It's See You Later

Surprisingly for me, I'm actually pretty good about selling my goats. This afternoon, I sold the last two from the first freshening. Freshening is what they call the childbirth for goats. Boots and Onyx went to my great friend Sweet Tea who I know will take excellent care of them. So overall, we only kept two kids, bucklings, from the first round total. Not too shabby!

Luckily, I don't have to make that decision yet about my cows. In the years to come, we'll have more calves and I will then start selling them, but Brogan is still way too young. Once we move into the barndo, I might look into artificially inseminating Fiona, but she'd be the only one. Let's just say she's ready to be a mama. 

So besides the intense heat, this weekend was great. We did most of what we planned to do and got some fun in as well. This week, I'll be doing whatever it takes to get the barndo closer to done. We're almost there guys!

Grow Up To Be Cowgirl

I don't know because I haven't asked, if my parents ever thought I'd grow up to be a cowgirl. Over four decades has definitely shown them I love animals, but to live and work a farm with livestock? I'm not sure. 

All I know is at this point of my life, it suits me. I've never been a luxury brand girl for clothing, shoes or accessories, but it appears my brand is centered around actual branding! We haven't designed our brand marking yet, and it will only be used on tags, but we do have our sign now. We're getting more official by the day and we're loving every minute of it!

Have a great weekend, we're going to sip wine and cookie dough whiskey, hopefully swim under the brilliant sun, and spend some quality time with quality friends. 

Mooving Along

Today's been a busy day, so I'll type fast. Caledonia is doing great and it only took her two days to figure out she needs to listen to her mama. When Ciarán says it's time to leave the barn, she goes. When Ciarán wants to go to a different part of the pasture, Caledonia follows right behind. Tonight though was the cutest. When I opened that squeaky gate to the barn, in walks Fiona, then Brogan, Flora, them Coorie, Ciarán and finally, Caledonia! Yes, she walked right in line and went right into the stall. Cows are just awesome. 

On the barndo side of things, we've got air conditioning! Miller's Electric has been here this week knocking out switches, plugs, fixtures and today, air conditioning! We're supposed to hit triple digits this weekend, between the pool and the air conditioned barndo, we're set!

No, I haven't gotten to swim in the pool yet. James, our pool boy, has been out here daily getting it all cleaned up and balanced. He said hopefully tomorrow!

Yes, mama is drooling. She's keeping herself hydrated and forgets that last swallow matters, ha!

Caledonia

It's official, we're the proud human parents of the smallest little heifer! We're naming her Caledonia, which literally means Scottish Highlands. She's the first calf born on her farm and my parents suggested her name as it was the name given to Scotland by the Romans. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither is Fur Real Farms, but we're doing pretty good!

Caledonia (probably going to just call her Callie), is tiny, but she is stout. I picked her up to carry her into the barn because of storms, and she's heavier than Kenzie. So at least forty pounds. I'm actually going to go with sixty-ish pounds because it was a struggle for me to carry her. Of course, she was asleep and didn't help at all, but I was just so happy to hold her!

Ciarán and Caledonia are recovering, but I'm thinking tomorrow they might both be more active. It was incredibly humid hot today and I can just imagine what that feels like to them. The most wonderful thing though is how all the cows greeted the newborn last night. Fiona, the lead, met her first. Ciarán was ever watchful, but Fiona approved of the calf. Next, Coorie, Ciarán's first calf, greeted her half sister. It was a sweet moment and the three have been close ever since. More tomorrow, I don't want to over type!

Another Surprise!

Ok, today's surprise was even a surprise to Rob and I. Ciarán had her baby!!! We're almost positive it's a girl, but mama is being protective right now. She did let me get within five feet of the calf though, so I feel honored. 

The babe is precious. Looks and sounds to be completely healthy and Ciarán is also doing well. Ciarán is hungry though no matter how much we give her right now. We didn't think it would be this soon and we also didn't hear a thing happen! Judging from appearances, we got there about ten minutes after birth and we had been outside prior to that. Ciarán, you could have yelled, I sure would have!

I'll be pouring over Scottish names tonight, but if you have any suggestions, send them my way. We're so happy!

Surprise!

Only for those who follow my blog right now, I'm sharing one part of our farm we just had completed. Surprise, a swimming pool! It was originally going to be a surprise for Senior, but then we decided just to make it a surprise for everyone. Ok fair enough, I spilled the beans quite a few times because I was excited. 

We haven't swam in it yet, but we will this week. The cleaning should be finished tomorrow and then be all ready for us. It's thirty feet with a tanning pad. I think that's what it's called. All I know is Kenzie will be hanging out there. Reggie loves to swim with me, Rob will be half in the pool and half in the shade (he burns), and I'm hoping once he gets old enough, Teddy will swim as well. 

Of course, this week we've got lots of chances for rain, but as long as there isn't lightning, I'm getting in that pool. I think it will be great motivation for the workers to finish up the barndo, don't you?

Pool by Blue Springs for all of Central Texas

Getting Closer!

Tomorrow should be the absolute last day for the painters! All they have left is the walls now. All the cabinets have been reassembled and protectively covered and ready to go!

I'll have a surprise for everyone on Sunday's blog and it's a good one. It's been a fun couple of weeks, but worth it. I'm excited!

For now, I'm going to wish y'all a wonderful weekend. We're going to be homebodies and get some chores done. Or, we're going to nap and play games. We'll see!