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Almost

The barn’s roof is almost finished.  (Jonny says I need to call it a mini-barn.  I suggested “barn-ette.”)  To cap off a day full of small disasters, I got the van stuck in a friend’s driveway during the last hour of daylight and Jonny had to stop working to come and rescue me.  He teased me a little, but was mostly a good sport.  And the truth is that he was running out of roofing panels anyway, so he wouldn’t have been finished that day even if I hadn’t gotten myself in trouble.

We got a LOT of snow yesterday. The baby goats had fun romping in it, but my dear big girls (I can’t stand to keep them a secret any longer.  I’ll introduce them properly very soon.) weren’t quite so keen on being out in it.  They followed me around while I filled their hay bag, but were happy to head back into their (temporary) house.

The barn-ette is for them.

After much thought and deliberation, we have decided to house train the baby goats and make them long-term indoor pets in an attempt to live this book.

(insert Ginny giggling)

Actually, they are just going to have their own housing elsewhere, separate from the girls.  Mark my words, I plan to have them out of the house in a few days despite their immense cuteness.

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Filed Under: beekeeping, goats, homesteading, nature · · 52 Comments

Ginny

I believe that when you slow down and savor the small things, you don’t have to wish for a different life; you can discover beauty in the life you already have. {Find out more here...}

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Stef says

    March 10, 2015 at 3:39 pm

    Oh those babies are just so precious bouncing about in the snow. I can see how keeping them indoors would be tempting but yet… No.

    Reply
  2. Sandy Henderson says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    Lamancha’s – nice and quiet! Can’t wait for the follow up. 🙂

    Reply
  3. karen says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:44 am

    all that snow missed us and we are having an epic melt away. Love your little goats and big goats and can’t wait to hear more about them 🙂

    Reply
  4. Kerry says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:41 am

    I commented on it a few weeks ago and I will say it again….please please a childrens picture book with these pictures!!!!!!!!!!! Oh they are just wonderful!

    Reply
  5. Carla says

    March 8, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    Your pictures are most beautiful! Very pretty babies too

    Reply
  6. Ruby says

    March 8, 2015 at 11:19 am

    Thank you for the chuckle! I actually thought you meant it at first…but then I thought, no way, she must be kidding. My kids have long asked to diaper one of our beloved Blue Cochins & create a house-hen–my children really do not seem to understand their mother’s temperament very well, apparently.

    Your ‘girls’ are beautiful! So much excitement at your house lately!

    Reply
  7. Angela says

    March 7, 2015 at 8:08 pm

    Hi Ginny
    Your pictures are beautiful! I have read your blog for some time and check it often. I have never commented before but wanted to tell you that I find your blog so refreshing – in such a good and simple way. I am a homeschooling mom as well. We live in Alberta Canada and you have much more snow there than we have here!! How lucky you are to have such beautiful cardinals to look at. The goats are adorable.
    God Bless.

    Reply
  8. Linda says

    March 7, 2015 at 10:16 am

    Ohhhhhh your photos are breathtaking!

    Reply
  9. Barbara says

    March 7, 2015 at 9:06 am

    Ginny, your photography is amazing! I enjoy following your life through your posts. Very inspiring and uplifting.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  10. Kate says

    March 6, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    Ginny, your photographs are quite lovely – especially the ones with the bright red birds (cardinals?) against the white snow. Simply beautiful.

    Reply
  11. Rachel Wolf says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    I can’t believe there was every a question about this. Good move, mama. Good move!

    Reply
  12. Kay says

    March 6, 2015 at 8:09 pm

    House trained goats….that is the best!!!!!
    But in all honesty, seeing those adorable babies playing in the snow does make you want to keep them w/ you all the time! Too adorable……..
    I do believe that you & Jonny just love a very full plate……….yeow…such brave souls you are.
    What stories to tell your grandchildren…..hahaha….one step at a time; right?!

    Reply
  13. Jada Sharp says

    March 6, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    We are getting 4-5 Lamancha’s to start our own herd in a few weeks! I had them growing up and they are wonderful goats! They have great personalities!

    Reply
  14. Andrea says

    March 6, 2015 at 3:55 pm

    So sweet! Your pictures *almost* make me want goats and snow!

    Reply
  15. Leslie K says

    March 6, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    Absolutely loving the photos of your babies! They look to be so much fun. We had three when my kids were little. I wish we still had some. Beautiful pictures today! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Lindsay Hawkins says

    March 6, 2015 at 2:37 pm

    I’m so glad that you reminded me about that storybook! We checked it out once from the library in the midst of some chicken tractoring gone wrong! 😉

    Reply
  17. Bonnie Schulzetenberg says

    March 6, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    I love the look of the goats – they appear to be saying ” I love this snow – how can I play with you?”
    The snow in Fredericksburg is so much more serine and warm than here in Minnesota. Just saying! 🙂

    Reply
  18. Fräulein Rucksack says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    Sweetness. Tiny goats playing in the snow, I love these photos and the courage you have just getting animals like this. Thanks for sharing, looing forward to see and read more.

    Reply
  19. Naomi says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Oohhh, so exciting, I’m living vicariously through you 🙂 Those baby goats are just adorable, and the cardinals so bright. That is one of our favourite books! I like ‘barnette’.

    Reply
  20. Sandra Nichols says

    March 6, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    I just LOVE your blog, it is such a inspiration to me! You gave me the courage to homeschool my children! Thank You

    Reply
    • Ginny says

      March 6, 2015 at 1:09 pm

      Wow Sandra! What an encouragement that is to me! Thanks so much for sharing.

      Reply
  21. Flying Squirrel says

    March 6, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    OH, You are going to have so much fun! The best part about adding goats to your life is watching your older kids learn to care for them. We have one (mildly) autistic child who has become so much more brave, connected, and responsible since having goats to take care of! The milk of Lamanchas is typically awesome, good choice. (We have la mancha/nubian crosses and a Boer) Do you think you might keep one little guy intact to breed? More baby goats next year….Just saying….

    Reply
    • Ginny says

      March 6, 2015 at 1:08 pm

      Oh no, I can’t handle an intact male! I felt like I needed to go to confession after reading the breeding portion of Goat Song! We will carry the girls to a local Lamancha farm to breed this fall…. It is really neat seeing my kids jump into help with this new project–they all love the goats, even my oldest son who typically scowls at all farm-y activities.

      Reply
      • Seth says

        March 6, 2015 at 1:18 pm

        Humph!!! I only scowl at garden-y activities, not animal activities!

        Reply
        • Ginny says

          March 6, 2015 at 1:24 pm

          Umm, Seth? Honeybees are in the animal kingdom, and you certainly scowl about the bees. 😉

          Reply
      • Flying Squirrel says

        March 6, 2015 at 1:43 pm

        True. What my boys know about the facts of life, from watching goats, is pretty shocking.

        Reply
  22. Jean G. Woodhouse says

    March 6, 2015 at 12:47 pm

    Ginny,
    Your photos make me feel warm and cozy, thank you.
    Today, weather in Houston, Texas, cold … 48 degrees, I am loving it as August will bring
    us 100 degrees

    Jean

    Reply
  23. Beth T. says

    March 6, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Oh, I have been wondering! Such sweet big girls, I can tell already.

    Reply
  24. linda gaylord says

    March 6, 2015 at 11:05 am

    I raised dairy goats growing up,saanen and toggenburg,for 4H.are you going to milk your big girls? I miss that–I haven’t had goats in 35yrs.I see from the pics that the mamas are dehorned.are you planning on dehorning the boys? Good idea for safety reasons…looks like you found some excellent reading materials on goats.if you have a cooperative extension office in your area(they oversee 4-H groups and the like),they should have a wealth of resources on the subject,too.and a word to the wise from a former goatherder–make sure your garden fence is sturdy.goats eat everything and anything!!! they even strip the bark off trees with their teeth.and they can open simple gate latches with their lips and tongue.goats are super smart and quite clever! and addictive! we used to says that goats were like lay’ s potato chips–you can’t have just one! that’s how our first goat turned into 12 goats in under 4 years! Good Luck!!!

    Reply
    • Ginny says

      March 6, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Yes, the plan for the girls is milk next spring! Our boys won’t be dehorned, but they also won’t be residing in the same area as the girls. I’ve read a good bit about mixed (horns/no horns) herds, and some people are comfortable with it, but I’m not. We are putting a lot of thought into fencing, that’s for sure! Thanks for your words of wisdom!!

      Reply
  25. Angela K says

    March 6, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Oh my! What Stunning pictures! And what adorable goats!

    Reply
  26. Wendy says

    March 6, 2015 at 10:58 am

    I wanted to comment on the toddler jumping out of the crib at a young age and not being able to have the room toddler-proof enough. I have six children and my fifth was my “climber!” I really never knew what that meant until my Irene came along. She climbed out of her bed at 7 months! She has since slept with her older sister and that has worked relatively well. She is now three and it did take time to get her into a regular schedule. It helped when we started keeping her up from a nap… she would be exhausted enough to fall asleep pretty quickly.

    I don’t know what type of crib you have… Irene broke the older crib that we had since our first child, we were then forced to buy a new crib. The new ones have the low side and the high side. A friend of mine, who had a climber as well, ended up putting the short side against the wall and sandwiching the whole thing between a tall dresser and the wall. I wish I had thought of it when I needed it… but I thought I ‘d throw it out there for you in case you could use it. 🙂

    I really enjoy your blog. The pictures make me want to take pictures. The knitting makes me want to knit. The simplicity makes me want to simplify. Thank you for being an inspiration for me.

    Reply
  27. Lauren says

    March 6, 2015 at 10:50 am

    Oh Ginny I had to giggle too about the book link. My kids love that one!

    Reply
  28. Lisa G. says

    March 6, 2015 at 10:45 am

    What beautiful photos, Ginny! Enjoy the snow. After way too much of it this winter in Connecticut, I still think it’s beautiful – it is! No doubt.
    Cute goaties (kids, I should say, I guess.)

    Reply
  29. Elizabeth says

    March 6, 2015 at 10:21 am

    very fun; love the barnette 🙂 well done! and such cuteness in these photos! what treasures! God be with you all!!! :)))

    Reply
  30. Gwendolyn says

    March 6, 2015 at 10:11 am

    Just beautiful pictures of the goats, birds, snow and the new animals. When you commented you were going to house train the little goats I was in shock…then read the rest of the story. So funny. Enjoy your weekend!

    Reply
  31. Tracey says

    March 6, 2015 at 10:08 am

    I love the idea of house trained goats! 😉 Goats would make a nice addition to the baby chicks, turkey’s and other critter’s that always seem to end up in my house!

    Reply
  32. Laura says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:52 am

    Gorgeous photos of the cardinals! And the goats are just too cute jumping and butting! Can’t wait to hear more about the girls :-). Have fun with the snow today!

    Reply
  33. Marty says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:46 am

    your photos are so wonderful! love your goats and their colorful collars! And the birds! Thanks for posting. Blessings.

    Reply
  34. Heidi says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:38 am

    You are doing a good job on feeding those babies…..they are really growing and getting cuter by the minute! Tell Jonny and your big boys that they are great carpenters! Love the way they made the stringers (?) for the roof all fancy on the ends! I like the steep pitch too so the kids will have a hayloft to play in! Can hardly wait to meet ” the girls”. Your photos are beautiful as always.

    Reply
  35. thecrazysheeplady says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:36 am

    That is some immense cuteness for sure :-D. Great shots!!!

    Reply
  36. Yvonne Ward says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:33 am

    Omgosh…these pictures are amazing! We live in ND and have no snow, what’s up with the weather, would love a snowy day. “sigh”

    Reply
  37. Mellisa says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:31 am

    What breath taking pictures!!!! Those cardinals in the snow are soooo gorgeous! Great photography. I am anxious to hear more about ‘the girls’. 🙂 Ps. Why are their ears cropped?

    Reply
    • Ginny says

      March 6, 2015 at 9:56 am

      Their tiny ears do take a bit of getting used to! They are LaManchas and “gopher” ears are characteristic of the breed. They aren’t cropped (yikes!) but are born that way.

      Reply
  38. Jolene says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:31 am

    The Cardinal photos!!! All of them. I adore them. I would purchase them to hang in my home if you did prints. ADORE.

    Reply
  39. Jennifer says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:07 am

    The goats look like they’re smiling! They make me happy just looking at them in photos.

    Reply
  40. Lisa says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:06 am

    I have nigerian dwarfs and I love watching the babies play. Love your LaMancha does. So pretty. I hope to add Nubians this year. Goats are so much fun.

    Reply
  41. BetsyD says

    March 6, 2015 at 9:02 am

    Ginny, the cardinal photos – Breathtaking! I so enjoy your photography.

    Reply
  42. Sara McD says

    March 6, 2015 at 8:53 am

    The leaping and butting babies are so cute I make little happy noises when I see them but I thought you’d finally crossed the line at which I say, “Nope. Too crunchy for me.” House train indeed. 🙂

    Are the big girls Lamancha? Are you calling one of them Dulcinea? THAT would be funny.

    Reply
    • Sara McD says

      March 6, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Oh and all those cardinals together! That’s amazing!

      Reply
      • Janet says

        March 6, 2015 at 5:05 pm

        I just love the cardinals!! So gorgeous!

        Reply
  43. Lori Ann says

    March 6, 2015 at 8:30 am

    You have made me want goats – your 2 to be exact. So dear and what looks like bonding between the 2 of them is priceless! Enjoy all the animals – can’t wait to hear more! Have a fun weekend!

    Reply

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Hello! My name is Ginny. I believe that when you slow down and savor the small things, you don’t have to wish for a different life; you can discover beauty in the life you already have. {Find out more here…}

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