MESSY MONDAY.

It was around November when we finally conceded the goats were not the best fit for us. Their proclivity for being on the same side of the fence as we were was, to say the least, a liability for us vegetable farmers. They ate several crops. They broke lots of things––cold frame windows included. They tore up the insulation under the house. And with Further on the way, it was just too much to think about having to chase the goats around everyday with an infant child in the house. So, regretfully, reluctantly, we found them new homes.However, the reason we wanted to put this as a Messy Monday was because for the past few months we have actively avoided talking about the goats on the blog. We tried with them, but we failed, and that failure was a little embarrassing. We could have kept at it, sure, and that embarrassed us a little. We could have built better fencing and infrastructure to keep them from escaping to the gardens, but we didn't and that embarrassed us. But you know what, we've decided we're fine with that. It simply didn't work for us at this moment, and that's okay. We want our readers, or anyone who is thinking about this lifestyle, or already trying it for themselves, to realize what we realized this month: it's alright if everything you try doesn't work out––not everything is going to.That said, we do still want goats––need them even––we just want the right kind of goats. We're thinking about meat or fiber breeds––smaller animals with less desire to jump 42" high electric fences and chase us around. Plus, we share a milk cow with our neighbors, so milk goats don't make the most sense anyway. We're in no hurry, though. The pigs we'll be getting this week, and our loyal flock of chickens, will be plenty enough for right now––plenty enough to get another crazy season started on the farm.- Jesse.

NEW STRATEGIES.

As we deal with the fact that we are possibly having a baby any day now, we are trying to simplify some things around here. Since I am currently not as capable as I once was of chasing escaped pigs through the woods, we have them living in our garden where there is a permanent fence that they can't (theoretically) get out of. Jesse has been bringing them lots of treats since there is not as much for them to forage. And in perhaps some sort of reverse-psychology scheme, we have been letting the goats out every morning for an hour or so. They eat along the fence row for awhile and then simply walk back into their fenced in yard, content for the rest of the day. Cross your fingers that these strategies work for a little longer!- Hannah.

THIS & THAT.

Some random photos from the past week.The weirdest, stinkiest goat.Typical morning routine.Boris and Gomer.Moving those animals.Somebody snuck inside on a chilly morning.

THIS & THAT.

Some random photos from the past week.Sorting through our remaining garlic. We still have thousands of bulbs!Scooter basically lives in this woodpile under our porch.This new girl joined the family this week. We picked her up from Little Seed, and of course her name was already Charlie (our cat). We are thinking Margot.Wildflowers in the woods. Anybody know the name?