Round 1 - Daisy- 1 Chris- 0

Well, my goat milking day could have went a lot better, could have been worse too I guess. I still have a grin on my face thinking of the days events. I gathered my bucket of warm soapy water and rag to wash of the utter and teats. I had my bucket for my anticipated milk. I had a feed bucket fixed to the wall of the barn at just the right height. I had my bag balm and teat dip ready. I had a small box of raisins to offer as a reward for being such a good girl while I milked her. Daisy's collar was attached to the leash to keep her from moving around during the process. I was set, or so I thought. I gently placed my hand on the first teat and gave a little squeeze and a small stream of milk came out and onto the ground. The first few squirts are sent to the ground as to clean the end of the teat of anything that may be in the end. OK, seems to be going ok. Then 3 more squirts in the bucket and then Daisy began to move around a bit. Ok, I'll talk to her and maybe calm us both down a little. After a little conversation and brushing my hand over her back I tried again. Daisy made it clear that this was not something that she cared for at all. Ok, let's talk it over and see if we can get through this. She was getting very frustrated and tyring her best to free herself from the leash that held her somewhat in place. I decided to unclasp the leash and see what happened. She went to the opposite corner and turned and faced me as if to say "that's enough for today". Well rather than leave us both frustrated with the situation I decided that maybe that was enough for today. I gave her the raisins anyway almost trying to say I'm sorry and gave her plenty of love. So for today, Daisy 1, Chris 0. She may have won this battle but I will continue to fight the silent and gentle war. It was something new for us both and we both have much to learn. That's ok, we have to start somewhere and today we got our start. Tomorrow I will start on the milking stand that I want to build and we'll see how it goes with that set up. Only time will tell. I remain very determined to milk my goats but I am willing to be patient so as to make it a pleasant experience for us both. Tomorrow, I will try again......and again......and again.

The reward for today's efforts. Hey, it's just a drop in the bucket as they say.

OK, so I cheated a little

I have always wanted to try making soap at home. The main reason we raise goats is to be able to get milk to make soap and cheese and then pretend we are going to sell them. Well, the goats are bred and we hope to get milk soon but I wanted to make soap now. After a little research I ran across a method call Remelt and Pour, this seemed to be able to give me my soap making fix for now. I plan on making my own lye from wood ashes from our wood stove for the process later on and use milk from our goats along with fresh herbs from our garden but that is in the future. It seems like everywhere I looked homesteading bloggers where making soap, I'm easily influenced and wanted a piece of the action. I rounded up some goodies from around the house and got into the process. Here is what sorta, kinda happened.

Grabbed 3 bars of Dial soap that we got at a bulk store. = cheap

Took out my good ole pocket knife and shaved into pieces. This Old Timer has worn a hole in many a jean pocket as you can tell.

Let me say that I should have used a grater for this, these large pieces took a long time to melt. Hey, there's my smoke's, been looking for those.

Placed the soap in my make shift double broiler. = Glass bowl inside of a pot. Add some water and mix and melt. Sorta looks like gravy to me. hehe!!

Found some of this bath treatment stuff under the bathroom sink, yep we got a sink and a crapper in the house. We're big time around here, nothin to good for my woman. Why, the other day we was at the Dollar store and I told her to get anything she wanted. Ain't nothin in there to good fer my woman. lol Anyway added this powder to the mix and stir some more.

Ain't got any of 'em fancy soap molds or anything but Liv had these cupcake trays that she said just didn't work out to good for and was kind enough to let me use them if I promised I'd leave her alone and let her do her cake thing. Deal !! These are plastic or something, they are flexible. (or "bendy" as Katie says ) Pour in the mix that I melted, not real neat like either as you can see. After it sets a bit I can clean it up some.

A couple hours later I removed them from the pans/tray to continue to dry.

Kinda looks like candy of some kind here. lol

The next day that are still not set up good, it takes a few days or so I have read. They look like can biscuit's in this picture. Man they smell good, the bath treatment stuff had oatmeal in it too and you can smell it. Not very pretty soap but, it was a trial run. I had no extra $$ invested and I sorta got my feet wet in this whole soap making thing. I have much to learn I know but this was a good confidence build for me. I will feel a little better when I try to make my first batch of real homemade soap now that I have cheated a little.

Cheaters soap/Canned biscuits

Ducks, Cakes and The Ice Age

We have 6 ducks now on the farm, lost a few to predators. These are the funniest little things, they are always hungry. They are free range and we feed them plenty too. They are always eating bugs in the yard and the garden along with whatever they find in the pond. But it seems that the food they like best is cracked corn. They could and would eat a 50 lb. bag if given the freedom to do so. Every time they see me they come running as if they hadn't eaten in weeks, pecking at my legs and boots like I'm a giant bug. LOL I get so tickled at them and I always get them some more corn. It seems that I have spoiled everything around here. hehe!! The ducks gather around me like I'm their mother.

There was an old farmer with a big green shoe,

When the ducks see him coming they don't know what to do,


So they peck and they peck 'til the farmer gives in,

And gives them a big scoop of corn once again.




As some of you my know, Olivia has a bakery business that she runs out of our home. The name is "KOST KREATIONS", KOST is the first letter in each of the girls names, Katherine, Olivia, Savannah and Traci, so it only seemed fitting to spell creations with a K also. Here is a picture of one of the many wedding cakes that she has made. She stays very busy. You can take a look at more of her work here.

Me and Katie have been watching the movie Ice Age, the first one I think. She likes to watch them until she is sure that Daddy knows every line in the movie until we move onto the next. I don't mind too much though, I like the kids movies anyhow. This one is pretty funny too. My favorite part is when the mammoth is trying to find something to eat for the baby that he has rescued and finds a melon. The Dodo birds inform him that he can't have one because they are saving them for the coming Ice Age that they say will last for millions of years. The Dodo birds are there guarding their three melons they have stored up for the event. The mammoth then says " So ya got three melons?" hahahaha!!!!! Now that's food storage Dodo bird style. Man I hope I have better food storage than a Dodo bird!!

More Funny Stuff

Got this link in an email toady and I'm still laughing. Funniest thing ever. Please click on the link and enjoy a few minutes on humor. Noah tries to build and ark in today's world.



http://home.att.net/~hideaway_today/t133/noah.htm

Thanks to my sister for the email too.

Obituary of the late Mr. Common Sense

Got this today in an email and just had to pass it on. The saddest part is how true it is....

OBITUARY OF THE LATE MR. COMMON SENSE

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain, Why the early bird gets the worm, Life isn't always fair Maybe it was my fault Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies: Don't spend more than you can earn And reliable strategies: Adults, not children, are in charge His health began to deteriorate when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol, sun lotion or a band-aid to a student but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when it became punishable for you to defend yourself from a burglar in your own home but the burglar could sue you for assault. He began to lose ground rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 -year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his Daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing...

Pictures of a Homestead House Wanna-be

Here are a few pics from inside the house, Liv does such a good job making it look all pretty and all, I thought I would share some photos

Just to let you know you are in the laundry room.

Cabinets in the laundry room. One of my favorite things is this wooden pop crate turned counter shelf.

An old ladder we found somewhere and Liv decorated.

This is an old wooden highchair that was used by my only sister, she was born in '72, so it's been around a while.

An old dresser base someone gave me long ago now acts as storage/shelf and hids Liv's computer desk.

Everyone has a fall decoration tree don't they?? LOL

Off-Grid sewing machine from the early 1900's, still works like a charm.

An odd chair with some old suite cases and a picture of Savannah.

1925 RCA Victor Victrola, in perfect working condition, that we use to play old Christmas records around Christmas. The shelf on the wall is whats left of a very old wooden chair, we cut the legs off and shortend the seat area and hung it on the wall, everyone loves it that sees is. Also and old tube type radio sets on the record player. I guess you could say it's an old time version of an entertainment center. haha!!

Every homestead must have a good heat source, and a good place to sit an smoke when it's too cold to go out on the deck.

My Command Post !!

Ok, here is the real Command Post, Liv's chair with an old ironing board/step stool/chair for a table.

Cedar chest that I picked up for $5.00 at a yard sale acts as our coffee table.

And ofcourse every homestead has a 42 inch plasma, the girls told me they did.

Wish this crop would have done better

If only I could grow more of this crop things would be a little eaiser around here. We use a lot of this and there never seems to be much left over to can, but every little bit helps. To can this crop, fill jars with product, no need to leave an inch head space on this one. The more you can get in there the better. No boiling water bath or pressure canner needed. Dig a hole in the ground and bury, be sure to mark the spot.

Just kidding, I would never part with my mason jars. haha!! That's what coffee cans are for.

Just had to add this !!!

Just had to add this sign. Found it on the web. Too funny if you ask me.