We Have Baby Goats!

I’ve been waiting for this moment since 2014…we finally have goatie babies again!! We had 6 goats when we lived in Colorado way back then…but had to re-home them after we moved. My heart has longed for them ever since! Matt didn’t seem to think goats would be a good fit in a motorhome. ;-)

Introducing…Lola Rose (left) Finley the Bandit, and Violet Amelia. They are Nigerian Dwarf goats and we got them right here in South Dakota. I’m so thankful to have found Sara at Kayser Farms…she is extremely knowledgeable and has been so helpful with all my questions. Even though we have had goats before, it’s been almost 10 years and I needed a refresher! Our plan is to breed them in 2023 or 2024…goat cheese any one?!

We are completely in love with them and I don’t have to ask twice for them to “Go check the goats”! We got Lola and Finley back in April, and then just added Violet a few weeks ago. We love to go out to the barnyard and watch “GoatTV”…it’s always sure to make you laugh! Here’s a taste…

Even though they were pretty skittish when we got them…they’ve warmed up to us quickly and now all they want is back scratches and snacks whenever they hear us come into the barn! They love snuggles and even give kisses! It’s hilarious to watch them chase after the girls…they love to play and it’s so sweet.

Everyone Loves Baby Goats

Baby farm animals are CUTE. But in my opinion, baby GOATS are the CUTEST. :) When Michelle said we could come up and see her 2 day old kids, I  couldn't get there fast enough! I was so excited. Especially knowing that we are probably going to be having some goat babies of our own in the next year. It made it that much sweeter!

This one was my favorite...the coloring is so yummy!

The kids hanging out.

Proud nursing mama.

Kid kisses.

Snuggles.

Mama Truffles

Michelle encourages and congratulates Mama Truffles on a job well done! For more "coverage" of the birth...check out my friend Amy's blog over at Crunchy Domestic Goddess. Her new official title is "The Goat Doula". :)

Here is a little compilation video of all the clips I took while we were there! Be warned...if you don't already have goat envy, you will after this video. :)

the big goats

Of course, we had to stop over and see the other goaties and Oreo the Llama as well.

Gimme Love

Goats LOVE attention! And we love giving it :)

Tiny Chick

Before we left, Michelle showed us the chicks that had just hatched that morning...there is always something new happening on the farm!

**The other family photographed here is my awesome unschooling friend Lisha and her girls. They are moving from Colorado to northern Idaho tomorrow! If any of you are in Idaho or know like-minded mamas in that area...let me know!!

Sharing Knowledge

This is my friend Michelle. I like to call her the "Crazy Goat Lady"...but she is much more than that.

She is a mentor, an encourager, a fellow unschooler. I am so thankful that she and her husband Tim have graciously allowed us to come hang out at their farm and learn. She is so patient with my newbie questions and happily shares her knowledge. All of my goat paparazzi photos have been of  her goats...with a few that will soon be OUR goats!

As we were leaving the farm recently, she brought out a large box of magazines. I'm somewhat of a magazine "enthusiast" so my heart started racing pretty fast at the mere sight of it. Back issues of Mother Earth News, BackHome, Backwoods Home, Home Power, Acres U.S.A., Hobby Farms, Live Free Learn Free (out of print)...pretty much a homesteader's dream box.  So much information to be consumed! *said breathlessly as I throw them all in the air...commence slow motion movie with pages floating down all around me as I spin, backlit by the sunset*.

And perched on the top of them...two dozen eggs from her hens for me to purchase. The happiness never ends!

Apparently it's impossible for me to post a blog without a goat photo. I couldn't help it. She is just too cute.

And now back to your regularly scheduled blogging: I'm a researcher. I LOVE the feeling of new information in my brain! :) It's been quite awhile since so MUCH new info was being introduced on a daily basis. It's gooooooood.

There is nothing that compares to hands-on, face-to-face mentoring...but magazines, books, and websites are great sources of inspiration and info:

Here are a few I like right now:

New Life on a Homestead (having so much fun peeking around this site...lots of archives) Homesteading Today (everything under the sun!) The Goat Spot (for all you crazy goat ladies...) The Chicken Forum (chick chick chick!!)

I kind of feed bad for hoarding all the good chicken, gardening, homesteading, and goat books from the library. Kind of. But obviously not enough to return them yet. Sorry Longmont friends!

Now that I've had a chance to peruse all of these books, I thought I would would compile my favorites in an aStore for you. When you click on these and purchase, I will receive a small part (as an affiliate payment)...and that helps me pay for keeping this blog active. I will keep adding to this list...if you notice that I am missing something amazing...let me know!

ATTENTION! If you are a farmer, a homesteader, or a wannabe...I would LOVE to hear about your real life mentors! People you have walked alongside, whether it be family or friends or teachers...tell me what sparked your passion! Share your story in the comments below! Also, if you are a homesteader interested in guest blogging about your journey, let's talk :)

Please also share your favorite resources for learning about farming (urban or rural) and homesteading. Let the knowledge sharing begin!

*p.s. for those of you wondering if Sara will ever blog about "normal" stuff again...the answer is yes. someday. stay tuned. :)