Opening Day

Opening weekend at the Texas Renaissance Festival was a undeniable success. Our displays were so effective at getting the customers' attention that no fewer than 28 people attempted to buy them from us. Guess what we will be making more of this week?


Here are a few of our products including wool, yarn and drop spindles.


A shelf rescued from the side of the road houses sugar scrub, quail egg ornaments and gift baskets.


Beauty, one of our Nigerian Dwarf millers marched in the festival parade.


Louisa targeted the male patrons. They all bought soap despite their protests that our salesgirl was "cheating".


This is how we ALL felt by the end of the day!

When Your Soap Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade

This week we were soaping about 90 pounds of Frankincense and Myrrh soap. Unfortunately, some of that soaping was late at night after Louisa and Vivienne were asleep, and one batch turned out badly mangled and just plain ugly. There is no way we could throw out 10 pounds of soap, so we started frantically looking for a way to make lemonade.

We ground it up in the food processor, and added a little milk before starting to melt it down in the double boiler. In another bowl we started melting some scraps from a Fresh Ginger soap that overheated and developed holes in the middle of each bar. Man, that stuff is expensive.

http://essentialoils.org/shop/oil/3315

Why do these things always go wrong when we are using the expensive oils?

When it started to get translucent, we added some Vanilla Essential Oil to the Frank and Myrrh to darken it and because everything is better with a little vanilla. When it was fully melted, we glopped it in the mold, added some melt-and-pour glycerin "crystals" and sprinkle with activated charcoal for good measure.
Next, we added some dried mint from Marygrace's garden to the ginger soap because everything is better with mint from Marygrace's garden.

When that was almost melted, we glopped it into the mold on top of the other layers.and added more "crystals" and some brown sugar because Louisa suggested it, and well, can you think of anything that isn't better with brown sugar?
When we cut into this hodge-podge concoction, we were relived to find a soap that is a far cry from the ugly lemons we started out with.

So how do you make soap anyway?

Many of our friends have asked us " So how do you make soap anyway?"
The first thing that we need to do, is decide on a recipe, and run it through a lye calculator such as Soap Calc.

This helps us make sure that we are using a safe amount of liquid, oils, and lye. Different oils react differently with lye, so we make sure to always recalculate each new recipe entering the exact oils that we plan to use.
We set out all of our equipment before hand, including gloves, safety glasses and an accurate scale.
Next we melt the solid oils in a stainless steel double boiler
and we measure the liquid oils into a plastic paint bucket.
Now we measure essential oils at 1 oz per pound of base oils. 7 oz of Frankincense and Myrrh for this 7 lb. batch.Then we pour the warmed oils into the bucket of liquid ones,
and stir until completely incorporated.
Next we VERY slowly add the precisely measured lye to the frozen goat's milk.
After the milk melts, but before it over heats and turns yellow, we slowly add the lye/milk solution to the oils
and incorporate thoroughly.
When the mixture reaches light trace ( slightly thickened, like thin pudding), we add the essential oils and mix well.
When the mixture thickens again, we quickly pour it into our soapmolds.

Unmold after 24 hours, and place in a cool, dry place for 4-6 weeks until fully cured.

Kidding Time

Here at Dancing Dog Dairy, we make every effort to be present at each goat's birth. Firstly, it is easier to pull the kids for bottle feeding sooner than it is to attempt this after the mother has become attached to them. Secondly, although most goats are fully capable of giving birth unassisted, sometimes they just need a little help getting the kids out, and cleaned off.

There are ligaments located on either side of the tail head. As the due date approaches, these loosen and finally disappear about 12 hours prior to kidding.


You can see the sunken triangles on either side of Luna's tail. I knew we would not be waiting much longer.



"Jedi ears" are another sign that kidding is eminent. See how hard she is concentrating?





Next, she paws the ground and lies down to get comfortable.




As she pushes, a sack of amber fluid appears. This helps to fully dialate the cervix.




Soon, the bubble is completely out.




and we can see one hoof and a nose.


I tried to feel for the other hoof, and help the baby get in the right position for easy passage.


Her head came out while one leg was still bent backwards, so I quickly cleaned off her face to make sure she could breathe.

The rest of the kid was born with the next contraction.


I passed her off to my mother so I could focus on the next kid.



The sack around this one was particularly tough. I needed to break it open, to dry her face.



My sister, Olivia, takes them in the house to dry and name them.





Even though they are in the house, I like to tie off their navels and dip them in Iodine. You would think I'm killing her-death by dental floss.


24 hours later, when they have had colostrum and I'm sure they are doing well, we take them outside for a frolic. Both Emmaline and Evangeline are for sale. Just think, these sweet goat kisses could soon be yours.

Showing Dairy Goats

This is a Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat baby. These little goats average 20" in height and give about 1/2 a gallon of milk a day. As you can see, the babies are born with very soft and thick fur. No judge could see their confirmation through all of that hair, so before showing, they must be clipped.
Luna was clipped for show last May. Her hair is not as thick, but she is still pretty furry.

The first thing you need to do is put her on the milk stand, or restrain her in some other way, because chances are, she will not find the process enjoyable. I used a number 10 blade on her body. The pile of hair is quickly accumulating.

Don't forget to trim her hooves if they are long and overgrown like these.

It is very important to practice walking and turning with your doe so she will know what to expect in the show ring.


At the show, quickly position your doe, then try to leave her alone so you do not distract the judge.


Remember, your goat should be the star of this show, not you. Your job is just to help her look her best.


Good luck, and don't forget to clean off a spot on the mantel for all of those trophies!

Rest in Peace, Jupiter

Yesterday, was one of the worst days we have ever had on the farm. I had stayed up all night checking on Jupiter who was due to kid. The first one she delivered was unresponsive, and her lungs were full of fluid. Fortunately, I was able to rub and shake, and suction most of it out. I put her on antibiotics to keep the rest of the fluid from turning into pneumonia. Once she was brought into the house, she took her bottle well and has proven to be very strong.



Unfortunately, there was a 12 pound buckling behind this beautiful doeling. His head and shoulders were twisted to the side. It was too late to save him, and Jupiter was already going into shock. I brought her in the house, and put a sweat shirt on her to keep her warm.




Despite my efforts to save her, Jupiter died at 10:30 pm on Wednesday February 10th. she spent her last moments in my arms, next to her daughter.Jupiter will be very sorely missed. She is survived by her best friend, Lakeshore Coco Chanel and her longtime beau, Cream of Kansas Instant Karma.