Simply Practical: October 2015

I've never mentioned our goat herd name before, have I? Well, it's 'Little Dixie Farm'. Even though we now have Nubians, I think the title still fits. Since we have less than three acres, especially. We almost didn't have Nubians! You see, I thought I wanted to sell them. I thought they needed a place with other Nubians and a goat barn. The ad on Craigslist was about to run out so I was surprised that I had gotten any calls. I was beginning to get sick with the flu that weekend and told the first gentleman so. He said to call me when I felt better. A couple of days later, another guy, very insistent, called. Long story short, I sold him the Nubians. Yes, I called the first gentleman and he said it was OK. I think I was out of my mind! After they were gone and I had time to think about it, I was so sad! I was even more sad the next morning and contacted the guy who bought them. He asked me if I wanted them back. I said yes, that I had acted in haste. We had to drive and hour and a half to get them, but they're back! Yay! The doe didn't have much milk so he wasn't too interested in keeping her. He sells goat milk for $16 a gallon! I thought $9 was plenty! I learned something about Nubians that I hadn't realized before. Nigerian dwarfs can breed any time of the year because the buck always seems to be in rut. I just thought all goats were like that. Not so with Nubians. The Nubian bucks only go in rut between August through December. The guy who bought them from me had a buck that was already out of rut, in only October. I want a Nubian buck now. I have not been successful in locating one at this time, but when God is ready, He'll show us the one.

I am loving the cool nights and sunny, warm days we're experiencing! We are finally having a Fall! It usually stays hot right up until November, so this coolness is refreshing! I've planted a Fall garden and have been harvesting some mustard greens. They are so good in a salad, at least when they're small. I ate some last week that must have been a little strong cause my tummy let me know! I love them cooked and eat them with hot pepper sauce (acutally it's hot green peppers pickled in vinegar) and cornbread. So delicious! I hope to cook some this week. There are carrots, beets, and spinach coming up, as well. I'm not sure if that's kale coming up. I planted kale, but it could be a weed. It needs a little more time to tell I guess.

The chickens are laying good again! The spring chicks are just starting to lay, so their eggs are small. I especially like getting the real dark, brown eggs! But the ducks haven't started laying yet. I'm really anticipating getting duck eggs for custards, pies, and cornbread dressing! I have even been able to sell a couple dozen eggs sometimes! I haven't sold anything else, but that's OK because I'm not really trying. I have so much to do, especially since I was sick for so long, trying to catch up. I still have a nagging cough. I'm just glad to be back to myself! Having the flu is no fun! I pray none of ya'll ever get this stuff!

Ya'll enjoy the Fall! There is so much to see and enjoy this time of year! Stay safe! Blessings from Bama!