NEW ADDITIONS

     We are so delighted to welcome the newest members of our family - a nanny goat and her two kids.  They have yet to be named.  The day was so full of activity; driving to Angelhoeve Organic Farm in the valley to pick them up, and of course trying to learn as much as we could about caring for goats in the short time we were there.  Once we've settled into a more familiar routine and get to know the goats better, I am sure the perfect names will naturally arise.  We aren't sure how our son will react to his little friends suddenly "disappearing" one day, so are debating whether or not it is a good idea to name the male kid.  Male goats are aggressive, and well, really only useful as sperm donors, soooooooo he probably won't be frolicking in our fields for too long.

     Needless to say, we are all very excited to have these lovely animals around.  I am a little overwhelmed and worry that we are too inexperienced.  I really want to make sure we take care of them properly so that they thrive and live happily.  I am sure they will, yet I can't help but wonder how it will all turn out.  There is also the whole experience of learning to milk her, while keeping the process sterile and clean so we don't consume tainted milk!  EEEEEK....it's one thing to romanticize keeping goats, and another to actually have the animals in your care.

     Once we master the milking thing, you know I am going to be all over the cheese making process.  I am very thrilled to have our own dairy goats to provide us with milk.  So long Superstore, you won't be seeing me much anymore.  Seriously, I pretty much only went there to buy dairy products.  Plastic wrapped, pasteurized, very non local organic dairy products.  I look forward to reducing our family's plastic pollution even more now that we have goats.  Tomorrow will be my first day home alone with the goats, and it is my job to let them out into the back yard and put out some hay and dairy ration - with two kids in tow (my two kids that is!).  Wish me luck!  I hope she doesn't jump the fence!

Our nanny goat in the milking stand at Angelhoeve getting her nails trimmed before she says goodbye.

The HUGE pig at the farm, getting a little scratch on the head.

Our little farmer boy, getting ready to load the goats into the trailer (which had no ventilation, so Scott had to drill holes into his poor trailer.  It has also been lovingly urinated in big time!)

Our sweet lovelies eating hay.  I just want to hug them.