Some Weeks . . .

 . . . are weeks that seem extra busy. This past one was like that for us.  Michael finished all the little touches on our birthing pen.  Birthing pens are those little enclosed spaces that house the mother (doe) who is in the process of getting ready to give birth to her babies (kids). Last years pen barely accommodated our birthing needs and so Michael made a few adjustments to make it work for the two does who are due at the same time. Very soon.

Anita took hours to revamp our milking room --- as we get ready to get ready to begin milking the does and using that make to cook up some more of our gourmet caramel sauce - which delightfully so is becoming popular.

Lots of new seeding took place this past Wednesday - more carrots, cucumbers, beets and radishes along with sunflowers and zinnias.  Melons, okra and more cucumbers for the start trays are starting to refill our green house.

This week was also busy because of a special private event.  Getting ready for parties are a highlight for us. We love being asked to have parties at the farm and this one was especially wonderful, not only because of the people, but because of the invitation to Phillsbury Wine Company ( a local AZ winery) to do a wine pairing for our menu.  Every thing we served had that local farm touch.

Life Today At Our Urban Farm

We spent the day catching up on loose ends. But then again, what day doesn't seem to be spent tying knots on loose ends.

Our loose ends were spent primarily preparing the birthing pen for Storm and Marie.  That meant the buck pen needing to be finished first. Both of our little guys (bucklings) needed to be transitioned over to their more permanent big boy (buck) pen.

Michael finished a few things on that pen so they'd be safe (we hope from coyotes), have necessary shelter and be able to reach their food and water.  The shift went quite well with a stop off to the milking room for each boy to have his turn on the milk stand - for his pedicure. Michael did a great job trimming hooves. We were concerned about the smoothness of the acclimation - mainly that they'd whine for hours because it was a new place. Didn't happen. Yeah!

The doeling/buckling yard (where we kept the boys) needed to be cleaned up. The neighbors oleanders have presented a problem for us. Oleanders are poisonous to goats (and anyone/anything else for that matter). Many times during the day we'd both go into the yard and pick up the little flowerets and leaves that would fall.  Today, Michael trimmed them way back so that the goats can't reach them. Sure hope the neighbors like the trim.

This evening, we both completed final touches on the birthing pen. A newly sanitized water pail was hung along with the pail for their alfalfa pellets and alfalfa. Michael opened up a fresh bale of straw to layer the pen. I love that smell. Earthy.

Goats are funny sometimes. Very curious, indeed. We opened the gate to the doeling/buckling yard from  the big girl (doe) yard. Of course they came over to where we were working.

The purpose of our birthing pen is just that - a place for each pregnant doe to give birth. A place where we can keep watch on her and a place where we can provide her attention and help if needed.

Since goats are herd animals we put both Storm (due 5/18) and Marie (due 5/22) in the birthing pen for the night. Needless to say, no one's happy in Goat Land at The Simple Farm tonight. It's a shift for everyone. Oh well. I'm calling it a night!
 

Farm Life Today

Yesterdays market at our farm went quite well. Batavian and other gourmet lettuces (from seeds purchased from Italy) went like hot cakes. So did our Detroit red beets, cherry belle and French breakfast radishes, spinach, arugula (rocket), bright lights chard, mustard greens and of course our herbs ~ lavender, French tarragon, mint, parsley, oregano and English thyme. Oh - all but two dozen of our farm house (fresh) eggs went home with someone. That's good.

Today is a new day and it's Goat Dairy Day this morning at our farm.  I mentioned {here} that Lavender is due to kid in four weeks and she needs special beauty treatments to hopefully ensure healthy kids and the healthy delivery of those kids.  Actually all the does and the bucklings require different vaccinations, vitamin boosters, milk checks, hooves trimmed at different times and it just so happens that today is a day for much of that.  So, we're off and running.  Hope your day goes better than anticipated. Attitude and gratitude makes or breaks a day!  Tell someone thank you!

A Busy Wednesday at The Simple Farm

The day after our market days is always busy and today will be no exception. Michael's going to build some raised beds in a few areas where he decided the ground just wasn't workable and yet the spot was perfect for our organic vegetables and herbs.  This is exciting for me.  I think the spot he's choosing has been crying out for something to happen and I can't wait to begin to seed there.

I love how Michael designs and creates. He'll often stand back and just stare at a spot. I've learned to let him 'stare' because he's really designing and pondering and considering in his head about what should go where.  So, in our farming relationship - he designs and builds and I get to fill it in with beauty. It works well for us. His ideas are always pretty amazing.

Today, I'm doing some goat kidding preparation work and researching a bit on some health issues with a few of our does. The community of "goat lovers" is wonderful - extremely helpful when a problem arises.

I'm also pulling out bitter lettuce in my personal potager and will amend those raised beds to get ready for planting - what, I'm not quite sure.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Crows Goat Dairy Farm in the Phoenix Valley

We love Crows Dairy and are so happy to mentored by Crows! You go Crows!

A Girlfriend Day At The Farm

Today three new girlfriends gathered at The Simple Farm.  None knew each other, but were invited to get together to A. learn how to milk a goat  B. meet a new friend   C. discover the awesomeness of goat's milk   D.  plant herbs   E.  share in the appreciation for real food at a local farm.

Stephanie (aka Skinny Jeans on twitter), Rachel (aka Croissant in the City) and Merissa (aka NS Farmers' Market) sipped French press, enjoyed Rachel's delicious cinnamon bread and soaked up the morning time with discovering a bit about each other and their very similar life passions - for authenticity, real food, eating healthy and living life to the fullest - in a peaceful way.

After a little noshing . . . it was of to our favorite thing to do - milk the girls . . .

and teach other people (those city folk) how to milk them too.

Each farm guest go a gold star today and the girls: Lavender, Cinnamon and Storm got double gold stars for their patience.

Stephanie posted her thought [pics & vid] about the morning here on her blog.  This video clip is also on her blog. It's yours truly...