June 15... a day with Pony, Part 2

When last we left the intrepid Pony she had just finished milking the goats and was in dire need of coffee.

As I headed back to the house with milk bucket in hand Amber watched to see if I would share any milk with her. I would not.



I set down my bucket and checked on the cheese developing in the oven.



I didn't do too bad that day getting milk, not the best I've done but about average most mornings.



I got out my empty, put together my milk filter, and got ready to rumble!!!! Er, to filter milk.



MMmmmm white gold!



Have to date the milk, I use scotch tape with one end folded over so it is easy to remove before washing the lids once the jar is empty.



Ready for the fridge!



Time to take apart the milker and sterilize it! dish soap, bleach, and hot water.



While those are soaking I checked on the seeds I was germinating... gourd, bean, morning glory, etc.







all of which are now full fledged plants outside!! I seem to do ok if I germinate the seeds and then plant them right outside but if I try to start the actual plant then take it outside I invariably kill them off. lol.

Once the milker is rinsed and in the dish drainer I can finally have my coffee..... Oh, for those who have questions about the Henry Milker, I will make a post about it after I do chores that should answer your questions!

On to coffee. I no longer use an electric coffee pot. I'm trying to stop using electricity as much as possible, partially because I'm cheap, partially because we are broke and partially because I actually enjoy doing things "the old fashioned way". So instead I either use a percolator (If I know I am going to want 3 or 4 cups) or a French Press (if I am just going to have a cup or two). Today is a french press kinda day.

But of course I didn't wash the press after using it the day before. *sigh* So I put my cast iron tea pot on to heat...



Then I wash my press.





Then I put in my coffee grounds.



Then I go play Zombie Lane on facebook while I wait for the water boil. *grin* As usual our internet connection is being a pain.



Loading....... the water is going to have boiled away by the time i get to play this game. I HAVE ZOMBIES TO KILL, DANG IT!



AHHHH! hot water.





as if by magic it transforms into coffee.



*cue music from intro to Dexter*



In this house "creamer" means "goat milk".



MMmmmm coffee.



Yay medicine and vitamins!!!! This is just my morning stack. *sigh*



To be continued!

June 15... a day with Pony, Part1.

I didn't forget, but excitement ensued between then and now, and I just got around to finishing up with the pictures.

So here you go, part 1 of my day, June 15, 2011. My day has change a lot since then, but I'll explain that in another post.

First, I struggle to wake up and make my morning constitutional. No pictures of THAT, thank goodness. Then I either make myself some coffee OR gather my milking supplies, depending on what time I wake up. This day i woke a bit late, so milking first it was!



Once my gear is ready to head out I try to get out the door without tripping over a cat or dog. I usually fail, and trip.



Brego watches expectantly as I start my morning chores.



I grab a flake or two of bland first cutting hay for the bucks and wethers.



They get pretty excited over their breakfast.





Once they are fed and their water is topped off I go out to the little barn where Brego and The Ladies live.

Schrodinger the cat usually greets me, coming out as I am going in. She keeps the mice down, and cleans up any spilled milk.



Brego waits to see if he gets hay or pasture today.



It's a pasture day, so he gets his fly mask put on.



Then we head out to where ever I have the temporary fence set up for him to graze.



This day it was the front yard.



From the moment I opened the front door of the house the Ladies have been calling to me. I think the "goat to human translation" is something like, "OMG COME MILK US! HURRY! ALSO, FOOD!!!!"



I toss some food into the bucket on the milk stand (sunflower seeds and feed mix).



Then I go let one of the does out of the stall. usually Rosemary first, then Thyme, then Sage. They find their own way to the stand.





They jump up onto the milking stand on their own and start to chow down.





i wash their udder.





Squirt a bit of milk from each teat into a pan I have to make sure it looks healthy and clean. Schrodinger will clean that pan for me later in the day.





Then I hook up my Henry Milker machine and start milking.



Mmmmm.... delicious fresh healthy milk!!!



I take each doe outside after i milk her to stake out in the yard. This is Rosemary.



You can see her two tires duct taped together and heavy duty cable in the background, while she tries to eat tree leaves.



I think that is enough for this blog entry.

To Be Continued!!!

Camera in hand....

I've been chattering away on facebook about things but neglecting my blog.

So... I am taking my camera with me and taking pictures of everything I do today, and I will be posting a multiple part photo essay of my day. You all can pretend to be interested in how I make coffee and how I sterilize my milking equipment, lol.