Hi!
Well we're located in North Central Washington on a few acres we're slowing turning into a family farm. It's been 3 yrs since we started and have finally moved into a cow (delved into beef steers last summer as well). She's a Jersey and just as sweet as you please. Right now, I milk by hand, which is my preference. Depending on what life throws my way, I have a small surge at my disposal (and she has experience with one) if needed.
The bovine world is a new one, aside from the food end and singing to them through the fence when I was a kid. I've loved cows since I was a kid and I'm thrilled to finally have one (not meant for the freezer) on the place. We have 5 growing kids, ages 12-5, 3 boys 2 girls.
Aside from that, chickens, a duck with species confusion, goats (dairy and working on picking up a couple for hair), pigs come and go and we're trying out turkeys this year for the first time.
My other misc. animals:
4 Cats-
Chairman Meow, Siamese, abandoned and ended up here
Sparky, Siamese, stray someone set him on fire just before Halloween and dh brought him home to see if he could pull through, which he has.
Fluffy and Nani, 1st came with the house, 2nd decided that my husband's shoulders were a good place to perch one night....and she came home. They're our outside mouse/critter patrol.
2 Dogs-
Daisy, hound/pointer mix, wandering dh's patrol area late one winter night...it was the big sad eyes and shivering that got him.
Seamus, chocolate Lab, dropped off at the pound late one night...again.....in the vet's opinion it's a good thing he doesn't work animal control.
Various other slimy critters that my boys find, they come and go. I have an overnight visit rule.
I also spin, want to start making soap, garden, all that fun stuff. Dh has finally given into an alpaca if I'd like, but I think I'm going to give myself at least a year before exploring that. I started spinning when I was 13, dropped it for a long time and just recently took it back up again.
Our goal is to be as self-sufficient as possible, but the lifestyle is the motivator. We both come from strong farming families, that took a break with our parents generation.
I tend to lurk (free time is non-exsistant anymore) more than post and usually questions at that, but wanted to let you guys know who you're talking to.
Well we're located in North Central Washington on a few acres we're slowing turning into a family farm. It's been 3 yrs since we started and have finally moved into a cow (delved into beef steers last summer as well). She's a Jersey and just as sweet as you please. Right now, I milk by hand, which is my preference. Depending on what life throws my way, I have a small surge at my disposal (and she has experience with one) if needed.
The bovine world is a new one, aside from the food end and singing to them through the fence when I was a kid. I've loved cows since I was a kid and I'm thrilled to finally have one (not meant for the freezer) on the place. We have 5 growing kids, ages 12-5, 3 boys 2 girls.
Aside from that, chickens, a duck with species confusion, goats (dairy and working on picking up a couple for hair), pigs come and go and we're trying out turkeys this year for the first time.
My other misc. animals:
4 Cats-
Chairman Meow, Siamese, abandoned and ended up here
Sparky, Siamese, stray someone set him on fire just before Halloween and dh brought him home to see if he could pull through, which he has.
Fluffy and Nani, 1st came with the house, 2nd decided that my husband's shoulders were a good place to perch one night....and she came home. They're our outside mouse/critter patrol.
2 Dogs-
Daisy, hound/pointer mix, wandering dh's patrol area late one winter night...it was the big sad eyes and shivering that got him.
Seamus, chocolate Lab, dropped off at the pound late one night...again.....in the vet's opinion it's a good thing he doesn't work animal control.
Various other slimy critters that my boys find, they come and go. I have an overnight visit rule.
I also spin, want to start making soap, garden, all that fun stuff. Dh has finally given into an alpaca if I'd like, but I think I'm going to give myself at least a year before exploring that. I started spinning when I was 13, dropped it for a long time and just recently took it back up again.
Our goal is to be as self-sufficient as possible, but the lifestyle is the motivator. We both come from strong farming families, that took a break with our parents generation.
I tend to lurk (free time is non-exsistant anymore) more than post and usually questions at that, but wanted to let you guys know who you're talking to.
