hi

[keezawitch]

Hi, just joined, i live on small acreage, in the penrith area of nsw, not been here long, we have chooks, ducks, milking goats(trying to get another girl), ewes and whiltshire horn ram, and a pig.
I also have a vege patch, another being turned over by peppa pig and I am trying to get some fruit trees, I have started making cheese (first cheddar in aging now) I make jams, preserves, and rag type dolls, I have also started to brewing. Looking forward to getting tips and sharing my experiences.

[minnie]

Welcome Keezawitch,

Some interesting stuff you're doing there, how longs the cheese been aging?

Look forward to hearing more and getting to know you.

Vicki

[keezawitch]

hi, the cheese has only been in for a couple of days, i need to get some wax and wax it then i plan to leave it for at least a month before trying it. I am making some Gbejnet at the moment and hope it works out, the curds seem a bit too firm but i am, not too worried, using new rennet and a different brand of yoghurt to the first one i made so maybe it makes a difference. I am going to experiment making a different type of yoghurt, using the normal recipe the goat milk makes a very runny yoghurt so I am think of using buttermilk(like in quark) and yoghurt to culture I hope to get a nice thick yoghurt. What sort of things are you into?

[minnie]

At the moment for me, we moved just over a year ago and still trying to get the veggies going. Had lots of issues with our cattle and we're still fencing trying to get ahead of their appetites so we can hopefully start milking in spring. When we start milking we'll be cheesmaking... now the other thing I'm getting into place is extending our house to encompass a verandah which will become the kitchen. I currently have a terrible setup to do anything much in, it's driving me to distraction but animals come first.

So I guess I'm into getting as much going of our food as possible and improving our property to ensure it remains a wildlife haven while sustaining our small herd of dexter cattle as well as do some crotchet and knitting for relaxation.

Oh to be 25 again and know what I know now!

Have you used that abattoir down south that's in the news, terrible! I'm so glad our local one (Casino) is a 'Temple Grandin' design and the animals are treated so well, I couldn't imagine how I'd feel if I'd used a place like this... a real worry.

Vicki
PS What's you name??

[dggoatlover]

Hi there - nice to see you here!

Sounds like you are a person of many talents! Will love to hear how all your plans turn out. Peppa pig - how cute!

[keezawitch]

no i havent used that abbatoir, but was thinking of it when lambs we breed(cross fingers) get old enough, minnie your place sounds lovely, we rent now had a couple of very bad yrs and had to sell our house but I am now quite happy here with a little land around to potter, and yes to be 25 again and know what we know now, I knit a bit too but arthritis slows that down. Good luck with your kitchen and cows.

Kerry

[keezawitch]

Hi there - nice to see you here!

Sounds like you are a person of many talents! Will love to hear how all your plans turn out. Peppa pig - how cute!

Hi, thank you, i will let you know what happens, peppa pig's name came from my daughter in law, the kids like watching peppa pig on tv.

[minnie]

It's certainly a worry with that Abattoir, I know I was so pleased when I heard from a friend of mine who works at our local one that it's setup under Temple Grandin rules and she's been there twice as a consultant. What are you thinking of doing now?

Sorry to hear about your house, it's certainly not easy to start again after a certain age. I rented for many many years in Sydney, was lucky to meet a wonderful man with a home. If only I'd bought in rural NSW while working in Sydney... but that's life, you can't go back. It's good you're happy where you are now.


Vicki

[keezawitch]

well we have a relative who works in another abbattior so might look into that. I am hoping wilberforce cleans up its act as a lot of jobs depend on it and i am sure there are a lot of good people who work there. Only takes a few loons to ruin it for others, would hate to think other people would go through what we have because of a few bad people.

[Shadowgirlau]

Hello Kerry,
Sorry i am a little late jumping on the welcome wagon unfortunately I have been very busy this past fortnight. Lots of things on the go although these have all taken a back seat as I attempt to hand applique a wall hanging ready for quilting tomorrow so I can send it off to be judged Friday. (needs to be in Bunbury by 4pm next Monday)
Nothing like leaving things till the last minute and particularly when you haven't done it before.

I live on 5 acres in WA and share this with DD and DH, 5 sheep, and currently 12 chickens. The orchard has been devolping nicely and produced heaps more than I had thought it would for 3 yrs old. We also have a large vegetable garden. Have been sussing out goats and tentatively considering them as I know we do not have the room to keep a couple of cows. I so want to make cheese.
Anyway, this isn't getting my beetroot pickled nor my bread made so had better get on with it. the timer has jut gone off to say the bread is ready for kneading and rising so I had better get the loaf pan ready.

Look forward to hearing more from you in the future and hope you enjoy our little community of friends here.

Cheers
Kathleen

[keezawitch]

hi kathleen, my you are busy good luck with the quilt, I love my goats they are saanen(spelling hopeless) and so affectionate they love a scratch, I only have one girl but she produces enough milk for me to indulge in making some cheese, i am hoping to breed some more and also get my hands on another one in milk. thanks for the welcome

kerry

[Heidi]

Hi there,
I'm Heidi... for some reason or other I hardly seem to be on here these days! Too many hobbies, more paid work, more animals...at any rate, this forum is great, and is a source of support and inspiration.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Heidi