have no idea!

Six of Pearl's adorable pups left in mid-October to live with their forever families.  One pup stayed behind as a beloved house dog. After months of lots of attention, Pearl was back to full-time livestock guard dog (LGD) duty.  I had her in my doe pen, but after her mate, Sunny, figured out how to escape the buck pen, I moved Pearl.  Pearl seemed fine in the buck pen for a while, calm, happy, eating.  Then the warm days of October slid into the cold days of November.  Pearl wasn't as active, she spent most of her time in the goats' shelter snuggling a buckling.  I finally took notice when Pearl ceased to leave the shelter to get her meals.  My darling hubby suggested that she may be depressed, my naive mind said no.

Over Thanksgiving break, Sunny's sister came for a visit while her family was out of town.  Having moved Sunny into our dog run during this time, I decided to move Pearl back to the doe pen.  I figured she just didn't like my stinky bucks.  Pearl was scrawny and moved slowly.  I tucked her into the small shelter in the doe pen, where she began to shiver.  My daily hurried pace had neglected to see that the pups and cold had taken their toll.  I immediately grabbed the heat lamp from the chicken coop, extra blankets, and filled a bucket with fresh water and electrolytes.  Maybe hubby was right, maybe Pearl was depressed, that and the bitter temperatures were just too much for her.

I began feeding her puppy food, and any scrap I could get my hands on.  Pearl has been enjoying leftover turkey, meat stock, goat's milk, bread, gravy, pork bones, hot dogs and bacon grease.  If it's fatty and yummy, Pearl gets it.  Recently, I've moved Pearl into the house.  With the cold and snow of late, I wanted her to gain weight without trying to stay warm.  Her little shelter with the heat lamp is cozy, but it doesn't compare to a warm house with a roaring fire on a frigid night.  I'm beginning to see sparks of Pearl return.  She's drinking more, eating better, and is slowly gaining strength.  The other night she woke me at 4:30 am, alerting me to something outside.  She jogged around the house excitedly trying to keep some night creature at bay.  This was the first glimpse of the LGD I know and love that I had seen in weeks.

Our journey to health will be a long one.  Everyday Pearl grows a bit stronger.  She's spending time with her daughter, Fifi Jo and enjoying lots of snuggle time from me.  Pearl and I need each other.  We are both struggling in different ways, yet we very clearly feel each other's hurt.  I am so blessed to have Pearl in my life, my spirit animal.  Get well dear friend!

Snow Day, Hooray!!

Today was a glorious gift when the world stops for just a moment.  You go to bed expecting inches and wake up to a mountain of fluffy white powder.  Snow day!!!!  It seems to be a rare occurrence around here despite our mountain locale.  The busyness of everyday life and the hectic pace of the Holidays came to a screeching halt.  Yes, the older kiddos spent the day studying for finals, the younger ones enjoyed crafts and Christmas movies.  I was finally able to work on my ugly Christmas sweater for an upcoming party and fill my house with pine boughs left over from putting up the tree.  The whole family snuggled in, unwound, and enjoyed some peace and rest.

Hope for the Hopeless

Little black and white roo out with the flock.

I have a little rooster who doesn't seem to see very well.  He's usually found hanging around the coop, not too far from his food and water.  He is a very sweet little guy and holds a special spot in my heart.  

Two nights ago I noticed he wasn't in his usual spot on the roost.  Figuring he was huddled somewhere else in the coop, I wasn't too worried.  I didn't see him bumbling around for breakfast yesterday morning, and he wasn't out with his friends when I checked for eggs.  I started to worry.  He still wasn't around at bedtime either.  Occasionally he does disappear out of the run, I'm not sure how. I've never seen him fly, but I have found him in odd places, like my dog run.  I started to look around the yard a bit, but it was getting dark and the battery in my headlamp was dying.  Today I decided I'd look again.  It was a long shot, little rooster had been gone for over a day, and our woods are full of predators.  I checked the old recliner that has become "yard art" behind the goat pen, nothing.  I started to check the scrap wood pile beyond the chair, low and behold hiding in a gap between two boards was my little rooster.  The sweet little guy had to have been hiding out since Monday when he went missing.  I still have no clue how he got out, there weren't any little chicken tracks in the snow.    

In the gloom of all of the challenges life is throwing at me right now, finding my little blind rooster alive and unharmed was truly a miracle.  This simple thing reminded me how truly blessed I am, and that God is watching over me.  If He can keep little rooster safe, He can definitely keep me safe too.  I am a product of my own free will and free thinking, but I can rein that in with a little help from the One who gives me hope.

Revelations

God gently called me out of bed at 6:34 am yesterday morning, beckoning me to come sit with Him.  After cleaning up a puppy accident and creating my quiet Bible Study space, I sat down to read one of my favorite morning devotions.  A few years ago I learned of Fullness in Christ Ministries.  Although I have never really taken the time to learn more about the organization their daily messages have been a source of hope and inspiration in my life.  Even during those times when I am not as close to God as I should be the words of inspiration from "What the Lord is Saying Today" have kept the connection alive.  This morning was no different.  I have spent the week in prayer and Bible Study, with the kids being on a break I have had time to linger over coffee and my Bible.  The words of Bev Robinson struck a chord in my heart and led me immediately to opening my Bible and grabbing my journal.  

The past few months have been challenging to say the least, and every time I think that things can't get any more difficult, they do.  My mind has stayed in a dark place, the running commentary not too pleasant, but I am changing that or should I say God is changing that.  That is where His word's through Bev came in.  The encouraging words in the still of the morning were of hope and joy, just the message I needed.  I spent time pouring over Psalm 34 and 37, pouring out my heart in my journal, leaving my quiet time with a sense of peace.  For the past few months, I have let fear, procrastination, stress, depression, excuses run my life.  No more!  I will live authentically!

Reality Check

I'm tired of this world.  Not in a suicidal way, in a tired of societal "norms" way.  I'm tired of materialism, of fake impressions, and unrealistic expectations.  I'm tired of having to think, act, and dress a certain way.  I truly want to shed those.

My life has taken a drastic turn from my teenage plans.  Back in the day I planned to attend college for retail merchandising, move to New York City after graduation, become a buyer for a major department store and live a life of glamor and high fashion.  Here I sit in the snowy Rocky Mountains, goats and chickens out my window, kids making breakfast, showering optional, yoga pants and a t-shirt my dress code.  I'm a long way from my New York City fashion dream.  I wouldn't change it for anything!

As I was out milking goats one morning my mind wandered to how happy I am with the simple, farm life.  Not to say farming is simple, but the peace I feel being out in nature, breathing clean mountain air is.  The goats seem to appreciate breakfast, I can tell that the chickens enjoy fresh bedding in their coop, and my livestock guard dogs love being out in the cold winter weather.  I love drinking fresh goat's milk and getting my eggs right from the source.  In the hustle and bustle of my days, the quiet of country living is a welcome release.

Skipping Records

I recently finished the book The Teenage Brain by Francis E. Jensen, recommended to me by our family practice doctor.  As a mom of 3 teens and one who will be one shortly, it was a great read.  Not only did it explain my kids' behavior, it helped me understand mine better as well.  One key concept I took away from the book has to do with neuroplasticity:  The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.  Neuroplasticity allows the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment. (www.medicinenet.com)  I found this fascinating!  When I develop a habit I carve a new pathway in my brain.  It's like the needle on a record player sliding over the grooves.  The habit becomes permanently etched in my brain, but because my brain can change in response to my environment I can create a new pathway.  I can make my record skip its old groove to create a new one.  It takes time to make these new pathways in the brain, and old habits die hard.  A change in focus and constant mental reminders can put me on the right track for a positive plan to become a well-worn habit.

Winter is Coming

I have to admit I love watching the local weather.  Unless it's sunny and dry, the weather folks never seem to get it quite right for the foothills.  I live on the east side of the mountain where we seem to get more snow than everyone else around.  Yesterday, I watched the weather on several occasions and the report for early next week had my head spinning.  A storm is coming in that can potentially bring 2-24 inches of snow.  WHAT?!?!  It's too soon to get exact snow amount and all of the computer models are showing wild swings in accumulation.  I have to plan for the worst and hope for the best.  IF the foothills get two feet of snow, I need to make special accommodations for my animals.  The chickens will need to stay in their coop for a day or two, the ducks will need a more covered area, the does and doelings put in together, extra heated water bowls added and the list goes on.  I start to panic a bit just thinking about it!!  I'm prepared for winter just not 2 feet of winter.  What am I doing still sitting here, I should be out prepping, "Winter is coming."

Sweeping Things Under the Bed

My favorite little dust bunny, Fifi Jo.

I watched my youngest daughter doing just that Sunday night.  I had asked my girls to clean their room, specifically under the bed.  I'm very afraid at what might be lurking under there!  They cleaned the floor, picked up books and movies, and passed their massive amount of dirty laundry on to me.  At 8:30 that night I stopped in to say good night.  I saw my youngest sweeping all of the clutter still on the floor, under the bed.  Too tired to argue, I sighed and walked out.

Now as I sit in the quiet and stillness of the morning, it's 5:20 AM, I think about how I do this with struggles in my own life.  I sweep the things I don't want to deal with under the bed in hopes they'll just magically disappear.  Not so!  At some point, I need to overcome my procrastination and fears so I can clean out what's hidden "under my bed."

I'm going through a heart shift right now, tired of the way I have been living my life.  There is a change bubbling up.  The path will not be easy, but in the end much needed and oh so worth it!

Spinning Plates

Appearances are deceiving.  On the outside, I appear put together, in control.  Behind closed doors, I am an exhausted, frazzled, mess.  The plates I spin are crashing to the ground.  Though I may appear to be Wonder Woman, I am not.  The images you see on Facebook paint a pretty picture of life at the Ranch.  In reality, my house is a mess, my clean laundry is in baskets not in drawers, my bills are often late, and I yell A LOT.  I don't have it all together.  I procrastinate, stuff, and ignore hoping the bad will go away.  I also pray, A LOT!  That is me, in a nutshell, imperfect, flawed, wanting to live honestly.

And then there was one

After 10 weeks of love, loss, joy, giggles, and smiles all of Pearl's pups are in their forever homes.  Each one has gone to an amazing family, that fits them perfectly.  Little Fifi Jo gets to stay at the Ranch.  She'll be a family dog, her mom and dad have the guarding thing down.  Jo Jo is smart as a whip and is catching on to potty training and commands quickly.  Now the hard work begins.  I feel like I'm finishing an episode of Too Cute.

Big Buck Brothel?

Our current house guests, Rosie and Jade.

It's that time of year again; the air is getting cooler, the leaves are turning, and there is a heavy, musky odor in the air.  That's right, it's ruttin' season.  Not only are the local deer and elk bugling and carrying on, but my bucks are horny little buggers.  My buck pen, nicknamed San Quentin, is a flurry of hormones.  The boys try to entice the ladies with sexy tongue wags, the Flehmen, and everyone's favorite peeing on their faces.  

The Ranch has been the site of many breeding adventures, which started with my does Webi and Erudite.  I'm anxiously watching them for signs of heat now.  Does come into heat every 21 days, my girls are at that mark now so here's hoping.  Then a breeder friend of mine brought her doe, Gypsy, to the Ranch last weekend for a "playdate" with Red.  The latest houseguests are two adorable Mini Lamancha goats named Rosie and Jade.  Rosie has been courted by both Red and Valentine in an effort to find her the proper suitor.  At this point, I think one of them as gotten her.  Rosie's sister, Jade, is not quite in heat yet, but I'm watching her closely hoping that the pungent odor in the area and exposure to bucks will trigger her heat cycle.  

With all of this activity, I'm hoping there will be bunches of kids running around come March!

Silly Goat

This is Kosi, a gigantic Nigi.  She is on loan to Big Buck Ranch at the moment for a little added milk production.  One of my star milkers, Webigayle, is being dried up and bred for spring babies.  Kosi, recently weaned her triplet boys and is now enjoying some peace and quiet on the Ranch.  

I love her udder!!  As a bigger goat, her teats are fantastic.  Yes, as a goat breeder I spend most of my time discussing teats and balls.  Ugh!!  Kosi's teats make milking a breeze, easy to grab, easy to milk when she's super full.  To make this girl even more special, she is a dream on the milk stand.  Ready at the gate come milking time, calm on the stand.  She helps make morning milk time a breeze!!

Walk the Line

The best way to find weak spots in your fence is to have puppies and goats.  I walked into my kitchen this morning, looked out the window and there were adorable pups rolling down the hill outside.  They found the weak spot in my dog run fence.  These brilliant little fluff balls figured out how to escape the goat pen a couple of weeks back, now with some digging and wiggling they've found out how to escape their new enclosure.  Needless to say, I'll be securing a fence today instead of taking it easy.

A Girl's Best Friend

For the five of you who actually read this, you know I breed Nigerian Dwarf goats.  Some Nigis have fabulous, easy to milk udders.  Others, like Sweet Candy, have itty bitty tiny teaties.  When a Sweet Candy's udder is full you get stuck with teats you can barely get a finger around.  Last weekend I was gifted an Udderly EZ hand milker.  The heaven's opened and smiled upon my milking.  The Udderly EZ fits around a teat, after a few pumps the milk is expressed using a vacuum seal.  Even the tiniest teat is easy to milk.  Early morning, full udder, Sweet Candy is a dream to milk!  I can't explain how much I love this new toy!!!

Kids Grow Up Too Fast!

Six weeks ago today, seven beautiful little pups entered the world.  They've evolved into adorable fluff balls from sightless, wriggling pups in such a short period of time.  In two short weeks they'll be off to their forever homes.  Most of them get to fulfill their breeds true calling to guard livestock.  This has been such a huge learning experience, and I've loved every second of it!

Goldilocks and the Three Billy Goats Gruff

I often think of the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears when I head out to feed the goats.  My little darlings are well fed, but they always act like they're starving.  Funny thing is the goats never seem happy with a filled bucket. I head into their pen, head to the first feeder, and all the goats follow eagerly.  They start snacking, as I head to the next feeder they follow, waiting to see if that food will get more exciting.  This goes on until all of the feeders are full.  It's like they need to figure out which feeder is just right.  I've got a group of little Goldilocks!

A Little Peace

Fifi Jo

Fall has come to Colorado, despite the warm temperatures.  Mother Nature seems to get a little confused when she comes here.  We'd have loved this weather back in July!  Winter prep is on my mind.  The pups are growing in leaps and bounds, and get cuter every second.  My bucks in San Quentin stink to high heaven, and I'm eagerly awaiting for my does to go into heat. 

The frenzied pace of the past few weeks will hopefully be over soon.  This morning, I can sit and relax.  Actually enjoy a cup of coffee, jot down my thoughts.  My younger girls don't have school, and the older kids can drive themselves.  I'm slowly planning my day, being quiet and peaceful.  It feels so good!

Puppy Love!!

I could spend most of my time staring at sleeping puppies right now!  They wiggle, yawn, smack their little lips, and make the cutest noises.  Everyone is starting to open their eyes and pup #1 is trying to stand and walk.  Littlest boy, Grey Wind, opened his eyes first.  Fifi Jo, needs extra care. Girls; Lady, Nymeria, and Riptide are the biggest.  Ghost is the only pup that seems to be staying pure white.  White, Nymeria, is starting to get the coolest cream colored spots.  Sweet, little Cass is the most mellow baby.  This has been such a fun adventure so far!  I'm looking forward to see what our next milestones will bring.

Wrestling Goats

Dauntless, the unicorn goat.

My goats have horns, and I'm beginning to find that this can be an issue.  The breeder I bought most of my herd from didn't burn horns because she thought it was cruel.  I agree, but I may be heading in that direction in the future.  I don't mind the horns, I've gotten a few good whacks from a horn or two, but they make good back scratchers and give a little-added protection from my young guard dogs.  After losing two buck sales to the fact that my goats have horns, it's time to have them removed.  

Being a glutton for punishment, I decided to band everyone's horns today.  Goats do not like to feel trapped, and do not like to have their horns tugged.  Mix that together and it's a recipe for disaster.  Well not really, I successfully banded horns with only minor bumps and bruises.  My goats currently hate me.  A few of them let out such blood-curdling screams that I truly believe that my neighbors probably think we're having cabrito for dinner, um no.  Now I wait and wait and wait and hopefully within the next few months I will have dehorned goats.  Wish me luck!!

Double Trouble, Growing Up Too Fast

John and Phe are now 7 weeks old.  They are getting fat, sassy and oh so sweet.  I can't believe it's almost time for John to move over to San Quentin, my buck pen.  This is going to be a difficult transition for the poor little buck.  He's very attached to his sister.  They have been an absolute joy to watch grow up!

Hazy Skies

I went to bed with a stuffy nose and a mild sore throat.  I woke up to an even worse sore throat.  It felt like someone stuck a sword through my mouth.  Thank you, Game of Thrones for that incredible image that is now burned in my mind FOREVER.  Needless to say, I feel crappy!  I look out my window to the east and a smokey haze obscures my mountain view.  I look to the west where there are blue skies, not the usual clear cerulean, though.

My heart and prayers go out to the people out west affected by the massive amounts of wildfires.  I can't even imagine what they're going through.  Colorado has been plagued by its share of massive fires in past years.  This year we've been blessed with copious amounts if rain.  I'm a realist, though, I know that the spigot could be turned off at any moment and the land will dry up in an instant.  I will continue to pray for the firefighters and families out west, that these fires will soon be extinguished, and the rebuilding can begin.   

A Different Kind of Childhood

I grew up in suburbia, enjoyed trips to the mall, went on weekend getaways, and was lucky enough to visit Europe.  My kids have had a very different upbringing.  We live on the side of a mountain where deer and elk sightings are a daily occurrence.  We've had poultry plundered by fox and our trash can plundered by bear.   Most of us here find trips to the mall an annoyance with too many people.  I think my kids prefer the quieter, slower way of life.  Don't get me wrong, we do fun things.  Colorado offers a wealth of activities from skiing to concerts to amusement parks.  Unfortunately, overnight getaways are a challenge and out of state visits next to impossible.  

Despite the lack of travel, my children have gotten to do things I never did as a child.  Together, we've watched chicks hatch, baby goats born, and seen puppies only minutes old.  We've learned about life and death and how nature can be cruel.  The kids have raised a piglet, chicks, poults, ducklings, kittens, puppies, lambs, and goat kids.  We've bottle-fed baby animals and had baby goats living in the house.  The kids know where their food comes from.  They dig worms in the manure pile and build forts from downed trees in the forest.  I'm slightly jealous of the things they do.  It's a unique childhood filled with fun. 

The $11 Duck Pen

With our unusually rainy summer projects have not been getting done in a timely manner.  Trust me, you do not want to go outside when it storms in the mountains!  

The ducks have needed a pen of their own for some time now and they've finally got it.  All the new pen cost me was about $7 for the cement for the new posts and $4 for hardware.  Everything else, I scavenged from the piles I have around the yard.  

The ducks are thrilled with "Ducktopia."  They're laying better and staying quieter.  The chickens are happy to have a drier pen too.  All in a good weekend's work!

Of Love and Loss

Pup #7.

Pearl with pup #1.

Wow, what a day!!!  It's definitely been a roller coaster and I'm exhausted.  On my calendar for this very day, it reads "Pearl due."  Well, Pearl did have pups.  Twelve total, but only seven have survived.  I gave mouth to mouth to three to see if I could save them to no avail.  The other two we knew right away that they were gone.  I'm so thankful for the seven survivors, five girls and two boys!  All sweet, wriggly, and beautiful.  It has been a day of ups and downs.  The life of a farmer is never easy.

Back to School Blues

I swear the kids got out of school yesterday, yet here I sit on the eve of the first day of school wondering, where did our summer go?  I loved the lazy mornings, driving less, hikes, starting to get projects done both in and out of the house.  I was starting to feel "in control" of things, and now things are slowly starting to spin out of control again, at least in my mind.  

This will be an interesting year.  A year of firsts and lasts.  I have a senior this year and as excited as I am to see him grow and thrive, the "lasts" of this year are making me melancholy.  This will be an awesome year for all four of my kiddos.  I've watched them all grow as little people over the summer.  Though I won't miss the bickering and beating amongst them, I will miss the quiet times together, exploring and learning.

I need to get out of my head and embrace this new chapter in our lives.  I need to give up control and accomplish what I can on a daily basis.  The kids are ready to go back to school, even if there mama isn't.  Wish us luck!!

The Return of Little Lion Dog

Sunny, aka Little Lion Dog, has returned to his post after a nice vacation with his sister.  He spent most of July in our dog run with his sister, Charlie.  Though fun, it's now time to get back to work.  Sunny has returned to his post as goat guard in my big pasture, really it's maybe only an acre.  I've moved our dogloo into the pasture, so Sunny has shelter.  He returns to the dog run long enough to eat a meal and allow me to milk.  Peace and safety has returned to the ranch.

The Ranch To-do List

Jon and Phe checking out the future gardens.

Here on the Ranch the to-do list is never ending.  I can walk outside and see at least 10 things that need my attention, all of that on top of caring for the critters.  There are raised bed gardens that need to be built and filled with dirt, straw, and manure so they can compost over the winter.  Fences need mending, the new duck pen needs completing, pens need mucking, manure needs moving, I could go on forever.  The bustle of the Ranch keeps me plenty busy.  I often wonder if there will be a time when all that needs to be done is care of the critters.  Only time will tell.     

All in a days work

Whew!  I'm exhausted.  I finally got to enjoy a sunny day at home.  The farm projects are endless.   Today I began to tackle the new duck pen.  I dug holes, sunk posts,  and with a little help got the cement poured.  All of the pieces of the new duck house have been moved over to the new pen area.    The bucks were photographed so I can update my website.      Finally, I learned how to drive the ATV.  I've refused to learn for 10 years!  Today, I overcame my fears so I can use this crucial piece of farm equipment.   Kudos to me!

Kohlrabi...

my new favorite food!  Who knew?  I've become addicted to this delicious root veggie.  It's crisp, slightly tangy and is full of health benefits.  Guess the family will be eating more of this!

At first when I found kohlrabi in the CSA share gifted to me, I had no clue what I'd do with it.  Then I found it, kohlrabi fritters.  I would like to try other recipes with this unexpectedly yummy vegetable, but for now the fritters are the champs.

The recipe is simple:

3 kohlrabi, peeled and grated

2 eggs

1/2 cup of flour

sliced green onions (use your discretion)

salt, pepper and garlic to taste

Take the grated kohlrabi, squeeze out excess moisture using some paper towel.  I tried a kitchen towel, after rinsing it, it still took three times through the washer to get the stink out.  Put the dry kohlrabi into a large bowl, mix in the green onions, seasonings, and eggs.  Once mixed slowly add in the flour and mix some more.  

Heat olive oil in a large skillet.  Add a 1/4 cup of kohlrabi mixture to the pan.  The cup left little kohlrabi balls, so I pressed out the fitters with a spatula.  I can usually get 4-5 fritters in the pan at a time.  Cook until each side it golden brown.  Enjoy!!!

Spending Time in the Kitchen

I am beginning to love to cook when I have the time.  Creating delicious dishes from simple ingredients is exhilarating.  I've never taken myself for a cook and have spent years believing all I could make was something that came out of a box.  Not so anymore!  I have fresh ingredients right out my front door with the chickens and goats.  

Some dear friends blessed my family with their CSA share when they went out of town.  I have to admit some of the veggies aren't ones I normally think to buy.  What in the world am I going to do with radishes, kohlrabi, and turnip greens?  With a little time and creativity, I've created some amazing meals.  The kohlrabi became fritters devoured by my family.  I discovered a wonderful recipe for ricotta and radishes.  I used fresh homemade goat's milk ricotta for this one.  Tonight we'll feast on pork chops with turnip greens.

My body feels amazing eating freshly prepared meals.  The abundance of summer produce is bringing out my creative side.  What new and exciting meals can I feed my family?  Good bye processed food in a box, hello fresh fare from the field!

Sweet Babies

Jon and Ophelia, 1 week old.

Sweet Ophelia

Jon Snow

July 5, two beautiful babies came into this world.  My two-year-old doe, Sweet Candy, gave birth to a spectacular doeling and buckling.  Both babies have blue eyes and wattles.  Of course, I missed the delivery but was out shortly after Ophelia was born.  These two little ones are truly a miracle.

And the countdown begins

Sweet Candy

I have been anxiously watching my doe, Sweet Candy, for the past month.  She started bagging up earlier than expected and is as wide as she is tall right now.  Sweet Candy is due to kid July 5, give or take a few days.  I find her slowly waddling through the yard grazing on delicious weeds and wildflowers along the way or hanging in her new favorite spot a big rubber feed tub.  Sweet Candy has looked like she'd go into labor any minute and thankfully she's kept those babies in this long.  More to come!

Nothing gets you out of bed faster than...

Cookie

discovering a nasty doggie dingleberry!  That cute little pup shares the bed with me every night.  Cookie was snuggled in the blankets.  I went to pet her and discovered a strange goo ball on her rear.  Being a mom, I gave it the whiff test.  Yup, sure enough it was poo!  Not just a little poo either, I leapt out of bed and ushered poor Cookie out of the house as quickly as possible.  Guess today will be wash the bedding day!!  Yuck!!

Hiking the Falls

Yesterday was one of those spectacular sunny summer days that reminds me why I love living in Colorado.  Two of my kiddos and I went for a glorious hike.  The sky was a crystal clear azure, a gentle breeze rustled the pines, and the falls we hiked next to gave plenty of opportunities for us to dip our toes to cool off.  I was so proud of my girls for making this trek with me, for navigating the rocky often steep trail.  It was a blessing to have them out in nature enjoying the world around them.

Time to Move Outside!

Yes, that is a goat and yes, said goat is on my counter.  Rosie, a.k.a.the Mexican jumping bean has figured out that she can jump from the floor to the counter.  My home is no longer safe between Boo and Rosie.  I'm thinking Rosie needs to become a goat on a permanent basis.

Where's the Kitty?

Sweet, little Boo is on top of the kitchen cabinets.  She jumps from the floor to the counter and then from the counter to the cabinet.  It's quite a feat considering she's jumping straight up!

Miracle Baby

I am sitting on the couch cuddling my bottle baby goat.  Sweet little Rose Petals is a miracle baby.  She is six weeks old today, and we didn't think she'd make it through her first week.  Rosie was born fighting, she required mouth to mouth to help her breathe.  Mama rejected her, and Rosie was having trouble taking a bottle.   Poor little one came to us as a last resort.  I am thrilled to say Rosie is healthy and growing like a weed.  She takes a bottle with ease and spends her days with my does.   Little Rosie Posey is truly a blessing! 

Goofy Kitty

I should do a whole series on the strange place I find my cats.  Here is Boo disguising herself as a package of ramen.  I'm not too sure who she's trying to fool?

WOW!

Nigerian Dwarf goats may not produce gallons of milk a day, but that doesn't mean you can't get a goo amount of milk from them.  Yesterday, my two does, Webi and Dauntless gave me a half gallon of milk.  Not too shabby from two miniature breed goats!

A Tale of Two Brothers

Peter and Tobias

It's like a caprine version of Jerry Springer.  Two bucklings, born to the same mother minutes apart, but with two different daddies.  

Dauntless, the boys mama.

On March 24, Dauntless, gave birth to a beautiful set of triplets, two bucklings and a doeling.  Dauntless has been in my buck pen from mid-October to mid-November.  During that time, I had two bucks living there.  Valentine, who would stay at the ranch, and Cupid, who was just there to keep Valentine company. 

BOHICA ACRES Valentine, Peter's daddy.

As I prepare to register the bucklings, I needed to figure out who the baby daddy was.

BOHICA ACRES Spyro Moon, Tobias's daddy.

Surprise!  The boys, born minutes apart have two different daddies.  I'm still in shock.  This is a hilarious twist in my goat adventure.

Spectacular!

That is the one word that best describes my new buck.  Red is amazing.  I am so excited about my future herd sire!

Happy Goat Baby!