Mutton mowers in Boulder

Saturday Ella had a soccer game in Boulder.  When we pulled into the sports park we noticed a herd of goats just outside the park.  Kate and I just had to go check it out.  I think herds of goats have been used for quite some time to eat away brush and weeds that may become a fire hazard when things get dry.  These guys were contained by a portable electric fence which I think was moved from day to day.  The herd protector was a Llama.  She didn't come into camera range.  Just like my Sunflower and CoCo  these goats prefer to eat leaves from trees over noxious weeds.  There were at least 5 of these goats in the trees straddling the branches reaching as far as their necks would take them in pursuit of a few juicy leaves.  Warning: don't touch the electric fence.  I learned the hard way.  Interesting the fence was powered by a 12" square solar panel.

Goats for hire.  This Mama is earning her keep mowing down noxious weeds.

Kate in the forest watching the goats and skipping over the little creeks.

Sweet little black curly haired goat

Beautiful view of the Flat Irons behind a great soccer game.  Go Ella

Marigolds and goat cheese

Marigold and spice rolled goat cheese

One of the main reasons I wanted to have goats was for this very day: Cheese making
I have tried  lots of flavorings to my soft cheese but this is so pretty I had to share.  I originally planted Marigold seeds so that I could feed my chickens the flowers.  I have heard that adding marigolds to their diet makes their eggs even more wonderful.  But my chickens do no like marigolds.  They are an edible flower with beautiful colored petals.  The inspiration for this cheese.  I have included the steps for cheese flavoring.  I don't expect too many people are lucky enough to have fresh goat cheese from their kitchen but you can always buy some plain from the grocery and bring it to life with these flowers and spices.
Do you see the chef sneaking a peak?
 Bon Appetit!

soft cheese out of molds

I mixed tangerine zest and cheese salt and then placed about 5 ounces on the Saran wrap

Use the plastic wrap to shape the cheese

Inspiration for the flavors

Use only the petals

More inspiration.  Why not have spices that enhance the marigolds?


Remind me when I have more goat babies to name a doeling "Marigold"

Finally tomatoes for 2014!

After 3 hailstorms in June and freezing temperatures last week with a three month very mild summer my tomatoes are finally able to eat.  A very poopy crop so far but I am grateful for any.  My favorite are the Cherokee purple.  The green ones are Green Zebras and the black shoulder smaller ones are Indigo Rose..... of course the chocolate cherries are delicious too.  I have enough to eat fresh every day with my fresh goat cheese.  Yum.  Soon I hope to have enough to share.  Happy late summer harvest!

Coming back to me!

I had a grandmother I called "MiMi".  She was the quintessential grandmother of all time.  First of all she adored me.  What little girl could not appreciate that?  She spent precious time with me teaching me how to sew,  bead and embroidery.  She taught me how to make bread and cook a terrific pork roast....all of which I still do. When I sew a seam by hand or on the machine my MiMi is watching over me making sure I am doing it right, not taking any short cuts and smiling down on me with pride and approval.  When I was a young adult my MiMi started collecting Hummel figurines.  I don't know why.  Maybe it was her German heritage or the earthy little children doing chores she used to do on her farm in Missouri.   These collectables suited her perfectly.  It is hard to know what to buy your grandmother for her birthday  when you have a little money of your own to spend but these little figurines were always the perfect gift for her from me.  My MiMi died nearly 40 years ago but she is with me everyday in the kitchen, in the garden and when I am with my own granddaughters.  These figurines have been boxed away since that time.  I have gently asked for just one of them to hold and look at and have some concrete touch of my MiMi but for 40 years I have been denied.  A few years ago I bought one on eBay to satisfy this connection.
A few days ago I received a box in the mail from my brother who now lives in my parents' home, the home we all grew up in.  Inside the box were 6 Hummel figurines wrapped in aged newspaper with the date of 1995.
I have just dusted off the last 20 years and placed these three on my nightstand.  I am typing this post with tears in my eyes.  I am so grateful to have them back in my life.