One Thing or Another

Wow..stuff just keeps happening.
We decided it was time to shear the goats since the weather was so warm..and of course, two days later, the temperature dropped so we had to put little coats on all the goats..no joke.
They actually do look sort of cute. Hopefully we'll only have to keep them on for a few days until the goats grow a little hair for insulation.
I got 7 fine fleeces from them! Beautiful mohair and cashmere. If we are lucky we will get some more from them in late summer. It is the softest prettiest stuff! Can't wait to spin some up for myself!
Only one slight mishap...a slip with the trimming scissors on Berta's leg. Looks nasty, but doesn't seem to bother her and she is healing just fine. The goal here is to get all the goats back on their usual healthy path. This is a tough time of the year for all animals.
Spring is definitely in the air. Buds are starting on all the trees;birds are returning and the grass is starting to turn ever so slightly green. There is hope!

Waiting for Spring...

OK..so between the bad weather and a sick goat or two we are finally getting caught up.
Berta was the next goat to have a problem...an icky leg infection...that required shots (oh goody) and a nasty sulphur ointment for ALL the goats.
I did use some old time farm cure though which worked well. It's a good general purpose topical antibiotic and skin soother....first make a 50/50 solution of cider vinegar and water and wash the injury...then put on a mixture of cider vinegar and olive oil (just like salad dressing!!!) to soothe and protect any irritated skin. It works on animals..never tried it on people.
70MPH wind gusts took down one of our tipis. It will stay down for a while as it needs a lot of repair.
The Patuxents were here for their winter camp and we hosted a gala 18th C. feast for them at Cider Mill House. We had a wonderful evening. Those folks are the best. We cooked game stew, ham, winter squash, 4 different kinds of breads, and even a raspberry fool along with other goodies for the meal. Yum.
See ya soon.

I have had to move my blog...so will be catching you all up on the latest over the next few days at this new site!