We made it, dear reader. We have made it to the end of the work week, and it feels like it took its grand old time getting here. As we move into March, we are preparing for the baby season here on the farm. The Bibbed Wonder and I have begun to check on our pregnant does multiple times daily. My dear girl, Red, aka Honeybelle, is the first on the schedule to deliver. With the warm temperatures and sunshine, Eric and I spent some time in the field with the goats yesterday. Red has begun to “bag up,” or her udder has started to fill with milk. When the girls begin to produce milk, we know that soon kids will arrive. Eric pulled her teat yesterday, producing a healthy stream of milk. Red is a great mom, produces a lot of milk, and has the most beautiful kids. Hands down, Red is one of my favorite girls.
I’m looking forward to the kidding season. It’s an exciting yet stress-filled time of year, but oh, the wonder and thrill when healthy, adorable baby goats arrive. It’s always a thrill when the girls deliver, and we get to clean belly buttons, help them get on their feed, and discover the sex of the new baby. Of course, we always hope for little doelings, but regardless of gender, they are loved on and babied.
Our kidding season can get pretty crazy. Sometimes, we have multiple girls in labor at once. When this happens, we take the divide-and-conquer approach to playing the nursemaid. Often, each of us will assign ourselves to one goat. We sit quietly with the laboring mama and patiently wait with towels, iodine, treats, and a warm, nutrient-rich drink. When little heads and hooves appear, we help guide the little one out, clean it off, clear its airways, ensure it dries off completely, and then step aside so mama can do her job and bond with the baby. We anxiously await to see how many little ones will be born, and then we ensure everyone is healthy, on their feet, and nursing. Those first few hours are vital to the survival of the kids.
When it is kidding season, 150% of our energy goes into caring for the mamas and little ones. Our care, sleep, meals, and hygiene take a backseat to the needs of our goats. With that being said, this is the time of year I rely heavily upon my crockpot to prepare easy, nutritious meals. Today, I will share one of our favorite go-to crockpot meals. I prepare this meal in the morning and allow it to cook all day, and when one of us is hungry, we can help ourselves at our convenience.
Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Ingredients:
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breats, Cooked and Cubed
1 Can Cream Of Chicken Soup
2 Envelopes of Knorr Chicken Gravy Mix
½ Cup of Chicken Broth
2 Cups Mixed Frozen Vegetables
1 Tablespoon Parsley
Hot Steamed Rice
Directions:
Place the chicken and the frozen vegetables in the slow cooker with salt and pepper.
Whisk together the soup, chicken broth, gravy mix, and parsley in a small mixing bowl.
Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and vegetables.
Turn the crock pot on low and cook for 4-6 hours.
Serve the chicken and gravy over hot steamed rice. I cook my rice in a rice cooker. Once the rice is cooked, I turn the rice cooker to the warm setting. This way, the rice is warm and ready when we have time to eat.
Serve with a salad that has been made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator.
Whether delivering baby goats, running to after-school events, or working overtime, this delicious, convenient meal will fill your tummy and keep you warm. I hope your family enjoys this meal as much as we do. On this overcast Friday, stay safe, be smart, enjoy simple and delicious meals, and keep washing your hands. If you are so inclined, please send us some good vibes for a healthy kidding season. We appreciate you.
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