Maple Hill Soap... In it for the doe

lamb

2010-05-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

Steve did it.

When I was a kid, I dreamed of having livestock. Growing up in a suburban California beach town, I couldn't understand why we couldn't have a lamb pen on the side of our house. I went to UC Davis to study biology, mainly because of the school's aggie reputation. Funny though, the only time I have ever passed out in my life was when I was learning to castrate sheep in my animal husbandry class. The hog slaughterhouse part of that class really sickened me as well. So, I decided to stick with milk goats, ones that could become pets and not have to face that fact. We've also ventured into dairy sheep, with visions of sheep milk cheese (yum.)

I have been naive to think that you can have livestock without the meat, especially when you have to breed for milk production. Well, yesterday we took the plunge and slaughtered our ram that we bought for breeding last fall. Actually, Steve did it. Himself! (with guidance from his buddy) My part is to go pick up a new chest freezer.

Here's a pic of our new ram lamb born last weekend. He's cute, but don't get too attached to this one.

kid weeks!

2010-02-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to post, but everytime I start, I have to run out to catch a new kid!

We now have SEVEN baby goats on the ground (4 boys and 3 girls.) Cookie and Cupcake each gave me a girl, so I'm thrilled to have two little purebred Alpines to keep on the farm. Coca just had a beautiful jet black girl I've named Licorice. Love, love, love.
Unfortunately, I've had to learn all over again about hypocalcium, with the misnomer "milk fever." Mocha went off feed for a week and delivered a little buckling a week early. So cmpk and antibiotics, she's OK now, but I've decided not to milk her this year. Easter was not so lucky, and cmpk didn't pull her through... we lost her, and I'm so upset I cannot even think about it anymore, sorry girl :-(

But when Coca had her baby, I was ready. TUMS as soon as she went into labor, and my cmpk concoction as soon as she gave birth (thanks to my drugstore.com order coming in the same day!)
C = calcium
M = magnesium
P = phosphorus
K = potassium

My mix was crushed vitamins, mixed in yogurt, given with a drench syringe, the goats do not mind it:
Posture D, 1 tablet (calcium and phosphorus)
Magnesium, 1/2 tablet
Potassium, 2 tablets
1 TUMS tablet for the extra calcium ration to go with the phosphorus in the Posture D.

Coca got this mix every couple hours after giving birth, and the day after which was most important when that milk comes in. I continued to give this twice a day for several more days, and once a day for a few. IT WORKED! She still gets a TUM tablet as a treat after milking :-) And Easter's death was not in vain, as I've learned that hypocalcemia can be treated if started right away at freshening, instead of waiting for symptoms.

Apparently this problem of not having enough calcium in the blood is a result of overfeeding calcium-rich foods (like the alfalfa they were getting) during the DRY period. Too much of a good thing. So now only the girls in milk (Cookie, Cupcake, Coca) get the alfalfa, and the dry does (Mocha and Thunder) get the grass hay.

What was I saying about "just when you've got it all figured out..." Why is it that I am always having to learn the hard way???
Steve built this new kid pen a day before they all started arriving. So happy to have a nice place for them with a large play area. Everybody is now healthy and happy. After these kids are weaned, we're taking a nice, long vacation! ThenThunder is due end of May.

my dining room

2009-11-09T18:18:00.001-08:00

my custom holiday order... getting a little extra dry time before being packaged up.

Nightmare before Christmas... when good soap goes bad!

2009-10-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Just when you think you've got it all figured out.....

The soap seizes in the pot! ALL 50 pounds of it! Yes - fifty pounds!
What all was going so well, turned terribly wrong when I used a new pine fragrance the supplier listed as "no CP (cold process) problems." Well, as soon as I added it to my nice little soap mix... BOOM... instant soap in a pot! Oh no! What do I do now??? $#%&(*!

But, I'm good at this soap making thing, right? So, I start thinking oven, like my rebatch shower soap... take it into hot process... but my pot is too big to fit in my oven. So, I put it on my burner - bad idea. I then spoon it into 3 smaller pots and cram them into the oven in my kitchen - yes, my kitchen, where soap is not welcome for a good reason! When it comes to making soap, I'm like a two year old with playdough... OH the aftermath!

Of course I'm in a hurry, because I need to drop off a UPS package before they close. Plus, Sawyer and I have to go to Linds Pharmacy to get Sean a birthday present (which is TOMORROW,) and run to the store for bday cake stuff.... so we leave the soap in the oven, and try to forget about it for a bit.

We come home, after picking Sean up, two hours later. We open the front doors, and SMOKE is billowing out. The whole house smells like PINE! Well, it smells like sage and rosemary too, which isn't too bad... but the smoke! So I turn the oven off, run around the house opening windows, turning on fans, yelling at the kids to go outside and play in the rain. I grab all the molds that I already have ready, and go check out the damage in the oven.

There's three bubbling, overflowing, green cauldrons, so halloween-like, it's scary. They are bubbling all over the oven (I always line with foil, always! But nooooo, this time I had to be in a hurry, didn't I?!) And I've got this new song from The Mother Hips in my head ("There's only one way out, and I'm trying to figure it out...") And the only other thing I can think of is "Oh, please let me get this all cleaned up before Steve comes home!" I end up filling a couple box molds and eight or nine tall 3" PVC pipes. I tell myself, "This is going to be the good stuff, that everyone loves!" I'm such the optimist. I'll just let people think this is how I meant to make it!

Sean looks for my phone to call Daddy, but can't find it, that tattletale. He comments that it's not that smoky, since the smoke detectors didn't go off (oh yea, we took them all off last time they went off... put that on the to-do list.) At least Sean did comment that the whole house smells really good. :-)

Oh and when Steve came home, most of it was cleaned up... so I told him to shut up and make me a drink!

that time of year...

2009-09-14T15:30:00.000-07:00

Fall... the boys are back in school, the new buck is getting busy with all the girl goats, and I'm back into taking my soap business up a notch.

My little boy's first day of Kindergarten... no hesitation! Hooray!

Here's 5 of my 6 girls: starting from the top, Coca, Cookie, Thunder behind Easter, and Cupcake (Mocha was in the barn with the buck)

My other girls: "We are not sheep... we are polar bears!"Maple Hill Soap now on Facebook... look for the frame on this page.

I'm again researching my options for Packaging... which is probably the hardest part of having my own product! I'll be joining www.wholesalecrafts.com as soon as I can figure it out (all in good time I'm sure!)

p.s. I am done with farmers markets for the season.
But you can now find my Maple Hill Soap in Oak Harbor at Hummingbird Farm!

summer farmers market schedule

2009-07-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well, since I seem to be doing everything BUT blogging, I thought I could at least get my schedule down for you!
I will be at Coupeville Farmers Market the following Saturdays 10-2 :
July 18
Aug 8
Aug 29

Mukilteo Farmers Market on Wednesdays 3-7 :
today July 15
July 29
August?

I will be at the Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival on Aug 1 & 2

Love the LOVE SPELL!

2009-06-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited about the swirl action in this new "love spell" soap! I was a little worried at first, the fragrance is really strong! But what do I know??? According to my farmers market customers, this popular fragrance stays true in my new soap. So glad, because I made A LOT of it!!!

latest testimonials

2009-06-04T05:46:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of great feedback on my soap... Here's a few unsolicited emails that I received this last week:

"Hi Susan, I love the soap! I like that it is hard...
My skin feels like I put lotion on after I use your soap, I really like it. My husband washes his hair with it. His hair is nice & shiny now. I'll be ordering more soon."

"Outstanding product! The quality of your soaps is, well, better than IVE ever seen. Keep it up!"

"I received a bar of Maple Hill Citrus Bay soap as a gift and my completion never looked so good. Thank you I will be ordering soap from you."

See you at Mukilteo Farmers Market!

2009-06-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

TODAY is opening day in Mukilteo... this season will be down at the Lighthouse Park. 3-7 every Wedsnesday all summer! http://www.mukilteofarmersmarket.org/ Stop by and say Hi! It will be a beautiful day!!!

Where've I been?

2009-05-25T16:00:00.001-07:00

Well, basically, with my family! Steve's been working out of town, so I have the kids. Then, we've been having some seriously fun quality time on the weekends!

I will be back to Coupeville Farmers Market next Sat (5/30) and possibly Greenbank on Sunday, then MUKILTEO market starts up Weds afternoon (6/3.) See you there!

get yer soap at Island Drug

2009-05-06T17:09:00.000-07:00

Island Drug is once again stocked up with delicious goat-milk soap! Oak Harbor and LaConner locations.

I'll be absent from the farmers market scene for a few weeks, but you can still buy at www.maplehillsoap.com or find great deals on http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/smiles (never hurts to remind you with a shameless plug!)

We're getting ready for our spring trek up and over the Cascades... got the tent trailer all (well almost) fixed up and good to go! Still need to make sure that heater is working! We'll be celebrating lucky #13 anniversary, going back to Klipchuck!

lambies

2009-04-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest... our cute little lambs! Steve wants barbeque... I want the sheep-milk cheese! Who wants the wool? These bottle-babies are so sweet, the boys names them Sweetie and Sugaree. (they're lawnmowing pets... we're not going to eat them!)

Publish Post

Coupeville Market, Sat. 4/11

2009-04-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the market tomorrow, rain or shine!

Coupeville Farmers Market opens this Sat, April 4!

2009-04-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

Should be a FANTASTIC day at the opening season of the Coupeville Farmers Market this weekend! We're expecting nice weather (can you believe it?)! If you're on the island, or want to visit... come find me and Maple Hill Soap at the market! Should be fun!!!!!

Easy Goat Cheese!

2009-03-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

OK people, this is what it's all about! This is WHY we have dairy goats! Sure, the goat-milk soap is awesome & wonderful & fun to make... but the cheese... YUM! And fresh chevre is EASY.

The key to great-tasting cheese is to start with the freshest milk. I like to use 1.5 gallons of goat milk, it's the perfect amount for me. If you don't have goats, find somebody who does, or look for a farm (please don't buy that stuff at the store, unless you know it's really fresh.) Ask around, or ask me.

This morning, I milked my goats (sweet little things,) immediately pasteurized it, cooled it down to 88 degrees, and added a simple chevre packet (www.cheesemaking.com) The packet has the souring culture - this bacteria converts lactose to lactic acid, thus lowering the pH and "souring." It also has the rennet, the enzyme which coagulates the milk... very convenient little packet! Stir this in and walk away! Let it sit all day at room temp, undisturbed.

At the end of the day, after the boys are asleep, I get out my glass of wine (OK, sometimes the whole bottle, but I usually share it.) The butter muslin is boiled to sterilize, the counters and utensils are sanitized. I line my colander with the muslin (doubled up) and place it over a pot to collect the whey. At this point, the cheese has separated from the whey, and can be scooped out and put into the muslin. After it's all in, the muslin ends are tied into a knot to hang overnight. I hang mine on the faucet, over the colander pot, in the sink of my "milk room." Well, my milk room is really my laundry room... but it's really clean! I swear!
In the morning, it will be ready! I add one teaspoon of salt (NOT the iodide kind) to the whole batch. If it seems dry, stir in some extra whey. I get 2.5 POUNDS of goat cheese from 1.5 gallons of milk... it's a lot of cheese... but it goes soooo fast! Just think of all the friends you'll make!
Lately, my favorite is to add roasted garlic and dried basil... sometimes red pepper flakes too. My friend adds fancy herbs and makes a puffed pastry, but she's a chef. Someday I'll post some great goat-cheese recipes (oooh, with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes.) But I digress... don't throw out the whey, find a way to use it in cooking. We save it for our dogs, they get it poured over their dog food like cereal, they LOVE it!

Jellybean's little guy

2009-03-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

Well, one more buckling in the mix! He's out of Jellybean, my baby who was caught with her daddy! Shame on you JellyBelly! It happens sometimes! Just glad he doesn't have two heads! He'll be wethered asap! I'm glad she's OK, I'm keeping my eye on her. As for the little buck, he's being bottle fed (might as well add another to the bucket!)

Honey Oatmeal Soap

2009-03-18T21:36:00.000-07:00

My latest oatmeal soap now has colloidal oatmeal (not so scratchy) and a touch of honey. Cocoa butter was also added to make a stronger bar, and hold it all together. Half the batch I left unscented, with natural whiffs of the before-mentioned ingredients. The other half got a good dose of Bramble Berry's Oatmeal Milk & Honey fragrance, which I call "Oatmeal Cookie," a yummy, strong seller. Oh yea, I also put in some Evening Primrose Oil to help with dry skin. Should be ready in a few weeks! In this pic, the new oatmeal is on the bottom, Cucumber Melon in the middle, Blackberry Sage on top (with cuc mel insert.)

two little bucklings

2009-03-12T12:43:00.000-07:00

These handsome guys are out of Cupcake... born Monday night. The kids love the kids... and vice versa!

1st goat kid arrives!

2009-03-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

Cookie delivered this beautiful little doeling last night... isn't she cute? So cute, that the boys want to name her "Cutie!" (kind of goes with Nicey) I was there to "catch" her, now she's being bottle fed. One down, three to go (Cupcake should kid soon, so Cutie will have company.)

waiting and quilting

2009-03-08T13:26:00.001-07:00

Finally, he has his baby quilt! Winter is a great time for projects around here! But, all that waiting for kidding season is over now! I finished this quilt just in time! (see next post)

Bonanzle coupon

2009-03-02T14:29:00.000-08:00

Here's a great, somewhat new, buy/sell online site. It's www.bonanzle.com
So fun, interactive, easy. It's somewhere between ebay and craigslist, but on the cutting edge.
Plus, it's right here in Washington! You know Bill & Mark, don't you?

You've got to check it out, sign up for full experience.
You can also look at a few Maple Hill Soap items... http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/smiles
For 10% off, use coupon code: mhsblog

See you on Bonanzle!
Susan

logo on my label

2009-02-08T22:11:00.000-08:00

Isn't this cool? I finally have my logo on my bare-soap labels! Thanks Mindy, for making it all circular! Now I can promote my circle soaps, they're my favorite shape to make and use (especially when washing my face.)

Jan/Feb are my months to work on ideas and projects. The rush of the holidays is over and the goats have the winter off from milking. So, I've been working on marketing and thinking of ways to expand my wonderful soap business! I might even branch out OFF Whidbey Island! No way!

I can tell people are itching for spring, 'cuz everybody is starting to ask about milk and goat cheese (ya got any milk? ya got any cheese? please?) Our baby goats should be arriving the first week of March. With luck, I'll be there again to catch those kids. Then, I'll be out there at dawn, before the boys wake up for school, milking my big beautiful does (Cookie, Cupcake, Flashy.) You know I'll post the pics.

Patchouli Lavender goat milk soap

2008-12-10T09:26:00.000-08:00

It's here! All natural goat milk soap, with patchouli essential oil and lavender essential oil, an enticing combination! Made with high quality vegetable oils and shea butter, and of course milk from my wonderful dairy goats! I colored this soap with aquamarine violet, which turns it a grayish purple. Each bar is approx. 3.5 oz and each has $1 worth of patchouli oil! Limited quantity. They sell for $4 each on my website: www.maplehillsoap.com
Happy Holidays!

Fall Festival Wine Market

2008-11-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

Wow, I've been busy getting ready for the holiday season! I've made lots of great seasonal soap. It's already in Linds and Local Grown, and will be in Island Drug soon too. My next upcoming market is:

Nov 15-16
Festive Fall Wine Market
Greenbank Farm
Fall is in the air and the holidays are just around the corner. Taste and select local and regional wines for your holiday celebrations from North Puget Sound wineries. We have created a gourmet gift market that will entice the senses. Shop for special items, unique gifts, all while tasting your favorite wines. This is a weekend you don't want to miss!

This market is held annually on Veteran's Day weekend, coinciding with the Winery Loop Association's fall wine tour. The market features local artists and craftspeople in a pre-holiday season gift market. Taste late-season wine varieties and stroll this indoor heated market as part of an adventurous weekend getaway.
Information contact 360/678-7710 or http://www.greenbankfarm.com

Whidbey Island Farm Tour

2008-09-25T06:02:00.000-07:00

This year I will be participating in the Farm To Home Fair at Greenbank Farm during the Whidbey Island Farm Tour. A FREE self-guided tour of 18 working farms on beautiful Whidbey Island featuring locally grown food and products.

Saturday & Sunday, October 4th & 5th, 2008

eBay ART AUCTION

Lavender Lunch On Whidbey

An original painting by Stacey Neumiller will be auctioned on-line on eBay beginning Saturday, October 4th at 8:00 pm. The auction will run for 7 days.

Come visit the farms on our beautiful island!

end of summer happenings

2008-09-08T21:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a busy end of summer! We spent ten days cruisin' up to Banff, which was amazing! We saw an incredible array of wildlife (grizzly, black bear, elk, big horn sheep, beaver) It's going to be hard to top that place... unless we go to Alaska, or Thailand, or Pluto.

We got back, and I made up for lost time at the farmers markets. Both Coupeville and Greenbank had such a great crowd of visitors. Now I'm at work making Christmas soap (Can you believe it???) We need to get the holiday soap into the stores the day after Halloween. It's creeping up on us!

So, end of summer vacation, kids back in school... what do I do? I get a new PUPPY! "Nicey" is so awesome! She's a smart little border collie, just two months old, and from a socialized family. We took her to soccer practice today, over a hundred kids, balls, other dogs... she wasn't even fazed, she loved all the attention! Our other dogs are actually OK with her (they get lots of love.) Nicey's favorite thing, among many, is the kids TUNNEL! She runs through it and rolls it like a hamster wheel, it's hilarious! Agility anyone?

more soap delivered to Linds & Local Grown

2008-08-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

Linds just stocked up, as did Local Grown.

So, since I will be taking a vacation for a couple weeks (Canadian Rockies, eh?)... you can still get some nice and fresh goat-milk soap, locally.

Coupeville is having the Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend: http://www.coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org/
Should be beautiful!

Orca Network is having the annual Penn Cove Orca Capture Commemoration Friday, in Coupeville. I donated a couple orca-soap gift packs for the silent auction. They have a GREAT website: http://orcanetwork.org/

I'll be back for Labor Day wknd.

In the meantime, here's a pic of Cookie doing her thang:

maplehillsoap.com updated

2008-07-26T23:19:00.000-07:00

I have some new pics of my summer selection of soap on my website: www.maplehillsoap.com

The new cucumber melon is ready, it's beautiful! And here's my latest favorite, Blackberry Sage, just in time for late summer:

And here's my Berry Verbena:

Plus more on the site!
I'll be at Coupeville Farmers Market next Sat. Aug 2, and Greenbank Market Sun. Aug 3.

the painted pig

2008-07-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

This is what we've been up to lately. No soap. Just crazy "pig" fun. Actually the boys are responsible for most of this, I just wielded the knife. You get bonus points if you make it through the nose. Yes, you can see the artistic blood running through our veins.

Maple Hill Soap now at Island Drug (Oak Harbor) & La Conner Drug!

2008-06-17T18:59:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce TWO more stores that will be carrying my Maple Hill Soap!

Island Drug in Oak Harbor, on Pioneer Ave.
La Conner Drug, in La Conner!

It feels good to have stores coming to ME now!
You can still buy my goat-milk soap online at:
www.maplehillsoap.com

Pics of little doeling goats

2008-06-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

Thunder on left... Easter on right

...this is Jellybean

Look how big the doelings are getting! 2 1/2 months old and already eating everything in sight!
The plan right now is to keep them and have them CAE tested at 6 months.

Cooking Up A Story

2008-06-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

Check out the incredible stories/videos that my cousin produces:

http://cookingupastory.co m/

No on-air talent, no scripted programming, no studio environments, just authentic stories filmed in their native surroundings.

How many online videos tell a good story? How many good stories are told without the use of a celebrity, or a written script?

We think that’s what makes Cooking Up A Story, and Cooking Up A Story audiences, so unique. Our viewers appreciate a good story, and they want to experience a deeper truth, even those containing shades of gray. Many, care deeply about the environment, and believe that we must work to produce fundamental change in how America (and other countries in the world) conduct business. The funny thing about the subject of sustainable food, it doesn’t fall neatly into specific categories. It crosses over into every aspect of our society: social; political; economic; and environmental concerns.

In fact, Cooking Up A Story is unique for another reason. It’s really 3 different shows under the umbrella of one main title. First, Cooking Up A Story contains short documentaries about real people and their passionate connections to food and sustainable living. Many of these personal stories (along with our other shows) extend beyond the boundary of place, and are as interesting, and relevant today, as the first stories we produced almost two years ago.

Cooking Up A Story: FOOD NEWS contains interviews and talks with experts on a wide range of topics relating to the science, politics, and culture of food. Following the ideas expressed in these videos, ask yourself this question: are these ideas mainly limited to the area of food? We think not. Closely following Michael Pollan, and you will observe how universal healthcare coverage would likely impact current government policies that favor large mega-farms and the growing of non-specialty crops (crops not intended for human consumption!). Listen to the Dan Imhoff series that talks about the federal Farm Bill, and see how the epidemic of obesity and early onset diabetes is fueled by government subsidies that enables unhealthy foods to be more affordable than healthy foods. Or, Carlo Petrini’s talk, where in part, he outlines how Americans spend less on food (based on per capita income) than most other citizens of the world, and why we need to spend more for better quality food.

Third, our other main segment is Cooking Up A Story: Cooking, a no-nonsense, step by step demonstration how to prepare fresh foods, and desserts from people with wide ranging backgrounds and interests. In addition, there are recipes from each subject of our main stories, and also recipes from some of the How-To cooking videos.

Last, the most important aspect of our work, is YOU. We need your active support. If you like our show, share our stories on your site. Tell your friends about us, and subscribe to our feeds. If you agree that our content is important and unique, help us through your active participation to make it even more successful by commenting on our site, and on sites that display our videos.

Cascade Camping

2008-06-03T04:19:00.001-07:00

Camping at Klipchuck Campground... Hwy 20... Early Winters Creek... Okanogan Forest.

Ahhh, home away from home. Let's forget about everything and just relax!
This place was almost all to ourselves!

We traveled up and over the pass to get some warmer weather... 15 degrees warmer than the west side of the Cascades.

Early Winters Creek, just east of Washington Pass.

Little Ducky, you're the one...

2008-05-23T14:59:00.001-07:00

Look what I found yesterday! This little Mallard duckling just about walked right in front of my lawnmower... Are you my mother? It was all alone, we're assuming it's mother was the injured duck our dog chased away earlier in the afternoon. Well, we're all in love with it, and we'll get her(?) a friend next week.

Coupeville Market regular

2008-05-11T10:39:00.001-07:00

I had another GREAT day at the Coupeville Farmers' Market yesterday. I've decided to make it my new favorite, every Saturday 10-2. Well, I won't be there every Sat, I do need to go camping here and there! But I WILL be there the next TWO Saturdays: May 17 (Penn Cove Water Festival) and May 24 (Memorial Wknd.) Come by and say "HI!"

Huge Cattleya orchid blooms

2008-05-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

This Cattleya orchid is special to me: The hybrid is named after my grandfather, Carl Hausermann, from orchidsbyhausermann.com. My mom grew up at "The Largest and Oldest Orchid Grower in the Midwest. Family Owned and Operated since 1935. Our 3 ½ acre orchid range is home to the Largest Collection of Cattleya Orchid Plants in the USA."

If only you could smell over the internet!

My Cattleyas grow alongside two types of Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium and Miltonia. All bloom nicely in the east-facing bay window around our soaking tub. They get the shower's daily humidity (well, at least Steve takes a daily shower :-) I have two baby Paphiopedilum, looking forward to those blooms hopefully someday! My cymbidiums are blooming on the front porch.

Stainless steel milk buckets are heavy...

2008-04-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

... and REALLY HURT A LOT when you drop them on your big toe!!! OUCH! It's very ugly. Running is now on hold.

Coupeville market Sat.

2008-04-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

It's supposed to be a nice, "warmer" weekend, so I'll be at the Coupeville Market tomorrow, Sat. April 26. I have a bit of exceptional feta... if you ask early!

latest soap production

2008-04-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

I got busy this last week:

Top: BerryWine
Lavender; Summer Breeze
Bottom: Red Clover Tea

"Local Grown" coffee/gifts in Coupeville

2008-04-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

A great new espresso stand / gift shop is just opening up at the end of the wharf in Coupeville. It's called LOCAL GROWN. Besides selling coffee drinks, it has all local products and gift baskets... also including Maple Hill goat-milk Soap! So, if you find yourself touring the Coupeville waterfront on Penn Cove, make sure you go to the end of the pier and check out William's new store.

2008-04-16T14:40:00.000-07:00

She's OK... and she LOVES Heineken!

Close call for Easter

2008-04-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

Well, we lost our new buckling on Sunday... Floppy Kid Syndrome. :-( I felt so bad - it happened so quick. Too little too late, I got Penicillin and baking soda.

So when I went out early this morning, I was shocked to notice Easter with the same wobbly, stand-offish demeanor. It sucks that I had to learn from experience, but if I hadn't just gone through it, I probably wouldn't have been able to save my Easter. I immediately gave her a shot of Penicillin and tried to get her to drink some baking soda. Sawyer & I then went to the feed store, got some electrolytes and B vitamins. I gave her a shot of the B complex. She didn't want to drink, so I got up the nerve to use a stomach tube. It was surprisingly easy, and it made all the difference. By this afternoon, so had a little spring to her step. Then this evening she drank the electrolytes from a bottle (good girl.) Hopefully she'll be OK when I go out in the morning.

Personally, I've never encountered Floppy Kids before. I know of two other farms that had this in the last couple weeks. One kid made it (with Penicillin) the other didn't.

Thank you Beth for all your help. Thank you also for offering to replace the sweet little buck.

Coupeville Market, Sat. 4/12

2008-04-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

I made a last minute decision to be at the Coupeville Farmer's Market tomorrow: Sat. April 12. It's going to be a beautiful day, so come see me and my new goat-milk soaps. Yes - I'll have cheese!!!

chevre

2008-04-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

I made a big batch of fresh chevre goat cheese, so if you're interested, give me a call or email, and you can come by to pick it up! The garlic & onion is yummy. I'm going to try to have some available every Friday afternoon, so come get some for the weekend!

Yet another doe... way to go Ripto!

2008-03-27T14:46:00.000-07:00

Five-out-of-five kids are does! How unbelievable! Flashy had a single kid today, a very healthy and big doe (good thing just one... she is still small.) Ripto (our buck) threw 100% female. We were also fortunate that all three births happened during the day, so I could dry them off and bottlefeed them all pasteurized milk. Busy, busy!

4 kids in a corner

2008-03-26T12:22:00.001-07:00

How cute are these guys? Notice the size difference of Jellybean (runt) and Easter (tank.) Cookie's kids in the back have been named Mocha & Coca (it was supposed to be Cocoa, but that just doesn't roll off Sean's tongue very easily, he just keeps saying Coca :-)

I got almost a gallon of milk from Cookie & Cupcake this morning! We're still waiting for Flashy to have her kids, I can feel them, so they're getting close!

As for the soap world: I'll be taking another order over to Linds today, so they will be restocked in Freeland for the weekend, then Langley next week.

frosty morning

2008-03-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

The grass was crunchy this morning, as I went out to milk the goats before the boys got up. The kids were doing fine, all huddled up together in the corner. After Sean was off to school, Sawyer and I went out and bottlefed the babies, they really are super cute. You know they'll be OK when they take to the bottle and survive a chilly first night. Cookie & Cupcake are getting used to the new milking machine, which is such a dream.

Wow - another set of does!!

2008-03-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

We named them Easter and Jellybean. Cupcake took advantage of the break in the storm and delivered them outside. They've joined their cousins in the kid barn. What Joy!

Twin does!

2008-03-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!
Cookie beat out Cupcake and had twin little girls on Good Friday... YAY! We were all thrilled to witness and photo the whole event. Both does are healthy and happy to be a part of our herd. They both have taken to the bottle, and they're being fed pasteurized milk, to prevent the CAE virus. Birth pics are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/smilesonwhidbey/CookiesKidsTwinDoes

Happy Spring!

2008-03-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Well, still waiting for the goat kids to arrive. In the meantime, I made another batch of Oatmeal Soap. Nice fine, powdery oatmeal this time, more soothing, less scratchy. Half is unscented, the other half is LICORICE (sweet fennel oil and alkanet root color.) Both versions are all natural and will be available at www.maplehillsoap.com around April 5.

Greenbank Farmer's Market will start up in April

2008-03-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, I WILL be at the Greenbank Farmer's Market (off & on) this spring and summer, starting first Sunday in May. Check this blog for dates.

The goats are scheduled to kid next week! Come back for pics. That means the milk will be flowin' and the CHEESE will be available in a couple weeks. Yes, I will have fresh chevre goat cheese for purchase at the market... but you have to ask, as it's for friends only :-)

Spring soaps now in Freeland LINDS and Linds Langley Drug

2008-03-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

Great new spring soaps, all stocked up. Please stop by Linds and check them out! Thanks!