New Addition

So we do have a new goat. Nubian, female, named Baby, yeah, just like our milk cow. She is black and fawn, rather lovely coloring, really. Too skinny, and skittish. But that will change quickly. She seems very happy with the foliage here, and has already decided that is part of our herd. Sh'es not overly fond of people, but once you get a hand on her or a rope round her neck she's content. Until then she tries to run away.

Our herd leader, Sparkles, is having height issues with her. Baby is the only other goat her full size, so she towers over the pigmies. Apparently she's still deciding if Baby really knows who is the boss.

One of our pygmies is expecting, and will be freshening any day now. Jelly, that's her name, got loose with the buck one day while we were camping, so we didn't realize there was "action" going on until she started to expand. Pygmies, unlike other goats are in season all yr round... other goats are in season in the fall only, which is when we usually breed them. Spring babies have a better chance at survival. So we're watching Jelly closely, waiting to see if we're needed to help with the birthing. Lots of first time moms don't realize their responsibilities with the newborns until their shown. So sometimes the twin will suffocate because the mom only cleaned the firstborn. That's what we're for. Myself and our eldest son is pretty good at this. Damp dish rags and a towel is all it takes, really. And it's not as messy as people think... but then again neither is birthing a human baby :)

Birthday Girl...

Our 2nd daughter is turning 5 this weekend. She is the type to share her stuff the second she unwraps it, shares her special treats after a trip with Dad, cries if someone else gets hurt or left out, you get the picture. She is also the only one who has not asked for anything for any of her bdays or Xmases before now. There is change coming... She asked for something!! Dum Dum Dum...

No, she did not ask for an iPod.

She asked for one of the Tinker Bell Fairies and a Lemon Cake.... the lemon torte kind. The cake was a surprising request... what 5 yr old asks for a torte for her bday cake? And I had to ask her older sister which fairy she wanted... the one who makes rainbows. Of course!! Okay, which one is that???

Happily, we can accomodate this bdays wishes! YAY!

Funny thing is she probably won't be able to play with this present till her sisters are done with it, as that is what has happened every yr before. Maybe that will change this yr as well? Hmmmm.

Saturday- Lemon Torte and bday gifts. Check!

From the Country benefits ...

Out in the country money is not the only commodity worth something. Thank goodness! Out here we have the option of trading items other that green stamped paper issued by the government. You may trade a start of basil for a start of thyme. You may trade a pair of good gloves for a handy shovel. Tomato plants for yogurt. Milk for tea leaves. The possibilities are endless. I feel very blessed to live in a place where this is possible. In times like these where jobs are scarce and finances get tighter every time the President sneezes, it's wonderful to find that even if cash is short (or nonexistent) things may not be impossible.

We are thinning our herd of goats again, thanks to a friend and her family! We're trading 3 goats... for what, you ask? APPLES!!! We're thrilled! Not only are we sure that these goats are going to good homes, BUT apples are a treat for everyone here. We never get enough apples to satisfy these kids. ESPECIALLY these apples! Bartering at its best!

The orchard suffered a blight earlier in the year and the crop is thin, but it's there. And we will be one of the few people who get to enjoy these amazing tasting fruit. Any apples in the store cannot compare to these homegrown babies! We're thrilled! We're excited!

In addition to this, another friend has a goat in need of a home. A Nubian doe is homeless and was malnourished for a bit. She needs a herd to follow. So while we are losing 3, we're (probably) gaining one more, which is always fun.

So, We come from the country and we like it that way!

Gluten Free Baking Break Through!

While glancing through my cookbooks, I have a small collection, in search of a few things for breakfasts this next week I suddenly remembered a website I had saved. I logged on and went to http://bakingforjohn.blogspot.com/ There was a pastry recipe I had been meaning to try.

A Puff Pastry. I know, I know, fellow Gluten Free bakers... it sounded NUTZ! But there are pictures to prove it could be done. So I decided to try it. I risked it all and make a double batch. Read the dirctions on the website for this AMAZING Danish Almond Pastry Puff. When I did I was shocked at some of the directions, but was convinced they MUST in fact work.

I did it. The risk was well worth it and everything has turned out beautifully. A GLuten Free Puff Pastry. AMAZING! WOW! AWESOME!

Check it out! Please try it and tell me your thoughts! We made ours without the almonds, or almond flavoring, and substituted vanilla instead, as several of the people here dislike almonds. I am thinking about altering the recipe to create Bear Claws. Imagine... Gluten Free Bear Claws for breakfast with our fresh raw milk. Doesn't get much yummier than that.

Cheers!