Queen Mum's Dancing in the Rain

[Queen Mum]

Congratulations on your successful cheese making. You are making me No opinion on what you should make next. Looking forward to what you decide.

And Happy Belated Birthday!

Thanks. My grandchildren called me yesterday morning before going to school and sang Happy Birthday on the phone. It made me smile all day! Now I think I shall small all day today.

I think I'm going to make Gorgonzola. It sounds yummy and I haven't made any blue cheese for a while. I decided I need some more color in my day. And, it's an interesting cheese to make. It takes two steps.

Mama gave me LOTS of milk this morning. Almost 3/4 of a gallon of milk.

But I think she is pregnant. I wonder how long I should milk her before drying her off.

I believe Ian is the daddy. Certainly NOT Houdini. That would be impossible since he is only 14 inches tall and Mama is 36 inches tall. How could he possibly reach! Although, he is a determined little fella, it would RUIN my breeding program of trying to select for very big pack goat bucklings. I don't think anyone would be interested in mini pack goats with penchant for escaping any fence and the determination to mate with does of of any size regardless of her level of interest.

The babies might make good cart goats if the carts are very small. Although after watching him push my 130 pound bucking across the paddock the other day, the kids might make good bulldozer goats.

 

[marlowmanor]

Bulldozer goat! Cheap labor!

Just a few treats, water and browse and they'd be ready for work!

 

[Queen Mum]

I'm kind of wondering how I could train for a bulldozer goat. Maybe rig up a padded thing like they do for football practice. Then teach the goat to push for a treat. Houdini is endlessly persistant about bashing things. Especially if there is a doe in heat on the other side, or another bigger (much bigger buck). I could put a rutting buck in a cage on one side and Houdini on the other side and then he could bulldoze my driveway all day long. Every time he bashes the pad, a treat drops down into a little pan. Boy, I could get that driveway smoothed out in a BIG hurry. Eventually I wouldn't need the other buck and I could rig it up so he has a harness so he wouldn't hurt his little noggin. (Not that Houdini would notice.)

 

[jodief100]

I Love to make cheese! So far I have aging in my closet (in a foam cooler) 5 pounds each of Cheddar, Gouda, Robiola and Asiago. I also have 7 pounds of Feta Cheese. In the refrigerator is 3 pounds of Camembert, a pound and a half of Feta/Garlic/herb cheese spread. One pound of mystery/ Sara made up italian style cheese. And something, that I made and can't remember, but it's really yummy, grated spaghetti cheese.

I can't decide what to make next! Romano, Swiss, Gruyere, Roquefort, Gorgonzola or Stilton.

Now I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish we could hire you on our farm. I would just love to learn to make all that cheese.

I enjoy the stories of Houdini, I just love him.

 

[Queen Mum]

If I was closer, I'd just drive over and show you the ropes. Cheese is FUN to make. It's a bit time consuming, but it's not very difficult. Just takes a bit of patience. The best part is when you make a really good one you get to eat it and share it with other people. It's kind of addicting to make, though. Eventually, it's like zucchini. You find yourself leaving your excess cheese on peoples doorstep, ringing the bell and running away fast.

Maybe we should all have an "online seminar". I would be happy to lead one.

As for Houdini, isn't he a hoot. Everyday he makes me just laugh. Mama and the other goats do that too though. Brownie keep frolicking in the paddock lately. I just want to burst out singing or something when I see her. She reminds me of this little icon...

Brownie

For that matter, they all have little icons:

Mama

Ian

Trump Card & Flash Bangs

Houdini

Jelly Bean

Motu

 

[Queen Mum]

I love that look Mama gets on her face when she is paying VERY close attention to something.

We went for a walk today and she was paying close attention to where we were going. Every few feet she would stop and look around her; check out her surroundings; perk up her ears and listen for a moment. I noticed she was pooping a lot all along the way as well. She was hyper alert. She is very beautiful in that condition.

We got to a certain point and she wouldn't go any further. She heard the dog bark from the pasture above and turned around and headed back. It was amazing but she followed her exact footsteps back the way we came. EXACTLY. I realized she had been marking the trail by memorizing her surroundings and the sounds along the way and by pooping. (Talk about Hansel and Gretel and a trail of crumbs!

When she got a little confused she leaned down and smelled for her poop. Even when she got to familiar territory, she still retraced her exact path. Around this tree, that rock, next to that fence post. Mama is an amazingly alert and astute goat. I am in awe of her. Brownie in the meantime was oblivious. That is why Mama is herd queen.

 

[Queen Mum]

♥

 

[redtailgal]

Yeah, and a couple weeks ago, someone informed me that goats were rather dumb. lol

I'll admit Socrates is dumb. I tie him at feeding time.......and he picked up his collar, but left his lead. Stupid goat.

 

[elevan]

If I was closer, I'd just drive over and show you the ropes. Cheese is FUN to make. It's a bit time consuming, but it's not very difficult. Just takes a bit of patience. The best part is when you make a really good one you get to eat it and share it with other people. It's kind of addicting to make, though. Eventually, it's like zucchini. You find yourself leaving your excess cheese on peoples doorstep, ringing the bell and running away fast.

Maybe we should all have an "online seminar". I would be happy to lead one.

Well, now better be careful what you volunteer for because you just might get called on it

Let's see...

Go to the Recipe forum
Start a thread called Cheese making for Beginners Class in Session (or something like that)
And start teaching

That's how RTG started the photography lessons and contests.

If you want to go for it

 

[Ms. Research]

Love your Momma. What a pretty goat she is! And your tales of Houdini still make me giggle when thinking of him. Thanks for the chuckle. YOu have no idea how it helps me make it through some low days.

Also glad to see your course on cheese making. Thanks for spreading your wealth of knowledge for the rest of us who raise their hands.