Life, With Goats
Like most things on the homestead, having goats around has been both a big change and a seamless incorporation into our day. In the same way that life and work and family intertwine to form our days, these goats have worked their way into our homestead.
In the morning, Daddy and Elijah and Annabelle head out to the milking stand while Mama and Ruthie make breakfast and Abram cares for the chickens. Afterward I strain the milk, pour some into my coffee, and jar the rest. (After trying a few straining methods, we’ve landed on this reusable coffee filter. It’s a one-time, no waste purchase and works very well for us.)
Abby is a vocal one, so we hear from her throughout the day when Daisy starts to wander or someone departs from visiting hours or she simply wants to be heard. Throughout the day someone heads their way to pet, play, or refill water. But her level of communication (ahem) means we never really forget that they are there. And that’s fine by me. I love watching the children interact with them and grow up with animal contact – for their physical as well as their mental well-being.
At the end of the day, right around (or after) dark, the milking crew heads back out again. This time Abram mans the milking stool next to Daddy and almost always the little ladies insist on trailing along while Mama gets supper on the table. And when they return we gather around the table, strain and jar the milk once again, and wash up the milk pail. Because first thing tomorrow, it happens all over again.
We are in the cycle of milk production as well….we have two milking cows which are milked by hand twice a day, a job which my husband does. Sometimes we feel the pain of doing the twice daily milking. No days off can grind one down sometimes. Not to worry, for those ‘dark’ moments all we do is stop and think about our life before we came here, with the endless commute along busy highways to then spend hours in crowded offices. This always brings us back round to thinking how blessed we are that God opened up this opportunity for us to run a small farm in SW France.
As for straining the milk….. we used double folded muslin. Have you made goat cheese yet? It is very easy to do and takes fantastic.
As for the sound of animals…..when we visit other people who don’t have animals their houses always seem lifeless without the background noises that go along with having animals. I love the richness that having animals brings to our life, despite the hard work that goes with looking after them.
God bless you and your family. You are doing a grand job even though I know that it comes hard on you as a woman sometimes. I always read your blog, and sense that you are growing as a person as you continue on with your homesteading life. Vx
Sweet photos! 🙂