I have decided that I like winter farming far, far better than summer farming. I can dress in layers, get my gear on, and head to the barn for hours. I don’t even really mind climbing the hills in the snow when necessary.
January starts kidding season! That is a nice breath of fresh air after the let down of undecorating after Christmas. Acres of Grace (my sister) has started kidding a bit early this year. We are very new at this. These are the very first baby goats!
I was hoping to get there in time to see the delivery, to get prepared for the process at our farm. I did not make it for that. I did get to help dry off babies and work on keeping them warm. What fun we have had watching them play! I’m not sure how we are going to keep the babies warm in this crazy cold bit of winter, but I’m sure that January needs baby goats!
Farmer man does not slow down the chain saw just because it is cold outside. We did make a deal though. He could get a “real” chain saw – mostly because he has torn up two cheap ones already – as long as he also purchased the leg protectors and use them with it. He has about 5 pair of farm jeans, only one has escaped without at least a small chainsaw hole. So, now I can hear the chain-saw running up on the hill AND see his orange leg protectors. If I’m lucky he will wear his bright orange toboggan and I can really keep an eye on him. . . from the warm house!
I really do go up the hill with him some days, it is nice to spend quiet time together – not quiet exactly with the chainsaw going – but time working together at a slow to moderate pace. The cold weather forces farmer man to make it back down to the house at a reasonable hour to have dinner and cuddle up time.
Jennifer and Jeremy have returned from their traveling adventures and are now living adjacent to the farm. It is a blessing to get to see the kiddos so often and to have some helpers available for farm chores. Some of those helpers can carry heavy things and help fun fence – some of them can let the goats out in the mornings.
We are all hoping that having helpers will mean a little more family time is available for the little family – Myself, Jim, and the two girls still at home. Time will tell . . . nothing is ever quite as planned – that’s okay – adventure!
Most of the time when I blog, I wait til I get back to the house with stellar internet. Today, I set up right here! I think this is a bit inspiring!
Let’s ring in the new year – country style – a few hours early cuz we are old!
brandnewfarmers 