New Farmers Market

As I was sitting this evening watching the goats eat hay my eyes drifted over to where some of the children were playing. Timothy, Emma, Noah and Judah had set up a row of tables and chairs and were all sitting in the chairs behind the tables.

Playing school?

As I listened I heard that they were not reciting their ABC's or anything of the like. No, from Timothy I heard "fresh hay for sale...the best hay at the farmer's market!" Then as his brother Noah yelled "fresh hay!" Timothy challenged him "you cant sell that at the farmers market, that isn't local! You can only sell local hay at the farmers market! Besides, *I* am the farmer, I went and gathered this hay myself with my own hands!"

Liberty was selling pine cones. I think for a quarter each.

The next table down I saw Emma with a bowl full of half pint containers full of milk that her dad had sent to the house earlier for family use. Her sign read "Fresh Swede Farm Milk. Price: a kiss and a hug."

Now that is a deal no one could pass up!

Updates

Well as you might have guessed by the last entry, I had a birthday this past weekend. That was NOT me posting, it was my oldest daughter, Katie. Not only did she surprise me on my blog, she also had her dad stall on the way home from church while she and some siblings went ahead and by the time I got home the house was clean and there were people showing up for a party! That was a surprise!

Markets continue to be consuming and wonderful. I swear we have the best customers ever. They encourage us to continue when we are dead dog tired and uplift us with stories of converting friends and family to goat milk.

If all goes well we will have a new buck in a few weeks! A breeder of absolutely wonderful Alpines started me in the breed last summer when I drove to Idaho and picked up our started herd of what has quickly become very close to our favorite breed. A few weeks ago I saw that she had a young buckling listed from a bloodline known for giving great quantities of milk. He was even affordable! The problem is...he is in Idaho! Tim was NOT inclined to let me head to Idaho for a second year in a row (not when we just finished getting the new transmission in the van after condemning it driving through the rocky mountains with the livestock trailer full of goats!) We could fly him, but that is somewhat costly plus it is now hot enough daily that most airlines won't accept a goat for flights anymore this year.

The Jarvis family to the rescue! I mentioned (mainly as a joke) that when they went on vacation they could bring me back a goat. They called last night, the day before they were to leave and said that they would! So if all goes well, our little Alpine herd will increase by one more this year. I am very excited to see what he will do for the future of our Alpine herd.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Even though she might kill me, (she has already given me the look once today) I am going to say this anyways.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

We love you and hope that you have/will enjoy your birthday!! :D