Art, Amarillo, and Excessive Amounts of Fur

December has come and with it so many things to do. Goats need to be bred, goat houses are being fixed, and of course, we had to borrow a buck. Meet Della and I's temporary addition to our herd- Abanero. His name sounds so much like Amarillo that I will just call him that. He is going to breed to my two does Victoria and Midori (you have seen many photos of them on this blog) and possibly Della's beloved doe, Poppy. He has beautiful big blue eyes (though I couldn't get a good picture of them) and gorgeous patterns of gold and white. And, he is so sweet. He hasn't caused any trouble for me unlike most bucks. He and our buck Maddy are warming up to each other. They're still wary of each other but I'm sure in a week they'll have a major bromance going on. Here are some pictures of Abanero. Also, note the really sweet barn door. Dad spent all weekend making it so we could clean their hut more easily. Thanks Dad!
P.S. Here are some videos I took on my phone of feeding time! Enjoy!

Isn't his hair ridic? He is so cute. 

BLUE EYES! Della and I have been wanting blue eyes for a while.

My boys.

Dad's new door.

Modeling in front of the door!

This is a picture I doodled in art class. It's of Mrs. Brown's old buck Toby and my doe Victoria! I love how I can draw pictures of my goats now. Very cool!

Editorial with Goat

via

In my mind, this is what I look like while caring for my goats. 

Visit my Pinterest goat board for even more adorable pictures. 

Della went home...

Es and Pumpkin 

Poppy and I

Chamomile 

Champagne 

Roly

Clover

Hair in mouth, most unpleasant. 

Roly thinks I'm her jungle gym.

Right where I want to be: amidst my tribe. 

Frank enjoying the sun.

...And took way too many pictures. But seriously, I want millions and millions of pictures of my goats everywhere. They make me so very happy. I cannot wait to be home with them for Christmas break. Only three more weeks! I shall survive (somehow) until then.

Thanks to Es for taking the pictures of me and the kids.

Gobble, gobble.

Happy Thanksgiving from our farm to yours! 

May you have a lovely weekend celebrating with loved ones and pie. 

Want a goat?

 I just updated the for sale page instead of working on homework...you are so very welcome.



More info on Pumpkin and Bramble can be found here.

In the News

Area youths, leaders gain all-star notice
Twelve 4-H members and leaders from across Fredericksburg are named Virginia 4-H All Stars 
Date published: 5/23/2010

By CATHY DYSON

Eight 4-H members and four leaders from the Fredericksburg region have earned the highest recognition Virginia 4-Hers can achieve.

The 12 have been named Virginia 4-H All Stars, a group whose motto is "Service," according to the Virginia Tech website.

All Stars are asked to support 4-H activities throughout the state; do public speaking on the local, regional and state levels; and attend district and state conferences.

The local All Stars represent six different counties in the Fredericksburg area. They're among more than 90 inductees from across the state who will be recognized during the 4-H State Congress at Virginia Tech next month.

....

FAUQUIER COUNTY

Della Hethcox, 17, has been a member of Nuttin' But Kids 4-H Club for more than six years, and has held several officer positions.

She raises dairy goats and regularly competes at local, regional and state shows.

*I was cleaning out my bookmarks and found this article from 2010 when I became an All Star. For the full story, click here.*

Homesick for goats.

My little kids.

 I go to bed dreaming about my goats and then I wake up and see their pictures all over my room. I wish I could spend the rest of my life being a goat farmer. 

I absolutely cannot wait to spend a few days with them next month. 

You wouldn't think that being apart from animals would be that hard. But when raising goats, you put so much effort and love into raising each and every one. It truly breaks my heart not to be at home taking care of them.

I know my little sister and Mom are doing a great job taking care of the anemic kids, but I still worry. 

I worry more about my goats than about anything else. (And if you know me, you know I worry a lot.) 

It also breaks my heart that I wasn't there to say goodbye to two kids that goat sold in the past month. I know they went to good homes and are loved greatly, but it still stings that I wasn't there to give them a goodbye kiss. 

So yes. I am extremely attached and invested in my goats. I hope that I'm always involved with them no matter what.