So about 3 months ago we decided to get a couple of baby dairy goats, which we intended to raise and milk for goat cheese. We previously had milked our own cow about 4 years ago and tried our hand at cheese making, butter churning and the like. Our children love all animals, so we thought this would be yet another good experience for them. Now I have never had a goat before, so I had no idea how fragile they are. Within the first 3 months, one died and the other one along with a replacement goat had to be treated on three seperate occasions for pnuemonia. The weather was up and down and these babies where having a hard time adjusting with the move to our farm and all. Finally, this past month we got them healthy and stabilized.
This past week or I inadvertantly made changes to their diet, without paying enough attention to the fact that I had changed more than one thing at a time without giving them time to adjust to each change first. Today, one of the goats died!! My daughter had told me this morning, "mom, the goat is not acting right." I told her I would go check on her after my shower. Then we where scrambling to get out of the house for a field trip and I completely forgot. The poor thing must have suffered all day while we where gone!!! If I had gone out and looked, we could have given her an antibiotic shot and put out mineral this morning. I felt sooooooo horrible!!!! I cried, I really liked her and she was a poor innocent creature that suffered for my stupidity. Plus, I let my daughter down!!! It was entirely my fault and my daughter was very sad and mad at me! I still feel like an idiot and complete jerk about it. I learned the hard way, to be very careful about changes to a goat's diet, or any animal for that matter. Make changes gradually and give the goat time to adjust before making any other changes. R.I.P. Shirley, Laverne and all of us will miss you.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The outside "Before" pictures
Located just outside of Exeter, California rests this charming little farm. Built back in 1915 by the Teague family, this land was originally owned by my husband's great grandfather, it was then sold to a Teague, who built this home and the original Barn you see here. We have lived directly behind this 5 acre farm, which has pecan trees on it, for the past 8 years. We are now moving into this house and combining the two 5 acre parcels. We are renting out our previous home, which has citrus on it, and was also land that was previously in the Pennebaker family. Both 5 acres parcels where split off and sold a long time ago. The Pennebaker family owned a very large ranch in this area, which extended from the corner of Anderson and Marinette, east to Elberta, and then North all the way to the railroad tracks, it was a few hundred acres in all. So, 8 years ago, when we where able to buy a piece back we where thrilled. Now we are adding to it with this piece of land. The home will be twice as big as our current home with so much more charm!! Check back to see the inside before pictures soon!!
Our 1915 Victorian Farm
Raised a city girl, I never thought I would end up living and loving life on a beautiful country farm, let alone in a beautiful victorian farmhouse!!! But here we are, after 10 years together with my husband, working our butts off saving, investing and living simply! We have achieved our dreams!! In 2011 we purchased a 1285 acre ranch in the foothills of the beautiful Sierra Nevadas, where we currently run about 60 head of cattle, working our way up to a maximum capacity of about 200 head. Now in 2012, we just purchased this beautiful victorian home built in 1915. Our children, which we homeschool are pictured here. So this site is dedicated to our escapades in: cattle ranching, homesteading, farming, homeschooling, Millions off DIY projects, and the restoration of this beautiful farm, all under the direction and guidance of our Lord and Savior, for which to him we owe all our blessings!!!! So, follow along and join us in our adventures. leave your comments and advice and any good ideas you might have. Thanks for visiting and may God bless you!!!! The Pennebakers!!
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