Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps

Product Monday – Anise Goat Milk Soap

October 19, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Anise…a unique scent.

Anise is an essential oil that is used (as well as anise seeds) in perfuming and cooking. Black licorice contains anise, and so does Italian sausage.

In aromatherapy, anise is said to have aphrodisiac and stimulant properties. Anise is a natural antiseptic, amongst other healthy benefits.

Me…I simply love the scent. It is clean and natural, turning out a mild soap.

Anise goat milk soap can be found in my online store, as well as Anise Lavender.

Essentials oils are readily absorbed by the skin. Always keep your specific allergies and health conditions in mind (including pregnancy). Even though I include generous proportions of essential oils in many of my soaps, the amount that the skin actually absorbs from soap is much less in quantity than from a lotion, or directly from pure essential oil.

Posted in Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 4 Comments »

Annie’s Goat Hill Piglets

October 18, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

The Piglets Just Arrived

Have you ever tried to tell a story but couldn’t get beyond the giggles well enough to talk?

I couldn’t get beyond the giggles to start this post.

Saturday morning we picked up the piglets.

When we arrived at the pig farm the owner climbed into the pen. All of the piglets were asleep, practically curled up under the straw. Not for long.

Within moments there were little piglets running everywhere.

It did not take long for the man to grab the male (the black and white piglet). He carried him by his back legs over to me. The piglet was still, calm as it could be. I sensed that was a good way to carry a piglet, I could just tell.

What did I do?

I put my hands on the piglet, started to turn him over like you would a goat kid. That was smart…very, very smart. The piglet immediately went into action. Squirming…almost out of my hands. The man and my husband snickered, and luckily, between the two of them, caught him.

The two female piglets were not so easy to catch. They ran through the mud for at least 20 minutes. The owner had mud up and down himself, including in his eyes.

When we arrived home with the piglets we backed the truck up to the temporary pen. The first two came out of the crate easily, but the last one escaped our grasp. I am telling you, the statement about something being slicker than a greased pig is absolutely, without a doubt, true! They are fat, smart, and quick.

Down the third piglet went, out of our hands, on the wrong side of the fence. Across the lot she went.

I have no idea how I did it, but I corralled her. I guess years of catching goats taught me something. It didn’t teach me how to keep my hands on a piglet, that’s for sure…tee hee.

Caleb, our pyrenees mix, is having a fit watching over his new piglets. He has not left their side. He does not know that the pigs are moving to their own set up in 3 or 4 days. Temporary situation, sorry Caleb…you have goats to take care of.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged pigs | 11 Comments »

All Things Goat

October 16, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

It does not happen every day…you stumble upon a refreshingly different site and bookmark it immediately. All Things Goat was one of those for me.

All Things Goat is an online magazine brimming with articles written by ordinary people, people that have a passion for goats.

I have been talking with Mary Ann and Naimhe Jeanne, creators of All Things Goat, for a few months. All along thinking I wanted to give a shout out to their site. Yesterday I decided to ask Mary Ann a few questions. She gladly responded.

Me: Was there anything in particular that prompted you to start All Things Goat? Mary Ann: Naimhe Jeanne and I actually met last winter on Twitter, talking about goats of course, and conceived of the site from there.

Mary Ann went on to say, “The overall intent of the site is to promote and link people in the goat world and all of its diversity. Think of it as goat link love. Naimhe Jeanne, who lives in northern Illinois, ahs goats. I did as a child but no longer do and live in Madison, Wisconsin, where it’s kind of hard to sneak a goat into the backyard.”

Ah-ha! I see now, we are talking about goat love…nothing more, nothing less.

By the way, Mary Ann, I have been talking with Lylah Ledner, of Simple Home Living, about goats as well. She is from an urban Arizona area. I suggested she rent a barn, or a small piece of farmland, thinking it might fulfill the passion she still has for goats after 25 years of being apart from that love. As I told Lylah, there are a lot of small lots out there that people no longer use. Sometimes the land owners are overjoyed to have their barn and/or lots put to good use. Something to think about.

I asked Mary Ann a few more questions, such as: What are the goals for All Things Goat? Is there anything we can do to help promote?

Before I sign off…I want to say thank you to All Things Goat for the wonderful site! Also, thank you for using my goat-related articles.

I believe this excerpt from Naimhe Jeanne and Martha Ann answered many of my questions:

http://www.AllThingsGoat.com is an online magazine with news, photos, recipes and feature stories about meat, fiber and dairy goats.

We target an audience knowledgeable about goats, and those just becoming interested in goats, while showing those who have never thought of goats how our caprine friends improve the quality of life for many worldwide.

All Things Goat was created by Naimhe Jeanne and Martha Ann, carnivores both who believe in the humane treatment of goats from birth through death, regardless of whether they are a pet or raised for milk, meat or fiber.

Please look at our site and pass word of us to others in your community. We appreciate comments and always are looking for story ideas, photos, blogs and Web sites to keep All Things Goat fresh, lively and informative.

If we can help you, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Naimhe Jeanne and Martha Ann

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged All Things Goat, caring for goats, goat herdsmanship, online goat magazine | 3 Comments »

What Is The Real Meaning Of Success?

October 15, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

floating money

According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of success is “favorable result, gain.”

Few words, says a lot.

If I based my personal definition of success on the numerous pokes I receive daily to “get rich quick,” “work from home and make millions,” “overnight success guaranteed,” I would say success is defined by how much money we earn, and how quickly it is acquired.

If success is based on the money we earn, does it not require hard work?

A chunk of reality – if success is based on our relationships in life, does it not require caring about people?

Perhaps…just perhaps…we can throw our own the message right back at the pushers, “I got rich today!” Stun them, make them ask how we did it. The answer would be, “Because I treasure people and I worked hard to make a difference!”

There…isn’t that real success? After all, Webster’s definition is “favorable result.”

Posted in General Reflections | Tagged family and friends, get rich quick, hard work, small business, spam | 6 Comments »

The Charm Farm

October 14, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Horses at The Charm Farm

I wanted to tell you about a friend of mine, one that provides very special services, The Charm Farm.

The Charm Farm is the name given by special people that run a rescue for farm animals near Strasbourg, Saskatchewan (SK), Canada.

At The Charm Farm, many types of farm animals, such as: horses, pigs, goats, cattle, sheep, and even chickens, are provided a bright future. Many of these animals have been abandoned, sick or are elderly. Animals in great need of temporary homes have received a loving place to stay at The Charm Farm.

If there is anything you can do to help, this is not a gimmick, please do so, even if you can only pass the word along.

I will be looking through my supplies for donations. Animals are so very important to me. I do not want to see a single one suffer.

Thank you, The Charm Farm! You set a beautiful example.

Disclaimer: This is not a paid endorsement.

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged farm rescue | 4 Comments »

Managing The Size Of A Goat Herd

October 12, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Aleecia - Nubian Doe

Management of goats involves much more than milking, feeding, worming and medication.

Responsibility in maintaining the “numbers” is essential. Meaning, focus on the goats that you can easily manage, and part with anything above that number.

If you are considering raising goats, keep your costs in mind. Before you begin breeding your goats, or even before you purchase additional goats (or first goats), know what the feed costs are going to be. Know what the fencing costs are going to be. Shelter is another factor that must be considered. Above all, stock the medicine cabinet before you purchase goats. Do not assume they will not get sick, they will, and they do.

When you begin breeding your goats, remember that a doe generally produces 2 or 3 kids per season. A goat herd multiplies quickly! That is why I part with goats once or twice a year.

My farm rules are (because I cannot keep a lot of pets): if you produce nice kids (even if it is only one nice kid per season), you raise your kids well, you are easily housed (you do not jump or destroy fences excessively), and if you are maintained without microscopic care (an animal that thrives on feed, browse, and an occasional worming and medication)…you are a keeper, you produce well for my farm. And, very importantly, both the dairy and meat goats (boers) must be able to produce milk. I have had to part with a few beautiful animals that showed a record of little or no milk.

You might say, “That sounds rather tough.” Yes, it is. But I have to run a herd with tight measurement. If I didn’t, I would not be able to keep goats at all.

Now I need to prepare for the 2nd goat sale within the week. Busy day ahead…and tomorrow I will smile at the remaining herd and say, “Get yourself ready for new milk and kids!”

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged Dairy Goats, Goats | 12 Comments »

The Calm In The Heart

October 10, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

confetti

As many of us have experienced, my life has filled with troubles in recent years.

The husband remains unemployed, repairs are needed, and friends and family have lost their homes and financial stability. The old body nudges me more often as well. It says, “You are aging.” To top it all off, I have been elected The Steadfast Smiling Rock, so it seems, for a number of loved ones. Are the burdens heavy? No. They are not.

Something beautiful has happened. No, the problems have not faded away.

I have changed. I am stronger.

Picture a toy. A plastic wand filled with water and sparkling colorful confetti.

When the water is still the confetti floats to the top.

When the wand is shaken vigorously, the confetti moves about. The water sloshes, making it not so crystal clear.

I am like the wand. When faced with a worry, the wand begins to tumble about. The vision blurs.

Then the most beautiful thing happens. I pray. I feel peace. I feel calm.

The water settles. The sparkles rise. And I feel the glimmer of hope floating on top, reflecting God’s love and strength.

Beautiful! Awesome!

I want to share my glimmer, my hope, and my strength.

With all of my love, Mary.

The 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Posted in Inspirations | Tagged faith, friends and family, inner-strength, troubled times | 15 Comments »

Busy In The Shop

October 8, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Hello!

I have been working at keeping the ball rolling in the shop, at the retail location, and in the office. So far, I have it in the bag!

Regarding the blog…I have had a real sorry case of, “What do I write about?” Thankfully, when that happens I know better than just to slap on a post!

Today I added new soap gift sets to the website. I plan to offer holiday packaging in the next several weeks. My retail location asked me to hold off until the last week of October. I am planning everything around that.

Anyone else suffering from major allergies this season? My last major bout was in 2001. The husband and I are both downing the Allegra this season!

I am hopeful this post and the attached photo publish. I am writing from my phone. The rain clouds are heavy enough to block my Internet signal! Glad to have the opportunity to at least phone-write!

The fall rainy season has arrived!! Do you love hearing it too?

Goat Milk Soap Set

Posted in In The Soap Shop | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 4 Comments »

Adding Piglets To Annie’s Goat Hill

October 6, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

AA035400 photosearch.com piglet

With an oink, oink here…and an oink, oink there…Old MacDonald had a farm…E…I…E…I…O!

My husband took me out to the pig farm today. I selected two female piglets. The male piglet is coming from another farm. It is not good to breed brothers and sisters in the pig world.

Pigs are affectionate?! Pigs are smart. I saw it, or else I would have never believed it.

Mr. Red, the duroc sire, is a big boar. When the wife called him out of the barn, Mr. Red stuck only his nose and ears out. But that was enough for my first glimpse. To self I said, “I thought pigs were smaller than that! That boy is huge!” Once the wife started to pet some of the other pigs, Mr. Red emerged. He wanted attention too.

Ms. Raindrops, the hampshire mother, is a large off-white haired sow. She, like the sire, loves attention.

The piglets are 6-8 weeks old. They have recently been weaned. I will pick them up in about a week.

Now…and my friends, you need to help me here…I am NOT going to keep any of the piglets that are born in the future. They are going to be sold. I am not going into a full-scale pig business. If I keep one, it will go to the freezer.

I promise!

Posted in Goat Care (and General Farm) | Tagged piglets, pigs | 11 Comments »

Product Monday – Goat Milk Soap Sets

October 5, 2009 by Mary Humphrey

Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sandalwood Goat Milk Soap

Today I prepared packages of soap for the retail location.

The first items I prepared were the Annie’s Goat Hill Sampler gift sets that I announced here a few days ago.

Then I began wrapping various full sized bars of soap. I made a couple of floral sets, using a fabric theme to match (polka dot, floral, pink, burgundy).

Masculine scented soaps were blocked off into sets as well. I wrapped the bars of soap in plaid scraps. I love the sets! Masculine cedarwood, patchouli, and sandalwood, beautiful!

What do you think? Do you like the 3-bar sets? I will be adding them to the website for the holidays.

By the way, I love the masculine scents. I can wash with lavender soap and find it to smell grassy, not floral, yet, lavender is considered to be a floral. Again, back to our scent discussions here, it is all about perception!

Posted in Products | Tagged Goat Milk Soap | 7 Comments »

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