Mountain Lane Homesteaders

Goat Capers

9:39 AM, Thursday, June 14, 2007 .. Posted in Living in the Woods .. 19 comments .. Link

She came with the name of "Snowflake", we changed it to Tangle (see previous post), but I'm wondering if Houdini might not be just as appropriate!

The Escapee!

Just incase you're wondering.......goats DO have personality :). Molly has yet to get free from her picket line while Tangle has broken off at least 6 or 7 times. Each time she gets off differently. So far it's been easy to get her back on because she just breaks loose and then stays right near where Molly is. I'm so glad they were friends before they got here so they like to stick together. One evening we were sitting here inside and there was a nice loud goat greeting very close. We opened the door and there stood Tangle just looking at us. Two nights ago it was already dark outside and we began to hear a bang bang bang on the back side of the cabin. Sure enough, Tangle was free again and saying hello. Tangle is what I would call a more "social" goat than Molly for sure! She's always the first to call to us when we open up the door or arrive back home after being away. She will look you right in the face too with those great big goat eyes. As for her relationship with Molly? Tangle seems to be the one trying to get Molly to play while Molly acts all diginified. As if butting horns with Tangle is something she will agree to begrudgingly! Tangle can be seen standing back on her hind legs to put her whole body into a head butt while Molly just gives a small tap and goes the other way. I have a feeling Molly is something of an aristocrat while Tangle is more of a commoner!

I mentioned in my last post that Tangle is an Alpine and Molly is a Toggenburg. I was looking at some pictures of the different breeds on the internet and now I'm wondering if they aren't some kind of mix. The goats were given to us and the guy didn't really give us a lot of information. He said they were given to him. I think Molly looks like a Toggenburg except for her ears. They are not straight up like the ones I see in pictures. They stick out all goofy on the sides.

I am wondering if she might not be a mix of Toggenburg and Nubian. Anyone have any thoughts? As for Tangle, I just can't tell whether she looks all Alpine or not. For our purposes it doesn't really matter I guess since all we really plan to do is learn about milking them but I am just curious.

We are now back down to only the two outdoor cats. Two kittens were given to the same home several days ago and the three newest baby kittens are no where to be found. At first we thought Baby had just moved them but now we are wondering if something might have gotten them. Baby is back to spending her days underneath the windows with Mama outside so we think she has no more kittens to look after. We are all a little sad about losing the kittens. The kids already had each one named of course.

My garden is looking better each day. It's still been quite cool here so the tomatos and peppers haven't grown much yet but they have recovered from their transplant shock. The broccoli, cauliflower, and especially the brussel sprouts look wonderful. I guess they are liking this cool weather. I read that one plant can make up to 100 brussel sprouts. I have 4 plants. My kids are groaning :). I also made a smaller raised bed inside the fence that is made out of stones. I made it quickly to move some flowers inside that the deer were gobbling but I decided to plant the jalepeno peppers and some salad greens right in with the flowers. Hopefully the jalepenos won't kill off the flowers! In the main garden I've added in some lettuce seed as well as a few melon seeds. We'll see what those do.

We are busy getting ready for our vacations coming up. We have two trips back to back starting at the end of next week. We'll be flying to Maryland for a whirlwind family reunion and then coming home for 5 days and leaving again to make a drive to Iowa for another reunion over the 4th of July. We're certainly getting excited!

Well, seems like the day has begun around here so I'm off. Many thanks for all the welcome back comments!

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Cute goat stories.

11:14 PM, Thursday, June 14, 2007 .. Posted by www.homeschoolblogger.com/threelittleladies
Sorry about your kitties.

Carol
Call me from Maryland!

8:51 PM, Monday, June 18, 2007 .. Posted by teapots66
I'll be thinking of you while you travel... do you like Maryland crabs? Have you milked these goats yet, or are they not ready? You probably wrote about that in your last post, if so, sorry to ask again. You need to learn how to make soap - goat milk soap, and then goat cheese, yum. Safe travels, friend. Take a hug - Chris
Hi Darcy

1:00 PM, Saturday, June 23, 2007 .. Posted by www.homeschoolblogger.com/threelittleladies
I just want to let you know that I gave you an award on my blog. Come see.

www.homeschoolblogger.com/threelittleladies

You Rock!
Carol
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11:30 AM, Sunday, June 24, 2007 .. Posted by ApplesofGold
I really enjoyed reading your blog this morning. How exciting it all is!
We have built a timber frame house (like a post & beam, but not because it's joined with pegs).
I do remember the day we didn't have to use the box with a toilet seat on it anymore and the day we took our first shower in the house instead of using the solar shower. LOL
Our house still isn't done, but it's almost there!
Your goats are so cute.
Goats.....

6:53 PM, Tuesday, July 31, 2007 .. Posted by Zero
Hehe! My coworker has a goat just like that! He just wont stay tied up. Every single time a camper has to come and tell us our goat is loose again ( oh btw I am living and working at a camp for the summer if you are confuzzled).
Zero
Where, oh where?

1:30 AM, Wednesday, August 8, 2007 .. Posted by www.homeschoolblogger.com/threelittleladies
I was so happy to see that you blogged again. Now you haven't blogged again for such a long spell. Please come back.

Carol
I still check in on you.

9:23 PM, Tuesday, September 18, 2007 .. Posted by MissionaryMom
I hope that you will update me on how your summer went, and how you are doing.

Carol
Darcy

9:25 PM, Wednesday, September 26, 2007 .. Posted by MissionaryMom
Are you done blogging for good? It is looking like that. I thought I might throw this out there for what it is worth. If you'd like, I'd enjoy keeping up a friendship by email. Drop me a line if you would like to try. tncgale@plowcreek dot org I'm very interested in how things are going with you and your homestead, how your summer went, and how you and your family are doing.

Carol
Love your blog

11:15 AM, Saturday, September 29, 2007 .. Posted by Mindy
I just wanted to tell you that after finding your blog I became a little addicted :) and had to read all your archives. You have such a great family story and great way with words. I hope you continue to blog, I'm totally hooked! In a good way. LOL
Mindy
Hi Darcy

12:48 PM, Saturday, October 20, 2007 .. Posted by MissionaryMom
How is school going? Let us know!

Carol
Darcy...

12:24 PM, Tuesday, November 27, 2007 .. Posted by MissionaryMom
Where are you? I'd love an update!

Carol
Hi Darcy...

2:21 PM, Monday, January 7, 2008 .. Posted by mdonohue
Just came to check to see what you and your family have been up to...hope everything is okay with you. Looking forward to hearing how you are doing. Happy New Year!
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1:13 PM, Saturday, June 14, 2008 .. Posted by morningsunshine
it has been a year since we heard from you! is everything okay? we would love an update!
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5:11 PM, Tuesday, July 1, 2008 .. Posted by CandyFoote
Happy 4th of July!!
Candy
Hi Darcy

8:17 AM, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 .. Posted by MissionaryMom
I'm sending you a private message.

Carol
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11:18 PM, Wednesday, July 30, 2008 .. Posted by MissionaryMom
Check your messages again!

Carol
Darcy....

4:36 PM, Sunday, October 26, 2008 .. Posted by www.homeschoolblogger.com/threelittleladies
Are you ever going to blog again?!

Carol
formerly missionarymom
Hey there...

10:03 PM, Saturday, November 15, 2008 .. Posted by wannabeone
I hope you start blogging again.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><
Goat Gloat..

10:42 AM, Wednesday, January 14, 2009 .. Posted by rstewart8888
Hope some day I can gloat about my goat.. not yet. Still livin' in the city and buiding a cabin on summer weekends 400 miles away. I really like your blog, it's nice to see the photos. If you want a peek at my half built cabin... pop by my blog...onelogatatime... and slide down........ All the best on your travels... hope you blog again.Rob Stewart Ontario Canada

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About Me

My husband and I along with our 3 children, moved from Iowa to Montana 3 years ago fulfilling a long time dream of living in the mountains. Last summer we purchased and moved onto our bare land and are currently living in our home made cabin which has evolved from a shed to a barn to our cabin and future guest house. The foundation for what we now call "The big house" is dug and waiting for our next burst of energy!