Yes, I know this is a bit delayed, but I've been busy with the coming of Autumn. Lady Autumn feels like she's in a hurry this year to get to the winter ball. She's rushing by brushing everything with frost and cold. I'm thankful for the rain,even if it is cold autumn rain.
I've been drying common mullein. It is a hairy biennial plant that can grow up to 2m tall. Ours is nowhere near that large! We just had small plants out by the goat pen. I am drying the leaves and the roots to use in teas. The flowers are also great to dry for a variety of uses, but we did not have any flowering stalks. I'm going to be out gathering burdock roots in the next couple of days as well. Mullein infused in a tea is great for variety of respiratory aliments from asthma and coughing to strep throat and the common cold. It is calming, relieves pain, and can make one a little drowsy. It is good for back pain as well and hemorrhoids. This information I have gathered this information from many sources. I recommend that each person does their own research before preparing any of the herbs I may talk about for their own consumption. We plan to mostly use the mullein for teas for coughs and colds, as well as back pain.
Our kits are growing! We lost one whole litter; Eris killed them for some reason. But Nyx, Artemis, and Psyche still have healthy, growing kits. We have 17 total right now in a large variety of colors. We have a couple of new goat friends. We have a 3 year old Alpine/Lamancha doe and an 8 month old lamancha doe. Both are bred. Apples (3 year old) is due in February...which is a little early. We will be constructing a kidding pen with a lamp and a warming barrel for the kids. If we need to, we plan to bring them in to the porch for warmth. Nevva (8 month old) is due in March. I believe Celeste to be bred, but I won't know until the end of the month when I can see if she comes in heat again. If she is bred, she will be due about the same time as Nevva. We are very excited for the new squalling little lives we will be welcoming into the world next spring. Our spring will be full of wonder and new life.
Our goats are now staying in their pasture, which is great! I really enjoyed letting the goats roam our yard, but they were a bit destructive. For now, they will remain in their pasture. Next year, we are debating letting them roam while we are outside working on chores or playing. Letting them move among us as one thinks of dogs being among their people.
We are up to 9+2+3+18+29+25= 86 +/- 3 chickens at this point. Way more than we want. I am hoping to find some people interested in trading some chickens for turkeys, guineas, quail, or goats. Preferably a couple of turkeys and some guineas. We shall see. I will be making soap tonight or tomorrow and will be posting on that as well. See you later!
