Today's project for me was to build this most excellent hay holder in my 'milking parlor' which now also has a functional gait into the rest of the barn and a sink complete with retractable sprayer nozzle. Next step is to make a nice milking platform and get the girls used to the routine of hopping up and eating their pellets while being brushed and washed and messed with. Also, I am thinking of eventually adding some shelving in here for their brushes and whatever else goes on shelves.
The goats approve of the changes to the barn and appreciate all the split hay.
The pig also approves, though he's not convinced I have good reason for scooping up and redistributing all the straw he's carefully pushed into his mini barn. Since coming to live with us, his hair has gotten thick, his spots have gotten black, and his skin is a little flaky and sun burnt, though he always has the choice to lay in the shade instead and we try to encourage time in the shade and even try talking him into rolling in mud from time to time. At least he's happy. And strong. Today while working in the barn, I moved the stepping blocks away from the door, making the door jam far above his head - probably a good 8 inches high. Without pausing, he leaped effortlessly yet dramatically up into the barn. What a change from the first day he was here and got high centered and stuck with all legs kicking trying to climb over the door step!
While I was working in the barn, Tim was busy in the yard perfecting the goat teeter-totter! Making things for the goats is far more fun than working on the part of the house where us humans live. Petunia is enjoying the game and has associated tipping with treats, but Esther isn't yet convinced.
Our joint project of the day was making Tilly's super duper utility vest, fully equipped with 6 pockets. Tim's ingenuity and creative direction and my sewing skills at his direction and Tilly's excellent patient modeling came together to make something beautiful, comfortable, and practical. She seems to think it's just fine and it holds a good amount of rocks in the pockets to slow her down.
Grandpa's beautiful garden is in full swing of production. It's nearly time to start transitioning to the fall garden for the next growing year. Grandpa brought down a garbage bag full of tomatoes which are now drying on the dehydrator.
Amazingly, the corn is growing taller than me and has harry ears sticking out along the stalks.
Grandpa also brought down a bag of cucumbers which I am pretty sure are pickling cucumbers and regardless of the seeds they came from, the little nobly vegetables are now floating in jars of vinegar and spices.
The farm has a nice rhythm growing. In the mornings, I wake up and start the coffee, let the chickens out of the hen house and into the yard, then feed and let out the goats (the goats just get in the way if they get let out first). Tilly gets a walk around the lake to see all our friends, then I try to be productive for the day until it's time to shut the chickens in to their house and the goats (and pig) get tucked in with dinner. The weather is still warm and sunny, all the animals are happy, the garden is growing, and everything is what we've always dreamed of.
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