This is our third year having this garden where we now live. The first two years we tilled, then planted and mulched part of it with straw and the rest we tried to keep weeded. Also, our chickens free range so we learned early on that chickens and gardens are two things that don’t mix well at all. The first year when the mulch kept getting scattered and all the green tomatoes had holes pecked in them, we decided that we needed a fence around it. Not wanting to put too much time or money into it, we got orange plastic snow fencing and put it up with fence posts. It was a quick, easy, cheap fix that did the trick. The second year, we did the same but the fence started having wear and tear and the chickens kept finding holes and also learned how to squeeze under the fence where ever it was loose. Also we had the problem of weeds growing up through the fence, which made it hard to keep them under control because hoes and weed eaters just tore it up.

Our first garden in the current spot, summer of 2012.
Continue reading →

Our $600,000 Goat

10 Replies

One morning Miley and I headed out to do chores. While I went into the barn to set up to milk, Miley went out to the pasture to get her goat, Sweet Pea, and bring her to the barn. I heard her giggling and looked up to see her standing out in the pasture with little Sweet Pea, who was standing on her hind legs and resting her front legs on Miley’s chest. She giggled again and said, “Sweet Pea, that tickles”, as her goat reached up to sniff her face and nibble her hair. We call those goat kisses. Once kisses were done, they both raced to the barn. Miley grabbed a halter, tied her up, and went to get some feed that she carefully measured out into a perfect-for-Sweet Pea sized portion. As her goat nibbled her feed, she brushed her and asked, “Hey Mom, is $600,000 a lot of money?” I told her it is and continued milking while she continued brushing. A few minutes later, Miley giggled again and said, “Hey Sweet Pea, let go of my dress!” Her goat was tugging at the bottom of her dress with her teeth. Miley continued, “Mom, she must be done and ready to go because she keeps pulling on my dress, so I’m going to take her out for a walk now.” I said, “Ok!” As she untied the rope, she asked “Mom, do you think anyone would ever want to buy a goat for $600,000?” I replied, “No, I don’t think they would. That’s an awful lot for a goat.” She said, “Ok, that’s the price I want Sweet Pea to be so that way no one will ever want to buy her.” Aaaaawwww, I thought and before I could say anything, they were out the barn door and off running through the yard.
Continue reading →