Simply Said - Thoughts on the season

Hi there! This is Laura, from Simply Making It goat milk soaps and such. First off, thanks to all of you for your support and for signing up for these emails.  As we move forward you’ll get a variety of things here, from farm updates and goat love, to spotlighting some of the products I make and maybe even some soapy science info. You’ll also get a coupon code to use on the website! I’m super excited about starting Simply Said, and super thankful to you for reading:)  This morning I’ve been contemplating just how much I am anticipating sunshine and warm weather on the farm (and less mud..), and I thought I’d share my thoughts.

I am 100% a summer girl. Give me my hot Alabama summers, sunshine, a garden to weed, and grass to cut any day over snowy cold weather. February brings the first signs that spring is coming and that makes me happy.  On the farm I often say, “There’s a season for everything,” and that’s always reinforced in February.  Thinking back to the end of summer we see the leaves change color and fall, the garden fades away, the peacocks begin to drop their gorgeous tail feathers, and the goats dry up their milk supply. Even the hens take a break from their egg laying. It seems we all need a break. Nature works this in by perfect design and gives us the pattern to follow suit. Trips to the barn in icy cold wind to milk every morning wouldn’t be enjoyable for me or the goats! So, we take a break. The hens know better than to try and raise tiny fragile chicks in the cold of winter, so they take a break. The peacocks spread their magnificent tail feathers in order to attract their partners and sustain their species. Like the hens, that’s just not practical in winter, so they, too, take a break. (So much for the bird brain theory.) Fiona and Celeste, my two milk goats, are taking time to care for themselves and prepping to have new babies, so they also enjoy a break.

And now it’s February. February on the farm brings the first signs of returning to routine. The days are longer, the hens start laying a few more eggs in anticipation of hatching chicks. The peacock’s feathers are long and beautiful again, and he proudly fans them to perfection. Daffodils and hyacinths pop up almost overnight to give us glorious color on otherwise gray days. And the very best part of February? The arrival of the fist kids in the goat barn. That is what happened this week, and that’s why I am once again up at 5:00 a.m. in anticipation of daylight so that I can go to the barn and fuss over Fiona and Celeste’s beautiful baby girls. It’s still cold outside…actually really, really cold, but I’m excited about this change of “seasons” simply because I took a break.

Now I’m off to bundle up in my insulated coveralls, warm hat, and boots for my early morning venture to the barn. While I’m doing that, you can browse www.simplymakingit.com, check out some super cute baby goat pictures, and even use the coupon code TAKEABREAK to take 20% off your order of $40 or more. (This code will work through March 18!)

Laura

“When the winds of change blow, remember… sometimes what appears dead is simply preparing for a new season.” — Jane Lee Logan