Things I am Thankful in 2013

As the new year approaches, we all like to look back at the past year and reflect.  I have so many things to be thankful in this past year.

The most important thing I was able to spend another year with these two guys!!  My husband's health has continued to be good.  All his tests come back normal which is a HUGE relief.  I got to see my son, who is in the Navy, three times this year including a surprise visit in August (where everybody knew he was coming home except me!!)  Best surprise EVER!!!

Once again health issues continued to be "bothersome" for me.  Unexplained shortness of breath whenever I did any type of exertion like walking up steps, etc.  I chalked it up to "old" age!!  But a HUGE thanks goes out to my doctor Anna Fox who didn't think that!!  After so many tests (and one where I got to see the inside of my carotid artery - kind of weird but kind of cool, too!), it was determined that I have COPD (a "politically correct" term for emphysema).  Through a trial of different medications and exercise programs, I now feel better than I have in a long time!  So I am forever grateful to Anna Fox for her diligence!!

I am so thankful for all my customers who continued to believe in my products because they keep buying them!!  God bless you!!  And I love talking to you all and learning all about you.  You aren't customers, I think of all of you as my good friends.

Can't forget the goats and the wonderful milk they gave me!!  I made the best goat's milk yogurt and ice cream from their milk this year which I thoroughly enjoyed!!  And many of our customers got to enjoy the cheese (and so did we!!).

I am also thankful for my 3 little puppies (I know they are dogs but to me they are puppies) - Choo, Ella and our new one, Niki.

They keep me company during the day while Bobby is at work, go on walks with me or ride to and from the store.  And, if it weren't for Ella, we won't have known our car was being stolen - thank you Ella!!!

My garden was wonderful this year!!  So many good things came from my garden that we are still enjoying this winter!!!

If only I could get the deers to leave my garden alone!!  Oh well!!

And turning 60 wasn't as bad as I thought!  It is just a number.

Looking back on 2013, I would have to say it was a pretty good year!!  Can't wait to see what 2014 brings!

New Year's Resolutions

It is that time of year when everyone makes those lofty resolutions "I am going to lose all this extra weight!!" "I am going to make a million dollars!!", "I am going to be a much better person!", etc., etc., etc.  All of these will be "broken" probably by the second or third week in January!!

Well, this year I am not going to make any resolutions - how's that for a New Year's Resolution!!  I really don't need to lose any weight (well, maybe a pound or two - but at 60 years - this is as good as it gets!!).  Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my life - can't think of any way that I would want to change it or improve on it. 

Instead, I am going to have my New Year's Wish List.  This is what I am going to wish for the New Year:

1.  I wish to see my son, who is in the Navy, more often.

2.  I wish that my husband's health continued to improve.

3.  I wish for my business to continue to succeed.

4.  I wish that all my goats and chickens remain healthy and continue to provide us with eggs and milk.

5.  I wish that this silly economy would settle down and our govenment would get back to what it is supposed to be doing and STOP playing all these STUPID games!!!  gives me such a headache!!!

6.  I wish that my gardens are as productive as they were last year and that the deers leave my gardens ALONE!!!

7.  The most important . . . I wish and hope that God continues to work in my life leading me in the direction that He wants me to go and that I listen to His voice.

And that is what I wish for in 2014!  May God bless you and your family this coming year

So Thankful This Christmas!

Our son, a sailor in the Navy, was able to come home for Christmas this.  So many of the soldiers, sailors and marines can't.  I couldn't help but think about all those families this morning opening presents and knowing the void they must be feeling. How do I know because two years ago, Nathan was in Boot Camp for Christmas.  And holidays, no matter what the holiday is, it is just not the same unless you have all your loved ones there.

And this Christmas also took on a more special meaning.  One of my son's friends died tragically Christmas Eve night on his way home in a car accident not far from our home.  I thought of his Mom all day today and kept her in my prayers.  Christmas will never be the same for her.  All I can hope is that God will somehow bring her comfort.

So I will hug my son just a little bit tighter tonight and tomorrow when he leaves to go back to his "other" life.  I will pray that God will watch over so that he can come home again.  I believe in God and I know he will take care of my son.

One of My Many Roles!

I keep asking where is THAT barn hand???  Then my husband reminds me - that is ME!!  Hmmm.  I guess that means I WILL have to clean out that barn.  And it was a mess!!

You couldn't open the door!  And I forget there were steps buried under all that hay!!  The hardest part was getting motivated to do it because it seemed OVERWHELMING!!  And it WAS!!!

Well, here is how this same barn looked yesterday . . .

What a difference!!!  Yes, it took me a couple of months to do it, but I did get it done by myself.  Not bad for a 60 year old lady!!  (as I pat myself on my back)

And God Gave Me A Goat

Yesterday as I was sitting at the Farmer's Market, I was thinking how much my life has changed all because God gave me a goat.  Goats were never in the "plan."  Before we moved out to New Richmond, I don't think I have ever been that close to a goat.  And if you had told me 25 years ago that I would be a goat farmer, I would probably have laughed at you.  Is it amazing how God works in your life and leads you down paths that you would never imagined possible?

I can't help but think of what an amazing life I have.  I have a husband who puts up with all my silly ideas and who will drive across town to pick up 60 baby chicks (and then let those 60 baby chicks take over his garage in makeshift "nurseries").  I can go out on my back deck and listen to the sounds of Nature - oh so lovely!  The birds clirping and singing.  The deers rustling through the leaves in the woods behind our house.  I have 3 goats that give me fresh goat's milk that I use to make cheese, ice cream and fudge for us to eat and soap and lotion for me to sell.  And chickens that provide eggs.  Small gardens that give us fresh vegetables. It just doesn't get any better than this.  And it all started with God giving me a goat.  How blessed am I!

You just gotta love customers!

With the onset of this cold weather, my chicken egg productin has dropped which is normal for this time of year.  As a result, I am not bringing as many eggs to sell at the market and there have been a few times when I haven't had any eggs to sell. 

Last week was one of those days where I just didn't have enough eggs to sell.  One of the customers approached me with a suggestion . . . "Why don't you just go to Krogers and buy your eggs?"  HUH???  She replied, "Krogers has lots of eggs.  You should go buy some eggs from Krogers!"  Dumbfounded, trying hard not to laugh.  I explained to the customer that this was a FARMER"S market and we are supposed to grow all that we sell here.  And buying from Kroger's was a BIG no-no!!!  BUT, I did appreciate her advice. (how's that for political correctness!).  As I said, you just gotta love customers!!

Two years ago . . ..

My life changed forever.  My son left home and joined the Navy.  So many emotions that day, but mostly pride.  I tried so hard not to interject my personal feelings into this because this was his decision about what was best for him.  And looking back now, he made the best choice for him  Like any Mom, we always want to keep our "babies" close, but we can't and it hurts when they leave the nest.  BUT, I survived like we all do and there was not a prouder Navy Mom than me when he walked into the that auditorium on February 10, 2012 as a brand new Sailor in the United States Navy.

Yes, my life has changed and not exactly the way I wanted it to be or expected it to be but isn't that the way life is?  So today, I am so thankful that you are my son, Nathan!  I am so very proud of you and love you so much.  God Bless you! 

Bath time!

Niki - our German Shepherd/Rottwellier mix puppy, got her first bath yesterday.  Doesn't look like a happy camper!  But she sure looks cute!!  And she smells a lot better!  I know that isn't going to last for long!  They always find something nasty to roll in1

Life on the farm

Sometimes I wish my life on the farm was like they portray farm life in the movies.  Everything is wonderful, the crops come up every year without fail, chickens lay tons of eggs, cows (or goats in my case) give gallons and gallons of milk and life is good!!

BUT reality is that you have a hawk that decides to attack your chicken pen the first thing Saturday morning. And God Bless your rooster for protecting his flock!!  I shot my gun a couple of times to scare the hawk away.  The rooster survived - but has battle wounds to show for his efforts.  And, for some reason, I have a chicken or a couple of chickens that have taken to killing all the baby chickens that I bought back in August - that's about $125 down the drain.  Almost every morning or two, I find bodies.  So disheartening.  And to add insult to injury, they aren't laying eggs.

Last night I went out to feed the goats and noticed one of the younger goats had some type of "discharge" on her rear end.  Upon closer examination, it was blood.  Yep, looks like she had a miscarriage.  I really didn't want her bred but the buck figured out how to jump fences and he breeds whoever gets in his way.

So today I want to go to one of those storybook farms!!  LOL!!  I am just fustrated and I know it will get better. Sometimes life on the farm isn't always that much fun!

Black Friday

I can't imagine getting up at 3 or 4 in the morning to go to Walmart or Target to fight the crowds for whatever gadget is the latest rage. I was still asleep at the time.

Holidays take on a whole new meaning when you have a member of your family in the military.  The best present is just being able to give them a hug and say I love you to them in person.  Nothing better in the whole wide world and you can't buy that on any Walmart shelf!

I watched the news last night in disbelief as I saw people fighting (yes, fighting) over some item.   My first thought was that on December 26 that item will be returned.  My second thought was that was probably put on their credit card because they probably couldn't afford it.   I can't help but think have we forgotten the true meaning of Christmas?

Since my son joined the Navy, the holidays have taken on a whole new meaning for me.  Ask any military family what they want for Christmas and you will get the same answer - they want their child home.  Some will get their wish, many won't.

Our First Big Snowfall

This wasn't a major snowstorm.  I think we got maybe a 1/4 inch of snow.  But, it looked so pretty outside that I decided to turn on our Christmas lights. This is a tree out by our front porch. NOW I am in the mood for Christmas!    And the snow is still on the ground.  The other snow we had was gone by mid-morning.

Family

I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!  My son, the sailor, came home unexpectedly for Thanksgiving.  What a welcome surprise!!  My family will be together for Thanksgiving!!  It just doesn't get any better than that!!  To most of you, this is an usual (and probably dreaded) event BUT when you are a military family, any time you get to spend with your loved ones is special!!  So, to all the military familes - God Bless you all this Holiday season and may He watch over you and keep you in His loving arms.  Happy Thanksgiving!

A Dusting of snow!

Well, it wasn't much - just a light dusting and it will probably be gone when the sun comes up.  So don't get out your sleds or skis just yet.  I think Mother Nature is just giving us a "preview" of Winter.  If this is all we are going to get - GREAT!!  But I have a feeling, we are going to get a lot more.  Oh well, not much we can do about that!

New Girl in Town

A new girl on the block and she is only 6 and 1/2 weeks old!  Her name is Niki and she is a German Shepherd/Rottweiler mix - such a big responsible for such a little puppy!!  Needless to say, our two Shih Tzus, Ella and Choo, are not TOO thrilled with their new "sister"!   But I am guessing in time they all will be good friends.

Milk-less in Ohio

Even though I am "enjoying" my break from the twice daily chore of milking the goats, I am so missing the rewards of milking the goats.  I guess you can't have one without the other!  I so did enjoy the goat's milk yogurt and cheese.  But, I am also enjoying having more "free" to get other things done - like HOUSECLEANING.  Yikes!!  I hate to admit it, but this house is in need of a serious housecleaning - now where is that MAID????  Oops, I forgot . . .  I am the maid!!  Oh well, it will get done, slowly but surely.

So for the time being, I will have to "endure" store bought yogurt and cheese.  I know . . . life is rough!

Hawks!!!

Just when I thought "predator" (i.e. foxes) season was almost over, a new predator arrives on the scene - hawks. Sigh!  Yesterday afternoon, I heard a ruckus coming from the chicken pen.  I looked down there and all the hens were nowhere to be found but Mr. Rooster was having a major fit.  Hmmmm, something must be really wrong.  So I grabbed the gun (I'm getting good at that!!) and went out to the back deck.  Just as I did I saw something swoop down to the fence surrounding the chicken pen - a hawk.  OH YEAH!!  Without hesitation - I fired a shot.  What turned out to be Hawk #1 flew off followed by Hawk #2.  Both of them flew up to branches in neighboring trees.  OH NO you don't!!!  Two more shots were fired - Bye, bye hawks!!  And please don't come back!!

Alas!! Here comes our first "taste" of Winter

I heard that dreaded word "SNOW" in the weather forecast today.  Are you serious!!  Obviously, this is some type of cruel joke the weatherman is playing on the viewing audience!  Nope, he mentioned it again.  Yep, I heard it a third time - Oh darn!!  Good thing I spent yesterday afternoon in my garden harvesting what is left!

I was able to get a lot of produce from my garden - green beans, several jalapeno peppers, a couple of banana peppers and bell peppers.  Those big long green things are really luffa gourds.  I will let them dry and eventually remove the green skin and make luffa sponges out of them - how cool is that!!  I also pick some herbs - rosemary, mint and basil.  These will go into herbal vinegars and what is left will be dried to be used for future soaps.

I do hate to see the cold weather coming on, but I guess it is that time of year.

Endings

As the saying goes . . . All good things must come to the end . . . and so it goes on a goat farm.  This week I will be hanging up the milking bucket for the year.  Milk production has taken a huge dive and it is time to call it quits.  I always do this with mixed feelings.  It will be great to have the much needed rest from the daily chore of milking twice a day.  I will miss the fresh milk, goat cheese and yogurt.  BUT I can look forward to that for next year.

This weekend will be the last market day for Market on the Square.  What a great year this has been!  Best year EVER!!  I am going to try the November Market (weather permitting!).  Then, in December, the Winter Market begins.  Hopefully, it will be better than last year.

My Favorite Time of the Year

This is one of the "back" roads near my house.  The "girls" (my two shih tzus - Ella and Choo) and I walk this everyday.  At this time of year, the trees are absolutely gorgeous!  So many vibrant colors!!  And each day it is different.  Yesterday, as we were walking, I noticed we were being watched by two deers.  Oh how I love living out in the country

I love the Fall - give me a big, comfy sweater any time over a skimpy bikini!!  Trust me - you don't want to see me in a bathing suit - not a pretty sight anymore - maybe 30 years ago, but not now - I shutter to think about i!!

Camp fires!! Is there anything better than sitting around a camp fire at night and just talking with your friends??  It just don't get any better than that!!  Hot chocolate with marshmallows - you HAVE to have the marshmallows - it just isn't any good without the marshmallows!!  Chili and warm, homemade soups - I am making myself hungry!!!  Pumpkins everywhere!  I love pumpkins!!  Big ones, little ones, whole pumpkins, pumpkins with scary faces, pumpkins with elaborate pictures carved in them . . . and, of course, pumpkin pie - YUM!!!

Of course, with the onset of Fall, my garden is pretty much over and done with.  But, pretty soon, the seed catalogs will start arriving in my mail box and visions of next year's garden dance through my head!

I hope you are enjoying the Fall and all the beautiful colors God is sharing with us.

Time Sure Flies!

Can it really be the middle of October ALREADY??  Amazing!  It seems just like yesterday that the market opened up for its 9th season and here we are with only 3 more weeks left for the Market on the Square - WOW!  And what a fantastic summer this has been!!

I think the goats are all bred.  Bucket, my buck, reeks (UGH!!).  I guess the does (the girl goats) must like it but it is disgusting to me.  And I tell him so everytime I go over to the goat pen.  Of course, he ignores me and wants to rub his obnoxious, stinky self on me!  Ah, the joys of goat farming!

And, boy, are the retailers pushing Christmas!  I saw a Christmas tree in my grocery store two weeks ago.  I wonder if the retailers are nervous with all the antics going on in Washington and how this is going to affect the country and, in particular, their sales.  What a sad situation our country is in!  All you can do is pray.

BUT, life goes on at the goat farm . . . as it should.  My goats and chickens don't seem concerned about the idiots in Washington, DC.  They continue to lay eggs and give milk.

I do love this time of the year - the trees look so beautiful.  I do feel sad that my garden is on its way out.  I still have some peppers and my lettuce is doing well.  I had so much fun with my garden this year and am already mentally planning next year's gardens!

A "Day Off"

Because Hyde Park is having their annual Hyde Park Art Show, the Farmer's Market is being moved back to US Bank Parking Lot.  The Art Show is HUGE and the crowds are HUGE.  Which is great for the Art Show and you would think it would be great for the farmer's market.  BUT, the crowds are there to buy art not produce.  I have sat in the Bank Parking a many Art Show days and watched crowds come through the Farmer's Market - many, many lookers - hardly any buyers.  And the sad thing is that the Art Show crowd took up all the parking spaces so our regular customers can't park.  So while it is a great day for the Art Show, it is not a "so-great" day for the Farmer's Market.  So here I sit at 9:30 (when the Farmer's Market opens) sitting in my PJs drinking coffee on the computer.

So what does a Goat Farmer do on her "day off"?  Does she sleep in - HA!!  Well, maybe a little.  Does you lay around the house all day watching TV - sure!!

This is what I have been working on all weekend . .

Politics

Normally, I stay out of politics.  It gives me a headache.  But, I have been watching the antics in Washington, DC this week with mild amusement and disdain.  I can't help but think what our forefathers would think of this fiasco.  They must be rolling in their graves!!

It seems like the majority of the week has been spent finger pointing - it is the Republicans' fault, it is the Tea Party's fault, Harry Reid won't negotiate, President Obama won't negotiate, etc., etc., etc.   They sound like a bunch of children fighting over a prized toy!!  Unfortunately, the public can't send them to bed without their supper (or some similar type of punishment).  And, who is suffering the most from all their antics??  WE ARE!!    I keep wondering WHEN are they going to start acting like the leaders we elected them to be!!

Instead of finger pointing guys - I had a great idea!!  Why don't you all sit down and figure out how to get the United States out of this mess that you got us into!!  And stop listening to Frank Sinatra's song "I Did It My Way" - it's an oldie and no longer a goodie!  Just git 'er done!!

I will get off my soap box now - this is just one Goat Farmer's opinion!

It's about that time!

It is getting to be that time of year when I put away the milking pail and give the goats (and ME!) a much needed rest from milking.  By now, all the does should have been bred - that is, if the buck is doing his job.  Judging by how bad he smells, I think he is!  And, BOY, does he reek!!!  I won't go into details but, trust me, it isn't something you would find at the "better" department stores!!

I always feel a little sad when "milking" season is over because that means no more cheese, no more goat milk yogurt, no more fudge, and no more goat's milk ice cream.  I have checked around to see if I could another goat in milk to carry me through the Winter, but haven't had much luck.  So for the next couple of months, we will do without until next year when the babies are born and the cycle begins again (isn't that where Elton John starts singing "The Circle of Life") - I know, too early in the morning for that!

A very rude awakening!!

Very early yesterday morning, our shih tzu, Ella, began barking and won't stop.  We figured there was a deer or maybe a raccoon in our front yard.  My husband would turn on the spotlight and won't see anything.

Well, this morning around 12:25 a.m., Ella and Choo (our other shih tzu) started barking again.  My husband told them to SHUT UP!!  Ella won't.  So, once again, he turned on the spotlight and didn't see anything.  He was ready to go back to bed when he heard someone outside cough.  He knew that meant trouble.  He thought maybe someone was going to steal one of the goats.  He went downstairs to get the gun.  When he got to the front door, he saw our car being driven out of the driveway.

Thinking fast, he immediately called the police.  Woke me up because his wallet was in the glove compartment of the car and to start calling to cancel all the cards.  What a sickening feeling that is at 1:00 in morning!!

Fortunately, there was a Sheriff at the local gas station at the bottom of the hill and got the call about the stolen car.  Saw it go by and a chase began.  It ended with the car jumping a curb and landing in the local playground.

We moved out here to get away from this.  But, I guess this can happen anywhere.  My son always jokes about our "wimpy" little shih tzus and how they aren't good for much.  Well, it seems to me that if it weren't for "wimpy" little Ella, we would have never seen our car being stolen.  Thank you Ella!!!

My Poor Pitiful Garden

All good things must come to an end - as the saying goes.  Well, so goes my garden!  It is looking rather pitiful these last few days.  Oh, but what fun I had with it this year.  HUGE zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans (and more beans and more beans - LOL!!) and lettuce.  And I can't forget my lavender and yesterday I pick a bundle of mint to dry for my soap.  I really hate to see it go but it is that time of year.  Soon I will be planting the garlic for next year and starting to look at the seed catalogs planning next year's garden (ah, the circle of life!!).

It is beginning to look like Fall

Oh, how I love this time of the year!! The trees are just starting to turn those beautiful colors!  And temperatures are OH so nice!  Sweater weather!!  Crisp mornings!! Just cool enough to put on a sweatshirt or a sweater in the morning.  And the afternoons are just warm enough to walk around in a t-shirt and shorts.  Not too hot. not too cool - just right!!

There are already some leaves covering the yard and I would the sound as you walk through them.  I am half tempted to sweep them all up into a pile and jump into them as I did as a kid.

How can you not love the colors of Fall - the vibrant oranges, golds, yellows and browns!  Every color more gorgeous than the last.  I love just sitting on my deck (in my rocking chair) drinking coffee and admiring the beauty of Nature that God gave us.

Goat's Milk Yogurt!

I went grocery shopping this morning.  OK, that's not that big of a deal.  BUT, guess what I found at our new Kroger's???  Hmmm???  Goat's Milk Yogurt!!  I was so thrilled!!

Finally, goat products are making it into the grocery stores!!  Of course, the store was only carrying one flavor and one brand - but its a start.  It was rather expensive - $2.49 for just one little cup.  So I decided to splurge and give it a try since I make goat's milk yogurt myself.

Well . . . let's just say . . . how can I put this politely . . . sigh . . . it was NASTY!!  Nothing like the yogurt I make.  Oh well.  It is a start for the goat milk products.  They did have "sheep milk yogurt" and had several flavors of that.  Might try that just for the heck of it.

One More Time!

I am going to try this one more time - buying baby chicks.  The last time I bought 30 baby chicks - 20 of them ended up as fox food.  I was NOT happy about that!!  I am hoping that when this next batch of  baby chicks are big enough to move to the "big" pen, that all "good" foxes will be hibernating for the winter and not out looking for a free chicken dinner!

And here comes Summer

What is the date?  August 20 and we are finally getting Summer weather?? I don't think I like the weatherman anymore! He is predicting temperatures in the high 80's and low 90's for the rest of the week - bah humbug!!  I was so enjoying this early Fall weather - nice, warm breezy days, cool nights ( perfect sleeping weather) - no humidity!  But, its baaaack!  Sigh.

So what do you do???

You find a nice, cool shaded spot on my back deck and take an afternoon nap!!  She does look comfortable, doesn't she!  I would join her but I don't think the table is big enough for both us.

Cranky Goats!

Boy, have the girls (goats) have been cranky lately - butting heads and pushing everyone around.  If I didn't know better, I would think they are all in heat - which they probably are!!  My breeding schedule got all screwed up last year with them getting bred in August and this cool weather is just "perfect" for breeding.  Oh sigh, that might mean December babies again.

Rainy, Gray Day in Ohio

So what do you on a rainy, gray day in Ohio?  You find the most decorative piece of furniture that is located in front of a window and you take a nap (even though you KNOW you are not allowed to be on the furniture!!).  BUT, you figure no one is going to catch  you, right?  Besides, you are only taking a nap and that is pretty harmless!  Gus, good thing "Dad" isn't home to see this!!

A picklish situation!

Looks like I am going to be busy!!!  Today's harvest - a bush full of zucchini and pickling cucumbers.  The zucchini will be used to make zucchini relish (a new recipe) and the pickling cucumbers will be made into kosher dill pickles!  And the cat gets to nap through the whole thing on the back deck - lucky cat!

Oh how I love my garden!

This year my garden has been so much fun!!  For the first time, I have been able to grow melons!

Isn't that cute!!!  A tiny cantaloupe!!!  The very first one I have ever grown!!  Why is this important!  My grandfather, from Oklahoma, was a watermelon (and peanut) farmer.  I remember when we used to visit him and my grandmother in Oklahoma, he would take me out to his fields.  I would see these HUGE watermelons and GREAT big bushes.  I remember he pulled on bush up and the roots were loaded with peanuts.  Every year, he would load our car with watermelons.  Though, I haven't grown a watermelon yet (that is next year, Pappy Daddy!!).  I hope an old farmer is looking down from Heaven with a smile on his face and is proud of how his granddaughter turned out.

My first eggplants!!  OK, this is not a major accomplishment!  BUT for me it is!!  AND I have TWO!!  How exciting is that!!!  It is all how you look at life!