Monday, October 31, 2011

Good Goat Nutrition

Goats are known to eat anything.  I almost believed that when one day we were working on constructing our panel storage/milking shelter and Annabell, one of my goats, started nibbling on a plastic bag.  I went running over, intending to take it from her.  She saw me coming and with a few more chomps and a great big swallow, it was gone!

However, I have learned that my goats DO have preferences in their choice of food.  They definately know what they like best.  The corn kernels disappear out of their feed first and if the chickens choose to nest in their hay feeder, they really aren't interested in finishing their hay! 

  
They are generally thrilled when we have an abundance of produce from the garden to share with them but will totally ignore the bind weed we throw over the fence!

If they are able to find a way to escape from their pen in the summer, stripping the grape vines is their first priority.  We also discovered they enjoy young broccoli, cabbage and pepper plants!   


And did I mention they like carrots??? =)


They also LOVE comfrey - an excellent remedy for the scours and they devour kelp, a great source of vitamins and minerals, as if it were candy!  Although they don't particularly care for diatomaceous earth, I include it as a wormer in their daily feed ration and they don't know the difference!  

I enjoy learning all I can about good goat nutrition.  "Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats" by Jerry Belanger has been a great guide.  It is rewarding to experience the effects of good goat nutrition - a healthy herd of goats with sleek, shiny coats that produce plenty of creamy, sweet tasting milk! 

This post is linked to:
Weekend Whatever
Natural Living Monday 

Sunday, October 23, 2011

A Day of Rest

 Today we enjoyed visiting a local State Park.

 The trail around the lake is a gorgeous 3 miles....especially this time of year!

 The leaves are just peaking!
 
 Part way around the lake, we met up with my dad's brother and wife.  
Here are my parents (on the left) with them.


 My sister, Joella and I.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

NEW! Gift Baskets

 New at Homemaid Expressions this week are 3 different sizes of gift baskets.

  
Small Basket - $14.99
1 - 4 oz bar Goat Milk Soap
1 package of 3 guest-size Goat Milk Soap bars
1 Lip Balm






Medium Basket - $21.99
1 - 4 oz bar Goat Milk Soap
1 package of 3 guest-size Goat Milk Soap bars
1 Lotion Candle 
1 Lip Balm


Large Basket - $25.99
1 - 4 oz bar Goat Milk Soap
1 - 4 oz bar Goat Milk Shampoo
1 package of 3 guest-size Goat Milk Soap bars
1 Lotion Candle
1 Lip Balm

Choose one of our ready made baskets or customize your own!  Visit our soap, candle & lip balm pages to choose what scents you would like your gift basket to contain!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lavender Lip Balm

 I recently tried making up a new Lip Balm Recipe.  The ingredients in this one are Sweet Almond Oil to soften & soothe, Coconut Oil & Mango Butter to moisturize, Bees Wax to retain moisture, Vitamin E Oil to preserve and Lavender Essential Oil with its cleansing, healing and general good-for-the-skin properties!  This batch is very mildly scented.  For those who are allergic to strong scents, this is for you!

Filling the lip balm tubes.
Waiting for caps & labels.

Shrink wrapping!

Ready to sell!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Soap, Candles & Sewing at Market



On Saturday's from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. you can find us at the North Square Farmers Market in Chambersburg, PA.  This past Saturday, for something different, we set up an extra tent beside our display to demonstrate how we make the things we sell!  Through out the morning I made Lavender & Oatmeal Goat Milk Soap and Lavender Lotion Candles.  My sister Joella, also brought her sewing machine and sewed wallets.