Lights in Johnson City TX
It has been almost a month since I have updated. Those of you who come here to check on me, we are doing great!
So much has been going on this past month.
We have been continuing our cleaning up around here. Received a new load of firewood that needs to cure for next year. Now if only the kids will stop dragging in this green wood that doesn't burn, I'll be a happy mama.
The littles are growing like weeds. We have been working on our manners and family relationships. It's a tough row to hoe, let me tell you. Parenting is not for the faint of heart. My mom made it look so easy. I often wonder why I struggle so?? I feel like I am not doing a good job, but I am doing all I know how to do...I suspect many mamas feel the same way at times.
Cocoa
We bought a load of hay last week. The grass is still there, but with so many goats and three horses, I like to supplement them with a little hay. The goats seem to care less about the hay. The horses will eat it all up, instead of grazing. I try to feed them in the early a.m., then they can graze the rest of the day. Selena (our Quarab) is a greedy little girl. Loving to eat her share and others too!
Chamomile
The baby goats are growing by leaps and bounds. Which is what they do leaping in the air, doing flips off the logs. One set of twins is boy/girl, the other is two girls/doelings. The one above is Chaomile (Cami for short). She is the only one that will allow you to pet her.. The others are too skittish.
James just loves the babies.
New Neighbor - see the little square in the middle of picture?
We have a new neighbor. I was so happy for the three years we have been here. It was wonderful to be out here all alone, but now we have neighbors on both sides. Our newest neighbor is two lots over (20 acres over), but I can see their little shed/cabin, and here them talking, the generator running at night, or their music if I go out to the washhouse at night. Something about the dark, and cold/clear nights that makes sound travel.
I have five new hens. Thanks B! Three Marans and 2 Rhode Island Reds.
We received one egg today already! I thought it would be a couple of days after being moved from their old home, but nope.
Spent last night, before it got dark, fixing up the old coop. The poultry mesh floor had been ripped out by the goats climbing up in it. We ended up putting some wire paneling up around the bottom legs to enclose the coop that way. I still need to get in their with some wire cutters and remove all the old mesh. I cleaned out the nesting boxes, put in fresh hay, water and food. All that is left is to get chicken feed tomorrow. I fed them scraps and some oats..hopefully they are okay with that until I get to the feed store.
It has been relatively mild, temperature wise. 50's at night, high 70's during the day. The past two mornings the dew has been so heavy that it appears to have rained.
Our church congregation dropped by a nursing home in San Antonio a couple of Sundays ago. We sang carols, took gifts and refreshments to the residents. I think my kids were a little taken aback by the condition of many of the residents. All seemed to be in wheel chairs, and upon visiting the bedridden many were in really bad shape, which my children had never seen. It shocked the littler one, but the eldest "seemed" okay. Though she said she would never put me in a nursing home. Thanks babe!
I am taking an inventory of my food storage. It is getting woefully low, especially in the meat department. I will be taking care of that in January, the first paycheck after Christmas. I am okay, I believe for several months, but no where prepared for the year like I was at the old place.
Lack of storage is very telling here. Going from 1700 sq feet to 360 sq ft. Is a HUGE difference.
My eldest son received is driver's license. He is 21. This is an answer to prayer. Praise God! He is now working at a local bakery, which is giving him valuable work experience, and insight to the career field he is interested in..he wants to attend culinary school, and be a baker. I know he is washing a lot of dishes (lol), and bagging up lots of tortillas. He has to start at the bottom, but I know he is observing a lot, and getting to help out making doughnuts, pastries and such. I am so thankful to the local baker who had given him the opportunity to apprentice with him, and is paying his a small wage.
