Ruminatin': Goat Farming

Pricilla the goat saying goodbye to Mallory the goat

When we first got Pricilla and Abigail I really didn't think of my self as a goatherd. I just had two goats.
They were like pets.
In spite of Abby's bad temper.

Abby the goat as a kid - when she first came to me

Then came the kids, Sarah and Michael.
Now we had four goats.
We knew Pricilla was an old goat when she was given to us and we would have to replace her in the herd so we would keep having milk.
We also knew we would have to do something about a buck.
You can't have kids without a buck.

My first kid - Sarah the goat

So we decided to keep Sarah and we bought a papered buck, Luke. Michael was my little pet as I had bottle fed him and I thought he was pretty.
But things don't always turn out as you want them to, do they?

Abby had her first kid, Nora and we were suddenly overrun with goats.
I now had decisions to make and I was now a goat farmer.
I had to learn to say goodbye to kids I loved and to make hard choices for the good of the herd.

We sold Sarah and Nora to a good home. I cried like a baby when they left. This was my first experience with letting my goats leave and it was truly difficult. They went to a farm where I think they might have been even more spoiled than the goats are here! That helped a lot.

Some of the choices were harder than others. My baby buck, my pet, Michael became very aggressive and I had to make the decision to send him to the butcher. That was heart-rending for me. It was my first taste of what goat farming was about but it had to be done. I couldn't sell or give away an aggressive animal and he almost seriously hurt me.

I try very hard to find homes for the kids. So far with one exception I have done so. I make sure they are good homes because I would much rather see the animal put down humanely at the butcher's than sent to live in bad conditions. The butcher we use is very good and there is no denying that goat meat is delicious. It tastes just like lamb. This might offend some people but farming is farming and I know that these goats have lived a happy and somewhat spoiled life before they go to the butcher. It is never easy but I cannot keep every goat - it is a part of life on a farm.

I was quite happy when I found a home for Mallory. I had too many does since we took Sarah and Nora back and our land can only support so many animals. She was a goat with quite a personality and while she was very frustrating at times she is missed. I was very lucky that Mallory's new owners also took little Kringle.   Now I didn't have to worry about finding him a home.

The decisions will start again when Abby and Sarah have their kids in the Spring and they continue as long as I have goats. I wish there were some other way but there is not. We love the milk, it is good for us, it's healthy. I just know that I can only keep so many goats on this farm and keep THEM healthy and happy.

Basking in the sun - what goats do best

Little did I know that when I said yes to those first two goats that my life would change so dramatically. Looking back now would I change that decision?
NO.
I love having the goats here. They are good for me in so many ways. Yes, there is some heartache, but many things in life worth having bring some level of challenge. This is a challenge I relish and one that I find satisfies in a way I could have never realized until I jumped in with all four hooves.

The Big Game is Coming - Heat it Up with Tabasco

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am sure many of you are looking forward to the Super Bowl. I know the many fans in my family back East are disappointed in the Eagles but hey the Big Day is a good excuse for a party no matter who is playing, right? And a big party needs big food!

What are YOU going to serve at your Super Bowl party? Do you know yet? Well I can help with a great Game-Day Party Menu from Tabasco! TABASCO® Original Red is so much more than hot, you know - it also enhances the flavor or some foods and brings out hidden flavors in others. Why not give it a try in your next recipe?

Take guacamole - a couple of shakes of Tabasco will bring a nice heat to the creamy goodness. A perfect compliment to some crunchy tortilla chips. My mother had an hors d'oeuvre she would make; she would mix thawed, small shrimp with cocktail sauce and then pour this over a brick of cream cheese. It is delicious! I think it would be even better with a hint of Tabasco. Mmmmm....

What about pizza? Pizza is a perfect party food - it's easy to make, quick to cook and there is not much clean up. What more could a hostess ask in a food? Check  out  Pizza Perfected for great recipes to make pizza the star of your Game Day party.

So, are you ready for some football? If not you are at least ready for some good food!

Crazy Cat

Sherpa the cat likes to sleep underneath the bed.
Often I will find him in my sweater drawer.
Yesterday I was sweeping when all of a sudden I saw this....

I guess he wanted the broom.
But, seriously. It wasn't going to fit under the bed now, was it?
Then he just got lazy.

I know you are still under there!

Silly Sherpa!

Blog Tour and Giveaway: To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliot

About the Book:

Kate Woodbridge has spent most of her life sailing to exotic ports around the globe, acquiring an expertise in botany, along with a few less ladylike skills. So when a deathbed promise to her parents brings her to London to seek reconciliation with her grandfather, the imperious Duke of Cluyne, she feels like a fish out of water. Her outspoken views and fiery temper tend to set off sparks in Society-especially with the rakish Conte of Como.

A devil-may-care rogue, Marco finds the alluring and mysterious Kate a tempting target for his flirtations. But when murder strikes at the duke's country house party he begins to suspect that she's hiding a dark secret. He has his own clandestine reasons for offering to help her prove her innocence . . . And so begins a journey of dangerous deception that leads from England to the glittering ballrooms of Vienna, where Marco and Kate must duel with a deadly villain . . . and their own explosive attraction.

About the Author:

I started creating books at the age of five, or so my mother tells me. And she has the proof — a neatly penciled story, the pages lavishly illustrated with full color crayon drawings of horses and bound with staples — to back up her claim. I have since moved on from Westerns to writing about Regency England, a time and place that has captured my imagination ever since I opened the covers of Jane Austen’sPride and Prejudice.

I have a BA and an MFA in Graphic Design from Yale University and now work as the creative director of a lifestyle sporting magazine, a job which lets me combine my love of the printed word with my love of art. I’m very fortunate in that my work allows me to travel to interesting destinations around the world — however, my favorite spot is London, where the funky antique markets and used book stores offer a wealth of inspiration for my stories

To Tempt a Rake is available at Amazon.com

To Tempt a Rake is the third book in Ms. Elliot's Circle of Sin Series. The other two books are:

To Sin with a Scoundrel and To Surrender to a Rogue                                        

                                                  

                                 

Thanks to Anna from Hachette Books I have three copies of To Tempt a Rake to give away.

How do you win? It's easy!

But first some rules:

US and Canada only

No PO boxes

18yrs older+

Only one copy of the book per household if you win.

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Tell me if you have read either of the other two books in the Circle of Sin Series. Be sure to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Like Cara Elliot on Facebook
2. Follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway(one per day) - #Win To Tempt a Rake by @CaraElliot at @BrokenTeepee @http://tinyurl.com/4a76ol8  #giveaway

3. Become a fan of Broken Teepee on Facebook

4. Share the giveaway using the share buttons (except StumbleUpon) at the end of the post - 1 entry for each share. Leave a separate comment for each

5. Follow my blog publicly - if you already do, thank you!

6. Follow @CaraElliot on Twitter

7. Stumble a non-giveaway post using the button at the end of the post

SEE THE EXTRA ENTRIES PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENTER.

All entries need to be in by 9PM MST on February 15th when I will go to Random.org to choose the winners. They will have 48hrs to respond or I will choose new winners.

Good luck everyone.

Disclosure:  I received no compensation for this post in money or product.

Book Review and Giveaway: Lastingness, The Art of Old Age by Nicholas Delbanco

About the Book:

America grows older yet stays focused on its young. Whatever hill we try to climb, we're "over" it by fifty and should that hill involve entertainment or athletics we're finished long before. But if younger is better, it doesn't appear that youngest is best: we want our teachers, doctors, generals, and presidents to have reached a certain age. In context after context and contest after contest, we're more than a little conflicted about elders of the tribe; when is it right to honor them, and when to say "step aside"?

In LASTINGNESS, Nicholas Delbanco, one of America's most celebrated men of letters, profiles great geniuses in the fields of visual art, literature, and music-Monet, Verdi, O'Keeffe, Yeats, among others - searching for the answers to why some artists' work diminishes with age, while others' reaches its peak. Both an intellectual inquiry into the essence of aging and creativity and a personal journey of discovery, this is a brilliant exploration of what determines what one needs to do to keep the habits of creation and achievement alive.

About the Author:

Nicholas Delbanco's writing has earned him widespread recognition and many literary honors, including the Guggenheim Fellowship and two National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowships. He served as founding director of the Bennington Writing Workshops and, since 1985, has directed the MFA Writing Program at the University of Michigan, where he also administers the prestigious Hopwood Awards. Nicholas Delbanco makes his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with his wife and their two daughters.

Lastingness is available on Amazon.com

My Opinion:

This title appealed to me as I find myself erm, getting older. Not that I have any lasting talent to leave this world. But the concept is interesting - we are a culture that seems to revere youth and beauty yet it is experience and age that brings wisdom. I found the book to be very, very thought provoking especially when considering what might have happened had say Beethoven been able to hear or other great masters lived longer lives. Would they have given as much to the world or would their contributions have not occurred at all? See, thought provoking.

While not a page turner it is a book for an engaged reader and someone who would like to consider what constitutes "lastingness" and why some have it and others do not.

Thanks to Anna from Hachette Books I have one copy of Lastingness to give away.

How do you win? It's easy!

But first some rules:

US and Canada only

NO PO boxes

18 yrs older +

One book per household if you win

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Follow my blog publicly. If you already follow, just say so. And thank you.
2. Follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway(one per day) - #Win @BrokenTeepee from @HachetteBooks Lastingness by Nicholas Delbanco @http://tinyurl.com/4m43ds6 #giveaway

3. Become a fan of Broken Teepee on Facebook

4. Share the giveaway using the share buttons at the end of the post (except StumbleUpon) - 1 entry for each share. Leave a separate comment for each

5. Stumble a non-giveaway post

SEE THE EXTRA ENTRIES PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENTER.

All entries need to be in by 9PM MST on February 13th when I will go to Random.org to choose the winner. He/she will have 48hrs to respond or I will choose a new winner.

Good luck everyone.

Disclosure:  I received a copy of Lastingness gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

9780446199643

Book Review: My Love, My Enemy by Jan Cox Speas

Click to purchase at Sourcebooks

About the Book:

A passion for adventure…

Beautiful, naïve, and impulsive, Page Bradley inadvertently rescues English spy Lord Hazard in Baltimore during the tumultuous War of 1812. Now she must put herself at the mercy of her country’s enemy.

An aptitude for deception…

Lord Hazard is no stranger to the atrocities of war, but he never imagined the beauty that could come of it until he meets the fiery and irresistible Page. Now he finds himself questioning every loyalty he’s ever felt for King and Country.

Amidst the turmoil of war and the peril of the high seas, these two sworn enemies are destined to discover that denying love may be worse than treason.

About the Author (from Wikipedia):

Jan Cox Speas (1925 – 1971) is a short story writer and novelist born in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1925. She studied creative writing with Hiram Haydn at Woman's College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, or UNCG), from which she graduated in 1945. From 1954 to 1960 she published Bride of the MacHugh, My Lord Monleigh, and My Love, My Enemy. She also published many short stories in magazines, from pulp to slick. She returned to UNC-G and secured her master's degree in Fine Arts in 1964, submitting her fourth novelThe Growing Season as her thesis. Her mentor and advisor was noted poet Randall Jarrell. After graduation, she began teaching English and Creative Writing at Guilford College, also in Greensboro. Speas was well known for her historical romances during the 1950s and 1960s. Following her death from a heart attack in 1971, Avon Publications brought out paperback editions of her romances. By 1978 there were more than a million copies of her books in print. The author was married to John Speas; they lived in Greensboro and had two children, Cynthia and Gregory.

My Opinion:

This is a reprint of a book that was first published in 1961. The tale takes place during the War of 1812 a time period I must admit I don't know much about; American history is not my strong suit.  That being said the explanations of the politics of the time seem to overwhelm the story. Especially if, like me, you are basically clueless about your own country's history. I really need to correct that....

The romance aspect of the book seemed a bit lacking as well. Our heroine Page rescues our hero, Lord Hazard from being hanged as a spy. From there forward they go from one capture to another. First the British have them, then the Americans have them. They end up in Bermuda, France, England. Oy! It was contrived at best, boring at worst. Maybe it read better in 1961. I am sorry I just did not enjoy this book.

My Love, My Enemy is available at Sourcebooks on February 1st.

Disclsoure:  I received a gratis copy of My Love, My Enemy from Sourcebooks. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Review: Set the Mood with Zippo Candle Lighters

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and that does tend to put the romantically minded into overdrive. I am a child of Cinderella; of the handsome prince, of big surprises of roses and chocolates.

I married my handsome prince but he  runs to a dictionary when I use the word romance in a sentence.
*sigh*
It's a good thing that love and romance are not married.

I still try but after 29 years of marriage I have learned to just enjoy my little moments - like a hot soak in the tub my hubby bought me for the new house. He knows how much I love to soak in hot water and he knows how much better it makes me feel when all of my aches start aching at once. A very pricey purchase driven out of love but I like to look at it as romantic.

Leave me to my dreams, 'k?

Yesterday was a sad day because I sent two of my goats to a new farm. (I'll have a Ruminatin' post on that soon.) I decided I deserved my once a month soak. Water is scarce here so I do not use that tub often. I wait 'til I need it. I was going to do it up last night because I had the cutest Zippo Candle Lighter to try. Who knew a gas match could be so darn stylish?

I found my candles and set them around the tub and lit them with my spiffy new Pink Candle Lighter.

It was so much easier (and fancier) than using a match. I have to admit to a certain klutziness with matches and I would always end up burning my finger - but since I don't feel my fingers I wouldn't notice the burn until it was too late.
This is not good.
Plus how could you not love a PINK Candle Lighter?!

The mood in my bathroom was very relaxing and I enjoyed my tub immensely.

The Zippo Candle Lighter has another cool feature - IT IS REFILLABLE!!!! You can purchase butane bottles and just keep using the lighter over and over again. AND they come in a boatload of adorable colors and styles.

Just imagine what a fun gift this would make; if you had a housewarming you could find a pretty candle and include a Zippo Candle Lighter to co-ordinate, or for all those wedding showers coming up a good lighter is indispensable in a new home. Just look at this packaging...

is that just the cutest thing you have ever seen?! The patterned lighters come in a little purse. heh
The lighters also have these great features:

• 7 Unique Styles Perfect For Any Room or Occasion
• Zippo Lifetime Guarantee
• Sleek Ergonomic Design
• Patented child safety button
• Fuel-level Indicator
• Adjustable Flame Dial

So why not set your own romantic mood this Valentine's Day whether with a long soak in the tub or a special dinner. You can find the Zippo Candle Lighter HERE

Disclosure:  I received a Zippo Candle Lighter gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Winners!

I have two winners to announce today - hooray for winners!
First up the winner of The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell.
The lucky comment is:
29
and the winner is:
CherylS22

Cheryl is going to have a great book to read!

Next up is the 2011 Family Activity Wall Calendar
The lucky comment is:
48
and the winner is:
Karen

Yay!

I have sent emails to both winners and they have 48hrs to respond or I will choose new winners.

I would like to thank everyone who entered and of course I send a great big THANK YOU to the sponsors!
Remember, if you did not win you can still purchase these great items:

2011 Family Activity Wall Calendar
The Darling Strumpet

Review: Fresh Produce Clothes

I will start this by saying I have been a HUGE fan of Fresh Produce clothes for many, many years. I discovered them while I was still working in New Jersey in a resort town on Long Beach Island. One of my customers sold their beach resortwear  in his shop and it was love at first sight. They are so full of bright, beautiful color I couldn't help myself. But that is not the only reason I love this company.

The clothing wears like iron.

I am not kidding you. I have one sundress I bought that is probably close to 15 years old now and it still looks brand new. I get compliments every time I wear it. It has been with me through several different sizes as I lost weight after I bought it and I kept getting it altered.  It was bright yellow when I purchased it; it is STILL bright yellow. I'm tellin' you - WEARS LIKE IRON. Every piece I have bought from them has been like that. They are worth every penny you pay for them.

Casual clothing is what Fresh Produce does best. The outfit I was sent to review is perfect for me (once Spring shows its face around these parts anyway) to wear out to the store or for when I work at the food bank.  I braved the cold temperatures and the snow to show it off for you...

Add caption

I am wearing the Rio Inspired Tunic in Clearwater which is a lovely and striking blue color as you can see. The tunic is a great weight for Spring clothes as well as for Summer evenings and Fall.

Women's tunic

I love the pattern - all the pretty pinks and yellows make it so happy! There is a hood on the back for a touch of style!

Of course I must show the back view...

But also of course, nothing goes as planned around here.
Stupid rooster!

I must admit - I suppose with some embarrassment - that this is my very first pair of capris. I had always resisted them but now I don't know why. These Stretch Broadcloth Safari Capris are very cute! Quite comfortable and the details are interesting. I like the tie at the waist and the seam down the front.

Women's capris

I'm showing the "official" photo because I forgot to have the hubby take a picture of me with the waistline showing. Plus you don't want to see my flabby stomach anyway.....I think I will be wearing these all summer long.

Under the tunic I have on a delightful basic. Something every woman needs in their wardrobe - a Soft Sheen Layering Tank. This one is in a lovely shade of Clearwater to compliment the tunic perfectly.

Can you tell I'm freezing?

It feels like heaven on and I know I'll be using this under other items of clothing. In fact I have a Fresh Product corduroy shirt that it will go with perfectly!

I CANNOT wait until I get some warmer weather so I can wear my new Fresh Produce outfit. I love this line and the clothes they make. I have for a long time and will continue to shop with them when I can. The colors are great and what you buy one year will integrate with what you buy the next. I have tops and shorts from 10 years of buying that all co-ordinate and I love that!

I love Fresh Produce Clothing and I know you will too. They have kid's clothing as well - I have given many a gift to my little ones back when I was working. You see - I share the color!

Disclosure:  I received an outfit to review gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free outfit. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Review and Giveaway: HELPS Tea

Sometimes there is just nothing like a hot cup of tea.
I had one this afternoon as a matter of fact. It was cold and miserable and tea seemed to be the perfect drink for the way I was feeling. I was sent HELPS Teas to sample so sample one I did!

Today I tried the Organic R&R and it was quite tasty. The tea is in a convenient bag and was easy to brew.
 I also fell asleep right after drinking it.
Hmmmm.
The tea is a blend of lemon balm and passion flower.

I have a box of the HELPS for Low Sugar Diets and a box of Organic Green Tea to give away to one winner.

How do you win? It's easy!
But first some rules:

US only
18 yrs old or older

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Go to the HELPS Teas site and tell me which tea you would most like to try. Be sure to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Like HELPS Teas on Facebook
2. Follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway(one per day) - #Win HELPS Teas @BrokenTeepee @http://tinyurl.com/4bp6mln  #giveaway

3. Become a fan of Broken Teepee on Facebook

4. Share the giveaway using the share buttons (except StumbleUpon) at the end of the post - 1 entry for each share. Leave a separate comment for each

5. Follow my blog publicly - if you already do, thank you!

6. Stumble a non-giveaway post using the button at the end of the post

SEE THE EXTRA ENTRIES PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENTER.

All entries need to be in by 9PM MST on February 9th when I will go to Random.org to choose the winner. He/she will have 48hrs to respond or I will choose a new winner.

Good luck everyone.

Disclosure:  I was sent tea gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free product. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Deadly Heat AND Deadly Lies by Cynthia Eden

Woo hoo this is a good one people! Cynthia Eden is touring with her new books, Deadly Heat and Deadly Lies.
Deadly Heat comes out in February but Deadly Lies does not come out until MARCH so you are learning about it early here at Broken Teepee.  Here is the info about both books:

DEADLY HEAT Pub. Feb. 1, 2011 Six months after her lover died in an arsonist's blaze, firefighter Lora Spade calls in the FBI's elite Serial Services Division to track the elusive killer. When Special Agent Kenton Lake is lured into a violent inferno, Lora pulls him to safety and is stunned - not by the fire, but by her own searing attraction to Kent. For the first time in months, she longs for something other than vengeance. Kenton's interest in Lora should be purely professional. But one fleeting kiss and he can't get her out of his mind. Her combination of strength and vulnerability makes him want to protect her, and that means solving this case - and fast. For even the passion igniting between them can't hide a terrifying truth: Lora is the next target in a murderer's sadistic, fiery game.

DEADLY LIES Pub. Mar. 1, 2011 FBI Special Agent Samantha Kennedy is haunted by memories of the serial killer who abducted her. To keep the darkness at bay, she pretends to be a different, more confident woman. This Samantha doesn't fear every unknown face. So she throws caution to the wind and shares a night of unbridled passion with a handsome stranger. One night isn't enough for successful entrepreneur Max Ridgeway. He wants more of the sexy, smart, mysterious woman who slipped away before dawn. When they meet again, their attraction is undeniable-until his stepbrother goes missing, and Max realizes that Samantha isn't who she seems. But they must trust each other to trap a ring of bloodthirsty kidnappers before the nightmares that terrorize Sam become irrevocably real.

About the Author:

Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes paranormal romances and romantic suspense novels. She is currently very busy writing her stories for Grand Central Publishing and Kensington Brava.

She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters–vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters that populate her romantic suspense stories.

(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people).  Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up storie

Deadly Heat and Deadly Lies are available for pre-order at Amazon.com

     

Don't they sound FANTASTIC?!
Now for the exciting news -  thanks to Anna from Hachette Books three lucky readers will win a set of BOTH BOOKS.
How do you win? It's easy!
But first some rules:


US and Canada only
No PO boxes
One copy or set per household
18 years old or older to win


MANDATORY ENTRY:


Tell me something you learned about author, Cynthia Eden HERE. Be sure to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win.


EXTRA ENTRIES:

1. Like Friend Cynthia Eden on Facebook
2. Follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway(one per day) - #Win Deadly Heat/Deadly Lies from @CynthiaEden&@BrokenTeepee @http://tinyurl.com/4mz4vmb  #giveaway

3. Become a fan of Broken Teepee on Facebook

4. Share the giveaway using the share buttons (except StumbleUpon) at the end of the post - 1 entry for each share. Leave a separate comment for each

5. Follow my blog publicly - if you already do, thank you!

6. Follow @CynthiaEden on Twitter

7. Stumble a non-giveaway post using the button at the end of the post

SEE THE EXTRA ENTRIES PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ENTER.

All entries need to be in by 9PM MST on February 28th when I will go to Random.org to choose the winners. They will have 48hrs to respond or I will choose new winners.

Good luck everyone.

Disclosure:  I received no compensation for this post in money or product.