Branching out, Rooting Down

Today morphed quickly from a slow morning to a bustle from this and that.  With a knock on the door we were off as the morning milking replacements.  It was very, very cold!  Goats shivering on the stand, iodine turning to slush, and fingers without feeling. While it is always a pleasure to milk the does, we were ready to be back in the warmth of our apartment, eating some hot lunch. 

After a lunch break, the show was back on with a trip to the Peterborough's winter farmers market.  Of course, there were a variety of things to finish in the cheesery before getting in the car.  Stacia and I are learning how consuming this lifestyle is, especially when dealing with time sensitive cheeses.  The farmer's market was small, but we enjoyed having some good conversations with the regular vendors.  Stacia even got some work leads.  While Sarah was hoping to get some scheduling discussions in, we were busy enough to keep that conversation at bay.  Can't complain about that!  Check, we are all trained in on market presentation. 

Afterwards, the three of us went out for sushi.  It was nice to converse with Sarah away from work and about things other than goats.  Naturally, the goats had their time in chatter as well.  However, Sarah has a truly wonderful background and life story.  We have a lot to learn from her, goats and beyond.  A sense of home is often connected to place, but place is just a placeholder for the people and community that bring it life and meaning.  Stacia brings me a sense of home, but that connection to the place of Hancock is strengthened by all the wonderful people we continue to meet. 

I have so many places that I can call 'home', marked by the inspiring and supportive human beings that reside there.  I wish you all could come here for a big Spring kickoff!  We would have the best time! 

The night ended with frozen mango yogurt and a package from a dear friend!  Thanks for the terrarium, Erin Luhman! You're the best!  We decorated it with a goat Stacia got from Santa!

Until next time,

Kenz

Schmoozing up the cheese eaters.

Mango frozen yogurt!

Goat terrarium hanging above our kitchen island.