Fall is almost gone...

Somehow, I feel as if I missed October, my favorite month...  We have been going in high gear and actually have harvested some hay in between the tropical storm and regular too much rain...

I love the fall, it is my favorite time of year.  I just wish it would last longer and not have all this rain.  I know we need rain, but come on... To much is too much...

We were able to cut 15 acres of hay and bale it up in square bales.  I have trouble dealing with the large round bales and feel the small bales are of better quality.  They smell sooo good...  Even though as soon as they were cut, that evening we had frost...  Frost will discolor the hay and make it dark and look like it is bad.  As long as hay smells good, it is good.... Stick your nose into it, if it is sweet smelling, all is well...

The cows are doing well, I have some recent pictures to share with our fans.  It seems weird to me, so many folks really enjoy seeing what is going on at Oldesouth Farm.  But we really enjoy our farm folks, so it is OK.  Black Beauty above is pregnant and waiting for her to calve next spring.  Daisy, the red cow, should be pregnant and raising a steer calf.

This is the little heifer calf out of Christy who is growing well and the youngest of our Bovine Group.  She is a bit shy, but hopefully will tame down to handle easily.

This is Barbecue,the little steer we are raising up for the freezer.  We have a half of him reserved and a front quarter.  We are looking to reserve the rear quarter as well.  We hope to finish him and process him by fall 2010.  If you are interested in reserving some home grown beef, let us know.  He is mostly Brahmin and he is getting spoiled with all the goodies he gets to eat.  He will be treated like a king and when his time to go is here, it will be quick and he will nurish our family and our extended family.  That is what home grown meat is all about.  I truely believe in treating my animals with due respect and good food.  I only hope God will give me the same end as these animals, quick and with a great life.

We processed Chops the Icelandic Ram Lamb and he was worth the wait.  Oh my... My friend Mr Paul and I have truly enjoyed the Icelandic Lamb.  It is what everyone claimes and more!  We only processed him in October and he is almost gone...  We will process at least 3 lambs next year.  The goat is almost gone as well.  I love slow cooked, soups and stews and  will share one of my most favorite soups...

This can be made with Lamb, Goat or Beef or even Chicken.

In a slow cooker, coat the bottom with fresh cut Onions, any type.  Also cut up garlic or buy the cut Garlic and put a good 2 tablespoons of Garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker.  I love Garlic and the more the better.  If it ever drys up, I have garlic to plant in the garden for next year...

Anyway....  Put ground Lamb, Goat, Beef, whatever onto the onions and add enough water to cover and up to the top of the slow cooker.  Add a couple of handfuls of beans (I have big hands, so 3/4 cup per handful), any type or the mixed beans available for soup.  Add a handful of SHORT grained brown rice, can get at the Kushi Institute.  The short grain brown rice is loaded with B vitamines and is more like a grain and will thicken the soup.  The Kushi Institute in Mass. is the only place I know of on line to order.  I went to their Institute back in October 2004 to learn macrobiotic cooking.  Very interesting and I highly recommend them.  The Macrobiotic cooking is great for treating Cancer and other problems.  They cook everything fresh and is mostly a vegitarian diet.  It works and I have met folks who had recovered from Cancer with their diet and methods.  I followed the diet for a long time, but missed the meat and dairy.  So I incorporate their methods with my own meat and dairy ...

But if I were to be diagnosed with Cancer, would follow it completely and dump the meat and dairy.

But for now... I do enjoy my meat and dairy, especally the goat milk and cheese. 

Ariel, my brat Nubian Drama Queen is milking like mad, giving me 4.5 pounds (4 pounds is half a gallon) per morning.  I put her up at night and milk her in the morning and leave her out with her mini nubian (half Nigerian) kids during the day.  Her milk is great for cheese, drinking, etc.  I will keep her daughter for a future milker.  I am thinking about purchasing some Nubian semen and AI her for next year and keep her doe kids.  She is an excellent milker and has a nice udder.  She is a bit of a Drama Queen and pushy though...

OK, where were we...  Back to the slow cooker,  add sea salt (has more minerals and nutrition) and fresh ground pepper.  Also add a pinch of Rosemary, Sage, Basil, a bit of Soy Sauce and what ever else you prefer.  Let this slow cook all day, at least 8 hours on low and you will be sooo pleased.  This is a hardy, wonderful and easy recipe for any meat for those of us with not a lot of time or energy.... With the cooler temperatures, this is a great and easy meal for the entire family.

We have 3 bottle babies, one is a Boer/Nigerian Mix white doe, one Nigerian Doe buckskin with blue eyes(Molly) and another little white doe Nigerian who lost her mom.  They are For Sale on the Goat For Sale page and can contact us at: 334-327-9252 for information.  We will have several wethers and young goats for sale for meat or pets next spring.  Cabrito (young goat) is excellent and healthy.  We are taking reservations.  They are being reserved for $1.50 per pound live and we will deliver them to a local processor.  You pay us and pick up your meat at the processor after paying the processing fee of $65.00.  They will cut and package anyway you prefer.

I have had many requests for Goat Milk Soap and Lotion. 

If you need some, email me at:  oldesouth@charter.net and I will get you what you want.  Most of my soap and lotion is at Mark's Mart here in Selma, Alabama.  They have purchased all I can make and deal with the tax end of things... Which really makes retailing on the internet difficult and a PIA.  But, I will take care of you, just let me know what you want.  We have the 4 oz Goat Milk Lotion (Passion Scent) $6 and the Bar Goat Milk Soap, large $6 and small $4-$5.  Hopefully in the future I can hire someone who can help and follow simple directions to make the soap and lotion.  With the farm expanding, it is difficult for me to keep up and do it all with out deligation.  A lot of folks can not read a digital scale,  I do not know why and do not have a lot of patience for those who can not...  That is why we have backed off the soap and only made a few batches this year.  Dealing with the Lye turns off a lot of folks, can be dangerous and it takes 6 weeks to cure the soap properly before use...

 I have to add The Man to the Blog.  The Trump...  He is honey mooning with a group of 10 ewes and I look forward to his lambs.  The Icelandic Lamb is soooo good to eat and the fleece is out of this world.  I hope to collect the Trump and put him into my semen tank as well for future use after his short life is no more.  I love this ram and want to keep him around for future generations long after his life span.  We hope to collect him in December after he has the girls taken care of.  I want to collect Phantom as well.

This little lamb is a Superb SRX8685 daughter sired by the monster Icelandic Ram Ragnar LF194S.  She is a twin, but a bit on the small side.  I was thrilled to get her when I went to Lavender Fleece in Michigan.  I think she will add some excellent genetics to the Icelandic Flock.  She is a white, white and I have not sheared her.  Due to her small size, will shear her in the spring and let her grow and not stress her with fall shearing.  She is meaty and has an awesome fleece. 

We have several yearling bred Nigerian Does, most bred to Mr General if anyone is looking for a good family milker.  Contact us by phone:  334-327-9252 or email at:  oldesouth@charter.net.

Take care everyone...