Nubian Goats

                                                      "Mistletoe"
After much thought and discussion, it had been decided to quit raising Saanen dairy goats and bring in spotted Nubians. Mom has always loved this breed. Me, not so much as I sometimes find them noisy and a little on the needy side. However, after purchasing a spotted doe last fall, decided I could probably learn to love them as much as she. Mom has several older registerable does, with heavy milking lines. There is a lot of paperwork to catch up on but we should have registrations straightened out soon and have the herd up and going by late spring.
This is Squilma, as a youngster..the combined name of Screech and Wilma! Yes, she is very vocal.

This is Betty, though not spotted carries spots, definitely more laid back and quiet.

Off to a good start, I think, with 4 kids born in the last week. All of these from her original herd. Two does, Noel and Mistletoe along with the boys from yesterday. Cozy under the heat lamps..

 So, this is the second new venture this year for Maple Lane Homestead!

It felt good to get back to some semblance of normalcy today. I like routine! An early morning baking, cleaning the kitchen and then outside to enjoy an unseasonably warm day. I perused the garden and picked large amounts of kale and spinach. I pulled a couple of spring onions to add to the salad I will be fixing tonight. After weeks of heavy food we are craving "green".

I also planted some garlic in one of the cold frame beds. It was shipped late and with all the rain, it has been to wet to plant in the garden. Two varieties of mid-season hardneck....

The highlight of the day was discovering a set of twin nubian goat kids born last night. Two spotted bucks. They were born on the hill at Mom's. She has no power there so we walked momma goat and babies down the hill to my barn to be in a stall with heat lamps. Meet Leon (backwards for noel) and Buddy, named for the Christmas move "Elf". Nubians? Yes the latest change/addition to the homestead. More tomorrow!

Christmas Blessings

I hope everyone had a joyful and blessed Christmas! I know we here on the homestead did. The month of December has once again flown by. Thanksgiving was no sooner over than the plans for the annual "Turkey Cookin" and Christmas party started. Planning, decorating and cooking have consumed us. By the time it was over, Christmas was just a few short days away. It was filled with family and friends, for which I am truly thankful. My boys were both here, unlike Thanksgiving and I felt my circle complete.

One of my favorite gifts was this Christmas tree platter made and given to me by my niece. She is a budding young artist that will graduate in the spring and head off to art school in the Fall. Thank you Crystal!

Of course, Christmas isn't only for kids. The dogs enjoyed their gifts as well!

Ziva and her stocking...

Dallas, the grand dog, wearing his Christmas sweater opening his bag of toys..
Yes, a good time was had by all.