Introductions...
Today was introduction day for our new goats. Fern and Periwinkle have never met other animals. Their previous home only had goats so all of our animals are new to them. I thought it was time for them to meet who was making all of the noises on the other side of the barn. As soon as the goats came down their ramp into the outdoor paddock all of the sheep and llama came to the fence to see who it was. The llama was most curious and anxious to meet them nose to nose. The sheep all gathered on the other side of the fence as if to welcome the newcomers.

Fern continues to be the most bold and curious of the two. She does not hesitate to follow me and to see what I am doing or to give kisses. Periwinkle hangs back to be sure all is safe. By the end of the day though Perwinkle seemed much more at home and relaxed.Tomorrow we will have to continue the introductions having them meet the chickens and bunnies.

Welcome Fern & Periwinkle

A fiber farm just doesn't seem complete without angora goats! Today, two beautiful angora goat does arrived at our farm, Fern and Periwinkle. They were quite timid about coming out of the safety of the truck and into our large old barn. Periwinkle trembled noticeably and seemed quite shy while Fern was much more curious about us and her new surroundings. Both of them were startled by all the noises in and around our barn with sheep baaing, chickens clucking, and Myk, our barn cat meowing. I tried to convince them that they would get used to all the other animals but they were a little unsure of it all.

Fern and Periwinkle came from a wonderful angora goat farm in Vermont where they lived with lots of other goats. It will be an adjustment for them being here at our farm but I am confident they will grow to love it. Each of them have been bred and we are hopeful to have kids in May giving them other goats to tend to and keep them company.

I must thank our Romney/Cormo/Mohair Yarn CSA shareholders who have made this purchase possible! Now we will have our own mohair to blend with our wool. There are still shares available in our online shop for those who would like to support Fern and Periwinkle. http://www.woolhandcrafts.esty.com

Now I must begin reading my new book, Angora Goats the Northern Way by Susan Drummond.

Wow! Vermont Grand View Farm made it in the Knitters Review year end article!



http://www.knittersreview.com/article.asp?article=/review/profile/081218_a.asp

Winter Coats

Winter coats are a must where we live for both 2 and 4 legged folks! The biting cold temperatures make it a necessity to wear a warm coat before going out to do chores or play in the snow. Coats, mittens, neck warmers, hats, and wool socks with boots become the winter attire. Our mud room is over brimming with outer wear hanging on pegs, drying on the mitten rack, or sitting in baskets waiting for the next person to go outside.

But why are those sheep wearing coats? We coat our sheep during the winter months to keep their fleeces clean and free of hay. Our hill side farm is often quite windy and one feeding with hay blowing is all it takes to ruin a nice fleece. The coats are made of a light weight breathable fabric.

This winter I have had a time keeping coats on the girls. They amaze me at how they have managed to wiggle their way out of their coats. I think there must be a little coat fairy out in the paddock helping them to take their coats off. As you see in the picture, Belle, has lost her coat. Tomorrow I will put it back on her.

Snowy Day

We woke this morning to a new 8 inches of snow and a covering of ice over every twig, fence line, sheep, and gate. My husband was only the second person to venture out this morning as he headed off to work. Public schools were closed however, much to my son's dismay, our home school was in session. The new snow simply added "shovel walks" to my son's list of things to accomplish within his school day. We had several packages for the mail carrier to pick up this afternoon so I have called ahead to the post office to request that he beep his car horn as he arrived so we could run them out to him. When he came, he exclaimed over how much snow and ice our little mountain had in comparison with the village in the valley. Indeed, many times, we are hit with much more snow than the low lying areas. This afternoon the sun is sparkling against the crystalline snow and the sheep are out lounging in its warmth in hopes to melt off their snow and ice covering. I took a quick walk to capture the beauty of our hillside farm to share with you.

Soap!

Many years ago I began purchasing goat's milk soap base to make my own soap. I would add herbs and flowers from our garden as well as essential oils to the soap base making my own bars of custom soaps. It has been a long time since I made my last bar of soap. About two weeks ago, I came across an adorable sheep soap mold online that I couldn't resist! After a little further research, I came across a goat farm in Maine ( http://pudledukfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/ ) that uses their own goat's milk to make a quality, natural goat's milk soap base for rebatching. That's all it took to get me started again.


In the past two weeks, I have made and sold about 30 bars of soap. It has been great to get out my essential oils, dried herbs from the garden, and my soap recipe book. I love the soap base from Pudleduk Family Farm. The soap has a rich, creamy, lather. This weekend, I took my sheep soaps to a church bizarre. Within the first two hours, I sold out of soap and then began taking orders. The little sheep was a hit! I took several different kinds of goat's milk soap: Rosemary/Lavendar, Lanolin and Lavendar, Peppermint, Oats and Honey, Chamomile, and Jasmine and Lanolin.

You can visit my online shop to see what soaps are in stock. Check back often, as I add new soaps weekly. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=11790&section_id=5374510