We've been enjoying the Indian summer lately.  It has been so nice.  Even when it rains, usually some part of the day is salvageable for outside work/play.

We've gotten the garlic and shallots in the garden for next summer's crop.  The garden is mostly cleaned up, excepting things that are winter crops, biennials that will go to seed next summer, or stuff that was too green to pull and put in the compost just yet.  I'm already looking forward to next year's garden.  I think DH is going to have to plow me up another garden patch.  I don't know that I have enough space if I get all the seeds I want.  I also need a greenhouse, and that is causing quite a problem...  Do I buy one from ShelterLogic?  The goat shelter we bought from them has stood up to a beating in the 9 months we've had it.  Still going strong, except the elastic ties that hold the door open, and those are easily replaced.  Do I try to make a free-standing one out of conduit or PVC plus 6mil plastic?  Do I make a lean-to on the south side of the house, since the hose bib is right there, too, and it's close to the house?  These things all need to get resolved before January because I'm going to be starting seeds then, and I know that my current setup doesn't work for that.  I have no place for grow lights or propagation mats or even the flats that I want to start my seeds in.

The two big goats are officially bred.  I can't wait to have kids in March!  We also have to get our kidding supply list together and look to get it in March.  The two doelings will be bred probably in 3 weeks, which will be exciting too.  Those kids will come mid-April.  We're in the process of drying off the two big girls.  They are giving so little milk, but each drop is precious right now.  I milk every other day at noon and only get a little over a quart from each doe.  It's just enough to not buy milk, but I will be buying milk when we go to the store next Monday.  I don't think they'll last to our trip after that.

The baby is growing by leaps and bounds.  He hums while nursing or when he's eating something he likes.  It is funny because he's humming his version of the "Good Eats" theme song.  He's cutting a new tooth, too, so he has a very wet face most of the time between the drool and the snot. 

School is going well.  I'm hoping we can get into a good routine and stay there.  It seems like every time we get into one, something happens to mess it up.  I really hate that.  My struggling reader seems to have turned a corner.  I think he just needs more practice to build confidence that he can, indeed, read.  My new reader is immensely pleased with himself because he can read 2 K-level readers now.  We're going to work on the third one tomorrow.  I can't wait to see if he can do it.  I bet he can! :)  The preschooler is also learning phonics, and he can't wait to see which cards I introduce tomorrow, too.  He is learning his letter sounds along with the Kindergartener.  He's also learning to write his name and numbers.  I think he's making a good start, too.

Well, that's enough rambling for this Wednesday!