New Year, Waiting for New Kids

January and February are the low months for milk production. The does will starting kidding in March this year and our milk production will finally start going back up. Goats are not like cows. They do not come into season all year round like cows do. The does come into heat in the fall and after they are bred they will kid five months later. In order to give them some time off, we try to dry them up 60 days before they are scheduled to have their kids. We try to spread the breeding out as much as possible, but there is still this two month time when the milk production is down. But those of you who have been missing us in some of the stores in Seattle will see us back on the shelves as soon as the kids arrive! By the way, come visit the farm during the Spring and early summer if you want to see the kids. They are adorable.

O Holy Night

Friday night we took part in a living nativity in Blaine. Here is the story written by my mom:

Live Nativity Scene
Northwood Church’s evening to bless the town was elaborate: in the parking lot: a hay ride, a bonfire, and 200 boxes of Christmas dinners to give away. Inside: warm hugs and handshakes, mounds of cookies, hot and cold apple cider, the worship team banging out joyful sounds. Out back, between the church and the woods: a Live Nativity Scene -- for which Grace and Tim offered to bring a horse and some goats.
We closed the farm store just at dark and loaded up. Penny in the horse trailer was no problem since she is quite used to riding around; and two baby goats got to ride in the back of the pickup, peering out the canopy windows with cheerful anticipation. Of course Sunny went too -- but he rides in the cab behind us.
It could have been a nice tranquil adventure except that it seemed logical, with a trailer built for two, to pick up Lucas,Carol Molcar's miniature donkey, on the way.
Carol's farm was easy to find -- but once inside we didn't expect to be met by 4 enormous lamas – taller than the truck! – looming out of the dark and lumbering toward the trailer. Penny looked out her horse window and let out a stream of snort words. What are THOSE !!!?*!*!?*! Carol casually brings little Lucas around on a leash and loads him in beside Penny, which was no problem for him because he is used to riding around too. But Penny just keeps snorkussing at --everything!
Oh well... we pack ourselves into the pickup -- Carol squeezes in with Sunny in the back; Grace and I belt ourselves into the front seat; Tim slams the passenger door three times to make it stay shut, wedges in on his side, and guns to go. As we head for the gate, suddenly there is a terrible crashing back in the trailer. "Stop! STOP!" Grace yells. Tim pulls the emergency brake, jumps out, and Grace scrambles over the steering wheel because there isn't time to crawl over me.
Dear sweet Penny was jerking and kicking because little Lucas had crawled under the horse divider and was wedged under her chin! Needless to say, he was summarily unloaded, and relegated back to Carol’s truck, which delivered him to the church a bit after Penny got there first. But Penny simply hated everything about being a Live Nativity Scene and spent the evening leering over at Lucas and snorting with disgust. There were a few moments when the family posed with some dignity and looked the part, but I doubt Penny will EVER again be manger scenery. Real horses don’t like donkeys!

Penny and the Kids

Every morning and afternoon I take Penny and the baby goats from the barn to the pasture. It is great fun to watch as the little goats gallop along with me. Penny is a 16, or more, year old grade mare that I bought for our grandchildren to ride. She's a real sweetie and Faith, my 6 year old granddaughter will start formal riding lessons on her next week. She has been riding her for several months, but now we are going to get serious! What fun.

Come and visit the farm when you can. We have redone the store with a new floor and new paint. It looks great, and all the better to serve you with, my dears.

Scottie now lives at Grace Harbor Farms

Wow. God is so good. On Saturday morning I took a look at Craigslist to start looking for a new dog. There was a picture and story about a purebred collie who needed a home with more things to do and people who could spend time with him. I wrote to the poster and told her that I could not imagine a better home for her collie than Grace Harbor Farms. By noon he had become part of the family. He is wonderful! He's a 11 month old purebred collie, gentle, friendly, housebroken, playful--and beautiful. Thank you, Lord.

Come and visit when you can.

In Memory of Silas

Any of you who have ever visited the farm, know Silas. I am absolutely heartbroken to tell you that Silas died on November 1st. He was hit by a car at the end of the driveway. I didn't see it happen--I found him about one minute after it happened. He did not suffer. He was gone when I got to him.

You can imagine the hole in my life, and the hole in the farm without Silas here. It is almost beyond belief. If there ever were a good dog, Silas was he. Every time I went from one building to the other he went with me. He loved to greet people when they came, but he would withdraw to his yard when told to. He never complained. He just wanted to be with the people, and was thrilled if he found someone who would throw something for him. Last summer he discovered "Apple Ball" trees and from then on he was not long without something to ask you to throw for him.

The farm will not be the same without Silas.

I am looking for another dog. If you are a praying person you can pray for our comfort as we grieve the loss of Silas, and pray that the Lord will help us to find the right dog to come to Grace Harbor Farms. Thank you for your prayers, and your comfort.

The cheese is ready

We sold our first package of cheese yesterday after a three year hiatus. I didn't even have the labels on the packages yet when our mail carrier came in to pick up the mail order that were going out. I told her that we had cheese and asked her if she would like a taste. "Are you kidding?" she said, "I love cheese!" I gave her a taste and she immediately went back to her vehicle for some money. "Here, keep the change, " she said. "This is fantastic!"

We have four flavors so far:

• Classic Chevre
• Sweet Pepper and Garlic
• Basil and Garlic
• Dill and Chives

The Feta will be ready next week, and the Gouda next month.

Come try some!

Cheese is Back!!

We are making cheese again! After many, many requests we are making cheese again. We have gouda aging. It will be ready in about a month

The chevre in this picture will be ready to eat on Monday, the 22nd. Wow. It's been a long time, more than two years since we made cheese.

We will have it for sale here on the Farm by Tuesday and it will be at the Farmer's Market in Bellingham on Saturday, the 27th. We are not planning to sell it to any other stores right now.

Flavors will probably include Pure Chevre, Sweet Pepper, Basil and Garlic, and Dill with Chives.

Yum. I have also missed the cheese so we are delighted to bring it back.