#stayathomegoatmom

[akwardkisses]

Since I was outside working today anyway I took my phone with me and I braved the icy wilds of the goat paddock in order to get pictures. As you can see my herd has grown a little bit and everyone is doing very well. In fact they're looking a little chonky. I tend to err on the side of more rather than less feed because well fed animals have a much easier time staying warm. I'm really looking forward to spring when there will be fresh forage for these guys. They always enjoy that. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #goats #dwarfnigeriangoats #crazygoatlady #stayathomegoatmom #minifarm #farmher #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaNmrbWPRRL/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akwardkisses]

At this point I'm pretty confident that Lucy is pregnant. She's huge and she's starting to waddle more than walk. Unfortunately figuring out a goat's due date is complicated. All the information that I've found says that Nigerian dwarf goats are generally pregnant for 145-155 days. Chance the stud muffin was here for about 2 weeks. That means she could go into labour as early as October 25th or as late as November 18th. So I've got to watch her closely for at least a month. This won't be her first birthing but it'll be the first one that I'm in attendance and not going to lie I'm nervous. I'm open to and welcome all the tips from those more experienced than I am. Don't worry you won't bruise my ego, I am fully aware that I am a novice. Besides my girls are much more important than my pride. I am really looking forward to having babies running around. I'm also looking forward to getting milk again, it's amazing how much I miss it. Before I got goats I knew I wanted goats but I had no idea how much I was going to love them. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #goats #lovemygoats #dwarfnigeriangoats #lucy #lucythegoat #preggers #stayathomegoatmom #crazygoatlady #ruralpa #countryliving #howwerollroundhere #babiesontheway #simplelife #simplepleasures #goaties #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVQNi3nAfvG/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akwardkisses]

Goat tax! Because I think they're cute and maybe someone else will too. I love my goaties. Happy Monday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #goats #goatlife #goatitude #goatsofinstagram #dwarfnigeriangoats #lucyandthegirls #stayathomegoatmom #farmher #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #simplepleasures #happygoats #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRzO0gtqAb_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akwardkisses]

If I fits, I sits - goat edition Of course it's Hazel. She's probably stuffed her sister hope in there for cushioning. Lately if a goat has done something naughty it's Hazel She's the one who got her head stuck in a bucket then ran blindly until she could be caught and the bucket removed. She's the one who leaves tiny muddy hoof marks on my butt every night. She's the one who dumps her food bowl while staring you down every morning. She chews clothing too. She escaped the electric fence. She dismantled the chicken feeder and ate the chicken feed. She knocks her full food bowl right out of my hands if I'm even slightly distracted. She also chases poor little Gladys. I'm sure you've guessed by now that she's rotten to the core, and also my favorite. Don't tell her though, she's already bad enough. Have a beautiful Wednesday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #dwarfnigeriangoats #naughtygoats #hazel #dairygoats #homedairy #ififitsisits #stayathomegoatmom #crazygoatlady #lovemygoats #ruralpa #countrylife #simplelife #simplepleasures #farmlifestyle #mypetsarenotlikeyourpets #mypetsarenaughty #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNX9QWUn1-S/?igshid=1g4qlu6je7uv5

[akwardkisses]

Goat selfies! The girls are growing more accustomed to the new enclosure and have been running around happily eating dry crunchy leaves like potato chips. Hazel and Hope are nearly as big as Lucy now but they don't seem to be anywhere near as surly. Thank goodness. I don't need three of them kicking my butt. Lucy is not a cuddly kind of girl but she makes fantastic milk which I made another batch of yogurt with. Yogurt was something I really wanted to try but I was worried I'd mess up. Turns out it's really really easy and is far better than store bought. I just bought plain yogurt and poured it into an ice cube tray for the starter culture. Then popped the cubes into a freezer bag. I use one or two cubes per batch and If I'm careful about it I'll never have to buy it again. Before I made my own I had no idea I was sacrificing quality for convenience, or worse yet perceived convenience. Because there's maybe five minutes of actual work involved. The rest is waiting for the culture to grow, usually overnight. Then when it's done I've got enough yogurt for several weeks and it's full of beautifully alive probiotics. It makes me wonder how many other things have been sacrificed for perceived convenience but give no real value in return. Happy Saturday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #goats #goatmom #nigeriandwarfgoats #lucy #hazel #hope #crunchyleaves #stayathomegoatmom #crazygoatlady #homedairy #rawgoatmilk #homemadeyogurt #slowfood #realfood #wholefood #homemade #homemaking #homeiswheretheheartis #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGLOseYgxwk/?igshid=1dxpk0cpw0o4c

[akwardkisses]

Lucy and the doelings, Hazel and Hope have been moved to greener pastures. They've decimated my overgrown hillside that we could never keep trimmed and are now working on the weedy mess around the pine trees in the backyard. Lucy does not appreciate being held on a leash whilst the fence is being set up and she showed it by ramming her horns into my legs a few times. I'm bruised and looking for pool noodles now. Rotten goat, I'd be madder about it but I'd probably have done the same in her place. We've come to an I understanding now though. Basically she's going to do it again if she gets the chance and I'd best be careful. Don't worry she's still a valued and spoiled member of the family. Since the foxes seem to finally be gone we've once again allowed the birds to free-range. We are cautiously optimistic about it. I'm still very careful to coop them securely each night though and I've run out to check on them a few times after dark. Wandering outside in the dark isn't my idea of a good time. There aren't exactly streetlights out here, but I love my animals and they're worth it. Luckily I have a 2000 lumen LED flashlight with which to burn the retinas out of any nocturnal critters (bear)that happens to be messing around. It's heavy too so if push comes to shove I could always throw it at them and run. That's actually a bad plan, don't throw your flashlight at a bear. The temporary confusion will not save you, bears don't even use flashlights. Don't play with bears people. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #goats #nigeriandwarfgoats #goatmom #bruisedbutnotbroken #stayathomegoatmom #crazygoatlady #lucy #hazel #hope #homedairy #rawgoatmilk #freshmilk #selfsufficiency #livestock #nobears #getoffmylawn #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGA3gYrgcFT/?igshid=d58rwyiffdos

[akwardkisses]

Meet Lucy Lucy is a dwarf Nigerian with enough goatitude to make anyone proud. She's a handful y'all but she's mine and I couldn't be happier. I have literally been wanting dairy goats for years. It's taken a lot of planning and work to get to this point. She's got two little doelings who are about two months old and so cute I nearly can't stand it. These two are not yet named and I'm having a hard time thinking of names for them. I'm hoping for some good suggestions though. Best of all Lucy is still in milk which is a huge bonus. I had intended to raise a couple of does and have milk at some point in the future. I've never actually milked a goat (or anything else for that matter) so this should be fun. It looks like I'm going to need to figure it out right quick. But once I do there's all kinds of dairy goodness in my future. I'll be posting about it while I learn how to make my own cheese, yogurt, and butter. Wish me luck. Happy Saturday my friends, I hope you're all having as good a day as I am. #poverty_hill #homestead #goats #stayathomegoatmom #dwarfnigeriangoats #lucy #lucythegoat #dairygoats #goatsofinstagram #goatitude #doelings #ruralpa #countryliving #farmher #slowliving #stayinghome #simplelife #funonthefarm #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCzpSyjAMui/?igshid=15a3zvvs91adr

[akwardkisses]

I haven't shown pictures of the girls in a hot minute but I had my camera with me this morning so here you go. As you can see they're all doing quite well, lavender and scarlet are waiting impatiently in the crate, and that's Hazel up on the milking stand. I couldn't get any pictures of Hope on the milking stand because she's naughty and she fights it every step of the way every single morning. She still gets milked but I have to stand there on high alert waiting for the next stunt she pulls. She's not a bad goat she's just way too stinking smart. Goats are criminals, every single one of them. They spend every minute of every day thinking of another way to get into trouble. I adore them. Which is probably good because I spend a great deal of time with them every morning and evening. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteaders #goats #stayathomegoatmom #dwarfnigeriangoats #criminals #naughtygoats #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #simplenoteasy #simplepleasures #slowliving #happygoats #goatmilk #homedairy #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeEvVGGOpDB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akwardkisses]

Lucy-fur and her boys have officially been moved to their summer home. As is par for the course the boys are not a fan of the moving process. They resisted as much as they possibly could until we were about halfway down the hill and then they realized where we were going and they dragged me the rest of the way. They spent the morning happily devouring violets and fresh spring grass. They've been spending the afternoon hanging out in their shelter thinking happy goaties thoughts. Tomorrow they'll get up and do it all over again, because they are happy little goaties. Happy healthy goats are the very first step to making delicious homemade goat cheese. This enclosure is much larger than the one they were in but I had to wait until it was dry enough for little goat feet. The back pasture tends to be a tad swampy and that's not good for goats. Happy Sunday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #dwarfnigeriangoats #dairygoats #lucy #lucythegoat #lucyandtheboys #goaties #newpasture #summerhome #crazygoatlady #stayathomegoatmom #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #simplenoteasy #simplepleasures #slowliving #slowfood #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdl3Lp1Of1t/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akwardkisses]

I put together the new nesting box for the goat shed ladies tonight and Sully approves He inspected it thoroughly, inside and out. Tomorrow it'll go out in the goat shed and when the goats ignore it the chickens can use it. Hopefully that won't take too long. Spring is coming and the girls will be laying again soon. I hope. I've had chickens for a while now and I've never gotten over the excitement of collecting eggs. It always puts a smile on my face, and every single egg is precious. I feel so blessed to finally be living this life I love so much. I don't think I'll ever take it for granted, I wished for it for far too long to ever let that happen. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #chickens #backyardflock #stayathomechickenmom #crazychickenlady #chickentender #goats #dwarfnigeriangoats #crazygoatlady #stayathomegoatmom #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #simplepleasures #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CaN8_5FLIML/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akwardkisses]

Just sharing my goats and chickens because I love them. They make me happy, I hope they make you happy too. My decorative grass has apparently become the latest chicken club. No hoomans allowed. It's been a really beautiful fall day, I hope you're all enjoying it my friends. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homesteadersofinstagram #goats #nigeriandwarfgoats #homedairy #rawgoatmilk #chickens #chickenstalking #chickencam #chickenhoarding #goatmom #stayathomegoatmom #backyardchickens #crazychickenlady #motherofchickens #stayathomechickenmom #chickentender #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGazuj4AwCO/?igshid=10wbl2x12kq8p

[akwardkisses]

Goat selfies! I don't post nearly enough pictures of these beautiful ladies because honestly they're a handful and I like my phone. So I had John take pics. They would have a much harder time accidentally knocking him on his butt and eating his phone. After a rough first day I can honestly say that Lucy is getting friendlier and easier to manage. She has a fondness for horse treats and being scritched under her horns. She does not like the milking machine or mornings which is why I milk by hand. Hazel and Hope are as usual adorable and sweet, they love stomping on anything that makes noise, running through the birds, and licking the salt off of John's legs. Oh and food, they love food and scritches. They've been a great addition to the farm. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #goats #dwarfnigeriangoats #homedairy #lucy #hazel #hope #country #ruralpa #slowliving #simplelife #stayathomegoatmom #crazygoatlady #myhappyplace #myhappylife #howweroll (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFfyGuEAMKM/?igshid=m27x3jkbhvyw

[akwardkisses]

This is tonight's milk. This is an impressive amount from a Nigerian dwarf goat who's had babies with her all day. I know it doesn't look like much but when you're literally teaching yourself to milk by hand every drop is precious. Because it is hard won. The first time I milked by hand I was seriously questioning the wisdom of getting goats. Milking is a skill. I'm getting better though, faster and it feels less like a job to be done and more like enjoyable time with my goats. The daily chores tend to settle into a comfortable routine. They help give structure and meaning to my days in this time of near universal upheaval and I find myself greatful rather than resentful of them. When current events start stressing me out I can disengage from the doom scrolling and go find some peace in the goat shed. That is a precious gift. Happy Wednesday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #homedairy #dailyroutine #lucythegoat #stayathomegoatmom #lovemygoats #milkmaid #nigeriandwarfgoats #rawgoatmilk #dailychores #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #frugalliving #keeperoftheoldways #keepingtheoldwaysalive #realfood #slowfood #ruralpa #howweroll #greatful #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEp7KPcgGj6/?igshid=14pkn6dxhblom

[akwardkisses]

Today's harvest My noodle beans are coming in at long last and I'm still harvesting kale every few days. just to put things into perspective that pile of kale is rather large and the beans are longer than my arms. These are just the first flush, from the looks of it I'll be getting plenty more before the frost puts an end to the season. We've gotten a few small albeit delicious tomatoes from the high tunnel but most are still green. I think they're worth the wait. The second planting of lettuce is nearly big enough to start harvesting. Yes I learned my lesson and showed some restraint this time. It was hard though. The veggie stock made with frozen scraps turned out beautifully, all those carrot peels gave it a gorgeous color. As usual there's fresh milk and eggs everyday and even though we've worked hard to get to this point I'm still greatful for this life every single day. The new farm hands, AKA Lucy and the doelings are working out rather well. They've nearly cleared the entire hillside that was once so thickly overgrown it was difficult to walk through. I really love them and I wouldn't want to be without them now. Happy Friday my friends, I hope your day was as good as mine was. #poverty_hill #homestead #gardening #gardenharvest #abundance #kale #noodlebeans #gardenersofinstagram #canning #puttinguptheharvest #projectpantry #stockingtheshelves #stockingupforwinter #ruralpa #farmfreshbuttnuggets #goatmilk #goatmom #stayathomegoatmom #crazygoatlady #blessed #motherofchickens #countryliving #slowliving #simplelife #stayinghome #homemaking #homekeeping #keepingtheoldwaysalive #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEK22QKgpgo/?igshid=1ctrocezt8oqk

[akwardkisses]

So John brought me a new door matt when he picked up my bowls for me today. I really love it and its not even my birthday. Thank you John. #poverty_hill #homestead #goats #goatmom #goatlife #lovemygoats #stayathomegoatmom #enamelware #enamelwarebowls #vintage #rustic #rustickitchen #givemetheantiques #ruralpa #countryliving #slowliving #simplelife #projectprettyporch #thankyoujohn #myhappyplace #myhappylife (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEFWnZzn5VR/?igshid=1uwsoatseftxk

[akwardkisses]

Thanks to the frost over the last few days the summer garden is dying off but the fall garden is happily taking it's place. The beans, cucamelons and holy basil didn't fare well but the kale, beets, fennel, lovage, snow peas, broccoli and welsh onions are looking gorgeous. I even have strawberries still flowering and setting fruit. There's more but you get the idea. Thanks to the hoop house and judicial use of frost blankets the tomatoes and peppers are still thriving as well. We'll be planting garlic before too long. As you can see we're still harvesting as much as possible. The Hügelkultur raised beds are empty and the three sisters garden is nearly so. I've got a few green pumpkins I would like to ripen before we turn that area over to the goats. Speaking of goats, Hazel is NOT supposed to be lounging on top of the kennel as though it were her own personal hammock. Goats are so naughty but I can't help but love them. Goats don't care about rules, they do what they want when they want to do it. I can respect that. Have a spectacular Thursday my friends. Stay safe, stay well. #poverty_hill #homestead #homesteading #garden #gardening #gardenharvest #growingallthethings #growwhatyoueat #eatwhatyougrow #fall #autumn #fallgarden2020 #ruralpa #countryliving #simplelife #slowliving #realfood #slowfood #organicgardening #absolutelyorganic #howwedoit #homeiswheretheheartis #thesearethegoodolddays #farmfresbuttnuggets #goatsofinstagram #dwarfnigeriangoats #naughtygoats #stayathomegoatmom #homedairy #rawgoatmilk (at Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiBJo-ApBh/?igshid=1nj5d236edmsy