My first attempt at goat's milk soap turned out to be a success. Today, after curing for six weeks I took my hard work to the tub for a test run. It creates a rich lather, it's creamy, moisturizing and stays together well in the shower. It is perfect for sensitive skin and eczema! Luckily, … Continue reading Kaysha’s Lavender Goat’s Milk Soap Recipe
There she was: a goat in a stanchion with a full udder, ready to be milked for the first time. Behind me was the culmination of about two years of dreams and planning to get to this moment. Of course after the initial excitement of baby goats wears off, you have a couple of weeks to wait … Continue reading To the rhythm of the squeeze and stream
Because of the desert southwest's recent onslaught of abnormally hot weather, I've found myself searching for non-traditional methods to keep the animals cool. It was 116 degrees at my desert home on Tuesday. We're far from the city's concrete metropolis and surrounded by cactus, bushes and dirt, but little shade. Luckily our temperatures didn't hit … Continue reading Watermelon goat’s milk pupsicles
In order to produce milk, a dairy goat must give birth. She will continue to produce milk after the kid is gone as long as she is still milked daily. I bought Nilah, my Nigerian Dwarf Goat at around 10 months old, and it would finally be her first time kidding. It was my first time, too. … Continue reading The birth of Ely
Now back to that nifty, sleek little compost bin on the counter. The tiny collector on the counter plays a huge role in our little sustainable circle of life around here. It is primarily fed banana peels (because I use a banana a day in my smoothies) but also regularly includes leftover salad scraps, onion … Continue reading The circle of life
It all happened rather quickly. The first week we picked up the chicks and the next I was taking a quick trip over to my parent's (three hours away) to pick up my horse, where she had stayed while I was in Seattle, and my goat who had also been at my parents, but had been … Continue reading A tiny gift from the desert
One moment I had my dream job with the Community College Initiative near Seattle, the next I was in Arizona, wrapped up in warm blanket of 95 degrees. My life has always taken some interesting turns, I never do know where I'll end up next. Brent promised me from the beginning too, that hanging … Continue reading Meanwhile, back at the farm
The start of Fall in the desert found two new creatures in my life; two baby dairy goats. Why did you get goats? They ask. For years I’ve wanted a dairy cow, a Jersey cow of my own so I could drink milk from my own cow. I have since realized what a large investment that is, … Continue reading A goat in my backyard?
It’s time to answer some of the questions about my recent vegetarianism. My reasoning behind it is even longer than my recent job descriptions. It isn't really a new and sudden thing, it has been a long battle. In high school I raised beef cattle and show-lambs for the local fair. These eventually paid my … Continue reading Why an Educated Cowgirl Out West Went Vegetarian on Thanksgiving
