Plain Jane

She may not be as flashy as her brother and sister, but Plain Jane is quite feisty!

Babies, Babies and more Babies!

All of our babies are finally born. You might remember that we had 5 fainting goat babies....previously pictured and videoed (ad nauseum!). In the past two weeks, our Dwarf Nigerian goats, Star and Ash, have also delivered. Each had 3 kids. Star had two buckling and a doeling and Ash had two doelings and one buckling. Each of Star's kids are blue-eyed and have a white star on their forhead....so far they are named Spider and Stella.....and well, the last little guy needs a name!

Spider and my daughter Jenn (he is quite affectionate and loves giving little kisses.)

Stella (right) and her un-named brother.







Ash's kids are quite different looking...they are tri-color. Two are marked very similarly and the third is plain black with just a touch of white. Her name is Jane (for Plain Jane...in comparison with her siblings!)




Pictures of Plain Jane tomorrow.......

Ash Delivers!!!

Wednesday night at midnight, Ash delivered 3 babies also. Her litter included 2 doelings and 1 buckling. Becky tells me that two of them are an unusual color. Since I am currently in Florida I am unable to photograph these new kids. Upon my return on Monday, I will make a photo session top priority and get pictures posted for your viewing pleasure!

Yay!!! Birthing is complete at Bee Haven Acres! Happily, all births were uncomplicated and all of our girls seem to be great mammas.

Star's Starbabies....Finally

You must admit, Star's triplets are adorable...and they are all mini versions of her. This is a picture of Sheryl-lyn, a friend from MaryJane's Farm who came to spend the day on the farm. She is holding Star's tiny doeling, born 2 days ago. Her brothers were a little shy and spent most of their time in their warming hut.

Star's triplets came as a bit of a surprise as only two kids were seen on ultrasound. Ash has yet to deliver hers....maybe she will have a surprise for us also!

A Garden Takes Shape

After many hours of tilling and raking, the plot of land that once was a beautiful vegetable garden is again starting to take shape. The rows of strawberries are uncovered and stretching their leafy arms towards the sun. The soil is soft and teeming with worms. The compost is worked in and releasing its' nutrients. Several mounds are planted with onions, garlic, sugar peas, beets, lettuce, spinach and radishes. Seeds that were started in the greenhouse are beginning to germinate, sending tiny leaves upwards towards the light and warmth of the sun. There is still so much more to be done, but it feels great to have a jump start on the work. How tasty that first Spring salad will be with these wonderful greens. Last year we planted about 40 asparagas roots. This year will be our first mini harvest of asparagas. We will harvest just a small amount of the shoots as they errupt through the earth. The rest will be allowed to remain to strengthen the plants. Next Spring's harvest should be a large one.....Mmmmmmm Mmmmmmm...there is nothing like fresh asparagas spears....steamed as soon as they are cut. You just cannot get any fresher than that!

Ahhh Spring! (Finally)

Why does it seem like every winter gets just a little longer than the one before it? Well, I think Spring has finally arrived at Bee Haven. The days are consistently warmer, the trees are in bud and the soil is finally workable. The past few days have been quite busy here. We built a new roof for the greenhouse on Tuesday, so Wednesday was spent getting seeds planted and watered and now we wait and watch. I placed a heater in the greenhouse as the nights are still fairly cold. With any luck, in a couple of weeks we should see little seedlings poking their heads thru the soil.

The Troy Built came out of hibernation and yesterday I tilled about a quarter of the garden. Becky uncovered the strawberries and we will watch then perk up over the next few days....they always wake up from their winter's nap tucked under straw looking a bit bedraggled! The onions are in the ground, the garlic is up and I took a chance and planted an early crop of broccoli and cauliflower (I am banking on no more killing frosts!). The beet seeds are in as well. If the weather holds, Friday I will also sew seeds for snow peas, radishes, spinach and lettuce. This year I hope to get a much earlier harvest of these cool weather crops!

The goats continue to grow daily. Forrest(Pictured with Jack holding him) has now discovered how to jump onto the roofs of the little goat houses. He also has taken quite a liking to our little redhead, O'Malley, and follows (chases, actually) her around most of the day. Our chubby little O'Malley is becoming quite svelt as a result.


Jill's and Myrtle's babies are quite comical also....


Star and Ash are both as big as a barn...they are due to have their kids on April 15th. In this next video, you can see them, just for a moment, on the other side of the fence. Here is more goat fun.....even Jack and Jill have Spring fever!

Missy's Buckling Has a Name

Introducing....."Bee Haven Acres Mr. Blue Smoochie".


Missy's little tricolor, blue-eyed buckling is quite the Romeo....he just loves to "smooch". This picture shows Mr. Smoochie kissing Becky. We have not figured out what his fascination with lips is all about; but as long as Becky held him, he continued to smooch with her! He has also developed quite an affection for Myrtle's doeling "Little Sister".