Thursday, July 30, 2015

Using up the Yummy Goat Milk!

      I've been using the goat milk like crazy around here! Everything from chevre, to cake! It is so good! Just ask Winterlynn and Riley! They couldn't get enough of it when they were here! I just haven't mastered mozzarella yet. I will keep trying. Or a creamy cheese. It turns out more like a course ricotta. I will keep trying with that as well. Right now though, I'm using goat milk in recipes instead of store bought milk. It's a season, just like eggs. Sometimes you have a lot. Other times, none. I still have to buy the guys milk. They don't like drinking goat milk. Ugh! I've made creamy potatoes, a chocolate cake or two, bread, waffles, just to name a few. I'm so thankful I have learned how to milk the goat by myself! It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. Maybe less at times. That includes getting the goat out and fastening her to the stanchion, and taking feed over to the other goats while she's on the stanchion. I can't forget about them! She gives almost a quart at a time. I don't know if that's good or not, but it's working for me. I milk her twice a day. I've even been able to sell a gallon here and there. For pet consumption only, of course.

      We had the girls here last week. I was so happy to see them all! We got a surprise day visit from Yasmine and Layla! Hurray! I don't get to see them as much lately. Soon three out of four of them will start to school! I won't get to see them for sure then. Except on occasional weekends. 

      The weather has been extremely humid and hot this summer! We have gotten showers on an almost daily basis; thus the reason for the extreme humidity! It's not good on a body! Especially one that is prone to headaches! They come on slowly and turn into a pounding! Glad I have some otc med to stop them! I think I'm almost over the poison ivey! It has been so itchy! Along with chiggers! I put DE on my ankles today in hopes of deterring them. The 'farmy' homestead life! I love it!

      Ya'll stay in where it's cool! Don't overdo it in this heat! Blessings from Bama!


It's mating season for snakes. I caught two of these together in the hen house!

Homemade salsa from our tomatoes.

Creamy potatoes from goat milk.

Bread baking in the Sun Oven.

Momma and baby. I'll get to milk her before too long.


Fresh hot bread from the Sun Oven.

Me milking. I wear these shoes outside everyday. They work pretty good at protecting my feet from fire ant bites. The hat is my signature.

The Udderly EZ Milker works really good! Faster than hand milking, but I can do either.

We had to modify the stanchion since it was made for Nigerians.

Lemon cheesecake cooking in the Sun Oven. I've been using this a lot! The cheesecake did not turn out good. It was a lemony, sweet, goaty tasting thing! I did not like the course texture either. Cheesecakes are supposed to be creamy!

Yummy spaghetti sauce made from fresh-picked tomatoes!

Randy is doing the "Itsy, Bitsy Spider" on Riley's back!

Homemade soup made with fresh-picked tomatoes and store bought produce.

Yasmine wasn't 'in' to the swimming pools this day. The other girls had a blast! They hardly even notice the big pool is gone!

Of course a golf-cart ride is always to be had when Uncle Randy is home.

It's so hot, the rooster and hens hide in the shade.

As well as the goats.

A five gallon bucket almost full of tomatoes, was picked from my garden!

Almost seven quarts of tomato sauce from the five gallon bucket! This is the first time I've canned my own tomatoes!

A nice, big pumpkin.

A different pumpkin. They look like they're almost ready to pick!

A moon and stars watermelon.

A sugar baby watermelon.

A kakai pumpkin. I found out about this one from watching John Kohler's Grow Your Greens on youtube. They are good for seeds. I thought the chickens would like them.

More tomatoes that will need to be picked soon.

A cantaloupe.

Fried, green tomatoes, anyone?

I picked those ripe tomatoes. Not enough to can, but good for eating and cooking with. Or I may cut them up and put them in the freezer to can later.


8 comments:

  1. your garden produce and canned goods look awesome. You sure have been busy. Other than the bugs, I'm glad you are enjoying your summer and the fruitsof your labor!

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    1. Hi Jacky! Thank you! Yes, there is much to be thankful for! Blessings!

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  2. Your garden is doing absolutely terrific this year!!! I am amazed at all the different things you are growing. That moon and stars watermelon especially looked good. :) Your bounty of tomatoes is enviable. How and where do you get all your energy?! You are definitely doing great! And I love your shoes! Almost bought a pair at Tractor Supply earlier this season, but my old ones weren't worn out enough yet. Always enjoy reading about all the goings on at your place. It's been consistently hot and humid here too, only we haven't gotten daily showers..... only the occasional 5-10 minute terrible storm.... then sun comes out like nothing happened. Blessings to you Felecia!

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    1. Awe....thank you Lisa! You're sweet! We enjoyed those showers for about a week but they may be over since we didn't get one yesterday. And I mean it was hot yesterday! Thanks! Blessings!

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  3. Hi Felecia, What an interesting life you lead. I have never tasted goats milk! Is it better for you than cows milk? I like your hat! Your homemade soup looks yummy. One thing I wouldn't enjoy would be the snakes! YUK Have a nice week-end. Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy! Thank you! It tastes almost like cow's milk. Some say it's better for you cause they say it's easier to digest. I just know I like it! Although I don't drink it much, I use it in recipes. The soup was delicious! Yes I used to be terrified of snakes. Now, I walk around and look at it's head to see if it's poisonous. Never met one that was, thankfully! Thanks, you too! Blessings!

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  4. Wow, you sure have been a busy lady, Felecia! Your goats are just adorable, I always thought it would be so fun to have a few. That is awesome you are able to milk them and enjoy all that goat's milk! And the cheese! I love chevre! Seeing all of your tomatoes and other produce make me long for a garden again, I sure do miss having fresh veggies! I used to can alot too. What is a sun oven?

    Sounds like you all had fun with the girls too! The poison ivy? Not so fun! I usually get it really bad each year too. Stay cool!!

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    1. Yes, I love the busy season! Thank you! I am over-run with goat milk! No one seems to want to buy it. The cheese is not quite to my liking, and especially not to the guys liking! I hope you get to plant one someday! I love the Sun Oven! But it only works on days that are clear and hot! At least that's my experience. It's an insulated box that can cook food, if heated in the sun properly. i enjoy using it. We had great fun with the girls! I hate poison ivy! And chiggers! Thank you!

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