It's been awhile!

I have been so busy I really think my world has been spinning at mach speed for the last 2 months.
From schooling, baking, cheese making, cooking, kidding, Halloween party and now Thanksgiving prep. I have been busier then a one armed paper hanger. Most couldn't handle the spinning of my everyday bubble world. Too much they say! Nope not for me. It's keeps me busy and on my toes at all times. Truthfully I wouldn't trade this wonderful life I have for anything else.
Warning lots of pics ahead lol.
As part of us learning to be more self sufficient I do not buy store bought bread anymore along with cheese, butter, chicken, veggies, herbs, milk, eggs, jelly, jams, and snacks! YES I have finally cut the kids of all the garbage snacks. If it's not home made its not in the house. So far no complaints either *big grin* Not to mention it gets them in the kitchen working with me and learning. Kyle and David both know how to make simple goat cheese and Macayla is learning quick. It warms my heart to see the look of wonder on their face when they make their own!!!

Hubby and I also slipped off for a night to ourselves. Where you say lol the woods. We went over to our new property and pitched camp! We FROZE our booties off! But we needed to spend some time to ourselves, Been along time. It was so quiet and we had a great time together. Breakfast I will say was a joint effort and the best I have had in a LONG time.

Halloween consisted of kiddos having a party here at home safe and sound. They had cake, cupcakes, candy, witches brew punch, and for dinner made their own pizzas. 

Momma got her hair cut! Yes, me! I sooooooo needed a change up and I just love it. Fast and easy. 

We have babies also! Ande finally kidded and had 2 beautiful babies. 1 buck and 1 doe. Buck has gone to a new home. We retained the doe. Her name is Joanna which means (God's gift). She is too!!

 Billy with Joanna

 Baby buck

Ande N Joanna

Little Joanna has found a very soft spot in my heart as did her momma Ande. When we lost Tucker it hurt so bad and Ande was MY gift from God. So it only was fitting to give her baby a very appropriate name.

We took the children down to Peachtree Rock for a little "blow off some steam time" 

This morning I was sitting in my living room (yes my Living room) milking Ande and Bean came up to me took one look at Ande and pointed to her udder and said " Momma that's my milk "  So down he sat on my lap and stuck his hand out to Ande's udder and said "PEEEEESEE".  So Bean got his first lesson in milking.

Now back to the L.R. thing. I have OCD and the thought of barn dust, dander, and what ever else getting into my milk gives me the heebies. I just can't do it. 

And last but not least Spyda is pregnant and due to kid some time around February 4th, 2012. 

Will leave you with one last pic.

Chickens, Goats, & Gardening OH MY!!

Oh I will have to say that the month of June has been a very busy month for our little farm. We have had a few additions and lots of things growing too! 
Ande is fitting in so well here, and we love having her as part of our family. She is  sweet and loving which makes her a perfect fit here. Plus her being in milk is a huge plus! Now not only will my children refuse to eat store bought eewy's as they call them, now they only want goats milk. Our youngest Bean as we call him knows now where his baba comes from. When he sees Ande out in the yard he points to her and says "baba". And if you ask him where his baba comes from he replies simply "Goat". 

Spida has settled in and is just as sweet as she can be. Her personality is now starting to show and I love it. She is and can be so sweet but she also has this sass to her. And it only comes out when her and Ande are kidding around in the yard.

We do have a new addition on our farm. His name is A.J. and he is a 6 month old Great Pyrenees.  So far he is fitting in fine. He spent his first night in the barn last night with the girls. Being the paranoid mother hen I am I took Beans baby monitor and hooked it up in the barn telling hubby "Just in case". Turned lights off and went in. Not a peep all night!
He is a very playful puppy weighing in at just about 80lbs. Topping off later at about 130lbs. Love's the kids and gets along good with the flock too.

Our garden has tripled in size and we are getting all kinds of goodies now! Radishes,turnips,yellow squash  zucchini, patty pan squash, black eyed peas, bell peppers, cucumbers etc! We still have butternut, spaghetti and straight neck yellow squash getting ready to bloom and OH do we have beans and peas. Still gonna be a bit for those. I have dehydrated zucchini & Bananas. Canned 12 jars of B&B pickles and frozen about 60lbs of squash and zucchini.  It has been a never ending process and I love it!

We have spent more time in the garden then I think in the house. I snagged this pic of Bean after he helped me weed 3 rows of beans that had been overgrown.

The chickens have been growing also. I hatched out some about a month or two months ago and they are getting big. I have some Delaware crosses and some Ameraucana's. Oh and 2 Frizzle Ameraucana's too.

We now have 2 broody hens who together are sitting on about 18 eggs total. Tara our black Ameraucana Cochin mix is due in 2 weeks and our Delaware Sexlink cross Nugget is due in 3 weeks.